Detoxing

We haven't eaten in three days.

 

Seriously.

 

Here's our story...the short version.

 

Eight weeks ago my husband had routine knee surgery--torn meniscus. His knee

is healing just fine, but ever since surgery he has had terrible joint pain in his

shoulders and left wrist and hand, and now it is moving to his right wrist as well.

They have given him anti-inflammatory meds but nothing has helped.

 

He has had his hand and wrist x-rayed and they say everything looks fine. It's so

strange that this all happened right after his surgery. Could it be a reaction to

anesthesia? We are trying to figure things out. He can't play golf or pretty much

do anything with his left hand. He got a cortisone shot but the effects only lasted

for about 24 hours. He is wearing a wrist brace which helps some but still lots

of pain.   

 

So our daughter, who believes the body can heal itself, suggested a detox anti-

inflammatory regiment, which consists of drinking organic juices and vegetables

for seven days to flush the body of toxins. Nothing else except water and herbal

tea. I decided it wouldn't be very nice for me to eat in front of Don, so I am trying 

this too. Supportive wife and all that, you know. Besides, losing a few pounds and

feeling better does sound pretty good.  

 

Today is Day Three and we are sticking to it. I don't think Don is as hungry as I

am! We don't drink coffee so we are not having caffeine withdrawal! Thank good-

ness for that!

Here was our lunch...

 

 

Pineapple, baby kale, apple, carrot, celery,

lemon, chard, and blueberries

(the red cabbage didn't make the picture) 

 

And here's it as it came out of the juicer.

 

What we've learned:

• It all tastes a whole lot better than it looks.
• Celery has a very strong favor, so only add one stalk.
• One apple in every combination is a must.
• Raw garlic is NOT good, especially in the morning!
• Raw ginger has a strong taste, so only use a small piece.
• Greens clog up the juicer, so follow them up with something firm.

If anyone has ever had a similar experience or can offer a suggestion, please
email me at 2realtors@cox.net.  Thanks.

 

About the only plus I can see at this point is that I don't have to

think about what I am going to make for dinner....

Book Page Pumpkin with a Twist

There have been a lot of Book Page Pumpkins featured again this
season on blogs, such as HERE and HERE. I wanted to try one, but
decided to take it one step further and decorate it for fall.

The tutorial for making the book can be found at either of

the two links mentioned above.

 

I used a real stick for the stem and wrapped it

with an old chain (dollar store) that had beads dangling from

it. Sorry you can't distinguish it in the picture.

 

Cattails, sunflowers, moss, and trailing ivy were

added with hot glue around the stem.

Fall leaves and acorns would be nice too!

 

Little did my daughter-in-law know

when she brought in the seed pod branch from our backyard

that it would end up on top of my pumpkin!    

 

Happy Fall!

 

 

Sharing my idea at:

Positively Splendid Saturday Seven Link Party 44

Stone Gable Tips and Tutorials #15

Uncommonly Yours Link Party

Craftionary Friday Fun Party

Made In a Day Linky Party #44

Family Home and Life Say It Saturday

Sew Darn Crafty Link Party Week 86

 Debbiedoo's Newbie Party

Under The Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase Party

The DIY Dreamer Linky Party

Fresh Eggs Daily Blog Fest

aka design Fall Link Party

52 Mantels Thursdays Are Your Days

Live Laugh Love Linky Thursday

One Artsy Mommy Shine On Fridays



How To Remove the Center Crease In Fabric

In preparation of a project I'm working on, I needed a piece of fabric--
ironed flat, NO CREASES! I have used this little trick over the years
to remove the center crease from fabric--you know, the one that is
pressed well into the fabric by the manufacturers.

It works every time, so I thought I would share it with you.

 

 

 

Put White Vinegar on a piece of cloth

and saturate the crease line.

 

 

 

Iron well.

You may need to use steam, depending on the fabric.

 

 

 

I have pulled the iron just to the right of where the crease--was!

Just another use for that amazing White Vinegar that

you may not have heard of before!

 

If this technique will work on this crease, it will work on any crease!

 

Here are some other articles on white vinegar uses:

 

White Vinegar Tips

White Vinegar Uses

31 Uses for White Vinegar

One Money Savings Must

1001 Uses for White Vinegar

 

What is your best white vinegar tip?

How To Make Poached Pears

 
Poached Pears in Red Wine Sauce is a decadent dessert that
is easy to make! It calls for only a few ingredients, can be made at
the last minute, and has a big wow factor. What more can you ask
for!

