Vintage Flower Hair Pins

Look what I whipped up using some retired  Stampin' Up! Vintage Flower adornments from last Spring's Occasions mini catalog. I loved these flowers the minute I saw them. The colors are fabulous... Rose red, Baja breeze, and Very vanilla. I have seen vintage inspired floral hair pins/ barrettes everywhere. 

I went to my local craft store and found  the bobby pins and a great epoxy glue to use for nearly every purpose (E6000-love that stuff) Please take caution and use this glue in a well ventilated area.  

This craft took all of 10 minutes to make from start to finish. I always let me glue dry overnight.

I think they would be perfect to put in Easter baskets

Mini Bedroom Makeover

Back in February I got an itch to clean, tidy, and do a mini makeover in our master bedroom. I love the bold Polo-like plaid  wallpaper  but it is just that... "BOLD". We've been in our house nearly 10 years now and I was  getting tired of  the bedding and the "whole look".  I knew I could not afford to do a huge makeover but thought I could definitely do some little changes.
           I am sorry, I did not take before pictures- kinda embarrassing. I really thought it looked  dated.

I decided to keep the wallpaper after reading and following this blog: 

http://thewickerhouse.blogspot.com/ She did a whole month dedicated to plaid. It was really cool. It made me feel better about my "Out of date" bold plaid wallpaper.

 I bought a grey bedspread, folded my existing POLO-like comforter at the bottom of the bed. 

My mom made the blue pillows from existing pillows I had. They are covered with blue cloth napkins that I found at Target on clearance. I changed my curtains from navy valances to grey panels also found at Target on clearance. I found the grey and blue ruffled pillow at Target- it was on sale not clearance.  Gosh... I love that store...

I made pennant banner using Stampin Up!'s older Sizzix pennant Die cut, a few flowers, paper doilies, felt, old buttons, ribbon and the TASTEFUL TRIM Bigz XL Dies #120893. I think it looks fresh and adorable hanging from the large shelf above my bed. I added some coordinating paper flowers to the frames and monogram Y to add to the coordination.

I found the silver plate  and milk glass vase at a thrift store. I washed, polished and added a rub on I found years ago at a craft store onto the plate. I made the love shadow box a few years ago at an after school art class. I changed the lamp shade on these tall candlestick lamps.  I wrapped the new beaded lamp shades in blue striped wide ribbon to give a coordinating look. The pussy willows in the milk glass bud vase is a perfect way to add texture to this little corner space. (we are not going to talk about my near vintage alarm clock... yes, I still use that thing and have for about 20 years). I have natural rattan baskets on the shelf under each of our nightstands (not visible from photos).

Here is a photo of our large dresser. I bought a new lamp to coordinate with my curtains and the new smaller shades on the bedside lamps. I found it at Lowes. My husband hung a large mirror that I have had in many places around the house. I love it behind my dresser.

I know its nothing over the top spectacular but I am pleased with the outcome. My husband also has commented a few times on how much he really likes it. He loves the curtains and small  masculine details. Going from only having a valance and blinds to having lined curtains and blinds is a "HUGE" difference. We have noticed how much warmer and darker our room is now. It worked out for him a few weeks back when he was switched to third shift.

FREEZER MEALS

Well I have jumped on the freezer meal bandwagon... its very popular now. I have read about it on other blogs  for a while and I found wonderful ideas on PINTEREST. It really makes sense. For those of you who aren't familiar, you buy in bulk and create many meals in which you then freeze in plastic containers, freezer bags or both. I did some casseroles and crock pot meals. I love my crock pot. I use my crock pot both in the summer and the winter. Its FABULOUS! I froze all my crock pot meals in freezer bags. Flatten bags the best you can, press the air out, and stack in freezer. (I have 2 refrigerators with freezers and a chest freezer) This freezer is just crock pot meals. My kitchen freezer has my freezer jams, waffles, ice cream, and things I use often. My chest freezer has large things like meats, frozen pizzas, frozen vegetables,  and heat and eat lunch and snack items.

