tuesday's true confession: are you teetering on the edge?

Okay, I was totally blown away by the response to last week's confession.  Can you believe that there are more bed-leavers than bed-makers?  I honestly thought that I was a lone sheep wandering in the wilderness of messy beds.  I also have to admit that I felt a little inspired by those who do make their beds, and so . . . wait for it . . . I made my bed and my daughters' beds once last week!  (Oh how I wish I would have taken a picture of such a rare moment in history!)  Let's not focus on the fact that I made the beds because we had a window inspector go through the house last week, and I felt somehow obligated to make it look like we are bed-makers.  Let's focus on the fact that I MADE THE BEDS!  (On a side note, why do I care what a complete stranger thinks about my messy beds?  Hmmm . . . I'm going to have to spend sometime contemplating that one.) 

Now, on to a different topic . . . this week's confession . . . I'm slightly obsessed with blogging - reading, writing, crafting so I can then blog about the crafting.  There I said it.  I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one.  I'm guessing one or two of you reading this right now are teetering with me on the edge of obsession.

It started innocently enough . . . I wanted to start a little blog for friends and family to read in order to keep myself accountable to my homemade Christmas goal.  I thought maybe ten - at most - of my closest friends and family would read along and keep my feet to the fire.  But then I got sucked in.  I started reading and following other blogs.  I started posting on my own blog almost daily.  Then . . . people I didn't even know started reading my blog, and I started referring to my bloggy friends in conversations with my husband.  

--Here's how those conversations go . . . Me: Well, a friend of mine said . . .   Husband: Is this a real friend or someone you met through your blog?  Me:  Uhm . . . someone I met through my blog.  Husband:  That doesn't count.  Me:  Sure it does . . . bloggy people can be friends too.  Husband: sigh--   

My point is that I'm in too deep.  And my ever so patient husband finally said this the other day, "If you are going to spend so much time doing this, could you at least support our family with it?" 

And I said, "I don't know . . . can you support our family by watching football?"  Okay, I didn't really say that because, truth be told, he spends way less time watching football than I do crafting and blogging . . . like I said, he's a pretty patient guy.

But he did have a point . . . I could at least try to use the thing I love to buy a yard of fabric so that I can do more of the thing I love.  So I'm starting . . . I'm starting to venture into the sponsorship and etsy gig . . . I'm starting VERY slowly . . . snails' pace slow.  Maybe by Christmas I'll be able to buy a yard of fabric AND a roll of shiny ribbon.  I can always dream, right?!  

Yep . . . I'm definitely obsessed.  What about you?

Confess on!

monday's buttons

one blog
two buttons

loads of inspiration

seven thirty three: a creative blog

Chances are you've been to see Kim at seven thirty three: a creative blog.  But did you know that she has a second blog for her custom blog design business?  She answered the questions below in response to her creative blog, but go check out her blog design work as well.  Perhaps you will be inspired to have a little blog makeover!  As you can tell from her whimsical creative buttons, she's one talented gal!

1) How would you describe your blog to someone who has never been by for a visit?

A creative paradise for crafters and non-crafters alike! I like to post tutorials and ideas that float around in my head. I also feature lots of great projects from others around the blogosphere. Anything that catches my eye and makes me think, I want to try that, I will feature. I also offer freebies, link parties and blog design.

2) When did you start blogging? What got you interested in blogging?
I started blogging just over a year ago. I had so many ideas bouncing around in my head all the time... whether they be original or something I saw. I figured someone could benefit from having them on "paper". After checking out all the other amazing craft bloggers I thought I would throw my hand in the mix and have had a blast doing so.

3) How does your blog button reflect your blog or your personality?
As a graphic designer I spend lots of time on other peoples designs and when it comes time to design for myself I usually go blank! I have had several buttons in the last year and finally decided to sit down and really come up with a blog design that fit my personality. I am really happy with this button. I think the font is fun, and the design is simple, yet eye catching. Simple and modern is right up my alley!

