homemaking

{ditto} DIY:: Framed Fabric and a Cross

July 1, 2013 by Edie Wadsworth 13 Comments

Welcome to the July {ditto} DIY challenge!

Once a month ten very different bloggers are hosting this challenge to recreate in our own homes a project or design element inspired by a haute couture design. The idea is to inspire everyone to incorporate fine design elements into your own home in a way that fits your own style. (For more details on what {ditto}DIY is all about, check out this post [INSERT LINK TO YOUR INTRO POST].)

The ten hosting bloggers include:

Darlene @ Fieldstone Hill Design
Ruth @ Living Well Spending Less
Cindy @ Skip to My Lou
Jen @ Balancing Beauty & Bedlam
Edie @ Life in Grace
Rachel @ Surviving the Stores
Karin @ Trophy Mom Diaries
Lauren @ I am THAT Lady
Kelly @ View Along The Way
Melissa @ The Inspired Room

This month’s theme is Framed Fabric, and this was our inspiration photograph:

{A framed pair of Ikat fabric art. Image via Neiman Marcus.}

The {ditto} DIY Challenge:

Frame some Fabric! Any fabric, any way….then use it in a lovely display.

Here is my Framed Fabric {ditto}DIY project:

I simply used modge podge to glue a cherished piece of fabric to a piece of cardboard, which I then stuck in a frame.

framedfabric

I’ve got it in my workroom for now but I have a propensity for moving things around and this little treasured frame could end up in my sultry master or in the living room or even in the kitchen.

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What makes this humble little piece of fabric so special is that it was given to me by a very special momma last week, while I was traveling in Nicaragua with Compassion Bloggers.

framedfabric3

I knew I wanted to do something special with it when I got back and this month’s {ditto} DIY couldn’t have been more perfect.

framedfabric4

I was so blessed to be able to meet the girls we sponsor and Diana’s mother makes extra money to help feed their family doing clothing repairs. She has one of those old fashioned sewing machines that uses a peddle. I was not a quick study……

(those machines are HARD to use!)

framedfabric5

but together, we stitched this cross, as a reminder that our hearts are forever entwined in mutual love and partnership for Diana. She does all the hard work for her daughter and I commit to pray and write and send $38 per month so Diana can go to school, receive medical care, hear the Gospel, and receive emotional and social support from the amazing staff at project N-186. It frees Diana’s family up to provide for their other children. Read the story of her beautiful family here and how her father is loving and providing, against all odds.

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The framed cross reminds me to pray and to count every blessing.

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Do you have some sentimental piece of fabric you could frame? It’s SO easy.

I just took the piece of cardboard that came with the frame and brushed modge podge onto it and applied the cut fabric. I let it dry all day and then, tada!

Easiest project EVER.

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And now comes the fun part! It is time to link up your own fabulous framed fabric projects and join the {ditto} DIY party! It wouldn’t be much of a party if you didn’t stick around, so be sure to check out as many projects as you can! Then be sure to visit Darlene’s site for a peek at next month’s challenge along with some expert design tips on incorporating framed fabric accents into your home.

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Chocolate Banana Bread {with chocolate chips}

June 5, 2013 by Edie Wadsworth 13 Comments

chocolate banana bread {with chocolate chips}

So, here’s the thing. I’ve been messing around with this recipe for a couple weeks. I think it’s pretty perfect now. It’s a very moist ~~cake~~ bread (who am I kidding?) and tis best to let it cool before you cut it or it’ll be, shall we say…… gooey. But, once it’s cooled, then I like to slice it, put a little butter on it and then warm it up for about 8 seconds in the microwave. Not a second longer. I know, the irony of it all. After you verify the deliciousness, you can deliver the 2nd ~~cake~~ bread to someone you love. The end.

What you need:

2 sticks of softened butter

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

3-4 mashed ripe bananas

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup cocoa

1 t. salt

1/2 t. baking soda

1 t. baking powder

1 t. vanilla extract

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 cup of chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet)

The topping (optional but good!

1/2 t. cinnamon and 1/2 t. cocoa mixed with 1 T. sparkling or sanding sugar

Directions:

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and incorporate well. Add bananas and mix until combined and then add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Divide the batter evenly between two loaf pans and then sprinkle the tops of batter with the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely!

Through My Prayers

May 28, 2013 by Edie Wadsworth 61 Comments

Steve’s father passed away this week. We are heartbroken and grieving and would appreciate your prayers; especially for his mom, who lost her husband of 57 years and who spent the last few years sacrificing so much to care for him at home. The gift Steve’s father gave me is one I’ll never be able to repay. So much of the life and love I enjoy today is because of how this man devoted himself to his family. I’m so thankful for the legacy that Eddie leaves, for the strong foundation he laid for his family, for the hilarious one liners that live on in all who knew him, and for the gift of faith in Christ, which was the cornerstone of his life. We will miss you, Eddie.

