I'll Pour: Pumpkin Cake

I'll Pour: Pumpkin Cake: The picture shows a white cake mix.  I used yellow for the pumpkin cake. My sister and I were visiting on the phone about Thanksgiving ...

Pumpkin Cake

The picture shows a white cake mix.  I used yellow for the pumpkin cake.

My sister and I were visiting on the phone about Thanksgiving food.  She mentioned a pumpkin cake.  I now had to make one.  I happened to have canned pumpkin and a yellow cake mix.  I Googled pumpkin cake.  Recipes I found ranged from those 2 ingredients I have along with pumpkin pie spice.  Those cakes looked too dense.  I made a few changes and this is what I found to be the best pumpkin cake I have ever eaten. 

Pumpkin Cake:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

1 package yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker.)
1can of pumpkin puree (I used Libby's)
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil (I prefer sunflower oil.)
1/4 cup of cream  (You can substitute the cream with milk)
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (I make a blend of 5 spices but it is much simpler to buy pumpkin pie spice.  I will share the blend at a later date.)

I placed all of the above ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mixed the ingredients with an electric mixer for approximately 3 minutes.

Prepare a 9 X 13 cake pan by oiling the inside and coating the oil with a light dusting of flour. 

Note: If you do not have flour, reserve a tablespoon or two of cake mix and use this in place of flour.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 min.  The cake should spring back in the center when lightly pressed with a finger. 

Cool, cut, and serve with whipped cream.

I hope this post finds you well!  Thank you for viewing!  Dawnie

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Quilting and Crocheting

Not long ago I found 3 quilt blocks with the Dresden plate design.  I have always loved this design.  The stitching around the design is made with a blanket stitch in pink thread and of course by hand.  Most people would pass this purchase up since the blocks are older and limited to 3.  I decided to make the quilt blocks into a table runner.  I cut the blocks down, did the sewing on the top and I was making the ties when I folded the project up for the evening.    Oh no!  I was about 3/4 of an inch or more off on the end measurements.  I was so careful measuring and cutting---or at least I thought I was.  I took over half of the table runner apart, corrected the size issue, placed the table runner back together and I now enjoy it on my table.  

If you come across a single quilt square or two and you love it,  don't pass up the purchase.  There are several ways to use quilt squares.  Fabric strips can be sewn around a quilt square to make it larger and use it as a table topper.  It doesn't have to be quilted with bound edges.  I have used a quilt block I made (it looked vintage) for placing under a decorative item in a decorative grouping in the family room.  I hung the edge of the quilt block over the top of our bookcase.  This quilt top had raw edges.  Also, if you have a newer quilt block and you live in a country home or farmhouse, don't forget that you can tea stain quilt blocks used for decor.  My last suggestion is to use a quilt block as a backing for family pictures.  

Since I am not working at this time, I seem to have plenty of time to do projects.  I am using some of my hand-spun wool yarn and making winter hats.  If you need one, check out my Etsy shop.  

How is everything going for you?  I hope all is well. 

I do appreciate you viewing my blog post.  Dawnie

I'll Pour: Bonnet Pot Holder

I'll Pour: Bonnet Pot Holder: A while back I found an antique pot holder made in the shape of a bonnet.  I wanted to replicate it, with a few little changes.  This i...

Bonnet Pot Holder

A while back I found an antique pot holder made in the shape of a bonnet.  I wanted to replicate it, with a few little changes.  This is what I found:

The top of the bonnet has been quilted with a sewing machine.  This is very thin.

I made a pattern.  I am not an artist.  Remember that when you view my pattern.  LOL  Oh, the pattern is free......

This is what I made.  I used ric rac instead of lace.  I also put ric rac along the bottom instead of bias tape.  I used a plastic ring to hang the bonnet instead of bias tape.  I felt that the bonnet needed to be tied.  You won't notice it, but I actually quilted the bonnet at the front and along the left of the bias tape on the top of the bonnet.
I used cotton fabric I had, but you can buy a fat quarter if you don't have fabric laying around.  I made my bias binding from more cotton fabric I had on hand, but it would have been easier to purchase some.  The cotton batting I placed inside of the bonnet was also leftover scraps from quilting projects.  The ric rac came from a package, but I doubt I used more than 12 inches.  I also had the plastic ring on hand.  All of the supplies are available at a fabric or hobby store.   I used white thread so you can see the sewing.  Matching black thread would have looked better.   

Back.  I added my label.  

I forgot to add seam allowance and I think the neck and bottom are smaller.  I think the bottom could be larger and gathered to look more realistic.  Just a  thought.  I hope you enjoy this post.  If anyone decides to make it, please let me know and send me pictures.  I would love to see it.  

Thank you for viewing!  Dawnie

Lavender Pouches

For years I have made lavender sachets.  They are great inside a drawer or closet.  I recall someone placing lavender inside netting and lace and placed on a fancy clothes hanger.  When my son was younger we placed lavender essential oil on his inside wrist.  At times he would be so hyper and smelling lavender seemed to help him calm down some.  The essential oil was mixed with a carrier oil so it wouldn't be too strong and possibly burn his skin.  A lightbulb went off in my head today.   I thought it may help my granddaughters sleep better.  At this time, only one of them has issues with sleeping.  Part of this is due to poor sleep hygiene practiced in her home.  (Inconsistent bedtimes is actually called poor sleep hygiene.  LOL ) I should state that all of us in my family are very sensory and we smell and touch most everything.  That may explain my fiber obsession.  Rather than giving my granddaughters a pouch of lavender buds, I decided to hang one over their heads while they sleep; attaching it to the headboards.  It could also be placed inside the pillowcases.  To make the pouch, I used a 5 inch square from my charm packs and cut it down the center.   With the wrong sides together and the right sides on the outside.  I sewed 3 sides of the pouch and left the 4th side open to fill with lavender buds.  A charm pack is a package of 5-inch fabric squares used for quilting.  After filling these pouches, I sewed the last side and pinked around all edges.  I used about a quarter-inch seam allowance and I used pinking shears to pink close to the outside stitching.  To tie the pouch to the headboard, I sewed a 12 -14-inch long ribbon across the top of the pouch.  These are portable and can go into pockets and used when needed for adults or children.  The 4th side could be left open and tied shut with a nice ribbon bow, however; kids will open the pouches and get the lavender buds all over.  I also thought that a banner or bunting made with hearts would look lovely draped across a girls headboard and it would give off more lavender aroma since there would be several heart pouches.  

  

Let me know if you give this a try and how it worked for you.   Dawnie

Directions for making a double sided egg basket liner

Directions for making a doubled sided egg basket liner.  In other words, a lined liner.

I used white thread so you could see the seams.

For directional fabric cut, 2 pieces of fabric 9 inches by 39 inches.  If you do not have a directional fabric, cut 1 piece 17 inches by 39 inches.





Fold right sides together,
Sew 39 inches with  1/2 inch seam.  Make sure pictures on the fabric are going the same way,  Press open.  If not using directional fabric, skip this step.







Now you will want to sew the side seam.  Skip 1/2 inch of sewing on one side of the center of this seam.  It doesn't matter which side of the seam.  This is for stringing the elastic through and gathering the bottom at a later time.  Press side seams open. 





Fold the lining in the center along the seam.  Approx. 3/4 inch from this fold, sew all the way around the bottom.  String elastic through this tube you just made, going through the opening just made by the skipped  3/4  inch, as shown above.  Tighten elastic and make this bottom as tight as possible, giving the bottom of the basket cushioning for the eggs.

Cut the top ruffle. 2 pieces 19.25 inches by 6 inches using cotton quilting fabric.  Measure the liner and it should be approx 38 inches at the top.  Fold under 1/4 inch on each short side of both pieces.  Fold each piece in the center.  Pin on one side of the top raw edges, meeting the folded seams at the side seam and also at the center of the top on the other side.  Press this seam.  The other side of the liner should be folded down approx 1/2 inch and hand-sewn or sewn on the other side as top stitching.

Cut the top ruffle. 2 pieces 19.25 inches by 6 inches.  Measure the liner and it should be approx 38 inches at the top.  Fold under 1/4 inch on each short side of both pieces.  Fold each piece in the center.  Pin on one side of the top, meeting the folded seams at the seam and also at the center of the top on the other side.  Press this seam.  The other side of the liner should be folded down approx 1/2 inch and hand-sewn or sewn on the other side as top stitching.

Sew 1.5-inches from the top fold.  String in the elastic through the top between the top stitching and the 1.5-inch stitching seam.  Go through the side seam area and through both ruffle pieces.  You want to cut a piece the length of the circumference of the basket by 2 (all the way around the top of the basket twice).  Temporarily tie the elastic on one side.  On the other side, with pliers, open the handle wire and place the elastic under the handle.  Place the handle back to where it belongs.  Now you can untie the temporary elastic and tie it so the ruffle sticks out and the liner fits well around the basket. 

The basket is lined,  The prototype was not lined and the wrong side of the fabric showed through the sides.  In the prototype, I placed a small circular cushion in the bottom for extra egg cushioning.  I don't think it is necessary with the doubled fabric in this lining. 

I tied some ric rac with the ribbon onto the side of the handle.  I purchased the egg baskets from Atwoods.  Kindly let me know if this is not understandable.

Thank you for viewing!  Dawnie

Pumpkins

It isn't quite autumn, but it is coming fast.  I have been quilting a little.  I made a pumpkin table runner using Lori Holt's pumpkin pattern from her Farm Girl Vintage book.  https://www.amazon.com/Its-Sew-Emma-ISE906-Vintage/dp/0988174979/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=farm+girl+vintage+quilting+book&pd_rd_r=ffe0512e-a87f-4622-a0b9-79369750c373&pd_rd_w=tk4Wy&pd_rd_wg=HKHLV&pf_rd_p=67c9d84c-d98a-4415-a549-dd3360e9d207&pf_rd_r=K9E1141M9M3YRR8SDAGX&qid=1568591589&s=gateway&sr=8-1                                                                                                         
                                                  

The edging is bright sparkling orange.  The background also sparkles.

Do you see the chicken in the background?

I want to do this canning jar table topper next.https://www.etsy.com/listing/663276057/in-stock-lori-holt-yes-you-can-canning?ref=yr_purchases

The place I worked has been sold and they brought in most of their crew, so I am unemployed.  I worked there for 13 years. You would think I have had a lot of time on my hands and I would get a lot of things done.  Wrong.  I have caught up on my sleep.  I have also caught up on TV and movie binge-watching.  What are you up to?

The girls love the silkie chicks!

I hope you are doing well.  Thank you for viewing!  Dawnie

Egg Basket Liner

I made a prototype egg basket liner.  I picked up 2 small green baskets at Atwood's yesterday.   One of the newer chicks laid her first egg!  How did I know?  It was brown and the older hen lays white eggs.
     

The basket on the right is the prototype egg basket liner.  The one on the left is a tea towel and doily in a taller basket.

 The smiles are from Dakota.  I will publish directions soon.  

We have a couple new Silkie chicks in the brooder, so the new babies get a lot of hugs and kisses from the grandbabies.

Dawnie