Spirit Earrings from Foam Glitter Sheets

So how do you make a light weight earring that can be shaped into your favorite football team's logo? Well, on my Hobby Lobby trip this week I set out to find something I could use to accomplish the task. I found "Silly Winks" glitter sheets in the kids craft section for 99 cents each. They are 8 1/2" x 11" foam sheets that have glitter on one side. I traced "W"s the size that I wanted on the backside of the foam sheet, cut them out precisely with an exacto knife, and then hot glued them to earrings posts that I had on hand. The minute that my youngest daughter saw them she loved them. She immediately put them on and claimed the new fashion trend at school. She had a friend over who also wanted a pair, so I made her a pair too. I will definately be making more of these. Simple, fast, and fun!

 

 

 

 

 

Little Football Fans- Appliqued Spirit Shirts

Momo is playing in the big Skyline game this Saturday at Dallas Stadium. We have all purchased our spirit shirts and are ready to cheer him on.. except for the little girls. There wasn't any Woodlands attire small enough for them, so this evening I solved that problem with a new design of my own...

 

 

I traced the "W"'s from one of the adult sized shirts on to the backside of a piece of wonder under. I ironed it to the backside of some green fabric, cut the letters out of the green fabric, and then ironed them to the front side of the little shirts. I then machine appliqued them to the shirts, added some stars, glitter, and bling. Lastly, I added "Momo" to the backside of each shirt. He really got a kick out of that. Can't wait to present the little girls with their shirts tomorrow!

 

 

This Week's Sale Ads- Bling it Up!

This week Hobby Lobby has 50% off all Gemstones. They also have a 40% off coupon for one regular priced item. We have the big Dallas Skyline game this Saturday. I am planning on "blinging" up some flip flops and my new Woodlands football shirt. Go Highlanders!

Football Tickets and The Bike Trail

Today was the day to purchase our season tickets for our son's high school football games. We knew we were in trouble when we arrived at 10am to witness little kids carrying blankets and pillows. I realize this is Texas high school football but... there were people that had been camped out all night in the parking lot to get tickets. There were big screens powered by generators playing football movies like Remember The Titans and Friday Night Lights. There were tents! At approximately 2pm it was our turn. Yes- we did get tickets. My sister got tickets. But they sold out right after that. After 4 hours of standing in line I am just glad that I remembered my checkbook!

Now this was also the day that the guys had planned a bicycle ride "as a family". After work my husband and I changed our clothes and headed to the meeting spot. Anxious to begin our family bonding time we got on the trail... At about 8 miles in we were feeling pretty proud of ourselves for surviving to that point. We were on the uphill climb back to the truck when all of a sudden a gust of wind nearly blew us off the trail. We all looked up to realize that it was actually a much more "mature" woman almost 80 years old shouting orders for us to get out of her way! It wasn't long until she was completely out of sight. We got back to the truck, loaded our bikes, and decided that we were going to go eat some dinner..

The only DIY that I have to post today is this one...

Aunt Sissy's Lasagna

This was the first night that the kitchen was "put together" enough to make a nice meal following the big move. My sister thought she would treat everyone to her famous lasagna in the new kitchen. We would arrive with the 5 of us at home in our family, the teenage boys would soon be home from football practices, and my oldest son from work. Anticipating the arrival of the human vacuum cleaners, she doubled the recipe. Prepared with 2 loaves of garlic cheese bread and a huge salad, there it sat awaiting it's imminent demise.

One at a time, the kids called...staying after football practice to eat at Jack in the Box with friends, had plans for dinner somewhere else, another decided to stay the night with a friend, and so forth. A wonderful meal, good company, and 3 large tupperware containers full of leftovers later... We have finally arrived back at the house.

Here is the recipe. Don't double it unless everyone has sent their R.S.V.P...

      ·      1 lb ground beef

·       4-5 Italian sausages

·       ¾ cup chopped onion

·       2 tablespoons salad or olive oil

·       1 can (1lb tomatoes)

·       2 cans (6 oz each) tomato paste

·       2 cups water

·       1 tablespoon chopped parsley

·       2 teaspoons salt

·       1 teaspoon sugar

·       1 teaspoon garlic powder

·       ½ teaspoon pepper

·       ½ teaspoon oregano leaves

·       ½ package (8 oz) lasagna noodles

·       16 ozs. Shredded mozzarella cheese

·       1 lb ricotta cheese

·       1 cup grated parmesan cheese

In a large pan, lightly brown beef and onion in oil. Add tomatoes, paste, water, parsley, salt, sugar, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano. Simmer uncovered; stirring occasionally, about 30 mins.

While sauce is simmering, cook sausage and cut into ½ inch pieces. Set aside.

Cook lasagna noodles as directed; drain.

In a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan, spread about 1 cup sauce. Then alternate layers of lasagna, sauce (with sausage pieces put on top also), ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese, ending with sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 mins until lightly browned and bubbling. Allow to stand for 15 mins; then cut in squares to serve.

 

 

Texas Traditions- What The MUM?

Having 2 teenagers in High School is strange enough, but having them in Texas has been quite the education- for me. My crafting skills have been tested in ways I never imagined.

Football practice started this week, which means it's time to start thinking about "The Mum". For those of you living outside of the state I am sure this is a new one like it was for me. Actually, having lived in Utah for 8 years, I can't believe they have not adopted this one!

It's the homecoming mum, and it has come a long way since the corsage days. Evidentally there used to be a real chrysanthemum flower given by a boy to his date with a few ribbons on them. Today, they are huge Gypsy-like silk chrysanthemums decorated with ribbons, stuffed animals, bells, and any kind of "Texas bling" you can think of. Even LED lights! There are special braids as well. It is not good enough to just hang ribbons. No, you must also braid them in intrecate fashion. My son will not be spending the hundreds of dollars that some boys spend. That's where I come in...

 This is the mum given to my daughter last year by her date...

And this is the start of this year's mum for my son's date. This would be the Military Braid. Notice that it is customized with my son's Offensive position... Nothing but the best from this Mom.

There will definitely be more to come on this subject. Stay tuned...

Welcome to Texas!

This is an official 'Welcome to Texas' post for my sister!

We just spent the evening unloading the last of 3 loads brought from California to their new home. Her husband is officially in the running with the Clampetts for the best stacking design on a moving vehicle. The Beverly Hillbillies have nothing on him...1 Polaris Ranger, 1 Polaris Razor, 2 4-Wheelers, 4 motorcycles, 6 bicycles, 1 weedeater, 1 wheelbarrow, 2 jackstands, and 3 gas cans on flat bed trailer! Picture this...all being pulled by a motorhome packed with every item under the sun including the family cat and a caged parakeet.

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings



Sundays are always a great time to have a nice down home meal that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside- and today was no exception. This is one of my family's favorites. Thought I would share...

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I use frozen)

1 tsp. chicken bouillon

2 cups baby carrots

2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 large can cream of chicken soup

1/2 can water

2 tsp parsley flakes

1 tsp poultry seasoning

Salt and Pepper

Dumpling Topping

Place chicken in crockpot. Add remaining ingredients except dumplings in order given. Cook on high 4-5 hours or low 7-8 hours. Cut chicken into smaller pieces . Prepare Dumpling Topping and spoon over chicken mixture. Tilt lid to vent steam and cook on high for 30 minutes or until dumplings are cooked in the center.

Dumpling Topping:

2 cups flour

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 Tbsp sugar

Cut in until course and crumbly:

1/2 cup butter

Add and stir until completely moist:

2/3 cup cold milk

Laundry Soap

I don't like laundry, but I love this laundry soap...I have been using it exclusively in our house for over a month. Everyone that walks through our backdoor (by the laundry room), asks what that good smell is. My oldest son is about the most critical of any laundry smell on his morning shower towel-and he loves it too. Not only does it smell good, but the clothes are nice and clean. Whites are white, and my HE washer hasn't had "that smell" either. I haven't even used additional laundry softener like I have always done. Having been a Tide/Downey person, I am shocked that I have stuck with this.

Give it a try...

Mix all ingredients well in a 5 gallon bucket and then just refill a smaller container for daily use. I use 1/4 cup for small loads and 1/2 cup for large loads, placing it directly in the drum of the washing machine before loading the clothes.

1- 4 lb. box Borax

1- 3 lb. 7 oz. box Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda

1- 3 lb. container Oxy-Clean

2- 14 oz. boxes of Zote soap flakes

1- 4 lb. box Arm and Hammer Baking soda

3- 28 oz  bottles Purex Crystals

*Yield- 168 loads ($.15/load compared to $.63 Tide/Downey)

 

 



Repurposed Window Wall Decoration

Repurposed this old window I found at a barn sale this summer. It was in pretty bad shape, but I saw it's potential! Sanded, painted, and added wooden flower boxes filled with an arrangement of spring flowers. Made a curtain on the back and topped it all off with a great family quote. I donated it to our annual Wade-Beale Family reunion this summer in Wimberly, TX as a raffle item. Can't wait for next year's 50th reunion!

Norris Family Tree Wall Hanging

This is the appliqued Family Tree I made for my brother Justin and his new wife Caitlin as a wedding gift this summer. It starts with their leaf at the bottom containing their birth dates and wedding date, with each leaf winding all the way to the top 11 generations back to Nicholas Norris and his wife Sarah Cox. They married in New Hamphire on 11/21/1663. Nicholas was the first Norris to immigrate to America in 1654 as a 14 year old stowaway. Since Justin is the last in this long line of Norris' I am hoping this will give him a hint...

This tree was constructed in the same manner as my other one. Each couple's information was embroidered on a rectangle piece of fabric, each leaf shape cut out around the names and dates, and then placed on the background with wonder under. The tree was drawn in around the leaves since they are the focal point. I added additional leaves, acorns, and the Norris banner to fill in the space and then machine appliqued everything in place. The final framed size is 30 1/4 x 44 1/4.

Justin and Caitlin showcased their Family Tree in the entrance to the church at their wedding. 

Repurposed Pillow Case Apron

Last summer my husband and I joined other adult leaders and 200+ teenagers in Oklahoma as Ma and Pa for a Mormon Pioneer Trek reinactment. We spent months preparing all the items needed for an authentic pioneer experience. Thats when I figured out how to repurpose an inexpensive pillow case into a cute apron for the girls. By cutting everything exactly- no waste and no hemming..

Cutting Out The Pieces:

				8"
				21"
		OPEN
		END
			4"

1.       Cut 8” off for pockets.

2.       Cut 4” off for waistband/ties.

3.       Iron Open

4.       Pockets- Split seams, cut top in half, making 4 pieces- 8" X 10”

5.       Waistband/ties- split seams on strips, making 2 pieces, 21 " LONG 

		4"

 
6.     Open up the 4" seam on each strip.

7.       Cut the extra 4" off one strip, save 21" for waistband.

8.       Cut the other strip in half, making 2- 2" X 25" strips for ties.

STITCHING/FINISHING:

1.       POCKETS- Iron 1/4 under all sides. Fold top down 1" and stitch. Place 2 pockets  4" from center.

2.       APRON SIDES- iron 1/4" under, turn 1/4" again and top stitch both sides.

3.       TIES- Fold right sides together, stitch, turn inside out with pin. Iron. Close 1 end.

4.       WASTEBAND- Gather apron top at 1/4" and 5/8" with long stitches. Pull and gather to 1"       inside each end of waistband. Pin waistband to top of apron right sides together, stitch, turn, leaving ends open.

5.       TIES- Place open end of tie into waistband opening. Fold, Stitch, close.

Decorate any way you like... Enjoy.