Crafting on the Go!

I am not the world's best rider. I bring probably 3 x's the hours of activities I would need while in the car because I never know what I will want to actually do. J just likes to drive and listen to Handle on the Law. I, on the other hand, get antsy after about 5 minutes.

For our trip last week, we had 14+ hours of driving time between Friday and Sunday. Evening drives tend to be worse on me because I've worked all day and then driven until some late hour. On this occassion, my allergies were in full swing and I was getting sick so I (even more than normal) was dreading the drive.

To combat this, I had a loaded up IPad with Khloe and Lamar, Glee, Modern Family and Happy Endings to keep me occupied if need be. Apparently, I'd missed a whole season's worth of all four shows. But, like I mentioned before, I have to pack more than 14 hours, I need about 40 hours of stuff. So I also packed my craft items. I love crafting and it is relaxing for me, so I packed some things that I needed to do for this upcoming shower. Make sure when crafting on the go that you pack everything you might need (i.e. glue, scissors, tape, hole punch, etc) not just the craft items themselves. A key to making this work is to bring along a few pillows to act as your car "table." One should work, but I used two.

Then just get to business. You may have to get creative with space.

I had to makeshift a needle out of a paperclip because I forgot a needle. It was more difficult, but it still worked.

On the car ride I managed to watch four hours of commercial-free TV, made two strands of garland, one banner, wrapped 3 yarn letters, read a handful of magazines, finished a novel and chatted J's ear off. You can get a lot done in 14 hours... 

Random Musings

Last night I ate Special K for dinner and I had a piece of toast. Just keepin' it real in case someone out there thinks I make great dinners every night. I can't wait to show you how to craft in the car tomorrow... just in time for any Memorial Day roadtrips you have!

The favors for the bridal shower in a few weeks turned out super cute. I finished them up last night. See for yourself. I won't tell you what they are just yet! Stay tuned.

My hair stylist says that there's always something new going on with my hair. She's right. Since 7th grade, I've been doing something different with my hair quarterly. Most of the time I go for that goldenrod look with blonde and/or copper hi-lights but regardless, my hair is constantly in flux.

Here's my latest change...

From this...

to this...

What do you think? I know it's dark for summer but it is very close to my natural color and I'm thinking that I kinda feel like a frizzy-haired Kardashian stepchild with it. HAHHA! Oh, the fun! Did you hear Kim's engaged?

DIY -- Pioneer Woman Style

I love the Pioneer Woman and her recipes! Wow! I've been wanting to try her Pasta ai Quattro Formaggi ever since I started eating cheese again. It was worth the wait.

I want you to go over to her site for the recipe and beautiful pictures. You won't be sorry!

I used chevre, chedder, parmesan and fontina cheese. I used her directions (using 2% milk instead of cream), but I forgot to save some hot pasta water so mine wasn't as creamy as hers. C'est la vie. It was still delicious.

And, 'tis the season for goodness! For dessert I shared this big beautiful bowl of cherries.

Yum-O!

DIY -- Pasta Mama from Good Morning Mama's

I love Good Morning Mama's... especially their Pasta Mama. What can I say? I have awesome friends who take me to awesome breakfast places when I'm in Indiana that I crave the rest of the year.

So, being in Wisconsin, I decided that I would make my own version of the Pasta Mama for dinner last night. I ran by Trader Joe's to get a bell pepper and fresh Parmesan since we have no food in our house right now. I got home and went to work.

Ingrediants:
Eggs
Angel Hair Pasta (I used whole wheat)
Bell Pepper (I used red, they use green)
Fresh Parmesan
Tiny bit of butter or margarine

1. Boil the pasta to al dente. Do not overcook. Trust me on this one!!

2. Drain the pasta and put a tiny bit of butter in with the pasta so it doesn't stick together.
3. In a separate pan, start making scrambled eggs.
4. Once the eggs have started taking shape, turn to medium heat and dump in the pasta and bell pepper pieces.
5. Toss the pasta, bell pepper and eggs together until the eggs are completely cooked.
6. Lower the heat and add in the Parmesan.
7. Serve it up with a few shavings of Parmesan on top

It isn't just like the Pasta Mama and I did not put in enough Parmesan, but it was good. I'll eat it again, but nothing beats the real thing. 

DIY -- Yarn Inspired Ideas [Wreath]!

I am still harping on all this yarn stuff -- sorry! Just bear with me! The last one... maybe!

I also made some yarn wrapped wreaths! I found Cranny on Etsy and fell in love with all of her items!  Especially these wreaths...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69505514/miss-sailor-spring-door-sweater

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66646460/tangerine-and-seersucker-door-sweater

Buy you know I can attempt my own hand at it, so I did! Same as with the letters, you glue the yarn in place and start wrapping. Cover the entire wreath -- this may take you a few times around.

Then embellish! That simple, but it is darling and completely goes with our feel of the shower! I can't wait 'til you can see the cute ones I made!!

DIY -- Yarn Inspired Ideas [Letters]!

I love showing you all what I'm working on, but I don't want to give it all away.... oooh, the conundrum! So, I'll show you some progress but not the finished product. Sound good? OK, good!

I've been spending some time wrapping letters.... it's quite fun, but it's also keeping me busy. You just wrap and wrap and keep on wrapping... you get the picture.

Supplies needed:

A wooden letter or cardboard letter

Scissors

Tape or hot glue

Print and cut out the letters you need on a normal piece of paper. Trace those on cardboard (I used a cereal box.)

Cut out the cardboard letters.

Secure one end of the yarn with tape or hot glue.

Start wrapping....

Or, you could buy an already finished letter (like the wooden letter below) and you eliminate the first few steps. Secure the yarn and start wrapping.

The wooden letter was sturdier and didn't bend as much, but the cardboard letter was at a much better price point.. FREE. So, you know, pick your favorite.

I found this idea here and here! Both are beautiful! I can't wait to show you these finished and displayed.

DIY -- Yarn Inspired Ideas [Garland]!

I've been working on the bridal shower for my future SIL lately. I hope it's a lovely time.

In preparation, I've been working a lot with yarn. Yarn wrapped wreaths, yarn wrapped monograms and yarn pom pom garland to name a few!

Here's some help in making your own garland!

For the garland... (I got my idea here)

Wrap your yarn around a wooden fork/spatula about 50 times.

 
Tie in the middle tightly before cutting the edges.

Trim up the edges. Repeat!

Once you have as many as you need, pull a darning needle with the yarn through the center of each pom pom to create your garland! And, viola!