From Country Curtains to Country Skirt...

I'm all about thrifty ways to do and get stuff!  Lately I've been 

frustrated with my tired wardrobe - so I decided I would try 

to actually make something (it's been years!) 

  I had a simple skirt in my closet (the plum piece on the left below) 

I used as a pattern.  But first - I needed some fabric.  

These were my 'on hand' viable options.  I loved that brown daisy 

dotted swiss - but decided against it in case I messed up. 

 The red teeny check fabric is actually vintage curtain panels - 

so I had some ripping to do to get enough fabric.

Isn't it adorable?

Essentially - I just laid the skirt onto the fabric and cut it a 

little larger on each side.  Just 2 side seams folks! 

I did this times 2 - because I added a lining.  

(Out of old solid cream curtains I found for almost nothing!)

I wanted to mimic the drawstring waist of the original skirt.  To form the ties - 

I just eyeballed it and folded the fabric onto itself to cut a straight line...

It worked!...

 My original skirt was long with a plain hem.  

I chose a slightly shorter version and added a ruffle.  

 The great thing about sewing?  You choose your own length - love that!

This would be me - slightly graying hair and all.   

I love how green it is outside right now - we've had lots of 

gentle spring rains.  I'm gonna love this skirt.

And who knows?  I might do me some more sewing!

Linking to Transformation Thursday

Southwest Layered Salad - Menu Monday...

This super quick and easy salad was the complement

 to our crockpot potato soup supper tonight...

I didn't worry about measuring - rather just opened the 

cans and dumped on what felt right.  It was delicious!  

Next time I need a lettuce salad for guests or a potluck - 

this may be it!  And no veggies to cut - thank you Kraft!

10 Minute Southwest Layered Salad

6 cups  torn romaine lettuce

1 can  (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed

1can  (11 oz.) corn, drained

1/2cup  TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa

1/2 cup  KRAFT Natural Three Cheese Crumbles

1/2 cup  KRAFT Classic Ranch Dressing

1 cup   broken tortilla chips (I used Fritos)

Cover platter with lettuce.
Top with next 4 ingredients.
Drizzle with dressing; top with chips.

Birthday Treat to the Workplace...

My Love turns another year toward the midlife zone today.  

I have found there is no greater way to honor your man than to do so 

in front of his peers.  Now I'm ashamedly a 'last minute' person.  

So last night before drifting off to sleep I was frantically thinking 

about what I could take for a treat to his work place.

  I knew I didn't have time to make anything... 

so I settled upon buying an assortment of pickles and olives.

 My Love does not have a sweet tooth - but dill pickles?  Oh my!

  Before I left home I grabbed several containers and manly 

napkins - hoping something would work to corral

 whatever I would find at the store.

 I also made some quick pennant signs; attaching them to skewers...

 A stop at the store supplied my 'treat'.  I'm tellin' ya - 

I was quick... and didn't worry too much about cost.

  I spent about $35.  Not sure if that's my usual 'thrifty' or not - 

but it could have been much worse.  The most

 expensive item I picked up were the garlic stuffed olives. 

 

 I snuck into the lunch room and set everything up.

  The bread pan worked great! Hopefully his

 coworkers will wish him a 'Happy Birthday'

 throughout the day and he'll come home a happy man. 

(Now I still have to wrap his presents for tonight - and I begin work in 7 minutes...  Ahh!!)