Free Craft Friday -- Bookmarks

Hello? Miss me?  I have been off in my real life for quite some time.  Also the giveaway never really did anything so I gave up some interest in this blog.  But mostly things were pretty busy and have only started feeling a little more in control.  We had our house on the market, we updated the kitchen, which then had two offers directly after the remodel (apparently an update sells houses quick), so then we packed up and moved out in somewhat of hurry and now we have settled into my in-laws basement temporarily (ie living the dream).  But we are hoping to turn around and find the perfect home and location soon.
So anyway as luck would have it as we were packing up I found an old craft that I did a number of years ago.  I decided to bring this project with me to our new digs to give myself something to do.  Basically this craft is using embroidery thread to make bookmarks.

 Materials:
embroidery thread (I usually use between 4-6 strands of coordinating colors)
beads (small, medium, large and decorative)
scissors
clamp/clothes pin (optional)

Step 1:  Decide on a color scheme and general look you want for the bookmark.  I like to add heavier beads to dangle off the ends.  Use small beads or no beads for the part of the bookmark that will go inside the book.

Step 2:  If you use a long piece you can start a knot at the length of "dangle you want on the first end.  Then just let creativity flow...add beads, charms, decorative knotting and braiding, etc to make your bookmark end.

Step 3:  Once you have one end of your bookmark done, work through the middle.  I usually only braid or use very small bead with this part.  It will only be seen by the reader, it allows the book to close easily and also you don't want to damage the book pages with large beads.  When you finish the length you need for the book tie a knot leaving yourself room to add another "tail" to the book mark.

Step 4:  Similar to Step 1 work beads and charms onto the tail end of the bookmark.  I like to knot between each section or theme of beading to keep things more separate and pleasing to my eye.  Make sure to knot the ends of each tail securely.  I also recommend using super glue to keep it from coming loose.

Step 5:  Place in a book for decoration, use this with your reading or give as a gift.  Who knows maybe this craft will become obsolete if Kindles and tablets keep taking over the world of book.

New Kitchen, New Life

We recently decided to "remodel" our kitchen.  I say remodel in quotations because we didn't do anything extensive but it did give it a whole new look.  We have been trying to sell our home for a couple months and one of the few feedback we recieved was about the kitchen and oak cabinets looking dated.  I never minded them but after another month of no offers I decided it was time to make a change.  I wanted to paint them white or cream (I didn't think staining would do much to change the oak grain, etc).  A friend mentioned that she liked a style she saw on Pinterest and it would be simple enough to do.  It looked nice.  It looked modern.  So within a week of serious thought over it the plans went into action.

* hoping to add a few tutorial notes on how to do this for anyone interested but shame on me I didn't take pictures *

 Before

 After

 Close up (beadboard inserted and then painted)

 Close up #2

Close up #3 (I love the cup handles on these)

It took a little longer than I anticipated and although fate stepped in and we had about a week or so with no showings (first one since we listed) it wasn't quite enough to finish up.  Many steps and lots of time for paint to dry.  But we did have a few showings with it in the middle of completion and apparently it didn't scare them all off as one person came back for a second look.  I credit the new kitchen and Jeff is happy to agree with my hard work.  It certainly brings new life and light to our kitchen and hopefully it will help us sell and bring us a new life/direction too. 

--Update-- After this kitchen project was complete we received an offer from each of our next two showings and were able to decline the first and lesser of the two and go with the better offer and sell.  

Steps / Tutorial on the kitchen

Materials:

- bead board (purchased this at home depot in 4' x 8' panels; it is thin ~ 1/4  inch or less)

- clamps

- liquid nails 

- standard paintable caulk 

- caulk gun

- Krud Kutter or other surface cleaner

- primer and paint (we used Kilz Primer basic and Valspar Kitchen and Bath Enamel ; ask a paint   

  professional if you are concerned with products working together or for this type of project -- we weren't    very concerned with this as it was a "remodel" to help sell our home)

- table saw (highly recommended) or other power saw

- spray paint (optional) - we were going to replace all of our hardware but when hinges ended up being $5 a piece I opted to spray paint based off of a tutorial I had seen

- finishing nails and hammer (DO NOT use on cabinets...we used this to fix the bead board under our snack bar in place after applying the liquid nails).

