Frou Frou Gypsy in Combat Boots

Ok, I think i have found a new love....hand embroidery. I think it is so amazing....here are some of my favorite patterns at Urban Threads ....check out their site. They have machine patterns too! They are seriously cool!

May most favorite pair of jeans wore out. I just couldn't wear them anymore. I wasn't ready to let them go!!! If you know me, you are laughing right now because you recognize the jeans in the picture. hahaha! I used Simplicity pattern 2597 ...but instead of cargo pants, i used my beloved jeans. If you aren't familiar with this pair of jeans, the appliques were on the jeans, not something i added to the handbag. I must admit that the pattern does NOT call for the bag to be lined, but i like to hide my seams and seriously, it needed a lining! The thing i didn't do, and should have, was put some pockets on the inside!!! Seriously as many handbags as i have made, you would think that would be ingrained in my head by now, but sadly no. I was so excited about getting it together so i could see it "finished", that pockets totally slipped my mind, and were not included on the original pattern. I love it. It is nice and roomy and comfy...just like my jeans.

I am sorry to those of you who live "far off"....You can only participate in this give away if you live close enough that i can deliver this to you, or that you can pick it up from me, which probably means that you know me. i am going to post a link to this on my FB....so that will hit all my "friends". I have this "like-new", partially seasoned Pampered Chef Stoneware bowl that i simply never use. It is FREE to a good home. Just be the first person to claim it...or if there is enough interest i will do a drawing and see who gets it. If no one wants it, it is headed to the thrift store. I hope you all have a happy thanksgiving!

So i had this idea for a baby quilt. I wondered if i could pull it off....i think i just may have! Some friends of ours are expecting. He is a musician, primarily a Guitar player. I wanted to make them a quilt that would be meaningful and something that they would really appreciate, and i wanted it to be cool. They are having a little girl so it is (obviously) pink and yellow. It says..."my dad rocks!" and then smaller at the bottom it says "and my mom rolls" and has an embroidered baby carriage I of course waited until the last possible minute to take a picture of it, so I didn't get a GREAT picture of it....i did get some detail shots I modeled the guitar after one of his guitars....i was happy with it. I did the quilting and the applique with my machine but all of the embroidery was done by hand. It was the first time i ever tried applique, it was a lot of work, but totally fun and i think they really liked it.

well It's back... maybe i will be more successful this year. I had a scrapbook nightmare last week. i do so want to do this again this year. go check out the journal your Christmas post and i know you will want to join in on the fun!

ok, i found a crock pot cook book on clearance at my local book store and i bought it....i love my crock pot! I tried my first recipe from it the other night and it was a big hit! EASY BEEF STEW 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1 in cubes 1 can (4oz) mushrooms {I used one package of fresh mushrooms chopped} 1 envelope dry onion soup mix 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup 1/2 cup red or white wine {I used white} Hot cooked egg noodles. guess what? toss it all in, except the noodles, let it cook on low 8-12 hours...and voila! dinner is ready! I did add a little sour cream and a bit of a corn starch slurry at the end to thicken it a bit and make it more like beef stroganoff, which is what it looked like to me anyway..not beef stew! DH loved it and the kids said they liked it. but didn't eat a ton of it. There was enough left to freeze for leftovers on another day!

OK, i have to confess, I got this recipe from the crock pot blog that i have mentioned in earlier posts. But i changed it a little. It was the easiest thing EVER and all four of us loved it!!! OK, buy a whole chicken. skin it. you can do this, trust me! :) think of all the calories and fat you are eliminating :) slice two onions and peel one whole head of garlic. Rub the chick with seasoning...I used a Greek seasoning blend that I buy at the grocery...comes in a yellow container, can't remember what it is called. plop the bird into your crock pot and put the lemon slices and whole cloves of garlic in and around it. cook on low 6-8 hours. I prepped mine the evening before and put it in the fridge until the next morning. The chicken was moist and tender and literally fell apart in the cooker. It came out in pieces and was very yummy!!! hopefully soon i will have some updates for you and pictures. blog slacker that i have been.