Yummy Veggie Tacos!

I came across this recipe on Real Simple and finally got around to trying it out this weekend - it was SO GOOD! Good enough for me to want to try it out on my meat eating pals (TBD). Try it - you'll like it! And it was really easy - definitely recommended for anyone trying to cut back/give up meat, or just eating healthy.

Lucky Girl!

I won yet another blog contest! I feel so lucky. Thanks to Kate and Oli (a really great blog that I check out often), I learned of the awesome purse making talents of Hayden J . Thanks to her generous giveaway, I won this amazing bag!

Yay look how happy I am! Lame pictures, I know - I received the package at work and was so excited I couldn't wait to post about it right away! (Or, after blogger resolved its weird picture posting issues this afternoon. Did anyone else have problems with that today?).

Thank you so so much to Aimee of Hayden J (check out her shop!) and Kate and Oli for putting this together. Woo hoo!

Show Me The Bunny!

I joined another swap bot swap, this time for a handmade Bunny card for Easter, called, of course

Show Me the Bunny!  Since I was making one, I decided to make a few extra: 

Thank you!

Lots of craft blogs have givaways - and why not?  Its a great way to get more followers and traffic, and showcase your skills.  I enter a lot of these little contests and I just received my very first prize! 

I was so excited to get a lovely package of notecards in the mail yesterday from Teresa at Its's A Good Day.  They are perfect for everyday cards - everyone loves getting cards on their birthday, why not send one for no special reason and brighten someone's day? 

You can check out her other fun items at her etsy shop here - very affordable, and very cute. 

Thanks Teresa!!!

Apron in Action!

Here is my mom modeling her new apron (that I hinted at here) on her birthday this weekend.  I was so glad she liked it!

Plus, it has a secret identity - it doubles as a garden gatherer!  By buttoning up the sides, you can fill the pouch with all sorts of fresh goodies.   I found the idea here, at Clever Nesting. 

A little bit country...

And a LOT of manure!  Welcome to my weekend of fun!

I spent the first weekend of spring in Connecticut with my lovely family.  Saturday morning I did something I'm sure few of my big city pals have done - hauling manure!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!  It will be summer soon, don't fret. 

Pick a card, any card

I've been trying to make my own greeting cards for birthdays recently - using material that I have saves money, is better for the environment, and I think it is much more appreciated by the recipient since love goes into it.  Here are my most recent attempts. 

Free Coffee!

Just wanted to share this deal with you (since I KNOW you love free stuff, like I do).

Every Monday in March, stop by Dunkin Donuts for a FREE medium Hot or Iced Coffee.  Score!

UPDATE: I was able to snag a free iced coffee yesterday (the lady at DD said hot wasn't allowed?) but a friend said that he went to another location and was told it isn't valid in NYC.  Not sure what the deal is, but good luck my friends.  2 more Mondays left this month!

It's a Hit!

Success! 

To update you on this post, I wanted to let you know how my patchwork ball project went over.  My niece Rakia loved it - check it out.

You Can't Always Get What You Want

UPDATE: I did receive a sincere apology message, which I wholeheartedly accept.  Communication is key, kids!  Thank you for all of your support. 

I've written many times about Swapbot, which I love so much - getting a new package from a mysterious stranger filled with goodies brings me so much joy, and sending one to someone else hoping to provide that same feeling thrills me as well. 

Which was why I was so upset yesterday to receive a few passive agressive emails from a swapper who had received two fabrics from me, one of which she didn't like.  I had sent two fat quarters, neatly tied up with some cute ribbon that I thought she'd enjoy - it was a request swap, so one fit her criteria and the other I thought she would like as well.  I'm not saying they were my favorite fabrics ever, but I had used the rest of the yard in other projects myself that were well received as gifts to friends. 

Free Pinkberry Today!

Happy Friday my friends!  To make it even happier, why not start the weekend with a FREE mango pinkberry tonight!  From 5-9pm this evening, you can snag their new flavor for free (with toppings, even) at participating stores.  Score!

Liberty Rocks!

