Christmas Decor!!!! / GIANT MARBLES!

Okay first off I must say that this was NOT my original idea, I just saw the image and HAD to share it! I originally saw the picture posted on someones Facebook, you can find the original source here, if it was a blog, I would have posted it! (If you are the original source please let me know so I can site you!) Anyways, here we go!

 I live in Arizona... Phoenix, Arizona... so there is NO way I could do this at my house... :( BUT... if I lived in snow I would do it in a heart beat! (So all you snow people out there, please try it out and let me know how it works!)

Here's how: During winter (freezing, cold, snowing winter), fill balloons with water and add food coloring, once frozen cut the balloons off and they look like giant marbles or christmas decor!!!! This is seriously awesome! These ones just have food coloring, but I bet it would look cool if you added glitter! (If you could manage to keep it from all settling to the bottom, although it may reflect of the ice nicely!) Anyone who tries this, let me know how it worked out for you! :) Have a WONDERFUL DAY!

Pasta Subs.... YUM!!!

There is this restaurant in San Diego, California that my in laws introduced me to, Devine Pastabilities. Their signature dish is 'Torpasta,' which I believe is best described as a pasta sub! I have only been there once, but it was delicious! (if you are ever in San Diego, I highly recommend the place!) But since San Diego is so far away from me... (6 hours is just to far to drive for lunch!) I decided to try to replicate the dish in my own kitchen! And here is how you can do the same! Enjoy :)

Pasta Subs

I used bolillo rolls to make mine. How many you will need depends on how many your are feeding! I found these to be quite filling (and me and my husband eat quite a bit... we averaged 1-2 per person, unless you include my toddler who LOVES these and she ate like 2 as well! I was stunned!)  Cut off one edge of the bolillo roll (to make the edge not as rounded, easier to hollow out, only cut about 1 inch) Then I just used my fingers to pinch out the insides (Sorry I don't have a photo, but mine hollowed out super easily, just do it delicately so you don't break them- I found it easier to stuff later if I 'smoosh' the reaming bread around the opening to make the opening just a bit wider)

Cook your pasta according to package directions (any kind you like! I chose tortellini, but I have done spaghetti in the past.) Put it in a large bowl.

                                                         Heat up/ cook your pasta sauce...

 Toss your pasta and sauce in the bowl (add a LITTLE more sauce then normal- a little may  'dry out' in the oven)

Using a spoon (I used a large kitchen spoon) Spoon your pasta into your pre-hollowed out rolls

Place your subs on a cookie sheet (ungreased)

Bake at 350 degrees until the bread is just beginning to turn light brown and 'crunch' a bit (6 minutes worked PERFECT for me!) Enjoy! (let me know if you ever make it down to Devine Pastabilities!)

Just a quick note...

Sew Sweet & Fabulous is my original blog (sewing crafting, cleaning, tutorials, etc...) I created Sew Sweet & Fabulous {photography} for all my photography projects (photo shoots- available for locals, east valley Arizona), so if you are looking for my photography profile make sure you check it out at sewsweetandfabulousphotography.blogspot.com and any sewing, crafting, cooking, etc at sewsweetandfabulous.blogspot.com :)

My email is still the same for both... sewsweetandfabulous@gmail.com

Thanks! Have a wonderful day!!

Sew Sweet & Fabulous is on Facebook!

Hello! Over here in Chandler we have a big dust storm rolling in! Has anyone else in this area noticed that there has been some sort of storm every Saturday for the past month or so?! I love monsoon season though! (Only partly because its right around my birthday!!!)

Anyways, Sew Sweet & Fabulous has a facebook page now! Head on over here and like our page for updates! (And future contests/ giveaways!!!!) Also please feel free to contact me through Facebook with any questions or requests! I can also be reached at sewsweetandfabulous@gmail.com :) Hope the weather, wherever you may be, is treating you well! :)

How to: Cleaning (polishing) those Piano Keys

My husband loves to play the piano, and is quite good at it! (I think his favorite song to play is Waterfall, by Jon Schmidt ) He used to have a keyboard, but never played it because it just isn't the same as a piano... but we never had the space for a piano in our condo. We recently bought our first house, and also managed to score a free piano! It needs updating, and I cannot wait to paint it! I am trying to talk Kirk (that's my husband) into letting me do this to it....

 but we will see!

Anyways, this is my piano...

