New sewing books!

I just saw a post for a new sewing book called Sew What You Love: The Easiest, Prettiest Projects Ever on Grand Revival Designs. The book is sold here on Amazon. It is really cute and will need to be added to my sewing library. The author is very kindly giving away free bag patterns if you share the link to her book so I think I will start with the super cute market tote. Very fun. I also received two new sewing books for Christmas including Amy Butler's Style Stitches and Elizabeth Hartman's The Practical Guide to Patchwork. Both books are great and I can't wait to start a few of the projects.

Hemp milk is yummy

For my new years resolution I decided to make more of our food from scratch. I really enjoy home cooked food and in most cases I like the version we make way better than anything we buy already prepared. It is also cheaper to make everything so definitely worth the extra effort. J loves to help out in the kitchen too. It usually involves a bigger mess and more time but it is fun to show him my love for cooking and baking. One thing I have wanted to try is making my own nut or seed milks. In particular I have wanted to try making hemp milk with the blender. I bought organic shelled hemp seeds at Whole Foods and found the hemp milk recipe online. It is really easy to do and tastes better to me than the store bought versions. I haven't figured out the costs yet but I think if I buy the seeds in bulk on Amazon then it will be quite a bit cheaper than buying it in the carton. It also is better trash wise since I don't have to throw away the aseptic cartons. I made a smoothie with the milk by adding a banana, frozen strawberries and mangoes, and a little maple syrup. Very yummy.

Preschool monkey pants

The little guy had pajama day at preschool today and since he has been sick the past week I decided to surprise him with new jammies. I went back to the baby pattern for the monkey pants and used it to make a new preschool size pattern for him. I added to length of the pattern and straightened out the legs. I also rounded the back gusset and increased the front leg inseam. I made one pair with the new pattern and decided it was way too bulky on top by waist. I tapered the top and waist so it fits better. I made another pair and cut on piece out on the wrong side of the fabric. I sewed it together anyway and he can use them for around the house. I made another pair and they turned out just right. I am actually rather proud of myself with this one and will definitely make him a few more pairs. They fit really well and work great as lounge pants or as pajama bottoms. I used two thrift store cotton lycra skirts to make the pants shown. I have plenty of the gray left to make more pants. I also bought a black sweatshirt the last time I was at the thrift store and I am going to make a version with bottom cuffs. I finished the set by making him a matching t-rex applique top. He was really happy with the new jammies and had a lot of fun at pajama day.

It's Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Time!! Winners picked!

Thank you everyone for all your wonderful comments. I love hearing about all the great crafts you are all making for the holidays. I also love the book selections so thank you again for visiting my blog. Without further ado.

The winners were selected using random.org. Congratulations to everyone! Please check your email and send me your address. Happy Holidays!

Wrist bag winner: MsThorsen


Flower pin winner: thehappycrochetchic


Bib set winner: ylrbmk





It is giveaway day for the Sew Mama Sew blog. Actually the giveaway goes all week long. I am giving away three items made by me. I will pick three random winners on December 16 at 5 p.m. PST. All you have to do is leave a comment to this post only and let me know what handmade items you are making or would like to make this year for the holidays. If you draw a blank then just let me know your favorite book. One of my favorites is "A Room with a View by E. M. Forster. The movie based on the book is great also. Make sure to let me know which item you would like to win and your email if it is not in your profile. Head on over to the Sew Mama Sew blog and check out all the other giveaways. Happy Holidays!

Giveaway is only open to US only so very sorry international.

Item number 1: Recycled wrist Bag from pants

Item number 2: Recycled flower Pin from t-shirts

Item number three: Set of 3 bibs lined with hemp/organic cotton

Bags on etsy

The recycled and hemp wrist bags are on my Etsy site. I am looking forward to selling in the warm indoors instead of the frigid outdoors for the remainder of the holiday season. I tried the local city holiday market for three weeks in a row but had to finally admit that it isn't worth selling only a few items in the cold. It is a great little market but the location has been moved and though it is full of vendors it is unfortunately not full of shoppers. Oh well, I gave it a good try and onward to selling online. I am really impressed with how easy it is to list items on Etsy and all the fun extras to promote your site. I added a nifty mini etsy to the blog and I am slowly discovering all the wonderful tools available.

Cowl neck warmer from a sweater and t-shirt

I am really excited that cowl necks are back in style. I loved my pink fluffy cowl neck sweater that I got for Christmas when I was a preteen. I am selling on Saturdays at a local outdoor city holiday market and it is really cold so I figure cowl neck warmers are good addition. I made this one out of a cotton sweater and t-shirt that I got at the local thrift store. I marked off the section I wanted to cut with a pen and then sewed along the line prior to cutting to make sure the edges do not unravel. I added a t-shirt circle and quilted a spiral through all the layers. Pretty cute and fun to make. By the way I have finally uploaded all my items to my etsy shop so please head over a check out all the fun items.

Carrot veggie burgers

I found a great recipe for Carrot Rice Nut Burgers on allrecipes.com. It is a super simple nut burger recipe and makes plenty to freeze. I can usually get a dozen burgers out of the recipe and it easily works for two meals. In version one I changed the ingredient amounts a bit and added wheat gluten to make the patties a bit firmer. You could also add whole wheat flour instead. In version two I added ground homemade seitan and oats instead of the brown rice so feel free to experiment. I would keep the ground carrots and onion. They add a wonderful taste and texture to the burgers. I actually made them one time without the nuts by accident. They turned out fine but not what I was expecting. I kept thinking the burgers were missing something and then I realized I made nut burgers without the nuts. Well, I am sure it won't be the last time I do something similar. Here are my recipe amounts. Enjoy!

Carrot Veggie Burgers

version one
1 cup raw or toasted cashews
1.5 cups raw or toasted sunflower seeds
1 medium size onion
3 large carrots
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
3 cups cooked brown rice
0.5 cup vital wheat gluten or whole wheat flour
0.5 tsp salt

version two
1.5 cup of rolled oats
1 cup raw or toasted walnuts
1.5 cups raw or toasted sunflower seeds
1 medium size onion
3 large carrots
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
1 cup of homemade seitan
0.5 cup whole wheat flour
0.5 tsp salt

In a food processor add the nuts, seeds and oats (version two). Pulse to a fine grind. Remove and place in a bowl. Add the carrots and onion and also pulse to a fine grind. Remove and place in the bowl with the nuts. Add the seitan and oil if using. I have done it with and without oil. Pulse again to a sticky consistency and place in the bowl with the other ingredients. Add the wheat gluten or flour to the same bowl. Add salt to taste. Now the fun part. Mix everything together. Feel free to use your hands. They work great. Form the mixture into four inch size patties and fry. Freeze the leftovers and you have dinner or lunch for another day. Goes great with sweet potato fries.