tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902250127817037852024-02-18T21:24:23.629-08:00The Klutzy CrafterJoin me for my explorations in cooking, crafting and crochet.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-86904517945699075642012-04-08T20:12:00.004-07:002012-04-08T20:19:50.622-07:00Tutu and Taco Party!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my girlfriend’s birthday is coming up, and she likes
to celebrate her birthday for a WHOLE WEEK. And she has a theme (this is her
sixth year running). This year, the theme is tu-tu’s and top hats. A couple of
us girls decided that we must make our own tu-tu’s. So I decided to host a taco
and tu-tu party. That’s right, awesome homemade tacos followed by making our
own tu-tu! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were having about ten people over to the house for dinner, so I
decided to make my lentil tacos, as it seemed to be a good way to feed a lot of
people for not too much money. I bought homemade corn tortillas from HEB, and
for toppings I made some guacamole, bought a jar of salsa and sour cream, shredded
some jicama, and crumbled queso fresco. Ended up being less than $15 total for
a wholesome and very filling meal. Below is my recipe- it was enough for
everyone to have 2-3 tacos with some leftover for dinner the next day:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlokR7Tz8DuOssyS8PachMrm8m6BQ02RaQuGBie5T_g7KjSdL7A3LjdIj6yJbRixhiJ1BbqEmHafeJoPyrLu0W3qDHm7Mv8Z4L4QJ28bEeKoROefent0yX4F1YqhB4iwG6awHHu0j28e5C/s1600/P4010471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlokR7Tz8DuOssyS8PachMrm8m6BQ02RaQuGBie5T_g7KjSdL7A3LjdIj6yJbRixhiJ1BbqEmHafeJoPyrLu0W3qDHm7Mv8Z4L4QJ28bEeKoROefent0yX4F1YqhB4iwG6awHHu0j28e5C/s320/P4010471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Lentil Tacos:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 bag of lentils<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 jalapenos, diced small<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 onion, diced small<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 packet of low sodium taco seasoning<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 crushed garlic gloves<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 cups of broth<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 cups of water<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Salt and pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pour oil in a large stock pot. Fry the garlic, jalpenos and
onion until soft. Mix in the broth, water, lentils, taco seasoning and salt and
pepper. Cover and let cook for 30 minutes or until soft. Stir every five
minutes or so. Warm the corn tortillas so they are soft and pliable (we used
our griddle to heat lots up fast), top with yummy ingredients of your choice,
and enjoy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For our tu-tu’s, everyone bought about four yards of fabric
and some elastic. Most of the girls used the technique listed <a href="http://www.redtedart.com/2012/03/16/how-to-make-a-tu-tu/">here</a>.
I choose to take several different pieces and colors of tulle and ruffle them
(<a href="http://sew4home.com/tips-resources/sewing-tips-tricks/360-gathering-made-easy">this tutorial </a>is pretty straight forward if you’ve never tried it)
using straight stitches with my sewing machine. Since I was basically using
scraps of tulle that I have been carrying around for at least four years, none
of the ruffles were wide enough to wrap around my waist. So I pinned all the
finished ruffles together to form one piece of ruffled fabric that would wrap
around my waist. Once I finished sewing the ruffles together, I sewed a ribbon
onto the waist on either side so I could tie it in a bow. The pieces were all a
bit different in length, so I cut the completed tu-tu across the bottom in
jagged triangles. Took me about 15 minutes to whip up, and I was pretty pleased
with the result. Very fairy princess and I am happy to have de-stashed my
fabric pile. Here is the finished result:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWfiTedWqV0V0Uthob4LNcUkD4houdqoloOagUZC7GWab-YFb3ecnuVyAU1HlJ-AvvR9Oj6dpEw1mAAyerHEyUKUPbmL1PlrmulZaf-EJcD0_CkBndpVjYXaRskJhZL-OKP7wtqzJk-K0/s1600/DSC_3649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWfiTedWqV0V0Uthob4LNcUkD4houdqoloOagUZC7GWab-YFb3ecnuVyAU1HlJ-AvvR9Oj6dpEw1mAAyerHEyUKUPbmL1PlrmulZaf-EJcD0_CkBndpVjYXaRskJhZL-OKP7wtqzJk-K0/s400/DSC_3649.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And all of us together:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xCNyIE83G_k/T4JSf1X6goI/AAAAAAAAAWE/BEZNLDRzDlU/s1600/DSC_3640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xCNyIE83G_k/T4JSf1X6goI/AAAAAAAAAWE/BEZNLDRzDlU/s320/DSC_3640.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After reading this, I hope you feel the need to invent
reasons to wear a tu-tu and make one of your own! =)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-83307942017100958672012-04-04T08:37:00.000-07:002012-04-04T08:37:23.123-07:00Hand-Sewn Mini Stuffed KittyI had yet another plane flight ahead of me this week, so I decided to tackle a project that I've been putting off for a while. On one of my favorite blogs, See Kate Sew, Kate made this totally cute little deer and elephant from a pattern that looked pretty simple. How adorable is this?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K4muCXhuwwM/T3vW9dUdkoI/AAAAAAAAAV0/DSnJDwPJ6nE/s1600/IMG_3437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K4muCXhuwwM/T3vW9dUdkoI/AAAAAAAAAV0/DSnJDwPJ6nE/s320/IMG_3437.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out Kate's post <a href="http://seekatesew.blogspot.com/2012/01/little-deer-with-white-elephant.html">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The pattern for this little stuffed animal was posted <a href="http://craftside.typepad.com/craftside/2010/06/how-to-make-a-retro-fawn-softie-from-the-new-book-palmsize-softies.html">here</a>. I had some corduroy and leopard fabric that I thought would make a cute combo. I originally tried using my sewing machine as Kate suggested, but completely ruined the head on my first try. I let it sit for a few weeks so I wouldn't throw my sewing machine against the wall, re-cut the head fabric, and then packed up all the fabric and some needle, thread and stuffing, and brought it on the plane! Took me about three hours and was a little painstaking, but I got upgraded to first class and watched the Hangover 2 on Directv for most of the time, so it went by pretty fast. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The body was definitely the easiest part. The head was a bit harder to get together, and when I was done and I set it on top of the body, it looked nothing like a little deer. But it did look a lot like....a cat! So I folded the ear pieces in half to make a triangle and assembled the tail a bit differently and decided to roll with it. My little kitty doesn't have a face yet as I am in a hotel now and don't have access to my craft bin, but here she is frolicking on my hotel carpet:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyyi2Se8zis/T3vW6sxHsDI/AAAAAAAAAVs/Yt57_HTuBqw/s1600/IMAG0348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyyi2Se8zis/T3vW6sxHsDI/AAAAAAAAAVs/Yt57_HTuBqw/s320/IMAG0348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I do wish I had used a bit more of the leopard fabric in creating this, but it's a pretty sweet little stuffed animal. The thread did show through a bit on the seams, but luckily I used purple thread, so it just looks kind of shabby chic. If anyone of you who are more talented with their sewing machines at a small scale try this, do let me know!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K4muCXhuwwM/T3vW9dUdkoI/AAAAAAAAAV0/DSnJDwPJ6nE/s1600/IMG_3437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K4muCXhuwwM/T3vW9dUdkoI/AAAAAAAAAV0/DSnJDwPJ6nE/s1600/IMG_3437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K4muCXhuwwM/T3vW9dUdkoI/AAAAAAAAAV0/DSnJDwPJ6nE/s1600/IMG_3437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K4muCXhuwwM/T3vW9dUdkoI/AAAAAAAAAV0/DSnJDwPJ6nE/s1600/IMG_3437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-77000429649411881812012-04-02T07:40:00.000-07:002012-04-02T07:40:04.580-07:00Simple Zucchini Breakfast QuesadillaI never thought to have a quesadilla for breakfast before. But this weekend, we had a bunch of fresh corn tortillas laying around, and I thought, why not? Put down a corn tortilla, so leftover stir fried zucchini, some queso fresco, and then cracked an egg right over it. A lot of the recipes I looked at online had you scramble the eggs (<a href="http://www.eatliverun.com/breakfast-quesadillas/">like this one</a>, does look awesome BTW), but there was a certain laziness factor going on. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sprinkled some salt and pepper on top and put on a bit of salsa, and waited for the egg to cook most of the way through. Then I added another corn tortilla, flipped it, and waited for the other side to get crispy. When it was done, I just picked it up and ate it like a sandwich! Super quick, easy and yummy, and quite neat to eat as well. Definitely adding this one to the breakfast repertoire. Too bad hubby has decided he hates corn tortillas, because they are my favorite thing ever (when they are fresh anyways).<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8W5aTc7KXMsNlx_6wAtnkvsKYa4Y5N1jGolX4QzLblNNmh11tau8T5xqapy2fS5_HxUgU8eB4WeKcRcEb2cqnSoG44uRmsiOiuAf9EGLFP4LhQ2pagaa63Oh7Vuy2vUNd2X89_Tq0gCW/s1600/IMAG0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8W5aTc7KXMsNlx_6wAtnkvsKYa4Y5N1jGolX4QzLblNNmh11tau8T5xqapy2fS5_HxUgU8eB4WeKcRcEb2cqnSoG44uRmsiOiuAf9EGLFP4LhQ2pagaa63Oh7Vuy2vUNd2X89_Tq0gCW/s320/IMAG0343.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-33492054385618490082012-03-31T09:08:00.000-07:002012-03-31T09:08:40.526-07:00Little Easter Peep Crochet Pattern<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the plane home yesterday, I had a little blue yarn left
over from a baby blanket I am working on and my brand new Susan Bates plastic
hooks, so I decided to try out this cute little pattern I found in my blogging
forays at <a href="http://hannicraft.blogspot.com/2012/03/easter-peep.html">Hanni Craft</a>. She called it a little Easter Peep, and it was such a little cutie I just
couldn’t help myself. The pattern was quite easy, and it worked up quite fast. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I was on a plane I didn’t have any cotton batting at
