Mug mat & tea wallet

Wouldn't these mug mats make a cute addition to your table when your friends come over for a cuppa? They're quick and use very little fabric. You know, since they're insulated with batting they're great to cover your mug or cup while your tea is steeping to keep the heat inside, if you don't have one of those cool lidded cups, that is.

For each mat you'll need:

3 - 6.5" squares of fabric
1 - 6.5" square of cotton batting

Press one square on the diagonal. Lay cotton batting on table followed by one square face up, diagonally folded square set in one corner and topped by final square wrong side facing you. Sew on all four sides with a 5/8" seam, leaving at least 3" for turning. Turn right sides out. Press, making sure opening is turned in and pressed flat. Topstitch 1/8" from edge around all four sides. Using photo as your guide, sew pocket for spoon 2" from right edge.

Had to make another tea wallet. I didn't really like the ribbon closure on the last one so I used an elastic loop and button instead. Much better!

Feeling guilty

Okay, so after my post last night I started feeling guilty for not blogging and not sewing more so I just had to whip something up before going to bed at midnight. I made this blue tea wallet complete with a re-usable muslin tea bag I made last week. The coffee print wallet is one I made awhile ago and keep in my purse. I think I'll give the blue one away...I have someone in mind who I think will appreciate it. I'm going to change the closure on the next one. The ribbon is pretty but after awhile can get ratty, especially if you keep it in your purse. The coffee one has a snap closure but I don't know how some of you use those! I ruined a whole pack just to get one to work!

Wow, it's been a long time

Twelve days since I last blogged. I have been busy, honest! I did a little sewing. I made some stethoscope covers for my sister and her friends. I didn't really want to make the skull & roses into a stethoscope cover. I don't think it's appropriate for a hospital but she assured me it would be perfect for this particular friend. Oh well. Another friend wants one in a soft pink breast cancer awareness fabric so I guess I'll have to do a little fabric shopping. Gina will love the coffee fabric.

We're a family of big coffee drinkers. I, however, have been on a tea kick lately. I've always loved iced tea but have rediscovered hot tea. I'm totally not a tea snob. I'll drink pretty much anything that I think tastes good. Yesterday after Pat and I had lunch at Loco Sushi, I headed on over to Cost Plus to check out their tea selection. I really couldn't decide so I settled on guaranteed winners, Twinings Darjeeling and a black tea variety pack. Before we went to lunch we stopped at Ross where I found this Bodum 34 oz. tea press pot for $12.00. Today I stopped by Fresh & Easy, which just opened not to far from my house and picked up these other two teas. I'm having a cup of the chocolate tea now and I'm undecided about the taste.

I think Sophie approves of my choice in a quilt pattern. It's called Scrappy Mountain Majesties from Quiltville.com and is so easy that I think I can do it. I'm giving myself a month to finish it and I want to make it very scrappy.

Gotta run to wrestling practice!

Pumpkin Bread Pudding Recipe

After seeing that pumpkin bread pudding recipe I wrote about a couple of posts ago, I have been wanting some but wanted to make one close to my old standby recipe, just pumpkin-y. This is what I came up with, and it was yummy, especially when served warm with vanilla bean ice cream on top and a hot cup of coffee.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

1 package stale hamburger buns - 8 count or approximately 5 cups when torn into 1 inch pieces
2 cups half & half (or 1 c. milk and 1 c. heavy cream)
3 eggs
2/3 cup white sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice blend
1 tsp. vanilla
1 can pure pumpkin (15 oz.)
1/4 c. chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter the bottom and sides of a 13 X 9 inch baking pan. Spread bread pieces evenly in pan. Mix the rest of the ingredients together in a separate bowl until well incorporated. Pour evenly over bread pieces, stir slightly, and let sit for a few minutes to give bread a chance to soak up the wet mixture. Bake 45 - 60 minutes or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let sit for a few minutes before serving to let it set up further.

Georgia Rules...I'm sick!

Georgia just beat Hawaii 41-10 in the Sugar Bowl. We looked like fish out of water and now we've given the naysayers all the ammunition they need. They've been saying we didn't belong in a BCS bowl game, and now I'm afraid everyone will believe it. 'Nuff said.

Teapots and Bread Pudding

I made this teapot cozy for my 6 cup (48 oz) teapot. I also made a set of matching coasters. I will be keeping this set and not putting it in my Etsy shop. I do, however, have enough of this lilac print for a 2 cup cozy. I guess if anyone wanted a bigger one I could do that. I just love this print and made a tote out of it in purple as well. Ooooooh...I feel another cozy coming on! Ha!

I have a set of pillowcases to make for my niece, Devan. I had to run to the store today for more fabric (aw shucks!) because I only had enough to make one. Walked out of there with enough for her other pillowcase, a pair for Bernie and me, and the teacozy fabric, plus ribbon and batting. I can't wait to make my pillowcases. I love the paisley print I chose. You'll have to wait until I'm done to see it. I can, however, show you the pillowcases I made her for Christmas. She is 15 and Goth, so I'm hoping she'll appreciate them, although my sister thinks not. The new pair will be a pink/orange combo, much more to my sister's liking.


I came across a very interesting pumpkin bread pudding at SmittenKitchen.com and I want to try it tomorrow. Go check out her site. It's awesome!