I know you are all as excited as I am for the new Liberty of London line for Target, set to arrive in stores March 14.  (I wrote about it here.)  Lucky girl that I am, I got to check it out before Sunday, and wanted to share with you!

Strike While the Iron is H-O-T

Well, I'm not sure about the iron - its off at the moment, actually, but this ironing board cover is pretty hot!

After experimenting with wonder under and fusible interfacing my old cover was getting a bit hazardous to any new clean fabrics that came its way.  So I made a new one, thanks to this tutorial from sew4home.  (They have a ton of great free home dec projects there - check it out.)

I used fabrics and ribbon I already had and it was pretty simple to put together.  I've yet to test it out but I hope to tonight.  Now I can leave my board out and add some pizzazz to my place at the same time.  I love efficiency!

Let's Go Miss Liberty!

So I've just learned that Liberty of London is doing a collection for Target, available March 14th.

Wow I am drooling...check out those lovely girly patterns on those plates and cuts - and oh my goodness that bike! (Almost as cool as my bike.)

Thanks to one of my fav blogs, Be Different Act Normal for the alert.

Little Dresses For Africa

As you know I'm obsessed with Swapbot.  But today I came across something different - its not simply a fun way for crafty sewers to use their skills, but it also help little girls in need and I wanted to share.

Little Dresses For Africa is a non-profit organization that sends handmade dresses to young girls in Africa who have been orphaned by the AIDS epidemic.  This provides much needed clothing, and also a sense of self worth by having something of their own made just for them by people who care.

The website features an easy pattern here, made using a pillowcase, but any simple handmade dress is welcome.  (I am going to try this cute free sundress pattern!)  You can also make "britches for boys" if you would like to put together some simple elastic waist shorts.

Simple dresses without buttons or zippers are requested, as they can be hard to repair or replace. 

If you're a swapbot member and want to join the swap to see what others are making, go for it!  The signup deadline is Monday 3/8, and dresses need to be completed by April 12 in order to share pictures with your swap partners. 

If you would like to make something/donate on your own, visit the website. 

What a great way to use your craftiness for a greater good!

Button Button Who's Got the Button?

Answer: ME! I successfully tackled buttonholes last night with my trusty Singer.

See, look - Closed:

More Book Sharing

I am so excited to have found yet another source of free books!  I had previously blogged about PaperbackSwap, and just yesterday received my first book in the mail from a fellow member.  Woo hoo!

However, I know some of you were nervous about using that site because of virus problems they had been experiencing last week.  Not to worry - I have a much more low key, yet super simple way to snag some free books for you!

My friend Kristy has just started a blog with her mom Judy, and she is doing an informal book sharing club - check out her post here.  I've signed up for it, and now I need some reading pals!  All you need to do is mail out 1 book, and pick 6 new pals to join up by sending them the instructions.  If you keep the chain going, you'll get 36 back (woah!) 

Send me an email or write a comment on this post if you're interested!

Click to Help

Are you a shutterbug with old equipment lying around that you don't know what to do with? I just learned about a great organization that could use your help.

Oyitas in Argentina is a group that works to raise awareness on issues like poverty, illiteracy, and crime.  They are putting together a project where children in poverty stricken areas of Buenos Aires take pictures of their lives and where they live.  If you have old camera equipment or film that you don't need and want to donate, they could use your help! 

 

They are looking for regular old point and shoot cameras, and film (even expired) to distribute to the kids.  If you've made the switch to digital, you probably have one lying around that you don't use. 

 

Contact Lucia  if you'd like to donate equipment or funds.  If you're in the Hartford, CT area pick ups can be arranged as well!

New Stuff in the Shop!

I was busy this weekend!

I put together several fun sleep masks and have added them to my etsy shop today.

I made a few extras and gave them to various birthday girls in my life, and they were well received! I tested mine out last night and I feel so well rested today. Seriously!



The satin on the back feels quite luxurious, and is gentle for the eyes and face. My alarm clock is really bright (and I don't know how to adjust it) so this solved the problem for me!

I also made some rain boot liners if you want to stay warm through the next storm - set for later this week here in NYC.

If you are interested in any of these in different colors, send me a message!