Blog Archives

Swaner EcoCenter

2/27/2014

I decided to post today about the Swaner EcoCenter in Park City, Utah, as I will be selling some items in their gift shop. The EcoCenter is located on the Swaner Preserve, which is a protected habitat spanning more than 1,200 acres. The preserve and center are run by Utah State University (my alma mater). If you are thinking of going to Park City, make a stop here, there are guided tours as well as small exhibits that teach you about the different wildlife that the preserve protects. There is also a viewing dock on the roof that overlooks the expanse of the preserve. It is a great place to spend the afternoon and learn about how we can protect nature and create a more sustainable world. Did I mention that the EcoCenter gained the highest LEED certification possible? Pretty cool stuff...

Anyway, once you have had a chance to check everything out, head on over to the gift shop. Below is a sampling of the items I made exclusively for the Swaner EcoCenter.

Market bags, knit and crocheted using plastic grocery bags.

Bracelets, knit and crocheted using old T-Shirts

Wrist purses, knit and crocheted using plastic grocery bags, then lined with fabric from an old skirt

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Plarn Tutorial

2/25/2014

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Last summer, I brought you tutorials for tarn (T-Shirt Yarn) and magarn (magazine yarn). So, today, I thought I would bring you another yarn alternative, plarn. I think it is easy to say that plarn and tarn are probably the most common yarns made from recycled materials, especially because they are so easily made. Plarn can be a bit time consuming, but it makes some lovely products. Do you remember the Broomstick Bag pattern I shared last summer? That pattern uses about 15 - 20 grocery bags to make. Anyway, here is the tutorial.

Materials:
Plastic bags
Scissors
Ruler (if you want to be precise, I just winged it...)

Directions:
Flatten out your bag, fold it in half 3 times, pushing the air out as you go. Starting at the bottom, cut strips about 1/2" - 1" wide, but not smaller than 1/2", depending on how thick you want your plarn to be. It will thin out as you are knitting or crocheting it up. I usually cut mine at 1/2". Unfold your strips into large circles. Now, you just create a basic square knot to connect each circle.

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Simple Circle Garland

2/20/2014

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Here is the last garland involved with the Thanksgiving decor I mentioned in the Beaded Macrame Garland post. This is a pretty easy project that is great for beginners to learn how to sew straight using a sewing machine.

Materials:
Cardstock
Book Pages (optional)
Circle Cutter or Punch
Tear-Away Stabilizer
Sewing Machine/Thread

Directions:
Cut your cardstock and book pages into circles. Cut your stabilizer into strips about the same width of your circles.
Stack 2 circles on top of one of your stabilizer strips, then center your pile under the presser foot of your machine. Do a basting stitch (straight stitch at the longest length) through the circles, then continue for about 1/2" - 1" on the stabilizer. Next, place 2 more circles under the presser foot. Continue on in this manner, replacing the strips as needed, until you reach the length you would like or run out of circles.
Once you are all done sewing, tie the loose ends and tear the stabilizer away. Fold the circles along the sewn line to create a more 3 dimensional look.

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Where I partied:

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Beaded Macrame Garland

2/18/2014

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I'm really not sure why I didn't post this garland sooner. I made it to go with the Thanksgiving Banner I did as part of a guest post for Chaos with a Curve last November. I used fall colors, but you could easily do this with spring colors and use this simple garland as part of an Easter display.

Materials:
Yarn (I used Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool)
Large Beads (I used an assortment of wooden beads I found at JoAnn's)
Scissors

Normally, I would give you written instructions to go with the photos, but this is a pretty straight forward process, so I will let the photos speak for themselves. However, if you need more explaining, check out these Square Knot pics.

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Round Up #12

2/13/2014

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Here are some highlights from last week's Foodies & Crafties Soirée - Blog Hop & Link Party. Make sure to get in on the action this week at Kiddie Foodies!

