Creamy Cucumbers

My garden cucumbers are finally ready - yay!! I love to use cucumbers in summer salads, but one of my other favorites is to make a creamy sauce for them.  I like to serve these within a couple of days when I make them in the sauce otherwise they will get a little soggy. I like my sauce on the sweet side, but you may experiment with the amount of sweetener you use.
Ingredients:
4 cucumbers
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup plain yogurt, Greek style works great
2 T white vinegar
2-3 T agave or sugar to taste
2 tsp diced shallots or onions (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Peel cucumbers if the outsides are thick, otherwise slice them without peeling. 
2. In a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise and vinegar together until creamy.
3. Add sweetener to taste.
4. Add diced shallots or onion. 
5. Add sliced cucumbers, cover and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

 

 Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Drink Coaster Mats

If you have some scrap material that you don't know what to do with, I have the perfect, simple project for you! During the hot summer months, cold drinks are a must but you might notice that your beverage glasses will sweat and leave a ring of water on your desk or table. I was tired of the papers on my desk getting wet, so I decided to make some mug and glass mats based on a place mat idea but smaller. And now, no more rings of water! The mat absorbs the water and it dries rather quickly. I gave a few to my daughter, so I guess they could be used as gifts too!
I started with 2 kinds of material. The first was quilted material and the second was denim from old jeans (that holds some sentimental value for our family). I used denim with pockets for a few mats because I thought it was kind of cute! My daughter had a great idea with the jeans pocket, she said she could use that one for a remote control holder. I like that idea too! These are my steps:

• First, I cut my material into 7 inch squares. You can cut them any size, for example, with the denim material I followed the pocket size and added an inch to each side, so they were more of a rectangle shape.
• If you are using quilted material you have fewer steps. After cutting your material, match the right sides of the material together and sew a 1/2 inch seam around 3 sides. For the last side, sew it about halfway then turn the material right side out and fold the material in on the edge to sew the rest together by hand (then you won't have a raw edge). It takes only a few minutes to hand sew the edge.
• With the denim material, I wanted a little more "fluff" for the mat, it will give it more absorbing power. I cut a piece of quilt batting just a little smaller than the material.
• Match your material with the right sides together and sew 3 right sides of the denim together. Then turn them right side out and slide the batting in between the 2 pieces of material. When the batting is tucked in and smooth, fold the raw edges of the material inside so you have a nice finished edge. Iron the edge, it will make it easier when you hand sew it together. 
• I hand stitched the last side on my denim pocket mats, but I decided at the last minute to use the sewing machine on a few of the denim mats that didn't have the pockets. I didn't mind that it was top-stitched, it sort of fit in with the denim look. 
• You can be as fancy as you want, you could top-stitch with the machine around all edges for a more uniform look. I was going for a functional mat rather than a decorative one.

 If you like to sew or if you're just learning to sew, this is a super simple project. Happy sewing!
~ Simply Tammi

Confetti Jello

With the weather here in the midwest being so hot lately(100 degrees) today and last week in the high 90's, I was really looking for something cool and refreshing. I had been wanting to make this recipe for a while but hadn't had time, there is a little planning involved...and I'm not really much of a planner.  It's really not hard to make but you do need a little time.  
Here's what you need:

• 4 small packages (3 oz size) of jell-o, I picked 4 different flavors but you can use any combination of 4.
• 2 packets of unflavored gelatin(I used Knox brand)
• 1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk 
• 1/2 c. cold water
• 1 1/2 c. boiling water 

So here is the planning part- you need to make this a couple days before you want to eat it.  Make the 4 packages of jello (use the directions on the box) I made mine in these small 3 and 4 cup containers. You don't want the jello to be too thin.  After the jell-o is set up(about 4 hours) cut it up into small squares and put in a 9x13 pan and refrigerate.
 

Pour the 2 packets of unflavored gelatin into a bowl and mix with 1/2 c cold water, let it sit until it's thick(I guess it's called "blooming") add 1 1/2 cups boiling water and stir until it's dissolved. Let it sit about 30 minutes or until it's cooled down(I put mine in the fridge, I'm not much for waiting!)Add the can of sweetened condensed milk and mix together, then pour over your jello squares and refrigerate overnight or for about 8 hours.  It is worth the wait! It looks pretty and tastes delicious...and didn't last long at my house!

~Simply Angie

Tile Coasters or Decoration

Try this simple DIY project for a gift idea using tile squares for coasters or displaying as a plaque. For a special occasion gift, I decorated a tile using decals and a rubber stamp for my grandson's baptism. I used metal beads with the date of his baptism on the side. I also decorated the back with scrapbook paper and a special quote. You can make a tile for any special occasion. The possibilities are endless! You could use a wedding invitation, your favorite scrap booking paper then decoupage it on the tiles, you can use decals and stickers, you can paint your own design with acrylic paint. You can also use colored tiles and place a quote on another material, such as metal and decorate the coaster with beads, etc.
If I am making coasters for gifts, I usually make 4 coasters and wrap a ribbon around them for an extra touch. For special occasions, I like to give one coaster with an easel for display purposes.
What I Used For My Coasters:
Tile squares, I bought the field stone 4x4 tiles at Menard's in a 8 pack package
Rubber stamps
Stamp ink pad, I use the permanent ink so it doesn't smear when you apply the sealant
Sponge
Colored pencils
Beads
Leather rope or thin wire
Liquid glaze - I use Delta glaze with glitter (it's like a varnish or sealant but for crafts)
Felt, card stock or scrap book paper
Glue (I used Elmer's white glue)

• I use a damp cotton cloth to wipe off the tiles (they can be dusty) before I start applying my decorations. Let the tiles dry, it takes less than 30 minutes.
• I start by cutting a piece of felt or card stock paper to cover the back of the tile. I glue it on with Elmer's glue. This gives a nice finished touch, this step is optional if you don't care if the back is covered.
• Apply stamping ink to your stamp and stamp your design on the tile. 
• You can dip a sponge in some acrylic paint and dab it around the edges if you want a border.
• Apply beads, decals, color your stamp design with colored pencils, or use other decorations of your choice.
• Before you apply your glaze to the stamped portion of the tile, test a portion to make sure it won't smear. I had this problem once when I used water-based ink. Make sure your stamp pad ink is permanent. 
• Use a paint brush to apply a light coat of glaze to the tile.
• Let it dry completely. I let mine dry at least a day before I box them to use as a gift.
• Have fun and be creative!

Back of the baptism tile

Stamped

Stamp and glue thin metal - colored tile

 Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi