Tuesday Tutorial ---- Notebook Cover

Today's tutorial is for a composition notebook cover.

Supplies Needed:


Three co-ordinating fabrics
 Warm N' Natural batting
Notebook
27 inches of 1/2" wide lace
27 inches of 1/4 inch wide ribbon
3 - 4" circles of fabric
1 inch circle of felt
2 buttons
matching thread

Directions:



My notebook is 9 3/4 inches x 7 1/2 inches and the fabric is cut to fit this size.   If your notebook is a different size you will have to make adjustments when cutting out your fabric.

Cut the main fabric, lining fabric, pocket fabric and batting 27 inches wide by 11 inches tall.

Fold the pocket fabric in half lengthwise and press.   Stitch your lace to the folded  top edge of the pressed edge.

Lay the pocket fabric on top of the main fabric lining it up with the bottom edge.

Stitch the pocket to the sides and bottom of the main fabric and stitch the pocket seams from left to right at theses intervals,  5 1/2 in, 8 in., 8 in. 2 in. and 3 1/2 in. 
Black lines on the pictures indicate sewing lines.

Sew the front, lining and batting together.   Lay the batting down first.   With right side up,  lay the lining on top of the batting and with right side down,  lay the front on top of the lining.     Sew all around the edges in a 1/4 inch seam,  leaving open 3 inches at the middle of the bottom edge for turning.   Black lines indicate where to leave open.

Trim excess batting away from the seam line.

Turn cover right side out.    Pin the opening closed.   Fold the right and left sides over 5 inches on the left and 4 1/2 inches on the right.    Pin.    Stitch across the top and bottom edges.   The opening will be sewn closed as you sew across the cover and the notebook holder sleeves are sewn at the same time.

Black lines on the pictures indicate sewing lines.

The cover is now finished.
To make the flower decoration,   cut the 3 - 4 inch circles in half.   Fold the half circles in half and stitch across the open edge in a 1/4 inch seam.  Repeat for all six petals.
Black line on the pictures indicate sewing lines.

Turn the petals right side out and gather across the open edge.

Gather the edge tightly and tie a knot.   Without cutting the thread,  continue to gather the petals and tie a knot until you have all six petals strung together.

Stitch the last petal to the first one to create a circle of petals.

Sew the flower to a one inch circle of felt.

On the front of the flower,  sew a button on.    Sew or glue the flower to the top of the cover.

Handstitch the ribbon along the edge of the front,  just above the pocket,  with 6 inches of the ribbon to the left and the rest of the ribbon to the right.    Make sure you stitch only through the front of the cover.

Sew a button to the left of the ribbon.

Now insert your notebook into the sleeves of the cover.    Pull the long ribbon around the back to the front and wind it around the button to hold the notebook closed.

I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial.
 Bette

How To Clean Your Iron

I have two irons, one for clothes and one for craft projects. The one I use for craft projects really takes a beating.

I honestly didn't think it could EVER be clean again until I saw this video. Quickly, I tried her tips on my cold iron and you know what? It actually started to come clean. I think with a little time and some elbow grease, it might be nice enough to use on clothes again.



Thanks for joining us again!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com

Christmas Treasure

Dear Lord, we're here at Christmas timeTo honor your sacred birth,
Dear Savior, thank you for bringing all
Your precious gifts to earth.


As we delight in this holiday
With its bright and special pleasure,
We pray to remember all year round
That You are the only true treasure.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
By Joanna Fuchs

Holiday Side Dish Recipe --- Sweet Potato Casserole

This is one of our favorite holiday side dishes.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

1 40 ounce can cut sweet potatoes or 3 lbs raw sweet potatoes
1 C. white sugar
2 eggs
1/3 c. butter
1/3 C. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:

1 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. chopped pecans
1/3 c. flour
1.3 c. melted butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 2 quart baking dish with Pam.
2. Place the canned sweet potatoes and their liquid in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook 15 min. or until tender. Remove from heat, drain and mash.
If you are using raw sweet potatoes, skip this step and instead,  wrap them in tin foil and bake at 400 degrees F for 1 hour or until soft.  Peel the skins off and mash.
3. In a medium bowl mix the mashed sweet potatoes, white sugar, eggs, 1/3 c. butter, milk and vanilla. Spread evenly into the prepared baking dish.
4. In a separate bowl mix the brown sugar, chopped pecans, flour and melted butter. Sprinkle over the potato mixture.
5. Bake 35 minutes in a preheated oven.

 Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Merry Christmas
Bette

Last Minute Gift Idea

Need a last minute gift and no more time or money to buy one?   How about a gift in a jar?

Just take a quart size canning jar and layer the ingredients in the jar.    Add a recipe card or tag with the directions for making the food item.   Tie a bow around the lid.   


Here are a couple ideas for you but you can find tons of gift jar recipes if you search the internet.


Double Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Brownies

Layer in a quart jar: 
1 C & 2 Tbsp flour 
3/4 tsp salt
2/3 C brown sugar 
2/3 C sugar 
1 tsp baking powder 
1/3 C baking cocoa 
1/2 C chocolate chips 
1/2 C mini marshmallows

Attach to jar:   
Brownies Directions: 
beat together: 
3 eggs, 2/3 C oil and 1 tsp vanilla. add brownie mix and stir together. Spread in 9X9 greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 34-38 minutes (or until toothpick tests clean). 

Crazy Cake Mix In A Jar

Layer in Jar:
2 cups flour 
2/3 cup Cocoa Powder
3/4 tsp. Salt 
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder 
1 1/3 cups Sugar 
I
Layer ingredients in jar in order given in a 1 quart canning jar. It is helpful to tap jar lightly on a padded surface (towel on counter) as you layer the ingredients to make all ingredients fit neatly.
Use scissors to cut a 9 inch-diameter circle from fabric of your choice. Center fabric circle over lid and secure with a rubber band. Tie on a raffia or ribbon bow to cover the rubber band.
Attach a card with the following directions:

  Crazy Cake
This is a crazy cake because you mix the cake all together in the pan that you bake it in. Pour contents of jar into a 9 x 13 inch baking pan, and then add the following ingredients: 3/4 cup Vegetable Oil 
2 tsp. Vinegar 
1 tsp. Vanilla 
2 cups Water 
Stir cake ingredients together using a wire whisk or fork, making certain that all ingredients are completely mixed together. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes. Frost as desired or serve sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Thanks for visiting today.
Bette