Spring Crochet Pattern to Arrive Soon

Spring is approaching and I always think of Easter and collecting Easter eggs.

Just touching base and sharing a sneak peak of one of the items from a new pattern I am designing.

I am focusing all my energy on this new pattern release for next week.

Next week, be prepared for a free craft project, a new pattern release and giveaway.

See you soon,

Debra

Crochet Plarn and Yarn Scrubbies or Coasters

I love making these!!!!!

They are crocheted scrubbies made from plastic grocery bags and worsted yarn.  

I use them to clean my dishware, pots and pans.  Problem is they last forever....I currently have one that is three years old and it just won't give up.  

I occasionally pop it in the washing machine to clean it or let it soak in a cleaning solution and let it air dry outside to get the freshness back into it.  Defiantly don't put them in the dryer or around any heated element.  

Some of them I use as coasters.  My daughter likes to use them on her metal arts that she designs and she can actually wear one out, but it takes her a long time and she is using a raw metal and chemicals.  

I am really getting overwhelmed with the grocery bags, and would like to offer the scrubbies, or whatever cleaver ideas you have use for them, For Sale.   

I just don't want the plastic bags to end up in the land fills.  I have white and brown plastic bags.  The yarn can be your choice in color to match your decor.  

These measure approximately 3 to 3 1/2" in diameter, it just depends on how thick I cut the grocery bag strips.  

Help me, help our environment!

The postage is free if shipped within the USA.  

If you are located somewhere other then the USA, message me before ordering so that I can calculate a shipping rate for you and you can make a more informed decision on whether to purchase.  

For One Scrubbie

1 Scrubbie $3.00 USD 2 Scrubbies $5.00 USD 3 Scrubbies $7.00 USD

Plastic Bag Color

Brown White

Yarn Color

Surprise Me I will message you

Have a great day or evening, wherever you may be,

Debra

Crochet Granny Square Heart Motif

I am working stead fast on a new pattern and hopefully will release it by the end of the month. 

In the meantime, I wanted to share this granny square heart motif with you.  I joined a group to swap granny squares with a partner each month and I am having such fun with it.  This particular one will go to my Daughter and I don't want to spoil the surprise element for my partner so I won't post those creations.

I don't know about you, but I have indulged a little too much with the chocolate this week.  

See you soon,

Debra

Banana Split Brownie Cups Recipe

What a delightful mini desert for Valentine's Day.  Seriously these are delightful for any day!!!!!

Here is how I made them.....

Ingredients:

A box of  your favorite Brownie Mix 18 to 20 ounce size and the ingredients to mix the brownies as stated on the box, (usually oil, eggs and water).
Softened cream cheese 8 ounce (seriously any brand will do)
2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
A can of crushed pineapple 8 ounces (drain juice)
One large banana
Fresh strawberries (I used about 12)
Chocolate Syrup

I am going to add this picture, but sorry folks, I was up at 2 am putting this together and forgot the sugar and syrup.

The first thing you will want to do is preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Then oil your 24 count mini muffin pan.  I used olive oil.  

Following the instructions from your brownie mix box,  mix the ingredients that it calls for, on the box.  My box calls for brownie mix, 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup of water and 1/2 cup of oil.  

It then instructed me to mix these ingredients with 50 strokes.  I used a whisk to mix.  

Then you will want to use a 24 count mini muffin pan and fill each compartment 2/3 full.  I used the Pampered Chef mini muffin pan and 1 tablespoon filled each compartment 2/3 full.  Once I filled all the compartments, I then shook the pan lightly, so the brownie mix will settle and release any air bubbles as well as level the mix .  

Place this in your preheated 350 degree oven.  This is the difficult part, because all ovens are different.  If you want a chewy brownie, I recommend to leave it in only 12 to 15 minutes.  If you want the mix to be more of a cookie, leave it in 15 to 20 minutes.  Either way, they are both delicious!!!

While the brownies are cooking, you will want to put the banana and crushed pineapple in a bowl and mix together.  I usually squeeze the banana right in the peel before adding to the bowl of pineapple.  

I place the cream cheese and sugar in another bowl and let them sit for a little bit, and then mix with a fork.  

Add the pineapple, banana mixture to your cream cheese and sugar mixture and mix really well.  

When your brownies are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them sit for about 2 minutes.  Then take a mini tart shaper and press down into each brownie to make an indention into the brownie.  

At this point I lay my cooling rack on top of the mini muffin pan and flip it so the brownies will fall out onto the cooling rack.  They usually won't fall out until they are completely cooled, but that keeps me from filling them too soon.  

Once they are completely cooled, then you are ready to fill.  

You are now ready to fill the mini cups with the cream cheese and fruit mixture.  I use an accent decorator, but a small spreader will work as well.  

