Sew Serendipity

I have been wanting this book for a while - Sew Serendipity by Kay Whitt - so I was psyched when my parents gave it to me for my birthday. The book is full of pretty patterns, but the best ones are the jackets. There are 6 different jacket patterns in here, all based on the same basic style. There are also sweet tops and cute little skirts. This book is spiral bound and has all the full-size patterns in an envelope at the back of the book - these are 2 things that I like in a sewing book. I hate getting a great book and then having to print out or copy/enlarge patterns...yuck! Can't wait to get started on a new project!!

Another Quick Little Project

Inspired by this pincushion and wanting to use the fabric I found at Zimman's, I ran to Joann's and picked up some brown polka dots and some light blue ric-rac and whipped up this little guy.

This was my first time edging something with ric-rac and I'm not completely happy with the results (the photo only shows the good side, of course!) but fortunately, I have a ton of owls left to work with :) Happy Sewing!!

A Gift

Put together this little set as a present for my Mom. I would like to give her so much more, since she deserves it, but I know she will feel the love in this little handmade set. My parents are heading to Florida soon, so I thought this bright Park Slope fabric would be fitting :)
I also made up another change purse. I'm still not quite happy with it, but it's getting there. I need to get some more zippers and some more snaps. I've been working on a few more card cases as well. Hope everyone is having a great week - I've got some new Pyrex to share, but that will have to wait for another post :)

Missing Links

I just realized that I forgot to add links to the previous post about a new fabric store I found and the blog that I first read about it on.

The store is called Sewfisticated and I first read about it on this blog, Sewaholic. Make sure you check out her blog - lots of great sewn items and tips. She is also coming out with a pattern soon, which I can't wait to get my hands on!!

Sorry bout that - I usually double check that before I post :)

Saturday

I went to a new fabric store that was about 25 minutes away from my house. I'm so glad I decided to check it out! I first read about Sewfisticated on the Sewaholic blog. I bookmarked her post so that eventually I could take a little road trip. Sewfisticated has a beautiful section of wool, it was hard for me to pick just one piece! This 100% wool cut was only $4.99 a yard! I also got this brown rayon poly-knit for $3.99 a yard. I will definitely return to Sewfisticated, especially when I need some nice wool. Hope everyone had a great day :)

Fabric!!

I've got a bunch of pretty fabric to share today! I fell in love with Erin McMorris' Weekends collection so I had to pick some up - silly me though, I ordered from 2 different sellers and I ordered 2 separate half-yard cuts of one of the same print! That's ok, I'll use it at some point and I am planning on ordering some more fabric when I get paid again, so I'll just add in the missing print I forgot. :)

I took the day off and spent the day with my mom :) We went to breakfast at a diner that we love and then went bowling. After that we hit the city museum and the local fabric store. Now, I have to tell you - I haven't been in Zimman's fabric store in years - probably before I really got into sewing, so probably 5-6 years ago. They specialize in home decorator material, so even though it's in a cool, old building, I haven't been in ages. But we stopped in today and let me tell you - it was amazing!!! Fabric bolts from floor to ceiling! I even found some designer fabric by Jessica Jones of How About Orange!! I was beside myself!

I could only spend a little money though so I grabbed a yard of this adorable owl print. I can't wait to go back! I'm going to check out 2 more somewhat-local fabric stores this weekend - can't wait!

Sunday

For some reason I have no sewing motivation today. I think it's because I don't have a project planned. Hopefully I will pick something to work on this week, especially since I ordered some new fabric! That should provide me with some inspiration. I ordered some prints from Erin McMorris' Weekends line and I can't wait to get it!

I picked up this 1 1/2 quart dish of the Butterprint pattern at a flea market this morning for $1! Then I scored a Friendship lasagna pan on ebay for a pretty good price! I'm so excited, I love Friendship and I have been wanting a lasagna pan! Of course I still want a Spring Blossom and Butterfly Gold one too, but this is a start! Once it arrives I'll be making chicken lasagna again :)

At least I mustered up some motivation to make Red Velvet Cookies :)

Creamy Chicken Lasagna

This is what I made for dinner last night. I actually prepared it all in the morning and stuck it in the fridge - when I got home from work I popped it in the oven and it was done! Soooo good, real comfort food :) Not sure where this recipe is from, it was passed along to me by a friend. Enjoy!

Creamy Chicken Lasagna

12 no-boil lasagna noodles
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package of sliced portabella mushrooms
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 boxes of cream cheese, room temp (I used 1/3 less fat Neufchatel cheese and it's just as good)
2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
1 chicken buillon cube
2 tsps Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic salt
ground black pepper
1 jar of Vodka Sauce

Put chicken in a pot of water and bring to a boil, once boiling cook for 20 minutes (check chicken to make sure it's cooked through), shred

Saute mushrooms and onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until soft, adding garlic at the last minute

In a large bowl, combine chicken, veggies, cream cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella, Italian seasonings, garlic salt and pepper. Dissolve the buillon cube in 1/4 cup of boiling water and add to the mixture. Mix well.

Spread 1/3 of the Vodka sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan and top with 4 noodles. Spread half of the chicken mixture on top and then 1/3 more of the sauce. Add another layer of 4 noodles, the rest of the chicken mixture and 4 more noodles. Top with the remaining Vodka sauce and sprinkle with the remaining cup of mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 20 minutes.

I'm having the leftovers for lunch today :) YUM! Now I just need a Pyrex lasagna pan :):)

Apple Brownies

I thought I would share this recipe for apple brownies. My mom makes them a lot and they are always delicious - and when I got fresh apples from the farm, I had to make them myself :) And, as Alyssa Bee pointed out - everything tastes better when it's made in Pyrex!!!

Apple Brownies

1 stick of butter, melted

1 egg beaten, or 1/4 cup of egg beaters

3 apples - peeled and chopped

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350

Grease an 8"x8" pan and sprinkle with sugar

Mix everything together by hand

Bake for 25 minutes

Sunday Sewing

I didn't really have anything planned to sew, I just knew I needed to make something --- so I decided to work on a quick and easy project --- more card cases! I also made this little coin purse as a sort of prototype. It's not exactly right so maybe next week I'll try again. Love the fabric though - the birdies are from Joann's and the rose fabric used below is Darla by Tanya Whelan.

And here is a parting shot of how Pyrex can be used anywhere!!! :)

Saturday

I did my first swap! I have been coveting the Spring Blossom 8"x8" baking pan since I first starting collecting. I saw that Jeni from the awesome blog In Color Order had it up for trade so I emailed her and we made arrangements for a swap! It was a lot of fun and you know I love getting stuff in the mail! I will definitely be doing this again and I hope to join a sewing swap too. Here it is in action - apple brownies fresh out of the oven!

My aunt gave me an early birthday present today - 3 pieces of Pyrex! She found them all at yard sales so she got great deals on them. Then she and I and my mom went to another couple of yard sales and I found 3 more pieces for $5!!! They are all over on my flickr if anyone is interested in seeing what I found.

I hope to get some sewing in tomorrow - and I am going to try baking some Red Velvet Cookies (doesn't that sound amazing??? I found the link at In Color Order, told you her blog was good!!). I haven't sewn a stitch since my Mabel bag, it's time to start working on something! I'm starting to think about maybe making a new quilt. But maybe something smaller first! We have some wonderful Fall weather here in the Boston area today so I'm heading out for a run - Happy Saturday to you!