Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye some... 

spring green!

Clockwise, starting top left:

Fabric Bird

Girl Rabbit

Sweet Leaf Rubber Stamp

Journal

Coneflower Photography

Have a beautiful weekend!

One Hour Rolls...

There are a lot of dinner rolls recipes out there, but none is easier than this "One Hour Roll" recipe. Within 60 minutes -- from start to finish -- you can have fresh, oven-baked, yeast rolls gracing your table. What could be better than that?

Here's the recipe I use...

One Hour Rolls

{Yield: 9 large rolls}

1/4 cup milk

1/8 cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 Tbsp. butter

3 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

3/4 cup warm water

2 1/2 to 3 cups flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water and let it sit a few minutes while you complete the step below.

In a small saucepan, stir together milk, sugar, salt and butter. Heat over low until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Cool to lukewarm. 

Add yeast mixture to lukewarm milk mixture in mixing bowl -- stir slightly. Add 2 1/2 cups flour to this yeast/milk mixture and mix, using a dough hook, on low for about one minute. Add a little more flour if desired, but the dough should be slightly sticky to the touch and start to clean the sides of the mixing bowl as it mixes. Place the dough into a greased bowl, turning to grease the top. Cover the bowl with a dishtowel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft free location for about 15 minutes.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 9 equal pieces. (No kneading required.) Put 1 1/2 Tbsp. of butter into an 8x8 baking dish and heat in microwave till butter melts.

Shape each piece of dough into a ball and place in the baking dish, dipping the top of the roll into the butter in the bottom of the pan as you put it in the pan.

Cover the baking dish with the clean dishtowel and let the rolls rise for 15 to 20 minutes. It's amazing how quickly they plump up and fill pan {see below}...

Bake at 425 for 12 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown. {You might want to cover the rolls the last few minutes of baking so they don't get too brown.}

They are delicious with butter, but if you really want a treat make some cinnamon honey butter to spread on these beautiful rolls! Delicious! Click here for a yummy Cinnamon Honey Butter recipe.

This recipe can easily be doubled to make 18 - 24 rolls.

"Maggie" {in pillow form}...

Those of you who have read my blog for awhile are well acquainted with my "Maggie the Taggie" owl pattern. I sell this tag blanket pattern in my Etsy store, and I've made versions of Maggie many times for those I love. Recently I made the one below for a grand niece scheduled to be born next month...

I decided to use this same pattern but try something different for an eleven-year-old friend of mine who is learning how to sew. She brought me a little something on Valentine's Day and I wanted to reciprocate by giving her something she might like, so I made this...

I used the same pattern that I use for my "Maggie the Taggie" blanket, but I made a pillow instead. Rather than inserting ribbons (tags) into the outside seam, I just stitched her up after applying all the appliques...

The I stuffed her with some Poly-Fil and slip-stitched the opening shut...

My little friend's mother told me that her room is decorated in kiwi green and turquoise. I'm hoping this Maggie Pillow will feel right at home.

I just wanted to let you know that the "Maggie the Taggie Blanket" pattern can be slightly altered to form a cute, little-girl pillow too!

Thankful Thoughts...

What surprised me this week?

Tuesday morning we awoke to a snowstorm. On rare occasions in the winter, I'll look outside the window and see a swarm of birds perched in our trees.

Usually they are robins dressed in their cherry-red finery, but there are often little finches among the congregation as well.  Tuesday, with the snow coming down, the birds started to gather. I stood at my second-story bedroom window looking out at the branches of our tree just outside the window. As I looked I noticed one bird, just a few feet from the window pane, that seemed totally out of place amongst all the fat red robins. It looked like a yellow cardinal, with a bright yellow body and a little tuft on its head.

(source)

(learn more)

It was gorgeous. As I stood looking at it, it cocked his head and stared back. This sunshiny yellow bird made me smile, and I as I admired it I had a feeling of hope and happiness wash over me. I've done a little research and apparently this bird is extremely rare. I believe it was sent to me on this cold wintery day as a sign of hope and good things to come. I'm grateful.

Fabulous Friday Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye...

a sweet little lambkins.

Clockwise, starting top left:
Soft as a Lamb Baby Blanket
Fine Art Photograph
Little Lamb Postcards
Counting Sheep Vinyl Decals
Little Lamb Bonnet

Wishing you a sweet weekend!

Vintage Pouch...

When I was in California my sister and I helped my mother go through some of her things in anticipation of her move in the next few months. Downsizing is an interesting process. On the one hand it feels good to de-stash, but on the other hand it feels like you are giving away memories. As we were going through the items every once and awhile my sister or I would put something aside. Four vintage napkins got placed in my little pile...

I didn't know what I would use them for, but I love fabric so I hoped something would come to mind. Today I broke out my sewing machine and whipped these napkins into little pouches...