4) Did you craft your button or did you inspire someone else to craft it for you?
As I mentioned above I designed it myself. I have actually seen a one or two similar to mine pop up since I posted mine, so I guess I need to keep in mind that imitation is the best form of flattery, right?

5) What kind of buttons stick out to you when you are looking around in blogland?
Anything with a pop of color, that is out of the ordinary. I like unique buttons, that you look at and say, "Wow! That is eye catching, so cool!" and if it makes me say "I wish I thought of that!", all the better.

Thanks Kim!

Blog on!

feed me friday: tex-mex layered enchiladas

Today's Feed Me Friday is featuring another recipe that was a part of the 30 Day Food Challenge over at A Vision to Remember.

I'm a vegetarian, so our family does meatless meals. Some vegetarian families get stuck in a pasta rut, but there are so many great non-pasta options out there.  In fact, I can turn almost any meat-based recipe into a meatless recipe with just a little creativity!  (Likewise, you can turn this into a meat-based recipe by just substituting ground beef.  But give it a try without.  You might just like it!)  Also, I typically try to sneak in some extra veggies here, there and everywhere, so in this recipe you will see chopped red pepper, grated or finely chopped zucchini.  (Again, you can leave it out, but give this a try too.  You might just like this too . . . or at least not even notice.)  Here's one of our family favorites:

Tex-Mex Layered Enchiladas

Prep:
1)  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2)  Spray 13x9 pan (or split recipe into 2 8x8 pans - 1 for baking now and one for freezing)

Here's what you need:
-1 lb. ground meat substitute like Morning Star Farms or Boca (or ground beef)
-1 can black beans
-1 sweet red pepper chopped
-1 zucchini grated or finely chopped
-1/2 a medium onion - chopped
-2 cups of salsa
-1/4 cup Zesty Italian Dressing (Light)
-2 Tbsp. taco seasoning or fajita seasoning
-6 large or 9 small whole wheat tortillas
-2 to 3 cups light sour cream
-1 pkg light cheddar cheese

Here's what you do:
1) Heat meat substitute (or saute brown ground beef) with onion, red pepper, and zucchini on medium heat.

2) Add salsa, drained black beans, Italian dressing, taco seasoning and stir together.

3) Arrange 2 large tortillas (or 3 small) on bottom of pan.

4) Cover with 1/3 of bean mixture, sour cream and cheese.

5) Repeat with two more layers starting with tortillas again.

6) Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Freeze and cook later directions:
-Freeze for up to 3 months.
-Bake 1 hour with foil on.
-Remove foil and bake 15 minutes.
-Let stand 5 minutes before serving.


Serve with whole wheat cornbread, steamed veggies and a mixed fresh fruit salad.  

Cook on!


Linking to the following great sites this week!
Weekend - a little lovely, Craft Envy, Under the Table and Dreaming, Be Different Act Normal, A Vision to Remember

Monday - Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, The Trendy Treehouse, C.R.A.F.T, Making the World Cuter, Mad in Crafts, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Between Naps on the Porch, Tools Are For Women,  It's So Very Cheri, Skip to My Lou

Tuesday - All Thingz Related, Sugar Bee, New Nostalgia, Creative Itch, Lucky Star Lane, Hope Studios, These Creative Juices, My Delicious Ambiguity, Today's Creative Blog-Get Your Craft On!

Wednesday - It's So Very Cheri, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blue Cricket Design, Trendy Treehouse, Tea Rose Home, Someday Crafts, My Backyard Eden, Sew Much Ado, Night Owl Crafting

Thursday -  Fireflies and Jellybeans, Life As Lori, House of Hepworths, Somewhat Simple, Seven Thirty Three, The Train to Crazy, PonyTails and FishScales, Black Kat's Design          

the make-your-own-lunch mat

Today was the day . . . THE day . . . the first day of kindergarten  When my oldest started preschool last fall, I immediately started dreading kindergarten.  That's right . . . I've been dreading the first day of kindergarten for an entire year.  Yikes! 

