ToBeContinued

Baked Pasta- my recipe!

2012-02-10T07:21:00.000-05:00

With the birth of our second little girl coming up, I have been trying to double up on some of the meals I make so I can have a stash ready to go in the deep freezer. For some reason it seems like Italian food is more freezer-friendly than some others because I've made meatballs too! I haven't really done casseroles because a lot of them call for canned things and we don't do canned at my house (we will do things in a glass jar though).
This week I decided to do a baked pasta. It is similar to lasagna, but you don't have to fool with the layering so its a bit faster! Also, LJ likes to eat noodles so she will eat more if I make it this way.

Fresh out of the oven, yummy!

Lower Fat Baked Pasta
1 box whole wheat pasta (I used rotini) cooked to al dente
1 glass jar pasta sauce (I used garlic and basil)
1 package of sweet italian turkey sausage, removed from the casing, cooked and crumbled
1 15oz container of low fat ricotta
1 package of shredded mozarella
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese (better to shred real cheese!)
1 large egg
Italian Seasoning (I love the Organic Northern Italian Seasoning from Costco)

...and the easy instructions
-Preheat oven to 75 degrees F
-Mix together ricotta, 1 teaspoon italian seasoning, the egg, and about 3/4 of the bag of cheese.
-In pan, stir together pasta, sauce, and sausage. Then top with the ricotta mixture and stir gently (you don't want the ricotta mixture 100% incorporated).
-Top with remaining cheese mixed with the parmesan.
-Bake for about 30 minutes or until bubbly and cooked through (remember, the egg needs to be cooked all the way!)

In the oven!

I served it with some Alexia garlic bread- one of my favorite natural/organic brands. I could make my own garlic bread, but this was on sale anyways this week and it was so easy!

Enjoy this simple recipe- I know it was one dish I had forgotten about for a while but its so easy! It goes great with a nice salad and would be perfect if you need to take a meal to a friend for some reason since it can go from freezer to oven. I did not pre-bake the one I froze- so it will need to bake longer when I take it out of the freezer but will taste better. Just include instructions for the person you give it to!

LJ was very pleased...and I think she is having a growth spurt because she ate THREE helpings!


She insisted on trying to use her toy doll fork. Not a huge success!

I guess we need to make a "feet" rule now...

She can't take my picture any more if I can't see her, right?

...and a self portrait with Mommy's camera.

How to Create a Keepsake Cookbook!

2012-02-07T06:36:00.000-05:00

If you have ever wanted to come up with a gift for the cooks in your family, a recent college grad, or a bride-to-be, then how about a cookbook?
All you need to do is email (or in the case of Grandma, visit!) and get some of everyone's favorite recipes. Be sure to include any traditional comfort foods that you grew up eating, or anything of religious or cultural significance to your family.
Once you have all of this gathered up, decide on how you will organize it. By person? By season? Food type? It's really up to you! For that matter, you could make an entire dessert cookbook, Christmas cookbook etc. if you wanted! Be creative!
Now, for "presentation." This depends on what skills you have! If you are a scrapbooker, you might want to go all out and hand make it. But what if you want several copies? You could always type it up and add clip art or family photos. Or you can follow the link below and use The Family Cookbook Project (they will do the work for you!)
So take the idea and run with it, make it your own, and surprise someone (or several people) with a very special gift!

What Makes You Blush?

2012-02-06T07:31:00.000-05:00

What makes you blush? It takes a lot for me. My husband? Not so much. I think he blushed for the first year of our relationship because he was getting used to my family and I being so open about everything, haha! That, and he is of 100% Irish descent, so his skin is very fair and turns red at the drop of a hat!

But, I am not actually planning to talk about blushing for real today. I am talking about blushing "for fake."

I got a lot of good feedback on my last make-up post so I thought I would try another!

So, here is my blush round-up. These are all products that I have tried myself and are my favorites. I am not getting paid to write this post, these are all my own opinions :)

Photo from Stila

1. My fave Natural/Everyday Option
Stila Convertible Color $25
This is by far my favorite at the moment. This product is in a very creamy, user-friendly form. You just stick your finger in there, pat it on to blend, and you're done. You can layer more on to make the hue more intense, or really blend it in to be subtle. The best part? It's not just for cheeks! It looks great on lips too! I like the color "Lillium" because I am fair-skinned. It's a really pretty soft peachy-pink color. It definitely lasts all day, and you can even layer some powder blush on top if you want. It is WELL worth the price, it will last forever and is a high-quality natural product (no parabens, etc.)

Photo from Vincent Longo

2. My fave Evening/Date Night Option
Vincent Longo Lip and Cheek Gel Stain $22.50
This is a fabulous, long-lasting, and highly pigmented option. I love to use this when the occasion calls for a little more drama! It can be a bit challenging to get the hang of and can make a mess of your fingers if you aren't careful. I have found that the applicator is NOT what you want to use to apply it. While it is a gel, it is still quite liquidy. With the high level of pigments, anywhere you put it will be pretty permanent (at least for a day or so) so you need to be careful! If you follow their instructions and have well-hydrated skin and lips before application, it will glide on and blend smoothly. Yes, I said skin and lips because this is another multi-tasking product! If you use it on your lips, a nice gloss over the top looks fantastic. I have the color "Baby Boo". This is another one where a little goes a long way, so you can spend the money knowing it will last a long time!

Photo from LORAC

3. A Powder Option for layering
LORAC Powder Blush $20
This is a great, high-quality powder blush. I use the color "Soul" which is a brownish-rose color. It can almost double as a bronzer too. I use powder blush over a cream option usually, to add extra staying power or to brighten the apple of my cheeks. Powder blush is also great for contouring. Another bonus? It is very easy to apply!

Photo from Physicians Formula

4. A Bargain Option!
Organic Wear (TM) 100% Natural Origin Blush $11.95
This is a great line of products created by Physician's Formula. You can get it at Drugstores, Grocery Stores, and Ulta. This line is the first ever in the cosmetic world to be certified as having Organic ingredients! (There are other products that have FDA certified ingredients- this is a new cosmetic certification).
I love their face powder, and this blush is fantastic too. It can be soft, or you can add more to build up intensity. I love the color "Blushing Organics". I highly recommend the entire product line as all that I have tried are fantastic (and the price is right!) The only drawback at all is that the pallet tends to wear out where it bends, but its magnetized so you can still keep the lid on in your drawer- it's only a problem if you are traveling. They use recycled packaging instead of plastic though, so its hard to complain!

So there you have it, my blush round-up. I hope you learned about a new product that you haven't tried yet! Feel free to let me know about your favorites below, I am always excited to hear about something new!

Are you a follower yet? When I reach my current goal I will do another giveaway so join up and tell your friends!!!

Super Bowl Week- Post 5 (Super Bowl Funnies!)

2012-02-03T07:26:00.000-05:00

Today is my final Super Bowl Post! We've talked FOOD, sewn a TOY FOOTBALL, figured out what to DRINK, and planned our OUTFITS.
Today it is time to LAUGH!

This has been a lot of excitement for our Midwestern city. Not that we never have ANY sports-related excitement (Hello Colts, Pacers, Butler Basketball, NFL combine, Indy 500....) but this is different. There are celebrities everywhere- I mean, everywhere in Super Bowl Village that is. Big celebrities too- here for The Today Show, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon- here to sing (Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine...and more!)

Photo courtesy HeyGirlIndy.com

So everyone has been a little excited. My female friends and cousins (including myself) have all gotten a little ga-ga over Ryan Gosling being here...and we aren't the only ones! Some clever person created this hilarious site with some "Hey Girl" sayings. Have you seen the funny ones on Pinterest??? Well, these ones are Indy specific. Hilarious, go HERE to check out all of them!

credit

The hottest ticket in town besides the big game has been Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Sadly, my husband and I did not get tickets, but we tried! I did have some cousins who got to go, so jealous!!! Last night, they aired a "Real Housewives of Late Night" that included some Colts "wives". I mean, to see these gigantic manly dudes dressed in drag is truly a spectacle. If you need a laugh, watch this video on the Jimmy Fallon site!!!

credit

Now, I am against releasing the ads before the game. I mean, I am not really a sports person, so the anticipation of the commercials is about as exciting as it gets for me! Now that they've been released, what do I have to look forward to? Dessert. Ah, yes. Dessert. Well, since its been released, HERE is a link to the "Ferris Beuler" Honda CR-V ad.

Super Bowl Week- Post 4 (What do you wear?)

2012-02-02T19:53:00.000-05:00

So, what does one wear to a Super Bowl Party??? I say anything goes, but for fun, here are some ideas for a few "types" of women :)

1. The Type "A" Hostess
Hosting at your house? Are all of your appetizers made from scratch and perfectly football themed? Did you build that crazy stadium made out of food that's been floating around on Pinterest? Then this outfit might just be for you:

Super Bowl "Type A" Hostess by tbc-tobecontinued featuring blue shoes

2. The Chick who is there to eat, see the commercials, see the halftime show, and otherwise avoid actually watching the game.
You really like the social aspect of Super Bowl Sunday, not necessarily the sports part. Unless you get to see Tom Brady's handsome face, or Eli Manning's cute little son, you are not going to be looking at the screen :) I threw in some stretchy pants, because eating is your sport of the day, right? If this is you, then you might want to wear something like this:

At the party but not feelin' the game by tbc-tobecontinued featuring lacoste shoes

3. The Sporty Girl
You are actually at the party to, SURPRISE! , watch the game! You have a team you are cheering for and you actually know what a play is, how they score, etc. Maybe you even won your Fantasy Football league this year. You need an outfit that shows off your team spirit- how about something like this?

Sporty Girl by tbc-tobecontinued featuring dark denim jeans

4. The 9 Months Prego Girl
So, really I just made this outfit for me...no wonder it includes some really cute diamond earrings and slippers :) But seriously, playing around on Polyvore is fun!

prego at the super bowl party by tbc-tobecontinued featuring flat heels

Well I hope you enjoyed this post, I had fun making it! If you haven't checked out my previous Super Bowl posts this week please do!

Are you a follower yet? When I reach my current goal I will do another giveaway! So join in on the fun and follow along!

Super Bowl Week- Post 3 (gameday drinks!)

2012-02-01T13:28:00.000-05:00

It's Wednesday, and things are really ramping up in Indy! I live in the suburbs, and the traffic was STILL crazy this morning! Good thing once people are in Super Bowl Village they never have to drive anywhere.

Today I am sharing some inspiration for your drinks on game day. Being pregnant, I won't get to enjoy anything with alcohol, but that doesn't mean I can't share! Also, I know many of you choose to not drink at any time, so remember that many of these can be made virgin!

This will be in countdown style to my favorites!!!

GAMEDAY DRINK COUNTDOWN!

Number 5- Jack and Coke
If you're going to drink booze on game day, a classic Jack and Coke will fit right in. Make it a Diet Coke if you want to cut back a little on the calories. The only thing about this choice is that if you're a lightweight like me you only can have, like, 2, before you're done. So, that is why this is #5 in my Gameday Drink Countdown!

Number 4- Margarita
NO mixes, please! Margaritas are simple to make, and a fresh, made-from-scratch margarita is sooooo yummy! Bonus- you can make this virgin and its basically a limeade :)
My recipe:
Juice from several limes (about 1 cup)
1 batch simple syrup (1 cup water, 1 cup sugar)
1.5 oz tequila
1 oz triple sec
4-5 cups of ice (more if you want to cut the tartness of the limes)
Rock salt for rimming glasses
Limes for garnish
Simply stir together (or blend if you like them icy) and pour into a salt-rimmed glass! Stick a lime on the rim too for a garnish. (Adjust alcohol to your taste!)

Number 3- Bloody Mary
Ahh, a Bloody Mary. Reminds me of living in Nashville, TN in my 20's and having brunch with friends after church, haha! This is another drink that can be made virgin if you want! These are the ingredients I use, feel free to mess with the ratio to get it to your taste preference!
Clammato juice (yes, this is clam juice mixed with tomato juice!)
Celery Salt
White pepper
Louisiana Hot Sauce
Vodka
Garnish with celery stalk
Mix together to your preference- or do a Bloody Mary serve-yourself bar! Include a variety of salts, seasonings, hot sauces, and garnishes (hot pickles, blue cheese stuffed olives, etc.) The Clammato juice makes all the difference for me- I NEVER use regular tomato juice for mine! Try it!

Number 2- High Quality Beer
Are you a grown-up? C'mon, its not our goal to get "trashed" so go for quality, not quantity. Provide a sampling of grown-up beers such as Guinness, Stella, Blue Moon, even Corona! Your guests will be happy, and so will you :)

And my NUMBER ONE gameday drink choice is..................
Local Microbrewery Beer!!!!
Now, this is easy in Indiana- we have so many great choices right here in the Indy area! In Noblesville there is Barley Island, downtown Indy my favorite is Sun King, from Bloomington (home of IU) is The Upland Brewing Company...and a million more it seems!
Why local beer? This beer supports our local community so that's a bonus. Plus is is FRESH! And you can get great deals- Sun King, for example, has $5 growler fill Fridays. So, you get 32oz of high quality, fresh, local beer CHEAP! They often have seasonal offerings, free tastings, and many other perks. If you don't know where your closest local brewery is, find it stat! And if you want to try microbrews from other regions, nicer liquor stores and places like Whole Foods usually carry a decent selection of microbrews. You might even find some from one of Indy's breweries which would be festive to serve since we're hosting the Super Bowl this year!

Super Bowl Week Festivities at Sun King Brewery!

Enjoy your Super Bowl party, and if you do have alcohol at your party remember to be safe and keep your guests safe!

Are you a follower yet???? Once I reach my current goal I will be doing another great giveaway!!!

Super Bowl Week- Post 2 (Stuffed Football Toy!)

2012-01-31T07:09:00.000-05:00

This weekend is not only the Super Bowl, it is also the birthday celebration of a sweet little boy who is turning one year old! He is the son of our close friends, and we are so excited to be celebrating this milestone with them.
His party theme is of course football, I mean, how could they NOT do that theme with the Super Bowl being in our own city this weekend? He also was dressed as an injured Peyton Manning (complete with neck brace) for Halloween. What a cutie!
So, along with his other birthday gifts I whipped up this toy football using a few scraps, some stuffing, and embroidery floss.

To get started, print off this FREE pattern for the football panels. If you want a larger or smaller football, just use the general shape, or you could mess with your printer settings to shrink or enlarge my pattern.

Cut out four pieces from your fabric. I used a heavy home-dec weight fabric, but you can really use whatever you have on hand that is sturdy.

I varied the direction I cut mine out since it had stripes- this gives it extra visual/textural interest.

Then, begin sewing your panels together. Take your first two pieces and put the pointy ends right side together. Use as close of a seam as you can!!! I also used a double stitch instead of a plain straight stitch to make this more durable. (DESIGN NOTE- if this is for a tiny baby, you could add "taggies" if you want. Just stick them in between the seams and pin!)

Very close seam- see how its inside the edge of the presser foot?

Reinforced stitch!

After you sew the first two panels together, turn it right side out so you can carefully lay down the third. Be sure the points are all sew over as we don't want a hole in the tip of the football!

Adding third panel- right sides together!


Third panel attached! Starting to really look like a football!

Now simply add your fourth panel. Then you have all four panels and one side open. Turn the entire football inside out and line up the open ends right sides together. Sew them, but leave a hole in the middle (about 2 inches) for turning/stuffing.


Inside out- carefully sew the last home together! Don't forget to leave an opening!

Now you need to turn it right side out and stuff. Be generous because you want the football to be relatively firm. (DESIGN NOTE- if you want to make it more interactive, you could add some crinkly sounding plastic, bells, etc. inside. Stuff them into the very middle though so they aren't felt on the outside!)

All stuffed.

Sew the opening shut using coordinating thread. Don't worry about it looking perfect- you will cover this part with laces!

Now, get some embroidery thread (I used off-white for a vintage feel). Use all 6 strands and double them over so its nice and thick. Sew the end parts and a couple of criss cross parts! Then hide your knot at the end.

And that's it! You're done! Mine took about 20 minutes from start to finish, including taking photos. So if you wanted to make one for each kid coming to your Super Bowl Party, you just might have time to whip through these this week! It would make a great gift any time of the year for a little one- including girls. I am thinking of making LJ a pink one- she would love that! You could also do this as a doggie toy as long as your pet doesn't chew things up- the stuffing or fabric could be a major doggie choking hazard if they do!

In other Football Related Crafting, have you seen Little Becky Homecky's football beanie hat? It is adorable! Go check it out!!!

Remember to join me all week as I post something every day Super Bowl Related!

Are you a follower yet? If not, join the fun! When I reach my current goal I will do another giveaway!!!

Super Bowl Week- Post 1

2012-01-30T07:09:00.000-05:00

I grew up and live in the Indy area, so I've got to show some love for the first ever time we are hosting the Super Bowl! It really is an exciting time for our city. So, this week I am going to post something Super Bowl related each day. It could be a recipe, decoration, etc.

For today, I am going to do some work for you- if you are planning on hosting a party, that is! I usually post original recipes only, but today I am going to give you a list of yummy, crowd pleasing appetizers that are some of my favorites. Hopefully it will help you plan if you haven't already!!!

photo credit

1. Marinated Cheese
This is a HIT every time I make it. It's a little bit of work to layer the cheese in the pretty arrangement, but you can do it a couple days before if you need to!!! Beware the garlic breath afterwards :)

2. Raw Veggie Pizza
This is a family tradition around my house. It is a standard rule that you bring an extra one that belongs only to my dad because he loves it so much! It's a great alternative to a veggie tray if you find that too boring. And it uses crescent rolls- what isn't good with crescent rolls??? *This one is easy to customize to your taste- change what veggies you use and how you season the cream cheese mixture!

3. Easy Stuffed Mushrooms
No recipe needed here- just buy some baby portabellos, take out the stems, fill with your favorite flavor of soft cheese (like Alouette), top with bread crumbs, and broil until bubbly and browned on the top! EASY!!!! And everyone loves these so make a lot!

4. Catherine's Guacamole
This is my easy recipe- everyone always loves how chunky it is. I make a BIG batch! You simply mix the following together in whatever quantities please you (but I've listed what I typically use)
-4-5 ripe avocados, cut into approx. 3/4" chunks
-2 large tomatoes, cut into 3/4" chunks
-1/4 of a large red onion, finely chopped
-a GENEROUS handfull of fresh cilantro, chopped or torn into smaller pieces
-juice of one lemon or lime
-salt to taste

5. Buffalo Chicken Dip
This is your typical football fare in dippable form, yum! But really fattening, be forewarned! It might make you feel better to dip celery in it...

So there are a few recipes to get you started. Feel free to link up your favorite football season appetizer below to share more ideas! Don't forget to visit me all week long for my Super Bowl Week Posts!!!

Are you a follower yet?!?!?!? Please join up- I will be doing a giveaway when I reach my current goal!!!

Giveaway Winner!!!

2012-01-27T14:31:00.000-05:00

The winner of the giveaway celebrating 50 followers is.............

Comment #5 by Alison Laitas!!!

Alison gets to choose from boy's PJ pants, girl's ruffle pants, or a crocheted lace scarf for herself!!! Congrats!!!

My next giveaway will be to celebrate 100 followers- please help me get there and you will get a chance to enter again!

"Kitty Love" Valentine's Day Dress Tute

2012-01-27T08:34:00.001-05:00

I call this the "Kitty Love" dress- I happen to NOT love kitties...but my 2 year old little girl? In L-O-V-E with any cat she comes across. I don't feel guilty not having one though since I'm allergic. And cats are mean- they abandon you! Dogs, on the other hand, are always happy to see you and make you feel good. I wonder if there is a whole segment of psychology where they know everything about you based on what pet you like? Anyways, you are here for a tutorial so I will get started, haha!
This dress was inspired by the vintage looking kitty cat fabric that I found at Joanns and knew LJ would love.

I wanted the whole dress to have a vintage feel, so I looked at a bunch of Shirley Temple photos and knew it had to be short, have puffy sleeves, and a poofy skirt. Done, done, and done!

KITTY LOVE DRESS TUTORIAL (size 2T)

You will need:
-3/4 yard of main fabric (PREWASH!)
-1/2 yard of complementary fabric (PREWASH!)
-about 10" of pre-ruffled lace
-about 20" of 1/4" elastic
-3 tiny buttons
-sewing supplies (machine, thread, etc.)

First, cut out 2 of each of the following free pattern pieces on the fold.
Back of bodice
Sleeve

Cut four each of Front Bodice (For the button hole side, leave pattern as-is. For the button side shorten by 1/2" on neck side)

For bodice ruffles, cut out:
1 9.5"x3" strip of main fabric
1 8.5"x3" strip of main fabric
1 5.5" piece of pre-ruffled lace
1 4.5" piece of pre-ruffled lace

For skirt, cut out one piece (or piece together to total)
14"x56" (This is a SUPER short skirt- retro style! If you want it longer, add a few inches to the 14" measurement.)

OKAY...now that you have all your pieces, let's put it together! (Use 1/4" seams throughout)

First, sew your bodice pieces together at the sides. Do this for the outside one and the lining so you have two like the photo below.

Be sure to iron those seams flat!

Then, go ahead and make your bodice ruffles. Iron the two main fabric ruffle pieces in half lengthwise. Then use the longest stitch length and tightest thread tension to ruffle them up to 5" (longer piece) and 4.5" (shorter piece). Then, to hold the ruffle in place and to add more "flair", sew the pre-ruffled lace pieces on top.

Center the bottom of the lace right where the stitch will be.

You will end up with two of these:

Okay, now get back out those bodice pieces and lay them right sides together. Sandwich the ruffle pieces in between, being sure that the longer/shorter ones are on the correct side! Also be sure that the ruffles are facing the correct side so the lace shows on the front of the bodice.


Ruffle sandwich- zero calories, mmmm!

Pin and sew the following seams- back neck, front neck (where the ruffles are) and button plackets. Leave the arm holes and shoulders open for now! Snip the back neck so it will lay flat, then flip it all right side out and press.


Don't cut your thread on accident!

For this next part, it's a little hard to explain. Take the shoulders and line them up, right sides together. You will feel like you are twisting things up funny, but it will work out in the end. Be sure the seams line up.

Don't catch the ruffle when you sew!

Turn right side out and press. It's getting there!!!

Now, let's make the sleeves.


Zig-zag the long side of the sleeve pieces. Then tack it down to make a 1/2" casing.


Sew a ruffle stitch along the large curve of each sleeve.


Cut your elastic into two 10" pieces and thread each through the sleeve casings. Then attach and trim of excess.


Then sew the short seam on the bottom of the sleeve. Double stitch over the elastic! Go ahead and ziz-zag over the edge to keep it from fraying.

Now, pin the sleeve onto the OUTSIDE piece of the bodice. You can adjust your gathering along the top as needed to fit. The bottom parts should be pinned flat.

You can see how the gathers are at the top of the sleeve, and the rest is flat.

Sew both of the sleeves on this way. Then, attach the lining. I wanted to find a way to sandwich the sleeve between for a perfect finish- I'm sure there is a way but I couldn't figure it out! So I just did a serge-like stitch to attach the lining.


"Serged" and ready for a trim! It's stitch 11 on my Singer machine.

Sew on your buttons and button holes- I used three, but depending on what you can fit you may have more/less. I just loved these little tiny heart buttons!

Now your bodice is complete!

For the skirt, go ahead and hem the bottom (I know, I know, you are supposed to do this lat, but its so easy when its nice and flat!) I used a zig-zag stitch on the edge of my fabric, and hemmed it 1/2".

Looks nice!

Now you need to carefully pin the skirt to the bodice, and sew on. I used the "surge" stitch yet again! You will be sewing the button plackets together at the base of the bodice. I went over that twice to be sure it was very secure.

Then you are DONE!!! Put your dress on your little one and let her enjoy! I put a little crinoline under it that we have so it poofs out more- feel free to do that if you have one- it looks just fine without though!


I always get funny poses like this when I tell her to "model" for me, haha!

If you want the matching hair clip, check out this tute that I was inspired by, created by the letter 4.
Thanks for sticking through this long tute with me! I hope you enjoy! If you make one, please link to it in the comment section, I would LOVE to see it!
Don't forget to join my current GIVEAWAY! You can always join me as a follower, on Facebook, and on Pinterest!

***This pattern for personal use only! If you are interested in using the pattern to make a profit, please contact me for details.***

New Look, upcoming projects, and giveaway!

2012-01-26T07:38:00.000-05:00

I updated my background a bit and changed some colors around- nothing to crazy! I am still considering a few options for a new overhaul of the blog though!

Sneak Peek!

Coming soon...a Valentine's Day Dress Tutorial (with pattern pieces if I can get it to work!) and the box pleated window valance for the nursery!

Have you entered the giveaway yet to celebrate 50 followers? If not, be sure you are a follower and then go HERE and leave a comment!

I have also started up a Facebook page, so you can click HERE to follow there as well! Please do, so I don't feel like a loser with no friends, haha!

Thanks for your support! And keep an eye out in the next day or two for the dress tutorial!!!

Well that was fast- giveaway time!!!

2012-01-23T08:20:00.001-05:00

*This giveaway is now closed!*

WOW! You guys are the best. I just made it to 50 followers in the past hour...so you know what that means! GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!
YAY!!!!

So here is how it works- in order to be in the drawing, you need to be a follower (in any form, RSS, Google, etc.) and you need to COMMENT on this post. Some people missed out on being entered into my last drawing because they didn't comment!

The prize will be your choice of one of the following, made by me for you! Winner will be chosen via random.org on Friday, 1/27/2012
-Little boy's flannel PJ pants
-Little girl's ruffle pants
-Women's crocheted lace-pattern scarf

Thanks for making my day start off great- it always feels so good to reach a goal! My next goal will be a whopping 100 followers. I know you can help me get there. I will definitely make it a great giveaway then!!!

Do you "Bento"? (How to make a shaped egg)

2012-01-23T07:09:00.000-05:00

Do you Bento for your kids? Bento boxes are really fun. They can range from works of art that take a lot of planning and time to make...


Credit: http://wickedhowtos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/bento3.jpg

...to relatively simple ones that are very practical to do and your kids will still think are "cool!"


Credit: http://0.tqn.com/d/childparenting/1/0/G/4/-/-/About_school_lunch_box_bento2.jpg

Bento boxes are common in Japan, where even adults get in on the action (minus all the cutesy themes). There are a ton of the boxes out there. I bought this sweet one for LJ.


http://www.mysweetmuffin.com/item/Shinzi-Katoh-Single-Lunch-Box---Red-Hood/392/c30

If you do a search for Bento box ideas, they are all over the internet. I am planning to share some of my Bento ideas here from time to time too. SO, I thought I would start with one of LJ's favorite Bento Box items- a shaped hard boiled egg!


Star eggs!

First, you hard boil your eggs just like normal. But DO NOT put them in an ice bath or allow them to cool in the pan completely. You need them pretty hot for this to work! When they are hot, they are very pliable and will take the shapes. ***Use the large or extra large eggs. Small ones won't fill up the shape.***

I use tongs to get them out of the still hot water.

Use tongs so you don't get burned!

Then, turn on the cold tap water for peeling. This way, as you peel your very hot egg, you can occasionally run it under the cool water when your fingers can't take it any more!


Ouch!

Once your egg is peeled, you need to put it into an egg mold. These are pretty cheap and can be found at the Asian grocery, or of course, online.

My egg molds.

Be sure to put your eggs in with the "fatter" side in the bottom, sticking up tall. They won't work if you put them in sideways.


Right side up, Mr. Egg!

Then you simply put your lid on, being sure the sides are snapped down tight.

Sometimes you really have to push it down to close it!

Then place in your fridge for a while. I usually do it overnight. BUT- if you want to make a bunch of these, say, for an appetizer platter (how cute would these be as deviled eggs?) then I would leave them in for at least an hour or two, and check to be sure they are completely cooled before removing from the mold. Otherwise, they may snap back to more of an egg shape. If you think you'll make a lot of these I would buy more molds since they are so cheap!

Cooling time!

After cooling, you will have a beautiful egg...but it might have some scraggly edges to remove. This is normal and they rub right off!

Scraggly star

Pretty star!

I slice it in half and put it right in the bento! You could garnish it though if you wanted.

And that's it! Shaped eggs are so easy and cheap to make...and just might entice your picky eater to get a little protein. So try something new and fun in those lunchboxes or afternoon snack plates!

Remember to become a follower! I am VERY close to my goal and next giveaway!!!

Apple Pie Muffins

2012-01-21T20:32:00.001-05:00

I really wanted a muffin the other day. I mean, REALLY wanted one. But I wasn't sure what I had on hand to make them with. In my true "why not" fashion, I decided to invent my own recipe. I do this often with cooking, but that is much, much easier than with baking. I did look at a few muffin recipes I have to get an idea of how much liquid, flour, baking powder, etc. that I wanted so that helped. Anyways, they turned out so yummy on the first try that the 2 dozen I made were gone in one day!!! (I must admit, I probably ate like 7 of them myself- but no judging, I'm like 9 months pregnant people!)
So here is my recipe. Enjoy!

APPLE PIE MUFFINS- makes about 2 dozen muffins
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (one stick) butter, room temp
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 6oz container vanilla yogurt (or plain would work) *Note- I had a reader try Greek yogurt in this recipe and her muffins turned out dense, so you might want to stick with regular yogurt!
1 large fuji apple, cut into small cubes (method below) or two small apples
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
2 tsp cinnamon
Garnishes- wheat germ, and turbinado sugar

Use the real stuff-its better!!!

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, mix together room temperature butter and sugar. Then beat in egg. After that, add in the apple sauce and yogurt.

We get local eggs- they are so much fresher!

In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients, except garnishes. Stir well to combine, then add to wet ingredients and stir.
Add in your apple last. Here is how to cut them fast!


Make four cuts to slice off the "meat" of the apple. You should be left with a square core.


Slice each of those into 1/4" thick slices.


Lay those slices on their sides, and cut them into thirds.


Then dice them up into cubes.

After the apples are mixed in, put the batter into your muffin pan. I used liners with non-stick spray since this is really apple-heavy and it helped them not stick.

Sprinkle each muffin with wheat germ (adds folate and a nice nutty flavor) and turbinado sugar.

Then they are ready for the oven!

Keep an eye on them since every oven is different and muffins can finish pretty fast. About 15 minutes should do it though. You will know they are done when you push gently on the center and it springs back. If it leaves a dent, they need to stay in a bit longer.

Now the best part- EAT THEM!!! LJ had a little buddy over for a playdate, and I had to send some home with him because he loved them so much!

Blowing on her hot muffin- but she didn't want to wait!

Hmm, how can I get MORE muffins? (thought going through Jack's head and the doggie's head)

Remember to become a follower! I literally have just a couple more to go before my next giveaway, yay!!! So if you like the blog, please join in on the fun and share with your friends!
Thanks!

1940's pattern Infant Gown!

2012-01-19T23:03:00.000-05:00

This week at Project Run and Play the challenge was to create something from a certain decade- any you choose. I had the perfect thing! My hubby, er, I mean, Santa, put a vintage pattern in my stocking that actually had most of the pieces, yay!!!
It was this one from McCalls:

I decided to go with View A, a gown that has a drawstring at the bottom to keep out the chill :)


Theirs

Mine!

The instructions were missing, but the construction was really simple. I did the buttons and button holes first, then attached the sleeves, then sewed one long line from the sleeve edge all the way down the edge of the gown. I did gather the neckline as in the pattern, but left off the lace- too scratchy! Instead of gathering the wrists, I used elastic. The pattern is copyright 1940, so I guess they didn't have it then, IMAGINE THE HORROR OF NO ELASTIC!!!

I did keep the drawstring on the bottom, even though some might say its a hazard. By the time she can mess with it she will have outgrown the gown anyways I figured. Plus, she won't actually sleep in this, it will be more for photos or special visitors, haha! I used my new favorite crochet tool, the Sharp Crochet Hook. Follow the link to check it out! I did a picot type lace pattern all across the bottom. This took the longest of anything on the gown, and it looks so pretty when pulled straight or gathered up with the ribbon.

Gathered up

Pulled out straight

The embroidery patterns were missing, I was so sad! So I winged it with some cute little french knot flowers, and then a scallop down the button placket. Nothing too wild since its for a baby. I wanted it to be pretty simple. I may add more, but I will need to look at it and think about it! Comment and let me know what you think!

French knot flowers


Scalloped placket

My 92 year old Grandma gave me her sewing notions when her Macular Degeneration made it too hard for her to see well enough to use everything. So I dug through the embroidery thread and found the oldest ones I could find- they might be older or newer than 1940, who knows! But I bet they are close!

I hope my little girl feels special someday when she hold this gown in her hands and understands its ties to Daddy, Mommy, and Great-Grandma. It really is something special!

Don't forget to become a follower! I am only a few more away from my current goal and then will do another giveaway!!!

Pear and Parm Chop Salad Recipe

2012-01-16T17:51:00.000-05:00

When David and I were getting ready to go to Italy on our Honeymoon, we took Italian lessons. It was so much fun- we learned some language, culture, and a few great recipes! One of our fellow classmates was married to an Italian chef. I mean, Italian, as in he grew up there, not in the US. He shared a simple recipe involving just three ingredients (sliced pears, long peels of Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar) and it has been our favorite ever since!!!
Tonight I decided to modify it by making it into a salad. Here is what you'll need:

-About one Romaine heart, torn into tiny pieces.
-One very ripe pear, chopped into approx. 1/2" cubes
-A block of REAL Parmesan cheese (not the stuff in a plastic can, haha!)
-The best balsamic vinegar you can afford
-High quality olive oil

Basically, you just put it all in a bowl and toss. Be sure to grate your Parmesan for this recipe. For the olive oil, I used about 1 TBSP and for the Balsamic about 1/2 that. But you can do it to taste. That goes for all ingredients really!

This is an addictive salad- It's sweet and salty and oh-so-yummy! Great for kids too, since its got fruit in it and its chopped up already.
Enjoy!

Box Pleat Crib Skirt Tutorial!

2012-01-14T15:58:00.000-05:00

I am really cutting it close...about 5 weeks to go and I am still making things for the nursery! David has been painting away...(and really got into posing for blog photos!)


"It looks like a mustache, right?" "Umm...sure honey!"

"Okay, get this action shot."

Now, I probably won't do a whole post just about paint color, so I will tell you in this post that we used this:

Behr Ultra in "Spring Stream"

This paint is great- it really does cover anything underneath and you can do one coat! It's a very close match to Tiffany Blue- which is in the fabric we chose for the room- yes, I said "we" because David was very involved in the process of choosing the fabrics. I will use the same fabric for the window valance as I do for the crib skirt, and then I might make a pillow for the glider, and perhaps a Boppy cover...maybe even a mobile with the scraps. So keep an eye out for future posts!

BOX PLEATED CRIB SKIRT
To make my Box Pleated Crib Skirt, you will need:
-About 1 1/2 yards of white muslin (for the part that will be under the mattress)
-About 2 yards of the main fabric (where I used the brown floral print)
-About 1 1/2 yards of the accent fabric (where I used the coral polka-dots)
-Coordinating thread (one spool should be plenty)
-Scissors, Rotary Cutter, Iron and Sewing Machine

(***ALWAYS wash, dry, and iron your fabric first! I allowed wiggle room for shrinking in the amounts above.***)

Cut the following from your fabric (Hint: Cotton tears really well! For those long measurements I let 'er rip, then I used my rotary cutter to do the shorter cut.)

Muslin
-one piece 49" x 27"

Main fabric
-2 pieces 60" x 9.5"
-2 pieces 38" x9.5"

Accent fabric
-2 pieces 60" x 5"
-2 pieces 38" x 5"

Okay, now let's put all that together!!! For this entire tutorial, use a 1/2" seam allowance.

1. With right sides facing, attach the trim to the main fabric lengthwise. (You can use a serger if you prefer.)

2. Iron your seams nice and flat! (If you used a serger, still do this!)

3. Zig-zag (or serge) around the perimiter of the whole piece. Do this as close to the edge as possible.

4. Mitre the bottom corners of the trim following the steps in the photos below.

Fold corner in 1/2" and iron down.

Fold over the bottom hem 1/2" and iron.

Fold in the side hem 1/2" and iron.

5. Sew down the side and bottom hems.

6. Make your box pleats (one per panel) following the instructions in the photos below. I wanted a very simple look- but if you want a series of box pleats, simply add 10" per pleat and go to town!

Find the exact center and mark with a quilting marker or fabric pencil.

Measure and mark 5" on either side of the center.

Pinch the mark on the left, and fold over so that the mark touches the center mark. Be sure its lined up perfectly all the way to the bottom hem then iron. Repeat for the other side.

Pin, then baste in place 1/4" from the edge.

7. Attach the panels to the muslin and iron seams flat.

And you're done! Enjoy making your little one's nursery as special and unique as they are...and come back for more nursery projects that are in the works (or at least in my head!!!) To see all the projects in their completely final form (like this on the crib) keep coming by- I will do a "reveal" post when the nursery is complete!

***Please remember that this tutorial is my original work. It is intended for personal use only. Feel free to link directly to this post but please do not copy it. THANKS!!!***

Remember to become a follower- I will do another giveaway when I reach my current goal!!!

...and we have a WINNER!

2012-01-13T12:26:00.000-05:00

We have a winner for my first ever giveaway!!! I wish more than 13 had entered since I am almost over 40 followers (counting Google connect and RSS feed subscribers!) Oh well, they missed out!

I used the random number generator at Random.org to choose the winner for me...and it chose comment #5!

Number five was Vicki who wrote:

Vicki will be getting a custom made tote/purse sent to her! I will do another giveaway when I get to 50 followers- which is only 10 followers away, eek! So spread the word to your crafty-sewy-foodie friends that they should come over here for a visit and become a follower for a chance to WIN!!!

Toddler Boy's Hawaiian Shirt- from a men's XL!

2012-01-12T20:01:00.000-05:00

I am participating in the fun sew-along at Project Run and Play. It is so much fun to see what everyone comes up with! Some of my competitors are just fabulous in the sewing room and with the camera, so it is a little intimidating...but I am still going to give it a shot every week!

Tommy in his new shirt- he even brought an accessory!

This week's challenge is to make Boy's clothing. I don't have a son, but I have plenty of nephews, and one happens to live not too far away. It didn't take long for me to get inspired- my husband and I were getting a box together for Goodwill when I saw him toss in a hideous Hawaiian shirt from a Magnum P.I. themed party we attended last summer. My brother LOVES hideous Hawaiian shirts, so I could have given it to him, but instead I decided to use it for this challenge and re-purpose it for his son Tommy.

No outdoor photos today, buddy- we got our first big snow!

I think it turned out pretty cute! It actually took me less time than you might think- I used the existing button holes, bottom hems, collar, and sleeve hems. To do this, just grab any boy's shirt pattern you have (I used a pajama pattern for a looser Hawaiian-y fit) then line up the pieces where the part is on the big shirt you want to use. Remember that you won't need your hem allowances or placket parts, etc., so move over your pattern accordingly.

The center back seam of the collar- doesn't look bad at all, and saves a lot of time!!!

The collar was super easy too- I just cut it down the center, removed several inches to fit, and attached to the top of the shirt.

