TVdesigns

Heart Garland

2012-01-31T17:28:00.000-06:00

Here's another quick project that I did.

I just took some scrapbook paper and glued two sheets together so that I had a pattern on both sides of my heart. (If I had been willing to make a trip to the craft store, I could have bought a single sheet of double sided paper.)

Anyway, I made this using my newly formed double sided paper and it only took one 12 X 12 sheet to make all of those hearts. I just cut the paper into strips about an inch wide. I didn't do any kind of exact measuring.

Then I folded the strips in half to make the point on the heart.

After that I just folded them in towards the center and glued the two sides together in the middle to make the heart shape.

Once they had all dried I hot glued them together and just used my string to hang them on either side and across the middle. Here's a close-up:

I like the way it turned out, but I think there needs to be more stuff up there to keep them company. Don't you?

Quick Crafting

2012-01-23T13:46:00.000-06:00

I just love things that come together quickly and are easy to make. Don't you? It's like instant gratification and that's often hard to find in the crafting world. At least in my crafting world anyway. lol

Anyway, I made this over the weekend.

Okay, it wasn't over the WHOLE weekend.

It was over about 5 minutes of the weekend.

And most of that time was spent trying to find where I put the scrabble letters. LOL

But I think my little cross stitch bunny is happy with it. :0)

Family Tree

2012-01-18T11:07:00.000-06:00

....well sort of a family tree.

I made this awhile back for my brother and sister-in-law. They celebrated their 25th anniversary in October. I wanted to give them something personal, but didn't want it to have the '25th Anniversary' on it because I knew they would get plenty of that.

So here's what I came up with.

I stitched their daughters' names on the leaves.

I left it in the hoop to hang as is, but I put fabric on the back to cover my stitching.

I hope they like it. (I forgot to take it with us when we went to their party. They were also at our house to celebrate Christmas and I forgot to give it to them then too. Think I need to put it in the mail? lol)

I'm hoping to get a family tree made for myself too. Although, I have something different in mind for mine.

T-Shirts

2012-01-17T14:57:00.001-06:00

I recently completed an order for three t-shirts with the names on them.

One of them was for a little girl which is what I usually do so no big deal. I could use the loopy cursive letters which flow easily from one to the next.

But the other two were for little boys. So this time I decided to use letters that were more blocked and hopefully a little more masculine looking.

I also opted for fabric with bugs on it (even if they are happy, colorful, little bugs.)

Here's a closer look....

I thought it turned out pretty cute. I hope they like them too.

School Projects

2012-01-12T14:52:00.000-06:00

The last several evening have been consumed with projects for the kids' Texas History classes.

They had a list of people that they could make some type of project that related to that person or a landmark.

Here's what they came up with. I'll add here that we've been through a WHOLE lot of clay at our house in the last week.

Wyatt made the Alamo.

It was made with clay that was rolled out to about 1/4" thickness. A dishcloth was used to get the texture. He used a toothpick to make lines for the different bricks (he forgot to on this front piece because he was too worried about the windows.) The clay curved a bit on the front piece and when he was dry brushing the color on (try explaining dry brushing to a 13 year old boy.....OY!) the bottom broke. I cut out a piece of cardboard and glued the front piece onto it. Thankfully he said it held long enough for him to turn his project in. lol

Kirsten did a sculpture of the Angel of Goliad.

I baked the clay for about an hour - even though it's air dry clay - but it was getting late and she needed to paint it. It will probably take at least a week for it to really be dry. lol When she was painting it she remembered that she had wanted to make wings and a halo. Crap!! So I looked around and remembered we had a bag of feathers and were able to find two white ones that were close in size. I pulled the halo off of one of my Christmas decorations. lol

Addison made Davey Crockett's fiddle (at least I think that's who's it is.) She cut it out of styrofoam. Boy does that make a mess!! Anyway, the top and sides are just wood grain scrapbook paper. And she used thumb tacks to hold the strings in place.

Abigail used a piece of the paper that I had tea stained for an earlier project they did. She made the quill pen and ink jar out of clay. I forgot who's items these were. She actually looked up letters that her person had written and wrote the first sentence or two on the paper.

Overall I think they did a pretty good job. They said that theirs looked better than most of the projects that they had seen at that point. Wyatt was very upset with his Alamo because of where it broke until he got to school and saw some of the others. He said that his was way better than what he saw already turned in. I hope they get good grades because they really did work hard on them.

Maybe now I can get back to things that I actually think are fun. lol

Holiday Baking......

2012-01-06T15:13:00.000-06:00

Every year I make a ton of cookies that get delivered to some of our regular clients that we work with monthly throughout the year.