Hug those you love extra tight today. Make sure they know how much you care.

xoxo

Raspberry Tart with Pastry Cream

May 24, 2013 by Edie Wadsworth 9 Comments

This is one of my favorite dessert recipes for summer! It’s easy to make, absolutely delicious, AND the ingredients tastes so fresh and light—despite the fact that it’s pretty decadent. It’s the perfect addition to your Memorial Day festivities and you’ll be all french and fancy with your tart making skills. We’ve got dance dress rehearsal and recital this weekend so in case you need me, I’ll be in a swarm of cute little girls and tutus and 8 million bobby pins. I’ll be documenting the cuteness on Instagram and Facebook!

Raspberry Tart with Pastry Cream

The Crust

3 cups of almond flour

1/3 cup sugar

3/4 stick of butter, chilled

Combine in a food processor and mix until it forms a course crumbly consistency.

Press the dough into a tart pan. (It will stick together as you press it into the pan.)

Bake at 400 for about 20 minutes or until it’s lightly browned around the edges.

The Pastry Cream

1 cup milk

1/4 cup heavy cream

4 egg yolks

1/3 cup sugar

2 T. flour

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped (to get the delicious flecks of vanilla)

Add the milk, cream and vanilla seeds to a saucepan and cook on low for a few minutes to let the flavor infuse. I usually just throw the vanilla pod into the pot, too and then remove it before adding the rest of the ingredients. Combine the egg yolks with the sugar and flour and mix well, then add this mixture to the warm vanilla milk. Turn the heat up to low-medium, until the mixture thickens and just starts to boil. Let don’t it boil long, though. Remove from heat and refrigerate until chilled. (about an hour)

The Berries

Wash 1 pint of blueberries and 1 pint of raspberries. Combine 1 T. berry liquour of some kind and 1 T. berry jelly and the zest of half a lemon.

(I used my homemade strawberry but you could use store bought jelly. AND, don’t fret about the liquour. You can use a little water. I used Chambord but I don’t think it makes that much difference.)

Pour the mixture over the berries to gently coat the berries. Place them on top of the chilled pastry cream.

Enjoy!!

What are your weekend plans? Are you making lots of food? Spill it!

How to Knit a Dishcloth::{for the beginner}

May 8, 2013 by Edie Wadsworth 183 Comments

I like to call these Grannie washcloths. Kinda like Grannie’s Fudge but without the chocolate. They are so darn cute and useful and easy to make. I’ve made 4 this week already and this is the perfect little project in which to learn to knit. They make THE perfect little handmade gift and you’ll love the texture of them as dishcloths or as facial cloths. I’ve been knitting them for years and giving them as gifts with bars of soap or with a little kitchen basket of goodies. It’s the perfect gift for guests, or friends, or your favorite relatives. If you’ve never knit before, these videos and instructions will walk you through every step. If you’re an expert knitter, consider making a couple and sending them to me so I can take them on my trip with Compassion to Nicaragua in June. I think these will be the perfect little gifts to take for the girls that we meet there. For the older girls, I’ll include a bar of handmade soap and for the little girls, these will make perfect little baby blankets for tiny baby dolls. Also, the time spent knitting these is the perfect chance to pray over the kids that we’ll be visiting.

If you’ve never knit before, let me just sing the praises of this long lost art. It’s so relaxing! And yet, you are doing something productive with your hands. My mother in law was kind and patient enough to teach the girls and me how to knit several years ago and I am so thankful. We like to knit while we listen to books on tape. (Homeschooling at its finest!) When we lost our house to fire, I mourned the loss of the sweater I had been knitting for Caiti as she prepared to leave home. Knitting that sweater was like therapy to me and gave me plenty of time to ponder the joys and heartache of motherhood. Do yourself a favor and learn to knit! This project is easy enough that once you get the hang of it, you really don’t have to think. You can carry it with you every you go and knit while you wait for kids at their various activities. I like to knit at night before bed or when Stevie and I are watching American Pickers.

So, knit with me, why don’t ya!! I think you’ll love it.

Supplies

Size 8, 9, or 10 knitting needles (I prefer bamboo)
Clover Takumi 13-Inch Single point, Size 9

Cotton yarn (Usually called Sugar and Cream and it comes in a variety of colors)
Lily Sugar’n Cream Yarn, Potpourri

Instructions

Here are the official knitting instructions. If this all looks like greek to you, never fear. I’ve made a video of each step to make it easy to learn and follow along. The video took 47 years to upload so even if you don’t want to learn to knit, watch the video and laugh at my Southern twang, so at least I’ll feel like those years of my life weren’t wasted!

Cast on 4 sts.

Row 1: Knit one row.

Row 2: K2, YO, knit to the end of the row.

Repeat row 2 until there are 44 sts

Next row: K1, K2tog, YO, K2tog, knit to the end of the row.

Continue decreasing until 4 sts left. Cast off.

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K1—knit one stitch

K2tog—knit two together

YO—yarn over

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Do you knit or crochet or stitch? I was visiting a friend who had a handmade crocheted dishcloth and now I’m obsessed with trying that, too.

Tell me all about your handicrafts! Maybe someday I’ll even learn tatting, although it looks pretty tough to me!

ps. In case you didn’t know, this family doctor took the plunge into the world of natural health and essential oils and these oils are BLOWING MY MIND. If you want to feel better, sleep better, strengthen your immune system, reduce your stress, and clear some of the common toxins out of your life, I’d love to walk with you as you get started.

In the month of December (2016) I’m giving away a signed copy of my book along with a $10 product credit (to repay you for the cost of your shipping) to anyone who joins Young Living with me with a Premium Starter kit.

Young Living is giving away a free bottle of Christmas Spirit (my ABSOLUTE favorite Christmas scent and SO GOOD for mood!!) with every starter kit purchase. It’s a great time to join!!

Click here to read more about it!!

Ditto/DIY::Painted Tray Vignette

May 6, 2013 by Edie Wadsworth 40 Comments

Welcome to our first {ditto} DIY challenge!

Once a month, beginning today, nine very different bloggers are attempting to recreate in our own homes a project or design element inspired by a haute couture design selected by Darlene Weir of Fieldstone Hill Design. (For more details on what {ditto}DIY is all about, check out this post!}

Ruth @ Living Well Spending Less
Cindy @ Skip to My Lou
Jen @ Balancing Beauty & Bedlam
Edie @ Life in Grace
Rachel @ Surviving the Stores
Karin @ Trophy Mom Diaries
Lauren @ I am THAT Lady
Kelly @ View Along The Way
Melissa @ The Inspired Room

Remember that beginning next month (on Monday, June 3rd) we are inviting you ALL to join the {ditto} DIY challenge! Be sure to visit Darlene to catch a peek of NEXT month’s {ditto} DIY challenge so that you ALL can join the fun! (Hint: We’ll be going for the GOLD!)

In case you’ve forgotten, this was our first inspiration photograph:

{A chic painted tray and vanity vignette, from the home of nina bergsten, photography by marcus lawett.}

The {ditto} DIY Challenge:

Create your own painted tray and vanity vignette.

Here is my first {ditto}DIY project:

DIY painted tray vignette via lifeingrace

Oh, how I love this little collection of color!

So, here’s how this vignette came together for me.

I’ve been wanting to add a tray to the striped bathroom for awhile. This room may have knocked the workroom out of favorite room status but I was thinking that it needed a tray of some kind to corral a pretty collection of things. Then, it dawned on me that maybe I just love this room so much because David is in here? I’ve been suspecting that I’m partial to any room where David is located because I’ve really missed him in the kitchen. What? You find that odd? You think I’m off my rocker? That’s not news, good people. That’s a well-established fact. But still. Humor me. Wouldn’t you be just a little attached to David, once you got over the shock that a large bust of a Biblical character was privy to your bathroom situations?

Long story even more painful? I want a David in every room.

There, I said it.

striped bath DIY

The good news is? At this point, I have two Davids. (Myquillin sent me one right after the fire because she gets me and because friends don’t let friends live in a world where busts of David do not exist.) So, I moved big David back to the kitchen and spray painted little David hot pink. I don’t know why. I just did it and it set off a firestorm of creative sparks in my head—which eventually led to little David joining Aphrodite in the bathroom. Match made in heaven, if you ask me.

I wanted a tray with a mirrored or reflective surface so that the glory of this unlikely pair could really shine. I didn’t have a tray (that I wanted to paint) so I bought a cheap black lacquer tray at TJ Maxx and used the antique looking glass spray paint to add some glam to the surface. (The paint is pricey but I used my Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon and got it for about $7.)

Bye-bye butterflies.

Hello, mirrored beauty. And to be fair, this “looking-glass” spray paint really looks more metallic than mirror-ish but I like the effect and it glams up an otherwise okay tray.

DIY painted tray vignette via lifeingrace

Do you have any idea how much this simple little project makes me happy? You don’t, do you? Listen. It’s the kind of happy that keeps on giving every. single. time. you have to potty. It makes a trip to the bathroom more like a field trip to a cool museum. Or to the carnival, only without cotton candy and deep fried oreos.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the smallest, most insignificant spaces are a great place for high design. As soon as you get tired of working on it, you’re done.

Speaking of design, I’m working on something brand new for the room over the garage. Follow along on my Pinterest boards, but don’t tell Darlene, because this project may or may not involve some changes in the girls’ room. {It seems almost blasphemous.}

Also, head over to her place to see the inspiration photo for next month, where you are invited and encouraged to play along with the fun and intriguing challenge of using gilding in a project.

DIY painted tray vignette via lifeingrace

On Monday, June 3rd, we are inviting you ALL to join the {ditto} DIY challenge! Be sure to check out everyone else’s projects and to visit Darlene’s site for a peek at next month’s challenge along with some expert design tips on incorporating painted tray vignettes into your home.

DIY painted tray vignette via lifeingrace