Fleece Blanket with Crochet Boarder

Warning: you need basic crochet skills for this project.

This was my very first dorm craft.  I got the fabric I sale for 50% off and the yarn with a coupon for 50% off, in total it cost only about $20 and I got to pick my colors and everything.

So I made this for fun, before I started this blog, so I don't have any pictures while I was making it, but it only took about an hour.

Supplies:

1. Fleece (I used 2.5 yards, long enough for an extra long twin bed)
2. Scissors
3. Crochet Hook (size Q or 16mm)
4. Yarn (I used Bernat Blanket yarn)

I saw fleece blankets with a cute little yarn boarder in a picture, and when I was at the fabric store with my mom and her friend, they ended up convincing me to get thick soft yarn for the boarder, so I had to create my own design.

First, I simply cut holes approximately 1 or 2 inches apart, I didn't feel like measuring, so I didn't.  I cut the holes large enough that I thought the hook would easily slip in and out. I slightly folded the edge to make cutting a bit easier, but it did make the holes a little bigger, some bigger than I wanted, but they still work.  I cut holes one side at a time (because I get board so I needed to switch between cutting and crocheting). 

I secured the yarn with a knot in the first hole, then crocheted a single crochet stitch into each hole just as you would into a regular stitch.

After going around once I didn't think it looked finished, so I went around a second time with a slip stitch into each of the previous single crochets.  I tied it off at the end and weaved the end in a little ways.

I am too impatient to crochet an entire blanket, so this was a great, quick project that allowed me to add my own personal touch to an already soft blanket.

This blanket was super easy and inexpensive. It would make a great gift, I even washed it and it didn't come apart!  Best wishes, and happy crocheting. 

Oreo Truffles

Ok, I will be honest, these things are super sweet and even a sweet tooth like me can only handle two before I know I need to stop.  They taste so good, but I have made them so many times, they are such a hit, and I always get requested to make them again and again.  But they are only 3 ingredients, so I can't complain much.  They are so simple!

Just 3 ingredients, yes 3!

1. Oreos "Family Size" (specifically single stuff, don't try double stuff they are not as good. Also, family size because you can make more and they are not too cheesy)
2. 1-8oz. Block of Cream Cheese (softened)
3. 1-brick of melting chocolate (I have tried many and Kroger brand is my favorite, I prefer milk chocolate, but white chocolate is good when you add a bit of peppermint extract and bits.)

First place your Oreos in two gallon sized  bags, I always DOUBLE BAG them, because otherwise they go everywhere (trust me, this is experience in my living room...whoops!) the best way is to open the Oreos at the top (where it says "stop open on top") and dump in one bag, seal and stick entire bag into second bag.

Next, crunsh, crush, crush.  Again, I have don't this time and time again, and when you are staying in a dorm with limited supplies you can get creative with how you break those Oreos into tiny pieces.  I have used textbooks, pans, shoes (swinging, not stomping), but when I am at home with my typical resources I use a small metal mallet/hammer.  It has enough surface area but I can still control it.  If I owned a food processor...I would probably use it, but with plastic bags I don't have to worry about cleaning anything extra.

Once your Oreos are a fine dust (it takes a while, just keep hitting~make sure the bag is not splitting, if it is you may need to add a third plastic bag to prevent crumbs from going everywhere.). Dump your oreo dust into a bowl with softened cream cheese and mix with your hands.  Yes, hands are the easiest, make sure you wash them first, and then go for it!  

After you have created a dough, scoop out into equal amounts on a cookie sheet (I usually go ahead and put a long sheet of wax paper on the cookie sheet so I don't have to clean it later [I'm lazy]).  Personally I use a cookie scoop to get equal sizes, then roll with your hands into nice solid spheres. (I have found that if I don't roll them with my hands they break apart more easily when dipping.) 

Place them in the freezer on the cookie sheet (that the only reason I actually put them on something sturdy, you could use a cutting board or any things else easy.) I usually leave them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, but I usually plan so I can leave them in longer and forget about them for a while, just wait until they are hard.

After they are frozen, melt half of the brick of chocolate only.  If you do more then half then as you dip cold truffles the chocolate cools too quickly and you don't get a smooth finish on them.  Simply melt in the microwave according to package instructions, or 1 minutes and then stir, a lot.  If you can avoid putting it bake in the microwave it is best, if not, don't put it in for more than 10 seconds without stirring.

To dip the Oreos, the best method I have found is to drop one in the chocolate at a time (with the Kroger brand chocolate it comes with a continent disposable try) roll and then remove with a spoon, slightly letting excess drip off the spoon so you don't end up with a big chunk of chocolate flat on the bottom of one truffle and not enough to cover the others. 

After you dip it, simply place on wax paper, and let harden. They harden pretty quickly because the Oreo spheres are frozen.

Work quickly.

After you finish coating all of the truffles, if you have left over chocolate or you happen to have some white chocolate, drizzle it a cross them with a spoon or put in a sandwich bag or piping bag and make them look pretty.  Sprinkles or crushed peppermint also look really nice.

It sounds like a lot, but they don't take long, and it really is easy. Good luck, and enjoy!