Speaking of Aprons

"My ribbon hatbox"


In the photo below...I prepared this little package for a dear friend who popped in for a quick visit. I always like to prepare a basket of some sort for my guest and I was so happy to have found the bath soak with the perfect pattern and colors with my "idea" for the apron package ensemble.
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I planned the apron colors to be black and white and originally thought about adding a red button or ribbon..but after finding the bath soak with the lovely green...I decided to match the color theme of Black, White and Green. As I sought a gift bag...I found one from my local Quilt shop with a Palm Tree design..significant of our local.. and just so happen to also have perfectly matched green tissue! VOILA... I was so happy it all came together so easily



This is such a FUN apron pattern. I made this one in a pretty "dressy" fabric for my sister, who's kitchen has the Tuscany look.


The pattern pictured below is by Vanilla House. The designs on the cover just make your creativity soar! You can make these..
Retro...country...dressy...cutie... there is no limit to the wonders of this great apron pattern.


I am currently planning for our annual Ladies Luncheon. The theme this year is the "Happy Homemaker" and....all the ladies are going to wear APRONS!

My Apron poem will be printed on cards or framed and our guest speaker will do a devotion about the Happy Homemaker. I think some rolling pins...and cookie jars...and pretty pie plates will be cute on the food tables. I saw some mini's in a packet...tiny rolling pins...whisk etc. Maybe I'll use mason jars for the punch and tie a ribbon with a mini glued to it!

What do you think? Any ideas? (I love comments!so here's your chance!)

I am also in the midst of typing up recipes for our church cookbook that will hopefully be ready in time for our luncheon.

I can't wait to plan the decor...thinking of cherries and polka dots.

Yep...something about Polka Dots that just are....well, you know!! CUTE!

Blogging Break

Thank you all for your encouraging comments that have meant so much to me, and the friendships gained. I look forward to the rejoicings of the year ahead that we can share together.
God bless...
HOPE

Yummy Recipes

CREAMY WAFER COOKIES
or at our house "Hamburger Cookies"

1 C. real Butter...softened (I only use unsalted Land O' Lakes)
1/3 C. liquid whipping cream
2 C. all-purpose flour

PREHEAT OVEN 350

MIX thoroughly butter, cream and flour. (yes you read it right!)
COVER AND CHILL...30 minutes. Dough should not be soft.

Roll out dough a little at a time...1/4" thick, keeping the rest chilled.

Cut into small circles...as shown in photo (I use a plastic medicine cup..works PERFECT!) Transfer dough to wax paper sprinkled lightly with granulated sugar: turn each cookie over so that it has sugar on both sides...place cookies on baking sheet and then prick with fork making two-three rows (as seen in photo)

Did I mention to STUDY the photo...(visuals are always so helpful!)

BAKE 7-9 minutes until set and lightly golden..not brown!

Cool completely as these will then have a filling between two cookies...

CREAM FILLING
1/4 C. real butter
3/4 C. Confectioners sugar (Powdered)
1 tsp. Vanilla
Food Coloring ..your choice!

CREAM butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Tint with choice of food coloring. Taking two cookies that hopefully match in size! place a small amount of "icing" in the middle and presto..you have a little cookie that resembles a "hamburger". These are especially nice for Bridal or Baby Showers.
I chose a light orange for Thanksgiving!

These are light and delicious..melt in your mouth cookies!
Very delicate so you have to put the entire cookie in your mouth!
Make sure they are small enough! or you will be embarrassed with a mouthful! but smiling!




CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE BARS

2 C. all-purpose flour
1 1/4 C. QUICK Oats
3/4 C. packed Brown sugar
1 C. real butter

PREHEAT OVEN 350

CRUST
In large bowl, stir together flour, Oats and brown sugar.
Cut in butter (slice in pieces for easier cutting in)
to resemble coarse crumbs. RESERVE 1 1/2 CUP..set aside in another bowl or measuring cup.

Press remaining crumbs into greased 13 X 9 X 2" baking dish.
BAKE 15 minutes...should be light colored...
you will continue baking this again after the filling is put in.

FILLING
12 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1/2 C. granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 16 ounce can Jellied Cranberry Sauce
2 tsp. cornstarch

BEAT the cream cheese and sugar on med. speed til light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs, lemon juice and vanilla.

Spread over the warm crust carefully making sure it is spread evenly.

Stir together gently, in a bowl the Cranberry and cornstarch.