But my beautiful and brave daughter handled herself wonderfully, and I could not be more proud. 

Check out the pics:

I have two goals as we begin this part of life's journey:

1. To avoid chaos and craziness in the morning.  Okay, I know chaos and craziness cannot always be avoided, but I can try.  Right?  Tell me that I can try . . . please! 
2. To help my daughter take an active role in getting herself ready for school.

So here's one little trick I've implemented to help my 5 year old pack her own lunch and to make sure that said lunch is well-rounded nutritionally. 

The Make-Your-Own-Lunch Mat

Here's what you need:
1 - package of laminating film or at least two sheets
1 - print outs of a food pyramid
2 - sets of individual pics that represent items from the food pyramid and lunch options*
1 - card stock page cut to about 1/4 of an inch smaller than the laminating film
1 - glue or tape
1 - roll of clear packaging or Duck tape

*My daughter and I did this project together, so we looked through pictures on my computer and she chose the ones she wanted.

Here's what you do:
1) Glue or tape food pyramid on one side of card stock

2)  Press onto laminating page.  Push firmly.

3)  On the other side, glue or tape individual pictures into groupings.  I did fruit, veggies, whole grain and protein.  These are the four basics that I wanted to focus on.  My daughter knows that she has to pick one item from each of these categories for her lunch.

4)  Press this side onto laminating page making sure to match edges.  Push firmly.

5)  Now use clear packaging tape to secure the second set of pictures to clear containers that will hold lunch options.  Again, the boxes are divided into fruit, veggies (this pic was taped on the veggie drawer in the fridge), whole grains and protein.  (Check out the plastic fruit I pulled from the play kitchen to remind her that there grapes and strawberries in the fridge.)

6)  Store mat and food storage containers in a place that your child can reach.  I also have one container that has baked chips and organic Honey Bunnies (similar to Teddy Grahams).  She gets to pick one of these for her lunch too - either baked chips or Honey Bunnies, but not both.) 

7)  My daughter pulls out the mat and picks one choice for fruit.  She places her choice over the fruit picture on the mat.  Then she moves on to protein . . . covering each picture as she goes until all the pics are covered.  I help with any cutting, sandwich making, etc., but for the most part she can do this herself. 

And she LOVES doing it!  We've only done this three times (once for practice, once last night and once tonight), but it's been a huge hit so far. 

Implement lunch-making into your bedtime routine, so that lunch is made and ready to go without any fuss in the morning.  Insert ice pack and any cold containers right before heading out the door.

A fun, practical crafty project . . .

craft on!

I may link to these great sites throughout the week.  Go check them out by clicking on the links below or visiting my "I like to party" page!

Weekend - a little lovely, Craft Envy, Under the Table and Dreaming, Be Different Act Normal, A Vision to Remember, 504 Main - Tickled Pink, Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello, I heart naptime 

Monday - Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, The Trendy Treehouse, CRAFT, Making the World Cuter, Mad in Crafts, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Between Naps on the Porch, Tools Are For Women,  It's So Very Cheri, Skip to My Lou

Tuesday - All Thingz Related, Sugar Bee, New Nostalgia, Creative Itch, Lucky Star Lane, Hope Studios, These Creative Juices, My Delicious Ambiguity, Today's Creative Blog-Get Your Craft On!

Wednesday - It's So Very Cheri, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blue Cricket Design, Trendy Treehouse, Tea Rose Home, Someday Crafts, My Backyard Eden, Sew Much Ado, Night Owl Crafting

Thursday -  Fireflies and Jellybeans, Life As Lori, House of Hepworths, Somewhat Simple, Seven Thirty Three, The Train to Crazy, PonyTails and FishScales, Black Kat's Design

Friday - The Sabby Nest, A Little Knick Knack, Fingerprints on the Fridge, It's Fun to Craft!, It's a Hodgepodge Life, Kojo Designs, Amy Lou Who, A Few of My Favorite Things, Simply Sweet Home, Frou Frou Decor, Remodelaholic

doll bassinet tutorial: part 2

Welcome to part two of the doll bassinet tutorial! 

