Holiday

Easy Fruit Dip…Super Easy!

November 6, 2012 by Wendy Cohen 1 Comment

So, this is the simplest fruit dip ever. I was not quite sure about this dip when I saw the ingredients. But, I decided to try it…

This is super simple…one 8ounce package of cream cheese and one container of marshmallow creme.

Whip them together with a mixer and that is it!!!! Dip away….

Super simple and easy….not too sweet and actually very good. I would recommend it and kids love it!

While I got your attention…why don’t you head on over to the Avery Elle blog to check out Jamie’s new November release of stamp sets! They are awesome! Some super cute stamps and some super cute ideas….letters, numbers and fun holiday ideas.

Both images courtesy of the Avery Elle Blog. Visit her store as well….Averyelle.com.

Filed Under: appetizers, baking, craft, create, entertaining, inspiration Tagged With: avery elle, Cream cheese, creme, dip, fruit, Holiday, Marshmallow, marshmallow creme, polymer stamp sets, stamp set, stamp sets

1 Comment

Christmas in August … Merry Merry Snowmen!

August 5, 2012 by Wendy Cohen 3 Comments

I know that it is in the middle of August and for us in Southern California the summer has really just begun. It seems to reach long beyond the first official day of fall which really annoys me because I am ready for pumpkins once September rolls around.

So, to get myself in the spirit and to give myself enough time to get it done in time for Christmas, I have started the Bunny Hill Merry Merry Snowmen quilt. Anne Sutton is one of my favorite designers and I haven’t yet attempted one of her applique intense quilts. I have previously done an applique quilt for Christmas (Lynette Anderson reindeer quilt you can see here) which is one of my favorites. Here is Merry Merry Snowmen quilt below…you can buy the quilt pattern here if you are interested….

I am using the freezer paper / starch method of applique which is new to me and taking a bit more time than the way I normally applique with my machine (see that tutorial here). The freezer paper method takes a bit more time, but it is really turning out great…by the time I get to the 9th block, I will be a pro!

This quilt is made up of over 30 different fabrics and lots of tiny pieces…so, my organizing brain kicked in real quick….

Merry Merry Snowmen Fabrics…French General Beautiful!

First, I sorted all the fabric and numbered it so that I knew which fabric went with each block…it was a little hard because some of the fabrics are very close in c0lor. These are the most beautiful French General fabrics…gott love them!

More Beautiful Fabric Choices

I then, made a bag for each block and precut each fabric that was to be used for each block.

Quilt Block 8

Once I had all the fabric cut up for each block, then I divided into each bag. Then, one by one, I assembled the background for each block. Now, I am going block by block and doing the applique and then the embroidery. I love all the steps in this quilt and enjoy each step.

Quilt Organization

I am teaching myself some new techniques with this quilt…some new embroidery stitches and the new method of applique that I menioned above. By the way, you tube is such a great resource when you want to learn a new technique. Here is the first block all finished. The remaining details will be added later when the quilt is assembled.

Block #1 All Finished

Here’s the second block in process…the applique technique is getting better already! I am still hand stitching the applique pieces onto the background; then the embroidery. Love the little reindeer on this block!

Quilt Block #2 Underway

There are seven more blocks to go…I will keep you updated on my progress! Hopefully, I will be done by December!!!Happy August!

Filed Under: applique, craft, create, etsy, quilt, sewing Tagged With: anne sutton, applique, bunny hill, Christmas, Holiday, merry merry snowmen, quilt, sewing, snowmen

3 Comments

Easter…Hopping into town…

March 25, 2012 by Wendy Cohen 2 Comments

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. I really have no idea why, but it is. Maybe is because some magical bunny is supposed to come in the middle of the night and leave a basket of fun stuff. Or, maybe it is because my mom was always so creative on Easter with the small little trinkets that can fit into an Easter basket. It seems better than Christmas because it all had to be contained within that little basket which made the small finds even better.

The older I get, the less “stuff” I keep around to decorate for each holiday. The reality is that I have just kept and continued to collect the things that I love rather than just a bag of “easter stuff”. It makes each holiday worth looking forward to and makes the unpacking of all the little treasures even more fun. So, rather than decorate my entire house, I pick several key areas and create small vignettes. It makes it fun and challenging.

One of my favorite Easter things is this tree that my mom got for me over five years ago. It is great with it’s painted eggs and other items I have added over time. I kind of think every holiday should have a tree….don’t you?

Here is a closeup of the painted wood eggs.

I used the chandelier over the table to drape a cute egg garland.

And, a few of my favorite Easter accessories. A crunchy old rabbit and some stuffed carrots that I placed in some decorative glass bowls on either end of the spring table runner. I even crunched up a green table napkin in the bottom for a little extra color.

A close up of the egg garland.

I added some wicker/weaved charger plates and some colored napkins to the kitchen bar in bright spring colors. It brought a whole new life to the kitchen without much work.

Here’s a bigger view of the table.

I also spend a little time decorating the inside of my china hutch with some colored eggs placed in the vases and a little easter garland. It really added a nice touch without much effort.

What are your Easter traditions? What are your favorite decorations?

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