more paper mache boxes

Hi guys!

I did my first fabric, paper mache box. I am not crazy about the way it turned out. I think I used too much stain. It is really grungy. I like the top box. I think I am more of a "painted look" kind of gal than "fabric". I like their size though. They fit nicely on the blanket chest.

I can't believe we only have 25 more days of school. These last few months have gone by way too quickly. I am running the Half Marathon in the Pittsburgh Marathon this Sunday. It is 13.1 miles. I am excited and nervous. I will have my hubby take pics and I'll post them next week.

I have been so inspired by so many of you lately. You really are a talented bunch of folks. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day, Kim

My prim towel rack

Hello all! I just loved the towel rack pattern that Char posted last Wednesday. I emailed my dad from work and asked if he would cut and put together 2 for me. He emailed back an hour later- they're done. My friend Jen and I got together Friday evening and painted them. Good times! I love simple projects that are quick and easy to do. I hung some homespun on them and I am almost done with another stitchery. I will put that on the rack too. I love how it turned out.

I found a cute Americana sheep pattern on Twigs and Sprigs. I am going to stitch it and use it as a door prize at my Memorial Day picnic.

Enjoy the sunshine and nice temps! Have a great evening! Kim

another great class from Char :)

Sorry I haven't posted lately. I have been so sick with a sinus infection, but on my way to recovery. Well, this past Saturday Char did another wonderful craft class with us gals at church. We are so blessed to have her. She is so talented and gifted in many areas of crafting. So, on Saturday we did a paper mache box class. Some of the gals covered their boxes with fabric, some decopauged and others painted and stenciled. I had a lot of fun! I love get togethers and hanging out with friends. So I did this triple box set. The stencil set is from the Homestead Stencil Company that Char has posted on her site. Their quality is fantastic and so are the prices! I came home from work early today because I still wasn't feeling well. But, that didn't stop me from starting another set of boxes. This set I did the large round covered in homespun and the upper round a painted. As soon as I get stain to finish them, I will post pics. Have a great evening! Kim

Super Gluten Free Pancakes (tasty and easy)

Here is my sons' favorite GF pancake recipe:
1 1/2 c. brown rice flour
1/3 c. corn starch
2 T. ground flax seed ( get the milled stuff at Walmart in baking aisle)
1T sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp xanthum gum
2 eggs
3 T applesauce ( or canola oil)
1 1/2 - 2 c. buttermilk (I use rice milk)

Mix the dry ingredients. Then, stir in eggs, milk and applesauce. Cook on hot skillet. Enjoy!!

TS redos and how to get stain off of your hands tip

Here are some of my redos from the thrift store. I like the gathering. For the past 8 years, it was just the red cabinet (with the door closed not open either). How boring! Now it is dressed up a bit and more eye appealing. I love the thrift stores and with the weather getting better (besides tons of rain and mud), I can't wait for garage sales. Yee-haw!! That is my passion in life! Have a great day, Kim

BTY: I have a tip to share with those of you who forget to put gloves before staining. I am so busy with work, soccer, training for the half marathon, church music ministry, yada yada yada. Anyway, the past 3 times, yes 3, I have used the sponge brush to put on the stain and then of course I take a rag and begin to wipe it off. Everytime I forgot to put on gloves to protect my hands. Well, I have found the best thing to take off the unwanted stain is Goo Gone (from the dollar store). A little goo gone and some dish soap and it is all gone. Thank goodness or my hands would have been stained dark walnut on Easter Sunday LOL!

Best out of 5 attempts Gluten Free pizza crust

Hello,
Well, if you are a gluten free maniac like me, here is a great recipe for ya. First of all though, I want you to know how much money you can be saving by making your very own rice flour. It is very inexpensive with the right tool. My SIL has a VitaMix dry blender. You can get a grain mill attachment if you have a KitchenAid mixer (trust me, worth the $110). I buy 2 bags of brown rice- not pre or parboiled, just plain ol brown rice. It takes 45 sec. to grind up 2 cups of rice into a beautiful flour. 2 bags fill a large tupperware pitcher.

Okay, so here is the recipe:
You will need:
2 cups of rice flour
2 tsp. xanthum gum
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c of water
2 T olive oil

Mix the dry ingredients. Then cut in the oil. Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of water in slowly while stirring Knead dough and add water is too stiff. Pre-bake for 15 minutes at 425. Top and bake another 20 minutes until toppings are done.

My son is dairy free also, so I usually skip the cheese and just use Walmart sauce, pepperoni, mushroom and banana peppers. Yummy!!

Some redos

Happy Monday morning all,

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter! I redid a chair and a little table this weekend. The chair was in my mom's basement. It was a light wooden chair, like an old school chair. The table was another treat from my sister. She keeps me well-stocked. "Good things come to those that wait". I keep waiting and she keeps giving LOL.

I am going to start posting some gluten free recipes soon too. More on that later though. Enjoy your day. I gotta get to work! Kim

My finished signs

Hello,
Here are the signs that I made last week. I really love them! I sold 3 at work 10 minutes after I got there. It helped to get Easter basket goodies for my boys. The leftovers will be used for my house and for gifts- or maybe just for my house ha, ha ha! Seriously, how many Welcome Friends signs can I person have in their house? LOL Kim

My chicken feeder lamp

Hello,

I made the cute chicken feeder lamp that Char (The Pickled Pepper Patch) gave wonderful instructions for, but I don't have the pip berry candlering. Where would I find one of those? That really dresses it up. If not that, does anyone have other suggestions to use? It makes a nice nightlight for my kitchen. What a cheap project!!

Enjoy your weekend, Kim

stressed

Hello,

Is anyone else out there totally stressed? This morning I woke up with butterflies in my chest. I keep praying, but it hasn't lifted. I teach 2nd grade and it is a full moon right now. A full moon is a hard time to be in a primary classroom- they are nuts!!! Luckily we are off tomorrow for Good Friday. I need the rest. 

Well, I haven't posted for a while, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been crafting. I just finished about 8 prim signs. I brought them with me to school today and I have already sold 3 (just in time to make some extra cash for my boys' easter baskets). I will add the pics of the signs later. I am writing this quickly while they are in art class. Thank God for art, music, gym and computers.

I also had my retired dad put together a wooden project from Char's site "The Pickled Pepper Patch". He made the candle holder. I will paint it tomorrow in my spare time. Did I mention that I work full time, have 2 young sons and am training to run the Pittsburgh Half Marathon next month _BUSY!!

I also finished a stitchery for my son's teacher for Easter. It was a sheep with Glory on its blanket. I forgot to take a pic, but it was really cute!

Well, gotta go. I will post pics later. Everyone have a terrific Easter!!