Cherish Yesterday...Dream Tomorrow...Live Today

Sunday, August 25, 2013

A Watch and A New Friend

Hi everyone and happy Sunday.  I have been trying to get every last minute of freedom into my crafting before school starts.  I have been a jewelry making fool for sure!  I ordered a watch face in gold, not realizing it wasn't for interchangeable watchbands, like my silver one, but a one-time stretchy band.  This is what I came up with:

I had bought a string of hammered-looking multi metal discs and put them with my stash-not sure what they would become.  This worked out great.  It is a comfortable watch with some versatility, thanks to the multiple finishes of metal in it.  I may buy some more of those faces and make some as gifts. 

I also made some earrings that were really quick and easy.

I love the variegated blues in these teardrop beads.  That whole ombre look is really hot right now.  These look especially cute with white or denim. 

Now I have a confession to make.  I never understood anyone eating ice cream right out of the container.  I thought it had to be a thing that only occurred when someone's heart was broken or they lost their job or something.  To be fair, I have never been a huge fan of ice cream.  I have always had a "take it or leave it" approach to it.  Well, all that has changed.  Say hello to a new friend of mine. 

I don't know if it is a good thing or not but this gelato is becoming a VERY good friend!  The best gelato I had ever had was at Epcot down in Disney World.  I would make my family arrange their whole day around the opening time of the gelato cart in the around the world part of Epcot!  There is something about the texture and intensity of the vanilla and other flavors.  Anyway, now I can get it right in my local grocery store.  Do you see where this is going?  That is right-I hide it in the freezer and eat it right out of the carton.  This led to some cold fingers.  So what should you do for a new best friend?  I thought it was appropriate to make a cute cozy for my new friend.  I even made it reversible. 



I love that yoga cat fabric!  I looked up ice cream pint tutorials and found several.  I kind of read them over and went off on my own.  I discovered, much to my frustration, that I couldn't seem to roll the pint out on paper to make a pattern.  I washed out a used container and cut it apart and made my pattern that way-so easy.  Now I can eat my gelato in comfort and nobody can see what I am eating.  If they could, it would lead to awkward questions: what is that? I didn't know they had that. Can I have some?  For the record I usually share well with others, just not with this!  By the way, the salted caramel is to die for! 

I hope everyone has a great week ahead.  Take care.  Nancy

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Anchors Away!

Good morning and happy Sunday.  I have been busy this week and I have lots to share.  I will kick it off with two really cute and really easy nautically themed bracelets. 

I bought the silver anchor charm at my local craft store.  I also bought some suede cording and just "knotted" lengths of the cording at each end.  It took me a while to figure out the correct length for me; there were several cuts-even after I had glued on the metal ends!  I used E6000 glue to reinforce those crimped ends, by the way.  That stuff is amazing.  I then attached the clasp and jump ring.  That was the silver bracelet.  It then occurred to me that I have a pair of gold and navy earrings with anchors on them so(you guessed it) the matchy-matchy in me insisted I make a gold one.  So I got the gold anchor off of Ebay and the gold crimps off of Etsy.  These are so cute, easy and inexpensive.  I have seen other metal charms used as well.  I think they would make great gifts. 

I also continued on my quest to leave no pair of glasses(sun or otherwise) naked and uncozied!  I saw this case at Clippie Dips and I just had to make one. 

I lined it with minky so my glasses would be cushioned.  I used felt for the banners to match the chevron print.  Pretty cute and very easy to make.  I love useful little projects don't you? 

Lastly I wanted to share a good dessert that is a go-to for me. 

It is a mixed fruit cobbler made with frozen fruit.  I have used canned fruit too.  That is one reason I love this recipe-it is pretty versatile.  Turn your oven to 350degrees and put half a stick of butter in a 9" square pan.  Pop the pan in the oven to melt the butter while you prepare the rest.   In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup self-rising flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk, and 1/4 teaspoon extract(vanilla or almond).  Stir until smooth and pour over the melted butter in the pan.  Here is where you can come up with limitless variations: either pour a 16oz can of fruit with the juice or thawed(in the microwave) frozen berries over the batter.  You can slightly sweeten the frozen berries if you choose.  Bake for 45-55 minutes until the cake looks golden.  Serve with whipped cream or ice cream while warm.  This is a favorite year round but I especially like it in the cooler months.  Enjoy! 

I have to go to a meeting Tuesday morning which will kick off my "going back to school pre-work workdays".  I am trying not to complain because many people at my husband's workplace lost their jobs recently in a huge financial cut-back so I do feel lucky to still have a job. I hope you all have a great week ahead.  Take care.  Nancy 

Monday, August 12, 2013

Cool Shoe Remake, An Easy Yummy Dessert, and A Beautiful Jewelry Set

Hi everyone.  My Summer vacation clock is ticking down.  I have so many fun projects I intended to do this Summer, I think I became overwhelmed and that caused me to not get to a lot of them.  That is my story and I am sticking to it! 

One thing I want to share is a really fun shoe makeover. 



The idea came from I Spy DIY .  I purchased the shoes from Payless on sale.  I then went to JoAnn Fabric and found some inexpensive grosgrain ribbon to match the shoes.  I also purchased some antique gold chain.  I had the glue and jewelry findings I needed.  It was super quick and I love the results.  These will look cute with a skirt or capris. 

On the food front, this dessert I came up with was WONDERFUL! 

I made a trifle with purchased Angel Food cake, a couple of cans of cherry pie filling, and a creamy layer made with a big container of thawed Cool Whip, a can of condensed milk and 1/4 cup of lemon juice mixed together.  Layer it and there you have it.  How easy and very elegant looking-good enough for company!  There is something about a trifle that is so classy. 

My latest jewelry club kit turned out very nice. 

As usual, I came up with the bracelet myself.  The kit was for the necklace and earrings, but I had to make a matching bracelet.  It was fun to work with extras from the kit and luckily, I had a heart toggle clasp in the right metal finish.  It goes quite well I think.  The necklace looks really nice on.  The colors are perfect for Fall. 

I hope you all have a great week ahead.  Take care.  Nancy

Sunday, August 4, 2013

An Amazing Nibble and Beautiful Blue Agate

Hi everyone.  It is Sunday again which doesn't make me as sad here in the Summer as it does during the school year!  Imagine that!  My school year will begin again quick as a wink.  It seems once August hits, time flies.  On the bright side, I am looking forward to meet the new kiddos in my class.  I have been having fun, crafting up a storm(mostly jewelry). 

Speaking of jewelry, I had great fun making this necklace and earrings to go with a bracelet I made with my monthly jewelry kits.  I was shocked that I found matching blue agate beads on Ebay very inexpensively.  I just took apart one of the companion bracelets I made with the kit-actually it was an extender to turn any of the other bracelets into a necklace.  I used the beads I got from the extender and the blue agate beads from my online purchase and came up with what I thought was a cool necklace design.  I am very happy with it.  I kept the earrings kind of simple because those agate beads were way too big for that application.  I also changed the clasp on the bracelet because the one the company that makes the kits had me use kept coming undone.  I am really liking this new jewelry making skill I am learning.  It is really addicting!

On the recipe front, I made an amazing hot onion dip from The Kitchen Is My Playground .  I cut the recipe in half-12 oz. softened cream cheese, 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup mayo, and 1 large onion very finely chopped.  I don't care for crunchy onions(unless they are green scallions) so I went over and over them when I was chopping.  I baked the dip at 350degrees for 50 minutes.  It was delish.  My husband and I are part-time empty nesters.  I say that because there are many nights during the week both our sons are either working or busy so the hubs and I are on our own.  I came up with the idea for a couple of nights a week of soup and nibbles.   We make hot appetizers(either homemade or from the freezer section) and soup.  This hot dip became an instant favorite nibble!  I ate it warmed up for a couple of days after and it was still yummy!  I think when I am charged to bring something to the next family get together, this is it. 

I have some sewing I want to get to this week.  My husband and I are getting away for the night Thursday which will be nice.  I have a doctors appointment a little over an hour's drive from home, so we take advantage and head a little further to a favorite spot to get away for the night.  Next weekend, we are going to a flea market/craft fair of sorts.  I am looking forward to that.  I am toying with the idea of becoming a vendor next year at this annual event.  I am kind of apprehensive of taking my handiwork to the next level.  I keep thinking I haven't found my niche yet.  I have thought I am the type of person who needs a gentle but firm shove but that is silly.  I need to pull up my big girl pants and go after what I want!  Does that sound convincing?  I hope you all have a great week.  Take care.  Nancy