Red and white check

What is it about red and white check that is so appealing ?



I think it's just a happy thing.

I have been busy working on a little project using this fabric, spray paint

and bias tape.

Before I share.....

Any guesses?

More winners!

Yippee!

Not just one winner but four winners of the Shaklee giveaway!

Kristina at Home Made by Kiki has so generously offered to give each one of the gals who participated in the Shaklee drawing a prize!

How sweet is that?
Now everyone will be able to have a healthier, toxic free environment.
Thanks Kristina.

********

I have contacted the winners but.....
 The Yorks profile is blocked and I have no way to contact her.
If anyone knows how to contact The Yorks please let her know I am unable to access her profile to notify her.

Shaklee giveaway....

Before drawing the winner of the Shaklee giveaway...

*************

 I would like to thank all who left sweet comments in regards to 
"The true love of my life".

Your kind words were comforting and greatly appreciated.

**************

And the winner of the (10) Basic H2 samples is....

 

Dpeele9

Congratulations!

The true love of my life...

My "Pop"

August 14, 1922 - March 14, 2011

~

My father who proudly served in the United States Air Force during World War II, the Korean conflict and Vietnam was not only a war hero - he was my hero.

I am proud to say and honored my hero was laid to rest at the

Florida National Cemetery with full military honors 17 March, 2011 beside my mother, his wife of 63 years and my brother, a United States Marine.

While I am proud of his service to our country, I am most proud of the legacy he leaves behind as a father and grandfather.

My father wanted more than anything to just simply - be remembered.

He got his wish in so many ways because he will remain forever in our hearts.

I love you Pop and I will forever be...  

"a Daddy's girl". 

St Patty's Day will be here soon....

you may want to "pinch proof" the baby too?



Lnking today to:
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

I've been on a cleaning spree.....

Kristina at Home Made by Kiki recently contacted me to see if I would be interested in hosting a Shaklee giveaway.
 I e-mailed Kristina and let her know I was not familiar with the Shaklee cleaning products and before I promote a product on my blog I would like to know a bit more about it. I asked Kristina if she would be willing to send me a small sample and right away I received two samples of the Basic H2 in the mail. 

The sample she sent me was so tiny, I thought "Seriously??"

How much can I clean with this tiny bit?"

Here is what she sent.

The instructions say to add 2 drops - yes 2 drops - to a 16 oz bottle of water for cleaning windows. Do you have any idea how much 16 ounces of water are? And just 2 drops.. you're kidding right?

I was skeptical but thought I would give it a try.

I decided to try it on my extremely dirty french doors.

 (It's been raining here for about a week on and off and everything splashes on them when it rains).

As I am spraying the Basic H2 on the doors my first thought was "it's like spraying water on the glass, this will never work". It certainly proved me wrong.... the glass on the doors just sparkled and no streaks!

 Yay! better than Windex...

Now, to test the all-purpose cleaner.

I poured the remainder of that tiny little tube (1/4 teaspoon) into another 16 ounce bottle. 

I went to work everywhere - kitchen, bathrooms, floors... everything just sparkled!

I was completely amazed at this teeny, tiny capsule.

Because it only takes a tiny bit, it's much less expensive than those toxic cleaners you purchase from the grocery store. 

Not only is it non-toxic and safe for our families but also great for the environment.

 So how about a Shaklee giveaway?

Are you game?

Kristina is offering (10) Basic H2 samples. 

Each sample contains enough to make (2) 16 ounce bottles of cleaner.  

Altogether that's (20) 16 ounce bottles of cleaner she is giving away!

WOW!

Did you know the Basic H2 was even one of Oprah's favorite things a couple of years ago?

How would you like to win a chance to get rid of those toxic cleaners and make a safe environment for your family?

If so...

Go check out Kristina's on line shop for more information on the Shaklee products, come back and leave me a comment and you never know.... you could be the winner!

The official drawing will be one week from today - March 15th.

Be sure to check out Kristina's creative side also at - A Home Made by Kiki.

Good luck!



