A Canning Fool

Well, I've been up to it again...CANNING! I've made dill pickles, that are still not ready. The soonest I can try them out is August 10. That'll be three weeks. I'm ready to eat them now as we ran out of dill pickles last week.

So while I'm waiting, I'm trying out new recipes. The second thing I decided to can was bread and butter pickles. They are refrigerator pickles. They turned out delicious! I made two jars using cucumbers out of our garden. Two days later I tried bread and butter squash and cucumber pickles. We didn't like the squash as it wasn't crunchy enough. I won't be making those again. I've made 3 quarts of bread and butter pickles since, as we've just been getting small amounts of cucumbers at a time.

The next thing I decided to make is deal relish. We go through store-bought dill relish like crazy! They were a pain to cut, but it only took about an hour. I bought 8 pounds of cucumbers and an onion from the farmers market. I'm letting them sit for three weeks to let it pickle well.

The next thing I tried was green pepper jelly. I grew up thinking why would mom make jelly out of green peppers! Well, as an adult, I've gone to parties that have pepper jelly served over a block of cream cheese with crackers. It was yummy, so I decided to try my hand at it. I followed the directions to a tee. One problem: I walked away to wash my hands and the jelly boiled over. I freaked out. Well, as I was about to pour it out because I thought I burnt it, I tasted it and it tasted good. So I added food coloring import them into jars. I processed the jars and it worked perfectly. And it taste great! Hubby wants me to add another jalapeño to make it spicier next time.

The next recipe I tried was pineapple jam. It didn't gel at all, so now it's called pineapple syrup. Next time I think I'll add some pectin.

The last thing I've made is watermelon jelly. It turned out wonderful and taste great.

I'm finally starting to run out of jars. My friend Lisa told me how Menards has jars really cheap right now. So Hubby and I decided Sunday we're going to celebrate my birthday a few days early, and go to Lamberts in Sikeston, Missouri. After that we're driving 30 minutes north to go by jars from Menards. Happy birthday to me!!

During this whole canning process, I've been talking with two of my friends from high school, as were all new to canning. We've been having a ball! We're getting ready to get together next weekend and share goodies we've made, and make some more stuff! I can't wait!

Next up to be made: jalapeño bread and butter pickles, sweet relish and carrot cake jam. I'll let you know how it turns out!! Toodles! ~Kim

My latest project!

Two days in a row! I've been working on this in between canning and cleaning. I'm not quite sure I'm finished with it but I wanted to post it to show that I have been busy doing something other than canning. 

I'm not in love with the ribbon, but I haven't decided what else to do with it. And please don't judge my front door. It terribly needs to be painted but we can't decide on a color. Our storm door is maroon and our shutters are tan. We're thinking of going with tan so we don't have to paint the shutters to match the door, and then the gutters won't match anything. I don't want all those problems!! Of course, as hot as it is, who knows when we'll be able to paint the doors. 

Jason and Kaitlyn brought in more veggies from the garden last night. Four cucumbers, two zucchini and a squash. So I'm making bread and butter pickles right now. My cukes are in the fridge with salt on them. And I won't have to wait 3-4 weeks to eat those. They'll be ready in 24 hours!! I'm gonna take a jar to my daddy as he's the only one in the family who likes them other than me and Jason. Well, off to do something else. Maybe I'll do something else crafty or homemaker-ish and post again tomorrow!! 

I'm An Official Homemaker!

I'm sorry to all of my readers (insert sarcasm here as I'm sure I have very few readers!!) for neglecting you for 5 years. I've been busy raising a kiddo! And up until a year ago, working full time while doing that. A year ago I lost my job and have been a stay at home wife since. I say stay at home wife as my daughter still goes to school. It would be a disservice to her education to pull her out of school, as I wouldn't have the disciple to teach her the way she is taught at the daycare. Plus, I want her to have the social interaction she receives at daycare. I say all this, not to justify anything, as it's what is best for my family, but to explain why I don't call myself a stay at home mommy. 

