Travelin' soul

I want to tell you a huge backstory about this sewing project, but I can't for fear that I will give a surprise away. So I'm just going to tell you how I did what I did, not why. But don't worry, I'll let you know the why in a future post. :)

Well I guess I can tell you a little bit about they why. 

I. LOVE. TRAVELING.

As far back as I can remember I always have. When I was younger, every summer we used to drive up to Utah and San Diego, and every Christmas break we'd drive to Los Angeles the day after the Christmas for the Rose Bowl - my dad would work for a tour company that week. One summer we even drove all the way to Nauvoo, Illinois to see the re-opened temple. That was such a fun trip with my mom and two of my sisters, and with one of my mom's friends and her daughter that we met up in Missouri. I can't even tell you why I loved that trip so much, maybe it was time I got to spend with my mom and sisters. Maybe it was the fact that I watched so many movies on my mom's computer while we drove. Maybe it was the cool experiences we had while we were in Nauvoo, I don't really know. All I know is that I loved it! The older I've gotten, the more I love traveling - driving, flying, tour busing, whatever. And especially the last month or so I've really gotten the bug to travel, even though I haven't been able to. {Darn money. Reason #35 that I HAVE to marry rich.} But this time it's a different reason for traveling that I have. Before I wanted to travel more for the fact so that I could tell people I traveled, but now I want to travel so that I can see this whole wonderful world that God has created for us. It's magnificent! And guess what - He's made it all for our enjoyment! How freaking cool is that?! So I kind of feel like it's my obligation as His daughter to see it. Maybe I'll get to see it all before I return to Him and maybe I won't, but it's definitely a goal of mine.

Well back to the reason for the post.

I made some travel size pillow cases - 30 to be exact! And 2 regular size pillow cases with the same concept. I wish I could tell you why I made so many right now, but you'll just have to check back for that reason. Each pillow case was a little different - different material combinations and different letters, but each with the same concept.

What you'll need to make these pillowcases:

• Travel Size: 1/2 Yard of any material of your choosing - this will be the main body of the pillowcase. In the instructions this will be known as the "MF" - main fabric.
• Normal Size: 1 Yard of any material of your choosing.
• 1/4 Yard of complimentary fabric - this will make the letter. Now when I saw complimentary fabric, I'm not saying something that is similar in color or anything, just something that will look good with it, whether its similar in color or very contrasting is up to you. (I'll show some examples.) In the instructions this will be known as the "CF" - complementary fabric.
• thread - you can either pick a color that will blend in with your main fabric, or you can choose a contrasting color - it just depends on the look you want. (Again, I'll show you examples of both.)

How to make these pillowcases:

1. Wash your fabric - this is so important for any sewing project so that you know how the fabric will turn out! Tip: if you get material that says line dry, machine dry it before you do any cutting or sewing and TA DA! you now have machine wash and dry fabric. You'll need to iron most of your fabrics after taking them out of the dryer.
   
   
   
2. Print out the letter you would like to sew onto the fabric. You can use any font you would like - I like something that doesn't have a lot of curves to it, as those are a little harder to sew. I have found that I really like "Impact" and "Braggadocio" in word. Make it as big on the paper as you can. I've found that making it word art and turning the page horizontal is the best way to do that, but if you find something better - please share. It also helps to make sure there is a contracting color outline of the letter. This gives you a clear guide to follow with your machine. I just use one of the pre-set settings in word.
   
3. Cut your complimentary fabric the width of the page you've just printed. Center this on the back of your MF, putting the right side of the CF against the wrong side of the MF. Pin the 4 corners, then baste all side of the CF to the MF.
4. Turning your fabric over to see the right side of your MF and using your beautiful basted square as reference, center your page with the letter in the square. Pin your letter down - I like to do 1 near every straight side. Use your judgement to make sure your letter will not move while you are sewing so that your fabric doesn't bunch beneath it. I trust you.
5. Choose a stitch on your machine that will work. On my machine I have this wonderful stitch that goes over each stitch twice. Before I had this machine tho, I would just go over the whole letter twice. Do what you need to do. Just follow the outline of the letter. Do your best on the curves. Even after 30+ pillows and letters, the curves are still a little challenging for me. You can either take out the pins as you go (I prefer this method) or you can wait till the end to take them all out at once.
   
   
   
6. Once you've done the entire letter, you've got some options as far as order goes. You can either take out your basting first or rip of the paper first. I like to take out the basting first. Turn over your masterpiece the with a seam ripper just simply rip out your beautiful basting. Then cut off the excess fabric around the outside of the letter. Don't cut right up to the letter, leave a little, but just don't leave the way excess. Now turn your project back over so you have the paper facing you, and just start tearing it off. And there you go - you now have a letter on your fabric! YAY!!
   
   
   
7. Now pull out your fantastic sewing scissors. Not huge fabric cutting ones, although you will be cutting fabric, just some smaller ones, but not tiny ones because your hand will cramp. But work with what you have. No need to buy new scissors for one project. Pull your MF and your CF fabric apart and cut a slit into the MF on the inside of the letter. Do that for each section of the letter if they do not connect. Now from that slit, cut out that section of MF to reveal your CF. See how pretty that looks? Good job!
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. This last part is where the pillow case starts to really take shape. Lay your fabric right side up. If neither of your edges have print that doesn't go all the way to the edge, fold one over and sew it so the fabric looks like it goes to the edge. If you have one edge that does and one that doesn't, that's fine. Fold the pretty edge in to the middle-ish. (I know, this would be a super helpful place to put measurements, however I wrapped them all up before I thought about that. Sorry.) Now fold over the other edge so it over laps the first by about 4-6 inches. Looking at measurements of travel pillows I'm going to guess it's around 20 or 22 inches long. Try to get the Letter as centered as you can. It should look like you have your pillowcase inside out - that's good. Pin the sides and one pin in the middle on the overlap. I have a serger so that's what I use to close up my edges. If you don't, that's fine - just use your machine and cut off the excess. You will sew 2 inches in from the edge to make it the right size for the pillow. It should now look like an inside out pillow sham, with the opening in the middle of the back.