I need to make my usual disclaimer to remind you that I am NOT a professional.  I truly make this stuff up, so if you are an amazing sewer, you will probably read this tutorial and cringe like crazy over all the things I do technically wrong.  I learned a lot from this first bassinet, and I actually made the second one very differently.  However, if I made another bassinet, I would probably go back to this method.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Hop over to part one for a complete materials' list and instructions for the lining.

Here's what you do for the outside body of the bassinet:
1) Pin quilt batting to the wrong side of the outside body fabric.

2)  Quilt these batting and fabric pieces together however you want.  You could do diagonal crossing lines to make a diamond pattern or you could do fancy squiggly lines OR you could be like me . . . lazy and also very unskilled with a sewing machine which means you will just sew straight parallel lines every inch. ;)

3)  For a little pop of color I added a ribbon about a 1/2 from the top edge of the body piece.  You could sew it on with a fancy stitch or you could go my route: FABRIC GLUE . . . the best friend of a lazy crafter who happens to also have difficulty sewing narrow things. 

4)  Pin bottom of body piece (piece with ribbon attached at top) right sides together all around the bottom body piece.

5)  Sew around the edge where the body and the bottom meet.  Then pin and sew the opening where the two ends of the body piece meet up.  (In the picture below, you see the seem of where the two ends meet up on the right hand side of the picture.)  When you are done sewing, the piece will look like this:

6) Moving on to the outside of the hood . . . use the arch of the lining piece as a guide for the arch on the outside hood piece and the quilt batting for the hood.  Pin the batting to the wrong side of the hood fabric. 

7)  Quilt the hood and batting in the same way you did the body quilting.  I just did straight lines every inch.

8)  Make the hood for the outside the same way you made the hood for the lining.  Fold arch piece in half and pin the side opposite the arch. Pin along that edge about five inches.  Sew.

9) Take the opening between the last stitch of the 5 inch section and the fold and open it. Then flatten it so it is perpindicular (or makes a T) to the five inch section.  Pin and sew along edge. 

10)  Flip the outside hood piece right side out.  The back will look like this.

11)  Take the hood lining and place the hood lining over the outside hood piece MAKING SURE RIGHT SIDES ARE TOGETHER.

12)  Pin together along arched edge and sew.

13)  Flip right sides out.  I ended up putting a matching ribbon on the hood edge as well which I put on at this step (not pictured).

14)  Now comes the fun . . . seeing it all come together!  There are a few steps here that I don't have pics for because I got too excited to take pics.  I just wanted to get it done!

16)  Make sure outside body piece is right side out now, and insert lining into body piece so that the wrong sides of both piece are together.

17)  Tuck in and pin top edges of body piece and lining all around inserting and pinning straps and hood as you go.

18)  Top stitch all the way around the edge of the bassinet body.

Done! 

As I mentioned above, I finished number two bassinet, and I'm on to the blanket and pillow next which means that I . . .

craft on!

I may link to these great sites throughout the week!  Go check them out!
Weekend - along for the ride, a little lovely, Craft Envy, Under the Table and Dreaming, Be Different Act Normal, A Vision to Remember, 504 Main - Tickled Pink, Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello, I heart naptime 

Monday - Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, The Trendy Treehouse, CRAFT, Making the World Cuter, Mad in Crafts, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Between Naps on the Porch, Tools Are For Women,  It's So Very Cheri, Skip to My Lou

Tuesday - All Thingz Related, Sugar Bee, New Nostalgia, Creative Itch, Lucky Star Lane, Hope Studios, These Creative Juices, My Delicious Ambiguity, Today's Creative Blog-Get Your Craft On!

