It's in the Bag!

This is the 2 handle tote bag I made from a recycled t-shirt, webbing handles, and dark denim. 

This is the inside of the 2 handle tote

I made this messenger bag from a recycled t-shirt and recycled blue jeans 

The inside of the messenger bag with a denim cell phone pocket

Making Something Out of Nothing: New Quilts from Old Shirts

I've been really busy with t-shirt quilts lately. That's a good thing! Not complaining but it's not really a busy time for quilt orders. My busiest times are graduation and Christmas. I do have several more to do. Hopefully I can get to them after the window seat cushion and throw pillows and a slipcover for a chaise lounge. This one is a 36 square, king size quilt. The top photo shows the quilt folded and ready to deliver. It folds up really nice with the micro-fleece back. It's not too bulky but SUPER warm!

Monkeyin' Around

I know what you were thinking! 

I get restless (and hungry) on snow days so I tried a new recipe. I've seen recipes for monkey bread before but not monkey bread muffins so I thought I'd try 'em. I have an overflowing file folder of

 "hmm...this-looks-good-I-think-I'll-try-this" recipes. It looks to be from the newspaper. Don't ask which one or when I got it. The file is an inch thick and I've saved clippings and print-outs for about 19 years. I left out the chopped pecans because I didn't have any but they were pretty yummy anyway!

A Departure From the Normal: Breakfast for Supper

Actually, breakfast for supper is NOT a departure from the normal here and this was NOT all I cooked to eat for supper. I suppose the departure is that I'm writing about food and not sewing for a change. I love to cook and I was so hungry I forgot to take pics before we chowed down. These are pictures of what was left the next morning. I had breakfast on the brain and not what I was writing for my next blog entry.
It was quite the spread. You'll have to just take my word for it! I don't know what's normal in other households but our house is breakfast-crazy! I baked biscuits, fried some sausage patties, ham, and eggs. I had to make cream gravy AND chocolate gravy. Oh! Almost forgot to mention the hashbrown casserole! This rounds out all the major food groups: chocolate, bread, meat, and dairy ( there was cheddar cheese and sour cream in the hashbrown casserole). I know, I know, not very healthy, but as far as I'm concerned, nothing says winter comfort food like this did! Unless you have chicken and dumplings...or meatloaf and mashed potatoes...or loaded baked potato soup...or homemade mac-n-cheese (which is the only kind my family will eat!). I also make some mean chicken enchiladas with salsa verde! Hmmm...sounds like the making of another blog entry. I'll try to get the photo before we eat everything up!
Below is my recipe for chocolate gravy. It's not super-sweet like hot fudge sauce but it's thicker than the chocolate from one of those chocolate fountains. It's easy but you have to stay close and stir while it's cooking. It doesn't take long to make and you should already have everything in your pantry to make it. This would be good on waffles or to dip bananas or stawberries in (if you have to be halfway healthy!).

CHOCOLATE GRAVY
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 heaping Tbsp flour
- 2 heaping Tbsp cocoa
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tbsp margarine or butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
Combine sugar, flour, and cocoa. Add water. I use a small suacepan and stir with a fork. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently. When thickened, remove from heat, add margarine and vanilla. Enjoy!