the recipe

katie jean's cookie biscotti aka cookie biscotti sticks



1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2/3 cup butter (10.5 tbs.)

¼ cup light corn syrup

¼ cup creamy peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 ½ cups uncooked regular oats

1 12 oz. Package of semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup butterscotch chips

½ cup coarsely chopped peanuts 

Stir together brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a saucepan; cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves and butter melts. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Gently stir in oats. Press into bottom of an ungreased 13 x 9 pan lined with aluminum foil. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until browned. 

Melt chocolate chips in saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat. Lightly stir in butterscotch chips not letting them totally melt. Pour onto the baked cookie crust, and spread evenly. Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts. Let cool in pan. Cover and chill until firm. Or pop them in the freezer. 

Lift uncut cookies out of pan using foil as handles. Cut crosswise in 1” sticks using a large chef's knife. Cut in half again making shorter sticks.

Thanks for asking for the recipe!  From Christmas with Southern Living 2007, modified.

some new news

Every year at my girl's school they have a wonderful fund raiser called The Dessert Extravaganza.  Each family is asked to make a dessert.  One dessert that is cut up for every guest to taste and one to be sold for $20.  There is also class baskets to be auctioned, a silent auction, live auction, and a raffle.  It is a great time,and  the school raises a ton of money.



This year I was sick and not able to go.  But I did make a momma and daughter apron set for the silent auction.  I just found out that it was sold for $50. vintage dessert cookbook included. Very cool!

And... the really great news.... my cookies that I made won 2nd place!!  I called them "katie jean's chocolate cookie bar biscotti".  It's a modified recipe from a Southern Living cookbook.  I've made these before for a Christmas cookie exchange when I had to make 6 dozen of them!  The recipe will soon follow :)

love this

The final class in my Scrap Happiness series is next Wednesday evening.  So start gathering up your scrappy little pieces of fabric, cut them into little squares and come join me!



To celebrate this sewing series of classes, I will also have a little few bits of katie jean treasures to give away to class members.  Just to say thank you to all of those fun sewers that participated.

There are still a few spots left and we will also be holding the eye pillow class again.  You have a second chance to sew these up for a special Mother's Day present.



Call The Tin Thimble for registration and the class supply list (916) 652-2134.

the california museum

This is where you will find me today!

time to pack

This is the bag that I finished yesterday!  I am so in love with it.  I bought this sewing themed fabric and had no idea what I was going to make with it.  But knew that I couldn't let it pass me by!  And I'm so glad that I didn't!



I did add somethings to the pattern.  It needed a little closure.  And as an afterthought I added a pink elastic (love that little scrap of fabric!) and a fabulous button stack.  I also made the inside pocket into 3 pockets, not two.  I like to have my phone in one pocket and my little camera in another.  And then my business cards in the third.  All seperated so they don't get scratched our messed up.



In the midst of this sewing frenzy, I did manage to sneek this doll bed into my house.  And  then out in the backyard to take a picture for you.  Can't you see why I couldn't walk away from it!  Now it's time to clean in up and sew up some coziness!

Do you know that I made this bag for you?  Come and see it and me! this Saturday at The California Museum....please!

finishing up

I had fun yesterday finishing this little girls apron.  It is made from a little white curtain that I found thrifting.  The rows of white ruffles were already there.  It is big enough to make two aprons from.  Lucky me!



Since the ruffle edges were unfinished, I left some of the other pieces raw too.  I like this look a lot, especially the flower.  I guess this is the shabby chic look!



The fabric is just the opposite of shabby.  It is by the wonderful Heather Bailey.  I love each little piece of fabric in her collection.  So fresh and so vintage.  I really like how the flowers seem to be outlined in another color.  It makes them pop out even more!



Yesterday I also had about an hour to myself, so I swung  by my local thrift.  I found an adorable doll bed!  It is still in my car... I'm afraid to bring it in the house and hear what my hub will say. "Another doll bed!  We have no storage room left!"  I just couldn't walk away from it.  Soo... at my next show in April, I will have a doll bed all outfitted with a matress, quilt, pillow, and a row of paper dolls!  I really like making these and I hope to be better about getting them made up, because they come out so cute!  Can you tell I'm proud of my work :)

busy crazy

Or is it crazy busy?  I  had one of those mornings.  I couldn't find my camera to take blog pic's for you.  Had to mail off my swag to the post office.  And then package up and drop off a silent auction donation for my daughter's school.  All I can say is, at least it wasn't Claire's morning!

I did find my camera.  It was in my work room on a fabric covered (strewn) chair.  Yes, it's a very messy room right now.  I don't know if I'm coming or going.  So if you know me, my whole house is a mess!  Please don't do a pop in...

The great part of this is that I do love the crazy business (that's busy) that comes before I do a show.  I try to get so much last minute bits of sewing done.  Trying to make the items that sell, and making new items that I have been waiting to make.



That is when you get super cute hand tied doll quilts.  That go with the super cute handmade dolls.  Perfect for when your girl (or you!) is ready to tuck in her baby and then get herself in bed.  Nice and cozy. Maybe your girl will want a blanket that matches her dolls blanket.... hmmm, I see another sewing project coming on!



See you Saturday!

p.s. the first pic is of a little unlined bag I just made for the first time.  I love the little bunny tag!  I hope to have two more new purses or bags sewn up soon....

saturday

This is going to be such a fun day!  I have never been to the new California Museum.  And I am so excited to be there this coming Saturday.  Especially with the girls from Indie Sacramento.  Visit their blog for the low down on some pretty great vendors. They know how to put on a show!

I am sewing up new items everyday getting ready.  And I am a crazy girl trying to balance my life this week!  Making new apron's, bags, children's tops, quilts, and vintage tea towels.  I'll be a good katie jean girl and share pic's with you leading up to this big day.

This morning I finally placed an order to have the Tea Towel Challenge book available this Saturday for you as well.  And what would a craft show be without free stuff,  Indie Sac always has fantastic swag!  Come to California and see me for a fun day, Indie Sac style.

1049

That's how many people have seen this little quilt!



Seen it from my etsy site any way.  Remember how I made it?

what i want

And what I promised to do!  Was to show you my fav Oscar dress.  So here it is..



I know it's over top and really purple. Sure to be not everyone's favorite.  But I do love it!  And I think she looks perfect in it.  Simple hair, simple makeup, and jewelry.   Perfect!



And you know I was thrilled to see this guy!  In a sparkly coat no less.  Such talent!

For tomorrow I will be back to my regular katie jean posts.  Thanks for putting up with me.

tonight's the night

L o v e   him. 

Any way... tonight is the Oscar's so I will be busy most of the day.  I plan to do a little hand sewing and sittin' on my butt.  Watching all of the Oscar pre-shows and post shows.  

Tomorrow you will prob see a picture of my best dressed.  Yes, big, big plans for the day! What are you up too?

finished it!

 

I love this little quilt so very much!  I finished sewing on the binding yesterday while I helped my beauties with their homework.

 

 

I just don't want to take my eyes off of it!  Do you think I can make one of these to fit my California King?

 

 

Even the back is cute!  I mean, what gets better than pink on pink polka dots?  And even all the white stitching looks good.  I hope this doesn't sound like bragging.... but come on!  I am lovin' it!

 

And tomorrow I part with it.  I will be going to The Tin Thimble so you can see it up close and personal there.  Hopefully you will also sign up for one of my scrappy sewing classes while you are there!

 

You will find Scrappy Happiness every Wednesday night (except St. Patrick's Day) in March from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. for $30 per class.  A supply list will be provided when you sign up. Just call (916) 652-2134.

just look

at what I did!  I just joined an online business class.  But a very special one!  It's Indie Business.



And I'm lovin it!  For 6 weeks.  Look over the websites of these 3 fab girls for even more crafty fun.

moo

I had some fun a few weeks ago and picked out some new postcards.



Would you like me to send you one?  Each is an original.  Just email me:  trottgirl@sbcglobal.net and leave a comment on this little post.



Have a great day! 

p.s. I will only be sending out 5 cards :)

scrappy quilt

This is the 4th class that I will be teaching at The Tin Thimble for the month of March.  And it is also the class that we will be using the most fabric scraps.



This is a pic of the quilt in its early stages.  I now have all of the scraps sewn on, I just have to start on the binding.  Which I know will go quickly.  So, I'll have to show you an updated pic soon.

This quilt is a fat quarter size.  So it can be for a doll or a baby.  You can even make it bigger if you like.  It has been so fun for me to make, I just didn't want to finish it!  This class is being held Wednesday, March 31st 6 - 9 p.m.  Call 652-2134 to sign up!