Wednesday - It's So Very Cheri, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blue Cricket Design, Trendy Treehouse, Tea Rose Home, Someday Crafts, My Backyard Eden, Sew Much Ado, Night Owl Crafting

Thursday -  Fireflies and Jellybeans, Life As Lori, House of Hepworths, Somewhat Simple, Seven Thirty Three, The Train to Crazy, PonyTails and FishScales, Black Kat's Design

Friday - The Sabby Nest, A Little Knick Knack, Fingerprints on the Fridge, It's Fun to Craft!, It's a Hodgepodge Life, Kojo Designs, Amy Lou Who, A Few of My Favorite Things, Simply Sweet Home, Frou Frou Decor, Remodelaholic

tuesday's true confession: six-year-old sheet logic

Time for Tuesday's True Confession, and I'm having trouble choosing what to confess. 

I could confess that this beautiful baby

is starting kindergarten in two days, and I am feeling a bit achy inside.

I could confess that I'm having serious hair issues that make me feel ugly.

I could confess someone - a person that I don't even know - did something that made me doubt myself today and that made me angry.

But instead of all that serious baggage, I'm going to confess this:

I don't make my bed . . . AND . . . I don't make my five year old make her bed either.  I know . . . shocking, isn't it?  I just tucked her into bed for the night.  The covers were all bunched up at the bottom of the bed, and it didn't bother me one bit! 

When I was growing up, my mom used to force me to make my bed every morning.  This chore totally confused me, and I had very logical little-kid reasons for why it was silly to make my bed:

1)  I'm just going to get back in it when it was time for bed again.
2)  Making a bed wasted valuable time I could have used for a variety of other things.
3)  . . .

Okay, I only had two reasons, but I was six so give me a break.

I also said things like, "I will never force my kids to make their beds." 

There's something you should know about me . . . when I say I am or I am not going to do something, I pretty much stick to that just to prove a point.  I'm stubborn . . . but that's for a different confession. 

I'm now thirty-three, and I feel the exact same way about making beds as I did when I was six.  I don't do it, and I don't make my kids do it.  And I probably never will.  There I said it!

What about you?  Are you a bed-maker or a bed-leaver?

Confess on!

excuses . . . excuses . . . excuses

No Monday's Buttons post this week. 

I have a good excuse reason.

Well, I have lots of good excuses reasons.

1) I'm way behind on my fifth craft till Christmas due to a VERY FRUSTRATING measuring and cutting mistake.  The most frustrating part is that there is no one to blame except me . . . ugh . . . I hate it when that happens.  Every spare minute for the next week will be spent on this project.

2) We had a short two-day trip out of town this last weekend which definitely cramped my bloggy-style.  But I got my first haircut in almost seven months . . . woo hoo!  Please don't ask why I have to take a two-day trip to get my hair cut.

3) My oldest starts kindergarten this week, and I've been hard at work gathering school supplies, labeling school supplies, gathering healthy and simple lunch options and thinking of a good first-day surprise for the teacher and class.

4) My husband and I are celebrating seven years of marriage today.  Here we are practicing vows the night before our wedding: 

We had planned to celebrate by driving 45 minutes away to have the husband fitted for a new suit and then driving 45 minutes back home and going to work the rest of the day.  Doesn't that sound exciting?!  Well, our day actually did get way more exciting . . . or frustrating . . . yep, I'm going to go with frustrating!  I dropped the husband off at the suit place so he could get started while I ran a quick errand at another store.  With quick errand done, I returned to the car . . . and this is where it gets good . . . or frustrating . . . yep, I'm going to go with frustrating again . . . insert key in ignition . . . nothing!  Wait . . . I'm no car expert, but when you insert a key into the ignition and turn it, isn't the engine supposed to start or something like that?  So, turns out that the very same car that had been running fine not even 15 minutes earlier was now not running fine.  I trekked myself back to the suit store and relayed the good news (thick sarcasm intended) to the husband who replied with, "Happy anniversary?!"  (And yes, it sounded much more like a question than a statement of fact.)

To make a long story short (a story that involved A LOT of walking) our brief morning together turned into a very long day separated with the wife (me . . . in case you needed clarification) parked at Starbucks and the husband parked at the mechanic across town.  

Happy Anniversary?!  Indeed! 

