Sunday, June 30, 2013

Blog Party Sunday -- Share 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 each week 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.







Saturday, June 29, 2013

Recipe - Grilled Chicken Skewers

It's summer and I love just about anything that can be grilled. Today, I'd like to share my recipe for marinated grilled chicken skewers.

Here's what you'll need.

About 1-1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast - cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 c. Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 c. White Sugar
1/4 c. Water
1 T. Olive Oil
1/3 c. Pineapple Juice

Combine liquid ingredients with sugar, stir to dissolve, add chicken and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Thread chicken onto skewers leaving a bit of space in between the pieces. Grill over pre-heated grill turning often until done... about 20 mins.

I also grilled green, red, yellow and orange peppers and pineapple chunks. 



Friday, June 28, 2013

Today's Featured Shop -- Danielle's Corner

Todays featured shop is Danielle's Corner.     Danielle specializes in rustic wedding decorations made from burlap and lace.   Burlap and lace is such a pretty cottage chic look.

Burlap table runner wedding table runner with light beige lace rustic chic



Burlap place mats with lace rustic farmhouse country table decor


Wedding garland decoration linen flowers 


 Burlap table runner pastel blue and white lace rustic beach house farmhouse decor


Be sure and visit Danielle's shop to see all her handmade items.  
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaniellesCorner

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Handmade Spotlight - Cool Summer.

Check out this great selection of cool summer items. You can view this entire treasury 
by Clicking Here, or you can click on each item to see it in greater detail.














Tuesday, June 25, 2013

NEEDLES-N-PINS STITCHERIES- MAKE IT AMERICANA

You may call it Americana or Patriotic, but for us in the United States we call it Independence Day!! In honor of the Fourth of July this year I thought I would share this Americana decorating idea with all of you. I read it in the The Country Register of Minnesota.

When you think of Americana, all things red, white and blue come to mind. Bringing the patriotic spirit into your home can be as easy as hanging an American flag. Incorporate a few of these ideas to give your home warmth and style this summer. :)

 
Early American décor, such as spinning wheels, vintage quilts, historical documents and presidential portraits will give your room a historical look and patriotic feel.

americana

For a rustic/country-inspired look, add primitive folk art – flags, stars and folksy motifs in red, white and blue. Amish barn stars, rusty star garlands, a rustic wooden flag and small American flags tucked into crocks or baskets will complement any room and add instant flair. Place a potted red geranium in a small crock for an instant pop of color.

 
americana


If the traditional colors of red, white and blue do not flow with your décor, try using slightly different shades like burgundy instead of red, antique cream instead of white or country blue instead of the traditional blue.  Use coffee stained table runners, linens or other items in patriotic themes to tone down the colors. This will give them an antique or primitive look.



americana table runner

Showcase your items against a neutral backdrop. Displaying them against a wallpapered wall will only create a busy scene. Your collections will already be colorful by themselves. Put them up against a neutral background so they can take center stage. Americana is based on the simplicity of country. Keep it simple.

Remember, patriotic décor does not have to be just for the Fourth of July. Our love of the past goes hand-in-hand with celebrating our country’s birthday. Hope some of these ideas inspire you to get busy decorating your home to celebrate the wonderful holiday of our independence.

                                                                      COLLEEN :)


 



 

Monday, June 24, 2013

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: A Time To Dye

When new needlework projects require the sumptuous tones of over-dyed threads, spare the expense of buying all new skeins and make your own! 
Any crafter who uses embroidery floss knows how quickly skeins multiply in plastic bins- often resulting in an overload of same colors and tangles of so-slightly-used threads.  These poor neglected bundles usually end up in the trash or charity bin.
The OH-SO-CHEAP Supply List:
*Rit dye *embroidery floss *table salt *small plastic bins from the recycle bucket  *gloves
 *drying rack
This is a perfect outside craft for the summer! Throw on some rubber gloves and get down and dirty in the grass! Dye will stain hands and clothes so wear an old tee shirt or apron and don't skip the gloves.
Fill  small plastic bins with water, Rit dye, and salt.  As a general rule I use one teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of water.  I also like to create shades by adding different amounts of dye to the bowls.  Mix dyes to create signature colors.
Go solar and let the sun heat the water!
When the water is hot from the summer sun:
- Prepare the floss by twisting each skein into a small, loose knot. 
-Dip one end into color
-Dip opposite end into color
-Dunk center knot into color
Dip quickly for light shading.  Soak longer for a dark saturation. 
Update those off-beat shades by experimenting with color and techniques.
Unknot the skein and rinse with cold water until water runs clean.  Dry on a rack (or tree branch) in the sun.
It is wise to re-rinse the thread once the dye has dried- just to be sure the floss is colorfast.
Once the floss is dry examine the color.  Threads can be re-dyed for extra variegation or dipped into a secondary color for added depth. 

The thread used the anchor below was created by putting light gray DMC floss into light blue dye.  Once the thread dried it was re-knotted and dipped into navy blue dye to create a wide color tone range.
 In this colonial piece the color variegations are more subtle to give the work a period feel.
After each skein has achieved just the right color I rework the skein and attach a label.  The final step involves the fun of naming the new colors.  I usually choose colors akin to the current season.  For this summer batch I chose names like summer grape, ocean waves, lichen and iris.
Bundle up and give as a sweet gift for your stitching friends or keep for those fab new summer projects of your own!
 
LOVE & UP-CYCLE NATION!
 
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck



Sunday, June 23, 2013

Blog Party Sunday -- Share 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 each week 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.







Saturday, June 22, 2013

Kitchen Substitutions

Have you ever starting making something in the kitchen and then realized you don't have all the right ingredients you need? I think maybe we've all done that at one time or another.



Before you make a fast trip to the store to get what you need,  I've compiled a list of common substitutions that might help.

  • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 or 2 Tbsps. lemon juice or or vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh herbs = 1 tsp. dried herbs
  • 1 cup brown sugar = 1 cup white sugar plus 2 Tbsp. molasses
  • 1 tablespoon of dried minced onion = 1/4 cup raw minced onion
  • 1 cup yogurt = 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 t. Allspice  = 1/2 t. ground cinnamon, & 1/2 t. ground cloves
  • 1 t. Baking Powder = 1/4 t. Baking soda & 5/8 t. cream of tartar
  • 1 cup dry bread crumbs = 3/4 cup cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup honey = 1-1/4 cup granulated sugar + 1/4 cup water
  • 1 t. Pumpkin Pie Spice = 1/2 t. ground cinn., 1/4 t. ground ginger, 1/8 t. allspice, 1/8 t. nutmeg
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 cup confectioner's sugar = 1 cup fine sugar + 1 T. cornstarch
  • 1 cup tomato juice = 1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup white wine = 1 cup apple or white grape juice
  • 1 clove garlic = 1/8 tsp garlic powder or 1/4 tsp instant minced garlic
  • 1 T. chopped fresh herbs = 3/4 to 1 t. dried herbs
  • 1 T. yellow mustard = 1 t. ground mustard

Enjoy your weekend!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com

Friday, June 21, 2013

Today's Featured Shop -- Clemmie Vs Totes and Bag

Today's featured shop is Clemmie Vs Totes and Bag.    Clemmie specializes in wristlets, totes and bags made in beautiful bold and bright fabrics and burlap bags with a rustic charm.



Burlap Wristlet, Cosmetic bag or grab and go bag with large flower and applique high heel


 Fleur Design sophisticated country charm burlap bag


Geometric design Wristlet, Cosmetic, Jewerly bag, bright orange


Fleur de lis Bohemian Chic Ex large go green farmers market bag


Be sure and visit Clemmie's shop to see all her totes and bags.
  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClemmieVstotesandbag


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Witches Stitches - Easy pillows for any Décor

I love to decorate for every holiday. I have found along with all traditional items I put out I like to add pillows. Making pillows for every season is so easy and can add a wonderful extra touch to any room.
I use antique looking labels for the center of the pillow and then fabric that matches my room and the season.  You can print the center panel on any cotton fabric, I use muslin. You can print it by using your printer and your computer. Find a pattern you like, (you can find many on etsy), cut out piece of freezer paper using a regular piece of printer paper as a guide. Place the freezer paper on your fabric iron it on shinny side down. It will stick to the fabric. After you iron it on cut around the printer paper. You can now feed the paper and fabric through your printer and print your center pillow panel.                                
After it is printed just peel the freezer paper off, keep the paper, you can use it up to 4 or 5 times.  You can now sew a backing onto your panel as it is or you can add strips of fabric around the panel to make the pillow larger, make sure you leave on opening so you can stuff your pillow.  Now stuff your pillow and whip stitch the opening closed. This is a simple way to add that extra touch or it makes a great handmade gift for others.
You can also resize the picture you have chosen to make ornaments or bowl fillers. These would make great teacher and secret Santa gifts.
As always if you have any questions just give me a shout. Have a great day.
Faith

Handmade Spotlight - Saluting America

Check out this great selection of patriotic items. You can view this entire treasury by Clicking Here, or you can click on each item to see it in greater detail.