Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Homemade Tree

It's become somewhat of a tradition for the ladies in my family to spend time crafting together after our Thanksgiving meal.  It's a fun and enjoyable time spent together - usually with lots of talking and laughter.  This year was especially busy for me, but when my mom ask me if I was going to take something to craft I set to work finding a few easy and inexpensive items to take.
Since I always do at least one tree with homemade ornaments, the first item I took was supplies to make these cute little angels:
The directions came from a Gooseberry Patch book (number 2) and included these supplies:
  • Clothespins
  • Cotton Batting
  • White Felt
  • Misc. Material
  • Bay Leaves
  • Dried Apples
  • Thread
The second item I took supplies for was "country stars"
I found the directions on the "Choose To Thrive" blog-- supplies included:
  • Disposable foil pan bottoms
  • Pen
  • Ruler
  • Paint
  • Pattern
The last item (not included on my tree) was supplies for my little Mason Jar "ornaments"
The churches you see pictured (on my tree) were made a few years ago -- you can find the directions here and the patterns here  courtesy of  Martha Stewart.
If crafting is fun --- it's twice as fun when shared with someone else!  Special thanks to my Sister-in-law, Niece, and Mom for making this year a lot of fun!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Peanut Butter Oreo Ice Cream Pie

Happy Thanksgiving everyone --- if you don't have your pies already made here's a quick and easy (not to mention delicious) recipe for you!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Birthday Purse

My sister has a birthday coming up early next month, and I wanted to make her a purse and matching clutch to celebrate her special day.
She's not exactly a "country gal" like I am (in her taste) -- I suppose I'd call her decorating something like "classy" or "classic."  Her house is beautiful and very tastefully done - I love it --- but it's definitely not the hodge podge country style that I use everywhere!
That being said -- I wanted her purse and clutch to be a bit more "sophisticated" in style -- don't know if I succeeded or not - but I think she'll like it.
 I didn't use a pattern for the purse -- I just based it on one that a friend made and sent me for my birthday last month. Talk about learning by "trial and error" -- I did more ripping out on this purse than I ever have on any other project!
Here's a view of the lace flower I made (using lace that Abby sent me in my surprise box!).
I find that when I use big purses, my little things tend to get "lost" in the bottom somewhere. To remedy the situation I usually use a clutch of some sort to keep all the little things in one place. Here's the matching clutch I made my sister:
I used the off white material on the front and the black material on the back.
The inside has both materials in it as well.
I used the same pattern I've always used -- this simple and easy one from the Noodle Head blog.
(By the time I had sewn and ripped out um-teen times on that purse....I needed something simple and easy that I could whip up fast!)
I'm sure you noticed I did not include the pockets inside --- it goes a lot faster and I didn't make mine with the intentions of being used as a wallet, but rather as  a "removable pocket."
I have several more sewing projects ahead - for Christmas presents this year!
Let's hope this "sewing mood" I'm in lasts a little while!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Tea Tote Bag

I'm featuring another $2 tote bag make-over. I found this teapot/teacup material at a thrift store quite a while back, and paid something like $1 for a yard of it.
As you can see I added a small panel to the front of the bag using the teacup material and then added a shabby ruffle to the top of the bag.
I used this fast and easy idea for gathering my ruffle - I doubt I'll ever use the old way again!
For this little "tag" I cut one of the teacups out, added some batting behind it, and used the zig-zag stitch to adhere it to a white piece of material.  After finishing I cut the whole thing out and tied it on the handle with a ribbon.

I also made a liner for the tote using the tea-cup material.  You can see I made a few pockets and used  a magnetic snap for the closure.



NOTE: These pre-made tote bags aren't the easiest to sew things onto the front or near the bottom - don't try this on a day you're lacking patience! (smile)

Friday, November 18, 2011

Ruffled Tote Bag

My sweet friend Abby recently sent me a whole box full of surprises, so I wanted to make her something pretty in return!  The above tote was a lot of fun to "whip up" --- I based it on this one that I found on Pinterest.
 
