"Textile Swap" Partners Sent

Just wanted to let everyone know, that had joined my swap, that I sent out everyones partner! So, if you signed up for my swap....check your email! Have fun ladies, this should be a new and exciting swap!

Mason Jar Monday

These are to just "die for!".

Rocky Road Brownies

Ingredients:

*1 quart Wide Mouth Canning Jar

* 1 cup sugar

* 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

* 3/4 coarsly chopped walnuts

* 1/2 cup flour

* 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

* 1 cup mini marshmallows

Directions:

Layer all ingredients (except marshmallows) attractively, in any order, into your Mason Jar. Pack ingredients down slightly before adding each layer. Place marshmallows on top of ingredients; as final layer.

Directions for making:

* 1 Jar Rocky Road Brownie Mix

* 1/2 cup butter, melted

* 1/4 cup buttermilk

* 1 egg

* 1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8x8 baking pan. Remove marshmallows and set aside.

Place Brownie mix in a large bowl. Add melted butter, buttermilk, egg and vanilla; stir until well blended.

Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with several marshmallows. Bake 3 additional minutes to slightly melt marshmallows. Cool on wire rack. Enjoy!

I pledge allegience to the flag

Thought I would share one of my recent makeovers with all of you. My dad gave me this Vintage Ironing Board a while back. Well, I finally got it out and did a little "Patriotic" makeover on it! I don't have any before pictures of it, but it was just a plain wooden top. The legs are a vintage green color that I did leave untouched, as they are nice and rusty in certain areas!



I might use this someday for a sofa table, but for now it will prop up in the corner proudly sporting it's Patriotism!

Here is a close up of the top:

I also stenciled the 'pledge of allegience' on it:

So, the next time you have an item and want to give it a "makeover"....make it over into an American Flag!

"Feast On!" Friday

Here is a great Summertime Pie!

Key Lime Pie

Ingredients:

(Crust)

*1 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs

*6 Tbsp. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press mixture against sides and bottom of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool completely.

(Filling)

*3 egg yolks

*1 (14 oz.) can of sweetened condensed milk

*1/2 cup fresh lime juice

*1 tsp. lime zest

*1 cup heavy cream

Directions:

Beat egg yolks until thick, about 4 minutes. Beat in condensed milk, lime juice, and lime zest. Pour into cooled graham cracker crust. Cover and refrigerate for atleast 4 hours. Before serving, beat heavy cream until stiff (do not sweeten) and spoon over pie.

Thursdays "Tip of the Day!"

Here is a few tips about Eggs!

EGG TIPS

Fresh eggs are rough and chalky . They will sink and stay horizontal on the bottom of a glass of water.

Old eggs are smooth and shiny. They will float in a glass of water.

Store eggs with the large end up to keep the yolk centered.



For perfect hard-cooked eggs, cover the eggs with cold water and bring to a boil. Then turn off the heat and let the eggs sit on the burner for 10-15 minutes.

"Textile Swap!" & New Featured Shoppe

Love Textiles?! I sure do! I love old tattered linens, ragged quilts, table runners, candle mats, homespun towels, vintage napkins, Primitive Samplers, etc.!

So, I thought, "Lets do a "Textile Swap!" This will be an easy swap, because you will only need to swap 5 textiles with only 1 of them being handmade by you! I also am opening this to my International bloggers too since this should be a very light package to ship. And, I know that you might even be able to fit this all into a "Flat Rate" Envelope if you are a really good packager!

Here are the Rules of the Swap:

"Textile" SWAP

There are a few basic rules we must all play by and here they are:
~You MUST have posted with me atleast 3 times or more! (I will check too if I don't recognize your name, but I know most of my commenters anyways!) Just making sure I am familiar with you.

~You MUST have a blog of your own. This is blog land and I know that some of you like to just leave comments from your email accounts, but I prefer you have a blog for swapping. That just shows commitment to blogging.

~You MUST commit to sending atleast 5 items in your package to your partner! Atleast ONE of them being handmade by YOU!!! We all cherish those handmade items!

