Friday 30 December 2011

Flower Hats

Here is a new hat that I knit for a 6 year old girl to match her super cute, hot pink coat that she wears to church. 
I made two different flower options for her to choose from, and she and her Mom chose the loopy flower. 


Wednesday 21 December 2011

Pee Wee Hair Clips

I was waiting in line at Winners the other day, and saw a package of this really cute, different patterned ribbon.  I knew that I was going to buy it as soon as I saw it, but wasn't sure what exactly I was going to do with it.  So, I bought it, went home, and checked out Pinterest for some ideas.........Hair clips!!  for babies, little girls, whoever wants to wear them.  So, I am now selling hair clips along with my hats. 

The clips with the single strip of ribbon are $1.50 each and the more detailed ones, with bows and flowers are $3.00 each.  If you buy 5 or more at once, I'll throw in a free one! 

Here are a few of the ones I've made so far.....many more to come!





Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

If you like the peanut butter and chocolate combo, you'll love these.  I make them every year at Christmas, this year I'm a little behind on my Christmas baking, but they only take 6 ingredients so they're easy to whip up.  The only time consuming part is rolling all the balls, but this is the perfect opportunity to get your kids to help out!!:)


Ingredients:
  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 3/4 cup icing sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups Rice Krispies
  • 300 gram package chocolate chips
  • 6 squares of semi-sweet chocolate
 1. Mix peanut butter, icing sugar, butter, and Rice Krispies together in a large bowl.

2. Roll into bite size balls.  (If you find it too sticky to roll, put the bowl in the freezer until the mixture is frozen, it'll be alot easier) Place on a cookie sheet.

3. Melt the chocolate in a small saucepan; (while the chocolate is melting, I put the cookie sheet of peanut butter balls back in the freezer to keep them firm.)  Roll peanut butter balls in chocolate; place back on cookie sheet.

4. Place cookie sheet back in freezer until chocolate hardens.
            


***You can store them in the fridge until you need to serve them, but I like to keep them in the freezer, they will keep longer and I like to serve them frozen. 

Bacon, Ranch, and Chicken Mac and Cheese

Only two words to describe this dinner......SO GOOD!!!!  John and I love this dish, and Joey even ate it with us last night!  :)

Ingredients:
  • 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni (about 2 1/2cups)
  • 1 slice of bacon (I do 4 slices)
  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups of milk
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 3/4 cup shredded six-cheese Italian blend (like Sargento, I also have just used a three-cheese blend)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh dill (I have used dried as well, still tastes good)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.


2. Cook bacon in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until crisp.
Remove bacon from pan, leaving the drippings in pan.  Finely chop the bacon; set aside.
Increase heat to medium-high.  Add chicken to drippings in pan and cook until no longer pink inside.

3. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, sprinkle flour evenly into pan. 
Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk.  Combine milk and soup, stirring with a whisk;  gradually add milk mixture to saucepan, stirring with a whisk.  Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick.
Remove from heat.  Add Italian cheese blend, onion powder, garlic salt, and dill, stirring until the cheese melts.  Stir in pasta and chicken.

 
4.  Preheat broiler.

5. Spoon mixture into an 8-inch glass baking dish (I used corningware).  Sprinkle evenly with cheddar cheese and bacon.  Broil for 3 minutes or until cheese melts.  Makes about 4 servings.



***John and I both love ketchup on our mac n' cheese, but I felt like ketchup would ruin it, so we use Bullseye Bold BBQ sauce, and it's really good!!!!  Enjoy!

Thursday 8 December 2011

Boot Socks


I love the layered look for any type of clothing. In alot of fashion ads, you'll see the models wearing boot socks, so I went searching for a pair to buy, but they cost anywhere from $25 to $100!!!!  ridiculous!!!! 
And when you wear a full boot sock, you have to stuff you pants into it, and it gets all bunchy and uncomfortable, so here’s a much easier way to get the look.


Items Needed:
  • old sweater
  • sewing machine
  • embelishments, if wanted (buttons, bows, lace...etc.)
1. Take an old sweater that you don't wear anymore.


2. Cut off the sleeves.


3. Hem the bottoms where you cut.



And you have boot socks for FREE!!!!
If you don't already have bottons on your sweater sleeves, you could easily sew some on, or glue a little bow, or lace to the top. 


Ornament Wreath

Super easy and festive!


Items needed:
  • wire hanger
  • glue gun
  • ornaments
  • ribbon

1. Take your hanger and stretch it out into a circle.



2.  Untwist the top, so that you can slip the ornaments onto the wire.

3.  Take the tops off your ornaments and hot glue them back on.  You may be able to skip this step, if you tops are securely on already, but I used alot of glass ornaments, and thought better safe than sorry.



4.  Slip all your ornaments onto the wire hanger until it's full.



5.  Twist the top of the hanger back together, tie a ribbon on to it for hanging up, and ta-da.......you have an ornament wreath.