(The box of surprises from Abby)
Wal-mart sells 3 packs of those tote bags (back in the craft stuff) for $6.  That makes each tote cost only $2....so this gift is not only frugal but fairly easy to "whip up."  I think it took me just over an hour to make this one.  
Be sure to stop back by on Monday when I'll feature another variation using this $2 tote bag.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

"New" Secretary

I've been hoarding the last of my birthday money till I found something that I'd really like to have.  Last Friday we took our guests speakers to a local antique mall (per their request) -- just to look around.  (This particular antique mall is rather pricey so none of us went with the intention of purchasing anything!)
While browsing through one of the back rooms (full of furniture) I spotted the above secretary and "fell in love."  I almost didn't look at the price tag as I just knew it would be way out of my price range, but imagine my surprise when I checked and found it to be only $48!   I didn't purchase it that day, as I like to think over "big" purchases and make sure it's what I really want.
After thinking it about it over the week-end (and talking with a friend who said --"Call and tell them to hold it --- I'll give you the money if you really want it!") -- I decided to use the rest of my birthday money on it.
I put it in my dining room -- and I'm lovin' the way it looks with the colors and style of my decorating! 
Here's an up-close view with the cabinet doors open.
That tall, skinny tree to the right was given to me by the same friend who offered to buy the secretary for me --- I set it up on a box and covered the box with an old "Kitchen Proverbs" piece of material sent to me by my friend Abby!  (Don't I have the best of friends?!?!)
I'm lovin' the look and feel it gives my house ----could it be that I'm "fallin' in love" with antiques?
This post linked to:
Show and Tell Friday
Feathered Nest

Monday, November 14, 2011

Pinterest Recipes #2

I just finished a week of entertaining and thought I'd share some  more recipes I've tried (and enjoyed) from off of Pinterest!
These were a BIG hit at the party I took them to!
This version of homemade pretzels was also good.

 Here's the mustard dip I made to go with them:
14 oz sweetened condesed milk
8 oz. spicy brown mustard
2 T. horseradish
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
Combine all ingredients and store up to 3 months in the refrigerator.
Good on all kinds of things - pretzels, ham and cheese sandwiches, etc.
2. Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
YUMMY!!!!!
 Adding this great tip for freezing cinnamon rolls to be used later! BIG help when entertaining guests for a week!

3.Easy Cheesy Bacon Biscuit Pull-Aparts
 4. Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
 5. Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
6. Cheesy Hot Bean Dip
7. Gooey Chocolate Brownies
8. Snicker Apple Salad

Thursday, November 10, 2011

November Bulletin Board

As I mentioned before - I've been having a lot of fun with digital kits - most of which I've gotten on-line for free or maybe $1.  Being pressed for time this month, I opted for a digital decoration for the church bulletin board this month.
Images from:
This post linked to:
Scripture Thursday at Little Birdie Blessings

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Knifty Knitter

My daughter received a Knifty Knitter (or rather the Knit Quick - just like the Knifty Knitter) for her birthday.  She has been busy, busy, busy knitting up hats for her baby dolls.  She just turned 9 years old, and is able to complete the whole hat on her own -- the only thing I do is make her little "pom poms" for the top. She's actually finished  3 of them -- two for her baby dolls and one for Felicity - her American Girl doll.
She's started on one for herself -- using two different colors -- it's turning out really neat.  Love how "delicate" the thinner (but still very soft) yarn looks and especially like the two different colors take on it.  I'll be sure to post it when she gets it done.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Cottage Cheese Bread

Cottage Cheese Bread
1 Tablespoon Yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1 egg
3 Tablespoons margarine 
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt 
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup cottage cheese
3 cups flour
Mix yeast and warm water together.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Add margarine, egg, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cottage cheese.  Mix well.  Add flour.  Cover and let rise till doubled in size. Turn dough onto a floured board and knead till smooth and elastic.  Shape into loaf and place in greased loaf pan.  Let rise till doubled and bake @ 350 degrees for 25 minutes. 
Slice and enjoy your moist and yummy bread!
 

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Birthday Cake

Happy Ninth Birthday to my daughter today!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Pinterest Recipes

Thought I'd share some of the yummy recipes I've tried from my Pinterest account.
1. Chocolate Oreo Cake 
2. Friend Apple Rings
3. Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Chips
4. Stove top Creamy Mac and Cheese
5. Mustard Grilled Chicken
6. Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
7. Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
 8. Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Mason Jars - Fabric Tags

I had a lot of fun making these little fabric Mason Jar tags out of muslin material.  Here's the way I put them together:
  1. First I stamped my Mason Jar stamp onto the muslin fabric with black Staz-on ink
  2. Second I layered batting and another piece of muslin behind the stamped image
  3. Third I sewed around the jar with black thread
  4. Fourth I cut the little tag out 
  5. Fifth I penciled on whatever sentiment I wanted
  6. Sixth I embroidered over my pencil design
  7. Seventh I colored over the entire jar with colored pencils
  8. Eighth I sewed a few matching buttons to the top left corner
These are now hanging in my laundry room on a mirrored "Home" sign.
I'm not finished with the room yet - I'll be posting more as I have time to complete my projects.
This post linked to:
Whatever You Want Wednesday