French Onion Soup

So French Onion Soup is my absolute favorite.  I used to order it at every restaurant that offered it and constantly craved it.  Marie Calendars and Mimi's Cafe were my favorite's by the way...in case you were wondering.  Anyway my sister shared a recipe with me for it and I went off of this and altered it to my liking and adding things for taste or similarity to my favorite places.

French Onion Soup

2 Tbsp butter
1 can beef broth
1/2 to 1 beef bullion cube (I like a stronger taste)
1 medium onion
1 slice of French bread or other thick bread slightly dried
1 slice of mozzarella or swiss cheese
splash of red wine vinegar (optional) **
1 Tbsp diced green onions (optional) **

**some measurements are estimates...it's an art really

Melt butter in a small boiler.  Slice onion and add to the butter.  Saute onions until the are golden brown and tender.  Add the beef broth and bring to boil.  Add bullion if desired.  Let simmer for a few minutes to melt the bullion.  Bring to a boil and add the green onions and vinegar.  Ladel the contents into a soup crock or other oven safe bowl (I like this style of crock as it fits more soup...however I like the look of the one in the picture so I used it for this).  Place the bread on top of the soup...in my experience it works better if there is enough onion in the bowl that it sits on the onion and doesn't float (ie get soggy) in the broth.  Place slice of cheese on the bread and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Place the dish into the oven and broil for a few minutes until the cheese bubbles and browns a little.  Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Yields a little over a crock full.

Memorabilia Matt

I have the sweetest husband who began collecting ticket stubs, mini golf score cards, programs and such during our time dating.  I added in a program from our first date, a card from flowers he sent and our plane ticket stubs from going to meet my parents.  I then got a double matted picture frame (with slight height/depth difference).  I used a craft glue stick to glue the items all over the top matt.  I layered the larger pieces down first and then the small.  I trimmed off the excess around the inside and outside edges with an X-Acto knife before layering other pieces.  I then put one of our engagement pictures in for the photo.  This was my one year anniversary dating gift to my husband.  It hangs in our house today and reminds us of all the fun times we had in our first year together. 

You could do a similar theme or layer other pieces of memorabilia or even other photos onto a matt to create a similar effect.  This is one of my favorite crafts that I've ever done and I still get a lot of compliments on it.

*as far as I know this is a Notion 2 Craft Original.  I did not find this project online but I'm sure it has been done in some way similar. 

Double Float Mat found at Michaels. Purchased in-store...wait for a sale or a coupon or sign up online for coupon emails (usually 40% off an item)

Picture board

We have probably all seen these at craft stores over the years.  This is one that I made a few years back for pretty cheap.  I had the framed cork board at work and decided to spruce up my office with some personal touches.  I bought enough fabric and batting to cover the piece and then added on flowers I had on hand and a butterfly that came with flowers my husband sent me.  

I hot glued the batting on first and made hospital corners on the edges to keep it neat and tidy.  Next I stretched out the fabric across it, first somewhat loosely vertically and then snugged it up horizontally to avoid creases and folds in the fabric.  Once the fabric was all securely glued down I added my flowers and butterfly.

 I trimmed the flower stems off so there was just enough to hold the material and flower together and then applied a large glob of hot glue to the fabric.  This kept the flower close to the fabric without a gap.  The butterfly was on a straight pin of sorts and I slid that into the flower and into the cork below the fabric.  A touch of hot glue kept this in place.

Voila! There you have it...a decorative cork board for pictures with minor cost and less then a couple hours spent on it.  This was considered under $10 as I had the cork board on hand.

I am no Martha...

I am no Martha Stewart.  I can't make delicious meals on the fly without a recipe, I don't know how to turn old rags into a fashionable pillow or how to produce other home decor with my bare hands.  Oh and by the way I have a brown thumb...it's something I try not to mention in social circles.

But I have always enjoyed these things.  Things that make a home.  Things that don't make you money (unless you are Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray or some other domestic diva that is).  And after following and reading blogs and other websites with ideas on decorating, cooking, sewing and crafting in general I thought it was about time that I display some of my talent and ideas for others to envy see.  I plan to post about different crafting projects, decor ideas and even recipe attempts I have.  I can't promise that it will all be original and plan to give credit where it is due but hope this will be a fun adventure too.  I apologize that my first several posts will likely be projects that I have completed already and won't be very instructional.  Hopefully there will be new ideas and inspiration around the corner though.