GIRLS NEED BAGS!

i'm a girl and i'm a sucker for bags. i can't have too many and i seem to always be hunting for one. whether it be for yoga clothes, something to throw my sewing supplies in when i'm taking things on the run with me or something cute for work, i can't have too many bags. i found this pattern on verypurpleperson.com. i don't think i sewed the handles the right way but who cares, it's still functional and very cute. i used four different coordinating fat quarters and love the result. have a looksee!

FAT QUARTER BAG

I made this bag with 5 fat quarters. Two on the outside, two on the inside and one for the handles and trim. It's completely reversible and will become my yoga bag for a mat, towel and H2O. I love, love, love orange and this bag makes me oh so happy.

Men's PJ Bottoms

I've been threatening to make my man-fella a pair of pj bottoms but being just a beginner still, I was procrastinating. I feared cutting two yards of fabric only to screw it up. (Mind you, I was doing this free-hand with no pattern or instructions.) What I have found in sewing, though, is that if you think things through well enough, you can pretty much figure it out. And when you make a mistake, you probably won't make it again. Today I had some time on my hands and took the plunge. The verdict is still out as to whether or not they fit. When the boy toy gets back from his trip, he will promptly be ordered to put these on....hopefully I will neither laugh or cry at my handiwork.

I've been having so much fun making new pieces in my sewing class and this is my latest creation.

Spring-time Top!

When I see fabric that I just can't live without, I don't always know what will become of it but usually the design reveals itself to me pretty quickly. With no pattern, I just started cutting on this one and made the top last night. I was happy with the turnout as I'm still just a beginner. Whipstitch Fabrics has the best selection of unique designs and has become a disease for me. Fabric or mortgage?

HEAVEN IN A CUP!

my dear friends, have you not yet tried Chick-fil-A's peach milkshake? pre tel you're speeding fast down the road now, to try your very own. IT'S FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY, FOLKS!

and they is oh so delish!!

Crispy Cheese-Stuffed Bellas

I just tried this recipe and it was so, very YUMMY!

INGREDIENTS:

• 16 baby portobello (crimini) mushrooms
• 1 pound ground chicken or turkey breast
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (1/3 palmful)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, gratedor finely chopped
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup shredded Asiago cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (a couple of handfuls)
• 1 box frozen chopped spinach (10 ounces), defrosted and wrung of excess liquid
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or chopped almonds

PREPARATION

Wipe the mushrooms clean with a damp cloth. Remove the stems and finely chop.

Pre-heat the oven to 400ºF.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, fennel seed, onion, garlic, lemon zest, half of the cheese, the chopped mushroom stems, breadcrumbs and spinach and season with salt and pepper. Season the mushroom caps as well with salt and pepper, then brush them lightly with EVOO and stuff the mixture into them.

Arrange the stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Leave some room around each mushroom to prevent the caps from getting steamy. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and nuts on the caps and transfer to the oven.

Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is cooked through, about 25 minutes.

Serve warm.