Suede Flower Tutorial

Thanks again to everyone who visited my giveaway post last week and for those of you who missed it-here's the tutorial on how to make your own Suede Flower.  

This tutorial will work with Suede or Pigskin.  I haven't tried it with faux leather yet, but I'm sure it will work.  I found mine from my stash and I'm not sure where I got it.  I've occasionally seen them at specialty fabric stores, or I found some sites online that sell it.  

Suede Flower

• Suede fabric
• Sharp scissors
• Brad (matching fabric)
• Elmer's Glue
• Water
• Alligator Clip (only necessary if you want to turn it into a hair clip)

Step 1:  Cut out 5 different sized circles.  My first one was approximately 3 inches and then each one is a 1/2 inch smaller (3 in, 2.5 in, 2 in, 1.5 in, 1 in).  The size of your largest circle will determine the size of your flower.  Don't stress about making them perfectly round, in fact the more imperfect the better (you'll see why in step 2). 

 Step 2: Take each circle and using scissors 'rough' up the edges.  The more imperfect the better.

Step 3: Very carefully cut a small slit in the center of each circle.  The slit needs to be big enough for the back of a brad to fit through.  

 I used an unpicker to help make sure the hole was the perfect size.

 Step 4: Starting with the smallest circle slide the brad into the small hole, then add the next circle (small to largest).  Once the brad is through all the circles flatten out the back to secure.

 Here's what it should look like.

 Step 5: Add one part Elmer's glue to 3 parts water and mix.

 Step 6: Place the entire flower into the water and use your hands to rub the glue mixture into the fabric.  Coat well.  Take it out and use a napkin to wipe off access liquid and glue.  Then with your fingers fold up edges to create the desired look.  Let dry overnight or for at least 6 hours.

 Step 7:  Add a alligator clip to the back and ENJOY!

Thanks for visiting and I'd love to hear comments!

~Bobbi

I may be linking up to many of these great parties:

M: DIY Showoff Project Parade, Metamorphosis Monday, Made by You Mondays, Just Something I Whipped Up, Today’s Creative Blog, Making Monday Marvelous

T: Get Your Craft On, Tip Junkie, Home Stories A to Z

W: Passionately Artistic, Twin Dragonfly Designs, Creative Spark @ Clean & Scentsible

Th: Just A Girl, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths

F: Sassy Sites, I’m Lovin’ It, Remodelaholic’s Anonymous, Frugal Friday, Friday Fun Finds, Feature Yourself Friday

S:  I Heart Naptime, Weekend Wrap-Up, Be Different, Act Normal, A Little Lovely

Su:  Under The Table & Dreaming, Remodelaholic

Suede Flower Contest

Congratulations to Lytles, she's the winner of my weekend blog contest-the Suede Flower.

Lytles said...

I would love to wear the blue flower!

Thanks to everyone who participated and I'll come up with a new contest soon!  

~Bobbi

Beef Chili and Cornbread

The beginning of August my husband and I took a quick trip to Island Park and Yellowstone. 

See here we are-not sure if that's the best picture of us though...

Anyways we had a blast we went fourwheeling (I have 2 great pictures of me AFTER we were done, the first time my face is brown from dirt, and the second time I'm drenched from being caught in rain-but I'm not sure if I have the guts to show you them-maybe later).  Oops -sorry I diverged, to get the point of the story my husband's uncle and aunt took us to eat at a little restaurant in West Yellowstone where I had some pretty good Chili.  Since that date I've been craving it, I'm not sure why because I'm not usually a big fan.  I didn't really have a good recipe so I made my own up using what I had. 

Beef Chili (see again I'm really good at coming up with recipe names;))

• 1 lbs ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 2 C tomato sauce
• 1 C salsa
• 2  1/2 TBSP chili seasoning ix
• 1 can of chili beans
• 1 can of red kidney beans

In a large skillet over medium heat, combine ground beef and onion and saute for 10 minutes or until beef is browned and onions tender. Drain grease if desired.  Add beef, onions and the rest of the ingredients to a crockpot, mix well and set on low heat for 6-8 hours. 

Now chili is not really chili if you don't have corn bread, and my favorite corn bread is from Marie Calendars.  I found a recipe on line here.  My husband says it was a keeper :)

 

Grown-Up Flower *GIVEAWAY*

You may think I'm a little schizo because lately I've jumped from flowers to pumpkins and now back to flowers, and you're probably right! What can I say I like to change my mind-A LOT :)  So today we're going back to fabric flowers.  One year ago I was planning my wedding and I was addicted to the chiffon burnt edged flowers (not sure if that is what they're called).  I used them in my bouquet and my hair, plus I made cute corsages for my mom, mother-in-law, and sisters (that's another post for another day).

I still love the look of these flowers and I wear them quite often; however lately I've wanted something that seems a little more grown up.  So I took the idea of the burnt edged flower and transformed it into a more grown up look.

and then I made a few more-because I'm just like that

and because I'm in a generous mood- I've decided to give one away to one of you! All you need to do is become a follower of my blog and if you want a second chance then comment on this post telling me what color you'd like (pink, yellow-orange, or turquoise blue).  I'll randomly pick a winner on Monday, and post the winner on my blog.  Then the lucky winner can claim their prize and have their very own 'grown-up flower' to wear!!!

