String art by Maurizio Anzer

String art by Maurizio Anzer
see more of his work here:
http://www.ignant.de/2009/11/05/maurizio-anzeri/#more-7404

Quote by~John Clare
So dull and dark are November days.
The lazy mist high up the evening curled,
And now the morn quite hides in smoke and haze,
The place we occupy seems all the world.

Facts
Dragonflies have six legs but cannot walk!
The New York Stock Exchange started as a coffee shop!
The heart of an astronaut actually gets smaller when in outer space.
The venom of the king cobra is so deadly that just one gram of it can kill 150 people.
Male monkeys lose the hair on their heads in the same way men do.

Tip
Ornamental soaps dries out, causing the scent to fade.
To renew the scent, use a vegetable peeler to skim off a thin layer, revealing a new moist and fragrant surface.


Recipe
Au Gratin potatoes
4 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch slices

1 onion, sliced into rings

salt and pepper to taste

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Butter a 1 quart casserole dish. Layer 1/2 of the potatoes into bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with the onion slices, and add the remaining potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. In a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour and salt, and stir constantly with a whisk for one minute. Stir in milk. Cook until mixture has thickened. Stir in cheese all at once, and continue stirring until melted, about 30 to 60 seconds. Pour cheese over the potatoes, and cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Bake 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven.

Crafts & Tutorials
Bottle cap Snowman Ornaments
http://shannonmakesstuff.blogspot.com/2009/11/bottle-cap-snowman-ornaments.html

Sparkly Snowman Ornament
http://www.happybirdscraftinghaven.com/2009/11/sparkly-snowman-ornament-with-link-to.html

Key covers
http://www.craftbits.com/project/key-cover-laynard?utm_source=051109NL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cb

Button Wreath tutorial
http://craftapalooza.typepad.com/

Make a stick Vase
http://crafttutorials.net/2009/11/stick-vase/

Fall theme cupcake collars printables
http://www.chicaandjo.com/2009/09/17/fall-themed-cupcake-collars/

Felt Christmas Ornaments
http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2009/11/craft-project-felt-christmas-ornament.html


Stay Crafty !
Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing !
Thank you for dropping by !

The black lace umbrella by Fulton

Photo credit:
1) www.target.com
2) www.urbanoutfitters.com
3-5) www.brolliesgalore.co.uk
This black lace umbrella by Fulton is like lingerie for a rainy day.
read more here:
http://shoptometrist.blogspot.com/2009/10/two-strikes.html

Quote by~Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, 1855,
The wild gander leads his flock through the cool night,
Ya-honk he says, and sounds it down to me like an invitation;
The pert may suppose it meaningless,but i listen closer,
I find it purpose and place up there toward the November sky


Facts
Jumbo jets use 4,000 gallons of fuel to take off .
The MGM Grand Hotel of Las Vegas washes 15,000 pillowcases per day!
The moon is actually moving away from Earth at a rate of 1.5 inches per year.
In Australia, Burger King is called Hungry Jack's.
Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as any other color.


Tip
WD-40
Spraying an Umbrella stem it easier to open and close.

Recipe
Raspberry Fudge Balls

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup vanilla wafer crumbs

1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

3/4 cup finely chopped almonds

DIRECTIONS:

In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips; stir untilsmooth. Cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese andmelted chocolate until smooth. Stir in the wafer crumbs and jam.Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm. Shape into 1-in. balls; rollin almonds. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Crafts & Tutorials
How to make a reversible place mat cover
http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-make-reversible-placemat-cover.html

Movie gift idea
http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/2008/12/reworking-gifting.html

How to make sweater balls
http://sweetersweater.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-sweater-balls.html

Linen Drawstring Gift bag
http://alittleredribbon.blogspot.com/2009/11/linen-drawstring-giftbag-tutorial.html

Super Easy Cosy Scarf Tutorial
http://alittleredribbon.blogspot.com/2009/06/tutorial-super-easy-cosy-scarf.html

How to do basket liners
http://www.diyideas.com/howto/sewing-fabric/basketliners_1.html

Winter ornament
http://www.diyideas.com/howto/Decorate/winterornaments.html

Thanksgiving leftover lables printables
http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-printables/thanksgiving-printable-planners/thanksgiving-dinner-leftover-labels-704295/

Stay Crafty !
Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing !
Thank you for dropping by !

