Tote Bag {Back to School!}

My first real attempt at a tote bag and it was a success! I had SO much fun making this for an Elementary teacher friend of mine. She teaches another friends son, so for her birthday I made the bag and the other friend filled it with goodies from the whole class for a gift. What a great gift idea for a teacher. I will be sharing the full tutorial soon, but for now here's a look at the bag. I love the "teachery" fabric. SO fun to sew with...

Vegetarian Sushi Rolls and Tasty Tuesday Party.

 Go check out this weeks SO YOU THINK YOU'RE CRAFTY projects. I had a blast making this weeks project. VOTE  for your favorite please!

 

My good Chinese friend makes this amazing and delicious sushi rolls. I love them because the filling is not scary "stuff" and they are easy to make. I had her come over and show me how to do it and now I'm going to share my sushi lesson with you!

 What you will need:

bamboo mat for rolling

all purpose blending rice

seasoned rice vinegar

seaweed sheets

filling: Fried egg, mozzarella cheese, cucumber

 

1. Cook rice 1 cup. dry rice with water as instructed on package. When cool stir in  1TBS rice vinegar.

2. Prepare filling: Fry flat sheet of egg, cut in strips. Peel and slice cucumber. Cut Mozz into strips.

3. Lay seaweed paper on bamboo mat, using wet fingers or a wet spoon cover half with a layer of rice. Press flat and firmly pack down. in the center of the rice pile the three fillings.

4. Using the mat, roll up firmly pressing down and keeping tight (see video) 

5. cut roll into 1 inch think slices. serve chilled, yum!

Here's  video for further help!

Now onto the fabulous links from last week. Thanks for all the sweet comments (love them!) and the great ideas. I have made so many of your recipes lately. Loving it!

The Sweet Swiper-Broccamole

Lady Behind the Curtain-Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

Megs Everyday Indulgence-Baked Loaded Jalepenos

Real Food Matters- A Better Mocha

Beurrista- S'mores Cupcakes

 

This week I'd love to hear about any PUMPKIN recipes you are using as I am craving it!

Anthro inspired shower curtain: SYTYC

My project this week got by... yeah! Although it looks really amazing in our bathroom, I don't think it photographed well. Here is my post from last week. Check back Monday for the next project, its a good one!
Well, I must say I took the term "knock-off" pretty loosely. I didn't really mean too, it just sort of happened and I really love the finished product. But, does it look anything like the original... not really. I do love the diagonal pattern of the flowers and the overall ambiance of the curtain though.

From the beginning of this project I knew I was going to make it quite a bit different from the original. I had a flower shape in mind and just went with it. Some supply and dying issues got in the way, but I was able to overcome.

The finished product looks incredible hanging in our (dingy, little) bathroom. I am waiting for the spray paint smell to leave, but I already love it and can't wait to use it. Totally wishing I had an awesome bathroom like in the Anthro catalog, but at least I have a great new shower curtain!

Linked up to these great sites:

Weekend Wrap Up Party-Tatertots and Jello

Feature Yourself Friday-Fingerprints on the Fridge

Look At Me-It's Fun to Craft

Home and Family Friday-Home is Where My Story Begins
Make it Fantabulous-Mommas Kind of Crafty

Friday Brag Fest-Fun on a Dime

Catch as Catch Can @My Repurposed Life
Friday Flair-WhipperBerry

Simple Creations Friday-Simple Home Life

Tickled Pink@ 504 Main

Inspire Me Fridays @ Joyful Stamper

Once Upon a Weekend-Family Ever After

Wipes Case, Trash Cans and a glance around the room....

I have previously shared about deocrating my boys room...  

Mobile, Wall painting, Pictures, and most recently... the Car Clock.

Today I did a little more work in there. Inspired by all the wipes case covers I see...

Check out my Pinterest Board HERE

I made this today... with a little scrapbook paper and mod-podge...

 And I also decided to add a little flare to the trash/diaper cans in the room.

And for those of you how want to see the rest of the room, here's a peak...

Linking here:

We Did It Wednesdays-Sew Much Ado

Look What I Made-Creations by Kara

Hookin' Up Party-House of Hepworths

It's Stinkin Cute-It's Sew Stinkin Cute

Show Off Your Stuff-Fireflies and Jellybeans

Eats & Treats Thursday-Bargain Hoot

Doggone Dirty Crafting-Rhinestone Beagle

Everything but the Kitchen Sink-A Little Knick Knack

What are little Boys made of?-733

Cornflake Delights and Tasty Tuesday Party

Make sure to go over and check out this weeks Knock-off crafts!!! I've had a rough start to the voting, but am hoping for a miracle! Go vote HERE 

I know there are many variations of this around... but here is my version!

Cornflake Delights!

First, Melt a bag of marshmallows in about 2 TBS butter. Keep the heat low or it will burn. When almost melted all 1/2 cup of peanut butter to the mix. I used chunky but any kind will work. When all melted all cornflakes until marshmallow mix is all on flakes. (I don't measure this part!) Scoop into greased muffin tins and let cool. 