Step 1 :  Measure all of your surfaces that you plan to add bead board to.  We added it under the snack bar and to the inner panel of each cabinet door.  

Step 2:  Using a table saw (my personal preference...thanks to my brother for helping with this part), cut your pieces of bead board.  It is better to go a little smaller (right on top or inside of your line) than to end up with a piece that doesn't fit in where it should. 

Step 3:  Prepare your cabinets.  Take all of the cabinet doors down and hardware (hinges, handles) off.  Clean with Krud Kutter (this is what most tutorials recommend and it is awesome) and then sand any place that will be painted.  You don't need to sand under the bead board sections.  Wipe down everything with a clean rag after you have sanded. 

Step 4:  Using liquid nails glue down your bead board into each cabinet door.  Then clamp the bead board down while it sets and dries.  We also used books to apply equal pressure.  If you don't have enough clamps for all cabinets then do this in steps.  I don't recommend just using weight to keep the bead board down as it will likely bow up in places (we tried this).  

Step 5:  Once the liquid nails is dry and completely set, then use a caulk gun to run a bead of calk along any gap that may be left with the bead board panel.  Then dip your finger in water and smooth the bead out across the surface.  If you get caulk into the grooves of the bead board I recommend q-tips to clean this out.

Step 6:  While waiting for liquid nails to dry and caulk to dry (I gave each 24 hours) this is a great time to prime and paint the cabinets that are on the wall.  Make sure to tape everything off beforehand.

Step 7:  Smooth out and sand any caulk that is raised above the pattern or layout of your cabinet doors.  Once you are satisfied with the appearance of the doors then it is time to prime and paint those also.  

Step 8:  Either buy new hardware (I like this idea as your hardware is probably outdated and you want a "new" kitchen wow factor) or put your hardware back up and replace the cabinet doors and drawers (once they have had a good amount of time to dry of course).

Step 9:  Enjoy, brag and sell that house (in our case...I think the kitchen was a big selling point once we finished it; two offers from the two showings that happened after it was finished said a lot to me). 

* once again sorry that there aren't pictures but hopefully you can put the pieces together.  If there are questions don't be afraid to leave a comment.  Thanks *

Whip It Up Wednesday -- Banana Zucchini Bread

I love banana bread and I love zucchini bread.  I had purchased bananas for my girls and then some zucchini to make bread.  Seeing as how the bananas were becoming overripe and I still hadn't made my zucchini bread I decided to combine the two.  So here is my first minor experiment in recipe adjusting.

Banana Zucchini Bread

1/2 C shortening

1 C sugar

2 eggs

2 ripe bananas

1 small to medium zucchini grated

1 C all purpose white flour

1 C wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 C nuts (optional)

Cream shortening, sugar, eggs, bananas, grated zucchini and vanilla together.  Sift in flour, soda, cinnamon and salt.  Blend all of your ingredients together, mixing in nuts at the end if you desire.  Pour batter evenly into  two greased/floured loaf pans.  Bake for 45 minutes at 350* F.  If making muffins cook at 350* for 35 minutes. 

Notes:  You can do this recipe with three bananas instead of the zucchini.  My original recipe called for 2 cups white flour but I have become of fan of putting in at least half wheat flour.  I also decided to add some cinnamon.  My loafs both stuck to the pan using spray so I would recommend the grease and flour method for this one.

Rating:  5 stars 

-I really enjoyed this one.  It was easy to throw together and cook despite the disaster in my kitchen (more on that later).  I like the mixture of flavors.  Also my girls definitely enjoyed this bread and were begging for more (you know the open mouth and "ah ah ah" type begging). 

Giveaway Begins...

I've decided that although this Giveaway is not the ideal of what I wanted to do that it's about time that I fulfill on my promise.  So I will be starting the clock on our first giveaway today.  The process I will be following is this.

-Every follower of this blog will be entered to win
-If you comment on this post you will get an additional entry
-I will posting about the giveaway on our Facebook page...if you like this Facebook post you will get an additional entry
-Anyone you refer to the blog or Facebook page will also earn you an additional entry
-Entries will end on March 24, 2012 at midnight (MST).  Drawing winner(s) will be announced on March 26th.

