Thursday, June 26, 2014

How to Make Stepping Stones – with a Cake Pan














Many years ago I made my own stepping stones. As in the photo above
I was still in the process of creating my little garden, Sadly I sold the house
soon after this photo was taken.
I found this cool idea of making stepping stones.

You don’t need a fancy schmancy mold to make garden stepping stones;
 all you need is a non-stick cake pan! And you won’t even ruin the pan!
I stumbled on a new – and EASIER way to make mosaic stepping stones;
 it’s called the indirect method and it involves contact paper. I think these
 would make awesome favors or gifts for a garden wedding. Just get your
 maids together on a Saturday afternoon and have a stepping stone party. 
They’re inexpensive to make – and they don’t require much skill.
You will need:
  • Round non-stick cake pan (You could also use a heart-shaped pan)
  • Vaseline
  • Contact paper
  • Old plates or saucers that you don’t need (I got mine at the thrift store)
  • Glass gems
  • sea glass (optional)
  • concrete
  • marine varnish
  • Mosaic Glass Cutter (Optional. I did not use of of these, but if you want
  •  more precise cuts, this is the way to go.)
  • chicken wire or other type of wire mesh
  • safety glasses
  • rubber gloves
  • dust mask
  • hammer
  • bucket
  • trowel
  • water
Put your safety glasses on. Place a plate or saucer inside a cloth bag or 
cover with an old sheet or towel, and smash it with a hammer. If you have
 a mosaic glass cutter, use it instead.
garden stone
Place your cake pan on your contact paper, and trace around it.
stepping stone














Cut out the contact paper circle. Remove backing and place inside
 pan sticky side up. Add your mosaic pieces to the contact paper 
with the desired design facing down. Press each piece down so
 it is firmly stuck to the contact paper. Leave enough space between
 the pieces so that the cement can fill the spaces in between – 
but don’t leave too much room. (When I make my next stepping 
stone, I will move the pieces a bit closer together.)
garden stone
If you are happy with your design, place the design back into the pan
 with the sticky side up. Head outdoors, put on your dust mask and
 mix up your concrete according to the instructions on the bag. It will
 be the consistency of porridge when it’s ready.Meantime, cut a square
 piece of chicken wire or wire mesh to fit inside the stepping stone. 
This will help to support it. Also, line the inside rim of your cake pan
 with Vaseline for easy releasing.
concrete for stepping stones
stone stone
chicken wire
. 


















































stepping stone


stepping stone


chicken wire hand

diy garden stone

concrete stone

garden stone

pathway stone 2

http://www.intimateweddings.com/








“Golden milk” for cold, flus, depression, and more (in a recipe that actually tastes good…)

"Golden milk" for cold, flus, depression, and more (in a recipe that actually tastes good...)
Turmeric is fast becoming a popular remedy for just about
 everything that ails you. It is particularly powerful as a 
wintertime cold and flu remedy. I have added some to just 
about every tea I have put together this season. Turmeric in
 milk is a great option as well. The flavor is pleasant and offers 
a change from the tea. Traditionally, turmeric milk has been
 used for colds, congestion, headache, and sore throats. 
Turmeric is a depression-fighter as well. Adding more to 
our diets is one great brain building strategy.

Turmeric Milk Ingredients

  • 2 cups of milk (or substitute coconut milk)
  • 1 teaspoon dried turmeric (or one-half inch fresh turmeric thinly sliced or diced)
  • 1 teaspoon dried ginger (or one-half inch fresh ginger thinly sliced or diced)
  • A sprinkle of black pepper.
  • Honey to taste
  1. Place milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add turmeric, ginger, and pepper. Stir well if you are using the dried spices.
  3. Let the milk begin to simmer — small bubbles will form on the sides of the saucepan. Stir.
  4. Allow to heat for another minute or two being careful not to let the milk overheat. Continue to stir at this point to get better heat distribution and so that you don’t end up distracted in your kitchen and end up with boiled turmeric in your burner pans (*cough*).
  5. Turn off heat, cover, and allow the mixture to sit for ten minutes or so to improve the infusion.
  6. Strain the milk through a strainer if you have used fresh ingredients.
  7. Serve warm.
  8. http://www.freshbitesdaily.com/

Arm Knit an Infinity Scarf in 30 Minutes

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Beautiful Sewing Box




Sewing Machine Needles

Sewing 101-Sewing Machine Needles
http://www.feathersflights.com/

For more info go to
http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/using-the-right-needle/

Think of your sewing machine as a power tool with thread....

This makes me love my sewing machine even more. :)

sew cool!
Sew Sew
Sewing=love!


Key Lime Cake


18 14 oz package lemon cake mix
3 oz package instant mix lemon pudding
34 cup water
12 cup vegetable oil
4 egg
5 tbsp key lime juice
12 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp key lime juice
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 
  2. one 9x13 inch cake pan or one 10 inch bundt pan.
  3. In a large bowl stir together; lemon cake mix, lemon instant pudding, 
  4. water, oil, eggs, and 5 tablespoons key lime juice, mixing well.
  5.  Pour batter into prepared pan.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Pour key lime glaze over cake while still warm.
  7. To Make Glaze: Mix together the confectioner's sugar and 3 tablespoons of the key lime juice (or more if necessary), spoon glaze over warm cake.
  8. http://www.toprecipes24h.com/



THE SERENITY PRAYER

GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY
TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE;
COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN;
AND WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME;
ENJOYING ONE MOMENT AT A TIME;
ACCEPTING HARDSHIPS AS THE PATHWAY TO PEACE;
TAKING, AS HE DID, THIS SINFUL WORLD
AS IT IS, NOT AS I WOULD HAVE IT;
TRUSTING THAT HE WILL MAKE ALL THINGS RIGHT
IF I SURRENDER TO HIS WILL;
THAT I MAY BE REASONABLY HAPPY IN THIS LIFE
AND SUPREMELY HAPPY WITH HIM
FOREVER IN THE NEXT.
AMEN.

--REINHOLD NIEBUHR