Saturday, September 19, 2009

~Recent Crafts~

I haven't been crafting quite as much as I'd like to, but I have managed to make a few things.



Here's the latest ZSQ I made. It is infant sized. I donated it to a silent auction fundraiser for my Aunt Patsy. I love the little birds!



I also made these little country apples. I hoped they would be bigger and when I make them again I will start with a larger circle of fabric. However, I still think they are cute! I scented some rice with some apple cinnamon essential oil and then stuff them with batting per the instructions. Stephen collected the little sticks I use for the stems from the backyard. The leaves are from some vintage fabric my Mom gave me a long time ago. I have the little basket sitting on my entryway table and the smell is fabulous!

This isn't really a craft! But I thought the popcorn balls looked so Fallishy Festive that I had to post a picture. I'm including the recipe too!


Best Ever Popcorn Balls
courtesy http://www.allrecipes.com/

3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup margarine (I use butter)
2 teaspoons cold water
2 5/8 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup marshmallows
5 quarts plain popped popcorn (I used microwave and couldn't find plain so I used the %50 less sodium Natural Simply Salted from Orville Redenbacher - 3 bags popped worked for me)

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the corn syrup, margarine, cold water, confectioners' sugar and marshmallows. Heat and stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Carefully combine the hot mixture with the popcorn, coating each kernel.

Grease hands with vegetable oil (I used butter) and quickly shape the coated popcorn into balls before it cools. Wrap with cellophane or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

**NOTE FROM ME** While you don't want the mixture to completely cool, it is ok to let it set for a couple of minutes before you start shaping the balls because 1) THAT STUFF IS HOT and 2) the balls form better when you let it set a bit!

4 comments:

Carol said...

I used the same birdy fabric on a zsq for a girlfriend of mine! Great minds!! LOL, could you teach me how to make the little apples? Would love the instructions if you have time!

Nicki Meier said...

By Golly Amy...those are stinkin' cute!! Love Love Love the apples! You will be sharing how you made those..right? :) Good on you for getting all crafty...I haven't started a darn thing!
Hugs to you sweet friend...

Jenny said...

I love that birdie fabric. It is so "tweet". Did it do well at the fund-raiser? And the apples are adorable, too. Maybe you can make some big ones and then these can be crab apples, although they look pretty big in the photo. It's nice to see you so busy and happy. I can hardly wait to do some scrapbooking pages with the neat packages of vintage seam binding you sent! That was a great surprise! Thank you, thank you again!

Mardell said...

Oh Amy!! You are so clever & talented! Really ~ you ARE! Just love everything. Where on earth do you find the time? You-go-girl! :o) I bet those apples smell yummy. I bought some real ones yesterday at the apple orchard & I'm hoping on making some apple bread OR muffins. Of course, your apples are calorie free. (wink) xoxoxo