Reversible Dress Pattern for 18” Dolls

New to Maridith’s Designs Etsy shop a new pattern for 18” Dolls that is REVERSIBLE!! You get twice the look with only 1 time at the machine.  This pattern is delivered through email and  has color pictures and printable pattern pieces . Intermediate sewing skills required.

You can make this dress short as pictured above or knee length. Also you can alter the neck line by making it a v-neck or crew neck line.  You will love the flexibility of this pattern.

Check it out at Maridith’s Designs.  For my friends use code NEWSHOP1 for a 20% discount until June 30th.

Sharon, one of my fabulous pattern testers, made her granddaughter a dress from this pattern..  Looks great!! 

Order your very own pattern today from Maridith Designs.  If you do ever make anything from my pattern department please email me a picture.  I would love to see you creations and share it here at Strictly Homemade.

4th of July Recycled Can Wreath

Have you ever had an idea in your head so long that you knew if you didn’t get it done you were going to pop?  Well, this idea has been in my head since last 4th of July (2011) when I made stars from aluminum cans to decorate my porch for the 4th of July.  I was so excited to make it and my idea that was in my head come to life after being stored for a year!!  Here is what I did last year…

This year I stepped it up a notch and made a whole entire wreath., but rather then using stars (I was worried they might stab someone with the pointed ends) I made flowers from aluminum cans!

Here is my newest wreath from aluminum cans!!  I adore this wreath and really like the fact it is made from recycled items in my home!!

What do you think? All patriotic and festive, right??  It was so easy and despite the fact I did have to go out of my way to buy a 6 pack of Pepsi (we are Coca-Cola drinkers in this house) it was cheap!

I used an old wreath from Easter, empty and clean aluminum cans I was going to recycle, box cutter, kitchen sheers, hot glue gun, and a bow if you like.  I really doesn’t take a genius to figure this out, just patience.

WARNING: WEAR GLOVES!!! (I may or may not of worn gloves and I may or may not of cut myself 2 times)

Here is a close up!!   I absolutely love making something beautiful from nothing. 

If I am really honest with myself, and I know people are going to think I am petty, but what really excites me about this project is as far as I know it is 100% my idea.  I have not seen this on Pintrest, or another blog.  That kinda feels good this day and age!!

I am sharing this at these parties and posting this on Pintrest -so then people can see my original idea , haha!!!

Upcycled Tablecloth to Lounge Pants

A while back I received a whole Rubbermaid container of tablecloths and napkins from my MIL. Most of the contents belonged to her MIL, so they are old plus well used.  One in particular I really liked because  I knew she had put the lace on the cloth herself.  As much as I would like to keep it, I knew I would never use it because of the stains and the fact I have a round table!  I decided it was time to do something do something with it. 
Before:

Preview as shown on my Facebook Page

After:


I love the idea of repurposing something that would other wise be collecting dust into something that is functional and beautiful.

What do you have lying around the house that you can upcycle?  Tomorrow I can’t wait to share with you my recycled 4th of July Wreath!
Today I am sharing this at these great parties. 

Winner of the 4th of July Ruffled Dish Cloth

Thank you to all those that entered my giveaway for the 4th of July Ruffled Dish Towel.

The winner of the dish towel picked by random.org is ….

Entry #22

Kristy F.

I will be contacting Kristy today!

Today I am over at Garner Moms

Today I am guest posting over at Garner Moms, a local blog about the comings and goings of our small town.  Although, it is a local blog I have a tutorial that anyone can enjoy.  How to make Homemade Water Bombs!! Your kids will love these!  Go check it out.

Thank you, Garner Moms for letting me be apart of your wonderful blog!!

Blueberry Picking Season in the South with Yummy Recipes

Blueberry season is upon us in North Carolina and my family has made it a yearly tradition for the past 4 years to go to a local farm and pick blueberries to our hearts content. This year we picked 6 lbs in less then 30 minutes! We are spoiled, at $3.00 a pound it is a steal!!

Here are 3 of my 4 helpers! 