See, its in major need of a makeover! But it plays pretty great, and it was free!
 
This Piano is heavy.... and it needs to be moved outside before I paint it... so until I can get a couple of men over here to volunteer to move it for me... this color it will stay! BUT... that doesnt mean it has to stay dirty! I don't think the people who had it before us cleaned it recently...

O.K. ... so it's not TERRIBLE... but it still needs a cleaning! I saw something about cleaning piano keys with MAYONNAISE on Pinterest... but couldn't find any photos of the actual process (to see if it did anything!) SO I figured what the heck I'll try it and if it works, I'll blog about it!

For some reason... I expected the mayonnaise to whiten the piano keys?? This piano is old... and I am not sure if the keys were ever WHITE, so I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised when it didn't whiten the keys. (Don't give up on me yet... keep reading!) But it sure did clean them! I thought it was like 'polishing' the piano keys!

First I wiped down all the keys with a damp rag to get rid of dust/ finger prints...

This got rid of most of the dirt/ spots that were very visible to the eye. Check out that rag....

O.K. sorry I know that's gross...

Anyways, next I put a thin layer of mayonnaise on all the white keys (trying to keep as much out of the cracks as possible.) This was the first half.. I tried doing it with a baby spoon, I gave up and used my finger on the rest of the keys. A lot less got in the cracks (not terrible if it does, just means longer time cleaning up) and it was easier to apply a thin layer. (sorry don't have a picture!)

Leave the mayonnaise on the keys for about 3 minutes. Take a damp cloth, and wipe of as much of the mayonnaise as you can. Then I took a dry cloth (It took me two rags) and wiped off the rest of the mayonnaise, getting it all out of the cracks, lifting up some keys and pushing down others.... (really this isn't that hard, the whole process probably took 15 minutes- including the prep) After I got almost all the mayonnaise off, I used another damp rag to wipe anything that may have been left behind. Finally, I took one more dry rag and buffed all the keys (black ones too!)

You might be wandering, is this worth it since it didn't whiten the piano keys at all? I say YES! When I was wiping down all the mayonnaise, I noticed a lot more dirt/ grime coming off the keys that the water itself hadn't picked up: This photo is after I wiped the keys with water (and I thought they looked clean then!)  and was buffing the mayonnaise off, and this is just from 2 keys! 

 And it left a nice polished look. So they aren't necessarily 'whiter' but they sure are brighter!

Simple Bow Holder (chicken wire edition)

In searching for what kind of bow holder I wanted to make my daughter (She's already had two previous ones, both different kind of ribbon styles) I decided I did not like the ribbon ones, they just weren't 'tough' enough for everyday use (ribbons twisting, breaking, wearing out) So I knew I needed something that would be durable, functional, and of course, cute! That's when I decided to go with something that involved chicken wire. I already had a frame, and I was going for quick and simple, but cute. So I went to Home Depot and picked up some chicken wire (mine is the 1" width, feel free to go smaller, just make sure its big enough for the clip to go through.)


This whole project cost me $10, (chicken wire) because I already had some spray paint, a frame, and ribbon to hang it from. Check out your local thrift store (I like Goodwill) for some cute frames! Remember, you only need the actual 'frame', backing/ glass, etc is not necessary.  You can get really cheap ribbon at almost any craft store (Hobby Lobby often has their ribbon for 50% off, and I really like their selection), and I found spray paint is the cheapest at your local hardware store. The chicken wire cost $10... but I have a bunch left over... I will have to find another use for it! ;)

Want to make your own?? Here's how: (I also can make them to order if you want one, but don't want to make one yourself!)

1. Paint (I use spray paint) your frame the color of your choice. It obviously depends on your frame, but  you could also stencil a design on it, distress/ glaze the frame, or even decoupage some fabric on it! I just went with a plain color since my frame itself was pretty simple (Remember: I already had the frame.)

2. Place your frame upside down, line up the chicken wire in one corner of your frame (making the top of the chicken wire even on the top, and on one side, this way you only have to cut two edges of the chicken wire, rather than all four). Start in your 'lined up corner' and using a staple gun, begin to staple the chicken wire in place.

Continue around the rest of the frame, making sure you stretch the chicken wire tight, so it isn't sagging in the middle of the frame. This part can be trickier than it sounds, just keep pulling and stapling it and eventually you'll get it!

