Monday, July 15, 2013

Nova's Puppy Pillow ~ Tutorial

Like most puppies, my Nova girl has chewed her way through quite a few pillows & beds! I was determined to find something I could make that would be a little more durable!... I looked at the ones you can buy and refused to pay between $40-$100 for a bed she'll just chew up in a week :p Especially when I knew I could make her one for under $10 and in under an hour!!!  She seems to enjoy it quite well!!!!






Materials: Standard size pillow, 3/4 yd THICK Drapery Material, 3/4 yd  Fleece. Sewing Machine








Step 1: Lay out fabrics on the table and flip to the back facing you (See photo). Pin in place.
*****I marked a 1" seam around my fabric as a sewing guideline (I'm new at sewing & still  can't seem to keep my line straight)*****
Step 2: Sew around 3 edges
Step 3: Cut the corners, this way when you turn it inside out, the corners will come out better. (see below photo)
Step 4: Turn inside out & stuff in the pillow
Step 5: Take the top and fold in a 1" seam. (See below photo)
Step 6: Place in sewing machine & sew across
Voila! One puppy bed complete... 

 I used a standard pillow for mine which is a little small for my Nova girl but I know I'll be making a new one soon enough :p I used what I had here at home & will make a larger one in weeks to come! If you need a larger one you can just measure the fabric the size you want and use poly-fil to stuff!
You can even add a fleece monogram :)





It took me about an hour to finish and a nice cup of coffee too :p

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Creamy Crunchy Chicken



I found this recipe online somewhere... Once my Husband & Daughters tried it, well they were in love.... And so was I :) It was so simple & easy to make, cheap ingredients & absolutely delicious!  I hope you all enjoy it as much as we have! It's the perfect recipe for busy Mama's & Daddy's out there... And even the picky kiddos will love it!!! Bon Appetite!!!
Prep Time: 10 minutes ~ Sauce about 5 min Cook Time: 40-50 min... Sauce about 7 min
Serving Size: Family of 6

What you'll need: 2 ~ 13x9" pans, cooking spray, aluminum foil, medium sauce pan, whisk

Chicken Ingredients: 16 Chicken Breast tenders, 2 Sleeves Ritz Crackers,  3 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese. 1/2 Cup Milk. 1 Tsp Dried Parsley, 1/4 Tsp Salt, /8 Tsp Pepper  

Sauce Ingredients: 10 oz Can Cream of Chicken, 2 Tbsp Sour Cream, 2 Tbsp Butter
Chicken Prep: Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees, Spray 2 13x9" pans with cooking spray
Crush Crackers into crumbs
Pour milk, crackers and cheese into 3 separate bowls/pans
Toss in salt & pepper into crackers and stir
Dip each chicken tender into the milk and then the cheese (you may have to press the cheese into the chicken) Then take the chicken and roll into the cracker crumbs until fully coated.
Place chicken into pans at least 1/8" apart
Sprinkle dried parsley over the chicken tenders
Ready for the oven!!!
Cover pan with aluminum foil & bake @ 400 degrees for 30 minutes. 
Remove foil & bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until edges of chicken are golden and crispy
Nice & Hot!!! Ready for the sauce

Sauce: Prepare Sauce while Chicken is cooking!!!  Mix entire can of Cream of Chicken, sour cream and butter into sauce pan on medium heat. Stir continuously with a whisk until all ingredients are mixed and turned into a creamy sauce and is nice & hot...

My Daughter wanted to help!!!
SERVE: Place chicken on a plate & cover with the creamy sauce.... Voila! I added green beans & made it a yummy dinner!!!
    Sauce can even be used to "DIP" as my 2 year calls it :p
 I hope that you all will enjoy this recipe as much as my family & I have! It's quick,easy & low cost which is even better!!! Bon Appetit!











Thursday, July 11, 2013

Starting this journey...


Welcome to Mama's Chaos & Crochet.... I'm just starting on this journey so forgive the blog still being "under construction" I'm still learning as I go!  I've wanted to start this adventure for some time now and am slowly getting there...

I am in the process of starting my own online business selling handmade crochet items that I pour my heart into making. Each item I make, I make like I'm making them for my own daughters.

My blog will have a variety of things... I'll be showing my current projects, crafts, recipe's and much more... Just day to day ramblings :) Lovin the life of Mama & Wife!!! 

I hope my blog will help others see that any dream is possible if you just don't give up... Keep reaching and eventually you'll get there!!! I hope to show all stay at home Mama's & Daddy's out there that even tho it's a very demanding job, we can have fun!!!