Using a spoon, drop "dollops" of the cranberry on top of the filling.
Take a butter knife and lightly run the knife over the top of each dollop to make it swirl a bit. DO NOT CUT THROUGH THE CRUST!

BAKE 40 minutes until set. COOL-cut into bars ...

This is very good warm and served with vanilla ice cream.

or chill in the fridge and serve cold like cheesecake.

ENJOY!!!

The Apron

Someone had a contest a while back on their blog for a poem on baking in an apron. I wrote this not realizing is had to be about baking..so decided I'd post

MY APRON POEM
the woman who wears it!

I saw her apron
hanging on the rack

Thoughts of her in the kitchen
brought happy memories back

I can almost smell the savory scents
warm stew to fill my tummy

Her decorated cakes,
everything.... so yummy!

She set the table to perfection
a vase of flowers, we must have!

"Stop and smell the roses!"
She would say and make us glad!

Her warm, inviting smile
would wipe the tears away

As we sat together talking
A Bible verse she would say.

She could comfort us so quickly
By her testimony of grace

How Jesus blessed her always
we could see it in her face

Her apron tells a story
warm kitchen hugs and tea

I miss the lady who wore this apron
She's so very special to me!

written by HOPE
Dec. 2008

apron made by:
Pam at Good News From a Far Country

I hope one day that my family,friends and granchildren
will think of me this way...don't you?!

Yearly Gingerbread Creation

My yearly Gingerbread House was not quite as fancy this year...However!



I found this adorable white chocolate bear...to peek around and sneak up on the goodies! He is just too cute!

This is the back side open for reaching in for those delicious Lindt Truffles!




The photo on the left is last years gingerbread house, made for my newly married son and his wife. I used a little Bride and Groom for the entry...and had to add hearts of course! This one was a lot of fun to make. Coming up with a street lamp and finding last year...a Lindt chocolate snowman! It's always fun to create a new one each year with new ideas.


Cranberry Cheesecake Bars...friends who do not like cheesecake..LOVE these scrumptious goodies. I found this recipe one year in a BHG magazine and figured if it won $400 must be pretty good. What a winner this definitely is! Rave reviews! This is made with quick oats..and whole cranberry sauce. Good warm or cold.



These are a family favorite...Creamy Wafer Cookies...these literally melt in your mouth. We have made these for weddings..baby showers etc. Just change the color of the icing and they work for any occasion. They are made with whipping cream. If you'd like the recipe leave me a comment and I'll send it to you.





This is my Thanksgiving Table settings...new dishes from my husband that were just perfect..held all the goodies and as my son said..."wow..now my gravy will stay on the plate!"....

A few days prior to Thanksgiving... I quickly took some of the fabric I found left over from the napkins I made last year and made a quilted center piece. This tied in with the napkins and the extra napkins angled under the plates...completed a pretty table. I found the pumpkins and squash on sale at Walmart for...fifty cents! Was I happy about that bargain! Just when I needed it. There are two different ones at the other end with a candle also.



Just before dinner, we all gave a testimony of Thanksgiving. My son, truly blessed my husband and I with his praise of thanks to God for being born into a Christian family. He said, many people do not have the privilege I have had..from day one!
Yea... he was attending church, nine months before that!

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18


We had a wonderful time with my son, daughter in law and a friend they brought down with them. They also brought their two dogs. We were not sure how this was going to go...but, the "cousins" as we called them, had the time of their lives!
It was so funny watching them play like little kids! Mya is a mini pinscher...Maggie a mix lab...and Gus the Schnauzer...I called him the "warm fuzzy"..he needs his hair groomed!

I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, blessed in many ways.

Gus being rewarded for being a "GOOD BOY" after all the company left

Thanksgiving Blessings

As the photo states... I am thankful for all the blessings in my life. I love this time of year. The air is newly fresh and crisp...the Autumn colors are warming...and so many are reminded of how thankful we should be...and not just now, but always.

Can me measure the blessings that God has given each of us...I say not! They are too numerable! Even as I have written the story of my son Stephen at Watering Wells of Hope and the story about my father at This is the Day...those are just two outstanding moments in my life...yea most wondrous! and yet, God has faithfully blessed and answered so many prayers since then. His ways are past finding out! Our riches in Christ, non compared.

Riches...I speak of peace, joy and assurance of heart. Oh to magnify the LORD...

O Magnify the LORD with me
and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3

I would like to say Happy Thanksgiving to my readers...thank you for the encouraging comments and for just taking the time to visit.

