An Easy Way to Clean Lamp Shades

I use a lint roller to clean my lamp shades. It is really easy and even kind of fun. I love to see all the dust that is getting picked up.

{Alish}

Purse with Dolls

My mom made this purse for my daughter and she absolutely loves it! I think its pretty darn cute too. It is perfect for church or when we are on the go. The little princess dolls fit perfectly in it. She just made up a simple pattern for the purse. What a cute idea!

{Whitney}

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

I have always loved these. They are super easy.
They are really rich so share them with friends.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

1 c. light corn syrup
1 c. sugar
1 c. peanut butter
6 c. Rice Krispie cereal
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips

* Prepare a 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray and set aside.

* In a large pot, over medium heat, cook syrup and sugar together until sugar is dissolved and the combined mixture begins to boil. Stir frequently.

* Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, mixing well.

* Add cereal and stir until coated evenly with peanut butter mixture. Press mixture into prepared 13x9 pan and set aside.

* In a small pan, over low heat, melt all the chips together, stirring constantly. Spread melted chips over cereal mixture and let sit until firm.

* Cool and cut into bars.

{Alish}

{Wingers} Sticky Finger Salad

I got this recipe from Our Family Treat.

I always order this salad from Wingers and loved it so, was thrilled when I saw this recipe.
Don't forget about asphalt pie for dessert either!

4 chicken breasts, cut into strips
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup bread crumbs
2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
2 tomatoes
croutons
cheddar cheese, grated
ranch dressing
craisins
2 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/3 cup Frank's Hot Sauce(Original)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Dip chicken breasts into the sour cream and then into bread crumbs. Place on a sprayed/greased sheet pan. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked and crispy. While the chicken is baking, prepare salad and make the dressing. To make the dressing, combine the 2 1/2 cups brown sugar, 1/3 cup Franks Hot Sauce, and 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar in a pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let boil for one minute, but no longer! If you boil too long it will turn hard. When the chicken is done dip into sticky sauce and place on a plate. To serve, place sliced strips on top of salad with any additional toppings (cheese, croutons, tomatoes, craisins, etc.) and drench in ranch dressing. Save the additional sticky dressing as an extra topping for the salad...it adds a little more tang!

{Whitney}

Weekly Menu

Monday: spaghetti, green salad, and homemade bread

Tuesday: chicken roll-ups, rice pilaf and veggie

Wednesday: skillet lasagna and green salad

Thursday: pulled pork sandwiches

Friday: burritos and chips and salsa

Saturday: grilled steak, onion soup potatoes, grilled veggies

Sunday: grilled salmon packets and cool and creamy jello

click on links for the recipes

Poppy Seed Chicken

I got this recipe from my Aunt Chalet. She made it for our family, and I have been making it ever since.

POPPY SEED CHICKEN

4-6 CHICKEN BREASTS BOILED AND CUBED
1 CAN CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP
1 C. SOUR CREAM
RITZ CRACKERS
½ CUBE BUTTER
1 TBSP. POPPY SEEDS

IN CASSEROLE DISH ,PLACE CUBED CHICKEN. HEAT SOUP AND SOUR CREAM TOGETHER BUT NOT TO BOILING. POUR OVER CHICKEN. MIX BUTTER, POPPY SEEDS AND CRACKERS TOGETHER AND SPRINKLE ON TOP OF SOUP MIXTURE. BAKE UNCOVERED AT 350 DEGREES FOR 30 MINUTES. SERVE OVER RICE.

{Alish}

Blog Swap with Scraps N' Strings

Hello to Sisters' Stuff readers! This is Ruth and Sammy from Scraps N' Strings and we are so excited to be swapping blogs with Alish and Whitney. We figure we had better introduce ourselves a bit before we start.

I'm Ruth and I am a stay at home mommy of 2 (3 and 1) and a part-time photographer, you can see my work here. I enjoy making "stuff" and taking pictures of them! I especially love to sew and like to break out the Modge Podge. I love anything that is quick and simple! After I got married, I started crafting with my sister-in-law Sammy as a way to make our homes cute without spending a lot of money.

My name is Sammy and I have 2 darling little boys, 2 and 9 months. I'm a stay at home mom and I like to spend my zero amount of free time trying to be crafty and beautifying my home. One of the first things my husband said to me when we bought our home was, "You want to put crafts up, don't you?" So that's what I've done. And now we've decided to share some of our ideas with you! We've got a little bit of everything on our blog, from baby and home tutorials to recipes. So now on to the tutorial~

We needed to bring some sunshine into our homes and came up with this fabulous concoction of lemons and daisies and happiness!! First thing you need is to gather your supplies. You'll need a bucket, or pot of some kind, some moss, green floral dry foam and a styrofoam ball, a bouquet of fake daisies, some fake lemons, a candlestick and a hot glue gun.

Alrighty now the first thing you'll do is fill your pot with the green foam. Feel free to cut pieces out to fit the pot best. Next you will attach the candlestick onto the top of the foam. You may want to insert a dowel here to keep it steady if it is going to be in a high-traffic area (let's be honest, is there really such thing as a non-high-traffic area when you have kids?)

And finish off the structure by gluing the styrofoam ball to the top of the candlestick. Now you will take the hot glue gun and cover all of the foam and styrofoam with the moss.

Now after it is completely covered with moss, cut the daisies off of the bouquet and hot glue them onto the ball along with the lemons, letting the moss show through too.

After you have them on where you like, cut off some leaves and attach one behind each daisy. The last step is to add a pretty bow onto your pot. We used a cute fabric strip but you can use ribbon or raffia or jute or whatever else you have laying around your house. And Wha-la!

Can you feel the sunshine radiating from it? I swear it feels like about 90 degrees around these parts. Ok, so maybe I just cranked up the heat a bit, but I won't judge. The point is, it looks cute, right? So go get your craft on and remember to come visit us over Scraps N' Strings to find more great ideas to love your home, and thanks again to Alish and Whitney for inviting us over!!

Ribbon Curtain

I could not find a curtain to go with my daughter's bedding. A friend gave me the idea of just using ribbons. I love it and it is so easy to do. I just cut ribbons and put fray check on each of the ends and then looped them around a curtain rod. It is really cute. The picture does not do it justice. Cute, easy and no sewing involved.

{Alish}

Temple Bracelet

Don't forget Mother's Day is right around the corner. A temple Bracelet would make the perfect gift for your Mother!

Click Here to go to our Etsy Shop!

Baked Lasagna

This is my FAVORITE lasagna recipe that my mom has been making since I was a kid. Lasagna can be a lot of work, but it is totally worth it. It used to overwhelm me to make it, but now I have made it so many times that it is really easy.

1 pound ground beef
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 c. onion minced
4 cans tomato sauce (8 oz)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 pt. cottage cheese
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
9 lasagna noodles
1/2 lb mozzarella cheese
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
flour to thicken (1-2 Tbsp)

Boil water and cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Cook ground beef, garlic and onion is oil. Then drain grease off of meat. In a sauce pan over med. heat, mix 1/4 can of tomato sauce with flour to thicken. Then add the rest of the tomato sauce slowly stirring it in. Add salt, pepper and oregano and simmer 10-15 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add meat and cottage cheese to sauce. In a 9x13 pan, layer 3 noodles then 1/3 meat mixture and and a little cheese. Repeat these layers 2 more times an top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

* Tip-I always rise and drain my cottage cheese before adding it to the sauce.

{Alish}

Beautiful Baby Boutique Winner

The winner of the
Beautiful Baby Boutique Gift Certificate is:

Bobbi-Jo
I'm a follower, and my favorites are the tutus. I would choose a hot pink and white one. I've got four daughters, so it was SO hard to choose between all of their wonderful products,, and their prices are great!

Congrats!

Weekly Menu

Monday: Mexican Casserole, Chips and Salsa

Tuesday: Wendy's Chili

Wednesday: Hawaiian Haystacks, Green Beans

Thursday: Baked Potato and Chili

Friday: Grilled Chicken, Stuffing and Green Beans

Saturday: Eat out/Left Overs

Sunday: Popcorn shrimp, Rice, Green Beans and Cool and Creamy

{Whitney}

Blog Swap with Miss Crafty Pants

Hi! I'm Erika from Miss Crafty Pants. I'm so excited to be swapping with the famous ladies from "Sisters Stuff"!!

I won't bore you with my life story, but if you'd like to know a little more about me and my blog/s, you can visit

HERE.

*Become a follower on my blog and leave me a comment, to enter for a chance to win a custom digital scrapbooking kit designed to fit your taste, OR a basic custom blog makeover...made by ME!

Drawing to be announced sunday at 6:00 P.M.

Re-fashion and re-purpose your old photo album!

Old Photo Album

Fabric

Mod Podge

Sponge Brush

Pre-printed dividers

Cardstock

Start by measuring and cutting your fabric just larger then your photo album.

Apply mod podge on the the top of the album. Apply small amounts of mod podge around the edges and the lip of the book. Press your fabric into place and smooth out any creases or bubbles. Place clips around the corners to help hold the fabric into place.

While waiting for that to dry, I printed the wording "Coupons" on canvas paper for the cover of my book. Once the mod podge was dry I decorated the front of my book.

Next, cut a piece of heavy duty cardstock to fit the inside cover. Mod Podge the cardstock to the inside cover. Repeat this step for the other side.

Make labels for the categories you wish to divide.

Organize those coupons and enjoy your new and improved photo album!

Chest of Drawers Makeover

I really wish I had the before shot of this chest of drawers, but it got deleted on my camera :( I still want to share the final product with you because I thought it turned out pretty good! I got this chest of drawers from my husband's grandma's house. She was getting rid of it and I was wanting a little more storage space so I picked it up! It was baby blue and had different hardware on it. My mother helped me re-paint it and fix it up. I am happy with how it turned out and all I had to buy was the new hardware!

{Whitney}

Wendy's Chili

This Chili is so good and it is similar to "Wendy's Chili" from the fast food restaurant.

2 lb. Ground Beef (Browned)
1-29 oz. Tomato Sauce
1 29- oz. Can Kidney Beans
1-29 oz. Can Pinto Beans
1 C. Onion Diced
1/4 C. Diced Celery
1/2 C. Diced Green Chilies
3 Medium Tomatoes
1 Tsp. Cumin
3 TBSP. Chili Powder
1 1/2 tsp. Pepper
2 tsp. Salt
2 C. Water

Add all ingredients into crock pot or onto stove top. Simmer for a a few hours.
**I would always half this recipe unless you are cooking for a really large group!

{Whitney}

Baby Gift

I just recently went to a baby shower and made my friend this gift! I used the ribbon board tutorial and also the bottle cap bow tutorial for one of the bows! I think the mom to be was very excited because now all her daughter's bows can be organized! Some type of bow organization is necessary for any little girl...trust me!

{Whitney}

Car Caddy

I just love this Car Caddy that my mom made for my son this past Christmas. It is great to take along anywhere and SO cute!
She got the idea from SYTYC 1st Season.
My mom created her own pattern, but Jill (the original creator) has a tutorial here.

Beautiful Baby Boutique Give Away

Beautiful Baby Boutique
Is giving away $15.00 towards their shop! This is such a fantastic giveaway because they have so many items to choose from! Tons of bows and clips, hats, binky clips, tutus, diaper bags and wipe cases!! Who would not love to go shopping at their shop? Here is just a preview of some of the items!

How to win:

Only 1 Chance to Win!

Leave in one Comment:

1.Your Name and E-mail

2. Follow our blog if you don't already. Let us know that you follow

3. Tell us what your favorite product from Beautiful Baby Boutique

Ends April 17 at Midnight. Winner will be announced on April 19.

Good Luck!!!!

Weekly Menu

Monday: Chili & Corn Bread

Tuesday: Ham & Cheese Sandwiches and Pasta Salad

Wednesday: Fettucini Alfredo with Chicken and Green Salad

Thursday: Navajo Tacos

Friday: Baked Potatoes with Toppings

Saturday: Stroganoff over Pasta with Veggies

Sunday: Lasagna, Rolls and Green Salad

{Alish}

Cheesy Potatos aka. Funeral Potatoes

1 lb. frozen hashbrowns

1/4 c. butter

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

1/3 cup green onion (optional)

crushed corn flakes

2 Tbsp. melted butter

Defrost potatoes. Heat 1/4 c. butter with soup. Blend sour cream, onion and chees in soup. Stir constantly until cheese melts. Stir into potatoes. Place in casseerole dish sprayed with cooking spray. Mix corn flakes and butter; Sprinkle over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour.

{Alish}

Tissue Balls

I made these tissue balls for my daughter's party. They were perfect for our theme and added a lot to the party! They are so simple and could be used for any holiday or occasion! I used the Martha Stewart tutorial.

{Whitney}

Why I love to Menu Plan!

This was a handout that I prepared a while back for a Relief Society Meeting.

I thought that I would share it here as well.

It WILL take a little time to Menu Plan.

I usually spend 15-30 minutes a week planning.

Then why Menu Plan?

You spend less money.

Don’t have to worry about what is for dinner.

Don’t have to make last minute trips and multiple trips to the store.

It saves you time.

You waste less.

I LOVE menu planning and don’t know how to function without doing it!

Before you plan

Look at your week:

I look at my calendar and plan out my week before I plan my menu.

This allows me to see when I will need a quick and easy meal on a busy night. Or know the evenings when we will be home and I will have more time to cook.

Look in your fridge, freezer and pantry:

What needs to be used? What have you bought that you could make?

Now we are ready to plan

Get out your recipe book, meal ideas, grocery list, paper and pen.

As You Plan

Look at the recipe and write down what you need on your grocery list. This kills two birds with one stone.

Money Saving Tips

Use Up Those Leftovers

You know what meals you make and have leftovers. Plan them into your menu. Eat them for lunches, or have a leftover night each week.

Buy Food on Sale

I buy what is on sale and plan my menu around my sale items.

Stick to Your Shopping List

We all know this one, but it is easier said than done.

Time Saving Tips

Make meals early in the day, and then just throw them in the oven to cook later.

