Thursday, September 29, 2011

What do you see?

Princess Pillow Cake



What a beautiful quilted pillow to hold a little girls birthday tiara!  Only problem is, that is no pillow.  Minus the tiara, this is all cake!  Made by ShirleyW and posted at Cake Central!  If you like this quilted cake you can find more when you give them a visit!  

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Simulated Turquoise

Okay, so here is the story.  Lindsay, over at Delighted Momma found a piece of turquoise jewelry she fell in love with, but did not love the $400 price tag that came with it.  Most people would sigh and walk off never to wear the piece.  Not Lindsay!  No, she went a made it out of polymer clay!  It looks really good, just like some turquoise I have seen, and didn't take her very long to do!  Just goes to show that crafters can do just about anything!  Head on over and take a look at how she did it!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Microwavable Ravioli with Tomatoes


This Summer has certainly been a hot one, and if you are still getting a bit of sun where you are you might want to head on over to Busy Moms Recipes where they have put up a few easy recipes that wont heat your house up too much!

This crazy heat is driving everyone out of the kitchen, so this week we’ll feature some alternatives to using a hot stove or oven. Here’s a quick and easy recipe that everyone will enjoy:

Photo courtesy of: TummyRumble (Flickr)

2-3 ripe tomatoes, chopped (can also substitute 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes)
2 tbsp. snipped fresh basil or 1 tbsp. dried basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 bag microwavable cheese ravioli
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
salt and pepper to taste

Combine chopped tomatoes, basil, garlic, lemon pepper, and olive oil in a large bowl. Let tomato mixture sit at room temperature for approximately thirty minutes.

Heat ravioli in the microwave according to the package instructions. I like the Rosetto All-Natural Steam ‘n Eat™ cheese stuffed ravioli that can be found in the freezer section of your local supermarket. And right now they also have a $1.50 coupon off of their products!

Finally, carefully add the hot pasta to the tomato mixture and gently toss to coat. Spoon on plates, sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese, and serve.

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Crafting Chicks

Wow, these girls have really put together a great blog site!  They have hundreds of craft projects, articles and all around fun times that it hardly seems fair to the rest of the web!  Come on over and check them out to see what you have been missing all this time!  Take a look at the newest stuff on their site right here!

Friday, September 23, 2011

uHOOPit Fall Block



These stylish Fall blocks make amazing hot pads, candle mats, placemats, quilts and table runners! Comes with blocks and corners! Full step by step instructions are included!

Now you can put together decorations like this!

Thursday, September 22, 2011


Want a taste of the high life?  Visit High Class Recipes to see just what you could be making and how the pros get it done in the kitchen!

See recipes like:

SMOKED OYSTER DEVILED EGGS
BRAISED BEEF WITH BRANDY & MUSTARD
SCALLOPS PROVENCIAL

With this site in your cooking favorites you can have a 4 or 5 course meal on the table, in a few hours, and look like a gourmet goddess!!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011


Family Tree Quilt

Another great project for kids is a family tree quilt. You will need to find a pattern for this quilt, since it includes a large tree. You can have your son or daughter cut out all the pieces, while you work on piecing them together and sewing. Once you have the tree assembled and the quilt, it will be time to add family photos to each branch. This quilt is more of a keepsake than a daily use item.
You can probably find a kit at most craft stores to turn photos into iron-ons, or you can also use fabric glue to affix the photos to the fabric. If you will be using glue, it is probably better to laminate the photos first. This will prevent them from being scratched or harmed.


Read more at Suite101: Easy Quilt Projects for Kids: Make Quilting Simple and Fun for Children of All Ages | Suite101.com http://deniseoliveri.suite101.com/easy-quilt-projects-for-kids-a80316#ixzz1Yl4MazLC

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Better Homes and Gardens

Did you know that the Better Homes and Gardens website has a whole section on crafts that take 2 hrs or less? It is hard to say how many crafting projects go unfinished, but you can be assured that you are not alone if you have a few! How many of these projects go unfinished simply because the time they demand to finish? Next time you have the urge to craft, and finish the project today, go take a look and see if you can find a few to satisfy that itch!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Take a look at this great article we found over at Craftideas.info.  If you love to craft, and are stumped and what to do today, craft ideas is the site you want to be at!
Summer Crafts for Kids - Paper Crafts - Slimey the Snail 
This snail is a simple idea to keep young crafters busy for a while. The pieces are easily cut out and glued together. And when they are finished, they can be proud of their accomplishment and have a nice new addition to decorate their room or window. Decorate both sides equally so it may be hung in a window or free in a room, and looks good on both sides.
Crafts for Kids - Paper Crafts - Summer Crafts - Slimey the Snail Craft Idea
For this project you will need:
- dark green, middle brown and beige cardboard or cardstock
- black thin marker
- pencil
- scissors
- craft glue
- string for hanging
Ages 6 and older
Pattern: Snail and Leaf

Instructions:
1. Print out the snail pattern and transfer the pattern on the appropriate colored cardboard. You will need 1 snail body, 1 snail tail, 2 snail shells, 10 leaves of which 4 are “munched” (see pattern).
2. Cut out all of the pieces. Lay the leaf pieces to the side.
3. Sandwich the snail body and snail tail between the 2 shell pieces so that both sides look equal. Glue all the snail pieces together.
4. Glue the leaves at the bottom of the snail. Leave the snail tail showing some. Repeat on the other side of the snail.
5. Find the middle of the snail and poke a hole with a needle and tie a piece of thread through the hole for hanging. 


How to make patterns tutorial

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Hawaiian style quilt

Come take a look at this fantastic quilting article on Hawaiian style quilts! Touches on things like barkcloth, the history of Hawaiian quilts and why not many have survived to today! Quilters Muse has articles on many other quilting related topics as well!



Hawaiian style quilt

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Rick Rack Rosettes

These little roses are so exquisite that people may think they are made of porcelain, not Rick Rack.  Super easy to make, and as you can see, very elegant and beautiful!  They make wonderful rings and bracelets! Take a look at the instructions here, and it may shock you to find just how simple this is to do.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Sesame Seared Tuna Steaks!


Take a look at this fantastic tuna recipe that is good enough to be served in 5 star restaurants!  Allrecipes.com has many high end recipes like this that won't break the bank when you prepare them at home.  

Sesame Seared Tuna Recipe
Ingredients 

1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
4 (6 ounce) tuna steaks
1/2 cup sesame seeds
wasabi paste
1 tablespoon olive oil


Directions


In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, mirin, honey and sesame oil. Divide into two equal parts. Stir the rice vinegar into one part and set aside as a dipping sauce.
Spread the sesame seeds out on a plate. Coat the tuna steaks with the remaining soy sauce mixture, then press into the sesame seeds to coat.
Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Place steaks in the pan, and sear for about 30 seconds on each side. Serve with the dipping sauce and wasabi paste.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Time Extended for the Kindle Giveaway


Extended Deadline in Effect!!
Make purchase between now and Sept 19 and you will be entered to win a 
FREE
Kindle E-Reader!!

Here's how it will work.  Spend $20 you will receive 1 entry.
Spend $35 and you will have TWO entries.
**PLEASE NOTE:: (must be on a single order, not accumative)
At the end of the time period, I will use the Random Number Generator to pick a number


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Healthy Meals for $10 or less?

Times are tough, and we have all felt a pinch in our wallets, but healthy meals do not have to cost an arm and a leg! The folks over at Spark Recipes understand that great tasting food can be difficult to make if you don't have extra money to through at them.  How about a seafood pasta for about $1.90 per serving? Or a fast and easy chicken chili for $1.98 per serving!  The reviews are in for you to read through if you think something sounds fishy, but we think the only thing fishy you are going to find are the fish!

They look delicious too!  Check out this garden fresh lasagna that costs only $2.47 per serving!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Craft Trivia


Here is a fun way to break the ice at your next crafting party! See just who the guru in your circle is!

Craft Trivia Questions

pastel wool


01. What do you call the 'art of folding paper'?
02. What is the name of the fabric commonly used for 'cross stitch'?
03. What is 'papier-mache'?
04. Is 'acrylic' yarn natural or man-made?
05. Where does 'mohair' come from?
06. With which piece of crafting equipment would you use a 'shuttle'?
07. How many threads are twisted together in a typical skein of embroidery floss?
08. What do 'pinking shears' do?
09. Old sewing machines were powered by using your feet. What was this 'foot pedal' called?
10. Is a 'Spinning Jenny' used for making pots or making yarn?
11. What is 'Kumihimo'?
12. Which craft would you be doing if you were making a plant hanger by knotting long lengths of rope?
13. In which craft would you use the 'stippling' technique?
14. What are 'lazy daisy', 'french knot', 'stem' and 'blanket'?
15. Which craft tool cuts out a shape from paper or card when you press on it?
16. What is a highly scented purple/blue flower often used in scented sachets?
17. What is 'gutta' used for?
18. What is 'repoussage'?
19. Is 'whittling' a wood craft or a wool craft?
20. What do you call the hole in a needle where you push the thread through?


BONUS QUESTIONS:
1. What are the only fiber types that will felt in water? Answer

2. Which family member has a crochet piece named after them? Answer

3. Which 'ugly bug' produces which beautiful expensive fiber? Answer


Craft Trivia Answers

01. Origami / 02. Aida / 03. The art of modelling with torn or shredded paper stuck together with glue / 04. Man-made / 05. Angora goats / 06. Weaving loom / 07. (6) / 08.Scissors which cut a zig zag line / 09. Treadle / 10. Making yarn / 11. The art of Japanese braid making / 12. Macrame / 13. Stenciling / 14. Types of embroidery stitches / 15.Punch / 16. Lavender / 17. Outlining designs on silk for painting / 18. The art of forming a raised impression on metal from the reverse side / 19. Wood craft / 20. Eye

Friday, September 2, 2011


Check out this fun bit of Thanksgiving crafting we found over at Favecraft!  Go check out what else they have over there!
 
     For unique Thanksgiving craft ideas, try these fun little Turkey Napkin Rings that your guests will love as they sit down to feast. Enjoy the ease of thanksgiving crafts.
Easy Thanksgiving Napkin Rings
Materials:
1 12 x 18 Cocoa EZ Felt Sheet
1 12 x 18 Red EZ Felt Sheet
1 12 x 18 Yellow EZ Felt Sheet
2 3/8" Diameter Google Eyes
Fabric Glue
Scissors
Turkey Napkin Ring Template
Paper Clips (optional)
 
 
1.  Using your template pieces, cut out the according pieces on the below colors of EZ Felt:
Brown: Napkin Ring
Red: Feathers and Wattle
Yellow: Turkey Head/Neck
 
2.  Fold the Brown Napkin Ring into a circle with ~3/4" overlap. Glue into place.

     TIP: We use paperclips to keep our crafts in place while drying!
Napkin Ring Step 2
3.  While the napkin ring is setting, let's create our Turkey's face. Layout desired location for the google eyes and wattle. Glue into place. Let dry.
Turkey Napkin Ring Step 4
4.  Glue the feathers to the back of your napkin ring.
 
5.  Glue your turkey's face to the front of your napkin ring.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Recipes for two

So the kids have grown and left you and your spouse alone to enjoy each other fully again.  Speaking of full, did you notice that you still cook for too many people?  It is hard to judge the amout of food two will eat when you are use to cooking for four or more!  Allrecipes.com has a fabulous collection of recipes for two!  All the recipes have been cut down so you and your loved one can eat a delicious meal, and spend quality time dining together without a fridge full of leftovers!

Here is a sample of the recipes that can be found.

Alfredo Potato
Alfredo Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
 
2 large baking potatoes
1 cup prepared Alfredo sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
 
     Pierce potatoes several times with a fork and place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 6 minutes or until tender. Allow potatoes to cool slightly.

     Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the Alfredo sauce, garlic powder, pepper and thyme. Stir in 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out the pulp and add to the sauce mixture; mix well. Spoon into potato shells. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until cheese is melted.