Did you purchase a pork roast when they were on sale in March?  Here's a delicious recipe for you to try!  The recipe is called, Pork Roast with Apples and Onions from The Pioneer Woman.

Click here for the link to the recipe:

Nothing Fancy Recipes

Cutting Table Using Pre-Made Cubes

Cutting Table Using Pre-Made Cubes

As I was searching the web for fabric storage ideas, I came across this post on the Georgia Peachez Blog. The DYI island provides lots of storage for fabric and a great cutting space!!!  To create this cutting table, Suzy Spence connected four storage cubes.  Link to March 9, 2012 post on Suzy's blog for more information on the DYI project. 

I couldn't help thinking about the large amount of fabric that could be stored in the cubes, if comic backer boards were used to fold the fabric. Click here to link to a post describing the fabric folding technique.

For more storage ideas, enjoy the following link:  Click here for more ideas. After you are on the post, scroll down for room ideas.

Cutting Table Using Pre-Made Cubes

Organzing Fabric..What Fun!!!

Today's post is going to be short, because I can't wait to go out into the cottage and start organizing my fabrics.  My goal is to tackle the totes, which contain fabric not delegated to a project!!!  It is a lovely winter day (spring is right around the corner) in Wisconsin.  The temperature is 78'. Who would think we had 17" of snow fall, on the ground, only a couple of weeks ago?  Wonder if today will be another record breaking day for temps?  I digress...back to organizing fabric.

I would like to share a link to The Smashed Peas and Carrots Blog, where Maggie posted wonderful pictures of her fabric stash. 

 (Click here for the pictures and information.)

Maggie's picture of how she stores fabric using comic backer boards.

Storing fabric on backer boards sounded like a wonderful idea.  So, off I went to Duluth, MN to see if Collector's Connection in the Village Square Mall (If you crave some delicious ice cream... Bridgemans is also located in the mall)...

Doesn't this sundae look good?

 I digress again...back to organizing fabric and looking for backer boards.  Sure enough, Collector's Connection sells two types of backer boards.  I purchased a pack of 100 Comic Care, 7" x 10-1/2", backer boards for $10.99. (The other package had boards that were a 1/2" wider.)  Had to chuckle when the owner asked if I was going to need 100 boards...I told him not to worry, because I can always come back to the shop if I need more. Then I realized he was wondering if I needed the 100 count package. Guess he doesn't quilt and have a fabric stash.


So I am off to organize my fabrics!  I will let you know if this technique works for me....it has to be better than storing fabric in totes and  forgetting what fabric has been purchased.

Time to open up the windows and enjoy the fresh air,

 

Organzing Fabric..What Fun!!!

Crocheting with Heidi Bears

African Flower Crochet Hexagon Pattern

Heidi Bears' African Flower Crochet Hexagon

As I was searching the web today, I came across a crochet tutorial from Heidi Bears.  Her colorful yarns, creative crochet patterns and easy-to-follow directions enticed me to further explore the post on African Flower Crochet Hexagons.  Since my experience in crocheting is limited, I am anxious to learn how to make hexagons.

I first started crocheting in 1972 during a seven hour bus trip to college.  As I boarded the bus, I had a pattern with instructions on how to crochet a Granny Square, a crochet hook, and yarn.  I was determined to complete at least one Granny Square before arriving at my destination.  Trust me...it took the whole seven hours to figure out the instructions!!!  I was so proud of my master piece.  

Now I am excited to try Heidi's hexagon design! 

Click here for Heidi Bears' Crochet Tutorial. 

On Heidi's blog there is also a tutorial on joining the hexagons together. Follow this link for the tutorial...click here.

Joining the hexagon crochet pieces together.

Crocheting with Heidi Bears

More New Year's Eve Decorating Sites

Searching for New Year's Eve decorating ideas was so much fun yesterday, that I decided to continue with my quest.  I definitely need to go shopping for clearance Christmas ornaments!

Texture is the design principle, 

which makes this decoration work.

Your Home Based Mom

Click here for more pictures from "Your Home Based Mom Blog" 

  

New Year's Eve Goodie Bags.

Hoosier Homemade

  

I really like the New Year's Eve Goodie Bags, but...they are too casual for the theme. So, instead of brown paper bags, use metallic bags.  The clock background can be cut out of pearlescent card stock paper and the numbers can be created by using ready made stick-on numbers. Fold over the top edge of the bag, punch a couple of holes, and tie a classy, satin ribbon.  Taadaa!!!

 Click here for the Hoosier Homemade Blog and directions on making the goodie bags.

Vintage record bowls...what a great idea for New Year's Eve decorating!

Singlemoms-Rock

 The black, shiny bowls would be perfect for holding party supplies: strands of beads, noise makers, and blowouts.  For instructions on making the bowls, check out the two blogs linked below:

Singlemoms-Rock Blog

 

  Idaho-Style Blog

 Click here for ordering information from the Oriental Trading Company.

 Black, White, Silver, and Gold is the Theme.

Multiply Delicious

Multiply Delicious

 

Click here for more decorating ideas from "Multiply Delicious"

Sparkling Crystal with the Clean Look of White.

Corbis Images

 An inexpensive way to copy this New Year's Eve look is to shop at a thrift shop.  There are so many missed-matched stemmed glasses available...for under $1.00!

Click here for more information on Corbis Images. 

Hope you have a Happy New Year!

More New Year's Eve Decorating Sites

Getting Ready for New Years Eve...

January 1, 2012 is almost here. What are your plans for New Year's Eve?  My husband and I are planning a quiet evening at home, so I have been searching the Internet for ideas on creating a festive atmosphere for an intimate celebration. Enjoy my favorite ideas...

Many great ideas are in this picture...from the bowl of white, gold, crystal, and silver ornaments to a party favor of snacks in a silver cupcake liner. On the table are silver candle holders, which would create a soft glow of light at the table.  Isn't the clock a fun idea?

Celebrations at Home...Click here for more information.

Talking about clocks, how about a mantel with all the clocks counting down the final minutes before midnight.  This creative idea was found on Leslie's Blog.

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

Another fun idea found on Martha Stewart's Web Site is placing stemmed glasses on a white cake plate.  Each glass is filled with small ornaments (which may currently be priced at 50% or more off).  One could even super glue a plate to an upside down stemmed glass, spray paint the dishes, and create a decorative plate to hold the glasses.  Check out your local thrift shop for the dishes.

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

Creative idea!  Using Martha Stewart's Score Board would be a handy tool in creating the folds for the clocks.  If you want to keep with the silver and gold them, metallic wrapping paper would be excellent for making the clocks.

Lisa Storms Blog...click here for more information

 

 

Getting Ready for New Years Eve...