Friday, October 23, 2015

Making it work

My dear husband ordered some pillows after watching an infomercial that are ridiculously long. I've had these red pillow cases for awhile and wanted to insert a strip with stitching in them, but was putting off having to measure how much to cut them down for the piece to fit while making it look right. But, with these new pillows, I actually needed that piece in there to make them fit. Win, win!

I started with the red pillow cases and some tan fabric.

 

I cut the hem off the pillow cases, cut out a strip of the tan fabric, and then put it all back together.


I stitched on each pillow case.


I really like the way they turned out and the way they look on the bed. Although, if I was doing them again, I would have actually traced some fancier letters on there instead of just winging it.

It makes me happy!!

Monday, August 17, 2015

Paper Dresses

I've been folding this style of origami dress for some time now. In the past I've used just old books or scrapbook paper.

I recently made these using an old children's music book.

 

I really like the bright designs and colors from the book. Since these came from the only book like it that I have, these are certainly one of a kind. 

Now, on to the rest of the pages.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Pumpkin Spice Granola


I've seen lots of granola recipes that I want to try and recently saw one that sounded delicious, but the only ingredient I had for it was the oats. *sigh*

I finally decided that it was time to just suck it up and make it up as I went along. Here's what I came up with, and it turned out pretty good. My kids even liked it!

Preheat oven to 350F.

I mixed the dry ingredients together.

1 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup pecans
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds 
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice


Then stir in the wet ingredients.

1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 maple syrup


Once everything is all mixed together, spread evenly on a cookie sheet with sides and bake for about 25 minutes. Be sure to give it a good stir about halfway through.



It will keep for about two weeks if stored in an airtight container.

This recipe had a good flavor with mild hints of spices. If you would like a stronger flavor, increase the cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice accordingly.

This has actually given me the courage to venture into coming up with other combinations too. I'll let you know if any of those turn out as tasty.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Easter Pillow


I recently finished this cute little Easter pillow.



I got the kit from Sharon at Daisy Cottage Quilting. I don't know if she still has kits or the pattern available, but I know she has (maybe had by now) a finished one in her Etsy shop. She always has some of the cutest stuff. Go check it out.....and then drop by my shop and browse a little too.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Another one done

I finished another of the Annie squares I have been working on.


Yes, it is part of a block of the month that I was doing. Yes, it's been forever ago since I started it. Seriously, though, how can I not manage to complete one block in a month?! That's just crazy.

Anyway, I was looking through stuff and realized that I only need to complete one more! I've already started it, so I may actually be able to finish this before the end of the year. (Don't want to stress myself with some strict deadline. Ha!)

Friday, May 29, 2015

Finally a finish

Do you ever feel like it's been forever since you finished something? Even if it hasn't? I certainly do.

I made myself a commitment that I wouldn't buy anything more until I finished some of the tons of things I have around here already. So, I've been busy working on just that.

I recently finished this cute runner.




(Couldn't get it all in one picture.)

To hold my binding down while I stitched it, I used these cute little tiny clothes pins.



It wasn't what I bought them for. But, hey, necessity is the mother of invention.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Brand new bag



Mama's got a brand new bag.  I made it myself but that makes it better. Right?

Here it is in the process of being made....




How to finish it? Decisions, decisions.


I'm happy with the final product.



I used the this pattern. It's really easy to follow and makes a cute bag.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Easter baskets

This year I made these cute little Easter baskets.


I just taped four boxes of candy together in a square. I taped cardboard to the bottom and a taffy handle on. Then, just fill them like you would any other basket.

I saw it on Pinterest and had to give it a shot. I thought they turned out pretty cute and the kids liked them.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Easter Goodies

Just finished this cute cat toy order.





It's made with brown felt and in addition to the stuffing, it also has catnip in it. They're so cute when they're all packaged and ready to go.

And yes, I send them in an actual chocolate Easter Bunny candy box. It drives my kids crazy because I make them carefully open their Easter candy so I can have the packaging.

But it's all for a good cause, right?

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Upcycled pin cushion


 How cute is this tiny little pin cushion?






It's only about 2 inches tall by 3 inches wide. 

I used a little cup that I filled with ground walnut shells (to help sharpen pins) and glued a little puff filled with fiber fill. I lined under the fabric with a piece of felt to help hold the pins in place.

I just can't get over how cute it turned out! I've got several more little containers to work with and can't wait to see how they turn out. 

Friday, February 20, 2015

New soap dispenser


I do love a quick and easy project!

BEFORE:


AFTER:


All done.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

A quick Valentine



I've been busy today making these hearts.


How cute is that? It's a tiny little heart, only about an inch. And the best part is,.,,,it's so quick and easy!!

You can find the instructions here.

Now go make some!!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Recycling I like

I know that most often when people talk of recycling, it's just aloud putting your stuff into the correct bin and assuming that it's being taken off to be torn down and the reused. I prefer taking something I have and making it into something new myself. That way I know what happened to it.

One of my kids had received a nylon backpack at a music festival that she participated in. It's not the kind if thing that she was going to use. So, after it sat around here for eons, I finally decided to so something with it.

I gathered up material in coordinating blues.....


Cut my fabrics into a bunch of strips which which I then gathered and sewed onto my backpack in layers. To make this easy, I advise that you start at the bottom and work your way to the top.

Here's the finished product...



I am pretty happy with the outcome. That's the way I like to recycle. It's much prettier than it started out being.