Stitching it up!

In an earlier post, I mentioned my new sewing machine and posted some pictures of fabric and patterns that I had purchased. I finally worked up the nerve to start cutting that fabric and really learn how to use my sewing machine. That machine is amazing! It has tons of stitch functions, most of which I have no idea what they even mean. I did use three different ones on my apron though. It has an automatic needle threader and thread cutter! (It's the little things that make me happy.) I learned how to read a pattern and many basic sewing techniques. I still have a lot to learn! Good grief, there are a lot of rules when it comes to sewing. I played around with my pattern and tweaked it some, and I still ended up with something that looked like an apron! It still needs a bit of work, but I'm happy with how it turned out being my first real sewing project.

Picture is courtesy of my five year old son and was straightened up with photoshop. ;)

Not to be outdone by her big brother, my three year old daughter wanted to take a picture too. Her style is a bit more...artsy... She did capture the finer parts of the apron though. ;)

And a new apron blog post needs a recipe to go with it right? Last night's menu was beef vegetable soup with cheesy potato bread. I used potatoes and tomato juice that I canned last summer in my soup.

Beef Vegetable Soup

1-1/2 lbs. beef stew meat, browned

1 qt. small potatoes, quartered

2 wedges cabbage, thinly sliced

1 small onion, diced

1 pkg (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables (I use a corn/carrot/green bean/pea blend)

1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 qt. tomato juice

1 can (14 oz) beef broth

1 beef bouillon cube

2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Combine all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Cheesy Potato Bread

(Bread machine recipe for 1-1/2 lb. loaf)

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup chopped, peeled potato

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 tsp. margarine or butter

3 cups bread flour

1 Tbsp. sugar

3/4 tsp. onion salt

1/4 tsp. caraway seed, crushed (optional)

1 tsp. active dry yeast or bread machine yeast

In a small saucepan combine the water and potato. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes or until potato is very tender. Do not drain. Mash potato in the water. Measure potato-water mixture. If necessary, add water to equal 3/4 cup mixture. Discard any excess mixture.

Add the potato mixture and remaining ingredients to the machine according to the manufacturer's directions. Select the basic white bread cycle.

I'm eyeing the dress pattern and fabric I have here on my table, but I think I am going to hold off on starting that until I have a dress form. And a bit more practice. ;)