Looking for another way to stay warm this winter? Why not craft your cozy blankets and pillows? These simple DIY projects are perfect for chilly nights and bring some handmade charm to your space. Whether it’s a no-sew fleece blanket, a chunky knit throw, or an upcycled sweater pillow, you’re sure to find a project that fits your style and skill level. Let’s dive in and get crafting! DIY Warm & Snuggly Home Projects: Blanket and Pillow Edition Ready to add some warmth to your space with simple, delightful DIYs? These no-sew fleece blankets, chunky knit throws, and upcycled sweater pillows require minimal effort. Ideal for beginners or anyone looking for an easy, handmade gift idea, these finished creations help make your space feel extra inviting. No-Sew Fleece Blankets: Simple and Cozy DIY Fun If you need a quick, beginner-friendly project, the no-sew fleece blanket is for you. Once completed, you’ll have soft, warm, customizable blankets featuring your favorite patterns or colors. Supplies Needed Two pieces of fleece fabric (each 1.5–2 yards for a full-size blanket) Sharp fabric scissors Tape measure or ruler Step-by-Step Instructions Layer the Fleece: Place both fleece pieces on a flat surface and align the edges neatly. Cut the Fringe: Next, cut 1-inch-wide strips, about 4 inches deep, along all four edges of the fleece. Knot the Fringe: Afterward, tie each pair of fringe strips in double knots to secure the layers. Presto! Now you have a DIY cozy blanket that’s ready for your next movie night in under an hour! Tip: Use fleece colors or patterns that match your room’s theme. For more ideas, explore Joann’s Fabric Guide for selecting high-quality fleece. DIY Chunky Knit Throw: Ultimate Cozy Comfort Chunky knit throws are on top of the list for the ultimate in coziness. No needles? No problem! You can arm-knit your way to a luxurious throw in less than an hour. Supplies Needed 3–4 pounds of chunky yarn (merino wool or chenille are ideal for a soft finish) A clean, flat surface Step-by-Step Instructions Start with a Slip Knot: First, start with a simple slip knot, leaving a 4-inch tail. Cast On Loops: Then, use your fingers to cast on about 20-25 loops, forming your first row. Arm-Knit Rows: Pull new yarn through each loop to create new rows. Bind Off: When you reach your desired length, bind off by tying the last row securely and trimming any excess yarn. In just 30-45 minutes, you’ll have a cozy, chunky knit blanket ready for snuggling! Fun Fact: Arm knitting is a popular and beginner-friendly method that’s easy to learn. If you need a quick how-to guide, Yarnspirations has a wonderful arm-knitting tutorial with simple steps. Upcycled Sweater Pillows: Cozy and Sustainable DIY Don’t toss out that old sweater just yet! Instead, give it a second life as a cozy pillow. This upcycled project is simple, stylish, and sustainable! Supplies Needed An old sweater (wool or cotton works best for durability) Pillow stuffing or a pillow insert Fabric scissors Fabric glue or needle and thread Step-by-Step Instructions Cut the Sweater: First, cut a square or rectangle around the body of the sweater. Seal Three Sides: After that, use fabric glue or a simple running stitch to close three sides, creating a pocket. Stuff the Pillow: Insert the pillow stuffing or pillow form, then close the final edge. And just like that, you’ve transformed an old sweater into a cute, comfy, and eco-friendly pillow! Eco-Friendly Tip: For more creative ways to repurpose old items, check out Better Homes & Gardens’ guide to upcycling projects. DIY Cozy Blankets Make the Perfect Gift Handmade gifts like these show thoughtfulness and effort, making them perfect for loved ones. With endless ways to customize—from colors to embellishments, you can create truly unique pieces that warm both the body and the heart. Plus, they’re practical! Who wouldn’t appreciate an extra blanket or pillow during the colder months? Finishing Touches for Your DIY Cozy Blanket Now that you know how to make these cozy blankets, it’s time to apply some extra styles: Decorate with Trim: Adding pom-poms, tassels, or ribbons is a great way to finish the edges. Personalize with Initials: Consider adding a monogram or small design with fabric paint or simple embroidery for a personalized touch. Coordinate Colors: Choose colors that match or complement your home decor to make it extra special. Making DIY cozy blankets brings warmth and a touch of personality and style. So, dive into one of these fun projects and enjoy the comfort of something handmade. Happy crafting, y’all! FAQs What is the best fabric for a no-sew fleece blanket? Fleece is ideal for no-sew blankets because it doesn’t fray, so you can easily cut and knot it without needing to hem the edges. Plus, it’s soft, warm, and available in various colors and patterns! How much fleece fabric do I need for a standard-size throw blanket? Typically, 1.5 to 2 yards of fleece for each layer (two layers total) is ideal for a cozy throw-sized blanket. Adjust the yardage for larger or smaller blankets based on your preference. Can I wash a chunky knit throw made from merino wool? Yes, but be careful! Hand wash your chunky knit throw in cold water, but avoid wringing it afterward. Doing so can stretch the fibers and loosen