Giveaway Reminder

In case you missed it,  you have until September 6, 2013 to sign up for a chance to win this wonderful Fall Blog graphic set from Deena at www.ewenmeprintables.com

Go here,  http://byyourhands.blogspot.com/2013/08/its-time-for-giveaway.html,   to leave a comment for a chance to win this great Fall blogger design.

Today's Featured Shop -- Flaming Elephan

Today's featured shop is Flaming Elephant.   Darcie makes adorable little creations in felt.
Here are some of my favorites.

Miniature Teddy Bear

Miniature Lion Cub

Lemonpeel Angelfish

Brown Miniature Wool Felt Cat

Be sure and visit Darcie's shop to see all her creations.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/FlamingElephant

Labor Day Recipes

Monday is Labor Day and probably for most folks the last occasion for an outdoor barbecue.

Here are some recipes you might enjoy making.

Classic Grilled Hamburgers

Ingredients

    2 pounds ground chuck
    2 teaspoons kosher salt
    ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 

Instructions

    In a large bowl, combine the beef, salt, ¾ teaspoon pepper and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Mix until just combined, being careful to not overwork the meat. Using a light hand, shape the patties.
    Prepare a hot charcoal or gas grill. Grill the burgers for 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on your degree of preferred doneness, flipping only once.
    Let the burgers rest, covered with foil, for five minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
   Finish off the burgers with your favorite condiments.

For Vegetarians


Spinach and Chickpea Veggie Burger Recipe

Ingredients

    1 can chickpeas, drained (or 2 cups)
    2 cups fresh spinach leves
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    ½ tablespoon soy sauce
    2 eggs
    ¾ cup whole wheat flour
    ¾ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
    salt to flavor

Instructions

    Combine all ingredients in food processor and pulse until combined.
    Shape patties.
    Cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes on each side. The outsides will be brown and crispy.


Easy Crockpot Baked Beans

Ingredients:

1 large can Bush's Baked Beans

1 Cup brown sugar

4 slices bacon sliced

1 Cup diced onions

1/4 Cup Catsup

1/8 Cup Mustard

1/8 diced green peppers

Directions:

-Saute sliced bacon and diced onions until translucent

-Combine all ingredients in crockpot and mix

-Cook on low for 6 hours


Healthy Grilled Parmesan Basil Corn

Gluten Free and Vegetarian

Serves 12

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups fresh basil, finely chopped
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
12 ears corn, husked
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. ground flax seeds

Instructions

1. Heat grill to medium-high.

2. In a food processor, puree basil, butter, chili powder, lemon juice, sea salt and pepper.

3. Brush corn with basil butter mixture. Grill corn, turning occasionally, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat, brush each ear of corn with remaining butter mixture; sprinkle with parmesan cheese and flax seeds.

Witches Stitches – How to make Fabric Gingerbread Men

Run, run as fast as you can…you can’t catch me I am the Gingerbread Man.  I remember that story from my childhood. I love gingerbread it makes the house smell and look like the holidays.  I like to hang gingerbread ornaments on my tree, but as we all know hanging cookies on a tree for any length of time may not work. So I make fabric ones and paint them with an easy cinnamon mixture. These look just like the real thing.

1 – First make a fabric gingerbread man. You can stuff it or leave it flat. If you don’t know how to make a fabric doll check out my post about making a doll. This fabric gingerbread man can be a 6”, 9” doll or it can be a small ornament. If you need a pattern you can use your cookie cutter and trace around it. You can also go online to etsy or pattern mart and buy a pattern from one of the many talented pattern artists.

2 – After you have your fabric gingerbread man done. You are now ready to cover your doll or ornament with the cinnamon mixture.

3 – The cinnamon mixture is very easy to make. Mix a cup of instant tea or coffee with 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Now start to add drops of water slowly, just a few at a time until the mixture is like a thick cake batter. 

4 – Now use your mixture and paint it on your fabric doll or ornament. If it starts to get to thick dip your brush into water and continue.  Don’t put it on to thick because when it dries it will crack. A few thin coats are better than one thick one.  If you are using 3D eyes like rose hips or dried raisins, you can add them now.

5 – Cover one side completely. Place your item in your oven on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Set the oven at 200. You can do as many items as will fit on your sheet. When it is dry, if you feel there are some spots that need to be covered fix them and place back in the oven. When one side is done do the other.   

6 – You can make your gingerbread look even more prim by adding a light dusting of dry cinnamon. If you want the cinnamon to stick and not rub off on everything it touches, you can spray a light coating of clear acrylic spray.  . The winter months are coming and it gets cold!

7 – Make sure you give your gingerbread man a scar

I hope you enjoy making some gingerbread man that are guilt free. Have a great day and as always if you have any questions give me a shout.

Thanks, Faith

Handmade Spotlight - Strawberry and Chocolate

Strawberry and Chocolate

Curated By: luvncrafts

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Fall Decorating Tutorial Roundup

Have you started your fall decorating yet? Even if you're not quite ready to get things out, it's a good time to start crafting if you're making something new. I've found a few tutorials to help get us started.

This was made by cutting out leaves and adding glitter to them... so pretty. Directions can be found at www.homemadebyjill.blogspot.com

Pumpkins made from dryer vent material... really?? Really cute!! :-) Find out how to make them at www.allfreeholidaycrafts.com

These pumpkins are made from crochet thread  a balloon and some Mod Podge... sounds like fun, doesn't it? The instructions are at www.clumsycrafter.com

This little guy is too darn cute. There's even a video to watch on how to make it. Find it at www.craftklatchwithmona.blogspot.com

This bouquet is absolutely beautiful and it's made entirely of fall leaves. Love it!! Instructions are found at www.budgetwisehome.com

Happy Fall Decorating!!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Sweater Weather

Over the past two weeks I have been visiting Yale New Haven hospital to see my Dad (who is now home and recovering well!) Passing the gift shop every day I was comforted by the grinning funny faces of bright stuffed animals in the gift shop.  They brought to mind the simple joys of childhood, the comfort stuffed animals can bring to the child within, and an easy pattern I use for up-cycling old wool sweaters into brightly colored whimsical cats.

Being on the road I can't step out the process, but  you can view my sweater cat tutorial here.

I am not alone in my love of up-cycling discarded sweaters into new critter softies.  Check out these fabulous Etsy artists who work magic and bring once-cherished sweaters back into whimsical glory.

 

KLT Works offers fun for all ages.  Along with her threadwork and one of a kind baby items, these up-cycled sweater cats will steal your heart.

 Friendly monsters mingle in this up-cycle fantasy land!  My Friend Monster is home to sweet creations certain to chase away any doldrums.

For My Darling is known for the most imaginative mittens in all of Etsy land!  But between the hand warmers are birds that warm the soul.

LOVE & UP-CYCLE NATION!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck?ref=si_shop

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

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.

<a href="http://www.byyourhands.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/ByYourHands/blogparty.jpg">, </a>

It's Time For a Giveaway!!

It's giveaway time!    Today's giveaway is sponsored by Deena Davis of Ewe-N-Me Printables. Deena is a designer of printable paper crafts and web graphics.

Today's giveaway is for one of her fall blogger designs. If you have a blog hosted at blogger.com and you're ready for a fall makeover, this giveaway is for you.

(click image for larger view)

This giveaway includes the backgrounds shown and the topper that will be customized with your business name.  It also includes installation on your blog, or if you prefer, instructions can be sent to show you how to install it yourself.

You can earn up to three entries by doing the following...

1. Visit Deena's website,  www.ewenmeprintables.com or etsy shop www.ewenmeprintables.etsy.com and come back here and post a comment with your favorite item. Be sure and leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.

2. Earn one extra entry by becoming a follower of this blog thru Google Friend Connect or Linky Followers.  Already a follower? Just let us know so we can give you credit.