~This is a TEXTILE SWAP...so, let's think Textiles! You can send items like: homespun towels, Framed Samplers, Vintage linens, table runners, Candle Mats, Framed Quilt Pieces, etc. JUST THINK TEXTILES!

~Your package MUST be atleast a $20 value! This just makes it fair for everyone who plays.

~Your Textiles MUST be in "completed" form! Meaning, please don't send unfinished homespun, unfinished dolls, unframed samplers, etc. Because you know we all have them "unfinished projects" sitting around already! So, let's not add more to the Pile!!! You CAN send a "finished" quilt square if your partner is a quilter. Just please clear that with your partner first, if doing so!

~You MUST be on time! Sorry, I HATE late packages! Just a pet peeve of mine! Nothing like anxiously awaiting a package to find it shows up 2 months late! I know all you swappers will agree with me if you ever had to wait! So, don't wait til the last minute to start your swap!

~You MUST thank your partner when you receive your goodies! I HATE ungratefulness!!! I know we are all busy, but we all make time to check our emails & read them Blogs-don't we?! So, thank your partner for your package!

~You MUST get a Delivery Confirmation # when your package has been sent out! You MUST email me that number too! That if there is any lost packages, we can hopefully track them done, and know for sure that you sent it & on time too!

~You MUST have your Info to me by June 28th!. I will get the Swap names out to everyone on June 29th.

~You MUST mail out your package by July

27th! This gives everyone a month to complete their swap!

~Lastly, but MOST IMPORTANT: GIVE AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECIEVE!!! I always say, "I wouldn't give a package to someone, if I would not want to recieve!" So, that is why I usually always make exactly the same thing for myself as I make for all of you! LOL

~This will be a "One on One" Swap. So, once I gather all the names, I will email everyone their partners!

Now, I will trust that everyone who wants to play is willing to play by the rules! But, just in case there are those of you that end up not (this has happened on other blogs!), as I tell my children: There are consequences to every action; Good or bad? You decide! So, If you don't play by the Rules, you WILL be blocked from my Blog!!!

Sorry, I know life happens, that is why I say, "Don't wait til the last minute to start your swap!"Remember, Blog land is a Huge Arena we play in....but, it runs in very SMALL circles! I know we all like to leave good impressions on our SMALL circle of friends!

Okay, I know that all seemed so very harsh with Rules & Regulations...but, they are really just Swapping Courtesy I think! Just want to make sure this Swap turns out a "Good One not Gone Bad"!

So, if you are interested in doing this swap....click on the "email me" icon on my right side toolbar. I will need your Blog Name, Name, & mailing addy. Also, I DO respond to every swap email and let you know I "added" you. So, if you don't get my email within a day, make sure you email me again as I probably didn't recieve it the first time! I hope I didn't scare anyone away! I would love for you to come and play!

(this is actually some of the textiles from Primitive Home Decors)

Featured Shoppe!

I just wanted to invite you all to visit my newest "Featured Shoppe" http://www.primitivehomedecors.com/. This is PRIMITIVE HEAVEN and I wanted to share it with all of you! I stumbled across it the other day while looking for some textiles and I have already placed an order. I know that it will NOT be my last order from them as they have such wonderful eye candy. They have everything from curtains to dolls. Please make it a point to stop on over and check out all the Primitive Goodies...I know you will not be disappointed!

Tuesday's Tutorial

Sorry this post is so late! All I have for an alibi is.....SUMMERTIME! Need I say more? LOL

This is a very easy to do project, once you know how to correctly do it! I can remember when "painted jars" were all the rage a few years ago at craft shows! And, I can remember thinking....."I MUST LEARN HOW TO DO THEM!" So, I did! This is just my way of doing it, not sure if it is the right way...but, it works for me!


****For all you NON-PAINTERS out there, please don't be afraid to try these! You do NOT have to be a decorative painter to do these. You can easily: stencil something on them, do dots with a pencil eraser, or you can find "rub-ons" everywhere (especially in the scrapbooking section or in the paint aisle), wrap the middle with layered fabric or scrapbooking paper, or just paint them up in your favorite color and attach an aged tag! The possibilities are endless!

