Sunday, October 31, 2010

Mom Cave Contest

Today I'm linking up with
Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch and Home Goods
for the "Mom Cave contest".

 Here are the rules;
Well as soon as I saw this challenge my competitive spirit came out! Not only because I think I have all five components of the challenge and would love to win a $250.00 gift certificate to Home Goods, but I think I have the best "mom cave" in the world...well maybe even the universe...just sayin'.

I'd like to invite you to read the history of how this room came to be thanks to my hero, Mr. La Bella Vie. Its a fun story, however I don't want to lose my audience with text, instead I'll hold you captive with eye candy pictures of the sweetest "Mom Cave" I have ever been in. 

Come on in...


First rule; a place to sit. This is where I do hand sewing, reading, listening to music and yes occasionally napping. Its cozy, quiet and right by a sunny window, it just doesn't get any better...


this sunny bank of windows is on the south side of the house facing the back of our property, the chair sits right next to it (do you see it, bottom left corner?)
Second rule; space to organize your stuff. I am an avid quilter and fabricaholic (among many other collecting addictions) and these are a few of the ways in which I organize my junk stuff. This is just one side of the room. This a bit picture heavy but I just couldn't help myself and besides, Susan said she wanted lots of pictures and lots of close-ups:)
 pull out bins for fabric storage...


(click to enlarge "wall words")
  my custom display shelf built by my hero, Mr. LBV for my toy sewing machine and pin cushion collection...



reflection in the vintage mirror is the opposite side of the room

 Below; one of my pin cushion dolls; "Miss Rose City". I made her as I have with many of my pin cushions. Most of the pin cushion dolls I've made are embellished with my mothers old jewlery...

 vintage thimble boy...

 shoe and boot pin cushions...

now for the other side of the room...
 This bookshelf unit was built by Mr. LBV. Behind the antique Double Wedding ring quilt is a Murphy bed for the occasional guest. You can see it in action below...isn't that the coolest thing!

below is my felt covered, cork board design wall

on the shelves...

a CD player for music
books for inspiration sit next to Tiffany bear
(she's made from an old quilt block)...



a few of my antique quilts...

Third rule;  the place we do our craft or hobby, in this case my Koala sewing cabinet and table and craft/cutting table. These pieces are huge when open and fold down to just a fraction of their original size.


Fourth rule; a place where your girlfriends can visit and do the hobbies we love. OK so this isn't the best picture but I had no idea I would ever need a photo for blogging!
The Fifth and last rule; to post pictures of what you would need from 
Home Goods online to "beef up your mom cave" so here they are...lamps, lamps and more lamps and lighting! I thought these would be adorable in my Mom cave because I really do need more light for when I'm in there in the evening and another chair for girlfriends day, oh and a tea set and tray for nibbles would be nice too and a couple more storage baskets...I could go on and on but don't want to sound ungrateful for what I already have!


Thanks Susan for hosting another fun Linky party, you're the best hostess!!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Homemade Low-fat Granola



Ingredients
3 cups uncooked quick oats
2 cups Rice Crispys
6 Tbsp honey
1 tsp oil
1/4 cup apple juice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup raisins

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350, Mix oats and Rice Crispys together, spread on non-stick baking sheet with sides; bake for 10 minutes, stirring once.

Meanwhile, mix honey, oil, apple juice, spices, vanilla in bowl.
When oat mixture is done in oven, put in large bowl, set pan aside.
Add almonds to cereal mixture and stir to combine.
Pour honey/spice mixture over cereal and mix thoroughly to coat completely; spread mixture back into baking sheet.
Return to oven, bake for 15-20 minutes stirring every few minutes
Note; be careful that granola doesn't burn especially cereal along sides of pan...mine did just a weensy bit:)


Remove from oven and pour back into bowl. Stir in raisins and cranberries into mixture; let cool.

Store in airtight container.
Enjoy!

Friday, October 15, 2010