This year was now exception.

The kids look forward to it each year because they get to sample the trial runs on all of the recipes that I pick out and then narrow down.

This year I made a wide variety (as usual) but these are the only ones I took a picture of:

They are Rolo Turtles and the recipe can be found on this blog.

I also made:

Girl Scout Samoa Bar Cookies

Sugar Cookies that stay soft and are frosted

Grandma's Old Fashioned Tea Cakes

Gooey Butter Cookies (I can't for the life of me find the blog I followed the recipe from.

There were Cherry Bombs which is a recipe that came from 'The Sugar Cookie Murders' book (I think.) Have you read any of those books? They are murder mysteries but the lady that helps figure them out owns a cookie shop so there is much mention of food and recipes scattered throughout. It's a kick!

And last but not least, I took a tube of sugar cookie dough and rolled it out between two sheets of wax paper, and did the same with a tube of gingerbread cookie dough. Then I laid one on top to the other (without the was paper, duh) and rolled that into a tube -- rolling from the long side towards the opposite long side (hope that makes sense.) Then you slice them and bake and have pinwheel-like cookies.

They were all pretty good and much appreciated by the clients.

For us at home I also made these Crack-tastic Crackers. If you haven't made them, go do it now!! They are delicious and more than a little addicting. Everyone that tasted them like them and kept going back for more. I think I may make some more tonight since there won't be as many people at my house......then I won't have to share as many. LOL

The nails have it.....

2012-01-04T10:06:00.000-06:00

Last summer while the kids were staying with my parents, their Grandma took them for pedicures.

They haven't been the same since!! lol

They were able to get their toes done with a cute design and now they thing that's the only way to go. They are always trying to do their fingers too.

During Christmas break from school, Abigail did sock monkey Santas on her thumbs.

I thought they turned out pretty cute. Currently she has pink nails with black paw prints and Kirsten is sporting little penguins on her nails.

I've been really impressed with the work they've done. I can't manage to do a decent job just painting my nails much less trying to make a pattern. lol

Welcome 2012

2012-01-03T13:37:00.000-06:00

It's a new year, and with that comes a flood of new ideas and new commitments that many of us make to ourselves. Since I'm usually terrible at keeping new year's resolutions, I've really enjoyed the trend of just picking a word that describes where you would like to focus your attention for the year. Last year I chose 'thrift' as that word (as it applied to my crafting mostly.) I think I did pretty well with using things that I already had on hand instead of always buying a whole bunch of new stuff every time I wanted to try something.

For my goal in other personal interests and activities last year, I chose

I've decided to stick with that word again, but this time across the board. I found that it really does release me from a lot of the stress that past resolutions have caused. I mean, think about it....how hard is it really to do at least one thing better during the year? I don't narrow it down any more than that because the possibilities on ways to improve are endless, I tell ya.

Last year, I did better about keeping the house cleaner (although at the moment it looks like a bomb went off, but that will get back in shape now that the kids are back in school.) Dax & I worked out last year and completed the whole Insanity program, I lost the 10 pounds I had hoped to, I got into the habit of flossing my teeth daily (no more fibbing to the dentist that I was really consistent about it) I made more and more foods at home instead of buying them pre-made, and I did some de-cluttering (and have miles and miles to go my friend.)

Just look at all the things that I did 'better' at last year!! How in the world could I end the year disappointed with myself about my resolutions? My hopes are that this year the continued improvements and building on the things that I did last year will show a noticeable difference.

How about you? What did you decide?

Ornaments as gifts

2011-12-27T17:04:00.000-06:00

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, or other holiday that you may celebrate. I just love the times that family gets together because we have such a good time.

I made these ornaments for my mother-in-law. She loves things that are made with the kids' hand prints on them. I started doing it when they were little and since they just turned 13, I'm starting to run low on ideas that will still work.

When I say I'm running low on ideas on the hand print gifts I am totally serious. We have done everything I could think of on my own....reindeer with hand print antlers, hand print Christmas wreath, footprint fish, footprint ghosts, to name a few. It's been so hard to think of new things that when they were still little I put paint on their little butts and sat them on a t-shirt and turned those prints into butt-erflies. LOL Thank goodness for other crafters out there to keep me going with this. I wonder how much longer I can get my kids to still participate in this madness. HA!

Anyway, thank goodness for pinterest! ....which is where I saw the idea for these.

This is a Rudolph ornament made with a thumb print.

And these are snowmen ornaments made with three fingers. Their hands are too big now to do it any differently -- unless, of course, if I had bought giant ornaments for them to do these on. lol

I also made her a set of coasters but didn't get a picture taken of them before they got wrapped up. Then I forgot to do it after presents were opened. But, picture this: I used tumbled marble tiles from Lowe's that were about 4" X 4". I printed out a variety of pictures of the grand kids (both our kids and Dax's sister's kids). Using mod podge I glued them to the tiles. The pictures didn't take up the whole tile but I mod podge-ed the whole tile so that it would all be sealed good. I think I went over the top of the pictures with the mod podge three times to be sure to get them well attached and well sealed. I hope that putting a drink on them won't mess them up. (fingers crossed). But, my mother-in-law liked them. She couldn't wait to take them to work and show them off!

Just In Time

2011-12-19T10:52:00.000-06:00

I had made this wreath weekend before last. However, I was too lazy to go and dig through my ribbon so that I could hang it.

Well, since we had family coming over the weekend I finally got around to finishing it on Saturday morning. I mean, I wouldn't want the Christmas decorations up too early. LOL

I just love these wreaths made with the ornaments but I'm too ~~cheap~~ frugal to buy one. I bought these ornaments a couple of years ago after Christmas when they were on sale for about $1 a box. I've had them just sitting around waiting for me to do this, but the last time I tried, the ornaments kept falling off.

I saw a tutorial somewhere (I can't for the life of me remember where) that showed stringing the ornaments on an old coat hanger that had been made into a circle. Could it get any easier than that?!

I hot glued the tops onto all of the ornaments and let them set before I strung them onto the coat hanger. Seriously, that took longer than anything else.

I wish I had known this two years ago when I bought these things. I could have had this wreath a long time ago!!

Oh, and here's a little lesson that I learned along the way. It might save you some drama. Either do this with your wreath laying flat on some surface or attach one side to something to hold it up if you want it up. My ornaments are the thin, breakable ones. I let one of them drop too quickly and it broke when it hit the other ornaments. One of my daughters was at my feet sweeping up that mess when I dropped one side of the hanger and about 10 ornaments fell on and around her. We have cement floors so you can imagine the shattering of ornaments that was going on around the two of us. 8-) Lesson learned!

Pancake Balls

2011-12-12T10:21:00.000-06:00

I've done it again. I've managed to go ages without posting. Shame on me!!! In my (slight) defense, though, Dax and I were out of town for 9 or 10 days. Does that count? lol

Anyway, I have lots of things in the works, but nothing finished quite yet......and honestly, I'm running out of time to get some of them finished. (read: Christmas gift giving panic is setting in!!!)

But, aside from that, there was this going on.

For their birthday, the kids got gift cards to Target. While Dax & I were gone, my parents took them to spend their gift cards. Addison got one of these:

It's a cake ball maker. She's made lots of brownie balls and they're great.

Here's a little secret.....if you don't cook them quite as long as the instructions say and leave them a little gooey in the middle, they're like molten lava cakes! Heaven!!

Anyway, the other morning I decided to make banana pancakes because I had bananas that needed to be used but didn't have time for banana muffins. I had seen these banana bread pancakes and decided to give them a try.

And, just to make it completely different, I cooked them in Addison's cake ball maker.

I put a few in a bowl and drizzled syrup over them.

The kids thought they were great, and a little fun since they were in a different shape.

Furniture re-make

2011-11-22T10:33:00.000-06:00

I know I haven't been very busy here on my blog, but I have been busy. :0)

My daughter has furniture in her room that belonged to my great-grandmother. It wasn't some beautiful furniture that left any fear of messing up the original finish. As a matter of fact, it had mis-matched fronts on the drawers which leads me to believe that maybe as things fell apart, two pieces were blended into one to make do.

So, I've painted a primer coat of white on everything. Then I painted the front of all of the drawers with brown chalk board paint. (She loves that!)

I had bought some drawer pulls but then decided that I just didn't really like them.

Of course, I didn't decide that until after I had filled in the holes from the original pulls and sanded everything down. Then (much later) when I decided I didn't like it, I had Dax come drill out all the holes I had filled in. LOL Figures, right?

Anyway, I had seen somewhere where they had just used fabric strips for the drawer pulls so that's what I did. I like the way it turned out and fortunately Abigail likes them too.

I also used some of the fabric to recover the chair at her desk. It's just a cheap little chair, but it's serving it's purpose right now. :0)

Now, I just need to order the paint and paint the desk and dresser. Oh, and she has a big wicker chair that needs to be painted too. It's starting to come together nicely and she's so happy with it that she's actually keeping her room clean so that she can enjoy it. Win-Winn!!

Recycled crayons

2011-11-15T10:54:00.000-06:00

Well, first things first.

