Friday, January 22, 2010

Hot Diggity

It is always a challenge to fix a dinner that everyone will enjoy, especially the kids.  I received the current issue of Family Fun Magazine (February 2010) and noticed a way to fix hot dogs that was different than I have seen before.  This may sound like Forrest Gump and the shrimp conversation - but I know that you can fix a hot dog in many ways...
...with the usual condiments - mayo, mustard, ketchup and relish - in different combinations
... with saurkraut with or without above mentioned condiments
... cooked over a open fire on a stick
...without a bun and cut up in wheels
...in pork 'n beans
...in mac 'n cheese
...grilled
...tator dog - a hot dog sliced lenght-wise with a scoop of mashed potatoes, sprinkle with shredded cheese and baked - YUM!  An old cafeteria favorite!
...corn dog
...an octopus dog - take the bottom half and cut in strips, cook, add mustard for eyes and mouth
AND NOW....
My husband and I cut up the hot dogs in thirds. Then with DRY SPAGHETTI, we skewered several spaghetti through the hot dog pieces length-wise. Carefully cook them in boiling water until pasta is tender.  I asked my husband what we should serve with these dogs.  We came up with spaghetti sauce and shredded cheese and the usual ketchup.
My boys LOVED them! The older one, Daniel -9 yo- had it with the sauce and cheese the younger had them plain.  However, with the younger one, Garrett- 3yo- there were stories and playacting with eating of these Squid Dogs.  As for me - well - I didn't really care for them - honestly.  But I am ok with that. And I am ok with NOT eating mac 'n cheese and canned raviolis- less calories...



Monday, January 11, 2010

Time Management

As I have been cruising around to other blogs I noticed a lot of people are very busy with New Year's Resolutions, making lists, cleaning and getting organized.
WHEW!
It sure makes me tired just to think about all that.  My sister even commented today that I need to clean my craft room.  I looked around and replied,
"No. I just need to get busy with the projects I have at hand."
Now that I have my desktop pc taking up resident on part of my work table, I tend to really multi-task.  I don't want to take any more time trying to get picture perfect organized.  I took that time last year and got the major stuff organized and I know where most of the important stuff is.  However, IF it is in a Special Place it will be revealed to me when I am looking for something else.
Any whoo......
I DON'T WANT TO CLEAN OR ORGANIZE!
I guess I am rebelling....
.....being lazy???......
No. I am calling it Time Management!
After I do what I call my "Mommy " jobs and other Priorities - the time I have in this tiny room is precious and I want to be able to work on my projects that I have bouncing around in my head. To others it may seem "messy", but I see Unfinished Projects.
Just think about it.....
If I had an half hour before picking up kids from school, I could.....
....finish some hand stitching...
....stuff a pillow...
...cut out a pattern...
....or whatever needs to be finished or worked on....
GUESS WHAT?!?
The more projects that I finish and get out of my way, I believe that my craft room will become a little more cleaner and a little bit more organized.
BECAUSE....
as I am working on this or that, I can put like stuff together - like all my corduroy in one tote and denim in another and label them-
AND MAYBE....
Mom's advice could work - "Put everything back in its place after you use it."
and MY FAVORITE....
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"  So what if it looks like a craft store bomb went off in your craft room as long as you have a safe exit route and room for a friend to join you in your crafting projects - YOU ARE OK!

Monday, January 4, 2010

For Sale -

Great Yoga/Workout Pants
Flexible, Comfy, Wash-n-Wear
Vintage Rusty with white Asian-inspired designs


100% Poly ......Size 15/16 (model is a size 8)
Measurements taken laying flat
waist:16 1/2"  crotch seam:13"  inseam: 30"  waist to leg hem: 41"
Straight Leg Boot Cut
Elastic Waist Band in Casing









 For Purchase: Vintage Rusty $19.95 Shipping Included! 
"I'm Just A Walking..."
Another Great Pair of Workout/Yoga Pants
Stretchy ~ Comfy ~ Wash-n-Wear

Vintage Red & White Stripes
100% poly
Measurements (Laying Flat) -
waist: 14"   crotch seam:13 1/2"  inseam: 31 1/2"
waist to hem: 43 1/2"
Small Elastic Waist Band
Straight Leg Boot Cut
No Size Tag - Model is a size 8










 *note* on front left leg in the thigh area there is a black mark about an 1"
For Purchase: Red & White Stripes $19.95 Shipping Included


Here is how to make a purchase....
I accept PayPal or a USPS Money Order
email me at rfthreads@yahoo.com with item(s) name and amount and payment method
You will need to pay with PayPal within 2 days after receiving confirmation email from me
With USPS Money Order I will give up to a week to be received at my address.
once payment has been cleared or received I will ship items
USPS Priority with Delivery Confirmation
Once I receive a request for purchase I will put up "Sale Pending" by item(s) selected
*These Sales are for vintage clothing and are not being sold as NEW unless stated in item descriptions -
each garment will have some wear and other findings will be noted*
Please email with any other questions at rfthreads@yahoo.com


