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Knitalong Knitting Class

This spring I hosted a 3-part knitting class for beginners. For three Thursday evenings I hosted six lovely ladies--Erin, Kristen, Latisha, Jen, Joy and Kay--in my home.

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Each student received a binder with patterns, instruction and inspiration.

There was also a lot of laugher and fun. And reading of children's books about knitting.

And yummy food...recipes to come... These were churro cheesecake bars....found here.

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Several completed projects....Joy, Kristen and Jen model their knitted neck warmers/cowls.

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Here are Erin's knitted slippers for her little boy.

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We also made knitted dishclothes, wrist warmers/finderless gloves, headbands/earwarmers and boot toppers and hats.

There was also creative yarn decor....and stories of my childhood spent in yarn shops....and lots of laughter!

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I'm excited to host another knitting class in the fall. Leave a comment if you are interested and I will be sure to email you details when I have them!

Posted on May 08, 2013 at 12:14 PM in Classes, Knitting, Momma Crafts | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Garden Parties-Part 2

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Texas Caviar

1 cup canola oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup vinegar

Put these three ingredients in a pot and stir until dissolved. Let cool.

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12 oz jar jalepenos (diced)

1 can black-eye peas (rinsed)

1 can sweet corn (drained)

1 can pinto beans (drained)

1 small jar of pimento (drained)

1 cup diced celery

1 cup dice green bell pepper

1 cup diced yellow onion

Mix all the ingredients together. Add the cooled "dressing." Let it marinate and serve with corn chips. Also makes a great relish on salads and tacos.


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Almond Coconut Macaroons (great gluten-free dessert)

2/3 cup sugar

2 large egg whites

2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Pinch of Salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Whisk together sugar and egg while in large bowl. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Form mixture into 12 2-tablespoon mounds and drop each onto sheet, 2 inches apart. To make mine more uniform, I spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray and then pack the tin. Then, turn over the muffin tin onto the sheet and you have perfect little mounds. Bake macaroons until golden brown on the bottoms and edges, about 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks, and let cool. Macaroons will keep, covered, for up to 1 week.

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Posted on September 25, 2012 at 04:19 PM in Classes, Recipes | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Garden Parties-Part 1

 So at the end of August, I hosted a couple of garden parties. Cause when you go to all the trouble to put a zillion twinkle lights in your tree, electrocuting yourself a couple of times, and you get your yard all prettied up, you need to get some use out the beauty.

So on a Thursday night, I hosted about 25 ladies for our church's Mom's Night Out.

Then, on Saturday evening I hosted six lovely ladies over for ADORN. So it was everything shown on this post and THEN crafting added. More on ADORN in tomorrow's post "Garden Party-Part 2."

But for now, mamas relaxing and recharging under the twinkle tree.

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Before the ladies arrived.

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Garden-y goodness.

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I provided the drinks. All the attendees brought an appetizer or dessert.

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Drink station in my little summer house thing-y.

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Love paper straws.

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Perfect iced coffee recipe by Pioneer Woman (made with decaf espresso).

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The cherry limeade recipe  is also from Pioneer Woman, but you have to get that one out of her new recipe book.

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Paula and Me ...thanks for all your help setting up!

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Fireflies in a jar....tutorial to come soon, Paula and Lisa.

PART 2 of  Garden Parties tomorrow.

Posted on September 12, 2012 at 06:13 PM in Classes, Faith, Gardening, Motherhood | Permalink | Comments (7)

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How to ADORN

There have few more spots in the Aug. 25 ADORN class. I put 1000-plus twinkle lights in my backyard tree today. More to go up tomorrow! It will be a magical evening. Consider bringing your mom, sister or friend for a lovely evening out.

Promise...food will be divine.

Details: Aug. 25/6-9 pm/$30/bring your own supplies/yummy food/email janna@mustardseedswriting.com to reserve your spot.

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Remember, you can do more than Adorn your yourself with a necklace.

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Adorn a wreath.

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Adorn your waist.

Rose belt

Adorn a pillow.

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Adorn a your head.

Rose headband

 

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Adorn a picture frame.

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Other ideas:

Adorn bags.

Adorn bobby pins.

Adorn the top of a clipboard.

Adorn push pins for bulletin board.

Adorn the top of bookmarks.

Adorn the top of gifts with flower pin.

Adorn fingers with rings.

 

Posted on August 06, 2012 at 08:52 PM in Classes | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Private Sew Lovely

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A few months ago, I did my first "private" SEW LOVELY class with Kate. Kate was then a friend from Bible Study. But now I consider her a bossom friend. We've already gotten together since the class to sew together (making nighties for our girls).

