Tights Turned Into Socks

Yesterday I was about to throw away a handful of my daughter's tights.  I was so upset how quickly they wore holes into the bottom part leaving the stocking part still in great shape.  I felt a little guilty throwing them away.  

So instead I made them into socks.  I know socks and tights don't cost much, but I am trying to make things last longer instead of being wasteful and throwing things away.

I had fun making their "new" socks.  I dressed them up with some bows too.  They will look so cute wearing them with their dresses and skirts!  And it only took me about 20 minutes to make 5 pairs.  

I got this idea from Ruffles And Stuff.  The only difference is is that I folded the material again over the elastic. So the elastic would have a casing and wouldn't touch their skin.  I thought it might bother them if it did and this way there were no open seams either so no chance of the material unraveling. 

                  

Snowflake tights.  I dressed them up with a frilly pink bow.

I thought one bow was cute and then thought maybe more would be MORE FUN!

Not all quite in a row, but still FUN!

Embroidery Hoop Art For Teacher's Gift

Over the past few days I have been trying to decide what to make for my kid's teacher's Christmas gifts.  I was thinking about just giving them snack bags that I made filled with cookies.  But my husband said he didn't think that was a good idea because our daughter's teacher might be diabetic.  Then I was trying to decide on how to embroider their name onto something that would be meaningful for them.  I have really been interested in applique art and the embroidery hoop art.  I came up with this idea of using my machine to embroider applique onto some plain fabric and then use an embroidery hoop as a frame to hang it.  I love the look and hope their teachers do too.  I went to Joanns and picked up 2 hoops for about 2 dollars!  This is a great gift that really cost me only time!

After I finished embroidering I sprayed the fabric with some applique adhesive and then put it on top of another cream fabric. This way you can't see the threads and mess on the back.  After placing the hoop the way I liked I cute the excess fabric witha  razor blade and used fabric glue around the inside edge to hold it all together.  Then I added a bow.  I am definitely not talented in the bow tying area, but I think it turned out good.

Grocery Bag Dispenser

My son's teacher asked me if I could make a grocery bag dispenser for her.  I had no idea what she was talking about, but of course I told her I could try.  I looked around for some tutorials that were out there.  His teacher wanted this bag to hold at least 100 grocery bags.  I found this great looking and large grocery dispenser tutorial at Dioramarama.  Here is how it turned out for me.  His teacher was very happy with it and says it holds all of her bags too!  I am glad I can help her out.  She is a great teacher to my son!

Painting Sugar Cookies Recipe

A family tradition of ours is painting sugar cookies instead of frosting them.  It tastes great and the kids have so much fun painting their cookies.  They can also add more detail at this age than they could with frosting.


Sugar Cookie Dough

6 cups flour
3t baking powder
2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2t vanilla
1t salt

Mix the flour and baking powder.  Then add the rest of the ingredients in order till dough comes together. Then cill in fridge for 1-2 hours.  Roll out on floured surface.  Once all of your cookies are cut out and painted bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Cookie Paint

2 T evaporated milk
4 drops food coloring

Make as many different colors as you want.  Paint onto the cookies and then bake!

Kid's Art Bag With Chalkboard

I have been super busy these last few weeks making things for craft fairs, orders and presents.  I am really having fun making the art bag I designed though.  My girls love theirs and use them at home, on trips and to the doctors.  I made a few extra and they did fairly well at the craft fairs I worked at.  Here are a couple of my favorite ones.

For the comic book fans!

I love the bright colors of Cat In The Hat!

Made for a friend whose grandson loves all things Thomas!

I started using chalkboard fabric. It actually works and gives the bag a great feel!  

Pirates are so popular!  I made another pirate one, but forgot to take a picture of it.

Love Hello Kitty!

Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe

Here is another favorite soup recipe!  This is actually my husband's favorite soup.  He always says it reminds him of the food he ate growing up.  It's super easy to make, which is my favorite part.  And it is great with cheese quesadillas too, which is probably my kid's favorite part.  If you make it I would love to hear your favorite part of the soup too.  :)

Mexican Chicken Soup

1T olive oil
1 onion
3-4 medium carrots chopped
3-4 medium celery chopped
4 cups chicken broth
Pepper and Salt to taste
3 cups water
2 chicken breast halves
2 cups corn
1/2 cup cilantro
lime wedges
Tortilla chips

In a 4 quart sauce pan heat oil and onion for about 5 minutes.  Add carrots, celery, broth, salt and pepper, water, lime wedges and bring to a boil.  Then add raw chicken, reduce heat to low for 10-15 minutes.  Once the chicken is cooked through remove and shred.  Return to soup, remove the lime wedges and squeeze out juice.  Add corn and cilantro.  Let simmer until you are ready to serve.  Serve with tortilla chips, limes, cheese quesadillas and avocado!  Or however you wish.

White Chicken Chili Recipe

Here is a family favorite!  Easy to make, great on a cold day, and all will love!

White Chicken Chili Recipe

1 pound chicken
1 onion
2t garlic
1T veg oil
2 cans Northern beans- rinse and drain
2 chicken broth cubes in 16oz water
1t salt
1t oregano
1/2t pepper
1/2t cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 cans green chilies

Saute chicken, onion, and garlic in oil.  Add the beans, chilies, seasons and broth.  Bring to a boil.  Turn to low and then simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and whipping cream.  Serve immediately!  Great in a bread bowl or over rice too!  Enjoy!