CATS FUN FRIDAY-TIP..."FROM TOWEL 2 PILLOW SLIP"

Hey quilter's...hope all is going well. It's finally Friday!!! Yes exclamation marks due to my crazy week. I'm working on my pattern series and had to share this "Space-Saving" design tip with you. I have limited storage space so I need to "store smart". Recently I've been cleaning and purging my closets and came up with this idea that I'm in love with. Not only is it a great space saver but I'm using up my scraps as well. Win...win in my book! Last Christmas I received this adorable red truck pillow from a dear friend. It's so adorable that I would leave out all year. Well, guess what....I now do! I designed this pillow slip using up my scraps and it's from a "hand towel" that I purchased from a local craft store & a bi-fold design which makes it even easier! It was perfect and all I needed to do was add my strips that were already cut from a previous quilt project and scraps for the backing. My scrap strip pieces are from Benartex, Moda & Timeless Treasures and of course sewn with AURIfil 50# 2024 thread. I've used this thread so much that I recently ran out and need more! So strong and durable and great for any sewing or quilting projects. Anyway, let me show you how easy this pillow slip is made. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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and www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com


Here's all you do...

Measure your pillow....mine is a 18 x 18  
Square up your towel or cut a center piece 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 (1/4" seam allowance)

I used my scrap strips that were already cut to 1 1/2 " strips so it was perfect...do the same if you wish.
Sew the strips in the log cabin design starting at the top of the towel using a 1/4' seam allowance and squaring up and pressing as you go. (see pic #3)
Once you have reached your desired pillow size....making sure you have a 1/4 " seam allowance on all sides before adding the back sides.
TIP....I full recommend reinforcing the seams...Sometimes you have to fight a bit getting the pillow into the slip :-)
Now for the "Bi-fold method"
I recommend watching a video on the internet to fully understand this method. My way is easy but I feel for a beginner it's better to watch a video to fully grasp this easy method.
*After you watch a video of your choice just remember to add the proper fabric calculations to your pillow size :-)
Have fun!

PUMPKIN-SPICE CRACK.....oh d-lish!

Hey everyone....hope all is well and you're ready for the weekend. I recently posted pics of this "pumpkin-spice crack" without the recipe. Well.....it was because I was still in the testing process. Needless to say....I've probably gained a "few pounds" but I believe it's time to share :-) I did make another batch using less butter and I feel it was a bit better.....I did spread it a little thinner....made it a bit more crunchy....other then that....it still came out wonderful (I think anyway). I received some emails about subbing out white choc instead of dark choc and why I added the pumpkin puree. I honestly hate to admit this....I added the pumpkin puree to add a bit healthy twist to my all time favorite holiday candy. Plus I'm a pumpkin spice everything kinda gal :-) Anyway, let me know if you put your own spin on this recipe....I'll be happy to try yours :-)
Oh....it's Friday....and that means pizza night in my house....I'll be doing a twist on my favorite pepperoni pizza....wish me luck and will share if all goes well :-) Enjoy your weekend!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest

Here's all you do....

Pre-heat oven to 350*
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
Lay 1 -2 pkgs (sleeves) of graham crackers (broken in half)

In a non-stick sauce pan (I keep one just for candy) melt following stirring constantly until sides break away over medium heat
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup pumpkin puree ( I use Libbys 100% pure pumpkin)
3/4 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice ( or to taste)
pinch of salt

Once all is heated & pulls away from sides of pan (be careful...it's hot)
then pour over graham crackers and spread evenly ( I tried spreading thin and thick....works either way) thin is a bit more crunchy and heavier spread is more chewy....don't think you can go wrong :-)
Place in pre-heated oven for about 4-5 minutes (watch carefully....ovens vary)
Remove from oven & turn oven off
Top with your favorite candies....I sprinkled the following. Didn't measure out, just had fun!
*Dark-chocolate chips
*Butter scotch morsels
*Bits of Brickle
* Candy corn
Seriously, I think you could add nuts...pretzels....candy...whatever your family likes :-)
Return back to over for about 4-5 mins or until slightly melted

Let cool....and you can flash freeze if you need it to set up.
I freeze for about 10 minutes....then place on a plate and into a freezer bag before giving as gifts....that way friends can freeze until ready to eat :-)
Enjoy!

