No-Sew Christmas Tree Skirt

The Christmas Tree Skirt.  Okay y'all, I'll be honest, I haven't posted in a while because I have been majorly procrastinating this!  It is my first major tutorial and I really didn't want to screw it up, plus I will still owe you a picture of it with the tree.   Anyways… my friend Tracy, one of the most amazing people ever, sent me a text one day with a picture of a tree skirt from Pinterest, and said let's make this!  I was so in.  I had actually seen it and was a little worried, but I figured if she was going for it I should too :).  

The original post we found was here.  This Vintage Grove blogger definitely inspired my colors and the starting method.  The rest is honestly trial and error, part of it is finding the best method that works for you.  Most people when doing this use a hot glue gun, I am way to accident prone to do that.  I would seriously not even have any finger prints left if that was what I used.  Instead I used Tacky Glue (a fantastic idea by the wonderful Tracy!).  Still glue everywhere, but my digits all remain unharmed, which is the best part.  

Okay let's get started! Materials needed:

Safety pin method

Old tree skirt or 3 yards of fabric to make a square circle (mine's totally an oval…)

3 yards of one color burlap

3 yards of another color burlap

tacky glue

sharp scissors (I used my kitchen shears)

a safety pin

ruler

a lot of heavy objects (example: soup cans and rum)

The first part is cutting the strips.  There is a really weird method to use the guy at Jo Ann's fabric showed me to get a perfectly straight line.  Well not that weird, just a pain.  Each strip is 3 inches, measure the first strip and use your safety pin to pull out a string.  Be gentle!  It will probably break, no biggie, just find where it stopped and start again.  With that string missing there will be a perfect line to guide you to cut.  Do this for most of the burlap, leave a little at the end to cut more if needed, I had extra, you might not.  I am going to use the extra for a fun project!  After a couple Christmas movies, phone calls, and dinner, all of my strips were cut!!  Awkward picture of me is an example of what to do with all the little strings you pull out...

Next stop, keeping the dog from eating the burlap.  Put it up high, trick him with a bone, anything.  Mr. Louie was a pain in the rear end, especially on this next part.  I got out the 3 yards of super cheap fabric that I used for my base.  It was the most awful shape ever.  So I cut from one side glued it to another, it's a huge oval, but I can overlap it in the back for a small area, or when I have a larger area next year I'll be able to spread it out.  My mistake worked out!  

Now the fun part that took forever, I am easily distracted.  Gluing the thing together.  Try not to make the pleats with the ruffles too tight.  Just glue, bunch some, and put something heavy on top.  Keep going until you lose your mind.  It's really not that bad.  My kitchen table extends so I just opened it up and went to town.  The hardest part is waiting for it to dry.  Once you have made a little distance on one row, start on another, that way you can have multiple spots drying.  At one time, I had four going, that way when I finished all of them the first one I had done was dry and ready to go!

More pictures of the process!!

After string is pulled straight line to cut

First 2 rows 

Four rows in, using objects to hold down

Almost done...

Done!!

Happy Crafting!

How is it December?

Okay, is it just me or has this year flown by?????  I cannot believe that I was married in March, it feels like yesterday, and that we're all going to say goodbye to 2012 in just a month!  Before I get ahead of myself, it's Christmas season!  It's most wonderful time of the year...  Yes, I'm singing, but let's all take a minute remember what the season is really about before we get carried away with the present buying and ridiculous craft projects (I have about 4 coming up for y'all).  

So I kicked the season off with a Christmas parade (on Nov 30th)!  I went with my awesome friend Amanda, also the best hair stylist in the world, seriously, and her adorable little girl Lily.  It was a short parade, but perfect for an almost 3 year old!  All of my pictures are awful because it was dark and they are from my phone, I NEEEEED to start using my digital camera... oh well.  

There definitely was a ghost busters car with "ghost busters" walking around, awesome.  Even a USC truck with Cocky!  And those who know me know I am a USC (that's University of South Carolina, the real one) alumni and a huuuuge Gamecock fan!!  