Kate was given everything that I give to my regular class attendees get. But instead of making the same projects, I tailored the sewing lesson to projects she wanted to do for Baby Olivia's room. So instead of the rice pillow and pillowcase, she made this lovely pillow.

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Then, a couple weeks ago, I went to her house for lunch and she gave me the tour of Olivia's room with all the completed projects. Whoa-la!

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Kate has amazing style and taste. Check out this cool garden arch that she used as a headboard for the crib.

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Kate made a cover for the crib bumper, including these cute fabric ties. And she made this awesome crib skirt made from ruffle fabric.

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Olivia is enjoying her handmade stuffed puppy.

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Great job, Kate! The room looks SEW lovely!

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Posted on July 29, 2012 at 04:51 PM in Classes | Permalink | Comments (1)

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ADORN Class Garden Party

I'm hosting another ADORN class. If you didn't make it to the one in December, now is your chance!

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I'll be hosting it outside on my patio.  My yard will be in full bloom and it in all it's end-of-the-summer glory.

Think evening garden party with the gals. Twinkle lights, flowers, ice tea and treats, laughter and crafting.

Here are the details:

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DATE: Saturday, August 25

TIME: 6 to 9 p.m.

LOCATION: My home in Arvada, Colo.

COST: $30

INCLUDES: Appetizers & dessert, hands-on instruction for fabric roses and fluttery flowers, an evening with the ladies.

WHAT TO BRING: You will need to bring a small amount of fabric, jewelry findings/hardware and glue. A detailed supply list will be provided once you are registered.

HOW TO REGISTER: Email me at janna@mustardseedswriting.com. Registration fee to be made by check or cash only.

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This is a NO-sew project. You just need fabric and glue. And once you get the hang of it, you can make lots of different versions...You can make hair clips, rings, bracelets and more.

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I'll also show you how to make these fluttery flowers that can be used as fun little hair clips.

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Posted on July 17, 2012 at 03:16 PM in Classes, Gardening, Tutorials | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Cooking Class

This is the fun Cooking Class that our women's group hosted. It was a fabulous, fun success.

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How it worked:

Six women selected one of their favorite appetizer/dessert recipes. There was one table for each recipe.

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This was mine. I did cheesecake strawberries.

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Each table also had two runners/helpers that helped clear and prep the table for each new group and run completed recipes to the kitchen to be put on serving platters.


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The attedees were divided into groups (about 6-7 per group). The groups moved around to each recipe table and not only watched, but prepared the entire recipe.

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Each attendee received a binder ring with all the recipes (laminated) to take home.

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Once everyone had experienced every recipe they got to partake in the fruits of their labor.

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We displayed everything beautifully on a banquet table and then every served themselves and socialized.

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Loving my Cupcake Tower!

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It was a fab evening.

Posted on July 11, 2012 at 11:03 AM in Classes, Recipes | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Cooking Class

I'll be leading one of the recipe tables at this fun women's event at my church. Ladies, you've got to come. Grab some friends and register online today. (Registration ends this Sunday.) Only $12 for a fun night out with food. See all the details below.

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Thursday, June 28

6:15 - 9:30 p.m.
The Atrium, Faith Bible Chapel
62nd & Ward Rd.
Come and learn how to make simple and elegant appetizers and desserts. Cooks of all experience levels are encouraged. Even the most advanced cooks will appreciate these unique recipe ideas. Master the art of Phyllo dough, puff pastry and cake pops. Everyobne will leave with a set of recipe cards.

This is a hands-on event, so wear your apron. We'll create the food together and then gather together to enjoy it! (We won't eat until about 7:45, so you may want to eat a snack beforehand to tide you over.)

It will be great night out with the ladies. If you wish to be placed in a group of specific friends, you must register together, using the "add guest" feature. Cost is $12 per person.
REGISTER NOW.

 

Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:26 PM in Classes, Recipes | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Food for the Classes

 The week before my SEW LOVELY class. I did food for Kristen's Click Class. To keep things simple, I repeated most of the recipes again for my class. Here they are...

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These were amazing show-stopping sandwies. It's probably all the butter and cheese.  I got the recipe from the Taste of Home mag, but couldn't find it online and I did alter the recipe...so I just typed it out below. The thing I love the most is that it needs to be prepared the night before, so you just pop it in the oven in the morning.