Even though we aren't living it up on our anniversary, I'm so thankful for the seven years we've had to figure out life together.

What did your Monday bring?  Time to do everything you hoped to do?  Or an expected trek? 

Craft on!

sunday kids' craft: recycling old cards into kids' art

It's been a few weeks since I shared a Sunday kids' craft.  We've been crafting, but mostly with ordinary things . . .

like this

and this

and this

and this

Sometimes it's the simple things . . . crayons, foam stickers, paint markers, glue, scissors . . . that are the most fun.

That last picture is one of my favorite simple kids' crafts . . . cards recycled into art. 

Do you keep the cards that you are given for birthdays, anniversaries, Easter, Thanksgiving, etc?  If you don't, you are missing out on a simple and entertaining craft supply.  When we receive cards in our family, I simply cut off the front of the card or cut out any graphics on the inside or back.  Then I tuck these cut-outs into a craft container.  Here's a quick glance at my messy collection:

But this messy container becomes a source of super kid creativity as the girls pick through the cards choosing the ones that will become pictures like this:

My daughter told me that this is a picture of me giving her gifts on her birthday.  (She did an incredible job cutting out those gifts.  And I love how she cut out the solid colored card paper for the pants, shirt and dress which is complete with a contrasting pocket . . . she's a budding designer.  I'm a little surprised that she left me bald.  Maybe she thinks I would look really good bald.) 

And we are holding hands too . . . so cute!

I asked her why she was frowning.  She said, "I forgot how to draw a smile for a second, so I'm just smiling upside down."  I guess that's what a frown is . . . just an upside down smile waiting to be turned right side up! 

So start filing away those cards and your child might just be a budding recycled card artist.

Craft on!

I may link this idea to some of these great parties.

feed me friday: crumble-berry pie

I don't like getting stuck in a rut, and right now I feel stuck in a rut.  Why?  Well, because this blog is all crafty stuff.  That's the point of my goal after all . . . craft all my Christmas gifts.  I want to stay pretty focused on that, but I feel like every once in a while I need a crafting reprieve.  And since this is my blog, I guess I get to do whatever I want.  (There are so few place in life I get to say that . . . none actually . . . except this blog.)  

A few weeks ago I wrote up a little recipe for the 30 Day Food Challenge over at A Vision to Remember.  I have a few more recipes coming up over there in the next few weeks.  I had so much fun sharing recipes food crafts; rather than crafty crafts that I'm going to do a little post on Fridays called Feed Me Friday.  (Don't you love how so many blog features use alliteration.  I tried not to, but I just couldn't help myself.)  I'm going to post a new recipe every Friday until I get sick of doing it.  Then I'll stop.  I'm hoping to stick with it long enough to get into some Christmas recipes.  I LOVE Christmas recipes! 

Today's first Feed Me Friday is featuring my first recipe in the 30 Day Food Challenge. 

This recipe is one of the those projects that I just figured out while messing around in the kitchen.  It's a berry pie/fruit crisp hybrid.  It's so easy and yummy!  Two of my favorite things! 

Crumble-Berry Pie

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

What you need:
- 4 cups of any combination of fresh or thawed berries (I usually use blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 T. flour
- 1 T. lemon juice
- 1 t. vanilla
- a dash of salt
- 9 inch deep dish pie shell
- 1/2 t. cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup regular oats
- 1/4 cup butter, melted

What you do:
1) In pot on medium heat, cook sugar, water, flour, lemon juice, vanilla and salt until blended and thick.  Stir and watch so that mixture doesn't burn. Remove from heat.

2) Add berries and stir - enfolding berries into sugar mixture.

3) Pour berry mixture into 9 inch deep dish pie shell.

4) Mix cinnamon, brown sugar, flour, oats and melted butter in a bowl.

5) Crumble mixture over berries completely covering it and sealing to the crust edge.

6) Place on cookie sheet and about bake 45 minutes on middle rack.

7) Cool, cut, serve and ENJOY! 

Cook on!