Maddie's First Time Sewing!

I let Maddie try sewing yesterday!  She did so awesome.  I serged the edges for her first but other than that she pretty much did everything on her own.  I helped her stay straight sometimes.  She was so nervous at first but now she already is thinking of what she can make next!

Biscuits Donuts!

I have been hardcore dieting for a few weeks but today I was on Pinterest and  I was weak and it was making me so hungry!  I should have just had a bowl of special K or some chicken but I didn't instead I decided to make these donuts!  I have to say that I am so sorry I did because these were so so easy and so delicious, they will definitely cost me a pound or two this week! These will definitely be one of the special treats that my family will beg for!

Here is what you need:
Canned biscuits

Melted Butter A mix of Sugar & Cinnamon.

Heat 1/2 inch of oil
Cut holes in the biscuits, I used a pop cap to make nice circles.

When oil is hot use tongs to put in and when one side is brown flip over.  When both sides are done set on paper towel to cool.  
Dip in butter and then dip in cinnamon and sugar. Repeat on both sides.

We ate them in like 2 minutes...seriously.  Enjoy!

Halloween Costumes - Part 2

We decided that Madelyn will be a pink bird since that is all I the fleece that I have right now.  I cut some "feathers" and surged the edges of the basic shape.  I even made the hood, at first I made it too big and instead of cutting it and re-surging it I decided to make a loop type collar thing and put the cape ties through their.  Here are some pictures of where I am.

Here is the link to my first halloween costume post :)
http://the-burds-nest.blogspot.com/2012/09/halloween-costumes.html

Cake Truffles

Cake truffles are one of my favorite things to make during the holiday season!  I love them so so much, I am getting excited just thinking about them!

They are super easy to make, here are the directions:
1 box cake mix
1 can frosting
1 bag of chocolate chips
A couple of spoonfuls of butter flavored Crisco

1. First bake the cake as you normally would.
2. Let cool.
3. Crumble the cake and mix with the container of frosting
4. Place in freezer or fridge to cool.  (It is much easier to make the balls when it is cold)
5. Roll into 1 inch balls and place back in freezer until you are able to dip them in chocolate
6. Once you have all of the balls ready, melt chocolate in a bowl above simmering water.  Put one or two spoonfuls of  Crisco in with the chocolate chips.  Once all is completely melted start dipping the cold cake balls into the chocolate.  Place on a foil lined cookie sheet.  If you want to decorate the balls you need to do it while the chocolate is still warm.  It will harden quickly so if you are using sprinkles put them on right away.
It is easiest to use a spoon to dip the balls.  Just place ball on spoon  and dip, the take the spoon on the side of the bowl to get off excess chocolate then let slide off on sheet.
7. Once chocolate is set peel off and place in a closed container and store in the freeze.


There are so many variations of this recipe and I have never made any that everyone did not absolutely LOVE!  I like to decorate them according to what is inside so that I know what I am getting for example, I will use white chocolate on top if there is a yellow center, chocolate for a chocolate center. Toffee on top in there is toffee in the center.

Here are a couple of our favorites:
Yellow cake/cream cheese frosting and a milk chocolate cover or peanut butter cover
Chocolate cake/chocolate frosting with milk chocolate cover or peanut butter cover
Chocolate cake/vanilla frosting (it kind of gives it a lighter chocolate flavor) and chocolate cover
Sometimes we like to mix toffee chips into the mix too
We have done chocolate cake/chocolate frosting and a mint chocolate cover
We even once did a carrot cake/cream cheese frosting, with a white chocolate cover
Really you can't go wrong!

Rainy day jewelry!

I have not made any jewelry for a while but the other day it was very rainy and the girls and I were super bored.  So out comes the beads!  They love to make necklaces and bracelets.  I love making earrings and more "grown up" type of jewelry.  Here are a couple of things that I made, if you want tips on how to make them please let me know!

Phone Cases

My sister asked me if I could make a case for her new phone.  I thought about it for a while and tried to find a way to make it with no seams and extra pockets for her money and credit cards.  At first I went with the black, white and yellow and then I decided I liked the brown and turquoise better :)  I hope you like it!  Let me know what you think!

Easter Circle Skirts

These were fun ones to make and super duper easy!  I even made two to match for their dolls!  I got the idea from a picture that Maddie already had that was a bit too small.  I always us cloths that we have for templates.    Let me know what you think of these easy skirts, oh and if you need any tips let me know!

Capes for Christmas!

For Christmas 2011 I made each of my daughters a superhero cape.  It was my first real project and I was absolutely terrified.  I was not sure that I could do it, I kept thinking that there was no way that I could pull this off.  I contemplated buying some from a friend who sews but I thought what the heck, if they don't turn out, they don't turn out.  Who cares...I am pleased to say that I am so so happy with my work and so proud of myself for just going for it!  I have learned since then to just go for it....what is the worst that could happen.  

I followed this tutorial, I did not do it exactly but this is where I got the inspiration.   http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2008/01/cape-tutorial/

The backside of this is all Minnie Mouse with a small pink heart :)

 

 The backside of this one is pink with a small Dora heart :)

The backside of this one is all white with a small Hello Kitty heart :)

 

Nightgown

I let the kids pick out some flannel in the clearance section a couple of months ago and I finally got around to sewing something with them.  I made a nightgown for Madelyn, it did not turn out perfectly but it is pretty good for a first try!

Craft Room Curtains

This is another project I made with my favorite prints.  I needed new curtains for my craft room/office and I adore these ones.  I absolutely love them.  I am so glad that I made them for this room because I tend to spend most of my time in here and it gives me more opportunities to just look at them...I know I am a dork but I really love the way these turned out!

Pleated Clutch

These are actually 2 of my favorite prints.  I have made several things out of it.  And I know I will make much more!  I love this Pleated Clutch.  I am always looking for new quick projects, let me know in the comments section if you have any good ideas!

Little Pencil Case

This was a super quick sew.  I made a little pencil bag for Maddie for the first day of school :)

To Go Coloring Set

I am not great at  tutorials but I thought at least I could post what I make after I make it :)  I will work on actual tutorials.  First up is a fold up To Go Coloring Set.  I found this awesome canvas fabric at a garage sale in the spring and I have been hanging on to it until I thought of just the perfect project.  I am thinking of making a few little credit card wallets with the extra fabric.  I will post a link to the pictures when I am done.