the fabric. Lay the item flat when drying to help it maintain its shape. Is arm knitting difficult? Not at all! Arm knitting is easy to pick up, even for beginners. Most people find it fun, especially since you don’t need tools—just your hands and some chunky yarn! How can I make sure my upcycled sweater pillow holds up over time? Choose a sweater made of wool, cotton, or another sturdy fabric for durability. Be sure to use strong fabric glue or sewing stitches to secure the pillow seams and prevent them from splitting. How can I make my no-sew blanket look more decorative? For unique designs, consider adding finishing touches like pom-pom trims, fringes, or even fabric paint. Coordinating the blanket colors with your home decor can also elevate the look. Are there eco-friendly options for DIY chunky knit yarn? Yes! Look for yarn made from recycled materials or sustainably sourced fibers. Some brands offer vegan options, and chenille or cotton yarns can also be eco-friendly and cozy. Do I need any special skills to make these DIY blankets? No sewing skills are required for the no-sew fleece blanket and chunky knit throw! However, if you want to sew the upcycled sweater pillow, a basic running stitch will work fine, and it’s a skill that’s easy to learn. How do I add a personal touch to a DIY blanket or pillow for a gift? Adding initials, a monogram, or a small design with fabric paint or embroidery can make the item feel extra special. Customizing the colors or patterns based on the recipient’s taste is also a thoughtful touch. Can I use other types of fabric for a no-sew blanket? Fleece is recommended because it won’t fray, but some thick, non-fraying fabrics like felt might work, too. Just make sure the fabric is soft and comfortable, especially for a cozy blanket!

    A famous quote by Julia Child says, “A party without cake is just a meeting.” But in our house, we say, “A party without guacamole is simply not a party.” Our family loves guacamole. My little one has always love avocados since I introduced him to it. Now that he’s a bit more grown up, he enjoys his avocados in the form of a guacamole dip. But as moms out there know, one of the biggest dilemmas when cooking is that we sometimes have to create a baby version and an adult version of the same recipe. The guacamole that that my toddler loves is quite different from the one my husband prefers. The guacamole that we make at home is from the guacamole recipe my husband learned while working at a Mexican restaurant in the United States. Which is a mix of Pico de Gallo (chopped onions, tomatoes, and peppers, seasoned with cilantro) and an avocado purée, made separately and then combined, making it easy to customize the recipe for different people. Case in point, my toddler prefers eating the avocado purée on its own, while my husband needs to add in a bit more Pico de Gallo in his version of this guacamole recipe. And me? I’m happy either way, and eat a bit of everybody else’s. The one thing that my husband and son agrees on though is eating guacamole with nacho chips or fajitas. I, on the other hand, love to use it as a condiment for just about anything.   Let’s start making this super easy guacamole recipe.   Aside from chips you can also use your guacamole dip for fajitas. What You Need:  Pico de Gallo Tomato ½ Onion ½ Lime Chopped Jalapeño (Or other spicy pepper, to taste) Chopped Cilantro Salt to taste Guacamole 2 Large Avocadoes ¼ cup Pico de Gallo 1-2 cloves of Garlic, minced ½ lime Dash of Olive Oil Cumin, Salt, and more minced Jalapeño (to taste) How to Make Guacamole Start your guacamole recipe with Pico de Gallo. Chop the ingredients for your guacamole dip. STEP 1: First, prepare the Pico de Gallo. Chop the onion, tomato and pepper into small pieces. Make your simple guacamole special by adding Pico de Gallo. You can choose not to mix the Pico de Gallo with your guacamole and serve it on the side. STEP 2: Add the juice of half of a lime, some chopped cilantro and salt to taste. Set your Pico de Gallo aside. Your Pico de Gallo can be a dip separate to your guacamole. STEP 3: After preparing your Pico de Gallo, it’s time to prepare your guacamole. Start by cutting your avocados in half, remove the seed, and scoop out the avocado flesh into a bowl.Mash the avocado with the juice of half of a lime, the minced garlic, and a dash of olive oil. Make your guacamole dip more exciting with Pico de Gallo. Surprise your guests with this variation of guacamole. STEP 4: Add the Pico de Gallo, and the rest of the ingredients, to taste. Serve your guacamole with chips. I use guacamole on everything. I even put it on my hamburger. TIP: I couldn’t find jalapeño peppers here in my area of Spain, so I improvised a bit and used different type of pepper that’s similar in taste with the jalapeño for this guacamole recipe. Feel free to play around with this recipe. Don’t be afraid to customize your own dip with similar local ingredients. Using this guacamole recipe you can make a batch for your kid and one for your husband. Try these super cute serving bowls for your guacamole and pico! Do you want more easy recipes? Click on the links below for some of the easiest and tastiest recipes around: How To Weave Bacon For The Ultimate BLT How to Make Baked Potatoes Easy Homemade Ice Cream Recipe

A Texas woman faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for allegedly “smuggling rare Vietnamese chickens” into the United States. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, authorities took Jennifer Mayo into federal custody for “smuggling merchandise into the United States and illegal transfer of merchandise.” “According to the indictment, returned May 22, it is illegal to import poultry into the United States from regions where pathogenic avian influenza or Newcastle disease exist in commercial poultry populations unless specific conditions are met,” the press release read. “Mayo allegedly imported and brought into the United States Dong Tao Chicken eggs,” it added. “Authorities said they seized and euthanized the chickens due to their health,” KIII 3 News said in July. Jennifer Mayo of Aransas Pass turned herself in to authorities on June 27. Authorities said they seized and euthanized the chickens due to their health. https://t.co/hvSTsrMGii — KIII 3 News (@kiii3news) July 1, 2024 From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas: She is also charged with illegal importation and transfer of merchandise. Mayo allegedly facilitated the transportation and concealment of merchandise imported contrary to law – Dong Tao chicken eggs and hatchlings. The indictment also includes a notice of forfeiture for the chickens and eggs. As part of the investigation, authorities seized the chickens mentioned in the indictment. Due to their health, they had to be euthanized and are being held pending further investigation and evaluation. If convicted, Mayo faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. RedState writer Jeff Charles shared further details about Mayo’s story. “Meet Jennifer Mayo, a chicken farmer in South Texas who had her life turned upside down after armed federal agents raided her home over chicken eggs. Jennifer started with a handful of chickens and grew her business into a thriving operation featuring rare breeds like the Dong Tao. But after bringing eggs back from Vietnam—openly and with no objections at customs—her farm was raided by 40 armed agents. They killed her prized birds and shut down her farm,” Charles wrote. “Now, she’s facing federal charges that could result in a 20-year prison sentence. Jennifer says she’s innocent. ‘I believed I was following the rules. Customs let me through, and I assumed everything was fine.’ Her court-appointed attorney pressured her to take a plea deal without even giving her the discovery materials. He sprung the deal on her the day before she was required to sign it,” he added. Meet Jennifer Mayo, a chicken farmer in South Texas who had her life turned upside down after armed federal agents raided her home over chicken eggs. Jennifer started with a handful of chickens and grew her business into a thriving operation featuring rare breeds like the Dong… pic.twitter.com/0hmav2Ledl — Jeff Charles, Doni's St. Bernard (@jeffcharlesjr) November 23, 2024 Per RedState: Mayo’s ordeal began in 2023 when she traveled to Vietnam to visit her brother. During her trip, she purchased Dong Tao eggs from a government-operated farm. Confident that she had followed all of the rules, she brought the eggs back to the United States. She passed multiple customs inspections without an issue. “I told the lady [in Vietnam], ‘I’m taking these eggs to America if they let me,’ and she was like, ‘Oh, that’s great,’” Mayo recalled. Mayo went through customs in the Philippines on her way back to Texas. The eggs were inspected before she boarded the plane. “They searched through my bags. The guy said, ‘What kind of egg is this?’ And I said, ‘It’s chicken. Chicken eggs.’ He said, ‘Okay,’ and sent me on my way.” Mayo proceeded to LAX, where she planned to declare her possession of the eggs. “I get to LAX, still nothing… It was completely my intent to declare them,” she said, adding that she didn’t see a single customs agent as the airport was under construction. “What I had read on the website for customs was that it was at the discretion of the customs agent. So I was like, ‘If they let me through, they let me through. If they don’t, I had a wonderful experience on this trip,” she said. Excited about her purchase, Mayo told her friends on Facebook about the process. But the excitement would soon turn to horror. A team of heavily armed federal agents raided Mayo’s farm in July 2023. The officers also detained her tenants, placing them in handcuffs. “I refuse to stand by while the federal government tramples Jennifer Mayo’s rights. This small farmer turned her passion into a thriving business, only to have armed agents raid her home, destroy her livelihood, and kill her prized Dong Tao chickens—all over eggs she brought back openly through customs. Now, they want to throw her in prison for 20 years. With your support, we can help her fight back,” X user ‘DoniTheMisfit’ wrote. “We were successful at helping Jennifer withdraw her coerced guilty plea which exposed the incompetence of her court-appointed attorney. But the government isn’t backing down—they’re trying to force a pretrial on December 3rd and a jury trial on December 9th, rushing to convict her without giving her the fair chance every American