Great Things-Little Polka Dot Etsy Shop-A Giveaway

How Cute Is This?

We love it when crafty people actually have time to make enough of their product to set up an etsy store.  So far, we haven't figured how to work on an etsy shop in our schedule.

Becca, from LittlePolkaDot, has some adorable things in her etsy shop.  In September, I came across a fantastic candy corn bunting she made.  I bought it and hung it on my mantle.

The bunting is so well made and adorable.  I got it within days of ordering and couldn't believe how reasonably priced it was.  It was a GREAT THING, for sure!  I loved it so much, I returned to her store, for an Easter bunting.

Once again, I was THRILLED with my purchase.  How cute is this!  Okay, so my mantle isn't ready to be shown but I had to show off the bunting!

Becca, from Little Polka Dot, is giving away a wonderful Easter egg bunting to one of our subscribers.  Here it is:

It's ADORABLE!

This is how you can enter!

*Leave a comment for each entry*

Comment #1-Tell us you are an email subscriber to Our Seven Dwarfs. You must be verified to win. (This is a mandatory entry!)

Comment #2-Visit  LittlePolkDot and tell us your favorite thing in the store. (This is a mandatory entry!)

Comment #3-Visit Becca's blog and leave her a comment letting her know we sent you! http://www.naptimejournal.blogspot.com/ Then come back and tell us you did. She'd love it if you became a follower too!

Comment #4-Like Our Seven Dwarfs on Facebook and tell us you do.

Comment #5-Follow Our Seven Dwarfs via Google Friend Connect (see sidebar) and tell us you do.

That's five chances to win!  We'll pick the winner on Saturday at midnight and announce the winner Sunday.  Good Luck!

Mamachee Crochet Pattern Winner!

We want to thank Tara of Mamachee Crochet Patterns for a fantastic giveaway!  Thank you to all our new friends and followers for making this such a successful giveaway.  We have many more giveaways lined up that we know you will enjoy.  Make sure to read Monday's Great Things post to see the next giveaway!

In case you don't win, you can still get fantastic deals on crochet patterns from Mamachee!  Tara offers 3 patterns for $13 and 5 patterns for $22.  Seeing all these wonderful patterns all week makes Jill want to order some more!

Here were our top 3 picks for patterns from all our entries:

Viking hat was the most popular.

The Owl Hat was #2

Oma Adult Slippers #3

On to our lucky winner...

# 122 said:

Sugar Mama's Sweet Bowtique said...

I am now following your blog

Congratulations to Amanda of Sugar Mama's Sweet Bowtique!  We are very excited for you!  Please email us at oursevendwarfs@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Bathroom Rules Board Tutorial

A few weeks ago, we were featured over at Funky Polkadot Giraffe.  In case you missed our feature, I wanted to share the tutorial with you.  It is for my Bathroom Rules board.

Unfortunately, I still don't have it hung up in our bathroom.  I keep asking for the hubby's help, but another night goes by.  I guess I will have to do it on my own and then hear about not hanging it straight or using the wrong nail.  Oh well, he is a fantastic husband and daddy.  I couldn't ask for more.  When I have it hung in the bathroom, I will update the picture!

Now for the tutorial!

Needed supplies:
MDF board or other wood board (cut to size of your choosing)
Paint and foam paint brushes
Silhouette (or Cricut) with vinyl of choice OR Stencil (see #5 for more options)
Transfer tape

Board or wood tip:  Any of the big home improvement stores have large sheets of mdf or other types of wood.  I bought a large sheet of mdf for $21.  I had them cut it down to sizes that would be good for making decorations and giving gifts, which cost 25 cents a cut. (This made it much easier to transport home too.)  I got 10 boards out of this sheet of wood.  That's 10 projects or gifts for about $2 a piece, can't be that! (I've already made two advent boards, a religious subway art board, this bathroom rules board out of this one sheet of mdf).

Tutorial
1. Choose what size board you would like to work with. Mine is about 30 by 21.

2.  I used four cans to prop up my board so that I could easily paint the sides and top.  You might have small pieces of wood to prop yours up, I didn't so I got creative.

3.  Paint your board.  Mine took three coats of paint.  Red paint always seems to take more coats.  I highly suggest painting one coat vertically and then switching to horizontally for the next coat and so forth.  This will help any lines from the foam paint brush from showing up.

4.  Design what you would like said on your board.  The same process can be used for any saying.  Here is a screenshot of the start of my design.