 I got the ideas and recipes here:

http://melissafallistestkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/freezer-cooking-slow-cooker-meals.html

She really did a nice job explaining in detail how to prep, freeze and cook when you use it.

I completed 12 crock pot meals in bags and assemble 4 casseroles. This will be so helpful for when I need something fast on those busy days or days I work.  Now what to make with those pie crusts?...

One of my family's favorite casseroles is lasagna. Its delicious on cold days and its  not hard to make either.

Lasagna

1 lb gr beef or sweet Italian sausage

(sometimes I mix half beef with half pork)

1 clove garlic, minced

1T Italian seasonings

1 1/2 tsp salt

1- 16 0z can tomatoes

2- 6oz cans tomato paste

lasagna noodles (non cook noodles)

2 eggs

3 C Ricotta cheese

1/2 C grated PParmesan cheese

2T Italian seasoning

1T Parsley

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 lb  fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

Set noodles aside. Brown meat. Drain. Add next 5 ingredients but only . Simmer uncovered 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Beat eggs, add remaining ingredients but only 1/2 of shredded mozzarella. Put some sauce in bottom of 13x9x2 inch pan (just enough to coat). Layer noodles 3-5 (enough to cover bottom of pan) in bottom, spread 1/2 ricotta mixture, 1/2 meat sauce, rest of shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat but then add fresh mozzarella slices to top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. (you can refrigerate or freeze at this time- bake for 45 mins if refrigerated. If frozen, thaw overnight then bake 45-60 minutes). Let stand 10 mins. Serve. 10-12 servings.

I am refrigerating my lasagna for a couple days. I wrapped top with foil and then placed lid on top of my baking dish.

My second casserole is Manicotti. I used a disposable/ bakable/ freezable Ziploc container  to store this one.

Manicotti

1/2 lb Italian sausage, browned and drained

1 clove garlic

1tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp dried parsley

1- 15 oz can stewed Italian tomatoes

1- 6 oz paste

Manicotti noodles

3 C Ricotta cheese

2eggs

1/2 C Parmesan cheese, grated

2T Italian seasonings

8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

Brown meat and drain. Add next 7 ingredients. Cook 30 minutes, Cook noodles as package directs. Beat eggs, add ricotta, Parmesan, 1/2 mozzarella, and seasonings. Mix well. Fill each pasta with cheese mixture. Place/ layer in baking dish. Cover with meat sauce. Cool. Place lid and wrap with foil. Freeze up to 2 months.

(photo from Pinterest)

This is another casserole I made. Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti- YUMMY!!!!!

I doubled the recipe. We ate one for dinner yesterday and I froze the other. After cooking all day, I forgot to take pictures of this dish before my family devoured it. Everyone loved it.

You can find the recipe here:

http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2008/06/old-fashioned-chicken-spaghetti.html

St Patrick's Wreath

I'm at it again, Holiday wreath making again. Its hard to believe Spring is right around the corner. I love that thought.

I used:

 1)  12" styrofoam wreath form from the Dollar Store

2)  1/2 yard fabric

3)  ribbon scraps

4)  two 8 x 11" sheets of cream felt

5)  two 12 x 12" pieces of green patterned paper

6) fabric pinwheels sewn at previous time.

7) hot glue

8) Shamrock  Sizzix Diecut.

1) Cut fabric into 2" strips.

2) Wrap fabric strips evenly around styrofoam wreath form. Hot glue at beginning and end.

3) Make felt flowers following previous tutorial post.

 4) Loop ribbon and glue to the top of the fabric yo- yo.

5) Glue the flower on top of that.

Here is a glimpse of the flower bases and the shamrocks I had to choose from.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope I have  inspired  you to make something with felt flowers this week. Happy crafting, cooking, and whatever else you do.