deserves. She still doesn’t have her discovery and her court appointed attorney, again refused to give it to her,” she continued. “The government had no authority to raid her property, kill her animals, or destroy her business. What they’ve done is theft—plain and simple. Whether they’re using a badge or a courtroom, their actions violate the 4th, 5th, and 14th Amendments. This isn’t just about Jennifer; this is about the rights of every individual to own, use, and protect their property without fear of government overreach,” she added. I refuse to stand by while the federal government tramples Jennifer Mayo’s rights. This small farmer turned her passion into a thriving business, only to have armed agents raid her home, destroy her livelihood, and kill her prized Dong Tao chickens—all over eggs she brought… pic.twitter.com/QpMGO6r8EF — Doni (@DoniTheMisfit) November 23, 2024 “Mayo is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 23, 2025,” the Department of Homeland Security wrote. “Safeguarding American agriculture from biological threats is vital to our national security,” said HSI Houston acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Kurtz. “HSI is committed to working alongside our partners to prevent wildlife smuggling and the illegal importation of plants or animals that might be carrying invasive pests or diseases that could threaten our food supply,” Kurtz added. From Homeland Security Investigations: Vietnam and Cambodia are currently listed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the U.S. agency responsible for protecting U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and diseases, as regions affected with highly pathogenic avian influenza. APHIS has also not cleared Vietnam or Cambodia as being free from Virulent Newcastle disease, a highly contagious and fatal viral disease of birds and poultry that attacks their respiratory, nervous and digestive systems and is hard to detect. In the United States, it is illegal to import poultry from regions affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza or regions where Virulent Newcastle disease exist in commercial poultry populations, unless specific conditions are met. The investigation uncovered that Mayo illegally smuggled 60 Dong Tao chicken eggs into the United States from Vietnam and Cambodia in August 2023 and attempted to hatch them at her home in Ingleside. Mayo initially reported to law enforcement that all the animals that hatched had died. However, authorities conducted subsequent checks which revealed there were multiple live Dong Tao chickens on her property. Dong Tao chickens are a rare, expensive breed of chicken typical to southeast Asia. Originally from the village of Dong Tao in Vietnam, these chickens have very large legs as their identifying feature. Jeff Charles interviewed Jennifer Mayo on “A Fresh Perspective”:

Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University physician and economist, has reportedly emerged as the leading candidate to be the head of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya is known for criticizing the government’s COVID-19 response, specifically the decisions of former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony Fauci. “This signals a potential shift toward ‘focused protection’ policies over sweeping mandates. With an annual $48B budget, new NIH leadership could redefine U.S. health policy,” Mario Nawfal noted. TRUMP LEANS TOWARDS JAY BHATTACHARYA FOR N.I.H. Stanford professor Jay Bhattacharya, known for his criticism of COVID lockdowns and co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration, is reportedly Trump’s top choice for N.I.H. (National Institute of Health) director. This… pic.twitter.com/PcNuELVMti — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 24, 2024 Per Reuters: The Stanford-trained physician and economist met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Trump’s pick to lead HHS this week and impressed him with his ideas to overhaul NIH, the report said. Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Bhattacharya has called for shifting the agency’s focus toward funding more innovative research and reducing the influence of some of its longest-serving career officials, the report added. Trump picked Kennedy earlier this month to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States’ top health agency which oversees NIH and other health agencies. This would be amazing. Jay Bhattacharya would be a phenomenal Director of NIH.