Yarn Covered Letters

Perusing Pinterest, I came across the nifty idea to cover cardboard craft letters with yarn. I've seen several fun ones, so I got the letter L, thinking I might spell out Love...never mind it's also the first letter of my first name. Coincidence? Maybe. Anyway. I thought it was going to be super easy. And, mostly, it was. But, I just couldn't figure out how to get the corners, and the edges. I read to tape, but the tape showed. I read it should just hold if you pull it taut enough. Yeah, it does, but it moves a bit too. Finally, I read, hot glue the yarn to the letter. I LOVE hot glue. And, it truly saved my butt with this letter. I hot glued the yarn all the way around each edge a few times. This allowed me to just wrap the letter two times, both vertical and horizontal so that I could cover all of the letter. This is how it turned out. Not bad for a first try.

Pillows and Pillow Covers

This past weekend, I was feeling super crafty with pillows. My kids love sewing when it has anything to do with stuffing things, and the best things to stuffy are what? You got it. Pillows! Well, I'm always trying to figure out what my niche is, and how I can turn my crafty energy into money, so I thought I would learn how to do the envelope closure on a pillow case. I think I mentioned before how my friend introduced me to the remnants bin at JoAnn Fabrics. My daughter likes Volleyball, and I came across this fabric. And, luckily I had enough to try out his new technique. Well, unfortunately, I haven't yet gotten great at my accuracy with my rotary cutter and measuring board. So, this turned out to be about a pillow cover for a 10x10. A bit of an odd size for a pillow form. My daughter thought she needed this, so of course I had to whip up a pillow to fit. Thankfully, that was a bit easier, although to be honest, the cover was pretty easy. Anyway, I learned how to do an invisible seam when closing off this white pillow. Love. So pretty. These pillows caused me to have to make 3 more pillows over the course of the weekend. 1 more so my 6 year old daughter could sew, and 2 for my son, so he didn't feel left out.

New Etsy Listing

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91119574/hunger-games-pillow

No Guilt Pizza, the rest

Ta da! Isn't it beautiful?






So, here's the Cauliflower Crust--found the recipe from a blog off of Pinterest.com


Ingredients:
1 c cooked, riced cauliflower (ricing info in previous blog entry)--one large head is about 3 c. cooked
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten (I forgot to beat it, but it worked out)
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp crushed garlic (I used chopped from a jar)
1/2 tsp garlic salt

So, rice the cauliflower, then cook in microwave for 8 min. You don't needed to add water. It makes enough of it's own moisture. Then, mix with the cheese, egg, and spices. Spray a cookie sheet ( I used a glass pie plate) Spread out with your hands, and then brush olive oil to help with browning (optional)

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven. Set to broiler on Low. Add toppings and cheese. I just added my sauteed veggies, and pizza cheese and seasoned grape tomatoes. Broil until cheese is melted. I went about 6 min.

OK, what I read on the other blog was that this might need to be eaten with a fork more so than holding with hands, but really, I held mine just fine in my hands. And, it was delish! So yummy! And, like I said, GUILT FREE!!!

Totally Guilt Free Pizza

Ok, I apologize for this being a totally crazy format, but I could only upload 5 images, so the end result will be in my following blog post. Also, I can't seem to get some of my photos to unalign themselves.



I found this great recipe for a cauliflower crust on Pinterest. So, step one is to rice cauliflower. This can be done with a food processor, or a cheese grater, as I've done here.














Step two is to put the shredded cauliflower in the microwave--this is what rices it. Then, you mix it with egg, mozzarella cheese, and spices.

Ok, here is where I can't get my pictures to do what I want so.
First picture below is of the crust after I smoothed it out in a pin pan. Then, I baked it at 450 for 15 min. Meanwhile, I sauteed some veggies. Here I have broccoli, onion, and black olives. I sliced grape tomatoes and seasoned them with Italian seasoning, although they are not sauteed.

The last picture is the crust right after I took it out of the oven. After adding my toppings, I broiled it on Low for about 6 min.

The Hunger Games

My friend received a pillow that was just stamped--nothing else--in a Craftster swap she did awhile ago. Well, she's become really obsessed with The Hunger Games trilogy, and decided she wanted to create her own Craftster swap--The Hunger Games. So far, it's been very successful. She filled up all her spots in a matter of days. Anyway, I had just read the trilogy, and couldn't think of anything that I could make to do the swap, so I didn't join. But then, suddenly, I got inspiration. And, as she had introduced me to the fabulous crafting medium: Heat N Bond. So, I went online. I found an image of the mockingjay symbol. I also found a fabulous fire printout. I enlarged them to the size I wanted. Next, fabric. So, I scavenged the 50% bins, and found this great red satin. I cut it to size using my new rotary cutting board and ruler! Then, I used the fabulous Heat N Bond for the first time. So amazing. I then stitched around my apliques to hold them in place. Since satin frays so badly, I gave it about 1/2 in seam to hold the fray before I sewed 3 sides together. Since my friend lives a few hours from me, and this is going to go on a pillow she already has, I'm gonna just pop it in the mail, and she can just stitch up that last side, and her very un-impressive swap pillow will suddenly take new form, and new charm!

Shoes and Shirts

Ok, so yesterday I was supposed to take a self-portrait, but I decided to today, because I found this really cute shirt at Cato, with the bright pink tank that look super cute with my pink heels from Deb.

