What's Cookin' Wednesday - Chocolate Chip Cookies

Welcome to "What's Cookin' Wednesday"!  Today I'm sharing my recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies.  At least once a week, my son and I will bake a "special treat" for our family and this week he decided that cookies would be a great treat - I couldn't agree more!!  This is a definite favourite in our house - they don't last long;)  I hope that you will give them a try, they are delicious!

Here's what you need:

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 sale
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup chocolate chip cookies
8 tbsp soft butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg

Mix dry ingredients, then add already mixed suga, butter, egg and vanilla.  Cream together and add chocolate chips.  Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes.  Watch closely.  Makes 2 dozen.

Tutorial Tuesday - Framed Initials

Hello There! I hope that you all had a great weekend....I saw my first Robin - WHOOOHOOO!! Bring on Spring!  

Besides, "celebrating" the onset of spring(for the record...it did not feel like spring. AT.ALL. It was COLD here this weekend!!! Poor little Robin!) I was busy putting the finishing touches on my gallery wall....I can't wait to show it off to all of you.

One of the gallery wall projects I tackled this weekend was creating a fun way to display our last name initial "C". I found this idea courtesy of Shelley from House of Smiths...and, I might add, was absolutely thrilled that I had the same fabric that Shelley used! And since it happened match my colour theme, I decided to use the same fabric as she did:)

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures until STEP 5 of the tutorial (opps, I'll try to remember next time!), but it's pretty easy, if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below:

Here's what you will need:
Fabric
Frame
Spray adhesive
Vinyl monogram

Step 1: Iron your fabric and then place the frame insert on the wrong side of the fabric, cut out a square making sure to give yourself enough fabric so it will wrap around to the back of the insert once it's in the frame.
Step 2: Mark where you want the insert to go on the wrong side of the fabric.
Step 3: Spray the insert with adhesive (this should be done in a well ventilated area) and place back on the area that you marked on the fabric.
Step 4: Flip it over and spray the edges with the adhesive and wrap the fabric around the insert.
Step 5: Place in frame...it should look like this:

Step 6: Add your vinyl letter to either the glass of the frame (that's what I did) or you can put the vinyl on the fabric BEFORE putting your newly covered insert back into the frame:)

All done!!  Looks great, doesn't it!  I can't wait to show you the entire gallery wall in all it's glory...stay tuned;)

Also, be sure to visit Kara at Happy Go Lucky today.  She was kind enough to let me take the reins today and introduce myself to all her readers - isn't that great?!?!

Blog Hop!!

Since I have started blogging, I have found so many great blogs to start following. One of the ways you can find new blogs is through something called a "blog hop". So,today I decided to participate in one and have linked my site to the "blog hop party". I hope that you will take sometime this weekend to checkout some of these blogs...there are so very talented women on the list. If you have a blog, please add your link below...happy reading everyone!

Twirling Time!!!

Hello, Hello!!  I'm back with just a quick post today to show you some new items I'm adding to my etsy shop!  Behold.....

The Jessie Street Designs

Twirl Skirt

Aren't these adorable!?!?  I love these skirts for many reasons....the Amy Butler (my personal fav) fabrics are beautiful and they can be worn with bare legs, tights, or leggings depending on what the weather is like....what parent doesn't like that?!?

Here are a few other details about the skirts:
-full elastic waistbands
-all seams are finished with a french seam
-made by ME in my smoke-free home

Although, I've only listed the two skirts, I can make them in any of the fabric from my shop.  If you would like to learn more about my shop and/or check out more listings, please click on the shop link on my sidebar or click here. 

Have a great night....don't forget to check out my guest post on Seven Alive Friday morning!!

Seven Alive and Apple Pie in a Jar

 Hello there!!!  Earlier this week, the lovely Kadie from Seven Alive did a feature on her blog about me and Jessie Street Designs...can you believe it - that is really AWESOME!!  Kadie has been so helpful to me and it has been a pleasure getting to know her and learn from her.  Check out her post here and leave a comment to let her know you came by...I think that she did a great job and I'm truly grateful for her support!

