It’s Your Day

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Anita

I am absolutely in love with this Happy Hippos stamp set from My Favorite Things! It has several different hippos and tiny birds along with balloons, cupcakes, sentiments and more. Click here to see the entire set! They also have a set of Happy Hippo Die-namics so you can easily die cut the stamped images.

The Stitched Circle die is also from My Favorite Things. The set has several different sizes to choose from and can be used in so many ways!

To make the card, stamp the hippo, balloons, and party hat with black ink on white card stock. Color with Copic markers* and die cut each image. Using the stitched circle die set, die cut a circle frame from dark turquoise card stock. Punch a circle from orange polka dot paper (you can use the center portion from the stitched circle die). Attach 5 strips of coordinating patterned paper to a white card. Stamp sentiment on center strip. Attach orange circle to the card. Attach turquoise frame with foam tape. Attach balloons with foam tape. Attach hat to hippo and then attach to the card with foam tape.

(*Note: if you are interested in beginning or adding to your collection of Copic markers, I have found the best price on individual sketch markers here at Dick Blick Art Supplies. They also offer free shipping if your order is $35 or more. I’ve ordered from them several times and have always been happy with them!)

Did I say that I love this stamp set?!?!? Here’s another card I made with the adorable hippo. These cute little guys in the Happy Hippos stamp set and Die-namics die set are sure to make anyone smile!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Leave a comment

Happy 4th of July 🇺🇸

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Anita

Happy Independence Day USA! 🇺🇸 I hope you all enjoy the day with family and friends!

 

Anita

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Broccoli Slaw

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Anita

Do you need an easy side dish for your Summer picnics and family reunions? This Broccoli Slaw is just the thing! It is great with just about anything from BBQ to fried chicken to hamburgers and hot dogs. My original post with the recipe is below…Enjoy!!

April 21, 2017

A sweet friend shared this recipe with me years ago and it has become one of my favorite side dish recipes. It goes great with ham, turkey, chicken, and just about anything you want to pair it with. It comes together quickly – just make sure to mix it up a couple of hours before you are ready to serve it so the ramen noodles have a chance to soften a bit. 

IMG_8296

Recipe for Broccoli Slaw

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 6 tablespoons vinegar
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • dash Worcestershire sauce

Whisk the above ingredients together well.

  • 10 – 12 ounce package broccoli slaw (in the produce department near the bagged salads)
  • 2 packages ramen noodles
  • 3/4 cup slivered almonds
  • 4 green onions, chopped

Break the ramen noodles while still in the package. (I hit them a few times with my meat tenderizer.) Discard the seasoning packet or save it for another use. Toss together broccoli slaw, broken ramen noodles, almonds, and onions. Pour dressing over all and mix well. Refrigerate and let it sit for a couple of hours for the noodles to soften.

I have also used Splenda in place of the sugar and it works wonderfully. And it’s a great recipe for your next potluck or those picnics that will be coming now that the weather is warming up. Easy to double, too! Enjoy!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Recipes | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday Circles

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Anita

Here’s a simple and easy idea when you need to whip up a birthday card super fast! You can put this card together in just minutes…all you need is some card stock, an embossing folder, your favorite birthday stamp, and circle punches or dies.

This is a great set of nested circle dies or this one is good, too. If you like punches, you can find different sizes here. I used an argyle embossing folder like this one. The stamp is an older one from Inkadinkado, but I love the “happy” circle in this set and you could stamp the word “birthday” below the circle.

Punch or die cut several circles in different sizes from different colors of card stock. Attach randomly to a piece of white card stock. Emboss the panel with the argyle embossing folder and attach to a coordinating card. Stamp greeting onto white card stock, punch out, and layer to a larger card stock circle. Attach to the card with foam tape.

Super fast! Super easy! Make it in any color combo – with any greeting that fits into a circle!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

 

 

Posted in Cards, Stamping, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Summer Dipped Oreos

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Anita

Here’s a fun Summertime sweet treat that I shared last year – these Summer Dipped Oreos are so tasty and fun to make that I just had to repost them! 🙂

Have fun making them for all your Summer get-togethers!!

June 16, 2017

Do you need a fun dessert to take to your Summer BBQ, family reunion, or picnic? These easy to make Summer Dipped Oreos may be just the thing!

All you need are vanilla candy melts in red, white, and blue, some sprinkles, and, of course, Oreos. 🙂 I got my candy melts at Hobby Lobby in the cake/candy decorating section and the sprinkles were in the 4th of July section. Most craft or cake decorating stores will carry the supplies you’ll need – except the Oreos…you’ll have to go to the grocery store for those. 😉

Line a rimmed baking sheet or two with wax paper – this will make cleanup easier especially if you use the sprinkles. Melt the candy melts in the microwave according to the package directions. Dip the Oreos one at a time into the melted candy. Remove with a fork and place directly onto the wax paper. Drizzle a different color of candy over the cookies and add the sprinkles. Be sure to do this before the candy has cooled or the sprinkles won’t stick! Let sit for a while until the candy has cooled and set. 

And here they are!! A fun addition to any Summer gathering…

This would be great to do with the kids! I’m sure they would enjoy decorating their own cookies!! 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

 

Posted in Recipes, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Crochet Patriotic Coasters

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Anita

July 4th is just around the corner – Independence Day in the USA. Add a little red, white, and blue to your picnic table with these cute, super fast Crochet Patriotic Coasters.

These coasters work up very quickly with worsted weight cotton yarn and an H/5mm hook. I used I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby in red, white, and royalty (blue).

You can find the pattern I created to stitch up these simple coasters below.

Crochet Patriotic Coasters

You’ll need:

  • 2 colors worsted weight cotton yarn (I used 3 colors and made different combinations, but you only need 2 colors to make each coaster)
  • H/5mm hook
  • yarn needle

Stitches used (US terms):

  • Chain – ch
  • Slip Stitch – ss
  • Single Crochet – sc
  • Half Double Crochet – hdc

Note: Chains at the beginning of each round do not count as stitches (except in round 6).

Make a magic ring with color A. Ch 2.

Round 1: Work 12 hdc in ring. Join with ss to first hdc. Pull ring tight. (12 stitches)

Round 2: Ch 2. Work 2 hdc in same stitch as ss and each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (24 stitches)

Round 3: Ch 2. Work 2 hdc in same stitch as ss, hdc in next 2 stitches. *2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in each of next 2 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join with ss to first hdc. (32 stitches)

Round 4: Ch 2. Work 2 hdc in same stitch as ss, hdc in next 3 stitches. *2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in each of next 3 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join with ss to first hdc. Change to color B. (40 stitches)

Round 5: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in same stitch as ss. Sc in next 4 stitches. *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in each of next 4 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join with ss to first sc. (48 stitches)

Round 6: Ch 2. Work 2 hdc in same stitch as ss, ch 2. *Skip 2 stitches, 3 hdc in next stitch, ch 2* Repeat from * to * around. Join with ss to top of beginning ch 2. (16 hdc clusters and 16 ch 2 spaces).

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Here’s a PDF for easy printing…

Crochet Patriotic CoastersDownload

(Please link back to my pattern if you make any of these cute coasters. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t copy or rewrite my pattern onto another page. Thank you!)

You can make these coasters in any color combo – or in just a single color! Tie up a set of 6 or 8 coasters with a pretty ribbon for a great gift…add the recipient’s favorite beverage or a set of pretty glasses or mugs. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Decor, Gifts | 2 Comments

Simple Thoughts

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Anita

Sadly, sometimes we need to send sympathy cards to loved ones who have lost someone special. This card is for one of those times.

