Look Out...She Has a Needle and Thread and She Knows How to Use It!

If you know me....you know that I don't sew, I don't crochet, and I can kind-of-sort-of knit with the help from my Nifty Knitter.....So when my cousin gave me this little beauty of a book I didn't know if I was up to the challenge....

Sublime Stitching is such a fun, and surprisingly easy way to pretend like I know something about sewing and embroidery. There are tons of re-usable iron on transfers in this book to keep you busy for a while. Everything from fruits, tea cups, guitars, and Scottie dogs....the list goes on.

Since I am...(as you probably already know because I can't stop complaining talking about it) about to have baby #3 and I have baby on the brain....all the time......I wanted to make something for our newest addition.

Guess I just spilled the beans about his name :)

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To start...you will need a tiny little onesie...oh how I love little baby clothes. Next cut out your transfer, place ink side down and iron into place. This transfer washes out entirely so if you don't get your stitches exactly right, you won't see the black outline at all once it is washed. Choose your embroidery thread colors and get to stitching! This book has such detailed photos of how to do simple stitches step by step. Trust me, if I can do it...you can do it!

              

Here is an up-close shot of my handy work...not perfect, but neither is his momma so I don't think he will mind at all.

Have you tried embroidery before? I think it is making a come back for sure!

Happy Stitching!

Linked to:

Show and Share at Southern Lovely

Tickled Pink Fridays at 504 Main

Tutorials and Tips Link Party at Home Stories A to Z

Air Your Laundry Friday Textile Link Party at Freckled Laundry

Tasty Tuesday....

I am in love with all food Greek and Italian and lucky for us we have a great restaurant within walking distance from our house with both of these specialties. My favorite thing to order is a Gyro Plate with tons of extra Tzatziki sauce and a little fresh hummus on the side...if my family were up to it, I would eat there every night...and I do mean EVERY single night. But since that isn't happening, I had to find a way to make some of these tasty treats at home. (I've even been know to make a pretty mean Baklava when the mood strikes, but I'll have to save that for another day)

Today's Tasty Tuesday is all about.....

Pan Seared Lamb Chops with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

4 Lamb Chops

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp cracked black pepper

2 table spoons chopped fresh rosemary

Tzatziki Sauce

24 oz container Greek Yogurt
juice of one lemon

1 garlic clove,  finely grated
2 medium cucumbers, seeded and diced
about 1 T kosher salt for salting cucumbers
2  table spoons  finely chopped fresh dill

Prepare Tzatziki sauce first, it will need to be refrigerated for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Peel and slice cucumbers lengthwise, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Finely dice cucumber and place in a strainer over a bowl. Sprinkle kosher salt over cucumbers and let juice drain off for 20 minutes or so. You can also use cheese cloth to ring out any excess juice. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated garlic, lemon juice and fresh dill. Stir together and then stir in the cucumber. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

For the Lamb chops....heat a pan to medium-high heat. Sprinkle chops with salt, pepper, and rosemary. Lay the chops in a single layer in the hot pan...don't move them once placed in the pan so you will get a good sear. Cook on each side 3 minutes and then move pan to a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes.

Ta-Da you are done...we make Saffron Rice to go along with this oh-so delicious meal...I hope you will give it a try...I promise it will be worth the time and effort!

not so Little Golden Book Paintings.....

While I'm not much of a "theme" person for a baby's room....I did find a way to add a few of my favorite things into the new baby boy's room....

Do you remember Little Golden Books? We have quite a collection of them and I have always loved that detail of the gold spine on each of the books. I wanted to create some one of a kind art work for my new little guy's room that would match some of the other colors I have going on in there....

While this isn't much of a tutorial.... to make your own Little Golden Book Paintings you'll need to start with that classic golden spine. I taped off a three inch area of a 16x20in canvas and I used two metallic acrylic paints...first metallic gold then a layer of metallic Pure Gold on top

Now time for your creative self to shine!

I free-hand painted the classic design of the spine on the canvas.....then I came up with a nursery rhyme theme for the book tittles. Don't forget to paint the " a Little Golden Book" line right at the top of your canvas....

These paintings found a place on each side of a window in the baby boy's room....hope he likes them ;)

Linked To:

Show and Share with Southern Lovely

Creative Bloggers Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Craft O Maniac Monday at Craft O Maniac

Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle

Running with Glitter Link Party

Weekend Wrap Up at Tatertots and Jello

Tuesday Confessional at Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy

I'm Still Here....and...Still Pregnant

I have been MIA for a week or so now.....I have been surviving enjoying these last weeks of pregnancy with as much rest as I can get.

I should have known that pregnancy number three would be a bit more of a challenge...but I'm not sure if I was prepared to be this exhausted mentally and physically.  

But....I can do it.....I can do it....I can do it!

5 more weeks to go and I can hold this little guy....

And my poor hubby won't be hearing things like this anymore.......

hehehehe.....



And then maybe....just maybe...I can start to feel like this again....



Well....maybe. I think I may be dreaming :)



Thanks for  listening to my ranting...I hope to be back to my old self soon......



Tasty Tuesday....Homemade Frosty!!

I shared this tasty recipe at One Artsy Mama a few weeks ago....but just in case you may have missed it, I'm here to share it again!

It's worth sharing again...it really is that good!

 

 

Homemade Wendy's Frosty

1/2 gallon chocolate milk

1 large container of Cool Whip (thawed)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a (very) large bowl mix all ingredients together. Pour mixture into your ice cream maker and let it churn away until it is finished! The consistency should be the same as the "soft serve" frosty you would get at Wendy's. Our ice cream maker takes about 30 minutes...yours may vary just a bit

 

Bird Watching....A Canvas Project

A few months ago I made this little birdie canvas art using Mod Podge and Fabric....

I gave it to one of my greatest friends who is expecting her first bundle of joy very soon. This little birdie picture worked so well in the baby's room that she asked if I could make three more.  I was so excited that she liked it so much and I was more than happy to make more....

You can find the detailed tutorial HERE

one bird.....

two birds......

three little birds.....

Packaged and ready to be shipped two states away..... I can't wait to meet her new little birdie when he or she makes their way into the world very soon!

linked to:

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z

Mad Skills Party at Mad in Crafts

Making the World Cuter Monday

Craft O Maniac Monday

Amaze me Monday at Dittle Dattle

Creative Bloggers Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Running with Glitter

Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime

Weekend Wrap up at Tater Tots and Jello

Simply Sunday.....

Friday Faves....Sharing some Etsy Love.....

It's Friday!!!

The Sun is out...a breeze is blowing and for once this Summer it isn't 100 degrees outside...all in all I think it's going to be a great day! And, I am so excited to share my

I have been on the look out for some great Etsy finds this week to get started with some (really early) Christmas planning. While I'm just in the "looking" phase, I have found some pretty amazing shops to choose from!

Last week, I was so excited to hear from Sunny Vanilla that I had won a giveaway!! Delivered right to me was one of these beautiful makeup rolls



And..just this week, Sunny Vanilla has opened up an Etsy Shop where she is selling these beautiful handmade creations! What a great gift idea for (yourself) or a friend!

Justine, a wonderful friend of mine, has recently opened an Esty shop , Gentle Gems, here you can find all kinds of sweet and beautiful handmade things for baby. I just love these sweet little baby mittens...perfect for keeping tiny hands warm this winter, and her prices won't break the bank! It doesn't get much better than that!

If it's jewelry that you are looking for....then you have to check out this shop...... the Literally Inspired Etsy Shop has an amazing assortment of beautiful things to choose from..... like these Chrysanthemum Necklaces....

And...if you go over to Crafty, Scrappy, Happy you can enter for your chance to win one of these beautiful "count the waves" necklaces from Literally Inspired!!

Lauren from Whimsy Lane has a beautiful blog that is packed full of beautiful project ideas and her Whimsy Lane Esty Shop is packed full of, you guessed it, beautiful handmade products that would make any lady on your list smile...



I am so in love with everything in her shop...hint, hint to any family members that are reading...Oh wait, I was supposed to be shopping for others...well, with all these awesome things to choose from, what's a girl to do??

So there you have it..my Friday Faves,Etsy Style

I hope you found a few things you could add to your list!

Happy Friday!

Inspiration for a Roadside find......

We were driving along, the hubby, kids and I, and there it was....just laying on the side of the road. It spoke to me and said something like this, "Carmella....take me home...and make me beautiful again......please!"

What was I to do? It did say, "please" and I am all about good manners. So the only thing I could think to say was, "STOP the car!! We have to take that home!"

My hubby's response was a little like this, ".........crickets chirping............What in the world do we need that for?"

Oh silly, silly husband of mine.....we'll turn it into one of these beautiful benches......

Source: scissorsandspatulas.com via Carmella on Pinterest

 I love, love this idea...distressed to perfection!

Source: myrepurposedlife.net via Carmella on Pinterest

This would be stunning on a front porch

Source: poppiesatplay.blogspot.com via Carmella on Pinterest

So simple...but would you just look at that color....love it!

Source: forums2.gardenweb.com via Carmella on Pinterest



Just give me a glass of iced tea and a good book, and I could sit here a while

 

 

I don't think I'll be looking at a headboard the same way again....

 

What have you made from an old headboard?

 

 

Tasty Tuesday...Inspiration From the Pioneer Woman....

For this week's Tasty Tuesday we had to stop by and visit the blog of the one and only Pioneer Woman for a little inspiration....

We varied the recipe to make it our own, but it wouldn't have come about without her :)

It was getting late...we needed a quick meal...and this beauty of a recipe was complete and on the table in 20 minutes, and it was delicious!!

Creamy Pesto Pasta

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup heavy cream

3 tablespoons Pesto, (we used jarred this time)

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 small tomato (diced)

4 servings of pasta (we used Ronzoni Garden Delight rotini)

In a large saucepan, melt butter over med heat. Add in heavy cream, heat until it starts to bubble then add pesto and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the sauce has thickened and then add diced tomato and simmer for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile....cook pasta according to package directions, drain and toss with the Creamy Pesto Sauce!

 Serve with toasted french bread drizzled with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and cracked black pepper...TA DA.....dinner is served!

What do you think?? Will you give this one a try??

Oh...and thanks for stopping by to take a look, it means so much to me that you have taken the time to visit!

Linked to:

Sister Sunday Link Party at Sisters of the Wild West

Pregnancy Progress and a Project.....

Dear pregnant self,

Please remember that you have done this two times before and you lived. Also, a friendly reminder that you only have 8 weeks left and nothing lasts forever....you will be able to see your feet again, I promise.

Is that a pregnancy glow I see? Nah...just my Smashbox Bronzer applied just before leaving for a movie date with my hubby....

So...pregnant me and not pregnant me are two totally different people.....I am really ready to hold this little baby in my arms and look forward to having what resembles energy again...or at the very least, the desire to wear something different than my PJ's all day.
Maybe...my energy filled, real clothes wearing self will emerge soon...but until then I'm just keeping things simple....

Like this project for making cute...very simple....oven baked clay beads.....

Here's what you will need to get started: Sculpey oven-bake clay, sharp knife, tooth pick, and acrylic paint

Step 1: make 5 rolls of clay the same size, and 1 roll just a tiny bit smaller for a total of 6

Step 2: Place the 5 larger rolls around the smaller one until it looks like a flower

Step 3: Using a sharp knife, slice the newly created flower roll into 1/4 inch thick flowers

Step 4: reshape any beads that have become flat on their sides

Bake according to package instructions....let cool...then paint

Not perfect, but pretty cute I'd say. And...the best part was, I made these while wearing my PJ's :)

My no energy, PJ wearing self even managed to make a few of these for my little princess too....

Whew...I'm beat....think it's time for a nap.....

Project linked to:

Running With Glitter

Tea Time Thursday at Kreative Korner