Make Your Own Applesauce!

(sorry the pic is so blurry...)

I love applesauce! Especially when it's homemade from apples from your own tree.

Here is an easy recipe for making your own homemade applesauce:

A ton of apples (homegrown is best, but of course store bought works just as well. :) I think ours were granny smiths or a similar apple)
Sugar
Cinnamon
Lemon juice
Water

So core and cut up a bunch of apples (you can peel them if you want, but I didn't bother), put them in a big pot with some sugar (just a bit, you don't need much), cinnamon, lemon juice (if you want), and water (enough to have like an inch or so of water in the bottom of the apples).
Start cooking the apples for a long time on medium-ish heat, stirring every once in a while, until they are all soft and cooked down (if it starts to stick to the bottom too much turn down the heat, and if it seems too thick, add more water). Now taste it! Add more sugar, cinnamon, or lemon juice if needed. When it looks and tastes like applesauce, it's done! I prefer homemade applesauce cold, but just out of the pot is good too. :)

ENJOY!!!

One Project Down, Three to Go!

I had started four knitting projects at once... Not such a great idea! But there was one project I had to get done right away (a baby sweater for my... great cousin? Or great niece? [My cousin's newborn daughter]) so i worked really hard on that until I finished it! But... I forgot to take a pic before I sent it... :( Sorry...

Well I am also working on a sweater (it's an easy pattern that I started like a year ago but am trying to finish this fall),

some thigh-high leg warmers (which I am going to try to also finish this fall),

and some socks (which I barely started and will put on hold until some other projects are done).

Also, I want to try to knit a sweater (raglan style) without a pattern next! If it goes well, I will probably post a pattern. Also, I will try to come up with more patterns and post them! :)

And I am also thinking about possibly maybe someday starting a store online where I can sell stuff I knit and crochet. Well we'll see what happens with all that!

A DELICIOUS Summer Dessert

So one summer day MearKat was making cinnamon butter and I had the idea of peach cobbler but then someone had the idea of peaches sauteed with cinnamon and sugar so we made some! :) They were heavenly delicious! Here is the (very easy) recipe:

2 fresh peaches or nectarines

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 -1 teaspoon cinnamon (depending on how cinnamon-y you want it)

3 tablespoons sugar (more if you want it more on the saucy side)

Slice the peaches or nectarines directly into a skillet. Add the butter and turn heat on to medium high. Once the butter melts and it is sizzling, add the cinnamon. Once the cinnamon is mixed in, add the sugar and cook until the peaches or nectarines are as soft as you want and there is a sticky sauce in the pan. Serving suggestion: toast some bread and butter with cinnamon butter (butter, cinnamon, and sugar) and place hot peaches (or nectarines) and sauce on toast.

It's as simple as that, folks!

I forgot to take a pic; they got eaten up so fast! :)

Well anyway, enjoy!

A Bag and It's Pattern

Well I suck! I have promised so much and have given so little! Well, actually nothing...

But I have just crocheted a bag! I just sat down one day and started creating. I am quite proud of myself. Even though it was easy. ;)

My mom thinks it is absolutely amazing that I can do that. :)

Well since I've promised you patterns and things, I will tell you how to make this purse. :)


You need:
A little less than a skein of yarn
Size H-8 crochet hook (although I think I crochet loosely so it would probably be more like an I-9)
A button (mine was 1 1/2" wide)
A yarn needle or something for weaving in ends

Note: It's okay if you mess up with the amount of sts you have in each rnd. It doesn't really matter.

BAG
Round 1: Ch 38. 2 dc into 3rd ch from hook. Dc across to end st. Dc 4 times into end st. Kind of turning around and continuing back down the other side, dc into next st and continue to beginning st. Dc 2 times in first st. Slst in first dc you made. (76 sts total)

Round 2: Ch 2. 2 dc in same st as the one the 2 chains are coming out of (ie first st). Dc in the next 36 sts. 2 dc in each of the next 2 sts. Dc in the next 36 sts. 2 dc in last st. Slst into first dc. (80 sts)

Rounds 3-7: Ch 2. Dc in each st around, starting with first st. Slst with beg dc.

Round 8: Ch 1. Sc in each st around, starting with first st. Slst with beg sc.

Round 9: Ch 3. *Tc in first st. Ch 1. Sk st and tc in next st. Repeat from * all the way around. Slst to beg tc.

Round 10: Ch 4. Tc in second st. Ch 1. *Sk next st and tc in next st. Ch 1. Repeat from * all the way around. Slst to ch space at beg.

Round 11: Same as round 9.

Round 12: Ch 1. Sc in each tc and ch sp around to beg. Slst with 1st sc.

Round 13-15: Ch 2. Dc in each st around. Slst with first dc.

Bind off.

STRAPS (make 2)
Round 1: Ch 68. 3 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Dc in each st to end. In last st, dc 6. Kind of turn around and continue down the other side with a dc in each st. Once the last/first st is reached, dc 3. Slst to first dc. Bind off.

CLOSURE
Row 1: Ch 9. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and all the way across.

Rows 2-11: Ch 1. Sc in each st across.

Row 12: Ch 1. Sc2tog. Ch 4. Sk 4 sts. Sc2tog in last 2 sts.

Row 13: Ch 1. Sc2tog. Sc in next 2 sts. Sc2tog.

Row 14: Ch 1. Sc2tog 2 times.

Bind off.

FINISHING
Sew straps, closure, and button to bag with yarn and a yarn needle and weave in ends.

Abbreviations:
Ch: chain
Sp(s): space(s)
Sc: single crochet
Dc: double crochet
Tc: triple/treble crochet
Sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
Tog: together
Beg: beginning
St(s): stitch(es)
Slst: slip stitch
Rnd(s): round(s)
Sk: skip

Well I hope you enjoyed my pattern! :D

Oops! Haven't been on here in forever!

Wow! I haven't posted on here in forever! And I was trying to post every week! I suck at this... ;) Sorry! I have been soooo busy with school and all that I haven't even had time to think of any projects... But now school is over and I might think of something in the future. I will probably start out with simple things like skirts and the such but who know what could happen in this crazy mind of mine? :)

Well, I learned to quilt a couple months ago from someone who was staying in our rental guest house. I made up a little pattern and I found that I have enough random fabrics to do it! I bought a rotary cutter and mat because that thing makes it soooo much easier to cut straight lines! So now it just needs to come in the mail and I will start cutting and sewing! All I will need to buy is batting for the center. It's the first time I've done something like this, but I think it will work out ok.

Other than that it's just been school, school, school (oh and a bit of my sweater). I am sooo happy it's summer! :D I will have more time for sewing, knitting, crocheting, and cooking!

Speaking of cooking, sometime this coming week I am going to attempt making gnocchi! I love gnocchi and they sound so fun to make. Apparently all you need is potatoes, eggs, flour, and maybe one or two other small things. Very simple. I will try to remember to post and tell you how it went!

Morgan

My Blog Will Probably Be More Interesting Now! ;)

I figured that to make my blog a little more interesting: I should post little projects and stuff that I tell you how to do. If I just say, "I'm doing this, this, and this," it's kinda boring...

I saw one person (it was a blog, actually) who told how to sew a fat quarter skirt. (Fat quarters are basically a square 1/4 yard of fabric. If you just cut a quarter yard it would be long and skinny, so they basically made a square version, if that makes sense! :P) I could tell you how to make that, but it's kinda already done. :P (I couldn't find the link but you can try searching for it/one if you want.)

The hard part will be coming up with a "pattern" or technique (either sewing or knitting/crocheting) to show you how to do... Well, I am super busy right now, so I will be thinking and experimenting and searching whenever I have free time and I will get back to you soon! :)

Happy Crafting!

Another Crafty Post

AHHHH!!!! I am so mad at myself!!! I keep procrastinating and my skirt is still sitting there by the sewing machine... *sigh...* Every evening I think, "I can watch t.v., read a book, work on my story, or sew my skirt..." and it always ends up being t.v.... :( I am dissapointed in myself! I will try harder to finish it by next Thursday!!!! Please remind me on Monday or sometime in the week so I will do it!

In other news, there is a couple renting our guesthouse right now and the lady is an AMAZING crafter!! For example, she took a whole bunch of pine needles and made this strong, sturdy bowl out of them! O.O It's crazy!!! I wish I had a pic to put up on here and show you! Well anyway, she offered to do some sewing with me so I am supposed to pick out a purse pattern and buy some fabric and she will help me make it. I have a list of about 12 different patterns so far... I always have long lists and then have to choose one... haha! Anyway, it'll be fun!

Also, when I was looking at purse patterns on Vogue, I saw these amazing old fashioned hats!!! I really wanna make one! I have a "southern belle" themed spring formal in April(?) and if those are the kind of hats they wear, I should make one to match my dress!! :) That would be awesome!!! :) Here is the link: http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8052-products-6806.php?page_id=850
And here is the pic! :) They're so cool!

Hmmm... what other crafty things have I been up to? ;) Well, I've been designing some clothes. My sketches aren't that great and I don't know how to turn them into patterns to sew so I doubt anything will happen out of them... But, I did find a book somewhere online (that's like $95!!!!) that says it shows you all about making patterns. Maybe I should get it (or a cheaper one) so I can try to make one or two or more of my designs! That would be cool!! :)

I also found a pattern on youtube for crocheted fingerless gloves. I made one, and it's a little lopsided, but I didn't have enough yarn for the other one so I have one glove just sitting on my dresser... :P I also found a couple patterns for slippers and I might want to try making one of them sometime...

Hmmm... Sometimes I wonder if this blog is super boring for everyone because it's all just about things that I make and do and it's not interesting for anyone else... I mean I don't post any patterns or anything interesting... If you guys think this is kind of boring and have any suggestions for things that would make this any more interesting, feel free to comment and let me know! :)

It's Been a While

Wow! It's been a long time since I've written on here! I kept thinking of it and telling myself to do it right after school, but I forgot over and over again... Well, here it finally is! :)



So I've started crocheting a baby blanket for some friends whose baby is due in a week!!! It's so exciting! I got the pattern from Lion Brand (like I do with all of my patterns). The yarn it said to use (Nature's Choice Organic Cotton) was like $7 a skein and would have cost me like $70! So I got a much cheaper ($3 a skein) yarn (Vanna's Choice Baby by Lion Brand) in green, white, and blue. I don't know if it's going to be a boy or girl, so I hope that it'll be ok for both genders! :)

My sweater is taking a long time... I've been working on the back for months! I never remember to work on it (I'm such a procrastinator) and when I do, it's only one or two rows... I will try to work on it more and maybe finish it by winter this year! :)

Speaking of procrastination, I've stopped working on my skirt... I keep telling myself to work on it, but either I forget or the t.v. or computer distracts me... sigh... I will try to finish it by the end of this week! I know I can if I make myself do it! So anyone who reads this, hold me to that! Remind me sometime in the week so I don't forget! :D

And speaking of sewing, I wonder if I should try to sew a southern belle dress for my homeschool group's spring formal... I've been looking at dresses and they are all so expensive (although I don't know how much cheaper this would be...) and I don't know if the cheaper ones on ebay would fit... maybe I can rent a costume somewhere...

I keep wanting to make a knitting/crocheting video to post on youtube or something, but I never get around to it... haha I'm such a procrastinator...

I will try to keep posting stuff at least once a week! :)

Some Stuff about Knitting and Crocheting

So after I finished my hat, I started working on a scarf with the leftover yarn. I don't know if there's going to be enough, but I'm doing it anyway.

If you don't know how to knit or crochet but want to learn how, I advise going to youtube. Just look up "how to knit" or "how to crochet" or something. Also, I think the best person on youtube for crocheting stitches and projects is tjw1936 (http://www.youtube.com/user/tjw1963?blend=3&ob=4&rclk=cti) She has aLOT of helpful videos on crocheting. I don't know about knitting so you can just search for that. :)

I haven't worked on my skirt in a long time! I am going to make myself work on it tonight after dinner!

This has nothing to do with crafty stuff, but I LOVE this weather! The cold, grey, windy, rainy weather is the best!!! Especially when there's lightning like last night! :)

Well, nothing else to report, so adios amigos! :)

Crocheting a Hat: Part 2

I did it!!! I crocheted a hat without a pattern! And it doesn't look that bad, either! :) Here is a picture. I am wearing it now, and it is keeping me warm! :) Perfect timing for the upcoming storm! :) I LOVE cold, grey, rainy weather!!! :)Haha! Anyway, I will keep working on my skirt and sweater. The skirt is pretty quick and easy, but I haven't had a chance to work on it for a while because we were painting the room in which I am sewing it... But I can now! yay! And for the sweater I just need to keep knitting, just keep knitting, what do we do? we knit, knit! (From Finding Nemo, just with swimming instead of knitting. :)) Okey dokey then! Toodle-oo! ;) haha!