Well that's about it for now, just wanted to give you a sneak peak of my upcoming tree skirt project!

Dinner's in the Freezer

I am always on the go.  I start my master's program next semester (yay!!), the hubs is on 2nd shift, and I am working a lot as well.  With that being said making actual food (not cup of noodles, etc) for dinner is sometimes hard!  I looooove to cook and bake, it's just finding the time that's frustrating.

Pinterest has been swimming with all of these freezer meals, and I thought I would try my hand at them!  I used a few recipes that I found online and one or two of my own.  I also didn't want to make to much in fear of things turning out badly.  

Normally with these you make multiple of each thing so you jam pack that freezer.  I am looking for sales to keep adding things as well.  Thankfully the Harris Teeter near my house always has chicken breast "on sale" for $1.99 per pound.  Awesome!  

So here is the list of what is currently occupying my freezer:

Chicken Alfredo
Steak Tip Stir Fry
Twice Baked Potatoes
Marinated Chicken
Veggie and Rice Medley
Taco Mix
Shredded Chicken
Chicken Stock "Cubes"
Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas

Wow, with it all typed out it looks like I did a LOT of work.  It wasn't bad at all!  I definitely encourage you all to do it!  I started with chopping all of my veggies.  I used my Cuisanart Immersion Blender with bottom attachment to completely destroy a bag of carrots.  I have learned from my research that bulking things up with carrots is the way to go!!  We even put it in the twice baked potatoes.  It also adds healthy stuff, which is a plus for the hubs and I.  


Another thing to do is label your bags before you add anything!!!  It's a pain if not, I forgot to put something and had to go back.

Okay here is a little of what I did:

Chicken Alfredo- Cubed raw chicken, aldfredo sauce, and whatever else you want. Easy Peasy.

Steak Tip Stir Fry- This is a favorite I always make for the hubs!!

• top round sliced thinly (leaner than bottom round, but you can use either)
• onions
• bell peppers
• low sodium soy sauce
• worcestershire
• carrots (because we chopped oh so many!!!)
• crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper go in everything I make as a warning!

Okay this goes in a bag labeled with: "Steak Tip Stir Fry - Defrost - Cook in Pan - Serve with Brown Rice"  And it's always delicious!!!!  Super easy.  Add the soy sauce and worcestershire to taste.

Twice Baked Potatoes- make sure to just wrap them individually in saran wrap before putting them in the bag, that way you can get out what you need!

Marinated Chicken- Ready for this??? Marinade, Chicken, Bag.  DONE.  When you thaw it, it gets all delicious and marinated-y (not a word, I know) and then grill it.  Serve it with the potatoes and something green.  Hello dinner!

Veggie and Rice Medely- Okay, basically I had left over veggies, threw them in a pan with rice.  Then froze.  I defrosted one and then added a little cheese, Laughing Cow wedge of light swiss, and threw in some shrimp, easy, quick, and healthy.

Taco Mix- had this last night!  Yummy!  Brown ground beef/turkey/chicken with peppers, onions, carrots, and taco seasoning (I need to learn to make my own, no msg...another blog another day...).  We defrosted this and then used it to make taco salads.  

Shredded Chicken and Stock Cubes- Boil chicken with carrots, onions, celery, and seasoning.  Shred.  Discard veggies.  Freeze in an ice cube tray.  Automatic stock cubes and shredded chicken for whatever you need!

Quesadillas- Put what you want, cook, cut, freeze.  Microwave for a quick snack.  Mine are packed with black beans, chicken, and cheddar cheese.  Protein!

Okay that's enough for now, until round 2!  What do you like to make for the freezer?  I'd love to try some of your recipes!!!!!

Too Much Turkey!!

Okay, I didn't have too much turkey.  I wish I had more!!!  A lot of people are not turkey fans and just really go for the sides, I'm about the whole shebang!!  Bring on the turkey!  The best part about it?? The left over sandwiches...mmmm... I don't even need anything fancy, just a good roll, some awesome cheese, maybe a little mayo, and the turkey.  That makes this girl one happy camper.  

