Scarf Style!

Scarves are so my thing right now! Wearing a scarf  is a great way to dress up a plain shirt or dress. I am noticing that scarves can be worn on any season.

But the problem for me is: What do I do with them?

I see all these cute scarves and I think, "How will I tie that?"

Well, leave it to Pinterest to come to my rescue! There are so many cute ways to tie or knot a scarf and on Pinterest I have found the instructions on how to do a few of my favorite looks.

 

The Scarf Braid.

When I saw this I was like, "YES!" This is so cool! Braids are so in style for hair, why not for scarves? I found the instructions HERE

Very easy to follow instructions with pictures. (AWESOME)

Great idea, I love it! Thank you to  Krissa, the author of the blog I saw this on, for sharing this wonderful idea!

 

I don't know what to call this one but it looks like a Celtic Knot to me so...

The Celtic Knot

I saw this picture that was step by step on how to do this one here: Celtic Knot Pic

This was easier than I thought! :)

 

Sort of Infinity Scarf

This method turns any scarf into one of those cute infinity scarves! This opened up a whole new world for me :) How to tie a scarf.

After reading this, I hope you give one or all of these looks a try! Let me know what you think, I would love to see your scarf styles!

Men's T-shirt to Tank Top Refashion with Crochet!

I saw this idea on pintrest. The directions are HERE. From a blog called Designs by Studio C

This inspired me to make a new tank top from a men's t-shirt on this yucky April (Winter Go Away Already!!!) Day.

Things you will need:
Men's T-shirt
Good Fitting tank top- to use as pattern.
Scissors
Sewing Machine and Thread
Crochet hook
Needle and thread

(For a no sew option... just use a tank top that fits you and you can skip the first few steps, just go on to where you mark the design out on the tank!)

 First I found a tank that fits how I want this new tank to fit. I turned the t-shirt inside out. Next, lined up the tank to the men's shirt I had.

 Then, I started cutting the shape of the tank. First, I cut the bottom. Then, I cut the sides open and the arms off.

 Next, I cut the neck.  This is where the sewing comes in... Two quick seams up the sides to get the top to be fitted.

OK... Now you will have a basic tank, but this could be done on any style tank. Using a ruler, or your eye, mark lines to make the cuts.

You can go in any design pattern you like. I chose some straight lines.

 Cut slits along the lines, I made mine just under an inch wide and about a quarter of an inch apart.

Take your crochet hook and insert under 2 of the first slits. Pull the 2nd slit under the 1st.

Now you have a loop on your hook. Insert your hook under the next slit and pull it through the loop on your hook. Continue this until you get to the last slit. Stitch the last loop down to keep it from unraveling.

Do this to all of the slits you cut until you are finished with the entire design. Here is how mine turned out. I am going to make more!!! It was easy and I like how the design looks!

I am definitely going to be doing this again. I would not recommend crocheting all the way to the bottom as this has caused the edge of the tank not to lay just right.  Stopping the slits about 2 inches away from the edge will help it lay better!

Can Light to Pendant In 10 Minutes!

Over our kitchen sink is a can light. I never really thought about it before, until I was at a friend's house and saw her awesome looking pendant light over her sink. How could I change the can light in my kitchen to a fabulous pendant light? I was stumped. I am no electrician. I thought that I was going to be stuck with that generic looking can light forever. UNTIL... I was wandering around at the hardware store and saw THIS

This looks easy! So I bought it... I also bought the glass shade that I was able to pick from MANY different styles.

We followed the simple step by step instructions in the box... and 10 minutes later... Ooh La La! My kitchen is fabulous!

Upcycle Fan Gear! No SEW!

Go Blackhawks!! Gotta love the ladies' fan gear over the past few years! There are so many more choices and styles. The downside is the price... some of the really cute stuff is out of my budget. So here is a great way to save some $$$ or just to upcycle a shirt that needs some love. Also a great way to make the kids clothes last after they grow out of them...(I just thought of that and may have opened a whole new can of worms for myself there!) I got this shirt from my Sister.

 She said it didn't fit so I could have it! YAY! Well, it didn't fit me either but I knew there could be something done about that!

I got a matching shirt on the clearance rack ( Nice $4)! And decided to get to work!

Supplies:

• 2 Shirts
• 1 Pair of scissors
• Fabric Glue

I cut out the graphics on the black shirt. Then I lined up the pieces to where I wanted them to be on the new shirt.

 

Using the fabric glue, I glued it into place. I used a piece of cardboard inside the shirt to keep the glue from going all the way through.

 

The great thing about this fabric glue is that you don't need to sew, or iron. The glue just needs to have about a day to dry! I wash it inside out and even throw it in the dryer and it really lasts. I like that I left the edge raw. It has a cool worn look.

Now I will be looking for some other shirts to restyle since this one was sooo easy!!! Come back and show me your projects, I'd love to see them!

Framed Print Upcycle

Are you getting tired of some of the artwork around your house? I was! I have had this framed print for YEARS. It hasn't really gone with the style in this house but it was perfect in our old house. The frame on it I just love, so I could never get rid of it. So I decided to make the print go with the decor in my house by "up cycling" it!

 The idea came to me when I had a heap of extra fabric leftover from another project. I took the print out of the frame, and measured it. Then, I used those measurements to cut a piece of fabric. I then took a pencil and drew the "twig" design free handed onto the fabric. With some off- white craft paint I had on hand, I painted over my pencil drawing.

When the paint dried, I glued the fabric onto the board that the old print was on and placed it back into the frame. I am loving my new piece of artwork!

If you plan on doing this aroung your house, share a picture of your creation with me!

Laundry room Makeover Update: Install Sliding door!

The door into my Laundry room was just a regular door. It swung open into the laundry room and blocked access to the shelving behind it. Ideally a pocket door would go there, but the wall isn't deep enough to install one. so a wall mounted sliding door will do the trick. I found the hardware for this door system here: Sliding Door Track & Hardware

OK, It's not a great picture of the track but I was so excited to get the door up I was rushing to do the pics! I mounted the track to a flat piece of door jamb moulding.You can see the first step of the make over here: New Floor

I took the door out to the garage and painted it a robin's egg blue color. The pictures really don't show the vibrance of the color. Then I gave it a layer of glaze that was tinted with brown. I was going for that barn door feel and I think it turned out great.

I added hardware to the hole left by the doorknob that I removed.

Then, I attached the sliding door hardware to the top of the door and slid the door into the track. After some adjustments, the door works like a charm: Keeping noise out of the rest of the house while closed and saving space while open.

 

After looking at it for a few days, I decided to get some handles for the door. I think these dress it up nicely!

Black Bean Enchilada Ring Recipe

Mexican food is always a favorite in our house. We do a lot with chicken, and this original recipe was a winner. This was a Pampered Chef recipe that I had gotten; you can see the original recipe made with chicken here: Chicken Enchilada Ring

We were getting together for a "fiesta" at my friend's house and I decided to make this dish. My friend is a vegetarian and I didn't want her to miss out on the yumminess! So, I tweaked this recipe to make it vegetarian and it turned out to be a favorite with everyone!

 My version makes one for dinner tonight and another to freeze for later!

So here is my Vegetarian version!

Black Bean Enchilada Ring

1-14.5 oz can of refried black beans

1-14.5 oz can of black beans -Drained

1-14.5 oz can of whole kernel corn- Drained

1/4 cup chopped pitted black olives

1 1/2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack Cheddar Blend Cheese

1-4 oz can chopped green chilies- Undrained

1/2 cup Mayo

1 Tbsp Taco seasoning

1 plum tomato

1 lime

2/3 cup finely crushed tortilla chips

2 packages regular crescent rolls

Sour cream, salsa and shredded lettuce as optional toppings

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Mix beans, refried beans, corn, olives, cheese, green chilies, mayo and seasoning in a bowl. Mix until well combined.

3. Get a freezer bag and scoop half of the mixture into the bag. Put bag into the freezer to use to make another ring later! Nice! *You must do this before adding the rest of the ingredients.

4. Seed and chop tomato.

5. Slice lime in half and juice one of the halves.

6. Add chopped tomato and lime juice to the remaining bean mixture in the bowl.

7.Add crushed tortilla chips to bean mixture, reserving 2 tsp of chips.

8. Mix well.
9. Sprinkle reserved chips over your pan or stone that you will be baking the bean ring on.

10.Separate dough into triangles and place onto stone to make the ring.

11. Flatten out your shape with a rolling pin.

12. Scoop bean mixture onto dough shape.

13. Fold points over and tuck under.

14. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

15. Serve with optional toppings

Instructions for making the frozen one.
What you will need to add:
1 Seeded and chopped Tomato
Juice of 1 half lime
2/3 cup finely crushed tortilla chips
2 packages regular crescent rolls
Sour cream, salsa and shredded lettuce as optional toppings

Thaw bean mixture in bag. ( overnight in the refrigerator works well for me)
Empty bag into mixing bowl.
Begin from #6. in the above instructions and follow the rest of the steps from there.
Enjoy!