Find it Friday ~ Totally Creative E-zine

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

Have you heard about Totally Creative E-zine? Their logo says they are the E-zine for craftiness and they do not disappoint! This magazine (excuse me E-zine) is chock full of exciting projects and detailed instructions to help even the most creatively challenged crafter successfully complete their project.

Their Fall 2009 issue is on "stands" now (IE ~ your computer) with fabulous ideas how to organize your craft space, tutorials on free form stitching techniques and great back to school projects to create with your kids. There is really something for every crafter and every skill level in this magazine. It's a must read for the fall! can't wait to hear what project you like best and see the pics! Off to my craft room to get some supplies together ~ the kids and I have some Back to School crafting to do!

Totally Creative E-zine is now

25% off

Click here for more information. Hurry, this is a limited time offer.

Whip it Up Wednesday ~ Algerian Eyelet

Each Wednesday we will choose a stitch to explore and post stitch diagram(s) to help you practice and master each.

Algerian Eyelet ~ It is important with this stitch to be sure to pull the needle through the center hole to create an open area (hole) in the center of the stitch.

Steps ~ Start at the top center of the stitch and go down 2 threads and go through the fabric. From behind the fabric pull the thread tightly and go up 2 threads and over 2 threads to the right and come up through the fabric. Go over 2 thread and up 2 threads to the left and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric pull the thread tightly and go over 2 threads to the right and come up through the fabric. Go over 2 threads to the left and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric pull the thread tightly and go down 2 threads and over 2 threads to the right and come up through the fabric. Go over 2 threads and up 2 threads to the left and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric, pull the thread tightly and go down 2 threads and come up through the fabric. Go up 2 threads and come down through the fabric. From behind the fabric, pull the thread tightly and go down 2 threads and over 2 threads to the left and come up through the fabric. Go up 2 threads and over 2 threads to the right and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric, pull the thread tightly and go over 2 threads to the left and come up through the fabric. Go over 2 threads to the right and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric, pull the thread tightly and go up 2 threads and over 2 threads to the left and come up through the fabric. Go over 2 threads and down 2 threads to the right and go down through the fabric. Repeat as necessary. Secure end of stitch behind stitch to allow for a clear center "hole".

Algerian Eyelet

Monday Munchies ~ Pasta Primavera

Each Monday we will kick off the week with a Must have recipe to help get you out of the kitchen and back stitching ASAP!

Pasta Primavera ~ we are starting to cook more heart healthy at our house. I don’t think it is ever too late or too early to learn good nutrition. As a mom with 3 small children I worry if they are eating well and continue to try and find ways to re-work their favorite dishes to include more flavor and less fat and calories. This recipe packs a serious punch and the kids never even knew the difference!

Pasta Primavera

Ingredients

½ cup broccoli florets (small tips)

½ cup mushroom, sliced

½ cup zucchini

½ cup squash

½ cup peppers (red or green)

½ cup peas

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon EVOO

1 cup evaporated fat-free milk

1 teaspoon butter

16 oz. Wheat Pasta (angel-hair or spaghetti)

¾ cup Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup Parsley

Instructions

Cook pasta in a large pot for 10-12 minutes according to box directions. Pasta should be cooked until tender (al dente).

In a large pot bring 1 inch of water to a boil. Add the mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, broccoli, peas and squash. Steam in a steamer basket for 10 minutes until veggies are tender-crisp. Remove from the pot.

Over medium-high heat, heat the EVOO in a large saucepan. Add the steamed veggies and coat with the garlic and oil. Place in small covered bowl to keep warm.

In same saucepan, heat evaporated milk, Parmesan cheese and butter. Stir continuously until the ingredients thicken and are heated throughout.

Serve the pasta among each guest and top with veggies and sauce. Garnish and serve hot.

Find it Friday ~ Blackbird Designs ~ Tis Halloween & Halloween 1904

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

Blackbird Designs has really hit it out of the park this time! My favorite time of year is fall and I begin to decorate my house the first of September. Do you know how HGTV has episodes dedicated to people who go overboard decorating for Christmas? Well they could do an hour special at my house for Halloween. Between the cool air, the amazing fall colors and fun activities (pumpkin picking, Trick or Treating) I just get giddy when I think about the coming months and this ornament set and quilt just got my heart racing!

Tis Halloween (Cover)

Tis Halloween ~ Blackbird Designs has done a wonderful job generating interest in and excitement about this design. This series has been buzzing around the counted thread industry for quite a few days now and it is FINALLY available!

This is BBD's first self-published full color book and it looks fabulous! It has 36 pages and lots of color pictures for you to enjoy! There are 13 stocking patterns and a several other projects too.

Tis Halloween (Teaser Photo)

If you are a quilter, you should find Halloween 1904 in stock at your local quilt store. Barb wanted to honor her grandmother's year of birth...so that's why the year is attached to the title. The muted primitive colors and eye catching design, this is sure to be a hit this fall. Like I said, I am a Halloween fanatic ~ we decorate every inch of our house. You can be sure that I am going to get this quilt in rotation ASAP. I might even repaint the walls I am so inspired!

Halloween 1904

Whip it Up Wednesday ~ Plait Stitch

Each Wednesday we will choose a stitch to explore and post stitch diagram(s) to help you practice and master each.

Plait Stitch ~ This stitch can also be referred to as a Spanish stitch. When completed this stitch resembles a braid.

Steps ~ Start at the lower left hand side of your fabric and go up 2 threads and over 2 threads to the right and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric go down 2 threads and come up through the fabric. Go up 2 threads and over 1 thread to the left and go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric go down 2 threads and come up through the fabric. Repeat as necessary.

Plait Stitch over 2

View diagram below for a Plait Stitch Variations. It showcases a larger Plait Stitch over 4 threads.

Plait Stitch over 4

DMC Thread Giveaway

Have you ever stitched with Satin? If not you are missing the boat, it is a completely different sensory experience than the plain old ho hum of cotton floss. Satin has a unique feel and sound when it pierces the fabric that really makes my heart happy.

Truth be told my favorite part of stitching is the listening to the sound of the needle and thread moving through the fabric. I feel as if I am conducting a symphony of stitches that only I can hear. It makes me giggle when I think about it but it is true non the less, I am addicted to the sounds and feel of thread.

DMC Satin Floss is quite amazing. With a range of 36 radient colors to choose from, you can really make your piece pop with color while enjoying the feel and sheen of the floss while you stitch.

Win all 36 shades FREE from Loose Thread Stitchers!

One lucky Loose Thread Stitchers member will win all 36 shades of DMC satin threads.

You must be a member of Loose Thread Stitchers to win this giveaway. Membership is FREE ~ click here for more info


So how can you win? Glad you asked!

Fan the Loose Thread Stitchers facebook page and when we reach 750 fans, we will randomly choose a winner to receive all 36 DMC satin threads.

Want additional ways to enter? You will receive an additional entry for each of the following (for a total of 4 entries):

1 ~ Blog about the giveaway and post the link in your comment on our blog

2 ~ Twitter it and include @LTSneedlework (our twitter ID) and a link to the blog

3 ~ Stumble it and post the link to our blog or website

4 ~ Add the Loose Thread Stitchers facebook page to your favorites Page (instructions can be found under the discussions tab on the LTS facebook page) and send the link to your facebook friends


Each entry will be assigned a number. The winner will be chosen by a random number generator. We will contact the winner as soon as we hit 750 members. Good luck to you all!

Monday Munchies ~ Broccoli Bake

Each Monday we will kick off the week with a Must have recipe to help get you out of the kitchen and back stitching ASAP!

Broccoli Bake ~ My kiddies LOVE pasta and HATE veggies. I think it is a rule for kids to make it difficult for mom's to add veggies to their daily diet. I know they stay up late at night and plan strategies to avoid veggies at all costs. I almost flew the while flag....then I found this recipe! Broccoli Bake has broken their resolve and the fact that it is quick and easy to make just makes it even better!

Broccoli Bake

Ingredients ~ Serves 6
1 box pasta shells
2 tsp olive oil
4 short cut bacon rashers, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2.5 cups broccoli
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup cream
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar

Directions
1 ~ Preheat oven to 350°F.

2 ~ Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain, return to the pan.

3 ~ While pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and add the bacon and onion. Cook, until soft and lightly browned, then add garlic

4 ~ Break the broccoli into small florets. Cook the broccoli and peas in a steamer or in the microwave until tender.

5 ~ Use a fork to mix the cream and eggs together in a jug.

6 ~ Add bacon, onion, broccoli, peas and the cream along with 1 cup cheddar to the pasta. Stir.

7 ~ Spoon into an 8X8 ovenproof dish. Sprinkle remaining cheddar.

8 ~ Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until golden