Spindly Spider

http://www.womansday.com/home/craft-ideas/craft-project-spindly-spider-123878

 

Spindly Spider

 

 

Photo by: Miki Duisterhof/Halloween Celebrations

Turn three gourds on their side to make this spider. Button eyes and branch legs complete the creepy crawly creature.

Materials

• 3 pumpkins, in graduated sizes
• Screwdriver or butter knife (optional)
• Six 6" bamboo skewers
• Scissors
• 2 small plastic or Styrofoam plates
• 2 buttons
• Straight pins
• Rubber gloves and newspaper (optional)
• 8 slightly curved branches
• Black spray paint (optional)

Directions

1. Align pumpkins on the ground from smallest to largest, with stems facing same direction (in this case, left) and
flattest sides down.

2. Snap the stems off the two largest pumpkins, wedging a screwdriver or butter knife between the stem base and the top of the pumpkin for leverage, if necessary.

3. Poke three skewers halfway into the stem side of the largest pumpkin, spacing them evenly apart. Poke other end of skewers into base of medium pumpkin, pushing it toward larger pumpkin until the skewers hold them flush. Using remaining three skewers, repeat with medium pumpkin and smallest pumpkin.

4. Cut circles out of plates for eyes; arrange buttons on top for pupils. Pin eyes through buttonholes onto smallest pumpkin, above the stem.

5. If desired, wearing gloves and working on a newspaper-covered surface in a well-ventilated area, spray branches black, twirling them to cover all sides. Let dry.

6. Using screwdriver or knife to start the holes, if necessary, poke four branches into each side of middle pumpkin, evenly spaced, curves facing downward.

Craft and Prop Styling: Matthew Gleason

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Tricycle Diaper Cake Tutorial

http://www.maidendshade.com/2012/01/tricycle-diaper-cake-tutorial.html

Tricycle Diaper Cake Tutorial

I love when I have an opportunity to try something new. Even when it is just new to me. I have a baby shower to go to tonight and the gifts are supposed to be practical, i.e. diapers, wipes, etc. (baby #5, boy #4) and so I thought I'd try my hand at a diaper cake. So, I looked on 'the Google' for boy diaper cakes and saw some fun ideas, one being a tricycle which looked easy and fun and cute! First I made sure the hostesses were not planning on doing a diaper cake. I didn't want to step on any toes.

With the green light to proceed, I went shopping. I picked up a pack of size 1 diapers, 2 blue receiving blankets, a pair of blue baby socks, 2 blue bibs, a bottle and some ribbon.

I saw some pictures online showing people using a cake pan to form rounds of diapers. So I tried that and it worked great! I used a regular 8 inch pan and 20 diapers to make each tire. I added one at a time, overlapping about an inch.

Once I came around, I tucked the beginning diapers toward the center so the remaining diapers would end up on the outside.

Once all 20 diapers were added, I evened them out. Then I started to gently pull the diaper wheel out of the cake pan and put a rubber band around it to secure the diapers and continued pulling them out of the pan. Then I centered the rubber band and evened out the diapers.

Using my fist, I made a circular opening in the middle of the tires. Then I wrapped ribbon over the rubber bands down the center of the tire. I secured it with double stick tape every 3 or 4 diapers.

Next I rolled the receiving blankets. One of them I added a long piece of yarn down the center before rolling. I fed that blanket through two of the tires, the back of the third (front) tire goes between the back two. I strung the yarn through the front tire, effectively completing a circle. I pulled each end of the string up on top of the front tire, tied a knot to secure the three tires together. Then I shortened the tails of the knot.

Next I fed the other blanket through the front tire.

I placed a bib (puddle guard) on the front tire with the neck portion toward the back. I placed the bottle on top of the bib with the business end toward the back. (The bottom of the bottle becomes the headlight.) Because the bottle was one of those angled kinds I was able to sort of secure it with the bib.

Next, I brought both ends of the second blanket up over the bottle and secured it with a rubber band. Then I took the baby socks and added them to the ends of the blanket forming the handle bars. And then I added the other bib (the seat) with the neck portion going around the handle bars.

Over the rubber band I tied a bow. Then I decided to tuck the top bib under the second blanket.

And it's finished!

Isn't it cute?? I just love that argyle ribbon!

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Valentine Mailbox Station

http://cjaneblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentine-mailbox-station.html

Valentine Mailbox Station

I saw these cute mailboxes on a website attached to a cute candlestick and wanted to copy them. The craft store only had one wood candlestick and it was $4.00. I came up with this less expensive idea. I bought the wooden dowel for $2.00 and used a scrap of wood we had sitting in our garage. The mailboxes were $1.00 each at Target. I put Aaron on the case and he cut it, routered it, drilled holes and had James paint it. I just hot glued the mailboxes to the dowel and in the hole to secure them. I thought it turned out cute and wanted to share an easy and cheap idea. The kids love to check their mail each day to find notes and treats.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Hash Brown Casserole 2

 

Hash Brown Casserole 2

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

2 lbs Pork Sausage
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
8 oz French Onion Dip
1/2 cup Green Pepper, chopped
30 oz frozen shredded Hash Brown Potatoes, thawed
2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Sour Cream
1 cup Green Onion, Chopped
1/2 cup Red Pepper, chopped
Salt and Pepper, to taste.

Cook and drain sausage, set aside. Combine the rest of the ingredients. Put half of the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. Sprinkle with sausage. Cover with remaining potato mixture. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until Golden Brown.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Felt Christmas Ornaments

http://www.freecraftunlimited.com/felt-christmas-ornaments.html

Free Craft Project

Felt Christmas Ornaments

---

These felt Christmas ornaments are so much fun to make. Use the templates we supply or make them from your own designs and templates. Either way, felt Christmas ornaments will give your holidays a very special and personal touch.

Materials

• felt (white, black, red, green, orange, yellow)
• quilter's polyester batting
• gold cord (8" long for each ornament)
• thread (white, black, red)
• sewing needle
• Elmer's glue


Instructions

Start with templates for the stocking with candycanes, christmas tree, snowman, print and cut out all the parts.

Stocking with Candycanes

Using the template parts, cut out all the felt parts. Cut batting for both the stocking and the candycanes, making the piece slightly smaller than the original pieces (this allows for stitching all the way around the edges).

Following the pattern, sew the stripes on the candycanes.


Sew the heel and toe on the stocking.


Position the candycane batting and candycane felt on the green background. Stitch all the way around the edge with red thread.

Position the stocking batting and stocking felt on the green background. Stitch all the way around the edge with red thread.

Position the stocking cuff batting and stocking cuff over the other two pieces and stitch all the way around with red thread.


Making a hanging loop, sew the ends of the gold cord on the top back of the ornament.


Christmas Tree

Using the template parts, cut out all the felt parts. Cut batting for the Christmas tree and tree trunk, making the pieces slightly smaller than the original pieces (this allows for stitching all the way around the edge).


Position the batting and green tree over the white background.


Stitch all around the sides leaving the bottom open. Make the tree trunk by placing the batting between the 2 felt pieces and then stitching all around the edges.


Tuck the trunk in between the white and green felt of the tree, centered. Stitch all along the bottom edge of the green tree.


Cut tiny dots of batting and spot glue one to each of the 6 red balls. Position one of the balls on the tree and stitch all the way around the edge. Repeat for the remaining 5 balls.

Spot glue the yellow trimming and stars in place.


Making a hanging loop, sew the ends of the gold cord on the top back of the ornament.


Snowman

Using the template parts, cut out all the felt parts. Cut batting for the Christmas tree and tree trunk, making the pieces slightly smaller than the original pieces (this allows for stitching all the way around the edge).

Sew the hatband onto the hat. Sew (or glue) the eyes and mouth pieces on the face. Sew the nose on the face, stuffing with a small piece of batting to give it shape.


Position the face onto the green background and stitch all the way around the edge.


Position the hat batting and hat felt on top of the face and stitch all the way around the edge. Position the scarf batting and scarf felt on the bottom of the face and stitch all the way around.

Position the pipe in place and stitch all the way around the outside edge and the "rim" of the pipe with white thread.

Using black thread, define the fringe and the folds of the scarf.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Hash Brown Casserole

Hash Brown Casserole

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

1 pkg Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes
1 can Cream Of Chicken or Celery Soup
1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1/2 Stick Margarine
1/2 cup Onion, chopped
1 cup Sour Cream

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Put mixture into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350F for 45 minutes to 1 hour or, until golden brown.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

What I've been up to....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill

ie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Hamburger Casserole

 

Hamburger Casserole

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

Fry hamburger together with salt and pepper and diced onion.
cook some dry egg noodles
Layer the hamburger and then a layer of noodles
Put a layer of cheese on top.
mix:
1 cup milk
1 can "Cream of Mushroom" soup
and 1 Beaten Egg.
Pour over hamburger, noodles and Cheese.
Bake at 375F until Cheese has melted, about 45 minutes.
Serve with Cotttage Cheese and sliced Tomatoes, makes a good 1 dish meal.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Decoupage With Fabric— Pots For Your Garden!

http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2012/07/decoupage-with-fabric-planters-1.html

Decoupage With Fabric— Pots For Your Garden!

We needed a quick teacher appreciation gift for my daughter's teacher last week, and I finally got around to trying out fabric decoupage on terra cotta pots! I'm totally in love with the results and can't believe it took me so long to give this one a try. Oh well, everything in it's time!

And since I had to give away the striped pot, I'm just going to have to make more. Well as many as the amount of special water proof fabric stiffener that I have on hand holds out! And then I may just give it a try with a mix of PVA wood glue and water, of course I'll be sure to fill you in, not to worry.

You'll Need:

• cotton fabric scraps, quilting weight preferably
• terra cotta pots
• Paverpol textile hardener, a special waterproof medium of sorts for sculpting with fabric, info available here in Israel, and here in the U.S. (and for sale at art supply stores in The Netherlands where it's produced) Unfortunately Paverpol is rather expensive anywhere other than The Netherlands, but I haven't found any other product quite like it!

How To:

1. Cut or tear strips of fabric that are the exact length to span the inner lip of the pot to the bottom. Cut circles for the scalloped circle design by stacking or folding pieces of fabric to cut many at a time. If you are not using Paverpol, so plan your design that the fabric strips will end just above the soil level, or proceed as I did and keep in my that you'll need an inner pot to hold the moist soil.
2. On a protected surface, (this is messy!) and at a time when you are not needed for anything else, dip your strips into the Paverpol and run your thumb and pointer finger over the strip to remove the excess. Apply your strip to the pot, and continue working in this manner until the pot is filled.
3. Set aside to dry overnight, and place in a spot where you can enjoy!

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

rest of my day

Well. I wrote in a recipe, and I wrote what I've gotten done this morning.. now for my afternoon.

 

You see.  I usually just fall asleep (mainly from bordom) and just end up reading emails and not doing a whole lot of anything.

 

But Ah.. today.  The door is open, when it's not raining and the dogs are enjoying the looking out the door, and barking at anything that moves.

 

Growing up. My family did two major house cleanings a year. Spring cleaning, well yeah, it's in spring. and then there is Fall cleaning.  A change in the weather brings it on. And today just felt like the day to start. Of course you know. I get the back gone through every time we move the camper since every thing has to come down, out of and off of... in order for us to not tear up our storage areas. But now up front.. that's a different story.  and it's starting to look very crowded. Just about everything is out of place. In order to put every thing back in order the house will have to be in more dis-order. So, I just started in a space I felt needed it most. My canned goods tub under the counter, by the fridge. Cleaning is easy. Making a list of every thing I have, that is what took some time.  And part of what was under there is now on my bed. waiting for me to  decide where everything is going to belong, or to get rid of things that are in the way and I no longer have any use for.  The "Rule" is if I've not used it in the last year, it's out of here.  Soon enough I'll be going through my clothing drawers.  I'll have to toss my stained up tops. to make room for more, warmer tops.. and I'll be tossing cut off shorts as well. since they are at least two to three years old and have been worn almost every week.

 

Well. I had better get up from here and get my bed cleared or I'll end up sleeping on the couch again.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Good Morning

For Today ... September 17, 2012

 

Hello ... I forgot that Yesterday was my Grandmother's birthday.  I only knew one of my Grandmother's, my Mother's mom. My father's mom died when he was still very young. I don't even remember when her birthday was.  I have got to make a birthday card today or tomorrow and get it in the mail for my youngest daughter as her birthday is this next weekend. I also have to get a card in the mail for her daughter, as well.. Have to admit, I sometimes wonder why I do send her anything since she does not send me a card for my birthday which is just past her own birthday.  She will usually call me on my birthday, so that's something.
We had a fast weekend.  We did a lot of driving around and still didn't find an open tire shop that had tires in the size we need for the van. Jerry said he may have to take a day off of work just to get two tires for the front of the van.