   

   Making a pretty edge.

9. Now turn it right side out. YOU DID IT!! Congratulations! As you do it more, it'll get faster. I timed myself once and it took me about 20 minutes for one, start to finish. Here are some examples that I promised:

   

   The Whole Gang

   
   
   
   
   

   

   This is one of the regular size - I did this like a normal pillowcase, rather than a sham.

   

   Contrasting thread.

   
   

   

   This one actually used the same fabric, just turned another direction for a different look.
   

   

   
   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   
   
   Happy Homemaking!
   -Jaron

All-Day Cooking

Yep, when I get married I can't have a job because I'll be too busy cooking all day. Reason #247 that I HAVE to marry rich - yes, I have a list. Today I did just that (cooked all day - not the marrying rich part) and didn't mind one bit. My feet were a bit tired after it, but that's ok.

I signed up to feed the missionaries so I wanted to make it delicious. What was on the menu? 

• Grilled Honey Lime Chicken
• Avocado Egg Rolls with Creamy Cilantro Dressing
• Green Beans
• Peaches and Cream Crumble for Dessert

It turned out delicious! I was too busy preparing and eating so I didn't get pictures of everything, but it all turned out wonderful, take my word (and the missionaries word) for it.

Grilled Honey Lime Chicken: (I let the elders do the grilling so they would feel like men. They very much enjoyed it.)

Ingredients:

NOT COOKED - after adding the marinade

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• juice of one lime (2 tablespoons)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-2 teaspoon Siracha
• red pepper flakes, to taste
• 2 tablespoon cilantro
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine your ingredients, through the cilantro. Mix thoroughly.
2. Pour marinade over chicken breasts and turn to coat. Cover and allow to marinate for at least 1 hour.
3. Grill on medium high heat for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until juices run clear.

Avocado Egg Rolls

Ingredients:

• 3 or 4 ripe avocados
• salt to taste
• cilantro to taste
• 1 can fire roasted tomatoes with garlic
• 1 pkg egg roll wraps

Instructions:

1. Smash avocados in bowl with salt and garlic. Poor in tomatoes and mix.
2. Put a medium amount diagonally on an egg roll wrap. Fold up the bottom over the avocado/tomato mix. Fold over the sides, finish rolling in up, wetting the end corner to seal it.
3. Heat enough vegetable oil to submerge egg rolls in to 350 degrees. Put 3 or 4 egg rolls in at a time (depending on the size of your skillet). Turn egg rolls after about a minute, then take out after another minute. Let drain on paper towels.

Creamy Cilantro Dressing

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 2 or 3 large tomatillos, huk removed
• 1 or 2 cloves garlic, outer skin removed
• 1/2 bunch cilantro, about a cup
• 1/2 a lime's juice (1 tablespoons)
• 1 jalapeño, seeds removed
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teasoon black pepper
• more salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Throw everything into a blender and blend until smooth, about one minute. Taste the dressing on a piece of lettuce and adjust the seasonings as needed. It keeps covered in the fridge for up to 10 days.

note: Miracle Whip or salad dressing can’t be used in place of the mayonnaise.

Green Beans

Sorry to disappoint, but they were just out of a can, into a dish, and heated for 2 minutes. Not my best work, but the guests had already arrived.

Peaches and Cream Crumble

Ingredients:

• FOR THE SHORTBREAD:
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups flour
• FOR THE FILLING:
• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• ½ cups Peach Jam
• 3 Large Peaches, Pitted And Thinly Sliced
• 12 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Softened
• ¼ cups Sour Cream
• ½ cups Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Flour
• 2 Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• FOR THE CRUMB TOPPING:
• 1 cup Flour
• ¼ cups Sugar
• ¼ cups Brown Sugar
• ½ teaspoons Ginger
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• 1 stick Unsalted Butter, melted

Instructions:

1. For the shortbread crust: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with foil, then grease the foil on all sides. Set the dish aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until it begins to soften, about 30 seconds. Add sugar and salt and beat on low speed until just combined. Add the flour and beat on low speed until incorporated then increase to high speed and beat until a cohesive dough is formed. Using your fingers, press the dough into the baking dish and bake for 20 minutes or until puffy and golden brown. When it’s done remove it from the oven and start the next step.
2. For the filling: Brush shortbread crust with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Spread peach jam evenly over the crust, then layer with sliced peaches. To make the cream layer, put the cream cheese and sour cream in a bowl and beat on high speed until smooth. Add sugar and 1 tablespoon flour and beat another 30 seconds. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth and thoroughly combined. Pour cheesecake mixture over peach slices. Set aside. (The cheesecake filling also makes a GREAT fruit dip minus the eggs.)
3. For the topping: In a small bowl, combine flour, sugars, ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Pour melted butter over all of it and use your fingers to mix everything together until coarse crumbles form. Sprinkle over the top of the cheesecake layer. Bake again at 350 F for 30 minutes or until crumbles are golden brown and center is set.

Happy Homemaking!

-Jaron