Use about half of the cream cheese mixture, and fill each brownie mini cup evenly with half of the mixture.

Cut your strawberries into thin slices and place two small slices into each cup, gently pushing into the cream cheese mixture.  

I then transfer the brownie cups to my serving plate and drizzle chocolate syrup over the brownie cups.  Hey and it is ok for you to drizzle the chocolate onto the plate as well.  I know I personally like to sweep up the chocolate from the plate as I'm getting one of the banana split brownie cups.   

Be sure and refrigerate until ready to eat......

Now you are ready to make another 24.  

This make 48

Adapted from: http://www.food.com/recipe/pampered-chef-banana-split-brownie-pizza-112322

Enjoy,

Debra

Vintage Christmas Bulb Ball Potholder Pattern

Hi Everyone!!!

I am back with a robust of energy and will be posting like a mad dog this week.  

Pleased to bring to you a reformatted vintage crochet pan holder.  This is a lovely vintage crochet potholder of a Christmas ball ornament.  This pattern recommends that you use cotton thread.  

Don't you agree this would be cute as well, crocheted with a worsted yarn and made into a pillow?  

What about selecting colors of your choice and embroidery names, flowers, herbs, etc,?

You can find this pattern here.

Enjoy,

Debra

Be on the lookout later this evening or first thing in the morning for a great little desert recipe!!! My house smells like chocolate, just in time for Valentine's week.  

Crochet Milk Jug Bottle Ring Frame Free Pattern

These are so simple to make and perfect to use as little frames, ornaments, gift tags and what not.

Here is how I made it:

Supplies:

Milk Jug Bottle Ring

Two different colors of worsted medium 4 ply yarn

A small wallet size picture, a cut out design from a card, your needlepoint work, for the opening in the center.

Fabric glue and some felt for the backing. (I use the felt backing and leave the top open so I can change out the picture).

F Hook

sl = slip stitch

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

This is written in American Standard Terms

Rnd 1:     

Sl your main color onto the milk jug ring and ch 1, sc 35 more stitches onto the milk jug ring, sl into ch 1 to join.

Rnd 2:     

*ch 3 (this represents a dc), dc 2 more time into same stitch as ch 3, ch 2, 3 dc in same stitch as ch 3 and 2 dc that you just made, ch 1, skip 2 stitches from previous rnd and complete 3 dc in next stitch, ch 1, skip 2 stitches, 3 dc into next stitch, ch 1*. 

Repeat in between * 3 more times but instead of  a ch 3 to start. you will make a dc. Once you have completed this 3 more times, sl into the top of the ch 3, fasten off and weave in ends.  

I then pressed my square with an iron on low setting and worked with the yarn a bit to give as perfect of a square affect as I could get.  

What I consider the wrong side, is the side that I turned and have facing me at this point.  This is a personal preference, but I like the affect that the yarn gave around the ring.  What I consider the right side did not have the depth I was looking for.  

Which ever side you choose to be the front, is the side you want facing you.  

Rnd 3:    

 Attach your contrasting color of yarn to your square with a sl and ch 1, single crochet into each stitch of previous rnd, when you come to the corners, complete 3 sc in each ch 2 space,  fasten off and weave in ends.  

Cut a square of felt backing  and attach your picture or embroidery work to the felt backing so that it will be centered to the opening of your crochet square.  You can glue with fabric glue or stitch this to your crochet piece.  

You could always make another crochet square and attach your pictures to the opening and then single crochet the two frames together with wrong sides facing each other.  

I use a soda can tab and attach that to my felt backing for hanging, or you could always do a simple chain stitch in the corner to use as an ornament or gift tag.  

Enjoy, 

Debra

It's Been Awhile

I'm still here.  

Happy February!!!

I am working diligently on new projects for February.

I have a free crochet pattern coming up, and yes, it will be using a plastic bottle.

I am working on a new pattern, This new pattern is a functional type of pattern.

I am rewriting a vintage pattern and I am struggling on which one to choose.  Any suggestions?
 
In the food category, I am putting together a recipe that I can't wait to share with you.  Be prepared, it is rich tasting and so easy to put together.  

I'm doing some little day trips here and there, and will share some of  those with you soon.

Spending time with my pups and missing my Daughter.

How can one not love this face?

And of course, this one is starting to grow on me.  She likes to be in control and her and I have butted heads for years.  She finally won.

I am trying to decide what to do as the giveaway this month.  What do you think, a crochet supply, such as yarn, hooks, books or a product from Pampered Chef?

I had a Pampered Chef party last week and I just love their products, especially the stoneware, that's my favorite. The recipe I have coming up will be using the Pampered Chef stoneware.  I made it at the party and received a lot of great comments on it.

Be prepared for a free pattern coming soon!!!

Debra