Crocheting a Hat

You know that amazing friend I was talking about? Well, she inspired me to try to crochet something without a pattern. So I'm using leftover yarn to try to crochet a hat using only acquired knowledge from youtube. It looks ok so far, but its kinda turning into a hexagon... not exactly what I wanted, but it'll work! :) I'm started out by chaining 6 then I joined them to make a circle, then crocheted 2 in each stitch, then 2 in every other stitch, then 2 in every third stitch, and so on so forth. I'm gonna do that until it fits around the top of my head the just crochet all the way around and around until it's as "deep" as I want it. Hopefully it'll work! :)

Sewing a Skirt: Part 2 and Other Crafty Stories

So I asked my Grandma and she said that she was planning on doing skirt A. http://www.butterick.com/item/B5330.htm?search=B5330&page=1 I looked at the directions and it looks pretty easy. Today if I have time I will get out the sewing machine and all of the notions necessary to sew a skirt and get started. I think I should be able to do it on my own! :)



The pattern I'm using (the skirt in the front) and the fabric I'm using.



I slept over at my best friend's house two nights ago and we made charm bracelets! After spending a lot of time in Michael's looking for something to make, we came up with that idea and spent a lot MORE time looking for charms and the materials we needed. We ended up taking home some thin leather strips, some claw hooks and metal circles for the ends, and charms (lockets, flowers, "love" and "laugh", and birds). MearKat and I also got some bigger things to make necklaces. They turned out great! :D





MearKat and I also made and decorated a cake. You know the kind that you cover with fondant, that sugary cornstarch mixture. It was a blue present with yellow polka dots and a green ribbon. We brought it to home group/church and everyone loved it! :) I personally think that fondant is disgusting (unless you get the expensive stuff) but the little kids absoloutly loved the "playdough that you can eat"! ;)





My best friend is amazing! She can knit or crochet something without a pattern! In fact, she is so amazing that she desn't even need to know what size needle/hook she is using or anything! She basically just gets yarn and starts creating. I wish I could do that! I need a pattern or else it would take a million mess ups to make a simple thing... I'll just keep practicing and maybe I can get there one day... :)

P.S. This is my first blog with pictures, so if it's all messed up, you'll know why! ;)

Sewing a Skirt: Part 1

I looked through a little pile of sewing patterns I have and found the one for a skirt that my grandma got (Butterick pattern B5330), along with some fabric we were going to use for it. The only problem is that there are three skirts on the package and I don't know which one she was planning on doing. I would like to do the longest or second longest one, but alas! I don't know how much fabric she got. I don't know, maybe I'm stupid, but I can't seem to figure out how much! I've measured it but I'm not sure which way is which and it's all very confusing... One way was fifty-some inches while the other way (folded in half) was 42in or something... She must have washed it so it probably shrunk a little bit, but I still can't figure out if it's 45" fabric or 60" fabric OR how long it is... I guess I'll have to either consult youtube or e-mail my Grandma for the answer... I'll report once I have received an answer! =)

My First Post

Hmm... I have a blog. Now to keep it going! (I never finish anything... haha)

Since I love sewing, knitting, crocheting, and cross stitching (not to mention cooking which will be a different blog), I decided to make my first blog about these things. For most of my friends, this blog would be the most boring thing ever!!!! haha! At least I have some who at least knit and crochet. :)

I have found that the best place for free knitting and crocheting patterns would be Lion Brand (http://cache.lionbrand.com/freePatterns.html) or Michael's (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/static?page=Free-Patterns). I actually haven't made that many things yet; I am working on a sweater, I've knitted a couple of scarves and a hat, and I've crocheted little things but nothing big. There are many things I want to make (a cute stuffed crochet bunny on Lion Brand, for example), but I never can get to the store or I just procrastinate too long and forget about it...

My Grandma taught me how to sew, and she, being a experienced sewer, said that McCall's patterns are the best. She says that Simplicity is kind of crappy. So don't buy Simplicity patterns!! ;) (By the way, Butterick and Vogue are owned by McCall's owners I think)

I've recently been itching to sew something. I don't know why, but I really want to!!! Anyway, I got my stuff up from the guesthouse and as soon as I have time, I will look at the patterns I have and see what I can sew. I think I have a pattern for a skirt along with the fabric, thanks to my Grandma! :)

Well, I'm off to knit my sweater! (By the way, I will try to write on here a couple times a week, or whenever I think of something to do with all this)