Cinnamon Vanilla - Bread Pudding

As I thought about the "bread pudding" this morning baking in the oven, I wanted to share this easy recipe with some practical tips on how to make it even more of an affordable idea.  My recipe came from my BHG Cookbook, and the only modification I would make to the recipe would be more sugar.  I had actually thought about sprinkling sugar over the bread crumbs before and after the liquid mixture.  Now I know I should have.

The ease of this recipe comes from its ingredients.  If you are not into the history of food, you may be less impressed, but I think the history of food adds to its appeal.  In this tough economy, not wasting food is very important for tight budgets.  I am always trying to find ways to use every bit of our food.  I had a couple of biscuits and 1 pancake left, so I decided to use them for the bread pudding.

Practical tips:  3 cups is about half a gallon.  Keep putting old bread in a gallon bag in the freezer until you have enough for your recipe.  Also, old cinnamon-raisin bread or the blueberry/cream cheese bread would add a very interesting flavor.  Also, the milk portion could be yogurt or buttermilk watered down if needed.  In a pinch, you could use canned or powdered milk.  There is no right/wrong with the ingredients as long as you use them in the right portions.

I have linked the recipe from the BHG webpage.

Bread Pudding

Makes: 8 servings

Prep: 30 mins(includes time to dry bread) Bake: 350°F 40 mins

Ingredients

• 4 beaten eggs
• 2 1/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 cups dry  bread cubes
• 1/3 cup dried cherries or cranberries, or raisins (or nuts)

Directions

1. In a large bowl beat together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, orange peel (if desired), and cinnamon. In an ungreased 2-quart square baking dish toss together bread cubes and dried fruit;**(sprinkle about 1/4 cup sugar over dried portion); pour egg mixture evenly over bread mixture**(sprinkle about 1/4 cup sugar over dried portion). Press lightly with back of large spoon to moisten all bread.

2. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until puffed and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool slightly. If desired, serve warm.

3. Makes 8 servings

Sweater Repurpose - Beanie and Scarf

While doing some "trolling", I stumbled across this adorable sweater re-purposing, so I found the perfect sweater vest to try out the project.

I did not have enough fabric to make the scarf portion, but here is a pix of what I did make.

Aprons - NYE Retro

I had to pause my "re-viewing" of Grey's Anatomy to begin my APRON posting.  I have loved aprons most of my life.........I know, I know........I can hear the feminists now screaming how aprons are a symbol of submissiveness or maybe even repression.  All political debates aside, the apron is truly an essential.  In the beginning of my early adult life, aprons had moved from decorative pieces to a basic white.  If you walk into some kitchen stores today, the basic white maybe the only apron you find.  Of course, there are those "manly man" aprons, you know "Kiss the Cook" and "BBQ King" kinds of aprons.

I decided a few months ago I wanted some retro I Love Lucy types of aprons to wear with my heels and pearls!!  LOL

My true inspiration came when I found a current pattern for vintage aprons at a Goodwill store for only $0.59.  I bought it and have wanted to begin work on a collection of decorative kitchen aprons.  Then, I stumbled on a slightly worn apron at a garage sale for a quarter that only needed a little mending and a good washing.  It soon became my pride and joy.

I have since made 2 aprons from re-purposing other items:  one was a child's size 6 sundress and the other a junior's halter top in a fashionable black/white print.  I actually wear an apron anytime I am in the kitchen cooking.

Today's project is the re-purposing of three items into aprons.  I have used the excess fabric from the original pieces for other projects.

Happy Vintage Thanksgiving

This wonderful week always brings to mind a recall to a simpler and slower time. With cool air beginning to really lay stake to the shorter days of Autumn, allowing time to drift slowly by while curled in a cozy blanket teases.

Remembering that we all has so much to be thankful for, I long to erase sadness and heartbreak, longing and melancholy. This year, our family has Derrick home.

Leviticus 7:11-15. "And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the Lord. If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried."

Redesign of men's dress shirt

How completely vintage .......... take a men's dress shirt and re-purpose it into a cute tunic for a woman. I love this project and cannot wait to make it.

I found the idea at:

http://www.prudentbaby.com/2011/10/shirred-maternity-tunic-top.html

and all the directions for completing this project are there.

Tshirt Redo

I found this idea at:

http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2010/04/ruffle-me-uptshirt-refashion-spring-top.html

The directions follow, and you can check out the original post for more re-purposing ideas.
Ruffle me up!
Ruffles are everywhere from tops to shoes, handbags and accessories! And they are super easy to add to any top especially when made from tshirt knit because you don't have to worry about the edges!

Download and print the entire tutorial HERE

Materials:
2 tshirts - about 2 or 3 times bigger than you normally wear
color coordinating thread
scissors
elastic thread
sewing machine
straight pins
measuring tape


Step 1: Shir the bottom of the tee sewing about 6 lines 1/4" apart. We used our sewing foot as a guide between the stitching lines.

Step 2: Cut off the collar. OPTIONAL: Cut a small V dip in the neckline if desired for a different neck shape. Set aside.

Step 3: Lay the 2nd tshirt flat. Cut off the bottom hemline. Then cut 2 strips that are 3.5" wide.

Step 4: Create 1 long strip by cutting "open" at one of the seams or simply cut the loop in half.

Step 5: Cut 1 strip 2.5" wide. Cut open as instructed above.

Step 6: Gather/Ruffle all 3 strips using a basting stitch in y our machine and gently pulling the bottom thread to gather the fabric together. (Stitch 1/4 - 1/2" in from one edge of the fabric strip)

Step 7: Pin one end of the 3.5" ruffled striped at the shoulder seam and the other end about 5-6" from the top of the shirring lines at the bottom of the tshirt lining it up in the middle.

Step 8: Adjust the gathers so the strip fits between the two pinned areas. Pin in place leaving an opening near the middle of the neckline in the front. Repeat with the other 3.5" wide ruffled strip on the opposite side of the tshirt.

Step 9: Sew the ruffles to the tshirt by stitching over the basting line.

Step 10: Fill in the open area in the top middle of the tshirt using the 2.5" wide ruffled strip. Place one end of this strip about 1 inch over the empty area. Pin along the neckline and cut the ruffled strip to be about 1 inch over the other side. Pin in place.

Step 11: Place a second layer of ruffles under this layer making it smaller in width and centering it under the first. (see 2 photos below) Stitch both layers of ruffles onto the tshirt.

OPTIONAL: to create a ruffle at the neckline and shoulder area that isn't as "full", cut and or taper the ruffled fabric towards the shoulder seam until you have reached the desired look.

Step 12: Cut off the hem on each sleeve curving the edge as pictured below.

Step 13: Shir 3 lines from the cut edge to the shoulder seam. Sew 2 shirring lines on the underpart of the sleeve too.

Add rosettes, beads, etc if desired!
I love how this top can be casual but dressy if needed too! Be comfortable this Spring and Summer by wearing a "tshirt" but look a bit more pulled together and stylish!

linking up with.....Keeping it simple, Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, A soft place to land, New Nostalgia, Tip Junkie, Silly Little Sparrow, Todays Creative Blog, Craft Edition

Vintage Fashion - My size

I completely adore vintage clothing, retro fashions and antique accessories. For a number of reasons, I have arrived back at this amazing part of my life where I feel empowered to create a life of my own making, unlimited by preconceived ideas. When I moved to Austin in 2007, I was well on my way to this point, but then taking a job where I wear a uniform daily dampened my enthusiasm. I am ready to move forward, away from a uniformed job and back into a world of my own creating.

Many boutiques in Austin offer vintage fashions - some are actually even reasonable. Many thrift stores and Goodwills in the area also offer some great finds. My biggest obstacle is the clothing size. I am not a small girl, so I am always hunting for things that fit. Luckily, I know how to sew and alter. I found a website with retro patterns. When I am out shopping, I find clothing items that have the look I want and then begin the process of re-fashioning in my size. It is not that hard.