Day 8 - Patchwork Bib

Moms - BEWARE!!!  These are so cute you'll want 10 of them!  I was so excited to make these, probably more proud of the fact that I attached velcro to material than of the finished product itself.  I'm learning to do things I've never done before!!  It's kind of exciting.  :)

I found this Quilted Patchwork Bib Pattern on Pinterest a long, LONG time ago and thought I'd eventually get to it but was too scared to attack it.  I'm not really sure why because it was so simple.  One tip - please, PLEASE for the love of Pete - go out and buy a pair of pinking shears if you don't have them.  It will make your life SOOO much easier and keep money in your pocket because you won't have to pour a glass of wine to get through the notch cutting part.

Here's a link to the instructions for the bib - http://sewshesews.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/quilted-patchwork-bib-pattern-and-tutorial/

Here are some pics from my bib making process.  Once again, not perfect but I know the next time around it will be even better!

I'll have these for sale on my Esty shop www.esty.com/shop/indigoroadcreates for $9.00 each.

Day 7 - No Sew T-Shirt Scarf

No sew, no sweat!  What an adorable little scarf for not much time investment (or moo-lah investment) and it was super easy!!  When I saw these scarfs I automatically thought of my mom so I'm sure that she'll be getting one of these for something coming up soon...hope mom doesn't read this one!

Here's the run down on how to make this fun little number:

1) Get yourself a couple of t-shirts.  I did two different colors to give mine a bit of pizazz.  You can't go wrong with pink and black.  Note - I bought mine both at Hobby Lobby and they were size XL.

2) Lay your t-shirts out and get yourself a paper plate (one you haven't used, of course!) and cut out circles from the t-shirts.  I used my rotary cuter making it probably more simple than using scissors but I'm sure scissors would do the trick, just take a bit longer.

3) Take a pair of scissors and cut a spiral out of the circles like below.  I did two circles at a time to make it go a bit faster and it worked just fine. 

4) To finish, you simply stretch the strips out by pulling on both ends and it will begin to naturally ruffle up.  I took one piece of strip and looped it around the point where both sides met in the front and tied it around to hold the sides together and double knotted it in back and let the ends hang to look like just another part of the scarf.  You could just knot it in the back where your neck is and let the two sides hang freely - whatever your pleasure!  I added a cute little black flower that clips in so I can change it out depending on how I feel that day - funky or not quite so funky.  :)

Happy Crafting!!!

XOXO 

Lacey

Day 6 - Out of this world sheet cake!

Well, call this cheating or not but I'm ADDING a pin today.  I searched on Pinterest for this pin and it was nowhere to be found!  Who doesn't make Texas Sheet Cake???  This recipe is my FAV ever - because it's my GRANDMA'S recipe.  It is delicious!

For our Superbowl party of 3, we are making a smorgasbord of items including this decadent dessert.  We're not huge sports nuts so I really watch for the pre-game show, half-time show and enough highlights to make me sound somewhat competent during day after conversations and Facebook team trashing.

Here's the recipe for you to try out.  Just don't plan on the next day being your "weigh in" day.  Yikes!!!

Regena's Brownies:

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

4 T. cocoa

2 sticks oleo

1 c. water

1/2 c. buttermilk

2 eggs, beaten 

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix flour, sugar, soda and cinnamon.  Melt cocoa, oleo and water together, then add to dry ingredients.  Add buttermilk, eggs and vanilla.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 min in a 11 x 16 inch pan.  

Frosting:

Melt 4 tablespoons cocoa, 1 stick oleo, 6 tablespoons milk, 4 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat well and pour over warm cake.  

GAH!!!!  So good - eating it now as I'm typing.

Day 5 - Giant Magnet Board

Feeling like I should give some love to E so today, during Crop-A-Ganza I put together this very cute, fun magnetic board for Easton.  This was SOOOOO easy!!!  And cheap for that matter.

I bought the oil drip pan from Wal-Mart for $9.99 and all the letters are is a banner you can pick up at any school supply store or office store (Office Max).  You just will need to adhere them to the oil pan with rubber cement.