Come back on Monday for a Tutorial on how I made the flower!

Thanks for visiting!

Bobbi

Special thanks to Valerie from Occasionally Crafty for featuring my monday post Timing-Pumpkin Patch on Three Things Thursday!!!

I posted on the following fab linkups:

Passionately Artistic, Twin Dragonfly Designs, 

 Just A Girl, Gluesticks, 

Sassy Sites, I’m Lovin’ It, Remodelaholic’s Anonymous, Frugal Friday, Friday Fun Finds, Feature Yourself Friday

  I Heart Naptime, Weekend Wrap-Up, Be Different, Act Normal, A Little Lovely

Under The Table & Dreaming, Remodelaholic

Mac and Cheese-not quite like Noodles and Company

We love Noodles and Company's Wisconsin Mac and Cheese! It is creamy and has just the right amount of cheesy goodness :) Due to me not having a job and trying to save money to someday buy a house, we've been limiting going out to eat.  Last week I was craving mac and cheese, and the powdered cheese mix just couldn't cut it.  I googled Noodles and Company's Mac and Cheese recipe and I found some that claimed they were similar.  Trying to go off of memory and the recipes we found, we ended up with a slightly cheesier and thicker version but it still satisfied my craving. I have some ideas on how to adjust it to make it closer to the coveted Mac and Cheese from Noodles and Company, but until I feel the need to experiment this version will suffice :)

Close to but not quite-Noodles and Company's Mac and Cheese

• 1 1/3 Cups Elbow Macaroni
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup low-fat milk
• 3/4 cup canned vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 cups (packed) Colby Jack Cheese

Cook macaroni in medium saucepan of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain.

Melt butter in medium saucepan.  Add flour butter; whisk over medium heat 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and broth. Bring to boil, whisking constantly. Whisk 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Add cheese; stir until melted.   Mix macaroni with cheese sauce and serve

* I dumped the macaroni and cheese into a glass pie dish, and sprinkled bread crumbs on top.  Then placed it under the broiler until the crumbs were golden brown.  It added a little crunch to it.

~Bobbi

Timing-Pumpkin Patch

There is a season for everything!  I've heard that phrase or one like unto it over and over again.  I've applied it to my life numerous times, through the heartache of dating (yeah it sucked), the tedious amounts of school work, struggling to make financial obligations, the stifling heat of my kitchen and just wanting to PLAN my life.  Is it so wrong that I want to plan?  Well I've decided lately that I need to let some things go, but others I can plan away.  So as crazy as it may appear I'm not waiting for Fall to officially begin to start to decorate :)  This is one area where I can take CONTROL and put up pumpkins, witches hats, and SPOOKY letters wherever I please. 

Here's what I've made and put up this week:

 Now I wish I could take credit for this cuteness but like most things I get the idea from someone else and then modify it to fit my style.  Maria from You Craft Me Up is the creative genius that owns this one. Check out her blog for instructions on how you make your own.  I decided to stain mine and I lined the pumpkins up-mainly because they were made at the cabin and had to travel home with me and they were less likely to get damaged this way :)

Thanks ~ Bobbi

I'm linking up to these great parties:Metamorphosis Monday, Making Monday's Marvelous, Just Something I Whipped Up, Get Your Craft On, Tip Junkie, Home Stories A to Z

Creamy Lemon Soup

I know it sounds weird, I was skeptical at first too, but I decided what the heck I'll try it.  I had all of the ingredients and when I asked my husband what he wanted for lunch he said soup and a sandwich.  The sandwich part was easy, but I was stumped on the soup.  All I could come up with was something from a can and I really wanted something fresh, light and simple.  I browsed through some websites and I came to 50 soups from the Food Network.  I looked through the site and found only 1-2 that I had all of the ingredients for (I really need to go shopping), and since my husband loves anything with lemon I figured I'd be brave and try it out.  I'm so glad I did it was DELICIOUS and filling.  I never knew that eggs can make a soup light and creamy without giving it an eggy taste (is eggy a word?) plus a great way to add some protein.  This is my new 'go to' soup, whenever I need a quick easy meal.

Lemon-Egg Soup 

slightly adapted, originally from The Food Network

• 1/2 C Orzo pasta (recipe calls for Pastina-but I only had orzo)
• 6 C Water
• 6 Bouillon Cubes
• 3 TBSP Lemon Juice

Boil Water, Bouillon Cubes and Lemon Juice.  Add Orzo pasta and cook until done.

•  2 Eggs
• 2 Egg Yolks
• 3 TBSP Lemon Juice

While Orzo is cooking  beat eggs, egg yolks and 3 tablespoons lemon juice together. Whisk in a little hot broth, then stir the mixture into the soup. Cook over low heat until thick.   I added a little pepper to mine before eating, but my husband liked his plan.

Makes 5 servings and approximately 200 calories per serving.