Things to Try Thursday-Hand Stamped Washers

For my birthday I asked my husband for one of those Harbor Freight stamping sets.  He got it for me at the amusement of his work buddies.  I tried it out the other day to make a key chain for my friends who have a new baby.

I used a 1/2" washer to stamp the baby's name and a 5/16" washer to stamp her date of birth.

After I was done stamping I used a Sharpie (the fine point Sharpies work better) to go over the letters and numbers I stamped.  Then I wiped off the excess.

I used a scrap piece of cord to tie the two washers together and attached a jump ring to the top.  Then, I just slid the key ring through the jump ring. 

Won't this be cute on the zipper pull of the diaper bag???  That way she will never wonder which bag is hers!  I also thought this could be a fatherly version of the stamped necklaces for mothers. 

Anyway, I liked it and had a blast seeing the newest member of a sweet family!!

Happy Crafting!

What I've Been Wearing

Well, here we are again!  Can you believe another week has gone by already!!  I sure can't!! 

In my neck of the woods school started yesterday.  It seems so hard to believe that summer (well school kids/teacher's summer) is over. Mr. E will be starting preschool this year, but that doesn't start until next Tuesday.  I am so excited for him...I just know he is gonna love it!!!!!

Anyway, back to what I've been wearing.

On Thursday I cooked lunch for my Mom and a couple of her friends.  It was nice to have some adult conversation and a little break from our daily routine.

Top: New York and Company, from Goodwill

Shorts: I made, see tutorial

Shoes: Old Navy, from a Thrift Store for $4.00

Friday we went grocery shopping.  This is one of those errands that we take as a family.  We always have, even when it was just the Hubby and I.  It is usually a lot of fun to just do something together...there are those times when the kiddos just don't want to cooperate, but those are usually few and far between.

Top: Banana Republic, 2 years ago

Shorts: Old Navy, from Goodwill

Shoes: Pay less

Saturday was a busy day for us.  I woke up and got signed up as a consignor for our local Mom's Consignment sale.  I am so excite, this is the first time I have sold any of my kids clothes!  After that we had some breakfast, fixed by the Hubby!!!  Then on to my in-laws for my SIL's birthday lunch.  We left that to go to a Back to School Bash at our church.  When that was over we headed back to the in-laws and went to see Dinner for Schmucks.  Absolutely HILARIOUS movie, but any thing with Steve Carell is funny.

Top: TJMaxx

Shorts: Target

Sunday we went to church and then to our old church (my family still goes there) for their Homecoming.  Then Miss C and I headed home to relax since Mr. E stayed with my parents.

Top: New York and Company, from Goodwill

Skirt: given to me by a friend

Shoes: Target, a million years ago

Monday was laundry day.  My Mom stopped by for supper and we also made a Goodwill visit. 

Top: I made, see tutorial

Jeans: Old Navy, from a yard sale

Tuesday was spent doing some housework and then I took supper to my in-laws.  Oh...and one of my best friends had her little girl!!!!  I am so excited for this new little family and I pray that God continues to bless them as they start on this new journey called parenthood!!!!

Top: Bitten, from Goodwill

Shorts: Target

Shoes: Dollar General Store

Wednesday I went to the hospital to see the new baby and ran some errands.  I had some members of my Ladies Bible Study over for supper. 

Top: Target

Pants: Gap

See my little helper...she loves the mirror!

What's Cookin' Wednesday-Chicken with Black Bean and Corn Salsa and Chipotle Grits

I LOVE this recipe.  I got is from a friend of mine who is getting ready to move back to our area from Atlanta. 

This is so easy!!!

What you need:
4 frozen chicken breasts
1 large jar of black bean and corn salsa
Quick Cook Grits
Chipotle seasoning
Shredded Mexican Cheese

Place the 4 frozen chicken breasts in your crockpot.  Cover the chicken with the jar of salsa and cook on low for 8 hours.

When you are ready to eat cook your grits.  Add chipotle season...a little at a time.  It doesn't take much to make this spicy!!  I also added a couple tbsp. of butter to make the grits creamier.

Scoop up a searving of grits and add it to a plate.

Top it with your chicken and salsa.  Top with cheese

Enjoy!!

Happy Cooking!

Makin' It Monday-Pillow Case Tank Top

It has been a hot summer around these parts and the heat will probably be hangin' around for a while longer too.  I don't have very many sleeveless tops so I decided to make a tank top from a cute pillowcase that I found at a local thrift store.

I really like the loose fitting shirts I have been seeing lately...they just look comfortable.  With the heat and potential melting I will be doing the rest of the summer comfort is a big priority for me. 

I started by laying out my pillow case and flattening it.  This little hands are from Miss C who wanted to help out on this project!

The I cut the top off of the pillow case.  This left me with 16 1/2 inches of pillow case remaining.  I folded my pillow case in half so that the cutting would go quicker.

Next I measured my chest and added two inches.  I cut a strip of my accent piece (an old white sheet that I also got at the thrift store).  I also cut my accent piece 4 1/2 inches wide.

After this I sewed the ends together using a French seam. 
First, with the material wrong sides together sew with a 1/4 in seam allowance.  Trip the excess fabric away from the seam allowance.

Second, turn the material inside out (right sides together) and sew with a 1/8 in seam allowance.  Then flip the piece right side out. 

With both the accent and pillow case pieces turned inside out pin the side seams together. Continue to pin the two pieces together along the back of the shirt.  Once you get to the other side flip the shirt over.

Continue pinning.  My pillow case was bigger than my accent piece so I created little pleats on the front of the shirt.  If you do something like this make sure that you find the middle of the accent piece and pin it to the middle of the pillow case. Then arrange the pleats with the excess fabric from the pillowcase.

Sew the two pieces together.  Flip right side out.

Cut two pieces of accent fabric for your straps.  You will need to measure how long your straps need to be, mine were 17 in long and 4 in wide.  Sew the Strips together lengthwise and flip with the wrong sides together.  Flip right side out.

Now it is time to pin down the accent piece. I created a little cuff.  While doing this you will want to attach your straps.  I tried on my top to make sure my straps were placed where they need to be.

Sew the straps in place.  I unpinned the cuff around the straps and sewed a box pattern to help secure the straps.

Then I sewed the cuff down around the entire shirt.  I also made some fabric flowers and sewed them on the front to look like buttons.

Here is my final look!

I can't wait to wear it!!!

Happy Sewing!

 

Idea Sharin' Wednesday

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