 

The landlord had his field mowed and baled last week. He got it done just in time for winter, I think.  He's sent one of his horses off to be trained to pull a cart. I thinkI was him in a field just down the road from here.
Outside my door ... It's dark and dreary and it's been raining and ther is more rain in the forcast. Our high is to be in the mid 70's.  I can now see where some of the trees are starting to really change color for fall. The edges of the leaves are yellow or orange or red.  Although it's been raining, I've got a couple of the windows open and the door is open. the back vent is open a bit, as well.

 

The Dogs ... seem content to not be outside in the rain.

 

The Cats ... have come in and gone back outside again.

 

From the kitchen... Once I finish writing this up, I'll do the dishes and then start a crockpot with potatoes, green beans and a small roast I picked up from the store yesterday. We will have salad with it, and I am thinking of baking some applie pie filling I picked up, insdie some canned biscuits I still have in the fridge.

 

I am hearing... The TV. I can't seem to find anything worth really watching and have been channel flipping. I think I'll go find a Christmas CD to play for a little while,.... There Celtic Women Christmas is playing

 

I am wearing... Maroon shorts and a light purple printed top. I'm about to toss both at the end of the season.

 

I am reading... Well, emails, The Bible and a book on my kindle, Wildflowers come back.

 

I am thinking... Of how to get Beth her "Birthday" money.  If Jerry will stop and pick up a gift card from Wal-mart then I can just send it in the mail. otherwise we will just have to wire it to her.

 

I am thankful for... Being able to have spent some time with Jerry over the weekend.  Althoug we were busy, we were busy together.

 

I am hoping... That Jerry gets every Sunday off work.  He really needs two days off but we will take one if that is all we can get.

 

I am creating... A clean camper. I want to make me a new top this week but I also have to make two dresses for Bailey as well.

 

One of my favorite things... is watching Barney play ball by himself. He picks up the ball, then drops it so it will roll away and then will go get it and drop it again.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Dinner from Arby's tomorrow, Make some clothes, Make some cards, Try to get in some walking now that the weather has turned a bit cooler.

 

*****

done by 10 am

Stayed up after Jerry left for work.
Took the dogs out
type out a recipe from "From our home to yours"
Changed signature
Sent out my Christmas Corner Newsletter
took care of trashcan in bathroom
Put tools in the bathroom where they really belong
Meds and Breakfast
brush hair
read Exodus, Chapter 7
Wildflowers come back, chpt 1
picked socks up off floor and put in laundry
put bathroom laundry in laundry tubs
put shower mat over side of tub
wiped out bathtub
sprayed sealent into corner of bathtub
cleared countertop by sink
hung up damp stuff to drip dry
made both beds
put down fresh food and water for the dogs
ran dishwater

 

 

 

 

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Green Bean Casserole

 

Green Bean Casserole
serves 4 to 6

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 Cup Milk
1/8th teaspoon Black Pepper
1 can sliced Mushrooms
2 (9oz) packs frozen French cut Green Beansk thawed
1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese
1 can French-Fried Onions, divided

Pre-heat oven to 350F
Combine the soup, milk, mushrooms, half the onion, and black pepper in a large bowl, and mix well. Combine green beans, and half of the soup in a medium bowl. Spoon into a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. top with remaining soup mixture. Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining onions, Bake until browned, about 5 more minutes.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackOfTheBox/

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Easy Chicken Pie

Easy Chicken Pie

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

 

Bottom Layer
3 lbs Chicken, cooked and deboned
3 hard boiled Eggs, chopped
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
2 cups Chicken Broth
Crust
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup self rising Flour
1 Cup Butter, melted

Place Chicken in casserole dish. Sprinkle eggs over Chicken. Mix broth and soup, pour over chicken and eggs. Mix crust ingredients, pour over other layers. Bake at 350F for approx. 35 minutes or until browned.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/love-to-make-crafts/


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BilliesChristmasCorner

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

http://www.bhg.com/thanksgiving/indoor-decorating/thanksgiving-tabletop-topiaries/

Country Topiaries

Turn miniature pumpkins into tabletop topiaries with a raffia bow as the finishing touch.

What You Need:

These tiny wonders make a great addition to any tabletop.

• 4-inch terra-cotta pot
• Styrofoam piece to fit in pot
• Wooden dowel or small tree branch
• Miniature pumpkin
• Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
• Dried beans or peas
• Raffia

1. Prepare the container. Use hot glue to secure the Styrofoam into the pot.

2. Make the "tree." Sharpen the end of the dowel or branch (trimming it to size if necessary). Push it into the bottom of the pumpkin. Push the other end of the dowel into the Styrofoam. Hot-glue the dowel to secure if necessary.

