Sweater Quilt & Pillow

Sweater Sweets Part 5
(click here for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4)


Here's the latest in the Sweater Sweets Series: matching pillow and quilt from GetCrafty.com. I think she hit up a bunch of thrift stores to collect enough sweaters for the quilt. The pillow is absolutely adorable!!

Sweater Mittens

Sweater Sweets Part 4
(click here for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)


Once again, MarthaStewart.com comes up with clever ideas for sweaters. I bet you didn't know there were so many things you could do?! I sure am pleasantly surprised. :)
Instructions:
For the mittens, just trace your hand (fingers together, thumb slightly extended) on the sweater and cut through both layers. You can use the ribbing edge of the sweater for the decorative edge of your mittens. Sew the 2 pieces together right sides together, leaving the bottom open. Turn right-side-out and Viola! Sew on tiny bells or embroider your initials for embellishments.

Sweater Animals

Sweater Sweets Part 3
(click here for Part 1 or Part 2)These argyle animals are too cute! Thanks to MarthaStewart.com we've found yet another way to use our shrunken, old or just plain unused wool sweaters. Her site has easy downloadable templates and simple instructions.

Computer Clutch

Part 2 of the Sweater Sweets Series:
(click here for Part 1)


Take your old or unused sweaters and make a cozy carrier for your computer! I love these ideas from ReadyMade Magazine!

Sweater Sweets - Warm up a Chair

I've been finding some really great ways to use old sweaters - you know that adorable wool one that you only wore once then accidentally shrunk it in the dryer?
All this time of begging for warmer weather I never even thought of how chilly my chairs are. I know, how rude of me! I shall neglect them no longer with this Sweater Chair. Use your old sweaters to reupholster chairs or ottomans in your home. Here's a great reupholstery tutorial with step-by-step photos to help you on your way.

Photo Jewelry

What a sweet way to carry photos of your adorable kids or pets! I love that old, vintage, heirloom jewelry is coming back. Get all the details on how to make of of your own at Martha Stewart.com (of course!)

Spring Cleaning Tips

4 Container Clutter Conquerer
(say that 5 times fast)

Start with 4 boxes labeled:

• Trash
• Give Away / Sell
• Storage
• Put Away

Start in the most-used rooms of your home, like the kitchen, and fill the boxes with any and all items out of place and work your way through the room. Don't get distracted by running around putting the items away, just put them in the boxes and move on! When you're done with the room take out the Trash, put the Storage and Give Away boxes in the garage, and put everything in the Put Away box in its place. Easy breezy!

Other Spring Cleaning Tips

Complete Spring Cleaning Checklist
Organizing a Community Garage Sale
Seasonal Cleaning List
Natural Cleaning Products / Home Remedies

Elephant

Sewing Stars blog made this cutest little elephant when she was sick. Just makes me want to cuddle up and go to sleep. *sigh*

Dancing Eggs

These eggs just look so fun! This project is a bit labor intensive, but oh how adorable! Using styrofoam instead of real eggs mean you only have to make these Easter decorations once to enjoy them every year. Click here for the full instructions.

Easter Already?

Yes, Easter is early this year - March 23rd - so be sure to start your projects soon. I know we're almost wiped out from all the Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day crafts and project but we're in the home stretch now...just one more...hang in there girls!! Now, if you're the type who also elaborately decorates for President's Day and St. Patty's Day then you get no sympathy from me. :)

Easiest Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Today's Valentine's Day Tip:

INGREDIENTS

• 16 ounces milk chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves

DIRECTIONS

1. Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
2. In a double boiler (or crockpot or microwave), melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.
3. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool. Drizzle with white chocolate or apply 2nd coating of white chocolate, roll in nuts or sprinkles or try something new!
   

Arrange in wax paper-lined heart-shaped box, clear corsage box from a florists shop, or poke wooden skewer into the tops of each strawberry and arrange in green florist foam to make a strawberry bouquet. Send me your photos and I'll post them here! Yum! Enjoy!!

Cheezy Valentine's Day Jokes

Today's Valentine's Day Tip:

Get revved up for Valentine's Day with these corny jokes. Enjoy!

What would you get if you crossed a dog with a valentine card?
A card that says, "I love you drool-ly!"

What did the painter say to her boyfriend?
"I love you with all my art!"

What does a man who loves his car do on February 14?
He gives it a valenshine!

"Do you love me more than you love sleep?"
"I can't answer now. It's time for my nap!"

What did the man with the broken leg say to his nurse?
"I've got a crutch on you!"

Did you hear about the romance in the tropical fish tank?
It was a case of guppy love.

What do you call two birds in love?
Tweethearts!

What do you call a very small valentine?
A valentiny!

What did Frankenstein say to his girlfriend?
"Be my valenstein!"

What do farmers give their wives on Valentine's Day?
Hogs and kisses!

Why did the pig give his girlfriend a box of candy?
It was Valenswine's Day!

Do skunks celebrate Valentine's Day?
Sure, they're very scent-imental!

What did the paper clip say to the magnet on Valentine's Day?
"I find you very attractive."

What did the French chef give his wife for Valentine's Day?
A hug and a quiche!

What did one pickle say to the other?
"You mean a great dill to me."

Why do valentines have hearts on them?
Because kidneys would look pretty gross!

What did one light bulb say to the other?
"I love you a whole watt!"

What did the caveman give his wife on Valentine's Day?
Ughs and kisses!

Valentine's Gifts Guys Won't Hate

Today's Valentine's Day Tip:
(psst. 5 days left!)

Stumped on what to get your man this Valentine's Day? Oh, I'm sure he'll love the sweater you knitted and the drippy love letter, but you may want to consider adding some of the following ideas:
1. Gadgets Galore

Men love the feel of cool metal on their skin and the thrill of pushing buttons. Check out the new iPhone or iPod Nano. He already has one? Try the iGuy (photo). This iPod case has a bendable personality of it's own for only $35. Also look into portable GPS devices or gadgets for his laptop.

2. Monthly Magazine Lovin'

I know that my man always ends up in the magazine section when we go to Barnes & Noble, but getting a subscription is much cheaper. So, buy one for him! Help him unwind from work by living out his manly fantasies through magazines like Surfer, Fine Woodworking, PC/MacWorld, Men's Health, or Travel.

3. Couch Potato Perks

The gift of movies offers double returns for you: He gets to relax on the couch and watch his favorite action/thriller movies and you get to cuddle and eat popcorn with your man! Buy his favorite boxset of TV shows or movie trilogy or subscribe to Netflix (LOVE THIS!) and watch movies instantly on your computer or get DVDs in the mail. Very inexpensive and loaded with rewards.

4. Married to a Man-Child?

Yes, he has a big-boy job but when he comes home he wants to fulfill his Hero fantasies by slaying dragons or racing cars through the city. Video games can be a great way for him to decompress when he comes home from work so show you appreciate the dragons he slays at the office by giving him the latest xBox or PS3 games.

5. Super Sports

The Big Game may be over, but keep the spirit alive with sports equipment (great incentive to exercise) or sports memorabilia of his favorite team. Car mats, wall art or gift certificates to a sports store would be great gifts for him this year!

Spread the Love

Today's Valentine's Day Tip:

Spread the Love! Visit the children's wing of your local hospital and pass out little goodies to all the kids that will miss out on giving and receiving Valentine's cards this year. I promise that your heart will definitely be filled with love this year!

Goody Ideas:
small teddy bears or stuffed toys
little ziploc bags of Hershey's kisses and other small candy
classic box of candy hearts
Homemade Valentine's Day cards, perhaps with a little drawing from your kids or pet

Call your local hospital to find visiting hours and any gift rules or regulations.

