Ansley's Christmas Present

Well, one of them. She loves Curious George so I had to do it.



I used flannel for the front b/c it was cheaper and used fleece for the back b/c it was on sale and less expensive than the Curious George fleece.

Black Bottom Coconut Bars (My Crush on Martha Stewart continues)

So good! I was kind of annoyed at how the foil broke and they got my counter all greasy but the taste totally makes up for it. Recipe from Martha Stewart via Gonna Want Seconds.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!


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$35 Giveaway to CSN Stores!

***This giveaway is now closed.***

Congratulations Sandy! Random.org picked you as the winner! Enjoy shopping at CSN stores.

I am thrilled to offer a $35 gift certificate to CSN stores! They have over 200 stores loaded with fabulous products from luggage sets to baby gear and more. Here's a sneak peek to whet your appetite.

This awesome hard cased computer attache would be perfect for protecting your laptop:



Here's a fun, stylish, and super affordable backpack for your little one:



A mini loaf tray for homemade wheat bread:



Awesome lamps that I would be tempted to "borrow" from you if you got them (you've been warned!):




Are you as excited as I am?! Here's the fine print:

This giveaway is for US residents only. The $35 gift certificate is valid for merchandise at ANY of the 200+ stores. It does not cover shipping (which is less than $8 for items under $50).

To enter, browse the CSN stores (click on the purple link above) and leave one (and only one) comment on this post with your pick(s) and your email address so I can contact you if you're the lucky winner. Please enter before Saturday at 11:59 pm PST. Random number generator will pick a winner.

Thanks CSN stores!

Confession

***This giveaway is now closed***

Congrats to Tawnya and Chris! I'll send you an email to get your addresses. If I don't hear back by Monday morningish I'll let my random number generator pick a new winner. Thanks!

Apparently I live in a dark cave (or something like that ha!) and didn't know about the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway until this morning. I do have a few pretties to share though. Two winners, international entries welcome.

A little set of purple bows:



Or this pretty pink blanket tied blanket (made in my pre sewing days):





To enter, leave one witty comment ie something cool about yourself, favorite recipe, household tip, favorite song or dance, coolest place you've been, weirdest thing you've eaten, etc. Please leave me some contact info (like your email address) if it's not listed in your blogger profile.

Merry Christmas!

Baby Blankets

I used what I could remember from this tutorial. Oops! It looks like I topstitched the wrong part. :)

Hasta Lasagna

All sorts of deliciousness. It was even worth having to scrub my oven with baking soda, due to its bubbly nature.

I based my lasagna off of this recipe from a friend in college. I don't actually measure anymore.

1 pound ground beef
minced garlic (opt)
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp basil
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1 pound can chopped tomatoes
1 12 oz can tomato paste
1 large container small curd cream of cottage cheese (I have no idea what cream of cottage cheese is. I just use cottage cheese)
2 beaten eggs
2 tsp salt (I usually leave this out)
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tbsp chopped parsley
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (not the powdery stuff)
1 pound mozarella cheese, sliced (sometimes I use shredded; also good with provolone)
1 package lasagna noodles (I'm favoring the barilla no bake flat noodles these days)

Brown meat slowly, spoon off excess fat (if you use super lean meat like 96/4 you don't have to worry about this step!). Add garlic, parsley, basil, salt, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Simmer. Cook noodles according to package instructions in a large pan with lots of water and rinse with cold water after done cooking (or use no bake). Combine cottage cheese with eggs, salt, pepper, parsley, and parmesan cheese. Place half of the noodles in a baking dish and spread half the cottage cheese mixture over it; then add half the mozarella cheese and a layer of the meat mixture. Repeat. (I make this with three or four layers most times). Bake at 375 for 30 min. (you can also cover it with foil if the top layer of noodles isn't completely covered with the cheese/tomato layer). Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving (or longer).




Linked here:

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

and not just the snow. I made these felt garlands by sewing circles of felt together with clear thread. The thread tends to break easily but didn't give me too many problems. I also made some white ones and used white thread, as it was cheaper and stronger.

Preview

I've been busy but don't want to spoil the surprises. :)

Follow Up

from this post.





I think they're gorgeous.



They're especially lush with icicle lights inside.

What I Did Last Night

I sewed 180 feet of this mesh stuff. It'll be gorgeous with Christmas lights inside. Hopefully I'll get a picture at our church Christmas party tonight. Oh and that's just half of it. :)



Obligatory picture of Ansley, wearing her turkey shirt for probably the last time.