3. After you have stapled all the way around your frame (I used lots and lots of staples!) Cute all the excess chicken wire using wire cutters. Then, just to be sure, add a few more staples... :)

4. You could just hang the frame itself from the wall using some nails, but I wanted to hang mine from a ribbon. Measure the middle of the top of the frame (your center point), and measure your ribbon (I just turned it right side up and eye-balled it and cut the ribbon to a length I thought looked good) staple the ends of  your ribbon (several times) equal distances from your 'center point'.

5. Flip it over, hang it up, and add all your little girls bows/ flowers! I left it at this, there are raw edges to the chicken wire, but I didn't think it would be a big deal since it would just be hanging on the wall all the time. If you prefer to cover them up (I will eventually do this too... lol) I would cut strips of felt and hot glue it along all the 'open' edges of the chicken wire. make sure you cut the felt thick enough to cover the raw edges, but not too thick so its still hidden behind the frame) You could also add a big bow/ flower in a corner of your frame, or little bows where your ribbon meets the frame. Be creative! :)

I have since painted my little girls headband holder gray (when we moved she got a bedroom makeover- more big kid girly, not as baby), I just took all her bows off and spray painted the whole thing gray (chicken wire too!)

Mini Cinnamon Roll Cookies

I don't know about you, but I LOVE cinnamon rolls! This recipe was adapted from one I found in my Taste of Home magazine. I was so thrilled when I saw these, I knew I just had to make them! Well that was probably two months ago.... (I got a little busy... or lazy, and I forgot all about them.)

 I have the sweetest neighbor, he is an elderly man who likes a clean neighborhood. I always see him outside picking up a few peices of garbage down the street, taking my bins out to the street for me, and returning them at my gate, and I have seen him going down the street with his lawn mower mowing several lawns along the way (he has done mine probably 4 times!) I think that is amazing, especially since its 120 degrees outside and I can hardly go out there to swim! Thank you's are big in my book of must-do's, but I don't feel like a mere 'thank you' makes up for how much kindness he has shown me and the other neighbors. Which is why I decided to bake him cookies! (Maybe he likes my goodies, I brought him a platter of goodies the first time he mowed my lawn, and a dinner of pot roast the 3rd time, so I think it is time for more goodies for such a good man!) As I was thinking of what cookies to make... this recipe came back in mind! And I finally had a good excuse to make it! (Other than to shove my mouth full of delicious cookies!) Anyways, without further ado, I give you:


Mini Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Prep: 1 hour   Bake: 10 minutes/ batch +cooling    Yeild: About 2-1/2 dozen

1 cup butter, softened
1-3/4 cups sugar, divided
3 egg yolks
1 Tbsp., plus 1 tsp. Honey
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 Tbsp. ground Cinnamon
8 oz. White baking chocolate, chopped

1. Gather all ingredients listed. (I highly reccomend using 'real butter' for this... However I was out, so I was forced to make due with margarine :(

2. In a large bowl, cream butter and 1-1/4 cups sugar until light and fluffy (about 1 minute). You mixture may be slightly smoother than mine if you use real butter instead of margarine.

3. Beat in egg yolks, 1 Tbsp. honey, and vanilla.

4. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cream of tartar in a medium sized bowl.

5. Gradually add the 'dry mix'  to the creamed mixture and mix well.

6. Shape a heaping Tablespoon of dough into a 6 inch log. (My dough was very sticky, possibly because of the maragarine, but I could not do this step with how sticky it was. I added 1/2 cup more flour, it was still sticky, but manageable. I kept my hands slightly wet and the dough would not stick to my hands. Refridgerating the dough before shaping it may also help, please feel free to comment if you  ran into the same problems and/ or have any solutions!)

7. In a shallow bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; roll log of cookie dough in cinnamon sugar mixture, coating well.  Loosely coil log into a sprial shape (this is what gives it that 'cinnamon roll' look); place on a greased baking sheet.  Repeat, placing cookies 1 inch apart. (they really stay about the same size after baked.)

