Tissue Boxes

Tissues! It seems we have a box of tissues in each room of the house. I found a great way to incorporate them into the room's decor. My favorite craft store, Jo-ann's has wooden tissue boxes that can be painted and crafted to anything you can imagine. I've had great fun over the years creating these.

I used the same color as our headboard to incorporate the it into our master bath.
The stencil is the same one I used on my dresser.

It was fun to play around with stamps and metallic paint.

Rub-on's are a great way fun way to jazz up a tissue box.

Rub-on's can be found at most craft stores.

I added some rickrack that I found in my stash.

For my son's room. I tried to make it look like a castle door.

For my mother-in-law. I love the buttons.

For my parents' master bath.

Guest bath at my parents' beach house.

Slipcover Plunge

Years ago when I bought our loveseat and chairs from Ikea I choose simple tan slipcovers. A couple of years later I ordered floral slipcovers. I loved mixing and matching the covers. Eventually the tan covers bit the dust. The all over floral look wasn't right. I tried to avoid spending money to get new covers for as long as I could. Right before Easter I decided to do something about it. Nothing like starting a project right before a holiday!

I decided to dye the covers for the bodies of the furniture. I figured if they didn't turn out right I would be no worse off. After much discussion with my daughter (the Artist). We (she) decided on wine for the color. I wanted green (my favorite) or a deep blue.

I dyed each cover separately. I even weighed each cover to make sure I was using the right amount of dye. For the chairs I used two bottles of Rit dye and for the loveseat three. Following the directions on the bottle I also added salt to the dye bath. Since I was hand dying it was an all day process for each cover. Throw it in the washer, while still wet start the dye bath, hand agitate the cover, after an hour rinse off as much as possible, rinse in the washer and finally wash again (with an extra rinse), dry til damp. The covers go on easier if they are slightly damp.

I really like the way they turned out. If you look real close, you can slightly see the floral pattern under the dye. This gives it a damask look. Unfortunately, it doesn't show in a picture.

I was "pinning" before it was cool!

I've been "pinning" years before Pinterest was around. As far back as I can remember I've loved to look at decorating magazines. And just as long I've been tearing pages out and saving them for future ideas. Over the years I have organized them in plastic sleeves in a binder. Now that I am in my "forever" house I have been incorporating the ideas in our home. As the ideas get realized I throw the pages away to make way for more pages. I do have a few decorating books I've purchased over the years but I perfect magazines. I love sitting at Barnes & Nobles with my Cafe Mocha and flip through magazines. If I see two or more ideas, I buy the magazine. I have ideas in my binder from magazines dating back to 1998. With Pinterest I don't need to buy as many magazines but it is still a pleasure while I'm sipping my coffee.

I love the color used in this kitchen.

While I love my current headboard I
still collect more ideas.

Another headboard idea. I could also see
doing this on a wall as a "bookcase".

These flowers are made with old
baseballs. They are on my list of
things to do for my daughter's room.

Just for fun.

My new favorite magazine is Flea Market Style.
Hey, look that's my name!

Pasta Fagioli

I usually make a double recipe because I share with family. Plus Pasta Fagioli freezes well.

Pasta Fagioli

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 tablespoon italian seasonings

6 cups of water

3 1/2 cups of tomato sauce

1 can (15.5oz) small white beans

1 can (15.5oz) pink beans

1/2 package (1 3/4 cups) Ditalini, uncooked

Rinse beans off with water and let drain

In a large pot heat oil and seansonings for

1 minute

Stir in water, tomato sauce, beans; heat

to boiling

Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 10 minutes

to blend flavors

Return soup to a boil and add ditalini and boil

stirring occasionally for 10 minutes or until

ditalini is tender

Cross Stitch Crazy Magazine Fun

Around the Christmas Season I bought several cross stitch magazines. I had such fun stitching the little free gifts that came with the magazines I kept going right through January.

Love this card.
I attached the ribbon off to the side
so the needlework isn't hidden.

This little guy is so cute.

These hanging hearts aren't very
Christmasy but they are country.
They are perfect for a friend
of mine.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is the same as on the bag of Toll House Chocolate Chips. Except I add 1 tsp of cinnamon. The cinnamon just adds a little something wonderful.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes about 75 cookies
2 1/4 cups flour	Preheat oven to 375º
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda	Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt in a
1 teaspoon salt	bowl and set aside
	Beat butter, sugars, vanilla until creamy
2 sticks butter (soften)	Add eggs mixing well
3/4 cup sugar	Gradually mix in dry ingredients
3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)	Stir in chips and walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs	Drop by teaspoon onto baking sheet
	Bake about 9 minutes
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cross Stitcher Magazine Fun

I recently bought 3 Cross Stitcher Magazines looking for holiday needlepoint inspiration. Each magazine came with a cute little free gift. I can't wait until next Christmas to share them with family and friends.

Such a cute little guy

Issue 258 October 2012

These reindeer cards make me giggle

Issue 259 November 2012

These gift tags are their own gift

Issue 260 December 2012