Sunday, March 30, 2014

Blog Party Sunday -- Show Off Your Handmades

Welcome to our Blog Party Sunday. We would love to have you show us what you are crafting.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
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 below and add your items.
And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.







Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Witches Stitches – Bunny in a Can

They tell me Spring is here but with the weather we have been having, I truly am starting to doubt it. We had sleet, snow and freezing rain this past Tues. So I figure despite the weather I was going g to make something Spring inspired. I made a Bunny in a Can.
Sounds kind of silly I know but these little guys are quick and easy to make. If you celebrate Easter they can be part of your Easter decorating and after it is over they can be left out for Spring; If you don’t celebrate Easter they are the cutest little Spring addition to your home.

Step One – Making the little rabbit. I used a pattern from Crows Roost Prims. Here is the link to it on Patternmart  http://www.patternmart.com/pattern/12281/BUNNY+Rabbit+Easter+in+a+burlap+bag+epattern+317pm+SALE
It is so easy to make and the pattern has all the directions. The pattern has the bunny in a fabric pouch…I put him in a can. After he is sewn together, turn to the right side and stuff.
Step 2 – Tea dye him by making a very strong tea solution and then painting it onto your fabric rabbit. When he is dry paint him with dark brown paint. When that is dry go over it in places with a little black. Make it look smudged.  Let dry. You can put him in the oven to hasten the drying process. REMEMBER DO NOT leave the kitchen while the bunny is in the oven, safety first. Set the oven on 200 degrees. Pop him in for about 10 min and he should dry.
Step 3 – Take him out and lightly sand him if you want an aged worn  look. If that is not the look you want just skip this step.

Step 4 – Stitch a simple face on him. Don’t forget his whiskers. Now the bunny is done. Set him aside. Next  you need to alter a can.
Step 5 – You will need a can. I used a regular size soup can. After you open the can remove the lid. Make sure there are no sharp edges. If there are use a pair of plies and squeeze them to the can so they are no longer sharp.  Wash out the can completely and dry it.
Step 6 – Spray paint the can black. When it dries spray it with matt clear sealer. Before it dries sprinkle ground cinnamon over the sealer. This will make the cinnamon stick to the can. When you have enough on your can wait a few minutes and then spry again with matt clear acrylic spray, let dry.
Step 7 – Cut a piece of cheesecloth to cover the can. Separate it so it is only one layer thick. Wrap the can with the cheesecloth and then tie it on with a piece of cheesecloth.
Step 8 – Now put some glue on the inside and stick some moss around the top. When it is done put the rabbit in the can. You can glue him in or you can just sit him there. It is up to you.
You now have a rabbit in a can. You can embellish him with a paper tag or anything else you might want to use. I was going to wrap the can in a label that said Rabbit Stew, but I am a vegetarian and just could not do it.
If you love the rabbit in a can and don’t want to make it you can find a listing for him in my etsy shop.
Thank you for reading and if you have any questions please give me a shout.
 

Handmade Spotlight - Spring Flowers and April Showers

Who's ready for some spring flowers? I am!!
If you're spring flowers aren't popping up yet, check out this gorgeous treasury of Spring items.
You can find it by clicking here.


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Not Just A Normal Hamburger......Recipes

Today I think we are going to look at some recipes. So you might think that a hamburger is just a hamburger, but that is so not true. :)  There are several different ways to have a hamburger and if your family is like mine....they LOVE hamburgers. I follow several different sites for recipes so I thought I would scour the "web" and find some different recipes for the good old hamburger.....:) Here are a few from the sites I follow....



From allrecipes.com


From All Recipes.com is the Big Smokey Burger. If you like that smokey taste in your hamburger this would fit that bill. 


From foodnetwork.com


If you want a little bit of sweet with your burger how about this Pineapple Teriyaki Burger. Just add a slice of pineapple to your burger. 


From kraftrecipes.com

How about this one for your kids. You know how most kids love mac and cheese(and us adults too!). Get your kids to eat their hamburger by putting a little mac and cheese on it like this one from KraftRecipes.com.


From Grilling.com

And it is not too early for some of you to start thinking about those backyard bbq's. Some of us in the north country will have to wait for a little while longer, but those that can start up the grill here is the Backyard Burger from Grilling.com


Makes me hungry just putting this post together. I found lots of different recipes to try out. Guess we will be having hamburgers this week!  So whether you are cooking in the kitchen or firing up the grill outside, looks like there are plenty of ideas to add a little pizzazz to that food stable called....the hamburger. 

Happy Cooking!! 

Colleen :)



Monday, March 24, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning has its roots in the Celtic tradition of Beltane.  When the weather began to warm, cottage windows were thrown open, floors were swept out, and herbs were used in an attempt to rid the farm of negative spirits that might have roosted over the long winter. Today spring cleaning is seen as the perfect time to freshen our modern homes.
 
These Etsy artists keep Mother Nature happy with their earth-friendly products featuring locally sourced materials and all natural components..
 
Only essential oils and castile soap go into safe all-purpose house cleaner concentrates from myessential8.  One 4 ounce recyclable bag pours into 64 ounces of usable liquid.  Check out this shop for a wide selection of home products in crisp spring scents..
 Save money on dryer sheets and reduce waste with brightly colored wool dryer balls.  Using locally sourced wool, BogBerryHandicraft offers balls in every color making laundry time more efficient and globally conscious.  Shop Bog Berry Handicrafts and use the coupon code SPRINGCLEANING now through the end of May to receive 10% off purchases of $40 or more!  Now there's inspiration!
Be sure to have hankies ready for dust sneezes during cleaning. Made of ultra soft sustainable bamboo and organic cotton, these reusable cloths are perfect for wiping hands as well as noses. JuniperseedMerc creates a beautiful line of "unpaper" products and cleaners to make your home super green.
 
 
 Get the kids involved with this mother-daughter broom set from Broomchick.  Using 100% broom corn  harvested by the artist these all natural sweepers will outlast and out-clean any store-bought synthetic. Even the handles have a higher purpose having been sourced from a reforestation project in Oregon.
 Infuse the home with lavender filled sachets from SalvageSeamstress. Using up-cycled vintage fabrics this artist stitches perfection into additional home accessories such as aprons, pot holders, and dish towels.
 For more fabulous eco friendly finds search spring cleaning on Etsy. 


LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl