Handmade Spotlight - Christmas in July

Today I'm featuring some really nice handmade items for Christmas in July. Click here to see these items better. They're definitely worth the look.

These items were made by my fellow team mates on the Handmade Art Fair Etsy Team. To see more of their items, search HAFAIR on etsy.com.

Stop by and see us again soon!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com
www.ewenmeprintables.com

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Southwest Skillet Recipe

The heat of the summer is here for most of you I would think. Not too much heat for me up north here though. If you are like me I don't like to heat up the kitchen by using the oven for cooking. This recipe is fast (I am all about fast!) and easy and it doesn't add all that heat to the kitchen as it is made in a skillet on top of the stove. 

It is called Easy Southwest Skillet........

Ingredients:

3/4 pound ground beef

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 can (10.75-oz) cream of mushroom soup

1/4 cup water

1 can (14.5-oz) diced tomatoes, drained

1 can (15oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

3/4 cup uncooked instant white rice

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Tortilla chips, to serve with

Instructions:

Cook the beef and chili powder in a 10" skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is well  browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat. 

Stir the soup, water, tomatoes and beans in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.

Stir in the rice. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until the rice is tender.

 Sprinkle with the cheese. Serve with the tortilla chips for dipping.

This is a great quick meal so you won't have to spend too much time in the kitchen cooking and you can enjoy your summer evening. :)

Happy Eating! 

Colleen :)

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries Blog

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Purrrfect Cashmere Cats

 My studio machines are humming away making sweet toys for island visitors at Hendley Market in Galveston, Texas. One popular item is the "Purrrfect Pet", aka- cats. This sweet up-cycling project is easy, affordable, and something the kiddos can help in creating.

Supplies: old wool or cashmere sweater (Get crazy beyond solid colors- go for stripes and bold patterns!), fiber stuffing,  tracing paper, scissors, beads, thread and embroidery floss.

Fold the tracing paper in half.  On the fold sketch out half a fat cat form.  Cut along outline.  Unfold cat form to have a full cat pattern. 

 

Cut two of the cat forms from the desired section of sweater. Sleeves can be used having only to cut out the ears at the top.

  
Machine stitch right sides together.  Leave the bottom open.

 Turn the cat right side out and stuff.  Using a gather stitch, pull the bottom closed and tuck the rough edges inside.  Stitch a decorative circle to the base if preferred.

Personalize each cat with an embroidered face.  Get creative by using beads for eyes, stitch a heart to the body, or add a bow for whimsy

Don't have any sweaters you want to chop?  Check out your local thrift store.  Not only do you get a great project for pennies but you also help a charity in the process. 

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

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

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

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

Sunday Blog Party - Christmas in July!

Welcome to our Sunday Blog Party. We would love to have you show us your handmade items for Christmas in July.

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>

An InLinkz Link-up

Handmade Spotlight - Anything Goes

The OFG Etsy Team is having another celebration. The theme is Anything Goes. Below is a sneak preview of what's being offered. To see everything simply type in ATG2OFG in the etsy search bar, or you can click here.