Frog Applique Quilt

My son Nicholas and his wife Laura are expecting twins! So, for this joyous occasion and because Laura loves Frogs I designed twin frog quilts for the babies. My idea for the frog came from the fabric. Rachel and I drew them by looking at the frogs on the fabric. Actually, Ray drew them and I tweaked them to my liking. The squares are 4 1/2 by 4 1/2" with the surrounding fabric 2 1/2" by various lengths. Center white strips are 2 1/2" wide. Frogs have batting behind them and then I appliqued them using the blanket stitch on the sewing machine. Mouths, eyelashes and part of frog's vest are embroidered.  Girl frog's tutu is made from tulle. Finished measurements are 46 1/2 x 46 1/2".

Girl Frog

Boy Frog

Pleasantly Pleasing Unpretentious Pretzels

These are DELICIOUS!!!!!!

First, in a small bowl pour 1/2 cup warm water, 1 teaspoon sugar and mix together. Then add in
 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast. Let rest for 10 min.

Now, in a bigger bowl add 1 cup warm water,1 tablespoon sugar  and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix in the yeast mixture with this. The recipe calls for 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour but I only used about 3 cups when mixing together in the bowl.

Make sure surface is clean and dry and sprinkle with flour.  Pour dough onto surface and knead for  about 5 minutes until dough is firm and elastic. Let rest for 10 minutes.

Make sure you have an adorable 2-year-old that wants to eat raw dough
sitting next to you and then divide dough into 12 equal parts.

Roll dough out as if you were making a snake....about 10 inches long. Then twist into a pretzel shape. Place on greased baking sheet. Shout out to LO for remembering this recipe. Isn't she just so cute!

 Combine 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water; stir briskly. Brush tops of pretzels and sprinkle with coarse salt and sesame seeds. Bake for about 15 minutes at 425 degrees and eat while warm. They are the BEST!!!! We are giving them away to neighbors for Christmas gifts (that is, if we don't eat them all first)!

15 Minute Table Runner

Need a quick Christmas gift?? I've got just the thing for you! A table runner, that is a snap to throw together when you're in a last minute gift giving bind! No machine quilting required, no batting, & it's easy to modify to suit your needs! Let's get started. 

You will need:

1 piece of fabric for your top that is 5/6 of a yard

1 piece of fabric for the bottom that is 2/3 of a yard

*Remember, you can make this ANY size! If you want it wider, or more narrow, you can do it! Just make sure your top fabric is 6 inches bigger (width) than your bottom fabric. 

1 piece of fusible interfacing, 5/6 of a yard

Step 1- Press (with starch, not water!) and iron your fabric

Step 2- Iron your interfacing onto the WRONG side of your top fabric (5/6 of a yard). Follow the instructions that come with the interfacing 

 Step 3- Place fabric right sides together, and sew along the edge LENGTH wise, 1/2 inch seam. 

Step 4- Now sew along the other edge LENGTH wise, your bottom piece will not line up exactly because it is SMALLER. That's how it is suppose to be. YOU WILL NOW HAVE A TUBE OF FABRIC WITH THE ENDS OPEN. 

Step 5- Press open seams

 Step 6- Turn tube right side out

Step 7- Iron your runner with the top fabric making a border on the bottom side. Mine ended up being 1 1/2 inches on each side. Make sure you measure. NOW YOU SHOULD HAVE A FLAT, IRONED, TABLE RUNNER WITH RAW ENDS

 Step 8- Trim ends so that they are equal (I had to cut the selvage off my ends)

 Step 9- Fold your runner in on itself, top sides together, and pin together lining up evenly, do this on both ends. Sew together using 1/2 inch seams 

 Step 10- Now open your runner flat, and press the seam open (looks like a hood!)

 Step 11- Flip ends right side out. Your runner should look like this (this is with the bottom facing up). You can add buttons onto the end, or any other embellishments. 

Step 12- Wrap it up to give away, or use it on your own table! ENJOY! 

Bonus Step, Lucky number 13! 

Use a non-washable fabric marker and write a Christmas message on the backside of your runner. I am going to trace the hand prints of grand-kids onto mine and give it away to Grandma! 

Quick, easy, & made with love! The perfect gift for the Holiday! 

Cheers!