The American Cancer Society:

The American Cancer Society:
On April 30th of this year (2011) I will be joining the fight against cancer. My friends and co-workers have formed a team and will be hiking up Tenderfoot Mountain for the cure.
I need to raise $100, but hope to raise more than that! Am thinking about doing a raffle or a giveaway to help raise the $$$ When I decide which one I will post about it.

Pink Panther throw pillows & song bird flower pots

These throw pillows were so much fun to make!  I had the two different
fabrics in my stash,and had been thinking of what to make using the
Pink P fabric.  While looking through my fabric the pink & brown floral
print just jumped out!
I didn't plan to use them together, but they make a perfect pair!  I added
coordinating buttons to the centers of the yo yo's used for the straps.

After spend the morning outside doing some spring yard work,
I came inside to work on these flower pots.
A few months ago I made my mom some shopping bags with this
song bird print.  The leftover scraps were a great way to add a
decorative touch to these plain flower pots!
I just cut them to the right size and then Modge Podged them on!
Linking with The DIY project parade & Sew Darn Crafty Party & Giveaway
http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2011/03/diy-project-parade.html
http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2011/03/sew-darn-crafty-partyand-give-away.html

plastic bag holder

Supply's needed...
8 strips of fabric measuring 20 x 3 1/2 inches (or more if  you want a longer bag holder)
2 pieces of narrow elastic (1/4 inch or smaller)  1 piece 11 inches long & 1 piece 6 1/2 inches
long.
1 piece of strapping, cording, or ribbon 14 inches long (used as hanger)
If desired, you can use one single piece of fabric 20x 25 inches
Thread
scissors/rotary cutter
sewing machine.

Lay out your strips in desired order, sew strips together along the 20 inch side.
Making sure to keep right sides together & using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

When all strips are sewn together, press seams open.

Here all my strips are sewn together.

Next you will make a casing at each end for your elastic.
Note: (  I make sure to
make my casing along one of the 20 inch sides.)
Turn your edge over 1/2 inch and press.  Then turn another 1/2 inch
and press.

Next, sew as close to the edge of the fabric as possible without sewing off the edge.
Repeat this on the opposite end for your second casing.

Now you will attach your hanger.   Pin your strapping (or whatever you are
using for your hanger) just below the seam for your casing.  Lining  up each side
so that your hanger is centered.

Now you are ready to insert your elastic into each casing.
Begin by attaching a safety pin to each end of your elastic, this way
if you accidentally let go of the elastic you can retrieve it from inside
the casing.

Insert one of the safety pins into your casing and thread your elastic
through  by pushing and pulling it through the casing.
Repeat for the other end.
Make sure to use the 11 inch piece of elastic for the top of your
bag holder, and the 6 1/2 inch piece for the bottom.

Elastic at the top of bag holder
Note: leave the safety pins attached to the elastic until you have
sewn the side seams.

Elastic at the bottom of bag holder.

Line up side edges, being careful of the safety pins, and making sure
to back stitch at the beginning and end, sew side seams.

Turn your bag holder inside out. 
Next stuff all those plastic bags inside your new bag holder!

Upcycled DVD/CD holder

This is the DVD/CD holder that I found at the thrift store
on Saturday. 

Here is what it looked like after removing most of the wire
pieces (leaving every 4th one), and one of the wood ends.

Here is the finished project!  I painted the remaining wood
piece black, then added some scrap booking establishments
by using Modge Podge.

Close_up!

Cornmeal Pancakes w/chili and sour cream

This is what we had for breakfast today.  Yum!
Mr. P (hubby) loves pancakes, and Mrs. P (me) loves waffles.
So this is the compromise we came to!
These pancakes are a lot lighter than regular pancakes, which is why
I like them.  They don't sit on my stomach for half the day like regular
pancakes seem to do.
Anyway these are a quick and easy meal to prepare, which is an added plus!
If you like to make breakfast for dinner, like we do, this is a great recipe for
that.  It is also a great Brunch recipe!
So without further ado, here is the recipe!

Cornmeal pancakes w/chili & sour cream topping
3/4 cup pancake or Bisquick mix
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup grated cheese
green onion (for garnish)
1 can chili beans
3/4 cup salsa (optional)
sour cream
Mix the first 5 ingredients to make the batter, set aside while your pan or griddle
heats up.  Chop or slice your green onion and set aside.  Mix Chili Beans and
Salsa together and heat (either on low heat on stove top or in microwave)
Pour batter into your heated pan or onto griddle.  Cook until the edges are dry (done)
and then turn and cook the other side.
Top pancakes w/Chili Bean & salsa mixture, then add a dollop of sour cream, and lastly
garnish with green onions.
Enjoy!