Baking Season

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

"Can we bake Cinnamon muffins Nana"?

Add the sugar crumb topping to make the muffins sweeter

Bake and wait until they have cooled a little

TASTE

This adorable child has started a rumor that I burn food and should be watched.

Funny, funny child!
(she has a huge imagination)

Sewing a Holiday Table Runner or Placemats

Wow! Where the heck did November go???

Buy this table topper pattern

There are SO MANY things I want to sew and this Christmas table topper is one of them.

I promise to post a picture soon.
I love the little wrapper twist detail. Cute huh?

Diaper Bag pattern review

I made The Diaper Bag and found the directions easy to read and understand. This pattern by Craft Apple was well thought out, and went together smoothly.

The back of the pattern cover shows the functional bag interior

Here is picture of my Diaper Bag which may be to be used for another grandchild (due in the Spring of 2010).

We don't know if it is to be a girl or boy, so possibly we'll be sewing another one of these bags soon using boy friendly fabrics. If that is the case, I won't mind sewing another one!

Intermediate Sewers could follow The Diaper Bag pattern successfully.

A diaper carry case with a matching changing pad is a must for any well prepared baby!

Don't you love anything which makes great use of fabric scraps?

The diaper case pattern I used is by All My Bags and Quilts Too called Diapers to Go

This is a fun project which a beginner sewer could easily make. It holds diapers, wipes and a 12 x 24 inch changing pad and features a wrist strap and a snap closure.

Gingerbread man pillow pattern Free

Free pattern download and directions for sewing a gingerbread man pillow

Most families have those special cookies, meals, and decorations which make the season personal. This set of gingerbread men pillows have endured many years in the attic only to be brought out during the month of December. I can't bring myself to replace the eye, but instead find a bit of pleasure knowing the many years these fellows have been around. Somehow they always have found a place under the tree, on a bed or on a sofa during the most joyous time of the year.
My daughter traced around the original gingerbread men and created the pattern for you to download. Please enjoy. I hope they find a place on a bed and part of your Christmas fun. This pattern is free and you can use it any way you like.

click here to download the pattern

If you sew one of these pillows, I'd love you to let me know and to link back to this post.

Supplies Needed

A scrap of red cotton fabric for heart cheeks

• A small piece of fusible web for applique

• About a yard of brown cotton fabric for the pillows

• Fusible fleece interfacing

• one package of Rick Rack per pillow ( buy two packages for making a set)
  

• buttons for embellishment

• sew-on doll eyes

• matching thread

• Poly fiberfil stuffing

• water soluble making pen

Directions

• Download pattern and tape all sheets together. You will now have one pattern piece which you will place on the fabric fold.

• Cut four on the fold for two pillows.

• Cut out and fuse the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the front & back of each. ( a total of four) Follow the directions for the fusible interfacing which you have chosen.

• Apply the rick rack BEFORE adding the eyes and cheeks.
• Notice I've pinned and measured about 3/4 inch from the edge.

Normally I do not pin ......... I usually treat the rick rack the same way I do icing for my edible cookies ........ free style!

• Embellish the face as you see fit. I've included a heart shape in the pattern, but you may wish to adjust the size and shape for your pillows. Follow manufacturer's directions for the fusible applique web. You may wish to zig zag or satin stitch around the heart cheeks.

• Once you have placed the Cheeks and eyes, use sewers chalk or a water soluble marking pen to draw a mouth and nose.

• Satin stitch the mouth and nose. ( I used black thread)

• I find the rick rack seems to draw up the pillow front slightly, no matter how careful I am when sewing it in place. If this happens to you ........ don't fret. Simply trim the pillow back piece to match.

• Place front & back right sides together and sew using a 1/4 inch seam. Leave an opening as I've shown in the above picture for turning and stuffing your gingerbread man pillow.

• Stuff the pillow and close the opening by hand stitching.

Merry Christmas! Now go make some edible gingerbread men. Yummy! I can almost smell them now!