Pages

Monday, December 22, 2014

Free Pattern for Infinity Scarf

I just love this stitch, it is easy and quick:


Here is my version


 I used a dark gray with black accents.


This scarf is all one color.


Use a lighter shade of the same color


Or this for Christmas scarf! The opportunities are endless with this stitch!

Directions:
Ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet (U.S.)
  1. Counting in 3’s, ch as many stitches as it takes to make a chain 60″ long (this pattern calls for original chain to be any multiple of 3 so just count “1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3…” as you make the chain and make sure that your last chain lands on chain number 3).  Check that the chain hasn’t twisted and join to the first stitch with a sl st so that it now forms a ring.
  2. Round 2: dc in every chain until you’re completed the round and join to the first dc with a sl st.
  3. Round 3: ch 3 and then sc between the 3rd and 4th dc, ch 3 and then sc in between the 6th and 7th dc.  You want to keep repeating this pattern every 3 double crochets until you’ve completed the round. Join with a sl st.
  4. Round 4: dc 3 into the chain you made in the previous round and then dc 3 into the next chain and continue in this manner until you’ve completed the round.  Join with a sl st.
  5. Repeat the pattern from Round 3 & 4 until the scarf is the desired width.
  6. Bind off and weave in the ends.




Until we meet again
Claudia

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Free Reindeer Cup Cozy

I found this great pattern that would make a great gift.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Friday, October 24, 2014

Black Cat Halloween Lights

This is the beginning of the holiday decorating season and I believe that you can never over decorate.
 Here is a last minute decoration that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
The designer for this project is Julie Carlson.


Black Cat Halloween Lights

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Electrical Cords and Holidays

Hazardous overloaded electrical power outlet.  Stock Photo - 4232000 


I live in an old house with not too many electrical outlets. So my outlets start to look like this:


Monday, October 20, 2014

Pumpkin Lanterns

I use the flat tops from jar candles for my candle holders so what to do the glass jar?


Aren't they cute? I spray painted the inside orange (of course). Then I found faces.

Starbucks Candles Strike again.

I am not sure if you remember the first post for 
Starbucks Candle Holders 
but here are the ones for Halloween


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Woven Shell Crochet Stitich

I am having fun with new crochet stitches. I found this on Youtube.

She is very informative.





Until we meet again,
Claudia

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Melted Witch Fruit Dip Recipe

I love Halloween. It is the beginning of Decorating Season!! Unfortunately I broke my foot and can't make it up and down stairs with boxes so... Halloween decor might be contained to a few pumpkins and ghouls!

But I am making this dip.

http://www.iwashyoudry.com/2013/10/25/melted-witch-chocolate-chip-cream-cheese-fruit-dip/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+IWashYouDry+%28I+Wash...+You+Dry%29

I found it on I wash and you dry blog.

Ingredients
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 drops green food coloring (more if desired)
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  • Oreo cookie and Hershey's Kiss for decoration
  • Fruit/Graham Crackers/Pretzels for dipping
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl beat the cream cheese with a mixer until light and fluffy (no longer clumpy), then slowly add the sweetened condensed milk. Beat until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, mix until blended.
  2. Drop in 5-6 drops of green food coloring and mix until fully incorporated. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
  3. Pour into serving dish. If desired, drop a couple dots of green food coloring on top and use a toothpick to swirl around to give it that "melted witch" look.
  4. Place half of an Oreo cookie on top, then top that with the Hershey's Kiss so it looks like a witches hat. Serve with fruit slices, graham crackers and/or pretzels. Store in an air tight container in the fridge. Enjoy!
 
Until we meet again,
Claudia

Tunisian Mock Scarf


I am working on this scarf. It is rows of cables using the Tunisian Crochet stitch. It isn't difficult and certainly a change from the traditional crochet stitch.  

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Accent a Room With Colorful Trim

Picasso once asked why two colors sang if you put them next to each other.

I’m not sure I know the answer. But I do know that colors can make beautiful music together when you play them off one another. This is especially true if you abandon convention — namely, white and cream — and use color to accentuate the architectural details in a home. The hues will make those accents pop and establish a compelling dynamic with the other colors in the room.

As to whether they sing? Well … you be the music critic and decide for yourself.

Mediterranean Bedroom by Los Angeles Interior Designers & Decorators Peggy Braswell
Lavender and yellow are an organically inspired color combination. (Just think of the humble pansy.) Now in your mind’s eye, turn the woodwork in this bedroom white. Or, if you’re really brave, cream.

Did you feel the room go flat? That’s the power of color to bring architectural details to life.


Starbucks Candle Holder

I love Starbucks Cappuccinos. So, I had several of these great bottles at home and wanted to use them in an upscale way.

This is one of the ideas I had for a finished product. Leopard spots.

I used:

Gold spray paint.
Diamond esq tape
Sequined tape
Brown paint
Black paint
A flat lid from a jar candle
Gold Glitter

Starbucks Bottle comes in different sizes. You can tell by the calorie count on the front of the bottle as to the size.
This the small size only 200 calories, the next size is 280 calories. I removed the labels using hot water to loosen up the glue and Goof Off a spray glue remover. If you use the Goof Off be in a well ventilated area. Very smelly.

Clean and dry extremely well.

Spray the inside of the bottle with the gold paint. I used the inside of the bottle to give some depth to the pattern.

Start with the brown paint and be paint spots on the bottle. Outline the spots with black, then as it dries, sprinkle gold glitter. It will be caught by the wet paint. You just want to high light the spots and not cover it completely. Use a very soft brush to remove excess glitter.

The flat lid from a jar candle

Remove the plastic that surrounds the lid.



Spray paint the lid gold. You can glue the lid onto the bottle. I didn't, remember that I like to change and upscale what I have so I may want to change these up again.

Finished product.


Until we meet again,
Claudia



Wednesday, September 10, 2014

How to Make a Bow


You have never been successful making a bow but want to learn how, here you go.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Tutorial Noodle Beads

I must admit that I found the idea on Alisa Burke's blog and here is what I found:


Alisa Burke's noodles for Adults.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Happy National Toasted Marshmallow Day

I know that you can't believe that it is National Toasted Marshmallow Day, again! I feel like it comes earlier and earlier every year!

Well, I am ready.


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Anyone for Dessert Lemon Bars


1 cup Reduced-Fat Bisquick�
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons firm margarine or butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup fat free cholesterol free egg substitute , 4 egg whites or 2 eggs
1 tablespoon Reduced-Fat Bisquick�
2 teaspoons grated lemon peels
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Lemon Glaze (below)

Lemon Glaze:
3/4 powdered sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice


1. Heat oven to 350�. Mix 1 cup Bisquick and the powdered sugar in small bowl. Cut in margarine, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Press mixture in bottom and 1/2 inch up edges of ungreased square pan, 8 x 8 x 2 inches.

2. Bake about 10 minutes or until light brown. Mix remaining ingredients except Lemon Glaze; pour over baked layer.

3. Bake about 25 minutes or until set and golden brown. While warm, loosen edges from sides of pan. Spread with Lemon Glaze. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.


Lemon Glaze
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
Stir ingredients until smooth.

BETTY'S TIP: Here's an easy rule of thumb-one fresh lemon will give you 2 to 3 tablespoons of juice. To get the most juice out of a lemon, it should be at room temperature. Some people like to zap whole lemons in the microwave on High for about 20 seconds or so to warm them.


From "Betty Crocker's Bisquick Cookbook." Text Copyright 2000 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved