Granny Square Rose Afghan

So it has been a while since my last blog! But I have completed this beautiful granny square afghan with roses.  The picture does not do it much justice.  It was made using Caron simply soft yarn.  Now just to decide who gets it for Christmas!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ok,  so sorry I have not been keeping up with this blog.  I have made many resolutions to complete tasks I set out to do.  For some reason life with 4 children has became very crazy.  We have a large number of big project to be completed for school!  I will be making 2 costumes for a project called "The Wax Museum".  On top of 2 posters and reports with bibliographys are to be done. They must retain information to give a presentation. It would not be so bad, except the two children have severe learning disabilities and struggle with a lot of the content.  Then my youngest child who is in the Focus program (class for exceptional students), has 2 projects at once.  For one we are to assist him in making a building the size of a refigerator box.  With doors and windows and all.  It has to be painted and resemble a store front to fit around his desk.  They will be making a mock city and running the government. He also is doing a research paper on George Rogers Clark.  I will more then likely post the process on these little projects.

Lighter version of a Strawberry Poke Cake

Ok... I know this is not a craft but I like to bake too. 
My mother's birthday is coming up soon and she has requested a poke cake.  I decided to give a trial run of a healthier version this evening .  We have been trying to eat healthier in our home.  I have seen several recipes online using a cake mix with diet cola. Several of the recipes were calling for different cake mixes and diet sodas.  So I thought why not.  You never know until you give it a try, but I wanted to make sure it would be something we all would enjoy eating. 

Considering a local store was selling the strawberries for $1 a carton this was a fairly inexpensive dessert to do a trial run on and give the kids something extra enjoyable this evening.

This cake only requires the following:

• store bought cake mix ( I had a strawberry flavored on hand)
• 12 oz sprite zero
• 1 small box of sugar free strawberry jello
• fresh strawberries
• splenda
• fat free cool whip

I did not have a white mix, so I decided to use a strawberry mix I had on hand. 

I mixed the cake mix and sprite zero together until well combined. 

 (Do not add ingredients listed on box only the sprite zero)   

 Pour the batter into a 9x13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees. Bake for the time that is listed on the cake mix box. (approximately 30-35 minutes)

 While the cake was baking, I  clean and slice the strawberries. 

 (I have 2 children who are do not like sour or tart foods.)

So I added 2 tbls. of splenda and macerated the strawberries in the fridge

while the cake was baking and cooling.

Once the cake cools take a fork an poke several holes in the cake.

 Prepare the sugar free strawberry gelatin with 1/2 cups of boiling water stirring for 2 mins. 

Add 1/2 cup of cold. 

Pour the gelatin over the entire cake allowing to soak into all the holes in the cake.

 I covered the cake with the strawberries. 

 Ok now for the topping.  I used fat free cool whip for the topping. 

Finished Product now to let it cool in the fridge for at least 2 hrs.

It was a big hit with everyone.... and I don't think the kids realize

it was better for them then  a regular cake.

Current project

Ok... so I have a work in progress.  My mom purchased a pattern book on a trip to Jo-Anns.  She bought it specifically for this particular afghan.  It requires 180 hexagon motifs, 60 roses, and 60 leaves.  I am currently on my 112 hexagon motif.  With four children life gets kind of crazy, and I have only been able to work on this while waiting to pick my son up from school.  
Good thing I am planning on it being a Christmas present. 
I am not to excited about the shape they are taking.  I see several flaws, but realize with time I will become better with the consistency of each stitch. 
(The sad part is I realized that I will have to stitch each one of these together.)

Basket weave projects

I wanted to try something a little new,
so I decided to try a basket weave pattern afghan.
It actually came out better then I expected!!

This inspired me to actually make Easter baskets for my kids (pictured below is the 1st of 6 we have made) ! They are a work in progress... they incorporate both crochet and sewing.   They seem to taunt me... I am having some trouble coming up with ideas on how to make the handle.  But with the help of my mother we will figure them out probably just in time for Easter.

Pupose statement

I was encouraged by my cousin to begin this blog.  She is a very talented and crafy lady herself.   You can see her work at OK Cricuteer .  My intentions are to display current projects and their progress.  Thanks for the suggestion Angie.  This a new step for me and I hope you enjoy!