@RobertKennedyJr pic.twitter.com/NtQNS9PG86 — John Durant (@johndurant) November 17, 2024 DEVELOPING: @DrJBhattacharya Emerges as Top Contender for NIH Chief—The Stanford professor of Health Policy was a leading critic of government-imposed lockdowns and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.https://t.co/dn19lZZMc7 pic.twitter.com/lLDMTwlpk5 — Jan Jekielek (@JanJekielek) November 18, 2024 “The public did not know that there were prominent scientists that disagreed with the lockdown policies. They wanted to create an illusion of consensus,” Bhattacharya said. WATCH: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya: “The public did not know that there were prominent scientists that disagreed with the lockdown policies. They wanted to create an illusion of consensus!” pic.twitter.com/S8LjeMYu4N — Jan ? Jensen (@_Jan_Jensen) November 19, 2024 “Francis Collins, when I wrote the Great Barrington Declaration, which argued against lockdowns and in favor of focused protection for vulnerable older people in October 2020. You know we’re out with Martin Kulldorff and Sunetra Gupta at Harvard and Oxford, the head of the NIH, Francis Collins, wrote an email to Tony Fauci four days after we wrote the declaration calling for a devastating takedown of the premise of the declaration,” he explained. WATCH: During the Covid era, the government used the excuse of suppressing "misinformation" to suppress criticism of its misinformation. Dr Jay Bhattacharya @DrJBhattacharya, was demonized, suppressed, and shadow-banned [as revealed by the #twitterfiles].@gbdeclaration pic.twitter.com/wchJ07zNxj — Asher Press (@AsherPress) November 18, 2024 From the Washington Examiner: Bhattacharya has been a strong critic of the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, directing specific attention at Dr. Anthony Fauci, a former NIH official and head of the pandemic response before retiring at the end of 2022. Fauci has faced intense questioning from Republicans over the years, including most recently in the House this past summer. Bhattacharya also co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, a document that called for scaling down lockdown policies in favor of herd immunity for those less vulnerable to COVID-19, while still protecting those who are. According to his Stanford University page, he is a professor of both health policy and economics at Stanford, while also serving as a senior fellow for the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and director of the Center on the Demography and Economics of Health and Aging.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) released a statement announcing that three suspects have been arrested in connection to the death of Rabbi Zvi Kogan who had been missing for several days. 

Incoming First Lady Melania Trump has announced her longtime aide Hayley Harrison will be her chief of staff.

On Friday, a German government official said that Germany would inform the future U.S. administration of the damage that a “spiral of tariff hikes” would cause. This comes ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s participation in the Group of 20 leaders’ summit. “We will enter into very intensive discussions with our American partners to formulate ourselves […] The post Germany Is Very Afraid of US Tariffs appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

CNN Republican commentator Scott Jennings argued this weekend that President-elect Donald Trump is building an “ideologically diverse” Cabinet that reflects his 2024 election victory. During a panel on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, Jennings noted how Trump picked Russ Vought to return as director of the Office of Management and Budget and Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) to be the next labor secretary, among many others. “I think Trump is not getting enough credit here for building an ideologically diverse Cabinet,” Jennings said. “When you’ve got everybody from Russ Vought, who’s very conservative, all the way over to the pick for labor secretary — is a supporter of the PRO Act, and somehow Randi Weingarten is happy about it.” .@ScottJenningsKY: "I think Trump is not getting enough credit here for building an ideologically diverse Cabinet… and that's kind of how he won. His coalition was kind of ideologically diverse — that elected him." pic.twitter.com/lgxe57gy8x — Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 24, 2024 Jennings was referring to the “Protecting the Right to Organize Act,” a bill written to amend labor laws that passed the House, but did not get through the Senate, and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). “I mean, what he has done is — which makes me squeamish, to be candid,” Jennings said of Trump. “And so what he has done, though, is put together an ideologically diverse group of people to sit in a room and help run the government. And that’s kind of how he won. His coalition was kind of ideologically diverse that elected him.” CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE In the 2024 election victory that included winning all the swing states over Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump made gains among working-class voters, minority groups, and young people. And Republicans maintained control of the House and retook the Senate for the coming term. Over the past several weeks, Trump has picked a number of former Democrats who became disaffected with their old party to serve in top roles in his second administration. They include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been tapped to serve as Health and Human Services administrator, and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) to serve as Director of National Intelligence. He’s also picked Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State, now-former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and former Florida Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi for Attorney General after Matt Gaetz dropped out, among others.