30 Day Photography Challenge, Day 30

Day 30:
1/10/12

Challenge:
Self Portrait






I really wasn't feeling this challenge considering day one was a self-portrait as well, so I just randomly selected a picture of myself I had on my computer. Luckily, I came across this one taken in May of last year, and I rather like it. I am so relieved this challenge is over. It was fun, but I'm ready for a respite.

Pay it forward

I was running errands in Athens, and I saw this man staring at the ground holding a "homeless: anything will help" sign. Normally, I'm fairly hesitant about helping out people like this b/c you never know if they are scamming, or whatever. And, I would NEVER give out cash. Anyway, there was just something about this guy. Jarron and I were on our way to grab a hot-n-ready Little Ceasar's pizza, and I just knew if I didn't circle back and give that man a few slices, I'd feel awful. So, I did. And, wow. It just feels so great to give this man what could possibly be his only meal today--and a hot meal at that. I'm not looking for praise. I'm just feeling so happy to be able to help someone.

30 Day Photography Challenge, Day 29

Day 29:
1/9/12

Challenge:
Black and White






This is a section of my bedding comforter. I love the shapes, and thought it would be neat to see it in black and white.

30 Day Photography Challenge, Day 28

Day 28:
1/8/12

Challenge:
Flowers


The problem with this challenge is that it's "Winter" and I put Winter in quotes because it's been Spring-like most of the "Winter" so far. Anyway, that being said, I don't have any flowers at home, and nothing is blooming, and I have no desire to trek to greenhouses or anything to find a flower to photograph for this challenge. So, second best: my plant/tree. I've had this tree for about 10 years now. It just keeps on growing and growing and growing.

Molded Hand Keepsake Crafting

I found this nifty blog:
http://thenewnew.blogspot.com/2011/06/homemade-polymer-clay.html?m=1

with some directions on making homemade polymer clay. I decided, what the heck, I'm gonna try it. And, you know what? It seemed to work out for me. I made imprints of my kids hands, and then cut them out and they've been sitting out drying and hardening for several weeks. Today, my daughter painted hers. What a fun keepsake!


I left a small hole in it so I can hang it as an ornament on the Christmas tree, if I like.

30 Day Photography Challenge, Day 27

Day 27:
1/7/12

Challenge:
From a distance

30 Day Photography Challenge, Day 26

Day 26:
1/6/12

Challenge:
Close up


What's this? Leonard and Sheldon in my bed?

30 Day Photography Challenge, Day 25

Day 25:
1/5/12

Challenge:
Shoes

Day 24:
1/4/12

Challenge:
Animal


Ok, I'm cheating. I took this picture a day or two ago of my dog, but she look so cute, I'm using it for today's challenge!

30 Day Photography Challenge, Day 23

Day 23:
1/3/12

Challenge:
Sunflare


Trying to catch a sunflare today was a bit difficult because the sun kept wanting to hide behind the clouds, but I managed to get it.

30 Day Photography Challenge, Day 22

Day 22:
1/2/12

Challenge:
Hands


I LOVE how this one turned out!

30 Day Photography Challenge, Day 21

Day 21:
Happy New Year
1/1/12

Challenge:
Faceless Self Portrait





I had many ideas for this, but it's not spring, so there aren't pretty leaves on the trees. I don't live near the beach, and the windows in my home aren't pretty at all. I wanted to take a picture where I was supposed to be gazing pensively at something, and this is what I came up with. It's not great. My hair's kinda messy. I didn't choose phenomenal clothes to wear, but it's real, and that's what matters.

My 2011 in books.

1. Love Me to Death--Allison Brennan
2) Ramona and Her Father-- Beverly Cleary (to my 5 year old)
3) Love Is Murder: A Novella--Allison Brennan
4) Safe Haven--Nicholas Sparks
5) Last Look--Mariah Stewart
6) Fractured--Karin Slaughter
7) A Cold Day For Murder--Dana Stabenow
8) Inconceivable: A Medical Mistake......--Carolyn And Sean Savage
9) Last Words--Mariah Stewart
10) Ramona and Her Mother--Beverly Cleary (to my 5 year old)
11) Kiss Me, Kill Me--Allison Brennan
12) Love You More--Lisa Gardner
13) Last Breath--Mariah Stewart
14) Marley and Me--John Grogan
15) Ramona Quimby, Age 8--Beverly Cleary (to my 5 year old)
16) Devious--Lisa Jackson
17) Sing You Home--Jodi Picoult
18) I'll Walk Alone--Mary Higgins Clark
19) Pretend You Don't See Her--Mary Higgins Clark
20) Ramona Forever--Beverly Cleary (to my 5 year old)
21) Let Me Call You Sweetheart--Mary Higgins Clark
22) Land Of The Living--Nikki French
23) Heartsick--Chelsea Cain
24) You Belong To Me--Karen Rose
25) Sweetheart--Chelsea Cain
26) Evil At Heart--Chelsea Cain
27) A Month Of Summer--Lisa Wingate
28) Watch Me Die--Erica Spindler
29) The Night Season--Chelsea Cain
30) Fallen--Karin Slaughter
31) Born To Die--Lisa Jackson
32) Final Truth-- Mariah Stewart
33) Goodnight Nobody-- Jennifer Weiner
34) Nobody's Darling-- Gina Ardito
35) Barefoot--Elin Hilderbrand
36) Emily and Einstein--Linda Francis Lee
37) Grace--Shelley Shepard Gray
38) Then Came You--Jennifer Weiner
39) Still Missing--Chevy Stevens
40) Left Neglected-- Lisa Genova
41) My Sister's Voice--Mary Carter
42) If I Should Die--Allison Brennan
43) The Hunger Games--Suzanne Collins