Crafty Camper Girl

Magic Eraser

2011-02-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

So this post was suppose to be in January but between birthday's, getting a new job, and my EMT refresher course blogging has taken a back seat this month. But here is the first in this years monthly posts, my 12 favorite things or hints!

Favorite Thing # 1
The Magic Eraser
I love this product!! I use it for so many things!!! I have used it on walls, baseboards, car interiors (the grimey pits in the plastic or fake leather that you can't ever seem to get out), tubs (it works great on soap scum), floors (it gets the grime and black marks off great), and even my sweet little girls Sunday shoes.

The shoe on the top is what her shoes looked like before church. I just couldn't let her go to church with her shoes looking like that so I pulled out my handy dandy Magic Eraser and scrubbed them to a beautiful shine. I do this about 2 times a month and it keeps them looking amazing! What is your favorite thing to use it on?

Meet Stephenie Meyer (author of Twlight Saga) Contest!!!!

2011-01-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

In celebration of Stephenie Meyer's new book, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is hosting a contest. Ten readers from all over the world will have a chance to have a private session with Stephenie Meyer and receive and advanced copy of the "Official Illustrated Guide".
For contest rules and how to enter click HERE or HERE!!

Lacey Snowflakes or 3D Snowflakes

2011-01-13T07:27:00.000-08:00

My version of Lacey or 3D Snowflakes. First of all, I know this post is really late, but I had to have my sweet husband pull this pic of my phone and he was finally able to do it!

So I got a wild hair and wanted to put these in my tree for daytime decoration. So the kids and I took a Sunday morning before church and made them and hung them in the tree. They turned out great and it is really therapeutic putting them together.

I found great instructions for them HERE and HERE. Or you can adapt them however you would like. I folded my paper like the 2nd step of a snowflake and then made marks on the fold at
1 1/2, 3, 4 1/2, 7 1/2, 9, and 10 1/2. It was quick and simple!

I think I might experiment and see if I can't make these for Valentine's Day. I wonder if I can change the straight lines to hearts? (OOHHHH I do love a good crafty challenge!!!) I will let you know if it works. Anyway have a great weekend and stay tuned for my next post, I will be featuring my first post in my new "My 12 Favorite Tools or Helpful Hints"!!

Magic Cookie Bars

2011-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Cookies #3 Magic Cookie Bars Magic Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Margarine or Butter
1 1/2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 14oz can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 12oz package Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 1/3 Cups flaked Coconut
1 Cup chopped nuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees for glass dish). In 13X9-inch baking pan, melt margarine in oven. Sprinkle crumbs over margarine; pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Top with remaining ingredients; press down firmly. Bake 25 to 30 min or until lightly browned. Cool. Chill if desired. Cut into bars. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Enjoy my favorite family treat!
CCG

Yummy Lemon Cookies

2011-01-04T08:53:00.001-08:00

Christmas Cookies 2010 #2 Yummy Lemon Cookies
Yummy Lemon Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/2 Cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
1 Cube Butter
2 Cups Sugar
2 Eggs
3 TBL Lemon Zest (4-5 lemons for juice and zest)
15 oz Ricotta Cheese (regular)

Directions:

Cream together butter, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, ricotta, then add flour, baking powder, and salt.
Mix well, scoop out and place onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for 13 min. Place on wire rack to cool.

Lemon Glaze
2 1/4 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 tsp Lemon Zest
4 1/2 TBL freshly squeezed Lemon Juice

Blend together and spoon over warm cookies that were placed on wire rack.
*Place wax paper under wire cooling racks to catch drips of Lemon Gaze.

**Enjoy within two days or freeze and enjoy another day!!!

Happy baking!!!
CCG

***When I froze my cookies I glazed them before I froze them and they were delicious even frozen!!!!***

Rolo Cookies

2011-01-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

Cookie recipe #1 from Christmas Cookies 2010 Rolo Cookies! Rolo Cookies

Ingredients:
1 Pkg Devils Food Cake Mix
2 TBL Flour
1/2 Cup Oil
2 Eggs

Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in a mixer and mix until combined.
With a large spoon or cookie scoop, scoop out dough.
Place Rolo candy in the middle and roll into a ball.
Roll balls in granulated sugar till covered on all sides.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 min. till the cookie barely cracks.
Cool cookies on a cooling rack and enjoy!!!!!
Makes 24 cookies

Crafty Camper Girl Note:

I was not able to find Rolo candies (that were not in a party mix bag) at my grocery store, but Wal-Mart did have a generic caramel chocolate candy that looked like a Reeses Cup but was a generic of a Rolo. I used them and they turned out great!!!

Also a little dough goes a long way, you will get 24+ cookies from this recipe. You don't need a lot of dough to cover the Rolo. They will spread a little on the cookie sheet but not too much.
Enjoy!!!
CCG

Christmas Cookies 2010

2010-12-31T05:45:00.000-08:00

So these were the yummy treats we left for Santa this year. Clock wise from the top, Rolo Cookie, Yummy Lemon Cookie, Magic Cookie Bars.

The Rolo Cookies were a new treat this year. I got the recipe from my friend Terisa at work and the kids loved them. We had lots of fun making them.

The Yummy Lemon Cookies is a recipe from my sister Julie. They are so easy to make and are a favorite of my sweet husband!

The Magic Cookie Bars are a long time favorite from my childhood. I remember my mom making these every Christmas and it was fun to make them for my kidos!

I will post each recipe individually over the coming days. I have been having Internet problems so I am late on getting these posted but I hope that now that the major storm has passed our neck of the desert things will get better!

I will also be posting instructions on how to make the 3D snowflakes as promised from my family blog.

Also for 2011 I will be making monthly posts on my favorite tools or helpful hints that I have discovered over the years! I am really excited to share these with you.

Have a wonderful and safe New Years Celebration!!!
CCG

Our Favorite Neighbor Christmas Gift

2010-12-27T06:10:00.000-08:00

This year for our neighbor gifts (as well as Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching families gifts) we decided to go with our families favorite tradition, the bottle of sparkling juice and poppers. I decided to update it this year and called my friend Shelley and asked her to design us a tag for our bottles. I gave her the basic ideas and then she took it from there and made it FABULOUS!

So I bought a case of sparkling juice, bags of poppers, and curling ribbon and printed out the tags and Costco and went to work! I put a popper on a string for each member of the family and then attached it and the tag to the bottle with the curling ribbon. Then curled all the ribbons and Wa-lah!!! Instant fabulous neighbor gift for a New Years Celebration!!!

Now that fireworks are legal in Arizona I think I might include a few sparklers next year!!!

Christmas Sewing

2010-12-26T06:00:00.001-08:00

I have been a very busy crafty girl this Christmas season. I wanted to share with you what I had been up to but had to wait till after Christmas as these gifts were for my family and I did not want to ruin the surprise! Some of my Christmas presents this year were monogrammed gifts. I had so much fun designing these and sewing them on my embroidery machine.

I also learned a new technique on my sewing machine, Pin Tucking!!! I bought myself an early Christmas present. A twin needle and a pin tucking foot. I had a little trouble learning how to double thread my machine but after I got the trick and the right thread (you must use the same brand and type of thread or this project is VERY frustrating!!!) it was a breeze. Now I just want to find another project to use pin tucking on!!!

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-12-05T05:16:00.000-08:00

#12 Traditions and Goals I love this time of year when I look back at all the fun things we did as a family, discover how much actually got accomplished, and how truly blessed I am. I love making treats for neighbors, looking at Christmas lights and drinking hot chocolate. I guess what I really love is all of the traditions that our family has that come with this time of year!

Last Christmas we sat down as a family and discussed our family traditions, not just the ones at Christmas time but all of them. We decided to discontinue a few and to add or improve a few. Our most successful tradition was our Daddy/Mommy Date with the Kids. We have loved getting one on one time with the kids. I feel like we got to know our kids a little better and that they really enjoyed the special time together. The dates weren't always expensive. Sometimes it was just to go shopping or sometimes it was camping with Dad. It has turned out to be one of our favorite traditions!

This is also the time that we as a family review our goals and accomplishments of the year and set new goals for the coming year.
This year our goals were simple, spend more time together as a family, and find ways to serve others. Then each child set their own goals. For our daughter it was to attend preschool, for our son it was to read his scriptures more frequently. These were simple, attainable goals that really got accomplished this year!

So now it's your turn, take some time during dinner and discuss what you have accomplished this year. Celebrate the things you love and plan more fun for next year!!!

Thankful

2010-11-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving coming up this week and with Veteran's Day just passing a week ago, I have been thinking a lot about what things I am thankful for. As I was outside watching my kids play on Veteran's Day I realized how blessed I am to live in a country that protects freedom, where my kids can play and not worry about worldly issues. I was grateful that in this economy my sweet husband and I both have jobs and that we are able to meet our financial obligations. I was grateful that my family is healthy and that have great friends and family who love us.
So to all those who protect and serve our country Thank You!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
CCG

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-11-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

#11 Get Ready For Winter!
This means different things depending on what area you live in.
For instance, for me it means taking the sunscreens off the windows to allow the sun to help heat our home. Washing windows, planting winter grass and getting out our quads from summer storage. For others it means putting on the storm door and windows, fireing up the heating system and making sure you have enough fuel. Insulating pipes and water heaters as well as putting antifreeze in your cars.

What ever you do to get ready for winter have fun doing it. I remember as a kid my dad would go to the Forest Service and buy his wood cutting permit (& tree cutting permit, Christmas is almost here!!), and we would take a lunch, hot chocolate and go out to the forest and get our wood for the winter season! We had soooo much fun helping our dad load up wood in the truck, sipping hot chocolate and laughing and playing. I always loved that my dad let us help.

Good luck and enjoy some family time!!!!
CCG

Great Deals at Target

2010-11-07T05:47:00.000-08:00

For my local bloggers here are the latest deals at Target.
Halloween is 50 to 75% off.
5lb bag of Sugar $2.40.
Campbell's Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Chicken soup .75.
Stove Top Stuffing; Corn Bread, Turkey and Chicken 5 for $5.
Canned Green Beans and Corn .65.

I went there last night and saved $20!!!!
Happy Shopping CCG

What We are Having For Dinner Tonight

2010-11-03T08:12:00.000-07:00

Crockpot Rotisserie-Style Chicken

1 whole chicken, skinned (4-5 pounds)
2 tsp kosher salt (if you like it as salty as at the store add 1 more tsp)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
pinch of chili pepper
4 whole garlic cloves (optional)
1 yellow onion, quartered (optional)

Directions

Skin the chicken and remove items from the cavity of the bird as well as the neck.
In a bowl combine all dried spices.
Rub spice mixture all over bird, inside and out.
Place bird breast-side down in crockpot.
If desired place garlic and onion side bird.
DO NOT ADD WATER!!!!!!!!

Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8 hours in a 6 quart crockpot for a 5 pound bird. The meat is done when it is fully cooked and has reached desired tenderness. The longer you cook it, the more tender the meat.

To find this and other great crockpot recipes go to my favorite cooking blog Here
A Year of Slow Cooking is one of the best crockpot blogs out there!!!

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-10-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

#10 Wills, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, & Advanced Directives

So this is another one of those things that no one likes to talk about but is a necessary part of life. It's time to review or update your end of life wishes. I waited to post on this issue so that I could attend a seminar about this topic and my eyes were really opened. I have a living will and a medical power of attorney for myself, along with medical power of attorney's for my kids when we leave them for the weekend with grandma and grandpa, but I didn't realize how complicated it is to die!!!

Did you know that if you die with out a will that the courts will decide what to do with your assests in probate court and that this process can take at least 5 months if not longer and all of your assets will be frozen until probate is cleared??!!?? Plus I learned that in the state of Arizona you also need a Mental Health Care Power of Attorney in addition to your other medical power of attorney. They also have a web site that will store your advanced directives so that any hospital can access your wishes. So much to learn!

The gentleman who gave the seminar gave me a great website to learn more about all of these options for the state of Arizona. (Your state may have this online as well)

www.azag.gov/life_care/index.html#materials

www.azsos.gov/adv_dir/

These sites have tons of info along with sample forms that you can use.

He also talked about wills, trusts, gifting money, etc. I decided that I would feel more comfortable having a profressional do all of this for me so I will be making an appointment soon to get all of this stuff in order.

Not that you can't do this yourself with help from online resources, but I didn't feel like trying this one on my own.

Not a fun topic but a necessary one.
Hope everyone has a great Halloween Weekend!!!
CCG

Great News From Target!!!

2010-10-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about this that I just had to share it with you. Target is changing how they offer their rewards program to their "Red Card" holders. Now if you have a Target Red Card (Visa or Check Card) they are offering an additional 5% your purchase every time you use it!!!
Previously you had to earn a certain number of points to get a one time use discount card but now you get 5% off every time you shop! Happy Shopping!!!
CCG

Our Favorite Saturday Morning Breakfast!

2010-10-09T05:32:00.000-07:00

This is a recipe that I grew up on and have used with my little family. It is a Saturday (or Sunday if you don't have 8 am church) morning favorite around here. Sorry about the bad picture. This is what we call German Pancakes or I have also heard them called Monster pancakes.

German Pancakes

6 Eggs

1/4 cup Butter

1 tsp Salt

1 cup Milk

1 cup Flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place butter into 11X7 baking pan and place in oven while preheating. Place all six eggs in blender and "liquefy" until all the eggs are blended. Add remaining ingredients and blend well. Remove pan from oven and pour mixture from blender into pan and bake for 30 min. This will rise a lot while in the oven and then deflate when you take it out. Serve with syrup, powdered sugar and some fresh fruit if desired. Sooo Yummy!!!

Makes approximately 6 servings (If you only have one helping!)

Sometimes I add a little vanilla for a different taste.

Enjoy!!!

CCG

Shadeclothing.com is liquidating!!!

2010-10-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

So one of my favorite basics clothing company is liquidating their stock. I am sooo sad! But if you are looking for a great deal go to shadeclothing.com and see if you can score a good bargain!!!

What We Had For Dinner Tonight

2010-09-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Bruschetta Chicken Bake

Ingredients:

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkg (6oz) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp dried basil leaves
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place tomatoes with liquid in medium bowl. Add garlic and stuffing mix and 1/2 cup water; stir just until stuffing mix is moistened. Set aside.

Place chicken in 13 X 9 inch baking dish; sprinkle with basil and cheese. Top with stuffing mixture.

Bake 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through.

Makes 6 servings.

This was a huge hit with the whole family!!! It is super quick, super easy, and super yummy!!!

Enjoy!!! CCG

Sew I've Been Keeping This Under Wraps!

2010-09-10T16:51:00.001-07:00

I have been dying to post this picture for months now!!! As many of you know I am a pattern tester for Jona Giammalva, a pattern designer and fabric store owner (and fun friend too!!). Here is her latest creation, The Sunny Scallop Dress. I had soooo much fun working on this pattern test. I wanted to use some fabric that could be great for the 4th of July and other occasions as well. The dress is fully lined and soooo beautiful!!! You can see all of Jona's new patterns HERE. Have a great weekend!!
CCG

Great Give Away at Fabritopia

2010-09-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

For all my sewing bloggers here is a great deal for you!! My friend Jona over at fabritopia.com is having a great give away!!! She is giving away all four of her brand new patterns!!!!!

I have sewn two of these patterns myself and they are so fun and easy!!! So go leave a comment on her blog and see if you win!!!

Have a great day!!!

CCG

My Kids Toothbrush Dilema

2010-09-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

I have tried so many different things to get my kids to put their toothbrushes away. Still they wind up on the counter, or if they do make it into the medicine cabinet they are all wet and sticky and now I have a medicine cabinet that looks like this!!!So now I need to get a new medicine cabinet or sand that mess down and repaint it (not my favorite choice).

I decided to think outside the box and found these cute containers at Wal-Mart in the housewares section. When I brought them home my kids instantly fell in love with them even though they didn't even know where they were going.

I put the Q-tips in the smallest jar. The flossers in the medium jar, and the toothbrushes and the toothpaste in the largest jar. I placed them in the corner of the kids bathroom counter and waited for them to come home from school. My son thought it was AWESOME and my little girl thought it was so beautiful. Hopefully this enthusiasm will continue but if not the containers can be washed with no fear of rust and they can't use the excuse that they couldn't reach the medicine cabinet.

I am tossing up the idea of getting some little vinyl letters like the ones on the spice jars to put on them but I don't want to over do the vinyl in the house, so for now it is just a nice clean looking decoration!!!

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

#9 Finances

This month it's all about FINANCES!

I know that no one likes to talk about finances, especially in this economy but there are still a few things that should be done every year with your financials (and I am not talking about taxes!!!)

It's a great idea to check your credit score once a year. By law you are entitled to one free credit check each year from one of the big three credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

These checks can save you a lot of heart ache down the road. I have had a few friends who have had to deal with identity theft and it is NOT fun!!!

Another good idea is to have a review of your investments (with or without a financial planner). Reviewing your IRA's, 401K's, Mutual Funds, and 529 plans (among others) is a great way to make sure that you are making the most of your investing dollars.

Also check with your bank to make sure that you are getting the best deals that they offer. Interest savings accounts, checking fees etc. can change and you may not be getting the best deal they offer. (Now that the federal government has eliminated overdraft fees the banks are trying to make money in other areas so it doesn't hurt to check and make sure that you are getting the best end of the deal!!)

Credit Cards should also be checked. If you have recently payed down a good chunk on your credit card (or any loan for that matter) you may be entitled to a better rate. It may not hurt to contact your credit card company to see if you can get a better rate.

Taking a little time to check on your financials could be very beneficial!

My Cutified Laundry Room

2010-08-31T15:27:00.000-07:00

So earlier this year I had a contest to see who could give me a super cute quote to put up in my laundry room. As a family we chose our two favorite quotes and the winners received a prize.
Well I decided to go with only one quote and to put it on my middle cabinet instead. I really love how it turned out!!!
I had my friend Shelley over at Simply Words Online.com make up the vinyl letters for me and I think it turned out sooooooo great. (Shelley always does such an awesome job!!! Thanks Shelley!!!)

I left the laundry room doors open all day just so I could stare at it!!!! (Crazy I know but I am the Crafty Camper Girl!!).

Anyway look for another fun post soon on how I solved my kids tooth brush problem!!!

My Volunteer School Box

2010-08-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

I love to volunteer at my children's school! I have done lots of fun things but usually find that the parent work room is always out of supplies that I need for the project I am working on. So you know me..... I made my own Volunteer School Box to hold all of my supplies!!!

So here is what I keep stashed away in my box:

Scissors, glue stick, permanent marker, highlighter, red/black/blue pens, extra staples, paper clips, rubber thimble, brads, calculator, staple remover, large paper clips, rubber bands, large eraser, measuring tape, hole punch, crayons (for little siblings to color with), stapler, ruler, masking tape, clear tape, and a post it note pad.

I love having everything I need all in one box. It makes it so easy to find and finish my projects quickly!!!

What else would you put in your box?

CCG

2 Skirts for $4

2010-08-09T13:46:00.000-07:00

I got a call from a friend who told me about a sale on fabric for $2 a bolt. I jumped in my car and ran over and picked up some super cute fabric. So I was able to make myself and my sweet little girl matching skirts (I know again!!) for $4!!!!! This is one of my favorite patterns, the Edith Twirl Skirt from my friend Jona at Fabritopia.com. My sweet little girl wore this skirt four Sunday's in a row. (It's a good thing we were out of town for two of those weeks, people might start to think she has no clothes).
She just loves to tell everyone that we have matching skirts and then she twirls around to show them!!!! I love having a little girl.

My Friends Say I am Sooooo Organized

2010-08-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't noticed I am slightly "Type A" and slightly anal. I am always trying to be more organized and more efficient. Seriously I scare myself sometimes!!!
I am also a public library to a few of my friends and family (you know who you are!!!). I am always lending this or that and could never remember who I lent what to and then when I went to read it, use it or make it I couldn't find it or remember who I let use it. So I started the "Borrowed Items List." I keep a small 4X6 card in my desk drawer (or you could use a small note book) to write down what I have loaned and to whom. I know that this seems funny but right now I have 7 items out on loan. If I didn't have them written down I would never remember who I had loaned them to.
But as a side note be sure to write neatly and remember what your abbreviations stand for. I had a friend return some items and I couldn't even read my own handwriting or remember what my abbreviations stood for that I had put on the list. (Sorry Becky!) I thought she had borrowed more than she had but couldn't figure out what it was!
Have a great day!!!
CCG

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-08-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

#8 Fire Extinguishers and Smoke Detectors

This month's focus is Fire. This month is a great month to check your Fire Extinguishers to make sure they are charged and that you have the appropriate type of extinguisher for the area of your home. Check out this web site for some great information.

Next is your Smoke Detectors. Check the batteries and change them once a year. Vacuum them out so that the dust and lint does not interfere with the sensors. (Just do this carefully as not to damage the sensor)

Now on to the Carbon Monoxide Detectors (if you have one) be sure to test these as well.

If you have a Residential Fire Sprinkler System or a Security System that monitors fires these may need to be checked as well. (I do not have these so I am unsure of the details on how to maintain them)

It would be a great idea to pull out your families Fire Escape Plan and review it and make any changes as needed. (Or make one if you don't have one!!!) Here is the FEMA website for ideas on how to make a fire escape plan for your family. Have your family practice a fire drill, go over the basic fire safety rules and teach them their EMS number. (911 if it is available in your area)

If you have young children you may want to contact your local fire station to arrange a tour and have the fire fighters talk to your kids about fire. If possible have the fire fighters show the kids what they will look like when they come to your home for a fire. This can help calm the kids fears of seeing them in their fire apparatus. (The fire fighters may even let the kids touch and wear some of the items)

Also some fire departments offer stickers for your front window that will tell fire fighters if there are any pets in the home. (Check with your local fire station)

It's all about being prepared. The more you know the more you can be prepared in case of an emergency.

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-07-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

#7 Child ID Kits
This months idea is one that I hope I never have to use. Updating your child's ID Kit. It is a good idea to have an ID kit for each child (and pet) in your family. An ID kit can be as simple as a current photo with a list of statistics such as height, weight, allergies, needed medications, identifying marks, etc. You can also get them professionally done by your local police department. Occasionally the department will offer free ID kits days where you can make an appointment to have the ID kit custom made. They will either come in the form of a paper card or a CD with the info on it. These kits need to be kept in a secure location that can be easily accessed in an emergency.
These same ID kits can be made for your pets too. Updating license tags or micro chips if you move or have other information that needs to be added to them. Keeping a current photo of the pet along with a physical description handy is also a good idea.
Being prepared will make all the difference in an emergency situation.

For my local bloggers here is a link to a free child ID kit day on Saturday, July 24. You must make an appointment.

What We Had For Dinner Tonight

2010-06-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

Stove Top Apple Pork Chop Skillet

1 TBL Oil

4 boneless pork chops, 1/2 inch thick

2 Granny Smith apples, chopped

1 cup apple juice

2 cups Stove Top stuffing mix for chicken in the canister

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chops and apples; cook 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Remove pork chops from skillet.

Add juice to skillet. Stir in stuffing mix just to moisten. Top with chops; cover. Cook on low heat 10 minutes.

This is a super yummy dinner that is super easy to make. I usually have all the ingredients in the pantry/freezer so it is a great last minute dinner idea.

Enjoy!!!

CCG

Mr. Crafty Camper's First Post

2010-06-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

So now for his first guest appearance Mr. Crafty Camper will give his tutorial on our favorite latrine accessory. (When you camp as much as we do you like to have a few creature comforts!!) So Mr. Crafty Camper adapted an idea from a friend of ours and made us this little gem!!!

The "Scotty Potty" - in honor of our friend.

First start with a tube framed folding chair like the one above. I found this one at Goodwill for $3. Turn the chair over and remove the screws from the seat. Once the screws are removed the tabs pull out and you can remove the padded seat.

Go to your local hardware store and pick out your favorite toilet seat. For added comfort you could pick the padded version. :) To reduce the number of purchases, cut the existing white tabs from the bottom of the seat. You can see in the picture were I made my cuts. Keep the screws and white plastic tabs for later use. The top of the seat can be tossed (or decorated if you enjoy toilet seat decorations). If you don't want to cut the white plastic tabs, then you will need to find shorter screws to attach the seat to the chair frame. The last thing you want is to be poked in the bottom when you use this contraption.

