Up-Cycled T-Shirt Tote Bag

This is a fun craft with instant gratification.

Up-Cycled T-Shirt Tote Bag

Supply List:

Sewing Machine
Thread
Scissors
T-Shirt
Decorative Trim (Optional)

Prepare T-shirt:

Step 1:
Turn t-shirt wrong side out and hem bottom with straight stitch about 10-12 stitches per inch near existing t-shirt hem.  Sew an additional row of stitches about 1/8-1/4 from the beginning row to reinforce.

Note: If tank top style t-shirt is use simply turn the shirt right side out and sew optional trim on about 1/2 inch from the bottom edge with a straight stitch.

Step 2:
If sleeved type t-shirt is used, use a dinner plate as a template to draw a semi-circle at the neckline and arm holes.  Cut along the line.  Reinforce the remaining shoulder seams with a double row of stitching.  Back-stitch at the beginning and ending of all seams. Proceed with Step 1.  (The cut out sleeves can be used for a head bands.)

TaDa!

This is a great little bag that can be easily rolled up and carried in a purse for use at the store checkout or market.  I carry mine all the time and have even used it as a wash cloth and even a towel in a pinch.  Can be tossed into the washer with the regular laundry on wash day.  Make a bunch as gifts for friends and save the Planet.

Love,

Cheryl  

It's High Time for Pie Time

This Blackberry Pie recipe comes from my bestest friend and blackberry picker.

This recipe was her mother's.

Blackberry Pie

3-4 Cups Blackberries
2/3-3/4 Cups Sugar
3 T Plain Flour
Pinch salt
2 Pie Crusts (I use the frozen deep dish variety, using 1 crust for the topper.

Combine sugar, flour and salt in a medium bowl.  Add blackberries and toss to coat.

Put mixture into uncooked pie crust and top with additional crust.  Place into 425 degree pre-heated oven on center rack and bake for 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool on rack.  Pie filling will become firm after 7 or 8 hours or till chilled.

Peanut Butter Drop Cookies

It was said of a certain Volunteer Regiment during the War Between The States that "lack of sweets" was one of the the leading causes of desertion during boot camp.  Never let that be said of this camp.

This recipe is fast, easy and delicious and all the ingredients are usually common in the kitchen pantry.

Oatmeal is a perfect food and Peanut Butter is great source of protein.

Peanut Butter Drop Cookies

2 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Milk
1 Stick Butter
1/3 c. Cocoa (opt.)
1/2 c. Peanut Butter
3 c. Oatmeal
1 t. Vanilla

Heat sugar, milk, butter and cocoa on medium-high heat until boiling.  Boil 1 minute.  Remove from heat. Add peanut butter & vanilla. Stir in oatmeal and drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper and let cool.  Yields 24. ( I like to use a wooden spoon for this recipe.)

This recipe is also known as Mud Pie or No-Bake Cookies. Our Moms made a lot of these type cookies back in the 70's when we were growing up.  Good for a fund-raiser type cookie also.

Rejoice!

God bless,
Cheryl

Ode To Dixie

Dixie was a little dog that was the only blond, short-haired pup in a mixed litter of fuzzy, black puppies.

My Grandpa's "Squirrel" Dog, probably a Fiest mix, had given birth and the pups were ready to be weaned.  I was fresh out of college and had stopped for a quick visit home on my way to a new assignment on a corporate job. Grandpa asked me if I wanted to have a pick from the litter. I couldn't resist this little odd puppy with her shy, independent manner, a complete contrast to her gregarious litter mates. I named her "Dixie" and boy did she love to travel. This was a good thing because my new job took us to many different towns across the Southeast.

Dixie and me were constant companions.  She was there for me after I had put in long, hard days at work and there with me changing planes on a Holiday visit home. I was more concerned about my little dog making it into the cargo hold of the plane than I was my own luggage.  I got out of my assigned seat and stared out of the aircraft window until I saw her in the carrier I had purchased for her at the flight counter. She rode along the loading ramp and when she was safely inside the airplane I finally relaxed and sat down.

In one town where we lived I would even take my furry little companion to the laundry mat with me on wash day. We would share a hamburger from the little deli next door and have ice cream for desert.

I was a stranger everywhere I went, but Dixie, who never met a stranger, introduced me to people everywhere.

Dixie lived a full life. She enjoyed life here on the farm after we returned home to make a living. She did like to "go".  There was a time when I had not gone to the store for a few day and she went over to my brother's house and rode with him.  Squirrels had to head for the branches when she was around and an unsuspecting field mouse would not stand a chance with her.

I wasn't there when Dixie came into the world but I was there when she went out.  Saying "goodby" to my little friend was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life up to that time.  Dixie was the first creature I had ever been responsible for besides myself.  I did not know I had that many tears in my head.  I would not have traded one of those tears for the joy that this little canine companion had brought to me in her 12 years on the earth.

Pain is the payment for joy. Tears are the currency for which this debt is paid. Will our pets be with us in heaven?

How can they not be there?...