March 31, 2010

Secret Number Giveaway...

Remember the old game..."I am thinking of a number between 1 and ..."
Well I am thinking of a number between 1 and 25...
As the comments are left they get a number: i.e. the first comment left is #1, the second comment left is #2 etc... 
As soon as 25 comments have been left on this post...
I will announce what number was randomly chosen...
If you left that numbered comment you WIN...

This handmade little 7" quilted wall hanging with wire hanger...

Have Fun and Good Luck!

March 29, 2010

A new "Blue Monday" craft & a winner!

I have wanted to make an accordion/fold memory book for some time.
~they can be made in all kinds of shapes and sizes~
~they make wonderful gifts for any occasion~
~they are quite easy to make~
~and fun too~
~each section offers a unique spot to add a photo, journaling or whatever you like~
~here's my first attempt~


It is so cool how it opens up...
Here it is fully opened and laying flat.

 It is ready for me to fill with photos, tags and embellishments!
A "blank slate" waiting for the artist!
HERE is a great tutorial if you would like to try one of these albums yourself!
If you would like to visit other fun "Blue Monday" posts just visit SMILING SALLY for more!


AND NOW FOR MY "BLUE MONDAY' GIVEAWAY WINNER....
DRUM ROLL PLEASE
and the winner is...
Becky at SWEET COTTAGE DREAMS!
I hope you will enjoy your prize, Becky.
Please email your address to me so that I can get it on its way!
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR PARTICIPATING...I AM HONORED TO HAVE SO MANY LOVELY GUESTS VISIT MY BLOG...
 

March 26, 2010

POPCORN ANYONE?

Remember making popcorn in one of these?
It's the Jr Chef "See-it-Pop" Popcorn Popper.
Like the Easy Bake Oven...it operates using a 100 watt light bulb!


 We sure had fun with this!
It's been in our family since the '60's!
Home popped popcorn & the" Ed Sullivan Show"...oh the days!

You still have time to sign up for my "Blue Monday" Giveaway!

 Just click HERE!


March 24, 2010

Flip and Sew...Tutorial & Giveaway!

DO YOU PAPER (foundation) PIECE?  
What...you say... is that?
When you foundation piece, you sew patches of fabric onto an exact replica--or template--of a quilt block or portion of a block. The foundation template can be drawn or printed on paper, fabric or another material. The only seam allowance on the template is the one around the outer perimeter of the unit.
Fabric is positioned on the reverse side of the foundation template, with edges overlapping drawn lines. Seams are sewn on the front, directly on the lines, and the overlapped edges of fabric become seam allowances. If you position fabric carefully, and sew on the lines, your blocks will be perfect every time.
It's more difficult to describe foundation piecing than to do it--you'll find that it's one of the easiest techniques you've ever tried.

 These are the foundation paper patterns for my baby quilt.
There will be 9 blocks total...each block is a 7" square.
The paper is numbered so you can sew one piece at a time...
following the printed seam lines....easy!
 You just can't make a mistake and your square comes out perfect!
Here is a link with a more complete tutorial.

Here are all my fabric pieces ready to go...including my binding.
The individual pieces do not need to be cut to an exact fit...
...they just need to fit over each of the marked sections on the foundation paper.

Here are the four different cuties for my squares!
Now I just need a sweet baby to give it to!

Don't forget to sign up for my "Blue Monday" Giveaway...

 Just click here to add your name to my "jar"!



March 22, 2010

"Out of the Blue" A Lovingly Created Spring Giveaway!

Hoping this little giveaway will brighten your "Blue Monday"!


I made this sweet little "Blue Bird" decor to add to your celebration of Spring and Easter!
A stand is included so you can place it anywhere in your home.


Just leave me a comment to get a "ticket in my jar"... followers both new and old will get an an additional entry!  Giveaway ends midnight Sunday March 29th!
Please pass the word along!

Much luck to all...and Happy Blue Monday!

Go here to visit more Blue Monday Posts!


March 17, 2010

Yes...We ARE Irish...



