How to Crochet a Simple Edging on a DishCloth Tutorial (Video)...

 

Hi Friends!!!  I made another tutorial video to show how I crochet a simple edging onto dishcloths.  I used dishcloths I had previously crocheted, but you could use any dishcloth that you have.  That video can be found here.  And if you want to see my original tutorial video on how to crochet the actual dishcloths it can be found here. 

You can add an edging in a contrasting color, similar color, or the same color.  The options are endless.  I do recommend you use similar weight yarn for the edging so that they will wash well. And I also suggest you use all cotton yarn for this project. 

And if you do take the time to crochet a few dishcloths, consider blessing a friend with one.   They make wonderful gifts!  I love to give them to friends here and there throughout the year.  They also make great house-warming, hostess, and Christmas gifts.  Just a couple ideas for you!!

I have received so many lovely comments from you all about how much you have enjoyed my tutorial videos. And I really appreciate that!  I only create these videos as an act of love for you all so I am glad you find them helpful!!!  Feel free to share them with others too!!  I would really appreciate that!! And always feel free to ask me any questions or show me your beautiful creations.  I love hearing from you all!!!

I hope you have a lovely day!!!  

Keep stitching!!!

xoxo, 

Cindy

Simple Tips for Itchy Mosquito Bites…

I thought I would share some TIPS for pesky mosquito bites with you!!!  We all know mosquito bites can be so annoying.  So I have several different modalities for you to choose from, one of which is super easy and probably in your kitchen right now!!! 

1. Homeopathy - Ledum 30C, Apis 30C, or Calendula 30C (depends on symptoms). Take one pellet by mouth or drop one pellet in water and apply topically. 

2. Herbal/Natural Poultices - Plantain, Bentonite Clay, Activated Charcoal, Chopped Garlic, or a used Black Tea bag. Wrap one tablespoon of any of the above in a warm, wet paper towel and apply topically for 20-30 minutes at a time. 

3. Folk Medicine/Home Remedies - Banana Peel. Most everyone can get this and use it. It’s SO easy!!! Peel the banana and rub the inside of the peel topically onto the bite. Store peel in the freezer and use again. It truly works miracles!!! I discovered this about 10 years ago and it has worked for us every time! 

I hope these tips help!!! ☀️😎🍉

Stay Safe Friends!!!

xoxo,

Cindy

How to Transform a Well-worn (and Favorite) Dish Towel...

I was folding a load of towels this morning and came across this sad dish towel.  The side seams were barely hanging on.  However, the actual fabric in the center of the dish towel was in pretty good shape.  (And I must admit I have a sentimental attachment to this dish towel - as crazy as that sounds!!!)  So.... I had the idea to just serge the torn edges off.  I decided to use the serger because it would cut and bind the edges nicely AND it would preserve a larger area of the dish towel rather than turning under the edges twice and stitching an edging. 

I love how it turned out.  It is just so simple and that really makes me happy.  I thought I'd share this idea because maybe you have one, or two, well-worn dish towels that need a little kindness and attention to bring them back to their full use!!! 

Hi Friend!!! How has your summer been?  Are you about ready for fall?  My summer has been very busy but it also has been very good.  We went on a wonderful family vacation, had many fun afternoon excursions to the local coffee/tea shop with my kids to talk about what was on their minds, watched a few new movies - even went to the theater for one, helped a lot of people with homeopathic remedies, mentored many students who are learning to use homeopathy, read some great books, listened to some great sermons, etc.  It has been a full and great summer!!!  I do hope yours has been lovely too!!!  I'd love to hear from you!!! 

Be Blessed Friends!!! 💗

xoxo,

Cindy

 

Egg-Free Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe...

Hi Friends!  

I thought I would share one of our favorite snack recipes with you.  I have a child who has an egg allergy.  It's not his fault that he has this allergy and so I try not to make a big deal out of it.  Instead, over the years, I have just modified and adapted all of our favorite recipes so that we can all enjoy them together.  

And if you do eat eggs and just happen to be out of them, this is a great recipe you can still make.  They are delicious and I do hope you make and enjoy them!!!

Be blessed!!!

Egg-Free Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe

Yields: 12 muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

3 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1 cup water

1/4 cup applesauce

2 T. melted butter (can be omitted if desired)

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking power, and salt.  To this mixture stir in the water, applesauce, and melted butter stirring until all the dry ingredients are combined.  Add in the chocolate chips.  Grease muffin pan and fill with the muffin mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes.  Enjoy!!!

Fun, Striped Knitted Socks...

Wow! This was the fastest pair of socks I have ever knitted. They took me three weeks from start to finish. I realize for most people that’s not very fast, but for me who often takes two years to finish a pair of socks, it’s pretty impressive!!! 

