Beatlemania

A very good friend of mine is moving off the island and gave me two dressers.  One of them she had painted sea creatures all over it with acrylic paint, for her sons bedroom.  This dresser, I wanted to use in my craft room, so the paint didn't bother me too much.  In order to "fit" into the craft room, the dresser needed a Beatles makeover.

I started by taking all the hardware off, and went to work washing, scraping and sanding as much of the paint off I could. 

Some of the paint was very stubborn.  It was ok though because most of it was getting covered.

On a laser printer, I printed out tons of black and white pictures from the internet.  Then cut and trimmed all the white space away.

Using a foam brush and Modge Podge Matte I first laid down a layer of newspaper paper.  Then topped that with the pictures I had printed out.

The finished project (for now).  I still intend to do some more sanding and removing of paint.  I am also going to write or paint lyrics all over it.  For now it has a great spot in the Craft Room and all the drawers are already full with yarn.

Old Skirt Gets New Life

I have had this beautiful tie dye sarong for many many years.  I would say over 10 years.  In the last 8 or so years it has sat in my closet and sat in the craft room pile of "clothes to refashion".  I have held on to it for so long, because of the beautiful colors.  It was not very functional for me though.  I am only 5'2" and sarongs are one size fits most, if you are 6 feet tall.  It drug on the floor and did nothing for my shape.  It made me look even shorter than I am, accentuated my belly and any sort of wind blew open the sarong exposing my underwear to anyone around me.

After my post yesterday, I motivated myself to pull out the sewing machine and the neglected sarong....and came up with this.

I started by sewing the two ends together to create a large tube.  From there I measured how long I wanted the skirt to be (just below my knees) and cut the top of the skirt off.  I wanted to leave the bottom in tact, because it has curved corners that I wanted to keep in the design.  I used the excess material to edge the bottom of the skirt with a two inch ruffle.  The skirt was way to big around the waist, so I had to take that in as well.  To hold the skirt up I used the original ties, sewn together and fed them through the top casing.

Voila, an old skirt gets a new life.

ZZZzzzzz, what? Craft?

All the momentum I had to keep working on projects is gone, at least for this week.  This happens to me a lot.  I will be charging along, busting out projects like a machine, then just stop.  For the last few days I keep looking at patterns and my unfinished project stash, but nothing is catching my eye.

I did try a new recipe last night, Emerils Chocolate Bread.  It was very easy to make and it turned out moist and yummy.  The only thing I would add is some chocolate chips for more chocolate flavor.

A Place for Everything

My latest finished project, finished in two nights, the ultimate crochet hook and tools organizer!  A few years ago I made a small organizer for my crochet hooks, sewing needles, scissors, etc.  I have used the heck out of it, but I just was never big enough or really the best at organizing.  After browsing online for some ideas to make a new one, I came up with this...see picture below.

For the cover, to make it a stiffer fabric, I used two yarns held together.  One was a solid blue and the other a multicolor.  I also used a smaller hook than a yarn gauge would tell suggest.  Once open, everything is neatly displayed with it's own spot....look how nicely everything sits.

A place for everything!  I really love how each hook has it's own spot and can be arranged in order of size(the other organizer did not do this). 

Some cool features:  Inside the pocket with the star button is my measuring tape.  I have hid my sewing needled under the yarn needles.  The felt under the circle holding the yarn needles is where they hide.  I did this because sewing needles are small and can get lost or move if not protected. 

This organizer will be with me for a long time, although I still may use the old one for a traveling case.

"I'm so pretty, oh so pretty!"

I have wanted to try crocheting necklaces directly onto chains for a while.  I saw it somewhere on the internet and thought it looked pretty.  It gives a sturdy foundation to the necklace, a little weight and adds sparkle. 

This weekend, I found these 18" chains in the craft aisle at Walmart for only $1.50.  They are not sterling silver or any fantastic metal, but for the price a great way to try crocheting on them.  For the first necklace, I used a pattern I found in Crochet Today Magazine May/June 2010 issue, but modified it a bit. 

 

This was my first real lace project I have done.  I used Crochet thread and a size 2.75mm hook.  I really like the delicacy of the crochet thread.  Very feminine.  To lay nice and flat, I used a light starch spray, ironed it a little and let it air dry the rest of the way. 

Since I only had white crochet thread.  I decided to try this technique with larger yarn.  I used Peaches and Creme black for the second necklace.

 

This necklace is more bulky.  It is more punk, while the other is very Victorian.  I made this one as I went along.  No pattern.  I am not completely sure if I like it yet, but maybe once I find the right outfit I will.  Either that or I am buying black crochet thread and re-doing it...

What do you think?

Creating a Happy Workplace

Happy Friday!!  I am very happy it is Friday.  My week has been really busy at work and I really need the break.

After Easter, a friend of mine called me up and said, "I have 20 plus Easter Lilies I need to do something with...do you want one?  or two, or ten?"  Now, I could not take ten, but I thought two would be good.  Within 10 minutes of the call she showed up at my office with two beautiful, in full bloom, Easter Lilies.  They were beautiful, but the shiny cellophane wrapping the plastic pot was not.

So what did I do...I crocheted a flower pot cover!  I used plain old acrylic yarn and just improvised on a pattern.  I love them and so far everyone that sees them gets a smile on their face...hopefully it's because they like them too.

 

*  Finger Food Friday will now be posted on Saturdays.

One Ball of Yarn

After much patience, I broke down and bought a beautiful ribbon yarn by Louise Harding called Thalia, without knowing what I was going to do with it.  And later found out it has been discontinued.  It was a $10 skein of yarn, but so pretty and different I just could not resist. 

I thought at first I would make a continuous scarf/cowl...free form.  After knitting about half the skein, it was not going to be big enough to look good, so I unraveled it and started looking for patterns.  The search for what to make with this yarn was quite painful.  I didn't want to have to buy another skein (I am cheap).  It is only about 50 yards, so it had to be a knit pattern.  Wanted something I could wear, or at least use.  Also wanted something different.  After a week of searching I found Vicki Howell's CowlKerchief.  It looked simple, yet different and fun.

For a little finishing I crocheted a simple single crochet edge around the whole thing.  I also decided to just make a crochet "button".  I think it turned out pretty good.

Now what to wear with it...

Finger Food Friday....oh, um Tuesday?

The weekly "Finger Food Friday", has not been very consistent...but at least I am still doing them right?  I had a feeling when I started "Finger Food Friday", that it would be a little challenging for me to post the recipes every Friday.  That was one of the reasons I was intrigued to do it.  I wanted to challenge myself, have a weekly feature and most of all just share these great recipes.  Friday...that is where the problem lays.  Work is usually busy that day, my lunch break is spent planning for that night, after work is filled with grocery shopping and cooking and cleaning.  Leaving little time or energy to take pictures, and post to the blog.  I just might start "Finger Food Thursday"?


Mama Mia Ravioli Bites
Recipe from Pillsbury. Changed a little.

Ingredients:

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

1 Container Whole Milk Ricotta (15oz)

1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese

1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese

2 TBSP Chopped Basil

Salt and Pepper

Thinly Sliced Salami, Finely Chopped (2 1/2oz)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 Degrees.

Unroll Dough, press together seams.  Using rolling pin, flatten out slightly.  Cut into Squares about 2 1/2" big.  Place one square in the bottom of muffin cups.  In a medium bowl mix remaining ingredients.  Spoon mixture into each cup.  Place second square on top of mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes (or until golden brown).  Serve with warm spaghetti sauce. 

My review...these are so delicious!  They are a great blend of cheese and spices and the salami fits really well. (or so I am told, I am a vegetarian and tried it without the meat)  They were also easy to put together.  As with anything the first time I made them it took some time, but now that I know what I am doing they take no time at all.  As you can see in the picture I also poked a hole in the top, part for aesthetics and part for ventilation. 

* If you try any of the Finger Food Friday recipes, I would love to know what you think. If you changed them up, I would love to know what you did. Email me or comment on this post.

Nana's Need a Place to Relax

Who doesn't think of a hammock and instantly think of relaxation, sunny skies and fruity frozen drinks (preferably alcoholic).  Well at least in my cold part of the world, the fruit for my fruity frozen drinks can benefit from a hammock even if I can't.

The Banana Hammock!  Patterned improvised by...me.

I read somewhere that hanging your fruit instead of letting it sit on the counter helps it stay fresh longer.  Also if pull apart the bananas from their stem.  Attached they ripen faster.

The pattern:

One skein of Lily Sugar and Cream cotton yarn

Size J crochet hook

Yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Chain 44.

Row 1: 

DC in third chain from hook.  *Chain 1, skip 1 chain, DC in next chain, Repeat from * across till there are two chains left.  DC in the remaining 2 chains.  Turn.

Row 2:

Chain 2, DC in 2nd DC. * Chain 3, skip chain 1 space, DC, chain 1 space.  DC in previous row DC. Repeat from * till last two stitches.  DC in remaining stitches.  Turn.

Repeat Row 2 till rectangle is desired width.

To finish repeat row 1. Fasten off

To make ties.  Chain 50, fasten off.  Make 6.  Take three of them and knot the ends together.  Repeat for the other three.  Weave in and out between the end double crochets.  And your done.  Now go get some bananas.

(If you have problems with my directions, please feel free to contact me and I will try to explain the best I can)

A Break

With a busy three day weekend planned, a blogging break (and crafting break) was needed.   My little island was blessed with sun all weekend and that meant a packed three days.  Accomplished lots of yard work, chores, sun bathing and fun.  Also the towns annual fair was this past weekend, so everyone was downtown enjoying carnival rides, games, fair food and craft booths.

Spreading Peace

The other night I went for an ice cream run.  I stood in front of all the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and this one flavor called to me...."Imagine Whirled Peace".  So fitting for me.  I really didn't care what the flavor was, I just needed this pint of ice cream.  Luckily for me, the ice cream was delicious.  It is a Caramel & Sweet Cream Ice Cream, with Fudge Peace Signs & Toffee Cookie Pieces. Mmmmmm Good!  As I sat there, pint in one hand, spoon in the other, I noticed words on the inside of the container.  Which of course meant I needed to eat the whole thing so I could read each and every word...things like..."Give Peace a chance" and "Love and Peace are Eternal".

The inspiration.  After all the ice cream was gone, I had to keep these words!  I wrote everything from the inside of the container on a few post-it notes and the light bulb went off.  Art!  I will make a couple of art pieces to go into my Beatles room (also my craft room).

The process...I started with a piece of linen fabric and spread three different shades of white acrylic paint to create a base.  Let that dry.  Next layer was the blue, nothing fancy just squeezed out the color on the canvas and used a sponge brush to spread it out.  Let that dry.  For the next layer, I took my kitchen sink sponge and cut it into a square.  Brushed the metallic silver paint onto the sponge and stamped it to the canvas.  Let that dry.  For the peace signs, I squeezed out two shades of green (one was metallic) in the shape of the peace signs, making numerous lines of paint.  Then with scrap paper, laid the paper on top of the paint, pressed down slightly and gently pulled off.  Let that dry. 

At this point I wanted to cut the canvas and get them into a frame before the words.  Using a rotary cutter I cut two identical rectangles from the canvas.  Then, using some 1 1/2" x 1/2" wood I created a 16" x 12" frame and stapled the canvas to it.  Finally, with dimensional black paint wrote the words.  Took a few days, because I wanted to make sure the paint was completely dry before I went to the next layer....but I am very happy with the end results.  Not sure the picture does them justice.

"When Ben & Jerry's wanted to talk about peace, we couldn't think of a better person to exemplify the message than John Lennon. Through his art and lyrics he imagined a world without war and asked us all to 'Give Peace a Chance'. We hope this whirly mixture of toffee cookies and fudge peace signs enlightens your bellies and souls and makes you ask what you can do to promote peace in your lives." - on outside of container.

Whoot Whoot, It's Party Time

Even though it is hard work, I really enjoy creating the Friday night snacks.  It is creative and rewarding.  Tonight I give you...

Burger Bites

Ingredients:
Rolls
Egg
Minced Onion
Salt/Pepper
1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs
1 lb Ground Beef
Cheddar Cheese

Directions:
Pre-Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Beat egg, add onion, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.  Stir in bread crumbs and ground beef, mix well.  Press into a 13" x 9" pan.  Bake for14 to 16 minutes or until cooked thoroughly.  Add a layer of cheese on the beef and let melt in the oven for a few minutes.  Cut into squares and put on rolls.  Serve with Ketchup and Mustard.

These are always a hit, but they do take some time (bake two pans at the same time, when making lots).  If you are feeding lots of people depending on the prices of beef in your town, they can get expensive.

* If you try any of the Finger Food Friday recipes, I would love to know what you think. If you changed them up, I would love to know what you did. Email me or comment on this post.

Crochet, Crochet and more Crochet

My hands have been extremely busy with crochet.  I am very amazed at how much I have completed lately.  I have managed to finish a vest, tank and "hair tube", as well as work on the flower blanket.

(Will post pictures of me wearing the items soon, so you get a better idea of how they look.)

The vest pattern is from Crochet Today, called the Stripped Shrug.  I thought it would look pretty as one color (plus I didn't want to have to carry the double yarn throughout).  I choose the cream and I added the fun fur in hopes to make it look a classy, yet fun.

The tank....hmmm, not sure if I like how this turned out.  Found here, called the Happy Days Halter.  I am not very happy with how it lays on my tummy.  I do not have a flat, ripped out abs, and this halter/tank hugs that area...maybe if I block the halter, it will look better. (or do more sit-ups) 

The Hair Tube.  Love it!!!  Using a larger hook, and crochet yarn, it is very flexible.  I don't have dreads, but do have lots of curly hair to tame.  This thing looks great, is comfortable and was easy to make.

The blanket, not finished, but at least still getting worked on.  Maybe not as fast as I would like, but at least I am picking it up every couple days and making progress.  I have even figured out the layout of all the flowers.

Peace Offering

A peace offering for my laziness....Three Friday night reciepes.



 #1:  Grilled Cheese Biscuitwiches

Ingredients:
Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits
Butter or Margarine
American Cheese Slices
Thin slices cooked ham

Separate dough into 10 biscuits, press each biscuit into a 4 inch circle.  In a large non-stick skillet, melt margarine on medium heat.  Fry biscuits in margarine for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.  Place cheese and ham slices on 5 of the biscuits; top with remaining biscuits.  Cook 1 to 2 minutes until cheese is melted, turning once.


#2:  Easy Meatballs
(You will notice I deviate from the directions in the picture.)

Ingredients:
Frozen cooked Italian meatballs.
Barbecue Sauce
Sweet and sour sauce

Cook meatballs according to package.  In a medium sauce pan combine BBQ Sauce, and Sweet and Sour sauce, heat thoroughly on medium heat.  Once meatballs are cooked in a large bowl combine sauce with meatballs.

I like to put the meatballs in a crockpot when ready to serve, so I can keep them warm on low heat.  I also serve them with Hawaiian bread rolls.

#3:  Aussie Sausage Rolls

Ingredients:
Ground Pork Sausage
Onion, finely chopped
Chives
Basil
Garlic Cloves
Paprika
Pepper
Refrigerated Crescent Rolls

In a bowl, combine cooked sausage, onion, chives, basil, garlic, 3/4 of paprika, salt and pepper.  Roll out pastry in to about a 11" x 10 1/2" rectangle.  Cut into 3 1/2" strips.  Spread 1/2 cup of mixture down center of each strip.  Fold pastry over and press edges together to seal.  Cut each roll into six pieces.  Place seam side down on a shallow baking pan.  Sprinkle with remaining paprika.  Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes.

*I would suggest adding a cheese to the sausage mixture.

1970 Flash Back

While visiting my mother in law a few weeks ago, she showed me this Crochet hot pad she was given years ago.  She really liked it because it was double thick and slightly larger than the ones you buy at the store.

"Do you think you could figure out how this was made?".....and just like that the challenge was made.

I took her hot pad with me that day and after examining this thing, trying to determine where the starting chain would of been, and how it was constructed, I decided the best bet would be to search on the Internet for a pattern.  I was successful! 

The pattern is really easy.  They take some time to work up because they are made up entirely of single crochet.  The pattern called for a starting chain of 26, but I did 36 for the small one and 46 for the large one.  I used a size H hook, and Peaches and Creme Cotton 4 ply Yarn.  I love how they turned out.  They are nice and thick.  Which means to pull something out of a hot oven with them will work very well.  The two blue ones in the pictures were given as a mother's day gift to my mother in law, but I will definitely be making some of these for myself.

 

If you would like to make some yourself, the pattern can be found here.