Find it Friday ~ String Thing

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

I am giddy to tell you about the string thing! OK maybe I am getting ahead of myself, I better tell you what the problem was 1st. OK so I hardly ever stitch with Pearl Cotton. I know I know it gives great texture and dimension to your piece and if worked correctly will really make your piece stand out. Yes I know all those things and yet, still I try my hardest not to use it anyway.

Why you may ask? Sure it is really simple, the ball rolls all over the place and I am constantly rewinding the thread in the ball. Seems like a little thing? When you have 3 small children and a dog, believe me it's not. It's just one more headache I don't need.

I was asked to re-release a design that was first published in The Gift of Stitching Magazine a few years ago. The original design was white on white using dimensional and textured threads to create a one of a kind piece. I really love the final result, the stitching not so much. I was wrestling with the idea this week when I read a fan comment on the Loose Thread Stitchers Facebook page and I went to check it out. I am so happy I did!

This little invention is amazing! The string thing is a simple tin that helps keep your thread in line by routing it through a perfectly sized hole in its top. It comes with a magnetic top to place your needles or scissors on for safe-keeping, and is designed with places to write the brand, color, and size of the thread you are using. It keeps your thread tidy, clean, and contained. The best part? It comes in a variety of sizes and shapes for multiple threads. How cool is that?

I ordered enough from Nordic Needle to get me started on the new colorway for the re-design. I am happily stitching away and no longer stressed. I love my new gadget!

Whip it Up Wednesday ~ Montenegrin Stitch

Each Wednesday we will choose a stitch to explore and post stitch diagram(s) to help you practice and master each.

Montenegrin ~ This stitch can also be called Montenegrin Cross and can be completed in a single solid color or a variegated thread to create a different result each and every time.

Steps ~ Start in the lower left hand corner and go up 2 threads and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric go down 2 threads and come up through the fabric. Go up 2 threads and over 4 threads to the right and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric go down 2 threads and over 2 threads to the left and come up through the fabric. Go up 2 threads and over 2 threads to the left and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric go down 2 threads and over 2 threads to the right and go down through the fabric. Go up 2 threads and go down through the fabric. Repeat as necessary.

Montenegrin

Monday Munchies ~ Apple Crisp

Each Monday we will kick off the week with a Must have recipe to help get you out of the kitchen and back stitching ASAP!

Yesterday we had family dinner at my in-laws house. Now I don’t know how it worked when you were growing up but at my husband’s house everything was handmade ~ EVERYTHING. My husband looks forward to visiting his parents often and enjoying his mother’s home cooking. I don’t blame him! He’s certainly not getting the same food in our home. Thank God for leftovers. Dinner was a feast (I expect nothing less) and dessert was exceptional. I normally go straight for the chocolate, but I settled on the Apple Crisp. I so made the right choice! It was amazing! I normally don’t ask My MIL for recipes. Basically because she knows I will never make it, but I had to get this one to post. She’s so excited her recipe is on the internet and hopes your family loves it as much as she loves making it and we love eating it!

Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

5 Large Apples, sliced and peeled

1 cup Brown Sugar

¾ cup Oats (Quaker)

¾ cup Flour, sifted

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 teaspoon Nutmeg

1 Stick soften butter

¼ cup apple juice (or water)

Instructions:

Pre-Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9X9 inch pan and place ½ of the sliced and peeled apples in the pan. Blend together Brown sugar, Oates, Flour, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Butter and crumble ½ the mixture over the apples. Layer the remained of the apples over the mixture. Pour the Juice (water) over top and bake for 35 minutes.

Find it Friday ~ LilyStitch

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

Who doesn't remember Mary Poppins? One of my all time favorite kid movies ~ EVER! In fact we are having a camp out tonight at my house with the kids ~ I am so going to rent this, they will LOVE it!

My favorite song is Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Forget it? Click HERE to watch the video ~ it brought back such great memories!