Anywho...I'm officially a homemaker, why you ask? I've been cooking and cleaning for a while now. That makes me a homemaker. What's changed? I CANNED DILL PICKLES!! Yes, in my mind, I'm now an official homemaker. 

Here's the proof: 

I canned nine quarts total. Now to wait 3-4 weeks. I'm ready to eat them now!! 

I'm looking for more stuff to can. My hubby has a new baby (our garden) who is trying to get as many veggies as possible  for us. But from all that I've read, you can't safely can squash and zucchini. So, it looks like I'm learning to blanch and freeze vegetables too!! We have a Foodsaver that I've used a couple of times. I guess it looks like I'll be getting more use out of it now. 

Thanks for reading. I'm going to try to start blogging more often, even if it's more of a journal for myself!! Thanks for reminding me of my blog Cat!! This one is dedicated to you!!!

I've been crafty!

I actually did something this weekend!! Of course, I'm too lazy to take any pictures. Yesterday I met with my stamping/scrapping buddies at the Chamber and worked on Thank You cards. I'm trying to get ahead of the game before I have a baby shower so I'm not rushing to get cards made and out. I've got 38 completed so far. I also got rid of a LOT of paper last night. I have accumulated lots of scrap paper in my years working for printing companies that I've finally decided to part ways with. Luckily my wonderful friends were willing to take it off my hands!! Hopefully next weekend I'll have a ton more items to get rid of as I get my stuff organized.

I'm trying to get into nesting mode. Once I get all of my scrapping/stamping stuff moved into my dining room/stamp/scrap area (got a totally cool six foot by six foot shelf from IKEA) I'm going to get rid of my desk and get another shelf for the spare room. Then, all of my fabric/sewing/needlework will be organized in there. I also need to get the full size bed that is in that room back to its owner (actually her mother in MO) and pick up a crib that she has for me. I also need to go to my MIL and pick up two chest of drawers that she's so kindly offered to us. One for us and one for the baby. The one for the baby needs to be sanded and refinished to match the crib. I'm so fortunate for everyone offering me stuff (crib, dressers, baby stuff). That means so much to me and will save us a ton of money.

On Tuesday I'll be 15 weeks along. I'm ready to know the sex of the baby...NOW! And believe it or not, I'm actually ready to start showing! I wanna see my baby bump! I'm ready to feel it move and for it to actually feel like I'm really pregnant. I'm finally over the morning sickness and the exhausted feeling that I had during the first trimester, but now comes all kinds of other issues...back pain, hip pain. I know it will all be worth it in the end when I see that sweet baby's face in November!

Well, I guess I should go get some dinner. My tummy is starting to growl!! Toodles!~Kim

Guess who's preggers???

Yep, it's me...who else would I be blogging about!! I haven't posted in a while. Not because I've been busy. Cause I haven't. I've just been exhausted!! Luckily this first trimester will be over next week. Hopefully the exhaustion and sleepiness will go away too! We're leaving tomorrow night for vacation in the Keys. I'm excited to go and relax, but not looking forward to the long drive down!! I've got some stops planned for some quilt shops along the way, so maybe it won't be so bad. Plus, I'm taking books, stamping projects, knitting and quilting projects with me to keep me entertained and keep Jason awake while he's driving. Hopefully it'll help pass the time.

Anyway, back to me being pregnant...yep, I'm pregnant! I'm due November 13th. And that's about it! Sorry for such a boring blog!! More later, maybe!! Toodles! ~Kim

Kneedeep in the Hoopla

How's that for a catchy title?? I have been knee deep in it, that's for sure. Knee deep in sewing! Still can't post any pictures, because it'll be my luck, nobody reads my blog until I've posted presents for them and then they see...all because I wanted to show the world my goodies. The girls at the crop last night saw them...and loved them as much as I do. How am I supposed to part with this stuff?? I love it so much!!

Anyway, not much else is going on. Three day work week next week. And you know it's gonna be the longest week ever. I thought this last week took forever to get through, but next week will be worse!!

