GOT BANANAS?

The circumstance I frequently find myself in, is buying too much fruit. My eyes are always bigger than what we can actually eat at my house. Good thing I know what to do!
My family's loves these 2 great recipes I make with bananas.

SMOOTHIE POPSICLES

All you need is these three ingredients.
1 Ripe Banana
10 Large Strawberries
1 c. Orange Juice














Blend all together until you have a smoothie consentancy (this makes about 3 cups)

Then pour into popsicle holders - makes 8 of these fun star shaped ones














Freeze and enjoy 1 hour later.



















YUMMY HEALTHY CHUNKY MUFFINS

Ingredients:
1-2 ripe bananas
2 cups diced ripe strawberries
1 cup rolled or quick oats
1 cup plain yogurt (not yoplait, use real yogurt like Brown Cow)
2 cups whole wheat flour
1.5 cups sugar (I use the organic cane sugar)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs
Any nuts - optional
(I also added a liquid calcium/magnesium and folic acid supplements)

Mix all together - Bake at 350 for 25- 30 minutes














I used baking cups - less mess

Baked they are a perfect golden brown and yummmmm.

Sewing Weekend

The first weekend in April and yes, it is still snowing. So on with the crafting I go.

I started making covered throw pillows for my 3 yr old's bed. Using scraps from his bedding material, I starting to form a square then a rectangle, then.... it didn't fit the pillow that I was covering. I'm not a great measurer! Okay that is an understatement, I hardly ever measure. So instead of seam ripping and starting over, I continued into a lap blanket. I have never quilted before but this is what came of the project.

































It ended up 30 x 30 and covered in vintage airplanes, his favorite. I definately need to learn how to bind a quilt properly.





GIRLS TURN!


Since I made a blanket for my son, I decided that it was probably time to start making blankets for the upcoming arrival of a daughter.
Swaddle blankets are my favorite and super easy. I had some stretchy material just for the occasion in pink!
If you have never done this - first cut 2 squares, I like 40"x40", but when you only have a yd choose 30"x30"(this size is great for newborns).This means you actually cut 31"x 31" to allow for stitching.














Once you have cut turn the material faces in toward each other. Sew all the way around the edges leaving just enough room to pull the material right side out.














Pull the material right side out and fold the gap in. Then top stitch all the way around.
I chose to only do 2 sides with this cute stitch. As long as you stitch the hole, it doesn't matter.

SEW ON AND ON

So I have this perfect window seat arrangement in the basement, that the builders put stone on. Arrgh.......

Well, I decided we needed to make this space usable. I found 1"foam sheets at Wal-Mart that come 96" long. The seat measures 68" x 24". I bought 2 rolls of the foam (for extra padding) and 2 yds of a classic black and white material and 2 yds of black duck cloth. I also purchased wide single fold bias tape, which is usually used for binding, for the ribbing. I cut the foam to exact measurements then laid the material on the foam to cut the right shape. I then placed the bias tape in between each sew line and there you have it! I used the black duck cloth for the bottom, as it is a studier material. I needed something strong to rub against the stone.

Now this is a totally usable space. Ready to curl up with a good book?

Making Laundry Soap

My sister found a recipe on the internet for making your own laundry soap - that works and only cost $.01 a load. Can you beat that?

Here's the address where we got it http://thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap

You only need 4 ingredients

Fels Naptha

Washing Soda

Borax powder

Water

essential oil - optional

So my friend Elizabeth and I decided this was a good idea that we wanted in on.

After finding the ingredients - which isn't easy unless you know someone who lives in Coalville, UT (thanks Danielle) This small town 100 year old store there sells all the ingredients. You will need to order them off the internet if you cannot find this good of a hook up.

The process only took about an hour (give or take), while you are feeding and entertaining children. Check out what it looks like.

Starting Out

In this crazy world with our bad economy, many of us have decided to become DIY(do it yourself) people. I have definately come to fit that bill. I am creating this blog to share my projects and ideas.
I am a self proclaimed sewing, recycling, crafting, gardening mom. I know that there are others just like me and I love to share and learn more from others. Please send me your ideas/projects as well.
I will be posting projects that I am doing and giving you info on other's ideas. Happy making and sharing.