hand to stuff my two little Peeps with. So I took some plastic and napkins from
a pack of plastic silverware I had in my bag and stuffed them with that! A
little unconventional, and my little Peep better not take any swims anytime
soon, but it seemed to work fine and give it a nice shape. Unfortunatelu, Hanni
did not provide the pattern for the little birdie beak. So I improvised on that
a bit and added it to the pattern below. I used an H hook with some baby sport
yarn. Here is my little birdie in the Easter tableau I made for our dining room
table:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SlvZV7iSdiA/T3cqtL2PCuI/AAAAAAAAAVc/2YxxgwAu_xQ/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SlvZV7iSdiA/T3cqtL2PCuI/AAAAAAAAAVc/2YxxgwAu_xQ/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll definitely be sending one of these to my Mom as well
(sorry for the spoiler!) as this seems like a peepalicious way to wish someone
a Happy Easter!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Abbreviations<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ch = chain<br />
sc = single crochet stitch<br />
st = stitch<br />
sc"tog = single crochet stitch two stitches together (decreasing)<br />
* repeat *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peep's pattern<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make a magic ring. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. row: 6 sc <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. row: 2 sc into each st (total: 12 st)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. row: * 1 sc, 2 sc * (total: 18 st)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4-7. row: 1 sc into each st<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. row: sc, sc2tog in each 5th st (total: 15 st)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9-12. row: 1 sc into each st<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
13. row: sc, sc2tog in each 4th st (total: 10 st)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
14. row: sc2tog in each (5 st)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bind off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For Beak:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leave a long tail for fastening the beak to the head. Ch 4, sc in 2 chain and though end of row. 3 sc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sc3tog to make the pointy end of the beak. Fasten off, and weave end into the beak. Use a tapestry needle to sew the beak to the head.</div>
</div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-28440048775467892692012-03-30T07:40:00.000-07:002012-03-30T07:40:16.361-07:00Blick Art Materials in Portland!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just returned from my work trip to Portland today. Whoever
said it was rainy in that part of the country wasn’t lying- it rained almost
the entire time I was there! Ate dinner in the Pearl District at a place called
Andina. The food was Peruvian, and it was simply amazing. I totally recommend
it if you ever end up in the area! I attempted to window shop after dinner, but
at only 7, most of the shops that weren’t bars were closed. There was one place
that was open, called Blick Art Materials on Glisan St. The place was seriously
crafting nirvana! I had to restrain myself from scooping up everything and
taking it home with me. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nx0oB9QEVvE/T3XFGjV8JiI/AAAAAAAAAVE/emh_R5dS7Zw/s1600/IMAG0335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nx0oB9QEVvE/T3XFGjV8JiI/AAAAAAAAAVE/emh_R5dS7Zw/s320/IMAG0335.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matryoshka & Disco Ball Earbuds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ruOFbXAGO1DT6lH5EDnYTnAdmCWoGcEIWK1MJ1itCyi3ad1AHeSKhOW5TcAUOMJKCEBJjtbrmbuJv1lGM7Qz4E_VPkeZ7iLgnAzSTNxo5h86F-8qiWOaELAA5Msqhs899acG5nC88_0j/s1600/IMAG0333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ruOFbXAGO1DT6lH5EDnYTnAdmCWoGcEIWK1MJ1itCyi3ad1AHeSKhOW5TcAUOMJKCEBJjtbrmbuJv1lGM7Qz4E_VPkeZ7iLgnAzSTNxo5h86F-8qiWOaELAA5Msqhs899acG5nC88_0j/s320/IMAG0333.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirrored birds. Totally basing a craft project off this one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After wandering for about half an hour, I managed to hone my
choices down to a few perfect things that would fit in my suitcase without any
zipper explosions. They had Shrinky Dink plastic in several different colors,
so I bought some in purple. Keep a look out for some cool jewelry coming up. I
also found a pack of Susan Bates plastic crochet hooks. These are my favorite
hooks ever, but I can’t find them in Texas and the ones in the sizes I use a
lot had all broken since I use them so much. So major score there. And then
there was the handmade paper. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzjRVNYtI2XlLDToc5rSOI55tawOvza7vI6c5LA7njK-4GrrW1-bjwpWAOxuxMG6oBH8mAQS71dO2fuw1GvRKWr98yEScu6a_8692d99ZXslttBFTs8EfB1Pc0_uraFgYgDL9JSzzPsrB/s1600/IMAG0334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzjRVNYtI2XlLDToc5rSOI55tawOvza7vI6c5LA7njK-4GrrW1-bjwpWAOxuxMG6oBH8mAQS71dO2fuw1GvRKWr98yEScu6a_8692d99ZXslttBFTs8EfB1Pc0_uraFgYgDL9JSzzPsrB/s400/IMAG0334.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The whole back wall of the store was racks and racks of
beautiful handmade paper. They had some really big pieces that I wanted but
didn’t think I could get home without damaging in my suitcase. But they had a
small multi-pack of gorgeous paper for 99 cents (no idea what I’ll use it for,
just couldn’t help myself), and a kit that only cost $6 to create three
handmade Japanese style books. A little nervous about this last one, as the
directions look very detailed. But I hope they turn out OK, seems like it would
be a lovely handmade gift for someone special.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am so excited to have acquired all this crafting
inspiration. Now I just have to find the time to get it all done!<o:p></o:p></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-65838961891189974122012-03-28T09:10:00.001-07:002012-03-28T09:10:37.578-07:00"Fast Food" at Home: Speedy CassouletI have had the worst travel schedule for work lately. Three weeks in a row I have been gone. Not exactly conducive to crafting, cooking, or writing for that matter. I have been actively working on a baby blanket on the plane, and some other small projects, but just haven't had time to get them together for a post!<br />
<br />
Sometimes you just need to get dinner on the table fast. Thanks to my pal <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764568779/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kylessite0e&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0764568779">Betty</a> (you know how much I love her, like in this<a href="http://cookcraftcrocheting.blogspot.com/2012/03/perfect-blondie-recipe-aka-butterscotch.html"> post</a>, and this <a href="http://cookcraftcrocheting.blogspot.com/2012/02/easy-pancake-recipe.html">one</a>!) and a few cans from your pantry, now you can! The recipe tells you to do this on the stove, but I did mine in the crock pot because I had some sausage in the freezer that I didn't feel like de-frosting. Tossed them in about an hour before dinner, and sliced them up after they had been sitting awhile on high. Then I topped each bowl with some homemade bread crumbs. The recipe says you can have this done in 15 minutes, which really is some FAST food! =)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XvbOcOzgfKA/T3M2ttBO8FI/AAAAAAAAAU0/i7O18tC5i5Y/s1600/IMAG0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XvbOcOzgfKA/T3M2ttBO8FI/AAAAAAAAAU0/i7O18tC5i5Y/s320/IMAG0315.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaorb9K105xQIQwOw2PdIM2-vBBm3uO1cCK0cLAu83Tz2cwYqXOASgHOKNau6AiZd0MQj1_HKb9OyQ6DM8Q6ZwLgZyJK_hzJvzEITMxanajjYdXgil9GjbNb5ojquJCaBgtizMZeyPEE0/s1600/Scan+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaorb9K105xQIQwOw2PdIM2-vBBm3uO1cCK0cLAu83Tz2cwYqXOASgHOKNau6AiZd0MQj1_HKb9OyQ6DM8Q6ZwLgZyJK_hzJvzEITMxanajjYdXgil9GjbNb5ojquJCaBgtizMZeyPEE0/s640/Scan+(6).jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
<br />Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-4351214212030517822012-03-26T20:28:00.000-07:002012-03-26T20:28:05.329-07:00Wine Cork Tray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I've seen a lot of cute decorations out there that are embellished with wine corks. I started collecting all the corks from the wine we drink three or so years ago and displaying them in this big hurricane jar. When I saw a cute tray at Hobby Lobby for eight bucks, I decided this was the perfect time to use up some of my corks! Although visitors might have thought I just drink too much wine (three years is a long time, people!) they totally came in handy for this project.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlQMXwv-UEYflplgSTVHYAnQsivIh-qb4uW0sC_Od2r45EfmDCzjKr4F_aRuseu7G-YfVAqq8uka20ylQar9b4bU0-whPzb5OfE6dWDOHmJ0-RPsMiFpaid3JvUkEOoW8u1d_2OR4XUyp/s1600/1328254452737_269138.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlQMXwv-UEYflplgSTVHYAnQsivIh-qb4uW0sC_Od2r45EfmDCzjKr4F_aRuseu7G-YfVAqq8uka20ylQar9b4bU0-whPzb5OfE6dWDOHmJ0-RPsMiFpaid3JvUkEOoW8u1d_2OR4XUyp/s320/1328254452737_269138.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haha, so true</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I don't have a before picture, but the tray was just plain on the bottom. I lined up the different corks in seven rows and matched them up so they slotted in nicely. Then I proceeded to hot glue, and hot glue, and hot glue....Several burned fingers later, here is what I ended up with:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlRO6H-b74Xar5duKuXEIp75RNkXOYSAsUSueVujUgMP1PTX0Eu1NTzloCei8GKMuKl31iIiz91tfWOTYlqniExriIXRWrykCwQeuD82wIgr__TZJIF01QviOOCvqaono4M-uK2TkFz3K/s1600/IMAG0328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlRO6H-b74Xar5duKuXEIp75RNkXOYSAsUSueVujUgMP1PTX0Eu1NTzloCei8GKMuKl31iIiz91tfWOTYlqniExriIXRWrykCwQeuD82wIgr__TZJIF01QviOOCvqaono4M-uK2TkFz3K/s320/IMAG0328.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I put glue on the bottom and the side of each cork so that they would all stick together pretty seamlessly. Turned out pretty cute, although I have not used it yet except in the display of china and such above our kitchen cabinets. Here is a side view:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdOkvISy_TZtZYgjZrJAJxSZYtLJnGuC1eOs0tqXrCQeJ1xSRj53BOUKv8LbJPSVTKfJqDYZKUC5B3cQgJ2Vo9tVmP5skSBTNLM41JryyarfpfTZBgh1xInD_O5datR8DPYI7Tf0agV7D/s1600/IMAG0326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdOkvISy_TZtZYgjZrJAJxSZYtLJnGuC1eOs0tqXrCQeJ1xSRj53BOUKv8LbJPSVTKfJqDYZKUC5B3cQgJ2Vo9tVmP5skSBTNLM41JryyarfpfTZBgh1xInD_O5datR8DPYI7Tf0agV7D/s320/IMAG0326.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Have you tried this out yet? I have seen some cute projects for coasters and cork boards that look adorable!Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-16429353120601754222012-03-23T12:41:00.000-07:002012-03-23T12:41:00.511-07:00Lace Earrings!I've mentioned this before, but I love thrift shopping at the Goodwill Outlet in CA. A few weeks ago I found this cute t-shirt with floaty sleeves, a keyhole back, and some cute lace at the bottom:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwQ8c4J-fQy-zTAtFLikVNc5brva9wm21d0jK_q_7ygmAquOiiTD7WLTm3M_Bde3yqZA9L12uimLr9xVBVUjPXuwp6Ux4bctNitFPpTTwsnoC5e5JdVjIaNz5j3n-Dkk2FUTnHBrrp9V0/s1600/IMAG0316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwQ8c4J-fQy-zTAtFLikVNc5brva9wm21d0jK_q_7ygmAquOiiTD7WLTm3M_Bde3yqZA9L12uimLr9xVBVUjPXuwp6Ux4bctNitFPpTTwsnoC5e5JdVjIaNz5j3n-Dkk2FUTnHBrrp9V0/s320/IMAG0316.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
The only problem was the lace was just SO tight. The rest of the shirt fit great, so after I read this <a href="http://www.travelingspoonblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/pinned-there-done-that-lace-earring.html">post</a> about lace earrings, I thought, this lace could be going better places than making me uncomfortable! Carefully snip, snipped around the bottom, and then I had a t-shirt that fit great. I didn't bother sewing it because the shirt is made of a jersey type fabric, and the sides were serged. I don't have an after picture because I was so excited the shirt fit that I put it on right away, and now it's in the laundry. Oops.<br />
<br />
After my lace had been rescued, I looked over the part that was all white, and found some flowers that matched and carefully cut them out. Then I took some of my fabric stiffener and used a paint brush to carefully spread it on my flowers and let it dry on our grease screen (It's non-toxic, I promise!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCRvnz3YgQqIyaPJa_nkTzucLehbxxUOW8khaTndeClcN9BA6AGzrfNsojfwf3Dxw8B9EBW3o7VY4Q4Sb7gN3njcSbLbn7qDunFZziz71H_EllMimyw9_d7lr85znYyYLMgmWwOnYdOfL/s1600/P3170422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCRvnz3YgQqIyaPJa_nkTzucLehbxxUOW8khaTndeClcN9BA6AGzrfNsojfwf3Dxw8B9EBW3o7VY4Q4Sb7gN3njcSbLbn7qDunFZziz71H_EllMimyw9_d7lr85znYyYLMgmWwOnYdOfL/s320/P3170422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I picked up some earring posts and backs from Hobby Lobby today ($1.50, 50% off!) and hot glued each flower to one of the posts. I haven't glued the big flowers yet; I am still deciding if they would be too huge for my ears. A pin maybe? Here is the finished product, one on each ear:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4vBwMHzdWDnk4xw0DERUr4MEgTUDR6dKaFfddUyRzK1N07bFuffe7UgvfT0Ybo2-9G_otDZHk1nGXIu5jBKU1cRaACbpFxlKPdavkQuSPdK-6egmIPfon-jZ64n19wEERAa1evISvmID/s1600/IMAG0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4vBwMHzdWDnk4xw0DERUr4MEgTUDR6dKaFfddUyRzK1N07bFuffe7UgvfT0Ybo2-9G_otDZHk1nGXIu5jBKU1cRaACbpFxlKPdavkQuSPdK-6egmIPfon-jZ64n19wEERAa1evISvmID/s200/IMAG0322.jpg" width="119" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZXWt5oxjB9Hesp33QwP8sY3QRDVSY-bL-EtOa3Mu8lUJQlpTqdOQQR_bRrv21xe7rfWgnSPoWGzy89bQ6dN2Ft0PzefLJ99Yt6IE8G-1ycI_vASB-2dXlUygFieHHrM1S3-YGfQp11Dm/s1600/IMAG0323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZXWt5oxjB9Hesp33QwP8sY3QRDVSY-bL-EtOa3Mu8lUJQlpTqdOQQR_bRrv21xe7rfWgnSPoWGzy89bQ6dN2Ft0PzefLJ99Yt6IE8G-1ycI_vASB-2dXlUygFieHHrM1S3-YGfQp11Dm/s200/IMAG0323.jpg" width="119" /></a></div>
<br />
I think I like the left one better, the shape is just super cute. This took about 15 minutes altogether, and I am totally loving it. Can't wait to wear one of these to work tomorrow!Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-46045080547849671492012-03-21T08:39:00.000-07:002012-03-21T08:39:40.114-07:00Ugly Frame = New "Antique" Mirror with Krylon Looking Glass Mirror Spray PaintWhen I got married a few years ago, we got lots of lovely gifts. Like our stand mixer. And Fiesta ware. And a cordless drill. And then there are those things you just don't like, and with no gift receipt, alas, you are stuck with it! This large frame was one of them:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubwffF0UoWuYjb6ghQ68VvdnYwy2TieoIoSZFYoDNsimITYbEQHJbQo7p5cHYknKlPi6Y-PRiFqkJ_32dyfUh6dzwlqgb6bkP37GwEiy8H1kLpAVfnQ0FqdR6IqPmKst3gwbbb7DoiEZ-/s1600/IMAG0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubwffF0UoWuYjb6ghQ68VvdnYwy2TieoIoSZFYoDNsimITYbEQHJbQo7p5cHYknKlPi6Y-PRiFqkJ_32dyfUh6dzwlqgb6bkP37GwEiy8H1kLpAVfnQ0FqdR6IqPmKst3gwbbb7DoiEZ-/s320/IMAG0297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is something like 11x17, and for a while I thought about putting a wedding picture in there. But then I thought such a huge picture of us would be weird. And then it sat behind our couch and got sort of dinged up. And I never really like how gold it was. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have noticed lately that these ornate black scrolly frames seem very popular in stores, and figured if I spray painted it black it would look more modern. I also wanted to experiment with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-K09033000-Looking-Mirror-Like-Aerosol/dp/B003971BAY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332214387&sr=8-1">Krylon Looking Glass Mirror Spray Paint</a>, which I have seen a number of people use in projects on their respective blogs. With my 40% off coupon, it was only $8. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To start, I spray painted the frame. I used some black paint that was supposed to be rust proof for cars. Not so worried about the rusting of my wooden frame, but it was what we had and didn't seem worth buying something new. Took a number of coats (about 4) and a touch-up spray the next day, but went pretty well. Then I laid out my glass and sprayed the back five times like the can said, waiting for it to dry in between sprays. I also did a second touch up spray the next day. I am feeling a bit iffy about how it turned out- a little blurry, with some weird spots. And definitely not equal to the quality of a real mirror. Not sure if I just sprayed unevenly or what. In any case, I have decided to call this look "antique." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am however pretty happy with the frame. It is much better looking now without all that ugly gold! It's now on my dresser with my jewelry box. Maybe if I get tired of this as a mirror, I'll just use the empty frame by itself as a decoration. Has anyone else tried this Krylon paint with somewhat better luck?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3iJkFYIG94fB9BCMYB5EHQFc7pfZu3mVtv70NFX8GfW8mY2Mj08zjtqP47BAXPUzcv0ghiSaX0ebcgxjFnQEEVbnWfPSZf92hVhRVneLMcmmjfZGhD_LYUlZzrdDgr5TiYAdCmT8mjn5/s1600/P3170413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3iJkFYIG94fB9BCMYB5EHQFc7pfZu3mVtv70NFX8GfW8mY2Mj08zjtqP47BAXPUzcv0ghiSaX0ebcgxjFnQEEVbnWfPSZf92hVhRVneLMcmmjfZGhD_LYUlZzrdDgr5TiYAdCmT8mjn5/s640/P3170413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-37347035408457765802012-03-19T15:26:00.000-07:002012-03-20T13:12:26.059-07:00Granola Bar Cookie RecipeOne of my pet peeves is throwing away food. I hate, hate, hate it. I mean, we go grocery shopping, buy all this nice fresh food, and to throw it away seems sad. So sometimes I come up with some inventive combinations to use that list bit of whatever, which I obviously do not post here for your consumption. In this case, the item that I wanted to use up was some sweetened carob chips. I do not know what a carob is made of, and I have never eaten one before. All I know is that it is a chocolate IMPOSTER. I had originally bought these little chips from the bulk section thinking they were real semi-sweet chips. Because that particular batch of cookies was a gift, I didn't use them that day.<br />
<br />
And then they sat in my pantry for six months, as these things do. Finally I Googled and Pinterest'd (is that a word?) some ideas, and was presented mostly with dog treat ideas. Mmm, just what I want to put in my desert! Finally on flax.com- yes, flax has its' own website- I found a recipe for some cookies that looked vaguely palatable. Mixed those babies up, threw in a 1/4 cup of peanut butter to spice things up, and hoped for the best. I was too lazy to make real cookies, so I threw the mix in my handy dandy non-stick pan.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJTnwwpIxdk/T1_vtfAHvqI/AAAAAAAAARo/aBjlOBMwkgQ/s1600/IMAG0287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJTnwwpIxdk/T1_vtfAHvqI/AAAAAAAAARo/aBjlOBMwkgQ/s320/IMAG0287.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I let them cool for a bit, and although the flax blended in just fine, it didn't really taste like a cookie. It did taste something like a granola bar, so that is what I am calling these. I ate a nice sized piece for breakfast, and it kept me full all morning! Hubby was not the huge-est fan, "Too much fiber." But that is also probably the reason that it kept me going all morning. And I could sort of pretend I was eating cookies for breakfast! So, not super sold on the whole carob thing, but they totally grew on me as I munched on them during the week. Check out the recipe <a href="http://www.flax.com/Section/Flax_Recipes/Flax_Oatmeal_Cookies_with_Carob_Chips.html">here</a>. Not bothering to re-post since all I changed was making them into a bar and adding that creamy peanut butter!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW9zhzNWUiVkOBRPtc-FtQsDfeMaUpYMgPnwwfnGaFNj36Jdz6YoWBpoiCB8zS8B0uxzj7OXB0d0Hz7_OHFwV93LpBOR8NkP2bUL66fFp_nr1eDChwa0mTZV3t4fOxe9_HePVPaAHIXba/s1600/IMAG0288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW9zhzNWUiVkOBRPtc-FtQsDfeMaUpYMgPnwwfnGaFNj36Jdz6YoWBpoiCB8zS8B0uxzj7OXB0d0Hz7_OHFwV93LpBOR8NkP2bUL66fFp_nr1eDChwa0mTZV3t4fOxe9_HePVPaAHIXba/s320/IMAG0288.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After...it looks like a cookie. But it's not.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
P.S. Link Party-ing this one!
<a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" title="Today's Creative Blog"><img alt="Today's Creative Blog" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Today's Creative Blog" width="125" /></a>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-4070522458413645422012-03-17T09:15:00.002-07:002012-03-17T09:15:48.494-07:00Canadian Bacon PancakesJust a short post today. My pancake obsession is still in full force. Woke up this morning and decided to make them for breakfast with Betty's awesome <a href="http://cookcraftcrocheting.blogspot.com/2012/02/easy-pancake-recipe.html">recipe</a>. This time I only put in half a cup of milk, and they were so much thicker and fluffier. But the best part was I fried some Canadian bacon and then poured the batter right over the bacon. What a yummy combo- crispy meat and fluffy pancake. Can't believe I never thought of this before! Happy St Patty's day everyone!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L4Ymmgv92yIgXKZf-leFt1VbkhnEYmLCmGTlynqjGXpSy9rYOWn5PbDmvgAuv_H3AbB9C_JpcBSxOIrsP8Xy0yPu90ByuOGfxiImB5djAHF7O9YWth-f2305VnJQf4tlybScP1IuezaP/s1600/IMAG0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L4Ymmgv92yIgXKZf-leFt1VbkhnEYmLCmGTlynqjGXpSy9rYOWn5PbDmvgAuv_H3AbB9C_JpcBSxOIrsP8Xy0yPu90ByuOGfxiImB5djAHF7O9YWth-f2305VnJQf4tlybScP1IuezaP/s400/IMAG0317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-15127612024742083332012-03-15T06:21:00.000-07:002012-03-15T06:21:55.646-07:00Canvas Photo Art Made from a Cracker BoxI have seen several blog posts recently that showed you how to decoupage a picture onto a canvas so as to avoid spending a bunch of money having the Walgreens photo department or whatever do it for you. What I haven't seen posted is making making a canvas-like photo from an old box! I am not sure where the inspiration for this one came from. I love to decoupage anything, so that must be part of it.<br />
<br />
So I will admit that completing this project took me more than a little trial and error. All the better for you to learn from my mistakes! I have had it in mind for a while to frame a few of our wedding/engagement photos, because I haven't done much with them even though our three year anniversary is coming up in September. A quick note on whether to get your photo printed at a photo center: I thought about doing so, but I was impatient, and since I have a new printer and I had made the photo black and white, I decided the quality would be fine and that regular paper would be easier to decoupage onto the sides of the box. Plus, since I printed it out and threw it away about ten times while I figured this out, I was really glad I didn't. What you need for this project:<br />
<br />
-a box, like a cereal or cracker box depending on how big you want your "canvas" to be<br />
-Elmers glue or Modge Podge<br />
-Paint brush<br />
-Printed photo (more on this below)<br />
-Some yarn if you want to make a hanger for the back<br />
-Scotch tape<br />
-Ruler<br />
<br />
I started with this picture, and gave it a black "mat" in Photoshop. I made the picture itself about 1/2 an inch shorter than my box on each side, which was 5 1/2x6". I had started trying to size the photo exactly to the box, but had no luck getting that just right.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Next, I cut around the entire mat. I knew it was going to be a little big, but wanted to err on the side of caution. I cut it too small a few times and nobody likes to print things out over and over again. Next, I took my ruler and marked lightly in pencil what 5 1/2" and 6" should look on the corresponding sides so I could line up where the mat ended and the sides began.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypup5k0SCfulfqwtKlDvj85FEvb_4JVqv_wDEDQII7ROw2LfsExF5-wkPG24g3iscryADntsCXTNpCWyYt1mqNOBEVmeyR2bzMNUJqHfVG8rMHUKYa9KnQpcvHHA8HmwpH3zgvXSQ0n6e/s1600/hands+mat+with+amrks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypup5k0SCfulfqwtKlDvj85FEvb_4JVqv_wDEDQII7ROw2LfsExF5-wkPG24g3iscryADntsCXTNpCWyYt1mqNOBEVmeyR2bzMNUJqHfVG8rMHUKYa9KnQpcvHHA8HmwpH3zgvXSQ0n6e/s320/hands+mat+with+amrks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To make my canvas, I carefully opened the top and bottom of the box, and cut out new sides that were about 3/4" thick, like so. Trim the edges so they all line up neatly, and then tape the corners together so it forms a canvas shape. Make sure to tape with the shiny printed side in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXgrCpD4aBJuZbpOALXHPB750Bu-O4xiwfawydGeM3hVrr9GRxHxloNvI3e3gN36S8bOhM-o4Yj_Timu4YMSFmlXrSz-iakcNRpPv2uzLkmb_KSDEXzyCaVviyB-gUxXqripFdjr_09aN/s1600/IMAG0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXgrCpD4aBJuZbpOALXHPB750Bu-O4xiwfawydGeM3hVrr9GRxHxloNvI3e3gN36S8bOhM-o4Yj_Timu4YMSFmlXrSz-iakcNRpPv2uzLkmb_KSDEXzyCaVviyB-gUxXqripFdjr_09aN/s200/IMAG0291.jpg" width="119" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I lined up my marks with the sides of the box and folded them over, sort of like a package. Make sure the black space around the top and bottom of your mat is even.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq090Wh24iAkUhBfsA7IVTo-pDHMhLb39U6QyU9fNipENmxAWhu-TAb6se68bCvcGPf-GsSU_8ddgh0yvCVzqWNlZg6Ua4u_xUl2lDbTw2T2sf-ODdTXmn_rUPFujO2gj4yo4JSGf8xq2k/s1600/IMAG0299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq090Wh24iAkUhBfsA7IVTo-pDHMhLb39U6QyU9fNipENmxAWhu-TAb6se68bCvcGPf-GsSU_8ddgh0yvCVzqWNlZg6Ua4u_xUl2lDbTw2T2sf-ODdTXmn_rUPFujO2gj4yo4JSGf8xq2k/s320/IMAG0299.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had a little overlap on each side, so I wrapped the leftover over the edges of the box so I knew how much to cut off. I just pulled the paper and cut around my folded "mark."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9y1Yf6qFqVU/T1_6PKMx6XI/AAAAAAAAASY/gKhpwoKLNas/s1600/IMAG0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9y1Yf6qFqVU/T1_6PKMx6XI/AAAAAAAAASY/gKhpwoKLNas/s200/IMAG0300.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-4pcC9QehY8Y8Xfi-rvKRzByHoMO-R-rQwSHDqAIDvNveRE7lCyCtO1Mfkfv87ZQXP8tJtu4YqhnuZE_rYqJFLDIxCWIC3cwvyJV8NovpepIbukjLMLGQfDZKXfKoi50bCIdaW7fiZa3/s1600/IMAG0296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-4pcC9QehY8Y8Xfi-rvKRzByHoMO-R-rQwSHDqAIDvNveRE7lCyCtO1Mfkfv87ZQXP8tJtu4YqhnuZE_rYqJFLDIxCWIC3cwvyJV8NovpepIbukjLMLGQfDZKXfKoi50bCIdaW7fiZa3/s200/IMAG0296.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
To stick my photo on, I started spreading my glue over the top and sides, then carefully replaced my folded paper and smoothed it out so it wouldn't be lumpy. Once it's smooth, spread some glue inside the flap of your folders corners and make sure those get glued down smoothly. To finish, spread a thin layer of glue over the top and sides of the picture. This will make it shiny and give it brush marks like a canvas might have. Let dry overnight.<br />
<br />
If you're me, you might decide to decoupage over the shiny part of your box the first time around. Don't do this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwmkyegEP0U/T1_8DcdCJ8I/AAAAAAAAAS4/XO074YWBmfw/s1600/IMAG0307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwmkyegEP0U/T1_8DcdCJ8I/AAAAAAAAAS4/XO074YWBmfw/s320/IMAG0307.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmm crackers behind our picture!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here is my real complete canvas. It is hanging in my hallway because it doesn't have a real home yet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo8_xyxV6Teoogg2GuFj6h7Ci3GZrhVr4lBC3G9ISindIXq7lxDCqFVTGreQpP8KGTF3NPawPvbl-j8DyYGXzv88PeA0tKIDTAGl_njt_Sehedkc22EiHNUKl2srcr7gx9A2Slxmd-Wje/s1600/IMAG0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo8_xyxV6Teoogg2GuFj6h7Ci3GZrhVr4lBC3G9ISindIXq7lxDCqFVTGreQpP8KGTF3NPawPvbl-j8DyYGXzv88PeA0tKIDTAGl_njt_Sehedkc22EiHNUKl2srcr7gx9A2Slxmd-Wje/s400/IMAG0302.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If you want to make a hanger, cut a piece of yarn and hot glue it tightly to each side, like so, and then tape each end securely down the side so it doesn't pop out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHSwqXMaVYKg9_v-GF4a3II0LRD2LWmNe1ZmOnkiBWEnixy-sYKLB17Rjq3t9e-9OIydNaiYOKD_RRLqpRUtJf3Lg-tP3fwtpSoSsEn798LV2UZXz4-mU58eLsjR7iP_q1b5ilnJ_ULqW/s1600/IMAG0305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHSwqXMaVYKg9_v-GF4a3II0LRD2LWmNe1ZmOnkiBWEnixy-sYKLB17Rjq3t9e-9OIydNaiYOKD_RRLqpRUtJf3Lg-tP3fwtpSoSsEn798LV2UZXz4-mU58eLsjR7iP_q1b5ilnJ_ULqW/s320/IMAG0305.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Loving this (basically free) project! I think I am going to make a group of three to hang on our currently theme-less second bedroom/office wall. The beauty of this one is you could change it out frequently with no guilt. Yay recycling!<br />
<br />Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-27534335400432532562012-03-13T06:57:00.000-07:002012-03-13T06:57:29.714-07:00Beaded Crochet T-shirt ScarfIt seems like t-shirt scarfs are all the rage right now! This is my second one that I have made, and I do like how they dress up a plain t-shirt. During a recent Goodwill-by-the-pound visit on a work trip to CA (I don't think they have this glorious invention in TX) I picked up a long pink dress made up of t-shirt material. It was cute, but the length was weird, and it had a little hole. Unfortunately I did not take before shots. =(<br />
<br />
To make this particular scarf, I cut thin uninterrupted loops starting at the hem. I had to sew the ends together of my other t-shirt scarf to make an actual scarf, but this was so much easier since the dress was wide enough to make a scarf length. As I cut each strip, I pulled it tight to get the fabric to roll together.<br />
<br />
Then came the hard part. I strung a ton of beads onto some Aunt Lydia's #10 crochet thread, then crocheted chains and brought up a bead every ten or so stitches and chained over it. Sounded semi-easy when I first thought of it, but was totally, ridiculously tedious. The thread kept getting tangled, and it was just an overall mess. I made two strings of these crocheted beads, and then put them together with my strings of t-shirt. To finish off, I crocheted two little cuffs (8 chains, and then single crochet about 8 rows, or whatever is big enough to wrap around all the strings of your scarf, then slip stitch the two ends over everything) to secure the pieces together. Here is the result:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UzyL9pla_4/T11vURvsAAI/AAAAAAAAARg/Y4VbtCPkm0c/s1600/scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UzyL9pla_4/T11vURvsAAI/AAAAAAAAARg/Y4VbtCPkm0c/s320/scarf.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
