Saturday, August 13, 2011

Award

Flower Fridge Magnent

Well I have found my way back to my blog. I am going to try to become regular again but life is really busy right now so we will see. Here is a small project for today.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Bath Scrubby

Last night while I was sitting and watching American Idol I decited to make a bath scrubby. It was my first attempt it was very quick to make. We will see how it holds up.


Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Versatile Blogger

I want to give a special thanks to Kim over at mycraftingcreations for my first blog award! Thank you so much. Everyone check out her blog it's a lovely and all of her great ideas.

For this award, I need to list 8 things about myself and pass it on to 15 other bloggers.
1. I have a cricut expression and cricut create.
2. I have to stay out of all of the crafting stores unless i have something specific I need to buy, becasue I cant just buy one thing when I get in there.
3. I cant smell at all not even gas straight out of the pump.
4. I love decoration my home.
5. I am learning to sew.
6. I love baking anything.
7. I love looking at the stars.
8. I love being with friends and family who inspire me!

Everyone should check out all of these blogs. They are great.
...............IBeCircled...............
CARDZ TV
Creations By Kris
diane"s creations
Live Love and SCRAP!
Lynda's Creative Touches
Made by Momo
marys crafty scraps
marys crafty scraps
Paper Maine-iac!!
Paper Transformer
Scrappy Beads
Scrappy Moms Stamps
Teachdanz
WaterDots

Monday, April 25, 2011

The Corner Count!

Last meeting I got at 3-month food journal where you actually write down what you ate (instead of on iPhone like I did)! It worked! I wrote everything that I at this past week (except Easter)! I am so proud that I kept up with it all week, now on to the next week.

I didn’t get to go to the gym at all this week due to my mom being out of town. She went to Florida and left me here, oh well I guess that’s what happens when you grow up.

Recipe of the Week:

Cheesy Chicken

6 Servings, 5 PointsPlus per serving

2 cans fat-free cream of chicken soup
1 can cheddar cheese soup
garlic powder, season salt, salt and pepper to taste
6 (4 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Place chicken in a crockpot sprayed with non-stick spray. Mix soups and spices. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on Low six to eight hours.

Good over baked potato, noodles, or rice (be sure to count extra PointsPlus for these!)

So now its time for the weekly weigh in. This week I lost -2 lbs. for a total of 9.8lbs. AND…. I HIT 5% WEIGHT LOSS SINCE I STARTED JAN 31!


Check back next week to see how I do!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter Eggs

Happy Easter Everyone!

A few days ago I went to my cousin's house and I took her kids to eat and then we dyed Easter eggs. It was fun for me because I had not dyed eggs in many years.

 
Hope you enjoy.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Saturday, April 23, 2011

The Perfect Pair

I made a couples shower cake for a friend the other day. I was not very pleased with it but they all loved it. I thought it was to plain.

The little feet/flip flops on the side of the cake are chocolate mints.



(Yes, the flip flops were new. Not from a shoe store that had been tramped all over the store. I pulled them out of there plastic bag.)

Hope you enjoy!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Friday, April 22, 2011

Teacher of the Year!

So my crafting buddy just got Teacher of the Year! I made this card to congratulate her.

It was all made from Create a Critter.


I really enjoyed this card! I hope you all did as well!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Easter Towel

I have been working on my Easter towels for this Easter. I am not going to be getting them out as soon as I had hoped but oh well.


Hope you enjoy!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Happy Birthday To You

This is a birthday card I made for a friend yesterday; it will be late because her birthday was yesterday. Oops! But I am sure she will like it eve if it’s late.

It was made completely with Create a Critter. It was all cut out at 3.5 inches. I did some welding on my Gypsy to make the card as well. The glitter is Elmer’s 3D Classic Glitter I found that was mine as a child! It was not dried up I was really surprised so I have a rainbow of colors now.


Hope you enjoy!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

A Lovely Easter To You

Here is this years Easter card!


Hope that you all enjoy it and have a lovely Easter!

Happy Crafting,

Alley Cat

Like No Udder

I have not made to many cards lately or I have not uploaded them. So I thought I would upload this one for everyone to see.

I used Create a Critter and Plantin SchoolBook Circuit Cartridges. The Cow was cut out at 3 inches and the barn at 2 inches. The grass was a scrap and I don’t remember what I cut it out at. Sorry! Forgive me!

Hope you enjoy!


Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Monday, April 18, 2011

The Corner Count

Tracking has been better but not perfect. I have tracked everything today! We will see if I can keep it up. This week’s lesson was on tracking, so I got some good tips. Also, I got the 3 month tracker so I can actually write it down instead of putting it in my phone. My plan is to leave it on the counter with a pen so I can track as I eat.

I went to the gym three days last week. Then one day I babysat three boys for 8.5 hours so I did some moving then, and Saturday I went to an art festival in my town. It was so much fun, very cold but so much fun. I got lots of exercise in this last week, hope to keep it up this week.

Recipe of the week:

Crescent Cheese Dogs


8 servings, 4 points plus per serving

1 (8 oz.) tube Pillsbury Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls
1 (14 oz.) package Fat Free Hotdogs
4 slices 2% cheese in flavor of your choice (I used American)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice the hotdogs to within ½ inch of the ends. Cut each slice of cheese in half, and then fold each piece in half lengthwise (you should have 8 slices of doubled cheese). Place the cheese into the center of each hotdog. Wrap 1 crescent dough triangle around each hotdog. Place on an un-greased cookie sheet (make sure the cheese side is up) and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

So now its time for the weekly weigh in. This week I lost -1 lbs. for a total of -7.8lbs.

Check back next week to see how this week goes.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Friday, April 15, 2011

The Corner Count

I have had an ok week this week. Still working on the tracking but over all ok.

I only went to the gym once but did go on some long walks and runs around my house.

Recipe of the Week:

Sweet Brown Bread

12 pieces, 2 points plus per slice

1 and ¼ cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp grated orange or lemon zest
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
½ cup low-fat buttermilk
1 egg
3 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375. Spray loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, orange zest, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, molasses, and brown sugar. Pour over the flour mixture, mixing quickly to blend (do not over mix).

Transfer to the pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.

So now time for the weekly weight in! This week I stayed the same for a total loss of -6.8lbs.

We will see how next week goes!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Coke Can Earrings

My new creation is coke can earrings! They are a bit dangerous. You have to make sure you are cutting them and they are not cutting you. After you get everything cut out they are very quick to put together and you can put them in any combo you would like.


I am now on the hunt for unusual cans. That way I can have lots of new color combos and fun stuff.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Friday, April 8, 2011

The Corner Count!

I promise that I have not left you; it has just been a bit of a mess around here lately. My grandmother fell and had to have surgery (she has 16 staples in her knee) and so I had to go out of state to take care of her for a week. She was taking care of my aunt who had a freak accident not to long ago. She was walking outside her house and fell on some ice and her Velcro watch slit her wrist. She has already had to have two surgeries and is facing more. She has no use of her hand right now; we are hoping that she will regain use of her hand soon.

Now back to it!

I did try the wagon wheel beef soup. It was SO good! I did it a little different then the recipe said to, I made mine completely in the crock pot, frozen beef and all! I also put a whole onion in, it was to much for me so I will be cutting that back. Overall I give it two thumbs up.

I had my first week of gain since starting weight watchers the week after I came home from my grandmothers. I took my food and cooked it there but I just took a lot of the same thing. I really felt like I was going to gain just because I was eating the same thing every day just about and I also put away a pound cake by myself over the week. (It was small!) I kind of feel like I am going to have another gain this week as I have been a little distracted and not tracking like I should have been. We will see!