Make Your Own Fortune Cookies

Today's Valentine's Day Tip:

Prepare love notes or sayings using little slips of paper about 3 inches long by approximately 3/4 inches wide

HINTS:
- Make only a few cookies at a time, because the cookies stiffen quickly and will not be able to be shaped.
- To form into the crescent shape use a coffee cup
- To handle the hot cookies, wear white, cotton gloves.

Preheat the oven to 300F.

INGREDIENTS: (makes about 24 cookies)
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup egg whites (from 4 large eggs)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
Mix all dry ingredients, then add the oil and 4 egg whites. Beat until smooth. Add water and vanilla and mix well. Spread 1 tablespoon of the batter in a 4" circle onto a greased baking sheet. Repeat to make 4 circles. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until the circles are a light brown. Do not underbake or the cookie will not shape well.

Remove one cookie at a time from the oven with a wide spatula and onto the center of a potholder. Add a fortune to the center of the cookie and fold in half, pinching the edges of the cookie to seal. Remember to keep working quickly! Push the sealed side over the edge of a coffee cup to curve into the fortune cookie's familiar shape. Place the shaped cookies, points down, into muffin tins to cool and retain their shape.

Can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
This recipe comes from Whimsies-Online.com.

Romantic Coupon Book

Today's Valentine's Day Tip:

A Romantic Coupon Book is one of the more thoughtful (and easy) gifts to make and give on Valentine's Day. HP.com has free downloadable templates for creating this sweet present.

Basic Instructions:
Print out several book pages and coupon cards from the template onto cardstock. Cut these out. Stack the book pages in order, hole punch on the left side and tie together with ribbon. Write your "coupon offers" onto the coupon cards and slip into the card slots on each book page. Voila!

Click here for the full instructions.

*UPDATE* 12/19/2009

Posted lots of new ideas for Valentine's Day and Christmas Coupon Books here! Go check them out and happy crafting! :)

FREE Valentine's eCards

Today's Valentine's Day Tip:

(psst - only 11 days left)

Send your loved ones adorable, hilarious, or lovey-dovey Valentine's Day ecards from Hallmark.com. The best part, other than being FREE, is that you can personalize your card today and schedule it for delivery on Valentine's Day! You get to check it off your list and earn major bonus points from your sweetheart for remembering!

5 Valentine Cookies from 1 Dough

Today's Valentine's Day Tip:

White Chocolate Valentines

These deliciously easy cookies will be sure to melt your Valentine's heart. Starting with a basic Sugar Cookie Dough, you can make these and 4 other types of Valentine's Day Cookies

Ingredients

Ingredients for 1 recipe Sugar Cookie Dough, at room temperature
1 teaspoon red gel paste food coloring
4 ounces white chocolate, melted
Pink gel paste food coloring

Equipment: 2 1/2-by-3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter

Click here to see the rest of the instructions of the Food Network's 5 Valentine Cookies!

Valentine's Day Countdown!

Valentine's Day is on the 14th which means we only have 13 more days to get ready. I will be posting recipes, decoration ideas and fun projects EVERY DAY right here on my blog so be sure to check back and tell your friends!

Today's Valentine's Day Tip:

Coming from none other than Martha Stewart.com, these easier-than-pie window hearts are the perfect way to get into the loving mood! They really are super easy and can be made in about 20 minutes.

Materials Needed
wax paper
crayons in various colors
iron
2 pieces regular paper (to protect iron from wax and crayons)
string or ribbon
scissors

Instructions
Step 1. Fold a sheet of wax paper in half to make a crease down the middle. Using a pencil sharpener, lightly cover one half of the paper with crayon shavings. Fold the clean half of wax paper over onto the crayon shavings and fold over all edges to make a sort of wax paper pouch.
Step 2. Place this wax paper pouch between the 2 sheets of regular paper and iron on medium setting until all the shavings have melted. Be sure to check every few seconds so you don't burn anything. :)
Step 3. Trace hearts of various sizes on the wax paper and cut out. String your ribbon or yarn through a hole punched out of the tops of the hearts and hand in your window. Cluster together or space them out to suit your individual style!