Christmas Sewing

I have been a very busy crafty girl this Christmas season. I wanted to share with you what I had been up to but had to wait till after Christmas as these gifts were for my family and I did not want to ruin the surprise! Some of my Christmas presents this year were monogrammed gifts. I had so much fun designing these and sewing them on my embroidery machine.

I also learned a new technique on my sewing machine, Pin Tucking!!! I bought myself an early Christmas present. A twin needle and a pin tucking foot. I had a little trouble learning how to double thread my machine but after I got the trick and the right thread (you must use the same brand and type of thread or this project is VERY frustrating!!!) it was a breeze. Now I just want to find another project to use pin tucking on!!!

What We are Having For Dinner Tonight

Crockpot Rotisserie-Style Chicken

1 whole chicken, skinned (4-5 pounds)
2 tsp kosher salt (if you like it as salty as at the store add 1 more tsp)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
pinch of chili pepper
4 whole garlic cloves (optional)
1 yellow onion, quartered (optional)

Directions

Skin the chicken and remove items from the cavity of the bird as well as the neck.
In a bowl combine all dried spices.
Rub spice mixture all over bird, inside and out.
Place bird breast-side down in crockpot.
If desired place garlic and onion side bird.
DO NOT ADD WATER!!!!!!!!

Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8 hours in a 6 quart crockpot for a 5 pound bird. The meat is done when it is fully cooked and has reached desired tenderness. The longer you cook it, the more tender the meat.

To find this and other great crockpot recipes go to my favorite cooking blog Here
A Year of Slow Cooking is one of the best crockpot blogs out there!!!

Our Favorite Saturday Morning Breakfast!

This is a recipe that I grew up on and have used with my little family. It is a Saturday (or Sunday if you don't have 8 am church) morning favorite around here. Sorry about the bad picture. This is what we call German Pancakes or I have also heard them called Monster pancakes.

German Pancakes

6 Eggs

1/4 cup Butter

1 tsp Salt

1 cup Milk

1 cup Flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place butter into 11X7 baking pan and place in oven while preheating. Place all six eggs in blender and "liquefy" until all the eggs are blended. Add remaining ingredients and blend well. Remove pan from oven and pour mixture from blender into pan and bake for 30 min. This will rise a lot while in the oven and then deflate when you take it out. Serve with syrup, powdered sugar and some fresh fruit if desired. Sooo Yummy!!!

Makes approximately 6 servings (If you only have one helping!)

Sometimes I add a little vanilla for a different taste.

Enjoy!!!

CCG

What We Had For Dinner Tonight

Bruschetta Chicken Bake

Ingredients:

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkg (6oz) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp dried basil leaves
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place tomatoes with liquid in medium bowl. Add garlic and stuffing mix and 1/2 cup water; stir just until stuffing mix is moistened. Set aside.

Place chicken in 13 X 9 inch baking dish; sprinkle with basil and cheese. Top with stuffing mixture.

Bake 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through.

Makes 6 servings.

This was a huge hit with the whole family!!! It is super quick, super easy, and super yummy!!!

Enjoy!!! CCG

Sew I've Been Keeping This Under Wraps!

I have been dying to post this picture for months now!!! As many of you know I am a pattern tester for Jona Giammalva, a pattern designer and fabric store owner (and fun friend too!!). Here is her latest creation, The Sunny Scallop Dress. I had soooo much fun working on this pattern test. I wanted to use some fabric that could be great for the 4th of July and other occasions as well. The dress is fully lined and soooo beautiful!!! You can see all of Jona's new patterns HERE. Have a great weekend!!
CCG

My Cutified Laundry Room

So earlier this year I had a contest to see who could give me a super cute quote to put up in my laundry room. As a family we chose our two favorite quotes and the winners received a prize.
Well I decided to go with only one quote and to put it on my middle cabinet instead. I really love how it turned out!!!
I had my friend Shelley over at Simply Words Online.com make up the vinyl letters for me and I think it turned out sooooooo great. (Shelley always does such an awesome job!!! Thanks Shelley!!!)

I left the laundry room doors open all day just so I could stare at it!!!! (Crazy I know but I am the Crafty Camper Girl!!).

Anyway look for another fun post soon on how I solved my kids tooth brush problem!!!

2 Skirts for $4

I got a call from a friend who told me about a sale on fabric for $2 a bolt. I jumped in my car and ran over and picked up some super cute fabric. So I was able to make myself and my sweet little girl matching skirts (I know again!!) for $4!!!!! This is one of my favorite patterns, the Edith Twirl Skirt from my friend Jona at Fabritopia.com. My sweet little girl wore this skirt four Sunday's in a row. (It's a good thing we were out of town for two of those weeks, people might start to think she has no clothes).
She just loves to tell everyone that we have matching skirts and then she twirls around to show them!!!! I love having a little girl.