Since I only had one entry for the My Memory Suites give away, Libbie is our winner. Congratulations!! You're going to have a lot of fun with this software. It's addicting.

I had seen a picture of this, but didn't have any of the instructions to go with it, so I was just winging it.

I dug out our tub of old crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc. The girls and I pulled out most of the old and broken crayons, peeled the paper off, and broke them into small pieces.

I had bought two different silicone molds at Target in the dollar section (although they were more than a dollar lol) to use. One was a gingerbread man and the other a Christmas tree.

I decided that I wanted my recycled crayons to be thick so that they wouldn't break easily with little hands trying to color with them. So we filled the molds to the top.

We had to refill that little yellow bowl several times to get all the molds full.

I put them in a preheated oven at 225F. I really don't know how long they were in there because I got started cleaning the dinner dishes and forgot about them. lol I remembered when we were able to smell the wax.

This is how they looked when they came out.

The wax mixed together a little more when I was taking them out just from the movement.

And here's the final products.

I'm happy with the way they turned out. I had to make a second batch because my girls took off with most of the first one. I'm going to send one of each shape along with a Christmas coloring book to my nieces and nephew.

Some things I learned.....

The cheap crayons are easier to peel.

But, some of the cheap crayons won't melt well. There were a few green crayons that didn't melt no matter how long I left them in there.

A shorter melting time would probably keep the colors from mixing together quite so much.

The smaller the crayon gets, the harder it is to break.

It was a fun project for the kids and I to do together and now I've used up almost all of the old, yucky, broken crayons.

How about a give away?

2011-11-08T12:09:00.000-06:00

Have you tried My Memories, yet?

It's scrapbook software that you down load to your own computer. There are all kinds possibilities with this software.

I tried it out and in just a few minutes was able to put together a banner for my blog.

The only thing I came up with were the pictures and the layout. All of the other elements are part of the My Memories Suite package.

There are standard layouts that you can start with, or you can start with a blank page and build it any way you want.

Pretty cute stuff, huh?

I don't even do scrap booking and I'm pretty in love with this program. Just think of all the things you could do. You can design your own Christmas cards, make personalized cards for any occasion, postcards, bookmarks, business cards, and on and on. Any of those things can be totally and completely your design and you can do it so easily.

And seriously, I've only pointed out a few ideas for things to print onto paper. You can put it all together and have your own album printed professionally, or a calendar made (great holiday gift giving!!) But, they also have options for putting things together as a movie, burning dvd's, and even an option that says 'iPod ready' (haven't tried that yet, but I am curious.)

I swear I'm getting giddy with all of the new ideas that are popping into my head as I type this. I'm so far behind on all the other things I've got going on, the last thing I need is another distraction, but I'm going to have to spend some more time playing with this.

So, the folks at My Memories have been kind enough to let me give away one of their My Memories Suite packages. How great is that? Now one of you can have as much fun as me putting together all kinds of things.

Leave me a comment telling me your favorite layout between now and midnight November 14th and I'll draw a winner on November 15th. How much easier can it get?

If you get over there and decide that you can't wait for the drawing, or don't want to take your chances with not winning you can visit My Memories and use the code STMMS18654 in the coupon code for $10 off of the scrap booking software AND $10 off in the My Memories Store. An awesome deal either way you look at it!!

New to Old

2011-11-02T09:36:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how quickly time passes. I feel like we're busy about 20 hours a day every day......even though I know that's not true. The kids' activities keep us so busy and I've gotten sick once again. I really think it all came on because of the stress brought on for me in having a parent, teacher, principal, counselor conference at the school. I don't do conflict and confrontation well so this was a huge stressor for me.

Anyway, the kids are studying the Salem Witch Trial at school and have a project due. Two of them are making diaries and two of them are making photo albums.

Soooooo, I spent the weekend making copy paper look old and worn.

I first tried using tea but that really didn't make things stained enough. So I decided to go with coffee. I was going to use regular brew coffee but then decided to go with instant coffee so that I could darken it easily and to my liking.

Here's what I came out with.

I put the coffee into a 13X9 pan and just ran the paper through it. Then I put it on cookie sheets and dried it in the oven which was set at 200 F. They kids were thrilled with it and that's really all that matters. Right?

Homecoming

2011-10-21T11:22:00.001-05:00

Things haven't even thought about slowing down around here. If I had known it would be this busy I would have had kids when I was younger and had more energy. lol As crazy as it was when they were babies, I never would have thought it would get more hectic as they got older. To add to the insanity, Wyatt has been released to start physical therapy three days a week. No worries here about having too much time on our hands and getting bored. lol

This week is homecoming week at school so I made mums for the girls to wear. I was able to make all three mums for less than one would have cost if I had ordered them. That's just crazy!!

Here's Kirsten with hers.

(That's Abigail peaking around her and Addison in the background.)

There are several ribbons that they all have in common and then they each got ribbons that are specific to them. Like Addison got soccer and Abigail got band. Kirsten loves peace signs to there is one hanging from her mum. I was kidding her because there is also some ribbon with hearts on it that she picked out as well as a silver football. So I guess her mum stands for peace, love and football? They don't think I'm so funny. lol

Good Food

2011-10-04T13:48:00.000-05:00

It's been super busy around here which is predictable once school starts back up.

Addison is busy with soccer 3-4 days per week.

Addison and Abigail both have cheer leading at least 2 days per week.

We just signed Addison up with Kumon because she's needing some help in math and that's another 2 days per week.

If we throw in working, orthodontist appointments, and now doctors appointments since Wyatt dislocated his knee, that pushes us almost into overload.

However, I have been crafting in my spare moments as I find them. They mostly come while I'm in the car waiting for someone to their current activity. lol

The other morning I did make these s'mores crescents.

I saw a picture on pinterest and decided I could probably figure it out on my own.

(btw, is anyone else as addicted to pinterest as I am? It's an obsession, people!!)

I just took crescent rolls and places a few mini marshmallows and a few chocolate chips on top.

I rolled them up (it helps to fold the sides in after the first roll--rumor has it that the gooey stuff can leak out and make a mess--not that I would know from experience) and cooked them just a minute or two longer than the directions on the package.

I guess they tasted alright since the kids ate them all and I didn't even get to try one. But I'll take those types of critiques any day.

Another one bites the dust.....

2011-09-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Another UFO, that is.

I had started this scarf a long time ago. And I do mean long. I was using plastic circular knitting needles to do it and because I stitch so tightly, I broke one of the needles, so I just left the scarf sitting. And sitting. And sitting.

Last weekend I was looking for something else when I stumbled upon it again.

After looking at it for a bit and wondering why the pattern wasn't still with it, I decided that it really was long enough just like it was.

Since I was in the middle of a row when my needle broke, I just pulled those stitches off. Then I finished off that edge, added some fringe, and called it done.

Now I just need for it to get cold enough to be able to wear it. It's made with a cotton yarn and is super soft. And, of course, all three girls are arguing over who gets it and the answer is Me. lol

It always feels so good to get something finished that has been sitting there waiting for so long. Although, I also feel foolish for letting sit there for so long when I could have just finished it way back when. Oh well, it's done, right?

Quick Refasion

2011-09-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

When I was just looking through Craft Gossip (which I often do) I came across a great tutorial for turning a hoodie into a cardigan. Of course I clicked over to check it out.

The tutorial for it is at Coca Cola Island (you can go directly to it here) and it really is super easy.

I asked the girls for one of their hoodies that they didn't wear too much anymore and Abigail was the only one willing to take the chance.

I didn't think to take a before picture, but it was just a hoodie. :0)

I also didn't print out the tutorial and my computer at home is sick with a nasty virus so I can't use it. I had read through the tutorial and had to go by memory and I still managed to do alright.

(I couln't get her to put down the popsicle or change out of her pajamas for the photo shoot. LOL)

She's pretty happy with it. At least that's what I'm assuming since she's already worn it to school. That makes me happy. And really, it doesn't take long at all.

I think the only thing I really did differently than the tutorial said was that I didn't 'cut' the zipper out, I used my seam ripper and took it out to keep the nice edge that was already in place and to save the zipper. Win - win!

Penny Mat 2

2011-09-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

I finished my second penny mat from my mat of the month club (yes, that means I'm behind.....as usual) from Homestead Hearth.

I'm glad I got this one finished in time for fall!!

I'm really loving these because they work up so quickly. And honestly, it's nice repetative work that doesn't require too terribly much thought. Sometimes I just need that. *grin*

What next?

2011-09-19T08:00:00.001-05:00

I posted before that I was going to participate in the stitch-along for Halloween at Feeling Stitchy and I've actually done it.

Woo-hoo!

I decided to use the crayon technique again and then just outlined it with 2 strands of black thread.

I thought it came out pretty cute. And, certainly, using the crayons to fill in makes it a super fast project.

Now I don't know what else to do with it. I can't decided on framing, adding a fabric border to make a quilted wall hanging, or even using it as a table decoration or maybe even a pillow. See? Too many options.

What do you think?

How cute are these?

2011-09-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

I was browsing through some of the things on Etsy (I just love that place) and came across these.

Are those the cutest things ever, or what?

They are sold in this shop.

I don't even know how much they cost, what else she has in her shop, or anything else. lol I just saw them, thought they were adorable, and had to share.

I only wish I knew anyone that was still having babies!!

It's the little things.....

2011-09-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

Do you find that sometimes the silliest little things can make you just giddy?

That's what happened when I saw this cute little whisk.

Can you see the little hearts?

And it's small.....maybe 6 inches long? I just think it's adorable.

Of course all three of my girls think it's super cute too. It's my son and my husband that think I'm nuts. LOL

But, hey, if a $1 purchase can thrill me then that should make every one's life easier, right? How about you? Do you get giddy over silly little things like this?

Quick finish

2011-09-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

I promise that I really am working on things, even if it has been a little slow here on the blog.

I had a few orders from whoopdwhoop that I had to get done. One of them was for felt bow-tie pasta and the other was for the name shirts that I make.

Here's a picture of the shirt.

She was hoping for a dark purple shirt but would be happy with white if I couldn't find one. Obviously I couldn't find one. And I would have thought that would be easy since the local high school's colors are purple and white. I was clearly wrong!! I went to just about every store in town and couldn't find a dark purple shirt. I'm sure the one store I didn't go to has an overstock of them and has marked them down to clearance prices. lol

For the love of cookies

2011-09-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

...and easy cookies are even better!!

I bake cookies every morning to put in my children's lunches. They each get two cookies so one batch of dough will last for the week.

If I made all of the cookies at once, there wouldn't be any left by day 2!!

I know I've posted about the recipe using a cake mix before (one box cake mix, 1/2 cup oil, and 2 eggs--that's it!!) but they're sooooo versatile that I couldn't help bring it up again.

For these I used a red velvet cake mix and white chocolate chips.

Talk about good!!

New bracelet

2011-09-05T12:30:00.000-05:00

I made this cute bracelet in a jiffy to wear at Addison's soccer tournament this weekend.

It's made from a strip of fabric cut from an old t-shirt and some pony beads. And when I say quick, I mean it. It took longer to string the beads than it did to crochet the bracelet. lol

You can see the tute for it over at The Stuff of Success.

She knotted hers together at the ends but I just left mine so that I could tie it in a bow when I wear it.

And, although it did look super cute and I got lots of complements, it didn't bring Addison's team any luck on the field. They lost all three games. As a matter of fact, they didn't even manage to score once over the weekend. *sigh*

Something else....

2011-09-02T14:48:00.000-05:00

I've decided to participate in a stitch along over at Feeling Stitchy (like I need something else on my 'to do' list.)

But I can't help myself!! Look how cute this pattern is:

Click on over to her site and download the free pattern and join in!!

Mug set

2011-08-31T08:00:00.001-05:00

I made the mug mat for this set quite some time ago. It's part of a craft pay-it-forward that I decided to participate in at the beginning of the year. But after I got the mat finished I didn't know what else to make to go with it.

Why it took me so long to think of making a cozy with more fabric from that collection, I may never know. I guess things just come to me sloooowwwwly sometimes. lol I mean, it's not like I haven't read a lot of blogs with lots of people making these. It just didn't click for me.

But once it did finally click, it only took about 30 minutes to knock this one out.

I love this button. It's from a tin of really old buttons from an estate sale that a friend of mine bought for me.

I didn't have any coordinating elastic so I dug around a little. I had these little strips that I had cut from an old pair of my girls' tights (I use them to twist their hair up to curl it) and decided it would be perfect. It's got plenty of stretch but is nice and soft too.

Here's the mat, again.

And the set together.

I'm putting it in the mail today. I hope she likes it!!

Jewelry Making

2011-08-22T10:56:00.000-05:00

Abigail spent a majority of her time this weekend making pendants and earrings.

She had requested that I buy her some clay (which I did) and she got to work as soon as I got home with it.

Here are just a FEW of the many things she made.

Dreamsicle

from the side

Fortune Cookies

Hot Dog

Chocolate pie earrings

Cake pendant with slices earrings

and these truffle pendant and earrings were my favorite.

I'm just blown away by her ability to see something and be able to reproduce it. Or, more impressively, to be able to visualize what she wants and then make it. I don't generally have that ability. I need a lot of helps along the way. lol She totally gets this talent from my Dad. Wish it hadn't skipped right over me. lol

Tried something new

2011-08-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Last week at We Love French Knots she had a guest post from Wendi Gratz at Shiny Happy World. Well, Wendi had included a coupon to get one of her patterns for free for a limited time. It was adorable and I thought it a perfect fit for one of my ongoing projects.

A little background. My girls' bathroom is painted in an awfully bright pink. Right now it has a lot of butterflies around but I've decided to re-do it. I'm doing things slowly as my budget allows. I decided to go with a retro theme. I'm using the 50's Barbie silhouette. You know, the one with her hair in a ponytail. And the stylized black cat silhouette from the same time period. I bought new throw rugs when they were on sale awhile back along with a few other things. (Ah, the lengths that I will go to just so I don't have to repaint. lol)

I guess now the colors will be the same bright pink but with black and white accents this time around.

So, here's that pattern that I stitched up (in a single afternoon, mind you!)

It's actually stitched on white but it glared too much in my picture with enough light on it to make it look white.

The pattern is called Betty's Beehive. Isn't it just adorable?!

The something new that I tried is the coloring. I had never done it before. My colors are much more intense than I had planned. I had read that you should color it darker than what you want the finished product to be, because a lot of the color will come out when you use the iron to set it. Well, almost none of my color came out. lol I don't know if it was because I was using twist up crayons instead of traditional crayons. But, regardless, I'm thrilled with how it came out.

Now I'm just trying to decide how to finish it off - like frame it, add a fabric border and hang it as is, etc. The girls love it too and can't wait to have their bathroom re-styled.

Birthday Gifts

2011-08-17T08:00:00.001-05:00

My birthday was weekend before last. It was a 'take it easy' kind of day. That's what I asked for. lol With everything else that goes on and needs to be taken care of, those kinds of days don't come around often enough.

Anyway, two of the girls made gifts for me.

Kirsten drew this Snoopy for me because she knows how much I love Snoopy.

Isn't it cute?

Abigail made this little t.v. for me.

Get it? Since my initials are T.V. that's why it says I 'heart' T.V. And that cute little girl is her.

ABC's

2011-08-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

It's not that I haven't been doing anything, I just haven't been finishing anything. lol

That's what happens when you work on something bigger.

At the moment, I'm busy learning my ABC's....

I'm loving these blocks!!

Last minute gifts

2011-08-11T16:00:00.002-05:00

Two of my girls are cheerleaders for the school year that's just around the corner. If I make it through the whole year without doing harm to their cheer coach it will likely be a miracle. I've already been somewhere past livid with her and the year hasn't even started. Lord help me!

No, really, I mean that. I'm going to need help.

Okay, back to the point of this post. When I picked the girls up from practice yesterday afternoon they informed me that they needed gifts for their 'big sisters' for today.

Seriously? (Don't get me started again!)

Now, you need to know that I live kind of out of town of a small town. The next town is about 25 miles away. My gift choices here in town are the dollar store, the grocery store, hardware store, or feed store. Not many options right here for gifts a teenage girl might want. I didn't have the time, energy, or gas money to head all the way back into the bigger town again. The cheer coach's suggestion is always candy, but Addison's big sister is seriously ill and can't have the sugar right now so that wasn't even an option.

The girls threw out a lot of different ideas so we settled on these.

For Abigail's big sis I made a bracelet and a pouch to put it in.

I had a Diet Rite can for this bracelet. Fortunately I already had the bracelet part made. I had another project in mind for it that didn't work out the way I had hoped so it was a quick project for this. All I had to do was make the charms and put them on there.

Then I made her this little pouch to put it in.

The picture does not do this fabric justice. It is a whole lot brighter than this. Think 70's psychedelic. Abigail picked it out of a bunch of scraps I had.

Addison decided to go with a pillow made from a tie dye t-shirt that I had in with my stash.

I thought the pillow was too plain when I got it finished so I cut two little scraps of fabric. On the top piece I put her name with a paint marker then used black thread to stitch it to the other piece. I sewed them onto the pillow with my stitch hidden under the the top piece and left the raw edges out. Addison put a little bottle of hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works in a carrier and tied it around the pillow. Lizzie can't be around germs any more than absolutely necessary so Addison thought that good smelling sanitizer was called for.

I finished the two projects somewhere around midnight. I left the dishes in the sink so that these could get done. Wonder if anyone else did those for me today!

I hope the girls liked their gifts.

Insanity Update

2011-08-08T11:42:00.000-05:00

We've been doing the Insanity workouts now for 5 weeks.

I have to say that I'm a little disappointed.

I've only lost a couple of pounds. I know that's better than gaining so I do try to look at the bright side there.

I do feel better after the workouts are over (read I don't feel like I'm going to pass out and die anymore) but this week we move up to a harder level.

Dax has done some research and found that for people who didn't have a lot of weight to lose (we're both hoping for around 10 pounds) that they didn't notice a difference until they got to this second level.

I hope that's true because this has been an awful lot of hard work for pants to just be tighter across my butt!!

