jane's apron

betsy mccall bakes

I had to pick up the cookies for our Brownie troop today and the postcard said the pickup location was "West Side Missionary Baptist Church  Dunn Rd. between New Halls Ferry &".  This was vague on so many levels...no address and missing the second half of the &.   As I was looking for a church, I spotted a thrift store and made a quick detour.

I have a couple of vintage McCall's recipe books and found one just for cookies.  I threw it on the front seat, found the cookie pickup and, while waiting my turn in line, I looked at my new recipe book.  There is a page for Betsy McCall's Ginger Cut-Out Cookies...with pictures of the doll baking.  And the pictures are cross-referenced with the recipe.  For example, step 8 states "On well-floured board, roll out dough about 1/8 inch thick (photo b)".  Seriously funny.  

Even more funny is that I had never heard of Betsy McCall until earlier this week.  Amy at Mom Advice has been so kind to link to lots of my posts and last week she had a link to the Valentine Oatmeal Cookies.  Just below that was a link to vintage Betsy McCall paper dolls. The dolls and scenes are cute and I printed my favorite one...check out Betsy talking to the Art Editor and visiting the Pattern Department...I so wish I was Betsy. 

our lady of the unit circle

Umm...so...the math studying is going pretty good.  I am finding a little time to make some creative study tools...you know, so it's not like I'm goofing around.   I tried to put too much trigonometry in my head last week and the idea for this collage somehow found the way in.   Kind of cute...kind of fun...kind of oddly religious.  

Now, if Somerset has a call for "collages with math formulas"...I'll be ready. 

sewing along

Way back in October of last year, I wrote a post asking for sewing machine advice.  I read every response, shopped around, and decided on a Janome Sewist 525S based on the advice from Claudia (a very knowledgeable sewing teacher!).   Claudia helped me through those first few days of all my goofy questions and, before I knew it, I was sewing.  And you know what?  Sewing is not at all as scary as I thought it was.  It's kind of like learning to drive a stick-shift...after you learn how you're like "that's it?...what was I so worried about?".  I am NOT an expert by any stretch but I'm having fun.   I've made tissue cozies, headbands, craft aprons...hemmed some pants. 

I'm slowly working my way to larger projects and made the kids pillowcases using this tutorial from Jona.  I love Jona's instructions because she's funny and she includes lots of pictures.  The picture above is Ellen's pillowcase...a special request for fabric with "dogs only".  

apron-ology

I read an article last week that talked about how, right now, it's cool to save money.  OK...so now I'm cool?  I'm sure the article was not talking about saving about $6 on a magazine but that small amount makes me happy.  

I've shared this before but more than a few of you were surprised to hear it so it's worth repeating.  You can use the percent-off coupons at fabric stores on books and magazines.  And, since they usually carry the Somerset publications, it's a good way bring the price down to a number that's a little easier on the debit card.  I bought Apron-ology last week...so cool to see some blog friends in there and the art apron by Rebecca Sower has hatched some ideas in my head that I can't wait to try.  

valentine oatmeal cookies

The recipe for these cookies was in the newspaper.  When I was in high school.  To say that it was a keeper is an understatement because I've kept it for a long time. These are not your average sugar cookie because they are loaded with oatmeal.  It kind of makes them a little lumpy...a little 'unrefined" but so good (I ate five while taking this picture).

Valentine Oatmeal Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter; softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tbsp milk

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup oatmeal (regular or instant)

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add all but the oatmeal (I know this seems weird that you don't cream the butter and sugar but just go with it).  Mix until combined and stir in oatmeal.  Roll and cut. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes...until slightly golden on edges.

My daughter added the sugar sprinkles but the cookies are good with icing...or icing and sugar.  And I'm happy to share that the cookie cutter I used came from Bake it Pretty.

Happy Valentine's Day! 

cutest apron evah

I love...

love...

love...

 

my new tiny stitched apron from Patty.

all that I love

My partner for the "All That I Love" Swap hosted by Kari at "A Year of Color" was Patty from both the little red suitcase (check out the tattoo in this post) and colored sprinkles.  Since the swap was with A Year of Color, I'd describe the package I made for Patty as "pink, red, and a touch of blue"....lots of paper and vintage stuff to play with, a tattoo girl collage, a heart kit, and a craft apron.

I created the heart shaped tattoo from a snowflake stamp I have...added a seam binding hanger and a little glitter.  Patty said she liked bold colors so I added some bright vintage blue and green trim to the craft apron...kind of cute and fun.   

Now, about the heartfelt giveaway I promised last time...

I don't know about you, but I am seriously hurting for good magazines.  I've resorted to thrifting Better Homes and Gardens...really sad but what's a magazine addict to do?  I discovered that I had three copies of the 10th Anniversary Issue of ME's Home Companion (I remember some kind of problem with my subscription and they kept sending this issue instead of the one I was missing).   I would love to send it, along with some pretty ribbon and a handmade valentine, to one of my blog friends.  I have to say that making the valentine was the most fun I've had all week.  Just leave a comment.  I'll pick a name on Monday night and mail it off to you on Tuesday morning.  

Have a good weekend!

A little late but I made it before the end of the night...congrats to Jessica (Kids Napping? I'm Scrapping) (using this handy integer generator because my kids are in bed and I can't yell out "hey, give me number between 1 and 46"). Thanks everybody for the nice comments!

heart wings

I'm not one to put wings in my collages...not that there's anything wrong with wings...it's just generally not "me". But...I was working on a few collages for the "All the Things I Love" swap from A Year of Color, punched some paper hearts, and decided that this collage needed "heart wings".   Couldn't you add hearts to anything and make it better?

I'm making up for some lost studying time this week but will be back later this week with more details from the swap and a small heartfelt giveaway.