Take the toilet seat and line it up over the tube frame. Use the metal tabs that the seat came with to secure the new seat. You may need to slightly bend the tabs prior to drilling or screwing to make sure the seat fits level. Decide where you want to attach the seat to the metal clips and then after everything is level, drill the holes in the metal clips only. Line the toilet seat up again and mark the holes from the tabs on the toilet seat so you pre-drill the toilet seat in the correct locations. Drill about 1/4 inch into the toilet seat. Be careful not to drill to far or you will go all the way through the seat.

Use the original screws and the white tabs from the toilet seat and screw them all together. The screw should go through the white plastic tab, then the metal tab, then into the pre-drilled holes in the toilet seat. Make sure they are firm, but do not over screw them or you could break the plastic tabs (spacers).

You are done. Clean up the mess so Mrs. Crafty Camper doesn't get mad at the mess you left for her to clean. Either dispose of the left over parts, or keep them around for some unknown upcoming project.

I hope you enjoyed this funny tutorial from my sweet husband, Mr. Crafty Camper!!! We took this contraption to Girls Camp with us and it was a huge hit!!! The girls thought it was so funny but after they used it they loved it (especially the padded back)!!! I think we are going to have to make another one for camp next year.

Let us know if you make one and send us pics!!!

CCG

Chicken Chinese Salad

2010-06-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

I brought this salad to a little pot luck dinner last night and everyone loved it!!!! I got this recipe from my college roommate Heidi K.'s step mother Susan L. and adapted it for my families preferences. It is soooo very yummy and a great lunch or dinner during the hot summer months!!! Enjoy! (I did not have a pic of the salad but found this one that looks a lot like this recipe, I just don't like to do a post without a pic!)

Chinese Chicken Salad

Salad:

1/3 pound maifun rice noodles

2 chicken breasts

1 head lettuce (shredded)

3 green onions (sliced at an angle)

1 cup celery (thinly sliced)

1 small cucumber (seeded and thinly sliced)

3 TBL spoon toasted sesame seeds

3 TBL spoon toasted almonds (slivered)

Dressing:

6 TBL spoons sugar

7 TBL spoons rice vinegar

2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp white pepper

1 tsp lemon juice

1/4 cup oil

Directions:

Break apart rice noodles and deep fry a small amount at a time in hot oil. Noodles will fry within seconds and will be white and crisp when done. Drain and set aside.

Mix all of the dressing ingredients in a bottle, shake well and set aside.

Cook chicken breasts. They can be steamed, boiled or roasted which ever you prefer. Cool, shred, and then add about 1to 2 TBL spoons of the dressing mix to the chicken and set aside.

Toast almonds and sesame seeds. (Be careful, they will brown quickly)

Cut up all the veggies and place in a large bowl. Refrigerate all the veggies, dressing and the chicken till cold. Just before serving, lightly mix fried rice noodles, veggies, chicken, toasted sesame seeds, and toasted almonds. Pour dressing over salad and mix again.

Enjoy! CCG

I Was Sew Bored

2010-06-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

I recently had a lot of time on my hands and was trying to come up with ways to keep myself mentally challenged so I wouldn't go crazy!!!! I was going through my kidos drawers to take out all of the clothes that were too small or had holes in them, when inspiration struck!!!!
Tah Daaa!!!!
I took a pair of my sweet little girls pants and cut the legs off and sewed the middle seam together to make it flat. Then I used some left over fabric from a blanket one of my friends asked me to make for her little boy and came up with this fun little bag!!!
I used my gathering foot (one of my favorite feet) and gathered a long section of the fabric and attached it to the bottom of the jeans. Then I sewed up a few "tubes" of fabric and braided them together for the handle. I cut a hole through the waist band and let the raw edges hang out the side and sewed them into place.
I think it turned out sooooo cute, and as an added bonus, because the fabric at the bottom is a light cotton it makes it easy to see what is in the bottom of my bag in the sunshine!!!
Enjoy your day!!!
CCG

My Best Teacher Gift Ever!!!

2010-06-07T06:21:00.000-07:00

My adventurous son had the coolest teacher this year, Mr. C., who is a HUGE Star Wars Fan. Mr. C's classroom had tons of Star Wars stuff everywhere!!! We were soooo excited because we are Star Wars fans ourselves. So for Mr. C's teacher appreciate gift I thought I would make him some really cool Star Wars hall passes. I came up with the idea of a wall board with lanyard passes. Here is what I did.

For the wall board I got some MDF, Black and Gray paint, some kitchen knobs on clearance from Lowe's (not pictured yet) and some custom vinyl (in Star Wars font I might add!!!) from my friend Shelly at simplywordsonline.com Thanks Shelly it turned out great!!!!!

I painted the base coat black and then flecked gray paint with a tooth brush to make it have depth and look like outer space. After it all dried I added the vinyl letters, measured and drilled the holes for the knobs and attached them.Now on to the lanyard hall passes. I got some Star Wars stickers (which were really hard to find!), some clear ID Badge covers from Office Max, some black gross grain ribbon (there was no Star Wars ribbon to be found anywhere, bummer!) and some clips.

I cut the ribbon into 30" pieces and burned the edges so they wouldn't fray.

Then I sewed the ribbon around the clip.

I downloaded the Star Wars font off the Internet (there are tons of these fonts on the net!!!) and made the inserts for the ID Badge holders. I liked the black background best!!!

I embellished the passes with stickers on the front and die cuts on the back.

Taa Daaa!!! Didn't it turn out great!!!! Mr. C. really loved it and asked me to make a few more passes for him. I am really happy with this teacher gift. The teachers at school said I might be setting myself up for some high expectations. Now all my sons teachers will be expecting something just as cool!

Also Mr. Crafty Camper asked for an extension on his post, so hopefully next week I will feature his post!!!

CCG

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-06-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

#6 Check Your Year Supply of Food
So school is out and you are looking for a fun project to do with the kidos, right!!??!! Well here is a great way to go through your food supply and play a game with the kids. Give the kids a few cans and see who can find the date the fastest. Do this a few times and give the winner of all the contests a special prize. A day with no chores, they get to pick what to eat for dinner, etc.
Organize your food supply and toss anything that is outdated. Don't forget to wipe down your shelves while your food items are out. You might even get the bug to reorganize your pantry with some fun new organizing tools. (I love my cansolidator I bought at costco) Then remember to write down what you got rid of to adjust your meals or purchasing schedule and then replace the items as budget allows. More importantly have fun!!!
CCG

Memorial Weekend Craft Projects Part 2

2010-05-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

OK now for part two, the Sewing Project!!!
This one I made up on my own with no pattern. It really is super simple and doesn't require a lot of fabric. Scraps are great or if you have some fat quarters hanging around you can use those too!

Here is what you will need:

1 Blue back ground fabric
1 Red back ground fabric
1 White or Off White back ground fabric
Thread
Scissors
Rotary cutter and mat
Batting
Sewing machine

Ready to get cutting!!??!!

You will need to decide on the overall size of your wall hanging. This will depend on how much fabric you have.
Take your blue fabric and cut a square.
Measure your stripes so that (with seam allowances) three stripes will fit the length of the blue square. (or you can cut your stripes and then cut your blue fabric to match up with the three stripes)
Cut your stripes out of the red and white fabric. (you will need 5 total stripes)
Sew the first three stripes together and then sew them to the blue square,
Now sew the remaining two stripes to the bottom.

Make sure that you trim any long pieces and make the top piece as straight as possible.
Measure out a piece of batting and backing fabric.
You may wish to put binding on or use the rollover method from the backing fabric.

Sandwich your top, batting, and backing fabric and secure with pins.
Using coordinating thread and "stitch in the ditch" of the stripes to secure.
You may wish to do some decorative sewing in the blue area by sewing a big star or something creative like that.
Now either bind or rollover the backing fabric and top stitch by hand or by machine.
Waaa Laaa!!! Now you have a fun wall hanging or even a cute place mat!!!

******************************
Also check back next week, I will be featuring my first Guest Crafter!!!!
Mr. Crafty Camper will make his debut post to the blogging world!!!
I'm soooo excited!!!
CCG

Memorial Weekend Craft Projects Part 1

2010-05-29T05:44:00.000-07:00

I love the Memorial Day weekend. First and foremost I love that I live in America where as a woman I have amazing rights. The right to vote, the right to own property, the right to religious freedom and so many others.
My second favorite part of the holiday weekend.......... It's a great time to get CRAFTY!!!
So in honor of Memorial Day and to get a head start on Independence Day I thought I would share a few fun quick crafts that can be done in a weekend!

This one is sooooo easy and can be done for free if you have a great stash!!!

Here is what you will need:
2X4 or 2X6 piece of scrap wood
Red, White, and Blue Paint (and brushes)
Ribbon or Fabric scraps (that match your paint choice)
Jute or Twine (a scrap from your stash)
Buttons (pre-sew the button holes so they look like you just cut them off a shirt)
Old Toothbrush (this is for flecking paint, you will want to keep this in your craft stash now)
Hot Glue Gun
Hand Saw or Circular Saw or Band Saw (or a really great neighbor who will cut wood for you)

OK, are you ready to start!!??!!

Take your wood scraps and cut them into 3 descending pieces. You can make them a tall or as short as you like, just make sure they can stand up on their own with out wobbling. Sand your wood pieces.

Now it's time to paint!!
Measure down from the top about 1/4 to 1/3 the length and mark a line all the way around the four sides of the wood. Paint a base coat of blue.
Next, paint the remaining part a base coat of white and let dry.
Now you can fill in your red stripes. You can free hand this or use blue painters tape to make the lines straight. You decide if you want vertical or horizontal stripes or both!!! Remember to do both sides!

Paint some stars in the blue area or use some fun vinyl cut outs.
For the final painting step grab you old tooth brush and dip it into some white paint. Dab it off on a paper towel and use your thumb to fleck the paint onto your project. Do this until you have the coverage you desire.

While you are waiting for this to dry.
Plug in your hot glue gun
Cut your ribbon or fabric scrap to size, along with the small piece of jute or twine.
Sew the button with thread so that the holes are full with the thread.
Tie the ribbon or fabric scrap around the wood where the blue and white paint come together and secure with hot glue.
Next add and secure the jute or twine scrap and then secure the button.
Taaa Daaa!!!! Isn't it soooo cute!!!

I borrowed this idea from my friend Angela many years ago. (Thanks Angela!!!) She went one step further and drilled a hole in the top and glued in a festive metallic topper that had starts and streamers.

Have fun with it and make it your own, and send me pics if you make it. I would love to see what you come up with!!!

CCG

Back Up, Back Up, Back Up!!!

2010-05-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

Well it finally happened to me! This morning I woke up and started my usual morning routine. Wake up, kiss my sweet husband,
turn on my computer to down load my email.........
turn on my computer to down load my email.............
I got the BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH!!!
It was asking for my system boot disk.
This is bad, VERY BAD!!!
Thankfully after a quick prayer and restarting the computer it came up normally. So my sweet husband turns to me and asks,
"Have you backed up your computer lately?"
My heart sank.
He had asked me to do this regularly.
He had given me a thumb drive to back up on.
He had made a short cut on my computer to run the back up quickly and efficiently, and after all that work that he did for me I completely ignored him and his advise and had not backed up my computer since he showed my how a few years ago. I do back up my financial program but had even become lax in doing that.
So we sat down together and he very sweetly and patiently showed me again how to back up my computer so that I would not loose all of my important information, things that I need and use everyday!!!
I am sooooo grateful for a loving and kind husband who helps me even when I am a really big looser!!! So here is my advise for today, Back Up, Back Up, Back Up!!!!!
I have set a new goal to back up my files weekly. But for now it will have to be daily because I know that my little computer is on its last leg.
Have a great Monday!
CCG

Cutified Pillowcase in a Yard!!!

2010-05-08T06:57:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite projects, and it is soooo easy!!! So here is what you will need:

1 yard of super cute fabric

1 yard of super cute ribbon

I found my fabric at Joann Craft store and had the blanket binding in my stash!!

Get out your rotary cutter, ruler, and your self healing mat and lay your fabric down lengthwise on the mat.

Now measure 2" from the side of the fabric. (The finished selvage edge that the manufacturer puts their color dots and white edge on)

Cut 2" off the side of the entire length of the fabric. (Save that small strip of fabric for a later project or a strip quilt if you have a stash going for that like I do!)

Now from the top raw selvage edge, measure down 8" and cut across the width of your fabric.

So that now you have an 8" by 43" panel of fabric. This is the cuff of your pillowcase, and the remainder of the fabric is the body of the pillowcase.

Take the panel that you just cut and fold it in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, so that the raw selvage edges match at the bottom. Press with a hot iron. Now you have a 4" cuff for your pillow case.

Next, take your ribbon and match up the selvage edges with the 4" cuff. (If you are using grosgrain ribbon just place one edge with the selvage edge of the 4" cuff)

Then make a "sandwich". Place the width of the body panel of the pillowcase on top of the ribbon and 4" cuff.

Then pin the "sandwich" together, placing pins approximately every 4" or closer if the ribbon is slippery.

Now it's time to sew!!!! Using a 1/4" seam allowance sew the cuff, ribbon, and body fabric together. If you have a serger go ahead and serg the raw edge after you have finished sewing across the entire width of the "sandwich".

Next place your fabric, right side up, and open the seam and press with a hot iron. Isn't is looking great!!!

Now comes the easy part. Fold your fabric right sides together and pin along the length and width (or side and bottom) of the fabric. Make sure that the cuff of the fabric matches at the top so you have a nice even circle with the cuff.

Sew along each side using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Again if you have a serger, serg the edges of the fabric. (You can also use a zig-zag stitch in place of the serger or clip the edges with pinking shears) Clip the threads, turn right side out and press your seams.

Taa Daah!!! Isn't it soo cute!!! Super easy, super cute and super fast, what else can you ask for in a tutorial!!!

My Favorite Denim Quilt Tutorial Part 2

2010-05-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

So you have seen part 1 of this tutorial and have all of your squares cut. Congrats! You are now ready to start piecing together your denim quilt! For those of you who have made a denim quilt before you should know that I might make mine a little different than you have seen previously. That is why I titled this tutorial "My Favorite Denim Quilt." Because this is my favorite (and I might say the fastest) way to make a denim quilt. I DO NOT use batting and I DON'T use the "Sandwich Method." This being said let's dig in to how I DO IT!!!!

First you will need to select your backing fabric. I usually use a nice Polar Fleece, but I have used flannel too. (Flannel is great for baby blankets but you might want to consider using the "Warm and Natural" batting. It will make the seams more comfy for baby). Polar Fleece usual comes 60" wide so I use that width and then I usually use 2 - 3 yards for the length, depending on how tall the person is I am making the quilt for. For this tutorial I am using 2 yards.
Pre-wash and dry your fabric. Then find a big open space to lay the fabric on the floor so you can start arranging your denim squares.

Start by arranging one row horizontally and one row vertically. Then you can multiply the number of squares in each row to calculate how many squares you will need for your quilt. You may find that you don't have enough denim squares, if this is the case, count how many more squares you will need plus add enough squares for one more row. (You may find that after you get them all sewn together you can fit another row on. It is always good to be prepared). If you have enough squares great! Let's move on to the next step. If not, neatly pack everything up and start finding more jeans to cut. It really is better to have everything you need before you start.

You might notice when you are placing your squares that your denim squares will overlap the backing fabric. That's OK! Once you get your squares sewn together the seam allowance will reduce the overall length of the row.

Now comes the fun part!!! Arranging the squares. Your collection of jeans might yield a few different shades of denim. Have fun placing light and dark squares throughout the quilt, or place all the lights on one part and all the darks on the other part. This is where YOU get to be creative!!!!

I always like to throw a little whimsy into my quilts by adding a pocket square or two or three! (My girlfriend likes to hide the remote from her husband in the pocket squares of the quilt I made for her!)

Now it's time to sew!!!!

NOTE: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!

In order to maintain the overall design that you have worked so hard on you must pick up, stack, and sew the squares in the same order every time. Otherwise your quilt will not look the same after it has been sewn!!!!!

This is what I recommend.

Decide on a top and bottom of your quilt.

Pick up your first square of your first row and place it on top of the square to the right of it.

Then pick up those two squares and place them on top of the square to the right of them.

Repeat these steps until all of the squares in your first row are complete.

If you can't leave your project out, repeat the same steps for all of the rows making sure to mark each row with a corresponding number from top to bottom to maintain the design of the quilt.

Now take your first row to your sewing machine and let's start sewing!

FORGET EVERYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT IN HOME ECONOMICS CLASS!!!

You are going to place your squares WRONG SIDES TOGETHER!!!! I know this goes against everything you have been taught, and I can't tell you how many times I have gotten 4 squares in before I realized that I was sewing right sides together and had to pick it all out!!! (@#&**$#)

The easiest way to sew your row together is to sew it "Quilters Style."

Take your first two squares and line them up wrong sides together and sew it all the way down the length of the square. Just before you get to the end of the square, take your next two squares and place them wrong sides together and butt them up next to your first set of squares and continue sewing. Repeat this step until you have finished all of the squares for your FIRST ROW.

I usually use a 1/4 inch seam allowance because it is easy to line the fabric up with the side edge of my presser foot, but you can make your seams as big as you would like. (Just remember the bigger the seam the less length your row will have and the more dryer lint you will have to pick out (more on that later)).

Take your completed row and clip the thread in between each set of squares. Make sure that you put them back in their original order. I usually start at the bottom of the row, clip the thread and place the two square set on the table and then repeat that step so that I have a nice pile of squares that starts with my first squares again.

Now repeat the same "Quilters Sewing Method" with the two square sets and the four square sets until the entire row is attached together.

Take your first row back to your quilt project. Now you can see how much length was taken up in the seam allowance.

Continue sewing all of the rows in the same "Quilters style" until you have all of your rows finished.

Now it's time to start assembling the finished rows together.

I call this the "two by two" method. Take your first two finished rows and place them WRONG SIDES TOGETHER. Making sure to match the seams together for each square. You can pin it if you like. I usually just grab the next seams that need to match and make sure that they all match up all the way down the row as I am sewing. You may have to stretch the fabric a little to get them all to line up but that is OK.

Now take rows three and four and repeat the same step as you did with the first two rows.

Then take rows five and six ....... do you see the "two by two" pattern. This method makes it very easy to assemble the rows with out having to deal with all of the weight of the quilt as you are sewing until the very end.

Now continuing the "two by two" method take your completed row 1&2 and your completed row 3&4 and sew them together following the same steps.

Repeat the same steps for your completed row 5&6 and row 7&8 so that you quilt now looks like the picture above. A quilt divided in half. (You may have an uneven number of rows, if so just tack it on to the end of your last "two by two" set.)

Now take the two halves and repeat the same sewing procedure of lining up the seams of the square so they all match, stretching as needed. This is the most difficult part, the quilt is heavy so make sure you have a lot of table room to the left of your sewing machine for support.

Can you believe it you are almost done!!!!

Lay your completed quilt top on top of the backing fabric. As you can see there is a lot of length and width lost in the seam allowance. For this quilt I went back and added another horizontal row. (Aren't you glad you cut those extra squares!)

Now you can trim the excess fabric and sparingly pin the two pieces together. (It doesn't need to be ultra pinned, just enough to keep them together without it moving around.) Then sew the two pieces together (WRONG SIDES TOGETHER) using the same seam allowance that you used for your rows.

If you are making a large quilt you will want to do a little "Stay Stitching" in a few of the seams of the quilt so that the quilt will lay nicely and stay together while washing. I usually count in two or three squares from the top and the side, or the bottom and the side, and sew a little back and forth stitch right next to the seam in all four corners. (This stitching won't be noticed after you have clipped and washed the quilt because the fray of the fabric will cover it.)

Now comes the tedious part, the clipping!!!

I have made countless denim quilts. This part is my least favorite! But after I found these wonderful Heritage Cutlery Rag Quilt Shears (VP7)
I couldn't believe the difference in the performance and the pain of my hands. These shears are a little pricey but if you plan to make a few of these quilts it might be worth the investment. These shears cut through the denim like butter!!!

This is when I usually sit down during a CSI, Castle, or The Mentalist episode and clip to my hearts content. You will need to stop periodically to rest your hand, (grab a snack) or watch a particularly exciting part of the show. I choose one direction (horizontal or vertical) and clip all of those rows and then flip the quilt and clip the next direction of rows. (Sometimes I lay the quilt on the back of my couch so I don't have to move so much bulk of the quilt as I clip, just make sure you have comfy shoes if you choose to use this method.)

Make sure that your cuts don't cut through your seam!!!

Now it's time to wash your quilt!!!!

If you have a front load washer it might take two times through the wash to get the fray of the quilt just right. Without the agitator it just takes a little longer. (For wear and tear on your laundry machines you might consider taking it to a laundry mat.)

When you have the look you want, place the quilt in the dryer and dry that puppy. You may find that it is not quite dry after your first cycle. I usually just hang it out on the line to finish drying.

ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL!!!!! AND IT'S SOOOO COMFY TOO!!!!

Everyone I have given a denim quilt to has loved it!!!!

NOW A NOTE OF IMPORTANCE!!!!!!!!

Do you remember earlier in this post I mentioned cleaning the lint trap? Well you will have to clean out your lint trap at least two or three times during the drying cycle.

THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL!!!!!

This quilt produces so much lint is could be a fire hazard. So please clean it out as much as possible!!!

Your washer may need a little clean out as well.

After the quilt has finished drying and you have emptied your lint trap, take a flashlight and look in the space where your lint trap goes. If there is any remaining lint grab a Swiffer Duster or one of those fuzzy synthetic dusters and try to get as much of the lint out as you can.

The quilt may continue to put out a good amount of lint for the first two to three washes but should diminish after those washes.

So that's it! This is how I make "My Favorite Denim Quilt."

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any questions leave me a comment or send me an email. And if you make a quilt send me a pic, I would love to see what you created!!!

CCG

Crafty Camper Girl Book Review

2010-05-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

I have had some down time lately so I picked up the last book in the Fablehaven series, Keys to the Demon Prison.

Brandon Mull really wrapped things up nicely in this final book. While reading the book I felt happy, sad, frustrated, infuriated, betrayed, elated and surprised all at the same time. His imagination is so amazing and his character development of Kendra and Seth are great. I got to see them grow in their talents and gifts as well as develop relationships, renew old friendships and see each other in a new light. The book kept me reading any chance I got. My sweet husband even came in to check on me one time because I had been in the privy for too long. If you haven't started reading this series yet, start. Summer time is coming and this would be a great addition to any Summer Reading List!!! If you have started this series, keep going, the end is AWESOME!!!!!

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-05-02T00:44:00.000-07:00

#5 It's Summer Cleaning Time

Well out here in sunshine land the days are lasting a little bit longer and the sun is coming up a little earlier. Even though we have still had some nice weather, I have needed to turn on the AC a time or two. That is usually the time that we put our Summer Window Screens on all the south facing windows of the house. (I know for some of you this may seem a little odd but think of it like storm windows for us sunny state people).

So now is the time to get those windows cleaned inside and out!!! I usually try to get all the dust bunnies out of the window track and wipe down the window sills as well. This is not one of my favorite jobs, and I usually put it off forever, but I love to clean out all the fly's and dust so that my windows open easier!

Usually after I finish that chore I move on to dusting under the appliances. I found a great duster by Michael Graves (from Target) that does wonders for under the appliances!!!! It is long and narrow and gets all the way under the appliances. It is always fun to see what cereal pieces and brownie bits have been swept under the stove, and even more fun to try and guess what some of that other stuff is.

Summer is coming. I'm not sure I am ready for the 120 degree heat, but it means that camping season is just around the corner!!!!

My Best Parent Day Ever!!!

2010-04-29T02:01:00.000-07:00

My sweet husband and I have been struggling with a little parenting dilemma. Our sweet little 4-year old girl is soooo laid back that she takes forever to do her chores, eat her meals, get dressed etc. One of her chores every day is to clean her room. Sometimes this takes just a few minutes and one time it took 9 hours. (Yes 9 hours, it was a torturous day!!!)

So I came up with this great idea the other day that I thought was pure genius!!!!
I gave my sweet little girl the challenge of cleaning her room. I told her that when she was done cleaning her room she could take the digital camera and take a picture of her room so she could show me her nice clean room. She was soooo excited she went straight to work.

About 15 minutes later she came to me and told me that she was finished and that she would like the camera so that she could take a picture. So off she went with the camera and came back a few minutes later with the biggest smile on her face very excited to show me her precious photos.