Roasted Buffalo Shrimp with Blue Cheese
by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures

Real Tips for Organizing
by Creative Home Keeper

Creamy Orzo
by Melding Magic

Cinnamon Heart Popcorn
by One Little Project

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Shells Pixie Bonnet

2/11/2014

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One of my most favorite crochet stitches is the shell stitch. I am not sure what it is about that stitch, but I find myself reverting back to the shell when designing patterns, whether it is the small one featured here or the large shell I used in the Shell Dress from last May, I just can't help myself! It is just such a beautiful stitch! Anyway, if you have been wanting to learn how to do the shell stitch, here is the perfect pattern to start with. Like the Seeds Pixie Bonnet from last month, the basic design is a rectangle that is folded in half and sewed up the back. Give it a spin, let me know what you think!

I would consider this an advanced beginner pattern as it combines basic stitches. It is pretty easy, though, you will catch the rhythm soon enough and be shelling along without thinking. I made this in just one size, but you can go up or down by adjusting your hook/yarn.

Print the pattern.

Gauge:
2” = 9 stitches x 10 rows in single crochet

Size:
Newborn – 3 months

Materials:
60 – 70 yards (55 – 65 meters) worsted weight yarn
H/8 (5.00 mm) Hook
Yarn Needle

Abbreviations:
CH = Chain
ST = Stitch
SC = Single Crochet
YO = Yarn Over

Pattern:
Row 1: With a tail 12” long, CH 50, SC in the 2nd ch from the hook, *SK 2ch, 5DC in the next ch, SK 2ch, SC in the next ch, repeat from * 7 more times (8 shells)
Row 2: CH3 (counts as the 1st dc), 2DC in the 1st sc, SK 2dc, SC in the next st, *SK 2dc, 5DC in the next st, SK 2dc, SC in the next st, repeat from * 6 more times, SK 2DC, 3Dc in the next st
Row 3: CH 1, SC in the 1st st, *SK 2dc, 5 DC in the next st, SK 2dc, SC in the next st, repeat from * 7 more times
Rows 4 – 15: Repeat rows 2 & 3
Finishing: Fold the bonnet in half so the short sides meet and seam up the chain side with the 12” tail, fasten off and weave in ends. To make the ties, CH 40, SC in one of the corners of the hat, then SC along the bottom of the hat, CH 41, turn, SC in the 2nd ch from the hook, then across the remaining chs, SC along the bottom of the hat, SC along the original chs, fasten off. Weave in ends.

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Foodies & Crafties Soirée – Blog Hop & Link Party #12

2/6/2014

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Welcome to Foodies & Crafties Soirée - Blog Hop & Link Party #12

each Thursday at 4PM EDT

#foodiescraftiessoiree

About the Party

Each Thursday, there will be a blog hop and a link party going live at 4PM EDT. Each week you will have an opportunity to link your different social media, for example:

week1: pinterest | week2: google+ | week3: facebook, etc.

Once all the social media are done, we will start over. There will be one featured blogger selected each week from the blog hop and a few projects/recipes from the link party. You will have a great chance to meet new friends, gain more exposure for your blog and more new followers!

The party is hosted for you by:

Gosia from Kiddie Foodies (host)

Kristin from Kits crafts (co-host)

Follow her on: Pinterest | Google+ | Facebook | Twitter

Cathy from A Peek into my Paradise (co-host)

Stephanie from The Tip Toe Fairy (co-host)

Victoria from Creative Home Keeper (co-host)

Features from last week's Foodies and Crafties Soirée #11

Featured Blogger

The featured Blogger from the last blog hop is Sandra from A dash of Sanity. Congratulations Sandra!!! We did a random draw, so everyone had the same chances. Please show Sandra some love and follow her on Twitter!

Featured Posts

Phyllo Snails with Apples and Cream
by Culinary Flavors

Etched Glass Vase
by Endlessly Inspired

Poppins Book Nook #10 - Mythology & Pegasus
by Life with Moore Babies

Lemonhead Cookies
by A Peek Into My Paradise

Party Buttons

If you party with us, please place the 'Foodies and Crafties Soirée blog hop & link party' button on your blog:

If you were featured by the host or co-host you are welcome to grab the 'Foodies and Crafties Soirée I was featured at' button:

To place the button on your blog, just copy-paste the text from the highlighted areas below the buttons.

If you want to be immediately notified when the party goes live, be sure to subscribe by email:

Party co-hosting:

If you are interested in co-hosting the Foodies & Crafties Soirée, please fill this form - it is short and it will help to plan everything.

Let's Party!

Don't forget to come back next week to check the featured projects from the party and meet the featured blogger - or perhaps it will be you?:)

Bloglovin Blog Hop:

Link your Bloglovin account for today's blog hop.
All participants must follow the host and co-hosts on the social media from the blog hop, so please follow us on Bloglovin. We will follow you back!
Please follow at least 2 more bloggers and have fun meeting new friends!
Each week there will be one featured blogger selected that all participants of the next party will be asked to follow on her/his social media.

Link party:

Please show off your own creations, as much family & kids friendly as possible. You must link directly to the specific post. No link parties, No Etsy/shops, No giveaways.
Visit at least 2 bloggers and let them know they are making awesome stuff, by leaving a comment on their post or by sharing their creation on your social media. When you share, don't forget to use a #foodiescraftiessoiree hashtag, so they know you have found them on this party.
Each week the favorite posts from the party will be featured by the host and co-hosts on their blogs and shared on their social media. They will be also pinned to the Foodies and Crafties Soiree Pinterest board, so don't forget to Follow it!

Please be aware that by sharing your posts at Foodies & Crafties Soirée, you are giving permission for featuring your projects to the host and co-hosts. Therefore your projects can be shared on social media and in round up posts with a link backs to your post. All credits go to you! By joining and providing your email you are subscribing to updates about this link up. You may opt out at any time.

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Adren's Rolls

2/4/2014

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When I was a kid, we spent many a Sunday dinner at my dad's mother's house. The one thing that my siblings and I always gobbled up were her rolls. Later on, I asked my grandma if I could have her recipe and her secret was revealed, she used Rhodes Rolls. In college, I moved in with my maternal grandmother and was baking with her when she shared this recipe with me, which she got from her best friend, Adren. It is one of those recipes that is amazing as is, but can easily be transformed into cinnamon rolls or garlic swirls or whatever your bread loving heart desires. Although I love Rhodes, when I really want a homemade feel, this is the recipe I turn to.

Makes approximately 30 - 36 medium rolls.

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm Water
2 Tablespoons Sugar

1 3/4 cups Water
Juice from one Orange* (about 1/4 cup)
4 beaten Eggs
1/2 cup Sugar or Honey
1/2 cup unsalted Butter, melted
2 teaspoons Salt
6 - 8 cups Flour

1/2 cup unsalted Butter, really soft or even melted is fine

Directions:
In a large bowl, gently combine the yeast and water, then sprinkle with the 2 tablespoons of sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes (should be frothy).

To the yeast mixture, add the remaining ingredients with the exception of the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Add the flour, a couple cups at a time, until the dough is sticky but manageable. Then knead the dough for about 10 minutes or so. I usually do this in the bowl, but if you prefer, you can turn the dough out onto a floured surface. With the dough in a mixing bowl, cover the dough with a greased sheet of Seran Wrap and a towl. Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour (should double in size).

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Punch dough, then knead for about a minute. Divide the dough in two. At this point you have a few options of how you can shape the rolls.

The easiest way (which is what I did in the photo) is to roll each half on a floured surface into a rectangle about 1/4" - 1/2" thickness, spread each rectangle with 2 tablespoons butter, cut into 12 - 16 equal rectangles, fold each tiny rectangle in half, then in half again. Place on prepared cookie sheets either touching or about 1" apart.

For a croissant look, roll each half on a floured surface into a circle about 1/4" - 1/2" thickness, spread each circle dough with 2 tablespoons butter, then roll, starting with the larger side and place on the prepared cookie sheets about 1" apart.

For rounds, roll out each half on a floured surface to 1/4" - 1/2" thickness, then use a floured cup or biscuit cutter to cut circles. Place a bit of butter on one circle, then top with another and place on prepared cookie sheets either touching or about 1" apart.

Cover and let rise again for about 30 - 40 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375F. Brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining 1/4 cup butter. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes.

*Originally, this recipe was for Orange Rolls and included the zest from the orange. I omitted it because I didn't really like the flavor.