Painted Jars (Americana Style)

Supplies:

*Glass Jar (I like to use Mason Jars or Empty Mayo jars)

*Sea Sponge (can find them in the paint aisle)

*Kilz 2 primer

*Paint Brush

*Craft Paint of your choice

*Black or Dark Brown Craft Paint

*Dark Walnut Stain (mimwax brand)

*Finishing Spray

*Glass Tealight Candlecup (I found these at Walmart)

*Votive Candle or Small Votive sized Oil Candles (I am using the citronella ones since this will be for outdoors)

Directions:

First, you will need to thoroughly clean your jar; making sure all grease or fingerprints are off it. You can use rubbing alcohol for this too.

We will start by "basecoating" your jar so your paint will adhere. Take and wet your sea sponge now with water. Wring out very well. Now dip into your Kilz Primer and completely cover your Jar by "patting" it all over your Jar. Let dry completely. Now, repeat this again with a second coat; this will ensure good coverage. Let dry completely again.

Next, we are going to start painting your design on the jar! I am going to do just a simple "Americana" jar with a flag design. It is easy to do and it looks great on a porch lit at night! I am just going to freehand the top of the jar where the "blue" will be. So, I took a pencil and lightly went around the jar about 1/4 of the way down. Now, just take your paint and do your first coat of blue around the jar top. Let dry completely; repeat again.

(sorry lost this picture, but you can see the next one)

Once that has dried completely, take your white paint and paint the whole bottom of the Jar. Let dry completely; repeat again with white paint.

(sorry lost pix again)

Next, we are going to add the "Red" stripes. I am again going to freehand them on. I don't think everything should look "factory" when it comes to Primitive Decor. So, straight lines are never a priority with this gal here....LOL. You can take and pencil some lines in if you feel better about doing it that way, but I like to "WING IT"! hehehehehehehe Now, start painting in your Red lines, let dry completely; repeat again with Red paint. (I then took a Brown Paint Pen and outline my stripes and the bottom of the blue, you don't have to though.)

(Finally a picture!)

Now, for the top, I wanted to add "Stars" to my blue. So, I used a small star stencil I had. But, you can just do "Dots" with an eraser dipped in white paint and make this look like a firecracker Or just hand paint stars on it with a Paint Pen or Write something on it with a Paint Pen!

Let this dry completely. Now, DO NOT sand these down at all to age them...this will take the paint and primer right off them. So, I am going to "age" it with some Black craft paint! All you need to do is take your paint brush and work a little bit of black or brown craft paint into it. Then take an paper towel and work almost all the paint back off it. Now, lightly go around your Jar and brush the paint on haphazardly, just like you sanded it and the undercoat would be showing thru! This technique is called "Dry Brushing".

Now, take your Dark Walnut Stain and completely cover your Jar with it; wipe off with a clean rag. This will darken your paint up and really make your Jar look older!

Take and give your Jar 2 coats of finishing spray; drying in between coats.

Pop the Candle Cup inside the top opening and place a tealight candle inside cup! You can also tie some grunged cheesecloth around the top of the neck or some homespun if you like! I am using Citronella in mine for outdoor use. They come in votive candles or in the votive oil containers, and both of them fit nicely in the cup! Enjoy!

Mason Jar Monday!

Found this one on the internet. Sounds like this is another great and colorful Mason Jar Recipe!

Country Soup Mix

Ingredients:

*Quart Sized Mason Jar

*1/2 cup barley

*1/2 cup dried split peas

*1/2 cup uncooked rice

*1/2 cup dry lentils

*2 tablespoons dried minced onion

*2 tablespoons dried parsley

*2 teaspoons salt

*1/2 teaspoon pepper

*2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules

*1/2 cup uncooked alphabet pasta

*1 cup uncooked twist macaroni

Directions:

In a wide mouth quart jar, layer the barley, peas, rice and lentils. Then layer around the edges the onion, parsley, salt, pepper, bouillon and the alphabet pasta. Fill the rest of the jar with the twist macaroni. Place lid on.

Attach a gift card with the following instructions:

Add contents of jar to 3 quarts of water, 2 stalks chopped celery, 2 sliced carrots, 1 cup shredded cabbage (optional) and 2 cups diced tomatoes. Over medium low heat, cover and simmer about 1 hour, or until vegetables are tender. Enjoy!

Giveaway Winner!!!

Well, the time has come to announce the winner of the "Surprise" giveaway! But first, don't you wanna know what it is?! I already gave you a hint.....It is something Wooden.



Well, it is! This time however, I did NOT make it. Yep, you heard me right....I found it while Thrift Shopping instead! I loved it and thought it would make a wonderful giveaway prize!



It is a large tray that would make the perfect Stovetop Cover or just a wonderful tray to display more Primitive Goodies on! It measures: 24" Long x 16 1/2" Deep. I am not sure what kinda wood it is made out of, but it is very light but very durable! I will finish this in the Winners choice of color too!



Here it is ready to be Primmed Out(I just love the handles on this tray)!:




AND.........



THE WINNER IS.......



DRAWN BY THE RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR.......



WAS THE NUMBER #2..........



AND THAT COMMENT NUMBER BELONGS TO..........



KIM AT http://theprimschoolmarm.blogspot.com/!!!! Kim, please email me!



Thanks everyone for entering my giveaway. Please keep checking in, as you never know what I will be up to next!

Freebie Friday!

Just posted my "freebie" for you in the freebie box on the right. It is an instant download. Enjoy!

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!"

Here is a great tip for picnics!

Got Ice?

Going on a Picnic? Need Ice for the Cooler to keep your food chilled? Then here is a smart alternative to running out and purchasing bags of ice.

Freeze several different sizes of bottled water and place these inside your cooler. Blocks of ice take longer to melt than individual ice cubes. When the water melts, you won't need to drain the cooler of water inside, you can just drink your chilled bottled water!

"Wood'n it be Nice?!" Wednesday

This is a special request from another blogger, Marion . I have to say that this was a very easy project and don't know why I have never made of these before! I have recently been collecting alot of Primitive Wooden Bowls so this will be perfect for displaying them in! This is a very simple design and of course just my way of making it. I have never declared myself an expert woodworker, just self taught craft dabbler as most of us crafters are! But, I am always up for a good challenge. Thanks for the special request and I hope you all enjoy it too!

Primitive Bowl Rack

Supplies:

*Basic woodworking supplies (tape measure, hammer, wood glue, sandpaper)

Wood below can all be cut for you for FREE at Lowes or Home Depot

*1"x6"x6' board (cut 2 pieces 32" long)

*1"x6"x4' board (cut 2 pieces 23" long)

*1"x4"x4' board (cut 1 piece 23" long)

*1"x2"x4' board (cut 2 pieces 24 1/2" long)

*Craft paint of your choice or Stain

Now, if you haven't had all your wood precut for you yet, you need to do so first.

Ready?! First we are going to make our "frame". So, let's start by laying out our 2 tall sides (32" board), and the bottom shelf (23" board). I did fancy up my side boards just a tad by making an angular cut in the front, but you don't have to!

Now, let's secure the bottom shelf to the frame. You will do this by first putting a bead of wood glue on your connecting boards, then hammering in atleast 3 nails to each side to make sure it is nice and secure! Extra hands to hold this together is always an added bonus too! LOL

Next, lets "strenghten" up this rack! Take your 1x4x23 board and about 5" down from the top, nail this to your sides; like shown. Remembering to use a bead of wood glue and atleast 3 nails per side again!

Now, this part is where you can customize your bowl rack to your liking. We are going to add the middle shelf. So, if you have some really large bowls you want to use on the bottom shelf, then just make this middle shelf higher! I chose to put mine right about in the middle of the shelf. You will do this the same way as you just did with all the boards; wood glue then nails.

