Easter Basket Book List!

Everyone has a bit of Spring Fever about now. With Easter just a week away, it is time to think about what to tuck into those Easter Baskets. Of course there will be candy and eggs!

Here is an idea!  How about some great books  How about some great Spring themed books?

Chalkboard Art Tips and Tricks

I did a lot of chalkboard writing " back in the day" before Smartboards replaced them.                                    I was pretty proud of my "teacher penmanship" skills!

It is humorous that chalkboards are " historical artifacts" in the classroom, and yet, those same chalkboards have become popular home decor accents!

I have a big chalkboard in the stairwell to the lower level




I recently found a cute little easel chalkboard at a consignment shop that fits perfectly on the kitchen counter.



I usually write something seasonal on the chalkboards.....but in all honesty...I have been feeling that my efforts would not get very good grades for creativity and penmanship!

 I decided it is time for me to spend some time perfecting....or at least improving.... my chalkboard art skills.
I guess that might be an irony goal for a retired teacher....but heck...I have nothing but time now!

Here is a round-up of all the great tips and techniques that are sure to turn my chalkboard art from novice to pro!

Friday Favorite-Burlap!

Burlap is more than just a "trendy" decor element here at Sweetwater!
So this Friday's Favorite is BURLAP!

First let's look check out some very fun ways to use burlap!
Clearly this potato sack dress is NOT on my list of sewing projects!

Simple St. Patrick's Day Art

I like to add a bit of seasonal decor to the Baker's Rack in the kitchen.

I gathered some GREEN!

A green depression glass measuring cup and lemon/orange squeezer...

A fun 1930's Rum Rill Pottery Candle holder....

A Fiestaware Pitcher...

A green placemat....

AND

The framed Shamrock leaning on the shelf that was super simple to make!

Goodwill Style!

A couple of months ago, I was happily shopping at Goodwill!

You are probably saying..."How is that news?"

Well...I ran into a friend who was doing a thrift store style consult with Lindsey who is

 the owner of Fashion Fix MN!

Lindsey does closet organization and Wardrobe Styling.

The most fascinating part of what she offers is..... thrift store styling!

I watched the consult for a little while and then asked if I could shadow her sometime and watch this interesting process.

I did just that this week.  I spent an interesting couple of hours with watching her "work her magic"!

Come along and see!

March Centerpieces!

 Did you ever get around to planting a pot or dish of wheat grass!

If you haven't done that yet, maybe this centerpiece idea will motivate you!

I was so glad that this big bowl of wheat grass was in full "bloom" a couple of weeks ago.

 

Sadly...the Sweetwater fiancé had a death in her family.... she wanted an interesting centerpiece to put on the table when the family gathered together.

This grass planting was a wonderful base for that centerpiece.

Drool Bibs For the Sweetwater Grandbaby!

"I can't think why mothers love them. All babies do is leak at both ends."   Douglas Feaver   

 Isn't that the truth?

I have been sewing up some pretty cute drool bibs for the Sweetwater Grandbaby!

There are tons of tutorials and patterns out there! 

The Bandana Bib seems to be popular.....but personally....I think all that fabric up by the baby face is cumbersome!  If you like that look...here is a link to a pattern and tutorial!

Since there are many tutorials out there...I won't bother to write one....so check out the links I have found!

A Fabulous Student Drama Production!

"Let's Put on a Show!"

That is exactly what happens at Park Spanish Immersion School every year!

Under the direction of an amazing educator (and one of my favorite friends)....over 50 kids work together to stage a musical production!

This is no small feat!  The script and music needs to be written IN SPANISH!  Funny...there aren't too many ready made Spanish scripts out there....so they have to be translated!  

Kim works hard to create a production that includes as many children as possible!

The many volunteers who work on scenery, props and costumes are pretty amazing!

Since there isn't a lot of money in the budget....everyone needs to be "pretty creative" to find inexpensive ways to make this happen!

I had the pleasure of helping with costumes this year! 

How to Make A Custom Ironing Board Cover!

Ironing and ironing boards are not exactly exciting topics!

Actually.....I don't do a lot of actual clothes ironing....but if you sew....you have to iron!
My Grandma told me (correctly) that the iron was the MOST important sewing notion!


I will say that crafting and sewing take a real toll on an ironing board cover!

Yikes....this is seriously ugly!  I am not sure what the red stuff is....and the scorch marks were getting pretty bad.


















It was actually getting so bad that I was laying down a protective tea towel when I ironed anything "nice"!

It was obviously time for a new ironing board cover! Because our ironing board is one of those "in the wall" built ins, it is kind of hard to find a cover that fits exactly. The ones for this model cost about $20 and come in GRAY or GRAY!  You know....that shiny gray metal color that is soooo attractive!

Healthy No Blender Smoothie!

I just love Smoothies!

I have a wonderful VitaMix Blender that is great!

But sometimes....I am too lazy to get the VitaMix out...

and

I am too lazy to clean it after I blend up a smoothie!

Here is a quick solution!

No Blender needed!