I have had some issues with the blog lately and haven’t been able to figure them out… until now? This is a test post to see if I can get things going again!
August 31, 2011
February 2, 2011
Creating Pillow Covers
Pillow covers are easy to make and can be completed in an evening. Plain covers can be customized with just a few additional supplies. The measurements I used for my pillows:
- The pillows are 12.5″ x 12.5″, so the front panel of the pillowcase will be 13.5″ x 13.5″. You add one inch to your pillow size.
- The two back panels will be 13.5″ x (12.5 / 2 + 2.5) = 8.75″ each. The back panels will be 13.5″ on two sides. On the other two edges, you take the size of your pillow (12.5″), divide by two and then add 2.5. This gives me 8.75″.
- So the front panel is 13.5″x13.5″ and the two back panels are 13.5″x8.75″.
Gather all materials: thread, fabric, batting, and of course your pillow!
I marked a line 3/4″ from the edge on each of the back panels.
Fold over raw edge.
Then fold over again to hide the raw edge.
Stitch shut.
Here’s what the edge looks like when you’re done.
I rounded the corners a little bit for a better fit.
Overlap the two back panels and sew to the front panel.
Flip the cover inside out and voila! Pillow cover!
This is what the finished back looks like.
Stay tuned to see how I embellished the pillows!
January 26, 2011
Pillow Makeover!
We’ve been working on turning the basement into an entertainment spot. I’m working on the decorating details with D and he’s working on the wet bar by himself which is currently 90% done. We’ve been keeping track of the process so those posts will be coming soon!
My parents gave me a nice green plaid living room set when I moved into my second apartment. It’s still in excellent shape but it obviously doesn’t match our red-ivory-black contemporary theme. We’ve slipcovered the couch but the four green pillows needed their own makeover. After deciding on a pretty red suede-type fabric, I followed the instructions at Cottage Magpie. She has an excellent tutorial which is the same way I was taught to make a pillowcase in middle school!
The red color wasn’t enough for me so I had to embellish them. I put our first initial on two of the pillows, a different colored stripe of fabric on one, and a cute flower for the last one. The DIY Dish shows you a couple easy and chic ways to embellish your pillows. The pattern for the flower I used is on their site.
Before
After
The great thing about these pillow covers is that they were so easy and I got them done in one evening!
November 2, 2010
Happy (Belated) Halloween
I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween. We had 50 trick-or-treaters on Thursday evening, which is when my town decided to have Halloween.
I don’t like to purchase pre-packaged costumes because I don’t like how they feel and then I feel like I’ll only wear it once. Of the five Halloween’s we’ve spent in this house, we’ve been around and dressed up for three. Year one I dressed up as a pirate, year two I dressed up as Slash from Guns ‘n’ Roses, and this year D and I dressed up as the Super Mario Brothers. All of these costumes can be mostly made from items around the house. For Slash and the Mario Brothers, I purchased inexpensive hats and embellished them myself. And aside from the hats, the entire costume can be reused! D looked so awesome as Mario that he plans on dressing up as him every Halloween now.
Costume:
Overalls. If you keep an eye out, you can find them at thrift stores for cheap if you already don’t have any. I found khaki colored ones and dyed them blue.
Long sleeved shirt. Red for Mario or green for Luigi.
White gloves.
Work boots/shoes.
Hat. Instead of buying the official hat for $20, I bought a newsboy hat for $5 and cut the letter emblem out of felt to glue on.
Optional:
Mustache. We had them but decided against wearing them. You can also draw on a mustache.
Power flower. Spray paint a $1 dollar tree stem/bunch so it’s red, yellow, and white. This took only a minute to do.
And now for the finished product…
October 22, 2010
Spiced Apple Quinoa
Quinoa is a seed that has the texture of a grain. It contains all eight essential amino acids, is high in protein, calcium, and iron, has a decent amount of fiber (3 grams per serving) and is gluten free. I waited so long to try quinoa because it was touted by the health foodies and I was thinking, “Something so good for you, can’t possibly taste that great. And I don’t want to waste money by trying something I may not like.” I finally gave in because it has been getting more popular where I live.
Before cooking quinoa, you need to remove the natural bitter coating (saponins) by soaking it in water. Run cold water over it and gently rub the seeds together. It is more beneficial to also soak the quinoa over night in water:
Author of Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon, explains that all grains contain phytic acid in their outer layer. The acid can combine with minerals in the intestinal tract and block their absorbtion, which can lead to mineral deficiencies and bone loss. Soaking for as little as seven hours allows enzymes to break down and neutralize phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors… Not technically a grain, but the fruit of the Chenopodium family, it [quinoa] has superior nutritional properties. All quinoa products should be soaked – Andean Indians recognize that the antinutrients in quinoa are neutralized this way.
Uses for Quinoa
- Quinoa’s taste and texture are similar to rice. It feels lighter in the mouth and tastes a bit nuttier. Use two parts water to one part quinoa.
- Eat it plain or with some butter, salt, and pepper.
- For breakfast, add honey, maple syrup, a little milk, nuts, and/or dried fruit to cooked quinoa.
- For lunch and dinner, use quinoa in place of rice. For a different flavor, use stock in place of water when cooking the quinoa.
- Quinoa can be found at any health food store. If you’re skeptical about the price, get a small amount from the bulk bins to try before you buy a larger amount.
Hot Apple Quinoa
Ingredients:
½ cup quinoa
½ cup brown rice
1 apple, cored and chopped
1 tsp ground cinnamon, cardamom, or a mix of both
2 cups water
2 tablespoons raisins
2 tablespoons dried cranberries or additional raisins
2 tablespoons chia seeds (These little guys are filling, high in Omega-3s, and high in fiber. A little goes a long way!)
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
Instructions:
1. In a pot, combine quinoa, rice, apple, cinnamon and water.
2. Cook until water is absorbed (like cooking rice).
3. Stir in dried fruit, seeds, and honey.
Thanks for visiting! If you’re interested in more recipes you can check out my food and recipes pages. If you want to know what I’ve been up to this week, visit my front page. To stay up to date, subscribe via RSS or subscribe via Email.
I’m also participating in the following link-ups today! You can find many more fantastic recipes here:
- Homemaker Monday’s @ 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven
- Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative
- Monday Mania @ The Healthy Home Economist
- Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple
- Mouthwatering Monday’s @ A Southern Fairytale
- Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative
- Make Your Monday @ Twice Remembered
- Tasty Tuesday @ Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
- Tempt My Tummy Tuesday @ Blessed with Grace
- Tuesday’s at the Table @ All the Small Stuff
- Tackle it Tuesday @ 5 Minutes for Mom
- Works for Me Wednesday @ We Are THAT Family
- What’s Cooking Wednesdays @ Tales from the Fairy Blogmother
- Friday Feasts @ Mom Trends
- Foodie Fridays @ Designs by Gollum
- Food on Fridays @ Ann Kroeker’s blog
- Finer Things Friday @ The Finer Things in Life
- Fight Back Friday @ Food Renegade
- Home and Family Friday @ Home is Where My Story Begins
- Hodge Podge Friday @ It’s a Hodge Podge Life
- Plant a Punkin Seed Party @ Punkin Seed Productions
- Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
- Show and Share Day @ Just a Girl