Casserole Carrier -

My daughter, Rebecca, and I spent the day before Winter Storm Virgil sewing. It was so much fun! I never expected this child to be interested in sewing. She and I haven't always had so much in common (she tends to act, eat, and want to do everything just like her father-sigh!... but I guess I picked him out, right? ). These days (and thankfully for the most part due to Pinterest), I still get to sew FOR her and even better, AFTER I sewed something FOR Rebecca's birthday, she wanted to learn how to make it herself! We have made fairly simple baby quilts together and she took Home Economics in high school so she has some basic knowledge in using a sewing machine, but I was surprised at how eager she was to take on this project.

Rebecca turned 25 this month and for her birthday I wanted to make something special. She loves to cook (well... I guess we have that in common now don't we LOL?) and now that she works in an office and gets to experience "goody days" and potlucks, I knew she would love this gift.

I found this terrific idea on Pinterest here! It's a casserole carrier and even though the process was a little tedious, there was nothing hard about it. My sewing skills were back in the depths of my brain save for a few straight seamed quilts, so this required my old pea brain to think and my old sewing machine to "chug" but, it turned out terrific! In fact, it turned out so great that we made two more for gifts.

Here is the one I made for Rebecca:

Notice the spoon holder! How handy is that? Usually I forget to bring my spoon back home!

I even put a cutesy little tag inside that said "Made with Mom's Love!" (This might or might not have gotten an eye roll by the birthday girl.. but I couldn't resist since I used to use tags like this when I made outfits for her when she was little.)

I found the link to the instructions on a blog called "Taylor Made" and the original pattern and instructions are found at a blog called "Two Little Houligans". The pattern is easy and the instructions are great! I made Rebecca's carrier with the handles of fabric, but since I made that one, we have been able to find the belt product for using as handles and we liked that alot as well!

I made my second carrier for my sister-in-law's 50th birthday.

Oh the fabric choices. Here are some that I considered:

Here are our finished carriers! Rebecca made hers to use for tailgating for her favorite team, our Missouri "MU" Tigers!

See the insides of our carriers? I love the fabrics we chose!

These will be perfect for gifts. The author of these patterns asks that you only make these for your own personal use - no selling - and if you link to her tutorial, please let her know and give credit where credit is due..

I love them! I think I'll try making some smaller ones for smaller casserole dishes. I already have requests from my mother-in-law, my husband's aunt, my nieces... we better get busy!

Gina

Easy Peasy Parmesan Chicken in the Crockpot (Only 5 ingredients!)

Do you need a super easy, "dump and go" crockpot meal that is super delicious and tastes like you are eating out? I have a good one for you today! RECIPES AT THE TOP - CHIT CHAT AT THE BOTTOM Here's how I now make Crockpot Parmesan Chicken AT HOME MY WAY. Dump & Go Crockpot Parmesan Chicken *only FIVE ingredients plus the pasta* (Print the Recipe HERE) 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts/tenders (frozen or thawed) 1 1/2 cups (app.) of seasoned canned bread crumbs 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese (I use the green can.) 1 or 2 jars (24 oz each) of prepared spaghetti sauce (Prego, Ragu, etc.) (Classico is my favorite lately.) Mozzarella (shredded) (Serve with cooked pasta. We use penne.) Instructions : Place chicken pieces in the crockpot (as much as your family needs). (I use frozen because my crockpot cooks super fast.) Sprinkle the chicken heavily with bread crumbs and then with the parmesan cheese, like this: Dump on the jarred spaghetti...

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW I DO IT

Best Dill Pickles EVER! (Just like Claussen) (Easy - no canning!)

Do you want to make the best, easiest homemade dill pickles in the world? I found a recipe for dill pickles that tastes JUST LIKE Claussen refrigerator pickles. Those are the best anyway, right? That crunch, the dill and the garlic... and oh yea , the crunch! This recipe is super easy because you don't have to process these pickles which means there is no canning needed. You just fill a gallon jar (we use an old pickle jar) with fresh cucumbers and dill heads, and then pour over the cooled liquids/seasonings. Let it sit on the counter for three days, and then refrigerate. After that, the pickle eating begins. They are supposed to keep for one year like that in the fridge, without canning. (We let them sit for the 3 days, then refrigerated them overnight before opening the jar for the much anticipated first taste. Did they taste like Claussen? YOU BET YOUR PRETTY PICKLE THEY DID! We were all SO ex...

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW I DO IT

Buttermilk Biscuits - Just like Cracker Barrel!

RECIPES AT THE TOP - CHIT CHAT AT THE BOTTOM! Here's how we make Buttermilk Biscuits AT HOME MY WAY: Buttermilk Biscuits (just like Cracker Barrel) (Makes about 8 biscuits.) PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE Ingredients: 2 cups SELF RISING flour (self rising flour gives the perfect taste to homemade biscuits) 1/3 cup shortening (cold real butter also works here) 1 1/4 cup buttermilk* *NOTE: (If using regular milk combined with lemon juice vinegar referenced below, you only need 1 cup of milk because thinner regular milk uses less by volume than the thick real buttermilk.) Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. (Make sure your flour is "fluffed" not straight from the bag; Dump it in a larger container and stir using up and down motion to fluff it up a little bit-THEN measure out 2 cups). Measure 2 cups SELF RISING flour into a mixing bowl. Add shortening and cut it until small and crumbly. A fork works fine for this purpose ...

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW I DO IT

Comments

TheresaMarch 26, 2013 at 8:08 PM
Oh how crafty you are! I love them and they are SOOOOO useful! Have a blessed week dear friend, HUGS!
twinstooApril 2, 2014 at 10:53 AM
I'm going to make some of these and donate to a Catholic nursing home (Carmelite nuns) for a Spring barbecue and craft fair...they'll love them and the profit will benefit the elderly!

At Home My Way

Search This Blog