My entry for Ruffles and Stuff

So a couple weeks ago I announced that I would be participating in the online contest on here. 

Ideas just kept running through my head, but I wanted something unique and that hopefully no one would have already choosen and submitted. 

I think I might have found it.  I made this tonight and I really think it is great.  My idea is very simple to make but will be thought about very often as how I love to read books. So my idea of ruffles is to make a

So you see, every time I read a book I can think of how I love to sew as well.

2 skirts for 2 twins

Here is the 2 finished skirts that I made for Maddie's school friends.  They got all excited when I told them they each had their names on it.

Market skirt

So this week, I wanted to make something for the birthday of one of my daughters school friends. I thought about all the differents things I could make and for some reason a market skirt came to my mind.  I haven't been sewing long, after years and years of sewing remission, but I've made about 5 of these skirts.

To be honest, this Market Skirt and tutorial is what brought me back to doing sewing after many years.  It talked me into buying my brand new lovely Brother 294 stitch, and even made me want to buy a serger to go along with it.

I have to first thank my lovely neighbor for sending me the tutorial.  Of course we blame each other for fuming our sewing obsession; which I totally agree upon. Then I have to also thank Dana at http://www.dana-made-it.com/.  Because if it wasn't for her and also lovely bloggers that share great tutorials and tips, then I wouldn't have the strive to keep at it.  Even if my stitch ripper did get to have a few nights with me and of course me cursing my head off at my blondness. 

Until September of 2009 I was totally unaware of bloggers posting their passions of sewing and creating things, and HTML coding as well.  Now I'm trying to learn both and I look forward to some day being passionately acceptable in the wonderful world of blogging and sewing until I can't see at night to even sew a straight line.  Do I really want to be like all these wonderful ladies that stay up until 2-3:00 am to complete tutorials?  Well I guess that will be more in the future, so for now I'm just enjoying being able to document everything here, YEAH!

There are many more blogs that I go to all the time.  I've sure over time, I will find a way to talk about it here.  So here is what I made, personalized with her name on it.  I hope she likes it!  I'm sure she will since she is 8 and totally into Hannah Montana just like my precious daughter.

Walmart 50% off sale

So tonight I went to Walmart with my neighbor that loves a good deal as much as I do.  Walmart was getting rid of all their fabric .  Everything was 50% off and it was a huge hit.  Alot was gone but I did find some selections that I liked.   I paid 30.00 in fabric and ribbon.  I figured I really got 60.00 worth of fabric.  I can't wait to make some things from what I got. I found some more of the fabric that I used for my bean bags so I figure eventually I will make something else to go along with them. I figured I should probally get a couple of yards considering I'll never be able to get that fabric scheme again.  All in all it was fun as usual when I get to get out for a little while with my dear friend and neighbor. 

Facebook and the typical 8 year old

I would like to start off this night by saying that my daughter is probally your typical 8 year old going on 12 in her young body.  She loves watching all the movies that unfortuately just aren't good for her age.  I remember when I was 8 years old I still hated seeing my Mom and Dad kiss at that point.  Not this little girl, she loves watching all the dating mumbo jumbo and just stares in awe when she sees me and her dad kiss. Ugh..

Tonight was a fun night for me heading off to Joann's with my neighbor and good friend.  But now when I get back home and put my 3 children down for bed, what do I see my new email list.  A confirm of her trying to change my facebook page so she can play her little games.  This really worries me.  She is constantly lying to me about the most simplest of things as well.  I don't know why but I always catch her lying to me and I feel like I have to literally nip all this techno wiz stuff out of her life before it gets to late.  The games are innocent enough and I don't mind them, they are fun for me to watch her play.  She even teaches me a thing or 2.  I've considered making a blog for her but I'm worried about all the prey out there to feast on my little one so I've put that one off for a while.  I do think it would be fun for her but who can trust the internet these days?  Not me I guess since I got home to having a new password.

Miso Salmon

This is one of my all time favorite baking recipes.  I always try to keep the ingredients on hand in my pantry for my favorites, this one is a keeper for sure.

Ingredients:

4 boneless salmon steaks

1/2 cup mild miso

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup mirin

1/2 cup rice vinegar

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon ginger root (minced in a can or fresh is always best)

1 green onion diced

Defrost salmon steaks if needed.  Mix together all the rest of the ingredients.  Make aluminium tents for each individual salmon steak.  Make a 8x8 piece of foil and then put salmon in middle and pinch sides together on left and right followed by bringing in the middle section and pinching together.  Poor a little mixture on each salmon steak in the tent until mixture is gone. Cook for 25-27 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 425 degrees.  Serve with sauce on top with steamed rice and vegetables.

Jicama Slaw

Jicama Slaw

1 small jicama (about ½ pnd)

1/4 medium red bell pepper

1 green onion (green and white parts)

2 sprigs fresh cilantro (or however much you like)

1 cucumber (optional)



DRESSING



1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/4 teaspoon grated lime zest

1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest

1 tbsp. fresh lemon zest

1 tbsp. Fresh lime zest

1 tbsp. Fresh orange juice

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon honey

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon white pepper



DIRECTIONS



With a sharp knife, peel the brown skin off the jicama. Rinse jicama and pat dry with paper towels.

Cut jicama in half, then into thin slices, and finally into matchstick-size strips. Place jicama in a large mixing bowl. Cut cucumber into matchstick sizes as well if added.

Cut red bell pepper into 1/4-inch dice; add to bowl with jicama. Cut green onion crosswise into 3 pieces. Cut into thin strips and add to bowl. Coarsely chop cilantro (leaves and stems) and add to bowl.

Combine the dressing ingredients into a seperatea bowl and pour over the salad, tossing to coat. This is much better marinated for 1day, tossed to coat; then serve.

Hello revamped new header, I LIKE YOU :)

Wow!!   So here I am at 11:50 pm wondering why I'm not in bed instead of making a new header for this sewing and creating website that will one day have visitors. 

No, I'm not talented as others and I don't have a mother around anymore or any close by relatives to steal ideas from; but I'm always searching my mind for new ideas to make my home more eye pleasing to me.

Today I realized once again why I love where I live. 
Number 1:
My kids can now go out and play and can continue doing so for 9 more months instead of 5 tops where I used to live.
Number 2:
I just noticed today that my wonderful cherry tree has blossoms on it.  Cherries will be on it soon!  I'm so excited.  This is my second cherry season here and this year I plan on definately doing some canning.  There are so many cherry recipes online for canning.  I can't wait to try some out.
So here is my new header that I took outside this afternoon.   It also doubles to cheer me up as well, when the winter months come and the cherry's have come and gone. 

I really like it!

March fun and Contests

So I love to follow Ruffles and Stuff and the lady that does the stuff on the blog is no ameteur, that's for sure.



She is kicking off March with a banging contest, that I definately want to partipate in. She says do anything in "Ruffles" and she is going to pick winners to get some great prizes. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do to contribute and send to her.

More to come in the next few weeks ahead as I am in birthday party mode around here for my two lovely daughters, both which happen to have March Birthdays.