Crochet using a T-shirt

My daughter was fixing to throw away some old t-shirts but I told her to save them because I wanted to try cutting them up and making some t-shirt yarn. I wanted to try and crochet it and see if it worked, Then I was just going to crochet a small rug just to see if I could do it.

Well, I got to cutting, stretching and rolling the tshirt string into a ball. Then I began crocheting.
Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. I was not expecting anything pretty. This was just an experiment to see what it would do.

As I began crocheting an oval, the rug began to make a bowl. I was a disappointed and then thought, well, I'll just keep on with this and then I will have a bowl. The first colors in the yarn just so happened to be patriotic looking so it goes along with this weekends Memorial Day.

So, I kept on and then I noticed, the bottom was not round enough to be a basket and held it up and my husband said, it looked like a purse. So, I decided, that's what it will be.
Its not the best looking thing, just unique, no way would I use this for a purse but will display it for now.

It just amazed me how it turned out to be bag instead of a rug. This was all purely by accident. Now, I have and idea how to make a purse if I really wanted to get my mind to it.


Linked on make-it-yourself-monday at anoriginalbelle. , make-scene-monday at alderberryhill., todayscreativeblog , nifty-thrifty-tuesday at linda-coastalcharm

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

It was another late night with a sweet tooth. Did I ever mention that I AM ON A DIET? I just can't do diets. I cut back and for a couple days then I'm back to eating. I don't gain weight, I'm just not loosing any.
Oh well, one day I will get my mind to it more seriously. Besides its not Monday yet. ☺.

So, what did I make this time? Strawberry Pretzel Salad. You can find the recipe HERE .

Oh my, It was sooo good. I don't know why its called a salad. It tasted more to me like a tart or cheesecake.

I started with my pretzel crust. made up of sugar, crushed pretzels and butter.

I did not know that pretzels would taste this good baked as a pie crust. You'd never know it was pretzels.

Then I whipped up the the center part that consist of cream cheese, sugar and cool whip.

               Oh, somebody stop me!

Then I added the strawberry topping made up of jello and strawberries.

Let set for a few hours......

And there you have it, A bite of heaven.

Linked on made-by-me-32-linky-party-and-features at jaqsstudio , whatever-goes-wednesday at somedaycrafts  , show-share at southernlovely  , full-plate-thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage , showcase-your-talent-thursday at whats cooking love , delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party at delightful order , sweet-as-sugar-cookies.

Birthday & Beach Weekend

I just celebrated my 43rd birthday on Wednesday. And guess what, I finally got a new camera! Yes! My sweet husband and daughter knew that I wanted needed one. Then when I got to work that morning, the people I work with got me a birthday cake and card. The rest of the day my family called to wish me happy birthday and my facebook wall was filled with friends telling me happy birthday. It was a great day. The next day we went to the beach for a long weekend.

It was cold, windy and gloomy at the beach this time, but that didn't stop the excitement of just being away from home and spending time with my husband and daughter. We did a lot of walking and me and my daughter enjoyed one morning doing an hour of aqua zumba. While I was there my best friend had left me a gift to enjoy during my trip.

It was a cute bracelet and cool cup. Thanks Robin!!

We did not see the sun until it was time to pack up and go home. Meanwhile, I took some pictures of things I often take for granted and never really notice when I'm busy soaking up the sun and waves.

Out of all the shells on the beach, I notice this little broken piece of a sand dollar and it was showing some love.  

Here is a view from under the pier where it looks like there is a door to the sea at the end of it. 

This is a "crabs eye" view of the sand and sea.

Now its time to get back to the real world and hope to visit the beach again soon.

Coconut Bread

After zumba classes I always have a terrible sweet tooth. I know this is not good and defeats the whole purpose of working out. I will often refrain from sweets and gulp my water.

But not this time!....

While surfing through Pinterest, I found coconut bread. Sounds good doesn't it? Yes, I thought so too, so to Walmart I went.
I could see my husband roll his eyes at me as I pulled out the mixing bowl. Needless to say, it was 10:00 at night.

 After I got everything mixed up (not exactly like the recipe because I do everything backwards), I noticed it said to bake for 1 1/2 hours. yikes.

Looking good.

It turned out that it only took 1 hour to cook so we all got to have a small piece before we went to bed. It was tasty but I'm thinking it will be better cool. Just one of those things like banana bread. Its better cool and doesn't have much flavor while its hot. I didn't have "lemon zest" that it called for so I used lemon juice instead and It think it could have used a little more. It was moist and you can definitely taste the coconut. 

I think I will need to try another piece just to make sure its right. ha!

Oh, and you can find the recipe HERE.

DIY Shabby Wreath

I have been looking for a wreath for my front door. Its not that I cant find one, its just that I'm so darn indecisive! I can never make up my mind and then once I have it narrowed down, I just don't want to spend the money. So I came up with another plan. I made my own by using a full size sheet that I was fixing to throw away and a $5.00 Styrofoam wreath from the local craft store.

I started out by cutting  ripping the sheet into 1 to 3 inch shreds. Note: I did not do this perfectly. I just ripped away at it. The word for today is "Shabby".

Then I began to tie each one in a knot around the Styrofoam. After each few that I tied on, I would trim to to the length I wanted them. Note: This will use up the whole sheet.

Add some decorations such as bows, flowers, etc...

And wah lah. There you have it. A shabby wreath.  Easy enough huh?

Linked on nifty-thrifty-tuesday at coastal charm , todays creative blog , made-by-me at jaqs studio , organize your stuff now, whatever-goes-wednesday at someday crafts , showcase-your-talent, under-100-linky-party , delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party , friday-fun-party-and-features at craftionary.

Crochet Booties

Here is a little craft I have enjoyed making the past few months. I have been crocheting baby booties when I get bored. I made a pair last year that I thought was really cute but I recently found an easier one at Bev's country cottage. She has alot of cute and easy crochet patterns. I have adjusted it just a little for my own preference but her originals are great!

I don't know why I'm stuck on making these cute little things.

I laugh at every pair I make because I think its just funny that I do this. I have actually had a couple request for a pair already and so that makes it even more fun to know I'm gonna actually make a pair someone will adore no matter if they cover little toes or sit on a shelf. I have even had someone suggest I donate them to a charity which I have actually thought would be great but I am bad about not sticking to one thing long.

 I am just still trying to find my talent.