Quit smoking encouragement basket

I have a friend who quit smoking a couple of weeks ago with the help of Champix.  I quit on December 30, cold turkey with no aids - I was too afraid of the reported nightmares with Champix lol.  Anyway, having recently gone through that struggle, I wanted to give her some anonymous encouragement to keep her going.  I made up this basket and left it on her doorstep in the middle of the night!!  According to her facebook, she was thrilled.  She was so happy for the encouraging words and support and just wanted to know who did it.  Of course, she hasn't figured it out yet lol, but she knows that people care and are in her corner to help her quit.

The basket has a bright yellow balloon hanging over it that says "Trischa's Breath Free Basket" and "Keep at it, you're doing great"  (Just written on the balloon with a Sharpie)

So here's what's in the basket - and what the note attached to each gift says:

• A magazine, bubble bath and candle wrapped together  - to get away from it all
• Hard candy and gum - to keep your mouth busy
• isoflex (aka squeezy ball, aka stress ball) - to keep your hands busy
• A pretty journal - to vent... or keep track of your journey
• pedometer - to track the steps of your breath free journey (and encourage her to exercise)
• Skinny Cow treats - to have a guilt free reward
• Mio - to remember to drink water
• Caffeine free herbal tea - to destress without caffeine
• Travel size Tylenol - to get rid of the nicotine withdrawal headache

 Also added a small Box of Hope.  It is just a small box (actually used a wedding favor box) with the following items in it:

1. A star to remind you to keep shining (I just used a premade foam shape)
2. Paper clip to hold things together when you think you can't
3. Erasure to fix small mistakes
4. A lock to keep your secrets safe
5. A penny so you are never broke
6. An elastic to help you stretch beyond your limits
7. and glitter so you never run our of sparkle

I also printed up some encouraging quotes on some cardstock paper.  Punched the cards with a hole punch and put them on a small binder ring so she could carry one with her on an especially hard day.

All in all, the basket seemed to be a success.  My friend appreciated the gesture, and the best part of the anonymity, is I get to sit back and bask in her uncensored appreciation.  She's not just gushing about it because I'm there, but because she sincerely appreciates it.

In the words of Ellen Degeneres, be kind to one another.  It doesn't hurt :-)

Reese's Cheesecake Bites

Here in small town northern SK, there is a thing called the 70's Lounge.  And it really is right from the 70's - orange shag carpet, back velvet art, crazy hanging lights on a stick. You get the idea.  It's awesome.  Anyway, every few months or so they bring a band into the 70's Lounge.  Its a family thing, kids can come and hear some great Canadian talent, and everyone brings something to nibble on.  Well tonight, we're off to see Sweet Alibi, and I'm taking these yummy Reese's Cheesecake Bites.  Really simple to make and pretty damn tasty.

Here's what you'll need:

Some Reese Peanut Butter cups - I made about 15 cupcakes, each package has 3 cups, so 5 packages (or if you're like me, at least 6 packages cuz you have to try them to make sure they're fresh)
Package of Jello no back cheesecake - or make your own no bake cheesecake if you like

to make the treats, line your cupcake tray with liners and place a Reese cup in each liner - be sure to take the paper wrapper off the Reese.

Next, mix up your no bake cheesecake and spoon it over the Reese cup.  Put in the fridge to set for at least 20 minutes.

Once the cheesecake has set, sprinkle it with graham cracker crumbs (if you use the jello cheesecake it comes with the crumbs), throw a few chocolate chips on top and voila.  Yummy treats.

Oops, that one fell - into my mouth!! :)

Denim & Chifon shirt

I was watching tv and saw an ad for Burlington with this denim & chiffon shirt that I fell in love with. I had to have this shirt.  Checked on the internet and of course Burlington doesn't offer anything on line as their inventory changes so much (I'm assuming).  So then I searched the internet for this new obsession and finally found one at troika.com

The cost was 35 british pounds - about $55!  Ok, don't like it that much.  But maybe I can make it?!  so on my general rule of cheap and easy, this one wasn't so easy. It it doable, but working with chiffon is not easy and there was a lot of seam ripping involved with the denim.

So to start with, I bought a large denim shirt for $5 at the thrift store and a metre (yard) of chiffon on sale at the fabric store.  Total cost about $10! To get the same look I chose a shirt with chest pocket flaps.

 To start with, you need to remove the sleeves. As mentioned before, factory made denim has a lot of stitching. I had to remove 2 rows of seaming as well as top stitching.  It too some time but for a finished look around the armhole, I think it was worth the time.  Once the sleeves are removed, resew the hem around the arm hole.  Doing it this way is obviously more time consuming than just cutting the arm off, but it gives you a finished look and helps with fraying.
 Once you are done with the arms, just cut away the part of the shirt you don't want.  Remember to leave the part at the front with the buttons and button holes on it and the pocket flaps if you want them (but not the pocket).  I also left about an extra inch all around where I was cutting to attach the chiffon to.

Now comes the harder part.  Chiffon!!  Beautiful, light, flowing fabric - but a B*t$h to work with!  First tip with working with chiffon is starch.  Whether you use a spray starch or dunk the fabric in a sink of water and corn starch, either way, the starch will make the fabric stiffer and easier to work with.  (I was so busy getting through this part, I forgot to take pictures so I'll try to explain).
I wanted my shirt to be quite flowy, so I cut my fabric in half and sewed it together side by side so I had one piece of chiffon 80 inches by 20 inches (instead of 40x40).  Since chiffon frays so much, I used a french seam to sew the two pieces together. (you can check out www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvb2TaHUu-U or search youtube for videos on how to do a french seam, hard to explain, easy if you can see). Next I did a long stitch along one long side of the chiffon.  This will gather the fabric.  Be sure to leave extra long thread tails in case you have to release some of the gathering in order to fit. 
Next I started pinning the chiffon to the denim along my cut lines.  I started at the centre of the shirt back attaching the chiffon at the french seam so - that should be the middle of your chiffon length as you attached two pieces together here.  Just work your way out from the middle pinning the chiffon to the denim along the edge and at the front.  Once pinned, I sewed the two fabrics together using a slight zigzag.  After it was all sewn I turned it all under and did a straight top stitch for a clean edge (thats why you left an extra inch of fabric all around where you were cutting.  Once its all attached, cut the chiffon to where you want it hemmed (I cut mine so its longer in the back).  Do a rolled hem at the bottom of the chiffon.  Again use the starch and an iron and you shouldn't have to pin it.  The chiffon will feel stiff, but don't worry, it will soften up.

So that's it.  Not exactly like the Troika.com shirt, but pretty darn close for a fraction of the cost.  Bring on the warmer weather so I can wear!!!

Orange Creamsicle Cake recipe

I usually try to watch what I eat.  Especially now.  Since quitting smoking 100 or so days ago I've gained 10-14 pounds depending on the day!!!  Just started trying to get rid of that extra weight but I must admit to having an insatiable sweet tooth.  I try not to deny myself anything because I know if I don't have that chocolate, cookie, or cake now, when I do have it, I will eat the entire cake instead of just a piece.  So normally, I'll try 'lighter' desserts - no flour or sugar cupcakes, banana bread with yogurt & apple sauce instead of sour cream and oil etc.  But over Easter I made a Creamsicle cake - and let me tell you, it was amazing!!!! After we were done stuffing our faces I put the remaining cake in the freezer, out of sight out of mind right? That damn cake seems to be calling my name everyday!  So far I have resisted, but I can not keep that cake out of my head it was that good.  So here's the recipe.  As usual simple, cheap and easy but in the case, also delicious :)

Orange Creamsicle Cake:

1 pkg cake mix - golden or vanilla
2 pkgs orange jello
1 pkg instant vanilla pudding
1 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla (imitation is fine)
1 small tub Cool Whip

Directions:

• Bake the cake as directed in a 9x13 pan.  Let the cake cool completely and then poke holes in it.  I just used the end of a wooden spoon and randomly poked holes
• Mix 1 pkg of the orange jello with 1 cup boiling water and 1 cup cold water.  Pour the jello mixture over the cake. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours
• Use a whisk to mix pudding with cold milk, other pkg of jello, and vanilla until thickened.  Fold in the cool whip.  Frost the cake with this mixture
• ENJOY!!!!