November 30, 2012

Christmas Ball #2

For this one I cut the foam ball in half. I wasn't sure if I had enough pins for a full ball. But also I can have different sizes and shapes. Not sure if I want to hang these or stick them in a dish/bowl.

I cut the ball in half with a box cutter and a saw thingy my husband had in his toolbox. Maybe not the best way to cut it. I was so nervous I was going to cut myself! I need to find an old knife so I can make one swoop instead of scoring and sawing. (I was going to put the sequins around it, but decided the strip of fabric was best)

I cut a circle out of the fabric and then cut 4 slits on each side. So I can wrap the fabric onto the ball and it wouldn't gather. I put a daub of hot glue in the center and then pinned each side down.

I cut a circle for the back side as well. You won't see this, but I didn't just want to leave it bare.
Start layering the pieces.
Side view of what it will look like. I had to redo this a few times because it wasn't lining up. I reccomend slightly pinning each end until it is fully lined up! That way you won't have a hard time trying to pull the pins out. Good thing I didn't do a manicure! I think I chipped a nail or two. With this type of foam, the pins really stick into the foam!
All done! I cut a 2 inch strip to wrap around the edge. I was going to put ribbon, but it didn't hide the pins to well and it didn't look right.
I hot glued the strip all the way around.
Finished product! I cannot believe how cool it looks!! Now if I wanted to hang it I could pin a ribbon onto the back.

This is the tutorial I followed:
http://knittygrittythoughts.typepad.com/knitty_gritty_thoughts/2009/11/my-entry.html


November 29, 2012

Sexiness for the holidays!

Here is the dish towel and pot holder I made last night. My husband isn't digging it too much HAHA


And yes their is bling on the Christmas balls. It makes it look as they are sparkling in the light!

Time to kick the crafting into high gear


I love to craft!! I like to make things that are unique and fit the style of my home. And if you've been to my house you know it's not 'normal'. Haha normal is so boring! Well I've been trying to get more into the holiday spirit and I thought making decorations would help me do just that. So last night I Googled 'CHRISTMAS FABRIC CRAFTS' and found a ton of things to make! Which is kind of a bad thing because now I want to make everything!!! If I would've started this last month or even a few weeks ago I might have been able to make everything, but we are just a few days away from December.

I did however make my SEXY DISHTOWEL and POTHOLDER last night. I fell in love with that fabric the second I saw it! My only mistake was I didn't get a full yard. It was a bit pricey and because I was the youngest at the Sew & Quilt Expo, no one was nice to me. I guess us 'kids' can't sew and quilt! So I just had the lady cut me half a yard.

Tonight though I started a Christmas ornament. It looked pretty easy from the tutuorial, but once I started I knew I would only be able to make 1 ornament a night. Lining the fabric up was a bit tricky. Also I started following one pattern, which called for 2x2 inch squares, and then switched to another pattern. The second pattern called for 2.5x2.5 inch squares! So my measurements were a bit off. The first pattern was egg shaped and you just layer the squares on starting from the bottom. The second was a ball and you layer each side with a pattern in the middle. After the difficulty of lining everything up, I think I will just layer a ball, starting bottom side up and then end with a design in the middle. I do have to say, my fingers hurt from pushing the pins in and I am almost out of the brand new box of pins!

The link I followed for the fabric Christmas ornament was
http://randomramblingsofanartsycrafter.blogspot.com/2010/12/quilted-ornament-tutorial.html


The fabric I used was Christmas bandanas found at Hobby Lobby for $1! The Christmas items were 50% off today! I was going to get actual fabric, but it was on sale for $5-$6 a yard! I only need pieces, not a full yard or even half. I usually look through the remenant bin, but they were stocking and the bin blocked off. I could only see a few Christmas remenants but they were ugly.


The styrofoam I used was a hard styrofoam, not the kind that makes a mess. I wish I would've gotten the messy kind though. The pins were hard to push into this ball. But everything stayed neat, clean and much more together than a messy ball.


First layer started. This was a bit hard to line everything up. I had to redo it.

Second layer....it's starting to take shape!


Um yea, design is a bit off....hmmm o'well! It's my first one.


Hot glued ribbon around the ball and pinned/hot glued ribbon so I can hang it.


November 20, 2012

Crock-Post Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning




Tonight I tried a new recipe. Crock-Pot Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning. I actually had to add about 2 cups of beef broth because I don't measure, I had way too much beef and veggies! Their was a ton of flavor going throughout this stew! Only thing is, I used Food Network crockpot instead of an actual Crock-Pot lol

I added in a can of corn when the stew was done. I turn off the crockpot and let sit covered for about 5 minutes. The heat will warm the corn and it will still be crunchy.


November 19, 2012

Campbell's Skillet Sauces


Chili Beans

1 Packet of Campbell's Skillet Sauces Fire Roasted Tomato
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 small yellow onion, diced
(1) 15oz can of Hunts diced tomatoes, drained
(1) 15oz can of Teasdale pinto beans, drained
1 lb. ground beef
2c. water with 1 beef boullion cube / 2c. water with 1 tomato boullion cube
(I boiled water in a measuring cup and added boullion cube. Stirred until the cube was dissolved then poured it in)
1 1/2 tbls. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt to taste
Chili powder to desired spiceyness

Heat oil on medium heat. Turn to medium-low and add onions. Sweat the onions in olive oil for about 2-3 minutes in a dutch oven. Add ground beef and garlic, brown meat. Add about 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp. of chili powder to the ground beef mixture. Drain ground beef and return to pan. Add beef and tomato broth, pinto beans, Campbell's Skillet Sauce and tomatoes. Add more salt and chili powder, just taste and add what you think is needed. (I don't measure I just put some in my hand and throw it in.)Cover and simmer on low for about 30-40 minutes.

Serve with cheese and crackers.

November 16, 2012

Call me cheap but why buy it when you can make it yourself?

The other night my husband burned his hand on the hand of our pan and asked that we go and look for pot holders that fit the handles. I told him shoooooot I can make you some! Sure enough I did! I used scrap material and Insulbright. Best part is it fits our decor :-) Found these ones on line for around $8 for 2! I know I could've just went to Bed Bath & Beyond and used 20% off coupon blah blah blah! But I just saved us some money by making it myself! Didn't come out too bad I think and fits perfectly on the handle of our pan!

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-2-Piece-Handle-Holder-Pepper/dp/B00008GKCL/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1353112679&sr=8-3&keywords=pot+handle+holders



Multiple Transaction Coupon Holder For My Binder



More times than not I have 2-3 transactions when I go to Fry's. It is hard to keep the coupons seperated sometimes. So I made this sleeve to go over the front of my binder. Their are 3 pockets so I can seperate my transactions and keep it organized. It velcro's on the inside. I made it to where if I change binders it will fit on my backup binder. Which is a bit bigger than my #1 binder. It isn't the best, kind of just threw it together but it works out perfect!

Christmas Shopping on a Couponers Budget




Today I found Axe gift set for $5.08 on clearance at Target. Of course you know I had a coupon!!! I had $2 off ANY Axe Gift Set making this gift for my nephew $3.08! I found the little trial size deoderant's for .97cents....and of course another coupon! I had $1 off ANY Axe product. Their were no size restrictions. So for $3.08 I got my nephew Bradley Christmas presents.

I found these Wet n Wild train cases $9.99 BUY ONE GET ONE FREE plus CVS coupon for $1 off Wet n Wild Product. Well the cases are broken so they reduced them to $7 plus they were still BOGO!! So for $5 I got both train cases. They have (2) of each: eye shadow, polish, mascara, blush and I believe a few other things inside! So HER N HER are done!

So for $8.08 I got 3 people covered for Christmas!!! Not too bad!

November 7, 2012

Burt's Bee's Intense Hydration Products




Wasn't too happy with the Burt's Bee's Intense Hydration products. I broke out after using the cream cleanser and night cream. I didn't leave the mask on as directed. I was afraid of a major breakout! I didn't like how the day cream did not contain SPF. I do not want skin cancer and always make sure I wear a SPF facial moiturizer!