I didn't grab a picture of it on the wall in Easton's play room because like I said, I was cropping all day!!!  BUT, I will be attaching it to the wall with velcro strips (the hubby would probably send me to the garage to sleep if I put any more holes in the walls around here).

**This project could be perfect for tons of other things - I'm thinking offices, craft rooms (oooh the ideas), classrooms - the list could go on and on and on.

***One thing I probably would have done different next time would be to spice the drip pan up a bit with some paint or some sort, probably spray paint.  Give it some color!

Here's the original post from the pin I found.  http://nicandkate09.blogspot.com/2011/08/alphabet-board.html

Day 4 - Scrapbook Layout

Day 4 is brought to you courtesy of Crop-A-Ganza!  If you are a scrapbooker and haven't heard of, been to or fought for a seat to go - you need to attend just once.  It is a mecca for scrapbookers.  2 1/2 days of non-stop cropping (scrapbooking ), eating, drinking aka sneaking in the wine and girl gossip.  It's AWESOME!!!  And let me tell you - I've only been here for 4 hours and we've talked about 1) how older men have a more attentive eye for doing sentimental things 2) how yoga is THE workout to feel the best about yourself and loose the baby belly (ahem Elyse...whatever!) and 3) about how to get regular.  BAHAHAHA!!!  If you only knew the OTHER conversations!!!

Here is the layout I found on Pinterest and loved!  It turned out pretty darn cute.  Good thing I've got a couple of good looking boys in the family to make it look so fantastic!

The link to the original post is www.scrapbookgeneration.blogspot.com.  Be sure to check her site out.  There are some amazing layouts!

And...if you are in the Wichita area - look up Scrapfunattic and sign up to come talk about girl stuff in September (the next Crop-A-Ganza)!  www.scrapfunattic.com

Day 3 - Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

Ok, as I write this blog post I'm trying to hold myself down from getting up and going to the fridge to warm up leftovers.  This meal was AH-MA-ZING!!!

I've got quite a few meals on my cooking board (which for some reason seems to have been taken over by delicious desserts) and had only made a small handful of them.  Crockpotting is SO easy - I really should do it more often!

Here's the scoop on the Teriyaki Chicken:

I'm attaching the link to the recipe.  The only change I made was that I halved the recipe because there's only 2 of us (Easton's doesn't count for dinner time because he's in the 19 month old I don't like to eat phase).

1) So easy - put your chicken thighs in the crockpot.

2) Mix the sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and ginger.

3) Pour over chicken.  Cover and cook for 4 or 5 hours on low.  I turned the chicken over about half way through.

4) When it's done, pull the chicken out and set aside.  Scoop the broth up and mix the flour/water mixture in and it makes the most out of this world sauce you put over the chicken.  I served it on rice.  YUM-O!!

This was SO easy and SOOOO yummy!  Everybody should put this on their menu for next week.  I promise you won't be disappointed.  Would love to hear what you thought of it.  

:)  Happy Thursday!

Link to recipe:

http://lakelurecottagekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/08/crock-pot-teriyaki-chicken.html

Day 2 - Double Sided Apron

This pin has been staring me down - the major problem was that I didn't feel like I could sew like a big girl.  :)  I'm very comfortable quilting but making aprons and clothing, well that's a whole new beast.  While I was working on the benefit a few weeks ago, I met the sweetest gal named Joni Johnson and she does window treatments among many other things and when I told her that I was afraid of attempting something like an apron but told her I sew she informed me that she was terrified of quilting.  So...I thought what the heck, let's give it a try!

Here are some pictures from my apron making time.  Now, please note that this first one is a) not perfect whatsoever and b) took me about double the time it probably would take me on round two.  One thing is for sure though - I am adding this to my Etsy site and plan on making many more!  They are too cute NOT to make!

 The bodice pieces - front and back

 I made and sewed dart marks!!!

 Both sides before sewing together

 Finished product - side A

 Finished product - side B

 McKinley rocked the apron!!  Wonder if she cooks at home???  ;)

The McKinley apron will be for sale on my Etsy shop later this evening.  The apron is $42.