Next, let's attach the last two pieces of wood that will hold your bowls in place. Take your 1x2 boards and attach them about 3 1/2" inches up from each shelf. I did this very simply by using a left over piece of my 1x4 board and just used that as a spacer! Now, nail your board fronts onto your bowl rack remembering to use a bead of wood glue and atleast 3 nails.

Lastly, sand your Bowl Rack to round out the edges and smooth out any rough wood too. You can now paint or stain your Bowl Rack now. I chose to paint mine in a Vintage Linen color, I did this by first basecoating it in black then topcoating it in Vintage Linen. Then I sanded it to distress is some, and then applied Dark Walnut Stain over the entire piece. Wiped it off and let it dry. That's it! YOU ARE DONE! HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR NEW "OLD" BOWL RACK!

Sorry, I don't have any Bowls to show you on this rack...everything is packed away waiting for our move! But, I did have some gameboards still out, so I displayed them in the rack for you to see it with something in it!

Yard Sale Finds

As most of you ladies, I LOVE THRIFT SHOPPING! I love it so much, that I would rather have $50 to spend at a Thrift Shoppe, Garage Sale or Flea Market....than $100 at the Mall! Any of you feel that way too?! I know I can get twice the amount of goodies, and I LOVE to take someone else's "cast away" and make it into something "sentimental" to me!



Well, the other day while me & the hubby was out we had to stop for gas. We pull up to our local Sheetz and what do I spy right beside it?! A HUGE YARD SALE!!!! With a little persuasion (okay, I begged) I talked the hubby into letting me have just 10 minutes to check out the goodies there! (If you are like me, you can span the area in less than 1 minute and know if you will find something or not!)



Well.....what is the first thing I see?! A DRYSINK...and for only $20! OMG! I was in love! Had to have it! But, the hubby already knew this, that is why he didn't wanna stop at the Yard Sale! hehehehehehehehe I know this is not an antique and probably from the 70's, but it will be getting a Prim Makeover and I love it just the same!

Next, I found this cute little cupboard. It is about 12" wide x 3 feet tall! I paid $8 for it and I gave it a makeover yesterday. I love it and can't wait to hang it in our new home! I painted it Barn Red and added some rusty wire to the front to hold in my Prim Goodies. Isn't this just the cutest cupboard?!

Before:

After:

Well, that is my finds from last week....show me yours!

Mason Jar Monday!

I just love Rice Pudding! Hope you enjoy!

Rice Pudding Mix in a Jar

Ingredients:

*1 package of instant vanilla pudding
* 3/4 cup instant rice
*3 tablespoons raisins
*1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

*Jelly jar sized Mason Jar

Layering in jar:

Empty pudding mix into jar; add cinnamon and nutmeg, using a spoon to spread the spices around the edge of the jar to be visible from the outside. Add a 1/2 inch layer of instant rice and top with half the raisins; repeat these layers. Fill the jar to the top with remaining rice.

Directions:

Empty contents of jar into a small saucepan. Add 3 cups of milk and whisk together. Bring to a boil at medium high heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let stand five minutes. Serve hot or cold; sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.

Happy Flag Day!

Show you are Proud to be an American and display your flag today! Remember, we still have those fighting to keep this Country free....and Freedom is NOT free! So, let the RED, WHITE & BLUE WAVE PROUDLY TODAY!

"200,000 Visitors!" Giveaway

I am so excited! I have reached the 200,000 (plus) Visitor benchmark! I really want to thank all of you who visit me on a regular basis and welcome those of you who have just found my blog or are new to the world of blogging! I will be celebrating my first year here in bloggy world (at the end of July) and never would have dreamed that anyone would be interested in anything I was doing. I thought I was just going to share some crafts and if anyone wanted they could craft along. Well, to my surprise....YOU ALL SEEM TO BE HAVING FUN!



So, let's have some more fun together by having a GIVEAWAY!! I had so much fun with my last giveaway being a "Surprise" giveaway...that I am going to do it again! That's right....I am NOT going to tell you what is up for grabs! I will give you a clue through....it will WOODEN! You wanta play?!