The flower stamp is an older stamp from Hero Arts. It’s discontinued, but this set from Penny Black is similar. The sentiment is part of a discontinued set from Stampin’ Up, but they have this great new set filled with wonderful greeting stamps. The embossing folder is the Quilt Top from Stampin’ Up. The Apron Lace border punch is from Fiskars – you can find it here or here. Here is a similar word label die set that would be great to have in your stash.

To make the card, ink the stamp with cranberry and green ink and stamp on white card stock. Trim and lightly sponge the edges with green ink. Punch the edge of a piece of green card stock with the border punch and attach the stamped image. Emboss a piece of cranberry card stock with the Quilt Top folder, tie with green ribbon, and attach to a white card. Attach flower image with foam tape. Stamp sentiment with green ink, punch with word label die, and attach to the card. This card can be used for any occasion by simply changing the sentiment.

A simple card sending heartfelt love when it is needed most.

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Crochet Patriotic Cuddle Buddy

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Anita

This is just the cutest little Cuddle Buddy! You can find the free pattern for this adorable Patriotic Popsicle Crochet Cuddle Buddy by Repeat Crafter Me here. She used the best color of blue to make it look just like a Bomb Pop popsicle! I didn’t have any of the light blue so I used navy instead – I think it still works great with the patriotic theme. 🙂

I used Red Heart Soft yarn in Really Red, White, and Navy with an H/5mm hook to crochet my Cuddle Buddy. You’ll also need a small amount of light brown for the legs and a small piece of black for the mouth. I found the 12mm safety eyes I used here at Amazon. And you’ll need fiber fill to stuff him.

He works up very quickly and makes the perfect gift for a little one with a Summer birthday!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Gifts, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

DIY Jewelry Organizer

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Anita

I have several long necklaces that always seem to get tangled together in my drawer. And I can never find the one I want without looking through all of them! I have been looking for just the right DIY piece to transform into an organizer to hang on my wall. 

I found this piece at a local vintage store and although I didn’t like the color at all, I thought it would be perfect for what I needed. It measures 31 1/2-inches long by 4 1/2-inches wide. I think it may have been the front panel of a vanity or cabinet drawer at some point. The price tag listed it as a “project piece” and it was only $5 – I think it was meant for me. 😉

I painted the piece with Lace Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint. I had to paint 4 coats to get the coverage I wanted, making sure to let it dry between coats. Then I dry brushed it with leftover wall paint from my bedroom (Valspar Pewter) to soften the look and give it a more vintage-y (is that a word 😉 ) feel.

I found these great knobs at Amazon. They come in several colors and are a deal at only $12.99 for 12! They come in several different colors if turquoise is not for you. I love that they are flat on the bottom – I was hoping to be able to glue them onto the wood and these work great! I used clear E6000 glue (also available here on Amazon) to adhere my knobs evenly across the board.

And here it is!

It’s one of those projects that turned out exactly as I wanted! I just love it! Now I can find the necklace I want in seconds. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Decor, Organization, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Crochet Patriotic Star Garland

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Anita

Summer brings to mind hot weather, BBQs, and fireworks. It also makes me think of red, white, and blue as we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th in the USA. This cute Crochet Patriotic Star Garland is just the thing to celebrate all Summer long!

I used this pattern to make my stars. I had Red Heart Soft yarn in Really Red, White, and Navy leftover from crocheting this afghan which worked perfectly for my garland. I used an H/5mm hook.

I made a total of 10 stars – 4 red, 3 white, and 3 blue. You can make as many or as few as you need to get the length you want. To connect the stars, I chained 30 then slip stitched into the top of a star. Then I chained 20 before slip stitching into the next star. I continued until all my stars were connected and ended by chaining 30 after the last star. Then weave in the ends and that’s it.

img_1006

This Crochet Patriotic Star Garland is great for your mantel, window, or any place you decide to hang it!

Don’t have time to crochet a garland? This Patriotic Garland I made last year can be put together in just minutes! The stars are available at Hobby Lobby again this year!

Happy Summer!

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Decor, Uncategorized | 1 Comment