I complimented her on her great photography and what a great job she had done on her room. I then showed her in her picture a few things that needed to be fixed in her room and asked her to fix them and then come back for the camera again.

Well she did a great job cleaning her room and even took a few extra photos of her favorite stuffed animals to show me. She felt so empowered!!

Now I have a few methods behind the madness of this genius idea:

1. I did not have to go and check her room 15 times to tell her what she had missed. She came to me with a picture which allowed me to continue doing my chores at the same as she did.

2. She felt a renewed excitement to clean her room.

3. She felt empowered and special that she received an opportunity to use the camera.

4. I enjoyed watching her excitement and loved seeing the things that she feels are special to her!

I don't get these genius ideas very often, but I think this one might last for a while before I have to figure out a new way to motivate my sweet little girl to clean her room!!!

My Favorite Denim Quilt Tutorial Part 1

2010-04-26T01:11:00.000-07:00

So here is part 1 of the tutorial that I promised. As you may or may not know I am a huge recycler! I love to take things that are old or used and make them into new and useful things. Sewing is no exception. This is one of my most favorite recycling projects!!! So here is what you need.

Supplies:
Old denim jeans
Friends with old denim jeans
Neighbors with old denim jeans
(do you get the hint that you need a lot of jeans!!)
Great pair of sharp scissors
Self healing mat
Ruler
Rotary cutter
As a hint. I do not use any jeans that have a stretch to them. I always use 100% cotton jeans. My favorite jeans to use are the good 'ol cowboy type Wrangler jeans. So if you have a cowboy type hubby this is a great project for you. If not, find a neighbor (that's what I do) or you can go to a thrift store (not my favorite option I always like free!) but any cotton jeans are great. Jeans with a stretch to them never sew quite right and don't fray as nicely.

Let's get started!!! First you will want to cut the INSIDE seam of both of the pant legs with your super sharp scissors. Then cut off the bottom hem of both pant legs. You can do this with your scissors or your rotary cutter. Which ever you find is easier for you.

Next, cut the OUTSIDE seam of both pant legs.

Continue by removing the front zipper.

Now you will have four individual pant legs.

Take your two back pant legs and cut away the pockets. Measure down about 2-3 inches from the bottom of the pocket and cut a straight line with your ruler and rotary cutter. (The purpose is to leave enough room for a seam allowance. I always try to include a few pockets on my quilt, they are a fun addition)

Cut the side seam accordingly. When you get to a seam you may have to use scissors or cut a few times with your rotary cutter.

Then remove the top portion of the pants. You may have to leave a few belt loop parts attached while cutting but you can remove them with a seam ripper later.

Now it's time for the two front pant legs. Take the pockets and place them out of the way of the cut. Measure down to just below the place where the pocket attaches to the side seam and then cut away the pocket.

Now you have four individual pant legs with no pockets. Now it's time to start measuring for your squares! I start at the smallest part of the pants, place my ruler against the side seam and measure to see how wide the pant leg is. (Measure from the inside of the side seam. This will eventually be cut off but it make a great straight edge)

Take your widest measurement and then move your ruler up the pant leg that length to make the square. (So if your widest measurement at the bottom of the pant leg is 6 inches move six inches up the pant leg to make your first cut.) The farther up the pant leg you go the larger size squares you will get. Then using your self healing mat, ruler, and rotary cutter make your first cut.

Then flip the square around and cut off the side seam.

Next flip the square around and make the final cut. (Remember to measure twice and cut once!)

Repeat these steps for cutting the squares all the way up the pant leg and on the other 3 pant legs. When you are finished you will end up with squares of all different sizes. Then repeat all the steps with as many jeans as you have. I love to do the first steps and watch my favorite TV shows.

I usually spend a day or two just cutting up the jeans into different sized squares before I even try to put the quilt together. I write the size of the squares on a 3X5 note card and put them in bags so that they all stay separate. Then I always have a stash to make up a quick blanket as a gift too!

Comming soon part 2!!!

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-04-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

#4 Check Your Outdoor Play Equipment

Spring is here and the kidos will all be out enjoying the great weather. Now is a great time to check your outdoor play equipment. We have a great wood play set that needs tightening every year. So we choose the first weekend of April as our annual time to do it! Check for any missing parts, broken or damaged parts and fix or replace them. This could also be a good time to check the lawn mower as well. Happy Spring everyone!!!
CCG

And The Winner Is.................

2010-04-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

I want to thank everyone who left comments for the "Help I Need a Cute Saying or Quote" contest. This was a tough decision. The family was stumped on their second choice. We all agreed on our first favorite but the second favorite was just torturous we each had our own second favorites. Soo.............

Our family's first favorite.......
"The most memorable days usually end with the dirties clothes."

Our family's second favorite.......
"Laundry today or naked tomorrow."

Both of our favorites were posted by "ME". So if you are "ME" could you please make your Blogger Profile public for one day, or send me an email proving that it is you so that I can contact you and send you your prize!!!???!!!

I did want to give two honorable mentions.....

"When I said "I Do" I didn't mean the laundry." posted by "ME"

"Laundry room: wash, dry, fold. Repeat." posted by ROLLERWRITER

I can't wait to get going on this project and get my laundry room cutified!!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
Happy Easter!!!
CCG

What We Had For Dinner Tonight

2010-03-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

I tried another slow cooker recipe from my favorite crock pot cooking blog A Year of Slow Cooking . It really was soooo easy and I think I had everything on hand for the meal!!!!!

Super Simple Cranberry Roast

2-3 pound beef or pork roast

1 TBL dried onion flakes or 1 med yellow onion diced

2 TBL Soy Sauce

1 16oz Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

In a 4qt slow cooker place meat (frozen is fine) and add onion and soy sauce. Pour in entire can of cranberry sauce over the top.

DO NOT ADD WATER!!!!!

Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours or on high for 5-6 hours. If you are cooking on high you may need to "help" the meat by taking it out 1 hour before serving and cut into chunks and put back in sauce. Serve with mash potatoes and a green salad!

***CCG notes***** This was sooooo yummy. The cranberry sauce gave it a great tangy flavor and these are items that you can keep in your pantry/freezer all the time!!!

Aaaaargh!!!! I am having a bad week!!!

2010-03-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I am a trainee in an experimental group that tests how far a person can go with out loosing it from having weird things happen to them. Lets start with last Saturday.

Saturday - 6 cases of water are damaged at work and I am the lucky one who gets to clean up, defect and dispose of them.

Sunday- I am sewing a Baptism Towel for one of the girls in my Primary class and I walk away from the embroidery machine for a minute and come back to find that it has caught a part of the fabric from the bottom and embroidered it to the top. I can't even get my hoop off of the towel. I spend an hour picking it out and doing it again.

Monday- I go grocery shopping with 2 children. One of which is whining the entire time. My patience is wearing thin and so is the patience of the 3 people behind me in line. After we get all done ringing up the groceries I pull out my insurance card........... no debit or credit card (I don't carry a purse to the grocery store, just my licence and my debit card). I have $100 worth of groceries and no way to pay for it!!! *H(d$%#&$!!!!! I ask the clerk to please put my cart in the diary cooler so that I can drive home to get my card.

Tuesday- I show up to work and I find that the Shamrock Farms milk man (not my favorite person, even before today!!) has left his product all over the diary cooler so that I can't get to where I need to work. So I have to move all of his stuff so I can work. (P.S. it is very cold in the diary cooler and I had to spend more time in there because of him!!!)

Wednesday- I take my kidos to the Zoo. We have a great time, see lots of friends and family, relax by the lake, etc. My son decides that he needs to get close (after being told 3 times from his mother to "Leave the squirrel alone!!!), no I mean really close to a squirrel, (who thinks he has food) and gets a scare of a nibble or a scratch (we don't know which). So we have to go to the pediatricians office to make sure it didn't break the skin and check if he needs Rabies shots!!!

Thursday- I try to place an order online for a project I am teaching and the website won't give me my password. I try 3 times to request a new password, no dice. I call the help desk. They can't figure out why I can't get a password even though I have an account set up. So they have to call the IT department to figure out why I am having this problem.

Friday- Well I am not holding my breath for things to go any better than any day this past week. But I find all the things that have happened to me very funny and am getting a great laugh at myself. Life is too short to be so serious! Maybe my weekend will be fantastic!!!???!!!

Help!!!! I Need a Cute Saying or Quote!!!

2010-03-05T09:10:00.001-08:00

I have been searching for a cute saying or quote to put in my laundry room. I have had no inspiration but know that I would like it to be about serving your family, or a funny saying about laundry. I want to have a little saying or quote (nothing long, maybe just 1 or 2 sentences) on each side wall, just something to make the dreary chore of laundry a little more inspiring.
I thought I read a quote from Dr. Maya Angelo about how serving our families often goes unnoticed but that it will make a great impact, but I can't find it now. So I am turning to my blogging friends to see what you can come up with. Please let me a comment with your idea for the "Laundry Room Quote" by April 1, 2010. I will take all of the comments and share them with my family and then decide on the two winners. And just to make it a little more exciting I am offering a fun surprise!!! The winners will each receive a "Comfort Pack" containing 1 reusable Ice Pack and 1 Comfort Pack Cover. (See my post from Christmas). This Comfort Pack is great for boo-boo's, car seats, aching muscles, etc. (I will make it for you and ship it to you free of charge but only if you live in the continental USA, No free foreign shipping, sorry :) )

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

#3 Emergency Kits

With all the crazy weather, snow, rain, earthquakes, etc. I thought this month would be a great month to check your Emergency Kits. It's always a good idea to have a quick grab kit of food, clothes, water, toys (yes toys, can you imagine trying to entertain your kidos in an emergency situation) flashlights etc. There are tons of resources on the internet for how to make a kit if you don't have one. Ready.gov is a site that is fairly good and easy to use.

Personal note from the Crafty Camper Girl..... We have tried a few of the ready make food emergency kits, we have not loved them. I truly don't know if I could eat some of the food that came in the kit. We have decided that for our family our best option is to get the Mountain House freeze dried food that we like and make our own kits. We use a simple 5 gallon bucket from a home improvement store (or if you buy your laundry soap at a warehouse store). We place our necessary items inside and and label it for that person. Because it is a bucket with a lid you can use it as a chair, a step stool, for washing, for a potty (with a liner), etc.

This is also a great time to go over your Family Fire Drill. My kids love to practice our family fire drill. My son thinks it is so cool that he can get out through his bedroom window!!!

Anyway have fun with this project, we always laugh when we try on the clothes in the kit to see if they still fit. Sometimes even mom doesn't fit in her clothes (sniff). This is a great time to spend as a family, get creative, and plan, plan, plan.

Valentine's Day Decoration

2010-02-06T13:39:00.001-08:00

I am always trying to hang decorations above my kitchen sink for birthdays and holidays so I finally made a permanent way to it with out using tape!

I measured a line from point A to point B and snapped a chalk line. DO NOT SNAP A CHALK LINE. It made it really easy to measure but it did not come off the flat paint of my ceiling. Do it the hard way with a level and a pencil. Be careful!!

Then I measured every 10" and placed a white cup hook in the ceiling.

Wah La!! Cute decorations that can be removed and no mess to clean up later. Plus now I have a designated place to hang my other decorations. (BTW those are just hearts out of heavy construction paper glued together on fishing type line)

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

#2 It's Time to Schedule Your Physical Exam

So this months goal is to schedule your well exams. Depending on your gender or age these exams can range from simple blood work, mammograms, well woman exam, colon tests, yearly physical, eye exam, or skin exam. These exams are really important and change as we "gracefully go through life." I always schedule my well woman exam in my birthday month so I don't forget!

A Great Blog Find!!!

2010-01-30T11:40:00.001-08:00

Well maybe I am a little behind the times, but my sister linked me to this blog......
http://www.loveactually-blog.blogspot.com/ I was so excited to see this one. Cher over at Love Actually dedicates her blog to fun and creative ideas for inexpensive ways to show your love!!!
It's all about the romance and with Valentines Day coming we can all use a little inspiration!! Go check her out and enjoy!!!

Sew I've been Sewing!!!!

2010-01-27T15:02:00.000-08:00

I think this has been the funnest project I have done in a long time!!! My friend Jona at Fabritopia.com has a new pattern out, "Slipcover Chic for your folding chair." I was able to get a sneak peek at it and made this little beauty.

It really took no time at all. You only need a little over 2 yards of fabric per chair and it turns out soooo beautiful!!! Run over to her store or her blog and check it out!!! This really makes me want to have a girls garden party and make more slip covers!!! Thanks Jona this pattern is so fun!!!

Gingerbread Pancakes!!!

2010-01-25T09:47:00.000-08:00

So here is the scoop. In our family we have a tradition of a really yummy Christmas Morning Breakfast!!!! (Yes, I know I am a little late with this!!!) They are sooooo DEVINE!! My sweet husband grinds the flour fresh that morning and makes these from scratch. Soooo here is the recipe!!!

Gingerbread Pancakes

2 1/2 cups flour (we use whole wheat with barley)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 to 1/4 tsp ground cloves (we use 1/4 tsp)

3 eggs

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup water

1/4 cup brewed coffee (we use Pero)

1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions:

Combine the first 8 ingredients; mix well, and set aside. Combine eggs and sugar, beating well. Add buttermilk, water, coffee (Pero) and butter; mix well. Add buttermilk mix to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened (batter will be slightly lumpy). For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto hot, greased griddle or skillet. (If you use whole wheat and barley make the temp a little lower, we used our electric skillet and didn't have to grease it). Turn when the tops are covered with bubbles and edges are slightly dry. Serve with warm applesauce or maple syrup, if desired. (We used Archer Farms (Target Brand) berry syrups and maple syrup and just for the kick of it whipped cream on top!!!)

Makes 16 pancakes.

Seriously it is really worth all the work. They turn out sooooo fluffy and delicious. We made them for our neighbors the other day (one of whom had pretty much written off pancakes because he had had them sooo much growing up as a kid) and they LOVED them!!! This might be a fun treat for Valentines Day!!!

Enjoy!!!

My Latest Fun Project!!

2010-01-22T10:48:00.000-08:00

I saw these super cute place mats on clearance ($2.78 a piece) at Target and thought "those would make a really cute bag!!" So you know what I did.........
I used some fabric that I had in my stash and made pieces for the sides and the bottom and also pieced together the handles. (Sometimes I just hate it when a fabric is directional, I didn't want a seam in my handle but I had just enough when I did it that way so it has a seam but you really can't tell).

So what do you think!?! I love it and took it to school this week. It came in very handy to have some more room for an umbrella with all the rain we have gotten lately!!!

And there was a bonus....... the place mats were almost the exact size to make a really cute sewing machine cover!!!! So now I have my eye out for some more clearance place mats so I can cuteify my sewing machine!!!! I just love being crafty!!!

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

2010-01-12T18:14:00.000-08:00

So I thought I would start a new monthly post about 12 things you should do every year. Each month I will suggest a different goal to accomplish that month. Simple things that never seem to get done around the house or things you should do for yourself. I hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to make it a family goal (where possible) so you get to spend some quality time together.

12 Things You Should Do Every Year

# 1 Check for Expired Medication

Go through all of your medication, prescription and non prescription, to check for expiration dates. (This activity is for ADULTS ONLY) This can also include any creams, antibiotic ointments, diaper creams, toothpaste, etc. Throw out anything that is expired. Flush any expired medication down the toilet or put down the sink with running water. (DO NOT do this in the presence of little children!!!) Take the empty bottles and recycle them if possible with your waste management company. (Be sure to remove the labels from any prescription medications to prevent identity theft) Then replace the medication/creams etc. as needed. This is a great way to de-clutter the medicine cabinet!!!

It was brought to my attention that flushing medication may not be such a great idea for the water system. (See comments, thxs Erin). A suggestion was made to put them in a baggie and zip tie it and throw it in the trash. I would make sure that it goes in the outside trash if you choose this option.

The Christmas Gift of Relaxation

2010-01-09T14:32:00.001-08:00

I wanted to make a gift this year that I knew my mom could use and came up with this idea. I made a buck wheat hot pack out of buck wheat hulls, and got a flexible ice pack and made covers for them.
I wrapped them up in a cute Christmas bow and viola! an great handmade Christmas gift that will be used for years to come!

I will post a tutorial later on how to make these great little gifts!

Denim Christmas Stocking Tutorial

2009-12-22T05:20:00.000-08:00

So this is it. My Denim Christmas Stocking Tutorial. I LOVE to recycle and reuse things and this is one of my favorite reuse projects. So here we go...........

I am on the "hand me down" list of a couple of great "cowboy" types who will give me their old Wrangler jeans when they have seen a little too much time in the saddle. So take an old pair of jeans and cut up the legs of the INSIDE leg seam.

Open the pant leg and trace a pattern from your favorite stocking or use a pattern that you already have. Place the front pattern piece on the right leg of the pants and the back pattern piece on the left leg of the pants.

Make sure that the center of the pattern is on the OUTSIDE seam of the pants and trace and cut out.

Follow the same steps for the back using the left leg of the pants.

Then closely trim out a pocket from the pants. I like to use the one with the tag on it but you can use what ever you prefer.

Then flip the pocket over and remove the inside piece to leave only the stitching and the front piece. This will reduce the weight and bulk of the pocket.

Then pin the pocket approximately 2 1/1 inches from the top of the front piece of the stocking.

Start stitching the pocket to the front piece just below the grommet of the pocket with dark thread in the outside seam so that your stitching doesn't show. Go all the way around the three sides of the pocket and then go to the top of the pocket and stitch just to the left or right of the grommet to secure the top portion. Part of the fabric next to the grommet can be hand stitched later if desired. I leave it undone.

Then pin right sides together matching up seams from the pants.

I use a 1/4 inch seam allowance so that there isn't a lot of bulk inside of the stocking. Seam all the way around the three sides of the stocking being careful of the original pants outside seams. It will be VERY bulky and you will need to take your time to go over it. You may wish to clip the seam allowance on the curves of the stocking to make it easier to turn right side out. Turn stocking right side out and smooth the seams with an iron.

At the top of the stocking trim the seam allowance at an angle to reduce bulk.

For the loop to hang the stocking remove a belt loop from the pants.

Pick out the stitching from the top and bottom of the loop where it was attached to the pants but leave the other stitching.

Attach and sew the loop as shown. Make sure to sew over the loops several times for strength.

Add a cute bandanna for fun and you are done!

This stocking can also be adapted for a girl by removing the pocket and cutting an extra toe section. Add lace to the toe section and double stitch for decoration. Then add lace at the top and use a double strand of ribbon for the loop!

I am in my Happy Place!!!

2009-12-21T15:43:00.000-08:00

So here in Crafty Camper Girl Land it has been a balmy 65 to 70 degrees. This is perfect ironing in the garden weather. I hate to iron clothes. It is my 2nd to least favorite chore (#1, cleaning bathrooms!). So I decided a few years ago that it would be a happier chore if I could do it outside in my beautiful garden.
So when we remodeled our back yard I had an electrician come in and put an outlet in the garden for Christmas lights and for me to iron in the garden. (Yes I know that this was a ridiculous expense but, the fountain had to have electricity anyway so it wasn't much to just run a line so that I could enjoy being outside in my Happy Place.)

So I enjoyed my ironing in the garden (which could have only been better if my water fountain was working but it is temporarily out of order), while my sweet little girl took her quiet time in the play set watching a movie. It was such a fun day and I got my chores done too!!!

Crafty Craziness!!!!

2009-12-20T04:18:00.000-08:00

So I was all set to post my tutorial for the super cute denim Christmas stockings that I have been making for Christmas when lo-and-behold I realize I can't find my cord to down load my pics from my camera @#$*(&^^#! (that really isn't a curse word it is my way of showing you my frustration)
My craftiness has taken over my office and I don't think I can see more than a 2 foot by 2 foot section of the floor right now let alone see any manageable space on my desks. I guess I will have to find another quiet time in the wee hours of the morning to do my post (after I find my camera cord)
I hope you all are having fun with your last minuet holiday shopping!

My Project Completed!!!

2009-12-12T04:59:00.000-08:00

Well I have finally completed this fun project. I found out that this was not a flea market find but a family piece from my step mom's mother. I love it even more now!!!
It was originally white with glass for the shelves. I wanted to use it on my back porch for when we entertain to put the cups and spoons and plates on or what ever else I could think of. So white just wasn't the color.

So I spray painted it black along with the bottoms of the tiles and my sweet husband cut the tiles for me!!!

So here is the finished project. I think it turned out great and just in time to host Thanksgiving at my house. I used it to hold the games and coloring projects for the little kidos who came to eat my first Thanksgiving Turkey!!!

Fun Holiday Garland from Angry Chicken

2009-12-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

I saw this cute holiday garland and just had to share. I am always looking for a fun craft to do with my kidos during winter break and I found one today. Head over to the Angry Chicken site and download the pdf file. I love to visit Amy's site and drool over her fun ideas. Enjoy!

Crafty Camper Girl Book Review

2009-11-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

So I finished book four of the Fablehaven series this weekend. I had been waiting for it to come out in paper back but finally gave up and put my name on the wait list at my local library. When I called in they informed me that my card had expired. Had it really been that long since I had been to our local library??!!?? Oh well so I got the call that my turn had arrived and bribed my son to do his home work in the car so we could go and get it ASAP. It was SOOOOOO GOOOOD. I was shocked that I had been so oblivious to some parts of the last books and very intrigued by the ending. I am anxiously awaiting the first book to come to the theaters as a movie and the fifth book to be published. Enjoy a great new read this weekend with a trip into a magical preserve as told by Fablehaven!!!

Halloween Fairy

2009-10-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

So in our family we have a tradition. 24 hours after Halloween the children have the option of leaving their left over Halloween candy for the Halloween Fairy. The night after Halloween the children (if they choose) leave their left over Halloween candy on the front porch for the Halloween Fairy, and in the morning a nice new toy appears. This is a great way to get rid of the candy so the sugar highs don't continue for days and days!

Crafty Cousins Halloween Fun!!!

2009-10-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

Many years ago I received a cute Christmas pillow case as a gift from my fabulous college roommate Heidi K.'s step mom Susan. (Thanks Susan I still have it!!) Ever since then I have wanted to make some fun pillow cases for the holidays. Well now that I am married and have kidos of my own I decided that now was the time!

So I invited my niece and nephew over for Crafty Cousins Halloween Pillow Case Day. We had sooooo much fun. My little man got his done almost all by him self and I helped the two little girls with theirs. My sweet little nephew was just having too much fun playing so I just made his for him. I think this might become a new family tradition. We got them all done in about an hour. Aren't they sooo cute!!! I know you want to try one. We adapted the pillow case tutorial from my friend Jona over at Fabritopia, so check it out!!!

Crafty Halloween Fun

2009-10-18T17:26:00.000-07:00

So I have been wanting to try this Pink Fig pattern and knew that my sweet little girl just "needed" a new something to wear for Halloween. Joann's was having 50% off their Halloween fabric so I knew this would be the perfect time to try it! ( I even got the pattern on sale!!)
I loved the results!!! Top stitching was not my favorite, but it really make it come out nicely. I did run out of bobbin thread 8 inches short of my original starting point when I was making the gathering stitch so I took that as a sign and stopped for the day and went and bought some more thread.

She loves the twirl factor of this skirt and can't help but just twirl around when she has it on! Seriously it is almost horizontal when she spins around!!!

I found some cute leggings with sparkles and it just completed the look!!!

Projects Update

2009-10-18T06:20:00.000-07:00

The Crafty Camper Girl has been very busy for the past 2 weeks but here are a few highlights of what I have been doing!

So I took Jona's Spray Paint Challenge (from Fabritopia.com) and decided that now was the time to get this cute plant shelf project done! I found a can of spray paint in the garage that was the exact color I wanted (Yeah for freebie left overs!!!) and started the project. Well I ran out of spray paint on the last shelf and had to stop so that I could go and get more. But it is all painted now and I am just waiting for my other freebie find (tile for each shelf because I don't like the glass it came with) and then I can take pics of the finished project. I love this shelf for entertaining, I put the plates and forks and cups etc on it. I can't wait to get it finished!!!My next project was this Halloween Spider Quilt that I have had in the closet for 4 years. I got all of the print fabric cut and most of the stripe fabric sewn and cut. This is huge progress!!!

