Strawberry Freezer Jam

As mentioned previously, I made my first foray into jam making a few weeks ago. We don't have a canner yet, so I mashed and mixed up a batch of freezer jam. Verdict: pretty good. It was fun to experiment, and strawberry freezer jam on just-baked bread is mmm-mmm-good, BUT, I think I like other uses for my fresh strawberries better. Like these scones. Or those popsicles.

So, there you go.

More Show-(off)-and-Tell

Back when Roo was a small babe, I got the itch to learn to quilt by making her a crib blanket.

I got started, and then got distracted, and then worked on it some more, and then wandered off to other projects, then picked it up again, only to drop it for something else.

Finally, this spring, I'd had enough. I didn't get it done in time for her third birthday, but I did finish it up shortly after that.

And I love it. It's hand quilted, with plain flannel as batting, and with a machine- and hand-sewn double-fold binding, inspired by the Follow-The-Lines Baby Quilt in Last-Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts.

Now I just have to get myself started on Moo's.

Summertime....

My good friend Karen brought over some awesome popsicle molds she'd had when she was a kid, thus inspiring/requiring me to find a recipe and start making homemade popsicles. The first recipe I tried was a winner, so I just made another batch with leftovers from my (also a first) venture into the world of jam making. The strawberry freezer jam is still setting, so for now I'll share the new family summertime staple:

Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles

Combine
1 lb. strawberries, hulled and mashed (about 2 cups)
1/4 C sugar
2 Tbsp. water
in a small saucepan and bring to boil; simmer for 5 min.

Mix in
2 Tbsp. lemon juice

then fold in
1 C plain yogurt (homemade if you've got it, natch)

Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for at least 4 hrs.

(To loosen the molds, run them under hot tap water for a few moments.)

Enjoy!!!

More homemade yes please!

I made this! On my grandma's vintage sewing machine!

I mentioned Moo's boppy last post. Here he is anchored to the couch with his boppy 'seat belt' back when he was first sitting up on his own.

Babies grow SO fast. Here's what he was up to last week:

We have a pre-crawler on our hands... we're at the rolling, spinning, scootching-backwards-into-corners stage. Let the crawling commence!

Where to Start?

Oh man, there's so much to share. Sewing, knitting, baking, cooking, CSA goodness, spring and summer activities, the garden, the basement... Think I can start posting regularly again?

So let's go back a bit.

First off, I made an origami paper ball mobile to hang over Moo's crib. It was Todd's idea, really, I just executed it.

Next, I made a boppy from scratch. I found a great free cover pattern online, and made a solid pillow and then a zippered, removable, washable cover. While I haven't ever used a boppy for nursing, I love love love them for when a baby is learning to sit up on his own, and they make great booster seats, too.

Then I made a new hat, out of some of my favorite bulky yarn. Because I was completely bald in back(!)

I finished a Shalom out of some organic wool I received as a Christmas gift. But I've decided I want to add sleeves before the cool weather returns this fall. My first knitted sweater! w00t!

I made a soft toy for Moo. Knit in bulky yarn on size 10s, the tiny turtle becomes a perfectly-sized baby toy. This is my current go-to baby gift, since it is so fun to knit up.

I made some little bunnies for Roo for Easter. And I finially finished her quilt!

I was making a Citron for myself, but I sent it to someone who unexpectedly needed its warmth and softness and beauty more than I did. It was my first shawl/lace project, and I learned a lot about yarn choice with this one.

I finished a sweater for Moo, big enough for him to wear this fall and winter and next spring. Big enough, incidentally, for Roo to wear as a 3/4 length sleeved cardigan right now. So I want to knit another one for her, maybe golden yellow with white stripes?

Now I'm about half-way through a Buttercup (Ravelry link) for me and a super-secret knitting project that I am very excited about.