It really was amazing how easy this was, I will have to make Tommy more shirts in the future!

I really love this shirt!

No, for real, I mean it.

I did make his shorts too...they were out of an old pair of my husband's khakis. I think I'd like to do a more formal tutorial on this so I will leave out those instructions for now. By reusing all pockets, they sure are cute and easy, but more complicated than the shirt.

Candy/Toy Packet Handmade Valentines- FREE PRINTABLES!

2012-01-11T14:23:00.000-05:00

This girl loves boots!

I wanted to come up with something fun for LJ's Mother's Day out class for Valentines Day. I loved Valentines Day as a kid- it was such an exciting day! At my school we always made hand decorated bags to put on the back of our chair for everyone to put a treat in. That was the 80's, the good 'ole days where you didn't HAVE to give a Valentine to everyone in the class, only who you wanted to...but I never remember anyone not giving it to everybody. I DO remember this little blonde kid named Steven who made me "roses" with a red pencil and his hand-held sharpener. I kept those in my desk all year long! Ah, my first Valentines Day roses.
Now as an adult, I still think the kids stuff is more fun. I mean, I want my husband to do something...but I really care more about him loving me all year long rather than buying me some chocolate and roses on this one day, you know what I mean?

So, here is what I came up with for LJ's class- packets that you print, decorate, then attach with whatever method works for you- hand sewing with embroidery thread, machine sewing, or even stapling! You can print on whatever you choose- regular printer paper, construction paper, old paper grocery bags...whatever floats your boat, okay?

Simply print using the links below, then cut them out.

Let your little one go to town decorating them.

Then attach with your chosen method leaving a hole to insert candy, tiny toys, even a cookie!
Here is what's in ours:


plastic dollar store "clappers"


stickers

...and some chocolate. I gave in, since its kinda a chocolate-y holiday!

I used colorful embroidery thread to attach ours. NOTE: Try not to overfill or you will have a hard time attaching them!

Then shut the hole.

Voila, you are done! Much cuter than those flimsy paper Valentine's with the envelope that will NEVER stay closed, haha! Of course if your kids are older their decor skills will be better! You could give them bits of lace, sequins, whatever you want. I try not to be a control freak about projects like this. I feel like it builds LJ's confidence for me to let her do things her way and not "fix" them or tell her what to do. Could I make a prettier Valentine? Sure, but I am an adult...and these are from her, not me!

Enjoy! And please use these for personal use only (not that I think any of you will be impressed with my "artwork"). Let me know if you have any problems with the files- its my first time sharing a printable! Suggestions are appreciated if you know of a better way!

Click HERE for "Valentine, You're a HOOT!"
Click HERE for "Valentine, You're the cat's MEOW!"
Click HERE for "Valentine, I HEART you!"

I've reached a goal- now its GIVEAWAY time!!!

2012-01-09T07:37:00.000-05:00

Thanks everyone for helping me reach my recent goal of 30 followers!!! You are the BEST! That was a fun surprise to find this morning since I've been sitting at 29 for a couple of days! High five from LJ! (okay, I don't blame you for not wanting to touch that messy little hand!)

So here is how to be sure you are entered into the giveaway (because there are some followers subscribed in a way other than Google so I don't know who they are!)

Just leave a comment below telling me that you are a follower or subscribed- yup, that simple. The winner will be randomly chosen from the list of comments.
***This giveaway is now closed.***
The prize will be a tote/purse sewn by me especially for YOU!

Good luck, and thanks again for being a follower. My next goal is 50 followers, so please help me get there are we will do another giveaway!

Eye Make-Up Tips and Products

2012-01-07T08:25:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm doing a beauty post. I do wear make-up every day because it makes me feel awake and human, even if I am just doing laundry and creating fantastic crayon drawings with my toddler. It is HARD to get good, accurate looking photos of make-up. I did my best for you! I promise in real life I looked like a supermodel and had zero wrinkles.
I received some fabulous eyeshadow as a gift from my cousin recently, so I wanted to share it. I generally stick to organic and natural products, so this was right up my alley! The company is called Emani Minerals. I have used mineral make-up before, and I really love the versatility of the eyeshadows. You can use them wet or dry, as a shadow or a liner, and even on the face for contouring. These colors went on beautifully!

For this look, I swept "Extra T.L.C." over the entire eyelid with a fluffy eye brush. Then I used a tighter brush that was slightly damp to apply "Twilight Dust" in the crease. I have deep-set eyes, so I have to go a little above the crease too. Then I applied more "Twilight Dust" as eyeliner with an angled brush. For liner I use a product by bareMinerals called "Weather Everything." You could certainly use water, but "Weather Everything" is a liner sealer, so when you mix this liquid with your powder it creates a waterproof seal to make it last all day and stay in place. I have faithfully used this product for at least 8 years now. It was love at first swipe.

In this photo you can see the liner a bit better- I did it thicker, almost cat-eyed around the outer edges, then tapered to a thinner line towards the center of my eye.
To finish off, I used some Physicians Formula mascara from their Organic Wear line.

A couple of eye make-up tips I learned from a make-up artist friend several years ago:
-Do your under eye concealer LAST- that way when you get little bits of powder, etc. under your eye you can clean them off beforehand. It also prevents caking in any wrinkles to do it last, because there will be no powder on top.
-Keep a little wedge sponge on-hand for quick blending, smudge wipe-up, and eyeliner fixing (we aren't all blessed with a perfectly steady hand!) I do this all the time- I put on a too-thick liner, then use the pointy part of the sponge to make it a much thinner line!
-Dab some white or very light shimmery eyeshadow into the corners of your eye to look awake and refreshed. You can also make a very thin line along the bottom of your eyebrow and blend well. Do both combined, and you will look so refreshed!
-ALWAYS comb your eyebrows, and do it at an upward angle. There is nothing that will complete your eye look better than having perfectly groomed brows. If yours are wild, use some clear mascara or a toothbrush sprayed with hairspray to hold them there. Mine stay just fine without anything on them.

Have fun with your make-up today! Remember, it washes off, its not a tattoo. So try something new!

Fabric covered trivets- Scrap-buster tutorial

2012-01-04T13:53:00.000-05:00

I was at Ikea when I visited my sister last week, and found this 3-pack of cork trivets for $2.99. I grabbed them because I immediately thought how cute they would be if doctored up a bit! I have two projects in mind for them- this is the first.

FABRIC COVERED TRIVET TUTORIAL

Materials needed-
cork trivet (mine is 7" diameter)
scrap measuring 12x12 or a fat quarter (be sure this fabric can withstand heat! I would use 100% cotton)
12" of 1/4" elastic
sewing machine and thread

Step One-
Iron your fabric to get any wrinkles out, and make a 12" diameter circle. There are a couple ways to do this. One is to fold it in half, then half again and measure out 6" from the corner all the way around. When you cut it and unfold you will have a 12" circle. Or, pin your measuring tape in the center, then use it like a compass to mark 6" all the way around.

Step Two-
Cut out your circle.

Step Three-
Serge or zig-zag all the way around. If you want to applique anything decorative on, do it now! Remember though- it has to be 100% cotton or other fabric that can withstand heat. I really wanted some ric-rac, but that would maybe melt!

Step Four-
Fold over the edge about 1/2" and sew the edges down, leaving about 2" open for inserting elastic. Because it is a circle, you will need to fold it over here and there to get it flat. This is fine- it will be all gathered up with elastic and you won't see it.

Step Five-
Thread your 12" piece of elastic through the casing, then sew elastic together. Overlap it about 1/2".

Step Six-
Sew the opening shut, being careful not to sew over the elastic itself.

Step Seven-
Stretch it over your trivet and use! The best part is, you can wash it and change it out with your seasonal decor or whatever you want!

The fabric above is an older Robert Kaufman print ("Chopsticks Please"). Below is one I made using some vintage fabric from my stash- so cute!

The next tutorial will be another project using the trivet...but it won't be used as a trivet!

Remember to become a follower- when I reach my current goal I will do a giveaway! Send your friends!

Linked up at Etceterize, Shwin & Shwin, Sugar Bee Crafts, Making the World Cuter, Sew Chatty, 30 Handmade Days, Creation Corner, Fun To Craft, Thrifty 101, A Glimpse Inside, and Saved By Love Creations- join the party!

Crazy Crayons How-To

2012-01-01T20:07:00.000-05:00

Today was the kind of day where you work on a lot of projects but not much seems to actually get done...that happens to me all too often I must admit!
While ~~my daughter and~~ I cleaned up the mess of pom-pom balls, pipe cleaners and crayons that had been dumped on the floor like confetti (Happy New years to me!), I found a ton of broken ones.
So, I remembered ages ago as a child how my mom always saved the little pieces to make melted big crayons with them. Those were always my favorite crayons! I decided that it would be fun to make some, and ended up having enough for 4 crazy crayons. Now, you see, this is how my days get away from me. I cleaned up the mess...but the other things I had to do got pushed aside for this project. My husband just laughs at me because he knows this will happen every time.
So here's how its done!

Step One- preheat your oven (or toaster oven) to 200 degrees F.
Step Two- peel your crayons and break them into smaller pieces if need be (about 1")

Step Three- pile them into muffin cups (use a liner!)about 1" deep- remember, they will melt down. Too thin and your kids will break them when they try to color. Today I did them in color families and made one "crazy" one. So I did yellows and oranges together, blues and greens together, etc.

Step Four- place in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. If they don't look melted together all the way, keep them in a bit longer. Some of this depends on the type of crayon and how thick you layered them. Speaking of types of crayons...the nice name-brand ones will work the best because they have more pigment. Today I had mostly cheapo crayons to use, and they have more wax. When they melt, the wax will come to the top, and the pigment will sink to the bottom. So it actually turns the cheapo crayons into higher quality ones! Just remind your little one that the plain waxy top won't color at all, it will be clear. You can try to shave that part off to save frustration if you want, but LJ got the point pretty quick.

Step Five- Cool them, then COLOR!!!

They are great for chubby little hands...

REMEMBER- I am trying to get more followers, so please become one! Once I reach my current goal I will do a giveaway!!! Please join and tell your friends.

Fun Stuff Fridays!

My Project Run and Play Remix of The Junebug Dress!

2011-12-30T20:28:00.000-05:00

If you haven't checked out Project Run and Play, hop over there and become a follower. They have a great competition among bloggers for making kids clothing! As part of the fun, they are inviting anyone who wants to "sew-along" and compete for a $25 gift card to Fabric.com. So I figured, why not give it a shot?
The first week is to do a remix of The Junebug Dress.
This dress is adorable, with its flap on the front with three buttons attaching it on the sides. It also has sweet puffed sleeves. For my remix, I decided to turn it into a corduroy overalls jumper! I removed the puff sleeve to make it a jumper, then instead of attaching a gathered skirt, I made pants with an extremely tall waist and gathered them to fit the bodice. I completed the "look" with covered buttons, an applique on one leg, and lined it with the fabric I used on the front flap. LJ loves it and didn't want to take it off!

("Modeling" with her hands on her hip, sorta...)

Who me? Require chocolate in exchange for photos?

Kindle Case

2011-12-29T13:14:00.000-05:00

A while back I found out that my friend Ali has the same Kindle I do. So I hunted around on the internet until I found a good tutorial (no use reinventing the wheel!) I think it turned out great, and it was so easy! It was a gift I handmade as part of my Great Christmas Challenge.

Check out the tutorial here at Chica and Jo.

The finished case, closed up all safe and cozy!

All propped up on its little hands-free stand.

Opened up and ready to read!

Thanks for the great tutorial Chica and Jo!

***Please become a follower- when I reach my current goal I will draw a random number to win a prize handmade by me! Send your friends over as well!***

Upcoming GIVEAWAY!

2011-12-28T17:27:00.000-05:00

I really want to try and get more followers on my blog. So if you like any projects you see, please become a follower! Also, please share the blog with your friends who might be interested in sewing, crafts, and cooking.
Once I get to 30 followers, I am going to have a randomly chosen winner. The winner will get something handmade by me!

(A recent portrait taken by my daughter. Eight months pregnant is so attractive, right?)

Some gifts from my Christmas Challenge!

2011-12-23T07:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I had Christmas last Saturday with my side of the family, so I can share what I made for my mom and sister now.
I LOVE the pattern I used, in fact, I have used it about 6 times now. It is Amy Butler's Birdie Sling.

I used home-dec weight fabric and omitted the interfacing (yay, saves a step and supplies!) If you use regular cotton, or silk, I would definitely do the interfacing.

For my mom, I chose a blue dot pattern with a tweed-ish contrast fabric. I really liked how this was modern looking without being too trendy for my mom's style.

She really liked the size of the bag, and plans to use it to carry around her crochet stuff. The big pockets are great for keeping her organized.

For my sister, I wasn't sure what to use since i Had a lot of good options so I texted her a picture of a few fabrics without telling her what it was for. I was tempted to go with an awesome laminated cotton I have, but she really surprised me and chose a rich dark green fabric that looked very traditional. I loved the sheen, and happened to have some silk in a tan color that looked great with it and also of course had a sheen. I think it looks great together!

She immediately started using hers as a purse, because she likes to carry around a ton of stuff (like most of us moms!)

I really liked how these two turned out. They are definitely more wintery than the others I have made. My friend Kristin got one for her birthday out of a heavy linen fabric, then I appliqued a vintage embroidered doily on the front which looked awesome. Why didn't I take a picture??? I do that so often- give something away before I take good pictures. Maybe I will learn one of these days :)

This is a great EASY pattern, and now that I've made a few I can say it takes me about 3 hours total (depending on how many times I have to start and stop!) Amy Butler always has great instructions including illustrations, so her patterns are great. She even features some free patterns on her site for quilts and accessories!

Silk Christmas Dress

2011-12-21T15:10:00.000-05:00

I had some beautiful silk fabric given to me and I knew just what to do with it- a Christmas dress for LJ! The bodice and sash are a rich jewel-tone pink, and the bottom is cream with a circle pattern embroidered on featuring greens, pinks, and reds. While not completely traditional holiday colors, I think it works because of the quality of the fabric, and of course pink is in the red family.

(Sorry for the poor photo quality, my nice camera is at my mom's so this is from my BlackBerry!)

I used "The Party Dress" tutorial from The Cottage Mama. I modified it slightly by leaving off the bottom band of fabric and making it shorter. I also constructed the bodice in a slower way because of using that slippery silk- I sewed the skirt onto the outside bodice piece first to make sure it all was perfect from the outside. Then I pinned the lining over it to sandwich the skirt between and "stitched in the ditch" to attach the lining. It took longer, but looked perfect. (This part is under the sash, so it doesn't matter really though, haha!)

My only other suggestion is to make the sash piece wider- in her picture the sash looked really wide, but on my finished dress it was much more narrow. It still looks pretty, but I would have preferred the wider look. I should have noticed when cutting it out but oh well!

Here is the back:

I LOVE the covered buttons- it is a must I think for the more formal look. If you are doing a casual version of the dress then you could pass, but it really looks beautiful and professional.

I highly recommend this pattern- be sure to check out her other tutorials. She also recently started selling patterns too.

I wish I had a picture of her wearing it to show you, but every time I ask her she says "No, I fine." I don't want to wrestle her into the silk and end up with a wrinkled up snot-covered mess, haha!

("Oooh, pretty buttons Mama!")

Merry Christmas to you and your families, and if you don't celebrate Christmas, Merry Winter!

Christmas Jammies and Homemade Wrapping Paper!

2011-12-15T16:50:00.000-05:00

Well, despite being in the third trimester I have kept so busy getting ready for Christmas! (But I am WORN out!)
I kept thinking December 25th was my goal, but my side of the family celebrates on the 17th, so I am scrambling to finish some sewing projects, as well as my homemade wrapping paper!

(We also squeezed in some cookie baking, and my daughter decided the dough looked good. Thank goodness we use local organic eggs, so at least its not quite as bad...or that's what I told myself!)

For all the kids, I wanted to make some Jammies. Instead of choosing Christmas fabric, I went with flannel prints they could wear all winter. The tops are much more time-consuming and I just couldn't do it, so I bought plain t's and added an applique that matched the flannel. The boys got a penguin and the girls got a heart. I free-handed these, but you can do a Google image search to find ideas or outlines to use. The boys got plain pants, and the girls got some ruffle action as well as a tiny satin bow at the center of the waist.

Now to the wrapping paper...
I am so lucky that my husband got a goodie for me from his office. He was astounded that I actually wanted this item, and even more astounded that I wanted it all. What was it? A GINORMOUS roll of paper- I'm talking big. They apparently got sent the wrong size for one of their machines, so voila! It's mine!
I immediately knew what I would make with it, which is the wrapping paper. I did make some fancy kind at my craft night where we cut a romaine lettuce heart and used it as a stamp. While it looked cool, it involved paint. Paint has to dry and did I mention I have been running behind??? So I used crayons!!!
This was perfect since my daughter didn't want to nap. Here are some of the designs. Can you guess which one my 2 year old contributed to?

(For this one, I wrote "Joy to the World" and made some messy stars.)

(For the plaid, I held 2 crayons together to make each row of stripes. I used a few different color combos.)

(This one is my favorite- I used 2 reds and 2 greens to each make a word. "Joy", "Peace", "Love", and "Hope". It looks really cool!)

Here is a gift all wrapped up with Christmas fabric scraps and cute gift tags that I made using a printable from My Sparkle.

Do you have any other ideas for homemade wrapping paper? I've got so much more of this paper left, so send your ideas my way!!!

Chicken Noodle Soup

2011-12-06T20:22:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the year- comfort food. So here is my Chicken Noodle Soup recipe. Easy, and perfect for this season. (And good medicine for my sinus infection too!) I promise more sewing tutorials to come, but I don't want to spoil any Christmas surprises!

Chicken Noodle Soup

3-4 organic chicken breasts- or 2 regular ones (boiled and shredded or cut into chunks)

4 carrots, peeled and diced (real carrots, not baby)

3 celery stalks, diced

1 generous handful of fresh parsley, chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 cups dry egg noodles

1-2 boxes of organic chicken stock or broth (I prefer stock)Use as much as you want depending on how much liquid you like in your soup.

Directions: Place broth and vegetables into the pot and bring to a boil. Then simmer for about 30-45 minutes at least. Add in the egg noodles, parsley, and chicken. Simmer until noodles are soft. Then serve!

Newborn baby Christmas Outfit

2011-11-22T21:40:00.000-05:00

My newest niece was born this past week, and I wanted to give her something homemade. I needed it to be something I could whip up quickly, as she came a couple weeks early! I made her older sister a Sunbonnet girl quilt (family tradition) and will make her one too eventually. So, with Christmas coming up I made her a little pair of lined pants and embellished long sleeved onesie. The pants are similar to the Colts baby pants I made a few weeks ago. (That post has more instructions related to the lining).

I used a pair of LJ's old baby pants as a template and cut the pieces out of the striped cotton and the flannel lining fabric. I shortened the striped layer by a couple of inches to allow for the ruffle. In the dotted Christmas fabric I cut about 4 inch strips then folded in half and used a ruffle stitch to gather. Then before sewing the leg seams together I added the ruffle to the bottom and topstitched. This is the only way to add ruffles to such tiny pants!

I added a big bow at the waist. I basically sewed two rectangles together leaving a hole to turn right side out. Then I kept the hole and seam in the back and twisted the bow and sewed across the center to hold the twist. Then I stitched onto the pants with green embroidery thread.

For the onesie I made three bows to stitch to the neck. For these I took a rectangle and hemmed the two long sides. Then with wrong sides together I sewed along the shorter side. After turning right side out, I twisted and sewed across the center to hold. When I attached them to the onesie, I wrapped some of the embroidery thread around the center a few times to look pretty then attached securely.

So, that's it! I know I will make her more complicated stuff in the future, but for now at least she has her own handmade Christmas outfit to get in the spirit. A plus? That clownish striped fabric will be great at hiding baby poop blowouts.

As a side note...check out this great giveaway from Leanne Barlow's Elle Apparel- love her blog!!!

How to host a Christmas Craft Night!

2011-11-18T07:25:00.000-05:00

Tonight will be my second year to host a Christmas Craft Night at my house for some friends. I have a few tips if you want to try this yourself!!!

1. Plan to do only 3-4 simple projects. (example...fabric Christmas bows, stamping onto butcher paper to make wrapping paper, ornaments...)

2. Try to use supplies that are cheap or free- it will add up fast! I found some projects that I could use fabric scraps for, and my husband happens to have access to huge rolls of paper from his office if they order the wrong weight...so wrapping paper is on the agenda tonight!

3. Keep the guest list to less than 15. Or even 10. I've got 13 coming tonight and I'm a little nervous about it. Thank goodness a few are pretty crafty so they can help I hope! That's another thing- I like to have a mixture of people, so maybe some will get into crafting that never have before!

4. Have your guests pitch something in. I assign one supply item per person- usually something less than $3. Everyone is scrapped for cash this time of year, so I keep it cheap. Sometimes this means you have to not do a craft you fall in love with, but its worth it for there to be no financial pressure at all. Examples of items this year- 1 pack of sequins, a plain posterboard, a small bottle of acrylic paint...

5. Snacks and Booze are always good :) I am having some Christmas-ey apps and desserts to help set the mood. And speaking of the mood...

6. Play some Christmas music! Now, I am one of those who refuses to decorate for Christmas one bit until Thanksgiving is over. Poor Thanksgiving, always being looked over! So I will get out a Christmas tablecloth and play music, but that's about it since it's the week before Thanksgiving.

7. Schedule it early in the season- last year I had it a couple weeks before Christmas and the weather was horrible, less people RSVP'd, and it didn't leave much time to finish up any lingering projects. So this year I scheduled it early to make it more of a jump start to the holidays.

I will post some photos of the party soon!
Here are a few links to some projects that work well for this type of party. Always try out your projects ahead of time- I tried a yarn-wrapped wreath last year and it takes waaaaaaaaay too long for a party. Things need to come together quickly!

"Loopy" tree - original tute uses paper, but we will use fabric scraps

Fabric Christmas bows again, using Christmas fabric scraps

Romaine lettuce stamped wrapping paper (from Martha Stewart- they used it as a flower Valentine's card, but I think it looks like a poinsettia!)

Smocked Peasant top and Ruffle Pants mini-tutorial

2011-11-02T14:13:00.000-04:00

I wanted to make LJ a special outfit for her birthday. At first, I was going to go the "typical" route and make her a dress. Then I decided that she is a little bit of a tomboy too, so I settled on this adorable smocked peasant top and ruffle pants.
Her party theme is "Dinos and Dollies" so I chose the cute Michael Miller Children at Play series Doll fabric.
I didn't have a pattern that I wanted to use, so for the top I did the following to draft my own pattern.

PEASANT TOP
1. Find a pattern with a bodice you like. Cut out the back piece and its lining like normal. On the front part, add about 3 inches in the middle. Then cut out the lining WITHOUT adding the extra inches. This will allow extra fabric for the smocking on the front only.

2. Before you sew the front and back bodice, you will need to cut the big poofy sleeves! Work with the fabric folded- the fold is the top part of the sleeve. Using the bodice pattern, trace onto your fabric the armhole opening. This will ensure they match up when you sew. Leave a few extra inches up top so you can gather the top part with elastic. This creates the poofiness at the shoulder! Make your sleeves about 3 inches longer than you think you need. This will allow for elastic casing and poof factor.

3. Now use a gathering stitch on the front bodice piece. Do 6 rows of stitches along the front. Start and end going straight down from the neck. This helps keep it centered. I marked it with a pin. Gather it up until the bodice piece matches up in width with its lining. Then, using a decorative honeycomb stitch you can stitch three rows between the gathering stitches. Then remove your gather stitches. EASY!!! (If you want to hand-smock, be my guest, it would look beautiful!)

4. Before sewing the sleeves onto the bodice, you need to add the shoulder elastic. (photo below)
Just use a zig-zag or serge on the edge to prevent fraying. Then fold over just enough to make a casing for your 1/4" elastic. This piece should make it small enough to fit over your little one's shoulders. Use an existing shirt for reference (remember to account for seam allowance!) Add in your elastic and sew it down well on either end.

5. Sew your sleeves up the bottom seam then attach the sleeves onto the front and back bodice pieces. Carefully line up the elastic on either side!
6. Add in your lining, being sure to leave the bottom open.
7. Cut a panel on the fold that is about twice as wide as the bodice. You can make the length longer to be a dress, or tunic length like I did. Sew it up the back, then do a gathering stitch along the top. Gather it up until it will fit the bodice. Sew it to the front of the bodice.
8. Fold under the bodice lining to cover the seam allowance from the skirt/front bodice. Then pin a LOT and stitch in the ditch on the front to attach. Flip over to be sure that the lining is all attached!
9. Hem the bottom as normal, or add a decorative stitch like I did. You could also add elastic at the bottom if you want to make a bubble shirt!
10. Zig-zag stitch or serge along the edge of the sleeves. Then fold over to make a casing for 1/4" elastic. The elastic should fit just right around the wrist of your little one. Add in the elastic, and you're done!!!

PANTS
1. I used the kid pants pattern from MADE- it's free! For fabric I used a corduroy with no stripes- its more like velvet! Then I used a plain pink and the same Michael Miller fabric for the ruffles.
2. To make into ruffle pants, simply cut off the pattern about 6.5" from the bottom. Sew the pants on the outside seam only for now.
3. Make strips of fabric (on the fold) that will be about 3x the width of your pants. The bottom color should be about 5.5" (11" total, since cutting on fold). The top one should be about 4.5".
4. Sew the top and bottom ruffles together with a ruffle stitch. Gather up to fit the pants, then sew onto the bottom hem of the pants. (This is much easier than sewing on completed pants since it lays flat.
5. Very carefully line up the ruffles and pin before sewing the inside seam of the pants.
6. Then sew the crotch seam, make the casing on the top, and insert elastic.
All done!!!

Now all you have to do is chase your toddler around and try to get a good picture!!!

Dirty Laundry

2011-10-24T11:48:00.000-04:00

How do you wash your laundry? I have found that this is a controversial topic for some. We choose to go the non-scented, fewest additives possible route at our house. No fabric softener here! We also have special needs because we use cloth diapers. I do keep bleach up high in a cabinet for those times you just need it, but we use it rarely. Here is a run-down of my laundry essentials.

