May 28, 2009

Customize a T Shirt


This is an easy way to customize a child's T shirt without needing any special talent!

The shirts I use are 100% cotton that have been pre washed.

What you need:
A cotton T shirt
Cold water dye
Elastic Bands
Iron on transfers
Iron on sparkles/diamonds/etc






What you do:
Make sure the T shirt is wet - squeeze out extra water.

Use the elastic bads to tie up the wet t shirt randomly - for example lots of ties on the top and bottom and none in the middle or vice versa.

Dye as per instructions on the dye you bought - but leave for half the time so that the colour will look 'faded"

Rinse and dry.

Iron on the transfer and the sparkles...

You now have a 'vintage' T shirt!!

If you dont have dye, you can actually use TEA - brew some VERY strong tea and use instead of the dye.

You will get a faded brownish colour that really looks unique!

Happy crafting!

May 24, 2009

Diamond Stitch

This is a useful stitch if you want a reversible pattern.
Use a multiple of 9 stitches
Row 1 (RS): k4, *p1, k8; rep from * to last 5 sts, p1, k4
Row 2: p3, *k3, p6; rep from * to last 6 sts, k3, p3
Row 3: k2, *p5, k4; rep from * to last 7 sts, p5, k2
Row 4: p1, *k7, p2; rep from * to last 8 sts, k7, p1
Row 5: P
Row 6: Rep Row 4
Row 7: Rep Row 3
Row 8: Rep Row 2

May 21, 2009

No matter what life throws at you......

No matter what situation's life throws at you... no matter how long and
treacherous your journey may seem...
Remember, there is a light at the end of tunnel...



Are you laughing now???

May 14, 2009

Recycle!

In my effort to recyle i have made a burp cloths, wash cloths and little wipes that are GREAT for removing make up!!

I use fabric from old clothes, towels and remnants, back them with terry or a soft fabric and overlock the edges - couldn't be easier!





They are great as reusable wipes, face cloths or baby burpies.

May 7, 2009

Extreme grooming competition

These are all real poodles entered in an extreme grooming competition! they are FANTASTIC!


Vinyard
Fallen Soldier (he lost a leg to cancer)

Peacock


St Patrick's Day



Ninja Turtle



Gone Fishing



Cock a poodle do!



Clydsedale


Camel


Buffalo










May 6, 2009

The Death of Common Sense

An Obituary printed in the London Times - Interesting and sadly rather true.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain
- why the early bird gets the worm
- life isn't always fair
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death,
by his parents, Truth and Trust,
by his wife, Discretion,
by his daughter, Responsibility,
and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
- I Know My Rights
- I Want It Now
- Someone Else Is To Blame
- I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on.
If not, join the majority and do nothing.

May 5, 2009

Bragioli (beef olives) recipe

Here's a great maltese recipe!


BRAGIOLI (Beef Olives)

no olives here!!



10 thin slices of rump steak
Stuffing:
1/2 lb ground beef
6 bacon strips
2 hard-boiled eggs
2 tbsp chopped parsley
4 tbsp bread crumbs
1 carrot grated
pepper and salt


Sauce:
2 large onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
4 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 tsp tomato paste
2 carrots, scraped and sliced
1/2 cup peas
2 potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 bay leaves
1 tsp Worchestershire sauce
1/2 cup red wine


-- In a bowl combine all stuffing ingredients.
-- Pound and flatten slices of steak.
-- Spoon about 2 tbsp of stuffing on each meat slice. Roll up slice.
Use string or toothpicks to secure rolled-up meat.
-- In a saucepan cook for a few minutes onion and garlic in enough water
to cover onion. Add beef rolls and brown over medium heat.
-- Remove beef rolls from saucepan and set aside.
-- Add potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, tomato paste, herbs, and wine to
saucepan. Add pepper and salt to taste. Stir gently and cook for
about 10 minutes.
-- Return beef rolls in saucepan, add peas and bring to boil. Reduce
heat and simmer to thicken sauce. Add wine if mixture begins to dry up
before meat is thoroughly cooked.

ENJOY!!!

May 1, 2009

Crochet flower pattern



Cotton Thread size 8,
crochet hook Size H (6/0, 3.5mm)
Gauge: 1 small motif = 6 cm diameter, 1 big motif = 9 cm diameter.
Follow the pattern to make up the motifs.

Small Flower Motif:With two strands of cotton thread and size H hook, ch 6, join with sl st to form a ring. Ch 1,Rnd 1: 12 sc in ring, join. Ch 1, Rnd 2: sc in the same stitch, ( ch 5, skip 1 sc, sc in next), 5 times, ch 5, skip 1 sc, slst in 1st sc. (6 loops made), ch 1,Rnd 3: ( 2 sc, 3 dc, 2 sc, all on the next loop) 6 times, join. Fasten off.

Big Flower Motif:Rnds 1-3: Same as small flower motif.Rnd 4: ( ch 5, skip 2 sc and 1 dc, sc on the next dc, ch 5, skip 1 dc and 1 sc, sc on the next sc) 6 times, join. Rnd 5: [ 5 sc in next loop, 1 picot (ch 3, 1 sc on the 1st ch), 5 sc on next loop] 6 times, join. Fasten off.

I found this great pattern here!

Looking for a gift?

Check out Lucindas Designs for unique handmade fashions
and Felice Sereno for European Collectables