If you are using the same kind of meat in two meals that week, cook enough for both meals and save half for the other meal.

Be flexible!

Things change and so will your menu. But if you have planned you know that you have 7 meals and all the ingredients to make them. It is easy to switch them around or if you don’t cook them all save them for next week.

{Alish}

Softest Caramel Corn

This Caramel corn is so soft and yummy!

1 C. brown sugar
1/2 C. Karo Syrup
1 Cube Butter (half cup)
1 Can Sweet Condensed Milk
1 Tsp. Vanilla
20 C. Popped popcorn

Add brown sugar, karo syrup, and butter. Cook it till it comes to a rolling boil. Add 1 can sweet condensed milk. Bring to rolling boil again. Add one tsp. vanilla. Pour over popcorn and mix.
*You may need more or less popcorn depending on how much Carmel you like on your popcorn!
{Whitney}

Beautiful Baby Boutique

Beautiful Baby Boutique
Has some of the most fun and most unique bows we have SEEN! This baby boutique has bows that look like dragon flies, castles, and Minnie Mouse! They also have the cutest flower bracelets! We received the cute dragon fly clips and large flower clip/small flower bracelet! We LOVE them so much and they are made with great quality! Beautiful Baby Boutique is also using the profits of the business to go towards their next adoption! So, go check out her site!

Weekly Menu

Monday: Cajan Chicken Pasta, Salad

Tuesday: Sticky Finger Salad

Wednesday: Wendy's Chili

Thursday: Steak, Potato, Corn

Friday: Baked Potato With Chili

Saturday: French Dip Sandwiches, chips

Sunday: Twice Baked Potato, Parmesan Chicken, Green Beans

Do the Worst 1st!

I love this quote, and try to live by it. I always try to do the worst first.

I wash the white load 1st because I dread it.

I dust 1st because it is my least favorite chore.

I try to exercise in the morning. Otherwise it will never happen.

If you can do the worst first, you will just get it over with. It will not be hanging out on your to do list when you run out of time and energy later.

{Alish}

Birthday Wishes!

Happy Birthday to my sister Alish today!

Hope you have a great day!

Blog Swap with Sew Dang Cute

Hi, I'm Tam from Sew Dang Cute, and I am really excited to be here with all of you Sisters' Stuff Readers today! Like all of you, I am a HUGE fan of Whitney and Alish!! I love all their yummy recipes and fun projects!

You can read more about me here, but right now I want to share with you a fun sewing project for these hot pads.

To get started you will need:
-1/4 yd outside fabric
-1/4 yd inside fabric
-Bias tape or 1/4 yd fabric for binding
-1/4 yd batting
-Thread
-Hot Pad Pattern, which can be downloaded here.

1. Using the hot pad pattern, cut out 2 each of outside fabric, inside fabric, and batting. Cut two strips of binding fabric 2 1/2"x44". Cut a little piece of fabric (I used my binding fabric) 2 1/4" on top, 1 1/2" on bottom, 1 1/2" tall. 2. Grab 1 top piece of outside fabric, batting, and inside fabric. Layer with batting in middle and right sides of both fabrics facing out. Quilt together with rows 1" apart. Layer the bottom pieces in the same order, but this time have the opposite fabric facing up as you sew. This will ensure the rows line up.
5. Grab those 2 1/2" strips of binding fabric. If you have bias tape, you can skip straight to step 6.

*Note: I really should have cut my binding fabric on the bias, so if you have enough fabric, cut your 2 1/2" strips on the bias and them sew the strips together to get the 44" length needed.

(A) Fold each strip in half lengthwise and press. (B) Open the fabric back up and fold the raw edges into the center of the fabric and press. (C) Fold the strip in half lengthwise again and press. 6. Measure off a piece of bias tape/binding and pin along the top edge of the top piece. Edge-stitch down.

7. Lay top piece on bottom piece, then pin bias tape/binding around the entire hot pad, pinning frequently. When you get to the end, roll the raw edges under, and pin down. Edge-stitch down.

8. Cut two 3" strip from the leftover bias tape/binding. Stitch down the center of each strip. 9. Grab the little piece piece of fabric we cut that is 2 1/4" along the top, 1 1/2" along the bottom, and 1 1/2" tall, and press each side under about 1/4". Loop the 3" strip, then pin it under the pressed piece to your hotpad in desired location. Stitch it down and you are ALL DONE!
Hop on over to Sew Dang Cute where you will find lots of more tutorials, recipes, GIVEAWAYS, and other crafty projects. Each Friday I have a "Get Inspired" link party where you get to share with me what you've done that week...craft, sewing project, recipe, etc. I also sell fabric, including what I used today for these hot pads. These are all part of the "Make Life" collection. Please come visit me today!

Thanks ladies for letting me take over for the day!!!