I will make a list of those who have been entered and assign numbers down the list and then use a random number selector to chose a winner.  The winner will be announced on Facebook and the blog and will then email me with their choice of items below and their address.

Giveaway choices:
-seat belt cover (a pair for infant car seat or one for adult seat belt)
-tiered plate (the green plate set or the hardware to make your own w/ plates not included)
-your choice of three hair accessories (felt or silk)
-fabric ball

So follow, like, refer and win something super great for yourself or someone you love.

Whip It Up Wednesday -- Zucchini Muffins

I've said it before and I'll say it again (especially on another lazy Wednesday like today).  I am finding all sorts of healthy toddler recipes online.  I love giving them something healthy and heck it is dang tasty to me as well.  This one comes from homemade-baby-food-recipes.com.  Find it and other finger foods here.

Cheesy Zucchini Muffins
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk - use whole milk, formula or breast milk
2/3 cup olive oil
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 medium zucchini, grated
1 to 2 tsp dried oregano (adjust according to your baby's taste)
3 tbsp grated Cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 450 deg F.  Beat the eggs and milk together in a bowl, then stir in the oil.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder.  Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until the flour is moistened (the batter should look lumpy - don't try to make it smooth).
Carefully stir in the zucchini and oregano.  Spoon into greased muffin tins (you should get 12 muffins) and top with the cheese.
Bake for around 20 to 25 mins, then cool and serve!



Notes:  I didn't change this one much.  I used canola oil instead of olive oil.  Also since I didn't have oregano on hand I put in some Italian seasoning.  This is a very easy recipe and also freezes and reheats well (although keep in mind hot spots if you microwave to reheat).


Rating: 5 stars
-love these.  A sweet but savory taste.  I love to cut them open and spread butter on them. 

Whip It Up Wednesday -- Pumpkin Pancakes

Man I'm a slacker.  I was going to put in effort and share a recipe out of my books or recipe box but sorry not going to happen this week.  But I have been on a "I need healthier foods and snacks for my girls" kick so I will share a recipe that I really like and they seem to love.

Pumpkin Pancakes (via WholesomeToddlerFood.com ...I love love love them for kid recipes...check them out)

1 C whole wheat flour
3/4 C white flour
1 T baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 eggs
1 C pureed pumpkin or canned pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
2 C milk
3 T canola oil

Stir/sift together all of the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.  In a separate larger bowl beat eggs, pumpkin and vanilla together.  Add milk and oil and beat again until smooth.  Add the flour mixture.  Cook as usual.

Notes:  I left out the salt (as did the author) and the allspice (I didn't have any).  I would actually try adding the salt next time but they taste fine without it.
I must be a pancake cooking ninny.  The first couple didn't flip well for me.  Make sure you cook these until the edges are a little "dry" and top is not as shiny (these are hard to burn).  This will help to have a non-doughy and easy-flipping pancake.
I also doubled the recipe for the purpose of freezing.  Worked great.  I usually reheat in the microwave for about 30-40 seconds and then pop them in the toaster to keep the soggy away.

Rating:  5 stars
-these are delicious and my 1 year old twins love these also.

Free Craft Friday -- Wire Accessory Organizer

I was cleaning out junk for selling our house when I came across my old wire cube storage.  About the time that the wire hit the bottom of my outside trash can the idea of turning them into this occurred to me instead.  I dug it out (yep I dumpster dove in my own trash can) and got to work.

Materials

-Wire cube (one side piece no extras)

-Ribbon

-glue gun

-scissors

-lighter

*I made this for FREE but I'm quoting under $5 to include cost of ribbon.

Step 1.  Arrange a pattern either in your mind or on the wire cube that you want to follow with your ribbon.  Don't worry about pre-cutting ribbon...do this as you go.

Step 2.  Loop your ribbon around the back of wire cube and hot glue to the back of ribbon.  Then proceed to weave your ribbon through the wire until you get to the opposite side.  Pull ribbon tight and wrap it around the wire and got glue to the back again.

*I promise pictures are coming;  my laptop crashed a while back and I think these pictures (done before the holidays) went with it.

Step 3.  Continue with your pattern by repeating step 2 until it is complete.  Then mount on the wall with a couple nails in the corners and you're done.  Decorate with hair clips (alligator work best but I've hung snap  types over the ribbon also--unsnapped of course)