I used my pattern that I always use. And the yarn was actually in my stash. I really like all the various shades of blue in it.  I could not find the yarn label so I’m not sure what yarn it was but it feels a bit like wool, but like it may have a bit of cotton in it too. I’ll have to keep searching for the brand and when I figure it out I’ll let you all know. 

Oh another two things: the yarn was self-striping which I love and it always fascinates me!!! And two, I had all intentions of trying really hard to match the stripes when I started the second sock. Then I got excited about finishing the first and starting the second, and completely forgot!!!  Fortunately the yarn serendipitously worked it all out almost perfectly on its own!!! The stripes are very close to matching and I’m thrilled!!! 

I found it really hard to get good pictures while wearing the socks, but it was pretty funny! If you prefer to see the socks off my feet, here they are. 

What are you doing to nurture your soul each day? Creating something? Listening to music? Enjoying nature? Please think about what brings you joy and do it intentionally!!! It makes all the difference, Friends!!! Take care of yourself and each other!!! 

xoxo,

Cindy

Sock Knitting in February...

All this cold weather ⛄️ inspired me to finish knitting this pair of socks 🧦 that I’ve had on my needles for awhile now.  

For me knitting socks is a comfortable mixture of intense focus 🤔 and mindlessness 🙃. Some parts require a lot of attention and the other parts don’t. I work on the heel turns and decreases when I have the time to pay attention and keep track of the various rounds. And I work the cuff and foot of the sock while listening to an educational lecture or audiobook. That process seems to work well for me. 😊

I used my tried and true pattern. One day I need to try a new pattern, but for now I am very content with this one. The yarn 🧶 is navy Berroco Comfort Sock and I really enjoyed knitting with it. I used my size 1 1/2 Crystal Palace bamboo double pointed needles. I’ve had these needles for almost 20 years and they have been faithful, but I think they are on the edge of breaking. I am looking into some new ones. 

What have you been working on lately? Are you taking time to nourish and refresh your soul? 🌈 Please do find some pockets of time each day to do something you enjoy!!! ❤️

xoxo,

Cindy

How to Make Elderberry Syrup...

Have you ever made elderberry syrup? It really is super simple to make and tastes pretty amazing!!! I think you should try it!!! Yes, I realize this is predominately a sewing blog, but we need to maintain our health and immunity so we can sew more!  Right? That's my plan anyway! So let's jump right in!

Elderberries (Sambucus Nigra) are deep purple berries that are known for their history with boosting the immune system and treating colds, flus, and other viral infections.  I also like to add rose hips to my elderberry syrup because they are high in vitamin C.  You could also add other things, like cloves, ginger, cinnamon, etc.  I personally prefer the combination of elderberries and rose hips. 

I like to make elderberry syrup a few times a year to have on hand for my family.  We take it as a prevention over the winter months, and we also take it a bit more often if we do find that we are feeling under the weather.  

I would like to share my recipe with you all today.

Here are the ingredients that I use:

1 cup elderberries, dried

1/2 cup rose hips, dried (optional, but I like them)

2 cups water

Local honey (amount explained below)

Let's get started:

Measure your dried elderberries and rose hips into a medium-sized pan. Add in the water and bring to a slow boil.  Turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring gently here and there.

Using a fine strainer, strain out the plant materials, collecting the liquid in a clean container.  (I collect it in a glass measuring cup.)  Then measure how much of the liquid elderberry-rose hip liquid you have.  Measure out the same amount of honey and stir it into the elderberry-rose hip liquid.  

Pour your syrup into a jar with a tight-fitting lid, store in the refrigerator, and use the syrup within the next three months.  Also make sure to label your jar with the contents and the date you made it.

To use for prevention:

Children take 1 tsp. daily

Adults take 1 T. daily

To use when ill with a viral infection:

Children take 1 tsp. several times daily

Adults take 1 T. several times daily

Some misc. random thoughts:

*This is a cross post from my Cindy Johnson Homeopathy website.  It can be found here if you are interested in following me for health and homeopathy.  

*A good friend of mine pours some of her syrup into ice cube trays and freezes them before putting them into a container and storing in the freezer.  She said this way she always has some available and she can quickly thaw out a cube or two in the refrigerator.  I am definitely going to try this!

*Dried elderberries and rose hips can be purchased from your local herb shop.  If you don't have a local herb shop to support, you can also purchase online.  

*Also please make sure to use local honey. It really makes a difference!

*I am not a medical doctor and the information I share is solely for educational purposes.  Please consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about using this elderberry syrup.