1. Stain Removal
I know some love their Oxyclean, etc., but we rely on the good old fashioned Fels-Naptha bar. My Grandma has always kept this handy, as well as my mom. Now I do! I just get the stain wet and rub the bar directly on it, but sometimes you need an old toothbrush to really work it in there. Then wash, and voila! My friend Kristin uses Fels-Naptha to make her own laundry detergent, but I am too lazy to do that, haha! Here is a tutorial if you want to try it.

2. Cloth Diapers
For cloth diapers, it is important to use a soap that will not irritate your baby's skin, will not leave residue in the cloth, will rinse out really well, will not react with urine, etc. There are several options out there and I have tried a lot of them. We LOVE Rockin' Green. They offer three types- one for hard water, one for soft water, and one in between called "Classic Rock". We use Classic Rock and occasionally their "Funk Rock" as a refresher for our diapers. I have tried a ton of detergents for cloth diapers, and this is hands down the best. No wonder they have a cult following! It's also okay for regular laundry, but we just use it on our diapers.

3. Delicates- lingerie, wool, cashmere, etc.
For my delicate laundry, I use Charlie's Soap. This soap is also okay for cloth diapers. I like it for hand washing and it doesn't leave a scent or anything. It's an old fashioned recipe too!

4. Regular Laundry
For my regular laundry (including baby clothing) I use an environmentally friendly detergent from COSTCO!!! Yes, they carry an in-house brand that is basically the same as the Seventh Generation detergent. I love it, it's unscented and perfect for baby laundry too. I just wash all our laundry together and this makes everyone happy.

And that's it! Enjoy doing your laundry today :)

NFL themed baby outfit

2011-10-18T22:11:00.000-04:00

I got a "commissioned" job recently- my dad's office manager needed something cute for a baby shower and asked me to make this Colts themed outfit for a baby boy. She wanted his initials incorporated, so they are on one of the burp cloths and will be on the onesie I have yet to make.

It was all pretty easy but I did custom design the pants. I used an old pair of LJ's 3-6 month pants as a guide to be sure the size was right, and they turned out great! I lined them in a super soft flannel so they would be comfy and warm. It's really easy- just make another identical pair of pants out of your lining, but turn them inside out. Then attach at the waist and bottom hem and create the waistband and hem the pants as usual. Voila, lined baby pants!

Here is the set so far:

Tweed Toddler "suit"

2011-10-13T13:29:00.000-04:00

I have been making up for lost time in my sewing room. Must be the nice sewing chair my husband bought me for my birthday- it is so comfy!
LJ's 2 year old photo shoot is coming up, and I wanted her to have a really cute outfit. So when I saw this tutorial I was inspired! I wanted to make "The Audrey Cape" in a heavier fabric, but let LJ pick it out. She picked out a really pretty tweed with some gold flecks in it. There is also a hint of red and mustard.

So here is her cape, fully lined in off-white so the wooly fabric isn't itchy. Also so it looks more professional! I made my collar a little tiny- maybe should have made it a bit larger but it looks cute as is.

So then to make it an outfit or "suit" if you will, I made her a skirt. At first I was thinking pleated, but then I was like, that's a lot of tweed! So I made an elastic waist A-line skirt and broke up the tweed with a bit of Fall-colors floral canvas I had. The canvas part is important- you don't want to combine a lightweight cotton with a heavy fabric or it won't lay right. I also lined the skirt.

For hemming the bottom and making the elastic casing, I used a pink hemming ribbon. This helps with bulkier fabrics so that you don't have to roll it over twice to get rid of a raw edge. You could use a serger if you want but I like the ribbon.

And because LJ has not warmed up to modeling the outfit yet, I made David put it on (sadly, the skirt did not fit him) He was trying to convince her but it was a warm day and she didn't want to wear a cape! Little stinker.

So here is the outfit together. Hopefully she will wear it for her photo shoot, otherwise she will be in a shirt and tights only, haha!

Easy-ish and Healthier Chicken and Dumplings!

2011-10-01T11:02:00.000-04:00

I love Chicken and Dumplings. My husband, who is from Tennessee, loves "Chicken and Dumplin's". Trust me, there is a difference! I grew up eating my Granny's version, with big round balls of the biscuit dough. He grew up with the dough rolled out and cut up into strips (like the kind at Cracker Barrel). Also, mine was a little more like a thick soup, wheras in the South is is always a thicker gravy type sauce. The picture below is more like my type (I ate all of my recent batch before taking a picture, oops!)

So, here is my easy and healthier recipe- I use a big sized crock pot!

You will need:
3-4 organic chicken breasts (the non-organic ones are huge, so if using those probably 2)
2 large boxes of organic chicken stock
carrots
celery
chard
large onion
herbs de provence
1.5 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup milk (approx)
1 tsp baking powder
salt
pepper

Directions:
In crock pot on high, place chicken breasts, one box of stock, carrots, onion, and celery. Stir in some herbes de provence and salt and pepper. Let this cook on high for about 3 hours then shred chicken with two forks.
Add in the other box of stock and keep crock pot on high. While this heats up, make your dumplings.

For dumplings:
Place flour, baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl, and add in the COLD butter in tiny cubes. Use a pastry blender or two forks to blend until the butter is rice-sized. Then add milk a little at a time until it is a nice dough. You might not need all that milk. Knead the dough then tear it into little balls, roll in your hands, and drop in the crock pot.

Clean your chard well and tear into pieces. Then drop this in the crock pot too. The chard adds some good vitamins!
Allow to simmer on high in crock pot until dumplings are cooked, usually at least an hour. Then serve! YUM!!!
(If you want to make it pretty, you can garnish with parsley like in the picture)

Vintage Portcard decor idea

2011-09-22T11:03:00.000-04:00

This is a great EASY project that anyone can do! And the best part is that you can use this all year long, depending on what postcards you can find.

You will need:
-A multiple photo frame (mine is three) to fit 3x5 photos.
-Vintage postcards to fill the frame (again mine needs three)
-tape

I find my postcards at antique shops, usually for about $1-$2 a postcard. Some people ask as much as $5, which I laugh and pass up. There are a TON out there for reasonable prices, and its fun to always look through them and find a new favorite.

Just grab your three favorite, tape them into the correct spot, then put your frame back together and hang. No craft abilities required! Just remember the change it out for each season- I am guilty of having Easter postcards in at Christmastime- oops! I have postcards for Easter, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Sometimes you can find Halloween but I have yet to find three I like.

Have fun with this, its so cute!

Misc. projects

2011-09-14T19:29:00.000-04:00

I have been working a few projects here and there but I've been pretty busy lately!
I really want to have pajamas for each of my nephews and nieces done by Thanksgiving, so that is my priority. The pants are easy, but the tops take more time.
For now, I made a test pajama top for LJ out of her favorite silky fabric. It has matching silky pants too, of course! (Sorry for ugly picture)

My other new project has been to help me get back into crocheting. I haven't knit a stitch or crocheted a thing in probably 4 years or so. I really wanted to make LJ a cute Fall hat since it has started getting chilly. I will probably try again but this one turned out okay I think. I used the pattern on this blog that my cousin Julia suggested. It's on LJ's head a little crooked, but we had like 3 seconds of her patience to get a picture and the picture turned out cute at least! I like the ripple along the edge.

In other fun sewing news, my husband surprised me with a new sewing chair for my birthday. Like, its an actual sewing chair. Sounds silly, but it really is comfy and keeps your back from getting sore while you sew. So then I can sit for a while and finish the quilt I started over a year ago for my niece...
Wish me luck that I get more time to sew- I am really behind on my "Great Christmas Challenge"!

Pimiento Cheese- a very Southern YUM!

2011-08-26T17:20:00.000-04:00

I have not had this nor made it since living in Nashville, TN. I discovered this "Southern Caviar" during my first month there, at the first teacher luncheon I attended. I was instantly in love and wondering why no one up North ever makes this! If you like cheese, and you like anything with a little kick, you will LOVE Pimiento Cheese. It is great on crackers, crostinis, veggies, tea sandwiches, or as a topping to meat, etc.

For my version, I used a conglomerate of recipes I have tasted or been given by Southern friends. Some from the older generation, some from the young. Mine uses cream cheese which is more "modern". The traditional is only cheddar, mayo, and of course pimientos.

A food processor is the easiest way to do this, but a hand mixer would do in a pinch. I use my mom's awesome vintage "La Machine" food processor from 1978, and it works like a dream. A brown and tan dream...

Okay, for this recipe you will need:
-One package cream cheese (Neufchatel or lowfat is fine, no fat free though!)
-One package sharp cheddar shredded cheese
-Mayonnaise (lowfat fine, fat free not fine) about 1/2 cup
-1-3 cloves of garlic (depending on your taste)
-1-2 large kosher dill pickles (depending on your taste)
-1 four ounce jar of pimientos, drained
-Louisiana Hot Sauce or Tabasco to taste
-Salt and Pepper to taste

First, put the pickle or pickles and the garlic cloves in the food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Then add the cream cheese and mayo and whip it up really well. After that add your cheese, pimientos, salt, pepper, and a dash or two of hot sauce. Pulse until just blended as you don't want to pulverize the cheese and pimientos.
Then you can taste and add a bit more salt or hot sauce if you want. To make it more spreadable, you can always add more mayo. Even if you don't like hot stuff, use a little hot sauce. It gives it a distinct pimiento cheese flavor and it doesn't make it hot unless you add a bunch.

Lola Jane's Custom Ruffle Pants Mini-Tutorial

2011-08-22T21:06:00.000-04:00

Umm, sorry for the sideways picture. I suck at the photo part of this!

Hello! Due to being prego and sick to go with it, no new posts for a while. But now I am feeling a lot better and I've had some time to sew. I have been working on LJ's Fall wardrobe, and I wanted to try my own version of those cute boutique-y ruffle pants. Of course I had to do TWO layers of ruffles, extra-poufy for my princess. She LOVES them, but no pics of her in them yet because I had to shorten them. I included a way to do that in the tutorial (without ruining the ruffles!)

Step 1- Find a pants pattern you like. I used the plain longer pants from this Butterick pattern. Cut out the pieces as on the pattern. I used an old pair of my husband's khakis in order to not waste resources.

Step 2- Do the first step of your pattern. This usually involves sewing down one side of the leg. You want only 2 leg pieces to work with, but you do not want it in a "tube" yet.

Step 3- Determine how long your pants need to be. Also determine how deep you want your ruffles- My longer ruffle was 4". You will need to shorten the leg pieces the appropriate amount, leaving a seam allowance. So if the existing legs are the perfect length and you want 4" ruffles, you would shorten it by 3.25" approximately.

Step 4- Make your ruffles! The length should be at LEAST double that of the pant hem. I do 2.5. Fold your "longer" ruffle fabric choice and measure from the fold 4.75". Cut or tear, then pin the raw edges together. Fold your "shorter" ruffle fabric and measure 3.75" from the fold. Cut or tear then pin the raw edges together. Sew using your longest stitch length and your highest thread tension (this will start the ruffles for you, saves some time). Then finish gathering until the ruffles match the length along the bottom hem of each pant leg. Mine was about 13.5", but you need to do yours to match the pattern and size you are using.

Step 5- Attach ruffles! Stack the short ruffles onto the long ruffles and pin each together. Then attach to the bottom hem of each pant leg (this is why we didn't want the pants sewn up, it's easier to do this flat!) Be sure to have the shorter ruffle facing the right side of your fabric! Use a serger or a serger-type stitch on your machine then trim. You will need to iron the ruffles down, then topstitch to keep them laying flat.

Step 6- Finish constructing pants. Before adding casing and elastic, try the pants on your little one. See if the top needs to be higher up (we use cloth diapers so this is a common problem when I sew pants patterns). If it does, then add the appropriate amount of fabric to the top (folded in half for thickness). Add in about an inch for the casing. Then make the casing and add elastic as normal. If you don't need extra length but think it looks cute, just cut some off the top and add your own top. Easy.

Step 7- IF they are too long, and you want to keep that extra length for the next growth spurt, sew in a little tuck. Just flip up the hem above the ruffles, sew in as far as you need to for the correct length, then iron it flat. It doesn't look the most beautiful, but when they grow a bit all you have to do is grab your seam ripper.
I have a picture but Blogger is giving me issues right now. So for now, only the one crappy picture at the top. Will try to add it later!

That's it! I called it a min-tute because its so easy, and been done, and all that. So try it for the little girls you know! If you really want to cheat, take a pair of their summer capris and just add the ruffles to the bottom, voila, Fall pants!

Zucchini time!!!

2011-07-15T16:24:00.000-04:00

Ahh, time for zucchini. This is one of my favorite versatile veggies. We can grow it in abundance here in Indiana, so I am lucky that my aunt and uncle have a HUGE garden and let me have all I want! I got a couple of really big ones today and shredded them in my food processor to make zucchini bread. Then I got to thinking, "That would be a LOT of bread. So what else can I do with this?"
So here is my list of ideas, some of them I have a recipe link or two to go with them.

