Monday, February 10, 2014

Young Women Value Printables

I designed these to put on a table along with pictures of all of our Young Women at New Beginnings.  Feel free to use these for your Young Women or for your own personal use.  












Friday, February 7, 2014

Bag Tutorial

I have made lots of bags and they all have the same basic concept of assembling.  This tutorial is just showing the basics of how to assemble, box the bottom corners and finishing.  It very simple.  You can design the bag however you'd like.  Use your favorite quilt block or just use one solid piece of fabric.  It's totally up to you.  You can also embellish it however you would like.
For this bag I used a block called "Diagonal Paths" which I found on one of my favorite sites, "Quilt Blocks Galore."  I also like to add a pocket to the lining of all my bags.  I just cut a piece of fabric 8 inches by whatever the width of the bag I am making.  Instructions are below for pocket.


What you need.

To start the bag you need.
2 outside panels cut tot size you want your bag
2 panels for lining cut to same size as outside panels.
2 strips of material 2 X 26 inches (longer or shorter depending on how long you want your handles.)
2 pieces of batting cut just a bit larger than your outside panels.

Assembly.

Once you have all your pieces cut out you can start assembling.  

Handles

For my handles I like to add batting.  You don't have to but I like how it feels.  Put right sides together  with batting on the outside and sew up both sides of your handles.  Now you are going to turn your handles right side out.  After it is turned right side out iron the handles flat then sew along the edge of the long sides of your handles.  I like to use a decorative stitch on this part.  Now set your handles aside for now.


 Outside Panels.

My two outside panels are already quilted with the batting so now I am going to take them and put right sides together and pin.  Next sew both sides and bottom of bag with 1/4 inch seam.  Set aside.

Lining.

You are going to do the same thing with the lining.  My lining is made of two seperate fabrics.  One matching for the top and one for the bottom.  I also added my pocket to my lining by pinning it to one of the panels.  You are now going to sew the two sides and bottom leaving a 4 inch gap for turning later.


I got a little ahead of myself with pinning the handles to the bag.  It is actually easier to do this after this next step.


Boxing the Corners.

I like to box the corners of my bags.  It makes it look nice plus makes it able to stand up.



after turning your bag right side out is a good time to pin your handles on.


Sewing the lining to the bag.  



Finishing it up.

You can now embellish the bag however you would like.  I added a pocket with applique to the front of this bag.  


Now it's time to go make you some bags.  I hope that this has been helpful.  If you have any questions you can ask me in the comment section.  


Thursday, February 6, 2014

Let's Make Some Bags.

I have been having so much fun making bags.  It has actually been all I've really wanted to make for the last couple of months.  I have found so many different patterns and tutorials that have been wonderful.  After making several different bags I am learning that although the tutorials are all different, the concept is all the same.  So I am going to put together a basic tutorial of how to make the bag and let you be the creative one and make the bag your own.  So be sure to check in tomorrow for the step by step tutorial with pictures on how to assemble an awesome bag.



Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

You've got to love it when one of your kids favorite meals has one of the most healthy veggies in it.  The awesome part is that the broccoli is one of their favorite parts of the meal.  This has been a family favorite for I don't know how long.  I know my mom made this for us when we were kids.

Chicken Broccoli Casserole


2 to 3 lbs. chicken cooked
5 to 6 stalks broccoli steamed
4 cups cooked rice
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
½ tsp. curry powder (or more if you like)
1 Tbs. lemon juice
Bread Crumbs
½ cup grated cheese (opt.)

Broil chicken and shred, partially cook broccoli and cook rice.  Mix together cream of mushroom soup, mayo, sour cream, curry powder and lemon juice.  Mix all together and put into a large casserole dish.  Sprinkle bread crumbs and grated cheese on top.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. 


Tuesday, February 4, 2014