a little bit of everything

Holidays: Happy Mother's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:10:00 +0000

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".......If flowers grow in heaven Lord, then pick a bunch for me, place them in my Mom's arms and tell her they're from me. Tell her that I love and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss on her cheek and hold her for a while"

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!

Photography

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:44:00 +0000

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Spring has sprung on our street - the pear trees are in bloom.

Sadly they don't last all that long so we enjoy them while we can!

Recipe: Roast Lamb

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

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This lamb dinner is both easy to prepare and delicious!

I combined about 2 1/2 cups of Garlic and Herb Bread Crumbs, several cloves of garlic put through a garlic press and about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of olive oil. The mixture should hold together.

After placing the salted and peppered flattened boneless leg of lamb on top of sliced onions, I spread the bread crumb mixture over the lamb and added cut up potatoes and carrots which had been coated in olive oil and sprinkled with paprika.

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and roast per this recipe for a tasty feast!

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Easter Bunnies

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:09:00 +0000

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Thanks! HAPPY EASTER !

Rather than use these as egg cozies, I closed the bottom after stuffing with

fiberfil and now they are little stuffed bunny toys.

This pattern is free from Lion Brand Yarn.

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Needlework: Knitted Doll Outfit

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

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This doll outfit was fun to make and can be found on lionsbrand.com. I improvised on the jacket but the dress is as described. Perfect outfit for a favorite doll!

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Featured: At IVillage

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:24:00 +0000

Thank you IVillage for including my Valentine's Table in your

Holiday Slideshow!

Check here for other Valentine's Day ideas.

Needlework: Valentine Basket

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:53:00 +0000

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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!

This little basket is a perfect container for a Valentine's gift of Hershey Kisses. I made these baskets as table favors for a Valentine's dinner.

I adjusted the pattern after row 7 (36 sts.) by continuing to work in the round, but without increasing, for 5 addtional rows. I then slipstitched twice around the top edge before adding the handle.

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Needlework: USA Afghan

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:35:00 +0000

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I loved the look of this USA Afghan when I found the free pattern on lionsbrand.com. It calls for a size P crochet hook but I used size N. I also made 30 panels instead of 9, crocheted them together per these instructions and then I added a double crochet border around the edge.

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Crafts: Personalized Candle

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 17:48:00 +0000

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This is Candle a very easy project. Just print out a photo in black and white on vellum (I used some resume' paper I had on hand), and attach it to a clear vase which I found at Target for $2.99. Fasten with double stick tape and the directions say add a battery operated candle but I nestled a vigil light in a small amount of sand inside the vase and that works great. This is really something that could be used for any occasion, wedding shower, anniversary, birthday, Valentine's Day etc.

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Recipe: Peppermint Chocolate Bark Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

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I found this recipe for Peppermint Chocolate Bark Cookies in the Boston Globe magazine of Dec. 9, 2012 and decided to give it a try.

TIP Use a sieve to separate candy pieces from
dust. Reserve dust for sprinkling on hot cocoa.

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces candy canes
2 cups bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
(12 ounces)

In a small bowl, whisk flour and salt and set aside.
Use a mixer to cream the butter and sugar at
medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3
minutes. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat to
incorporate fully. Add the flour mixture and beat on
low just to incorporate. Scrape dough onto a piece
of plastic wrap, knead it once or twice, shape into a
disk, wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 and up to 48
hours.

With the rack in the center position, heat the oven
to 350 degrees. Cut a piece of parchment to fit a
17-by-13-inch baking sheet. Rest the dough at
room temperature for 15 minutes, then dust with
flour and roll into a rectangle just smaller than the
sheet and about 3/8 inch thick. Transfer the
parchment and dough to the sheet, prick lightly with
a fork, and bake until light golden brown and puffed,
about 22 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway
through.

Meanwhile, place candy in a zippered bag and use
a heavy pan to crush it, then shake in a sieve to
remove dust from small pieces (you should have
about 1 cup).

Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack and
immediately sprinkle the chocolate over the hot
cookie. Let soften for 4 to 5 minutes, then spread
the chocolate evenly over the cookie. Immediately
sprinkle with the crushed candy, pressing gently to
adhere. Cool until set, about 90 minutes, then cut
and serve (or store in an airtight container for up to
1 week).

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Needlework: Crocheted Santa

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:25:00 +0000

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Another cute ornament for your Christmas tree is this adorable Santa. He could double as a toy as well.

MERRY, MERRY!

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Needlework: Christmas Ornaments

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 17:54:00 +0000

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This knitted Ornament can be found at Lion Brand Yarn along with many other free patterns including this Santa....

...and other patterns available online are these Mittens and this Stocking,

and this Snowflake.

Merry Christmas!

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Needlework: Crocheted Snowman

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

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This adorable Snowman can be found at Lion Brand Yarn and works up quickly in a matter of hours. I used crochet hook "F" for a snowman that is a little larger. I also elongated the top loop so that he can hang on a doorknob.
Happy Holidays!

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Needlework: Santa's Hat

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:50:00 +0000

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This Santa Hat was not difficult to make and works up fairly quickly. The use of white "Fashion Yarn" enhances the look of the finished hat but you can also just use regular 4-ply white yarn or "fun fur". I elongated the pointed end of this particular version of the hat.

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Photographs: Blooming "Christmas" Cacti

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 18:54:00 +0000

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These lovely blooms seem to be misnamed as they are in full bloom for Halloween not Christmas! And a fine showing this year as they all seem to be on the same schedule....

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Needlework: Candy Corn Bag

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:39:00 +0000

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This adorable candy corn bag is a free pattern from Lionsbrand. It is crocheted and works up quickly using double strands of yarn. The directions call for felting the bag but I did not do that.

Perfect for the little girl in your life!

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Needlework: Pumpkin Hat

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:39:00 +0000

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This crocheted hat is yet another version of the original helmet hat seen here and here and here representing various holidays. I simply added a little stem and three leaves to mimic a pumpkin for a Halloween version of the same hat.

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Needlework: Crocheted Helmet Hat

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 13:30:00 +0000

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This crocheted helmet hat can be made with or without ears. It is adorable on and toasty to wear!

Click here for a Valentine version of this hat and here for a St. Patrick's Day version.

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Travel: Trip to Florence, Pisa & Siena in September

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 18:09:00 +0000

We are just back from eight days in Florence with day trips to Pisa and Siena. I thought I'd share a few photos of our visit to Italy. Enjoy!

Crafts: Redneck Wine Glasses, Personalized

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:27:00 +0000

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I saw Redneck wine glasses in a Hallmark store and thought what a clever idea. However, they did not have handles. I googled the company and found that they also offer Redneck wine glasses with handles and they are considerably less expensive online, even with shipping.

These glasses came with a pewter lid but I thought I would switch those out for regular mason jar lids which I could spray paint with chalkboard paint.

First I roughed up the surface with fine grit sandpaper.

Then I simply spray painted the inside lid of the caps.

Now each cap can be labeled with the guest's name.

And they look great displayed in our wine cabinet!

These Redneck glasses can not go into the dishwasher. However, check out this blog, Blooming With Burlap, where Jennifer came up with a way to make her own Redneck glasses and hers are dishwasher safe. Cheers!

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Featured: Thank You Dear Creatives!

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:22:00 +0000

Thank you Dear Creatives for featuring my Redneck Wine Glasses!

Photography: August Collage

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 21:23:00 +0000

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August Collage

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Crafts: Resurfaced End Tables

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:08:00 +0000

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These end tables have well served members of the family for over 40 years and are in good shape other than the condition of the top surfaces. I thought I'd try a little chalkboard paint after some sanding and it worked great!

Perhaps we'll find a new home for these end tables yet!

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Photography: Butterfly in the Garden

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:02:00 +0000

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A beautiful butterfly enjoys a jaunt amongst the coneflowers in our yard....

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Helpful Hints: Tissue Box Refill

noreply@blogger.com (a little bit of everything) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 23:20:00 +0000

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You may have noticed that cube boxes of tissues usually cost more than rectangular boxes of tissues. And very often the rectangle boxes also go on sale.

To take advantage of this, you can simply remove a stack of tissues from the rectangle box,

fold it in half and insert it into the side of the square box.

Reseal and you can use as is or insert into a tissue holder as seen here.

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