Gardening Fun

We went to an auction at our local garden shop yesterday. They had some wonderful buys. I picked up some bulbs and perennials. These are "garden grafitti" signs a friend of mine makes and sells there. I think they are cute. I've got to order more.

This is Mandy's peppermint that she started from a single start a couple of years ago. It has really taken off. She loves peppermint tea. We'll have to try and dry some leaves this year.

The Hollyhock starts from another friend are coming up this year.

This is a Beefsteak tomato plant.

The thornless blackberries I planted last year are sure to get some berries on them this year!

This is a new start of thornless raspberries from my same friend that shared her blackberry starts with us. We're not looking for any berries from this one until next year.

Oreo Truffles!

A friend made these for my for my birthday, and I had forgotten about them until I ran across the recipe. I needed a quick treat for a get-together at school, so decided to whip up a batch. I had forgotten how yummy they are, and I'm not even a big Oreos fan! Recipe follows..

Oreo Truffles

1 pkg Oreos (Use regular, not the double stuffed ones---the dark chocolate are regular, the white chocolate are mint!)

1 8 oz pkg softened cream cheese

Baker's (sweetened) chocolate

Crush Oreos in a plastic bag with a rolling pin, or put in a food processor. Reserve 9 Oreos in a small plastic bag to use after dipping. (I didn't do this....but I did take out the 9 Oreos.) Mix crumbs with softened cream cheese. This will remind you of a mudd pie mixture. Roll into 24 balls and place in the refrigerator. Melt chocolate. I have had the best luck using a glass measuring cup for about 2 minutes in the microwave. Then using 2 forks, dip each ball into the chocolate. Decorate with reserved Oreo crumbles, or sprinkles. It's hard to keep the white chocolate free of crumbs, but they are yummy just the same!

Glamour Gloves

These "glamour gloves are fun to make for friends, bridal shower, etc. I just cut a 6" strip of fabric that is about twice as long as the gloves are around. Then fold in half and press. I make pleats as I serge to the tops of rubber gloves. Everyone should have a pair of glamour gloves when doing the "not-so-glamourous" housework!

Pillow Case Pattern

Trimmed Pillow Cases

3 Different Fabrics
2 matching cases
Main Fabric 28” of 45 wide 1 and 5/8 yard
Contrasting 10” of 45 wide 5/8 yard
Decorative strip 4” of 45 wide ¼ yard

Cut all 3 pieces
Fold, with right side out and iron 10” strip and 4” strip

Layer right sides together with 28” strip on bottom, 4” strip closest to 28” piece then 10” on top—raw edges Pin in about 3 places. Serge edge. Fold right sides to right sides, making sure trim piece is laying correct direction. Serge bottom and end seams. Turn inside out and press.

New Skirts

Here are the latest flirty skirts I've been working on.....

Here's Lily's Hannah Montana skirt!

Here's Izzie's tye-dyed and racing check skirt!

Here's a new one I made Mandy. She calls it her Chinese skirt.

This one's for Kate. It matches Mandy's, but there's a hairbow to go with....

Crafts, Projects and Such

I will be adding photos and directions for various projects I am working on. My latest adventure is Flirty Skirts.

Flirty Skirt Pattern

If you click on either of the pages above, they will open in a new window (larger) where you should be able to save or print. Let me know if you have any questions. I have found that if you have a serger, you can just gather the ruffles onto the flat yoke and it's much easier.

Mandy's Elvis Skirt

Here's Lily's Hannah Montana purple!

Here's the first one we made. It's an Elvis skirt!

More Flirty Skirts

These were made for "The Carolina" kids. Word has it since Penny received hers, she hasn't taken it off!

Flirty Skirts

I received a request to post my latest project: "Flirty Skirts" on my blog. I decided to create a new blog for my "junk." I'll post projects I'm working on or some of my favorite things.

This skirt pattern is a fun one, and oh so easy! It is from a summer issue of "Quilts and More."

We learned how to do them at church in Mutual, but I found the pattern on line too.

Here's one I made for a friend's daughter with a matching hair bow. Pretty cute!