I put together these little faux cupcake designs for each of my family members for St Patrick's Day!
I tucked a lucky lottery ticket in each one!
Two of them were winners! ($1 and $4)
Hey...at least we won our money back!

Happy St Patrick's Day to All!

"May your home always be too small to hold all your friends and family."


 

March 16, 2010

$.05 Appreciation!



Can you use your 5 senses to find appreciation today?
Come on...Give it a try...
TASTE
I started off my day with a Vanilla Cafe Misto from Starbucks.
It tasted so good!

SIGHT
Seeing these Pink Flowering Tress popping up everywhere is ...
music for the eyes!

SMELL
My husband walked in from work with this lovely bouquet...
ahhh they smelled  divine!

HEARING
I loved hearing the reaction of my daughter, Grace,
when the Yves St Laurent $300 jeans I found for $7 on the rack of one of our favorite resale shops...
fit her like a glove!

TOUCH
The hug from my best girlfriend who is leaving for Germany for 2 weeks...
a touching moment!

I can't wait to see what my "5 Sense Appreciation" list will be tomorrow!





March 15, 2010

A "Banner" Day...


(click to enlarge)
I made this "name banner" for a sweet couple expecting their first baby, little Alana!
It matches her nursery perfectly!

She is due April 15th...but is determined to enter the world much sooner!
Don't rush little Alana!

Hey why not visit some other Mosaic Monday Posts! 


March 13, 2010

A Meal in Minutes!

Peppered Talapia over Brown Rice

This was a last minute dish that I threw together in 
25 minutes!
(including the cooking time)
There are many nights when I have no idea 
what time my husband is getting home...
so I don't begin the dinner until I get the call that he is on his way
and will be here in 30 minutes!
This dish worked out perfectly for just one of those nights.

I found 2 packages of frozen tilapia filets (4 total) already seasoned in my fridge.
I added a package of frozen red and yellow pepper strips,
1 large can diced tomatoes,
1/2 can black pitted olives,
and
1 bag frozen spinach, rinsed off and squeezed out.
I topped it off with some sweet chili sauce and cayenne pepper!

While this finished cooking in a large frypan on medium heat...
I put a bag of Trader Joe's frozen brown rice in the microwave,
(it only takes 3 mins.)

As my husband walked in... the rice was done
...the fish and veggies were cooked through
and... dinner was served!
 (Only I knew how easy it was...and now you do too!)

Browse your freezer and see what dish you can cook up!



March 11, 2010

That's One Big Autograph Book!

 

Take a 15 year old daughter that asks if she can paint her wall...
Add a mom that has another creative idea...
and voila...
How about a signature wall?
And they have been signing on her wall ever since!
 

 She keeps a bag of colored sharpie markers close at hand... They write or draw whatever strikes their fancy...
 Some of it doesn't make much sense...at least not to me...but no matter....
Only thing is...now she never wants to paint "over" it!

March 9, 2010

The Forbidden Rice...Black Rice.

 
Shrimp & Vegetables over Steamed Black Rice

 Black rice (Forbidden Rice) is a heirloom variety of rice cultivated in Asia.

Soaking and cooking reveals the true color of black rice, which is actually a rich purple.
The rice is naturally high in iron, which causes the dense purple color, and it is also high in fiber, since the bran is left on the rice.
Black rice also carries a variety of other valuable vitamins and minerals and supplies several important amino acids.
As a general rule, black rice should be cooked with two cups of water to every one cup of rice, and it will need to cook for 20 to 30 minutes after soaking, or 60 minutes if you cook unsoaked rice.   
( I soak my rice for an hour before cooking in my rice cooker. )

     
 Saute peeled, headless shrimp with
mushrooms (sliced in half), sliced green peppers and onions.
For the sauce I used some fish oil, soy sauce, Asian 5 spice seasoning, lemon pepper and garlic salt to taste.
As the veggies cook they produce a lot of water, so add a paste of 2 tbl. cornstarch with a bit of water.to thicken the broth.
The last few minutes add about 1 1/2 cups shredded cabbage.
Serve over the steamed black rice!



Enjoy your food! 
享受你的食物
Healthy & Delicious!

 


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