If you don't have crochet skills, you could take the simple (and less mind numbing) route of just making a few strings of beads, and then using a piece of your t-shirt to secure everything in two spots like I did with the cuffs. Would still have the bead-y, drape-y look that I got here, but just a little simpler in the construction. Have you tried making one of these scarfs yet using the many tutorials found online?Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-21645469453792066612012-03-11T20:27:00.000-07:002012-03-11T20:27:10.313-07:00Water Lily Vest from Crochet TodayI get almost all of my patterns from Crochet Today magazine. Most of them are pretty modern, and it is great to get inspiration in my mailbox every month! I try to crochet one pattern from each magazine, just to make sure I am getting the worth of my subscription. This past month, I decided to make this cute vest:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l31nuhfoAIk/T11soKA05YI/AAAAAAAAARI/iKRcAFwVks8/s1600/CT22_WaterLilyVest.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l31nuhfoAIk/T11soKA05YI/AAAAAAAAARI/iKRcAFwVks8/s200/CT22_WaterLilyVest.jpeg" width="126" /></a></div><br />
It was supposed to be a <a href="http://www.crochettoday.com/crochet-patterns/water-lily-vest">water lily</a>, but I had this purple and white cashmere blend yarn I have been saving up for the right project, and this seemed just right. I won't post the pattern here for all the internet to see, but do post a comment if you're interested in the pattern. Here is how mine turned out:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciHHBLpaz-PsNEcJ0mGY8qs5Iv1G3Or9Iir8ds8E2gq3wDdmZv1iY6FWvB6oyQtuPabvWXgI6PftG3S88QS3IBBL-GZYrtTsIO6V078PULJsx8-R_hn2ATLbhGCyocRYdWXSxjBzbtHmN/s1600/back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciHHBLpaz-PsNEcJ0mGY8qs5Iv1G3Or9Iir8ds8E2gq3wDdmZv1iY6FWvB6oyQtuPabvWXgI6PftG3S88QS3IBBL-GZYrtTsIO6V078PULJsx8-R_hn2ATLbhGCyocRYdWXSxjBzbtHmN/s320/back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7wrGE56QfX32ryIimh2hx4OcwxrTOLwTVAbQXjw6eUg1JXz9SPgb6yeK6bXHe1-iuU05xQNq8Y7KQu3bxSiL9U4IYHMGgTBPrzl-FIf5zL_ybaL-cLKOM1tumHxoBQy45aHT-DpGVOa1/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7wrGE56QfX32ryIimh2hx4OcwxrTOLwTVAbQXjw6eUg1JXz9SPgb6yeK6bXHe1-iuU05xQNq8Y7KQu3bxSiL9U4IYHMGgTBPrzl-FIf5zL_ybaL-cLKOM1tumHxoBQy45aHT-DpGVOa1/s320/front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Excited to wear it out and about!Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-83364448855665616302012-03-08T18:56:00.003-08:002012-03-09T08:12:49.310-08:00Perfect Blondie Recipe (aka butterscotch brownies)In the continuing saga of how awesome <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764568779/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kylessite0e&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0764568779">Betty Crocker's cookbook</a> is, I am sharing her recipe for blondies. In case you haven't run across these yet, they have a brownie consistency but are made with lots of brown sugar, so they taste like delicious butterscotch. I am not a huge baker because I am sort of impatient and get freaked out by the mass quantities of butter required for most yummy baked goods. But Betty tells me these are "low fat" (not low sugar of course, but we're not quibbling), and most of the time I have all the ingredients in the house. Plus they are almost impossible to screw up, so here you go!<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>The recipe calls for using the usual square pan, but I have these cake pans that are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UZTWLI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kylessite0e&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000UZTWLI">non-stick by Circulon</a>, and nothing ever, ever sticks to them. So this is my pan of choice if I'm ever making something that is sticky or messy!<br />
<div><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u505ekL2l90/T1lju_8rskI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/IDitRXJbpAw/s1600/IMAG0277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u505ekL2l90/T1lju_8rskI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/IDitRXJbpAw/s400/IMAG0277.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before shot. Mmm even looks like butterscotch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOw1agWrRBhtgGdbDLSVrtK0t9NBAVI0SfOuAv6-1H2GuwRHeCAqUCGSO4-o8f0Sbxq2W_wYPfjWiOPFSUeZQd1JsSGF4LH46NXkwOVVrDLeX2MlU6skEiV2sCjCCycAFHjQtnAGsfD_G/s1600/IMAG0279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOw1agWrRBhtgGdbDLSVrtK0t9NBAVI0SfOuAv6-1H2GuwRHeCAqUCGSO4-o8f0Sbxq2W_wYPfjWiOPFSUeZQd1JsSGF4LH46NXkwOVVrDLeX2MlU6skEiV2sCjCCycAFHjQtnAGsfD_G/s400/IMAG0279.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After, couldn't wait to take a bite</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAV70jcjw5EJRzb9nzM01m5AKAsfsl5QdZ9KIEekVXygBCz1VBR0lfaVlaHnoqsmj9Ok60NePZTfbCKdOnB9tQTDSVCXUcC_u_OxI0ByyDZ1acqSr-jdChbrhRrWFosZdHlgrOSTGfijAQ/s1600/blondie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAV70jcjw5EJRzb9nzM01m5AKAsfsl5QdZ9KIEekVXygBCz1VBR0lfaVlaHnoqsmj9Ok60NePZTfbCKdOnB9tQTDSVCXUcC_u_OxI0ByyDZ1acqSr-jdChbrhRrWFosZdHlgrOSTGfijAQ/s640/blondie.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And just to mix things up a bit, while they were still warm, I used cookie cutters to make cute shapes. The only thing better than a blondie is a blondie that looks like a cookie! =)</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEw3TAH4bUg/T1lv_p-1YEI/AAAAAAAAAQw/fuMbuJFZrko/s1600/IMAG0280.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEw3TAH4bUg/T1lv_p-1YEI/AAAAAAAAAQw/fuMbuJFZrko/s200/IMAG0280.jpg" width="119" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHdr2ZwxpUBA9CPQPwBSuCtc6SUVBNZfZnqB7SkAjk-XWAABlOyxR3hIbzckFEYXk1Ay-G-kXFJoTBbczRlOXme9ZbEIv2nAs4Po5uGWMTlymskwUy5J2omWBVDZ_PZKCnMJntHttxcPo/s1600/IMAG0282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHdr2ZwxpUBA9CPQPwBSuCtc6SUVBNZfZnqB7SkAjk-XWAABlOyxR3hIbzckFEYXk1Ay-G-kXFJoTBbczRlOXme9ZbEIv2nAs4Po5uGWMTlymskwUy5J2omWBVDZ_PZKCnMJntHttxcPo/s200/IMAG0282.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div><br />
</div></div><br />
P.S. Posting this one at a link party!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://firefliesandjellybeans.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2fmhRaR27ZdG1x24iYgpy_YtjUd5psEgEldmWgrZldFHwXewv7XqySrJvkHQ4jlSRazJ_wayyVfftVqQebh4Y1LxRTc_WavIFoAM0WOSa5upEB6x-vZwfN2-uH7j3ltaY6Khcdd2YDQ/s200/Show+off+your+Stuff+party+button.JPG" width="125" /></a> <a href=" http://www.serenitynowblog.com/ " target="_blank"><img src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/WeekendBloggyReading.png" border="0" alt="Weekend Bloggy Reading"></a>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-89494637161037149582012-03-06T11:16:00.004-08:002012-03-09T12:06:06.316-08:00Easter Egg Jar!If you read my last post, you probably think I have a bit of an Easter egg obsession. I don't, exactly, but I do like Easter decorations, and since I am still working on my tableau of spring stuff around the house, I figured I would post about it. On a recent Target visit, there was this cute Mason jar-like container with Easter eggs inside that was covered with burlap. It was like ten bucks, but as usual, I said to myself, "I can make my own!"<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5IYmH8b2nrqnR1ts9aFdrmwCJPWlHj_wE-AiuUNXwVeJO8hp5QSGmmuW-csdohrs-MKwEIAh7sKACwf0tUK_RtG-U6aBMWb5sn0n8n4hu1tkiotzBokRIwPPhhZTw0i2G-UYfDecNALR/s1600/IMAG0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5IYmH8b2nrqnR1ts9aFdrmwCJPWlHj_wE-AiuUNXwVeJO8hp5QSGmmuW-csdohrs-MKwEIAh7sKACwf0tUK_RtG-U6aBMWb5sn0n8n4hu1tkiotzBokRIwPPhhZTw0i2G-UYfDecNALR/s320/IMAG0283.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stealth Target picture!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I had four plastic decorated eggs that I bought two years ago on super-after Easter clearance, as well as some cute fabric that covered a Mason jar gift I got a while back. Cut the fabric into a nice square and ripped off the ribbon hangers on each of the eggs (never had much use to hang them anywhere) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zz-ND04SqXY-3yXtEUewaGwFDYXI_yfm6nL7JwZcU31JvXC5OqFxYDb149WvpRmHT12HE9ZY8wndQ51AUVctlP4DyMXAj_Oq1nOhWXuTFcOYbal11IHicQRbvl5xkAj3wKFQ65A1Boat/s1600/IMAG0269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zz-ND04SqXY-3yXtEUewaGwFDYXI_yfm6nL7JwZcU31JvXC5OqFxYDb149WvpRmHT12HE9ZY8wndQ51AUVctlP4DyMXAj_Oq1nOhWXuTFcOYbal11IHicQRbvl5xkAj3wKFQ65A1Boat/s200/IMAG0269.jpg" width="119" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gbUKzAx-bo/T1Zg4z-hFhI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Z_4dd_hZFNk/s1600/IMAG0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gbUKzAx-bo/T1Zg4z-hFhI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Z_4dd_hZFNk/s200/IMAG0272.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Then I cleaned the label off this cute jar that some <a href="http://reviews.williams-sonoma.com/3177/fionas-candy/reviews.htm?sort=rating&dir=asc">super yummy banana gummies</a> came in (look for them if you're ever at Williams Sonoma!) by running it under warm water under the sink. It came off surprisingly pain free.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfA-0dhgN_QAGxuZUzRiyBtA3SapD1dTk1S-X3v55DL4OglFqUc94vU8OC5JFDgLr13OxYVqjx9TvP6wZMMmtMphmrtfFetSLEv_98ouK7lJODwvyKpJNBLwJqvBFmRbOxlbgh71MCTALI/s1600/IMAG0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfA-0dhgN_QAGxuZUzRiyBtA3SapD1dTk1S-X3v55DL4OglFqUc94vU8OC5JFDgLr13OxYVqjx9TvP6wZMMmtMphmrtfFetSLEv_98ouK7lJODwvyKpJNBLwJqvBFmRbOxlbgh71MCTALI/s200/IMAG0270.jpg" width="119" /></a></div><br />
Then I took my square of cute fabric and secured it on top of my jar with a rubberband. Covered the rubberband up with a bow made from some ribbon I saved from our wedding.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYjEFs0j9C9uKxBG-6U7PMcqVyPJdMQj2LvNmc4na9CYWkN5Q62icnLWArX1AEUQEEmjZ-F2mxrXaixArNP3RhwwbZgfcw-8NuAs5FlIaLE9ELyOECC5OrKF_Jv-FZ_eSGHnCwXVUp-sG/s1600/IMAG0273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYjEFs0j9C9uKxBG-6U7PMcqVyPJdMQj2LvNmc4na9CYWkN5Q62icnLWArX1AEUQEEmjZ-F2mxrXaixArNP3RhwwbZgfcw-8NuAs5FlIaLE9ELyOECC5OrKF_Jv-FZ_eSGHnCwXVUp-sG/s320/IMAG0273.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rubberband action close-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And wal-ah! Check out my cute new egg jar! I didn't make the bunny family sitting next to the jar, that was an awesome and adorable gift from my Mom a few years ago. =)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia750h1d2fj5_0TcM42rfqbXqV2nSBndstZu46meXVg5aZDb3rzx2YfCxE0apfHeKZ_mEXEQS9Ac5Y3ZeST9Q-vBMWZU48EUxFploncRslI2LMgembtid44Fgzw1_raTalpwzxwMytOnTs/s1600/IMAG0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia750h1d2fj5_0TcM42rfqbXqV2nSBndstZu46meXVg5aZDb3rzx2YfCxE0apfHeKZ_mEXEQS9Ac5Y3ZeST9Q-vBMWZU48EUxFploncRslI2LMgembtid44Fgzw1_raTalpwzxwMytOnTs/s320/IMAG0275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
