SewMamaSew Givaway Closed

Thanks to everyone for participating in the SewMamaSew give away. I'm writing for my wife Pam, who had to make an unexpected trip out of town. As soon as she can get back online, she will be announcing the winner.

Please continue to register for the SEWN give away. The scissor fob and scissors are Pam's contribution.

SEWN Giveaway

DON'T MISS ANY OF MY GIVEAWAYS! THERE ARE 3!

There's a new kid in town, or I should say a new blog! :) SEWN is hosting a blog giveaway to launch it's new site and I am participating. Yes, that is three giveaways at once! But how could I not participate in this exciting new community? Following are the comments from SEWN and to the right is a button link. Click over and find all the blogs participating. There are some great giveaways out there.

"SEWN is new and innovative online quilting and sewing community for all lovers of fabric crafts. We have Tips and Innovative Tools to help with your projects, an Advice Centre for all your sewing questions, online forums and chats, and information on your local shops, sewing groups, quilt groups and classes.
SEWN will feature designers and shops from Australia and New Zealand, as well as the latest from the USA, Canada, Europe and Japan. "

I am giving away a Scissor Fob and a pair of Embroidery Scissors!

I have used a 1 1/2" button covered in Moda's Wonderland Fabric.

There is an alligator clip on the back of the button. This is great to clip to your clothing or craft bag, furniture, etc. I even use one while traveling and clip it to the seat belt. You will never have to look for your scissors again while using this handy dandy scissor fob.

The ribbon was heat finished and I used a heat and bond Velcro for the closure.

A pair of blue stork titanium scissors are included.

To register for this giveaway, leave me a comment and tell me what type of sewing or craft activity you love. I will randomly choose a winner on June 8. Make sure you are linked to your blog or leave me your email or web address for contact info. Enjoy!

SewMamaSew Giveaway #2

Update: Thanks for participating. This giveaway is closed.

Yes, that's right! SewMamaSew Giveaway 2! Be sure and enter both of my giveaways. See the next post for my other giveaway!

I have a second Artfire business with my friend, Connie. From our SeWhatInc store on Artfire, we are giving away a pair of our

Flip Flop Buttons and a coordinating Pony Tail Holder.

These buttons are made with Moda's Sandy Gervais fabric line, Objects of Desire. Don't you just love this fabric line?

1 1/2" coordinating Pony Tail Holder

Plus we are including a set of Moda's Berry Delicious Fabric Button Magnets!

Our link is http://www.artfire.com/users/SeWhatInc. We would love for you to stop by and visit our shop.


Now leave a comment to enter this giveaway. Be sure and sign in with your blog/web info or include your email. I will keep this giveaway open until May 31st and will contact the winner that day!.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon!

Head over to SewMamaSew's blog and check out all the participating blogs and their great giveaways.

http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/

SewMamaSew Giveaway #1

Update: Thanks for participating. This giveaway is now closed.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am happy to be participating in the SewMamaSew giveaway. I am so happy that I decided to do 2 giveaways! Be sure and enter both!


Please leave me a comment telling me your birth month. This is important because I am giving away a Sterling Silver and Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Bracelet and Earrings. My friend, Diane, and I have an ArtFire jewelry business. If you get a chance, please head over and look around.


Our link is http://www.artfire.com/users/TogglesandBeads.

Since our giveaway ships in June, I am showing an example of the June Birthstone Bracelet.

I will leave the giveaway open until May 31st. I will choose randomly and will contact the winner. Please make sure you sign in with your blog/web site info or include your email. I don't want anyone left out because you forgot to do this part! :)

This is the style the Birthstone Earrings will be. I will replace the crystal with the correct color for your birth month.

Our earrings and bracelets are designed using sterling silver, Turkish beads, sterling lever back earring fasteners, bracelet toggles and Swarovski crystals.

HAVE FUN!

Tutorial Tuesday

Dish Scrubbie

Jennifer at Craft Sanity has a quick and fun tutorial that is also practical. Visit Craft Sanity at http://craftsanity.com/?p=2392 for the free tutorial. There is even a video for you visual learners. I know these are designed and made for cleaning house but couldn't you also see these hung from the ceiling with clear line in staggering lengths for a party decoration?

Recipe Monday

Squash Delight

When my husband and I married 26 years ago, he asked me to get two recipes from his mom. My Lemon Cheese Pie that I have already shared is one of them and this is the second one. It is one of our family favorites. Both my son and daughter love this and often request it. It is such a wonderful side dish and goes with any meat. We had it yesterday with a beef roast. Yummy!

Ingredients:

1 pound yellow squash, washed, sliced and boiled lightly

1/2 cup chopped onion, boiled with the squash

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup grated cheese (we use Velveeta but cheddar is fine)

1/2 stick butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Drain squash and onion, add all the ingredients together. Pour in to a 2 quart sprayed casserole dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 - 60 minutes or until bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown.

Friday Favorites

My Library Card!

Today my favorite thing to share is my library card. I know that probably seems like a weird choice but for me it isn't. I am an avid reader and have bouts of insomnia. My husband is a light sleeper so watching television disturbs him at night, as does any type of cleaning or sewing, etc. Instead I read. I read a lot. This little card saves me so much money. I usually go to the library twice a month. Each visit I get between 12-20 books. Do you know how much that would cost me? I also love my library because we have a very user friendly web site. I go on the web, search out authors, topics or titles and reserve the book on my card. All I have to do is a quick in and out to get my books. They have them waiting for me all bundled together.

My favorite genre to read is a good murder mystery/ PI book. I really like a woman as the main character and usually prefer a woman author. However, I am a fan of Lee Child and he is definitely a man. :) I also love that I can check out many of the popular craft/sewing books. I usually get a least two of those each time.

Are you reader? If so, leave me a comment on what type of books you like best.

Another Giveaway

Sewn is a new site just for sewers based in Australia. They are hosting a giveaway launch party for their new blog. I am so excited to participate. Come back after Tuesday and I will share what my giveaway items will be! I am postponing until I have SewMamaSew giveaway finished on the 27th. So remember, May 27 come and leave a comment for a chance to win two separate giveaways and then come back anytime between May 28 and June 8 for the Sewn giveaway!

Tuesday Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY!

SewMamaSew is hosting a blog giveaway and I am happy to announce I will be participating! Come to my blog on Tuesday for an opportunity to enter the two, yes two, giveaways! And be sure and check out http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/ for many blog giveaways. It is a great way to find new creative blogs and a great opportunity to win some goodies. All giveaways are handmade and there will be such a variety. So remember, May 27, visit SewMamaSew's blog and mine!

Sewing To Do List

I have got to get organized. I have been in a fog the last few weeks. I have had to take some medicine that just makes me feel spacey and have gotten absolutely nothing accomplished with my sewing and I have a lot I want to do. I am hoping making my list will help me to focus. So here it goes.

Sewing to do list:

1. Amy Butler's Downtown Purse for daughter. It needs to be completed by June 1st. That is when I go help her move.

2. Niece a sundress and matching bag.

3. Daughter skirt.

4. Purse for a birthday gift with a matching tea wallet.

5. Mug cozies for gifts. Have multiples of these to do.

6. Christmas in July Swap - stocking, other items

7. Birdie for a friend.

8. Fall bag for daughter - Amy Butler's Birdie Sling.

9. Heat Therapy Rice bag.

10. Summer skirt for me.

11. Cut off and hem a pair of jeans in to shorts for me.

12. I have many hand embroidery items I want to work on. I need to copy on to the fabric, organize in to packages and that way I can grab and go with it.

Things I want to learn:

1. Needle turn applique.

2. More hand embroidery stitches.

3. Stippling.

Here is my plan. Today I will iron and cut out daughter's bag. I bought the wrong color of thread so I will need to go get the correct thread color this afternoon. Tomorrow I will try and sew the bag.

Tutorial Tuesday

Wet Bag Tutorial

by Little Birdie Secrets

With warm weather approaching quickly, this tutorial not only looks good but is very practical. Little Birdie Secrets has graciously allowed me to share their tutorial for a Wet Bag. It has a side zipper and will keep your wet bathing suits, clothing, etc. separated from your dry items. This bag will be great for the pool, beach or in a diaper bag for those accidents that always happen with babies or toddlers. I think it would even work as a stylish ice pack (if a zip lock bag was used inside)! Go check out this tutorial in the following link and then look around Little Birdie Secrets' blog. They have lots of great tutorials and ideas.

http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/

Recipe Monday

Strawberry Fluff

or AKA

Pink Party Salad

There are food items that can take you back to childhood memories. This recipe is definitely one of those for me. My mom would make this salad anytime we went on a picnic, vacation or holiday. My dad often referred to it as Pink Stuff and we all four loved it. It is a simple salad that could even be used as a dessert. It is great for pot-luck dinners.

I made it this week for a friend's family and made us some for home. My son has requested this recipe to be included in a recipe book I am doing for him. He will be so glad it is an easy one.

Ingredients:

1 large can crushed pineapple

1 large box of Strawberry Jello (you can change the flavor of the Jello to any fruit flavor you prefer)

1 carton of small curd cottage cheese

1 large carton of Cool Whip

In a medium saucepan, mix pineapple and Jello. Heat until just boiling. Let cool completely. Add cottage cheese and Cool Whip. Stir together, pour into bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. Easy peasy. :)

Swimwear Shopping

Anyone Up For a Swim?

I am what most people would call fat, I prefer chubby girl. ;) Yes, I am heavy and no matter what I try, and I have tried lots of things, I seem to be able to lose 10 pounds and then right back on it goes. It doesn't help that I take steroids daily for chronic asthma. However, I also just love food. So, there are multiple issues. Anyway, one of the things I hate is to shop for swimming suits.

http://www.onestopplus.com/ has many size 12 and up shops located together and that certainly makes shopping for a plus size girl easier. I have ordered several things from them and have been very happy. Yesterday I decided to shop for swim wear. I love to swim and am fortunate to have a country club pool just down the street. I bought two suits and am anxious to get them and will let you know how they work out.

The first suit is a skirtini, two pieces with a tummy panel. Sounds good and it is from my favorite store, Avenue. I am not usually a blue person but I really like this suit, color and style. It didn't hurt it was on sale either.

This second suit is as basic as it looks. I have a little black skirt cover up that I can wear with this suit but remove it for when I want to swim laps or exercise. It is my practical suit.

I should receive the suits by Wednesday or Thursday and will give you the low down.

Favorites Friday

I have decided to share a favorite item on Fridays. Sometimes it may be a sewing tool, a food item, a clothing item, etc. The only prerequisite is that it is one of my favorite things. I would love for you to leave me a comment each Friday with your favorite things.

This week I want to share the Clover Chaco Liner. I own two, the blue and white. Each time I sew, I use this nifty little tool. What makes it so great? The end is not a point that has to be sharpened but instead has a little rolling wheel. It is effortless to use and I can't imagine sewing without it now. They cost approximately 7.00 each and are refillable. I have had mine a year now and have not had to refill yet. I have also used when measuring on paper for a cutting line. I believe it comes in several other colors, including yellow and green.

Clover Chaco Liner

My Son's A College Graduate!

Our son, Cody, graduated with honors from college last week! Woohoo! I am so proud of him. Now, if he can find a job in his career chocie, journalism, that would be terrific. However, the field is evaporating. Cody is blogging on several sites and hopefully that will develop in to a paid position. Until then, we are praying for a job.

Tutorial Tuesday

Trash Bag for Your Vehicle

Over at Make It and Love It blog, Ashley has posted a free tutorial for this easy but very useful trash bag for your vehicle. I can't tell you how badly I need this and how much better this will work in my van than the small bathroom trash can I keep in there. My trash can isn't very practical because it turns over and spills easily and it sure isn't as stylish as this bag. I can also see using this to keep a notepad and pencil, small toys for the kiddos, hand sanitizer and lotion, etc. It doesn't just have to be for trash. :) Head over to the following link for the free tutorial and check out her other projects while there.

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/04/trash-bag.html

Recipe Monday

Lemon Cheese Pie

1 - 8 ounce package of cream cheese, room temperature
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup of lemon juice
1 pie crust,
(you can use a homemade, frozen baked and cooled or a graham cracker crust. I have done all three and I can tell you the frozen is as good as a homemade and the graham is the easiest. It is your choice.)

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add the condensed milk and mix until creamy. Slowly add the lemon juice. When mixed well, pour in to a prepared and cooled pie crust. Refrigerate. May be served with a thin, sliced lemon that is scored and twisted and a dollop of whip cream.

This is a delicious and creamy pie that is just wonderful for summer dining and one of the easiest I have ever made. It is one of the three recipes my husband asked me to get from his mom 27 years ago after our wedding. In fact, my son requested this pie instead of a cake for his graduation dinner. It is definitely a family favorite. Hope you enjoy. :)

This recipe easily doubles, triples and quadruples for easy multiple pie making. I made three last week in one bowl. Yummy.

Update

I did not have much updating going on last week. I was so sick. I caught a bug while out of town and came home to a very hectic week with my sister's adoption hearing, my son's graduation and a celebration trip with my sister's family. I was sick through it all and it was all I could do to just get through the week. Unfortunately, my daughter had the same virus. We had all the symptoms of the Swine Flu that everyone is so afraid of but was tested and found negative but told there is a virus mimicking the flu. Yep, cold symptoms with sore throat and coughing and intestinal issues as well! Ugh! It has not been fun but I am finally on the road to recovery. I think it would not have lasted as long if I had been able to just stop and rest. Oh well, such is life. I will be posting a recipe later in the day. I want to take a photo to share and the lighting is still too bad due to a cloudy rainy day. Until later...

Tutorial Tuesday

Sew Mama Sew is one of my favorite blogs. They always have great free tutorials and lots of creativity. Yesterday they posted a big list of suggested tutorials for Mother's Day. Follow the link to see great pictures and the tutorial link. http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=801

Recipe Monday

My family loves casseroles and really, what's not to love? You can put together a hearty meal, that includes veggies, carbs and meats, in minutes that feeds an entire family. And most importantly, they taste great! This recipe is loved by my family. I hope you enjoy making and eating it. I forgot to take a picture of the ingredients and even forgot to take a picture with it all together. I did, however, take one after we had served ourselves dinner.

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

1 large box of Rice-a-Roni, chicken flavor

16 oz. frozen broccoli florets

3 chicken breast

1 can cream of chicken soup (I use low-fat version)

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup cheddar cheese

Prepare Rice-a-Roni according to package directions. Boil chicken. Save 1 cup of the broth. Cook broccoli florets slightly. Chop chicken in to bite-sized pieces. Mix soup, mayonnaise and broth thoroughly. Layer rice, broccoli and chicken in a sprayed 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Pour sauce over the rice mixture. Cover with 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbling, about 20-25 minutes. Serve with fruit and bread and you have a delicious meal. For vegetarians: replace chicken broth with veggie broth and omit chicken.

Joyous Day

I am on the left, our daughter, Hanna, in the middle and my husband, Stan on the right.

Big group of Hanna's friends. We love them all!

And yes, she has way more guy friends that girl friends.

That is just the way she rolls! ;)

This weekend we were in Charleston, SC visiting our daughter and helping her pack and clean to move in to a different house. She is staying in Charleston for the summer. She was accepted in to a research internship at the local medical university MUSC and will be waiting tables in the evening. We came home tired but loved spending that time with her. On Sunday we attended church with Hanna and her two friends, Kevin and Cory and then had lunch with a larger group of her friends.

Monday Morning

We came home last night and this morning attended the adoption hearing for my little niece. My sister and her husband have had her since birth. Today, the adoption was final. Of course, she has been there daughter for the two years already and our entire family adores her. Here is a picture taken immediately after the judge finalized the adoption!

And then we celebrated with breakfast at Jordan's favorite restaurant,

Crackie Barrel! ;)