I Sense There's Something In the Wind...

I love "The Nightmare Before Christmas", I watch it every year about this time (usually more than once).  This year Miss Kellie watched it with me, and than several time since.  Her favorite character is the best one in the movie - Sally!  So when I came across this pattern I knew I had to make it!  I let Miss Kellie pick out all her own colors and worked on it for about a month - I finally finished this weekend!!!

 Miss Kellie LOVES IT!!!  It's been in her bed since she go it - warms my heart.

Now I'm on the hunt for a 'Jack' pattern so she won't get lonely....

Baby it's cold outside...

As many of you know we live in Utah - and it's starting to get cold!  One of my sisters (Rachel) pinned some cute little animal ear-flap hats and 'mentioned' me as a not so subtle hint for me to make one for her daughter Abigail. When I checked out the pin there were three patterns for $15!!  I don't like to pay for patterns if I can help it, so I checked out my favorite site (ravelry.com) and found a free pattern for a similar hat - but without the cute ears.  

So I followed the pattern, with a few small modifications and came up with my own 'ears' and had a bear hat!  I used  'super bulky' yarn so it is thick and should be really warm.

When I brought this fantastic creation to our last 'Sister Saturday' Abigail liked it - but I could tell it wasn't exactly what she wanted.   However, my niece Opal loved it and wanted to try it on - she ended up wearing it for the entire day!!

After talking for a while I found out Abigail LOVES Angelina Ballerina - Ms. Kellie does to so I knew who that was.  After talking about it we decided Opal would get the bear hat (since we would most likely have to take it by force anyway) and I would make a new one for Abigail.

We stopped at the local yarn store and walked out with this...

With some larger ears and a pink bow (mandatory for Angelina) - it's the prefect little mouse hat!

Miss Kellie now wants a cat - so this won't be the last!!

Mini-Meatloaf & Pasta Salad

It's been a little while since I posted anything!  So I thought I'd share my two most requested recipes with you...both get rave reviews anytime I make them.
And bonus - they are SUPER easy!

Pepperoni Pasta Salad

You need:

8 oz pasta (I used cute mini bow ties)
1 pkg mini pepperoni
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/3 cup Zesty Italian dressing
1 can sliced olives

Cook pasta as per directions and cool in the fridge for about 20 minutes.

In a large bowl mix pasta, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, olives and dressing.

That's it!!!  This is great right after mixing but can also be refrigerated and served the next day.  If I store this overnight I usually add a little more dressing and stir before serving.

Mini-Meatloaf
(makes 12)
You need:

1 lb ground beef (I used extra lean)
1 pkg stuffing mix (unprepared)
1/2 cup water
Favorite BBQ sauce
Shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp garlic salt
Muffin tin - with liners

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl mix ground beef, stuffing mix, garlic salt and 1/2 cup water.  I find it's easier to just mix with my hands.




Form meat into small balls and place into the lined muffin tin and top each one with a little of your favorite bbq sauce.








Cook for 15 minutes - top each meatloaf with a small amount of cheese and cook for another 5 minutes.


You're done!!!!  Serve with mashed potatoes and your pasta salad!

Sock Monkey Card

Okay, I love sock a cute monkey - like really love them - a lot.

I buy cute sock monkey paper, and patterns and dolls.  My daughter does not share this love (yet) and it's hard to justify buying some of these cute things if they aren't for her.  But who needs justification anyway - right??

So I found this really cute paper and wanted to make it last (have you checked out the price of patterned paper lately - yaowza!)  So I cut out each of the elements on the page, rather then using the whole sheet. It took some time with my little sharp snipers, but it was worth it!

I should get three or four really cute cards out of the one sheet!

Here's the front...

(the 'hi there' and circle are from my trusty cricut)

Here's the guts...

I'm thinking the next few will be cute birthday cards - or even really cute on Christmas tags!!