Chocolate topping:

Melt semisweet chocolate in pan or micro with a bit of milk. When all melted smooth spoon over the top of cooled cornflakes.

Refrigerate until chocolate is hard, then enjoy! Leftovers (if there are any) have to be kept in the fridge or the chocolate will melt.

This batch did not last long!

Okay, wow great links last week. I'm making two of these dishes during this weeks meals and I'm so excited. Here are the features:

Babblings and More- Mexi Eggrolls

Hungry Homebody-White Bean Cassoulet with tomatoes and cheddar

Whole New Mom- Pakistani Kima

Budget Saving Mom-Chicken Stew

Allergy Free Vintage Cookery-Gluten, egg, dairy free crumpets

Thrift Store Challenge: Car Clock

Looks like I finished out this week tied for third, yeah! Here's my post from SYTYC with some more pictures on "how to" at the bottom. Thanks so much for everyone whos been voting!

 I was so excited for this challenge because I tackled a long overdue project. I had been wanting to get a car-themed clock for my kids bedroom for a while now. I had looked everywhere, in stores and online, and couldn't seem to find what I was looking for. So, of course, I just made what I wanted. I found this great "rainbow" clock at the thrift store for $5 and transformed it to exactly what I had been looking for. There's not much scrapbook paper and a little mod-podge can't do!

 

I think my favorite part is the dump truck in the middle that rotates (like a seconds hand). On the original the rainbow went around and I wasn't sure if I could remake this part, but I did.

 

It really goes great with the room and was just what I wanted. LOVE IT!
So I started with this beautiful rainbow clock..Not what I wanted, but potential to change it. I took off the front cover, and the rainbow that went around and around.

 

I cut out the stars from a piece of scrapbook paper and printed the numbers from Picnik.

 

I put a new backing on the clock and before I glues it down I marked where the number should go so it still tells actual time! You can see in the picture on the left the top brad is missing. I put that through the dump truck and then stuck it back on (pictures on the right). So now the truck goes around and around...

I traced the front cover and then cut out paper. Glued in on, covered with a layer of mod-podge and I was good to go. I put it all back together after it dried and its perfect!! I'm working on one other matching project then I show you how it looks in the boys room.
linked up to these great blogs:
Saturday is Crafty Day- Along for the Ride
Sundae Scoop-I Heart Naptime with Chocolate Sundaes

Sunday Showcase Party-Under the Table and Dreaming

Sharing Time-Raising Memories

  Show & Share Sunday-Sugar and Trash

Sunday Link Party-Petite Hermine 

Making the World Cuter Mondays-Making the World Cuter

Just Something I Whipped Up-The Girl Creative

Made By You Mondays-Skip to My Lou

Market Yourself Mondays-Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Motivate Me Monday-Crafts Keep Me Sane

Show Off Your Cottage Monday-The House in the Roses

Craftastic Mondays-Sew Can Do

Motivated Mondays-Becolorful

Made it! Mondays-Ninth Street Notions

A Marvelous Mess-Marvelously Messy

Creative Me Monday-Southern Institute for Domestic Arts & Crafts

Making Monday Marvelous-C.R.A.F.T

What I'm Making Monday-Baby Making Machine

Craft and Tell - Cherished Bliss 
Made With Love Monday- Sew Chatty
Share Monday- Chocolate, Drool and Kisses
Craft-O-Manic Monday- Craft-O-Maniac
Amaze Me Monday - Dittle Dattle
Get Your Craft On - Today's Creative Blog
Making Monday Marvelous - C.R.A.F.T.
Mad Skills - Mad in Crafts
Inspire Me Monday - Singing Three Little Birds
Make Something Monday - Sarahndipities
Link Party Monday - Polish the Stars
Marvelous Mess Monday - Marvelously Messy
Homemaker Monday - 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven

Birthday Onsie

 

One can really only wear a special birthday onsie for the first birthday... after that onsies aren't so cool... I'm taking advantage of the onsie cuteness factor and sharing the first birthday shirt I made for my son. It was super easy and only took me a single afternoon nap (my sons napping that is!)

My husband is away with our "good" camera, so you will have to put up with less than wonderful pictures today. I started by tracing a large plate to get a circle for the yellow, then a slightly smaller plate for the white one. These are attached to the shirt with sewing. The red 1 is also sewn on, the rest...hot glue! I didn't need this to last a million washes, so I used glue. The Red 1 and the circles are cut from various colors of felt and I love the final look.

 

I'm tired of the photo shoot mom.....

I used this as my inspiration.
Shared HERE:

We Did It Wednesdays-Sew Much Ado

Show & Tell-Blue Cricket Design

Hoo's Got Talent?-Night Owl Crafting

Whatever Wednesday-Momma Hen

Look What I Made-Creations by Kara 

Hookin' Up Party-House of Hepworths 

It's Stinkin Cute-It's Sew Stinkin Cute

Show Off Your Stuff-Fireflies and Jellybeans

Crafts for Under 20 Somethings-Bear Rabbit Bear

Snails and Puppy Dog Tails-733

Feature Yourself Friday-Fingerprints on the Fridge

Look At Me-It's Fun to Craft

Home and Family Friday-Home is Where My Story Begins
Make it Fantabulous-Mommas Kind of Crafty*

Friday Brag Fest-Fun on a Dime

Simple Creations Friday-Simple Home Life

Inspire Me Fridays @ Joyful Stamper*

Fun for Kids Friday @ Smile Monsters {kid projects-for or with them}*

Fruit Pizza and Tasty Tuesday

Before I start this Tasty Tuesday I'd like to share with you all that I am currently competing in So You Think You Are Crafty. so... Please go vote for your favorite craft! 

I must be in the mood for something sweet.... I'm sharing my healthy fruit pizza today and all my features are sweets :o)

Healthy Fruit Pizza

Okay, so its pretty much like any fruit pizza with two changes. 

First, I used a pastry crust instead of a sugar cookie base, this eliminates a lot of sugar.

Second, the frosting is just cream cheese with a little bit of brown sugar for sweetener. 

Then, just top with whatever fruit you want... easy and yum! (and pretty low sugar!)

Features:

I'm featuring a bunch of delicious sweets today. They all look so amazing.

The Traveling Spoon-Cherry Almond and Dark Chocolate Pie

The Sweet Swiper-Boston Creme Pie Cupcakes

Sakura Haruka- Jelly Mooncakes  

(this one is special as Today is Mid-Autumn Festival here in Hong Kong where Moon Cakes are a big part of the celebration!)

The Cake Dish- Chocolate Irish Creme Cupcakes

The Lady Behind the Curtain-Mini Cheesecakes

Please grab a featured button if you are part of this collage!

Lets see what you all have been up to this week.

Handbraided Circle Kitchen Rug: SYTYC

I made this for SYTYC, and made it to the next round....So... today I'm going to share today how I made a rug for my kitchen...

This dollar store challenge had me a bit nervous... I wasn't sure what I would find when I went "shopping". Fortunately as soon as I saw these plastic table clothes, I knew what I would be making! The colors I found are actually perfect for our kitchen and match great! 

I used a five-strand braid for the rug (I cut up the table clothes into long strips to braid) and laced it together with more plastic thread.  It seems very durable and great for a kitchen where it will get wet and need to be cleaned. I think I can just wash off the whole thing when I need to. I varied the colors as I was braided to give the different circles in the rug different looks.

Yes... I made another one...

 

another baby blanket! I do love making them and my friends just keep having babies so why not!? I loved making this one as it is for a girl, so I could go all out on the pink... I kept it from being too pinky by adding a few other colors to balance it out. I love the finished product.

 for this blanket I made 30 squares of varying design and then crocheted them together in the end.

  I crocheted between the columns with the green to hold them together, then between the rows.

 I finished it off with some pink satin blanket edging.

Linked up here:

We Did It Wednesdays-Sew Much Ado

Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice-Seven Thirty Three

Show & Tell-Blue Cricket Design

Hoo's Got Talent?-Night Owl Crafting

Whatever Wednesday-Momma Hen

Look What I Made-Creations by Kara
Strut-Your-Stuff-Somewhat Simple

Hookin' Up Party-House of Hepworths

It's Stinkin Cute-It's Sew Stinkin Cute

Show Off Your Stuff-Fireflies and Jellybeans

Doggone Dirty Crafting-Rhinestone Beagle

Everything but the Kitchen Sink-A Little Knick Knack

Pinkalicious Thursday-Frugalicious-{pink items}

Tea Time Thursdays-Kreative Korner

 

Weeks #1: Dollar Store Crafts...

Looking for TASTY TUESDAY, click HERE

This weeks SYTYC projects are posted! Go take a look and vote for your favorite.

 

Delicious Dips and Tasty Tuesday Party

 

I've already share my Tzatziki recipe and my "secret" for Hummus... But today I'm sharing another family favorite. 

FETA and DILL DIP

I use about 6 oz. of feta- mashed

sour cream 4 oz. (more if needed)

2 TBS Dill (dried)

Works best if you put all this in the blender for a few minutes.

Spread on your favorite bread or crackers, YUM! (and easy!)

okay, WOW, so many great links last week. I really appreaciate you all sharing your tasty goodness with me. It was hard to choose just a few for the features, but I finally narrowed it down to these five fabulous ones:

Aunt Nubbys Kitchen- Sourdough Bread

Reading Confetti-Hungry Harry Snack

Mrs. No-No Knows-Zucchini Noodle

Pampers, Playdates, and Parties-The Best Picnic Sandwich Ever!

The Nature of Grace-Back to School Lunch

Oh, and I am pinning all these great features to my Pinterest Board under Tasty Tuesday!