Giveaway Rules:

First, I am NOT going to tell you what I am planning on Giving Away!!!! Oh yeah, I am going to let the suspense kill ya! Shame on me!


Second, You MUST become a follower of my Blog here!!! I know I have many of you that pop in here to read, but don't always leave a comment. That is fine, but I am always looking for new blogs to enjoy & read too, and I usually do that by checking out all my new followers blog. That is actually how I have found alot of the blogs that I enjoy! So, YOU MUST FOLLOW MY BLOG TO ENTER. All you need to do is sign up! You will find this on my left sidebar. Just click the "follow" button and then confirm.

Third, (I don't want to exclude any of you who don't have blogs) so...If you have an email only & no blog....you MUST leave your email addy for me to get in touch with you if you are my winner!!! If you don't leave your email addy, I will draw another name and you will forfeit your winning! Sorry, I don't have time to hunt you down...and the last I heard....Dog the Bounty Hunter was busy!

Fourth, You CAN post this to your blog if you wish...but, I am only entering your name once! I have enough trouble keeping up with 100+ entries each time....and frankly, I AM TOO LAZY to hand write names to put in a hat....so I use a Random Number Generator from my list of entries.

Fifth, you can only enter ONCE! I read all my posts, several times a day. So, if I see you have already posted, I will delete any more than one from you. I just want everyone to have the same chance at winning!

Lastly, Leave me a comment on THIS POST ONLY! I do NOT look for comments anywhere else for entries! I am lucky I can remember what post I am on without rereading it, let-a-lone trying to find out who wants entered! And, I have been known to jump in the shower (on several occasions) with my socks still on...so, do you still wanna trust me to remember you want entered by posting somewhere else?! If you do, then let me warn you now...Your chances for winning my Giveaway are SLIM TO NONE!

Well, there are the rules! If you still would like to enter....please leave me a comment below and you are automatically entered! Entry deadline is June 18th....I will drawing the winner on Saturday, June 20th!!! Good luck everyone!

"Feast On!" Friday

This is a One-Dish, eazy peazy meal! Another great Amish recipe!

Chicken and Filling

ingredients:

*1 chicken, boiled or baked and deboned

*8-10 cups bread cubes

*2 medium onions, chopped

*1/2 cup shredded carrots or chopped sweet peppers

*1/2 cup diced celery (optional)

*1 tsp. salt

*1 tsp. pepper

*2 tsp. paprika

*1 cup chicken broth

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine all ingredients and pour into baking dish. Bake one hour & serve with gravy.

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!"

Today's tip is for any of you who have ever had "sticky" Drawers!....hehehehehehehe....bet you have never had anyone ask you that question, now have you?! LOL

Sticky Wooden Drawers?!

Got an older dresser or cupboard? Does the drawers stick or just do NOT seem to slide smoothly? Well, you can fix this problem very easily! All you need to do is grab a candle!!!! Yep, just take your Candle and rub it all around your drawer bottom...and Waaaalah instant slip! For a really sticky drawer, you might need to rub it down a few times to get it to slide...but, this really does work! I have also found that you can use a bar of Soap too! So, no more stuck dresser drawers!

More Swap Goodies!

Another package has arrived on my doorstep....YIPPEE! Oh, I just love swapping goodies with all you talented ladies out there! Well, I had two partners for my "Primitively Patriotic" swap....YEP, LUCKY ME!!!



Well, my second partner was Deb from http://crowsonthecupola.blogspot.com/ .... and can I say she is a HOOT! The first email I recieved from her was how excited she was that we were partners and how she was knitting patriotic toe socks for me....and they were six-toed ones! I was excited about that though, because my bunyons would have a little spot of their own!...hehehehehehehehehe. So, you know we had fun keeping up with that email! Deb is really a silly gal and fun to talk with. Now, I know you are dying to see what goodies she sent me?! So, here they are! I love everything she made, and YES she made everything! Love the bag filled with 2 crows, star, sweet annie and moss...then the wooden signs....wooden handpainted box....and love them fabric firecrackers.....Thanks Deb! Please make sure you stop by Deb's blog and check out her junk finds, redo's and creations!

Tuesday's Tutorial

Sorry this post is a little later than usual...VBS week at church...so I have been very busy. Hope you enjoy!

Fabric Covered Paper Mache Boxes

Supplies:

*Paper Mache Boxes (I like the stacking ones)

*White or Black Craft Paint

*Foam Brush

*Mod Podge

*Fabric of your choice (I like to pick up the "Fat Quarters" from the Quilter section of the Joanns)

*Dark Walnut Stain

*Old Rag

*60 grit sandpaper

Directions:

First, we are going to start with basecoating our boxes with our craft paint. I would suggest if you have a darker fabric, use black as your basecoat; lighter colored fabric use white. Paint all the surfaces seen EXCEPT the inside, unless you want to, but I don't like to put that much effort into something....Yep, still got lazy syndrome (I have had it for years now, so why teach an old dog new tricks I always say)!

Now, we are going to add the fabric to your box. This is very simple, so please don't over think it! To get a template of your box, just lay your box on the "wrong" side of the fabric and trace the lid top and bottom of the box. Now, to do the round sides...I take and lay my box down and roll it along the fabric and trace. When you have your templates, just cut them out. DON'T worry about being perfect either, just cut them as best as you can. If some hangs over or is too short....don't worry!

Next, take your Mod Podge and completely cover your box; working lid and base separately.

Take your fabric and place onto your box pieces; smoothing out any wrinkles as you go. Let dry completely for about a 1/2 hour.

Now, my favorite part.....DISTRESSING! This is where your box will get it's antique look, just as if you found them tucked away in Grannie's attic!

Let's get that Sandpaper out and ALL around the edges of the box start sanding away! I do like to use my electric sander for this part, as it is much easier, but this CAN be done by hand too. Now, you will want your edges to "fray", and any that was hanging over, sand it away to "fit" the box. Also, sand so your paper mache edges will show through too.

Now, pull away any loose threads or "fuzzies" of fabric and wipe off the box with a dry cloth.

Time to darken them up with what will give them that "dirty & grungy" attic look! Get out your old rag and apply some of the Dark Walnut stain to this. Now, take your stained rag and wipe it onto your fabric boxes. I like to start with my edges and work inward. Only because the edges would normally get the dirtiest and most worn.

Once you have done this to all of your boxes, YOU ARE DONE! Don't you just love them?! I don't seal them with any kind of sealer, as I want them to look like aged fabric. Just vacuum them every now and again to clean them. Enjoy!

DREAMSICLE COOKIE MIX

Here is a great Summertime cookie recipe. Enjoy!!!

DREAMSICLE COOKIE MIX

Ingredients:
*1/2 cup Tang instant breakfast drink powder

*3/4 cup sugar

*1½ cups vanilla chips

*1¾ cups flour mixed with 1/2 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. baking powder.

Directions:



Layer ingredients in jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredient. .

Recipe to attach to jar:

Empty cookie mix in a large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup softened butter, 1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix until completely blended. Roll heaping tablespoonfuls into balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 375º for 12 to 14 minutes or until tops are very lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 2½ dozen.

"Feast On!" Friday

Here is another "tried & true" recipe from one of my Amish Cookbooks. Enjoy!!!

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

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Meatball Ingredients:

*3 lbs of hamburger

*1 cup of chopped onion

*1 cup milk

*2 cups of oats or white rice

Sauce ingredients:

*1 cup ketchup

*1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

*2 Tbsp. Worchesterschire sauce

*2 Tbsp. brown sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients above in a large mixing bowl, by hand. Shape into 2-3 inch balls. Combine all of sauce ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Place meatballs in a shallow baking pan and pour sauce over them. Bake 30-40 minutes in oven. Enjoy!

Thursday's "Tip of the Day!" & New Featured Shoppe

Today's tip is actually a tip for any of you that have small children who love popsicles but you hate the sticky mess!

No more dripping popsicles

If your kiddos love popsicles during the summer, but you hate the sticky mess their hands and arms become because of the dripping mess...then grab a fast food lid! You know the ones you get at any fast food place that cover your drinks? Well, don't throw them away when you are done...recycle them! All you need to do is take and insert the popsicle stick into the hole made for the straw and instant drip catcher! Another great item to use is a paper cup. Take a paper cup and cut about half of it away and poke a hole through the center for the stick! Now, no more sticky messy kids!

New Featured Shoppe

I have a new shoppe posted to my left side toolbar...please check it out! You will love all the goodies there! Chuck & Christina own the shoppe where Chuck crafts the primitive furniture and Christina paints and finishes it. They have lots of other wonderful primitive goodies and this shoppe is full of eye candy! So, please stop on by and take a peek!

"Wood'n it be Nice?!" Wednesday

Today's project is a project that has three great features.....it's FAST, EASY, AND INEXPENSIVE!!! I don't know about you, but I love them kinda projects! This project only involves one board and costs less then $4.00 to complete!



With Summer time now in full swing, I am ready to start displaying all them pretty flowers around my home, especially on my porch! So, today's project is going to help us display our pretty blooms in a more Primitive way.....STANDING FLOWER BOXES!....I hope you enjoy!

ONE-BOARD STANDING FLOWER BOXES

Supplies:

*(1) 1"x6"x6' Pine Board

*1 1/4" Finishing Nails

*Wood Glue

*Stain or paint of your choice (I am using Mimwax Dark Walnut Stain)

*Basic woodworking tools (tape measure, saw, hammer, and sand paper)

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE BEGINNING PROJECT!

First, you are going to need to cut your board. You will need to cut (2) boards 9-inches long. You will need to cut (2) boards at 18-inches long. Lastly, you will need to cut (1) board at 16 1/2" long. You should have 1 1/2 inches left from your 6 foot board; you can discard that piece.

Now, you we are going to start with your two 9-inch boards; this is your ends. You can leave them straight just as you cut them, however I did round my edges at the top and cut a little "v" into the bottom legs, just for added interest. But, you don't have too and it would be a little more Primitive if you didn't! Just personal preference.

To start, we are going to attach the center of your flower box. We are going to use your 16 1/2" board for your center piece. You will need to measure up from the bottom of your end piece 2 inches. With a pencil, lightly mark this and make a line. This will become your guide as to where to place your center piece. Repeat this on the other end board.

Now, take your Center piece and line that up directly on that line. Place a bead of wood glue and nail together with your finishing nails. Repeat this same process with your other end, nailing this together.

Next, we are going to add your sides to the box. This is very easy to do! All you need to do is take and line your sides up exactly with the bottom of the side board being even across with your center board. Apply a bead of wood glue and nail together with your finishing nails. Repeat this with the other side!

Right now, your box is actually completed! That was easy...wasn't it?!

Now, if you are going to just stain it, all you need to do is sand the edges smooth and stain! If you are going to paint it, then do so now, then sand and stain it for a more Primitive look!

I chose to stain mine with Dark Walnut...and here it is! This is one I made for Amy, http://athomewithamy.blogspot.com/, for my "Primitive Porches" swap! She has placed red geraniums inside and placed it in front of her fireplace. I think it looks wonderful there!

Now, if you are like me and DON'T have a green thumb...you can just purchase plants in them plastic planters and pop them in your new flower box. They really have some great plants already done up for you in them "not so pretty" plastic planters...but this sure will Prim them up once you pop them in these!

Also, DON'T be afraid to use these indoors! I have found that this fits perfectly on the back of a toilet to hold toilet paper, toiletries, or towels! How about putting in the middle of the dining room table and displaying some Primitive favorites?! Or how about painting this in a Cream color and filling it full of goodies for a New Mom or Bride-to-be?!!! This has a million uses and could be adapted to fit any need or given as any gift!