Sunday, September 7, 2014

Sunday Blog Party - Show Us Your Fall Handmades

Welcome to our Sunday Blog Party. We would love to have you show us your handmade fall items.

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.





Friday, September 5, 2014

Today's Featured Shop - Pretty Byrd Designs

Today I'd like to share a really great shop where you can find handmade cards, keepsake boxes, mini journals and more. Please join me as I show you a few things made by Beth Byrd of Pretty Byrd Designs.

Decorative Oval Box...


French Vintage Style - Altered Notebook...

Vintage Vegetable Label Note Cards...

Handmade Birthday Card...

 You can see more items from Beth's shop by clicking here.

Thanks for joining us today.
Deena Davis
www.ewenmeprintables.com

 

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Handmade Spotlight - Fall/Halloween Finds

Are you ready for fall? 
Now is a great time to start your fall decorating. Below are a few items to help get you started. These items are all made by the Handmade Art Fair Etsy Team. Click Here to get a better view.


Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Quick Mac and Cheese Recipe

Well now that the summer is over and most everyone is back in school and settling into a routine it is now time to go into ~fast forward~ with all the school and fall activities! I am sure some of you are like me this time of year even though my kids are all gone I still meet myself at the door most days. 

With that said dinner needs to be quick and easy for me so I thought I would share this quick and easy mac and cheese with a little ham recipe with all of you. :)


Ingredients:

12 ounces elbow macaroni (dry)
12 ounces 1/2-inch diced ham (I use left-over ham)
1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained ( I use Ro-tel tomatoes with chili's)
1 medium onion, chopped
10 slices provolone cheese
10 slices American cheese




Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.

Spray a 9x13" baking dish with cooking spray and spread half the drained macaroni in the bottom.

Scoop on half the onions and half the tomatoes, dolloping evenly over the surface of the macaroni.

Scoop on half the ham.

Layer the provolone on top of that.

Put the rest of the macaroni as a second layer; put the rest of the onions, tomatoes and ham on top of that.



Top with the American cheese slices and cover the pat with tented aluminum foil. 



Cover and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes. 





My hubby isn't a big mac and cheese fan, but he actually likes this! :)

Happy eating! 

Colleen :)





Monday, September 1, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Pumpkin Make-Do

Sharing an oldie but seasonal goody this week.  I am out traveling the Wild West this week but will back in the home saddle for fresh up-cycles next week!  In the meantime, stitch up some fall pumpkin make-dos!
Up-cycling and primitive crafts go hand in hand as early folk artists created from what was available. Waste was not an option.  Pioneering women "made do" with what they had. Up-cycling employs the same "waste not, want not" principles.
 Today, thrift stores are loaded with cast offs in luxurious fabrics just begging for an up-cycle.  100% wool jackets are often the unintentional victims of laundry mishaps and can be scooped up for pennies at second hand shops!  This Talbots wool jacket set me back 50 cents.
 
Rewash and dry the fabric to be sure it's clean before starting.  Double the fabric and then fold in half.  Using the fold as the pumpkin center, cut out a circle or oval shape.  Use a template or go freehand for whimsical shape.

Perfection is not the goal here.  After all, pumpkins are imperfect shapes in nature.

Pin, right sides together and stitch 3/8 inch around.  Leave 2 inches open for turning.  This will be the pumpkin top.

Clip curves and turn right side out.  Firmly stuff the bottom of the pumpkin but leave the top 1/4 inch loose.
Now have fun with the face! 
To stay in the primitive tradition use found items, vintage buttons, and old trims.
Secure the facial features with slip stitching.  Let the thread show in random, uneven stitches for a whimsical look.
 
Run a gathering stitch through the opening and pull tight around the wooden stem.  To avoid glue, I drilled a hole through the driftwood to allow my needle to secure the stem directly to the fabric. 
Top with scrap fabric torn from an old shirt or use an eye-catching remnant.  Tie a bow around the stem.

These faces and shapes are so easy and fun, I found myself diving into my fabric stash for more orange wool!
It doesn't take long to create your own patch of "locally grown" pumpkins!

LOVE & UPCYCLE NATION!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck