Cherry Delight in the Crockpot

I was cleaning up my daughter's old iPod and found a picture of a recipe I must have taken in a magazine a long time ago.  I had all of the ingredients on hand and gave it a try!

Cherry Delight

1 can cherry pie filling

1 box of yellow or chocolate cake mix

1 stick of butter, melted

Chopped walnuts (optional)

Grease/spray crockpot and spread  pie filling on bottom.  Combine cake mix and butter - spread over pie filling. Sprinkle with walnuts.

Cook on high for 1-2 hours or until inserted toothpick comes out clean...or on low 3-4 hours until toothpick comes out clean.

Serve with cool whip or vanilla ice cream.  Enjoy!

Bane Knits?

Who knew?  I've watched The Dark Knight Rises and never noticed Bane was crafty!

Watch Bane's craft in action...

Crocheted Jute Twine Basket

So I found this pattern from blogger Crochet In Color. I used the Ombré pattern: (http://crochetincolor.blogspot.ca/2012/03/ombre-basket-pattern.html?m=1).  I just used jute twine throughout the pattern - no color changing.  I used 3 ply jute and size H crochet hook.

This pattern was so easy to follow!  I crocheted in the car at my daughter's softball practice...

 

It took just a few hours to make and it turned out really cute!  This basket cost approximately $3.00 to make!

Addicted to Chalk Paint!

I've painted furniture in the past…..sand, clean, prime and paint.  When the chalk paint craze caught my eye I thought it was too good to be true.  No sanding or priming?  So over the Fall and Winter I gave it a try.  I found a small jar of Americana chalky finish paint at Michaels.

I started with a small project, a chair that a doctor's office was throwing out.  I made sure the chair was wiped down and got to work.  It only took two coats of the paint.  It dried really quick.  I finished it with a creme wax.  It was very easy to do - just wipe on, let dry and buff away.  I recommend not skipping the wax as it gives a very rich finish.

(maybe someday I will post an 'organize your garage' blog!)

After this satisfying project I created others!

This was an end table that I turned into a lego table for my daughter.

This was an old nightstand from my husband's bachelor days.  I had taken the doors off and painted it but it still wasn't pleasing me…

I turned it into a lego table and sold it!

I hope these inspire you to give chalk paint a try!

Springtime Baby Hat

Here is a cute little project I made for a customer.  I found the pattern from Repeat Crafter me http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2013/01/crochet-bunny-hat-pattern.html
This pattern was very easy to follow and worked up fast!

Our New Addition...

Summer is over.  The kids are back in school.  No better time than now to give me something that will keep me on my toes...

This is Meka.  Our 8 week old German Shepherd.  She's definitely kept me busy these first few days.  I'm starting to see her attachment to me already.  As long as I am in ear shot or in her sight she is happy.  I've been told German Shepherds are very protective and attentive.  She has impressed me already with all she has learned!

I have a feeling my knitting needles and crochet hooks are going to be temporarily out on a shelf until I get a routine with Meka.  Until then, how about a quick, easy and tasty dip?  This comes from my friend Josette.  Thanks for sharing Jo!

Chickpea Salsa

1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)

1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)

1 yellow pepper diced

1 red pepper diced

1 avacado diced

1 cup salsa

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all together and bake for 20 min. at 350 degrees.  Enjoy with tortilla chips.

Barnwood Honey-Do List

So my neighbor came into a windfall of barnwood from a friend. He has been kind enough to share the booty! Here are just a few things we've done so far. This is a combination of my vision and the my husband's labor. He took it a step further and suggested sanding down the wood which I think was a great call. No worry about slivers and it looks a lot cleaner!