A Very Merry Christmas

This Christmas Season has come upon us so fast. It took a while for me to get into the spirit of it all. It's been a little difficult this year, since I won't get to share it with all four of our children and grandchildren, but, I managed to keep pushing myself and do a little everyday. After a week or two, it hit me. I even decorated my curtain rod, in my kitchen.

I was all set to hit the stores and fight the crowds, today, and look for a table runner. To my delight, I received this in the mail today. Cecelia, a very special friend, miss her so much, made this for me. Perfect timing and perfect on my table.
Thank you SO much, Cecelia, for always thinking of me.

Crafty Christmas Fun

Up a little to early this morning but thought I would make use of the extra time before I head off to work.
Feeling somewhat festive this season so I decided to take a break from our remodeling and have some crafty fun. Found this pattern on Pinterest, love the pleat in the center.

Thought this would add a nice accent to dress up an outfit. I used Patons Silk Sequence. I bought two scenes, since each scene is 2 ply, I doubled the yarn. Quick and easy, my kind of craft.
Makes a nice Christmas gift too.

How to make paper look old by aging it with tea | mevsthehouse.com

How to make paper look old by aging it with tea | mevsthehouse.com

Fall Table Centerpiece

Found another clever and inexpensive centerpiece for my table. I had this hurricane vase for quite sometime. Usually just put it out during the Christmas season. Well, thanks to Pinterest, I discovered another use for it.
Just used some dried kidney beans, lentils and popcorn. How easy is that!

Pinterest Perfect

Spotted this cute idea on Pinterest. Quick and easy Fall table decor.

All I did was purchase 5 small pumpkins, borrowed some staples from my husbands staple gun, salvaged 3 hurricane lamps from around my house, I collect hurricane lamps, braced each lamp with the staples, just push them in the pumpkin. Add any scented, or unscented, votive and VoLaah!

Crossing Fingers

We have been working on our walls for a good month now. It all started back in July when I decided to apply wainscot, in my kitchen, as a backsplash. After that project was finished, the walls really needed a new coat of paint, so we did that. My hallway and kitchen area are open, so now I had to do something with the hallway.

I found this idea while searching the internet.

It looks easy enough. So, tomorrow I begin. If all turns out like I plan, I will post the final results with easy to follow instructions on how to obtain this look.
I have been filling and sanding "very" rough textured walls for about 4 weeks to get the look I hope to obtain. Not sure what I am going to do if it doesn't turn out???

Fall Fun

It seems more people are getting ready for Fall weather. I love the Fall season. Always makes me feel cozy and fresh. Although, it is still in the 90's here, 99 today. I can still get ready.

Saw this idea on the net. Myhomeideas.com Cinnamon wreath. It looks so country and I am sure the aroma will be pleasant.
I enjoy finding new and unique ideas to make. This will look adorable hanging in any window. Inside of coarse.

All you need is a 12" flat wood wreath, or any size you like, 6" length cinnamon sticks, glue gun, any kind of ribbon you like, I'm thinking of using burlap fabric.
Glue the cinnamon sticks on both sides of wreath. All done!

I can't decide which season I love the most, Fall or Spring. But, at the moment, Fall seems to be on top.

Canning Day

We so enjoy fresh garden tomatoes. I am so thankful my husband has such a green thumb when it comes to the garden.

Also, I am making homemade spaghetti sauce from these beautiful gems. I tend to like my spaghetti sauce a little on the sweet side, I add just a pinch of brown sugar. The tomatoes, this year, are so full of flavor, I really haven't needed to add any sugar. We add very little salt, just a teaspoon to each qt.

We are discovering that adding a qt. of tomatoes to several different recipes, really makes the food more savory.

"Farmhouse" Table Runner

My daughter in law had made some adorable placemats, for my Christmas present, last year, out of my favorite Waverly fabric. I have been anxious to get them out on the table but really wanted a table runner to go with it. I love the look of table runners.

Today, I decided I would try and make one. Drove to Joann's fabric, thank goodness we have one here in town. Found my material and headed home. Didn't take long to put this together.
I love anything that looks "farmhouse" style. I noticed, after searching the internet, most runners are squared off, not the typical diamond shape. I am really satisfied with the results.

I actually applied iron on interfacing. Very quick and easy.

Another facelift with Wainscot

Have been wanting some sort of backsplash for my outdated kitchen. I happen to love the look of farmhouses.
My husband found some wainscot along side of the freeway a few years ago. I had planned on putting it in our bathroom, when we remodeled. I changed my mind. Well, I have been holding on to it for a while. While looking at kitchen remodels, I spotted several with a wainscot backsplash.....the imagination started running.
We have been in the middle of replacing our bedroom window, we added a new door that steps out onto the patio.
When I told my husband what I wanted to do with the wainscot, his reply was...."don't you think we already have a big project".
Well, i had helped him replace the window, the rest of the work was out of my hands. There is just some things a women can't do...at least this woman.
I told him..."not to worry, this is my project, just show me how to use the chop saw". He rolled his eyes, like he usually does, but he agreed to show me....

It really wasn't that hard, I measured and cut, I even managed to add the trim. Quite impressed with myself. Even my husband is impressed.


As you can see, we were in great need of something behind the stove.
I plan on doing the other side wall, behind the sink.
I am going to give my whole kitchen a complete facelift, new color of paint and hopefully new wood floors.

Face Lift

We ordered this door to replace our window in our bedroom. It arrived yesterday. We managed to get it home in one piece. Tomorrow we start demolition. There is so much to be done to our bedroom. It has the same paint from 10 years ago. The bedroom really is need of a facelift. I would post a "before" picture, but your going to just have to take my word, it is really a sad looking situation.
I have plenty of new ideas for it. Let's just pray it all turns out as planned.

Crocheted Dress I made for my grand daughter.

My grand daughter is so cute, you ask her to pose and she knows exactly what to do. Pretty smart for a 4 year old.

Beaded Spring Scarf

Crochet Pinafore

Made this adorable Pinafore. I added buttons that look like pansies. It was very easy to make. Working on another one, it will be dark gray. I plan on making a dress to go underneath the pinafore. This may take some time to do.
I find crocheting is very relaxing, I took the dress I made on our trip up to Washington, it really made the trip more bearable and time flew.

Crocheted Hat and Booties.

My sister and I have decided to put some of our talent to work. We started a little business called "Two Sisters In Stitches." We have a section at a store in Oakdale, Creative Minds. We both find crocheting very relaxing. Also, I like to quilt and just make cute things like aprons, etc.

I tried to follow the pattern for this hat but the finished product did not turn out the way it was suppose to, so, I made up my own pattern. It really is adorable.

This is such a cute set, crocheted hat and booties with silk flowers.

Gluten Steak.

First time I have made anything gluten. Always love it when a new recipe is good.

CHIP 2011 Graduation

Fondant Carrots

Made these to decorate a vegan carrot cake.

Update

It's been a while since I have posted or even looked at my blog. Now that we have Facebook, I find myself doing that more. So, just in case anyone is wondering what I have been up to, well, I am really into vegan cooking. Have discovered a few delicious recipes, Burgers etc. Will post some pics next time I make some, oh, and the recipe. Just for those who are looking for a healthier lifestyle.
Spending my spare time crocheting. In the process of making a dress for my grand daughter. It is taking longer than I had anticipated but I am sure the final results will be to my satisfaction.
Hope all my friends are doing well. Will be checking back soon to see if anyone ever checks the blogs out anymore.