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| Stepping out of my personal box here. |
Happy Spring,
Embracing Spring
Each season I aim to capture a bit of what makes each season so special. Now that it's officially spring, it's time to pull out my camera and check out Mother Nature. These images will become a part of my Spring 2011 collection. And you know I'm always looking for notecard-worthy images...and possibly a little more.
These images were taken on my job and in my parent's yard. I've got my eye on some more flowers along the way. Stay tuned.
Recipe: Linguini "Crab" Salad
A lady at church gave me her recipe for "Linguini 'Crab' Salad" a few years ago, and I decided to make it this weekend. Just as tasty as I lasted remembered, so I'm sharing it with you. First off, the "Crab" in the title is in quotes because you use imitation crab meat unless you're fortunate enough to have an abundance of fresh crab. If so, please invite me over. :-)
Linguini "Crab" Salad
Ingredients:
pasta, cooked and chilled
ham, cubed
crab, chopped, sliced, or shredded (whatever your preference)
cucumber, peeled and diced
tomatoes, chopped (I halved some grape tomatoes)
salt & pepper
ranch salad dressing
3-cheese salad dressing
Garnish:
sliced green olives
shredded cheese
chopped scallions
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, add crab, ham, and vegetables to the chilled pasta. Add salad dressings according to your tastes. Season with salt and pepper. Return to the refrigerator to chill all the way through.
* In my dish, I used spaghetti noodles. I also added the chopped scallions in the mix. I did not add any ham either. This dish works better when all the ingredients are chilled. That way you don't wait as long to enjoy. I also ate my pasta salad with wheat crackers. Absolutely quick and easy to make. Absolutely delicious!
Linguini "Crab" Salad
Ingredients:
pasta, cooked and chilled
ham, cubed
crab, chopped, sliced, or shredded (whatever your preference)
cucumber, peeled and diced
tomatoes, chopped (I halved some grape tomatoes)
salt & pepper
ranch salad dressing
3-cheese salad dressing
Garnish:
sliced green olives
shredded cheese
chopped scallions
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, add crab, ham, and vegetables to the chilled pasta. Add salad dressings according to your tastes. Season with salt and pepper. Return to the refrigerator to chill all the way through.
* In my dish, I used spaghetti noodles. I also added the chopped scallions in the mix. I did not add any ham either. This dish works better when all the ingredients are chilled. That way you don't wait as long to enjoy. I also ate my pasta salad with wheat crackers. Absolutely quick and easy to make. Absolutely delicious!
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| Linguini "Crab" Salad |
Bon Appetit,
Purposeful Purchasing + A Springtime Project
Recently I purchased this yarn cozy from Siam Square on Etsy because (1) I love her work and (2) She is using a portion of her proceeds to aide Japan, her home country. So, win win.
As soon as the cozy arrived, I immediately placed my current project inside. Soon my project was too large to fit in the cozy so I decided to finish it up; thereby making room for another project which resides in the cozy as I type. You like the way I think? :-)
Here is the finished project made from my mercerized cotton stash that I received from CT in a swap hosted by Alessandralast spring apparently two springs ago (has it really been that long?). I am contemplating making a decorative clip since the necklace is not included. In fact I borrowed it just for these shots. We shall see.
It's a capelet shawl that actually reaches your elbow. When I can find a model, I'll take some pictures on an actual person. This of course will be listed in the shop.
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| [Source: Siam Square] |
As soon as the cozy arrived, I immediately placed my current project inside. Soon my project was too large to fit in the cozy so I decided to finish it up; thereby making room for another project which resides in the cozy as I type. You like the way I think? :-)
Here is the finished project made from my mercerized cotton stash that I received from CT in a swap hosted by Alessandra
It's a capelet shawl that actually reaches your elbow. When I can find a model, I'll take some pictures on an actual person. This of course will be listed in the shop.
Happy Crafting,
A bowl full of lemons.: Silhouette GIVEAWAY!!!!
Imagine.
With this machine,
You can do things like this:
Enter today for a chance to win a Silhouette machine. I already have.
With this machine,
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| [Source] |
You can do things like this:
 |
| [Source] |
Enter today for a chance to win a Silhouette machine. I already have.
A bowl full of lemons.: Silhouette GIVEAWAY!!!!: "My new Silhouette SD machine finally arrived and I'm dedicating this week to my Silhouette creations. I'm also giving away a Silhouett..."
Bonne Chance,
Tying Up Loose Ends + A New Project
Last night I was so excited to finish up the Southwestern Poncho. I ripped out my new neckline attempts and cleaned up the existing neckline with 2 rows of scs. Then I handstitched the embellishment in place. Sometimes simple is just better.
Then, not ready to call it a night, I plundered through my craft closet and came out with the Magic Ball that was given to me last summer. I hoped there was nothing perishable inside or I would be in trouble. I was a good girl and crocheted down to my prizes until my project was complete and there still was a little ball of yarn and some goodies still tangled inside.
Here is the circle scarf that I came up with, based on a new stitch I learned in my stitchery book.
Curious about what was inside the ball? I found a sweet pea candle, a silver mirror compact, a lavender candle, and the cutiest little bunny rabbit with his own lavender essential oil. You squeeze drops of the oil on his fur and he becomes a scented cutie. It's called a Wiffie, and I have "Sleepy Bunny". It's amazing what similar and different things are found in the UK.
P.S. Still using up the yarn stash. Hummm...what's next?
Then, not ready to call it a night, I plundered through my craft closet and came out with the Magic Ball that was given to me last summer. I hoped there was nothing perishable inside or I would be in trouble. I was a good girl and crocheted down to my prizes until my project was complete and there still was a little ball of yarn and some goodies still tangled inside.
Here is the circle scarf that I came up with, based on a new stitch I learned in my stitchery book.
Curious about what was inside the ball? I found a sweet pea candle, a silver mirror compact, a lavender candle, and the cutiest little bunny rabbit with his own lavender essential oil. You squeeze drops of the oil on his fur and he becomes a scented cutie. It's called a Wiffie, and I have "Sleepy Bunny". It's amazing what similar and different things are found in the UK.
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| [Source] |
P.S. Still using up the yarn stash. Hummm...what's next?
Happy Crafting,
Project Remodel/Rearrange {Tutorial}
It's highly possible that you have the right pieces in your home, but perhaps in the wrong spot. Even though my home is sparsely decorated, mostly because it takes time to decorate on a slim budget to match your personal style, I still had particular ideas about the theme for each room or space.
Case in point, in my foyer I had decided that it would be a space to remind me of a trip I took some years ago to New Mexico. I had long since been a fan of chimineas, and found one seriously marked down at the Garden Ridge a while ago. Since then the decorating in that space has been sort of stagnant. Meanwhile my kitchen/dining area seemed to be taking shape, but there are still things lacking on the dining side. Tonight I decided to move the chiminea in there. And guess what, I think I like it. After that move I decided to take down a piece of wall art I created from an embroidered cloth from Mexico and am contemplating placing it on the faux stone hearth behind the chiminea. I'm trying to bridge my kitchen/dining area so it looks like one cohesive space.
**** The Kitchen Remodel
**** The Addition of the Chiminea and the Wall Hanging
Case in point, in my foyer I had decided that it would be a space to remind me of a trip I took some years ago to New Mexico. I had long since been a fan of chimineas, and found one seriously marked down at the Garden Ridge a while ago. Since then the decorating in that space has been sort of stagnant. Meanwhile my kitchen/dining area seemed to be taking shape, but there are still things lacking on the dining side. Tonight I decided to move the chiminea in there. And guess what, I think I like it. After that move I decided to take down a piece of wall art I created from an embroidered cloth from Mexico and am contemplating placing it on the faux stone hearth behind the chiminea. I'm trying to bridge my kitchen/dining area so it looks like one cohesive space.
**** The Kitchen Remodel
BEFORE
DURING
AFTER
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| [View My Stool Tutorial Here] |
The kitchen remodel has been done over time. And as you know in your home, it's never a finished job. One day I hope to be fortunate enough to replace those 1970s countertops. lol
I'll post an Easy Peasy tutorial on how I made that wall hanging in another post.
Happy Decorating,
The Bloggin launch of The Feminine Touch shop: My thoughts on getting to the FRONT PAGE of Etsy
This is a great blog post. Click the link to read more about it:
The Bloggin launch of The Feminine Touch shop: My thoughts on getting to the FRONT PAGE of Etsy: "My thoughts on getting to the Front Page of Etsy My last post was all about the point scoring of Etsy treasuries. Which is really good if y..."
Tattered No More
Recently I was commissioned to fix a tattered crocheted edging on a sweater sleeve. Sometimes it's hard to tell the exact stitch after a piece has been washed many times, but I did my best to match stitches and yarns, so the tattered edge is no more.
Happy Crafting,
Poncho Update
The body of the poncho is complete. I'm still reworking the neckline, but haven't come up with the "right" new version. After I think of how to securely attach my thrifted southwestern find, I'll be done. Even though I had to purchase two skeins to finish this project, I'm very pleased with this destash project. :-)
Happy Crafting,
White Bean Soup
I stopped by my mom's house after work today and she had just finished making an amazing White Bean Soup. Navy beans are my favorite bean and I've been looking for a good, healthy soup using them. Now I've found it. I've just got to get the recipe from my mom. She found it in this thrifted cookbook find. (Now you see where I get it from.)
Perfect for a rainy day like today!
Perfect for a rainy day like today!
Buen Provecho,
Fish on Tuesdays?
I've grown tired of the taste of commercial food, even the so-called "home cooked" commercial food. My time is super limited though and I had resorted to it. Today I had had enough. I purchased just a few things to make a quick meal, but I've been craving for a piece of white fish for days now.
What is it about moms? I stopped by my parents' house and mentioned that I've been craving a piece of fish and my mom goes, "Oh, that's what I was about to cook." Then she whips out a plate of tilapia that she had just started to season. She wrapped me a piece of raw fish (since I was in a hurry) and I added a little more seasoning to her Old-Bay low salt seasoning and pan-fried it.
I do eat fried foods, but I almost never fry anything, well besides an egg. I can count on one hand the number of times I've even fried fish since I've been in my home. So, tonight was a rarity. I quickly steamed some baby spinach and that was it for tonight's dinner. Simple and to the point. I'll have to use the little groceries I bought for another meal. :-)
What is it about moms? I stopped by my parents' house and mentioned that I've been craving a piece of fish and my mom goes, "Oh, that's what I was about to cook." Then she whips out a plate of tilapia that she had just started to season. She wrapped me a piece of raw fish (since I was in a hurry) and I added a little more seasoning to her Old-Bay low salt seasoning and pan-fried it.
I do eat fried foods, but I almost never fry anything, well besides an egg. I can count on one hand the number of times I've even fried fish since I've been in my home. So, tonight was a rarity. I quickly steamed some baby spinach and that was it for tonight's dinner. Simple and to the point. I'll have to use the little groceries I bought for another meal. :-)
Buen Provecho,
Thrifting with a Purpose
I've been looking in thrift shops for some very specific things to decorate my craft space with. I've been doing a good job of leaving things that I can't use immediately in the store. Be proud of me because on Thursday evening I stopped in a new thrift store, by-passed the yarns and came out with three items for a grand total of $3. One of the items I purchased was this thing:
I'm not sure what it's called but I've been looking for it for a while. It's very southwestern in style and I knew I wanted it to adorn the child-size southwestern poncho I've been working on (off and on). Perfect!
Now, I've just got to finish the poncho and rework the neckline some how. I'm not liking the way it bunches - some quirk of the pattern.
I'm not sure what it's called but I've been looking for it for a while. It's very southwestern in style and I knew I wanted it to adorn the child-size southwestern poncho I've been working on (off and on). Perfect!
Now, I've just got to finish the poncho and rework the neckline some how. I'm not liking the way it bunches - some quirk of the pattern.
Happy Crafting,
As If You Didn't Already Follow Enough Blogs
We craft bloggers follow other blogs for a variety of reasons. Some because we've formed some kind of bond with the other blogger and we're interested in anything they post. Some because we share the same craft and we're looking for the next great craft idea. Some because we're drawn to how great whatever that other blogger is known for making.
Now if you're anything like me, you follow a variety of blogs for different reasons and the list becomes shamefully long at some point, so you hide your blog list on your profile. lol
Well, I wanted to take this moment to share a few really fascinating blogs I've stumbled upon and some that I've bumped into accidentally so many times that I need to just become a follower.
mmm crafts
Now if you're anything like me, you follow a variety of blogs for different reasons and the list becomes shamefully long at some point, so you hide your blog list on your profile. lol
Well, I wanted to take this moment to share a few really fascinating blogs I've stumbled upon and some that I've bumped into accidentally so many times that I need to just become a follower.
mmm crafts
- crafting, free tutorials, sewing projects
- home decorating ideas, slipcovers and such, giveaways
- home decorating ideas, slipcovers and such
- recipes, kids crafts, sewing, sewing, sewing and great photographs
- all kinds of crafts; her book is coming out soon!
Happy Crafting,
Update: Thrifting, Crafting, and Such
This past Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting a thrift store called "The Grab." That's the store where my friend Mary scored with all those upholstery samples for 10 cents a piece. I was actually looking for zippers, which I still couldn't find and is the reason I didn't begin my sewing project this weekend. But what I did find were these:
Nothing really had prices on it so I was a bit apprehensive, but when I inquired at the register, the clerk said, "How about you pay $6." How could I resist. 2 cuts of jersey knit, 2 peony printed pieces, a knitting book, 2 sewing patterns, and a partial bolt of upholstery fabric. Some of the fabric will be gifted out, but I'm really excited about having enough of one upholstery print to make a full bag.
I've been wanting to show you these afro twists for a while before they get to the point where I have to take them out - hopefully I still have a good 2 months remaining. Fortunately as I was leaving work today, so was another co-worker and she snapped this photo for you all.
Finally, what's on the hook and needles?
Nothing really had prices on it so I was a bit apprehensive, but when I inquired at the register, the clerk said, "How about you pay $6." How could I resist. 2 cuts of jersey knit, 2 peony printed pieces, a knitting book, 2 sewing patterns, and a partial bolt of upholstery fabric. Some of the fabric will be gifted out, but I'm really excited about having enough of one upholstery print to make a full bag.
I've been wanting to show you these afro twists for a while before they get to the point where I have to take them out - hopefully I still have a good 2 months remaining. Fortunately as I was leaving work today, so was another co-worker and she snapped this photo for you all.
Finally, what's on the hook and needles?
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| Finally I'm doing something with that skein of Noro yarn. Triangualar scarf WIP. |
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| Baby blanket still in progress.. |
Happy Crafting,
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