*~*~*Last Minute Gift Idea - Sandcastle Brownies*~*~*

This is great for those who have everything.

Also, it is usable so we are not

decorating someones house,

providing them with 

clothes they will never wear

or a gadget to dust etc.

Just gather up a few things.

Sandcastle Brownies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In a 1 qt. jar, layer

1/3 cup chopped nuts

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup flaked coconut

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup baking cocoa

1 1/2 cup flour

Then on a tag provide the following information:

Additional Ingredients

2 eggs

2/3 cup oil

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix well then bake in greased 8" pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 min.

I just printed it up on a little tag and attached it with a ribbon.

You can do several at one time if you have 

the need to do so.

PS: I like to use pickle jars - washed and sanitized of course.

We certainly wouldn't want pickle flavored brownies.

If you use a regular canning quart jar, 

the layers will actually look a little better

or thicker, but these are jars that I'll never see again.

I think of it as a great way to recycle.

You can also add a piece of fabric over the lid

for an even more festive look.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches 

Easy Peasy Gift Idea

I have made these for years.  This set is for my aunt from my mom & somehow I am the one sewing:)  Did you know that the average American uses 7 trees worth of paper napkins each year?  That's just napkins not counting all the other paper 'stuff' we use.  I am not a freak, but I do like to do my part in trying to produce less garbage and do what I can to help the environment.  The shopping bags are a blast, buuuuut something else that is just as much fun is a set of cloth napkins.  I have a set for every holiday as well as a couple of extra sets just because.  I seldom use paper towels or napkins.  It's great, I don't run out & I get to play with fabric.  I will work backwards here to show you how.

First, decide how big you want your napkins.  For my everyday napkins, I make them about 15 inches square.  That makes it easy as far as figuring - you can get three from about 15 inches of fabric.  The width of fabric varies a little so I just measure and divide by three.  Depending upon the fabric, sometimes they are only 14.5 inches square.  That's fine too.  More formal napkins are usually a little larger - maybe 18-20 inches square.  At that measurement, you get 4 out of a yard to yard and a quarter of fabric with a strip left over to put in a table runner - see a bonus either way.

Once you have decided and have your fabric cut into squares, it is time to sew.  I have a rolled-hem foot for my old machine (okay, I hear you - one of my old machines.)  This makes it easy.  I just continue one right after the other then snip them apart and move on to side two.  You do want your finished edge to be at the bottom of your sewing edge as you work.  The unfinished edge is easier to feed into the foot.  When you get to the last side, you have to make a little rolled hem and place it under the foot to get it started - at least for this very small one.  Some of the rolled-hem feet make a little larger hem, and they seem to be a little easier to feed.  If you don't have the presser foot, you can just make a small rolled hem as you would on most sewing projects.  I have made hundreds of these, so I love my foot!  Now that's something you don't hear every day.

I like to frey check the corners when I am finished just for good measure, but that is entirely optional. 

I don't quite have this set finished yet - I'm getting there, but it is really cute fabric so I am enjoying it.  Just think, another excuse reason that is to buy fabric (and help save a tree too.)  Have a beautiful day.

As always, Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches.