Our Best Bites

Do you have any cooking disaster secrets?
I do...........like the time I put in the peeling from the garlic clove in the chili instead of the clove........I didn't know. I thought that was the good part.........I know....what can I say? Now had this blog been around way back when I didn't know about garlic cloves, I would have had a much better chili.

Kate and Sarah with Our Best Bites has a very user friendly cooking blog. I'm a visual learner, so all their great photos of each step keeps me calm and confident that I too can make whatever delicious meal they've posted.

I also want to thank them for becoming one of my sponsors.

As mentioned, their site is very user friendly. They have a link for Tips and Tutorials..........God love'm. In fact they have a soft spot for cooks like me because they even have a HOW TO for garlic.......see. This could have saved me years of ridicule.........my friend Marla still laughs at me. If she could see me now.......I even have a garlic press.........and the jumbo size jar of chopped garlic in the fridge.

I LOVE seeing all the ingredients needed for a recipe. I don't know why, but it takes the "too hard" factor out of it.

These lovely ingredients make this yummy looking dressing.......... Creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing. The name says "don't make me, I'm too difficult" but after seeing their photos........I can do it! If I remember correctly, they used this on their Chili Lime Steak Salad.......OH MY!How about this Thai Peanut number? This is something I plan to make very soon!
Great desserts too. They really have a bit of everything on their site. The Pizzookie........I've had this at a pizza parlor once and never once thought about making it at home.............until now!

I think I have ALL those things in my fridge RIGHT NOW!Love their photos............

You're probably wondering why all these eggs are wrapped in fabric.
Cute........but...........That fabric is actually silk ties........Why do they have eggs wrapped ties? Did I miss this decor idea in the latest Country Living?

Is it some new "green" way to use your old neck ties?

OH DEAR MOTHER OF PEARL.............. can you believe it? The dye transfers onto the eggs. Is that the most original idea of 2009 so far? They have a TUTORIAL, so we can all copy them and have wonderful decorated eggs for our Easter table to impress everyone around us. Stunned..........


Our poor husbands will not have one tie left in their closets...........they needed new ones anyway didn't they?

Enjoy visiting these two fun gals. Don't forget to tell them how you found them..........while there you won't be surprised by the cute blog design.......Shannon my gal from Eight Crazy designed theirs too. :)

Oh.....one more thing. Kellie from Don't look Now is having a give away.

Also.......what to get the word out about your blog? Add it to our new Chic Chick Media Widget.

The Craft Junkie

Oh boy.........what a pleasure it is to feature Monica from The Craft Junkie........I met her from this blog........and then she adopted one of Mabie's Sisters! (From Mt. Park Labradoodles of course) This is Shyla.She also lives in my general area, so hopefully we can get the pups together someday.

Monica has taken recycling to a whole new level. Using pop cans! Even though she's in Oregon where we have the bottle bill (great recycling program for soda cans and bottles) she has decided to use them differently. Like how about some "POP" art.

You will forever look at pop cans a little differently.........I can just see her not buying what her family likes to drink, but what she needs for the latest art project.
Why stop with wall art? Why not make a purse? Creative isn't it? (psst.......you can buy this stuff on her Etsy)

She also makes these amazing necklaces.
What I love the most is this Valentines Day card she designed. See that hand? She made that.......and guess what? There's a TUTORIAL on her blog.

Genius isn't she?

So if you need a little bit of an ART fix with a Puppy fix......Monica's blog is the one to visit.

Don't forget to let her know how you found her. :)

Sara from Sara's Art House.........a past feature..........is having a give away.

Unexpected Destination

I used to live, breath and dream scrapbooking. Love it, couldn't get enough of it..........then just about 2 years ago I started this blog called Today's Creative Blog that took all my creative time......but I loved it just as much as scrapbooking........I would scrap when I could, still taking over 3000 photos a year........then my scrap room got so un-organized that it just wasn't fun anymore.......but now I feel the urge to get it cleaned up so I can make sense of it and get scrapping again. Plus, National Scrapbooking day is right around the corner and I'm signed up with a couple of friends for a crop......I feel that fire burning........So of course I was attracted to Debbie's site today. Unexpected Destination. She is a fabulous scrapbooker who has made it a career. She is the owner of Get it Scrapped...........exactly how I feel.........just get it done. I was even looking into her classes..........SO SO reasonable. $20 for some classes.........a darling banner one that started last week.......$20. Dang I missed it. I may have to look into a digital one.......Lord knows I need help in this dept. Looks like she has a really good newsletter too.
I was looking at Debbie's layouts..........cuz I'm always on the hunt to scraplift...........What surprised me the most is that most her layouts were digi layouts and I had a hard time telling......wouldn't that be a compliment? That's how I meant it.

These do not look digi to meOK........that one wasn't......Love the scrolls.......I think I have those.....I could totally scraplift this one.......I'll give her credit......geez.

Head off to Debbie's site to see what she's all about. She has something for all levels of scrapbookers........or if you're just getting started.....she seems nice enough, I bet she could lead you in the right direction.

I also noticed that she had our new widget on her blog.......She Rocks! I bet she'll even put my featured button up. It makes me so happy when bloggers do that.......I love it even more when they share their feature with all their readers.......some don't........too humble I guess.......I wouldn't know anything about that........I guess not everyone is a showdog like myself.

If you have a blog and you want more readers......you really should get our widget. It's the best way to get your blog listed on over 100 blogs.

Why re-invent the wheel?

I'm all about being efficient...........or maybe just riding on the coat tails of someone else that has already done the work.........but really.......why re-invent the wheel when it's already been done for you.

You see over at Chic Chick Media, we have a new widget for you to list your blog! Our web guru has made it even fancier.......when you scroll over the listing, a button image will appear of your site! How cool is that........This is a great way to get your blog on almost 100 other blogs!

Here..........I'll let Laurie over at Tip Junkie explain it. I gotta go walk the dog.


BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Just got this comment about our new widget!
“This is such a great opportunity! I signed up just 48 hours ago and have already gotten 435 hits directly from the ads. That is an INSANE number!”

Retro Mama

Easter, Easter, Easter.........maybe if I keep posting darling ways to decorate for Easter........it will magically happen in my house.

Retro Mama has some really cool fabric eggs she did.........I was instantly attracted to them because of the color choices.........because come on.......who am I kidding? We all know the great tutorial she has for these beauties is not going to help me.

She also makes cute pears! I have such a pear obsession.........but not even my obsession would get me to try my hand at making them. But look at them.......aren't they beautiful?

Sweet Mother of Pearl.......would you just look at that pear? Her photos couldn't be any better.

She's very talented with the needle.......I don't remember what this is called, but it's not embroidering....she was excited to get this kit in the mail........it's beautiful........but looks like torture to me. Remember, I don't want to do anything longer than 3 hours, except maybe shop.......well and scrapbook.She then took her little master piece and made a purse. This woman is so so talented. I am amazed daily by the talent out there. I am. I love how this thing called the Internet has created a vehicle for woman to use their talent to do what they love.......earn a bit of $$ while they raise their children. Amazing. This busy mama created something I have never seen......what a great idea. She decorated the back side of her cube shelves. Great great idea.Don't forget to visit and leave her a little TCB nudge.......let her know how fun her blog is. You'll love her banner.

Happy Friday.......couples bunco tonight........I better win!

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**I am now offering 100x100 buttons for $19.95 a month.......contact me if you are interested. krjdemmon@comcast.net

**Amazing giveaway from Joy.......a past feature. Love the mossy balls on her mantle. Oh I hate to think what kind of traffic that last sentence will bring......won't they be disappointed?

**My friend Torreh who did the vinyl giveaway said she would extend her special to all TCB readers. 10% off any order and buy one get one half off. They must email her at pearlfamily@sbcglobal.net Expires April 6th. See her catalog here.

Laura WINS!

Laura Ingalls Gunn wins the darling Vinyl Egg!
She also has a beautiful blog full of beautiful photos of lots of decorating ideas!

Thank you all for participating! I wish I could give one to everyone.
Look for LOTS of giveaways during my Blog Birthday week in April. If you would like to offer anything you make, something from your business.........Please let me know.

Interested in advertising on Today's Creative Blog? You spoke and I listened.........you needed a more economical sized button. You can advertise a 100x100 button for only $19.95 a month. If you need a button made, I have a gal who will make one that links to your site......it's yours to keep.........for only $12. Need more info? Email me. Krjdemmon@comcast.net

Living with Lindsay!

Did you all enter the giveaway? Scroll down.........leave a comment.

Yesterday's giveaway post got me in the Easter mood. Heck I didn't even realize that Easter is only a few weeks away. Spring! Time to get those primroses planted and on the porch! I'm feeling warmer and dryer already.

Now for years I have admired those cute egg wreaths in JoAnne Fabrics. And for years, I was too cheap to buy one, and really I just didn't like the colors on my red door. Well now I can make one! And it only cost around $5..........if you shop at the Dollar Tree.

Lindsay from Living with Lindsay got the idea from Kimba's wreath below (who was a past feature......of course she was) and decided to give it a try. I'm so glad. I love this idea and I think I may try it this weekend with my own twist.

TUTORIAL!!!! There is just something about being shown the steps to a project. I get all giddy inside.Now I think I may use spray paint because I am afraid the rain and wind that hits my brilliant Red door may wash the acrylic paint off. And she also uses wire to attach by poking a hole through the egg first. I'm even cutting a corner there..........why not a glue gun? That should work, right? Either way is perfect. As long as you get it done right?She uses a toothbrush to get the speckles on them. I can't wait.

While we're gluing.........this time with spray adhesive......she shows you how to make your own mossy balls............I think they call them Orbs? Either way......I love them............that doesn't sound right.........nevermind.

These...........right here..........love them.This is a great idea for sprucing up your frames. She found 2 hideous gold frames, painted them, added some distressed with paint textured wall paper, photos of her children......and she's made herself a custom frame job.Cool isn't it?You gotta love a girl who takes housekeeping seriously........Vacuums 4x a week? Really? I bet she only gets 2x in.........and toilets 2x a week? Over achiever for sure.

I could maybe take a few hints from her..........but I am NOT cleaning toilets 2x a week........we have four bathrooms, I figure if I rotate using them, they are good with only one cleaning per week.

She recently re-did her bedroom. The red toile is killing me. I love it! And those curtains!!!! She made them of course..........stinker. She has a lot of DYI projects wrapped up in this room. Amazing job.Lovin the plates......I knew I loved this girl.......even though she sewed most of the curtains........she knows when it's best just to use some glue. Atta girl! Quick like a bunny.........go see what she's up too.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway...........ooops, time to take Maybelinne out.

How about an Easter Give Away?

This giveaway is closed******************************************************************************************

My Dear friend Torreh is in the Vinyl business. That stuff is so hot. I've done a couple of features displaying some of the great things people are doing with vinyl. And I'm not talking Albums..........times are a changin.........I still catch my self saying "I want that album" When what I really mean is "I need to download that to my itunes"

Anyway......back to the give away. Spring is right around the corner and I am trying to do my best by adding simple things to my decor for the less decorated holidays.

T.......that's what I call her........just plain T......not The Plain White T's......good album though.........
She is giving me this cute egg to give away. Just the egg, not the plate or easel.........although I think she sells those too. This is darling. You could place it on a plate, a charger, the wall............


With her giveaway she is offering a $10 credit with a $50 order......plus the catalog. I need to ask her if that's for anyone or just the winner...........T ? Could you put that in the comments?

I will draw a name or choose a name........or use the random number generator...........somehow I will pick a winner.........Deadline to enter is Wednesday 5pm. (pacific time)

Out of the Crayon Box

Shut up!

What is up with you crafty people lately? I swear you've all up'd the anty.

Look what I found! An old curb side cabinet? No I haven't lost my marbles..........Jane from Out of the Crayon Box has a vision for everything.

That old cabinet is looking better isn't it? Yes, it's the same one.SHUT UP!Seriously, this is one of the most incredible ideas I have ever seen. Every mama of every small child will be clamoring every thrift store and searching street curbs for old cabinets to convert. Why oh why didn't I think of this? My son LOVED his little kitchen........Yes, that's right........my son, a boy played with a kitchen.......There was a little boy in our neighborhood who wasn't allowed to play with "girl" toys. I always find that interesting.........anyway his "girl toy" was one of those ugly plastic ones from Toys R Us........Of course Target came out with all their cute kitchen stuff after he was past the kitchen stage. I would have loved one of those.......but maybe not had I thought of converting a cabinet. Brilliant!

This gal is a school teacher in LA........full of ideas! She is another crafter after my heart because she is the master at repurposing (recycling) clothing, furniture..........to make pretty things. She finds a purpose and makes it better. Love that.

She took these pants..........simple chef pants.....and made the most adorable little monkey doll.

Don't hate her because her kitchen is hideous.........the poor dear and her husband just moved to LA last year and are renting........not a lot of options when you're renting. Did she let the less desirable apt decor get in her way........NO WAY! She took those lemons and made herself a tall glass of lemonade. This is her kitchen BEFORE.

AFTER: Isn't this a great idea? Another MisTreatment I'm sure The Nester had something to do with. Old fridge got you down? Why not wrap it? How about these baby hats? Cute? She made them from old shorts and sweat pants. Darling and what a great way to use old clothing.Most people would pass this old wicker purse by...........but not Jane.....she saw past it's blemishes.She had some fabric scraps to revive the ole girl. No saving here..........I just thought it was really cute. She made it.I hope you all have your blogs posted on our new widget......I hope you all have the cute widget posted on your blog. Let me know.......I'll come look at it!

Off to soccer......