7/6 ~ Words

 

7.6.23: pesto pasta salad

7.6.22: PSA: phones

7.6.21: recipe holder hack 

7.6.20: wine cork cork board

7.6.19: propagating plumeria 

7.6.18: watermelon 'sushi'

7.6.17: garden update

7.6.16: river cruise packing

Felt Pouch with Fortune

I've been working on cleaning out my craft room, it'll take forever as I've got soooooo much stuff crammed into every nook and cranny! Ugh. The fun thing about the process tho is coming across projects I forgot I've made - take this one for example, I made a ton of these back in the early 2000's and am just coming across them again. I still think it's a cute idea so I'll share.

I have no idea why or how I got this idea to make simple little felt pouches and embellish them with fortunes I made up or Googled hahaha, but they are super cute and easy to make fun little gifts. I found thick plastic ziplock pouches and cut felt big enough to cover; in this case my pouch is approx 6.75 x 3.75 so I cut a piece of felt 8 x 7. 

Print a fortune on paper or cardstock, cut it out, sew it to a piece of coordinating felt that is a bit bigger than the size of the paper - in this example the fortune is 2.25 x 1.25, the felt piece behind it is 3 x 1.25. Then sew the small felt piece with the paper onto to the larger piece of felt about .75" - 1 inch from the top edge (your pouch will be 7" across and 4" high, so the top edge of the pouch is the 7" side). Add beads and sequins if you want. Fold the 8" felt in half, sew the 2 short ends together leaving the top (opposite the folded side) open. Insert the plastic pouch or a small gift. 

Note: I made these for Christmas presents, so I printed "lucky numbers 12, 25, 03" in small text under the fortune. You could make up random numbers or other significant dates, or the name of your fortune company (again, some random words like "The Peking Fortune Company" or something more significant). 

Some examples of fortunes:

• THE SECRET TO GOOD FRIENDS IS NO SECRET TO YOU
• THERE ARE MANY UNEXPECTED AND THRILLING SURPRISES IN STORE FOR YOU
• BETTER TO WEAR SLIPPERS THAN TO CARPET THE ENTIRE WORLD
• THE BEST TIMES OF YOUR LIFE HAVE NOT BEEN LIVED
• GOOD CLOTHES OPEN MANY DOORS - GO SHOPPING
• HOW YOU LOOK DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU GO
• A SURPRISE TREAT AWAITS YOU
• YOUR CHARACTER CAN BE DESCRIBED AS NATURAL AND UNRESTRAINED
• NEVER TROUBLE TROUBLE, TIL TROUBLE TROUBLES YOU

7.5.23: diaper floral arrangement

7.5.22: fanny pack gift idea

7.5.21: vinyl wall words in the bathroom 

7.5.20: 🔥week 27

7.5.19: lego scottie and hydrant

7.5.18: how to grease a bundt pan 

7.5.17: chocolate mint cookies

7.5.16: bleu cheese dressing

July 4th, 2024

You've seen this post before - but it says all the things I want to say again this year so...why reinvent the wheel hahahah!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

cheers to:

~Stars and Stripes~
~Freedom~
~Sparklers~
~Parades~
~Liberty~

and food, fireworks, family, and friends

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

A note from the dog:

Guys! I usually like loud noises and want to go check out what's happening but seriously...fireworks are scary so please read these tips my mom found. She also turns on the tv which I appreciate...I know she's just trying to distract me from the loud noises outside but since I LOVE to watch tv and bark at anything that moves on the screen it makes the fireworks a little bit easier to take. They are fun for people, but not for me and my friends. Just sayin'. Now go have fun and save me some hot dog.

Love, The Sarge

7.4.21: 🔥 week 27 

7.4.20: Independence day

Brownies with Sprinkles

This is a repost from May '21 - an easy last minute dessert with red, white, and blue sprinkles perfect for celebrating the Fourth! 

Bake and frost a pan of brownies (I'm partial to Ghirardelli's triple chocolate) and top with a generous amount of reed, white, and blue sprinkles. Cut them into small squares, like half the size you normally would - you know there's always too much food at a dish-to-pass picnic so I figure some smaller bites of brownies will be a good option for people. 

I've been pre-slicing and individually portioning desserts for the past year to help spread the (sugar) love and not germs! 

 

7.3.23: couples baby shower plan copy

7.3.22: 🔥 week 27 

7.3.21: slow cooker cheesy breakfast potatoes

7.3.20: patriotic donut pops

7.3.19: patriotic mini fruit pies

7.3.18: triple berry shortcake

7.3.17: june outfits

7.3.16: nail art for the 4th

Tip-sy Tuesday: Repair a Torn Umbrella

My sis borrowed my old travel umbrella (it's really perfect for travel - it fold up small and fits in a hard zipper case so even if it's wet you can easily slip it into your tote/purse/pocket) and when she brought it back she mentioned that it has a small tear in it - not big enough that the umbrella wasn't useful, she just wanted me to know (and also wanted me to know she didn't do it hahahha). Anyway, I really like the umbrella so figured I'd try to repair it. My initial thought was to maybe sew it somehow, but when I Googled for solutions I read that some umbrellas can be repaired using a vinyl patch like for pool floats and other inflatables. I happened to have a clear vinyl repair patch kit on hand and simply cut out 2 squares large enough to completely cover the rip, applied one on each side of the umbrella and it totally worked! Saved my umbrella and it was incredibly easy to do. Just thought I'd share that tip in case you have a ripped umbrella (whether or not you blame your sister for the rip is your call 😂). 

Didn't take a photo - but it wouldn't have done you any good anyway, you can't see the repair at all. So just picture an umbrella and you've got the idea LOL.

7.2.23: 🔥 week 27

7.2.22: 10 minute chain workout

7.2.21: dessert hot pockets

7.2.20: pompom earrings

7.2.19: tip-sy tuesday: storing ribbons and trims

7.2.18: berry cake

7.2.17: cheesy stuffed omelet

7.2.16: chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches

Rhubarb Banana Bread

LeDonna made that yummy rhubarb bread last week and it made me wonder if rhubarb banana bread would be a good combination because I had 2 many ripe bananas to use up...and sure enough, it's great too! I used a different recipe than the one she shared, based it on the recipe I posted for zucchini banana bread and just swapped out the zucchini and added 2 cups diced rhubarb instead - another winner!

Note: I forgot to take a picture - not suprising that it looks just like most other quick breads! 

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 t. vanilla
• 3 cups flour
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1/2 t. baking powder
• 3 t. cinnamon
• 1 t. nutmeg
• 2 cups diced rhubarb (thawed if it's frozen, pat dry)
• 2 ripe mashed bananas

Preheat oven to 325'. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans*.

Beat together eggs, oil, and sugar until well combined. Mix in vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and stir into the wet ingredients. Stir in the zucchini and banana.

Divide the batter equally in the prepared pans. Bake 55-60 minutes. I tend to remove the bread from the oven when it's almost not cooked thru and a long skewer has a touch of batter on it - the bread will cook a little more on the counter in the hot pans. Leave for 30 minutes, remove from the pans, and let cool before wrapping them up. 

*I made 6 mini loaves (1/2 cup batter each) and had 2 cups left over to make 1 regular size loaf.  Bake time will vary depending on the size of your pans. 

7.1.23: words

7.1.22: salt and pepper shrimp 

7.1.21: baked salmon with crab topping

7.1.20: molasses sugar cookies

7.1.19: mosaic stepping stone

7.1.18: caprese salad with blueberries

7.1.17: beaded flag pin

7.1.16: patriotic donut pops

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 26)

Dear Campers ~ 

Here's a quick recap in case you missed anything at camp last week:

Posts ~

6/23: 🔥 week 25

6/24: small crochet owl basket

6/25: TT no-cook camping meals 

6/26: ACOTAR charcuterie board 

6/27: rhubarb quick bread

6/28: rag flag door hanger re-run 

6/29: words 

That's it for this week! See you next week for more projects, crafts, recipes, whatever we can think of to make at camp - bye :)

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor

6.30.23: msti: oven s'mores

6.30.22: patriotic gnome

6.30.21: hermits

6.30.20: tip-sy tuesday: tension rods

6.30.19: 🔥week 26

6.30.18: strawberry collins
6.30.17: make a flag luminary

6.30.16: make a red white and blue headband

6/29 ~ Words

 This made me laugh 😂 So true!

6.29.23: french fries by Macey

6.29.22: quinoa and sweet potato bowl

6.29.21: sewing tip

6.29.20: RV living (privacy curtain)

6.29.19: 3D paper stars

6.29.18: Lisa's button flag art

6.29.17: red, white, and blue windsock

6.29.16: patriotic potato salad

Rag Flag Door Hanger (re-run)

Here's a rerun project for the $th - a flag made from strips of red, white, and blue fabrics that I tied onto a hanger for our back door. I still put this up, and it stays up most of the year because I like it so much! 

The original post dated 6/28/29: 

I saw something like this online (probably Pinterest) and filed it away in the crafting part of my brain (which is about 95% of my brain haha) for a later date. Well, cleaning up my craft room I remembered I still have leftover material from my Patriotic Wreaths and this idea popped up in my mind. 

This came together so quickly - just cut 26" strips of red and white material and tie them to a hanger. Then cut 18" of blue material and tie in between the red and white strips on the left side.

I added some ribbon and pompom trim to finish it, but not sure it really needed it - you know me tho, never know when to quit haha! 

I hung it on the door going into the house from our garage where it'll be protected from the weather - hoping it doesn't fall off the hook...if it does I'll close up the hanging loop with pliers.

6.28.23: balsamic roasted baby peppers

6.28.22: S'mOreos

6.28.21: another mask pattern

6.28.20: 🔥week 26

6.28.19: flag door hanger

6.28.18: painted mason jar with paper pinwheels

6.28.17: healthy berry trifle

6.28.16: travel - Goodwood

Rhubarb Quick Bread

LeDonna made this bread and sent me pics and the recipe - I've never heard of rhubarb bread so I was intrigued...fortunately she then brought me some and it's so good!! Don't let the thought of tart rhubarb stop you from making this, it doesn't have a strong rhubarb flavor. Yum. 

• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 2/3 cup oil
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 T. lemon juice
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups rhubarb, diced
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• 1 T. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350'. Grease 2 9x5x3-inch loaf pans. 

In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil until creamy. Beat in egg. 

Mix flour, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl; Add the lemon juice and vanilla to the buttermilk; stir the flour mixture into the sugar mixture, alternately with buttermilk mixture. Fold in rhubarb and walnuts. 

Pour batter into prepared pans.

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon into the melted butter; sprinkle over top of each loaf.

Bake about 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool completely on a rack. Wrap and store in refrigerator. 

6.27.23: TT cleaning shower doors

6.27.22: photo keychain gift by Jenny

6.27.21: 🔥 week 26

6.27.20: garden squirrel

6.27.19: MSIH: chicken and wild rice casserole

6.27.18: paper pinwheels

6.27.17: pompom earrings