Scrabble Tile Necklaces Tutorial & GIVEAWAY!!!

I have a new love:  making these adorable Scrabble tile necklaces.  I love this cherry necklace and it was so fun to make. 

So here's the deal:  I love that you love to check out what's new on my blog.  But I also love to know who you are!!  It's cool to see that there are people from around the US and in other countries looking at my blog and I'm curious to know who you other crafters are.  So, I'm going to give away one of these Scrabble Tile necklaces.  No, it's not a high-end piece of jewelry, but it's fun and it could be yours . . . for free.

Here are 5 different ways you can be "entered" to win:

1.  Leave a comment.  Be fun & witty because--um--well, it will be more enjoyable to read!
2.  Become a "follower."  Okay, this is not the "Life Sew Good" cult or anything and I'm not planning on being the Pioneer Woman (Hello!!  Despite her awesomeness, that woman has way to much energy; therefore, I am intimidated of her and cannot like her nor will I ever be like her.  Just kidding.  How can you not like her?  Regardless, I still will never be like her.)
3.   Make something that I have given you a recipe for or a tutorial on (can be something I've contributed on thinkcrafts.com) and click here to email me a picture of it.  I will post pics of your creations on a future post.
4.  Link this post on your Facebook and comment to tell me you did!
5.  Link this post to your blog & comment with a link your blog. 

Giveaway will be next Wednesday, which happens to my my birthday(!), October 6, 2010.  I'll blog the winner, so check back!

Okay, now, maybe instead of winning, you just want to make one of these!!  Here's what you need:

          (a few of my favorite things . . . )

Mod Podge

Scissors

Pencil

Tacky or super glue

Ribbon necklace

Scrapbooking paper &/or transfers

Glitter Glue (optional, but who doesn't love glitter?)

Glue-on Bail similar to this

Clear Epoxy-domed adhesive bubble like this  (optional)

Sculpey gloss (optional)

1.  Choose the paper you want to put on your tile.  Trace around the tile and cut out your paper.

2.  Glue the paper either with the Mod Podge or the Tacky glue (I used the glue).

3.  On the picture above, I used a rub-on transfer over the paper before gluing the paper on the tile, but on others I used the glitter glue to enhance the pictures from the paper.  If you are using the glitter glue, allow this to dry before moving to step 4.

4.  Using a brush, apply a layer of Mod Podge over the surface and sides of the tile.  This can be a little messy.  Make sure you wipe excess with a wet, warm washcloth.  It might be a good idea to set the tile on the wet washcloth while it dries so it doesn't stick to whatever else you would be laying it on!! (Can you tell I wish I had done that?!)

5.  You can use several layers of Mod Podge OR you can use the clear adhesive bubble which will kind of give the charm a raised magnified look, like finished cherry necklace or the finished heart necklace.  Also, you can use Sculpey, which is usually like a glossy glaze for clay, but it will also give a glossy finish to your neckace.

6.  It's important to have the right size bail that will fit over the necklace clasp.  I had to buy a little bigger bails than I would have liked, but I wanted to use the ribbon necklace, so I caved!  Take your bail and use Tacky or Super Glue to stick it on your tile.  Wipe away excess glue.

7.  Viola!  Made this one for my Bee's birthday Friday. 

Now!  Don't forget to "enter" to win a necklace. 

Crayon Roll--my tutorial link

As some of you know, I contribute sewing blogs to thinkcrafts.com.  Not too long ago, I told you a tutorial for the crayon roll was coming!  Well, here it is, the long awaited (yeah right!) tutorial on thinkcrafts.com.  Go check it out!

Friendship

It's my best friend Rebekah's birthday.  Here's a picture tribute to her & our friendship!  A true friend that walks with you the journey of a lifetime is rare.  If you have one, you know what I mean.  Like Rebekah and I, you may have "known" each other before you were born.  Throughout our lives, we've done many things together . . .

Played dolls:

Walked in Parades:

Fixed each other's hair:

Played in kiddie pools:

Celebrated birthdays:

Watched movies sporting awesome 80's mullets:

Put on plays for our parents:

Decorated Easter eggs:

Big permed hair in Jr. High:

Participated in youth group work projects:

Performed in "Cheaper By the Dozen" in High School:

Graduated high school!!!:

Said her vows:

Celebrated engagement:

Said my vows:

Enjoyed life as young marrieds:

And remained friends:  (btw, this is 1 wk before R had her first baby.  WHAT?!?!)

I love you, Rebekah.  We need some new, updated photos, huh?  Happy Birthday!  I hope to celebrate many, many more with you!

The Best Bread You've Ever Made. EVER.

Before you read this, and I promise it will be worth it if you try the recipe in the end, you should know that I'm feeling a little snarky while writing, so read it with a snarky-ish attitude and I think you'll enjoy it.

Am I slacker?  Yes and no.  In the blog world, yes,  I suppose I am a slacker, being that it has been WEEKS since my last post.  What kind of blogger doesn't even blog?!?  A slacker one, that's who.

Well, despite my blog slacker-ness, (and yes, of course it's okay to make up words and bend grammar rules on your own blog), I have actually been . . . sorta . . . kinda . . . busy. 

Confession: I didn't cook all summer.  No.  Cooking.  All.  Summer. Seriously, I'm not going to claim any sort of super-woman status because I simply am not super woman.  Summer is my favorite time of year for many reasons, and don't think for a second that one of those reasons isn't grilled food.  In my house, the best thing about grilled food is that my husband makes it and it is deeee-licious.

So now that fall is coming (tomorrow, actually), I have to pony up and start cooking, which is okay because I actually don't hate cooking.  I enjoy it, as long as I have all the ingredients I need when I'm in the middle of making a recipe.  (For the record, I had to borrow evaporated milk from a very kind neighbor today.) 

Anyway, all that was my super long intro into telling you about the best bread ever.  I wish I could claim to be the GENIUS who came up with this recipe, but it actually came from a friend, Carol, who gave it to my mom.  Let's pretend Carol is the genius, even if she isn't the true source.

Why is this the best bread ever?  Only because it's so delicious AND it takes no time at all to make. Oh, but I do have to include a warning.  Every time I eat this bread, I keep eating it and keep eating it and I feel really sick.  So it might be a good idea to remember that it's best in moderation or just be prepared to have an over-full tummy.

SO YUMMY YOU'LL EAT TOO MUCH AND HAVE A TUMMY ACHE FRENCH BREAD
5 Cups Flour
2 Cups Warm Water
2 Pkg. or 5 tsp. Yeast (fast rising)
4 Tbsp. Sugar
4 Tbsp. Oil
3 tsp. Salt

Mix warm water with yeast.  Add sugar.  Let sit for 5 minutes.  Add oil and salt.  Stir in about 4 cups of the flour--make soft dough.  You can add the rest of the flour when you knead it.  Let rise then punch down and shape into rustic loaves.  Using a knife, cut several diagonal slits across the top of loaf.  Bake @ 375 degrees until light brown, about 20-25 minutes. 

Note:  You don't even have to let this bread really rise.  Seriously.  If you don't have time, throw it in the oven and it will still be amazing. 

OHHHHH! The ZUCCHINI!!!

I know it's true:  you have zucchini coming out your ears.  Or maybe your neighbor does & you're benefiting.  Regardless, you need some ideas on what in the world to do with it, so I'm going to give you my 2 favorite zucchini recipes.

1.  Grill it.  Slice the zucchini however you want--strips, rounds, whatever.  Season with Johnny's Seasoning Salt (a staple around here).  Wrap it up with a little butter inside tin foil and grill.  Yum. Serve it with some grilled bone-in chicken. The flavor of the dark meat is far, far, far better than the white counterparts--totally & completely worth the extra fat & extra time on the grill.  To cook the chicken, wash & prepare it by rubbing Mosquite BBQ seasoning on each piece.  Grill, turning every 5 min for about 30 minutes total.  Don't be tempted to take off the skin before you cook it; it will give the chicken great flavor and keep in the moisture.  (BTW, this is not exactly MY pic--thanks to whatever site I borrowed this from!  :)

2.  Bake it with chocolate.  Yep, chocolate.  Why?  Because chocolate is good for you.  And it tastes good.  Make this Chocolate Zucchini Bread/Cake.  If you're really feeling sassy, toss in some chocolate chips.


3/4 c. canola oil
1 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 t. vanilla
3/4 c. buttermilk
2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
2 c. grated zucchini

Cream together oil & sugar.  Add eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk.  Sift flour and add dry ingredients in separate bowl.  Add dry ingredients to your egg mixture.  Stir in zucchini.  Pour into greased & floured bunt pan or 2 loaf pans.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes. 

(Thanks to http://thecuttingedgeofordinary.blogspot.com/ for this pic that I borrowed!)