Croissant Pizza Rolls

While having some friends over, the hunger pains were calling. I was going to make a spinach rolls but did not really have everything I needed. I managed to scrounge up something resembling pizza fixings so naturally I pretending that was my plan all along. Thus I have created, Croissant Pizza Rolls!

Here is what you will need 

to make your own...

A tube of croissant dough
Pizza sauce or a tomato based pasta sauce
Italian type cheese (Shredded)
Toppings (Pepperoni, veggies, olives, etc.)

Unroll your dough onto a floured flat surface like a cutting board.

Spread sauce then add toppings.

Roll up then slice 1-2 inch thick rounds.

Bake flat on cookie sheet for about 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees.


These rolls were very quick and easy and were eaten the same way. You can also serve with some sauce on the side for dipping. I highly recommend these to anyone needing an appetizer or finger foods for a get together. Please given them a try and let me know how you like it!

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Be Mine!

Felt is such an interesting piece of material to work with. It is not quite fabric but does not just pull apart. It can be made into any shape or color and gets little fibers everywhere when you use it. The nice thing about it is that it is cheap and just about anyone can work with it.

For Valentine's Day this year I have decided to decorate with felt! So I have a  made  couple things to make our home feel more festive. The first is heart garland.

I have seen a few tutorials on how to make these hearts but I think they are little misleading. Generally you take two pieces of felt back to back that are the same size. Sew one end about 1/8 on an inch from the edge. Flip inside out then do the same on the other end. This gives you the heart shape.

The instructions I was seeing said to sew two large pieces together with this method first then cut into your smaller strips. The problem with this is that the stitches fall out as soon as you cut your felt strips. I recommend cutting them to size first. It does take a little longer, but this way they will not fall apart. You can use any size felt. I used pieces that were 1.5" X 4".

To make this project uniquely mine I chose to add some decorative stitching on each strip before sewing. After all hearts were made I stung them together on some cotton floss.

Another felt project is conversation hearts. I made a small three dimensional heart with felt and embroidery floss for the stitching. u used a ribbon for the hanging portion but you could use any material or another piece of felt.

First cut out your design, in this case it was hearts. If you are going to be adding words then stitch onto felt before sewing together. Start stitching together your two pieces, once you have gone about 3/4 of the way around stuff with some old fabric, pillow stuffing or left over stuffing from a toy. (In this case I used the stuffing out of an old dog toy. Don't worry there was no slobber on it). Once you have stuffed your heart to the desired thickness, you can finish stitching around your heart.

 Lastly, nothing says a holiday like something fun to wear. I personally like accessories thus I picked a headband. Start with a blank headband form or an old headband you feel like jazzing up a bit. I wrapped ribbon around the blank then hid the tail with some glue. Cut out hearts to stack with hot glue then added them to the headband. Voila` your are done and now ready for your hot date!

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Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

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Granny Square Quilt

So I started making this blanket back in October and worked on it on and off since then. I made the goal to get it done by New Years, that didn't not really happen but I was close. I got all of the individual pieces done. I just didn't sew it altogether until the 2nd. ...But Kristen it is the 22th? Yes, well I have been busy lately, or lazy... not really sure which. Not so much as lazy just not wanting to blog late at night. Then again that is what I am doing right now. So I guess this is just better late then never. At least I got it done!

The final blanket measures just over 3 ' X 5'. I made up the patterns as I went along. I started by learning how to do granny squares then after using the variegated yarn and tan yarn I got bored. So I found the corresponding colored yarns and went to town! I am pretty please with how it came out since it is the most detailed yarn project I have ever done. I knit and needlepoint as well but I am really starting to like crocheting. Since it was pieced together with different size squares they did not always match up perfect and the tension was not the same on some of the first few squares. That is why there was some puckering. For a first attempt I am choosing to look past that and am proud of what I made.

I used about 2144yards (about 8 skeins) of yarn with a J/10 (600MM) hook. I made rounds of 3, 7 and 14 for the squares. Otherwise I just followed a basic granny square of. Here is my pattern...

First Round-
Chain 6

Insert hook through first loop and pull loop through to create circle.
Chain 3, DC 2 through the circle, Chain 2
DC 3, Chain 2 (repeat twice)

Insert hook into 3rd stitch of starting chain. Cut tail and pull through. (hide tail as needed).

