2014 Goals

Last year I made a New Year's Resolution.  I completed the year with a 92% success rate on the resolution so this year I decided to do something different.  I am going to start making Goals.

So far my goals are:

-Eat healthier
-No Soda
-Get as much exercise as possible (Last year I went 4 days a week to the gym - this year I am going as my time allows)
-Spend at least 4 hours a week on my crafts
-Use up as much fabric as I can without buying more
-Have a craft table at a Craft Fair
-Spend more time with my family and less time on my phone

I made them broad with a few exceptions. 

So far I have used up one charm pack to make a baby quilt.  However, it isn't finished because I need binding materials.

And I am ENGAGED!!!

What I have been doing!

I have been sewing... I post most of my stuff on Facebook because it is quick and easy.  I have been sewing a ton... Hopefully next year I can do a better job updating my blog!

Pecan Cake Bars

*** I changed this recipe last night 11/26.  Make one recipe of the crust and press it into a 11x17 (jelly roll pan).  Then double the topping recipe.  I baked the crust for 15 min and the top for about 18. (or until bubbly) It is much better!

You know all the recipes floating around Facebook that people are asking you to share?  Well, when I see one that looks good, I give it a whirl.  Thankfully I have coworkers and friends that don't mind being my taste testers.  Of course, I convert everything to Gluten Free so that I can sample it too!

Here is the latest:

Pecan Cake Bars

For crust:

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt

For topping:

1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a 9x13-inch pan with foil, leaving enough for a 2-inch overhang on all sides.

First make the crust by creaming together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add in the flour and salt and mix until crumbly.

Press the crust into the foil-lined pan and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

While the crust bakes, prepare the filling by combining the butter, brown sugar, honey and heavy cream in a saucepan and stirring it over medium heat. Simmer the mixture for 1 minute, then stir in the chopped pecans.

Remove the crust from the oven and immediately pour the pecan filling over the hot crust spreading it to cover the entire surface.

Return the pan to the oven and bake an additional 20 minutes.

Remove the pan and allow the bars to fully cool in the pan.

Use the foil overhang to lift out the bars and transfer them to a cutting board. Peel off the foil, slice into bars and serve.

*I DID NOT COME UP WITH THIS RECIPE. I PULLED IT FROM FACEBOOK - If you know the original source please let me know so that I can tag them!

MIA

Where has this summer gone?  I have been sewing, sleeping and working! 

I finally made myself a quilt using the remainder of my Grandpa's jeans.  It is sooo comfy warm! 

Don't mind the mistake....

My New Fav

Here is my warning... you might see this pattern pop up quite a bit from now on!  After seeing these tutorials everywhere, I decided to try my luck at it.  And of course.... I had to redo all the corners!  I sewed them wrong :(



If you want to try this... there are tons of tutorials out there... They are called Self binding baby blankets.  Cutting it out was the worse part!

Finished Boy Blanket

I finally finished this blanket... One little boy will be sooo happy for this!


Sorry for the large and semi-blurry picture...  But it is Cars and Superman!

Projects in Process

I have started several projects....

The accumulation of hats was starting to get slightly ridiculous so I moved onto a baby scrap blanket.  I literally haven't finished a baby crocheted blanket since my niece was born two years ago Friday!  (we won't talk about the one that I started and is still in the bag)

I found a bunch of scrap pieces that amounted to quite a bit when I actually wound them into balls!

So on that note... Here is my lazy/lunch time blanket..

Hopefully it will straighten out once I block it... This style (granny Square) is perfect for using up scraps because when you run out of yarn, just change the color... there is no pattern.

On the sewing front, I have made a few more hanging towels.  And then a little boy decided he needed a super hero blanket.... So here is the material I picked out for him!

It is actually all ready cut up and pinned... I just need to actually sit down and sew it together.  I was a little lazy so I just stuck to squares!