Mini Cheese Cakes in a Jiffy

These bite size cheese cakes are some of my favorite treats, but because of their dairy content I don't make them often.  I took them to a party and they were gone before we started dinner.

They are perfect for Spring.

You will need:

• 1 box mini Nilla Wafers
• 1 package cream cheese (at room temp.)
• 1 tub Cool Whip (thawed)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 package mini baking cups

In 2 9x13s set out your baking cups and put one wafer in each cup.

Beat together cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. (I love the word fluffy.)

Add in 2 1/4 cups of Whip Cream.  Beat until mixed.

OK, tricky homemaker here.

I could not find my decorator bag, so I used a Ziploc bag with the decorating tip inside.  If you don't have a decorator tip (buy one they are fabulous) you can use just a Ziploc with a corner cut off.  The freezer bags are sturdier.  Folding down the edges of your bag will make it a bit less messy.  But you may still get covered in yummy goodness.

 Fill your bag.

And fill those cups.  Just a dollop (another lovely word).  These are bite size.  They can be popped in the mouth.  Keep that in mind as you fill.

Pan Number One.

Pan Number 2!

Cover well.

Pop 'em in the fridge.  Let them cool for a few hours.

You may have some filling left.  It is SOOO good as a dip.  Also, there are ways to make this healthier--use lite Cool Whip, lite Cream Cheese, and there may even be lite Nilla wafers.  Also, you could add food coloring to the mix and make them OH SO festive.

I got the original recipe here.  But I like it better on the mini wafers and the extra cool whip was just extra work and I'm not a huge lover of coconut.

Let me know if you try them. 

Mother/Baby Necklace

This is my recent go-to gift for baby showers.

Back when I had a baby (6 years ago) I had a mother/baby necklace and I loved it. But it was strung on wire, the traditional way. And eventually Little L broke it. I hung onto those beads, swearing I would re-string it. Never did.

When I saw this idea I fell in love. Not that it is indestructible, nothing is, but it is certainly stronger that a crimp and wire.

I made some modifications hoping to strengthen it even more.

I started writing a tutorial and realized that I need a lot more pictures than I had previously taken.  So, that will come soon. (I have an all new respect for all those ladies who make amazing tutorials--not as easy as it seems.)

Emergency Gift

I had a dilemma.  My daughter was invited to a birthday party and pay day was the next day. (Tell me I'm not the only one who has that problem.)

This is where sewing saves the day.  I used Amy's Fat Quarter Bag tutorial.  I whipped it up in thirty minutes (but that includes setting up the sewing machine, the cutting mat, ironing board, and waiting for the iron to hear up).  It was a piece of cake.

I opted for a flat bottom--I liked the way it looked with books in it.  How cool that she got a Dr Seuss book on Dr. Seuss's birthday.

A great quick birthday gift.

Happy creating!

Crafty Juices Were Flowin'

Yesterday was a rare day at my house.  Everyone was home and we had no where to go.  Bliss.

Add to that the creative energy that flowed through our house.

The two boys, Mr and J, worked on J's pinewood derby car.  Good masculine creativity.

The girls and I worked with one of my favorite mediums, fabric.

First we taught Little L how to make yo-yo's.  This kept her focused and it was so fun to watch her sew.  She made up stories about her yo-yo's.  They were all fairies and the little one needed constant babysitting.

Then we pulled out Princess D's new sewing machine and she made her first item, a pillowcase.  She loves sleeping on a Euro-Square pillow, so that's what we made her.  She was so proud and I let her do it all herself (which was kinda hard).  I did use the rotary cutter and cut it out--I'm not brave enough to trust her with that yet.

I had hoped to sew D's bed skirt too, but I had a nasty attack of carpal tunnel and I couldn't find my hemming foot.  So I was the only one who didn't make anything.

After I tucked the kids in bed I pulled out my glue gun and flowers and made some simple hair clips.  Nothing fancy.  Little L tucked Mr. into bed and came down and helped me.

This morning I found this:

My girls had created their own combinations.  They put mine to shame, but the Mama in me is proud.  Look at the use of texture and color?  They mixed in ways that fashion and trend wouldn't dare, but these girls could rock that look. (And who I am to force my girls to stay on trend and not branch out?)

I guess I better create more opportunities for my kids to be creative, cause the juices are flowin.

The Quilt Market?

Today I heard some news.  The International Quilt Market is coming to little old SLC.   Even better, some wonderful blog ladies are making a party out of it.  Get the info here. 

A friend of mine said this year felt like the year of the quilt for her, and I am feeling the same way.  I've only made two pieced quilts before (both sad little square baby blankets).  I am working on a twin size one for my daughter, the top is almost done. (I will share pics when the top is done.)  But I am learning and that is fun.  One of my New Year Resolutions was to make a disappearing nine patch.  So, when I start I will let you know. (I've technically started.  I am making a I-Spy quilt.  My I-Spy's are on their way as we speak, then I just need to cut the other squares and I'll be off and running.)

Hope you all have a great day!!

Guilt Free Laziness

I just had to share something.  Today I am having a great day.  I am doing nothing but I feel ok about it.  Why you ask?  Cause the kitchen is clean.  There is still laundry that should be done, but I am enjoying a quiet moment with peace in my heart cause the heart of my house in clean and neat.

Happiness is a clean kitchen.

Sewing for the MAN

I LOVE this guy.

And he loves camping.

(Which is part of the reason I love him.)

He is also the Scout Master for our local Boy Scout Troop.

And this weekend he is taking them snow caving.

As he packed his backpack (I was sitting by for moral support) he held up his stove and wished that he had a drawstring bag for it.

Well, gosh, my machine just happened to be sitting on the kitchen table.

I can make that.

I went into my fabric stash and found a pair of flannel PJ's that he had just gotten rid of.  Flannel with moose on them--PERFECT.

I cut off the bottom of the leg, sewed it shut and made a casing with a button hole for the drawstring to travel through.  Wa-La.  I became the best wife in the world.

And then, for good measure, and to seal my position, I offered to make him a stuff sack/pillow case with the other leg.

You see, several years ago I had made some for my brother-in-law, another avid backpacker--he's serious about his backpacking.  He stuffs his clothes into the bag and then uses it as a pillow.

So, I whipped up another stuff sack.  This time it was about 18 inches long--just the right size for a neck roll.

I am rockin as the WIFE today as I sewed for the MAN.