INSPIRATION SUNDAY: Pray

FLICKR FRIDAY: CROCHET INSPIRATIONS

cater it simple

fios de linha

planetjane

rose hip

MJM Crafts

peacefu1

Hump Day Humor

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

From the Kitchen: Low Carb Neapolitan Parfaits

Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar substitute, plus 2 tablespoons (recommended: Splenda)
1 teaspoon no sugar added vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced (sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar substitute if not sweet)
Fresh mint, for garnish

Directions:
With an electric mixer on high, whip the heavy cream in a bowl just until frothy and add in the 1/3 cup sugar substitute and vanilla and continue to whip just a little more to blend; do not whip all the way to soft peaks yet. Put half of the partially whipped mixture into another bowl and finish whipping it on high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip, or the cream will break. Set aside the vanilla cream.

To the first bowl with the other half of the partially whipped cream mixture, add in the cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons more sugar substitute and finish whipping on high until stiff peaks form, again being careful not to over-whip. This is the chocolate cream.

In each of 4 parfait glasses, layer a couple spoonfuls of chocolate cream, followed by some fresh strawberry slices, and top it with a couple spoonfuls of fresh vanilla cream. Chill completely before serving. Garnish with a strawberry fan and sprig of fresh mint.

[Nutritional Analysis per serving: Calories 233 Fat 23 grams Saturated Fat 14 grams Carbohydrates 9 grams Fiber 2 grams Net Carbohydrates 7 grams ]

~~yummy recipe and photo from: foodnetwork.com~~

Flickr Friday: Punch Needle

Just browsing through Flickr today and found these inspirations!

pullipmama

dawnstew73

vivianneroni

ladypoetess

Shaebay

Childfree Trophy Wife

CROCHET: Daisy Apron

**this post is courtesy of Country Living Magazine**

Fashionable and functional, this Daisy Apron in easy-care cotton can be crocheted with or without a bib. The apron skirt, waist and ties are crocheted as one piece and soft pleats are incorporated at the waistline. The bib is crocheted separately then sewn to the skirt. Crocheted edging around each piece gives the apron an attractive finished look, as do the crocheted flowers, which are optional.

MATERIALS:
Lily Sugar 'n Cream (70.9 g/2.5 oz)
Main color (MC) (46 Rose Pink) 4 balls
Contrast Color A (01 White) 1 ball
Contrast Color B (10 Yellow) 1 ball

Size 4.5 mm (U.S. 7) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
Yarn or tapestry needle for finishing

GAUGE:
13 half double crochets and 8 rows = 4 inches [10 cm]

INSTRUCTIONS:
Note: To change color, work to last 3 loops on hook. Draw loop in next color through 3 loops on hook to complete stitch and proceed in next color.
Chain 2 does not count as half double crochet.

ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS
MC - Main Color
WS - Wrong side of fabric
RS - Right side of fabric
in(s) - inch(es)
cm - centimeter
* * -- repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a give set of instructions

STRIPE PATTERN
With MC, work 5 rows.
With Color B, work 1 row.
With MC, work 2 rows.
With Color B, work 2 rows.
With MC, work 2 rows.
With Color B, work 1 row.
With MC, work 5 rows.
These 18 rows form Stripe Pattern.

With MC, chain 87.

Foundation Row: (WS). 1 half double crochet in 3rd chain from hook. 1 half double crochet in each chain to end of ch. 85 half double crochet. Turn.

Next row: Chain 2. 1 half double crochet in 1st half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. *1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through front loop only. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. Repeat from * to last half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in last half double crochet. Turn.
Repeat last row until work from beginning measures 15 ins [38 cm].

Next row: Chain 2. Working through both loops, 1 half double crochet in each half double crochet to end of row. Fasten off.

Pleats: With RS of Apron facing, place marker along top edge 6 ins [15 cm] from either side. Fold a 1 ins [2.5 cm] pleat and pin in position. The upper edge of Apron is now 22 ins [56 cm] long.

Ties and Waistband: 1st row: With Color B, chain 42. With RS facing, join with slip stitch to upper left corner of Apron. Working through all thicknesses of pleats, work 1 single crochet in each stitch across top of apron to end of row. Chain 43. Turn. 2nd row: 1 single crochet in 2nd chain from hook. 1 single crochet in each of next 41 ch. 1 single crochet in each single crochet across. 1 single crochet in each of next 42 ch. Turn. 3rd row: Chain 1. 1 single crochet in each single crochet to end of row. Repeat last row once. Fasten off.

With RS of work facing, join Color A with slip stitch to any corner of Tie. Work one row single crochet around Tie and outer edge of Apron, having 3 single crochet in each outside corner and single crochet two together in inner corners as follows: (Draw up a loop in next st) twice. Yarn over hook and draw through all 3 loops on hook . You have just single crocheted two stitches together. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. Next round: Working from left to right instead of from right to left as usual, work 1 reverse single crochet in each single crochet around. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. Fasten off.

