Monday Faves: More Fall Finds

Some more Fall-Inspired Finds for Faves today (wow try saying that 5 times fast ;)). I am loving the crisp air, the leaves changing, hot cider, fall baking and all the pumpkins. We are headed to the pumpkin patch sometime this week - cannot wait :)

So, as The Creative Place approaches 500 followers, I am thinking a giveaway is in order (I love finding an excuse to do a giveaway :)). Be on the lookout for a giveaway as soon as 500 followers are reached - it might just include some [faux] knitting materials (ahem! ;)), some paper goodness, a [Christmas] art journal, or perhaps a choice from all three! :)
1. Halloween Vintage Craft Kit from SaturdayAMvintage
2. Primitive Pumpkin by vintagegreenlimited
3. Neutral Tone Vintage Books from BettyandJuneShoppe
4. Amber and Rust - An Autumn Comb by thehoneycomb
5. Sweet Scent of Autumn - Textile Collage Scarf by ThongbaiTatong
6. Oak Leaf and Acorn Garland by prettyfickle
7. Number Letterpress Block from AMradio
8. Orange and Black Polka Dot Shoe Clips by finkshop
9. Vintage Pumpkin Orange Thread Cones from paddyridge
10. Apple Tree and Cherry Pin Cushion by detailsbydes

Weekend Catch Up

On the agenda for this weekend: Catching up. Family time. Thrift store shopping. Baking. Church. Food, friends & a football game (and maybe some (faux) knitting sprinkled in ;)).

Shop/Blog Related:
+ Finishing up gathering and ordering paper goodness for 2010 Christmas Art Journals (am I behind?)
+ Finishing up the 4-week menu rotation that stays within a $50-55 budget range -- will be posting these next week, complete with a grocery list printable page.
+ Working on a shop update to include Christmas-related items (paper rounds, and these sheets of number tags- I have a few of these sheets left from last year).

Fun Links (all images from their respective sites):
+ Fall Tags: Freebie Download
+ Fabulous Burlap Wreath Tutorial (hmm... Christmas present idea?)
+ Blessings Board (another Christmas present idea?)

+ Don't these pumpkin cookies look delightful? Mmmm :) I think I just drooled on my keyboard ;)

What about you? What's on your agenda this weekend? :)

On (faux) knitting.

I've been working on my list of handmade gifts for Christmas this year and decided to knit scarves for some of my family (sorry for the sneak peak if you're related to me :)). However, I do not know how to knit ;). My sweet mother-in-law tried to teach me several years ago (she's super knitter - knits Jimmy all sorts of wonderful things and even made me a purse) - I just could not get it! She was a great teacher, I think I had trouble wrapping my brain around it (and the needles, lol). I should try again. :)

A couple weeks ago, I learned about these looms over at DesignMom. I stopped in at Michael's a couple days ago (with 40% off coupon in hand) and found the round looms, but also found this rectangular loom for half the price (and then the additional 40% off) and decided to go with that. The yarn was also on sale at $3.00 (a roll? is that what it's called?).

I may invest in the round looms later on, but this loom is perfect for creating scarves. I keep joking with my hubby that I'm faux knitting (it's a joke on how I could just not get knitting with needles ;)).
When I first tried using it, I had a little bit of difficulty following the directions (operator error, I'm sure ;)), but quickly figured it out and made my first scarf in less than a day (picking it up and knitting a few rows here and there). I'm now on my second scarf (pictured above) and absolutely love it. It's quite therapeutic.
So, I'm thinking about giving one of these fun things away... I would like to see if there is any interest and if so, will post a giveaway for one in the next couple days. What a perfect way to make practical and thoughtful Christmas presents! Leave a comment here to let me know if you're interested in a giveaway! :)

Banana Pudding

Here is another fabulous recipe that I found in Southern Living -- I adapted it a bit (to use less bananas and wafers... so I could make it again later on ;)). It is a new fave in our house. Mmmmm :)

Banana Pudding
Pudding
1 (12 oz.) package vanilla wafers (approximately-- I didn't use a whole box)
5 ripe bananas, sliced (I only used 3)
2 cups milk
½ cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 egg yolks
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Meringue
3 egg whites
¼ cup sugar

Prepare pudding: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Arrange one third of vanilla wafers in 9"x11" baking dish (a 2-qt. dish). Cover with one third of banana slices. Repeat layers twice with remaining wafers and bananas (I only made two layers - this is why I didn't use the whole box of wafers, and why I only used 3 bananas instead of 5).

Whisk together milk and next 4 ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 15 minutes or until pudding-like thickness. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Pour over vanilla wafers and bananas in dish.

Prepare meringue. Beat egg whites at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until sugar dissolves and stiff peaks form.

Spread meringue over pudding, sealing to edge of dish. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately, or let cool completely (about 30 minutes), and cover and chill 1 hour before serving.

Fall and Halloween DIY Roundup

Some lovely links to great DIY fall and Halloween projects. Enjoy! :)

1. Tin Can Jack-o'-Lanterns 2. Candy Jar Treats (found via Ashlee Proffitt Design) 3. Fall Pillows 4. Halloween Wreath (found via Ashlee Proffitt Design) 5. Papier Mache Pumpkins (found via Ashlee Proffitt Design) 6. Candy Corn Wreath 7. Easy Halloween Ornaments 8. No Carve Pumpkin Decorating

Magazine Love: Southern Living

We were recently over at my hubby's cousin's house for dinner and she had a copy of this month's Southern Living magazine... I've never read it, but started flipping through it and was instantly a fan. I think I went and bought a copy the very next day and I've been carrying it around for a week now (as you can tell by the crinkled cover in the picture below). Haha :) The magazine has tons of family-friendly recipes - ones that don't have a ton of ingredients you've never heard of. I've already made a few of them and a bunch more are on the menu for the next couple weeks. And it has articles on fun places all over the southern east coast, decorating ideas, and tons of other fabulous stuff. I am a fan. I called my mama and asked for a subscription for my birthday. :)

What about you? Any fave magazines that you absolutely love? Have a fabulous weekend :)

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

 Fall is finally here in our neck of the woods, and it is absolutely wonderful. The crispness in the air and the leaves looking like their getting ready to change. I've been cooking up a ton of fall-appropriate meals and snacks (and can we talk about Honeycrisp apples for a second? Um. Wow. ;)). One of our new faves is Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. I found the recipe on allrecipes.com and changed a few things (like not using vegetable broth because I didn't have any, and adding water because it was a little salty for our taste). It's super easy and quick to make, and a definite comfort food, perfect for a chilly night.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
5 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1½ cups water
1/2 pound chopped cooked chicken breast
1 1/2 cups egg noodles
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Cook onion and celery in butter until just tender, 5 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and water, and stir in chicken, noodles, carrots, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes before serving.

**EDITED: You do NOT need to cook the noodles before putting them in the soup. They will cook quickly while the soup simmers for 20 minutes. Enjoy! :)