I was a Feature of the Week

Sorry, I haven't been posting anything lately, unfortunately I have a case of the "summer cold" and I'm so tired of coughing.  I have so many projects to get done, but by the time I get home I just don't  have the energy to do anything.

I just have to let everyone know that I was featured on Whimsy Wednesday from last weeks project on my Baseball Wreath.  I'm so thrilled :)  If you have time hop over to The NY Melrose Family,  Jenny has a great blog.  

I hope everyone has a great week, my fingers are still crossed that I will get some projects done this weekend.  My daughter thought I was crazy when I showed her my list on my NOOK, her response was "Really Mom, you have your list on your NOOK?"  What could I say, I usually have it with me and when I think of something, I can just write it down.  It sounds perfectly fine to me. :)

Michelle

Baseball Wreath

Ok, so I have been gone for awhile – sorry.  I just had too many things going on in the month of May.  Between getting everything ready for the end of the school year and the beginning of early cheer/football registration – it was just crazy.

I have a lot of ideas for crafts, I just need to sit down and get them done.  I REALLY need to get Pops to help me get my craft room finished.  But he thinks he needs to work on his car, I swear where is his responsibility, LOL, I guess I will give him a break.  But I have started my “before” pictures of the room, so you can bet that will be posted before long.

Anyway – this being the Baseball season and since we live not 10 min from The Ballpark in Arlington – I just had to make this wreath.  I got the idea from The Pintrest Project, my obsession.  I just can’t seem to get off that site…..

Here’s what I did – I was lucky enough to get some used baseballs from my sons best friend (he is a pitcher) so I didn’t have to buy any , then I had Pops drill holes in each end going through.  He did drill from each end.  I took a hanger and opened it up and bent out the curves.

Of course I had to get blue & red tulle for their colors.  I cut about 10” pieces of each color and folded in half.  Then I fan folded them together and wrapped a piece of floral wire around each set.

I figured out how many “sets” of tulle I needed then twisted the wire onto the hanger between the baseballs.    Since I had doubled the pieces, I separated the layers for a fuller effect.  As you can see these balls have been used, but I think that gives this a more natural look.  I will say that using real baseballs does weigh down this wreath, so be prepared.  I think on the example, they may have used the “beanbag” baseballs, which would not be as heavy.

I took Pops Ranger hat and ran the wire through the holes in the cap, then twisted onto the wire and made a bow for the top.

We had a ceramic sun hanging by the front door, so there was already a screw in the bricks.  I unscrewed a bit, put the hanger behind the screw and then screwed down to hold the wreath.  Since it is heavy, it hangs more like an oval than a circle.

I think it turned out pretty good, but now I have to buy Pops a new hat!!!!  Oh well, it will be worth it.  Now for the Rangers to go back to the World Series this year

The only thing I had to buy for this wreath is the Tulle, which I got on sale @ Hobby Lobby.  I spent $5.00 for this wreath – I can’t beat that price.  Hope you liked my wreath – who is your favorite team?

Have a great day – Michelle


I'm linking to the following:

Brisket

Sorry I have been away for a bit, I’ve been a little busy.  I meant to post this earlier.  Whenever there is a Holiday, I  will usually ask my kids what they want me to cook.  They all have their favorite.  Well for Easter, Toni (my daughter) wanted Brisket.  I’ve been making this for as long as I can remember.  I got this recipe from my mom, who I think got from my grandmother, who I think got from my aunt.   Anyhow, it has been around our family for awhile.  This difference about this Brisket is that you cook it in the oven.  I thought I would pass along my recipe for you.

Brisket

2 tbls Liquid Smoke

1 tsp Garlic Salt

1 tsp Onion Salt

2 tsp Celery Salt

1 1/4 tsp salt

2 tbls Worchester Sauce

2 tsp pepper

4 tbls Soy Sauce

3-4 pound Brisket

Mix all seasonings together.  (my family likes a lot of marinade so I usually double this part).  Marinate over night in the refrigerator.

Bake covered with foil for 3 – 3 1/2 hours.  Remove from oven (I usually turn it over so fat side in on the bottom now)  Pour BBQ sauce over the meat. 

Put it back in the oven and cook for an additional hour or more.  Remove and let sit for at least 10 min.  Then slice.

Enjoy there is usually not any leftovers.  I hope you like it.  Is there something that your family likes for you to make all the time?  I’ll try to post some more favorites in the future.

Hope you have a great day
Michelle I'm linking up to:

Fuzzy Purse

When I was at JoAnn’s the other day, I noticed that they had purse handles on clearance (you know I just can’t pass up a sale) so I thought for Easter, I would make my granddaughter a purse. 

I didn’t have a pattern, so I just made it up as I went.  I had this pink furry material from a blanket I had made for her when she was born.  Then I found a font and printed up a lower case R.  The upper case would have been to big.  I then took the letter, held it up to the window (backwards) and traced it onto some heat/bond.  Ironed it onto my material then cut it out.

I used the width of the handles to determine the purse size.  I cut it out with an A angle (larger at bottom than top),  I found the center of one side and put on my applique.  (This was my first time to do an applique without my embroidery machine so it didn’t turn out as pretty)  Once I was done with the applique I put the right sides together then sewed up the sides.  I didn’t go up all the way to the top so that there would be room to open it.  Then I wrapped the top around the handles and sewed them down.  I think if I do this again, I would sew the top on the handles first, then sew the sides.  I had to really take my time sewing the top.  Another opps I made was to make sure the handle backs would be together (flat sides)  lucky for me, she is only 2 and doesn’t know the difference.

She was so happy when she saw it, she said “My Purse”, she couldn’t wait to put her lipstick (chapstick) in there to carry around.  She looked so cute.

I’m sure I will probably make some more and I will line them, but for now this was perfect.  And I only spent $1.97 for the handles, I had everything else – can’t beat that.

Hope you enjoyed, I'm linking up to




  I'm also linking up to Showcase your Talent Thursday

Michelle

Throw Pillows

The other day my son’s best friend asked me about these pillows.  He said "Did you just buy these?”  I said “No, I made them”.  He couldn’t believe it, he said he wouldn’t have ever known.  That made me feel so good!   I mean there aren’t that many HS boys that would even notice pillows on your couch.

I made these about 2 months before I started my blog so there aren’t any pictures, but it was so easy.  I found this decorator fabric in the remnant section @ JoAnn’s and it was 50% off = $6.00.  The pillow forms were also on 50% off = $4.00/each x 3. 

I folded up the bottom, then sewed up the sides and half of the top then stuffed in the forms.  To give them a “finished” look, I then sewed an edge around all sides.  This was a little difficult because of the pillow form, but I just took my time.  This way I was able to sew up the top closure and wouldn’t be able to see exactly where it was.  1 hour later I had 3 new pillows for my couch.

I got some more fabric with a “lighter” look for the summer months, just waiting for the pillow forms to go on sale again to make some more.  Then I can change them out for spring/summer & fall/winter.  I just might have to make some just for Christmas….mmmmm sounds like a good thought, LOL

I just can’t seem to go into a fabric store without looking at their remnant section especially if they are also on sale!

Don’t you just love EASY projects?

Michelle

Breakfast Casserole

My Grandmother used to make this for us to eat when we would visit on the weekends.  It was so easy to make, and the best part is you can make so many changes depending on what ingredients you have at home.  The first recipe is my Grandmother’s way, the second is mine – when I have to count my points for WW.

Breakfast Casserole:

6 Eggs

1# Monterrey Cheese

1# Sharp Cheddar

2 can’s green chiles

1 sm can PET milk

Sprinkle chiles over bottom of sprayed casserole dish, mix the remaining ingredients and pour over.  Bake @ 300 for 40 minutes.

Michelle’s Breakfast  Casserole

6 Eggs (1 small container Egg Beaters = 8 eggs, use all)

1 pkg Low Fat – Cheddar/Jack Shredded Blend

1 pkg Jimmy Dean’s Sausage Crumbles – Turkey (already cooked, yea)

1/4 cup chopped jalapeno’s (or to taste)

1 small can PET milk (evaporated milk)

Mix all together and pour into sprayed 9x13 casserole dish.  Bake @ 300 – 40 minutes.

This is always good to serve for a easy breakfast.  The best part is you can use whatever "meat" you have on hand, ham, bacon, etc.  I made one to take to work the other morning, the only problem was that I had to “smell” the goodness the whole way….without eating!!!

Hope you enjoyed – Michelle

Spring

Can you believe that it is so warm outside already?  I was so surprised when I left to go to work this week that my Hibiscus plants were blooming left & right.  I took these pictures on Wed & Thurs last week.  It is so nice to have pretty flowers on your porch.  I just need to finish planting annuals & get the hanging baskets for the final look.

Hope you enjoy – Michelle

Son's School Project

My son needed some extra credit in his Chemistry class.  In order to get this, the project from his teacher was to make a “Mole”.  Not only to make the Mole, but to give it a personality.  Since he is a drummer, we decided to go with the Rock-N-Mole theme.

I took the pattern from the teachers’ webpage & enlarged it so we could actually “play” with the mole. 

I had him cut out the pattern and pin it on the material & cut it out.  (This was really quite fun to watch)

Since this is a “Rock-N-Mole”, he needed the MOM tattoo, stud collar and Mohawk.  I found the stud trim at JoAnn’s and we made the Mohawk  from felt.  I sprayed some adhesive on the felt so we could have both sides.

Then we took a dowel and cut it down, took the Dremmel tool and carved out the Drum Sticks.   I will have to say the finished project turned out fairly well. 

Now just to wait and see if his teacher likes it.  I did sew the “pattern” together, I told my son he could sew it together, I even got my older machine out for him (he was NOT going to be able to use one of newer ones, LOL) but he didn’t feel comfortable doing the sewing, so of course, MOM to the rescue, haha.  Then you know, Dad had to help with the sanding/finishing of the Drum Sticks, so I guess this was really a “family” mole.

Hope you enjoyed – Michelle

Make-Up Table

One of my goals for this year was to get ORGANIZED.  I know it will be a daily/monthly challenge.  When I think about the things I need to organize, I feel like everything is just a mess!  But really, I just don’t seem to have the time to keep everything in the correct place.  I don’t know what to call it, my hubby says “Lazy”, I say HaHa.


Anyway, I was feeling bad that hubby had to work on Saturday, so I thought I would surprise him and actually get something “small” done without telling him first.
Somehow, we end up sharing my make-up table, he sits there to shave his head and trim his beard. I think he also leaves a mess, but as you can tell, I do my own fair share.  I mean how am I supposed to find anything?


OK, so here is the before (don’t judge me to harshly)







I know it is HORRIBLE, 1st off, I took everything out of the drawers and threw away all of the old stuff & trash (how it ends up here, I don’t know).


I bought these drawer organizers @ TJ Maxx for 2.99/each – how can you beat that price and the square containers from Dollar Tree set of 3.





Then I went back and put back the items that I kept.  What a difference it makes.




And I know that once you put everything where it belongs, things look BETTER!




I’m going to TRY to keep this clean.  I did clean out 1 drawer for Hubby to keep his “stuff” in.  I think this will be a mutual effort.


What have you organized lately?


Michelle

And the Winner is……

Everyone probably knows that I actually started this blog because of an organizing challenge…..




In order to join this challenge, you had to have a blog, so this is where it all started.  Well, the challenge was over in February, but Laura - Organizing Junkie has so many people join, it took her awhile to judge everyone.


The funny thing is I actually had a dream last night that she finally chose a winner, but when I got up there was any mention yet, but tonight there was.


Guess what????? I GOT 3RD PLACE


I can’t believe it – I’m still in shock.  Well, we had so much fun (haha) that we are actually going to do more rooms in our house and so you will be seeing more pictures of the De Cluttering throughout the year.  I have had fun doing this blog so, I’m just going to keep it up. 


I hope you like what you see and find.


Have a great day, Michelle

Sunflower Arrangement

I’m sure I have stated many times how much I LOVE Dollar Tree & Thrifty Shopping.  I won’t buy anything at full price, I mean I will either wait until I have a coupon, it’s on sale, or find it somewhere else where it is cheaper.  (You can call me cheap, I’m fine with that)

I was thinking the other day that I needed some more color in my office and since I just happened to be at Dollar Tree, I thought “Why Not.”

So here’s what I got:

You might have some of these items already, but I have my son’s faithful cat as my helper.

I pushed down 2 squares of the green Styrofoam into the bottom of the pail

Then I put hot glue on the bottom of each stem and placed about the container.  I put the tall “grass” in the back.  (The cat wanted to eat it)

Then stand back and admire your work
Have a great day,

Michelle