P.S. Including this post in another link party! =)<br />
<a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" title="Today's Creative Blog"><img alt="Today's Creative Blog" src="http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg" style="border: none;" title="Today's Creative Blog" width="125" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/" title="Somewhat Simple"><img alt="Somewhat Simple" src="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/wp-content/uploads/2000/01/125-button1.png" /></a>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-36519690995327170582012-03-04T15:40:00.006-08:002012-03-10T07:55:03.234-08:00Egg Candles!Several weeks ago at Michael's, I saw these cute fake "cracked" egg candles. I know I could have bought them, but decided to try making my own instead! This was actually a super simple project, even if you've never made a candle before.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMlifBtBGwz8HC5YR-iEn8ysGFThysddxJcFqIG2uVrL_1rIr_U3lxIs_r7fuc5VYileExIBGglTlm-fsD_gAiIwxZDIF9Gogo8HArcgRy0tN-pYUYiWqBS8xaLCt1-E-Kn6E-WBVyB-S/s1600/IMAG0264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMlifBtBGwz8HC5YR-iEn8ysGFThysddxJcFqIG2uVrL_1rIr_U3lxIs_r7fuc5VYileExIBGglTlm-fsD_gAiIwxZDIF9Gogo8HArcgRy0tN-pYUYiWqBS8xaLCt1-E-Kn6E-WBVyB-S/s200/IMAG0264.jpg" width="119" /></a></div>Here is what you need:<br />
<br />
-Uncracked eggs<br />
-Small candle wicks<br />
-Microwave melting wax, or regular wax if you want to do it over the stove<br />
-Microwave safe measuring cup with a spout<br />
-Egg cups for balancing your new candles in<br />
<br />
To start, one morning when I was making breakfast, I carefully pressed my finger into the top of my eggs so that there was a small-ish hole, like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSZZ3oqU5jNcD62KCuNa4_3S-SovTbnc-Hl3GZ-s5K1WaGv9W6DpJPYuhOs1ry0CfN4UJoqhCwNlTd7lqU41_XsFeoHLAyf2ngLehbb54aaLTPLLATnBkFjlHTcmYG2EoZajsRqTZKcvp/s1600/IMAG0204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSZZ3oqU5jNcD62KCuNa4_3S-SovTbnc-Hl3GZ-s5K1WaGv9W6DpJPYuhOs1ry0CfN4UJoqhCwNlTd7lqU41_XsFeoHLAyf2ngLehbb54aaLTPLLATnBkFjlHTcmYG2EoZajsRqTZKcvp/s320/IMAG0204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I carefully turned the egg upside down to slip out the egg, and proceeded with making scrambled eggs. I have seen some tutorials that tell you to <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Blow-Out-Eggs">blow the egg out</a>, which really seems like a lot of work since I was going for the "just hatched" look, but you can do that as well.<br />
<br />
After your eggs have been washed and left out to dry (I let mine sit for a few days) put some hot glue on the metal piece on the underside of the wick, and glue it to your egg. Taking this extra step will make sure it doesn't slip around once you pour your wax. Melt your wax in your measuring cup, stirring it every minute or so. Make sure to read the instructions that came with your wax, just to make sure you understand any weird quirks with that wax brand<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vMMJoJh3g8g/T1P6TXlovnI/AAAAAAAAAPI/wbWgUbqXLY4/s1600/IMAG0262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vMMJoJh3g8g/T1P6TXlovnI/AAAAAAAAAPI/wbWgUbqXLY4/s200/IMAG0262.jpg" width="119" /></a></div><br />
When the wax is completely melted, carefully pour the wax into your egg, stopping 2-3 cm from the top. Trim the wick if there is a lot leftover. Here is a cool shot of mine in the dark.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxckOUV2W6JlPUCN5vQbkdaMhqSXBJLTXKsp3DRV31mS5ylJyHNlcCr0oTFv5xeSxA2ooGq_H3eqE0tb0p9J8mtoGJbNXCbw2oRrz4ekBO38016K2xK3JQvcHLn7vlKin1ihymtjL7UlTN/s1600/IMAG0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxckOUV2W6JlPUCN5vQbkdaMhqSXBJLTXKsp3DRV31mS5ylJyHNlcCr0oTFv5xeSxA2ooGq_H3eqE0tb0p9J8mtoGJbNXCbw2oRrz4ekBO38016K2xK3JQvcHLn7vlKin1ihymtjL7UlTN/s200/IMAG0267.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Totally fun and easy, and hopefully this gets your spirits up for SPRING! =)<br />
<br />
<br />
Posting this one at a link party!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/search/label/show%20and%20tell"><img border="0" src="http://www.rememberthemoments.com/images/blog/satbutton.gif" /></a> <br />Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-3607594074163956452012-03-02T18:14:00.001-08:002012-03-10T09:06:18.279-08:00Do-It-Yourself Silk Flower ArrangementThere was a corner of our living room that was looking a bit empty recently, and I decided to put some sort of big vase in the corner. An impromptu visit to Michael's provided the needed inspiration, with their<br />
pre-made arrangements:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8E1CiqRpZkM/T1F7V8QZhWI/AAAAAAAAAOg/MEN9m2v5GZI/s1600/ar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8E1CiqRpZkM/T1F7V8QZhWI/AAAAAAAAAOg/MEN9m2v5GZI/s200/ar1.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHJkB8gJFGEOj5eBrSbZGsIGVatku159LJeHXlv6wl5Q4H1gzGFBg_AI6GmsupqZ_p6zqBl9v8ODYpZJQ9vlSEISKPrHx2tklWn_8YAC04K_sHGn3TCAG7q4c3hUteWOOo3wCKcWnDlKA/s1600/ar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHJkB8gJFGEOj5eBrSbZGsIGVatku159LJeHXlv6wl5Q4H1gzGFBg_AI6GmsupqZ_p6zqBl9v8ODYpZJQ9vlSEISKPrHx2tklWn_8YAC04K_sHGn3TCAG7q4c3hUteWOOo3wCKcWnDlKA/s200/ar2.jpg" width="112" /></a></div><br />
Super pretty, but at $300 and $350 a pop, I wasn't really feeling it. So hubbie and I (who patiently waited around for me at the store for at least half an hour) decided that we should try to make our own! I liked the one of the left for the drape-y thing it had going on, and the one on the right because it had hydrangeas in it. I seriously can't WAIT to have a yard so I can have some of my own!<br />
<br />
In any case, after some careful selecting and checking back with the arrangements to get some ideas for what they had in them, I had a pretty nice looking vase! Even better, all the flowers were half off. With my 40% off coupon for the vase, it ended up being about $60 total. Not exactly cheap, but seemed like a bargain compared to what Michael's was charging for the pre-made version.<br />
<br />
The only problem with my arrangement was the lack of any natural elements. In the pictures above, there were some nicely shaped sticks in there that gave it a balanced shape. There were some bunches of sticks that you could purchase, but some some stubborn part of me objected to paying $12 for something you could easily find outside. So, of course....to the park we went! Took a walk in the usual wooded area that we like, and found some very excellent specimens that I thought would work very well:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH9mKxUNTmiPdx3VIfagz5EWzf9AMmgvGEYIphgDKJtVWGQovlKrcgdkzQCgb-GEb0A1nK5cvrrsG4XzYFBm0HWlsMe5W8tAbxluGqiKN38UlhklnRfjY_EWlnIe33OnjvE0hTIMbFEw_/s1600/sticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH9mKxUNTmiPdx3VIfagz5EWzf9AMmgvGEYIphgDKJtVWGQovlKrcgdkzQCgb-GEb0A1nK5cvrrsG4XzYFBm0HWlsMe5W8tAbxluGqiKN38UlhklnRfjY_EWlnIe33OnjvE0hTIMbFEw_/s200/sticks.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pile-o sticks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a bit more arranging, draping, stick breaking and label cutting, I came up with some pretty nice looking flowers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeQ52ykLH6g/T1F92pB4bWI/AAAAAAAAAO4/m6eMyDQ_3i0/s1600/bouquet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeQ52ykLH6g/T1F92pB4bWI/AAAAAAAAAO4/m6eMyDQ_3i0/s400/bouquet.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
Included this one at another link party!<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh517/CamilleBeckstrand/sistersatbutton.png"/></a></center>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-76085810290506114922012-02-29T07:52:00.003-08:002012-02-29T08:12:03.659-08:00Curry Ketchup RecipeThe other day I was looking for a recipe to bring as an appetizer to a friend's house. I thought <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/317153/chickpea-patties">chickpea patties</a> sound really yummy and easy (my first mistake). Hubbie suggested that I make curry ketchup for dipping, like they do at <a href="http://www.tafia.com/">T'afia</a> (one on my favorite restaurants in Houston) for their Chickpea Fries. The only thing that turned out to be easy was the ketchup. You could totally dip frozen french fries in this- it completely elevates whatever you dip it in. The funny thing is, I don't think I even LIKE curry or ketchup. I might even dig out a real curry recipe to try sometime soon!<br />
<br />
As for patties...sometimes bad recipes happen to good people. I blended all the ingredients together like the recipe said, decided to bake them and spooned into muffin tins. Then I realized i had FORGOTTEN to add the mashed potatoes. So I had to spoon it all out and blend it up again. At this point, chickpea goo was on everything- on my jeans, the floor, all over the counter, the entire blender...plus the texture was sort of strange. I ended up deciding to fry them, which actually went OK on our brand new electric griddle. Ended up taking way longer than expected, like an hour. I could have cooked an actual dinner in that time! They ended up tasting good, but I guess everyone has to have a few misses sometimes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPXoWKm3Sl-QNUTChnLXshKXX95llg68E6brg4DB0toveBPsCHzuKG_pKLUIbDpquNOu7cNoDGF5dsrZPAE5ufpHU3lCB0M6eHFTaEi8-qDuL-YIPt24k9PeHSyduGwlq63oflRfnc3Y_/s1600/ket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPXoWKm3Sl-QNUTChnLXshKXX95llg68E6brg4DB0toveBPsCHzuKG_pKLUIbDpquNOu7cNoDGF5dsrZPAE5ufpHU3lCB0M6eHFTaEi8-qDuL-YIPt24k9PeHSyduGwlq63oflRfnc3Y_/s200/ket.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly me, I forgot to take a picture, this is <a href="http://www.tastedmenu.com/boston/restaurants/saus/curry-ketchup">borrowed</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Red Curry Ketchup Recipe:<br />
<br />
1/2 cup of ketchup<br />
1 tbs lime juice<br />
2 tsp curry powder<br />
<br />
Mix it all together and dip to your heart's content!<br />
<br />
Update...this is the super easy version. I am so adding this harder one to my list for when I have more time!<br />
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/50-condiments/index.html">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/50-condiments/index.html</a>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-27772749876968822332012-02-28T07:29:00.000-08:002012-02-28T07:29:41.310-08:00Edamame Bruschetta Spread Recipe from Honest VanillaHappy Tuesday, folks! I can't take a lot of credit for this recipe, but I just HAD to share the love. I did adapt it a bit to make it even easier than the <a href="http://www.honestvanilla.com/2011/02/edamame-bruschetta.html">original recipe</a>. I am a huge fan of letting my blender do the work for me- you should be too!<br />
<br />
I made this when a few friends came over for dinner the other day, and I seriously could spread this stuff on bread all day long. They said it reminded them of Guacamole. So yummy, and a great quick appetizer when you are having people over.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWDiwD7T4PPCOOiA-GcDJPeRnCK1O5NnGTESHCeXgqyfwGXHOLa6VzTgrPLCyQ1n6i0cxDOc7TGyOMnUghkgR00vzMsr1Qzu8hRdWBmes3ylAcpc5kV5XEDcxmk-p9g_ovk_AwBIIKXlG/s1600/ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWDiwD7T4PPCOOiA-GcDJPeRnCK1O5NnGTESHCeXgqyfwGXHOLa6VzTgrPLCyQ1n6i0cxDOc7TGyOMnUghkgR00vzMsr1Qzu8hRdWBmes3ylAcpc5kV5XEDcxmk-p9g_ovk_AwBIIKXlG/s200/ed.jpg" width="118" /></a></div><br />
<b>Edamame Bruschetta</b><br />
This recipe makes a LOT, enough to serve at least 6, and maybe more if you have more than one appetizer.<br />
<br />
1/2 cup of herbs (I did a combo of basil, parsley and lemon mint from my patio)<br />
3 garlic cloves<br />
Half a 16 ounce bag of shelled Edamame<br />
2 tbs of olive oil<br />
1 tbs of grated parmesan<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
Baguette<br />
<br />
Put the Edamame in the microwave with a little water for 3-4 minutes until defrosted. While your waiting, put the herbs, de-skinned garlic and olive oil in your blender/food processer and whirl it about until it's nicely crushed together. Slice your baguette into little crostinis and pop in the oven at 350 degree for about 10 minutes or until nicely toasted. Make about five pieces for each person.<br />
<br />
When the microwave part is done, drain most of the water and add the Edamame to the blender. Blend it together until it is just a little chunky. Add a little water if it's not incorporating well. Dump the spread in a small serving bowl, season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir in the Parmesan. Serve with the crispy bread on the side and let people put as much as they want on each piece.<br />
<br />
This recipe tastes great both hot and cold, and I am pretty sure leftovers would taste just as yummy spread on a sandwich the next day.<br />
<br />
Adapted from:<br />
<a href="http://www.honestvanilla.com/2011/02/edamame-bruschetta.html">http://www.honestvanilla.com/2011/02/edamame-bruschetta.html</a>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-91925573095226701412012-02-26T10:20:00.002-08:002012-03-05T11:08:42.211-08:00Spring Wreath: Make your own moss monogram!Changing the decorations over for the seasons is super fun. I have several Rubbermaid boxes that hold my fall, Christmas, Valentine's and spring decorations. I'm not such a fan of Saint Patty's day, and I sort of loose steam for summer, but for the rest of the year, I'm all over it! I think spring might be one of my favorites (baby chicks, Easter eggs!!) and I have already put out all my decorations, even though it is not quite March.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNHY6AZrmwY/T0pzUEITZLI/AAAAAAAAAN4/WJ33G6U02cc/s1600/eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNHY6AZrmwY/T0pzUEITZLI/AAAAAAAAAN4/WJ33G6U02cc/s320/eggs.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay little peep!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When I was wandering the seasonal decoration section recently at Hobby Lobby, I saw this little monogrammed wreath:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfTqEJ3uGpUG8t9-TBV0q4WW8F_654p0xMF7R0VfN8GQxXzGS2c2mdi31Ch_OVBIN7AgE3bMSDCcA6wKf1zSyAIKRSd8TVp72vMyPF8bNKGpCNiMbopDORF7owSxDyVuq6bP5dvsBhkTO/s1600/s2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfTqEJ3uGpUG8t9-TBV0q4WW8F_654p0xMF7R0VfN8GQxXzGS2c2mdi31Ch_OVBIN7AgE3bMSDCcA6wKf1zSyAIKRSd8TVp72vMyPF8bNKGpCNiMbopDORF7owSxDyVuq6bP5dvsBhkTO/s200/s2.jpg" width="119" /></a></div><br />
I thought it was cute if a little...plastic-y. I mulled it over for a few days, and decided to make my own! What you'll need make your own letter:<br />
<br />
Some sturdy cardboard- something that will hold up but not be too hard to cut<br />
Acrylic paint in a nice spring color, if you want to cover the cardboard up (mine had some writing on it)<br />
Package of dried moss (got my package from Dollar Tree, but the floral section of any craft store would have it too)<br />
Craft or Elmer's glue<br />
Ribbon or yarn<br />
<br />
To start, trace with a pencil the letter that you would like to make. Make sure it is kind of thick and even. My S ended up being about 9 inches tall. Take a hole punch and make a hole somewhere near the top of the letter, where it looks like it would hang well (I unfortunately skipped this step for mine. Do as I say and not as I do in this case). Paint the letter if you want it to be extra pretty and a bit sturdier, back and front. You won't have to be quite as thorough about sticking moss on there if you take this step. Let dry.<br />
<br />
Spread glue on the letter about an inch at a time, and press bits of the moss on so the letter is mostly covered. Make sure not to cover up your hole too much. Let it dry for about an hour, and then look over your letter to make sure there aren't any weird open spots. If there are, put on a bit more glue and patch them. Let the letter dry overnight.<br />
<br />
Take a long piece of ribbon or yarn (figure out where you want to hang it in advance so you know how long/short it should be) and loop it through the hole and adjust so it hangs nicely. I love how nice my monogram smells, and that it wasn't made from bits of plastic. What do you think?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaVJBgGcoxw/T0p3Uw87Z3I/AAAAAAAAAOI/gSkKabBCSkE/s1600/s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaVJBgGcoxw/T0p3Uw87Z3I/AAAAAAAAAOI/gSkKabBCSkE/s320/s.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
P.S. I linked this post for Sew Chatty's Link Up!<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Sew Chatty" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp-mj-UD07a8TKg0mPbpnzQYZ4cUIH9jcQPKx0-tZ4QhCL2WRTA1B7B_RPaCulZtdGcK6UmNhy8r8AOcMLzLHaU6ZdMSm-rh4nB3pMlVC26lmibMcz5cQkdAnRGpUAikUfSlthveFlhgP/s1600/sew_chatty_button.png" /></a></center>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-81254742770233568332012-02-24T08:29:00.001-08:002012-02-24T08:29:53.855-08:00Broccoli Soup Recipe- Mmm, Healthy Creamy Soup!<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Friday everyone! I have been a horrible poster. The combo of vacay, then work trip, then stomach flu while on work trip has made me an unambitious blogger. I am headed back to the lovely state of Texas this morning, so hopefully I will get back on track!</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love making soup. Love, love, love. Potato and corn chowder are near the top, but broccoli is probably the kind I make the most. Since I started making soup, I have also started making and freezing my own broth from leftover chicken carcasses. So cheap, plus the sodium level is insanely better (obviously, the only sodium is what you put in). I'll have to cover how I do it in a future post.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also loooove rouxes, which I mentioned <a href="http://cookcraftcrocheting.blogspot.com/2012/02/eggs-benedict-substitute.html">previously</a> in one of my breakfast posts. They can make so many yummy things, and who doesn't have some flour, butter and milk in the house? With this cheese-y broccoli recipe, I tend to throw in whatever veggies I have in the house. Broccoli of course, but on the day I made the soup for this post, I also steamed some carrots along with my broccoli and threw some free spinach into the blender with the rest of the veggies. Also as an FYI, I most of the time I use frozen broccoli, since it's cheaper and all cut up. If you do that, you only need to do the boiling in step two for about five minutes. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last little tip, whenever I do buy a big head of broccoli, I cut and steam the head, and save the stalk for making soup later in the week. Tastes a lot better pureed, and I then I don't have to feel bad about throwing away fresh vegetables. Normally this soup is a lot more bright green, but the spinach and carrot made it a little darker.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5A77W606-8p1Ou4NUD3yrQdv-cqEVIQx0qz5O2MN7v_2yVE3OH5jWwCXQkZjqcnP5zGS4F2X46Utyc7XC4a02OGdLGTWYq3CNj3jOtyNMiELIdgiM_nM4lCr4d1rNl87ZXZUgkA7xGdO/s1600/br+soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5A77W606-8p1Ou4NUD3yrQdv-cqEVIQx0qz5O2MN7v_2yVE3OH5jWwCXQkZjqcnP5zGS4F2X46Utyc7XC4a02OGdLGTWYq3CNj3jOtyNMiELIdgiM_nM4lCr4d1rNl87ZXZUgkA7xGdO/s1600/br+soup.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broccoli-Cheddar Soup</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(makes quite a few servings, so think about halving this if you don't want to eat soup for a whole week)</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">Ingredients:</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">3 cups chicken broth</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">1 onion, chopped</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">4 cups broccoli, chopped</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">Dash of garlic powder</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">1 tsp thyme</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">2 bay leaves</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">4 Tbsp butter</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">4 Tbsp flour</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">½ tsp salt</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">2 cups milk</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">2 cups shredded cheddar</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">Slices of crusty bread</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">Directions:</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">1. In a large saucepan, mix chicken broth, onion, broccoli, garlic</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">powder, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover,</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">and simmer 10 minutes, or until vegetables are soft.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">2. Remove bay leaves and pour mixture into a food processor. Pulse</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">until smooth, approximately 1 minute. Reserve in a bowl.