• Blog - Crafts

    Scrappy cards

    February 28, 2013 - By 

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    I made a few more cards from some scraps and photos laying around my workspace. I just love using those scraps! It’s like a challenge to me.

    I can’t remember what these flowers were…something is making me think they are an herb that flowered. Hmmm.

     

     

     

     

     

    The green scrap is from a very pretty card I saved from the recycle bin. It matched the pink and green of a thank you card perfectly.

    Isn’t it great when things like that just work out.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    A tag with a little bit of ribbon looks much better when mounted on little foam squares. It gives nice dimension.

     

     

     

    And then there’s one of my favorite pictures…

    My girl sharing the heart shaped inside of a black walnut shell. Pesky squirrels left me a present in the garden but it made for a fantastic photo op.

    She’s even wearing her LOVE shirt.   <3

  • Blog - Kitchen

    In the kitchen

    February 27, 2013 - By 

    Monday was a “stay home” day for me knowing that the rest of my week was much busier. I made my list and got started as soon as everyone was out the door.

    I spent more than half the day working in the kitchen. First was my dad’s recipe for Whole Pea Soup, so much better than split pea. Although finding dried whole peas is very difficult in the stores.

    Next I started a batch of homemade bread, a recipe from my friend Sandy. I believe it was her grandma’s recipe.  I changed things a wee bit and the loaves still turned out really good.

    While the bread was rising I stirred up a batch of pumpkin muffins from the Betty Crocker cookbook with some healthy substitutions. The recipes call for it to be in bread loaves but I just adjusted my time a bit. 20130225_1452

    My last goodie before getting dinner prepped and in the oven was some Chewy, No Bake Granola Bars. They are so yummy! I put chocolate chips on half the bars since I’d rather have them plain. My photo was an afterthought as I was wrapping them up for individual servings.

    They are so good!!!

    I like domestic days…feels good to make things that are healthy and provide homemade, non-processed food for my family.

  • Blog - Crafts - Creativity - Tutorials

    Recycled T-shirt bags

    February 22, 2013 - By 

    t-shirt

    First of all, I have to admit that this is not my original idea. I’ve seen many versions of this on Pinterest.    box pleat

    But after going through the kids clothes and coming up with 2+ garbage bags full to pass along to a friend, it inspired me to keep a couple school shirts for this project.

    This project couldn’t be an easier. I turned the shirt inside out then stitched the bottom closed.  Next was the box pleat to create a flat bottom. Basically you sew perpendicular to the bottom seam at each corner. You end up with a triangle of fabric that is not usable bag space. Gosh, I think I’m making that more complicated than it really is!! Here’s a link that shows the process if I just confused you.

    Anyway…then I turned the shirt back right side out and cut off the sleeves and made a scoop cut at the neckline. No pattern just start cutting. We all know what a plastic handle bag from the grocery or discount store looks like….that’s what you are going for in shape.

    All in all, not too shabby for a few minutes work. It saved a couple of shirts from the rag pile since  they’d likely never be worn again.

    Little J claimed the lime green one as soon as she returned home. It was her shirt to begin with so now it will continue to serve her in a different capacity.