1. The simple way- slice, then saute with olive oil, or be lazy and nuke in the micorowave.

2. Zucchini "pasta": Get out your veggie peeler and peel it into a bunch of strips. Salt them down and let them sit for a while, then briefly saute with olive oil and halved cherry tomatoes. Then top with freshly grated parmesan. One of my most favorite summer dishes!!! I think this is the original recipe I used was from Rachael Ray, but it is no longer on the website. You could also add in some high-quality bacon to give a flavorful (but fatty) boost.

3. Add sheredded zucchini to: soups, pastas, quiches, frittatas, omelets, meatloaf, meatballs, turkey burgers, or hide in your kids mac n cheese!

4. Zucchini cake/cupcakes- Bake your favorite zucchini bread recipe then top with cream cheese icing, yummy!!! Or use a recipe like this one: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/zucchini-cake-i/detail.aspx

5. Zucchini lasagna- replace your noodles with large slices of zucchini- I would salt them and set aside for a few minutes to get some water out of it, then brown both sides with oil in a pan first to boost flavor. I've also done this with eggplant. Here is a recipe if you are a recipe kinda person! http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/no-noodle-zucchini-lasagna/detail.aspx

6. Zucchini baby food- When LJ was a little baby, she loved some smashed up zucchini with a little parmesan cheese. You can freeze the extras in ice cube trays so you have perfect portions for your little one.

7. Zucchini boats- cut a v-shaped slit down the length of an entire zucchini, then use a spoon to take out some of the middle. Stuff with whatever- meat mixture, cheeses, etc. then wrap in foil and bake! Yummy! I do have an idea about zucchini cups, but I think it might get messy. But if you have a big one, you could cut it into several cylindars and scoop out a cup to fill...I just don't know if the bottom of it would get to watery with no skin there. Looks like I might be trying this tonight!

8. Zucchini-kebabs. Self-explanatory. Although I would suggest adding other veggies as well, duh.

9. Zucchini pancakes!!!! I am making these on Sunday for my family. Just make your regular old pancake recipe, leave out about 1/8 cup of the milk (the zucchini is a bit watery) then toss in some zucchini and some cinnamon. Nutritious (before all the butter and syrup) and delicious!

10. Zucchini latkes- shred some potato, some zucchini, and some onion. Mix together with some flour and egg and a pinch or two of salt. Form into tiny latkes and thow 'em in the frying pan with a little olive oil. Brown them on both sides and serve with some creme fraiche or sour cream! This would be great at a brunch.

Hopefully I have helped you with some good zucchini ideas! Get cookin' and send me your good ideas, I would love some more! Now off to my giant shredded-zucchini filled Ikea zip top baggie...

Embellished Tank Tops are Here!

2011-07-08T19:46:00.000-04:00

Okay, Kristin and I worked our tank top magic last night...or something like that. Basically, we dumped out my scrap fabric bin, extra beads bin, etc. and waited for inspiration. I think what we have so far is a great start towards gifts for my Great Christmas Challenge!!! So take a look and start wondering if one of these is for you...
Oh, and sorry about the crappy photos. I seem to have misplaced our really expensive camera, much to my husband's annoyance...so I had to use my Blackberry. But at least you get the idea of what we did, right?

Okay, for this navy blue tank top I grabbed some grayish-blue striped fabric and cut out 9 circles, maybe about 3" in diameter. Then I folded them in half twice and played around with the layout until I liked how it looked. I hand sewed the tip top corner onto the shirt carefully so it looked pretty. Then I added a row of bluish-green beads to the top (larger size of seed beads). I thought this made it look a bit more finished.

Here is the lovely Kristin modeling her project for the night. We took some tan-ish floral fabric and made a big long strip. It was then ruffled the "easy" way on the sewing machine (amp up your thread tension, and hold the thread on the spool while you sew, voila, ruffles!) After evening out the ruffles by hand and pinning them on, Kristin used a zigzag stitch to attach it all the way around the neckline- we wanted the back to be pretty too! Then we made a cute flower in off-white to attach as a finishing touch. The best part? It's fast and no-sew! Here is a good tutorial for that from a great blog called "Ruffles and Stuff". Love her!

I think this last one might be the most "me" of the three we've made so far. I made four of the above referenced flowers in a beautiful deep orange color. I made them slightly graduated in size, then attached them in a cluster down the strap. I think I might make one more smaller one so there is 5. I have this weird thing where I don't really like even numbers...should I tell my therapist? Anyways, my daughter woke up from her nap so that's how it ended up with just 4 for the moment.

Sorry again for the awful photography, I promise to hunt and find my camera for next time! Please help me get more followers- tell any of your friends to officialy follow me and once we get to 25 I will create something as a giveaway and do a drawing!

embellished tanks

2011-07-05T12:31:00.000-04:00

My friend Kristin and I are gearing up for a girls crafty night- we will be embellishing some tank tops that I got a couple weeks ago for $2 each at Old Navy! This is part of my Great Christmas Challenge, because if they turn out nice enough they will make great Christmas gifts. I got some toned down, colder weather colors. I figured they will look cute under a cardigan or blazer during the colder months!
I am currently gathering up some fun supplies to use...bits of tulle, beads, scrap fabric, lace, etc. Tune in later this week to see how they turned out...and buy a couple of cheap tank tops yourself to see what you come up with! There are no "wrong" ways to do it!

Perfekt Cheeks!

2011-06-29T15:43:00.001-04:00

I love this cheek color from "Perfekt". It goes on so smooth, blends right in to match your skin, and lasts all day. Awesome! It's $28 but lasts forever because you only use a dab. It comes out VERY bright, but don't let this scare you off! I think it blends a lot better than other cheek stain type products I have used in the past. And its paraben free, yay!
Give it a try!
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P273805&categoryId=B70

Easy Fabric Flower 4th of July tank top

2011-06-27T13:33:00.000-04:00

In one week its the 4th of July! I am a little freaked out by the holiday coming this year, as I have taken on the task of heading up our big neighborhood bike parade and ice cream social. But of course, I have to look cute in a patriotic way while doing it :) So, I made this.

Find an old tank top in red white or blue, or buy a new one.
Cut out 5 squares of patriotic fabric- I did two each of the star fabric, and three each of the blue. (don't worry about having perfect squares, unless you're one of those people like my husband who has to do everything precisely.)

3. Using the longest stitch on your machine, sew along the open edges only. Don't cut your thread in between, just keep going. It will look like a bunting when you're done.

4. Gather up your triangles and they will start to look like petals.

5. Hand sew your petals together, you can use this step to make it all look just right.

6. Sew a button or other embellishment on the top to cover the ugly parts.

7. Pin onto your shirt!

You can use this on a handbag, headband, etc. so you look ready for the 4th. No cheesy t-shirts for us!

Check out this Tutorial from "Me Sew Crazy"

2011-06-23T14:05:00.000-04:00

This is one of my favorite blogs...check out this CUTE and easy-looking project! I am definitely giving this one a try! Might be good for my Christmas Challenge!
http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2011/06/knot-tote-tutorial.html

Beets,please!

2011-06-22T14:54:00.000-04:00

I really loved my mom's sweet pickled beets as a kid. At some point she stopped making them, but when I saw some nice looking beets at the farmer's market this weekend I was inspired to make them for my daughter!
I looked up several recipes online, and none of them were just perfect for me, so I kinda just winged it.

LJ's Sweet Pickled Beets:
1. Take three nice sized beets and clean them. Cut off the top (you can find recipes for the beet greens too!)
2. Boil the beets until fork-tender.
3. Under cool running water, use your hands to get the skin off (it will come off really easily)
4. In a regular Mason jar, place about 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 TBSP salt, 1/2 TBSP mustard seeds, and 1 tsp peppercorns. Shake it with the lid on.
5. Slice your beets about 1/4" thick and put in the jar, being sure to move it around so they are all covered.
6. Wait at least one hour to serve, but I like to wait one day. Keep them in the fridge!

Serve in your salad, with cottage cheese, or even on a sandwich. They are tangy and sweet and beautiful and good for you!

Toddler Faux-Petticoat Skirt

2011-06-20T14:46:00.000-04:00

So we have a two year old's birthday party tomorrow night, and I wanted to whip up something personal to add to her gift. The result? A cute Faux-Petticoat circle skirt.

-I made a circle skirt for the top layer (floral fabric). I left the top edge raw and hemmed the bottom.
-Then I took a long strip of the pinstripe fabric, folded it in half and ruffled it. I then attached this to the raw edge of the floral fabric.
-I then folded the top over to make a casing for the elastic and threaded it through.
-I also made a bow and attached it at the hip!

Voila!

I did not do a full tutorial because there are a ton of circle skirt ones on the web- google it and see!!!

Fabric wish list

2011-06-16T07:55:00.000-04:00

So, I am not opposed to buying fabric full price if it is one that I LOVE and I have a specific project in mind so I know what amount I need. But usually I buy fabric on sale that I like and keep it for whenever, or I repurpose something old or something vintage I find. (I guess this must be why I have a pretty big stash to work with!)
Anyways, here are some fabrics that I am currently eyeballing/ using as inspiration! (All are from FabricWorm.com)

For LJ:

Echino Nico Spring 2011, Cable Car Pink
http://www.fabricworm.com/ecnisp20caca3.html

Kokka Large Trefle Cotton Birdie Alphabet Natural
http://www.fabricworm.com/kolatrcobial.html

For Me/My Friends:

Alexander Henry Pocket Pixies, Dandelion Green/Yellow
http://www.fabricworm.com/alhepopidagr.html

Anna Maria Horner Loulouthi VOILE, Clippings Forest
http://www.fabricworm.com/anmaholovocl.html

For Boys:

Monaluna Organic Anika, Foxes

http://www.fabricworm.com/mooranfo.html

Jay-Cyn Designs for Birch Fabrics Organic Avalon His Cruiser
http://www.fabricworm.com/jadeforbifao.html

Kids Napkin Set Tutorial

2011-06-14T21:40:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my first tutorial! Please send your feedback, as I would love these to be useable and easy to understand. (Was it too detailed? Were pictures helpful?)

To make a set of two kids napkins with a napkin "pocket" you will need:
Scissors
A sewing machine

An iron

2 cotton or linen fabric scraps measuring 14.5" x 14.5"
2 coordinating fabric scraps (same material as above) measuring 14.5" x 14.5"
2 fabric scraps (can be one of each of above or both from the same fabric) measuring 14.5" x 10"

matching or contrasting thread (your choice!)

Okay, it's go time!

Step One:

Prep! Be sure your fabric is pre-washed. That is a must. You can iron it too, that always makes things easier but I admit that sometimes I don't!

Step Two:
Measure out your 14.5" squares. I use a tape measure and a sharpie to mark dots, then connect them with a straight edge. You can layer if you want to save time.

Step Three:

Cut out your four 14.5"squares. If you want to save time and do it in layers, then be sure to pin them together before you cut to avoid shifting.

Step Four:

Place contrasting fabrics right sides together and pin.

Step Five:

Sew around all four edges using a 1/4" seam allowance. Be sure to leave a gap in the middle of one side. (You need to be able to turn it right side out!) When I do this, I simply stop sewing and move the fabric a couple inches, then resume sewing. You can clip threads later. Some people use double pins to remind them to leave the gap, as you see in the photo below. I try to do this because I hate wasting time with the seam ripper! (Although mine gets plenty of use!)

Step Six:

Clip your corners so it looks nice and neat when you turn it right side out.

Step Seven:

Repeat with other napkin. Then turn them right side out (pay attention to your corners!) and set aside.

Step Eight:

Cut out your 14.5" x 10" pieces for your napkin pockets, then fold in half lengthwise. (you can skip the next few steps if you do NOT want an applique or embroidery.)

Step Nine:

Fold them in half again to see where you want to place your embroidery or applique.

Step Ten:
Cut out an applique from your contrasting fabric, place, and pin. (OR use a purchased applique, a tiny doilie, a monogram...) If embroidering, mark out where you want it, get out that hoop and go to town!

Step Eleven:

Use a blanket stitch, zigzag stitch, or other stitch that encloses edge of fabric and set it as narrow as you think looks best. (I used a 2.5mm blanket stitch)

Step Twelve:

With fabric folded in half lengthwise, and right sides together, sew each edge forming a tube. Sew the folded edge too so they look the same when turned inside out.

Step Thirteen:
Turn the tube right side out and repeat with other napkin pocket.

Step Fourteen:
Gather up all your pieces and head to the ironing board.

Step Fifteen:

Iron all the edges of the napkins. Pay close attention to the gap where they are not sewn and iron carefully.

Step Sixteen:

Iron the napkin pocket tubes then fold in half and iron again.

Step Seventeen:

Fold the tops of the napkin pocket inside the tube (so there is no raw edge) and iron. Be sure that they are all even. Oh, and pardon my "manicure" in the photo. It is courtesy of my 1.5 year old.

Step Eighteen:

Topstitch your napkins. You will need to make a seam that is smaller than 1/4" to be sure to catch the opening left from when we turned the napkin right side out. I do this by lining it up barely on the inside of the presser foot.

Sew slowly on the corners to make it pretty.

Step Nineteen:

Stitch the tops of your napkin pockets closed. Use a decorative stitch if you wish.

Step Twenty:

Stich the sides of your napkin pockets. Use a tiny seam allowance, again lining it up evenly using your presser foot. Be sure to backstich at the bottom and top. At the top I backstitched a couple of times to give it more durability.

Step Twenty-One:
Fold up your napkins the following way to fit inside: In half lengthwise, then accordian folded. Then place them inside the pockets and have a tea party with topless Barbie and Pooh.

For a nice gift, you can place in some matching kids flatwear. Hmm, this would be great for some of LJ's little toddler buddies for my Christmas Challenge! This would make a cute party favor too, especially if you use themed fabric.

Inspiration...

2011-06-14T07:53:00.000-04:00

I see a headband for LJ in my future! Check out this great project from the blog Craftiness Is Not Optional.

http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/06/ric-rac-flower-tutorial.html

Coming tomorrow- the kids cloth napkin set tutorial!!!

Christmas Gift Adventure/ Little Boy Napkin Set

2011-06-12T16:32:00.000-04:00

So, I have really worked on being more "green" this year, and one idea I had was to make my Christmas gifts. I have a crazy stash in my sewing/craft room and I want to use all that good stuff! I will be buying things as needed, but my goal is to reuse as much as possible.
Please send me your reusing ideas as I mention projects!
I will not say who each gift is for, because some recipients read this blog...have fun guessing!

Here is my first scrap project- a cute cloth napkin set for little boys! I used some leftover fabric from making a toddler bed sheet set for my nephew. I will post my very first tutorial for this simple project in the next week. Keep an eye out- even if you are a beginning sewer (or have never sewn) you can do this project, it's that easy I promise!

Spread the word!

2011-06-12T11:23:00.000-04:00

Okay you fearless few who are actually still out there on my followers list after 2 years off! I am bringing this blog back to life with a new purpose! (okay, purposes)
-I don't have a job outside the home and I feel the need to contribute my brain to something outside the home too.
-I have made a promise to myself to handmake something for each and every person on my Christmas list this year and thought it would be cool to document.
-Lots of people ask me about the things I sew, bake, etc. so this will be an easy way for my friends and family to see how to do it themselves...and hopefully some new friends too!

So basically I am asking that you help spread the word if you think anyone you know would enjoy my silly musings and crafty ideas. I will also share other cool things I run across from time to time. THANKS!!!!

Golfing Hazards!!!!

2009-05-31T20:30:00.000-04:00

I went to the driving range today with my husband for some practice. So far, so good on a Sunday afternoon, right? Anyways...he sliced a shot and it hit my in the shoulder/armpit area. At least it wasn't my face or collarbone or baby belly, right? But it HURTS!!!! I am going to have a prize-winning bruise in a day or two. Right now it looks like a red and while bullseye- I could totally do Target ads with this thing. Moral of the story: wear full padding at the driving range????

I've missed you all!

2009-05-14T13:21:00.000-04:00

Sorry I've been MIA! We STILL don't hve the internet hooked up at the house, and our wireless card gets horrible reception in Noblesville, so I have to travel to use the computer.
At any rate, I've been doing a lot of house shopping to fill up the new digs, so I thought I would share a list of some of the places I have found great bargains! Shop away!

For furniture, kitchen linens, and knick-knacks......www.WorldMarket.com
*Go to their website and sign up- you will get a coupon in your email!

For kitchen stuff, candles, bed linens, and knick-knacks...www.TJMaxx.com
*Bonus- you can find yourself a little present to reward your self for all that hard shopping!

For anything you want cheap that doesn't get used a lot (guest room furniture, etc.) or for organizational tools...www.IKEA.com
*If you go to the store itself, try the Swedish Torte in the cafeteria. It is AWESOME!

For really great furniture deals on really nice stuff try the Godby Outlet in Carmel, IN... www.GodbyHomeFurnishings.com

For lightly used furniture and decor items, check out Consigning Women...www.indyconsigningwomen.com
*Keep in mind that there is a lot of turnover, and you should check often! Also, they will mark each item down for every week its there, so if you are a risk-taker you might get an even better deal if you wait.

Okay, that's the list for now! I'll be back shortly with more posts!

Quiet Nights

2009-04-16T12:14:00.000-04:00

If you are a jazz lover, or if you have a lover (he he he) then you will love Diana Krall's new cd! It's called Quiet Nights. It definitely lives up to the title, very relaxing and romantic, perfect for a quiet night or to get your special someone in the mood...

Don't Miss it music festival!

2009-04-12T20:11:00.000-04:00

After living in Tennessee for several years and now back to my hometown in Indianapolis, I have realized there are a lot of things I miss from Tennessee (and quite a few things I don't miss either!)

I miss fruit tea, cheese grits, honky tonks, Provence Cafe, and Uncle Dave Macon Days (that's him above) in Murfreesboro! Its on July 11th this year, and you can check it out at http://www.uncledavemacondays.com/

Basically, its a bunch of old-fashioned Tennessee stuff- buck dancing, bluegrass music all around you, old women clogging in those funny frilly skirts. Also, there is great food and vendors selling jewelry, etc.

Basically its a ton of fun and would make a great addition to a Tennessee vacation this summer. David and I are planning to go this year, although being outside walking around all day pregnant in the sweltering heat might pose an issue! But there is a little creek you can play in...

The Daily Plate

2009-04-05T09:59:00.000-04:00

This is a great website for anyone who is counting calories. I get to eat more these days- yay!
You can track your excercise, food, calories, water consumption, etc. It's great for keeping yourself honest!
And its FREE!

www.thedailyplate.com

New food fetish...

2009-03-28T10:34:00.000-04:00

Lately I have been into smoothies, so I thought I would share my new favorite smoothie recipe.

I call it my Regular Smoothie, because it is pretty simple and well, it helps keep you regular!!!! It tastes really good-you really don't notice the wheat germ (pictured above) at all, but it adds protein, fiber, folic acid...all kinds of good stuff.

Stick all this stuff in your blender and that's it:

1 mango (or the equivalent of frozen mango chunks- my preference)

1 small banana

1 kiwi

1/2 cup skim milk

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 cup prune juice

2 heaping tablespoons wheat germ

ice

almost golf season

2009-03-22T17:26:00.001-04:00

I can't wait to get out there and golf this year! Although my pregnant belly is sure to make my swing even worse than it already is! Oh, well- it will be fun anyways. Just no beer in my cooler this year- I'll have to settle for water and 7up!

Anyone who knows me knows that looking cute on the links is one of my favorite parts of golfing, so I am happy to report that I found some cute maternity golf outfits online- pictured above is the miniature golfer maternity tee from milestonesmaternity.com. So cute!

rag rug

2009-03-20T20:09:00.000-04:00

My Grandma has given me yet another idea for a craft project! A rag rug! Basically, you just save old fabric, tear it into strips, braid them together, then sew it into a round or oval rug shape. I'm giving it a try! I need to start over becuase I've discovered that its really hard not to make it a bowl shape for some reason. So I guess its not quite as easy as it sounds!

baby on the way!

2009-03-20T20:07:00.000-04:00

So, our little baby is on the way, due November 2nd!
I have started a blog for our little mini haley- minihaley.blogspot.com
Then you can keep up to date on all the fun stuff that happens when you're pregnant (don't worry, its not THAT detialed!!!)
enjoy!

new item for sale on my ETSY page!

2009-02-28T16:11:00.000-05:00

I am really excited about how these are turning out! I sew a pillow, add a cool vintage family photo, embroider, add emebllishments, and that's it!

I am offering this as a custom item, so I can use any photo or color scheme to make a pillow to fit any decor or preference.

Another idea I am toying with is doing this on a flat piece of fabric, embroidering only then framing. I think I will try that in my own home first and see how it turns out!

BOND- not the movie!

2009-02-25T20:18:00.000-05:00

My pilates instructor has this great cd she plays and I really love it! It's four women who make up a string quartet, and they play awesome music (yes, including the Bond movie theme).

Check it out- its great for pilates, yoga, or during a dinner party! www.bondmusic.net

Fascinators

2009-02-18T19:40:00.000-05:00

So, I recently wore my fascinator (headband style) for the third time and people always ask me about it. I wore one to my friend Elisabeth's wedding and everyone wanted to know where to get one! They are easy to make, but I got mine on etsy.com - just type fascinator in the search line and you will see hundreds to choose from! Here is a photo of a cute peacock one on a comb that you can find on etsy.com in the tiedandfeathered shop.

These used to be common in the days of hats and are soooooo cute! Don't wear one if you're not okay with people noticing your unique and girly style!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T11:08:00.000-05:00

Hey, I've been MIA on my blog, but I am sending this special valentine for you to make up for it...

Vintage style Valentines!

2009-02-02T14:34:00.000-05:00

I found these cute press-out vintage style Valentines at Borders this weekend. They are so sweet and cute! Beware- they don't come with enough envelopes, so make sure to buy extras.
At only $4.99, they are a cheap way to tell everyone you love them this year!

Make some soup!

2009-01-30T11:27:00.000-05:00

It is cold out, so please, make some soup!
Really, this is the best food to eat on a cold day. Just throw some things in the ole' crock pot and get to it!
I was snowed in ALL DAY Wednesday, so I had to get creative with what I had on hand. So I started with carrots, onion, and a lean pork roast. I added some butter, water, fresh thyme, salt and pepper.
I decided this was not enough "stuff" so I tossed in more water and the old faithful Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix.
It actually turned out very good.
So take a peek in your veggie drawer, chop some things up, and eat some nice warm soup this weekend.

That many noms for TCCOBB?

2009-01-22T16:25:00.001-05:00

So, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button got nominated for all these awards. It was well-made and all, but it really wasn't the best thing ever like they would lead you to believe. And it really is a lot like Forrest Gump, just like everyone says.
So I guess that means there wasn't anything better out this year?
I really liked Rachel getting Married. And if you're going to do an age time warp thing, Youth Without Youth was way better and a lot more thought provoking.
So that's my 2 cents, I'm no movie expert, but I'm guessing the nomination board just thinks Brad is hot.

New Favorite Yoga/Pilates Pants!

2009-01-21T14:20:00.000-05:00

These are my new favorite pants! They are made from organic bamboo (so soft) and cotton.
They have a nice stretch waistband- no pinching! And did I mention they are soft? And good for the environment? And make you look skinny? And retail for only $40?
So now I have 2 pairs, and I'm sure I'll buy more.
Green Apple Active
http://www.greenappleactive.com/

Happy Inauguration Day!!!

2009-01-20T09:33:00.000-05:00

Today Barack Obama will be sworn in as our 44th President. Exciting stuff! I hope you get to watch- we're having a little party at our office and watching it in the conference room.

Beaded clutch made from vintage scarf

2009-01-19T17:01:00.000-05:00

This is my newest for sale item on my etsy site- tobeconinued,etsy.com
I took a vintage scarf and made it into a cute clutch! I added beads along the paisly pattern- its really so cute that I might keep it for myself!

Amy Poehler Mockumentary in INDY!!!

2009-01-16T09:13:00.000-05:00

So, Indiana needs to get ready for the country to laugh WITH us, not AT us!
Amy Poehler is doing a mockumentary tv series for NBC that starts in April. Google it for more details. (clip above from AP) Her character works as a ranger at the Parks and Recreation Department in Pawnee, Indiana.
I think this will be fun, but my only concern is that people might not realize that Indiana does have some culture and class and that Pawnee is not indicative of the whole state.
I can't wait to see what this show has in store!

Cara Cara Oranges

2009-01-15T14:45:00.000-05:00

They're in season right now and they are good! They also have really low acid which is good if you have a sensitive stomach.
I've found them at Whole Foods and Costco locally.
You can read more here: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-cara-cara-oranges.htm

embroidered heirloom pillow

2009-01-14T08:23:00.000-05:00

New project idea...photo coming soon!

I took an old tintype photo of my husband's great great grandparents and scanned it into my computer.
Then I photoshopped away to my heart's content adding a couple of shabby-chic looking roses and making it look older (it was in surprisingly good condition!)
Then I printed it onto iron-on paper (you can buy it at the craft store)
I cut it our carefully and ironed onto a pillow cover that I made (you can use a pre-bought pillow as long as you can take out the pillowform).
Then I embroidered the roses to enhance them, around the edge of the photo (like a frame) and added embellishments such as pink and gold rose buttons.
Put the pillow into the pillow cover and voila- instant vintage decor with a very personal touch.

Variation- use any picture you find online- flowers, birds, etc.

i want it!

2009-01-13T08:11:00.001-05:00

Only $69.95 at anthropologie.com! Cute!

love it- Emiliana Torrini

2009-01-12T12:11:00.000-05:00

No words needed- just get on your Napster or itunes and give it a listen- nice and mellow- I love it!
http://www.emilianatorrini.com

Great movie

2009-01-12T10:28:00.000-05:00

So my friend Jill let us borrow a movie she loves and its called "Once". Its a modern day musical featuring some awesome musicians and songs that will haunt you until you listen to them over and over again! It is partly sad, partly romantic, and just overall full of good stuff. This is definitely a new favorite- thanks Jill!
Find out more about the movie here: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/once/

Welcome

2009-01-12T10:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the To Be Continued blog!
This will be a place for me to share my creative ideas, some of which I create and sell on etsy.com, and some of which I don't have time to do but you might!
Feel free to send me your ideas to share, I'll give you credit of course.

My etsy.com site: tobecontinued.etsy.com