So why am I blogging about this? Because I found this FABULOUS new company LilyStitch and guess what they've designed? Love it! How cute is it stitched as a plain pillow?

or for your little diva a fancier version

I am so excited about this new company, they are just starting out and if this is any indication of future designs, I am giddy with anticipation.

Off to the video store, I've been humming the tune in my head while I was writing the blog post...Can't wait for the kids to see it!

Whip it Up Wednesday ~ Sofia's Stitch

Each Wednesday we will choose a stitch to explore and post stitch diagram(s) to help you practice and master each.

Sofia's Stitch ~ This particular stitch can be completed in a single solid color, a variegated thread, or multiple colors to create a different result each and every time.

Steps ~ Start in the lower left hand corner and go up 6 threads and over 2 threads to the right and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric go over 2 threads to the left and come up through the fabric. Go down 6 threads and over 2 threads to the right and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric go up 2 threads and over 4 threads to the left and come up through the fabric. Go up 2 threads and over 6 threads to the right and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric go down 2 threads and come up through the fabric. Go up 2 thread and over 6 threads to the left and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric go down 3 threads and over 1 thread to the right and come up through the fabric. Go up 4 threads and over 4 threads to the right and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric go over 4 threads to the left and come up through the fabric. Go down 4 threads and over 4 threads to the right and go down through the fabric.

Sofia's Stitch

Sofia's Stitch Variation

Monday Munchies ~ Low Fat Banana Bread

Each Monday we will kick off the week with a Must have recipe to help get you out of the kitchen and back stitching ASAP!

I cannot tell a lie, this is not my recipe. I don't do banana bread. Truth be told, my hubby is the Chef,Baker, all around kitchen expert. I try to gleam bit and pieces of knowledge just watching him work and being around him. The kids LOVE baking bread. We usually eat 5 bananas a day (Yup, 5 people in the house everyone eats a banana a day) so the hubby buys 30 bananas at a time. Sometimes they don't all get eaten and when the kids see ripe bananas they know bread is coming. This is a recipe Deane has used for quite some time and the kids go crazy for it every time.

There a few ripe bananas on the kitchen counter....maybe I'll try it myself and see how it goes, let's hope I don't blow up the house (:

Low Fat Banana Bread

Ingredients

· 2 large eggs

· ¾ cup sugar

· 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (approx. 3 medium bananas)

· 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

· 1/3 cup buttermilk

· 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

· 1 ¾ cup all purpose flour

· 2 teaspoons baking powder

· ½ teaspoon baking soda

· ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease 8 ½ “X 4 1/2” X 2 ½” pan; and dust evenly with flour. Shake out excess.

Mix sugar and eggs in a large bowl until light and thick, using an electric beater. Beat approx. 5 minutes. Add mashed bananas, buttermilk, vanilla and oil.

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into separate bowl, mix and add to wet mixture. Beat until blended.

Transfer batter to greased loaf pan and bake approx. 1 hour until golden brown. Test readiness by inserting a tooth pick into the center of the bread. When toothpick comes out clean the bread is done. Place bread on cooling rack and wrap in wax paper when cool.

ENJOY!!

Find it Friday ~ Totally Creative E-zine

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

Have you heard about Totally Creative E-zine? Their logo says they are the E-zine for craftiness and they do not disappoint! This magazine (excuse me E-zine) is chock full of exciting projects and detailed instructions to help even the most creatively challenged crafter successfully complete their project.

Their Fall 2009 issue is on "stands" now (IE ~ your computer) with fabulous ideas how to organize your craft space, tutorials on free form stitching techniques and great back to school projects to create with your kids. There is really something for every crafter and every skill level in this magazine. It's a must read for the fall! can't wait to hear what project you like best and see the pics! Off to my craft room to get some supplies together ~ the kids and I have some Back to School crafting to do!

Totally Creative E-zine is now

25% off

Click here for more information. Hurry, this is a limited time offer.