Tots and Peas

Okay, so it’s not fiber art, dolls or sewing, but this first layer of my famous Tater Tot Casserole was just SO ARTSY! Look at those shapes and textures and patterns…I just had to photograph it and share it!

Just so you don’t think I’m totally crazy, here’s the recipe, followed by a photo of the finished casserole on its way to the oven. Try it…you’ll love it!

Bake a bag of Tater Tots or similar potato things.

WHILE THEY ARE BAKING:

 Sauté a chopped onion in some oil.

Add a bag of Boca Burger Crumbles .

Heat and stir until the protein is cooked; set aside.

THEN, layer into a rectangular baking dish:

About half the Tots;

Sprinkle in some cooked peas (as in photo);

Cover it with all the Boca mixture;

Layer on top of that about 6 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese (or cover with cheese slices);

Spread on that a can of cream style corn;

Sprinkle some more cooked peas;

Then top it off with a final layer of the rest of the Tots (see final photo).

Bake at 350 degrees for about ½ hour.

Enjoy! And take pictures if you feel inspired!!

Dryer Lint Two - Now You Can Do It!

One of my colleagues saw my little lint purse and said "You should make a pattern for this."  So I did! I'm just about to publish my first pattern, in PDF and printed format, in which I detail the step-by-step process of turning dryer lint and other fiber scraps) into beautiful fabric and a cute clutch purse. It's coming....watch for it!

Dryer lint fabric....turned it into a purse!

Couldn't let that cute fabric sit idly by, so I made a purse out of it! In addition to putting this up on Etsy, Craftsy and Burda Style, I took it to my meeting of the American Sewing Guild today...the ladies loved it, and encouraged me to make a pattern for it....and I will!

Sew Much Sewing To Do...

I got a lot done this week! Finished this tunic for a sample for my Adult Sewing Class that begins on Tuesday:

and I also made this skirt and vest for a sample for my Kids Sewing Class that begins next week:

and I also made this snappy little purse for my Aunt Carole:

Let no fiber be unused...even dryer lint!

Years ago I was collecting dryer lint for use in art projects, until I was convinced by my DH that it was a fire trap. I was able to wean myself off the addiction of saving box-fulls of the stuff. However, so often those sheets of lovely lint that I pull off the screen are just too interesting to discard, so I thought I'd try to preserve this particularly pretty  piece that was the result of the first washing of a set of purple bedsheets.

I layered a piece of cotton broadcloth and the sheet of lint, sprinkled on a few snippets of metallic cords and a spattering of glitter, covered it with illusion netting and a piece of water-soluble stabilizer, then topstitched random wavy lines of stitching to hold it together. As I rinsed off the stabilizer I thought the lint might also wash away, but it didn't! This is the result, and I plan to use it either in a wearable garment or purse.

Fun with fiber!

Sea Beanies!

Getting ready for another fun and creative doll-making workshop at the Courtyard Studios in EGAD! The workshop will be on Saturday, March 3rd from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. We will be making these cute little characters, suitable for wearing as pins or hanging as decorations (or just to have a little friend nearby to share your thoughts!)

What a fun weekend!

I just returned from 3 busy days in Lakeland, at the Sewing and Quilt Expo….SEW much fun! Classes, vendors, fashion shows, old and new friends....here are some photos of the little beaded bag I made in one of my classes. I bought a small loom to make more, and I can’t wait to incorporate this fun fiber art into my dolls and wearables

Inspired and energized!!! Well worth the trip!!!