Christmas Stars

Is it too early for a Christmas post?  I didn't think so.  Check out these metal stars I made up last weekend.

These are simply metal stars from Michael's that I covered with scrapbooking paper using mod podge.

But don't bother rushing out to Michael's for the stars.  I haven't been able to find them anymore for the last couple of years.  I just happened to uncover these stashed away in my craft cabinet.  I had six small stars and three large ones.

I decided this last star was a little plain so I found this candle garland at Michael's to spice it up just a little.  I really like that addition.

These stars are available in my etsy shop.

I am sharing this at my favorite parties.

Cut It Out Frames

My latest project was hanging some new wall art.  To do this I ordered some frames from Cut It Out.  I've seen them on a lot of blogs and decided I wanted some for myself.  I was a little surprised by how big they were but they still worked great for this.

First, I framed this super cute print I bought from this lovely etsy shop Pinwheel Designs.  I am just smitted with this saying.  The frame is the one called Chandler and I painted it in Martha Stewart satin jonquil.

I think it's a perfect addition to my craft corner.

Next I wanted to do something with a too small t-shirt I had from vacation a few years ago.  I decided to frame it with the Preston frame.

Deciding on what color to paint this was hard as I limited myself to what I had on hand.  I went with metallic blue pearl.  And I love it.

I have more art projects coming soon so stay tuned.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Messenger Bag

Don't you hate it when you make something and it doesn't turn out as wonderful as you thought it would?  That's what I would say about this bag.

This bag is actually bigger than I think I need {which never happens}.  And I got a little carried away on making the strap long.  I wish the flap was a little bit bigger.  But I'm really happy with my fabric choice though!

The pattern is from Crazy Little Projects.  Check it out if you are looking for a nice big bag.

Have a great week!

{Not So Confidential} - September in Review

I am still here.  I'm just not getting many projects done.  But don't worry, I'm wrapping some up this week so there will be more posts next month.  I promise.  In the meantime, enjoy these shots from the Como Zoo while you read what I did do in September.

{What I made} Craft Projects

Small Dog Beds

{What I made} Yummy Eats

• Easy Skillet-Barbecued Pork Chops from Tracey's Culinary Adventures - I love pork chops and I know I will be making these again.
• Sweet Corn and Sausage Chowder from Lauren's Latest - When I found some sweet corn at the farmer's market, I knew I needed to make this and it was super yummy and easy.
• Whole Wheat Pizza Pockets from 100 Days of Real Food - I was looking for a healthy pizza pocket recipe and this was a big winner.
• Chicken Meatloaf from Mountain Mama Cooks - I was a little hesitant to make this because of the cheese (not really a cheese fan) but so glad I did.  It is really good.

{What I read} previous count - 27

1. Angelina's Bachelors by Brian O'Reilly
2. Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts

Small Dog Beds

This past week I had visitors - my sister, brother-in-law, and their two four-legged kids, Moxie and Mogwai.  I'm not much of a pet person so having dog guests doesn't happen here much {or actually - at all}.  In an effort to disuade the dogs from sitting on the couches I made them dog beds.

I got the directions from the Winter 2009 issue of Quilts and more.  It was a simple project and a quick one.  And it seems they were well liked.

This is Moxie.  It didn't take her long at all to figure out how great the beds were.  {The beds on the couch were not my idea.  I had them on the floor...}

It took Mogwai a little longer to get used to them.

I watched them one night while my sister and brother-in-law went out to dinner.  Every time my neighbor closed a cabinet door, they raced to the door and barked.  Annoying!

And then they would return to their positions but usually they ended up swapping spots.  Ha! Apparently the white pillow is the best.

Have a good evening.

{Not So Confidential} - August in Review

Happy Labor Day!  Let's take a moment to smell the roses before recapping the month.

