"Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.
People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and share their favorite recipes."
What they don't tell you is how addicting their website is! When you get on for the first time you have to request an invite. This may take a few days (not sure what that step is for) - just be patient, it's worth the wait. When you get your invitation you can sign on with your Facebook account and all your FB friends who are on Pinterest will be added to your "following" list. You then set up your own "boards" for your personal interests - then start pinning! Two of my boards are "Things to Make" and "Recipes". There is not enough time in the world to make all the things I have pinned that I want to make, even in retirement. But I have made some of things I have pinned. Some turned out better than others. Here is what I have created so far:One of the first things I pinned was this letter covered with pictures. It took quite a while to collect all the pictures digitally. I copied them into Powerpoint and sent it to FedXKinkos to be printed - have to use a laser printer. Of course all the pictures turned out too big so I had to resize them and have them printed again. Cutting out and gluing them to the letters was very time consuming and stressful to make sure they all fit just the way I wanted them. I loved the letters I got from Hobby Lobby and was very happy with the way they turned out. The funny part was that weeks after I had made the project, Jennifer pinned the same idea to her board of things to make. It was funny to see her reaction when she opened the present on Christmas.
I REALLY wanted to make this bowl that was made by rolling paper, gluing to a balloon then popping the balloon. I had been saving magazines and waited until after Christmas to start this project. It was a PROJECT all right! I cut, folded, and rolled paper for 4 days! I really thought I had enough to complete the project. I blew up the balloon and started gluing. It was quickly obvious that I had used too large a balloon and had half the amount of paper that I needed. The look of the finished project was pretty cool but I haven't found any practical use for my "half bowl". It will probably end up where the magazines should have gone in the first place - the recycle bin!
Another early idea was this windchime made from a collander, silverware and beads. I finally made it to "Pickers Point" - an antique and collectible shop I have had my eye on for a while. Great shop - they had all the supplies I needed - I already had the wire and beads. This project took about 2 hours and is already hanging on my outdoor room. I will probably make another version for the other side. Last year I hung plants there and had to replace them 3 times due to the Texas heat and lack of rain. These windchimes won't have that problem.
The bracelet and ring were fun projects. I like the bracelet best. The beads I used for the ring are a little too big. I might try that one again.
This necklace was fun and drew a lot of compliments when I wore it before Christmas. I used various Christmas ribbon I had on hand. Some of it was a little scratchy though.
The rest of my projects were recipes. Every one was really good so I can't wait to try more. Luckily Rich is a real good sport where food is concerned and will eat just about anything and enjoys trying new things. The parmesan crisps turned out great and very easy to make. I did splurge on freshly ground cheese rather that the powered kind I usually have on hand. Cheerios Breakfast Cookies are really good. With my lapband, crunchy things are easy for me to eat. I have a whole bagful in the freezer for a quick and easy breakfast. The cheesy olives turned out real good too. Rich wasn't quite as excited about them as I was but he ate them anyway.
I was so excited when I saw the rosettes. I used to make them in the 1970's and had long since gotten rid of the special iron needed to make them. Of course Amazon had one for sale and two days later I had it. Cookies are fried one at a time and the recipe made about 3 dozen. Many hours later I was finally finished. They turned out the way I remembered - very similar to a funnel cake. I did forgot exactly how I stored them. They got soggy pretty quick and when we wanted to eat them had to crisp them up in the toaster over. I don't remember doing that before so I must find a better way to keep them crisp. The pancakes poured over a strip of bacon was REALLY good as was the cream cheese and cucumber rolled in a tortilla.
By far our favorite recipe was the one for shrimp. It was easy, quick and YUMMY!
Did I say how much I LOVE Pinterest?? Every day I find at last 10 more things I want to make. All the above projects can be found on my boards along with a link to the recipes. A lot of the craft projects did not link to instructions but I was able to figure it out by looking at the picture. If you are not currently on Pinterest get on quick and link up to me! Lord knows I didn't need another computer addiction besides emal, Facebook, 3 versions of Angry Birds and jigsaw puzzles on my iPad but this is FUN! Happy pinning!
