What to Make with Boutique Yarns

After a trip to the local thrift shop I found myself well-stocked with boutique yarns, read Sashay and Boutique Ribbons. After a while I sat and thought "What does one do with this gorgeous stuff besides making scarves?" Here's a few ideas I found around the web:

Ribbon Remix Scarf uses 1 skein of Red Heart Soft, 1 skein of Red Heart Boutique Sashay, 2 yards of grosgrain ribbon, 1 1/2 inches wide, 5mm (size H-8) hook, and a yarn needle.

 Knit a Lei Scarf designed by Anneliese Anneliese. There's an easy to follow tutorial or print out the downloadable instructions.
You'll need:

• One skein Red Heart Boutique Ribbons yarn (I chose "Fire")
• Size 8 circular knitting needles, 32 inches long
• Sewing needle and thread for finishing
  
  
  How about a crocheted ruffled skirt? This pattern is sized for the little ones, sizes 2-4, designed by Amy at Crochet Creative Creations.
  
  
  
  Crochet Hook: I/9 or 5.5 mm hook

  Yarn Weight: (4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

  Click here for crochet pattern

  
  
  How about a purse? This is so cute.This is from Dearest Debi. She has a written pattern and a tutorial. 
  
  
  
  You'll need a skein of Bernat Satin and a skein of Boutique Sashay Yarn, a size I (9) hook and a size J (10) hook. 
  
  
  So, there's a few things to do with this beautiful yarn I think a pillow would look good. Maybe flowers to add to a headband. How about a few ruffles on a little girl's skirt? So much to do. So much I want to do. Sleep is so over rated. 
  
  
  Post by Eileen
  
  

How to Make Chunky Chocolate Soft and Chewy Cookies

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

 We had our cookie exchange at work last week and I brought in my old standby, Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip Chunky Cookies (now that's a mouthful). I use a cake mix cookie recipe to make the soft, chewy cookies that have become a family favorite. I like to add lots of "stuff" to them, chips, nuts, raisins, craisins....whatever I have on hand (I usually keep lots of stuff available) so the cookies will be reminiscent of the Chunky candy bar I loved so much as a kid. The family loves them so much I thought I would share the recipe, so here it is.

You'll need:
2 Fudge Chocolate Cake Mix (any brand will do but I am partial to Duncan Hines)
4 eggs
1 cup of unsalted butter (2 sticks), Softened
1/2 cup nut pieces, shelled
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a mixer cream the butter on a low speed. Add the eggs one at a time.  Add the cake mix (make sure the mixer is off or there will be a cloud of chocolate dust in the air...trust me...). After the mixture is well-blended add the nuts, chips, and raisins. Spoon (tablespoon) the mixture onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 9 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a cookie rack. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.


The recipe is child friendly...a good way to get the kids involved and let them create their own masterpieces. I have used yellow cake mix instead of chocolate cake mix, put some in a bowl for each helper (aprons on, thank you), with bowls of nuts, chips, and raisins. The children made their own batches of cookies. While the cookies baked the children drew pictures on brown paper sacks that would hold the cookies. After the cookies were baked they got to take home their masterpieces to share with their families.

The picture shows a batch made with butter pecan cake mix.

Pecan Soft Chewy Cookies

Have fun and have a Happy Holiday Season.
Eileen

More Vogue Lovelies!

I love Vogue patterns. Here's some recent additions to the shop.