5.  Once you have your design set, cut it using your Silhouette on the vinyl of your choosing.  I am sure you could do the same on a Cricut using SCAL.  Shannon also made a tutorial where you can stencil on words, it can be found here.  You can also print off words, cut it with an exacto knife and mod podge it on.  (This is quite tedious and precise though).

6.  Peel off the excess vinyl.  Take your vinyl and practice where you would like your design by placing it on your board.

7.  Once you like the placement, take transfer tape and cover your design.  Use a scraper and adhere the vinyl to your tape. *A scraper could be a credit card, a pampered chef stone scraper (I've used this before) or a scraper made for vinyl.

8.  Peel off the paper backing and place your design on your board.  Use your scraper again and adhere your vinyl to the board.

9.  Peel off your transfer tape and adhere any other pieces of vinyl.  That's it!  You have a finished decorative board now!  Attach the appropriate hanging fixtures or display on a shelf.

10.  Vinyl is very forgiving.  You can easily peel it up and place it back where you want it.  My vinyl has an adhesive back, but if you want to secure it permanently, you could put on a layer of mod podge.  This step isn't necessary though.

I found this saying on a board at a store and thought it was cute.  I wasn't about to spend $40 for their version.  My board cost about $4 and was customized to the exact colors and size that I wanted.  The next time you see a decoration that you would like for your house, don't be afraid to make it and save yourself some cash!

We are linking up this project to all these wonderful parties.  Go visit them for more great ideas!

A "Lighter" Meal Idea-Chicken Teriakyi, Brown Rice, Steamed Broccoli, and Applesauce Brownies

Chicken Teriakyi

Once again, I looked to Keeping it Simple's Thursday dish, to inspire me to make dinner.  They made Chicken Teriakyi.  http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/2011/03/tasty-thursday-teriakyi-chicken.html I wanted to lighten it up a bit so my version is slightly different than theirs. I used 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil instead of their 1/4 cup of oil.  I served  it over brown rice. It turned out wonderfully.

Steamed Broccoli

Have you seen the Pampered Chef steamer?  http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/catalog/product.jsp?productId=250&categoryCode=KW 

It is a fabulous kitchen accessory.  Not only does it reheat foods, in the microwave, without a mess, it also steams vegetables to perfection.  I put the crown of a head of broccoli in the microcooker. I added a very small amount of water.  I steamed the broccoli for about 3 minutes.  It's very important to check your broccoli to make sure it isn't overcooked.  It tastes wonderful, still slightly crisp, and beautifully green.  No additional seasoning is needed.

Applesauce Brownies

I am not going to try to convince you that brownies are in any way healthy.  But, if you must have brownies, you can make them healthier!  We use to LOVE Betty Crocker, Triple Chunk brownie mix.  Now, they've gone and changed the recipe and honestly, they aren't as good.  That being said, they aren't that bad either.  I hate when they change something that's nearly perfect! Anyway, I make this mix and use applesauce instead of oil and egg whites, instead of eggs.  Much better for you and your getting in some fruit!

Dish Soap Dispenser Upgrade & Tutorial

I hate doing dishes. I would prefer everything go in the dishwasher, but that isn't the case. There are always those dishes or pots and pans that must be washed by hand.  Over the last few months, my dish washing has increased, due to excessive cooking.  While I stand at the sink, I continue to look at that unattractive container of dish soap.  Why couldn't it be nicer and a bit more discrete?  Aha, a crafting idea.

Off I went to all my favorite stores, yes Mom, that included Walmart.  (She likes to harass me for going to Walmart regularly.  It doesn't help that my 2 year old asks if we are going to Walmart whenever I tell him we have to run to the store.  Let's just say that between trips to Sam's Club and Walmart, I am helping increase the Walton family fortune).  I digress.

I shopped all the stores until I found something that worked.  I planned to find a container for my dish soap, but decided to upgrade and label both. (I'm pretty sure I found these at Target, sorry Walton family, but I'm not positive.  It's been awhile).

Both soap dispensers are clear.  I filled them up with my hand soap and dish soap.  That looked plain though.  People might get confused as to which one to use.  (I know Mom, it is just horrible that I let people wash their hands at my kitchen sink.  Shame on me!) 

Therefore, I utilized my handy dandy Silhouette machine.  Are you beginning to understand how much I love this machine and all the nifty things you can do with it?  I cut out my words and removed the excess vinyl.