But unfortunately two other projects took over and this one is on the back burner again but I am truly pleased with my progress. Maybe next year I will actually get around to sewing the spider webs together. I spent a good portion of a day embroidering some baptism towels for some kidos in my primary class as well as finished a super cute Halloween skirt (using my new Pink Fig Stripwork Skirt Pattern) for my sweet little girl. (I will post more pics of this later when I down load my camera again). Not to mention that we have had Fall Break for two weeks and have been busy having fun! We got together with our cousins and made Halloween Pillow Cases!!! (More on this later). Anyway lots of fun projects here in Crafty Camper Land!!!

It's Garden Tyme!!!!

2009-10-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again!!! The temperatures have been under 100 for a week now!!! That means it's planting time..... so get out your shovels, spades, seeds, and watering cans and get your garden planted!!! Don't forget my top 10 tips!!!

The Garden Girl’s
Top 10
Gardening Hints

1. Protection-
ALWAYS wear sun screen, hats, sun glasses, tennis shoes (no sandals), and gloves.

2. Companion planting-
Try planning your garden to grow plants together that like each other!

3. Shade Planting/Screens-
Recycle old window screens to shade delicate plants or grow corn on the west side of your garden to provide shade.

4. Planting Rotation-
Document where you plant your crops each season and rotate where you plant them the next season. This will help your soil and your crops.

5. Fertilizing Options-
Choose from organic or commercial fertilizers. Fish Emulsion, Compost Tea and others are great organic fertilizers. Fertilizing helps your soil to have the nutrients it needs and helps the plants produce better.

6. Composting-
Use your grass clippings, fallen leaves, and food scraps (no meat) to make a nutrient rich compost for your garden and landscape. There are free compost bins available from The Town of Gilbert or other resources available online or in retail stores.

7. Resource Books/Websites-
Try different books and websites for information and helpful hints. Take a class or visit a garden and ask questions!!!!! I always have my favorite book with me when I plant. It’s OK to get a garden book dirty!!!

8. Favorite Seeds/Seedlings-
Try different seed companies and seedling growers. See what works best in your garden and WRITE IT DOWN, so that you can remember for future planting seasons.

9. Experiment-
Try something new, different varieties of food are fun to grow and fun to eat! Recycle something and use it in your garden for shade, trellis etc.

10. Start Small and Grow From There-
If you are feeling overwhelmed but would still like to try your hand at gardening, start small and grow from there. Starting in pots or window boxes is just as exciting as a big garden. Then try something bigger next time. This is supposed to be fun and rewarding!!! (It is a little work too!)

Website Resources

Cochise County Cooperative Extension
http://ag.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/desertgardening.htm

Arizona Youth Gardening
http://cals.arizona.edu/youthgardens/dig/connected.html

The University of Arizona, Home & Garden
http://www.arizona.edu/community/gardening.php

Dave the Garden Guy
http://www.gardenguy.com/

Arizona Master Gardner Manual
http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/index.html

Paul James the Garden Guy
http://www.hgtv.com/gardening-by-the-yard/show/index.html

Composting Resources

VegWeb.com
http://vegweb.com/composting/

How to Compost.org
http://www.howtocompost.org/

Composting 101.com
http://www.composting101.com/

Crafty Camper Girl Book Review

2009-09-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

I finished Fablehaven, Grip of the Shadow Plague (book 3) by Brandon Mull early this morning. It was sooooooooo goood!!!!! I was so excited how he used his characters in this book. The fight with good verses evil was very intriguing and his take on how decisions affect out comes or wishing other decisions would have been made was awesome! Part of the book even takes you to Arizona!!! If you haven't started this book series yet get started now!!! You won't be disappointed!!!!

Cutie Apron

2009-09-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

My sweet daughter was invited to a "Pinkalicious" book club party. They were going to read the book and then make cup cakes. Soooooo being the OCD crafty camper that I am, I just had to make her a new apron to wear for the event.
I have been wanting to make her a new apron using this Michael Miller fabric that I bought on my "Mommy Vacation to Kansas" and so I knew this was the perfect time to make it. I used McCall's Fashion Accessories pattern M5997 to make the apron.

I think it turned out sooooo cute. I added some vintage red buttons from my Grandmothers button jar that I have had forever. It is soooo sweet and my little one just loves it. I have enough fabric left over to make a chef hat for her and maybe even something for me!!! I LOVE being crafty!!!!

Mushroom and Red Wine Cube Steak

2009-09-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Cube Steak is such an inexpensive alternative to steaks right now. So I decided to try a new recipe and went to Rachel Ray's website and found a yummy one!!! You can find the full recipe here. I made a few changes to the recipe for my non-alcoholoic version. Instead of using beef stock and red wine I used beef broth and balsamic vinegar. (I used a little more beef broth and balsamic vinegar to taste) It turned out sooooooo good!!! Even my kidos liked it!!!

A New First Day of School Tradition

2009-08-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Having a sweet little girl is so much fun. I decided to start a new tradition in our family. On the first day of school I have always taken a picture of my kidos and have loved looking back at how much they have grown. With my sweet daughter I came up with an additional tradition..... First Day of School Cutie Toes!!! How fun is this. For the first day of school we do our toe nails so that they are super cute!!!! When she gets a little older we might go to a salon and get them done together but for now what fun memories...... her first day of school cutie toes!!!

Crafty Camper Girl Book Review

2009-08-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

I just finished Fablehaven book 2 Rise of the Evening Star. It was soooooooo good!!!!! I liked the first book and I LOVED the second book. I am kind of bummed however because my son is not done with book 3 yet so now I have to wait. (You all know how much I hate waiting!!!) Oh well I guess this will leave more time for homework!!!

Crafty Camper Girl Book Review

2009-08-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

I try to keep up with what my kidos are reading and got addicted to this series Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. I finished book 1 and have started on book 2. The second book is even better than the first (so far), and I really like the first book. Mr. Mull has also put out a book for younger readers call Pingo that I want to check out as well. So now that the kids are in school, check out a fun new read!!!

My New Skirt

2009-08-23T16:27:00.001-07:00

I took a skirt that I loved and traced a pattern from it and then adapted it to what I wanted and Wah-La!!! My sweet little girl loves that we have matching skirts, and told everyone so at the baptism that we recently attended. I think I feel a few more matching skirts coming on!!!

Jill Woolley's Infamous Rolls

2009-08-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

I am posting this recipe for my sister who was looking for a crescent roll recipe. This is not truly a crescent roll but it is shaped like it and is light and fluffy too!!!

Step 1

In small bowl, place together and set aside:
2 TBL yeast (or 2 yeast packets)
1/2 cup luke warm water
Step 2
In a large bowl, mix thoroughly together:
1 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
Then add and mix:
1 cup boiling water
(The shortening mixture will melt into liquid form.)
Step 3
Once the shortening mixture has cooled a little, blend in:
4 eggs
Then stir in the yeast mixture from Step 1 (using a wooden spoon)
Step 4
Using the wooden spoon, add and stir:
7 1/2 cups flour
1 cup cold water
Be sure to alternate flour and water until all have been mixed together thoroughly.
Step 5
Spray the top of dough with non-stick cooking spray and place plastic wrap directly over the dough, covering it completely. lace a towel over the bowl and place in the refrigerator over night.
Step 6
Time to roll out the dough! Flour a flat surface and divide the dough into five parts. Roll each part into a circle. Spread melted margarine or butter on top. Use a pizza cutter to cut into 12 pie-shaped pieces. Roll each piece into a crescent by rolling the wide end toward narrow end. Place rolls on 2 large greased cookies sheets. (Make 5 rows of 6 rolls on each pan, yielding a total of 5 dozen rolls.) Cover and let rise for 1-2 hours.
Step 7
Uncover and bake at 400 degrees fro 10-12 minutes. Eat to your hearts content.
Options
For orange rolls, mix 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, and 2 grated orange rinds. Use as a filling in place for the melted butter.

*****Use a wooden spoon and cover the dough with plastic wrap. This dough is so delicate that it will take on the taste of the fabric softner in your dish towels and get a funny taste from a metal spoon.*****

What We Had For Dinner Tonight

2009-08-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

Chicken Salsa Black Bean Soup in the crock pot!!!! It was sooo yummy! I gave it to two of my neighbors and they loved it too. Check out this blog

A Year of Slow Cooking to get the recipe! I used Archer Farms peach mango salsa and it was de-lish!!!

My Daughter's New Skirt

2009-08-11T15:41:00.001-07:00

I got the cutest pattern from fabritopia.com called the "Edith Twirl Skirt" and made a super cute skirt for my sweet little girl.

She was really annoyed that I was trying to measure her during her nap but the finished product was a huge hit! She loves it!!!

She danced and twirled around the front yard while we waited for brother to come home from school today. (Don't you just love the belly button on this kid!!!)

Well a special thanks to Jona at fabritopia.com for designing such a cute pattern, she really knows how to dress a girl cute!!! I can't wait to make one for me too!!!!

Man Fabric

2009-08-11T15:36:00.001-07:00

This is the pillow case that I made for my sweet husband. I love this fabric!!!! I got the fabric at fabritopia.com.
I think that I might get some more fabric and make some matching ties for my boys!!

Crafty Camper Girl Restaurant Review

2009-07-31T17:12:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that my sweet husband is some what of a foodie. He loves food and loves to try new things. So today we went to lunch at one of Joe Johnson's (Joe's BBQ and Joe's Farm Grill) latest restaurant ventures called Liberty Market. (Two things I love about Joe Johnson, 1 he has great pride in his home town and saves parts of its architectural history and re-uses it for everyone to enjoy, 2 that man can sure put together some amazing chefs who can make fabulous food!) All I can say is YUM-MY!!!!!!! I had the Chicken Salad Sandwich with Pasta Salad and a Lemon Tart (which my sweet husband shared with me). I was in HEAVEN!!! My daughter had a pizza and a chocolate truffle cookie that was so good and my sweet husband had a turkey sandwich with blue cheese that was DIVINE!!! I just had to check out the bathrooms (since Joe's Farm Grill has awesome bathrooms too) and it was so cool!!! Very modern and unusual! So if you are looking for a fun and trendy place for a girls lunch or a fun night out with your sweetie give this place a try. They even serve breakfast too!!!

Fun New Boy or Should I Say Man Fabric!!!

2009-07-31T16:58:00.000-07:00

I was browsing one of my favorite fabric sites Fabritopia.com and found this cute "Be a Man Fabric" by Douglas Day. I made my nephew a pillow case for his birthday and will be making my sweet husband a travel pillow case out of some of the other fabric from that line. I thought it was so.... (well I can't say cute for a man/boy) ......handsome!!!

My Greatest Craigslist Deal Ever!!!

2009-07-17T17:09:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I have been looking to replace my entertainment center for a long time now but just couldn't find what I wanted in the price range I could afford. Then one magic day I saw this on craigslist and about died. It's 11 feet long and 7 feet tall. It is solid wood and heavy!!! So guess how much I paid for it???????????? $1000.............$500.............nope I paid a whopping $250!!!
It fits perfectly in the room and I now have uber amounts of storage space!!!!!!!!!
I am the Crafty Deal Getter!!!!!!

Safe Summer Car Seat Buckles

2009-07-06T19:18:00.001-07:00

Here in Arizona car seats can get very hot during the summer. So I devised a cute Car Seat Ice Pack that I leave over the buckles of my daughters car seat when I go shopping or to church so they are not burning hot when we get back in the car.

I purchased a Flexible Polar Ice Pack from my chiropractor a few years ago and realized that this would also be the perfect fit for a car seat because it can bend and fit the shape of the seat.
So I took some cute flannel and made a pocket for the ice pack and put a Velcro closure at the top and tah-dah, instant cutified ice pack. It is so practical and cute all at the same time. The ice pack has completely melted by the time we get out of church but the flannel absorbs the water and it dries quickly in the heat, but the buckles are nice and cool to the touch.

Creative Flower Pot

2009-06-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

I have been sooo excited to get crafty now that camp is over and my stress level is near 0.

I decided to make a cute flower arrangement for one of my visiting teaching ladies for her birthday. So I pulled out watermelon out of my garden, cut it with my "V" cutter from Pampered Chef and hollowed out the melon.

We rode our bikes to Wally World and picked up some sun flowers ( I didn't get around to planting those this year, I know, I know what a let down) and then set to work.

I cut the bottom of the melon to make it stay level and put a vase in the melon and added some flowers from my yard. I think it turned out pretty cute!