Well, I guess I should get going. Still have some presents left to make and some cleaning to do...

Toodles! ~Kim

Didn't make my deadline!!!

Well, I tried. I worked so hard, but December 1st came and I'm still not complete. Hopefully will get done with all of my Christmas stuff this weekend. I'm getting ready to teach a rag purse class, so hopefully I'll get a couple done today. I'm waiting until I get everything done before going to the laudromat to wash and dry all these "raggy" things!!

Since I spend every waking hour at home sewing, I've been working on my Christmas cards at work on my 10 minute breaks. It's worked out rather well. I also worked on some cards last night at the scrapbook store. It was our last crop there as the store is closing. It's rather sad too. I was originally invited by my stamping demo, but once I came, I really started feeling like a part of a family. We're still going to get together, at least twice a month as I'm able to use the Chamber of commerce twice a month since my boss is a member. We're going to try to get together at the library too. So, it's sad, but it's not the end of the group. I'm glad about that!

Well, I've rambled on about nothing, so I better go! Toodles!~Kim

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

It seems I haven't posted in a while. That's because I've been busy! Yep, you read correctly. I haven't neglected my blog because of laziness, but because of busyness! And while I'd love to post some of the projects I've been working on, I can't because they are Christmas presents and I don't want to spoil the surprise! However, I'd probably be safe as I'm not sure any of my family reads my blog. I don't think I'm gonna make my deadline of having all of my Christmas presents completed and wrapped by December 1st as I've got 3 more quilts and several purses to make. I am teaching a Rag Purse class on December 12th, so hopefully that day I'll get one or two done. DH is off fishing with his dad in the Keys, so I've got plenty of "ME" time, so I'm sure I'll be a sewing "machine"! Oh well, time to get back to work. Toodles! ~Kim

Rag Purse

Well, it looks like I'm quite addicted to making raggy items...quilts, purses...what else can I make? And to be quite honest...I love, love, LOVE homespun fabric!! I had a friend come over last night and I was showing her all my homespun, and became nearly hypnotized by the beauty of it all. She said I had a sickness...perhaps I do. Anyway, here's my purse I made over Labor Day weekend.



This is my favorite project so far. I've also made a denim rag purse that looks a lot like my denim quilt. Same paisley flannel. I'll post a picture once I complete the repairs.

Well, I need to go to work...boo, hiss...I'd much rather stay at home and craft!

Kim

Denim Quilt

Howdy folks out there in bloggyland! I'm finally taking the time to post. As I was trying to figure out what project to post (yes, I've been a busy girl!) I realized I had not posted Mom's quilt!! This quilt didn't start out being her quilt. After my first rag quilt, I decided I wanted to make a denim quilt. So, any free time I had, I was cutting blue jeans up. On July 4th, Mom saw some of the jeans had embroidering on them and made the comment, "I wouldn't mind having a quilt if they had stuff like that on them." I told her she needed to get busy and go to Goodwill and thrift shops to find some good jeans to cut up. Of course, at that moment, I knew...my denim quilt was no longer my own! It was going to be Mom's. Before this point, I was at Backyard Quilts and found some beautiful flannel to back my denim quilt. The two wonderful friends that were with me loved the idea and said my quilt would be beautiful. Well, we talked about it quite a bit and I was finally told that I couldn't put it together without the two of them. Finally I started really working on it. The week before Mom's birthday is when it all came together, so I had to work hard to finish it. I had all of the squares sewn together when I called Cathy & Cindy and said I was ready to lay it out. We met at Cindy's house and laid it on her hardwood floor and set out the squares. We had fun doing it. They both kept asking me if it was OK to change this and that, and I finally told them that this was our quilt, anything they thought was fine. The only thing I said was that it didn't have to have a definite pattern to it. Well, without trying, a pattern happened. And I was OK with it. Here it is. I can't believe how well it went with Mom's living room. I told her she needed to display the quilt like shown in the picture. Whether she is or not, I don't know.



