Learning How to Sew: My First Project

              For Christmas I got a sewing machine from my dear husband. I have been hinting on and off for years that I wanted to learn how to sew. This is a good skill to learn; specially if you have kids. This way you could make blankets or pajamas, or even their costumes for Halloween. My husband finally agreed with me and bought one. He was very excited about this; being that he could make his own shirts for work. Later on, by watching videos he decided that this was not going to be an easy task.

           I decided to start simple, leaving clothes making to a later date. I wanted to try something so simple that my daughter could do it if she were older. So, I did some research and I asked myself: What would be the easiest sewing project that I could do that would still be of good use in our home. While searching for the answer a light bulb came on! I had an idea! I would sew cloth napkins. Excited and overwhelmed at the same time I wrote a list of the items I would need for the napkins. It wasn's until a few weeks later that we were able to go to the craft store and get the supplies.

        Before starting to sew there was measuring and cutting to be done. Then pressing and pinning, not to mention the thread of the machine and winding the bobbin. That took the better part of 2 hours to figure out how to do. Finally, I was ready to sew. Anticipation and nervousness overcame me but I had to go on. I put the napkin under the needle and put the presser foot down and away I went (on the slowest speed). I was sewing crooked. The line started out straight but I couldn't keep it strait. Oh well, it just takes practice I guess. In the end the napkins didn't turn out half bad. They will still be usefull. I even made a smaller one for my daughter, she was so excited. Now all I have to do is head back to the store for more fabric and thread for my next project. Here are some pictures of the napkins. Happy Sewing, everyone!

My First Crocheted Scarf

 

                       This is the first scarf I have crocheted. It is a bit long but it turned out pretty good for my first one. I have been crocheting for quite a few years before and took a little break from it to make jewelry. Now I'm back at it and doing the many things that I love. What is your favorite thing to crochet or make?

Chocolate Peppermint Truffle Pops

        

                       This recipe was supposed to be posted before the holidays but time got away with me, so I am going to post it now. These pops are a mix of peppermint white chocolate ganache and chocolate ganache on a stick and dipped in chocolate. If you love chocolate and peppermint then you are going to love these. So, lets get started.


Ingredients:

1 bag white chocolate chips

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

About 9 crushed candy canes

some milk chocolate for dipping

1/2 cup heavy cream for white chocolate

3/4 cup heavy cream for the chocolate

Instructions:

1. Heat heavy cream until slightly bubbling then pour over chocolate and white chocolate. Stir until smooth.

2. Add some of the crushed candy canes to the white chocolate mixture. Cover both bowls and put them in the fridge for 1 hour.

3.Scoop half a spoonful of each mixture and roll them together into a ball. Place them on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and put in the freezer for 30 minutes.

4. Take them out of the freezer and put a lollipop stick in each truffle. Place them back into the freezer so they don't melt.

5. Melt the milk chocolate in the microwave at 30 sec. intervals until smooth, stirring after each.

6. Dip each truffle in the chocolate and place the back on the cookie sheet. Sprinkle with remaining candy cane pieces and place in the fridge until set. Makes about 12-24 pops

I hope you enjoyed this recipe.