Hoffee and a Nuffin

This week's Talented Team Member is Hoffee and a Nuffin! This delightful shop specializes in handmade sock monkeys and sock monkey themed items. An art that brings smiles to the young and old!

Click on the pictures!

Like Dreamers Do - handmade sock monkey.

Sock Monkey cards.

Sock Monkey pincushions.

And much, much more!

Please also visit Hoffee's other Etsy shop "Sweet Little Things" for more whimsical creations!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love is in the air… *heartfelt sigh* … LOL!

Look at what I just made! It’s a crocheted beanie!
Johnna and Jake loved modeling it for me.
*Please ignore the chocolate on Jake’s goofy mug and hands. ;)

I made it in the adult size so it’s a little big on them.
The pattern I won from from CrazySocks Crochet (http://www.etsy.com/shop/crazysocks830 ) on Etsy. The beanie pattern is called the “Jan” hat and can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38472143
The pattern is very nicely written, easy and works up fast!


Today I am just hanging out with the family. Since we did all of our errands and running around yesterday we are being a little lazy. We just got done watching “Julie and Julia”. Good movie overall. There were some slow parts but I think both women portrayed their parts excellently. I remember watching Julia Childs on tv when I was young. Her voice and accent always fascinated me. I don’t think Meryl Streep talked quite like Julia did, the highs and lows in her voice, but that probably is a good thing considering that when people try to imitate her, she starts to look comical.

We are having a fabulous dinner tonight!

This week’s menu:
Sunday – Steak, baked potato, salad and Italian crème cake for dessert.
Monday – Chicken pot pie from Costco.
Tuesday – Goulash
Wednesday – Whole baked chicken, potatoes and salad.
Thursday – Tuna noodle casserole.
Friday – Leftovers or FFY (fend for yourself)
Saturday – Pizza for the gang and Thai takeout for John and me.

The Amazing Race begins a new season tonight! We have fun picking our favorite teams and rooting them on to victory.

Today I am just thankful for the people that love me. <3>

Windows...

Yay! We finally got some snow! You’d think living in Michigan we’d have a boat load… nope!

Looking out into the backyard from the kitchen window.

So, I’m on a diet. Today is the first day. So far I’m doing pretty well but it’s only a little after noon… LOL! Coffee is helping. Maybe I’ll be able to wear my cute summer clothes this year…I’m searching for good sites with good tasting healthy recipes, any suggestions? I’ll keep you updated on the progress.

I also started taking B1 (thiamin) and B2 to help with the tingling in my fingers. Can’t hurt, right?

Finished curtains in the bathroom.

I got new aliens for soap this week! When freed they become finger puppets and are so cute! Those will be listed soon!

This weekend I will be very busy with glass. Procrastination is not my friend. If you lose track of me, check the kiln…
Okay, it’s the little one’s lunch time. Hopefully we’ll get out today to play in the snow!

Go Saints!

It’s here! The best finger food night of the year! Super Bowl Sunday!
We will be rooting for the Saints! It’s all about the underdog in this household. ;)
Who’s excited to see the commercials?! We shall discuss those tomorrow!

Yes, I know, I know… I’ve been slacking on blog posts. I promise to be more diligent this week on posting. I have a good excuse though. The congo I belong to, The Wading Pool, totally revamped and I had a lot of creating to do to prepare for the grand reopening on Friday. The snowman above is being auctioned off! (Click on the picture to see auction.) Please stop by and check it out!

This week’s menu:
Sunday – Ribs, boneless buffalo and honey chicken and potato skins with bacon/cheese & sausage/pepper toppings. Oh, and of course, brownies!
Monday – Crunchy chicken salads with garbanzo beans and avocado.
Tuesday – Spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread.
Wednesday – Homemade waffles and breakfast sausage.
Thursday – Red beans, rice and sausage.
Friday – FFY (fend for yourself)
Saturday – Pepper steak and rice.

This week I am thankful that my husband understands that I’m the world’s biggest procrastinator. If there is a deadline it’s guaranteed I won’t be starting until the last possible second. I’ve tried really hard to change this, and I have gotten a little better but there are just some things that prevent me from moving forward. It seems that panic is my number one motivation. Scary but true… I always seem to finish but John is always right there to pick up the slack when I need to concentrate on getting whatever it is done. Thank you, honey. :)

I’ve got to get busy, lots of things to do before kickoff tonight!
Have a fun and safe evening!

Yeah! It's Sunday!

I think it will be a late night tonight… lots of things to start and finish. Can you believe tomorrow is February?! Lots of new things being listed this week, new projects being started and a grand reopening of the congo I belong too! I will keep you posted as they are unveiled!

This week’s menu:
Sunday – Kielbasa and sauerkraut on rolls and homemade tater wedges.
Monday – Homemade chicken soup and sandwiches.
Tuesday – Leftover soup and sandwiches.
Wednesday – Ham, broccoli and rice bake.
Thursday – Rump roast, potatoes, carrots and biscuits.
Friday – Leftovers or ffy (fend for yourself).
Saturday – Chicken piccata, pasta and garlic bread.

This week I am thankful that my mother taught me to have manners. I am always shocked when I go shopping at the incredible rudeness or lack of consideration that individuals have of the people that surround them. Especially on a Sunday! Grocery aisles are not designed for you to park yourself in the middle of and glare at anyone who dares to go around you. If you accidently (or purposefully for that matter) run into someone with your cart, it’s always nice to say you’re sorry. Even if you don’t mean it! Instead of waiting for the cashier to finish ringing up your groceries so she can then place all 30 of the bags into the cart, how about you help her out by doing that yourself. Unless your arms are broken… and if they aren’t the person waiting behind you could probably arrange to have that happen. Seriously people, even a smile costs nothing to give and will help you face from drooping to your knees when you’re old!

Rod Pocket Curtain

Time to share!
Well what I worked on today anyway. Today I made rod

more curtains for my bathroom using these instructions. http://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/8_150_making_rod_pocket_curtains.pdf
So I thought I’d write a little tutorial on how easy they were.

It might inspire you to make some yourself!
First you must choose your fabric. I like color. It makes me happy. So I went with this bright print by Michael Miller. The print will also prevent the neighbors from seeing me in my birthday suit. Believe me when I say I’m doing them a favor. ;)
Once you have chosen your fabric you must wash and dry it.

Yes, you must.
Then comes the ironing…

You can’t have nicely sewn things without a fabulous iron. I’m serious.

After your fabric has been ironed to perfection you will then measure (measure again), then you’ll… nope, measure one more time and then cut your fabric. This is best achieved I believe with a rotary cutter.
Time to iron again!

I remember playing with this nifty little tool when I was young. If you don't own one, get one! It makes your hem lines look perfect! Just measure and press.
For the side hem you will measure an inch and press. Then you'll fold over that inch and press again so it's doubled.

Once you have the your side hems neat and pressed into place I recommend pinning so everything stays put.

Now repeat the same process for the bottom hem and pin.

Topstitch the sides first, removing pins as you go. A magnetic guide helps to keep the stitches straight. Again, if you don't have one, get one! Do the same for the bottom hem.

The next step is to skip back to your ironing board and fold over and iron the upper edge (1/2 inch). From your measurements you will then determine the amount of fabric you will fold over to create the top edge and rod pocket. Measure, iron and pin. Before I started to sew again I made a guideline for the top stitching of my rod pocket using my husband's electrical tape. I measured from the needle to wear the top of the curtain would hit. My magnet guide doesn't function well on the plastic casing. :/
Proceed to topstich the lower edge.

Once your lower edge is stitched, line up the top edge of your curtain panel to your tape guide and begin to sew the rod pocket.

Slow and steady wins the race and ensures a nice straight stitch. Trim your loose threads and iron once again. Just do it...

Insert the rod into the rod pocket and hang.
One panel finished. One more to go!
(Please ignore the walls. It's an old house and I need to repaint.)

Lastly, a bonus picture of Johnna. She thinks she's going in the hot tub, hence the bathing suit. Not tonight baby girl. Mommy has some sewing to do!

chicalookate

This week's Talented Team Member is chicalookate from my Michigan street team!

(Click on the pictures!)

This handmade shop has beautiful photography.

Cool pocket mirrors!

And fabulous recycled record bowls!

This shop also has journals, cards, coasters and much more!

Check out Kate's shop today at http://www.chicalookate.etsy.com/ !