Sleeper of a Bag

Give an orphaned pillowcase a new home -- over your shoulder.

1. Trim 1/4 inch off the closed end,and cut the case in half on the diagonal. Turn the fabric of each of the four diagonal cut edges over the 1/4 inch, twice: pin, and hem.

2. Place one pillowcase half inside the other,lining up bottom edges;pin, and sew at front where fabric overlap. Repeat on the other side. Turn fabric inside out, and hem case's cut bottom. Trim with pinking shears.

Turn case right side out, tie top ends into a knot,and you have a carefree summer bag.

OK, sewer's let's get busy and start creating!!!

Ever Open Laundry Bag

A hanging laundry bag saves floor space, but you have to wrestle with the drawstrings to deposit dirty clothes.

Have it both ways when you prop open the suspended bag with a large embroidery hoop at least 14 inches in diameter.

I think this would be great for a kids room, they could make a game out of disposing dirty laundry .

What do you think?

Candle Blocks

You'll always be able to improvise a centerpiece with these candle blocks. Each face is drilled with a hole sized to fit a particular type of candle.

How To:

Start with a single 4 x 4 inch cedar post from the lumberyard or home center;cut it into 4 inch cubes. With an electric drill,make holes in the center of each side. Use a drill guide to bore a perpendicular hole, which will enable candles to stand straight and burn evenly.

Bit sizes shown are gauged to standard candle thickness.

Top to bottom: 7/8 inch bit for hand dipped taper; 9/32 inch for a stick taper:1 1/8 - 1 1/2 inch Forstner bit for tea lights and large tapers(sizes vary slightly); 3/4 inch spade bit for a Shabbat candle: 15/32 inch bit for a Christmas tree candle.

Sand the rough edges with fine sandpaper, paint,stain,or seal wood with tung oil.

Yarn Cards

An event that comes once a year deserves a special card.Everyone loves a homemade card .

You will have to draw your design, but don't be shy about your artistic ability. Just draw simple outlines and the yarn will do the rest.

When designing cards, include only the details necessary to make the image recognizable. A cake for example, requires only a few shallow curves, and a woolen spiral easily renders a flower.

Practice on scratch paper first, then lightly pencil your design on your card.

Trace your drawing with craft glue in a fine tip dispenser. Carefully place yarn on the glue. Let dry, and then snip away excess.

Wrap Around Pincushion

Now this is a clever idea!! I don't know how many times I have chased my pincushion around the table.

Make a pattern; For length,measure the machine's circumference in a spot free of dials, then add 2 1/2 inches. Choose a width that suits the machine(about 2-3 inches) and add 1/2 inch

Layer a piece of thick fabric(for the backing)and a piece of cotton or velour over two pieces of thin batting,all cut to fit dimensions.

See along three sides, leaving 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn right side out, and top stitch around all four sides, 1/4 inch from edge

Sew strips of Velcro brand tape to ends on opposite sides.

Grill Focaccia

This rosemary focaccia is the perfect bread to dip in a flavorful olive oil. Serve as a starter or use as the base for a hearty sandwich.

Ingredients:

9 tablespoon olive oil
3 cup all purpose flour unsifted
3/4 cup semolina flour unsifted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoon quick rising dry yeast
1 1/2 cup hot milk
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves

Instructions:

Pour a scant tablespoon of the olive oil into a 9 inch square cake pan;spread evenly to cover the bottom and sides. Place all purpose flour,semolina flour,2 tablespoon of the olive oil,1/4 teaspoon of the slat and all of the yeast in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook.Blend ingredients on medium speed. Reduce speed to low and slowly add hot milk. Raise the speed to medium and continue mixing for 5 minutes

Sprinkle bottom of cake pan with a little flour. Remove dough from bowl and spread out evenly in pan. Cover with towel and let rest for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Remove towel. Brush dough with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Sprinkle with additional salt and rosemary Bake for 20 minutes

Remove from oven and drizzle with remaining oil .

Chessy Chicken Casserole

This is very easy casserole meal, for a week day dinner.

Ingredients:

2 pounds chicken cooked
1 cup milk
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/8 teaspoon garlic salt
3/4 cup {Parmesan cheese
10 ounce package of frozen broccoli, cooked

Instructions:

Remove skin and bones from chicken, thinly slice meat, chill

Blend milk, cream cheese,salt and garlic salt in a double boiler or a saucepan over low heat until smooth an thoroughly heated. Stir in half cup of Parmesan cheese

Arrange broccoli in 2 quart casserole dish;cover with 1 cup cheese mixture. Top with chicken slices;cover with remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes