Peach Hand Pies

These peach hand pies are very easy to make and don't take much time either. They're loosely inspired by two videos from Rosanna Pansino on Youtube for peach cobbler and pie pops.

Ingredients (makes 6):

• 1 premade pie crust
• 1 peach
• flour
• brown sugar
• lemon zest
• vanilla
• butter
• cinnamon and any other spices

After thawing out the dough, sprinkle flour over a surface and roll out the crust. Using a bowl or other rounded object, use it as a guide to cut circles out of the dough. Depending on the size of the circles, you can make either half circle pies by folding them in half, or circular ones by layering two.

For the filling, wash and peel the peach, then chop it up into small pieces. Mix it in a bowl with a little bit of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest and vanilla. You can add more spices or sugar to taste.

Spoon a small amount of the filling onto each of the circles and fold them in half. Use a fork to press the edges close. You can brush melted butter over the tops (optional). I sprinkled a bit of cinnamon sugar over the tops before baking them. They take 10-15 minutes at about 375 degrees, until lightly browned.

High Waisted Shorts-Sewing Tutorial

I made two pairs of high waisted shorts with a pattern I made based off some of my own shorts that fit well. They only needed 1/2 yard of fabric each (I spent about $4 in total) and were super quick and easy to make. As a guide, I used this video from Q2HAN on YouTube which is really helpful and thorough. The materials I used were 1 1/2" elastic (about 13" for one pair), 1/2 yard of a thick knit material (mine isn't very stretchy), and buttons. My shorts are approximately a size small for reference.

To start, I first made a pattern from some cotton shorts folded in half, leaving about an inch for seam allowance and to adjust the fit. The second time around, I adjusted the pattern slightly based on the adjustments I made to the first pair of shorts. The pattern for the back half should be slightly wider, and the crotch part should be extended about an inch.

Using the pattern, I cut two front pieces and two back pieces. I also made a pattern for pockets and cut 4 rectangles, two with the pocket curve cut out. I the top corner of the two front pieces, I cut the same shape out.

With the a curved rectangle lined up with the cutout on the short front piece, I sewed them together and turned it right side out and top stitched. Then I sewed the back of the pocket on, matching up the rectangles.

With the two front pieces on top of each other, I sewed down the curved part, but not the short vertical part, and did the same with the back pieces. With the front and half opened up, I pinned them right sides together and sewed down the two sides and across the crotch part.

At this point the shorts can be tried on to determine how long you want them and if the sides need to be taken in. I hemmed the bottoms by folding the edge up twice.

For the waistband, cut a long rectangle twice the length of the top of the shorts and about 4 inches high. Sew the short ends together so it matched the circumferences of the shorts. Attach it to the top edge by sewing right sides together. Next, cut a piece of elastic about half the length of your waist (a little longer is okay since it can be adjusted). I attached it by sewing the sides down to the waistband, right above the side seams of the shorts. Try them on to see if it needs to be adjusted.  If it's too big, just cut the elastic in the middle and overlap it. To finish, fold the waistband over the elastic and sew around. I added buttons on one pair to finish them off.

Sewing DIY-Lacey Crop Top

This crop top is super quick and easy to make. You only need about 1/2 yard of a stretchy knit fabric and a scrap of lace fabric. You'll also want a crop top or a shirt that fits well as a guide.

To make a pattern, fold your crop top in half and trace around the edges adding a half inch seam allowance. If you want to skip this step, just lay the shirt on your fabric and trace around the edges, also leaving a seam allowance. Depending on your fabric, you may want to double up and cut two pieces each for the front and the back. For mine, I only lined the front piece.

For the back, I made a V shaped neckline, and I cut a scoop neck for the front. I used the back piece as a guide when I cut out the front.

To make the lace section in the middle, fold the lace in half and cut a diagonal line to make a sort of trapezoidal shape. Take one of the front pieces folded in half and use the lace cutout to cut out a similar shape down the center, making sure to make it narrower than the lace for your seam allowance. Pin the lace onto each of the shirt front halves and sew the three together, top stitching the edges after.

Place this piece right sides together with the other front piece and sew around all the edges except for the bottom. Turn it right side out and top stitch the neck and armholes.

Since the back isn't lined, I hemmed the armholes and neckline instead. Placing the front and back right sides together, I attached the sides and straps, making adjustments to make it fit. Fold the bottom edge over, hem, and you're done!

Let's Bake: Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes

I made these chocolate ganache cupcakes using this Ina Garten recipe. They have a bit of a coffee flavor and came out really moist. They're definitely worth making a second time.

The ingredients are pretty standard with the exception of the can of Hershey's syrup which makes the cupcakes extra chocolatey and moist.

 The recipe makes about 12 but I didn't fill the cups enough and had extra. I used some individual silicone liners and put them in a tin to make it easier to move. This recipe doesn't use any raising agent, so they don't rise when they bake.

 The coffee flavor is added in the ganache, but I think it would work to add some to the batter as well for an extra coffee flavor.