 

To this add a scoop of vanilla ice cream

and serve immediately.

Here's how it's put together...

Use one Bosc pear per person.

Peel, leaving on the stem.

Place in a glass container.

Combine any red wine that you drink and 1 tablespoon sugar per pear.

(This was rather sweet and I think the sugar could be cut down.)

Add this liquid to the pears to the level that you see in the picture,

about where the pears widen out.You want plenty of sauce.

Cover the container with foil and bake at 350 for 2-1/2 hours.

The pears should be soft and the liquid bubbly.

You can put these in the oven while you are preparing the dinner.

Adjust time and temperature accordingly.

A shortbread cookie on the side would also be a nice addition!

Delicious!

A Look at Halloween 2012

Looking for a Halloween costume idea? Here's a few. No, you say. Well,
don't go away--I wasn't either. But it's still fun to see little kids dressed up in  
creative homemade costumes!

 A live pinata! @ costume-works.com

Cute cotton candy @ costume-works.com

Ghost tutu @ ny-image2.etsy.com

Cute and Easy Halloween Costumes 

to Make with Your Children @

Made For Mums.com

Jellyfish costume

(source unknown)

Ace of Hearts @ Parents.com

Little octopus @ Parents.com 

 Lego man @ FamilyFun.com

Scuba diver @ Spoiled But Not Rotten

Super heroes and other costumes kids can make themselves @
Martha Stewart 


Goal:
Be productive, but also
do something fun for yourself today!

A New Week

Our adult children are visiting this week so my time at the computer will be
limited. I can guarantee that there will be a lot of good cooking going on, so
I hope to bring you a new recipe or two. All four of  them are wonderful
cooks! Don and I are definitely spoiled when they are around. We just sit
back and watch them chop, chop, chop, and put together delicious meals!

I did have a few cards in the works, though, so I just finished them up this
morning while  the rest of the clan was busy doing other things.

Two cards from a designer pack that had coordinating embellishments--

labels, borders, etc.

I stamped the PSA Thank You sentiment on the label and added

the flower on the first card. 

On the second card, the bottom half needed something, so I 

added copper twine, which I think was just right.

And there you have it for today.

Pinecone Wreath--A Tutorial

It's mid-September and there's a lot of Halloween wreaths showing up in
blogland. Even though my birthday is on Halloween, I don't get into this
holiday too heavily, so I'm not one to decorate for it either. I really
do have fond memories of making Halloween costumes for our two children,
though, but that's about as far as it goes.

So I made a pinecone wreath this week and thought I would show you how
I made it. It's was only hanging on my front door yesterday for the photo shoot!
I don't want my neighbors to think I've lost it!

1. I started with a 12" straw wreath and covered it with tinsel garland,
wrapping it in both directions for good coverage. I got the garland at
Goodwill for 99 cents a strand. This provides a good surface for the adhesion
of the pinecones.
2. Sort your pinecones. It is helpful if you have more than one kind,
but not necessary.Using the largest size, Line the outer edge of the wreath.
Attach them with wire--any flexible kind will do.
3. The next part is sort of like doing a puzzle. Use various size pinecones
and fill in the entire wreath. These are all attached with a HIGH TEMP hot
glue gun. Use small pinecones to fill in around the inner ring. You want as little
of the tinsel garland showing through as possible. Vary the direction of the
pinecones for interest.
4. If you want it to look snow-covered, use a product called Snow-Tex
(available at Michael's) and apply to the tips with a sponge or brush.
5. Add.glitter and embellishemts if desired. (There are both on my wreath
that you cannot see in this photo.)
6. Use two yards of wide ribbon to make a hanger with a generous bow.

You Are Special to Someone

 

Here's what came out of the scrap bag today--gingham ribbon.

Used on a simple birthday card--I know I saw this idea somewhere.  

The sentiment is an old one by Hero Arts and it is

layered on purple even though it looks black.

The deckle edge is made with a deckled-edge ruler

by Plaid--I really should use it more often.

It's pretty handy.

I popped it up by using dimensionals.

 

 

To start,  I ran a strip of double stick tape down the card to

secure the ribbon strips, then put a piece of regular tape over the top.

Be careful of the length so you're not scrambling to cover it up!

That's why I had to add the aqua border but I rather like it.

It might have been too plain without it.

 

And there you have it.

Nothing great, but just like the outfits you put together,

some are better than others.



Color Blocking Technique

The color blocking trend in fashion trend is nothing new,

but it is one that has always caught my eye.

 

I remember making a color blocked dress for one of

my Home Ec classes in college way back when....

they were still calling it Home Ec!

 

 

Depending on how the colors are laid out, I think it can

be flattering regardless of your body type.

 

Of course color blocking is not just limited to the

world of fashion.

It can be used very successfully in your home decor

to create a very dramatic look without spending a lot

of money.

A little paint, pillows, area rugs, and inexpensive fabrics can go

a long way.

 

 

 

The latest rage is color blocked nail art...

 

 

Quite pretty I think!  

 

Well anyway, let's get to my little ole' color blocked card....

 

 I used--

Just for Fun Torn Edge Square stamped with

Tim Holtz Distress Inks Bundled Sage,

Barn Door, and Tumbled Glass 

Stampin Up's Garden Silhouette stamped with Chipped Sapphire

Sentiment from Paper Trey's Botanical Silhouette's Anniversary Set

stamped with Barn Door

Stampin Up's Itty Bitty Background dots in Barn Door

 

Tip: If you are not using a clear stamp,

 it's easier to stamp the bottom square first and work your way up.

Get down low and look at the rubber from the side for correct placement.  

 

You can also make a template out of a Spellbinders die or a

Post It note.

Sunday Inspiration

 

Every day I get delivered to my email an inspirational

quote such as this one.

 

If you would like to have a daily reminder of something good in life,

go to SearchQuotes.com and become a member,

or just take a look around.

Creating Washer Necklaces--A Tutorial

Hardware Jewelry-- some call it Industrial Jewelry. If you are not familiar
with the terms, it is jewelry that is made with findings from the hardware
store, such as washers, hex nuts, and ball chains.

I stopped in at our local Ace Hareware recently to pick up some washers and
various sizes of ball chain. They are so helpful and friendly in there, and the
man asked me what I was going to use them for. When I told him jewelry, he
was very intrigued. He asked me to bring my Hardware Jewelry in and they
might be interested in purchasing some of them.

So this is some of what I have for my first showing of Washer Jewelry.

My inspiration came from Pinterest.

To embellish the washers, I took alcohol inks....

 

 

 by Adirondack and put a few dabs on them.

To make them run together, I used the blending solution.

It's easy to use, just move the washer around until you

get the desired effect.

Don't be afraid--if you don't like the results, just wipe it

off and start over. 

 

The washer necklace on the left is double-layered with

two sizes of washers.

I have a different type of necklace in the works

using the smaller size that I will be showing you soon! 

 

Once they are completely dry,

I coated them with Diamond Glaze.

 

 

This product gives them a shiny, glossy

finish, and adds a slight dimension.

Be careful not to get air bubbles in the finish.

My method isn't very scientific, but it works. 

I just get down low over the piece and look at it from the

side and sort of swirl it on. It runs so you don't need

a whole lot of it.

Make sure you are working in good light.

Let it dry over night.

 

You can purchase the ball chain by the foot and don't forget

the connectors.

This is a lark's head knot.

 

The washer earrings were done with the same method.

I took a flexible wire, folded it in half and put it through the hole.

Then I made a wire-wrapped

loop at the top and attached a fish-hook earring wire.

I put a tiny rhinestone on each side of the thin wire

for an embellishment and to keep the wire in place. 

 

I have even thought about making the Washer Necklaces 

reversable for double the wearing pleasure!

Sharing my tutorial at:
Skip to My Lou-- Made by You Monday
Free Pretty Things--Whatever You Want Wednesday
Craftionary--Fun Friday Link Party
Family Home and Life--Wow Us Wednesday
Six Sisters--Strut Your Stuff Saturday

 

How To Tuesday

I hope you had a good holiday week-end. We had out-of-town
company--the reason for my lack of blogging. I thought I would be
able to sneak away to my computer, but you know how that goes
once the activity starts. So I guess Labor Day Week-end sort of
marks the end of summer--where did it go? Not weather-wise here
in Arizona, though. The heat will continue until the middle of October,
and then turn marvelous!

I have some good How To's for you today. Email me at 2realtors@cox.net
or leave a comment if you want me to find out how to do something for
you.

   How To Substitute Butter For Vegetable Oil in a Brownie Mix @

Livestrong.com

How To Make a Mosquito Trap Out Of a Soda Bottle @

ThriftyFun

How To Produce More Green Peppers on Your Plants @

The Baltimore Sun

3 Ways to Make Your Own Reusable Gel Ice Packs @

Tipnut.com

(Great website!)