Link ups to Pretty Pin Cushions

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/945/how-to-make-pretty-pincushions

Love these-made from soda caps!!

23 different scrappy pincushions from Better Homes and Gardens

Tipnut -30+ pincushion patterns

http://tipnut.com/22-free-pincushion-patterns/

Tipnut - 10+ knit or crochet pincushions

http://tipnut.com/knit-crochet-pincushions/

What do you stuff a pincushion with?

http://www.ehow.com/info_12002477_stuff-pincushion-with.html

Cupcake Pincushion from felted wool

http://www.ehow.com/how_4470534_cupcake-pincushion-out-felt.html

I love this one from Diary of a Crafty Chica--Empanada Pincushion

http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com/2008/07/project-pastry-pincushions-empanad...

Cute little pincushion with a button in the center from craftstylish

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/42860/how-to-make-a-pretty-pincushion-with-a...

and while there check out the granny square pin cushion instructions

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/71553/how-to-make-a-granny-square-pincushion

Although I do not have persmission to reprint this recipe/technique-I will include a link for you to follow  - so you can make it.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Artisan-Bread-in-Five-Minutes-a-Day/

The cost is about 40 cents a loaf-you make the initial batch, keep it in the frig, and pull off a hunk of it when you are ready to bake some.  It lasts about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

I got an E-mail today from Overstock.com.  According to their advertisments, they buy up merchandise that someone had too mch of or that didn't sell.  This ad was for Prada and other name brand bags on sale. On sale for --guess what?  $399.00 and up.  I saw a simple ugly tote bag for over $500--  then I saw this one for over $2,000.00

It made me wonder about where Prada bags are made--so I did a Google search, and just as I suspected--a good part of them are made in other places now other than Italy.  They have much of the work done in China and other countries--and even in Europe where Chinese people have moved in to work in their manufacturing plants for low wages.  So, even if it was a real Prada bag--chances are it's still made on an assembly line and is it really worth it just for the LOGO to pay such ridiculous prices.

Normally, I get E-mails with specials from various stores, like deal of the day, special buy 1 get one for free, or clearance sales. 

Oh just a rant here - on something that hasn't just happened to our country, but has happened to other countries as well. 

First of all - cook meat thoroughly and avoid unpasturized juice.  Use the following items with natural bacteria killers.

1.  Add 1 T. pureed prunes to each pound of hamburger meat--this can kill 90% of any E.coli present.

2.  2 to 5 t. garlic also works.

3.  Other spices known to kill E.coli are cinnamon, oregano, cloves, and sage.  Season your meat with these for extra protection. 

And don't forget to cook your meat until the juices run clear.

This, and many other tips, I got from this wonderful book.  You can Google this and pick one up for under $10.  Amazon has them for $8.50

If you don't want to sit around and hold that ice pack on your injury-there's an easier way to do it.  Just cut a roll of plastic wrap in half--pull it out, and wrap that ice pack securely.  An ice pack reduces swelling and numbs the area.  You're free to move around while wearing your ice pack.

I had some fleece and flannel in my fabric stash, so I decided to put it to good use.  These are some of the "KITTY MATS" I made for our local animal shelter.

They have these fleece made ropes with knots tied to the outside of the cages- and most of the cats love to play with them--kinda batting them around.  So, what I have left are some small pieces of fleece-- I think I'll make a few of these too. 

The mats are fairly easy to make.  I called them before I started the project to see if there were any specifications on how they should be made.  They like having them at least 12" x 12".  I did some that size, and a few of them were 12" x 18".  And they like them sewn really well-because they get washed a lot.

I noticed only a few mats there, with mostly blankets of a smaller size. 

This is so simple--Garlic is good for you right?  Why not make your own Garlic Oil.

Save glass (not plastic) dressing bottles to re-use. Soak in hot water to remove the labels.  These make nice bottles for flavored oils and vinegars.

Just peel the outside layer from 2 good sized cloves of garlic, pop them in the bottle, and add your oil.  I know Olive Oil is the best, but for now I am using Wesson Oil. 

Let this set in a cool, dark place for 1 week and then it's ready to use.  Be sure to label your jar and date it.

I'm thinking that I will pick up some Olive Oil and try it with that.  Would be great for any Italian dishes and breads - like bread sticks, pizza, basting hamburger buns to grill.  I'm thinking tons of uses for this.

Also, why not buy a spray bottle to put some of your Garlic Oil in--I know Tupperware used to sell them.  I have bought the spray can of Olive OIl - could replace it for home made.

I hope you have some ideas of your own.

I recently came across a cooking show with directions for making "Garlic Mayonnaise", which I think would be excellent on a hamburger/bun, chicken, fish, or seafood.  Also called "Alioli".

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/annie-sibonney/salsa-alioli-garlic-ma...

UPDATE   I took out my oil with garlic this evening and I wanted to try frying with it.  I cut two potatoes into cubes and let them set in the refrigerator in cold water for 20 minutes.  Then I heated the oil, dried off the potato cubes, and fried them.  Not a strong garlic taste at all-very mild and delicious.  If you let your potatoes set in cold water before frying--they fry quicker and turn a nice golden brown. 

Click here to download:

Hot_Chocolate_Mix.odp (15 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

Hot_Chocolate_Mix.odp (15 KB)

I don't care for the taste of dry powdered milk from most recipes I have found.  I do, however, love this one.  I did use 2% milk and it was yummy!!!

For me, this is the easiest way I make napkins-lined.  Napkins can be frayed along the edges, hemmed with a narrow hem all the way around, lined, serged on the edges, and some have fancy stitching.  But I really like them lined the best-super fast to cut and put together. 

These are some I just did with fabric I had purchased from a thrift store.

So, I now have 6 squares cut from both pieces of fabric.