Today's recipe is really neat and tastes delicious - Apple Pie in a Jar!  I haven't made an apple pie in YEARS (back in highschool my part time job was working in a pie factory!) but when I saw this recipe floating around pinterest and blogland, I had no choice but to come out of retirement and give it a try.  Now, I wasn't going to get over zealous - I took some short cuts (ie. I opted for store-made pie dough - THE HORROR...ha!) it still turned out great!  My friend Chrissy, from The Taylor House also made these and found cute boxes to send out as gifts - isn't that a great idea!!  Give this a try, you won't be disappointed and ALL your friends are going to want to know where you got these from....you are going to blow their socks off when you tell them YOU made them!

Apple Pie in a Jar

Here's what you need:
Apple Filling (from The Taylor House)
2 1/2lb of baking apples, cored, peeled and cut into approx. 1/2" pieces
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cut maple syrup

Crumble Topping:
From Yours Truly...
equal parts of flour, brown sugar and oats
Just enough butter or margaine to make it all stick together

Pastry:
Make your own OR....buy from grocery store;)

Mix all the ingredients for the apple filling together and set aside....looks good doesn't it!

Using a large cookie cutter OR cut a large circle in the pie dough (that's what I did).  Press pie dough into  the bottom and along the sides of the jar.

Now mix all the ingredients for the crumble topping.  I found that it worked better using my fingers.

Add apple filling to jar and top with the crumble mixture.  Perfection!

These will need to go in the freezer right away until you are ready to eat give them away.  To bake, place jars in a cold oven and then turn oven on to 375 degrees, bake for approx. 30 minutes, it should be brown and bubbly!

Thanks for stopping by!!

****Spoiler Alert.....later on this week I'll be doing a guest post for Kadie....can't wait to share another super easy craft with you!  Stay tuned for details.....

I'm linking up to some of these fun parties!


Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya' Got

Seven Alive - Link it Up Thursday

Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading

Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday

Ginger Snap Crafts - {wow me} wednesday

A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link

A bowl full of lemons - Tuesday Link Party

Simple Home Life - Features and Simply Creations Link Party

Bacon Time in Northern Cali - Anything Goes Linky

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

Delightful Order - Delightfully Inspiring Thursday

House of Hepworths - Hookin' up with HoH

Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up

I Heart Nap Time - Sundae Scoop Link Party

Classy Clutter - Saturday Spotlight

The 36th Avenue - Show me Extradordinary Link Party

Reasons to Skip the Housework Link Party

Easy Sewing Machine Cover

Hope that you all are having a great weekend:)  We woke up this morning to a beautiful winter wonderland....one of the few times I enjoy snow is on mornings like this...it was absolutely beautiful and had I not been running out the door, it would have been a great morning to take pictures.

This afternoon I worked on a SUPER EASY Sewing Machine Cover.  For this project, you really don't even have to use a sewing machine - you could kick it old school and sew by hand, or I'm certain that heat n'bond would work great for this project too!  But, seeing as this was a cover for my sewing machine I opted to use it:)

I have a little sewing nook in our bedroom and because of this I didn't want to use the big plastic cover for the machine - it's not cute AT ALL, but I needed something to keep dust and little fingers away.  Of course, Pinterest had just the perfect solution...I found my inspiration from the Martha Stewart website and it honestly took me 15 minutes (NOTE - five of those minutes were dealing with a little four year who decided to cut my measuring tape in half! So....really it was only 10 minutes!!)

Here are the deets:

-tea towel (I got mine for .75 cents at IKEA)

-twill tape

-sewing machine, needle and thread or heat n'bond

Cut your twill tape into 4 strips 10-14" long.

On all four of the ties, fold one end 1/4" and sew in place.

Put the tea towel over the machine and decide where you would like the ties.  Pin the ties to the tea towel and sew in place.

Pat yourself on the back and admire your work.  Of course, you could step it up a notch and add ruffles, felt flowers, your initials or one of your favourite quotes - the options are endless;)  Whether you decide to add emblishments or leave it as is, I think that this looks much nicer than the plastic cover!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend:)

I'm linking up to some of these fun parties!