 Here are all our berries!!



Once we got home I made my husband's favorite cobbler recipe from my college roommate. Today I am going to share it with you with my tweaking. Don't you love how my picture is of a half eaten cobbler? This doesn't last long in my house!

Quick and Easy Blueberry Cobbler
- 3/4 stick of butter
- 1.5 cups of self rising flour (I never have this in stock so I use 1.5 cups of all purpose flour minus 2.5tsps and then add 2.5tsps of baking powder)
- 1.5 cups of sugar
- 1.5 cups of milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- dash of cinnamon and nutmeg (optional)
- 3 cups of fresh blueberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, while preheating melt butter in 9x13" pan. In a mixing bowl, mix all dry ingredients, the add wet ingredients. Mix well.
Once butter is melted then add blueberries to the dish. Add batter on top of blueberries pouring evenly.

Place in oven for 30-40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and serve with cool-whip or vanilla ice cream!
Next, I am going to share a new recipe I tried from allrecipes.com called Healthy Nut Blueberry Muffins. These have everything in them and are delicious! My kids ate them all in 2 days and I did not feel the least bit guilty when I ate more then 3, that's all I am confessing too!

Here is the recipe with my changes, you can find the original here.

Healthy Blueberry Banana Muffins
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup quick oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1.5 cups fresh blueberries
1 smashed banana
1 cup buttermilk (make your own like I did with this recipe)
1 egg
1/4 cup coconut oil or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan, or line with paper muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar,quick-cooking oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently stir in the blueberries. In a separate bowl, mix together the mashed banana, buttermilk, egg, oil and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix just until blended. Spoon into muffin cups, filling all the way to the top.
3. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly touched.

ENJOY!! Let me know if you make either of these.

Also, I am hosting a wonderful 4th of July inspired Ruffled Dishtowel giveaway. Go here to enter.  Giveaway ends June 17th at midnight!

July 4th Ruffled Dish Towel Give Away from Maridith's Designs

Hi friend! As promised in honor of the opening of Maridith's Designs Etsy Shop, I am hosting a fun giveaway inspired by the 4th of July. One lucky recipient will receive a 4th of July Ruffled Dish Towel.







You can choose to customize it with monogram...this one is not sewn on but yours will be securely fastened, with your monogram. (I promise)








To enter put your entries in Rafflecopter giveaway. Also, as a special treat for everyone I am offering

 20% off any item in my shop with the code NEWSHOP1 valid thru June 15th.

Ways to enter to win a Ruffled Dish Towel...(be sure to enter your information into the Rafflecopter data collector attached below!!)
+2 entries- Become a fan of Strictly Homemade on Facebook. If you are already a fan on Strictly Homemade on Facebook just say so, so you get an entry!
+1 entry- Tell me one item you like from Maridith's Designs
+1 entry- Become a follower of Strictly Homemade on Google Reader
+4 entries- announce my giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or Blog post!

Giveaway ends June 17th and will be announced June 18th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Thanks so much for entering! Have fabulous week!

Maridith’s Designs Etsy Shop

I am excited to announce that I have a brand new Etsy Shop called Maridith’s Designs.

In my shop I have handmade items for Women, Kids, 18” Doll Clothes & Patterns and Home Décor.

Here are some of the things I offer…

Happy Birthday 18” Doll Dress with party hat!  $15.00

Doll Patterns for one strap dress or skirts $3.50 each

Home Accessories- Hand Towels and Nautical Pillow

My newest item I added is a shirred terry cloth dress or bathing suit cover!  Available is the green and yellow in small to medium or in blue custom sized!! This is so comfy!  $20.00

More items will be listed weekly! I am super excited about this adventure and appreciate all of my fans support.  For my readers I have a promo code for 20% off my shop until June 15th, use NEWSHOP1

Have a fabulous weekend. I am busy sewing some new items and creating a new doll pattern! Also, on Monday, June 11th, I will be hosting a giveaway so come back by and see what Maridith’s Designs is giving away!!