Saturday, January 2, 2010

T-Shirt Throw Giveaway

In my last post I gave a tutorial on how to make a T-Shirt Throw and I was thinking to myself,
"Self, wouldn't it be fun to do a T-Shirt Throw of t-shirts from different people?"
"Sure that would be neat," I replied.
However, myself wouldn't stop there....
"Self. How about we give the T-Shirt Away after you make it!"
"Wonderful idea! Myself, " I answered.
Of course Myself had thought it all out,
"Self, to enter the giveaway you need to send in a t-shirt that represents you or something dear to you.  It will be your entry and become part of this T-Shirt Throw.  Self, you currently have 21 followers and if each one would send in a t-shirt that would be enough to make a T-Shirt Throw."
"That would be so cool, Myself.  I would love to see this happen.  How fun!"
So there you have it, Self, Myself and I have decided to have a giveaway and we need YOU to participate!
To enter: send me with an email to: rfthreads@yahoo.com with "T-Shirt" in the subject line and I will email you my mailing address where you can send in your t-shirt.  The faster the t-shirts come in the faster the T-Shirt Throw can be made and the faster we will know who the winner will be!
As mentioned before- your t-shirt becomes your entry to this T-Shirt Throw Giveaway.
Please no rude images or languages on t-shirts.  Does not have to be a new t-shirt.
I hold the right to refuse certain t-shirts if it is unusable for any other reason not mentioned here.
What T-Shirt will You Send?

Throw Me a T-Shirt Tutorial





I've always wanted to make a T-Shirt blanket of sorts.

My second oldest daughter really likes Tinker Bell and over the years has had many t-shirts with this tinker fairy on them.  Over the years as the t-shirts became too small I would remove them from her and save them.  I  even gathered some from Ruth's Room, yard sales and thrift stores. With the Christmas Season coming upon us, I knew it would make a great gift for my daughter. Then it went even further, that I made one for each of my sons.  I had to take t-shirts from their dresser drawers to make their blankets big enough.
Step #1-  Gather up t-shirts - 
I used 27 t-shirts for the Tinker Bell throw and 26 t-shirts for oldest son and
33 t-shirts for youngest ( since most of his were size 2/3 t, more was needed )
Step #2 - Cutting Sides of T-Shirts -
This step could be used with a rotary cutter and mat or with scissors - I used scissors....
Fold the bottom of t-shirt to back of neck with the front of shirt showing 
*NOTE* I made a smaller throw using nothing but 12 turtle neck shirts, since there was no design on the front of the turtle neck I was able to cut them all the same size.  With a design on the front it is somewhat more difficult for the throw to  be uniform* 
I rarely like to measure so I eyed where to cut from bottom of fold to the top, cutting the side seams and sleeves off.







Step #3 - Cutting Ends - 
Once the sides are cut off on each side - Keeping both thicknesses - fold the t-shirt in half the other way. Cut the bottom hem and neck seams off.

 
This what your t-shirt will then look like.
 

Step #4 - Repeat Steps 2 and 3 
 
Step #5  - T-Shirt Block Placement
I did this on the floor as a table will not be big enough - Place each t-shirt block in columns, putting same size widths together, some personal preference of placement happens here. In one of my kids' I put all Lightening McQueen across the tops and all in one column and with the other two I mixed them up as much as I could.  If a t-shirt is much larger than any of the others, trim it to fit. 

In the above picture I have a gap between my columns and 
I used a part of another t-shirt from my stash to fill it in.


Step #6 - Sewing A Column
It is easier to sew it in columns than in rows because the t-shirts are mostly the same width now.  I took my column and stacked one t-shirt on top of the other in the order I wanted it to be and took it to my sewing machine.   
With WRONG sides together and double thickness of each t-shirt, sew a 1" inch seam and repeat.
Step #7  - Sewing Columns Together
Once you have completed sewing each column, lay them out on the floor for final placement, making sure that the top and bottom is some what even. Then with WRONG sides together, sew each column together.
Step #8 - Sew a 1" Seam All the Way Around the Outside Edges

Step #9 - Clip Seams
To complete your t-shirt throw, clip the seams to give it a "ragged" appearance. With some sharp - tip scissors, cut just to the threads - DO NOT CUT THE THREADS - on every seam and all around the outer edges as well.

My daughter Evie's T-shirt Throw



My Son Daniel's T-Shirt Throw

Daniel with his T-shirt Throw are now inseparable.
 

My son Garrett's T-Shirt Throw
 
Garrett and his T-Shirt Throw
 

All Three T-shirt Throws