New Design, Still Me!

Happy Friday, Everyone!! Notice anything different? French Knots just got a beautiful redesign by the amazing and talented Sharon of Redbud Designs.

I think it all began when I was pregnant last fall, I was craving a new, fun, fresh look for French Knots. But with a new baby, I had other more pressing matters on my mind. At the begining of the year, I started asking fellow bloggers for recommendations for blog designers, Amy recommended Redbud Designs and that was the best decision of ever made.

Sharon was wonderful to work with. She is creative, thoughtful and patient. She is very busy (with two little ones of her own) but I always felt like I had her full creative attention!!

Take a look around. Up at the Menu bar you can scroll through and see my Quilts, Munchie Posts and something NEW Embroidery. I hope to showcase more of my embroidery talents and adventures.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think? Don't you love it? French Knots is my little space where I share my passions: Family, Quilts, Crafts and Food. Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO,

How to Clean a Hot Dog Skewer ~ Mid Week Munchies

We love campfires! I grew up having them all summer long....build a fire, chips and hot dogs, sunset and of course s'mores! A couple years ago we bought an little outdoor fire pit. It was cheap ($50) and oh, we have gotten our money's worth. I try and make sure I always have hot dogs, buns and condiments on hand so we can have an instant weeny roast!

I believe there is a fine art to roast the perfect hot dog and marshmallow over an open flame (but that is a whole nuther' post) BUT what do you do with your nasty skewers after a fun night of cooking? Does this look familiar? Do your skewers look as bad as mine:

Two easy household items will get your skewers looking new again: Tin Foil and Baby Wipes.

 First: Scrub your skewer with tin foil. The tin foil scrapes off any burnt food. Second: Use a baby wipe and clean off left over charcoal and black marks. (Baby wipes are amazing! They are extremely handy and seem to clean better than alot of products.)

Belissimo! Good as new and ready for your next campfire!

4th of July Sparkler Treat ~ Mid Week Munchies

With the Fourth of July, right around the corner, I thought I would share this super patriot rice krispie sparkler! My Mom made them for the boys for Memorial Day and we loved them so much we've made them again for the 4th!

They are super easy, all you need is:

A batch of oh, so yummy Rice Krispies

a star cookie cutter

a skewer

white chocolate and sprinkles

silver dragees

a little American Flag

Before you know it...the kids will be waving these treats as "God Bless America" plays in the background.

How to Pick the Perfect Watermelon ~ Mid Week Munchies

With summer upon us and watermelons every where in the grocery stores; I thought I would share my tried and true method for picking the perfect, sweet, juicy watermelon. If your like my house, we love watermelons!! Summer just wouldn't be the same without them, but who wants a yucky, mealy, no-good watermelon.

Tried and True Method: See these little black bits on the scar of the watermelon? Believe it or not...that's sugar. These sugar bits are juice that has made its way out of the watermelon. It tells you the watermelon is sweet and juicy. These sugar bits can also be found on the ends of the watermelon. The more sugar bits the better! I have never picked a watermelon with these sugar bits and EVER been disappointed.

Happy Summer Everyone.

Boy Talk

I thought it would be fun to keep track off all the little topics of conversation the boys and I had this weekend. Boys are a funny bunch and their conversations are even funnier. In no particular order:

BigFoot, Yeti, Sasquatch ~ what he looks like and catching him.
Snakes
Food ~ my boys starvation level at any given moment
Rio and Cars ~ the movies
Surviving in the Wild
BB guns
Beef Jerky
Firecrackers ~ how un-dangerous they are!
Matches
Ghosts in the Graveyard
Mavs vs Miami Heat ~ NBA Finals
Eagles ~ what is the best bird anyway?!
Indian Arrow Heads
Starting a Fire
How many days til their next Birthday(s)
Bedtimes

Can you tell they have summer on the brain?? To cap the weekend off Thomas found me this morning and begged one more time to light {his own} firecracker. Our neighbor gave him a single firecracker and you would have thought it was a brick of gold! Top of my to-do list this morning: check and make sure we have fire insurance!!

Wasatch Back ~ Ragnar Relay

Next weekend I am running in Utah's very own: Wasatch Back. A 195 mile relay race from Logan, Utah to Park City, Utah. 12 runners run consecutive legs varying in distance and intensity. I am runner 5 and will be running a total distance of 14.6 miles.

I was approached to join the team a few months back and I thought "there is NO way I have a 5 month old", but there was a little voice in the back of my head saying: "You can do it!" "You can do it!". Now my baby is 8 months and is isn't quite so depend on me. My amazing, supportive husband is going to tackle the three kids while I tackle the hills, running at midnight and staying up for 30 + hours.

I know it sounds crazy, but I am really excited!! I know almost all the ladies on our team (we live in the same neighborhood) and they are awesome! Plus, I imagine being together in a van non-stop for 30 hours I'll get to know them all even better!!

Follow me on twitter and I'll keep you posted on my legs of the race and the relay in general.

S'More Birthday

My little guy is turning 6 today and we are having a "camping party"!! Roasting hot dogs and s'mores, camping obstacle course, and of course the tent and scary stories!!

Quilt Market Fun-0-Rama and more!!

I recently got a smart phone and have a fun little app called Instagram! It alters your photos in fun little ways and I love it!! (high pitched at the end) I used my phone to take all my pictures of Quilt Market. So take a peek and enjoy.

 The owner of Pine Needles here in Ut, had a booth with her ah-mazing quilts.

 Moda Booth(s) was ginormous! It was set up like a county fair. I love it!!

 New line of paper doll fabric!!

 Pam Kitty Morning booth ~ strawberry a-go-go!!

 Crabapple Hill Studios ~ there booth was breathtaking. My favorite!!

 The famous Fabric Tree.

Sarah Jane Studios ~ another Utah designer.

Quilt Market is creatively overwhelming. You just fall in love and think things can be any better and then you turn the corner and your blown away all over again. Thank goodness Quilt Market will be back again in Salt Lake City. I heard again in 4 years, hopefully sooner.

Quilt Market Fun-0-Rama!!

Quilt Market came to Salt Lake City last month and I was lucky enough to be able to attend. Four years ago, it came for the first time to Salt Lake and I had an amazing experience. This year I knew what I was in for and Quilt Market did not disappoint!! I took lots of pictures, bought home lots of loot and got inspired for months worth of quilting and creativity.

Here are some of the lucky take-homes I snagged. The ewww-ing and ahhh-ing that must begin. I love little take-homes!!! Magazines, fabric collections, buttons, fabric, little patterns, inspiration and more.

Cute, cute, cross stitch from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery!

 Sarah Jane Studios New Fabric Collections ~ she's from right here in Utah!!

Photos and more to come all about Quilt Market!