Coffee & Crafts: Embellishment Series

Tuesday Mornings 10:00-Noon

Red Shed Studio

October 7, 14, 21, 28

As the leaves turn, come join me in my studio for Coffee and Crafts. We will focus on creating embellishments out of wool felt, beads, and more. The sessions will be free of charge, and there will be no specific assignments. My studio can accommodate around 6 comfortably. Feel free to bring works in progress, or simply come ready to be inspired.

I am working on a series of felted flowers inspired by my recent trip to NYC. I am also trying to teach myself how to crocheted flowers (hopefully Yvette will be able to come and demonstrate!) I am setting this time aside for myself to experiment with new techniques, and I m excited to share with like-minded crafters.

Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350

1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 C gluten-free baking mix
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup mashed bananas
1/2 C Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating well.

Combine dry ingredients and add to butter mixture. Blend well. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla. Stir well. Pour into prepared baking pan(s).

Bake 1 hour.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter
2 eggs
1 C brown sugar
1 C white sugar
3/4 C peanut butter
1/2 C applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla
2 C rice flour
1/4 C tapioca flour
1 tsp zanthan gum
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 C flax seed meal (optional)
2 cups whole oats
chocolate chips

Bake at 375 for 8-12 minutes
Allow to cool a bit before removing from tray.

OMG Chocolate Torte

OMG Chocolate Torte

1 lb. semi-sweet Chocolate
1 T sugar
4 eggs
5 oz. butter (1/2 C + 1T)
1 T rice flour mix

Melt chocolate with butter in double boiler until just melted. (Or if you're like me, and you don't have a double boiler, just melt it over very low heat.) Set aside. Beat eggs and sugar in another double boiler (who's actually got TWO of these things?) until sugar dissolves and mixture is lukewarm (do not overcook.) Remove from heat and whip until quadrupled in size. Fold rice flour mix into eggs. Stir 1/4 egg mixture into chocolate; then fold into the egg mixture. Bake in 8" floured, buttered, and papered pan in 425 oven for no longer than 15 minutes. (Cake will be liquid in center.) Freeze, preferably overnight before removing from pan. Carefully dip bottom of pan in hot water to unmold. Frost with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with fresh berries on top. OMG.

-Original recipe came from Janet Simmons.

Grandma D's Pumpkin Bread

Grandma D's Pumpkin Bread

preheat oven to 350

1/2 C vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/3 C water
1 can pumpkin puree

1 2/3 C rice flour baking mix
1 1/4 C sugar
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine wet ingredients in large bowl. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and stir until spices are well integrated. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into greased loaf pan and bake for 1 hour.

Gluten-Free Recipes

Finally I am getting to the gluten-free recipes that everyone has been asking me for. I found the recipe for my gluten-free baking mix online about a year ago and I started substituting it for wheat straight across. I've been tinkering and adapting the recipes as I go, and I am only sharing the ones that receive the most compliments. I've discovered that the less gluten my body has to process, the happier it is. So when I have the luxury of time, I bake gluten-free treats and pop them in the freezer for when I have a serious gluten-ous craving. Here is the multi-purpose baking mix for starters:

2 cups brown rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca flour
1 tsp. zanthan gum

*All of these ingredients can be found at your local organic market in the baking or bulk section. The tapioca flour and zanthan gum are added to rice flour to achieve a semblance of the fluffy texture we so love in regular flour.

*For the real go-getters, you may also grind your own rice flour. I have a Cuisinart Mill that works great; but I usually just use rice flour from the bulk section.

Sewing Class FAQ's

What should I bring?

You will need:
Pins
Scissors
Large, medium, & small safety pins
Seam Ripper
Notebook/pen
Measuring tape
An assortment of polyester thread
(Recommended colors: White, Cream, Black, Navy, Brown, Green Baby Blue, Maroon, Tan)
Extra bobbins
Buttons, zippers, spare elastic





Sewing Bag from Fall 2007 class



Should I bring my sewing machine? Even if it's old?

Bring your sewing machine and your instruction manual. Give yourself five extra minutes to set up and take down your machine. On Thursdays, Stitchin' Sisters has a sewing machine repairman in the shop all day. If your machine needs a tune-up, drop it off in the morning. Stitchin' Sisters also has several machines for our use, but I recommend bringing your own so that you can get used to it.

Will I get hungry?

Stitchin' Sisters also has a nice tea and coffee set-up; bring your favorite tea or coffee to add to the stash (or a little bit of money to add to the pot.) I would also like to suggest that we take turns bringing treats once we get a general idea of who is in the class.


What about trades?

I have been known to accept trades in leu of cash. Please ask me if this is something you are interested in. In the past, I have traded for housecleaning, jewelry, personal training sessions, and dance classes. I am interested in trading for childcare, other classes, massage, fabric, arts & crafts, and food. Just ask!

Where is Stitchin' Sisters located?

Stitchin' Sisters is in Ponderay. If you are headed N. on Hwy 95, take a right just before the Super 8. Take the first left and you will see the store on your right. 400 Schweitzer Plaza Drive. Phone number is 265-9633.

Can I stay late to finish a project?

Stitchin' Sisters usually closes at 5:00 p.m. . They have been kind enough to let us conduct our class an hour after closing, so it is important not to stay past 6:00. I will offer make-up classes in my home studio upon request.

Nature Crafts for Kids

Nature Crafts for Kids

All things found in nature will be the focus of this crafty group. Here are some of the projects in store:

Pressed Leaf Collage
Leaf Prints
Painted Rocks
Driftwood Collage
Tree Sculptures
Clay Nature Impressions

The Red Shed Studio is a happy and inspiring place for people of all ages. I am providing this class for my daughter and a small group of her contemporaries to enrich the art and nature experiences in their lives. I am excited to share my space and skills with this lively group of children. I am also accepting childcare trades (hour for hour) instead of the class fee.

Wednesdays 1:30-3:00

Fall Session
Sept. 10-Nov. 12

$7.00 per class
(supplies and a snack included)

Ages 4-6

e-mail hollylu72@yahoo for more information

Fall Sewing Class Descriptions

Fall Sewing Series
with Holly

@ Stitchin' Sisters
http://www.idahostitchinsisters.com/


Mondays

4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
$15.00 per class


Calendar

Sept. 8
Sweater Skirt & Shrug or Arm Warmers

Expect to go home with a totally hip and unique shrug and skirt from this session. We will revamp an old sweater into something fun and new. I will empower you with the idea of transformation, and you will see your closet (and the thrift store) in a whole new light.

Check out this fun how-to video for some fresh inspiration.

Materials List

One or two old sweaters (A large wool sweater works great)

1-2" elastic for waistband

Wool felt, beads, or buttons for appliques (if desired)

Coordinating yarn or embroidery floss, large needle

Sept. 15

A-Line stretch skirt

You will not believe how fun and easy this skirt comes together! I guarantee you will go home with a finished product by the end of the evening. I will bring in my serger for a cute, quick, lettuce-edged hem. A 'one-size fit's all' pattern will be provided. Make sure to purchase your fabric ahead of time, we will use every second of this session.

Materials List

1 yard of pre-washed stretchy fabric

coordinating thread

1.5-2" for waistband

Sept. 22
Adult Lounge Pants or Kids Fleece Pants

Once you learn the basic idea of how to sew 'pants', your mind will be bursting with new possiblities. Expect to get your pattern cut, pinned, and basted during this session. You may need to hem the cuffs and complete the waistband on your own time. I will walk you through the process step-by-step. Take-home instruction sheet will be included. I will supply a variety of patterns, in children's sizes (2T, 3T, 4T & 5T) as well as women's small & men's large.

I will also offer a 1/2 hour mini-course from 4:00-4:30 on how to knock off a pattern from your favorite (no zipper) pants. (This will cost $5.00 extra)

Materials List

1 yard fleece for kids project, 1.5-2 yards fabric for adults project

1-2" thick elastic for waistband

Sept. 29
Weekend Bag

Inspired by Amy Butler's 'Weekend Bag', I have developed a unique pattern that I can't wait to share! This will be a technical project; come prepared to get started with a possible make-up session at the Red Shed Studio.

Materials List
1 yard pre-washed durable cotton fabric in a bold print
1 yard pre-washed contrasting durable cotton fabric for inside of bag
1/2 yard pre-washed coordinating fabric for piping and accents
2 yards cotton piping 1/4"
12" Heavy-Duty Metal Zipper

For the quick learners, there will be patterns available for cute accessory bags to make out of your scraps.

Oct. 6
Skirt from a Dress
Bring in a dress that you want to convert into a skirt, and I will show you just how easy it will be to tranform! The skirt show here was made from a dress that was too small for my daughter. I loved it too much to let it go, so I cut off the top, put in an elastic waistband, and added some pom-poms. Voila! This is a quick class, you will go home with a finished product.

Materials List
A dress to transform
1/4" to 1" wide elastic for waistband






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Details for these up-coming classes are on the way...
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Oct. 13
Bathroom Caddy

Oct. 20
Quick Duvet Cover

Oct. 27
Zippered Cushion

Nov. 3
Market Bag

Nov. 10
Laptop Cover and Cell Phone Purse