Pocket: With MC, chain 41. 1st row: (WS). 1 half double crochet in 3rd chain from hook. *1 half double crochet in each chain to end of chain 39 half double crochet. Turn. 1st row of Stripe pattern is complete.

Keeping continuity of Stripe pattern, proceed as follows: 1st row: Chain 2. 1 half double crochet in 1st half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. *1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through front loop only. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. Repeat from * to last half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in last half double crochet. Turn. Repeat last row until 18 rows of Stripe pattern are complete. Fasten off.

With RS facing, join Color A with slip stitch to lower right corner of Pocket. Work 18 single crochet up right side, 3 single crochet in corner, 37 single crochet across top, 3 single crochet in corner, 18 single crochet down left side, 3 single crochet in corner, 37 single crochet across bottom and 3 single crochet in corner. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. Next round: Working from left to right instead of from right to left as usual, work 1 reverse single crochet in each single crochet around. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. Fasten off.

Bib: With MC, chain 35. 1st row: (WS). 1 half double crochet in 3rd chain from hook. *1 half double crochet in each chain to end of ch. 33 half double crochet. Turn. 2nd row: Chain 2. 1 half double crochet in 1st half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. *1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through front loop only. 1 half double crochet in next half double crochet through back loop only. Repeat from * to last half double crochet. 1 half double crochet in last half double crochet. Turn. Repeat last row until work from beginning measures 9 ins [23 cm]. Fasten off.

With RS facing and Color A, join with slip stitch to bottom right corner of Bib. Work 18 single crochet up right side, 3 single crochet in corner, 31 single crochet across top, 3 single crochet in corner and 18 single crochet down left side of Bib. Leave bottom edge unworked. Do not turn. Next row: Working from left to right instead of from right to left as usual, work 1 reverse single crochet in each single crochet along 3 sides of Bib. Fasten off.

Sew bottom edge of Bib to Waistband, centering Bib with Apron Skirt.

Ties for Bib: (make 2). With Color B, chain 82. 1 half double crochet in 3rd chain from hook. 1 half double crochet in each chain to end of ch. 80 half double crochet. Fasten off.

Daisy (optional): With Color B, chain 5. Join in round. 1st round: Chain 1. 10 single crochet in round. With Color B, join with slip stitch to first single crochet.. 2nd round: With Color A, chain 1. 1 single crochet in first single crochet. *Chain 5. Slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook. 1 single crochet in next ch. 1 half double crochet in next ch. 1 dc in next ch. Miss next single crochet. 1 single crochet in next single crochet. Repeat from * to end of round. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. 5 petals. 3rd round: Chain 1. 1 single crochet in missed single crochet in last round. *Chain 5. Slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook. 1 single crochet in next chain. 1 half double crochet in next ch. 1 dc next chain. 1 single crochet in missed single crochet in last round. Repeat from * to end of round. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. 5 petals. Note: 5 petals from 2nd round should alternate with 5 petals from 3rd round. Fasten off. Sew one Daisy to upper right corner of Bib as illustrated.

Sew Ties and Pocket to Apron as illustrated. Stitch middle of Pocket at center of Apron through all thicknesses.

Another award!!

Thank you to Lynn a It's A July Thing!  I am honored...hmmm....now I hope I can keep up the Kreativ title, haha! ;) So I think I'm supposed to name 7 things I love:

1. Ok, we all know, my husband goes #1 here. ;) We are just perfect for each other! It's scary how much alike we are! I am married to the most wonderful, funny, sweet man who makes me laugh daily.

2. I love old, antique/vintage, and pretty things from the Victorian age thru the 60s.

3. I love Fall--it's my favorite time of year. (I could be biased since since I was married in Oct!)

4. I love vintage material and vintage buttons.

5. I love tea and anything tea-related. (Obvious from my blogs I know!)

6. I love punch needle and am always on the look-out for new ideas...and I love selling on eBay!

7. I love the internet and I'm thankful for all the lovely people I have met here!

TEA ON TUESDAY: Lemon Muffins

Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for muffin tin
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for muffin tin
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk, or plain low-fat yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated, plus juice, plus 2 tablespoons more lemon juice for the glaze
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 6-cup jumbo muffin tin. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vanilla, and lemon zest and juice of 1 lemon. Set aside.

With an electric mixer, cream butter and granulated sugar until light. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk mixture.

Divide evenly among muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes in tin, then cool completely on a rack.

Set rack over wax or parchment paper. In a small bowl, stir confectioners’ sugar with remaining lemon juice until smooth. Pour over cakes, spreading to edges with a small knife. Let set 30 minutes.

Makes 6.

~~yummy recipe and photo from: recipe.com~~

Poppies Punch Needle

Hello!

I finished another punch needle piece this weekend and think I'll list it today. I did a mat of this and attached it to a basket and was pleased when it sold. I got several emails asking if I would just sell the mini-rug by itself, so I thought...hmmm...well, guess I'll do that! :) So I'm listing it today. I have an Americana piece I hope to finish tonight and list tomorrow too.

Hope you're having a great Monday!