***You should now have a center circle and 4 smaller circles.***

Second Round -

Pull through one of the holes created in first round. Chain 3, DC 2, Chain 2.

Insert hook into next hole, DC 3, Chain 2, DC 3 (This is be the corners on each time around) Repeat twice more.

Insert hook into 3rd stitch of starting chain. Cut tail and pull through (hide tail as needed).

Third Round (and each additional round)-

Pull through one of the corner holes created in second round. Chain 3, DC 2, Chain 2, DC3.

Insert hook into next hole, DC 3

In the next hole DC3, Ch2, DC3 (Repeat last two steps all the way around. For each hole that is not a corner just chain 3.)

Insert hook into 3rd stitch of starting chain. Cut tail and pull through (hide tail as needed).

This can be as many rounds as you want following the same pattern of crochets and chains.

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Gluten Free Vegan Apple Crisp

Weather you are eating gluten free or vegan for health reasons or you just prefer it, this is great recipe! During Thanksgiving I tried this version of the classic dish and was pleasantly surprised on how well it came out. I am not currently vegan, and I do not need to eat gluten free foods regularly but I understand how difficult it can be to find good tasting recipes for these specific diets. Try this out and I bet your non vegan or gluten free friends and family won't even be able to tell.

This is a picture taken before baking

Gluten Free Vegan Apple Crisp



4 Apples ( 2 Granny Smith / 2 Gala)
2/3 C Brown Sugar
1/2 C All purpose gluten free baking mix
1/2 C Rolled oats
1/3 C Vegan butter (Softened)
    1 t Cinnamon

Mix together the sugar, baking mix, oats and cinnamon. Once evenly combine cut in butter with a pastry cutter then set aside.

Core, peel and slice apples about 1/4" thick. I used a combo core/slicer that also peels the apples but you can also do so by hand.

Layer apples in baking dish sprayed with oil. Try mixing the two kinds evenly through out so the flavors flow together.(I used a dish that was 6.5" X 10" X 1.75")

With each layer sprinkle some of the crisp mixture leaving the majority for the top layer.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes depending on your oven. The apples will be tender but not mushy and top will be golden

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Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

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RibbonTree

Although I love real Christmas trees I realized this year we really just do not have the room for one. Last year we got a mini tree that was kind of fun but we were not even going to be here for Christmas this year. So I made a table top ribbon tree instead. I can use it year after year and it is not too big so it can be stored away until the following year after Christmas.

To make your own ribbon tree you will need:
Cardboard or cone shaped base
Ribbon
Hot glue and glue gun
Scissors

If you have a cone base already you can start gluing your ribbon to the base. If not you will need to make one with your cardboard. Figure out how tall you would like your tree to be. With a straight edge measure the height from one point to the next. Then with a compass or string draw an arch about 45 degrees. Cut out then glue or tape edges together.

Once you are ready for adding ribbon, cut your pieces about 3 inches long. I used wider ribbon toward the bottom, similar how a real tree has larger branches at the bottom. Work your way around your cone base. I folded the ribbon in half, glues the ends together then glues the ends onto the base.

Continue this all the way around then move up to the next row. Try to space the ribbon pieces in between the ones on the row below to overlap any ends. Continue this proses until you reach the top.Once at the top you can put a star or what ever kind of topper you would like. I just added some ribbon loops upward then wrapped a single piece around where the ends were glued to cover the seam.

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

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Dried Coconut and Date Rolls

I live in the state of Washington in America. Which is nowhere near coconuts. But it must have been coconut season somewhere because my local grocery store had coconuts for a dollar each. Due to the far proximity of real live coconut trees, they are usually priced around five dollars each, so I was impressed. I instantly found myself grabbing a couple just because I love them and WILL find a way to use them or just eat them.

I thought about vacuum sealing them but was not sure if it would be worth the vacuum seal bag. I didn't picture them lasting very long any way. So the next best thing was to dry the coconut out to use in some holiday baking I was planning on doing in the next month. Relatively speaking, dried coconut is not very expensive. However, if coconuts are cheap and plentiful, drying them is a good way to preserve the meat inside for later use.

