Potato Head

I found a tutorial for a Felt Mr. Potato Head at Make it and Love it and I knew that I had to make one for my nephew for Christmas. The tutorial can be found HERE for the Mr. Potato Head.

I also made a simple bag to put the Potato Head supplies in.  On Make it to Love it she made a pocket on the back of Mr. Potato Head but I couldn't get mine to work and still look good.

Soup & Salad

I made these for dinner one night when the weather was cold and wet outside and I couldn't help but think about summer!  They were both so rich and flavorful.

Curried Zucchini Soup

PREP TIME: 10 minutes

COOK TIME: 20 minutes

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch half moons

1 teaspoon ginger powder

1 teaspoon curry powder

1/2 teaspoon garam masala (optional)

3 cups vegetable broth

1/2 cup plain fat-free or low-fat yogurt

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add zucchini, ginger, curry powder, and garam masala, if using.  Cook 3 more minutes.

Add broth and bring to a simmer.  Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.  Puree soup in a blender or food processor until smooth, or use a hand blender.  Whisk in yogurt just before serving.

Crab and Avocado Salad
PREP TIME: 10 minutes

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound lump crabmeat
1 large ripe avocado, pitted, peeled, and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
   Salt and Pepper

Combine cilantro, mayonnaise, lime juice, and cayenne in a medium mixing bowl, Mix in crab meat and season with salt and pepper.  Gently fold in avocado and serve.

(Both recipes were taken from The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook by Arthur Agatston, MD)

Ornament Wreath

I'm sure you've seen these all around the blog land like I have and I was in the dollar store the other day and saw their ornaments and I couldn't resist making my own.  There are some great tutorials out there such as: Thrifty Decor Chick and Eddie Ross and Just a Girl. They all give some great tips on how to put the wreath together but the next time I'll make a few modifications. 

First, I would use craft wire instead of a hanger.  The hanger was a little thick for my cheap-o ornaments which made it hard sliding them on and also it was difficult for me to finish it off nicely, HENCE, the giant bow.  


Second, I might reconsider the dollar store ornaments.  It was nice that they didn't shatter on me (because they are plastic) but even after super glue the top to the ball part I still had issues with the "hook" breaking.  If I put a little too much pressure on the bulb it would snap and I ended up using super glue to put it back on the wreath.  

Car Cozi

I fell in love with the car cozi that Jill from homemade by jill made for So You Think You're Crafty challenge.  I knew I had to make one for my 2 year old nephew. Between Jills tutorial and the tutorial from My Little Gems I was able to make my own version.

I did a few things differently then the tutorials.  First, I used a really heavy interfacing that made the road part of the cozi really stiff so it could hold itself up if there isn't a hard surface to put it on.  Second, I decided to make my road windy instead of straight.  I thought that just a straight road might get boring sooner. I used No Sew Heat-n-Bond to attach the road lines, number and car decorations on the backing.

I had some leftover car fabric from the curtains that I made for my son's room that I cut up and appliquéd to the back of the cozi.  I put the cars just on the top portion so when the cozi is rolled up that is the part that shows.

I was able to make the entire thing from scraps that I had in my stash.  I love being able to use up my stash!