Sew Deadly – Issue 38
Marcy’s Musings
The other day, my dear friend Vera Langhorne (if you’ve read any of Amanda Lee’s accounts of our adventures here at the Seven-Year Stitch, then you know all about Vera) was in the shop when I opened a shipment that contained some of the books you see to your left. The book is called Pincushions: 60 Cross Stitch Designs by Linda Gillum and is a Leisure Arts book.
Vera and I were flipping through the book and while you could admittedly make some adorable pincushions using the patterns given, just how many pincushions does one need? I mentioned that I could make a few to sell at the shop, and Vera added that the tiny patterns would make adorable greeting cards. There are several flowers, flip flops, shoes, hats, purses, a garden gate, fruit, a sewing machine, butterflies, a teapot (perfect for you cozy mystery lovers!), cupcakes, and many other designs. You could make up several cards (or bookmarks, or jar lid covers) in a weekend and be ready for the next occasion on your list!
Killer Cakes – Issue 35
Welcome!
I found a site that offers a “copy cat” recipe for the Coca-Cola cake offered by Cracker Barrel. I’m sharing the recipe below, but click the link to visit the site and get additional information.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Coca Cola Cake Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup Coca-Cola
3/4 cup miniature marshmallows
1 square (1 ounce size) semi sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups sugar
2 1/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
***Frosting***
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup Coca Cola (plus 2-3 Tbsp. additional if needed)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
PREPARATION:
Place in a sauce pan butter, cola, semi sweet baking square and bring to a boil remove from heat and add marshmallows and stir until all is blended and the marshmallows are disappear. Set aside to cool enough to tepid or room temperature.
In mixing bowl blend the shortening, oil, vanilla and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and buttermilk and beat until smooth. Mix flour with baking soda, cocoa, baking powder and salt, add half of flour mixture to shortening, egg mixture, and beat. Scrape bowl time to time to clean the sides off so ingredients are blended in batter. Add cooled coca cola mixture and beat. Add remainder of flour and beat until completely smooth about 3 – 4 minutes. Batter will be thick.
Place batter into a 13″ x 9″ x ” 2 oiled and floured baking pan. Set pan on top shelf in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 35 – 40 minutes. Check for completed baking time with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean by sticking in the middle of the cake it is time to come out of the oven and cool.
For Frosting: Cream butter, add cocoa, vanilla, Hershey’s Syrup, and coca cola, beat until smooth. Add powder sugar a little at a time and beat constantly. Scrape the sides of bowl time to time to get all ingredients into the frosting. If the frosting seams a little dry add a little more coca cola and beat well.
Frost warm cake. Serve with natural vanilla bean ice cream and enjoy.
Sew Deadly – Issue 37
Marcy’s Musings
Today, I’m shining a spotlight on Mountmellick embroidery. That’s what I was working on when Amanda Lee wrote her latest book, The Last Stitch Goodnight–which will be released on April 3, 2011.
Mountmellick embroidery is a form of white-work that originated in the town of Mountmellick in County Laois, Ireland. The embroidery is more textured than other forms of white-on-white embroidery with big, bold, couched motifs.
Learn more about Mountmellick embroidery from the links below:
Vetty Creations – Mountmellick
History of Mountmellick Embroidery
Save the Stitches – Mountmellick
Island Ireland – Mountmellick Embroidery
I hope you enjoy learning about Mountmellick embroidery; and if you make something using this technique, please share it with us!
Killer Cakes – Issue 34
Welcome!
I imagine everyone is getting ready for Valentine’s Day. This holiday is pretty simple when it comes to cakes. You have your heart shaped cakes, or your cupcakes with heart-shaped decorations. But what if you want something different? Here are some cakes I thought might inspire you.
Take a look at these adorable Teddy Bear Cake Pops from Bakerella. Click on the link for step-by-step instructions.
Also from Bakerella, how about a cake that looks like a box of candy?
Again, follow the link for instructions.
Sew Deadly – Issue 36
Marcy’s Musings
St. Valentine’s Day is only fourteen days away! But you still have time to make some cute and easy projects.
Download the pattern for these Cupid Cups for free!
This Stuck on You pattern is from the same website. I love the heart. It looks so old-fashioned and sentimental.
For those of you who prefer needlepoint, you might want to give this Rose Romance pattern a try:
Or how about this Here’s My Heart pattern:
I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