So it has been a few days since Thanksgiving and I have been one busy girl!  Just curious, did anyone else do any Black Friday shopping?  There weren't many people out!  We have been in huge need of a TV.  We have been rockin' out with a fantastic tube forever.  We finally upgraded in the world and now are the proud owners of a 40" Samsung!!   (The hubby's new toy).  I was lucky enough to get a new toy too!  A MacBook Air!!! YAY!  I will need this for grad school in January, but for now it's my new toy.  Well except for the fact I barely know how to use it.  Any tips?!  What apps to I need to download/buy??  Also who got what on Friday or did you wait until today, Cyber Monday??



I promised a recipe if all went well, and it did!!  So I found this Cranberry Orange Quick Bread years ago, and I have no idea where it came from, but it's always a hit.  Everyone seriously loves it and will be asking you to make it year after year!!

Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

2 cups flour (+ extra for loaf pan)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 stick cold butter cut into pea size pieces* (+ extra for loaf pan)
1 orange zested
3/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 orange peeled, sections removed, and diced
1 egg
1 cup dried cranberries

*I used my pastry cutter to start this process then added the flour sooo easy!!*

Preheat oven to 350*

-In food processor combine flour, sugars, baking soda, and butter.  Pulse, pulse, pulse, until mixture resembles finely grated cheese. (This step can also be done in a large bowl with a pastry blender, then using a hand mixture for the rest of the recipe).
-Add orange zest, juice, and egg.  Pulse, pulse, pulse.
-Move to bowl, stir in orange and cranberry.
-Prep loaf pan with butter and flour, add mixture and bake 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Rotate halfway through.
-Let cool 20 minutes before removing from the pan.

It takes about 45 minutes to do a little loaf pan!  I got these adorable ones from Michael's for only $1.50 each!  They made the cutest Thanksgiving little gifts!!  UPDATE- no pictures because I have no idea how to work my mac.  HELP PLEASE!!!!


I have recently been doing a few other Pinterest projects and a few of my own!  I'll keep you posted blogosphere!  But right now I'm covered in glue and burlap, if that's anything to go by and my freezer is stocked with goodies.  Until later...

Gobble Gobble!!

Ready to "Gobble 'til you Wobble?!"  I am!!!

This is my first Thanksgiving in 25 years I will not be at my mom's house.  A thought that scares me to death.  I'm very close with my family and I love my mom's food!  I can taste the greenbean casserole now….mmm….

Well this year I will be spending it with my in-laws!  I love them to death, they are absolutely wonderful people, and I am excited.  But no mom's apple pie… Anyways enough thinking about myself and my mom's food.

I cannot turn up anywhere empty handed, I am so over the top when it comes to cooking and making things for holidays, my poor husband is scared to come in the kitchen around Christmas… wait for the pictures.  This time it was a little harder trying to come up with what to make!  There are so many things I wanted to make that my mom does so I can bring a little bit of my Turkey Day, but I needed to make sure not to step on any toes!!! 

Mama Cille (Great-grandmother Lucille) is in her 80's and is still cooking the Thanksgiving dinner for the hub's family.  I didn’t want to make anything she already does, and didn’t want to bring something so new and different it well… I don’t even know, it's a weird balance.  Anyone else have this problem???? What did you do???

Okay enough of the ridiculousness from me.  My recipes this year:

Crockpot French Toast Casserole

Chocolate Truffles

Sausage and Apple Stuffing (I'm a horrible southerner, I don’t care if it's not in the bird it's not "dressing" that goes on a salad)

Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

Recipes will be posted once I make sure everything is delicious!!!

The picture above is one of my mini Cranberry Orange Quick Bread.  Oh my goooodness.... so delicious.

Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!!

Welcome!!

Welcome to my little ol' blog.  I feel I really needed a way to record everything, I've never been a diary keeper, but to me this is a little different.  Hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing it :o).