This pouch is big enough to house a Kindle or to use as a little travel pouch for cosmetics or jewelry.

The one below will be making its way to a niece who is about ready to deliver her fifth child. I filled it with goodies that she can take to the hospital. I think it's kind of neat that she will have something from her grandmother to take with her to the hospital. {I'm humming the "The Circle of Life" as I type.} The most important item I stuffed inside the pouch is buried at the bottom -- Peanut M&M's -- a food group in and of itself and one of life's staples. They may be as important to me as the air I breathe. Just sayin'.

Creativity...

My imagination is beginning to fire back up. It's taken awhile, but today I awoke with an excitement for creating that I haven't felt in a long time. Maybe it's because I saw this when I looked out the window...

The blue skies of Colorado can't be beat. And did you notice that snow in the upper right corner of that picture? Yesterday we got our first real snow of the year -- boy did we need the moisture. All that snow makes me giddy.

I found out last week that our bathroom redo will have to be postponed. Our handyman has been hospitalized and won't be able to start this week, so we've put it off for a couple of months till he recovers. Kind of a disappointment, but with everything else going on it was also a relief. In the meantime, I will break out my sewing machine and start stitching away. This weekend I bought some adorable fabric that I'll show you when it arrives. Can't wait to work on that!

Yup, the creative juices are flowing. I'm thinking a little fox is in the works and possibly a penguin. We'll have to see where those thoughts lead me.

I'm off to the gym for a little workout. I haven't been there for a week, so I hope I survive. ;o) This week I should have a creative thing or two to post about. Till then!

Thankful Thoughts...

What inspired me this week?

I flew to California this last week to visit family. Our family has been traveling a rough road lately. My brother, who sustained terrible injuries in a fall 2 1/2 weeks ago, is finally showing some signs of improvement, but I was at a low ebb when I reached out to a friend of mine in the middle of the week. She sent back an encouraging email that soothed me and calmed my anxieties. In it she quoted some scriptures that helped me remember my faith and beliefs. Faith can be a fragile thing when you're in the thick of it. Sometimes fear replaces faith, and you start to despair. Chris reminded me of the beliefs that I hold dear by pointing me toward the scriptures. They inspired me and gave me hope. I'm so grateful for sacred writings and faith-filled friends. 

For those interested, here's the list of the scriptures that Chris sent: 

1 Peter 5:7

Jeremiah 33:3

Luke 1:37

Psalm 118: 5-6, 8-9

Psalm 31:24

Isaiah 65:24

Hebrews 4:14-16

Philippians 4:6-9

What surprised me this week?

I have found that when difficult situations surround us they are often balanced by obvious blessings. This heavenly assistance is referred to as a "tender mercy" in the scriptures. The challenge is to recognize this aid and relief for what it is, rather than discard it as a mere coincidence. For me, tender mercies are evidence that the Savior is mindful of me and my family and that He loves us. This week I was surprised by the number of those sweet assurances and blessings. Here are a few examples of the tender mercies that our family experienced this week:

• I made my plane reservations a couple of months ago to fly to California -- never realizing that my brother would be involved in an accident. I was so grateful to be able to be there to {hopefully} lift and support my family.
• Several of our family members received the good news of a wonderful summer internship, a sought-after residency, and a well-deserved promotion this week. 
• My husband and I were asked to attend a Young Single Adult Ward (congregation) as "ward missionaries." So excited!  
• My mother's helper was ill this week. Fortunately, her illness coincided with my visit, which was a blessing because she didn't feel pressed to come to work and my mother still had the help she desired.
• Today our part of Colorado received a much needed snowstorm! 
• The announcement that a new little one is expected in our family. ;o) {Time to start sewing again!}

 

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye... 

a little birdie.

Clockwise, starting top left:
Watercolor Painting
Decorative Wooden Eggs
Great Horned Owl Notebook
Bird Necklace
Binoculars

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thankful Thoughts...

What moved me this week?

I expect family to pull together in emergencies, but it warms my heart all the same. My favorite expression of this is when loved ones unite in prayer for a common blessing. The last couple of years our family has become more and more acquainted with this experience. Collectively we've petitioned the Lord much on behalf of different family members in need. I've grown to appreciate -- even more -- the power of prayer and the strength and positive influence one can feel through the Spirit from the prayers of others. I'm grateful that members of our family understand this gospel principle and take advantage of this blessing daily.

This week I was moved by the prayers of strangers. When my mother's LDS bishop (leader of their congregation) heard the news that my brother had been in an accident, he called my mother and asked permission to go visit him in the hospital. My brother doesn't live within the boundaries of this bishop's congregation, however, this good man took it upon himself to travel some distance to visit and bestow a priesthood blessing on my brother. I'm grateful. In another instance a good friend of my mother's, who had never met my brother, felt prompted to visit him in the hospital. While there she prayed for him, his family and all those attending him. It was obvious to those present that her prayer calmed and comforted my brother. Again, I'm grateful. 

What surprised me this week? 

We got the surprising news this week that my daughter and her husband sold their current home and bought a new home. All this was great news, except for the fact that they will be homeless for about 2 1/2 months between the time they move out of their current dwelling and close on their new one. What will they do during that two month period? Move in with us of course! Never mind that they live 500 miles away. They will have the opportunity to have an extended vacation in the Rocky Mountains, and we'll have the opportunity to be around our grandkids 24/7! It's a win/win situation. They even worked it out so that my son-in-law will be able to work from our home every other week. My husband and I are busy plotting and planning all the fun we'll have while they're here!

 

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye...

Little Red Riding Hood.

Clockwise, starting top left:
Woodland Photograph
Reversible Red Cape
Felix the Fox Cloth Kit

Enjoy your weekend!

...and a bib to boot!

I decided to put one more item in the package for my niece's little one she is expecting next month. This is a bib made from the "Ruffled Bib" pattern that I created and sell in my Etsy store. Go here if you're interested...

This bib goes well with the things that I already made from this fun fabric line called "Pinfeathers" by Carina Gardner.

Clockwise, starting top left: 

Maggie the Taggie Owl Pattern

Free Ric-Rac Receiving Blanket Tutorial

Dwipe Pattern

Have a wonderful day!

Dwipe, Maggie the Taggie & a Ric-Rac Receiving Blanket

We have a new little one joining our extended family next month. I surprised myself last week and made some items for her well ahead of her scheduled due date. Usually I'm scrambling at the last minute, so I'm pretty proud of myself.

I began by choosing an adorable little birdie print {purchased from "Quiltable Fabrics"} called "Bird on a Wire" from the Pinfeathers Collection by Carina Gardner. I also added some splashes of "Baby Peacock" and "Tossed Peacock" from the same collection. This birdie collection is perfect for a new arrival.

First I made a Dwipe from the pattern that I sell in my Etsy shop. For those of you who aren't aware, this mini-tote is a "Diaper and Wet-Wipe" fabric case. Parents can store essentials -- a travel case of wet wipes, a thin changing pad, and a few diapers -- in the Dwipe.

I particularly love this version with the soft, muslin flower adorning the front flap...

Then I decided to make a double-sided receiving blanket. To find out how to make this ric-rac receiving blanket, go to my tutorial here. I used "Bird on a Wire" on the top and a soft flannel on the underside...

Then I used my "Maggie the Taggie" pattern and created an aqua tag blanket for the little one...

Although this pattern takes a little more time than the other two, it is a favorite of mine. The end result is adorable...

I particularly love all the textures and tags on this cute taggie toy.

There's nothing better than a new baby in the family.

Thankful Thoughts...

What inspired me this week?

Since Christmas I've been in a little creative slump. I've been busy and preoccupied by a number of typical life situations. This happens and it isn't anything I've worried about. I knew the inspiration would come when things settled down a bit. 

A couple of weeks ago I joined a gym, and I've been working out in the mornings ever since. I love this particular gym because it has a long row of big screen TVs, and one TV is always tuned to HGTV. I love the remake shows that take a room from a dilapidated, outdated space into a beautifully fresh and functional room. This week as I {huffing and puffing} glided away on the elliptical, I felt my creative inspiration fire up. Often, other people's work inspires my creativity. I can see a project created by someone else and visualize how to change it to apply to our needs or wants. I now have a list of several to do projects that I'm excited about.

What surprised me this week?

Last Sunday I was visiting some favorite blogs when I came upon this post at Somewhat Simple. Stephanie had created a lively free printable with the following words which John H. Groberg stated in his book, "The Other Side of Heaven."

Sometimes God calms the storm. 

Sometimes He lets the storm rage and He calms His child.

I loved the message {and graphics} of the printable, so I immediately printed it off and hung it up. 

A few days later I was surprised when I got some news that no one ever wants to receive. My brother had been in a terrible at-home accident involving a fall and, as a result, a "storm" was raging. Since then my mind has gone back to that beautiful quote many times, and it has brought comfort to my soul. I know those words to be true, because I've lived them many times. I'm grateful that in situations like this I can lean on Him, and He will bring me the peace and calm that I desire. My brother has stabilized, but the situation is still very serious, and he has a long road ahead of him. I imagine that quote will become a mantra in our lives for the next few months. Prayers are always appreciated.

1957

my brother :: me :: my sister
This is one of my favorite pictures of the three of us.
It says more about our respective personalities than you can ever imagine.