Quick Crafting Fix

Hi there!  School's not quite finished, but I've been needing quick crafting fixes every now and then.  Here's a couple of the things I've made and wear a lot.  They're becoming my new favorites!

Tutorial for this type of necklace found here at My Blonde Ambitions.  It calls for a clasp for your neck, but I simply tied it at a length that I could fit over my head.  Saving clasps for another necklace!

I changed this $7.99 TJ Maxx shirt...

into this springy Ruffly Shirt!

Tutorial found here at Ruffles and Stuff

I'm working on a few things in my spare time for mother's day and will be posting them soon!

ilovepasta!

Did you know...

That there's an actual National Pasta Association.  And their website is ilovepasta.org!  How cool is that!  They have a picture glossary of all the kinds of pasta, so if you're getting bored with regular old spaghetti, check out the website and they can help you find a new noodle to try!  They also have suggestions of how use, store, cook, and reheat pasta!  I love pasta!  And here's a lovely recipe idea from Make It And Love It that I tried last night and DEVOURED it!

Lynette's Laughable Life

This made me laugh yesterday, and I thought I'd share it with you!

More Comics found here

Sneak Peak!!!

I'm participating in Obsessively Stitching's "First Quilt Ever," Series.  I was challenged with my Young Women to make a quilt this year.  At first I was really nervous, and then when I saw that Care was going to show us every step of the quilt, and they were just beginning the series I said,
"Let's do this!" 

When I saw the pattern of quilt we're going to do, I was definitely on board!
I'm hoping to make mine in the same type of layout as one of the first two quilts.
SUPER CUTE!

Yesterday I cleaned my house, and my husband said that if I did I could go buy my fabric!  

I got all of this for a little over $11!  (Yay!)

These will be the squares:

 Here's a close up of the patterned squares (mainly so my dear sister can see them!)

Last night I had some alone time, and cut most of the squares.  This morning I finished them up with only a couple minor mistakes!  I'm all ready for the next step but will probably be behind the group from now on for a bit, as school is super busy.  I knew I just needed to use my motivation while it was present!  

Stay tuned to see if I am able to do it (with as few mistakes as possible)!

Dear Summer...

Dear Summer,
When school is FINALLY out, I want to:
Complete the One Week to A Cleaner Home challenge from Queen of the Castle (Again, remember how spring break and I totally were best friends on this challenge!  LOVED it!)
Make a brown bag notebook from Eighteen25
Make more of the Beaded Necklaces from My Blonde Ambitions (I made 2 last weekend...pictures coming soon!)
Read lots and lots of books
Make the "Murphy's" Layered Skirt with my little sis from Ruffles and Stuff
Re-establish the weekly tradition of making home made bread
Play with super cute kids
Make a (few) Ribbon Headbands from The CrEaTiVe CraTe
Make the Lemonade Dress from Ruffles and Stuff
Drink lots of Lemonade
And of course, spend time with my husband and our families!
Please come soon!





P.S.  Please send Winter the message to stop sending snow!  Thanks a bunch!!! :)

Busy!

The end of the semester is quickly approaching...

which basically means...

I live in a dirty house, 

and cook last-minute meals, 

and hopefully find time to do laundry....

oh and HOMEWORK...

and take a really big "let's see if you're smart enough to be a teacher test," called the PRAXIS.
(I hope I pass...the first time!)

I'll be done in less than a month, and then I'll have PLENTY of time to create some of the fun projects that are on my ever-growing wish list.  

Stay tuned, I promise I'll be back!

Oven-Baked Pasta Dish

Ever have nights where you know you have to cook, but you just want to throw something in the oven and be done?  The other night was one of those for me.  Here's what I made:

Oven Baked Pasta

1 jar of spaghetti sauce (If your sauce is thick, you'll need to add water to make it runny so your noodles cook well)

about 2 cups of UNCOOKED noodles (I used radiatore, but penne, macaroni, or anything like that would be great)

1/2 to 1 pound ground beef

pepper salt

onion powder

garlic powder (I didn't put any in because of this incident)

oregano

basil

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

1 cup cottage cheese

Brown your ground beef and preheat your oven to 350.  Put a small amount of sauce at the bottom of an 8 X 8 dish.  Grate some cheese on top of sauce.  Then add meat, noodles, spices as needed (my sauce is spiced well, so I didn't add much), rest of sauce, and the rest of cheese on top.  I added some italian seasoning on top for looks.  Cook for about an hour at 350.

I cooked it without the cottage cheese, and my husband added it in afterward.  Next time I'll throw it in at the beginning.  The cottage cheese helps cut down on the acid from the sauce, and makes it more creamy.  Way yummy!  Serve with toast, a vegetable, or a salad.  Enjoy!

My First Award!

Yesterday I was checking my blog for new comments when I was supposed to be doing homework (yes, I check...I LOVE comments!!!), I noticed that Kelli from Whimsi Kel had left me a comment to check out her blog.  

And I saw this...

 How exciting!  Thanks Kelli for giving me this award, I love it!  I'm in use of some sunshine since it's been snowing where I live this week! :(

The rules for this award are:

The rules of this award are as follows:

Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
Pass the award to 12 bloggers.
Link the nominees within your post.
Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.
Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.

I picked some blogs I've read for awhile, and other blogs that I've just discovered!  

Here's some sunshine to you!

Apron Girls

Be the Thread

The Girl Who Ate Everything

Get Your Craft On

Got to Love Gingham

Homemade By Jill

The Idea Room

 Myla Rose

My Crafty Side

Nap Time Crafts 

Obsessively Stitching

Pajama Mamma

Tea Rose Home