While I was watching ELF...

I saw something like this at J Crew

I had some ribbon and thought I'd give it a try...while watching ELF...which we all memorized!

I made three rosettes out of 1" muted silver satin ribbon and sewed them about 15" inches in from the edge of a piece of  2" satin muted gold ribbon to allow for a bow tie. Measure your waist and about 12" more for a bow. I would demonstarte that but it is Thanksgiving...toooo much waist!!

My daughter wanted it simple, but I could see this in many different shaped flowers and colors.

My next one will be grosgrain ribbon and black jersey knit flowers....I just rummage through the ribbon and fabric that I have.

It will have to wait for later...I am still cleaning up after this weekend of everyone home....and my dishwasher broke....on Thanksgiving....and all the leftovers in plastic containers from yesterday filling my sink....ugh.

Who is happy with their dishwasher? mine is a Maytag and it has been terrible! I love appliances...not fair! Here is another decision I do not want to make. I want stainless, next time I replace....but my fridge is fairly new and  my stove is ok except it is an electric smooth top and I wish I could have gas. (Does anyone have propane? )So, do I get a white dishwasher again or go with one stainless appliance??

Too much to think about.....I watched the Christmas Dog last night and loved it and it was so peaceful....OH- because the dishwasher was not running!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving to All!

       Hope you got your bird,,,

    

And your bird doesn't get to you...

That everything goes as you have planned...

That your loved ones are gathered with you

To give thanks for all of our blessings...

Never forgetting those who made it possible.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families! I am thankful  for all the new friends

 I have "met" in this blogging world!

I am so happy that all my children are under our roof tonight!!

Love,

Phinally Phantom in NY

For my son's 16th birthday, we decided to take him to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Number 2 son is at college and couldn't get home midweek, so 4 of us went. I had gotten discount tickets from our library, which made it half of what we would have spent. (Two-fers!) You can also go to Times Square day of performance and try for discount tix at TKTS. There is a new amazing waiting place ( bc you do wait) at TKTS. It is an enormous lit red staircase! I had never seen it before!

The largest load-bearing glass structure in the world, the new TKTS booth in Times Square, supports glass benches atop two-inch-thick windows. Sounds delicate, but it regularly holds 500 foot-stomping Jumbotron watchers

Before the theater, we went to dinner at Tony's DiNapoli in Times Square

on 43rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenue. The menu has single portions, but is known for its Family Style dinners. For 4 of us we ordered Rigatoni  w/Vodka Sauce and mushrooms $19 and A Chicken Special-Chicken with asparagus, prociutto, mozzarella and ? in a tomato basil sauce. $22. We could have had a nice salad, too, but didn't want to be too stuffed in the theater. Ok-so that's pretty cheap for 4 people (no drinks) water with lemon and lots of yummy bread. The food was so delicious and we were full! There were 3 giant pieces on chicken on the platter and so much pasta...we almost left some...nope!

We walked down Broadway which is CLOSED to vehicle traffic! It was great! We could look around like tourists without fear of taxis running us down! Broadway and Times square are so lit up now-millions of screen and lit billboards and marquis. Too unbelievable-I've seen it so many times, but it always looks different amd brighter! Earlier that day we had walked over to Bryant Park to meet up with my husband who works across the river in NJ and my daughter who works downtown. My son and I walked around Bryant-(where Runway takes place-were you happy with the outcome???)

and there are the cutest shops set up now through the holidays AND ice skating! It is free, except for skate rentals $7? and you can't bring anything on the ice so there are lockers. We want to go back and skate-my daughter has skated there because ypou look up and there is the Empire State Building. That night it was lit for Veteran's Day-a beautiful sight!

So, the real reason for the night was the show and we are still singing a week later! It was breathtaking! (I love the movie-Gerard Butler sigh) but the stage show is a.m.a.z.i.n.g! If you ever come this way I'll try to give you info-although many out of NYers probably know more than me!

I want to see this as soon as possble-next weekend...and I read the Lovely Bones and think I want to see this....but I am a little nervous...I guess I am better at vampires...

Burlap Runner Just in Time for T-Day!

     In my mind I can sew anything...I can plan it out, cut the pattern and run it up on my machine. But, alas, I have no machine, so any great ideas I have need to require no machine sewing. I do some handsewn crafts, but will save up for a machine someday. My Mom had one, but it was so tempermental, I wasn't really allowed on it...and who would want to -it made her crazy.  So, I look for things that the magic of hot glue or Stitch Witchey can help me with.

         I bought 1/2 yard of burlap at Joann's the other day...So cheap I couldn't go 2 yards? It was 30% 0ff of 2.99.  I planned this runner and extra to play with. I like the finished edge of the burlap, so I thought I'd use that as my length.

I cut  it at about 15-16 inches because of the unequal fraying. I ironed a hem along each side after removing frayed pieces.

Sorry for the glare!

       It just worked out using the fabric line. I then placed my Stitch Witchery in the ironed hem and reironed,

following directions. In a second I was done.

       Part of the reason for the runner's length, is this:

        I'd rather it extend over the edge about 6-8 onches, BUT-Nothing can hang over the edge or it becomes lab property! She  especially loves fabric and chews on dish towels and sucks on her beds...wierd. If I buy a cute dishtowel with embroidery, Logan eats that part out of the towel. My son calls it her artistic talent.

       

        It will work out well along the center of the Thanksgiving table which will be pulled out to 102".

Next, I added detail to it along the lines of drop cloth table cloths in Country Living November page 74.

I will add the pic later! In the meantime, I like the simlicity.

I can't compare to some of your crafts, but it is easy!

I am linked up to Today's Creative Blog-Get Your Craft On!

and The DIY Showoff..

Frugalicious Friday Finds IKEA!

   

    To say that I am cheap frugal is am understatement. I have to debate over the simplest purchase, clip coupons, wait for the sale, drive to the ends of the earth to get the best buy. Then I leave the tags on and test it some more.
           On my recent trip to Ikea, to look at and ogle the Ektorp, I went throught the marketplace. These are the glasses I always buy:

       I like the shape, the size fits my cabinet nicely, and the price-  $.59!  They hold up well, since each day, I think every glass in the house gets used and thrown placed in the dishwasher.

       Walking a little further, I saw the 100 tea lights for $3, I think, and theses cuties.

      

       They come in different shapes and colors and were $.89!  I only bought 2 bc I think it is not a good buy if I buy more.  (that's my mom whispering in my ear...she was the Queen of Thriftiness!  How I miss shopping with her!!!) They are so cute, tho'!

I put them here...but forgot to take the pic! So imagine -and will use them on the Thanksgiving table!!

      Before that, I grabbed a few Mag holders for my too many Country Living and Better Homes.  Better Homes, I can part with or pass on to somone else...sometimes. I keep all the holiday...that means Halloween through Christmas. Country Living- I have all...I am beginning to sort through, but I like to relook! So this pack was 3.49 for 5 and I will decoupage them! ....or leave them white.

      So, that's my Ikea Frugalicious Friday. Please go to see Jane at Finding Fabulous to see more Frugalicious Friday fun.  Hers is a pretty lamp...but I won't tell you more!

     This weekend I am looking at a craigslist find...cross your fingers that it is in the condition they say!!! I will give you this hint...

MY FIRST AWARD!!

I just received my first blog award!! It surprised me and made me so happy! It was the first thing I told everyone at dinner. It came from The Treat Girl. I love her blog and visit each time I see her on my reader. It is like visiting with a friend! She loves her jars and does a Whats In It Wednesday which is so sweet. Take a look!

Hey, how about those YANKEES!!!

So, now I get to share this award with fellow bloggers, which is so nice to be able to do!!!

1.) Thank and post URL to the blog that gave the award.

2.) Pass the award along to 6 brilliantly over the top blogs (blogs you love!) Alert them so they know to receive the award.


I'm nominating these 6 blogs:

1. The White Flower Farmhouse. This beautiful, serene blog posts about a lovely country, antique shop on the North Fork of Long Island and the improvements at her own 100 year old farmhouse (sigh). Can't wait to get out there one day to the shop!
2. Bella Rustica -Just look at the things she makes for her shop and you will see why! She is a very compassionate animal lover and is very involved in lab rescue. If puppies melt your heart, run on over! She is also making a big move right now.
3. Bake at 350- if you go there today, you will see why she is over the top. Have you ever seen such yummies? I told her I would bake my way through her blog-Julia style! Cookies!
4. Beneath My Heart. When I visit Traci, it is like visiting a friend. She does and says the sweetest things. Her craft work is amazing...just see what she does with glue! After she did this, I lie awake at night planning to try it too!
5. Fifi Flowers Her artwork is so beautiful and she is so prolific! Every day something new! She must paint in her sleep! Go see her pretty Paris prints! Reading her blog is a little trip to Paris! We could all use that!
6. Joy Beadworks has a simple and sweet blog that doesn't make me feel inadequate! Nice ideas-clever, pretty jewelry in her shop and fun with her family!



3.) Copy and paste this quiz… Change the answers, ONE word only!!



1-Your cell phone? LG En-V

2- Your hair?  overdue

3-Your mother? heaven

4-Your father? heaven

5-Your favorite food? pizza

6-Your favorite drink? diet pepsi

7-Your dream last night?  food shopping-

8-Your dream/goal? beachhouse

9-What room are you in? guest/office

10-Your hobby? numerous

11-Your fear? unemployment

12-Where do you want to be in 6 years?  financially-secure

13-Where were you last night? home

14-Something that you aren’t? competive

15-Muffin? pumpkin

16-Wish list item? mattress!

17-Where did you grow up? Long Island, NY

18-Last thing you did? cooked

19-What are you wearing? jeans

20-Your TV? on

21-Your pets? lab

22-Friends? sweet

23- Your life? happy

24-Your mood? calm

25-Missing someone? yes!

26-Vehicle? Commander

27-Something you aren’t wearing? shoes

28-Your favorite store? TJMaxx

29-Favorite color? yellow

30-When was the last time you laughed? at dinner

31-Last time you cried? month

32-Your best friend? gone

33-One place you go to over and over? Target

34-One person who emails you regularly? Uncle Vito

35-Favorite place to eat? Chili's

So, thank you again to The Treat Girl for bestowing an award on me and my blog! I will try to be more worthy and post more often!!!

BNOTP Colonial Candle Giveaway!! & Country Music Search

Go to a very exciting week at BNOTP! Colonial Candle is generously sponsoring a Give-a-Way everyday this week, Monday-Friday, here at BNOTP?!  A new Give-a-Way every day this week! Go here and check it out and all the Met Monday fun, too!

My  husband wants his ipod updated...I like, but he loves Country and we don't have a Country station anymore. Not very fair, just because we live in NY....Anyone have some new favs that I can get for him? He loves it all!
Anyone see this? Born Again American? The marine should get a contract!