This week’s recipe is Sausage and Been Casserole:

Yield: 8 Servings (serving size: 1 cup), 5 PointsPlus per cup

1 cup chopped onion
1 (16-oz) package light smoked turkey sausage, cut into ¼ inch-thick slices
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14-oz) can Fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons tomato paste
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 (16-oz) cans cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
1 bay leaf
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 375.

Heat a Dutch oven or other large pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and turkey sausage to pan; sauté for 5 minutes or until browned. Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Stir in 2 tablespoons brown sugar, dried thyme, black pepper, cannelloni beans, and bay leaf. Add ground red pepper, if desired. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over bean mixture, and lightly coat with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until browned. Discard bay leaf. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

*NOTE: I got this recipe from my leader and I realize that there are no breadcrumbs in the ingredients so I will ask her Monday how much breadcrumbs there should be.

Ok so time for the (multiple) weekly weight in!
3-21 I lost .2 lbs for a total of -7.8 lbs.
3-28 I gained 1.6 lbs for a total of -6.2 lbs.
4-4 I lost .6 lbs for a total of -6.8 lbs.

Goodness that was long but now I am caught up!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Monday, March 14, 2011

The Corner Count!

I had a good week this week. This week was ok for tracking some days were better than others but over all getting there. Yesterday I went a little wild with my eating but I have to remember some days I will have those days. (Chili’s kid crispers with corn no butter, 2 Reese Cups, 2 Cookie Dough Pop Tarts, Teriyaki Chicken, and Cookie Dough)

I went to the gym 3 days last week. I did lots of walking and bike riding. I love it.

My Meal to Try for the Week:

Wagon Wheel Beef Soup

8 servings, 1 and ½ cup per serving, 4 PointsPlus per serving

3 cups uncooked wagon wheel pasta
Cooking spray
¾ lb lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
3 cups low fat spaghetti sauce
½ tsp dried oregano
Garlic salt to taste
2 14-oz. cans low sodium beef broth
15 oz can kidney beans, un-drained

 Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Coat a large pot with cooking spray; place over medium-high heat until hot. Add meat and onion; cook over medium heat until meat is browned, stirring until it crumbles. Drain. Return meat mixture to pan; add cooked pasta and remaining ingredients. Cook 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

So now it is time for the weekly weigh in! This week I lost -1.4 lbs for a total of -7.8 lbs!

Overall a good week!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Friday, March 11, 2011

My First Sewing Project

This is my very first sewing project. It was not the easiest think I have ever done that’s for sure. I took two handles out because I sewed them to the back of the bag. Oops! I don’t think I will be sewing for a while. Requires more patients then I have for it. At least I got one good bag out of it.


I do plan on adding some kind of monogram but not sure when that will be.


Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Corner Count!

I had a good week this week. This week was ok for tracking some days were better than others but over all getting there.

I went to the gym 2 days last week, my mom was out of town and the way our membership works she has to be there when I am there. I am her “guest” as they call it.

My Favorite Snack for the Week:

18 Fiber One Crackers
1 slice of Garlic & Herb laughing cow cheese

So now it is time for the weekly weigh in! This week I lost -1.6 lbs for a total of -6.2 lbs!

Overall a good week!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Yarn Flowers!

I have been making loom flowers with my left over yarn scraps. They are very simple to do and quick. I am going to make some into hair clips, some into pins, and some into magnets. I may find some other uses for them but right now that’s the plan.


Hope you enjoy them!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Corner Count!

I had a ok week this week. This week started of not too good on the tracking but by the end of the week I was back on track. I am ready for next week and all the tracking that is to come.

I went to the gym 1 days last week, the pollen here has been Outrageous! The one day I did go I went for 30 and was about dead. I came home and went to bed 2 ½ hours later I woke up. My allergy shots were really bad this week and had my 6th reaction. Hopefully it will rain some and get this pollen out of the air.

My Favorite Meal for the Week:

1 Piece of Flounder
A little Seasoned Panko Bread Crumbs
A little (real) Parmesan Cheese
1 Egg White
A spray of Pam

Mix Panko and Parmesan together.

Dip Flounder in Egg whites. Then dip in Panko mix. Spray pan with Pam and placed on cookie sheet. Cook at 450 for 10 minutes.

So now it is time for the weekly weigh in! This week I stayed the same for a total of -4.6 lbs!

Overall a good week!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Friday, February 25, 2011

Recycled Crafts!

I have made these botches out of a diet mountain dew can.


Hope you enjoy them.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Corner Count!

I had a good week this week. I have not done much better about tracking as I eat but am determined to do better next week!

I went to the gym 4 days last week.

My Favorite Snack for the Week:

8 Vanilla Wafers
1 Tablespoon Peanut butter

So now it is time for the weekly weigh in! This week I lost -1.4 lbs for a total of -4.6 lbs!

Overall a successful week!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Thursday, February 17, 2011

First Time Scarf

This is my first attempt at this scarf. I was pleased with how it turned out. Also it was very quick to make which makes it even better! It turned out much longer then I thought it would. It was 8 feet long when finished.


Hope you enjoy it!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The View from My Window!

Tonight the sunset was amazing! Just thought I would share it with you all!






Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

The Corner Count!

I had a good week this week. I have been slacking on tracking my food right when I eat it but do go back and track it. I need to get back to tracking it as I eat it.

I went to the gym 4 days last week. Thursday I did not want to go I just wanted to climb back into bed but I made myself go and ended up biking 10 miles and walking a 5 K. It took me two hours but I did it and I felt so good after I was done.

My Favorite Snack for the Week:

18 All-Brand Crackers
1 Wedge Laughing Cow Cheese (any flavor)

So now it is time for the weekly weigh in! This week I lost -2.0 lbs for a total of -3.2 lbs!

Overall a successful week!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Happy Birthday Again!

So I ended up making my mom a birthday card for my stepdad as well.

Here it is:

Front of Card

Inside of Card
Owl always love you! Happy Birthday!

Envelope

Hope you enjoy it!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Happy Birthday!

So tomorrow is my step dad’s birthday so I made him a card tonight.


Hope you like it.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Cakes! Cakes! And More Cakes!

So by request I am going to post some of my past cake photos on here. I was only going to post projects as I did them but for Jag I will bend the rules. :)

So without further adieu here are the cakes…












There they are! That's all I have for now!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat 






Crocheting Plastic Bags

I have seen some cool things out there on recycling but this I have to say is one of my favorites. Crocheting with plastic grocery bags is just like crocheting with yarn. If you can do it with yarn you can do it with plastic bags.

In order to make the “Plarn” as we will call it you need to roll a plastic bags into a long strip. Cut off the bottom of the bag so it is open at the end and cut the handles off (save them for later). With the remaining strip cut into one inch sections. Open all loops and add handle loops. You will weave them together into one long plarn strip. There you have it Plarn.

Here is today’s project with the plarn. I made a can holder, so your hands will not get cold with a cold drink.


Hope you like it.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Corner Count

I had a great week! I really did well at tracking all of my foods this week. I found lots of new good recipes to eat that are healthy, and taste good.

Here is my favorite treat for the week:
1 Apple
1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter
Microwave Peanut Butter and dip apple slices in the peanut butter.

I went to the gym four days last week. Three days I did couch to 10 K and one I did water aerobics. I am so proud of myself!

So its time for the weekly weigh in! This week I lost -1.2 lbs!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Will you be my Valentine?

I have finished my valentines for this year.


Hope you like them.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Shag Scarf

I have just finished another shag scarf on the loom. It is for my mom, she was the one that picked out all the colors.


More to come!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Blueberry Muffins

1 Muffin = 1 PointsPlus

1 ¾ Cups all-purpose Flour
2 Teaspoons baking Powder
½ Teaspoons Cinnamon
¼ Teaspoon Salt
¾ Cup Skim Milk
1/3 Cup Sugar
¼ Cup vegetable or canola oil
1 Large egg, lightly beaten
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Cup fresh or frozen blueberries (thawed if frozen)
Optional: 1 Teaspoon grated lemon rind

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine dry ingredients in medium bowl, stirring well. Make a well in the center. Combine milk, oil, egg and vanilla, and to dry ingredients; stirring just until moist. Gently fold in blueberries. Divide batter evenly among 18 muffin cups. Bake at 400 for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

I was given this recipe yesterday at my Weight Watchers meeting and I had all of the ingredients already in the house so I decided to give it a try. Overall, they were good; I was happy with them, and glad that I now have a good healthy baking alternative since I like to bake so much.

If you try them let me know what you think.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Monday, January 31, 2011

The Corner Count!

I am going to start something new called “The Corner Count!” I have started another new years resolution (better late than never) and that is to get moving and lose some weight. So every Monday I am going to report back to everyone on my progress in “The Corner Count,” keep a lookout for it, keep me on track, and join in with me!

Week 1- Day 1
I have started a new program called Couch to 10K. It is designed to do exactly what you would think, get your bum off the couch and get you running a 10K (6.21 miles). It builds you up to running by doing intervals of walking and running. I can’t wait to be done with this and move on to a bigger goal that I have had for a while! Shh, don’t tell anyone I want to run a marathon! One day, I will run a marathon but for right now I am on Week 1-Day 1 of Couch to 10K. Gotta start somewhere, ya know!

I have also rejoined Weight Watchers for the fourth time! This time I am in it to win it! As most people that struggle with weight I go up and down, but lately down has not been my problem! Currently I am almost 200lbs. and I am ready for a change, there is no reason for me to be as big as I am. I mean I am not one to obsess about my weight, but for health reasons and for general well being, I know I need to loose some weight.

I hope that I can inspire others to get healthy as well. Its not about loosing weight, it’s about getting healthy! I would love to hear from you and your stories if you would like to share with me.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Saturday, January 29, 2011

I took a trip to JoAnn’s!

Yesterday I had to go and get my allergy shots, so I thought I would stop by and pick up a few things that I had been wanting.

I had wanted to learn the Tunisian Knit Crochet stitch so I picked up the hook for that. I also picked up a set of three very large (L,P,Q) crochet hooks that I will use with multiple strands of yarn. I got an extra Q hook for a friend. While I was looking at the hooks there was a small book of patterns for looms so I got that book as well.


I will be updating more projects soon!

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat

Friday, January 28, 2011

Here is my first project to share!

This is a crocheted granny-square afghan that I started over the summer and have just recently finished. It was my first granny-square project; I enjoyed it until I had to put them all together! The squares were not a problem for me but putting them together was like pulling teeth. Personally I like the front the best but the back it cool in its own way.

Front

Back

I am currently working on a scarf that I started in high school. I guess it is time for me to finish it, since I am now beyond college! I like the way it is turning out but it is taking a long time, so I am only doing one stripe a night to pace myself.

Also, I am doing some towel toppers and grocery bag holders. They are my quick projects right now, since I can crochet much faster than knit.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat



Welcome to my corner of the world!

Well world, I guess it’s that time! Time to start my New Years Resolution since it is January 27, 2011, oh well better late than never I guess!

My plan for this blog is to post all of my creative wandering on here to inspire you and maybe bring a little sunshine to your corner of the world. I hope to update everyone once a week on what is going on, maybe more but I don’t want to make any promises since I have not been very good at blogging in the past.

I hope one day to have my own shop. Will it be a store front, a traveling craft show, or an Etsy shop, who knows but that will be sometime down the road, right now just trying to have a place that I can share my crafty mess with the world.

Happy Crafting,
Alley Cat