New England style painting Walton Ford's

Walton Ford's painting wild animals

Walton Ford’s paintings of wild animals combine the austere mastery of New England-style naturalism with satirical humor.
To see more of his work:
http://flavorwire.com/40962/walton-ford

Quote by Lucille Ball
I think knowing what you cannot do is more important than knowing what you can.

Facts
Japan, it is completely acceptable to name your child “Buttocks” or “Prostitute”!
In 2004, The Japanese Ice Cream Association promoted “raw horse flesh” ice cream in hopes that it would boost the popularity of ice cream!
The U.S. military’s dried food rations can be re-hydrated with urine!
80% of 10 year old girls in the U.S. go on a diet.
Mussolini dodged the Italian draft.

Tip
Snow
Avoid eating a big meal or smoking right before shoveling.
Be extra careful with wet snow that has been on the ground for a while. Try to shovel when it has just fallen and is likely to be more light and powdery.
Push the snow instead of lifting and carrying it. When you do have to lift the shovel, lift with your legs instead of your back.

Recipe
Emeril Lagasse
Bacon wrapped dates with cream cheese and Almonds
Ingredients

18 (1 by 1/4-inch) pieces cream cheese

18 pitted dates (preferably Medjool)

18 salted and roasted whole almonds

6 slices bacon cut crosswise into thirds

Special equipment: 18 wooden picks

Directions

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.Stuff 1 piece of cheese and 1 almond into each date, then wrap one piece of bacon around each date and secure bacon with a toothpick if desired. Arrange dates, bacon seam down and 1 inch apart in a shallow baking pan.Bake 5 minutes, then turn dates over with tongs and bake until bacon is crisp, 5 to 6 minutes more. Drain on a paper towel or parchment. Serve immediately.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/bacon-wrapped-dates-stuffed-with-cream-cheese-and-almonds-recipe/index.html


Crafts & Tutorials
HankiesTo soften a drum shade, cut the scalloped edge from a hankieand attach it using fabrics glue; glue grosgrain ribbons on top.
http://www.diyideas.com/quickprojects/Accents/hankies_ss3.html

How to make a Bottle cap Pincushion
http://junepfaffdaley.blogspot.com/2009/10/bottle-cap-spider-pincushion.html

Chalk welcome tray tutorial
http://junepfaffdaley.blogspot.com/2009/08/chalk-it-up.html

How to make a fleece Rope Dog toy
http://radlinccrafts.blogspot.com/2009/01/fleece-rope-dog-toys-2.html

Moses Basket redo tutorial
http://sewcando.blogspot.com/2009/08/moses-basket-redo-bedding-tutorial.html

How to easily Stamp words tutorial
http://artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-easily-stamp-nameswords.html

How to make a Colourful Key Chain
http://artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-to-make-colourful-key-chain.html

Stay Crafty !
Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing !
Thank you for dropping by !

Stephen Ting Photos

Stephen ting Photos

Please go here to see more of his photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_ting/

Quote by~Clyde Watson
"November comes And November goes, With the last red berries And the first white snows.With night coming early, And dawn coming late, And ice in the bucket And frost by the gate.The fires burn And the kettles sing, And earth sinks to rest Until next spring."

Facts
One in 500 humans has one blue eye and one brown eye.
More than 40,000 parasites and 250 types of bacteria are exchanged during a typical French kiss!
The G in 'g-string' stand for groin.
The can opener was invented 48 years after the can.
The inventor of the Waffle Iron did not like waffles.

Tip
Sanitize the Garbage Disposal
That’s right, simply drop a half-lemon into your disposal with a tablespoon of baking soda, and it will stay clean and odor-free. Replenish as needed.

Recipe
Hush Puppy
Ingredients:

2 cups sifted fine stone ground white corn meal

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon minced yellow onion

1 egg

1 cup buttermilk

4 to 5 tablespoons cold water

Stir corn meal, sugar, soda and salt together. Place onion in a small bowl. Add egg and buttermilk and beat until frothy. Pour all at once into the meal and stir lightly to mix. Add just enough of the cold water to make dough a good dropping. The dough should hold its shape in the spoon. Drop by tablespoonfuls into hot oil (about 350 to 360°) in deep fat fryer for about 2 minutes or until evenly browned, turning to keep all sides evenly browned. Makes about 2 dozen.

