Thursday, March 31, 2011

Pillow Update with Cloth Rosettes

One of my dearest friends, Cara, loves to make headbands with cloth rosettes for her adorably sweet girls.  They are totally vintage chic and fun to make!  I decided to make a few for a couple of old pillows I had stored away.

Here is a before picture of one of the ugly old pillows I held on to.  The only thing they had going for them was their feather inserts.  You can't really see it in this picture, but the pillow was yellow.  I made new covers for my pillows in Linenlike material in off white.  I love Linenlike!




This is what you need to make cloth rosettes.
  • 1 inch strips of cloth
  • fabric glue
  • felt cut into circles
  • pins


The process is super simple.  Glue one end of the strip (folded in half) in the center of the felt circle.  Begin twisting the cloth strip and glue down  in a spiral from the center of the circle to the outside.  You will need to work kind of fast because the glue dries quickly.  Glue a pin on the back, and now you have a cloth rosette you can pin onto a shirt, purse or a pillow.

Ta da!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

A Starburst Mirror for the Dining Room

A Starburst Mirror for the Dining Room

Stuffed Shells Recipe

This is an excellent recipe given to me years ago by my friend, Lynn.  It's super easy to make, a nice change from spaghetti, and freezes well!  If you are a vegetarian, this recipe is for you.  I am not a vegetarian, but I sure do respect the discipline of one!  Enjoy!

1 package (9 oz.) creamed spinach, defrosted
1 box of large shells
1 tub (15 oz) Ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I use the kind from a can)
1 egg
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 jar spaghetti sauce (I love Newman's Own Marinara)

Combine: creamed spinach, cheeses, egg, and seasonings in large bowl.
Cook shells according to package.
Pour most of the spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Save remaining sauce to drizzle over the top of the shells before cooking.
Put cheese mixture into a gallon sized Ziploc bag and snip a bottom corner, so you can pipe the mixture into the shells.
Fill as many shells as possible.  (You will have some unused shells.)
Drizzle remaining sauce over shells and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese.  (I like the shredded kind for this part because it looks nice.)
Bake: 350* F for 30-35 minutes or until heated through.




I am thankful that I am married to someone who gladly eats leftovers.  It makes life easier for me and is easy on the wallet too!  This recipe feeds our family for two meals, and I usually have enough to freeze for one more meal to enjoy at a later date.  Of course, this won't always be the case as my young children's appetite grows!



This is my precious little one; my budding chef.  Leah helps me in the kitchen almost every day.  She is definitely a "foodie" and will try almost anything.  She made the cheese filling for the stuffed shells. 

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Waterfall Ruffles

Ruffles are everywhere, and to be perfectly honest, why not?  We see them on purses, clothing, pillows and bedding!  Ruffles offer visual interest and texture to everything they are on.  They are sweet, trendy and yet, classic!  Which is why I thought it would be fun to make whimsical curtains for my soon-to-be four-year-old daughter's room by applying this designer look.  I have never made a ruffle before, let alone several ruffles, 3 yards in length!  So "Lindsey, meet Sewing Machine, Sewing Machine, meet Lindsey".  Stay tuned to see how they turn out!


"A Paisley Day" What's in a name?

I love my paisley chair (probably my most favorite piece of furniture in our home) that sits against the backdrop of windows in our family room.  The paisley print on this chair is both modern and traditional, masculine and feminine and neutral enough to be spiced up with different colored pillows and throws.  I enjoy snuggling up with my kids on it, or simply stealing a very rare and peaceful moment resting in it.  Yes, it's definitely the chair I will never want to part with... even if it goes out of style.  "Day" is in reference to Psalm 118:24 --- "This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"  I hope that every day I rejoice in the Lord, give thanks for all of His many blessings, cherish His love and grace, and give him glory in all that I do.

Lindsey