I picked up the words that I need for each dispenser using my transfer tape.  Since this was a curved surface it was a bit harder to get the letters on perfectly.  Thankfully, this vinyl is forgiving and I was able to take off a letter and put it back on where I needed it to be.

There you have it.  I love my new soap dispensers.  They are unique and I don't have to look at the unattractive dish soap bottle any longer.  Does that bother anyone else or just me?

Now, I must return to the sink full of dishes that won't clean themselves.  At least I had a crafting break!  If only all chores could be sidetracked with a craft to make it more enjoyable!



We are linking up this project to all these wonderful parties.  Go visit them for more great ideas!

A "Lighter" Meal Idea-Confetti Tilapia, Red Rosemary Potatoes, Salad, Lemon Berry Cupcakes

Yet another day comes, and I have to make dinner.  It's no different than any other day.  I dread it.  What can I make that my kids will eat and my husband will like?  I'm hopeful I'll have all the ingredients since going to the grocery store ranks right up there with making dinner, cleaning toilets, and mopping the floor!  Anyway after going through the refrigerator, I decided to make a tilapia dish.  Believe it or not, my kids will eat fish!

Confetti Tilapia

Ingredients:
6 small pieces of Tilapia
1 red pepper diced
3 green onions thinly sliced
1 orange
salt
pepper

Sprinkle salt and freshly ground pepper on the fish.  Put the fish in a baking dish that's been sprayed with a non stick olive oil cooking spray. Zest the entire orange.  Mix the zest with the red pepper and onions.  Juice the same orange.  Mix the juice with the vegetables and zest.  Pour the mixture, evenly, on top of the fish. Broil the fish until it's completely white and flaky.

Red Rosemary Potatoes

Ingredients:
4-6 small red potatoes
2-4 cloves of garlic
fresh or dried rosemary
olive oil
salt
pepper

Wash the potatoes and cut them into bite sized pieces.  Put them in a bowl.  Press the garlic cloves on the potatoes.  Sprinkle in about 1 1/2 tsp. of dried rosemary or finely chopped fresh rosemary. Add salt and freshly ground pepper.   Drizzle in a small amount of Olive Oil.  Mix well.  Put the potatoes on a cookie sheet and broil on low, until tender.  Mine were slightly browned and very delicious.

Salad
We eat dark lettuces or spinach.  You can buy them already prepared in bags or plastic containers.  Easy.  I love the Wishbone spray salad dressings and so do my kids.  They are extremely low in calories and fat.

Lemon Berry Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 Box of Lemon Cake Mix-make mix as directed except substitute egg whites for eggs and applesauce for oil or butter.
Sliced Strawberries
Blueberries
The Zest of a Lemon

After making the cake mix, carefully fold in strawberries, blueberries, and lemon zest.  Bake in cupcake cups until a cake tester comes out clean.  Use the cake box for a general idea of how long to cook cupcakes.

After cupcakes are done, take them out to cool completely.  Top with light whipped cream.  I suggest adding lemon zest to the top of the whip cream for an added burst of flavor.

Great Things-Mamachee Crochet Patterns & Giveaway! ENDED

We hope that you are enjoying our new series of "Great Things."  Today we have another amazing store to share with you:  Mamachee Crochet Patterns.  Tara Murray is the face behind Mamachee Crochet Patterns and she is one talented lady!  She has a successful etsy shop and blog called Easy Makes me happy.

Tara opened her etsy store in October of 2008 with these things in mind: "My dream is to be able to stay home all day with my husband and kids, working together as a family. With the help from etsy and you lovely buyers on etsy, this may be able to come true for me....and I am so thankful!"

I hope that her dream is coming true.  It sure looks like she is quite successful!  She's made over 4000 sales with 100% positive feedback!  She also has a thriving blog that offers many free crochet patterns, tutorials and other crafts.  Check it out here!

My two favorite patterns that I ordered from Tara are the Headband, flower and bow pattern and the Warm Winter Booties. I've made my sweet Anna a flower in almost every color.  I get compliments on those everytime we are out.  We recently had professional pictures of Anna and these headbands made the pictures even more precious.

 Here is a closeup one with full flower showing!

We actually got the this last picture in black and white with the flower being the only thing in color.  It was beautiful!  I really feel the headband and flower just made her pictures extra special.

Mamachee patterns are well written and very easy to understand, even for the beginner crocheter.  What is even better is Tara is more than willing to help you if you have questions or struggles.  She also has deals when you buy more patterns.

Here are some items that are on my list to buy:

Buccaneer Booties

Elizabeth Headwrap

Flower Shower

Oma House Slippers (for adults!)

One of the neatest items on her blog is a measurements guide to help you make your own creations.  This is definitely at the top of my list!

Okay, enough of my love for Mamachee!  I want you to share in the love.  Tara has been nice enough to do a giveaway for all our fabulous readers!  How does FIVE free patterns to a lucky winner sound?  I think that is awesome!  For those of you wanting to learn to crochet, this is a great way to start off with some fantastic patterns.

Here is how you enter to win the 5 free crochet patterns:


*Leave a separate comment for each entry*

1. Mandatory entry:  Like Our Seven Dwarfs on Facebook or tell us you already do.  (leave a comment too).
2.  Visit Mamachee on etsy and tell us at least one pattern you would choose.
3.  Subscribe to Our Seven Dwarfs by email.
4.  Follow Our Seven Dwarfs via Google Friend Connect (click follow on sidebar).
5.  While visiting Our Seven Dwarfs on Facebook, click share by any of the postings for the Mamachee Giveaway.  *Once you click share, a new window will pop up, click on the lock button and choose everyone, then click share again.  This will make your post show up on our Facebook and Mamachee's Facebook.  This entry will not be counted unless it shows up on our page.   Then leave a comment here for your entry.*  Easier than it sounds.

That is 5 chances to win 5 free patterns!  Remember, you don't have to do all 5 entries, but it sure would make us happy and increase your chances.  Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry! The giveaway closes at 11:59 pm (EST) on Saturday, March 26th. We'll announce the winner on Sunday, March 27th.

Good luck to you all! 

Learn to Crochet!

As you may know, I love to crochet.  I've been crocheting for about 12 years.  I've known all the stitches, but just over the last couple of years, I learned to truly read a pattern.  Wow, my world has been opened up since then.  There are so many cute things you can make by learning to read a pattern.  There is so much more to crocheting than the old Granny Square (which is even coming back in popularity)!

I want to help all of you who might have an interest in learning to crochet.  Crocheting is different from knitting.  Unfortunately, some knitters bad mouth crocheting and vice versa.  I don't know why.  I prefer to crochet as you get a product much faster and the supplies are less expensive.  I know how to knit and I like the look of knitting, but I don't have the patience to spend the extra hours it takes.  Knitting uses two long needles, whereas crocheting uses one crochet hook.

Before, you get started, you 'll need supplies (not many though).

Supplies needed:

• Crochet Hooks:  You can get a set of hooks size D through K for about $13 (or less).  See here.  These are the most popular hooks that you will need.  I typically use the H hook and I hook the most so I have multiple of those as I always keep one with the project I am working on, but you don't need multiples.

• Yarn Needle (for weaving in ends of yarn)
• Scissors

• Yarn of choice (see label on yarn for appropriate hook size).  My favorite is "I love this yarn" from Hobby Lobby.  It is super soft and easy to work with.  Caron Simply Soft is another great choice.

• Stitch marker (either a piece of yarn, paper clip or actual stitch marker)  You need this if you are working in the round (like making a hat) to know where a new round starts.

There are many resources to learn to crochet.  You can borrow books from the library, view videos online and see pictorial step-by-steps on many website. I don't suggest buying books online until you've had a chance to really look over it in person.  You can crochet right or left-handed so make sure to find the tutorials that best suit you needs.

Here is a list of helpful how to sites:
Lionbrand yarn: video tutorials and illustrated steps
Bernat Yarn:  pdf illustrated steps to print
You tube:  tons of videos!
Find more by just searching "how to crochet"

Pattern resources:
See the ones I have on the blog here
Lionbrand yarn:  tons of free patterns
Crochet Pattern Central
Coats and Clark
Bernat Yarn
Etsy:  Crochet Patterns for purchase
Find more by searching, "Crochet patterns"

If you begin to crochet, I highly suggest you start by making some swatches or even a washcloth in a particular stitch.  This will help you master the stitch before you combine it with other stitches.  There are 5 basic stitches:  slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc) and triple crochet (tc).  These are very simple stitches.  Once you have the stitches down you can conquer just about any pattern!

I hope you find this brief overview and resource list helpful!  Are there specific items you would like me to give you more information on?  Just leave me a comment and I will write up future posts on the topic!

Oh, and check out the next post, it is a giveaway for 5 free patterns!  What a wonderful way to start crocheting!

Happy Crocheting!