Penny rug for your thoughts.

Well, wow. Been a while, eh?

Let's see if I can't get back into this thing. We'll start out nice and easy: my latest craft project.

Penny rugs.

What's a penny rug? A penny rug is a decorative mat made from stacked felt circles sewn together with a blanket stitch. They were most popular in the Victorian era as thrifty homemakers would save scraps of wool and create something new. Coins were used as templates, which is where the penny rug gets its name. They were used to adorn tables, stands, and mantles - they never touched the floor.

I learned about penny rugs from a crafty lady while visiting my parents last week. I think they're the bee's knees and immediately set my mind on making one. Here's the result!

And here it is in action on the coffee table!

I had so much fun I decided to make another one this weekend. Haven't decided where it'll end up yet, though!

This is such a great craft project. It's easy, cheap, and fun. What else can a Smelanie ask for?

And there you have it. My latest craftings. I've got lots more stuff from the past few months to share... now to get my butt in gear and actually post them. Stay tuned!

Want more finger puppets?

You've come to the right place!

YAY!!

NOM NOM NOM

B and I spent this past Friday evening in the kitchen, baking cinnamon rolls.

I've attempted cinnamon rolls a time or two already this winter. They turned out okay. Have I mentioned that a kinda suck at baking?

The first batch (my first attempt ever!) didn't look anything like cinnamon rolls. The dough was too soft and the ends squished together when I cut them. So I had to bake them on their side. The icing I made was more like a glaze, and just melted right off. They actually tasted pretty good - they just weren't pretty. Needless to say, I didn't bother with pictures.

Attempt #2 yielded slightly better results, but still far from perfect. Half of the dough was cinnamoned and rolled up and baking in the oven when I realized I forgot the f*ckin egg! F*CK! I ended up baking the eggless rolls, and mixing an egg into the second half of the dough. They looked pretty enough, but didn't taste as good as the uglies I baked up the first time. And I messed up the icing again. D'oh!

Typing it all out, I guess up until Friday night this whole baking cinnamon rolls thing has been quite the racket. Well it's a good thing I'm not one to give up easily. Attempt #3 was a whole 'nother story. The rolls turned out great. Better than great. They were mind-blowingly, earth-shatteringly, pants-shittingly delicious!

Luckily for me, I've married a man who can bake.

See? DELICIOUS.

We had heaps of fun, and both decided we need to bake goodies together more often. I'll be sure to post the results!

*drools*

DELICIOUS CINNAMON ROLLS
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
3 1/4 cups of flour

Mix in order given. Roll out on floured board. Spread with butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Roll up like a jelly roll, slice and bake. Bake in 350F oven until golden brown, about 20 mins.

ICING
3 tbsp butter or margarine
2 cups icing sugar
1/8 tsp salt
3 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla

Beat butter, 1 cup icing sugar, and salt together thoroughly until light and fluffy. Use mixer at medium speed or beat by hand. Add remaining cup of sugar and milk alternately, beating until very smooth. Add vanilla. Drop by tbsp on top of cinnamon rolls while still warm.

Frankenfinger.

ARRRGHHRAH!