True Crafty Camper Project

2009-06-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

So when I went to girls camp I forgot my pillow. I found a nice sized travel pillow at Wally World and just loved it. I wanted to have a fun sewing project with my kids this summer so I tried to get them the same pillow but no go. I called 3 Wally Worlds in 3 different towns and finally gave up. So I took a standard sized pillow and cut in in half and made the kids pillows.
They each got to choose their own fabric and then we made the pillow cases. My son did an excellent job and even used my serger!!!! I am soooo proud!!!!

Well this is the final project. I am very excited to use them when we go to visit Grandparents. Now we don't have so much bulk in the truck with every one's big pillows!!!

Fun Sewing Tip

2009-05-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

I saw this idea on the Internet and thought it was so great. I am always trying to find ways to store my bobbins so that they are not unraveling all over the place. Well the web site was selling Bobbin Cozies. They looked just like the little girls fabric hair ties to me so while I was shopping this morning I picked up a big package for $2.

It works perfectly! I tried to color match the pony tail holder to the color of the bobbin thread to make it easier to tell what color thread was on the bobbin. It works soooo great and I got some new hair accessories for my little girl too!! I love a multi tasking product!!!!!

Girls Camp Craft

2009-05-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

I took an idea from this new book........

that I saw on the Martha Stewart Show and turned it into our craft project for girls camp!

I got the fabric donated from an AMAZING friend who was willing to clean out her fabric closet and part with some of her fun fabric.

So seriously this is all you need, fabric, stapler, duct tape and woven handles. You staple the sides together and the handles on the top. Then you take the duct tape and seal the seams. Then you make a 3 inch triangle at the bottom and staple it and tape it and it makes the perfect bag! It really is sew simple!! You gotta love being a crafty camper!

What do You do When Your Washer Breaks?

2009-05-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

So we have had a little "Domestic Drama" at the Crafty Camper Home. My washer of 9 years has decided to take a turn for the worst. The bearings are out and the noise is incredibly loud. So loud that if you call me while I am doing laundry I have to leave my house to hear who is on the phone. We called a repair place and they wanted $500 to repair the machine!!! I can buy a new one for that. Well we decided to repair it ourselves, so with the help of a FABULOUS neighbor and his Sawsall we set to work.

So I did do one load of laundry in my "Breathable Washer" set up and it worked really well. Luckily it was a small load and I took my bigger loads to friends houses! (Very FABULOUS Friends I might add!) Well we got it all fixed and then more fun began. The spin cycle was either too fast (and the machine would smoke) or too slow (and the clothes were too wet and took 2 hours to dry). Then ultimately it just gave up so, Happy Birthday to me I am getting a new washer. But I must say I am glad to know that we can hand wash clothes just like in the old days and survive. ( I love using my 72 kit and know that it will work in an emergency!!)

My New Scissors!!!

2009-05-19T16:40:00.001-07:00

I am soooo excited! I got myself a new pair of Rag Quilting Scissors!!! They cut like butter, even through 5 layers of denim! I have a quilt to make and am so excited to not have my scissors make my hands cramp.

Last Minuet Mothers Day Idea

2009-05-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

So I meant to post this earlier in the week but had some domestic issues. My washing machine has been broken for almost two weeks! But you will see more on that later. So here is the scoop, this is a great Mothers Day gift idea. It's a perpetual birthday calendar book.

Items Needed:

1 3-ring binder

13 page protectors

Computer

Scrap book paper

Die cuts

Craftyness

Imagination

I made a cover page for my book. I personalized the cover page for the ones I gave to my Moms.

You go into you Word program and make a page with 3 columns, and add numbers and lines as shown above. (I do have one I can send you that you can change for each month. Leave me a comment with your email address and I will email it to you, sorry I haven't had time to figure out down loads on my blog yet, I am the crafty camper not the computer camper). You make one for each month and write in the birthdays. Put them in the page protectors on the left hand side of the book.

Now you get crafty!!!!!! Make a cute page for each month that will hold the cards. Be creative. You could even put a scrap book page of all the people that have birthdays that month.

So this is how I use this book. At the beginning of each year or month I sit down and look at the book. I look at each birthday and write in my planner (yes I still use a paper planner not a PDA much to my sweet husbands dismay) the day I need to send the card. Depending where that person lives will depend on how many days I count back from their birthday to remind myself to send the card. (See if I had a PDA I would only have to do this once and it would remind me every year..... hummmm) Then I go to my card stash and choose the card for that person, write their name on a sticky tab and put it on the card and place the card in the month page protector. (I send my nieces and nephews cash for their b-day so I also place the cash with the card so I know that I have it when I need it.)
That's it! Because the calendar is generic and not specific to that year you can use it over and over again!!! Now you just need to organize a card swap and you got yourself a sweet new organization idea for you and your moms!!!

Outdoor Food Fun

2009-05-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

So this is my new portable kitchen when we are hiking and camping. I know, I know you are sooo jealous! Well it actually works out so great.

I found these fork ,spoon, knife combo silverware for back packing at Wal-Mart before we left for our trip. They were so nice. Much better than having to take the three of them on a plastic ring.

After lunch I had my son wash the dishes in the snow. It worked soooo well. The gritty of the snow worked as a great scrubber and the water from the snow rinsed the food off.

See all nice and clean. (Now for those of you who know me I am a HUGE germ-a-phobe and did wash them in the dishwasher when we got home but the were clean enough that we did get left over lunch all over our bags! )

Happy Early Birthday to Me!!!

2009-05-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

I took my daughter to Barnes and Noble for a girls date and found this cute book. So I decided that I would get it as an early birthday present for myself.

I am so excited to make a fun new bag for just for me!!

Not So Fun Sewing!

2009-04-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

So there are just some things that a mom has to do to save a little money, and patching pants is one of them. I swear to you that my son can not keep a pair of pants longer than 3 months with out getting a hole in the knees! So I spend lots of time patching pants for him to make them last a little longer. (Can I say how glad I am that summer is coming so that he can wear shorts!) I keep a stock pile of denim scraps and cut out pieces to the size I need and "Patch till I can't Patch no more!!!"

Well three pairs of pants later he at least has pants to wear camping and to school on cooler days. I am so going to Sears for school pants this year. It will be worth the drive and the cost of their "Tough Skins" pants, to not have to keep patching pants!

Finally Fun Sewing!!!

2009-04-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

So now that school is done for me for a while I can finally get some fun sewing done. Well with my visit to see my sister in Kansas I thought I would drive a few more hours into Kansas and see my college roommate. I wanted to make her boys something and decided on super hero capes. (You can't ever go wrong with super hero capes!!!) Well they loved them!!!!

I also decided to help my sister learn to sew a little better and made this super cute purse. I think it turned out sooooo good for her first time using a pattern and a zipper!!!

Just in case you didn't know................................ I AM ADDICTED TO FABRIC!

2009-04-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

I was recently in Kansas to visit my sister and I took a little trip to a few of the fabric store there. I found some of the cutest fabrics that I knew I just had to have!!! So I took a few pics of them and asked my sister if she would get them for me as I wanted them and I would pay her back. Well this was a great plan until five days after I left, her husband got transferred to Arizona! Oh well I guess I really didn't NEED all this fabric anyway!

This fabric I did get and I am going to make an apron for my daughter to go with her new kitchen that I posted about earlier. It is soooo super cute and I can't wait to get sewing on it!!

I love paper dolls and just loved this fabric.

Girl Power!!!! Enough said!!!

I love vintage fabric!!!!

This quilt totally gave me the best idea. I want to make a quilt for my kids if they decide to play sports with their school colors and mascot so they can take it with them on the bus rides to their different games!!!

I loved this rag American Flag quilt. The store would not sell me the instructions (Just the kit for $80.00) so I am going to have to do this one on my own.

Gilbert Historical Museum Part 2

2009-04-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

So here is the last post on the Gilbert Historical Museum. I love all the vintage stuff they have at this museum. Is makes me so grateful to have all the modern conveniences that I have.

I loved this scout display. It gave me some great ideas on how I want to display my sweeties scout and cub scout stuff!!! I love to get inspiration!!!!

They had a cute display of vintage hankies. I loved the crochet butterfly. I don't know that I would have the patience to do this one!! But it sure is pretty to look at!

I love to see the old paper dolls. I wish I could find some for my little girl.

Believe it or not I have a sewing machine very similar to this one that I don't use any more but have on display on top of my planter shelf. It is a great ice breaker when new friends come to my home. They always ask how I got it up there, and I say, "A rope, lots of my sweet husbands muscle, and sore muscles later."

I love the old kids books. I would love to find some prints and make a cute vintage play room with them. Dream on! I don't even have the room for all my sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, embroidery, and all the other hobbies I have! Oh well a girl can dream!

Sunday Activities

2009-03-29T07:55:00.001-07:00

Sunday is one of my favorite days for many reasons.

#1 I usually get a fabulous nap with my husband!
#2 We have Family Planning & Family Journaling

So what is Family Planning & Family Journaling you ask? Well we set aside about 20 minuets on Sunday afternoon (we have a.m. church right now) and go over the entire families schedule for the week. This includes Mom, Dad, and all the kids. This way we know who will be where and who needs to get picked up or dropped off etc. This is also extremely helpful when you have parents and kids in school at the same time! This has really saved our bacon a few times. We like to do this activity after church so that we can get the announcements from church to make sure that we have all the church activities listed. You can have a big calendar posted in a place that everyone goes (like the kitchen or family room) where all of the scheduling is listed. Then as things come up during the week that change you can note them on the calender.
This can be adapted for little kids as well. For instance, I have a 3 year-old who has ballet school on Mondays. You can place a sticker on that day so she will know what day her school is. This can really be a fun family project and it keeps the whole family informed.

The last part of the 20 minuets is Family Journaling, where we write down what happened during the week, and funny things the kids said. Right now I write all of these things down in a separate calender so that I can use it later for scrap booking, and writing in my kids journals. But for older children this can be their time to write in their own journals. I love having this calender because I can easily recall when I took at picture. I usually circle the date that I took a picture and write a cute note of why I took the picture. It is also a great way to document extended family vacations. ( I know this seems OCD but each night before I go to bed I try to write a little something about what happened during the day in that calendar so I don't forget it)

What We Had For Dinner Tonight

2009-03-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

I was in the mood to try something new with chicken breasts so I looked through some of my recipes and found this one. It was soooo good! Even my kids liked it!

Next time I will not use chicken breasts, but will use chicken pieces as I think it will turn out more tender, but it was still soooo super good! The recipe calls for chopped ginger or crystallized ginger, I did not have any so I just added my powdered ginger and it worked just as well.
Here is the recipe:

Ginger Orange Chicken
3 to 4 pounds chicken parts
salt and pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon finely chopped crystallized ginger
dash hot pepper sauce
1 orange, unpeeled, sliced

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet; brown chicken. Drain off excess oil. Combine barbecue sauce and flour; stirring until smooth. Add orange juice, brown sugar, ginger, and pepper sauce. Pour over the chicken. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add orange slices and simmer, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes longer or until chicken is tender. Arrange chicken with orange slices on a serving platter; serve with hot boiled rice and a green vegetable. Pass the extra sauce.Ginger Orange Chicken serves 4.

http://www.dianaskitchen.com/

Happy Eating!!!!

Quilt Show at the Gilbert Historical Museum

2009-03-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

I love to go to the Quilt Show at the Gilbert Historical Museum. It is so fun to see what the ladies in my community are making!
Yo-Yo Quilt. I don't know if I will ever have the patience to make this quilt but I really think they are super cool.

I Spy quilt. I want to make on of these for a sick day quilt. You place different blocks that have fun things to find in them for the little kiddos!

A variation of a rag quilt. I think I might try this one.

Fun Halloween Hanging Quilts

Sun Bonnet Sue quilt. I have a book with a pattern for this quilt and hopefully some day before I die I will get one made!

I love this vintage fabric. It is soo cute!

I took this picture for my mother-in-law. She has a jungle themed room in her home and I thought she might like this one.

I love the embroidery on this one! I could make this one easy!

I thought this was a cute way to honor the armed service men and women!

The jazz quilt. I have never seen anything like this before. It was more amoeba shape than quilt shape but it was so cool!

Mini hexagon quilt. This made my fingers hurt just looking at it!! Stay tuned for more pics from the museum in a later post!