This is a denim purse that I made out of an old pair of Alex’s jeans. The legs were too short to be door draft stoppers and I didn’t want to just get rid of them. They were too tattered and stained in places to take them to donation… so… what do I do. Then it hit me… make a purse! I cut the legs off right at the inseam top straight on both sides. I zigzag stitched the zipper area closed… the zipper had some broken teeth anyway. And it looked cute LOL! Then I sewed the bottom closed and then I sewed some webbing straps on. I finished it off with a blue checkered ribbon… feeding it through the belt loops and then fastening the ribbon with some stay stitching. Tied it in a cute bow in the front. I left the pockets open for things like keys and cell phones, etc. The last thing I did was to sew in a couple of velcro spots for closure. I think it turned out wonderful!
Then I finished up Alex’s Toy story bag that I made out of old stained and tattered bed sheets. Then I put all his Toy Story goodies inside. I only had a matching 22 inch zipper even though the craft actually calls for an 18 inch one. But I think it came out ok. I am not real happy with it because the bed sheets did not hold form real well. Next time I will try lining it with a stiff canvas or something. There is enough of the sheet to make another one actually, so I might try again.
Remember I told you the other day that I bought a couple of the new Friskies cat food bags because I liked the pictures? Well guess what… yep I recycled them into a purse too! I mean you could use it for a shopping tote or a purse or a regular tote or whatever you wanted. I just think it’s cute! I want to get all the other bags so I can make one out of those too! Maybe I can start a new fashion trend for pet lovers LMAO! Well… maybe just me cause I’m a little odd LOL! But who knows, right? I mean 10 years ago when I was making Capril Sun and Koolaid purse and bags and such from candy wrappers I never would have thought I would see them sold in WALMART of all places! So I have to keep it new and exciting LOL!
This is another recycled purse I started… playing cards! We have like 8 zillion decks of cards running around the house… I figured I could spare one LOL. But this would be a great project for all those decks that you have running around that maybe our precious little children lost a few of the cards LOL… It would be awesome for the poker enthusiast too! Right now the inside is lined with duct tape, but this is just a preliminary model… I am thinking I am going to line it with felt and make the outside vinyl… not quite sure yet. But won’t it be pretty flippin cool?!
I had to stop working on the recycled totes and such because I had to prep food… remember I told you we were grilling yesterday because my DB and his GF were coming over. I made some homemade potato salad and tons of kabobs and all kinds of flavors of meats! Chicken Legs, sausage, beef, sausage, and shrimp kabobs, Ribeye steaks, milkfish, and hot dogs. Be darned I forgot the scallops I had set out! Oh well, I can pan sear them today or tomorrow or something. Shoot, our neighbor came over and asked if we could throw some sausage on the grill for her, so we said sure and she ran inside and got her sausage cut up and we grilled it for her. Took all over 5-10 minutes… we didn’t mind LOL! She is a nice lady and we don’t mind doing things for her. We had a couple of glasses of wine and the guys had some beers (traditional when most Southern men get together and BBQ LOL!) but nobody got snot-slinging drunk ya know? Just a relaxing good time. After dinner and BBQitas LMAO, we sat and had a little fun singing karaoke on the Playstation… well they sang. I sat back and laughed at them! Even the kids got in on the music session!
OK so its time to get funky crafty! I got somewhat of a craft fever going this weekend, but they have to be recycled crafts… so I was searching for some new ideas and I saw the cutest thing for making soap dispensers out of a mason jar. CUTE! BUT then the creative juices got flowing and I was like OMG use CLEAR soap and put like colored gems or marbles or seashells or candy or all kinds of things in there to make it better! Then add ribbon around the metal lid ring and it would be so cute! OH THEN (LOL) depending on theme of your soap jar, make a gift basket around it! OMG wouldn’t that be the coolest? So here for your enjoyment today is a very versatile craft that recycling rocks! Thanks to blogspot member kelleygeorgette!
Craft Idea of the Day: Mason Jar Soap Dispenser
1. Just take a mason jar and drive a nail through the center of the top.
2. Remove the pump from a store bought soap dispenser
3. Widen the hole you made so that the pump fits snug inside.
4. Put some super glue on the edge of the bottom of the pumps base, so that it adheres to the jar top. let dry.
5. Now fill with soap… the more colorful the better.
Ok, so are you hungry? I mean REALLY hungry? Well I found some really cool FARMER FAVORITES that I thought you might like to try. Have you enjoyed the vegetarian week? I hope so… and I hope it has shown to you that no matter what budget or background you come from, good nutritious meals are easily obtainable! Not sure about doing another theme next week… what do you think? Any thoughts? Check these great recipes out that I have chosen to wrap up the FARMER FAVORITES week and then leave me a comment! Eat & Enjoy!
Tofu Parmigiana
By: Jill B. Mittelstadt
"Breaded tofu a la parmigiana. You'll just about swear this is eggplant or veal! One of my husband's favorites, and he doesn't even suspect! Serve with a simple crisp green salad, angel hair pasta and garlic bread."
Ingredients
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
5 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 (12 ounce) package extra firm tofu
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 clove garlic, minced
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
2 eggs whisked
Directions
In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Slice tofu into 1/4 inch thick slices, and pat dry. Bake the tofu slices at 350 for just a few minutes on each side until it is golden brown.
Then, one at a time, dip tofu in egg, then press tofu slices into crumb mixture, turning to coat all sides. (If crumbs do not stick, you could try to coat with cooking spray.)
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook tofu slices until crisp on one side. Drizzle with a bit more olive oil, turn, and brown on the other side.
Combine tomato sauce, basil, garlic, and remaining oregano. Place a thin layer of sauce in an 8 inch square baking pan. Arrange tofu slices in the pan. Spoon remaining sauce over tofu. Top with shredded mozzarella and remaining 3 tablespoons Parmesan.
Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 20 minutes.
Risotto with Tomato, Corn and Basil
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups water
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup uncooked Arborio rice
3 tablespoons white wine
1 medium tomato - peeled, seeded and chopped
1 1/3 cups fresh corn kernels
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips
1/2 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Combine the water and milk in a medium size pot or saucepan, heat the water and milk to a simmer. Keep the pan over low heat.
Melt the butter in a large casserole or skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and the rice, stir constantly for 1 minute. Add the white wine and stir until completely absorbed.
Begin to add the heated milk-water mixture 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently. Wait until each addition is almost completely absorbed before adding the next. When the rice has cooked for 15 minutes and most of the liquid has been incorporated, add the corn kernels and tomatoes along with the end of the milk-water mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, until the rice is tender but still slightly chewy.
The risotto should take 18 to 20 minutes of cooking all together. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, most of the basil, and the salt and pepper. Spoon the risotto immediately onto plates, top with the remaining basil strands, and serve.
Well boys and girls, I am afraid that is all that I have for you today. Its time for me to wash some serious dishes and such and get back to recycled crafting! Thanks for dropping in today… I’ve had a great time chatting with you! Join me again tomorrow for more crafts, food, and fun! Until then… HUGS!
You were a busy little bag lady yesterday. LOL The toy story bag is round like a duffle right? You could get a piece of posterboard, cut it to size, and carefully fit it into the bag. If you get a tight enough fit on the posterboard it should hold shape very well. The denim bag is a retro comeback from the seventies. We used to have all colors, shapes, styles, and even brand name denim bags. Cool recycle!!
ReplyDeleteThe kabobs looked yummy! I think kabobs originate from Greece, dont they? Your next food theme might be fun to do authentic foreign meals and desserts. Like Greek, Italian, French, Russian, or Spanish. That would make for some unique dinners.
That tofu parmigiana looks delicious. I definitely want to try that one when I can get all the ingredients. I would like to find a way to get my DH to like tofu like I do.
We are gonna try the shopping for trees again. Hope we wont get rained out again. Hope everyone has a good, safe, and fun day today. Til next time.....
Those bags look awesome. I think the cat bag is very unique. Cool ideas. Are you recycling again today? I am curious to see what you come up with. I am watching that countdown clock cause I want to see what the lucky members of your family will be getting for Christmas. Hope you all are having a great day and I hope "MOM" got to get some trees. Take Care.
ReplyDeleteVery talent frug-star
ReplyDelete