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Sweet Melty Ham Sandwies

  • 12 Hawaiian Sweet rolls, sliced
  • 1/2 lb. Black Forest Ham, deli sliced
  • 8 oz. Gruyere cheese, sliced
  • 1 tub chive and onion cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tbls. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp. dry minced onion

Arrange the bottoms of the rolls in a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Layer with ham and Gruyere cheese. Spread each roll top with cream cheese; place over Gruyere. In a small bowl, combine the butter, Parm cheese, Worcestershire and minced onion. Pour over sandwies. Let stand for at least 20 mins or overnight in the fridge. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 mins or until heated through.

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Now this might be my favorite thing I made: warm, soft pretzels. They take a little work, but man, are they to die for. Totally a comfort snack food. Get the recipe here. Be sure to read her blog post, too, which gives tips on how to make-ahead and freeze them.

I used Ken's Steak House honey mustard dip. Delish!

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Ham-stuffed chicken with asparagus: This is a great way to use leftover ham from Easter. If your chicken breasts are large, you will need to half them (otherwise there will be too much chicken in the "roll" and it won't cook). Also, I pan fried it first and then put it in the oven to finish cooking on 350 degrees.

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This picture was the inspiration for my mushroom. But there was no recipe, so I came up with my own.

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Tomato Toadstools

  • cocktail-sized tomatoes (I got mine at Costco. They are bigger than cherry or grape tomatoes.)
  • white string cheese
  • herb cream cheese (make your own by adding fresh garlic, chives, salt, pepper, etc. or buy a tub at the store)
  • Fresh cilantro leaves

Hollow out tomatoes and try to get most the seeds out. Place them upside down on a paper towel to drain out some of the liquid. Using a butter knife, smear in some herb cream cheese. Cut a stick of cream cheese in half. Then, insert the stick into the center of the tomato top. Right before serving, I insert the stem of a cilantro leaf into the cream cheese center to hold it in place. To make the specks on top, put plain cream cheese into a small zip lock bag and snip the corner off. Then, squirt little specks on the top.

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These strawberries are so divine. Oh....my....stars! Mini cheesecakes. I love them way more than chocolate covered strawberries, which always seem too "strong" to me.

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Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
from Nutmeg Nanny

  • 1 lb large strawberries
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened (can use 1/3 less fat)
  • 3-4 tbsp powdered sugar (4 tbsp for a sweeter filling)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • graham cracker crumbs

Rinse strawberries and cut around the top of the strawberry. Remove the top and clean out with a paring knife, if necessary (some may already be hollow inside). Prep all strawberries and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add cream cheese mix to a piping bag or ziploc with the corner snipped off. Fill strawberries with cheesecake mixture. Once strawberries are filled, dip the top in graham cracker crumbs. If not serving immediately, refrigerate until serving.

Janna's Suggestions:

  • Instead of plain graham crackers, I made and baked this crust from Pioneer Woman. It comes out way crispier. I love it! I keep it in a Tupperware in the pantry to have on hand.
  • I've also made this cream cheese filling with splenda when I am watching my sugar intake. It's not quite as good, but a still a nice substitute.

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Mason Jar Banana Pudding

  • Banana pudding ( I used pudding mix)
  • Whip Cream (You can use cool whip, but I like the old fashioned homemade kind)
  • Box of Nilla Wafers (reserve a few wafers for garnish; put the rest in a lg. zip lock and crush them with a rolling pin)
  • Bananas, thinly sliced

Right before serving, simply layer the ingredients in this order:

  1. Nilla crumbs
  2. pudding
  3. bananas
  4. Nilla crumbs
  5. pudding
  6. bananas
  7. whip cream
  8. whole wafer or slice of banana for garnish (optional)

Posted on May 08, 2012 at 01:00 PM in Classes, Recipes | Permalink | Comments (3)

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April SEW LOVELY class

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We started the April SEW LOVELY class with breakfast in the dining room.

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More on the food and recipes in tomorrow's post.

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This time, we had just four in the class. It made for an intimate setting with even more one-on-one instruction time. All the sewing machines behaved, which means we had even more time for talking, sewing, experimenting and creating the projects.


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Here are the ladies with their finished projects. It's fun seeing everyone's different choice in fabrics.

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Lovely Jen.

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Lovely Kim.

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Lovely Paige.

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Lovely Megan.

You are all SEW LOVELY.

Posted on May 01, 2012 at 09:43 PM in Classes | Permalink | Comments (0)

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2008-2014, Janna Widdifield. Feel free to link to my blog all you would like, but please don't use any content or photos without my permission.