I found a sweater in a hand-me-down bag of clothes that was looking less than lovely. It had some pilling, I still couldn’t toss it away. Much of the beautiful cashmere was still in great condition and so soft and luxurious. With a little cutting and sewing I made recycled, cashmere sweater Christmas stocking and gift bags from it. The stocking is decorative and the gift bags are useful, so pretty and can be used over and over.
Patchwork Christmas Stocking
Sharing a How-To for a patchwork Christmas Stocking is kind of scary for me because I am not great at sewing. I have, however, made quite a few of these cheerful sacks through the years and Santa hasn’t left any empty, so I guess they are okay in his book.
Floral Christmas Centerpiece
Flowers on the table just brightens the room! A pretty floral Christmas centerpiece arrangement is easy and inexpensive to put together using greens from your yard and some flowers you pick up from the produce store or even the grocery store.Continue Reading
Short Infinity Scarf
Short and quick projects can be so rewarding. Instant gratification for finishing a project. It is even better when the end result is a warm and snugly neck warmer. It doesn’t take much time to crochet a short infinity scarf for someone you love.
Crochet Braided Scarf
The temps are beginning to drop around here and it is beginning to look a little like autumn.
Have you been noticing the crochet braided infinity scarves showing up on Pinterest and on blogs?
They work up quickly and are very adaptable to changes.
Rosemary Wreath and Rosemary Parmesan~Crusted Pork Chop Dinner
I’ve got another wreath idea to share with you.
This one is not just decorative but also useful in the kitchen
A wreath made of Rosemary sprigs is both aromatic and handy to snip and add in meal preparation.
For the base of the wreath I looked for a small circle. I found a package of four, five-inch metal circles in the leather supply section of the craft store.You could use a heavy wire and make the circle yourself.
After cutting the rosemary into 5-6-inch pieces, I wired several of them into a bundle.
It took six bundles to go around and fill out this 5-inch wire circle.
That’s all there is to it.
It smells wonderful too!
My Rosemary was a windowsill-size gift from a friend. I kept it indoors for a year and then planted it outside in a pot. It grew and I transplanted it into a raised bed herb garden two years ago.
Rosemary is an aromatic, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves. The leaves are used as a flavoring in foods such as stuffing, pork, chicken and turkey. It is native to the Mediterranean region. The name “rosemary” derives from the Latin for “dew” (ros) and “sea” (marinus), or “dew of the sea”. Rosemary is reasonably hardy in cool climates and it can withstand droughts. I live in zone 6b and my rosemary has no problem wintering over. It is easy to grow and pest-resistant and can be grown in pots. Be sure it has good drainage and a sunny location.
Parmesan & Rosemary Crusted~Pork Chops
adapted from Giada recipe
Ingredients
1 large egg
1/2 cup dried Italian-style bread crumbs
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2-1 tsp. snipped rosemary
3 (1/2 to 3/4-inch thick) center-cut pork chops
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
Whisk the egg in a pie plate to blend. Combine Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and the rosemary in another plate. Sprinkle the pork chops with salt and pepper. Dip the pork chops in the egg and then into the cheese/bread crumb mixture, coating completely, patting to adhere.
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pork chops, and cook until golden brown and the center reaches 150 degrees, about 6 minutes per side. Add additional oil as needed when cooking second side. (My chops browned quickly, so I covered pan with lid, leaving slightly ajar and cooked for less time until just cooked through keeping them nice and juicy). I served with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.
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Cupcakes & Crinoline Project Inspired party
DIY Dried Hydrangea Wreaths
An easy DIY project for making a dried hydrangea wreath is a lovely way to continue enjoying the beautiful flowers from your garden well after the blooming season ends. The colors of each flower softens to a lovely, vintage-looking pastel shade.Continue Reading
How to Dry Roses
There’s nothing lovelier than fresh cut flowers gracing your kitchen table or brightening a place in your home. But even after the blossoms begin to fade, you can continue to enjoy their beauty by drying them. This how to dry roses technique couldn’t be easier.Continue Reading
Crochet Baby Bib from Vintage Pattern
This sweet crochet baby bib is adapted from a vintage pattern and perfect for a toddler. Almost too pretty to use as a bib but adorable to dress up an outfit. Using a pattern from my husband’s, Aunt Marie, I made a crochet baby bib for little Chloe.Continue Reading
Hammered Flower Art
It really warms a heart when your little granddaughter hands you a single yellow dandelion with the sweetest, cheesiest smile on her face. Then big sister offers a fistful of grape hyacinths plucked from beneath the trampoline. Preserving spring and their thoughtful gift inspired this project of hammered flower art.
Crochet Cozy for Jars or Cans
Cute, useful and easy to make crochet cozy for jars or cans are a great way to organize your vanity, desk and arts and crafts supplies. They work up quickly and make lovely gifts.
Caleb’s Birthday
This handsome young chap just celebrated his 5th birthday!
PopPop and I made him a set of wooden chalkboard city buildings for playing with his cars
Project found on Hellobee
simple angles cut from 2×4’s
a good sanding and several coats of chalkboard paint applied with a roller
windows and doors drawn on with chalk
and ready for imaginative playtime
Basket of Felt toys
Our granddaughter, Chloe Shiloah, will soon celebrate her 1st birthday. Since she is a leap-year baby, her birthday will be celebrated March 1st. I made her a basket of felt toys full of brightly colored, softies for her little hands.Continue Reading
Don’t Eat CASHEW! Game
Long before Elf-on-a-shelf became popular, this Elf, named CASHEW, came to our house each December 1st and magically appeared in various places throughout the month. Join in the fun with a game featuring this whimsical fellow called, Don’t Eat Cashew!Continue Reading
Making a Brushed Metal Look Chalkboard Serving Tray
Our daughter, Jill and husband, Brad recently moved into a new home. Well, actually their home was built in 1917 making it a 95 year-old new home.
She wants a serving tray for an ottoman she is using as a coffee table. Her dad and I worked together to make a brushed metal-look chalkboard serving tray.
Crochet Gingerbread Hat
This adorable crochet gingerbread hat pattern was created by the talented Sarah from Repeat Crafter Me. If you like to crochet, you will love visiting her place and scrolling through all of her amazing projects!Continue Reading