Making Dishmats

I saw a blog of someone making dish mats. I thought... brilliant! Great idea for those dishes that need to be hand dried or even those wet dishes coming out of the dishwasher. Because of my husbands profession, we get asked to many peoples homes for dinner. I thought, GREAT HOSTESS GIFT. So away I sew... and they are super easy to make!

2 types of fabric. 1/4 yard each (you will have left-overs too)

1 bath towel (I cut to fit finished top piece... each towel can make 2-3 depending on how big you make top piece)

I cut two coordinating fabrics. One 5 inches thick, the other 2.5 inches. (one only shown here)

Pin the two fabrics together, and sew a straight stitch. Sew at 1/4 inch.

Stitch all pieces together with a straight stitch. 1/4 inch seam.

With the towel and fabric, put wrong sides together, pin, and stitch a straight seam around 1/2 inch. Leave part of one end open to turn inside out. Press flat. Pin around piece to hold in place and to also close up opening. Stitch around exterior of piece with a straight seam. Then stitch between rows to give a quilted look and to hold the towel and fabric in place. Trim threads.

I've also made smaller ones with lighter towels for fancy burp cloths. Mom's love them.

For the dishcloths, I found cute dish scrub brushes at IKEA. So I wrap the brush along with a dish soap that matches the fabric and tie them all together with a pretty bow. Great gift for the hostess.

He makes me laugh

I am not an animal person.... Well, I wasn't. I married a animal person. He raised livestock as a child and wanted our children to experience the work ethic that he had learned. So, the animals started coming in! Pigs, chicken, cattle, horses, dogs, etc. I was always the one in the background.... watching them. I'm a city girl, afraid of anything with 4 legs. My kids have always laughed at me. I admire their ability to work with animals. I've been amazed that they can show cattle 1400 pounds and not be afraid of getting stepped on and dying. I'm the type that I was afraid to go outside wearing red, in fear our steers would charge me... run me over.

Then there was that sweet day almost a year and half ago. I got MY first horse... I mean dog. He just seems like a horse when he comes in the house. He loves me, and that makes me NOT afraid of him. It never fails... I just look at him, smile and then he makes me laugh. I just might become a country girl after all!

I fell in love!

My dear husband and I were able to visit our daughter yesterday at college. She is such a delight and brings me so much joy. We took her to the mall near her school to have frozen yogurt, which she calls "froyo" (its a college thing).

I knew there was a pet store in the mall, and I wanted to look at puppies. Not that I would buy one from a pet store and get ripped off. However, I saw the cutest baby ever... We stood there with our faces to the glass enjoying and being entertained by the bundle of joy (dogs make you happy when your kids go to college). My husband went to the counter to ask, "how much does he cost?" The clerk said.... "Four Thousand Dollars", then my dear one responded, "does he come with a car?" Then the clerk rolled her eyes at my husband. It was at that moment we decided to get out of the store...fast! He was just way too cute, and way tooooooo expensive. I'd rather look at his picture anyways, and not clean the droppings!

Valentine Cakepops!

BUSY BUSY BUSY... in about 1 hour I will have completed 20 dozen cakepops for valentines day.

I'm really hoping I DON'T get something full of sugar for the special holiday! In fact, I do know what I want, but how do I hint it to him??? I like practical gifts, like a new wallet from Dillards, it is similar to the one I've been using for the last few years, it snaps totally shut but this one is much larger, I prefer the gray or brown one. I believe it is $34. It is on the stand just behind the d&b counter. (if this isn't a big enough hint... nothing is going to work)

The little things that inspire!

I went to IKEA last week. It isn't a store that I particularly love... not my style. However, I do occasionally find something I want. Well, for me it was the $20 pitcher that made me think of the cabin. I really don't mind spending $20 if it encourages me. Every time I look at it, I imagine my kitchen done with a cabinet full of pitchers... and that makes me want to WORK!!! So, I now sleep, watch TV, cook, and drive with my new friend, Mr. Pitcher! If it gives me a smile and hope then it is so worth it!