AggieRay 6 Pleat Clutch WEDDING PARTY GIFTS OR ACCESSORIES

Yes this pattern is available in my shop www.AggieRay.etsy.com.  This pattern comes in three sizes and this is the middle size.  I fell in love with Joel Dewberry's new Notting Hill line. This is made with Joel Dewberry's Notting Hill Kaleidoscope Tangerine shown here: http://www.joeldewberry.com/pages/notting-hill-tangerine-quilting-fashion-weight.  I have had request to make these clutches for wedding parties.  They are a great size and with the endless fabrics available, you can have this as a wedding party gift or design them to match your wedding party dresses!

Puppy Love

There is nothing more special than a puppy.  I have two Goldens now and they have completely changed our lives, for the better.  When you come home, they are the first to greet you at the door with all their love and energy and they are soooooooooooo happy to see you.  Here are few pictures of my beautiful boys.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Lasagna

Who doesn't love coming home to the wonderful smell of a home cooked meal.  I love using the crockpot and I have been on a search to try new recipes beyond the chicken and beef I usually plop in and add vegetables.  I came across this recipe on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/262334747016420895/ and decided to give it a try. I adapted some of the ingredients and had to adapt the lasagna noodles to fit my crockpot.  We don't all have these oblong ones. I simply broke the noodles in half or in quarters and layered them to fit the pot. I also purchased a small Portobello mushroom package and used half of that simply make small sliced pieces.  The entire prep took about 15 minutes.

Here is a link to the original recipe.  http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/crockpot_lasagna.html  I changed the recipe a bit, making it a little easier. I bought frozen spinach and zucchini.  I partially cooked it in the microwave and drained the excess water.  I had on hand minced garlic in a jar.  I also could not find whole wheat lasagna noodles and replaced those with the original lasagna noodles.

The total cost of all the ingredients was $23, including a loaf of Italian Bread.  I am sure this would feed at least 5 people and will make a great left over.

We're going to the chapel and we're gonna get Married

Since my Son will be getting married soon... My creative juices have started again.. After looking at all the fun wedding items out there, I decided to come up with a few new designs for my Etsy shop www.aggieray.etsy.com.  Here are just a few.  I may be turning these into sewing patterns too!

Mara Clutch PDF Tutorial

I love creating something that looks difficult to make at first glance, however, it is very simple to make.  I have been working this pattern for a couple of months now and it is near completion.  I usually make a design and if I love it, I want to share the "love". 

The steps to write a pattern can be lengthy.  I want to make sure I have correctly listed the steps in an easy to follow manner with pictures taken for every step in the pattern.  The pattern pieces are computer drawn and I have to check and double check for accuracy.  Sometimes when a pattern is started, I make several changes along the way so that they are quick and easy for the maker.

I hope you enjoy this pattern.  These make wonderful wedding party gifts and have endless fabric combinations.  The pleated flap can have many different looks depending on the design of the fabric chosen. I have used floral, chevron and paisley prints all resulting in completely different looks.  Brooches can be added for weddings too!  Have fun with this one.  Enjoy!  HAPPY SEWING.... The pattern will be available in my shop on Etsy shortly... www.aggieray.etsy.com

Eggnog Gingerbread Trifle

We had an early celebration yesterday with my brothers and their family.  It was so nice to get together after so many years apart.  I love making desserts.  I made a beautiful eggnog trifle and cheesecake.  The trifle was a big hit.  I substituted light eggnog and light cool whip for the topping.  The gingerbread cake was a cake box purchased just adding 1 egg and water.  I also layered raspberries between the layers and topped with the raspberries on top with crumbled gingerbread topping.  The original recipe can be found here http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/12/eggnog-gingerbread-trifle.html .  I added to my Santa Claus mug collection.  I have original Santa Clause mugs that must be over 50 years old originally purchased by my grandmother.  Pottery Barn started remaking the mugs last year and each year I add to the collection.  This year I purchased the Santa Claus cookie jar which is so cute.  www.potterybarn.com  If you don't buy these at the beginning of the season, they are tough to get close to Christmas.  Don't wait for the sale on them, they will be gone. Next year I hope to add the cookie plate.  The kids love these.



 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I had so much making this wreath!  I purchased a store bought pre-made simple green wreath with a few pine cones already on it.  I added peacock feathers and Christmas Balls of silver, blue and green.  Attach the extra items with floral wire.  I would not suggest the use of HOT GLUE, since it melt when in a hot room or outside in the sun.  Simply wrap the end of the wire to the top of the decoration and then attach them in clusters together.  Then in sets of three or four balls, attach them to the wreath.  The second wreath pictured was my inspiration piece.  The second wreath can be purchased at http://thegreendoorathome.com/! Happy Holidays everyone...