Sunday, July 31, 2011

Blog Party Sunday -- Show Us Your Handmades

 It's blog party time.   It's your chance to show off what you are making for yourself,  for gifts, or to sell.   We want to see it all.


The rules are simple:

1. Follow our blog

2. Handmade items only.

3. You may list up to 3 items.

4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops, post about it on your blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.

Just click on the Add Your Link button at the end of this post and add your items.

And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.












Saturday, July 30, 2011

Time Saver Recipes - Three Bean Salad

Photo and Recipe from www.simplyrecipes.com


Prep time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS
1 15-oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-oz can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
2 celery stalks, chopped fine
1/2 red onion, chopped fine
1 cup fresh, finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 Tbsp fresh finely chopped rosemary
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

DIRECTIONS
1.  In a large bowl, mix the beans, celery, onion, parsley and rosemary.
2.  In a separate small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add the dressing to the beans. Toss to coat.
3.  Chill beans in the refrigerator for several hours, to allow the beans to soak up the flavor of the dressing.

Yield: Serves 4 to 8.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Today's Featured Shop -- The Rusty Thimble

Today's featured shop is The Rusty Thimble.     Brenda specializes in making primitive dolls and critters.


Primitive Crow


 Primitive Pumpkin Gal


 Primitive Folkart Snowman



Vintage Grater Gingerbread



Visit Brenda's shop to see all her delightful handmades.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/RustyThimble

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Thursday Giveaway Link Party --- Add Your Giveaway

 Our weekly giveaway link opportunity is a way for you to share your giveaways with our readers. 


The rules are easy:
You must be a follower of our blog.

Add our logo to your blog sidebar.





When you enter the title of your giveaway, please add the end date of your giveaway.

Be sure the url is the direct link to your giveaway blog post.

Family friendly giveaways only.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Handmade Spotlight - Turquoise Galore


Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Tuesday Tutorial ---- Making Pillowcases

Making your own pillowcases is a great way to save money. Bedding is very expensive today!

This video tutorial shows you how easy it is to make a pillowcase with enclosed seams so you have no visible seams when you are done.

You could make this with just basic sewing skills.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Organizing - Under The Kitchen Sink

I found this really inspiring blog post at www,jengrantmorris.blogspot.com for organizing under the sink. She shares both a before and after photo with really awesome results.

Here's a sneak peek... I just love how she used the tension rod to hang the spray bottles. She has other great ideas so be sure to visit.




After looking around a little more I found this under sink transformation at www.organizewithsandy.com. She has both before and after photos and there's quite a transformation.




I also thought this was a clever idea using cleaning totes, you can grab what you need or take the whole thing with you. Check out www.pinecreekstyle.blogspot.com




Thanks for joining us today!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Blog Party Sunday -- Show Us Your Handmades

 It's blog party time.   It's your chance to show off what you are making for yourself,  for gifts, or to sell.   We want to see it all.


The rules are simple:

1. Follow our blog

2. Handmade items only.

3. You may list up to 3 items.

4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops, post about it on your blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.

Just click on the Add Your Link button at the end of this post and add your items.

And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.












Saturday, July 23, 2011

Time Saver Recipes - Beef Stuffed Zucchini

Wondering what to do with all that extra zucchini you have in your garden?? I found  yummy recipe form www.tasteofhome.com

Photo by: Taste of Home

Beef-Stuffed Zucchini Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 4 medium zucchini
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup marinara or spaghetti sauce
  • 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  • Additional marinara or spaghetti sauce

Directions

  • Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; cut a thin slice from the bottom of each with a sharp knife to allow zucchini to sit flat. Scoop out pulp, leaving 1/4-in. shells.
  • Place shells in an ungreased 3-qt. microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Remove from the heat; stir in the egg, marinara sauce, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup cheese.
  • Spoon about 1/4 cup into each shell. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 4 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Microwave 3-4 minutes longer or until a thermometer inserted into filling reads 160° and zucchini are tender. Serve with additional marinara sauce. Yield: 4 servings.
Editor's Note: This recipe was tested in a 1,100-watt microwave.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Today's Featured Shop -- Teaman

Today I am going to share with you my favorite tea shop.   Teaman   

He has been hand blending teas for 15 or so years and has over 50 different blends of teabags in his shop.

Spicy Chai Decaf Black Tea Teabags   
This is my personal favorite.  I love it hot with a little Silk Vanilla creamer added.  

Tea Sampler

If you don't have a favorite tea,  the best way to buy is a sampler where you get to choose a variety of different flavors to try.

Green Tea



Blueberry/Pomegranate White Tea

 This is just a small sampling of the great variety of teas available.    Be sure and visit his shop to see them all.  If you love tea,  you won't be disappointed.
http://www.artfire.com/users/teaman

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Thursday Giveaway Link Party --- Add Your Giveaway

 Our weekly giveaway link opportunity is a way for you to share your giveaways with our readers. 


The rules are easy:
You must be a follower of our blog.

Add our logo to your blog sidebar.





When you enter the title of your giveaway, please add the end date of your giveaway.

Be sure the url is the direct link to your giveaway blog post.

Family friendly giveaways only.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Handmade Spotlight - Tie One On


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Tuesday Tutorial ---- Roman Blinds

Have you ever wished you could make Roman Blinds for your windows?   I have been wanting to make some for my bedroom for quite some time.   I even bought a commercial pattern and read it several times but it just seemed so involved.    Well,  I found this wonderful tutorial online at Jen Duncan Originals.   Tutorial


Step by step pictures show the whole process and makes it look so easy I am in the process of collecting all the supplies to try my hand at making these.   The sewing is so basic,  if you can sew a straight seam you can do this.

Monday, July 18, 2011

8 Ideas for Organizing Your Child’s Room

"Clean your room." "Ugh! Oh, Mom. I’ll do it later!"
This same dialog is shared by millions of parents and their children all over the world. Do you suddenly have the driving urge to get your child’s room in order? Where do you start? Here are a few ideas: 

SCHEDULE. Schedule a specific date and time to clean out your 
child’s room. Your daughter or son, if she or he is old enough, should 
be there to help.

DUMP OR DONATE. Have a large box on hand for items you will be 
donating to your local charity or selling at a rummage sale. Also, have 
a large plastic garbage bag--maybe two or three--for everything you 
will be disposing of. Your son or daughter can help here. Let them 
know that every item that is of no use to them, that they donate, will 
be helping another child. Also, tell them that it’s important to discard 
anything that will never be used, to make room for new, useful items.

CLOTHES CLOSET. The clothes closet is usually a good place to 
start. Pull everything out until it’s completely empty. Then, the only 
items that should be returned to the closet are those articles of 
clothing or other items that are going to be used again. This should 
eliminate clothing that doesn’t fit, is worn out, and so on. If you’re not 
sure if an item fits your child anymore, have him or her try it on right 
now.

BASEBALL CAPS. Hang a baseball cap rack on the back of your 
child’s bedroom door to keep all caps neat and organized. Ensure it’s 
at a reachable level for your child and that he/she understands the 
proper way to hang the caps on it.

SHOES. A shoe rack can keep children's shoes organized, easily 
accessible and in one place. Show your child how to organize shoes, 
keeping all pairs together and separating dress shoes from casual. 

STUFFED ANIMALS, TOYS AND GAMES. Put up shelves in 
children’s rooms. This is usually a better solution for toy storage 
versus containers, because the toys won’t get crushed and will be 
easily obtainable. Make sure the shelves are at a reasonable height 
so that your child can reach wanted items.

PAPER. Create a filing system for your child, to keep artwork, rock 
star photos, blank paper, notes from family and friends, etc. Use a 
portable filing container that is capable of holding hanging files and 
that can be transported to someplace else if necessary. The ones with 
handles are nice, since they can be transported to different homes, on 
vacation, and so on. Some of these containers have snap-shut 
compartments for pens, pencils, clips, and more.

RESPONSIBILITY. Teach your children to clean and organize as 
soon as they’re old enough to do so. If you help them do this now, you 
will be helping them when they’re old enough to move out on their 
own. Devise a simple daily checklist for maintenance. If you have two 
children sharing the same room, divide the room in half with an 
imaginary line. Describe this imaginary line to each child. Assign each 
one the responsibility of keeping their side clean and organized.


This article is by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™ Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now!™ Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your  office and your life, at the Get Organized Now!™ Web site http://www.getorganizednow.com

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Blog Party Sunday -- Show Us Your Handmades

 It's blog party time.   It's your chance to show off what you are making for yourself,  for gifts, or to sell.   We want to see it all.


The rules are simple:

1. Follow our blog

2. Handmade items only.

3. You may list up to 3 items.

4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops, post about it on your blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.

Just click on the Add Your Link button at the end of this post and add your items.

And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.











Friday, July 15, 2011

Today's Featured Shop -- Digi My World

Today's featured shop is Digi My World.

Originial fun and whimsical clipart graphics for all your paper crafting and printing needs.   Perfect for you scrapbooking and card making needs.

Alice In Wonderland


Harry Potter

Super Heros

Birthday Tween


Be sure and visit Annie's shop to see all her original clipart graphics.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DigiMyWorld