My latest purse creations

I recycle a few things to make this unique purse. The purse itself started out as a skirt I found for $1.00 at the Good Will. I loved the zipper pockets on the front and back so I snatched it up right away.



The inside and handles is a piece of upholstery fabric which I think gives it a sort of Southwest feel.



This closure clasp is the ends off a strap I found while digging through my belt box. This was the solution to my problem of finding something that would work between the two buttons on the waistband.



Lastly the leather strips and the leather conchos were off of an old belt I had in my stash. I love picking up unusual belts at the good will!


This is another purse I made from a skirt, I loved the red-white-&blue rhinestones on this skirt and just had to use it. It was another find at the second hand shop for $1.00!!


I used a belt for handles on this one also, but the it took me a while to figure out how to get the leather pieces attached for the closure. After breaking three machine needles I finally just sewed them on by hand, it took a bit longer but it worked much better than breaking all my needles!

Denim Aprons

I love making things with old jeans, mainly because they are so available and since my friends know I use them they are giving me outgrown and worn out jeans all the time. This is my newest idea for the front and back which I think makes a really cute apron. I've recently learned how to applique with my embroidery machine which makes an adorable embellishment for the aprons.

Quiche

I fixed brunch Sunday for my friend Kathy and my daughter Hillary. I fixed this quiche along with a side of mixed fruit. The quiche was a big hit an by the end of the day after my husband and son had lunch there was none left.

Crustless Feta and Cheddar Quiche

4 beaten eggs
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 heaping tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp Italian seasoning mix (oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, basil)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1-1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 (10oz pkg) chopped frozen spinach - Thawed and drained
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray

In a medium bowl combine all ingredients. Spoon into the pie plate

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes before serving

If you use low fat/reduced fat cheeses one serving is 188 calories. I found this recipe in the Sonoma Diet Cookbook. Everyone said it was delicious.

My new image

Hello 2011, I'm ready for a whole wonderful new year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




This is a picture of me and my very best friend Kathy (yes we run in pairs). We have both been dieting and working on being healthy. I can't believe the pants I have on in this picture are Kathy's size 10 jeans!! I really can't even remember ever wearing anything smaller than a size 12 even before I had children. I used to hate having my picture taken because I felt so fat and frumpy, now I love it and shopping is a whole new experience because I can find clothes that both fit and look nice!!!!! Now Kathy and I can share clothes and have fun shopping and looking good.

Christmas

What a wonderful Christmas!! The whole family was together and we had a great time even though I found out I am NOT smarter than a 5th grader!! Some of those Wii games make realize just how much I have forgotten! I guess the biggest problem was there were no questions about quilting or sewing. I was proud of myself for sticking to my diet and not once during the holidays did I cheat -- so at this point I have now lost 37 lbs and have gone from a size 16 to a 10!!



Both Hillary and Jared were able to have several days off during Christmas, which is a real treat since they are seldom off at the same time.



In our house nobody is left out at Christmas time, even Ginger has a gift.



I love to give unusual and surprise gifts. This one is a re-gift to my sister-in-law of the dress I made for my daughter when she was the flower girl at their wedding. I think it will just about fit my niece now and the dress doesn't look too bad for being over 15 years old.



Since my nephew likes science and horses, I found an anatomic puzzle of a horse skeletal structure and internal organs. It was a bit more difficult than I thought since it took my daughter (a third year med student), my son (an RN) and my nephew to figure out how to put it together.

Doll Clothes

I bought this cute doll for my niece for Christmas, but the dress she came in was ugly and of course any little girl with a new doll just has to have some doll clothes. So I naturally had to make some and it was so much fun. It brought back memories of making my daughter clothes for her dolls plus I learned to sew by making doll clothes for my own dolls. I used to dig in my grandmother's scrap basket to find that special piece to make something for my dolls. Since it is so close to Christmas and I needed to get all the gifts wrapped I only had time to make one outfit, a nightgown and a winter cape. However, her birthday is in April so once I get back home from family holidays I plan to start making her some more clothes for her birthday. Hmmmm, maybe matching outfits for her doll and herself.

Another quilt finished

Yippee!! Finished this t-shirt quilt in plenty of time for Christmas. Kim should be here this afternoon and I can't wait to see what she thinks of it.






I even had some time to get my snowman paper pieced project done. This little wall hanging is a 14 inch square. There sure were some itty bitty pieces with some tedious work, but I love it! I've already started working on the little wall hanging for February. However, I think I'll make some doll clothes for my niece this afternoon.