Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Cookies

Happy Halloween guys! Here is something sweet for you...

I may or may not be scarfing these delicious, soft, chewy, chocolaty cookies down lately... They are sooo good you can't stop eating them! Dangerous.

I use this recipe from Dana of Made. She has so many good recipes! 

Really, they are divine. 

Make them now while pomegranates are easy to find in stores! 

Do you dread picking all those arils (seeds) out of the pomegranate?

Here is the best and simplest way to do it:

First, cut the pomegranate in half.

Then hold one half in your hand with the arils facing down.

Place a large bowl under your hand, and "spank" the skin of the pomegranate with the back of a wooden spoon.

The arils will just fall out! Keep hitting until they are all out! :)

Enjoy! :) -Sylv

Cheeseburger Pizza Recipe

Cheeseburger Pizza is another favorite around here! 

It is a mix between a good burger and a pizza! :)

Cheeseburger Pizza

Ingredients

  Pizza Dough (I use one batch of this homemade dough)

  1 lb Ground Beef

  1/2 cup BBQ Sauce

  1 lb Shredded Cheddar

  Lettuce and Tomatoes (for topping)

Directions

  Preheat oven 450 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet and dust with cornmeal. Spread prepared dough into cookie sheet. Brown and drain hamburger. Mix BBQ into hamburger and layer onto dough. Sprinkle Cheddar over top. Bake 10-15 min, or until cheese begins to bubble and darken. Slice into pieces and serve with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes on top.

Enjoy!

-Sylvie

Doily Backpack Purse Tutorial

I made this nifty purse using a tablecloth and a doily from my mom, a vintage button, ribbon, and white cotton from my stash, and grommets from Wal-Mart... A pretty cheap project, and I love how it turned out! :)

Supplies: 

30"x 13" Piece of Fabric

30"x 13" Piece of Lining Fabric

120" Ribbon

2 7/16" Grommets

7/16" Grommet Tool

1 Doily

1 Button

Sewing Machine; Needle; Thread; Safety Pin; Pinking Sheers; Hammer

Want to make one? Here is what I did...

1. Cut both fabrics to size- 30"x 13".

2. Place outer fabric on top of lining fabric, fold over so right sides are facing, and pin the longer sides.

3. Trim your seams, and cut across the opening of the bag with pinking shears. 

4. Turn bag right side out. At the top on either side of the seams, add button holes between 1" and 2" down from the top. Be sure you are sewing just one layer of lining to one layer of outer fabric. Make 2 button holes on each side of the top of the bag (so 4 total).

5. Fold the top down/ inward about an inch, and pin in place. Sew along the edge that you cut with pinking sheers, all the way around the bag. 

6. Press the bag with a hot iron.

7. Pin one side of the doily onto the top of the bag- as shown, and sew onto the bag. Be careful to only sew the doily to one side of the bag. You do not want to sew the bag shut! I sewed in a straight line across the top, and then from that line out to the edges of the doily.

8. Make sure you sew a line along the top of the bag, but not over the tube you made along the top...

9. Fold the doily over the top to find placement for your button, and sew your button onto the front side of the bag. Using your grommet tool and a hammer, add grommets to the bottom corners of the bag, all the way through the bag.

Now your bag is done! Let me explain how to add your straps...

Attach a safety pin to the end of your 120" long ribbon.

First, run the ribbon through one grommet.

Using the pin, work the ribbon into the front button hole on the same side you started, through the tube in the top of the purse, and out the other front button hole.

Loop the ribbon through the second grommet from the front to back.

Pull the ribbon back up to the top of the purse, and run it through the back two button holes, coming back out on the side you first started.

Tie your ribbon together in a good strong knot, and pull it around until the straps are even.

And you are finished! :) 

Have fun! 

-Sylvie

Linked to: Craft-O-Maniac

                                                   

Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

This recipe is so marvelous on a cool fall evening. Every fall, I have a lil dilemma...  Mr. Liv doesn't like potato soup, and I love potato soup! Buuuut- Mr. Liv loves this soup, and it has potatoes in it! So if I'm feeling like potato soup (or eating it rather), this recipe is a perfect compromise that be both love! :)

Cheeseburger Soup

• Ingredients
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 3/4 cup chopped onion (optional)
• 3/4 cup shredded carrots
• 3/4 cup diced celery
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups diced peeled potatoes (1-3/4 pounds)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (8 ounces) process cheese (Velveeta), cubed
• 1-1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 
  
• Directions
• 
  
• In a 3-qt. saucepan, brown beef; drain and set aside. In the same saucepan, saute the onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 tablespoon butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the broth, potatoes and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the cheese, milk, salt and pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from the heat; blend in sour cream. Yield: 8 servings (2-1/4 quarts).

(I actually got this recipe from a friend who got it from her sister-in-law, who got it from Taste of Home!)

Enjoy! :)

-Sylvie

Girls Cardigan Redo

Here's a lil inspiration for ya...

Do you have a shirt that is nice- other than the buttons?

The buttons on this cardi were falling off, and the fabric on the buttons was coming off, 

but I still like the sweater...

So I dug through my button stash and spent 5-10 min sewing buttons on, and it is good as new!

Really, 5-10 minutes! I always procrastinate with these type projects and then once I do them, I realize how quick it was and wonder why I didn't do it sooner! 

Do you find yourself doing that too?

As always, thanks for reading! :)

-Sylvie

Make Your Own Edible Fall Pumpkin Decorations!

Every fall I can't resist but to make these cute little fall decorations to add onto cakes, cupcakes, or pies! They are so fun to make, and they taste good too! I first make a small batch of Marshmallow Fondant (which is super easy w only 2 ingredients!).

Then I separate the fondant into a few balls, and knead a lil food coloring gel into each ball until the color is throughout. Then, I just roll, shape, and squeeze the fondant into pumpkins and gourds! :)

For the basic pumpkin shape: roll a ball, squish it down a little, score around it with the side of a toothpick to make the lines, dab a dot of water on top, and stick on a pinch of the stem color! 

Repeat with different colors! Try different gourd shapes! Have fun with it! I felt like I was sitting in art class again, sculpting a blob into something lovely! :) Enjoy! 

-Sylvie

Linked to: Craft-O-Maniac

Double Needle Tutorial

Using a double needle is super easy and makes a nicely finished seam! I use my double needle to turn long sleeves into short. The sleeves on this shirt were too short but the shirt was still long enough, so here is what I did...

(You can find double needles here or at any sewing supplies store.)

First, cut your sleeves to the length you want them to be plus 1-2" seam allowance.

I only folded the seam once, since it is knit and will not fray, so I used a 1" seam allowance. If you want to fold your seam over twice, leave a 2" seam allowance. Pin seam in place.

Now set up your machine. Attach the extra spool holder to your machine, and place an extra matching bobbin on it. Thread both spools through your machine as if they are one thread.

Replace your standard needle with the double needle, and thread one thread through each needle. 

Sew using a straight stitch, sew about 3/4" from the fold,  just as you would with a single needle.

Don't forget to back stitch at the beginning and end! 

That was pretty simple wasn't it? And it looks much more professional than a single needle! 

:) Good Luck! 

-Sylvie

How To Make Paper Or Felt Rosettes

A couple wks ago I showed you how to make twine wrapped vases.

Today I will share how to make the rosettes that are on the branches! :)

Little rosettes are fun to add to branches, hair clips, pins, cards...

There are so many cute places to stick them, and they are SO easy to make!

Well, there you have it! :) Pretty simple aren't they?

Ok, I'll explain a little...

Cut a circle from felt or paper.

Cut the circle into a spiral.

Roll the spiral, starting at the pointed end.

Tuck the round end under the rosette, put a dot of glue (hot glue for  felt, Elmer's for paper) between the flower and the circle end, and press together. 

Hold the paper rosettes together until they dry enough to stay on their own. If you are using felt and hot glue, you can set them down as soon as you are done gluing!

Have fun! :)

Sylvie

Fishing In The Fall

The air is crisp and the colors are beautiful in Michigan.

We went fishing on a quiet little lake together as a family, 

and marveled at the joy of the little ones faces when the oldest reeled in the first fish.

It's the small things that bring us happiness. If we just can remember to slow down and appreciate them in the midst of this busy world we live in!

Have a good week!

Sylvie

Pretty Princess Crown Tutorial

Recently I've shared tutorials with you for a prince crown, prince cape, and a princess outfit. 

Today I'll share how to make a little princess crown! 

You will need:

Crocheted trim, Fabric Stiffener, Hot Glue, and Wax Paper

Cut your trim to the desired length. I cut mine 15"- 20", depending on the size of the child's head. I like this style of crown to be small on top of the princess' head. :)

Lay your trim on wax paper, and soak it with fabric stiffener.

Let the trim dry completely, and then hot glue the ends together making a circle. 

Pin into hair with a bobby pin and look how cute!! :)

Have a good day! 

-Sylv

Make Your Own Princess Outfit

Last week, I shared how to make your own prince cape, 

and how to make your own prince crown.

You can't have a prince without a princess, right?!

To make the princess outfit, I used patterns from the Oliver + S Little Things To Sew book.

 For the skirt, I used the Tutu pattern. Instead of using tulle for the top layer, I used a folded layer of sheer fabric.

For the princess cape, I used the Red Riding Hood pattern. I used an old table cloth for the outside fabric. I also added some lace trim around the hood for more detail. I love how it turned out!

I will share how I made the crown tomorrow!

These costumes are a fun and cheap Halloween option, but they also work in the dress up bin, or for a princess party! :)

Have a good week, and thank you for reading! 

-Sylv :)

Linked To:

                                                                                         http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/

Reversible Prince Cape Tutorial

Yesterday, I showed you how to make a prince crown. 

Today I'll show you how to make a prince cape! :) 

*I will share details on the princess outfit next week!*

Materials:

(this size is for a preschool aged child)

2 Pieces of Cotton Fabric; about 40"x 34"

60" Coordinating Bias Tape

Sewing Machine; Thread

Fabric Scissors

I haven't figured out how to create downloadable pattern for you guys, so I'll just explain how I came up with my pattern...

Cut two identical pieces using these measurements:

I would suggest drawing it up on your fabric using a fabric marker before you cut it.

 Pin the two pieces together, right sides facing.

Sew along the edges, using a 1/2" seam allowance. Do not sew the top rounded part. 

Turn cape right side out, press the seams, and do a finishing stitch around the edges. 

This just makes it look nicer!

Open your bias tape, pin it to the top/ neckline of the cape, and sew it on. 

*(If you are unsure on how to attach bias tape, there is an excellent tutorial here!)

Fold your bias tape over and sew all along the tape, from one end, across the cape, and to the other end. Fold the ends of the tape and sew them in place to avoid fraying. That's it! :)

I used some of the scraps to add a little square pocket for stashing treasures!

This was a super easy and quick project, 

and the prince is just as pleased with his cape as he is with his crown! :)

I know I often say that projects I create are simple, easy, or quick but I really don't do a whole lot of projects around here that aren't! :) 

Enjoy your wknd!

-Sylvie

Linked To: