crafting and PIE

Today is ironcraft challenge day but since it is a Father's Day thing, I can't show it until next week.
Dean doesn't read my blog often...but he does check in once in a while and I don't want to spoil the surprise. After all, I already gave him the car litter bags!

So, remember these bracelets I made for craft hope last week?


Well, craft hope had 2 projects going on at the same time and I ended up doing both. During the school year, I wouldn't have been able to....but I had the time and had the materials on hand....

I made two of these blankets....and sent them on their way. They are for tornado survivors here in the USA.


These projects are now closed but if you want to craft for a good cause, please visit craft hope from time to time.
I don't join every single project because I do things for the animal shelter and do the toy drops...but I try to do what I can.

Since I had the crafting mojo going, I made a few car litter bags for my own car using some cute traveling gnome fabric Niki sent me last year.



and then I made my niece one for her car. She works at the Henry Doorly Zoo...I made her an apron using this same fabric a few years ago...wish I had more of it!




Now on to PIE!

Dean requested yet ANOTHER pie for June's Dessert of the Month club.

This time he wanted Coconut Cream Pie.

I didn't have a recipe so I googled it and found several. I used the one here with a couple changes.

Let me tell you, EVERYONE loved it (well, except yours truly who doesn't like coconut unless its toasted and smothered in chocolate but that's another post...)


So here is the recipe. ***I did alter it though.....instead of 3 cups of half/half. I used 1 can of coconut milk and made up the rest of the 3 cups with half/half.***

Ingredients

• 3 cups half-and-half***
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup flaked coconut, toasted
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked
• 1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine half-and-half, eggs, sugar, flour and salt. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in 3/4 cup of the coconut and the vanilla extract. Pour into pie shell and chill 2 to 4 hours, or until firm.
2. Top with whipped topping, and with remaining 1/4 cup of coconut.
3. Note: To toast coconut, spread it in an ungreased pan and bake in a 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

bowl of hope

I joined craft hope's latest project....making bracelets for an orphanage in Russia. I promised to send in 50 and made them fairly quickly. You can read about the project here.

If interested, hurry and make some as you have to send them in by the 15th!

Zoo day and a drop

We had to run into NOLA to figure out paint colors for Dean's office so decided to make it a fun trip by going to the zoo.

First off, we went to the member center and dropped the washcloths I'd made for crafthope's latest project.

The girl graciously accepted them and said the donations have been POURING in.

She also told me they've found fewer sea turtles of late and think it is because it is later in the summer and they have moved out of the area. (I genuinely hope this is the case...sea turtles are horribly endangered.)

Then we took the same photo we take each zoo visit..makes me want to put them all in order to look at age progression!



I love how this zoo puts the animals RIGHT in your face....you can't even see the plexiglas in this photo...

we ran into the Reptile Room and did a toy society drop...this little bean bag frog


then we were off for some fun....check out the babies!



with more on the way...

I just love this guy's 'do'


there were lots of monkeys...hee hee


and REAL monkeys too


this pair of Rhea kept pecking at the bottom of our shoes....we'd walked through a bit of mud and they must have found it yummy...


We took a breather outside monkey hill


and got a sweet couple to take a family photo of us in the Mayan jungle.


OH! you know that saying 'boys will be boys'???....yeah.....well Dean and Ripstick Boy had a little fun on the way OUT of the zoo...

On lookers were either horrified or howling as they walked by. Mom's were horrified, dad's were howling.

Me? I'm so used to this sort of stuff that even I find it funny. We had a really good time, we did a lot of silly stuff, cutting up and generally misbehaving....Gunter would have LOVED it.

by the time we headed home, the kids were bushed...

I love how a plan comes together!

Craft hope for critters...

Anyone interested in helping out with craft hope's latest project? We could really use your help! Click HERE to read an article regarding the spill.

Click HERE for the link to find out information about the project and the send to address. Deadline is July 3rd.

We are making small towels to donate to help clean up sea birds and other animals rescued from the BP oil spill here in Louisiana. Some people are crocheting and knitting these towels but since they must be disposed of after only a few uses, many are simply cutting up old t shirts...surely you've all got a few t-shirts handy, right?

crafty stuff....

My latest project for craft hope is on it's way. These bean bags are going to Liberia to help educate orphans.

Read more about the project here...but have some tissues handy. If you are crafty at all, please consider joining in the mission with the next project!





When we took our whirlwind trip to see my mom for Mother's Day, I took my sister her birthday gift so I wouldn't have to mail it later. She wears an apron almost daily which is giving me a thrill....I plan on helping her stock up!
She is quite the "girly girl" and loves vintage looks so I knew she would LOVE this fabric! I had a cute vintage doily planned for a pocket but once made I made the apron, I couldn't bear to cover any part of it up!

Today I am OFF (well, until noon) and plan on working on my May challenge....what are your plans?

Scarf it up!

This time of year I wear (and make) a lot of scarves! I adore them and would wear one everyday if it were cold enough!

I made this one for Dean.
I used "Touch Me" yarn by Muench. It was part of his Christmas from me.


here is a close up of his stubble...scarf!



I made these scarves for the latest Craft Hope project.




And I made this cowl for myself! I love ORANGE!



I used this pattern by Lion's Brand and just shortened the beginning chains so it would fit me.

I bought the yarn sometime last year from my LYS. It was expensive but I got it HALF PRICE!
I wish they had more but it was the last one in stock.

Mr. Chunky and Ms. Funky...

Mr. Chunky and Ms. Funky were made for the latest crafthope project: preschool aged burn victims. You can read about it here.

I had such fun making this little couple and planned on shipping them off to California together.

Unfortunately for me, the couple had other plans.

You see, Ms. Funky decided her long hair was NOT the best idea for such small children and decided to try her luck in NOLA.
So, she changed her name to"Madame Singe La Rue" and has become a crystal ball reader down in the Quarter.
Since today is Labor Day, she is modeling a demure apron in a patriotic themed fabric.......except for the garish blue eye shadow, you'd never KNOW she was such a FUNKY MONKEY!



Here she is awaiting her first customer....I hope someone comes along soon, it looks like rain.


As for Mr. Chunky, he was understandably devastated at the lose of his soul mate. He jumped into a box and flew off to California by himself.
He didn't even give me a chance to pack a banana for him to snack on!
All that being said, I feel certain he will find some small tot at the burn center to love him dearly.

Busy......

Last week I finished some little receiving blankets for Crafthope.
I made 11 of them... enough to fill up a flat rate box.



I also finished and mailed off my partner's Mama Mia apron swap package!
Micki was my partner but she requested I make the apron and package for her mom, Sue!

I had such fun coming up with this one. Sue likes blue and enjoys the music from the movie. I wanted the apron to take on an older soft look (like the ones in the movie) so when I sewed on the scroll of notes, I didn't finish the edges. With use and washings, it should soften right up.




here is a little dish scrubbie I made her to go with everything....I used THIS pattern and just made it bigger. I actually goofed up midway but was too lazy to ribbit.
Soooooo, this is how it turned out, no one will be the wiser!



and here is the rest of the stuff I came up with.....Micki told me she likes romance novels and chocolate so I had to add a bit of that for her......

I hope she likes everything!

Crafting hope...

Monday I joined crafthope's latest project....making baby items (my all time FAVORITE thing to make!)

Crafthope is sort of like the Toy Society...but different in that we are making a joint effort and mailing all items to a central location to be distributed to children in need.

It always makes me feel better to do something for someone else! Won't you join me?