Rag Wreath

     A cheery rag wreath is a great way to make your house feel like a home, as well as an easy craft that will make a dent in your scrap stash! You will need 1 wire wreath frame from your local craft store (I used an 18" one), as well as color-coordinating cotton fabric scraps. Be warned, depending on the depth of you stash you may need to purchase more fabric to finish your project out. If you are buying fabric for this project you will need an estimated 2.5 yards total.

     Once you have your wreath frame and fabric it's time to get ripping! Or cutting, if you prefer. However, with the woven nature of cotton, ripping is more accurate, as well as more time and energy efficient. If you have not ripped fabric before, it may be a little intimidating. Feel free to test out your technique on a separate piece before beginning. Make an incision into the fabric a couple inches, where you want your rip to be. This gives you a start and something to hold onto - your fabric will rip along the grain!

     Whatever your method, figure out a process, because we will be ripping a lot of strips! Your strips will need to be 1.5" X 8". I recommend ripping a long 8" wide strip and then cutting that strip into 1.5" lengths. This seemed to be the most efficient process.

My strips are in a summer-fall color scheme.

     Once you have all your strips ripped, it is time to begin tying. Using the wire wreath frame, you will have three rows of strips. Pick a starting point and first tie a strip around the two outermost wires. You'll need to do a double knot to keep the tie in place. Your next strip will be tied around the two middle wires, and your third strip on the two innermost wires. Obviously, your strips will be overlapping each other to some degree. This helps to evenly disperse the strips. Continue this pattern around the wreath.

Here is my wreath, partly finished,

     It may take a while, but the result will be worth it! When your wreath is complete and all the wires have been covered, fluff out your ties a bit and hang your new wreath proudly on your door!

Corn Dog Muffins

Corn Dog Muffins
     This recipe uses a boxed corn bread mix to make simple 'corn dogs.' It's like hamburger helper! Just add hot dogs!

1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix
1/2 package hot dogs
8 muffin liners

     Follow directions for boxed mix. Place mixture into lined muffin tin, filling liner up about 2/3 full. Cut hot dogs into appropriately lengthed segments and place in batter. Bake according to directions on box.

Note: Needing something to do with the other half of your hot dogs? Either make another batch or try out this recipe for easy Hot Dog Dinner!

Hot Dog Dinner

Hot Dog Dinner
     This meal creatively uses hot dogs for a unique spin on a one-pot dish.

1/2 package (1 pound) hot dogs, halved lengthwise and sliced
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
1 celery rib, coarsely chopped
1/2 medium green pepper, julienned
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Hot cooked noodles or rice

     In a a large skillet, cook and stir hot dogs in 1 Tb butter over medium high heat until lightly browned; remove and keep warm.

     In same skillet, sauce the onions, celery and green pepper in remaining butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the tomatoes, oregano, paprika, pepper and hot dogs. Cook and stir until heated through. Serve with noodles or rice.

Note: Recipe can be altered to cater to serving amounts and taste preferences.