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">3. In the original saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour, salt, and a</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">little pepper until a thick paste forms. Add milk and cook, stirring</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">constantly, until mixture thickens. Add cheddar; stir until it</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">dissolves.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">4. Pour in broccoli mixture and cook until blended. If necessary, add</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">more chicken broth to thin. Season with additional salt and pepper.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">Serve with bread for dipping.</span> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);">Adapted from Parade: </span><a href="http://www.dashrecipes.com/blogs/dashboard/2011/04/24-Sunday-Dinner-Jodi-Picoult.html">http://www.dashrecipes.com/blogs/dashboard/2011/04/24-Sunday-Dinner-Jodi-Picoult.html</a></span>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-39239341769490014232012-02-19T17:48:00.000-08:002012-02-19T17:48:09.623-08:00The Vest that Never Was, or Making a Shrug from a RectangleLast year sometime I decided to make a vest from a book I got when I was learning to crochet, "Learn to Crochet in Just One Day." The patterns are a little old-fashioned, but I found the instructions to be super useful, if you're looking to learn how to crochet. In any case, I really liked the hole-y pattern of this vest, and I planned to change it up a little to make it less 80's looking. I had some pretty pink wool yarn I had gotten at Michael's on sale for super cheap, and for some reason at the time I thought this project would be super easy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRh3xedOJ1_x3L4adMrvzXfjRCi7MNEIeV_xLB4dUIYbYNv2b4woI8QIccRJ6z2zILOYBdxFUh96OKn_ElRtJlm43pev_JjZ1Hd0SwpOi6rAbCXaJhnT80FbqANhnLhpC3eyPl-S35O62/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRh3xedOJ1_x3L4adMrvzXfjRCi7MNEIeV_xLB4dUIYbYNv2b4woI8QIccRJ6z2zILOYBdxFUh96OKn_ElRtJlm43pev_JjZ1Hd0SwpOi6rAbCXaJhnT80FbqANhnLhpC3eyPl-S35O62/s200/Capture.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome 80's school picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In any case, I got about half-way through the pattern and stopped (I hate shaping around the chest area and making armpit holes), then decided to pick it back up this year when I was de-stashing my yarn. Tried it on again, wrapped it around me, and then realized (re-remembered?) that I had not made it wide enough to fit around my tummy. Oops. I had worked pretty hard to get as far as I had, and I really liked how nice the fabric looked, so I was determined not to waste my effort.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz9JKiXrWlWUGkm7NbXgTZRQgPZv-6iuMHEcjUldvViM-Y8zUrTgoaQYkUcvEv3S5CGZ-zUmZforpbniWvTvJkAo-Rht_LqPZiZK-5yOjmNjSYLAv7kotfvrgUM1QAhGL6Ou6KungEP4d/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz9JKiXrWlWUGkm7NbXgTZRQgPZv-6iuMHEcjUldvViM-Y8zUrTgoaQYkUcvEv3S5CGZ-zUmZforpbniWvTvJkAo-Rht_LqPZiZK-5yOjmNjSYLAv7kotfvrgUM1QAhGL6Ou6KungEP4d/s200/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I had read in a Lion yarn newsletter about turning <a href="http://blog.lionbrand.com/2012/01/24/how-to-turn-a-rectangle-into-a-shrug/?utm_source=20120127_Jan27&utm_medium=Emails&utm_campaign=Weeklynewsletter&utm_content=Blog-RectangleIntoaShrug">a rectangle into a shrug</a>, and Wa-La! I had my inspiration. Creating this shrug was so super simple, any beginning crochet or knit-er could do this project with a little patience. In a nutshell, crochet a rectangle that is long enough to cover the bottom of your shoulder blades. For this piece, I did crochet one, skip a stitch, etc. in order to get the pretty holes. You could use any pattern you like so long as it produces a nice rectangle shape. Then I turned the rectangle inside out and slip stitched a seam up until about my armpits and flipped it right side out. I went around the armholes in a single crochet for about 5 rounds just to give them a more distinct shape. Be sure to check out the above blog link if you decide to try this, or leave a comment if you have any questions.<br />
<br />
To finish, I slipped some flocked ribbon around the arm holes to make them a little tighter. Here is how it turned out:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udkT_knYJag/T0Gldo47DwI/AAAAAAAAANk/oHE1RrBcgTE/s1600/P2040184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udkT_knYJag/T0Gldo47DwI/AAAAAAAAANk/oHE1RrBcgTE/s200/P2040184.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQuxGCtR280/T0Glbanf8EI/AAAAAAAAANc/jf8Kqr6yhww/s1600/P2040181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQuxGCtR280/T0Glbanf8EI/AAAAAAAAANc/jf8Kqr6yhww/s200/P2040181.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
I was pretty happy with how this turned out, and am so excited to wear this around town! =)Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-91576678242327532192012-02-18T09:09:00.000-08:002012-02-18T09:11:26.595-08:00Oven Pancakes with Fruit CompoteI seem to be on a bit of a breakfast kick lately. Not sure why, except that breakfast is one of the most awesome meals of the day! I mentioned this recipe a few days <a href="http://cookcraftcrocheting.blogspot.com/2012/02/easy-pancake-recipe.html">ago</a>, and now that we're here in snowy Colorado and I had some extra time on my hands, I decided to try it out, compliments again of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764568779/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kylessite0e&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0764568779">Betty Crocker</a>.<br />
<br />
The recipe said it served 2-4 people, but I'm pretty sure it would only serve four small children. I doubled it for three people and baked them in two 6x6 glass containers instead of a pie pan. The only other thing I changed about the recipe was that I sprayed the pans with Pam and only melted a tablespoon of butter in each one, just to reduce the unhealthiness factor a bit. I thought they still tasted delicious! Reminded me a bit of a baked crepe.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYX-XNepfYcpHjpNqzbqshRlsTNpeikrdnblDSJ9-LeUxMnTjl9w0V3P2hvKAVeTJn5oXlDc-9WrZlEUYXo8i02vEZ5yHvLHDCLn005-2veTVfk0QBA6D6EG_pJNU_dkIUnDZGdMep0aGu/s1600/puffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYX-XNepfYcpHjpNqzbqshRlsTNpeikrdnblDSJ9-LeUxMnTjl9w0V3P2hvKAVeTJn5oXlDc-9WrZlEUYXo8i02vEZ5yHvLHDCLn005-2veTVfk0QBA6D6EG_pJNU_dkIUnDZGdMep0aGu/s200/puffy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffy pancake in all its finished glory!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I made a yummy cinnamon apple fruit compote to put on top, which hubby and I both agreed was a suitable replacement for syrup. Get the pancake batter in the oven and then start on the fruit.<br />
<br />
Fruit Compote:<br />
<br />
2 apples<br />
1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />
1/4 sugar<br />
1 1/2 cups water<br />
<br />
Chop the apples into small pieces. You can peel them, but I never do. Put your sugar, water and cinnamon in a sauce pan, stir it all together and cooking on high, let it come to a slow boil. Dump in the apples, stir it all together, and cover. Keep it at medium high and stir it every few minutes- it should be pretty bubbly the whole time. Cook until the apples are relatively soft. It took a little over 20 minutes for my fruit to be done, which timed very nicely with the pancakes coming out of the oven.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVf6rj4MfcEq0ri1HW6ShRS31qgWNAtoHTcVcJ4Zpuxf6ZNNkmyWYHxGsUp8iOH-Yi1Rb2OXFQc11YMl6anR3EuIZ7sNQhgW6BPFUUWOZLqLmtqrzyp6_Mcldv-X08RZXHqqwWBZkZs9d/s1600/uncooked+puffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVf6rj4MfcEq0ri1HW6ShRS31qgWNAtoHTcVcJ4Zpuxf6ZNNkmyWYHxGsUp8iOH-Yi1Rb2OXFQc11YMl6anR3EuIZ7sNQhgW6BPFUUWOZLqLmtqrzyp6_Mcldv-X08RZXHqqwWBZkZs9d/s200/uncooked+puffy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncooked pancake batter. You can see how buttery it is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFIEhBIV8GHFX0GE6a-lDkkWOR6LjIj8Pt4SScd_B3aZQXyCbGKIR7hYwQ443FyiPkpirQInHKV5z7zEW67SiaX7v7BL7JkrZvOafqeIoBNhZke4STc_Hr3jgBiA_eMI4Wn42Yi6Cbfq7/s1600/puffy+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFIEhBIV8GHFX0GE6a-lDkkWOR6LjIj8Pt4SScd_B3aZQXyCbGKIR7hYwQ443FyiPkpirQInHKV5z7zEW67SiaX7v7BL7JkrZvOafqeIoBNhZke4STc_Hr3jgBiA_eMI4Wn42Yi6Cbfq7/s200/puffy+finished.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5P7Ed_iZmeVI-3sVPkWBrjLSbfXXA7TAXaqYEjxNn_RP2kBfq_NefmcAl0-cRIPQeXgf_Negcn7NwHAzav6Vck9O7O64rOZ-7y68rEwwxKzb0856PQ5TsaCWmpftl52w6Tk8Ar9AYg_a/s1600/oven+pancake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5P7Ed_iZmeVI-3sVPkWBrjLSbfXXA7TAXaqYEjxNn_RP2kBfq_NefmcAl0-cRIPQeXgf_Negcn7NwHAzav6Vck9O7O64rOZ-7y68rEwwxKzb0856PQ5TsaCWmpftl52w6Tk8Ar9AYg_a/s640/oven+pancake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390225012781703785.post-67452119050209871012012-02-15T07:16:00.000-08:002012-02-15T07:16:03.641-08:00Heart Shaped Eggs...One Day LateHappy Late Day of Love! Hubby was gone yesterday morning for work, so I made him heart shaped eggs this morning instead. Was a pretty easy breakfast. Just warmed up the pan, put in my heart shaped cookie cutter, cracked the egg in, put some seasonings on top, and waited for it to fry. Took longer than usual for it to be ready to flip since the egg was contained within the heart shape, probably 4 minutes?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OsN5r0xxyS8/TzvKl2icpkI/AAAAAAAAAMc/FiW5XIqn3_8/s1600/egg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OsN5r0xxyS8/TzvKl2icpkI/AAAAAAAAAMc/FiW5XIqn3_8/s200/egg2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Since the pan was well greased, I was able to flip it over pretty easily. I let it cook for another 2-3 minutes and then I gently ran a butter knife around the cookie cutter so I could remove it. Would have been a much faster process if I had had two cookie cutters! Since Valentine's Day is already over, these would also be great as a sweet anniversary breakfast.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tWC_Ucln23o8WGxz4c-0UGG7oHMiYu9fx48GMv1p1ytNbcl6YszJX2Gg5sESbNwWF-bfm1WeDISxsF-7KZn6uQKkez5vl0SXbRJcHSGJkyYZKJaBS9n7RULH-kPN8hRMQiJ2EvfepyoO/s1600/egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tWC_Ucln23o8WGxz4c-0UGG7oHMiYu9fx48GMv1p1ytNbcl6YszJX2Gg5sESbNwWF-bfm1WeDISxsF-7KZn6uQKkez5vl0SXbRJcHSGJkyYZKJaBS9n7RULH-kPN8hRMQiJ2EvfepyoO/s320/egg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We are leaving on vacation today for a ski trip, but I will try to post once or twice while I am gone. =)Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11227171050356100335noreply@blogger.com0