Harvest...Thankful...It's Fall!

I think this is my favorite time of the year for decorations.  I love the thankful theme!  Here is how my house is decorated these days:

 I got the Thankful block idea here.

 I love my Thankful frame.  Each week everyone in my family thinks of something they are thankful for.  It is good to have a little reflection time.  I can't say I came up with the idea.  I copied it from somewhere, but for the life of me, I can't find it.  So please, if you have seen it somewhere and know, please let me know so I can give credit!    Yay!!  I found out where I got it.  It was from Heather over at WipperBerry and you can find the tutorial here.  Don't you LOVE it!!!

Leaf cards hung with simple Mod Podged clothes pins.

 A little jute strung through little eyelets.  Simple!

Leg Warmers

I hope you all had a great Halloween.  We had fun, but personally, I was excited to put away the Halloween decor and get the rest of my Thanksgiving decorations out!

Anyway, I thought I would share a few Halloween pictures of my kids--and the FANTASTIC (at least I thought so) leg warmers for my girlies.

 Halle wanted to be a ballerina.  Since it has decided to get COLD around here, I decided she needed the perfect accessory--leg warmers.  I cut off the arms of an old sweater that I never wear.  Love getting a use out of it!

 I had bought this spider costume a year ago when I was still pregnant and didn't know if I was having a boy or girl.  Well, while the costume is cute, I knew it needed something to make it look a little "girly."  I had just finished making these little leg warmers from THIS tutorial.  Once again, the perfect accessory!  I love how they turned out (and I love that they really did just take 10 minutes!).

 I am definitely going to be watching for cute little knee high socks to make more of these cute little things!

A Taggy Blanket {tutorial}

A friend came to my house awhile ago, and her baby had the cutest little taggy blanket.  I loved the small, square size and decided my little Reese needed one of her own.  So, I dug out some fabric and ribbon scraps, found a little time (30-45 min-but you could probably do it faster!), and this is what I ended up with:

 And here's how to do it:

 1-- Cut your fabric.  You could easily just use one solid fabric per side, but I wanted to use up scraps, so I made mine quilt-style.  My brown square started out about 8 1/2".  My small squares started 4 1/2".

2--Sew your small squares together.  I used a 1/4" seam. (Ignore this step if using single piece of fabric).

 3--Cut ribbon, lace, or ric-rac (about 2"-4" each).   I used 16 total-4 per side of the square, but this totally depends on you.

4--Pin the ribbon onto the right side of the fabric (either the front or back).  The ribbon needs to be pointed in toward the center of the square.

 5--Sew the ribbon in place by sewing a 1/4" seam around the square of fabric.

6--Now take both squares of fabric.  Pin right sides together.  Sew around with a 1/4" seam.  Leave about a 3" section so you can turn right side out.
**Sorry, I didn't take pictures of these steps.

7--Turn right side out.

8--Sew a topstitch all around.  This makes a nice finish, plus it closes up the hole you used to flip the fabric.

Ta-da.  You're done.  Easy, easy, and your baby will LOVE it!

And I'm Back...

Okay, I realize it's been FOREVER since I posted last.  Sorry.  The last two months have been a little (or a lot) crazy--including a big move from Colorado to Washington.
The good news is that I am finally feeling like I can breath again.  I had been feeling like I was underwater--SO much to do.  But things have slowed down now.  I am mostly unpacked and settled, the husband started his new job, kids are back in school, and now I feel like I can get back into crafting.

Here is a super easy craft for you.  Remember that cloche I made awhile ago?  Well, I have been debating what to put in it.  Then one day it hit me--a bouncy ball.  You know those bouncy balls you buy your kids for a quarter at Old Navy (am I the only one that does this?).  I have TONS.  I guess I have been to Old Navy kind of a lot.

 But of course, I couldn't just put in plain old bouncy balls.  No, but after about 10 minutes they were ready.

 Quite simple.  Only thing I used, JUTE, YARN, and SCISSORS.  Simple.  Start wrapping the ball in the yarn or jute.  I didn't even glue or anything.  Just wrap until you are happy with how it looks.  I didn't go in any particular pattern.  Once it is covered and looks okay, cut the yarn and tuck in somewhere.  It doesn't get much easier than that.  Oh--and thank your kids for letting you borrow a few of their balls.  Luckily, I don't think they'll be missed.

Hooray for being back to crafting!

Chicken, Spinach & Artichoke Panini

Remember my post from yesterday?

Well, here is the DELICIOUS recipe I used:

For your bread, use crusty artisan bread from the bakery.  Or, try THIS recipe out and make it yourself!

For the spinach & artichoke spread: (also makes an awesome dip for breads, crackers, and veggies)
     1/2  (10 oz) package frozen spinach, partially thawed and chopped
     1/2 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
     1 package softened cream cheese
     1 (16 oz) container sour cream
     1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, grated
     Garlic salt or powder to taste
**Note, this makes quite a bit.  I usually half the recipe and still have plenty for at least 4 sandwiches.  I also don't measure exactly--just spoon in approximate amounts.

Mix all ingredients together.  Spread some on each side of your sandwich.  Add sliced grilled chicken.  Then grill your panini to perfection.  Delicious!

The Poor Man's Panini Press

Okay, so I LOVE panini sandwiches!  I think they are quite possibly my all-time favorite food.  Only problem is I don't have a panini grill.  Luckily, my sister gave me this great tip of how ANYONE can make their own panini using simple things everyone has lying around their kitchen:
1--A Griddle (either electric, or one used on your stovetop)
2--A heavy frying pan
3--Heavy cans from your pantry (I usually use pumpkin puree).

That's it.  You want to see how it is done?

 Make your sandwich.  Smash two sides together.  No butter needed on outside of bread.

 Place heavy pan with heavy canned goods on top of your sandwiches.  You can do several sandwiches at once--which is great for a family!

 Cook several minutes on each side--just check occasionally to know when to flip the sandwich.  Cook until brown and a little crusty.

  Enjoy!

Stay tuned for this great recipe.  Yum!

Another Tag

My daughter started preschool today!!!  I'm not sure what I am going to do with only a newborn at home, but I know I am going to enjoy the QUIET!  Anyway, with Halle starting school, she of course needed her own backpack tag.  Here's what I came up with--a little more girly than Cole's!

P.S. I know her shirt isn't the cutest--school uniform.  They get to wear a school t-shirt everyday.  Oh, and don't worry that she is 3, but the smallest size they sell is 6-8.  Poor girl.  Oh well, at least I don't have to worry about her ruining all her good clothes!