Placemat Pillows

I found the idea for these placemat pillows on another blog, but when I finally got around to making these myself I can't remember the blog I got the idea from. Believe I search all my 500 blogs that I follow several times and now I can't find it. So just to through this out there, that I did not come up with this idea on my own and I am truly sorrow I can't give credit where it is due.

It is an awesome and simple idea. Just take a placemat the has two sides, they can be the same on each side or different, your choice. I found these place mats at Kohl's. They were buy one get one free. How do you pass up a deal like that. They match my future decor perfectly. Once you find the place mats that you so desire, take your seam ripper and make a hole in one of the sides about the size of your fist. I made the hole on the long way of one and on the short side of the rest. I found it to be much easier on the shorter side. The you fill your pillow with batting. Sew it back up and you are done. See, so simple, even I can do it.

One thing to keep in mind also, is that your placemat/pillow will shrink once it is filled. I thought mine were going to be bigger than they ended up being. They will still look good though.

This is not the couch that they will be going on. Like I said earlier, they will go with my future decor. We are currently redoing some things in our house and changing it to fit our style and personalities. The couch that these pillows will be going on is chocolate swede. It should be delivered the first week of October. The color scheme we are going for in this room and kitchen will be chocolate, baby blue, tan and orange.

First Solo Sewing Project

I got my first sewing machine a couple weeks ago. I have been wanting to learn how to sew for a long time. So I was very excited when the sewing machine I wanted came on sale on Amazon.com. I got free shipping and it arrived in 2 days. I am now sold on Amazon.com. A couple days after I had received my machine, my SIL told me that she signed up for the sewing 101 class at Joann's. I knew I had to take the class too. It was a good class, but I wish They would have covered more things.

I have been wanting to make RyLee a scripture tote since last Christmas. I bought all the materials that I needed to make it and had planned on making it at our Ward's Super Saturday, but was unable to go. So it has been sitting in my closet since then. Now that I have my sewing machine and have learned the basics, I figured that now was the perfect time to figure out how to make this tote that I have been envisioning for a long time. I had no pattern or tutorial to go by. Just the image in my head. So I got everything out and started creating. I only had one mishap. I think it turned out pretty good for my first sewing project and for doing it all on my own with nothing to go by.

Easy Oreo Truffles

I found this recipe on the Kraft Foods website and knew I had to try it. They were a big hit with everyone. Even my FIL who is not a chocolate fan. I will definitely be making these again. 

1 pkg. (8oz) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (1 lb. 2 oz.) Oreo Cookies, finely crushed (about 4 1/4 C.), divided
2 pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

Mix cream cheese and 3 cups cookie crumbs until well blended. Shape into 48 (1 in.) balls. Dip in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

I put the balls in the freezer for about 10 minutes before dipping them in chocolate. It made it easier to dip. I stored them in the freezer as well. I like the consistency o the truffle better when it was eaten right out of the freezer rather than at room temperature.

You can find more tips on the recipe and nutritional info on their site.

Banana Bread/Muffins

I have never really been a fan of banana bread. I don't know why either. I guess it's just because it looked gross. My husband loves banana bread, but because I didn't, I wouldn't make it for him. He had to go elsewhere to get it. In 2006 my husbands brother came to live with us. He served his mission in Brazil and brought back some yummy recipes. One of them was for Banana Muffins. I was very hesitant when he made them for us, but they looked really good. I had to try them. They were the best muffins I had ever had. It took a couple of years,but I finally got the recipe from him and have been making them for my family ever since.

I like to make them in a silicone flower pan from Pampered Chef, that my son got for his birthday. I also sprinkle sugar in the bottom before I add the batter. So yummy! So yummy!

Banana Bread/Muffin

1 stick of butter

1 C. granulated sugar

2 eggs

4 mature bananas

2  C. flour

1 Tbls. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 C. Milk

In a mixer, blend together butter and sugar. Add eggs and bananas, mix well. Add the flour and salt. Mix in the baking soda and milk. Put into muffin tins and bake at 350 until you can cleanly remove a toothpick from center of muffin.

Rockin' RyLee

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I was asked if I wanted to design scrapbook pages for a new Photo Book company called Ziblio. This is the first layout I made to submit to them to see if they like my designs. I need honest opinions. I think they stink but Ryan likes them. If this was offered to you for your photo book, would you choose it?

RyLee's 4-D Ultrasound