How to Make Vanilla using Vodka using Vanilla Beans (Grade A of Grade B)

Vanilla is one of the most versatile flavors and can be used in a variety of desserts and dishes. While vanilla extract is commonly used in baking, making your own vanilla extract using vodka and vanilla beans is a fun and easy DIY project that can also save you money in the long run.


 

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Here's how to make vanilla using vodka and vanilla beans:

Ingredients:

Equipment:


 

Instructions:

  1. Choose high-quality vanilla beans. Look for plump and oily beans that are flexible and have a strong, sweet aroma. You can find vanilla beans at most specialty food stores, as well as online.

  2. Cut the vanilla beans in half lengthwise using a sharp knife. Use the tip of the knife to scrape out the tiny seeds from the inside of the bean.

  3. Place the vanilla beans and seeds into a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

  4. Pour the vodka over the vanilla beans until they are fully covered.

  5. Give the jar a good shake to mix the vodka and vanilla beans.

  6. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least 8 weeks, shaking it every few days. The longer you let it sit, the stronger the vanilla flavor will be.

  7. After 8 weeks, strain the vanilla extract through cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove any small particles or debris.

Tips:

  • You can reuse the vanilla beans to make a second batch of vanilla extract by simply adding more vodka to the jar and letting it sit for another 8 weeks. I have done this several times and just keep adding more vodka and letting it sit until it is a dark rich brown. 


 

  • You can also experiment with different types of alcohol, such as bourbon or rum, to create different flavors of vanilla extract.
  • Make sure to label your vanilla extract bottle with the date it was made, so you know when it's time to make a new batch.
  • In the jar above: the large uncut vanilla bean is a grade A. Just split it down the center and add to jar. The diced up ones at the bottom are grade B. Not sure why, but the oh so powerful internet told me to do them that way. So that is what I did. Right, Wrong, or Indifferent. But the Vanilla is full of taste so it worked regardless. 

Making your own vanilla extract is a simple and rewarding process that can add a delicious and authentic flavor to your baked goods and desserts. By following these easy steps, you'll have a homemade vanilla extract that's ready to use in just a few weeks!

How to Memorize The Proclamation to the Family

Another memorizing sing for you to do. Memorizing the family proclamation has been a goal of mine for many years. If it’s yours too sure you go we’ve made it easy for you.


 

For me, I have found that memorizing with the first letters left in the sentences helps me to learn it.

Then once I get it down with about half of the words removed and first letters remaining, I go to only the first letter of each word

I haven't gotten good enough to be able to move to first letter of each sentence and after each punctuation yet. But eventually I will get there. 

Make sure to check out all of the inspirational quotes and documents that I am working on memorizing. Most are religious and from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

 



Enjoy! Let me know if this helps you too

How to Memorize the Family Proclamation

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

W, the F P and the C of the T A of The C of J C of L-d S, s p that m b a m and a w is o of G and t the f is c to the C’s p for the e d of H c.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

A h b—m and f—are c in the i of G. E is a b s s or d of h p, and, as s, e has a d n and d. G is an e c of i p, m, and e i and p.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

In the p r, s s and d knew and w G as their E F and a H p by w His c could o a p b and g e e to p t p and u r their d d as h of e l. The d p of h e f r to be p b the g. S o and c a in h t m it p for i to r to the p of G and for f to be u e.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

The f c that G gave to A and E p to their p for p as h and w. We d that g’s c for H ch to m and r the e r in f. We f d that G has c that the s p of p are to be e only b m and w, l w as h and w.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

We d the m by which m l is c to be d a. We a the s of l and of its i in G’s e p.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. 

Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

H and w have a s r to l and c for each o and for their c. “C are an h of the L” (Psalm 127:3). P have a s d to r their c in l and r, to p for their p and s n, and to t them to l and s o a, o the c of G, and be l-a c w they l. 

H and w—m and f—will be held a before G for the d of these o.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. 

Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

The f is o of G. M b m and w is e to H e p. C are e to b within the b of m, and to be r by a f and a m who h m v with c f. 

H in f l is most l to be a when f upon the t of the L J C. S m and f are e and m on p of f, p, r, f, r, l, c, w, and w r a. By d d, f are to p over their f in l and r and are r to p the n of l and p for their f. M are p r for the n of their c. In these s r, f and m are o to h one  as e p. D, d, or other c m n i a. E f should l s when n.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We warn that i who v c of c, who a s or o, or who f to f f r will o d s a before G. F, we w that the d of the f will b upon i, c, and n the c f by a and m p.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. 

We c upon r c and o of g e to p those m d to m and s the f as the f u of s. 

First Letters Only:

W, t F P a t C o t T A o T C o J C o L-d S, s p t m b a m a a w i o o G a t t f i c t t C’s p f t e d o H c. 

A h b—m a f—a c i t i o G. E i a b s s o d o h p, a, a s, e h a d n a d. G i a e c o i p, m, a e i a p.

I t p r, s s a d k a w G a t E F a a H p b w H c c o a p b a g e e to p t p a u r t d d a h o e l. T d p o h e f r t b p b t g. S o a c a i h t m i p f i t r t t p o G a f f t b u e.

T f c t G g t A a E p t t p f p a h a  w. W d t g’s c f H ch t m a r t e r i f. W f d t G h c t t s p o p a to b e o b m a w, l w a h a w.

W d t m b w m l i c t b d a. We a t s o l a o i i i G’s e p.

H a w h a s r t l a c f e o a f t c. “C a a h o t L” (P 127:3). P h a s d t r t c i l a r, t p f t p a s n, a t t t t l a s o a, o t c o G, a b l-a c w t l. 

H a w—m a f—w b h a b G f t d o t o.

T f i o o G. M b m a w i e to H e p. C a e to b w t b o m, a t b r b a f a a m w h m v w c f. 

H i f l i m l t b a w f u t t o t L J C. S m a f a e a m o p o f, p, r, f, r, l, c, w, a w r a. B d d, f a t p o t f i l a r a a r t p t n o l a p f t f. M a p r f t n o t c. I t s r, f a m a o t h o a e p. D, d, o o c m n i a. E f s l s w n.

W w t i w v c o c, w a s o o, or w f t f f r w o d s a b G. F, w w t t d o t f w b u i, c, a n t c f b a a m p.

W c u r c a o o g e t p t m d to m a s t f a t f u o s.

 

Screenshot Pictures of Memorizing the Proclamation to the Family










 

Rag Quilt Fabric Requirements

Are you planning on making a rag quilt but not sure how much fabric you need? We've got you covered! Here's a general guide on how many yards of fabric you'll need for each size of quilt.


 

Crib Size Quilt:


 

 For a crib size quilt, you'll need 2 yards of cotton for the top and 2 yards of flannel for the back. This will give you enough fabric to make a quilt that's approximately 36 inches by 52 inches. This size is perfect for a baby or toddler to snuggle up with.

Mini Quilt:


 

 If you're making a mini quilt, you'll only need 1.5 yards of fabric. This will give you enough fabric to make a quilt that's approximately 30 inches by 40 inches. This size is great for wall hangings or for a small lap quilt.

Baby Quilt:


 

 For a baby quilt, you'll need 1.25 yards of fabric. This will give you enough fabric to make a quilt that's approximately 30 inches by 30 inches. This size is perfect for a baby to use as a play mat or to snuggle up with.

Twin Size Quilt:


 

If you're making a twin size rag quilt, you'll need 7 yards of fabric. This will give you enough fabric to make a quilt that's approximately 70 inches by 90 inches. This size is great for a child's bed or for a smaller adult bed.

Of course, these fabric requirements are just a general guide. Depending on the pattern you choose and the size of your blocks, you may need more or less fabric. Always double-check your measurements and calculations before making your final fabric purchases.

In conclusion, knowing how much fabric you need for each size of quilt can help you plan and budget for your next rag quilt project. Whether you're making a small mini quilt or a larger twin size quilt, we hope this guide has been helpful. Happy quilting!

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Scissors for Sewing - Which one to buy and Why

After sewing for 14 years, I have learned a few things about my likes and dislikes when sewing. 

Scissors is one of those things that I know right off, when I grab a pair, if they are going to complete me. 

Weird. 
 
This isn't a romance novel.
 
But, just like picking a spouse to love forever...A pair of scissors can make or break a project. welp, this analogy is going a little far, but you get the picture...
 
So here are a few things I have learned along the way about scissors for sewing. Especially when it pertains to rag quilting.  
 
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Choosing the Right Scissors

Rag quilting requires a lot of scissors work, especially if you are making any project larger than a small pillow or bag. Even with the right scissors and a small project, your hand will become tired from the repetitive snipping of the exposed seams. With the wrong scissors, snipping can be very difficult. To choose which scissors to purchase or to see if you have the right scissors in your stash, look for scissors with these features:

                    A short blade. This is a must. You can try to cut the quilt with your regular sewing scissors, but you will not be able to cut all the layers at once and you will have more holes in your quilt from cutting the seams.

Shorter blades also provide a more accurate cut each time you snip and are more powerful and strong because of the shortness of the blades. If you do accidentally snip through the seam as you are clipping, it isn’t hard to fix, but who wants to resew what they have already sewn once?

                    Spring-loaded open. Another must-have, the spring will open the scissors for you after you have closed them, which will reduce your hand fatigue. 

                A serrated blade. A serrated blade grips the fabric as it cuts through the layers and will greatly reduce the chance of the scissors slipping and accidentally cutting through a seam.

                    The right fit for your hand. The scissors should be comfortable in your hand. Just like every product on the market, rag quilting snips come in all shapes and sizes. Some have the standard holes for your fingers to grasp as you snip, some are straight handles, others are padded, and some are made for tabletop snipping. Some scissors handles are longer than others, and some are more compact.

If possible, try a couple in your hand to see how they feel.

 

My Favorite Scissors for Rag Quilting 

These 3 scissors are from different price points with different strengths and weakness. I hope my experience with each type will help you choose which pair of scissors is right for you.

Tip 

Your hands may become sore and fatigued, especially when clipping a large project. But you can do it! If you are going to make one rag quilt in your entire life, don’t spend extra money on expensive rag-quilt scissors. But buying a $10–$15 pair of scissors will be worth it.

 

Olfa Stainless Steel Serrated Edge 5'' Scissors 

They work great because they have short and strong blades, which easily cut all the way to the tip of the scissors. I really liked them when I was making a quilt just every once in a while. When I started to sell the quilts and had a lot of clipping to do, I realized that the handles gave me blisters and dents in my fingers because they are not padded. They also are not spring loaded, so my hand was getting tired easily and quickly.

 

These scissors were about $13. My husband still prefers these scissors over any others that we have tried (and yes, he helps me clip a lot of quilts).

These scissors are very strong and compact.

 

Fiskars Softouch Craft Snips 



These snips are spring loaded, so that your hand does not get as fatigued. Another nice feature is the large finger loop so the scissors do not slide through your hand as you go along snipping.

 

These snips are amazing for projects with really thick layers (like denim and Minky), or many layers of fabric. They are very strong and precise because of the short length of the blades. My biggest complaint is that they are pretty long from the point to the end of the handles. When I clip with these, I need to hold the project further away from my body than is comfortable for a long period of time. These run about $20 but can be found at Joann’s and other fabric stores as well as online.

 

 

 

 


Heritage Cutlery 6 1/2'' Spring Loaded Rag Quilting Snips  My absolute favorite scissors are the 6 1/2'' snips from Heritage Cutlery. They are spring loaded and have short serrated blades and padded straight handles. These are the most expensive of the scissors, but are well worth the investment.

 

These babies will cut through 7–8 layers of fabric at a time. They never cause hand fatigue. I am in love with them. They work like a charm. The only thing that I don’t like about them (isn’t there always something) is that there is no finger loop, so my hand slides up and down the handle as I am cutting. It does not hinder my cutting, but it is annoying to readjust my hand every few minutes. These babies will run between $30-$40 and are easily found online

 

 

 

Great Scissors, But Not For Rag Quilting

You may be wondering, do I really need to buy some more scissors? Instead of spending another $10–$30 on scissors, you could buy a lot of fabric! You may think that you have a pair of scissors in your stash that will work great, but maybe not. Here are a few scissors that I use all the time, but not for rag quilting, and why.

 



 

Gingher 8'' Knife-Edge Dressmaker’s Shears  These are my go-to dressmaking scissors. I use them daily. They are amazing, but they don’t work for rag quilting. The blades are too long. They may be really sharp and strong, but the length of the blades causes them to separate as you try to cut through several layers of fabric. They also will not grip the fabric because they have a smooth edge, not serrated. They are not spring-loaded and the handles are not padded. Your hand will hurt after trying to snip even just a few inches. They are awesome scissors, just not awesome for rag quilting.

Kai 8" Dressmakers

These are my new favorite. They definitely trump Gingher scissors. They have a smoother cut but still have the awesomeness of the Ginghers. Both are amazing scissors. 

 

 


Olfa 5'' Precision Smooth-Edge Scissors These scissors, often called thread snips, are small and comfortable in my hand, but the blades are too long, and not big and strong like a rag quilting snip. These scissors are my go-to scissors to keep at my sewing machine to clip threads, but they just aren’t strong enough to go through very many layers of fabric.

 


 

Fiskars Softouch Micro-Tip Pruning Snips

These scissors almost have it all, but the blades are not as strong as I would like them to be for projects with lots of layers, or heavier fabrics, or even for clipping a large project. They are ok, but for the same amount of money you can purchase a pair of scissors better suited for rag quilting. Remember, having the proper tools for the project will make rag quilting a pleasure, instead of a pain. 


 

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