"Today, I realized I'm a Pioneer Woman Snob" :-)....Can't help myself....I love her products!

Hey everyone...hope all is going well. I had to share this 'cause sometimes you don't realize how much you like someone or something until this happens. This week I was making a birthday cake and I whisked the batter using my faithful hand whisk and the thing decided to break on me. I was "too lazy" to break out my hand mixer for such a small task :-) So yesterday while shopping I thought "what a great time" to add to my "Pioneer Woman" collection. Well this morning while making cornbread, I used my new whisk....I was so excited and was whisking away and stopped....where is my sweet little butterfly.....where is my pioneer woman logo....how can this be....I have so much of her cooking items and yes I'm abscessed and it's because her products are "wonderful"....I guess I'll survive for now anyway :-)
***Update....while washing my whisk...."I found her logo"....it helps to wear glasses :-)
Honestly...all kidding aside....she has great products if you haven't already tried them!!!!

Well stay tuned 'cause while my cornbread was cooking (recipe for casserole coming soon) I was able to work on making my "Pumpkin-Spice-Crack" a tad-bit healthier....(pic below)….it's setting up now as we speak and if all goes well I'll be sharing this one as well. I will admit, I tasted it and if it doesn't fully set-up....well let's just say a bowl of ice cream will come into play :-)
Enjoy your day & talk soon :-)

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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"THIS IS WHAT I WANTED...and THIS IS WHAT I DID"

Hey everyone....I hope all is going well. I've been trying to get some blog posts caught up & if you know me, I've got a huge project started on my "quilting blog." As a designer, if I don't have a project that I'm working on I will seriously go nuts. Recently I've been working on some designs for me & have to admit it's more fun helping others. I've been blessed with being able to design for clients homes and have the "eye" to save them money along the way. Lately I've been enjoying being able to consult with people and do what I love....quilting and sewing. I've designed for so many years and sometimes it's just nice to give back to others. As we all have seen, all the do-it-yourself shows and tips have saved us money. Well, I have to admit, I was pretty happy with what I did below. I fell in love with the first design from a magazine but the cost was just not in the budget. I've been re-doing the "guest-room" on a slim budget and needed end tables. If you've priced end tables lately you'll understand where I'm coming from! They are so tiny and so expensive for great quality.
Our town church had a "rummage sale" & a dear friend knew that I was looking for end tables. Well, she called and said hey I found these for 40 bucks. Well I said....still not bad, eighty for two great quality end tables, similar to the design I wanted. Then she said..."No, 40 for both." I don't know how you type happy feet....hands flopping and changing clothes to get to the sale but you got the idea! She was so sweet and they held them until I arrived. Oh my gosh, I was so excited. Great quality and a great deal. Win...win as my grandson would say!
So here's where it did get tricky....I wanted antique casters on the legs....again,,,if you've priced antique casters lately you'll understand what I did. I went to local hardware store and they had the copper casters "reasonably priced". Next step copper spray paint for the handles. Done! Then sand paper to ruff up the edges to give them the "rustic look" I wanted. Done! Needed two baskets for "what nots" to store in". Hmm....oh "borrowed" them from my craft closet :-) Then their was that sweet lamp...again, those are so expensive so I "opt out" and just use the lamp that I originally had. Personally speaking....I feel that I "copied" the original design pretty well & less then half the cost!
I've had some guests visit and stay the night and they loved what I did. One friend is trying to find a bargain herself. Sometimes we just need to realize that it's not all about the look but how we feel when we accomplish something. At least with me anyway! :-) :-) :-)
If you have some tips to share please email me....

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest

See ya on the next project :-)

CATS FUN-FRIDAY TIP...."BALANCING HOUSEWORK & SEWING"

Hey everyone....hope all is well. I had to share this tip on my quilting blog of balancing our "necessary chores" as they say with our other "necessary projects." So pop on over to my quilting blog to see how I've learned to "balance" these two together. I hope this tip helps and please share if you have some tips as well. IF you're like me, there's never enough time in the day but we all need to get things done so I hope this helps. Have a great weekend!

Blessed Cooking from my Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com

CATS FUN-FRIDAY TIP..."ART CANVAS 2 PILLOW SHAMS"

Hey...hope all is going well. I recently received compliments on this décor in my guest room that I just had to share. As a designer, I'm always creating for others, so when I have a chance to do something "out of the box" for myself....well needless to say...I think they are adorable. I love roosters so when I was shopping at my local antique store Pandora's Box and saw these 2 Canvas Art Rooster's, I about went nuts! I bought them without knowing what I was going to do with them. Do I frame them....seriously didn't know except the pure fact I was going to use them somewhere. It happened by accident....I laid them on top of my white shams in my guest room so they didn't get touched or wrinkled. Next morning....while drinking coffee I walked into guest room and saw my roosters and my "design crazy eye" went immediately into pillow shams. Went through my fabric stash and decided to go with muslin for the backing. I sewed them with my favorite #AURIfil fifty weight thread #2311. This color hue is so neutral and the weight is perfect for all your sewing/crafty/quilting projects. If you know me by now, you know I also have a
quilt-blog. So follow on blog below and you 2 can have your own unique shams :-)

Blessing from my Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's... cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com
Follow me on Facebook & Pinterest

"LEFT-OVER LUV-N'....BKFST PIZZA PIE"

Hey everyone....hope all is going well. I cannot believe it's already August. Summer has flown by for me and I've already started my Christmas Quilt-a-long w/Cat on my quilt blog. For some odd reason the month of August has me cleaning out the freezer. I start preparing and planning for the Holiday's and that leads me to "where is everything gonna fit". I'm sure some of you can relate when you have an average size freezer and when you buy items on sale you freeze some. Well at least I do anyway. But hate to admit it, I'm also s freak when it comes to items near their expiration date. The good thing is, I can get a little creative trying to blend these items into something tasteful :-)
Well.....a few weeks ago we had some company that came in as a spontaneous 2 day "stay-over". We only have a small grocery store where I live, so being creative in the kitchen came in to play. After all the fun with our dear friends, I did have some odd and ends leftover so one morning I thought....turn it into a "Left-over Bkfst Pizza Pie"...how could I go wrong! In my house the words Pizza and Pie capture everyone's attention :-) I've had so much fun coming up with leftover's that blend together that I've been creating recipes while cleaning out the Pantry & Freezer. Win...win as my grandson would say! Also, please note the recipe below is so easy you can turn it into any night of the week and especially get your children involved preparing. Enjoy and email me if you come up with your own Left-over-luv-n' recipe.

Blessed Cooking from my Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's @ cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest
www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com

Ingredients...
1 can Pillsbury Flakey Layers (5 in can)
3 eggs
1/4 cup low fat milk (or your preference)
Meat of your choice
Grated cheddar cheese (about 1/4 cup)
Queso Fresco Cheese (about 1/2 cup)
Red/green chopped peppers
Garlic powder (optional)
Dried Italian Seasoning (optional)
Red pepper flakes (optional)

Here's all you do...

Spray your pie pan with cooking spray
Carefully spread biscuits on bottom of pan and up sides pinching biscuits together as you go.
Season biscuits with garlic powder and dried Italian Seasoning (if desired)
Blind Bake for about 8 minutes at 400*...ovens vary so watch closely (see tip)

Blind Bake tip.....cut a piece of foil a bit larger then your pie pan....
Spray the back side with cooking spray (this side will go on top of your pie crust)
Fill with about 1 cup of dried beans and spread evenly throughout (helps with even baking of crust)
*After your beans have cooled....place in a airtight container * re-use again (always label) :-)

Remove & top with some grated Cheddar cheese.
Let cool while you blend 3 eggs with about a 1/4 cup of lowfat milk & whisk together with some Red pepper flakes & Black pepper (if desired)
Spread evenly on pie crust
Add your "warm" leftover meat of your choice ( I used hamburger Pattie and Turkey pepperoni slices)
Sprinkle chopped red/green peppers (if desired)
Or whatever you have left over (have fun with it) :-)
Cover with a pie shield and bake for about 10-12 minutes (ovens vary)
Remove and sprinkle pieces of Queso Fresco cheese on top and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and pie is cooked thoroughly.

Remove and let cool and slice into pie shaped servings.
Serve with some fresh fruit if desired
Enjoy!.

This also makes a great "Meatless Monday" dish....just add your favorite veggies :-)
Also great as a left-over after school snack for kids....win win! ;-)

'CHRISTMAS in JULY"...Childs Santa Belt Apron

Good morning....I wanted to share a "sweet" fun...fast project with you this morning that I'll be posting today on my quilting blog. It's that time of year where we realize "Christmas" is only 5 mos. away. Oh my gosh....how time flies. This sweet apron will make any child happy while "jingling" the bells & making Christmas cookies for Santa. The pattern along with "tips" will be on my quilting blog today and I have a huge Christmas quilt project coming this month as well. The apron is actually up for auction at our local Frankston Library. I made the apron in a child's size but you can easily enlarge for an adult as well. Also, I'd like to do a special shout out and thank you to the followers in "Ukraine" along with everyone else... I love looking at the "stats" to see where I'm reaching....it keeps me motivated. As always...if you have any q's please email me.

Blessed Cooking from my Home to Yours.
Cat
email @ cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest (Cat Gege)
www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com

*Hexagon squares appliqued with 50# AURIfil thread. Many weights & hues to coordinate with your projects and I've never had a thread breakage! Apron has gold bells to coordinate with gold belt buckle but you can do buttons if you wish :-)

Checkin' in :-)

Hey....hope everyone is doing well & starting to have some nice weather. I've been working on some time saving sewing projects and will be posting them soon! I know were all busy and love cooking and home décor projects so stay tuned....it's happening soon! In the meantime....hop on over to my quilt blog....just posted a safe tip on discarding rotary blades. I've been using them a lot recently so wanted to share this safe tip in the meantime of the upcoming home décor projects.
Stay tuned & thanks so much for patiently following!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's @ cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com
Facebook & Pinterest

"SOMETHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN"

Hey.....hope everyone is doing well. I've been "finally" working on my own home with updating my guest room. I have a "older home" and being a designer I like to design/decorate for the style of the home. Mine is a "Relaxed....Country Living" lifestyle & I love to find old items and make them "new again" or "new for me". I always say...."If walls could talk"....well in this case...it's "if décor could talk." I purchased the old window frame at our local antique store along with the old ornate wood piece above the window.....gave it a "little love" & placed it around my antique mirror that I already had. The chest & quilt are family heirlooms passed down which makes this addition to the guest room really sweet when family comes to stay. The room has been freshly painted and I chose a "tan" hue to really make my "old décor" pop. More posts coming soon & you will see why I went with this wall color. I have to say it's been fun to finally do something for my own home. For years I've made my homeowners happy but have to say "I truly loved seeing them smile'. I'm doing this guest room a little at a time so keep popping in for the latest & inexpensive design tips & healthy recipes for you to enjoy! If you enjoy quilting follow me on my quilt blog below & Pinterest.

Blessed Cooking from my Home to Yours,
Cat
www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com