Pin Cushion with Matching Tote

 Front or top of Pin Cushion

 Back or bottom of Pin Cushion

Pin Cushion

Here is a fun pin cushion to make from Holly of  www.alittlestranger.com.   Follow her fun and easy instructions on her video at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoZDjkUiouE

You can find the two darling contrasting fabrics at the following link:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/98034506/mccalls-vintage-pattern-mini-fabric

I purchased this fabric at JoAnn's Fabrics and the sewing theme buttons were purchased at Hobby Lobby.



Matching Tote

 I made the matching tote using the instructions from the following link:

 http://www.purlbee.com/the-twenty-minute-tote/

I finished the tote off with a liner for the above tote with the matching contrast fabric.  

Favorite Taco Salad

Favorite Taco Salad

I got this recipe from a church member at a potluck dinner.  It makes a lot of salad and is great for any gathering.  Enjoy!

1 pound of ground beef
1 package of taco seasoning (not hot)
1  14 ounce can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One large head of iceberg lettuce or 2 small, washed and dried well
(A salad spinner works great here)
5 Roma tomatoes , chopped fine
1 cup of finely chopped red onion
3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1  16 ounce bottle of Thousand Island Dressing
1 large bag of Nacho Cheese Flavor Doritos, crushed.  It's easy to just
open the bag and lay it flat on the counter and crush with your palms.

Brown the ground beef in a large frying pan.  Add the taco seasoning with 3/4 cup of water, stir well, add the kidney beans and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and let totally cool to room temperature.  Meat mixture should not be warm at all.

Tear the lettuce into a very large bowl.  Add the tomatoes and onion.
Stir in the completely cooled meat mixture.  Next, stir in all of the Thousand Island dressing and mix well.  Add the cheese and Doritos; mixing well. 
Serve with favorite salsa or all on its own.

Cheap and Easy Packing Material

Cheap and Easy Packing Material

Here is an easy and inexpensive way to make your own packing material with items you probably already have on hand.  Just wad up newspaper pages and stick them into a plastic shopping bag you get from the store with your items.  Tie the bag shut and you have great packing material without getting newsprint on the item(s) you are going to ship.