Beneath my Heart - Best DIY Projects
Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya' Got

Seven Alive - Link it Up Thursday

Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading
Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday
Ginger Snap Crafts - {wow me} wednesday
A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link
A bowl full of lemons - Tuesday Link Party
Simple Home Life - Features and Simply Creations Link Party
Bacon Time in Northern Cali - Anything Goes Linky
The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday
Delightful Order - Delightfully Inspiring Thursday
House of Hepworths - Hookin' up with HoH
Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up
I Heart Nap Time - Sundae Scoop Link Party

Classy Clutter - Saturday Spotlight

The 36th Avenue - Show me Extradordinary Link Party

Reasons to Skip the Housework Link Party

Friday Photo Challenge - Love

I'm leaving this post to the last minute....but here is my take on Carly's Photo Challenge for LAST Friday - Love!!  I love these little hands and most importantly...I love the little people these hands belong too:)

Weekend feature and VOTING TIME!!!

Hello there! I hope that you had a lovely weekend! This weekend, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my "Onesie Dress" post was featured on Serenity Now....how cool is that??

In other news, the Pinterest Challenge that I entered my Onesie Dress in is now open to voting. If you would like to participate in the voting click on the logo above. There are lots of great projects that people completed (I'm in good company!) check it out and be inspired to create something, also I would be thrilled if you vote for my Onesie Dress:)

Pinterest Challenge

I was doing some blog surfing last night and came across this little "Pinterest Challenge" that four awesome bloggers started - Rebecca from Better Life Bags, Amanda from Ninth Street Notions, Kara from Happy Go Lucky and Ashlee from I'm Topsy Turvy.  If you're like me, you have a TON of great ideas pinned, but needed the extra motivation to try them.  This "Pinterest Challenge" is all the motivation I needed to get off my butt and start creating!

I've been wanting to try making these "onesie" dresses for a while now and came across the tutorial (which I pinned) from Prudent Baby.  They referred to it as the 10 Minute Onesie Dress, it actually took me a bit longer - may be more like 25 minutes, but I'm sure with a little more practice it won't take me that long (seriously though, 25 minutes is hardly a long project!)  This dress is super easy and you're friends will think you're a rockstar...or not...but at least your baby will have the nicest onesie on the block!   Here's Stage One of the finished product:

I think that it's adorable, but wanted to do something to dress it up a bit.  I have also seen on pinterest people adding ties or belts to their "old shirt turned dress" creations and thought I should give it a try.  So, I found some coordinating fabric that I had leftover from a pillowcase dress I made and made a tie.  (Note - I didn't pin any of these ties, I just made it up as I went along...I'm sure that there is an easier way to do it than I did, but if you'd like to know my method please email me and I'll share my technique!)

I have to say that this dress is so cute!   I love how it turned out and plan on making more for my twin daughters...I may even add some to my etsy shop:)

Ta Da...my finished onesie dress with tie!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to click on the Pinterest Challenge button to participate...there's still time to join and you don't have to have a blog to enter.  Happy Pinning!

I'll also be linking up to the following parties:

Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya' Got

Seven Alive - Link it Up Thursday

Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading
Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday
Ginger Snap Crafts - {wow me} wednesday
A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link
A bowl full of lemons - Tuesday Link Party
Simple Home Life - Features and Simply Creations Link Party
Bacon Time in Northern Cali - Anything Goes Linky
The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday
Delightful Order - Delightfully Inspiring Thursday
House of Hepworths - Hookin' up with HoH
Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up
I Heart Nap Time - Sundae Scoop Link Party



Photo Friday Challenge - Animals

Allow me to introduce to you our first baby, our cat Tucker!  Everyday, Tucker has an afternoon nap on our bed - doesn't he look comfortable?? 

I hope you are enjoying this weekly project....feel like joining in?  Check out Carly's blog for more information.

Who wants to swap??

I've been doing a little research on growing your blog and I've come across a really neat idea called "ad/blog swap".  I'm sure that any experienced blogger has already heard about this, but as someone who is new to blogging and trying to grow their blog, this is something that really appeals to me.  Basically, a blog/ad swap is just what it sounds like...I'll share your button if you share mine:)

I think that this is a terrific way to get to know fellow bloggers and a great way to virtually network with people:)  If this sounds good to you, we should talk!  After reading how other bloggers do this, I would love to offer fellow swappers the following:

- Your ad/button will run on my side bar for the entire month.
- One Individual Sponsor Spotlight on Jessie Street Designs - no one but YOU will be highlighted in this post.
And, if you are interested....
- I am also open to you writing a guest post or participate in a blogger interview.  May be you have an etsy shop that you'd like to talk or promote, I'd love to help you out.

Interested??  I can be reached at jessiestreetdesigns(at)gmail.com