Quick Sweater

Bulky yarns are fun. I needed a quick project. I made a sweater for my niece using Bernat Blanket Yarn in Vintage White.

Below is the reason I had to take the photo outside. 

Toddler Sweater & Eclipse

I knitted a long toddler sweater. She can use it as a dress if she wants. 

 I knitted the front, back, and arms separately. I finished off the neck & cuff with a crochet shell stitch. 

 We had thunderstorms today. Then the clouds stuck around and we didn't get to see much of the eclipse. The sky was dark enough that some of the street lights came on, but that might be due to the clouds and not the eclipse. If you look closely, you can see the moon on the far right creating a bit of a crescent. 

This image shows more of the clouds. That was all I got to see of the eclipse between the storm and cloud cover. Better luck next time on April 8, 2024 according to CNN . 

Tropical Poke Cake

This can be made in a 9 X 13 cake pan. I like to bake cakes in canning jars (never can baker products) for convenience.

Ingredients:

1 box of yellow cake mix

              Eggs & Oil per directions for mixing cake

1 can of crushed pineapple

Juice of 3 lemons

1 large box of instant banana pudding

              Milk per directions

2 drained cans of mandarin oranges

1 tub of Cool Whip

*Optional: 1 cup of shredded coconut

Instructions:

Prepare cake as directed on box. Add crushed pineapple and mix until thoroughly combined. Bake until inserted toothpick comes out dry.

While warm, poke holes in cake with handle of wooden spoon. Poor on lemon juice. Allow to cool.

Mix banana pudding and before it sets, poor it over the cake allowing it to flow into the holes. Arrange mandarin oranges on top. Spread Cool Whip over the top of oranges and cake. Sprinkle shredded coconut over Cool Whip.

Serve. Needs refrigeration.

The photo shows a plastic cup with the poke cake. I filled the jars too full and had to scoop some of the cake out. I added the ingredients in the plastic cups to finish making them.

Basket liner

This is my new basket liner for my sewing supplies. My previous one wore out. It can be seen here: Basket Liner with Pockets 

My previous liner had flat pockets and I decided that I wanted the new pockets to have more space and I added an inch to each pocket. To protect my pockets from sharp scissors, stylus, pens, or pencils, I use empty prescription bottles to prevent damage to the fabric.

Our dogs love the camera. Whenever I point my camera at something, they have to get in the picture. Of course, I have to take their photos.  The top photo of the basket shows their paws as I zoomed in.

Covered photo album

I made our niece a covered photo album. She isn't into flowers and lace, so I made this with few decorations.

I sewed little belt loops on the cover to insert a gold cord. I hot glued the cord in a few places to help it stay secure. This still looks plain. I used metallic fabric paint to put her name on the front. Her first name is painted above the cord and her last name is painted below the cord. I didn't want to give out her name so I didn't include that photo on here.

I sewed pockets in the back to hold memory cards. It looks like nine pockets, but it is only six. The middle strip is a fold over cover to help keep the memory cards from falling out.

Egg Rolls

Ingredients:

Filling
1 pound of ground beef
1 pound of coleslaw mix with carrots
1 medium onion chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1 TBS soy sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  
Egg Wash
1 egg mixed with 1 TBS of liquid (I used cream)
 
1 package of egg roll wraps*

Brown the ground beef and chopped onion. In large bowl, combine all ingredients for the filling. (Do not add the egg wash mixture.) Mix thoroughly. 

Position egg roll wrap on point (points facing up, down, and to the sides). Place 2 or 3 TBS of filling in the center of the wrap. Coat all edges with the egg wash. Fold bottom point up and over the filling. Then fold sides in and press edges to seal. If using 2 or 3 TBS, fold top point over and seal edges. Should look like an envelope as in the photo above. If using 1 TBS, roll the wrap up and press the edges to seal.  Should be a narrow roll. 

Fry until golden brown. Place on cooling racks or on paper towels. Serve immediately or freeze in wax paper & aluminum foil/freezer bags. 

* 2 or 3 packages if you use 1 TBS of filling instead of 2 or 3 as I do.