A Christmas Gift

I was asked what I needed for Christmas - and I desperately needed a new magnetic pin holder. I am so glad the thoughtful child got me this - it makes my sewing easier ~ and helps keep pins off the floor! 

Knitted Baby Blanket - Finished!

It has been over a year - but I did finally get this project done. At the top is a full view of the blanket. Directly above is a close up of the border pattern. It is very simple - but I still managed a few errors here and there - but only I would probably notice them.   

Almost Snow...

An uncommon site here in west central Florida. while the kids did make an ice/snowball - these aren't actual snowflakes, more like ice crystals. You could hear a soft rustle-y sound as it fell. All the roofs look like someone sprinkled powdered sugar over them.  Maybe by tomorrow we will have actual snowflakes? 

SWAP 2010

Vogue 7359, originally uploaded by fourkidnubians.

Happy New Year! One of my goals this year is to complete the SWAP 2010. I entered the '09 version last winter, but only did 4 of the 11 required garments. I did get 4 nice skirts from the effort - and I learned about pacing. I also learned a great deal of new sewing techniques this past year, including how to better fit what I am making.  You can click the link above in the title to see the requirements of entering SWAP - but here are my ramblings on it for my particular entries.

Title: Fourkid's Florida Winter

I chose to do Option #2:
2 dresses -single pieces consisting of top and bottom that can be worn alone.
6 tops - t-shirts, shirts, blouses, or camisoles
2 bottoms - jeans, pants, shorts, skirts or kilts.
1 your choice (not an accesory)

1 will be a matched print or stripe.
1 will feature embroidery, beads or sashiko
1 will have buttons as the star feature OR use unusual or alternative closure(s).

So far I have begun working on my first item - the (yellow) jacket pictured above. It is my "choice" item. I am making it in a black wool boucle. Though the pattern is unlined, I will be underlining it with a gray rayon lining fabric.  I am still in the muslin fitting process - but hope to have that ready to go in the next few days. I am formulating plans for the other pieces and will post and update as I progress.

Sewing Aprons

I love vintage patterns - and sewing. This "musical" apron was a quick Christmas project for one of the Princess's music teachers.  Other versions to follow.

State Travel Log

visited 36 states (72%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

Notes:
*I did stop for a few hours in the airport in Detroit - I don't think that can count as visiting MI.
*How did I miss WV - maybe I went through a point of it on the interstate - but I know I have never really been in WV.
*Favorite vacation states in order of preference:
1. Utah
2. Ohio
3. Maine

Biscuits and Gravy Morning...

This was a first for me. I have never made good biscuits - and I have never made gravy at all. That has now all changed.  They were a big hit with the family! (The picture is not especially appetizing - but how do you make biscuits covered in gravy look good unless you photograph for Cracker Barrel?) 

Here are the recipes. 

From our local newspaper - the syndicated column "The Amish Cook". 

Homemade Biscuits from Elizabeth Coblentz (2001)

2 cups sifted four (I didn't sift)

1 T. of baking powder

1 t. salt

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 cup milk

1 t. sugar

In  a large bowl sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. Drop by T. onto a greased cookie sheet - or fill 12 muffin tins 2/3 full. (This is what I did and it worked great.) Bake 18-20 minutes at 375. When done the biscuits will look a light golden brown in color. Makes 12, 3 inch biscuits. 

While the biscuits are cooking - make your gravy. 

Mother's Sausage Gravy from Lovina Eicher (daughter of Elizabeth Coblentz)

1 pound (bulk) sausage, browned

4 T. flour

1 qt milk (I only used 3 and 1/2 cups - I like it a bit thicker.)

salt and pepper to taste

Brown sausage in an iron skillet. Pour off grease. Add flour and brown lightly. Add milk and stir until smooth. (I added only 2 cups and then gradually increased it another cup and a half until it was the consistency I liked.) Bring to a boil and add more milk until the desired consistency or thickness. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

*Note: I do like a slight kick in my gravy - so I may try adding a pinch of red pepper next time.