Material Girls Idaho: Dec 2013 Brunch

Our annual Christmas meeting this year included a fun brunch, a gift exchange and of course a show and tell. We started with the brunch, so here are some of the fun dishes we enjoyed along with a few recipes:

Gingerbread mini muffins with lemon glaze

2.5 c. flour

1.5 tsp. soda

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. salt

1 dark brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 c. molasses

1 c. buttermilk

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Mix wet ingredients, add dry ingredients. Fill mini muffin tins 2/3 full. Makes about 48. Bake at 350 for 13-15 min. Let cool 10 minutes. Set on foil on rack.

While still warm, spoon lemon glaze over the top.

1/3 c. lemon juice

1.75 c. powdered sugar

Creme Brulee French Toast

1/2 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar

2 T. corn syrup

loaf of bread

5 eggs

1 1/2 c. half and half cream

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

In pan, melt butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Pour into a 9x13 pan. Arrange the slices of bread on top. Beat eggs, half & half, vanilla and salt. Pour egg mixture on top of the bread. Cover and put in refrigerator overnight. Bake in the moroning at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm.

Raw Apple Muffins

4 c. tart, firm apples, dices (peels may be on or off)

1 c. sugar

2 eggs, beaten lightly

1/2 c. oil

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 c. raisins

1 c. broken walnuts-leave some in large pieces

Mix together the apples and sugar. Set aside. In another bowl, put the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and stir with a fork until blended. Add eggs, oil, vanilla to the apple mixture and mix thoroughly.

Sprinkle the flour mixture over the apple mixture and blend well.

Sprinkle the raisins and walnuts over the batter and mix until they are evenly distributed. Spoon into greased muffin tins or paper muffin cups. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes or until a knife comes out clean when inserted in the middle. Serve warm. Makes 16 muffins.

Toffee

1 cup whole or slivered almond- spread our on foil lined cookie sheet

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/4 teas. salt

1/2 teas. vanilla

Cook over high heat for 5-6 min. Stir constantly with a dry wooden spoon.

Pour over nuts

Cool and dip in 1/2 lb. milk chocolate and roll in 1/2 lb. chopped walnuts

DEMO

Jeri showed us a cute idea for making festive cards and envelopes. Take a piece of tissue paper, crinkle it and then flatten it back out (gives it texture). Then using a hot, dry iron, iron the tissue paper onto the shiny side of freezer paper. Below you can see a roll of freezer paper with pieces of tissue paper placed on top. To make a note card, just cut out a rectangle and fold it over once. You can write your note on the dull side of the freezer paper.

To make the envelope, Jeri gave us a template to use to cut the shape. Below she is showing how to fold in the four corners to make it an envelope. Jeri is making these with her grandchildren.

Also Nancy spent a couple minutes explaining our new project for next year which is making some quilts for the Quilts of Valor charity. We were each given a pattern and we signed up for the various stages of the quilts. Each in the group will make 3 star blocks using blues (not shiny, more on the grey side of blue). We will bring the star blocks to our January meeting. If you need a pattern, contact Nancy.

We are also starting the Pizza Box Exchange again in February. You can decide what size quilt square you'd like each of us to make. Bring your finished quilt block that will travel with your pizza box to the February meeting. Also you can leave extra fabric in the box if you'd like.

SHOW AND TELL

Jeri made this red and white quilt a few years ago (before the blog) and shared it with us again.

Sherry made this gray and yellow quilt and she will use it as a cuddle quilt.

Diane embroidered this pillowcase.

Diane made these pillow cases that hold children's books. It's a Cluck Cluck Sew pattern.

Diane's daughter makes these stars using selvages.

Diane made this pillow using burlap.

Caren made this quilt.

Corrie made a vintage baby quilt. We will be making these in January.

Lenette made these little girl dresses.

This is such a fun idea. Jeanie made an apron using a man's shirt.

Jeanie made this and used minky on the back. She used Moda fabric and the pattern is called Couch Potato.

Jeanie made this quilt.

Darla is in the process of making this paper doll quilt and will applique the dolls on squares she has made. The pattern is called Antique Rose.

Cindy made this Lone Star quilt using the diamonds and pattern that her mom found at a garage sale. She's going to donate it to humanitarian charities.