3. Earn an extra entry by sharing the link to this giveaway on your Blog, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. Be sure and let us know you have done this and where.

The giveaway will start today, Saturday, August 24, 2013.   The last day to enter will be Sept. 6, 2013 and the winner will be announced on Sept. 7, 2013.    We will announce it here and contact you by the email address you have left.

Good luck!

Today's Featured Shop -- Bella Blitz

Today's featured shop is Bella Blitz.   Jodie specializes in custom made baby items with the stylish mom in mind. 

Baby Girl Spring Dress

Barbie silhouette onesie with a hot pink bow

Baby Dress Set

Baby Carrier Cover Girl Canopy

Be sure and visit Jodie's shop to see all she has to offer.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaBlitz

Witches Stitches - 3 Easy Ornaments

The Holidays are coming up and we are going to be decorating our homes with great looking handmade items. Here are a few ideas for some very easy ornaments.

1 – Paper cones. These are very Victorian and look great on a tree. All you have to do is find a great antique holiday image and print it out on card stock paper of your choice. After you print it out cut around the image in a long triangle form. Now take the shape you just cut out and place it on top of another piece of card stock. Sew the two together leaving the top open. Cut the back piece to match the front. You now have a paper cone. Take a bit of fiberfill and place it in the bottom to hold it open slightly. Now place holiday greens in the cone.  Use a piece of wire or pretty ribbon for handle by gluing it into the inside sides. I use white glue; you could also use your glue gun. It takes minutes to make these and they look so wonderful on the tree or hung in the panes of you window.

2 – Very Prim Candy Canes. These are so easy, yet really look Prim. All you have to do is purchase a pack of red pipe cleaners and one of white.  You can get them for very little at your local craft store. Take one white and one red and now twist them together. You will see right away how they start to look like a candy cane.  Make a strong cup of instant coffee and run your twisted red and white pipe cleaner through it. Now take your fingers and run them down the pipe cleaner squeezing the extra liquid out. This also leaves it looking like it has been around for years. Now set it aside on a paper towel to dry. When it is dry cut the pipe cleaner twist in half. Now just bend the top into candy cane shape. These look great on a small tree or in the hand of a prim snowman.  If you want to make a long one do not cut it in half and use 4 pipe cleaners, 2 of each color so it is thicker.

3 – An easy window decoration is as follows. Take a few clippings from your Christmas tree, or from any extra greens you may have. They should be about 6” long. Bundle 3 of these together and tie it with matching green sewing thread. Now add one of the candy canes you just made with a bit of red thread.  This will give you a branch bundle with an antique looking candy cane on it. Make a few and hang them in the panes of your window. Do not place them in every section; just do maybe 3 per window. These are so simple, yet look so good. You can use tiny suction cups to hang them.

If you have any questions please give me a shout.  Have a great day.

Faith

Handmade Spotlight - Here Kitty Kitty

Check out this great selection of handmade black cats. You can view this entire treasury 

by Clicking Here, or you can click on each item to see it in greater detail.

 

Primitive Wood Fall Plaque P... Primgal $16	Custom order for Barbara Har... emsprims $18
JINXY hand painted black kit... primchick $25	Primitive Needle Punch Pillo... thetalkingcrow $30
Primitive Black Cat Hallowee... VintageHare $14.95	Vintage Style Feather Tree B... countryroutepr... $5.5
Halloween Quilt Black Cat Mi... NeedlesnPinsSt... $24	Primitive Black Cat Hallowee... MorningMistDes... $39.95
Black Cat In Party Hat Primi... Handofbelapeck $25.5	Halloween Jewelry Bracelet B... Jynxx $38
OOAK Halloween Folk art orna... WitchHollowPri... $12	Halloween Carnival Retro Bla... funhouse777 $12
Completed Cross Stitch Primi... Stitchcrafts $17.5	Instant Digital Download Vin... VeenasMercanti... $5
Hand stitched Primitive-Folk... JennysToleShed $25	Salem Massachusetts, Black C... MoonlightPrimi... $10

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