A patched together lifestyle of thrift and charm...

May 23, 2013

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!

May 13, 2013

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.

May 6, 2013

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!!)

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