3. Add the finishing touches. Spread dried beans or peas over the top of the Styrofoam, gluing if desired. Using raffia, tie a bow around the dowel just below the pumpkin.

For variations, you can replace the miniature pumpkins with small gourds. If you want your topiary to last for more than two weeks, use artificial vegetables or fruits.

 

Billie C.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BilliesChristmasCorner

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/

Not a good day

I knew at 3 am that this was not going to be a "Good" day. I woke up, as usual, for a bathroom run and heard water running... we had a joint come apart. I just turned off the water and told Hubby I would just fix it in the morning. It's not rocket science to fix. He had to get up and check it out, while I was outside turning off the water. He agreed I could just fix it today. Back to bed. No water, no cooking breakfast for Hubby, he bought it on his way to work.

 

I wake up at 7 am and I'm wondering why is the floor between the beds wet, and then, why is hubby's bed wet (I don't like twin beds but this is one time I do ) Seems the larger dog , Macon, had wanted out but didn't know how to tell Hubby he needed out before Hubby left for work. He peed all over Hubby's bed. Luckly I have those plastic backed sheet covers.   But it's still a mess to clean up. 

 

I go to fix the water leak, and I can't find the screwdriver I need to fix it with. I use to have at least 4 screwdrivers in this camper. Each and every one had walked out the door in Hubby's pocket. 

 

No water, no shower and I needed one very badly (three days is two days too long from one, expecally in summer time) So I count out enough quarters to do one load of laundry at the laundry room. Oh yeah. the laundry soap is in the back of the van. So I take some dishsoap and some washing soda and mix them together in a plastic baggy.  I then, gather up towel, wash rags, soap, shampoo, cover up... and the wet stuff off of hubby bed and head to the back of the office, where the laundry room and showers are.  Oh Ugh... they all won't fit into one washer.   so I sort into two washers, and then have to walk, back up the hill, and pick out $3 more worth of quarters.  Go back down, divide the soap between the two washers, start them. go take my shower in the Public showers ,Hey at least I had plenty of hot water for a good soaking. The bench does not look sturdy enough to handle my weight so I dress standing up. At least I can still do that. I hate getting dress right after a shower, Noting wants to go where it belongs on my damp body. Luckly I have a front hooked bra and that helped me get in to it. (TMI?) 

 

I only had a few more minutes to wait for the washers to finish before I had to put what was in the washers into the dryers.  Someone had brought a load of laundry up and left it on the counter while I was in the shower.. and I'm sure they were watching for me to leave when I was done with the dryers. After putting everything into the dryers, I came back home, sat for a few minutes . wrote an email. Then, the timer went off, so I bagged up the trash, emptied the trash can (it's a kitty litter tub) and took both outside. left the can by the back of the camper, tossed the trash on my way to the laundry room to pick up the laundry from the dryers.  I heard a camper door open while I was walking back up the hill.   Got back to the camper, tossed the bag of bedding into the camper, turned on out spare water hose. pulled it and the trash can closer to the door, then filled it about 2/3rds full (I'll use the water to flush the toilet)

I come back to the camper and I want to take a picture of the new dress I'm wearing because my new friend gave it to me.   Dropped my red camera and now it's not wanting to work right. I have to push the lens part back a bit for it to come on. At least it's still taking pictures once it does get the lens to focus.

 

 

I don't know if all the "bad" is done for the day, or not,  I'm not going to work on anything that could possible break. I have learned that once a day starts like this, the best thing is to just do as little as possible and let the day fall away all on it's own.

 

 

 

She also made the top below. I will really enjoy wearing this come near the end of September and October.

 I love shirts and sweatshirts made up like this.

 

 

Billie C.

crafty afternoon

I've been a little busy this afternoon.  First I made this

 

 

 

Every time we go someplace and I'm wearing my sunglasses, I ether lay them down, or put them on my head, or hook them though my blouse top.  I know it's going to be in my way, but at least I won't feel like my top is being pulled down all the time.

 

Then I used one of the Christmas themed carts and cut put 12 Christmas cards with my Cricut (the 12 Days of Christmas) I put a different color back behind each picture as I made them, but they will still need a lot of work. A greeting on the outside and a bit more inside.

 

I really should have been cleaning my camper more. but I thought, To Heck with it, I can clean tomorrow.

 

Billie C.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BilliesChristmasCorner

http://billieschristmascorner.blogspot.com/