A Tote, A Tuesday

A couple more coffee totes this week. I love the splash of fabric on the front of the rustic burlap. Check out all my bags, totes and buckets on etsy. Keep up with whats going on in the sewing room on Facebook and Twitter. Check out where I get a lot of my inspiration, recipes and craft ideas on Pinterest.

Menu Monday

Spent the morning in the kitchen today. Doubling up a few easy recipes to share. Hoping the "dish fairy" will fly in while I type up this post!

Chicken Broccoli Bake
Enchilladas

Chicken Salad

1 pound rotini pasta, cooked, drained, cooled
1-2 cups cooked, diced chicken
1 cup dried cranberries
chopped onion
3-4 chopped celery stalks
1 cup almonds

dressing:
3 T. powdered sugar
2 T. cider vinegar
2 Cups Mayonnaise
2 T. cold water
2 T. poppy seeds
salt and pepper

whisk together dressing ingredients and toss with salad ingredients.

"Dish Fairy" is a no-show AGAIN!

Shop Update

It has been a busy week in the sewing room. New Coffee Totes are now available on ETSY

I also spent a couple days with my parents and sisters this week. When I am gone for the day I always pack a tote and am always amazed by everything that fits!

A Little Spring Project

I had a few hours in a waiting room yesterday so I tossed a few supplies into a zipper pouch. I started this Easter project last March and hope to have it finished by THIS Easter. Can you tell what they are? More details and photos will come upon completion.

Mixing Color with Pattern

I have learned a lot about colors and patterns since I started making totes and buckets in 2008. My biggest tip is not to think about any one fabric, print or color for too long. Here are some of my favorite places to view fabrics and get inspiration:

Pinterest
If you haven't checked out this new site - do it. Amazing! Easy to search. Beautiful photography. Shaggy Baggy on Pinterest

Design-seeds.com
Set up in a paint swatch format - I love that the most simple looking photos can show so many unique color combinations and inspiration.

Local Fabric or Paper Craft Shops - My fave: Sewtropolis Read about my visit here
Many local shops display fabrics, yarn and paper supplies in prints and colors designed to compliment each other. Check out the salvaged end of fabrics - they often have dots with all the coordinating colors - as long as two of the dots (or more) match - I will mix the fabrics together - no matter the print.

Online Fabric Shops
Lots of online fabric shops on Etsy. Check the shop for a "bundle" section. The work has been done for you - colors and prints all matched up, cut and ready for your personal, creative touch! My favorties: Sewtropolis and  Fabric Shoppe

A Tote, A Tuesday

NEW Coffee Totes will be coming to the shop later this week.

I am having a spring sale through Wednesday. Use code: Thanks20 for 20% off your purchase. The Sale ends Wednesday, March 21.

A Tote, A Tuesday - GIVEAWAY

NEW! Mini buckets are now in the shop.  I am giving one away this week.

Leave a comment after this post and tell me how you would use one and I will choose a random winner on Saturday,  March 17, 2012. I can't wait to see your ideas Good Luck!

These little storage gems make me smile.

So many uses for every room: recipe cards, baby socks, fabric scraps, hair accessories, just to name a few.
Stay up to speed on all my giveaways and new items by following me on Twitter and Facebook

Menu Monday

Two of my teens are beyond excited to be part of a basketball team heading to the State Tourney this week!

This means no planned meals for this week. My focus will be on healthy snacks and quick grab and go meals -- basically fast food from home instead of the drive-thru.

Egg Bites - makes a great sandwich with and english muffin
Granola Bars
Salsa
Wraps
Milwaukee Subs
Deviled Eggs
Smoothies

Deviled Eggs make a great after school snack or easy lunch.

DID It vs. DO It

I feel like I have been running in place these first few months of 2012. I decided to list a few accomplishments instead of starting another to do list for the weekend.

1. New logo and blog header.

This is the first step toward a complete website change happening over the next few months! Very excited to be work with Aimee at by Aimee.com

2. Scheduled my third and final meeting with Tracy from LaunchHer.  She has so much energy and great ideas to share.

3. Shaggy Baggy is on Pinterest! You can follow me here: http://pinterest.com/shaggybaggy/ as well as Twitter and Facebook

4. New size buckets in fun spring prints will be coming to the shop next week.

Menu Monday

A busy busy week for us coming up. The basketball season continues and the hockey team will be participating in the state tournament later this week. Throw in a couple weekend jobs and play rehearsal everyday after school means we have hungry teens coming and going all the time!

This weeks menu will be easy to re-heat with an emphasis on adding some extra veggies every night (hopefully no one will notice).

We started the week with this favorite 5 star pasta dish. I added broccoli because anything tastes good in this creamy white sauce:

Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta
soup and salad
Milwaukee Subs with asparagus

Last time I made these subs I grilled them on my George Foreman. They came out hot and crispy - yum!

I am linking up with An Organizing Junkie today