Mom told me she loved it. Then she said that she'd tell me she liked it whether she really did or not...but she really did. I asked her how I knew she wasn't lying and she said because she was telling me she wasn't lying!! :) I know she liked it. She bragged about it to everyone and had me dragging that thing outside to show it to everyone!!

Anyway, there it is. Hopefully I'll get some pictures of my rag purse to show soon. ~Kim

I am alive and kickin'!

Well, it's a good thing I do not limit this blog to crafting only! Cause I got nuttin' today, but thought it would be nice if I make an appearance! I'm in the process of cleaning up my craft area, so hopefully I'll do something soon and post it. I plan on sewing all day on Friday since I'm off work...cross your fingers that I actually DO that. I want to get my rail fence quilt top done before next Tuesday. I'm taking a Flying Geese/Northern Star Christmas class on Tuesday and I'm too excited!!

I've also recently learned Swedish Weaving. I've made one placemat, and am working on #2. I should be done with that tonight. It's very easy and mindless (except in the very beginning). I can watch TV and weave and not worry about messing up. And if I do mess up, which I have, it's super easy to take out and redo. I'll post a picture on those later on tonight after I finish the second one. Gotta run! ~Kim

Latest Favorite Things

Well, it seems I have neglected my blog...just a wee bit! I've been so crafty lately, just nothing I've taken the time to share with my one reader out there in bloggy land. I've actually started some new crafts. (I know, who ever knew ME, starting new crafts! geez!) I know I shared my rag quilt a few months ago, but now I've kind of dived in, head first into...wait for it...QUILTING! And not just rag quilting either! Last week I took a quilting class. The type of quilt was called a rail fence quilt. It is going to be beautiful...if I ever finish it! The fabric I chose was inspired by this card. The card was a CASE from a card we made at stamp club. The paper is Stampin' Up! Designer Cardstock called Parisian Breeze. My demo was so wonderful about letting me borrow her Top Note Die AND her 1 1/4" square punch at a Friday night scrap. I punched ALL night! I now have these pretty little designs coming out my nose!! I even had enough to use for my swap! I did everything you see below EXCEPT the added welcome baby sentiment and the scalloped rectangle under it. I wanted to leave it blank so it could be used for different occasions.




Well, I gotta jet. I'm quilting today with the Quilt Lover's of Murray quilt guild I joined. I did say I went face first into this quilting thing. Why wouldn't I join the quilt guild??? Hopefully I'll publish again soon!! ~Kim

Blog Candy and Paper Blog Hop

http://burninrubber-anotherstampblog.blogspot.com/

Check it out!

Blog Candy

Debbie is giving away a TON of stuff!! Go to this blog here.

http://passionforcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/04/blogoversary-candy.html

But hopefully I'm gonna get picked!!!

Rag Quilt

Well, I said a few posts ago that I was going to take a photo of my rag quilt and post it, but still have not done it. So here it is:




I absolutely love it! I didn't make sure the batting was not showing on the edges (which I knew I should have cut it out...) and you can see it some on the edges.



Oh well, maybe eventually I'll take scissors and cut each little piece out. I started doing that the day that I washed and dried it, but soon I was tired of it! I bought more fabric yesterday at Hobby Lobby only because I actually found some homespun fabric. It will be red, white and blue. I think it will turn out beautiful, just gotta get it all cut down. That's the worst part! Hopefully I'll have enough fabric to make a matching pillow too! Let me know what you think about the quilt! ~Kim

A Couple of Cards

Well, I've been crafty lately, even though I've been super busy. Unfortunately, I've had to create some sympathy cards. Those suck. My boss's father in law passed away while we were on vacation and I'm just now getting a card made. I didn't have a single stamp having to do with sympathy or losing someone. So at stamp club this month, I ordered a sympathy set. Now, someone else that I know has lost his wife very suddenly, so I've got to make a few more cards for him and their two adult daughters. It's all very sad as she was only 55. So, here is one of the cards:



Here's the inside:


I made another one last night with the same stamp set but different layout. I've got two more to go. I think one will be an exact duplicate of the card above since it is going to my boss's wife and the other will go to the friend who lost his wife. The other one I'm going to try to make completely different since they will be going to the same family.

It's so odd when someone dies. I've only been affected by death a couple of times in my life, and it really makes you numb. Just the thought of any of my family dying cripples me. I've lost my Pop, and that alone was terrible. I wasn't as close to him as I wish I had of been, but he was a wonderful man. His death made me see my dad in a different light. I've grown closer to him, and I'm so happy for that. Jason's lost his granny too, and that was awful too.

Sorry this has been such a bummer of a trip...death just gets ya thinking!

Butterflies & Scraps

Well, I'm finally posting my butterfly card. The card I cased this from was so beautiful, and I thought it would be easy, well, except for all the cutting. Boy was I wrong! I couldn't get the color to stamp correctly. I had to sponge a lot of color on. I was really discouraged after stamping, but I continued on. I had decided I wasn't stopping until it was finished. Here's the card. I loved it in the end. Nope, doesn't look like the card I used as the inspiration, but that's ok. I'm fine with the way it turned out. And my sister loved it.



Well, me and Kara made a pact...to only have WHOLE sheets of paper by the end of the year. We both have a LOT of scraps and frankly, I'm sick of having little pieces of paper everywhere. So I decided that by the end of this year, we either had to use all of our scrap pieces, give them away or throw them away. WHOLE PIECES ONLY in our stash!! I'm not quite sure she's really in for it, I might have dragged her (drug her?) kicking and screaming. But, the night that we (I) made this pact, I made count 'em FIFTEEN cards!! All with scraps! I was so proud of myself. Tomorrow is another scrap/stamp/craft night. I think I'm gonna try to do it again. Maybe even more cards. I'll post more soon! ~Kim

ETA: I finally finished my first rag quilt!! It turned out BEAUTIFUL!! I'm so glad I did it!! I've got more fabric to make another one. The next one is going to be made of flannel instead of homespun material. Hopefully it'll fray halfway decently. I'll take a picture of it soon and post it!

I finally made something!!

February 28th
I finally made something! Today my hubby and I attended a birthday party for our "faux" nephew, Peyton. His birthday is actually February 29th, but since the 28th was a Saturday, the party was then. Of course, since his birthday won't happen for another three years, it is celebrated on the day after February 28th. So, tomorrow is his "birthday." Anyway, since I am known around my circle as the one who makes handmade cards, I made a card for the wee one. And ya know what?? I enjoyed it! I decided this morning after spending HOURS on this card, I wanted to come home and create. Here is the card:



This is the card I cased. Turned out nothing like it, but I tried!! Details: Classic Laid Duplex Cover Ponderosa Pine/Alpine White (base), bubbles and plaid paper is Martha Stewart paper, 80# Cougar Cover White, generic markers for outside stamp, and I think that's it. Oh...the number 1 was covered in Versa Mark and then heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. The number was cut out using my Cricut and the cartridge was Cuttin' Up. Stamp set for outside was So Many Scallops.

SIDETRACKING HERE...try to keep up! As we're on the way home, I remember I need to go to work and print some film before tomorrow morning. After spending WAY longer at the party than intended I decided that this has to be done. Now, we're under a weather advisory tonight as it is snowing/sleeting tonight. So, we decide to come home and walk to the dog, then go by work. As we're driving there, we decide that Huddle House is good for dinner, so I stop by work, turn everything on, print the film and then go to the House. It'll take a while for the film processor to warm up, so I'll go eat while it's doing it. Had a great dinner/breakfast and then ran the film through. We had to wait a good 15 minutes for that slow machine to work, but finally we were able to leave. We were going to go grocery shopping (cause that's what you're supposed to do when it snows. But I told Jason, we have bread and milk, what else are you supposed to shop for?) So we didn't go shopping and came home. Luckily nothing stuck so no need for going to the store!! So, I didn't go home and create. I was too tired. Plus, I wasn't feeling creative at all.

March 4th
The next morning, I started working on my sister's birthday card because I KNEW It would take all morning. I was casing a card by Mary Jo Albright that was inspired by a cover of Martha Stewart's magazine. It took forEVER to stamp, and once my mom told me we were postponing the birthday party, I didn't work all that hard on it. After getting all of the butterflies cut out, I stopped. I might work on it tonight after I get home, but I'm not sure. If I do, I'll post it. Gotta run...I'm at lunch so I'll try to post later! I need to update my details on this card! Kim

Greetings from Conch Key, Florida

Hi All. Nope, I promise not to post each and every day of vacation, as that might seem as if I were trying to rub it in your face that I'm on vacation and you're well, OK, probably not. Anyway, this first picture is the view if you're standing on the boat and looking to the right. I thought it was just a beautiful sight and had to shoot it!



This is the second fish I ever caught (yesterday, while WITH the inlaws on the Gulf of Mexico while vacationing in the Keys vs. the first one that was caught while visiting the inlaws when they lived on Merritt Island in Florida in 2003.)



This was probably the biggest fish of the day!! Woot Woot!! Actually, Jason caught one even bigger than mine, but I didn't get a picture of it. So that means I caught the biggest since it's the only record we have. (And as I tell the story over the years, the fish will get larger and larger...ya know, cause that's how fish tales go!!)

The weather is pretty nice here. A little cooler that I had hoped, but nothing to complain about. The boys are out on the boat fishing. I decided I didn't want to join them as my touckas is a little sore from all the bumping around we did yesterday, and the water is even choppier today. Plus, tooth is still hurting from root canal on Wednesday. What a thing to have to get done right before vacation!! MIL is out shopping at some "Florida-y" clothing stores ("Lazy Lizard" and some other store that I can't think of the name now) and to Publix...I almost went just to get to go to Publix...love me some Publix.

OK, I think I'm gonna go nap. Yep, that's what my people do when on vacation. Heck, that's what I do on any day that I don't have to work!!!

I'm not off to a good start on my Resolutions

OK, it's now February and guess how many resolutions I've stuck with? Zero. I haven't even started on most of them. So, since I don't want to be all negative, I won't even try to address any personal resolutions that I've ignored. I'm just not gonna go there. But, I will address my crafting resolutions.

Craft resolutions
1. Make three cards every week. Nope. I made thank you cards, but that was it. And they were all the same. I really should post some pictures as they were super cute (in my opinion). I cased them from someone, but of course I don't remember who!!
2. Get crafts organized and set up where I can sit down and create whenever the mood hits me. Nope. Houseguests and the overall situation with the ice storm prevented anything I could do. Of course, I probably wouldn't have done anything anyway.
3. Make a rag quilt. I'm actually working on it. I started it on January 24th, and I'm down to 4 fat quarters that need to be ironed before I cut them. I should be ready to start sewing the sandwich squares together tonight.
4. Complete all projects that I start (or that are halfway done now.) Nope.
5. Get all Christmas stuff (cards, presents, etc.) completed before December 1st so I can concentrate on the season and all that it stands for (family, friends and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ). Nope.
6. Decorate my new house (provided that we get one!) Nope.
7. Learn one new craft or technique each month (this can probably be accomplished at stamp club as Tonya always has good stuff for us to try!) Well, it's only the 5th, so I'm sure that will happen.
8. Record all of the details of the cards I make, so if I get good enough and have the confidence in my abilities, I can submit cards/projects for publication. Here's a link of Cammie's article with tips for publications. Nope.
9. Along those lines, I'd like to become a design team member for a stamp company. I love all of the stamp companies and it seems like I'm finding new ones every day. I'll keep my eyes open for design team calls and hopefully I'll be right for one of the. The idea of free supplies is something I love!! Of course, I have to get good enough to achieve that goal too. Nope.

What was the reason for this post again??? I guess I am trying to keep myself accountable. I'll forget all about making this post until I get it in my inbox tomorrow, so maybe that'll keep me on track. Hopefully I'll post some pictures this weekend of cards and maybe a quilt?? Later! Kim