I need to cut 6 squares in the same size for the lining now.  I had a white sheet in really good condition - so I cut 6 squares from that.

When they are all cut-put them --with right sides together (matching the sides together real good), and iron them. 

Sew all the way around except for a small 4" section in the center of one side--this is left open so you can turn it right side out.  Finish all the rest of them.  Iron them again all good.

Then, I stitch all the way around the edges again - about 1/4" in from edges or so--At this time you may prefer to try a different type of stitch--maybe zigzag, a curvy or daisies (whatever your machine can do that you might want to try.  And you can try a different color thread too that really stands out and shows off your napkins.  It's totally up to you--I did mine plain this time.

Then just iron them again when you're all finished--and place them in

 a cute basket, or give some away as a gift.

This is a set I just finished for my sister.  I also had enough fabric (and just barely) to make 4 coasters to match the napkins.  I purchased 7/8 of a yard for all of it.

I love this website I found called "Staci Makes Cents"  There are a ton of good tips and ways to be frugal.  I know many of us have some Soap Foamers now in our kitchens--and this is a recipe to make a refill for it.  She also uses one for Shampoo in the bath. 

http://www.stacymakescents.com/homemade-foam-soap

This is a local recipe called "Grandma's Oatmeal Bread"

So, here is the recipe--------

2 pkgs. dry yeast

1/2 c. warm water

1 1/4 c. boiling water

1 cup rolled Oats

1/2 c. Molasses

1/3 c. shortening

1 Tbls. salt

6 cups flour

2 eggs, beaten

4 heaping T. Flax Seed (optional)

Dissolve the yeast in the 1/2 c. warm water.  Combine the boiling water, shortening, and salt.  Cool to lukewarm, then add the molasses.  Add 1 cup sifted flour--beat well.  I like to use my Kitchen Aid Mixer--it tends to do half or more of the job of kneading the bread.  Add the beaten eggs and yeast mixture--beat well.  Add enough remaining flour to make a nice soft dough. 

Turn out onto a floured board-cover and let rest for 10 minutes.  I like to set my timer. Now is a good time to also set the oven on warm for a few minutes--then shut it off.   Knead for a few times, then place it into a greased large bowl.  Set it in the warmed oven for 1 hour or until doubled.

Turn out onto a lightly floured board--punch down, and divide in half. Set your oven back on warm for a few minutes, then shut it off.  Roll our each piece- then roll up, pinch edges together to form your loaf.  You can run a serated knife gently down the center if you like that look.  I do.  Put into 2 greased loaf pans.  Set in the oven and let rise until double--about 1 hour. 

Bake at 375* for 20 minutes or longer--till it's nice and dark brown.  I like to butter the tops as soon as they come out of the oven--then I turn them out onto a cloth rightside up to cool.

I love this new tote bag I just finished.

It has 6 outside pockets and 2 pen pockets, plus lots of room inside for larger items.  I didn't know when I started making it that it would be gathered--it just kind of happened-I was just going to gather a bit at the top sides, but I decided to try the whole top gathered.  I used a stretchy black/silver hair tie for a button closure-they work great. 

I have another new bag also that my daughter got me for Xmas.

Well, I have found some nice Fleece projects today to keep you warm.

The first thing that caught my eye was this super easy to make "Fleece Fringed Pillow" I found on the June Taylor website.  Would be nice just to cozy up on the couch with this soft and warm pillow.

http://www.junetailor.com/Creativity%20Center/CreativityCenter_ProjectSheets_...

Head on over to "From an Igloo" and get the tutorial for these warm mittens and make them for a lot less than you can buy them .

http://fromanigloo.blogspot.com/2010/11/fleece-mitt-pattern-and-tutorial.html

This little hat pattern can be found on FamilyFun.go

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/fleece-hat-660756/

This website is all "Fleece" stuff- lots of everything fleecy warm projects

http://www.fleecefun.com/free-patterns-and-instructions.html

Two small Dollar store frames and pictures from magazines

The other frame I had on hand

I can see I want to try to make some of these hand made.

And, I'll post when I do.

Found this at the "Anthropology Store".

Today I decided I needed to cook from what I have.  Click on the link above to see what I have made.

I also just finished baking 7 nice Russet Potatoes to make homefries with--some I'll cook in the next couple days and I plan to freeze some for later.

What are some of your goals for 2012? 

This is my Huckleberry (actually used Maine Blueberries) Buckle

Last week I did my stove--so both of these will be done.

Well, it's 2012 and I've never been one to make any real resolutions before, mostly because I don't think I ever took it seriously.

Well, this year I am looking forward to making some changes I really think I want to do.

One new thing I want to do this coming year would be to follow a routine of cleaning and clutter-weekly, monthly, and overall for the year.  I've already made my lists and taped them right where I can see them daily. 

The other thing I want to try to do is to keep up with those things I enjoy doing like dancing, sewing, doing some charity work, and more exercise. Oh, and I really want to work on making a better flower garden this year with some new plants.

There, I think most of these are all obtainable!!

What resolutions have you made?

These were my Favorite Blogs for this week

I love this blog--What a neat idea-I think you'll like it a lot!

Tinted Mason Jars @ Momtastic Check it out here---

http://www.momtastic.com/diy/168908-diy-tinted-mason-jars-in-rainbow

I found this at Today's Fabulous Finds

http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/2011/07/burlap-bubble-wreath-tutorial...

http://ediblecraftsonline.com/candy_bouquets/cb4/index.htm

Lots of Candy Bouquets and edible Fruit and Vegetable Creations for you to make with your kids or give as gifts.

This one happens to be for Valentines Day, but there are many, many more.

I got these scissors for Christmas from my son.  They are easy to use, and also recommended for those who have arthritis.  They also have a lock on them to use when not in use.  I believe they can be found at Walmart.