Wire basket and a can of paint...

My inspiration for this project came from Stephanie Lynn and her wire cubby project using these Closetmaid cubeicals from Target.

* Thanks, Stephanie Lynn *

I have searched antique stores looking for old wire baskets and most start around $65.

I purchased four of these on sale for $4.49 each.

Good deal, but far from the look I was going for - so I got to work... 

I first added a coat of this (very cool) textured spray paint and...

  went from nickel to "antique" in a matter of minutes...

I then dug through my "stash" and found white lace.

Again, not the look I was going for.

After a spot of tea..... it was the perfect shade.

I made my liner a bit different from Stephanie Lynn and added a little embroidery.

All done!

Before and after. 

 Even though I plan on making each liner a bit different from the other, I am IN LOVE with the spray paint and will be using it on all my baskets.

Happy Monday!

Linking today to:

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/

http://www.craftedition.blogspot.com/

http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/

http://www.elements-interiors.net/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Stay Tuned...

I am working on a little project inspired by Stephanie Lynn at

 Under The Table and Dreaming.

See ya soon....

Linking to:

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Where does the time go?

Have you noticed I haven't blogged much lately?

Since the middle of January my father has had serious health issues which landed him in the hospital for a few weeks and now into a rehab center.  Most of my days (and evenings) have been spent either in the hospital or rehab with him. He still has a ways to go before getting back to normal and will probably be in the rehab center for quite some time.

Having said all that....

 I did squeeze in a little (4 am) sewing and embroidered these quick

 little shirts for my daughter and granddaughter for Valentines Day.

For my daughter....

and granddaughter....

The headband was made "in the hoop" using a design I purchased from

Embroidery Garden.

 Mr. Fisherman did a little shopping for me and added a few extras....

He did a great job, didn't he?

********** 

I want to thank all my followers for still checking in and hanging around
even though I haven't been here much lately.
I will try to post when I can.

In the meantime, please check out The Crafty Clown who made a few
Eco friendly snack bags from my tutorial,
 Mel Dreams Often who has a really cool blog and nominated me for the Stylish Blog Award (again Mel, I apologize for not being able to follow through at this time) and
 A Home Made by Kiki who I will be working with on a fun giveaway in the near future so be sure to check back.

Have a great day!

Linking today to:
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Grommet - how tos

After posting my easy breezy backpacks Sewing with Strings left a comment asking about the grommets.

That got me thinking....not everyone is familiar with the "how to" of grommets.
Once you see how easy they are, you will be using them on everything. I have used them on drawstring bags instead of the casing, shower curtains, a hanger for Miss Oakleigh's advent calendar and much more.

I know you've all probably seen these scary contraptions...
They cost about $13.00 each.

I use a much simpler and more inexpensive method.

Below is what I use.

The tool itself costs only a couple of dollars and comes in different sizes.

Once you purchase the grommet tool all you need are the grommets and a hammer.

See how easy they are?

Has it really been a week since I've posted?

This has been a really busy week for me with absolutely no time to sew, but...

 a girls gotta eat, right?

How about a warm slice of homemade banana bread slathered in butter?

Haven't we all seen this before?

Yep, it was time for banana bread.

Really, they are not as bad as they look.

I got to work mashing them and dug out my Granny's banana bread recipe.

This recipe has been handed down 4 generations; I have written the recipe just

as my mother passed it on to me.

I love this recipe because it comes out very moist - almost gooey.

 

The recipe is as follows:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter (or Crisco)

2 eggs well beaten

2 cups flour

4 tablespoons thick milk*

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 bananas well mashed

1 teaspoon vanilla

Dissolve baking soda in milk. Mix together all ingredients, bananas last.

Pour into loaf pan. Bake 1 hour at 300 degrees.

*Thick milk back then was buttermilk.  

If buttermilk was not available Granny would substitute 4 tablespoons of the following mixture instead:

*Add one tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of milk and let stand for 5 minutes.

I rarely have buttermilk on hand so I usually use the vinegar and milk substitute and it comes out just as yummy.