Desperate times call for desperate measures !

Come on, be honest, I can't be the only one that has ever gotten

this desperate.

You know, those busy weeks when you can't get to the store or meet with your
make-up consultant and you know have to appear in public. 

 I am feeling much better now........

Thanks, Libby

Quick gift idea

Want something small to acknowledge a co-workers birthday or maybe a teacher gift ?

Why not embroider a pocket calendar.

I purchased mine from a dollar store. 

Remove the calendar from the plastic sleeve, open it out flat and use it as your pattern.  

Cut your fabric about a inch larger than your pattern on all four sides. I used a linen like fabric, ironed on a medium to heavy weight stabilizer and did my machine embroidery. Once that is complete, cut the fabric to size and slip it, and the calendar back into the plastic cover.  

Now how easy was that ?

                

                          

Ever seen a Peep Show ?

Hummmm.......Now what were you expecting ?

I am busy working on an Easter project.

See you soon.

Granola

Want a bowl of yummy granola for half the price of the name brand cereals ?

Make it yourself.

Here is my version below.

3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
5 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup dry milk
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
*3/4 roughly cut walnuts
*1/4 cup coconut
*1 cup raisins

Heat brown sugar, vegetable oil and honey in saucepan over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
Combine oatmeal, dry milk, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. Pour dissolved sugar mixture over dry ingredients and mix well. Spread onto large ungreased cake pan or cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Once cooled, add walnuts, coconut and raisins. Store in airtight container.
*  Optional ingredients.

Sewing blogs

I have added a couple great sewing blogs in "Fun Places to Visit'

on my sidebar. Please check them out.

 And, as Jona says............stop staring and start sewing !

Wrist Keyring tutorial

Drum Roll, please......... 

( Be kind, it's my first tutorial ever )

You will need the following supplies.

(don't let the spray adhesive scare you, it's optional)

1. Strip of fabric 1 3/4" x 13" or if you prefer a 7/8" x 13" piece of ribbon.

(Depending on the size of your wrist you may need to cut your fabric strip a couple inches longer to fit your wrist) 

2. 1 inch wide cotton webbing cut the same length of your fabric or ribbon.

3. 1 inch D-ring

4. 3/4" or larger split ring or key ring.

5. *Optional   -   temporary spray adhesive or a strip of Wonder Under the width and length of your fabric or ribbon.        ( this is not necessary but will make your life easier )

    *Tip - If you choose to do any embroidery do it before adding the fabric to the webbing.  

              

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Let's get started

You can skip the first 4 steps if you are using ribbon instead of fabric.

1. Press fabric in half lengthwise wrong sides together to find the center.

2. Now open your fabric up and meet raw edges to center press mark.

3. Repeat for other side.

4. Turn over and press so that the center fold disappears.

5. The next step is where your adhesive spray or Wonder Under will come in handy, but not necessary if you can keep it from slipping.

Spray the backside of your strip of fabric or ribbon and lay it on top of your webbing being careful to center it.

6. To attach fabric to webbing stitch on fabric close to folded edge. Repeat down other side.

7. It should now look like this.

8. Sew a quick zig zag stitch at both ends just to keep the ends from unraveling.

Doesn't have to be neat, you will not see this when it's completed.

 

9. Now slide your D-ring on.

10. With right sides together fold in half and meet raw edges. Stitch across end several times 3/8"  from raw edge.

11. Turn right side out and adjust D-ring to fit in the crease of the seam you just sewed as shown in the picture below.

12. Fold wrong sides together and using zipper foot (or one that will let you get really close) stitch as close as you can to the end of that zig zag edge. Stitch back and forth several times going over your original seam making it really strong.

13. Add your split ring and your done !

Easy as pie, wasn't it ?

   Now where did I put those car keys ?????

Yummy, buttercream icing

How is it pure LARD can taste so good ?

Add a pound of sugar, that's how !

You can find the recipe here

http://wilton.com/

Try it. 

 It's easier than you think.

Meal Planning

Finally had a minute to sit down and make out my two month meal plan. I check my daily planner and figure crockpot meals into what I know will be my busiest days. Friday is take out and Saturday is "every man for himself " day.

As you can see, I have been clipping coupons getting ready for a trip to the grocery store. If you have never thought about using one of these binders for your coupons you may want to try it. It keeps them very organized and easy to see expiration dates. 

If you are interested in a great coupon site check out coupon mom.  You can find grocery and restaurant coupon deals specific to your state.

Tutorial ? What am I getting myself into ?

I was recently asked how I make my wrist keyrings.

These are extremely easy to make so I thought I would try my hand at a tutorial.

I will be posting it later in the week.

Wish me luck !

I LOVE my coffee...

but I love my friends even more.
 Thanks Debbie for signing up as my very first follower on my new BLOG !

Take a break

To Dream.............

Got Scraps?

Use them up.

 These don't take but a small scrap of fabric, a little stuffing and your imagination. I coffee stained the fabric for both before stitching and used a fairy stamp on the fabric for the one on the right.

Wouldn't a whole basket of these be cute?

          

My Inspiration

If you read my complete profile you will see this blog has been dedicated to my mother. Having said that, I thought it appropriate my very first entry should be a photo of my mother and me. This photo was taken 2/10/07, just five months before she passed away.