project 258......placemats

I made these place mats from recycled jeans.  I gave them a linen background, a piece of denim and hand sewn the words on it.  I have quite a steady hand and has not written the words on the material, but I do think it is a good idea to use material chalk to write the words.  This was so easy, you can make a set for whatever occasion!  I've sewn the words on different spots just to make them look different, but it is your own choice if you want them all to look the same.

I haven't put batting in these,as the denim is thick, but will surely do it with a thinner material. 

Project 257.....handprint table cloth

I am quite sentimental about this one!  Mine is really used up now, and my kids too grown up to make their mum a new one!

I used a white sheet and one sunny morning we made hand prints on it with material paint.  I used black to make birds, write notices, exc.

We made some overlays at the church a few years ago for a mothers day function, and it is so satisfying seeing all the kids as students and teenagers now. 

This is a great way of capturing memories, and a great gift for grandparents as well.
 

Project 256....shabby schic table runners

I made these some time ago, but seem to use them quite often.  I love to do a table with non- matching stuff, and these are working well.

I've used a linen base, and simply sewn blocks of pretty material and lace together to make a runner.  It was an easy way to use all the pretty pieces of leftover materials!

project 255...baked crustless milk tart.....

I have my usual way of making milk tart (project 35), but I saw this recipe the other day for a baked crust less milk tart, so I tried it yesterday.  Quite nice, but I think my old recipe is much less work!  The family enjoyed it though, and I am sure I'll have to make it again this way in the future!

Mix together:

30 ml butter
250 ml sugar
4 egg yellows
250 ml self raising flour
1 l milk
5 ml vanilla

Add in 4 firmly whipped egg whites

Bake at 180*C for 40-50 minutes.  Cover with cinnamon sugar when removing from the oven.

just a short note.....

I don't know if it is the same in your house, but I tend to make the same things over and over again!  Yesterday I made gingersnaps(project 24) for the so manieth time!  It is just sooo easy, and you know that they hardly ever flop!  I thought of making something else, but my time was limited.....I know that I can roll exactly 48 balls in 10 minutes when making ginger snaps!  And that is even measuring them with a 15 ml spoon as well!  So why bother making something else if you're in a hurry!

Last night friends came around for coffee, and when I took the ginger snaps out, our friend replied that he's going to take two straight away, as it is his favourite...then I thought....that's me....everybody knowing me, knows that I make ginger snaps!  Unfortunately doing the same things over and over again don't put new ideas on the blog!  But sometimes people just want something they are familiar with....

I have an adopted son, Siswe studying in Pretoria!  My husband is not aware of the fact that I have adopted him! HA HA!  The other night he phoned to ask how it is going on this side, and I enquired about his exam results.  He then said that he reads the blog when he misses home!  He just wants to see what we're up to!  Maybe he just want something familiar there on that side of the country!  Maybe he can smell the ginger snaps!

I don't want to make excuses, but sometimes I tend to do more habitual things, like making ginger snaps over and over, in stead of doing grate new things to place on the blog!  Maybe it is a phase....sometimes I make new things, though....and I forget to take the snap to prove it!  So please forgive if it is going on the slow side with times!...hang in there with me....hopefully the creative juices will start to flow again soon!  For now, I am going to have a cup of coffee with gingersnaps!

See my paintings I am busy with....