I had been meaning to make date rolls for a few weeks now after rediscovering how much I love them in the bulk section at the grocery store. Every 10 months or so I get a couple just to fulfill the craving. Since I was attempting to dry my own coconut I thought I might as well make up some date rolls with some freshly dried coconut. Kind of ironic but delicious none the less. These snacks are Vegan and most specialty diets friendly. They can be made quickly and by any skill level. Great for the upcoming holidays!

The upper rolls over covered with almonds. The low rolls are covered with coconut.

First to dry out your coconut. You will need to drain any liquid inside. You can drink or use later for something else, just don't waste that liquid joy. You will need to poke out two of the three eyes to do so. (It still sounds funny in my head as I type it).

You will then need to pour out the liquid. You can do so by positioning the coconut with one eye down and the other two above it. This allows air to flow and helps the liquid to come out.



To brake in two pieces to reach the meat inside. Hit with a hammer or something heavy along the center line across if the eyes are on the top or bottom.

You can now also pull the inner shell away from the outer hard shell.

Cut away the bark or inner shell from the meat. You can now start adding to your dehydrator tray. I like to shred it and also cut thin wide strips with potato peeler.

Spread evenly around tray. Smaller pieces can fall through the tray if the spaces are too big. I recommend using a tray liner. I made my own, here is a link to my blog with instructions.
Dry for about 1-2 hours on low.
I found I can get about two coconuts worth on four trays.

Moving onto the date rolls you will need; 14-16oz of pitted dates, 3/4 C ground slivered or ground almonds, 1/2 C dried coconut.

If dates are not pitted start by doing that... then you can cut in quarters or halves. then set aside. If you are starting with slivered almonds you will want to chop very finely or run through a food processor. The texture is up to you, I chose to process until it was almost a powder at the finest point and no more than 1/2cm thick at the largest piece.

Warm dates until soft in pan on a cook top or in the microwave. You do not want to cook them, just make them tender. Combine 1/2C almonds and all of the dates in a food processor. You can also do this by hand but may take a little longer. If so I recommend using a rolling pin to help smooth out date paste.

Once almonds and dates have been well combine. You can roll into a log shape then cut in pieces or grab about a golf ball sized piece and roll into desired shape. I kept mine about the size of the whole date. Roll into topping of choice, your almonds or coconut. Store in air tight container to keep soft.

Normal dates can last about 6 months in the refrigerator or at least a year in the freezer or in a cool air tight container in your cupboard. I hope you enjoy and try put this quick recipe.

~~Connect with me ~ 

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Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

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Thanksgiving Wreath

As November winds down and grows closer to the Thanksgiving holiday I like to think of everything I have to be thankful for. Frankly the list goes on and on. I feel so blessed in this last year that words can not express. I am not rich but I am full of hope for the future. I am not poor but I am joyful in what I do have.
No matter who you are and what circumstances you have lived though you can always find something to be thankful for. Even if it is just the shirt on your back.

This year for thanksgiving I will be spending it with some dear friends who are more like family then some of my actual family. I cherish the time I get to spend with them even if it is just grabbing a cup of coffee. For dinner I am going to be making some desserts. I am still working on it so check back in the next day or so. In the mean time I did get some decorating done around my house. I first made an autumn wreath about a month ago but decided I wanted something a little more Thanksgivingish, so here it is!

You will need:

A Wreath base ( I got mine at the dollar store)

Hemp twine

Hot glue and gun

Feathers (I used pheasant)

Buttons or other things to decorate with

I chose to use two different sized wreathes tied together with hemp twine. You can also wrap the twine around the entire wreath if you want to to help keep the shape of the wreath.

I recommend sketching out where you want to place everything, because once you start gluing it is very difficult to change things.

Start with the farthest feathers first. Glue in groups of three alternating colors or shapes. This gives interest to the wreath and helps draw your eye into the center of the feathers.

As your work toward the center, decrease the size of the feathers.
***Trimming the length of the feathers or removing some
of the more fine feathers away from the ends
helps thin out the bulk of each feather***

You can add buttons or other embellishments in the center or at the end of each feather grouping.

I chose to alternate colors and decrease the size of each layer of feathers to suite my own taste but please try other methods to meet your own ideas.

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris