Must have tool Monday

Must have tool Monday...
Today's tool is actually a tutorial for a tool you will love for the kitchen. It's getting colder... I know I hear the sigh's out there but that means it's soup time. I love all those wonderful homemade soups that warm you right up. Here is the dilemma I'm solving for you today. You heat up that soup in a bowl in the microwave and getting it back out of the microwave without burning your fingers can be a challenge. Here is the answer, how about a Microwave Bowl Cozy. This is fun and easy. 
Microwave Bowl Cozy 

What's cooking Wednesday

What's cooking Wednesday
I want to share with you something I purchased, and I know I will be using a lot. My wonderful brother had purchased it and introduced me to it. I purchased the product and I have made a couple of recipes in the ...cookbook that comes with it and I'm in love with this. Its great for the single person to make small meals or if your cooking for two. I think it would be great for cooking fast kids lunches like chicken nuggets or mac & cheese. This product is the Range Mate. It's the dream pan for the Microwave. I have steamed veggies, made muffins, mac & cheese and cooked fish. Everything has been delicious and easy. 

Range Mate

 

Must have tool monday

Must have tool Monday
Working with marking tools for fabric can be confusing. Which one do you use? Will it come out of your fabric? Will it make a mess and bleed? Here is a great explanation on what marking tools to use when. While your there check out my patterns "Karieon Kreations"
Marking tools and which to use

Must have Monday and What's cook catch up day

It's been a very busy week so far and Monday and Tuesday are just a blur at this moment so I missed the "Must have tool Monday" but I thought a lot about it. So today not only are you getting a tool but a cooking tip too for "What's cookin...g Wednesday". The tool I love and I have been using a lot is Olfa Spinning Rotary Mat, 12" X 12". When you are cutting fabric or paper this mat spins and a life saver when your cutting all sides of fabric or paper. I love this mat!
Your cooking tip comes from my neighbor he gave me the best tip the other day. I love fresh herbs but I didn't know how to dry them without a food dryer. Well here is a way to dry your fresh herbs for the winter. Are you ready for this all you need is paper towels. Wash and pat dry your herbs spread them out on a paper towel put another paper towel over the top of it and fold. Now you just set it in a warm dry place (I put mine on top of my fridge) for about a week and your herbs are perfectly dry and ready to put in a plastic bag for later. I have spearmint here. It worked really well.

What's cooking Wednesday

What's cooking Wednesday and I have a link for you! Where was this guy a week ago when I murdered a watermelon. Not a pretty site folks. 
How to cut a Watermelon

 

Must have tool Monday

Must have tool Monday...
WOW Monday just flew by just like the summer. I did however want to tell you about one of my favorite tools and that is the Embroidery Broderie Scissors. I have at least 3 or 4 pair of these and I give them as gifts all the time. They are the perfect small pair of scissors to place by your machine or in your sewing kits or bags. They are great for sewing projects, craft projects and yes your embroidery projects. You can find them at your favorite quilt shop or you can get them at one of my favorite shops Missouri Star quilt company. Get a pair or two you will love them.
Broderie Scissors

 

Whats cooking Wednesday

What's cooking Wednesday...
Today its not a recipe it's a tip. My daughter showed me a video and I had to try it. Guess what it works. Here is how you separate egg yokes from egg whites with an empty water bottle, it's kind of fun too.

 

Must have tool Monday

Must have tool Monday
Whether quilting or crafting this ruler comes in handy it's the 6 X 24 Ruler by Quilt in a Day ruler. I prefer the 6 X 24 ruler to be more clear to see the fabric and measurements better and this is a great ruler. There are lots of rulers out there and most of them are yellow and sometimes its hard to see the 7/8 measurement. So give this one a try its even on sale.

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponline/rulers_display.asp?i=688

 

Whats cooking Wednesday

Whats cooking Wednesday
Two more days and the Holiday is here, backyard BBQ's, and Forth of July festivities . The recipe I have for you today is for those that like those ooey gooey, S'mores but not the mess its S'more bark. Enjoy the delicious fireworks in your mouth sweetness, its a winner.
http://www.a-kitchen-addiction.com/triple-chocolate-smores-bark/

Must have tool Monday

Must have tool Monday
Pin Pin where did that pin go. I'm sure if you sew or are around anyone that sews you will totally relate to this. Dropping pins or pins falling out of your project is bound to happen. So I have to say my favorite tool today is the magnetic pin holder. If you drop a pin or a few pins you wave your magic pin holder over it and walla it picks it up or better yet finds it. I have a couple of these purple ones and I love them. I did however find a lot of tutorials online how to make them. I tried one but you really need a very strong magnet. I may have to find a stronger magnet and try this cute tutorial even if its just to decorate my sewing room.
http://makezine.com/craft/how-to-magnetic-pin-holder/

What's cooking Wednesday

What's cooking Wednesday
Our patriotic holiday is coming up, and so are those potluck family dinners, family reunions and just enjoying the company of family and friends. One of my favorite potluck recipes is the Strawberry Pretzel Salad. The bonus is It gives you a serving fruit. Ok that is how I justify it, and it sure is tasty.
http://www.food.com/recipe/strawberry-pretzel-salad-29400

Must have tool Monday

Must have tool Monday
Today my recommendations are to have a good cutting mat. You want one that will work at home and on the road if you like to take your sewing with you on trips or on a quilting retreat. I love the Olfa gridded cutting mat 24 inches. Its the right size to cut your folded 42 inch fabric but still manageable when you need to take it with you on the road. If you keep it from extreme temperatures heat and cold it should last quite a few years. Its great for those of you that scrapbook too. I also ran across a free pattern for a carrying case for the mat and your sewing tools.