These are a few of my Thanksgiving crafts...a little here and there...saved over the years. The Indian...I purchased when my first grandson was born. It's a treasure to me now. He is eleven years old. I placed cinammon pinecones next to him...mmm the smell is so nice! (especially in a guest room!)

I took some ribbon and intertwined around the base of a glass candle holder that sits on a gold charger and added some leaves I took from my yard last year and have some mini pumpkins placed in and out.....It was fun putting together.



The glass pumpkin and squash I bought at Cracker Barrel several years ago...just $2.99 each! I love to browse their Country Store whenever we stop there to eat.

Thank you for stopping by... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

The Wedding

I had the pleasure this past weekend of helping a sweet bride to be...decorate the church for her wedding.

She was at such a loss for what to do. We put our heads together and in the end...it was just what she dreamed. We used tulle for the draped affect down the aisle and clustered flowers with ribbon. I also added white bows for the Brides family row.
I love the look of tulle..it has such a soft affect and looks very pretty in photos.
Of course this photo was taken prior to the wedding...the white runner down the aisle made the colors more vibrante.


I remember when I was getting married. I relied on the Florist to do the decorating. As I arrived to the church...it was bare!! I was so disappointed. I was sure my wedding (as far as looks) was going to be a flop! (I did not know at the time, that of course the Florist has everything already made up and ready to set in place, in a matter of minutes. We spent...five hours decorating last Thursday!

When the time came for my own entrance...I walked out to the most beautiful sight! And all that I had dreamed was there. I too, had the flowers down the aisle and ribbon sways flowing down each pew to the altar. I had the candles and two huge baskets of beautiful fresh flowers. The scent of the flowers filled the air. The soft music played and my heart welled up with gladness.

And there at the altar, stood my future husband. The one who led me to the LORD. I was about to embark on a wonderful journey of life with him...in Christ!
This was almost 35 years ago! We have been blessed with six children and 10 grandchildren...two of whom are already in the presence of our Saviour. One son, and one grand-daughter. Through every trial and joy...the LORD has been in our midst. Never to leave nor forsake us, but to fill us with all hope and peace...in HIM.

The young man who married this weekend, I have known since he was eight years old. He has grown up into a wonderful, dedicated Christian young man. Praise GOD! A fine example of obedience in his home and to other young people in our church. He is currently attending our Bible Institute. His bride, a sweet young woman who has grown up with much adversity in her home life; She trusted Christ as her Saviour a few years ago. And, she too, has been an example to other young woman in our church. That life in Christ yields wonderful rewards for obedience. She didn't seek the world...but stayed in church and God answered the desires of both their hearts. A Godly mate.

She chose blue and white for her colors.



The Original colors for my wedding was also going to be Blue and White! I of course am a fan of these colors as my house testifies! Heavenly colors!

However...after choosing my bridesmaid dresses...I was told just a couple weeks before my wedding that they were no longer available! Oh no!...I did not want a PINK wedding...but, it turned out that the only dresses we could find available on short notice were ...PINK! And all turned out beautiful...as the church colors were perfect and the altar background fitting. Isn't it amazing...how things just seem to work out sometimes..PERFECTLY!

The bride of this weekends wedding also chose a touch of yellow in the bouquets. A lovely combination.



The reception carried on the silver color.


The tiered plate holders I purchased last year to be used for our annual ladies luncheon. They were perfect for the wedding. The decorations add so much to something so simple.

I hope you enjoyed a little glimps of the wedding!

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

A SPECIAL GIFT

This Patriotic Quilt was presented to my son while he was home from Iraq on R & R. (rest and relaxation)

There is a very touching story behind this quilt.

I joined an online quilting group a few years ago and have gotten to know some very special ladies. Like we do here on our blogs. They answer questions about quilting, we do quilt block swaps and have done many projects together as a group at a distance. This by far has been the most rewarding for all of us!

I made my son the mini patriotic wall hanging I featured earlier on my blog. When I finished this; I mentioned wanting to surprise my son with a full size Patriotic Quilt upon his return home.

A few weeks passed by when; one day my husband came in with the mail and a few small packages for me. Three parcels with a patriotic looking block! I thought to myself..

"How nice of these ladies"...and I thought nothing more of it...

Until the next day..and the next...and the next..

Packages started showing up by the loads! One day seven...another thirteen! I was overwhelmed and cried. With each Patriotic Quilt Block was a touching note to either my son or myself. Thanking him for his service...thanking me for my courage as a mom...some called him...their HERO.

I put in the black sashing and gold cornerstones to finish of the top. I then pieced a few more blocks myself to add to a couple others that would make a panel across the top back. One of the ladies in my group who owns a long arm Quilting machine...asked me to send her the top and back and she would finish the rest and then send it onto my daughter's for the family reunion we had planned upon his return for R & R.

Each of these blocks were sewn with loving hearts. From all over the U.S.A., Canada, Germany, Australia, England and Wales.

The value of this Quilt is priceless. Many of the blocks had messages such as..

To My Hero... God bless your service...Thank you....Scripture verses...Victory!

Perhaps, now you know why Quilting has become even more valuable to me.

Each Quilt...has a message...of LOVE.

Newest project

These are the table runners I made as gifts..for my recent trip.

The braided table runner is an online pattern. I love Mary Englebreit fabrics and two of my girls like cherries. My youngest already has curtains I've made for her and a few other items with the same cherry fabric. It will blend in nice with what she already has in her home. My eldest is redecorating and wanted to use a black and red cherry theme. Perfect.



The "Home" table runner I made using a square from a panel I purchased quite a while ago.





I had several fat quarters ( NOT a body part!!) a piece of fabric, square usually measuring 18" x 20". These worked perfect in making my blocks (known by several different names!).




I did this pattern on my own. I pieced the back for a little surprise when one's turns it over.

These can be used at intended..tablerunner..or they can also be wall hangings by simply adding a ribbon to the top.



I have found a new passion for making table runners. They are fun, quick and use little amounts of fabric. Great for using up leftover pieces from previous quilts or sewing projects.

I hope this brought a little "inspiration" to you for a new project!!



Her children arise up, and call her blessed... Proverbs 31:28

My girls rose up with hugs of thanksgiving for the time I had taken to make special gifts from "Mom's heart".

A "Princess" Quilt

On my recent trip to visit family in the Northwest, I was excited to find the Princess Quilt I had shipped just a few weeks ago on my granddaughter's bed. The pink rug accented perfectly with the colors. (click on the photo for a close up view)

My granddaughter's loved the "crown" quilting and the colorful prints. For now, they have to share and take turns each night using Nana's quilt. Funny how it's theirs..yet it's called "Nana's".

Not long ago I sent them each fleece blankets I found on sale that I embellished with ribbons and buttons. The youngest "Beebers"...real name Genevieve....said "This smells like Nana's house!" (my dryer sheets obviously permeate the house).

When the Quilt arrived and was placed on the bed...my grandson was caught kneeling by the bed..."sniffing" the Quilt. He said..."YEP..it smells like Nana's house".

I am often taken back in time when a scent is smelled. Even the fresh air on certain days reminds me of going to a fun park in California with my grandparents. It's as if I was right there once again. The memory is sweet. I was so glad to hear these cute little comments of my grandchildren, knowing it will be a reminder to them often of Nana's love and home.

Quilting is worth much more to me now that I know this...and those dryer sheets will go in the box with each quilt from now on. The next project for the girls is a Cowgirl Quilt..in PINK of course!



This is the Thank You note "Beebers" gave me. PRECIOUS!!
(click on the photo to read!!)

Then the boys are next....

I guess I'll be pretty busy at the sewing machine for quite some time!

By the way...the pattern is called Turning Twenty and I have made three now. My friends call me the "Turning Twenty Queen" since I have made so many of the same pattern.

I guess it is rather fitting, a Princess Quilt.... made by a Queen!

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands to the distaff. Proverbs 31:19

THANK YOU

Thank you dear friends for your kind and thoughtful prayers and notes.

My prayer request for family I'll share tomorrow. I just returned from a long trip and have a touch of the bug.

God bless...I'll post tomorrow.
HOPE

Time to pause

I will be taking a break from my blogs for a time.

Some health issues have come up...and a very needful prayer time for family. If you would remember me in prayer, I'd appreciate it very much.

God bless you all...
til next month.

It begins somewhere!

I was called upon recently to do a baby shower cake...actually this is the second done in a matter of a couple months! Seems to be bumper crop season for new babes in our church.

Most of my craft making...if not just my imagination..have come from self teaching books. When I started crafting...years ago! Again..we will not mention age here!

We did not have Internet video lesson resources! There is now a multitude of learning tutorials available online! WOW!!! so much to glean! Martha thought she had a handle on the crafting corner of the world...but I'm afraid there are many many talented people out there...and some are just sweet housewives! (my husband tells me I am..so therefore...I guess I can include myself here!)


It all began in How To Books with my cake decorating days. No, Cake Decor for Dummies books then. (these are great books, by the way) I once again do give credit here to a Christian lady whose cake decorating labours I admired and thus compelled me to try my hand at "cake decor". She was a very busy lady and at the time I inquired of some help she lent me a book and a few cake decorating tools she had and said...

"Give it a try!"....and so I did.

This was to be my first child's ..."First Birthday" cake! An extra incentive to do something very special. I'd try...Whinnie the Pooh!


One of the tools of the trade just happen to be a Whinnie the Pooh cake pan!

I read through a little booklet on using a decorating tip that made little stars. I was anxious to get started!

In my beginning steps of cake decor...I didn't think about the full presentation...so my first cake was turned over onto an old browned cookie sheet!

GASP! how horrible! (now in the present tense!)

Yep, I've come a long way now with doilies and silver platters!

Here is just a glimpse of some cakes....



This one is suppose to be an Aircraft Carrier. We used LEGOS for the control tower and the candles pushed down in the cake, made perfect runway lights! Of course one of my son's metal airplanes fit perfect. He was very surprised and happy. An all BOY cake!


The cake below..I actually got paid for making! It is a boat with the little boys name on the flag. Sorry it is blurry. It was a cute Nautical cake. I also made a small round cake to look like a life preserver to match the theme...this was a First Birthday and for the little guy to enjoy all by himself!



I hope you enjoyed the journey into cake land! and inspired to try it yourself. It is so much fun. You can even purchase little plastic figurines at the Dollar Store and put on a cake and decorate around it to bring out a theme. Use your imagination and no telling what you will discover in your crafting journey!

God bless...

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:27

The Beauty of Discovery

As an introduction to my new crafting blog; I wanted to introduce you to some of the various crafts that I have explored. Any adventure is full of exploration and crafting handmade items is definitely that!

Some, you have no idea how they will turn out! That's scary!!











and then there are those........kits.............that should turn out

I think most of us have been there and done that...right?

But, in case you have been discouraged, don't give up.

I didn't....so there is hope!


I like what I read once about Quilting. It is said...(supposedly)...that the Amish purposely make a mistake in their quilts. I personally don't know for sure..but the reason is so that Pride doesn't well up and take the God given talent away from God's glory

Sounded wonderful to me...and so...

Yes...I make lots of Amish Quilts!!

By the way...I just love the buttons in the above photo..I plan to use those on a Quilt one day.

Some crafts do inflict injury, so you have to be very careful. A needle stuck in your finger isn't so pleasant. However... there is comfort in knowing that band-aides are a dime a dozen!

Another craft I enjoy is cake decorating....messy...but FUN!






And my Calligraphy has been given many times as gifts...












I sew...mend...applique...quilt...glue and fuse!








Crochet and I can knit and pearl!

... have painted various items with embellishments...

barrettes, jars, chairs, shelves and just about anything you could paint.

It is just so much fun to make something...just a little bit prettier or cheerier.

I have yet to venture into watercolor...but that is a one day goal of mine for sure.

Crafting for me is also the fun of "thinking" how something will look...decorating for example.

I enjoy planning our ladies luncheon each year, with a specific theme...and weddings! Such wonderful times of life to make things so pretty.

As a young person....I won't define the age here...

I never realized how enjoyable crafts were, and I regret that I was not exposed more to the variety of choices. And...because of this...I had no idea what I was capable of doing myself!

I ventured a tad in sewing, because in High School we had to take Home Economics which included sewing, cooking and in my school...would you believe WOOD SHOP!


Yeppers..I created in seventh grade...a lovely wobbly spice rack for my mother! Yea, now that you ask...I don't know what happened to it? Seems like I should still own such a unique item of craftsmanship!


I suppose those could be counted as baby steps in the art of crafting. I just wish I had someone then, to guide me along...I missed out on so much!

So..if you are talented in a certain area...SHARE. Teach a class in your church or at some one's home. Take a young person under wing and show them they do have the ability to do it too!

"Can she do it?...Yes, she can!!"

I am so thankful to God for the many Christian women who did influence me in my young married days and as a new Mother; to the joys of crafting and gift giving from a creative heart.

I'm indebted to these ladies for the time they spent with me. Teaching me, the value of finding my God given talents.

I chose to search mine out! I bought kits and books and just ventured on my own. The exploration has been such a great journey.

I hope this encourages you to pursue some areas of talent you have yet to discover!


She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth to the needy.
Proverbs 31:19-20