Crafts & Tutorials
Batbaby hat & beddy-bye tutorial
http://chezbeeperbebe.blogspot.com/2009/10/tutorial-and-pattern-cashmere-batbaby.html

Clothpin critter tutorial
http://paintingpinkpajamas.blogspot.com/2009/03/clothespin-critter-tutorial.html

Tutorial make sheet into a shower curtain
http://www.katherinejalaty.com/2009/10/tutorial-vintage-sheet-shower-curtain.html

Felt leaf napkin ring and placement cards tutorial
http://www.merrimentdesign.com/felt-leaf-napkin-rings-and-placecards-for-thanksgiving.php

Pole Mounted garden hose reels
http://www.instructables.com/id/Dual-Swiveling-Pole-Mounted-Garden-Hose-Reels/

Turn a Broken gate into rustic out door table
http://www.instructables.com/id/Turn-a-broken-gate-into-a-rustic-outdoor-table/

How to make a ear of corn bookmark
http://crafttutorials.net/2008/10/how-to-make-an-ear-of-corn-bookmark/


Stay Crafty !
Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing !
Thank you for dropping by !

Alphabet Stilettos

Zummi created a whole alphabet from nothing more than a couple stilettos!

Quote by~ Henry Ward Beecher
Remember God's bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light! Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!

Facts
Spider monkeys like banana daiquiris.
Iguanas have two penises!
The word 'News' is actually an acronym standing for the 4 cardinal compass points - North, East, West, and South!
The average child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the he/she graduates from high school.
Panophobia is the fear of everything.

Tip
If your a going to someone home to eat.
Notify the host of any special dietary needs -- if you are a vegetarian, diabetic or allergic to common foods. You can tell the host how to prepare a dish you can eat, or even better, offer to bring that dish yourself.
Recipe
Deep Fried Snickers bar
Snickers bars (or any other candy bar you like)

1 egg

1 cup (200 ml) of milk

1 cup (200 ml) of flour, divided

1 tsp of baking soda

1 tbsp of melted butter a pinch of salt

oil for deep frying

Freeze candy bars in a freezer for at least 2 hours.Whisk the egg and milk together, add melted butter and mix it well. Set a little bit of flour aside and mix the rest with baking soda and salt. Now mix wet and dry ingredients together until you get a nice smooth batter of sour cream consistency. Adjust by adding more milk or flour if needed. Put the batter into the fridge while the oil is warming up.In a pot, heat oil (enough to cover the candy bar completely) -- don't make it too hot as the batter will fry too fast and the candy will be still cold inside, but also make sure that it is hot enough or else the batter will absorb too much oil. Test the oil by adding a drop of batter into it.Dust the candy bar with the flour you set aside earlier making sure that it is evenly covered. Next, dip the candy bar into the batter making sure that it gets completely covered with it and quickly but carefully put it into the hot oil. Once one side becomes golden brown, turn it over and wait until the other side is done. Put it onto a paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Eat it while it is warm

Crafts & Tutorials
Remote Control pillow
http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/10/29/how-to-sew-a-remote-control-pillow-in-five-easy-steps/

Mini Santa Hats knitted
http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/04/12/mini-santa-hat-pattern/

Mini santa hat crochet
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/mini_crochet_santa_hat

Strawberry pincushion tutorial
http://embroideroo.blogspot.com/2009/10/strawberry-pincushion-tutorial.html

Christmas rose embordery pattern
http://gumtreedesigners.blogspot.com/2009/10/christmas-freebie-no1.html

Christmas door stop pattern
http://gumtreedesigners.blogspot.com/2009/10/christmas-freebie-no-4.html

Needle case tutorial
http://sewprimkhris.blogspot.com/search/label/Tutorial%20-%20Needlecase

Baby it cold outside rice bags tutorial wash rags
http://terryatkinson.typepad.com/atkinsondesigns/2008/12/baby-its-cold-outside.html

Stay Crafty !
Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing !
Thank you for dropping by !

Gothic arches theme this week Lord Frederick Leighton

Gothic arches theme this week Lord Frederick Leighton

Our theme for this week is: Lord Frederick Leighton...create an arch using one of his pieces of art as inspiration.

Visit to see more of his art

here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/10549679@N06/sets/72157609002689336/
Our new loction
http://gothicarches.blogspot.com

My arch is using May Sartoris by Lord Frederick Leighton