 

 

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/12/120-minute-gift-queen-bee-bag.html

What's cooking Wednesday

What's cooking Wednesday
Today I have another yummy salad. I was looking for a new salad for a get together with some friends and found this one. It was so easy and it was the first salad to go. I thought I'd share my find with you. It comes from All recipes.com   Easy Grape Salad give it a try and let me know what you think.

 

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easy-Grape-Salad/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

Must have tool Monday

Must have tool Monday:
Today we are looking at a tool a lot of new sewers and quilters have no Idea what it is, and that is the Stiletto.Now not to be confused with the Louboutin red bottom shoes.

 Its not that kind of Stiletto. The one I use is a Bamboo stiletto. It looks like a very large toothpick but don't use it for that. This little stick can keep your fingers away from the needle of your sewing machine. It helps ease corners and fold over binding.

 They can come in metal and plastic too and sometimes they are also referred to as an awl. So give it a try It's one of those tools once you start using it you'll never want to be without it.

Whats cooking Wednesday

What's cooking Wednesday is here and I have something quick and easy for those BBQ's and family parties. It's one of my favorites. I'm not saying it's healthy but its fast and yummy. Its Oreo Salad...
1 12oz Carton Cool Whip
1 small pkg Oreo cookies broken up
1/2 bag mini marshmellows
Mix and set overnight in the fridge.
It can be a dessert or salad. Enjoy

Must have tool Monday
Yes its Monday again it seems to sneak up on me every week. I have a tool I love that has saved my fingers from lots of pins sticking me it is the "Clover Wonder Clips". These are a must when hand binding your quilts. It makes it so easy and no more pins to deal with. I highly recommend these. Better yet I checked the internet and they are on sale at JoAnns right now 50% off. Check your local quilt store too, most of them have started stocking these. Have a great day and be creative.

Whats cooking Wednesday

Its "Whats cooking Wednesday". I went to the Taste of Homes cooking show last night with my daughter and had lots of fun, lots of good food and prizes. What I want to share with you is something that amazed me. Okay my daughter already knew it but she is a wonderful cook. What I want to share is an easy way to check meat (Steak) for how well it is cooked. Whether it is rare or well done. (Okay you can tell by site when it's burnt that is how my steak BBQ goes) So go check out this video and good luck on your next BBQ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8YQX-QgbXc

Must have tool Monday,
Lets talk  scissors...  Growing up sewing with my grandmothers I learned quickly you don't use grandma's scissors for cutting paper.  I never understood that until I got a little older and was sewing for myself.  A good pair of scissors for fabric is a must and protecting them from the paper monster can be an unending war.  Whether you hide them in a secret drawer, label them sewing scissors, or disguise them in a case or with ribbons or charms its every sewers constant battle to keep good sharp scissors.  My favorite sewing scissors are Gingers.  They are a little pricey but if you use a 40% or 50% coupon at JoAnn's it is a little more manageable.  So lets get cutting and creating our masterpieces.  Have a great week.

Must have tool Monday

I just want to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day.  May your day be filled with family, friends, good food and memorable conversations.  I'd also love to give a shot out to all those who have served this country in the armed forces in any way, your service is invaluable and for myself I thank you. 
Today is "Must have tool" Monday...
I have been piecing together a quilt that has over 1200, one and a half inch, half square triangles and wow it would be so much harder and time consuming if I didn't have Eleanor Burns triangle in a square ruler.  I highly recommend this ruler!  It is worth more than its weight in gold.  It's one of those tools that I wont want to be without.  It may even be helpful with scrap booking and crafting.  Its even 50% off at JoAnns online right now so don't miss the deal.

Americana Home quilt pattern

Calling all quilters out there I'm so exited to introduce you to my first quilt pattern that will be for sale on June 1st.  Its called "Americana Home".   Its a 42"X 34" wall hanging.  Bring that patriotic spirit into your home for the holiday or year round.  So go to www.karieonkreations.com on June 1st and pick up a PDF pattern of this beauty. 

Sew red glasses

Had a blast last night at an evening retreat with some quilting friends and Joleene Kooyman the inventor of Sew Red Glasses.  If you haven't tried these glasses they are amazing.  They are great for any art project to find the value of color.  Check out her website http://sewredglasses.com . 

Americana Quilt

I'm so excited I'm working on a new Americana Pattern that will be for sale at the end of May here is a sneak peek.  Now what should I call it?

Quilt Retreat

This last weekend I had the pleasure of going to a fun quilting retreat.  I worked on a quick quilt for my nephew who loves the Cincinnati Bengals football team.  This is what I came up with and I think he will love it.  Happy Birthday Zach!

  I was also lucky enough to meet, sew and talk with Joleene Kooyman from www.sewredglasses.com   If you haven't tried these red glasses for quilting I highly recommend them.  Go check out her video on her website.