{What I made} Craft Projects

Kitchen Art Printable

Headbands

{What I made} Yummy Eats

• Honey Barbecue Meatloaf from Can You Stay For Dinner - I'm a sucker for honey barbecue.
• Garlic Rubbed Roasted Cabbage Steaks from Everyday Maven - I saw these cute little heads of cabbage at the farmer's market perfect for this and it was really good.
• Sweet Corn Risotto from The Novice Chef - I wish making risotto wasn't so tedious.  But it sure was good.
• Honey Wheat Bread from Buns In My Oven - As I may have mentioned before, I am always on the look out for bread recipes.  This one is a keeper.
• Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream from Baked by Rachel - My ice cream maker is getting a serious workout.
• Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream from Tracey's Culinary Adventures - I wasn't kidding about the ice cream maker getting a workout.
• Summer Vegetables with Sausage and Potatoes from Skinnytaste - I made this tasty dish with some beautiful purple potatoes from my parent's garden.
• Sweet Corn and Bacon Skillet Mac & Cheese from Iowa Girl Eats - A yummy twist on a classic.
• Blackberry Anise Ice Cream from A Spicy Perspective - Love. Love. Love
• Puff Pastry Wrapped Turkey Burger Sliders from Mountain Mama Cooks - I skipped the mango chutney because the store didn't have any and I made them more burger size than sliders but so yummy anyways.

{What I read} Previous count - 24

1. Mourn Not Your Dead by Deborah Crombie
2. I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton
3. The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal

Headbands

Finally I can cross something off my project list!  Earlier this month I whipped up some fast and easy headbands using four different tutorials that I had pinned over the past year or so.

Originally I had planned to make these headbands with only the materials I had on hand.  {think scrap buster + tight wad}  But then I saw this ruffle elastic at JoAnns and just had to have it.

Let's check out what I made:

Braided Headband by Clones N Clowns

The first step with these instructions was to convert to inches which was easy enough after a quick google search.  The real trick here was finding scraps long enough.  I made one headband using strips 1 1/2" wide and another with strips 2".  It's a close call but I think I like the smaller strips better.  And because I had that cute ruffle elastic I didn't bother to cover it like the original instructions showed.  The only thing I didn't like about making this was attaching the elastic to the braided section.  I just couldn't figure out a good way to make it look finished.  Of course if I had made the fabric tube that would be covered.  Oh well.  Overall, I like these headbands a lot.

Double Sided Fabric Headbands by happy together

I knew from the pictures in this post and the pattern that this headband would be wider than what I would like.  But I had a simple fix for that.  After printing out the pattern, I just cut off a 1/4" from each long edge.  This one was probably the quickest sew.  I changed it up slightly from the tutorial.  With the two fabric pieces right sides together and the elastic sandwiched between them with raw edges together along one short end, I sewed a 1/4" seam around three sides (the two long sides and the short one with the elastic).  Then I turned the piece right right side out and pressed, folding under about a 1/4" on the open end.  Lastly, I slipped about 1/2" of the other end of the elastic into the open end and stitched it closed.  Easy!  I still thought the band was too wide so I took my revised pattern and cut off another 1/4" from each long edge.  That was a mistake as it made the ends too narrow.  So I tossed that attempt and instead left the ends the same as my original revision and simply narrowed the center part of the band by a 1/4".

No Slip Fabric Headband by that girl...that quilt

So for this headband I did have to purchase something - velveteen ribbon.  I did skip the steam-a-seam and didn't miss it at all.  Otherwise I pretty much followed this easy tutorial.  I bought enough ribbon to make two.  While I like these headbands, I probably won't be making any more.  I'm simply too cheap to buy more velveteen ribbon especially since there are so many other ways to make headbands with just scraps.

No Slip Headband on Positively Splendid

This post claims that velcro is the trick for no slip headbands.  Well, I hadn't had any issues of slipping headbands with any of the other bands I made but maybe that's just me.  {I also don't agree with the writers statement that it won't pull your hair out when removed.  But again, maybe that's just me.}. The tutorial offers three variations and I made the one with a fabric top.  I was able to make one with what I had on hand but no more.  And what do you do with the loop side of the Velcro that you didn't use?  Seems like a waste to me.  As you have probably guessed, this was my least favorite of the four types I made.

Now that you've heard my experiences and opinions, it's time to make your own.  Have fun!

I am sharing this at my favorite parties.