   After I did two cookie sheets worth of this, I converted to spooning a ball full of dough and rolling it around in the cinnamon sugar mixture (like snickerdoodles.) When I placed it on the cookie sheet I used the back of a spoon to flatten the ball out slightly. I didnt get the cinnamon roll look, but they still cooked and tasted the same, it was just easier! :)

8. Bake at 350 degrees for 8- 10 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool. In a small bowl, melt baking chocolate with remaining honey; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies, unless of course, you burn your chocolate and turn it into a thick cake-like substance like I did :/ In which case I would advise you whip up a quick vanilla frosting recipe and add milk to make it a drizzle consistency, and then drizzle that over your cookies. (I think a cream cheese frosting would also be delicious!!!) Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

These were delicous! I was worried they might taste like snickerdoodles, but they didn't! They were actually fluffy and had more of a cinnamon roll texture than a cookie texture! Enjoy!

Nutrition facts: (based off of 'real' butter and chocolate frosting) 1 cookie equals 189 calories. 9 g fat (6 g saturated fat) 38 mg cholesterol, 105 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrates, trace fiber, 2 g protein. Diabetic exchange: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat

Zuppa Toscana....

                  At long last... Zuppa Toscana! Better than Olive Garden's! (according to my DH)

     We LOVE Olive Garden! Although, surprisingly, I had never been there before we got married,(almost 3 years ago! Crazy how time flies, huh?!) But.... we simply can't afford to go to Olive Garden very often. (Let's face it, it's hard to go anywhere after you have kids!) <-- Good thing they're so cute!

   I'm big on the 'free' chips/ breads, etc... at restuarants while you are waiting for your meal, which is a huge reason I like Olive Garden so much! Free soup/ salad and breadsticks?! Heck yeah! Add the word unlimited, and Ill be all over that place! You see, me and my DH like to fill up on this 'free' food so by the time our actual dinner comes, we can enjoy a few bites, and take the rest home for tomorrows lunch. (C'mon we all do it!) I feel like I am getting a free meal that way so the expense of eating out isn't so hurtful to my wallet.
    Anyways, I decided to start trying to make some stuff I enjoy at Olive Garden so much. Starting with this soup! I found the recipe online, sorry I cannot remember exactly or I would include the link... But here is my version cuz I tweaked several things. :) Enjoy!



Zuppa Toscana
Time: 45 minutes
Yields: 15 servings (this really makes a lot- I should have read this part before I made it for 2 people!)

1 pound Italian Saususage
1/2 T red pepper flakes (I used the same stuff that goes on pizza, maybe its different? But we thought it was a little too spicy- and my DH likes spicy- so next time I will use less than 1/2 T)
1 large white onion, chopped (This seemed like a TON of onion to me! I used most of my onion- but not all of it... my onion was baseball sized)
3 cloves garlic, minced (I substituted crushed garlic- 3 Tsp- cuz that's what I had on hand)
4 T crumbled bacon pieces (I used hormels precooked bacon- but by the way if you ever cook bacon, don't fry it. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil bake at 350 until its done- about 20 min I think? it lays flat and tastes better to me!)
8 C chicken broth (I used the powder to make your own)
2 C water
1 c half and half
2 large russet potatoes, sliced thin (I like my soups to have substance, so I planned on doing three potatoes, after I chopped up two I realized that two would be plenty)
3 C Kale, chopped (I had never even heard of this before!)
salt & pepper (I just used a little, then we added more to our own bowls if we wanted)

1. In a large pot (seriously, this stuff makes alot! Filled my biggest pot!) Brown your italian sausage and add crushed red pepper

2. While the meat is cooking, slice your potatoes (really thin!) I suggest getting one of these mandalins if you don't already have one. Mine wasn't expensive and I chopped all these potatoes in less than 2 minutes...

3. Cut your slices into quarters...

4. Chop your onions (I like mine on the smaller side, but whatever you prefer) and mince your garlic now if you need to.

5. Once your sausage has cooked through, remove it to a bowl. Combine Onions, Garlic, and bacon in your big pot (The one you just took your meat out of) Sautee them, stirring frequently until onions are transparent.

6. Add the broth and water.

7. Add your potatoes and bring the whole pot to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer (no cover) for about 10 minutes, until your potatoes are cooked through.

8. During this time, slice up your kale, into  small pieces. It's similar to lettuce, but thicker. It can be found in a local grocery store, even if you have never noticed it before! (I got mine at frys, it wasn't expensive, sorry can't remember how much though!)

9. Once your potatoes are done, add your half and half, sausage, and kale.   Cook until everything is heated through, and serve! I served mine with garlic bread.... mmmm.... :)