Dealing with a crisis

Sorry, I haven't been here for awhile.
We (hubby and family) have been dealing with my father in law's death.
I'll get back to it real soon. I promise. Until then..... be kind to your family and friends. Never go to bed without saying I love you. And remember to give other family members a call to to check in with them.
The finally happens in a blink of the eye.
As we have learned this week losing Ed McManhn, Farrah Fawcet and Micheal Jackson and loved ones.

Bibs and Bears

You got to love bibs and bears. Bibs that look cute and also protect those so expensive baby clothes. Bibs can be really cheap and so it doesn't matter if you have to throw them away after several or several hundred uses. On the other hand they can cost a small fortune, depending on the name brand or the store where purchased. You can get bibs just about in any store that has a baby section. But I decided to make them for all the baby showers I get invites for.
Okay, I wanted something else to go with the little bib so I drew out this little 6 inch bear. Used matching fabric and embroidered a little face on the bear. Yes, I know the thing is not perfect but did you know that the Amish create a flaw in everything them create. It is their way of remembering that no one is perfect except the Lord.
Well anyways I think it's an adorable set for gift giving.
I've made at least a half dozen of them so far. All in different fabric to match the bib of the moment. I actually have 3 showers coming up really fast. Of course I will be giving other items too. But some of the things I've made have actually been passed down from friends and family children to their children.

Baby Talk

I've been busy this week getting some things done for the fall craft show. Several pair of felt booties. These are called Chinese Slippers. I hand embroidered around the top and straps with a purple embroidery thread and added velcro for closing. I designed the little bonnet from pictures and it was really easy after I got the correct measuremnets. The baby socks are a bit tricky to hold as you're sewing and I got the ruffle too long but I can fix that. I think the pdf file came from The Ribbon Retreat but I will have too double check it.

I got some instructions for the boutique style bow from Girly-Things and then did my own design. The little slippers came from doing a google for baby booties and then I altered the pattern a bit.

Lost in Cyberspace

I've been lost in cyberspace for days now. I went to one site to look for a particular pattern and started clicking on the links that were there and have been so caught up in all the blogs and the talent available. It is truely amazing what is out there for all the crafters and non crafters. If you need a purse pattern, something for a baby shower, a wedding gift, birthday gift. Just need something to do. Do you need to know how to fix something, make something. Need a good recipe? Just do a search and you will find hundreds if not thousands of links. If you have been searching for certain craft instructions, you begin to recognize certain sites and peoples regularly.
I have been on here all morning checking out http://blog.craftzine.com
Hundreds of things to look at with alot of directions.
You may have noticed I have added a link section on the right hand side of my blog.
I thought it might be useful to you as well as me.
I have also went to several sites that are in a different language. I have just found out that if you get the url then go to google translate and put that url in, it will translate it into your language. Now that is an awesome tool.
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I am suppose to be sewing today. I have been making lots of baby things for the fall festivals. I have gotta to be quite fast at making baby bibs with matching toys. Burp cloths and baby booties. My next project will be hair bows. But I need to go to Walmart and JoAnn's to get some supplies. I'll be posting pictures of some of my things early next week.

Fire Roasted Corn Soup

Did I ever tell you I have won awards for my cooking. At the regatta each year here we have a cooking contest. All the local restaurants pick some of their best items and show them off at the civic center. People come from all over the country for our regatta so Thousands of people show up for the "Taste of Charleston".
For the last couple of years my hospital cafe has entered the contest. Since I'm the cafe cook and caterer, it is my food. Anyway I thought you might like the recipe for my soup that won in 2007.

Fire Roasted Corn Soup:
2 cups of fresh or frozen corn
1 cup each of diced celery,onions,carrots
1 can of diced pimentos
1/2 cup of diced red peppers
4 oz. solid pack chicken base (boullion)
1 TBSP. cumin
1 tsp. garlic
1 tsp. cajun seasoning
1/4 tsp. cayenne
salt and pepper to taste
*note: go light on the salt since boullion is salty anyway.

Place all ingredients in large stock pot cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 2 hours.
If you have a cream soup base add this to soup using a whisk and following container directions and simmer for 15 more minutes.
If you donot have cream soup base (starter) you can make your own
1 cup milk and 1 cup of flour whisk together and then whisk this into 1/2 cup melted margarine or butter.
Then whisk this roo" into the soup same as if you were adding the cream soup base.

Make a salad and serve with mexican or regular corn bread.
Yummy!!!!