Got Carrots?

 Good morning, dear friends. Welcome. 

                

As the days get warmer, my heart begins to sing. Do you have the same feeling? 

 I have been in the crafty mood. Over the weekend, I found the cutest carrots popping up on the internet, and I had to jump on the bandwagon. 

They are clothespin carrots. All you need is clothespins, hot glue, orange paint , paintbrush and twine , yarn or whatever you want to use for the carrot tops. If you google clothespin carrots, you will find different versions whether the crafter uses 1, 2 or 3 clothespins. I chose to use 3 for a chunkier carrot. 

 Let me show you what I did. I gathered 3 clothespins and   took off the metal holders .

 I then painted the clothespins . I used Apple Barrel Pumpkin paint from Walmart ; it was the only orange I had in the house. 

Then glue the segments together in pairs. 

Next glue 2 clothespins side by side and one on top.  

Other crafters used a variety of things for the greens, like twine, fabric, and floral sprigs. 

I had some yarn. I cut a green piece of yarn the length of my arm and wrapped it around 4 fingers to make loops. I then glued the yarn to the top of the carrot.

 I took another green yarn and wrapped around the top for a more finished look and added a twine bow. I think they turned out pretty darn cute if I say so myself.  

On a "carrot high" , I bunny hopped to the quilt nest in hopes of making a small carrot quilt.

 Eyeing some crumb fabrics that I had originally pieced for a snowman quilt, I decided to trim it and use for a background fabric.  Look at all those fabrics sewn willy nilly. 

I added a 2 1/2" border  and Wahlah , it was ready for applique. 

            

I drew a simple carrot shape and appliqued it in two shakes of a lamb's tale. 

            

Now all I have to do is some embroidery work which I hope to work on today. 

Since this is a carrot post, I thought I would leave you with a carrot recipe. 

CARROT CAKE COOKIES

YIELD : 2 1/2 dozen 

BAKE TIME: 25 minutes 

INGREDIENTS:

* 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

* 1 large egg

* 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided

* 2 cups all purpose flour

* 1 teaspoon baking powder 

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots ( about 3 medium carrots)

* 3/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts

* 1  1/2 cup of powdered sugar

* 3 Tablespoons of milk  

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375°F with rack positioned in upper third of oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add egg and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla; beat on medium until combined, about 30 seconds.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating on low speed until just combined after each addition, about 20 seconds (dough will be slightly crumbly). Fold in carrots and walnuts until combined.

Scoop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet, placing cookies 2 inches apart. Bake cookies in batches in preheated oven until bottoms of cookies are golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from oven; let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack, and let cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in a small bowl. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies, and serve.

• Well I am off to make more carrots. But before you leave, let me tell you my goals for the week. 
• 1. Work on Blackbird Designs Antique Sampler 
• 2. Work on my Easter Quilt
• 3. Start a new jar cross stitch
• 4. Post a Spring cross stitch. 
• 5. Get into some crafting/ quilting mischief. 
• I think I can handle that list . Don't you? Lol. Have a blessed day, and I hope you get into a lot of crafting mischief yourself. 
• Thank you for  popping in for a visit. As always...
• Happy crafting and quilting, 
  
• Melisa
• Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable. 
• Hugs and Stitches!!!

I am joining these lovely ladies' link parties. I hope you check them out; they always have so many wonderful projects going on and provide the opportunity for other needle workers to meet.  

Beth at Love Laugh Quilt  for Monday Making

Judy at Small Quilts Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Lynette at What a Hoot!  for BOMs Away Monday

Linda at Texas Quilt Gal for To Do List Tuesday - Tuesday

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• Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. Wish you was here to craft with me. Love ya.