Hugs,
Sheri

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAY

WEEKEND GETAWAY TO TN

"On the road again....just can't wait to get on the road again"...that really should be our theme song! We decided to run to Gatlinburg this past weekend. No real reason, I mean, who needs a reason? We just love to run! ;) Just an overnight getaway, but we plan to take a few days and go back in July during the Craftsman Fair. We were spying out some places to stay near the convention center and parking lots available for a truck and trailer (there are very few for just cars!) My husband is starting a new blog of our adventures from the perspective of "handicap accessibility" and what that really means. Should be a hoot! ;) We'll be scootering along in our mobility scooters and find out just how far they go & where we get stuck!

I did, of course, run by Dixie Darlin' in Pigeon Forge to pick up a few more punch needle patterns. Always on the look-out for new ideas! The Pattern Hutch at the Old Mill was closed (I went by on Sunday)--bummer. But I hope to get some more shopping done there in July.

It was HOT, HOT, HOT Sunday and I am already dreading the July weather! Guess I'll need a mega-bottle of sunscreen and a gallon of water!

Hope you're having a grand Wednesday!

Hugs!

~~ MY FIRST AWARD! ~~

My first award for my Tea-licous Recipes from Prim Rose Hill blog! I am sooo thrilled! I had to share the news over here! ;) Thank you Bernideen!! She has an awesome tea blog you should visit!

The rules for this Makes My Heart Smile Award are:
1. The winner can copy the logo and put it on their blog
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award when you pass it out!
3. Nominate 10 blogs on your blog
4. Leave a message at your 10 nominees telling them to come to your blog for their award for "Blogs that Make My Heart Smile"

If you already have this award...not a problem....if you don't want to do this...not a problem! I have to tell you, I had an incredibly hard time choosing from all my favorite blogs!!

1. Friendship Tea

2. Kathleen Ellis

3. Southern Touch Catering

4. Steph's Cup of Tea

5. Tea with Friends

6. Uniquely Tea

7. Our Family Attic

8. ADR's Treasures

9. Boggy Creek Primitives

10. Sara's Sweet Surprise

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAY

Pink Saturday!

Hello friends!

I am happy to be participating in another Pink Saturday hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound! You know I'm always on the lookout for "more" craft ideas...as if I have the time! But you know how it is, you're always thinking..."oh, if I have the time, I'm going to make some of [name your item here]"...now if we can JUST find the time, haha! I found some pink pillows online that I had to share this Saturday. They are all just soooo adorable! One of these days....[sigh]....

Hope you're having a great weekend! I'm in TN today, but will be back tomorrow! Hopefully I'll remember the camera and have some pictures to share with you. :)

Crows, Sunflowers, a Kitty-cat & Cherry Pie!

Hello friends!

I have been busy the past two weeks! I thought I would never finish punch needling "Cherry Pie"! My, what a great piece, but large when compared to most punch needle! It measures across the front of the basket, which is almost 12". Whew! I wonder how many hours I spent on this one? But I enjoy doing it, so I can't say I'm complaining. :) I also finished the Sunflowers & Crow which looks lovely on the basket and also decided to do a little designing of my own with "Flower Girl". I've listed everything on eBay and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :) What have you been creating lately?

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday!

Hugs!
Sheri

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A sweet little punch needle mini-rug on a square wooden box of a kitty playing in red poppy flowers.

"Flower Girl" an original design by Prim Rose Hill.

This punch needle embroidery was punched by me on punch needle cloth using 4-strands of DMC cotton floss. The embroidery punch needle was then trimmed and attached to a wooden box I hand-painted. The base of the box is butter pecan tan and the lid is barn-red. I used to have a kitty cat named Tam-Tam when I was growing up and she just loved to get outside and lay in the flower beds in the summer-time. I couldn't help but think of her when I was designing this little prim mini-rug.

The punch needle rug measures approximately: 3 ½” across. The box measures 4” X 4” X 2 ½” tall. The lid is about an inch wider than the base.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A sweet little wicker basket with sunflowers and a black crow. This punch needle embroidery was punched by me using 4-strands of DMC floss.

"Sunflowers & Crows," by Hooked on Rugs.
This embroidery punch needle was trimmed in a coordinating brown yarn and then attached to a brown wicker basket with a dark brown/black trim. Basket measures approximately: 6 1/2" length, 4" width, and stands 4 1/2" tall (8" tall to the handle).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A sweet white wicker basket with a blue striped liner with a darling punch needle mini-rug of 2 crows and a cherry pie! This punch needle embroidery was punched by me using 4-strands of DMC floss and is quite large for Punch Needle.

"Cherry Pie", by Little House Needleworks.
This embroidery punch needle was then trimmed and attached to a white wicker basket. The basket has a blue & white striped liner that is removeable, if you don't like it; or if you use it and it becomes soiled, it can be removed and washed. Basket measures approximately: 11 1/2" length, 6 1/2" width, and stands 6 1/2" tall. As you can see, the punch needle mini-rug goes across the entire front of the basket.

Thought for the day...