Butler's Table Before & After

I made a coffee / beverage bar!

We were in desperate need for more counter space.  You know, the coffee maker & all the fixin's are always so messy.  I have a back entrance off of the kitchen that is hidden and never used by company, so it is the perfect spot.  I used an antique dresser, an old record player, a cupboard & a shelf. 

 I had everything except the fridge & the record player. (which I purchased at the restore)

 I gutted it & gave it a coat of paint.

 This shelf had wallpaper border on the back, which I painted over with chalkboard paint.

 The dresser top was in bad shape, but the drawer fronts were fine, so I left them original.

 The drawer of the record player is now used for the condiments for coffee. 

& below right I now have storage for my Instant Pot.

 The radio area is for the empty K-cups

The black cupboard is full of loose teas.

Crocheted Afghan for a teen boy

 I wanted to break my cycle of starting large projects, getting bored and not finishing them.   I was determined to do this!  I used various stitches to create this unique afghan for my Son.  I have not done very much crocheting, so I just wanted to learn some new stitches.  I did not have a pattern & I love how it turned out.  Pretty proud of myself! 

Thanks for looking.

No Sew Fleece Throw Blankets - Without bulky knots

For Christmas this year I made everyone a no sew fleece blanket.  Our family is BIG on the Canadian theme, so it was pretty easy to choose fabric.  There are a few other themes in there for the little ones.  Thanks for looking :)

I opted for the not-so-bulky fringes.  I like the way it gives the blankets a border of solid colour.

The method I used was found here:  

https://snapguide.com/guides/make-a-no-sew-fleece-blanket-wout-bulky-knots/

Cast Iron Trivet Collection

I am so excited that I came across this trivet collection for sale & snapped it up.  Almost 50 pieces!  Includes 2 bottle openers, 1 match stick holder, 1 decorative wall hanging & 2 wall planters - the rest are trivets.  I collect cast iron pans, so this completes my collection.  Enjoy.

No Knead Bread

This is the EASIEST bread ever!  Anybody can make this successfully!

I make a basic white no-knead bread most frequently.  It has a bit of an english muffin texture, with bubbles & crevasses for the butter to melt into...mmmmm.


Ingredients:

• 4 cups all purpose white flour
• 1/2 tsp  active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 1/4 cups warm water

Mix all ingredients in a bowl & stir with a fork.  It will be a wet dough.  Let rest for 10-18 hours at a warm room temperature in a covered bowl. (I make it before I go to bed & bake after work the next day)  Stir with a floured fork.  (it is a sticky dough)  Remove dough from bowl & form shape on a floured surface with floured hands & place in floured cast iron pot, or other heavy pot with lid.  A parchment paper lining can also be used.  Lightly flour the top & let rise for 1.5 hours.  Brush with an egg wash (beat an egg with a bit of water), Lightly sprinkle with coarse salt. (optional).  Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes with the lid on, & additional 15 minutes with the lid off.  The egg wash will make a nice toasty brown crust.

I like to make several ziplock bags with the pre- measured dry ingredients, & take it to the cottage or camping.  I can bake it in my dutch oven over the bon fire or in a regular oven.

Valentine's Day Gift Boxes

I used my Cricut "Tags, Bags, Boxes & More" cartridge

 to create these darling little gift boxes full of candy.

Some decorative paper & a little stamping & "voila"!

J'adore!