Dina's Blog

I subscribe to quite a few blogs but none excites me more than Dina's Days. I've recommended it to some others who read it anonymously. I want to recommend it to everyone who likes fashion, beauty, shopping. I can't get enough of Dina's Days! Check it out. You can follow her on Facebook too.

Texas A&M Aggies Wine Glass

For the Texas Aggies fan, a hand-painted wine glass with the Texas A&M "ATM" logo. These are my own design and you won't find them anywhere else. Hand wash or top rack dishwasher safe. As with most of my designs, there are all kinds of custom options available. Add a name, date, occasion for an additional cost.

Order early for Christmas.

Unfortunately, these are not available for sale.

Click here to place your order.

Here are some glasses with custom options added (please excuse the wrinkled backdrop.)

UT Longhorns Wine Glass

For the UT fan, a hand-painted wine glass with the Texas longhorn on one side, "Hook 'em Horns" on the other, and a decorated base that also says Texas. These are my own design and you won't find them anywhere else. Hand wash or top rack dishwasher safe. As with most of my designs, there are all kinds of custom options available. Add a name, date, occasion.

Order early for Christmas. Other teams currently available: Texas A&M, Houston Texans. Coming soon: Baylor Bears, Dallas Cowboys, LSU Tigers.

Taco Soup

This is one of the easiest recipes I have. The majority of the preparation is in opening cans. The end result is a richly flavored, delicious, healthy, nutritious, one-pot meal you can serve up in no time. (For my Weight Watchers friends, this is only 1 point per cup!)  [Edit: this is based on the old method]



Start by browning 1 lb. of lean ground turkey with a chopped large onion in a large pot that's been sprayed with Pam.

Add the following:
3 cans of Chili beans (Bush's makes them; Kroger makes them. Chili beans, not chili with beans)
2 15-ounce cans Rotel tomatoes (or similar product-- diced tomatoes with green chiles)
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Style Dressing mix
1 packet taco seasoning (I use Old El Paso)
2 cups water
1 lb. frozen corn kernels

Bring it up to a simmer for about 20 - 30 minutes and enjoy. Optional toppings: crumbled tortilla chips, grated cheddar, sour cream, avocado cubes.

Texas Longhorns (UT) Totes - preorder now

Totes exactly like the Aggie tote bag are currently being made for Longhorn fans with this fabric.


The design will replace the Aggies fabric with this Longhorns fabric and the maroon with black. They're $21.95 also. Order yours now. This is the only place you can get them. Allow 5 days to make and ship your bag to you.

Texas Aggie Tote Bags Are Here!

You've heard about them and now here they are making their debut-- the Texas A & M tote bags I promised. They're only $21.95, totally unique, and this is the only place on the planet you can get them.

They're 13 x 13 with quarter panel fronts and solid backs, fully lined in a solid.

Perhaps you can tell from the photos, there are not your usual flimsy tote bags.

They're made with a heavy interfacing that gives them lots of body and durability.

Look at the straps-- lined with heavy interfacing for strength and durability.

I have five ready to go and am taking orders for more. Get yours first!

Nap Mats Now Available

You asked for them and now I've got them. Here's a sample of one of my mats made of soft flannel with a nice thick batting, extra soft attached pillow, and kid-friendly velcro closures with decorative pink bows. This one's only $35 plus shipping. The sky's the limit. Pick your fabric and I'll make one for you. Boys' and girls' mats available in an endless array of fleece, flannel, and cotton fabrics. Prices from $35- $60. Coordinated blankets and monogramming also available. Email or call to order yours. 832-385-2174. Maureen@maureenmakesit.com

Cupcake Apron

This is just a cute, happy half apron in a fun cupcake pattern fabric. You have to check out the ties which are done black and green. It's festive and fun. I always think this would be so cute to wear when hosting a birthday party. If you like the style, I can make it in an endless number of fabrics. Let me know what you have in mind, and I'll make it for you.



$23.95 with FREE SHIPPING

Custom pillow

Lace and satin $19.95



Endless customization options available. Email for details.

Cooking Class - Boeuf Bourguignon

Fall is fast approaching (although never fast enough in this August Texas heat). Soon we'll be looking to make hearty one-pot meals, stews, and soups. What better time to hone your culinary skills and learn how to make (and even pronounce) Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon. Classes beginning in September. Dates and times to be announced soon. Space is limited. Reserve yours now.

Photo Aprons

It took me a long time to come up with this unique design which I created for my friend, Nari. That's a photo of her with her sisters, printed on fabric, trimmed with bias tape and rick rack, and made into a removable i-pocket. That means the apron is fully washable, but you don't have to worry about fading the photo by washing it. This one has cool slant topped pockets, also edged in contrasting black bias. It's lined in a coordinating red fabric that has a tiny print on it.

The i-pocket is designed to hold your i-pod (or phone) while you're busy cooking, cleaning, barbecuing, gardening, crafting, or doing whatever it is you'll be doing while wearing this fab apron.

Think of how cool this would be for anyone-- man or woman. You send me a photo and I'll show you a bunch of fabric and design options and away we go to creating a 100% original, completely custom apron for you or a loved one. $40 plus free shipping.

Julie and Julia

I love the movie. I have actually cooked some Julia Child recipes. Her chocolate mousse was one of the recipes I tried early in my cooking experiences. As a novice cook, I found it extremely complicated, although not difficult. As a seasoned cook, it's not so complicated at all. I thought I'd share the links to some books on Amazon I thought you might like.

Tote Bag Instructions

I don't have pictures ready to show this as a tutorial yet, but I wanted to at least get the directions posted for now, for those that have requested them. You will need a total of one yard of 45" Home Decor Fabric. You can use one yard of a single fabric, or 2/3 yard for the tote bag and 1/3 yard of a contrasting fabric for the straps.

1. (a) For the straps, cut two pieces of fabric 5" x 44".
(b) For the gusset (the sides and bottom) cut one piece 9" x 44"
(c) For the front and back, cut two pieces 16" x 12"

2. (a) Fold the straps in half lengthwise and press. Open, then fold the two halves you've created to the middle and press. Then fold down center again, so that the inner pieces are to the middle and you essentially have four layers of fabric, creating the strap. Press again.
(b) Pin strap to front piece, Placing inside edge of strap 3" from each edge of front. Top stitch both sides of strap to approximately 5" from top. Repeat with back piece.

3. Reinforce corners of front and back at bottoms by sewing small L's, then clipping slightly.

4. Pin gusset to front piece, mitering corners. Using 1/4" seam, stitch front to gusset piece. Repeat with back piece. (12" sides of fabric are the top and bottom; 16" sides are the sides of the bag.)

5. Fold down 1 1/2" on top, press; then fold under 1/4". Press. Stitch in place, but be sure not to catch handles in your stitches.

6. Finish top stitching straps to bag, along both sides of the straps, and continuing all the way across the open edge of the straps. Reinforce straps by stitching an X at the top edge of the bag.

7. As an option, which I recommend, cut a piece of cardboard or foamboard (the foamboard is better) to about 11" x 8". You can cover it with fabric or leave it as is and place it in the bottom of the bag to give it shape and stability.