My Favorite 11(squared) of 2011

Okay so first of let me say 2011 felt busy. 2011 felt productive. 2011 was EXHAUSTING. This year for the 2011 blog recap I decided to go through and list my 11 favorite projects AND my 11 favorite recipes that have been shared here on Just Another Day in Paradise through out the year.

Not all of my favorite projects were tutorials. Some were just things I was super proud of accomplishing. Okay first up a little recap of my favorite projects, in no particular order:

1. Hoodie-a-saurus (pictured above)

2. Dapper Little Man Bow Ties

3. Carried Away Dollhouse

4. Sven the Sock Monkey

this one was for a crafting competition...and shock I never 

really posted about it. Still loved it SO much.

5. Braided Sweater Pom Pom Scarf

6. PARTIES (bowling, puppy, and superman themed)

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE

7. COSTUMES (Wolverine, Spiderman, and Superman)

8. Mr. King Pin Outfit

9. Reusable Snack Bags

10. Spray-painted Easter Mason Jars

11. Tee Time T-shirt

Whew! Obviously I had some fun this year with my projects.

I also had fun with cooking and sharing some recipes. Since I am 7 months preggars, food really seems to be consuming my every waking thought. In light of this, I thought I would share 11 of my favorite recipes for the year too.

1. BBQ Chicken Pineapple Quesadillas

2. Berry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Dressing

3. Banzai Sliders 

4. Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

5. Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

6. Soft Pretzel Bites

7. Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

8. Orange Chicken 

9. Homemade White Bread

10. Empanadas

most popular food post

11. P.F. Chang's Mongolian Beef

Now I am SUPER hungry....I mean stomach-growling-mouth-drooling hungry.

I sure enjoyed 2011. Lots of creating. Lots of cooking. Lots of new adventures.

I know 2012 will be just as exciting with the arrival of our sweet little surprise baby boy #4, continuing to get settled in our new home, and just being a fun crazy house full of all Little Men.

Hope you can look back with fondness on your 2011 too.

2010 Most Popular Projects in Paradise

2010 has officially been gone for 3 days. I can't believe it. 2010 was a pretty fun time here on the blog. In February was when I decided to be brave and showcase more of my projects and ideas to more than just my mom and sisters.  I spent the year sewing more, decorating some, and momma-ing lots and I shared it all with you...you lucky people.

So yes in 2010...

stuff was accomplished.

tutorials were typed.

pictures were taken. 

new friends were made.

late nights were kept

followers increased 

comments were read

warm and fuzzies were felt

Thank you EVERYONE for stopping by and reading my little piece of paradise. Thank you for leaving me comments, I know it sounds silly but when you leave comments it really does make my day. Thank you for sharing your ideas. Thank you for showing me when you make one of my projects...I LOVE it.

Just for you I went through and I am recapping my ten most popular projects. They are in no particular order...well except my number one is last...can you handle the suspense? I also threw in a couple of projects that were my favorite.

So with out further ado...ooh I sound so fancy...here is the 2010 Most Popular list.

Chicks Dig Me Shirt

Bib Necklace

part 1

part 2/3  

Ric Rac Apron

Felt Fishing Set

Vinyl Tablecloth Highchair Drop Cloth

Mason Jar Herb Garden

Sock Monkey Snuggie

Buzz Lightyear Gloves

Place Mat Apron

and the number 1 

and the number 1 but A LOT...I mean A LOT...

is...

Old MacDonald Hand Puppets

Just for kicks and giggles, here are some of my favorites...

Car Mat

Little Man Beanie Redo

Dollar Store Little Man Watches

Eskimo Kisses Valentine Bag

Whew...that was a lot of projects. 

Now on to 2011. Oooh I can barely wait to see what the year brings. 

Mr. Fishy Tutorial

Glub, Glub, Glub. Here comes Mr. Fishy. The best kind of fishy to have 'cause you don't have to feed him and he isn't slimy to snuggle with.

Mr. Fishy Tutorial 


You will need:

Fishy Pattern

2 colors of felt, 2 sheets of each
navy blue fabric or felt for eye
coordinating embroidery floss
coordinating thread
fluff

Cut felt into 1 1/2" strips. You will need 8 of one color and 10 of the other. Cut two circles for eyes.

Pin two different color strips together. Sew along edge with 1/4" seam allowance.

Pin next strip to, making sure to alternate colors. Always pin like sides together. Sew again with 1/4" seam allowance.

It should look like this--

Continue pinning and sewing every strip together until you have sewn TWO separate sheets of 4x5 strips. Looking like this--

Using the Mr. Fishy Pattern, cut out fishy shapes. I pinned the pattern to the two sheets (like sides facing) so that I could line up the stripes. Cute slowly and carefully.

Now you have two fishy shapes.

Face them the opposite direction of each other and "eyeball"  where to put the eyes...haha. Pin on and sew.

Choose a side any side...

With coordinating floss color, embroider on you little ones name or nick name.

I choose to sew along the tail...and NO judging the embroidery imperfections!

Pin Mr. Fishy together like sides facing. Sew around the edge with a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a hole on the bottom to turn out.

Turn out and stuff with your fluff. Make sure he is good and full...this assures that you don't have to feed him. Hand sew the opening closed. PS I really could use some hand sewing lessons...any takers???

Give it a kiss and pass it on with joy and maybe a bib.

Hey all my blogging pals...I am entering this in a REALLY fun contest over at Sew Dang Cute. It is called Crafting with the Stars...haha GENIUS! There is no voting right now...whew! BUT the winners may come dependent on getting the most views on their icon...so go VIEW away!

Also linking to:
Take a Look Tuesdays: Sugarbee Craft EditionGet your Craft on: Today's CreativeSew Cute Tuesdays: Creative Itch

Display Gift with MaryJanes and Galoshes

Today we have the marvelous Taylor. I am excited to show you her tutorial and idea.

Take a gander at her project--

Hello Just Another Day in Paradise readers! I'm Taylor, the writer and artist of MaryJanes and Galoshes. I was so excited when Larissa invited me to be party of Christmas in July as I'm actually in the midst of planning my extended families "Christmas in August" (July was just too busy for us!). So talk of Christmas is a daily thing with me right now.

A big part of the holiday season for a lot of us crafters is display. Whether it be in your home or at a craft show, display pieces can be easy to make if you think outside the box a bit. Today I thought I would share a display I made for a show I did last weekend that when not at a show I'm using to display photos, then eventually Christmas cards! You won't believe what it's made out of!

What you need-
Candle stick holder
Plastic plate
Burlap
Fabric
Inside of embroidery hoop (needs to be about the same size as your plate)
Ribbon
Hot glue gun
Bulldog clips
Silicone
Drill

Pretty crazy list of supplies right?! Wait until you see how perfect it all works out and how easily it comes together!

The first thing I did was take my plastic plate, turn it upside down and hot glue the burlap to cover the plate. Then trim around the edge.

 Cut a strip of fabric 1.5 times the circumference of your plate by 2.5 inches wide. I ended up having to use two strips to get that 1.5 times length so don't be afraid to piece things together if you need. to.  With your hot glue gun, glue and tuck your way around the outside creating ruffles.

Flip the whole thing over.  With your drill (I used a 1/8 inch bit) drill a hole every few inches around the outside edge of the plate.

Cut a slit in your fabric at each hole.  With a bit of ribbon, secure your embroidery hoop to the burlap side of your plate by threading some ribbon through the hole, around the hoop, then back down and tie in a knot on the underside.

Almost done! Grab your candle stick, fill the top (the part where you would stick the candle) with silicone and press the plate (plastic exposed side) into the silicone.  Allow to dry overnight before hanging anything on it.  You can now use the bulldog clips around the top edge to secure cards or photos.  Or you can hang your earrings on it!

I hope you had fun with me today! Stop on over sometime and say hello!

A big THANK YOU to Taylor. This would also make a lovely jewelry holder that could accompany some fabulous homemade earrings...like these mayhaps...

scrapbook brad earrings

flower button earrings

Who wouldn't like some sweet homemade jewelry and a place to display it for a lovely gift?

Tomorrow is our first food gift idea with Maggie from 

Smashed Peas and Carrots, I am hungry just thinking about it.