Fortunately, we aren't doing measurements today because Dax is out of town. It's a good thing because my birthday was Saturday and it was our no diet day. We had Mexican food, cookies, and ice cream!! I don't want to know what kind of damage that might have done. But, we only have 2 no diet days a month. It's really the only thing that keeps me doing this. If I thought I would never get to have foods that I love again, I wouldn't be able to do this long term.

Wish me luck on the new workouts coming up. Dax gets back tomorrow night. Depending on the time we'll either start these on Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm a little scared because the first part is hard enough!

Another one done

2011-08-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

I finished my 9th block in the Annie BOM from Daisy Cottage Quilting.

I couldn't get a good picture to save my life. Maybe I'll try again and replace this one.

It doesn't show up very well, but I used french knots to make the cuffs on her dress all nice and fluffy. :0)

I've got three more to go and I'll be done with this. I can't wait to get them all together!!

Savory Cupcakes

2011-07-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

I made these 'cupcakes' for dinner the other night.

They're tuna rice cupcakes. If you like tuna casserole, you'll like these.

I got the recipe from Sweet Peas and Bumble Bees blog.

It was just Dax and I at home, but I think I'll try them again when the kids get back. I may also try them with peas in them too.

If you decide to give them a try, let me know what you think.

Sweatshirt Refashion

2011-07-28T13:13:00.000-05:00

I saw this post (it has a tutorial) awhile back and decided that I needed to try making a sweatshirt into a vest for myself.

The other day I was going through the clothes that my son had pulled out to get rid of and found this black sweatshirt. I don't think he had ever even worn it.

The tutorial says to use a sweatshirt that's a little smaller than you would wear, so this one was perfect.

I got out my scissors and went to work. I cut off the arms, the bottom band, and around the neck. Then I cut it up the middle. I used a plate as a guide for rounding the bottom and around the armholes. I cut it into a racer-back style in the back.

By the way, that's all you need for this refashion. Just scissors. There's no sewing involved.

When I was finished cutting, I wound up with this.

I actually wore it belted but I had already taken it off when I remembered I should take a picture. lol

It was quick and easy - two of my favorite things!! My girls are all out of town right now so they haven't seen it. I'm pretty sure that when they do they'll be going through their clothes in search of sweatshirts to cut into themselves.

Crochet beaded bracelet

2011-07-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

Have you seen this bracelet at Nikki in Stitches?

(picture taken from her blog)

I absolutely love it!!

I tried making one this weekend, but mine didn't turn out anywhere as nice as hers. So I'll be pulling it all out and starting over again. I was finally starting to get the hang of it as I decided to quit. The beginning was just too bad to try to hide. lol

Kid crafts

2011-07-23T08:00:00.003-05:00

Last weekend was Dax's birthday. All three of the girls made him something for his gift. None of them had any coaching from me what-so-ever. As a matter of fact, I didn't see any of the gifts they had made until they were done. I'm really proud of the things they came up with (they did do some searching on the internet) and so was Dax. Gifts from the heart are always the best!

Addison made this with popsicle sticks.

Abigail went a little crazy with the crafting and couldn't stop. lol She made all kinds of things.

She made this pop-up card.

This camera out of construction paper. It's folded into a triangle so that it will stand up on its own.

I suspect that for the lens she used the baking tin from her easy bake oven. :0) This picture of her and her Dad when she was little sure makes me miss my babies. They grow up sooooo fast.

And she made him this 'beer'. The mug is filled with his favorite Lindt white chocolate truffles and topped with large marshmallows. By the way, have you seen the new jumbo marshmallows they have out now? They're huge!!

And Kirsten drew this picture for him. I thought she did a great job of drawing. She found a picture online and looked at it while she drew this one. I couldn't even trace it this well. I have no talent for drawing or painting at all.

I just love to see them be crafty and creative. It does my heart good that they have an interest in it.

However, someone doesn't have any interest at all. As you can see, there is no homemade gift from our son. He couldn't be bothered. LOL

New use for old books

2011-07-22T08:00:00.003-05:00

You've probably seen all of the awesome projects out there using old books and folding the pages into a new design. Awhile back I made some jack-o-lanterns using that concept.

But when I saw these birdhouses at Red Hen Home I knew I had to give it a try.

Mine aren't a nice as hers but I'm pleased with them just the same.

She has instructions for two diffent ways to fold them, so I tried one of each. They're super easy and pretty quick. I think it took less than 30 minutes each.

These were both actually made from one book! It was a really long book so I cut it down the middle of the spine. I would really like to find a taller book to make one more with for this grouping.

I just need to go dig through my boxes. I have a bazillion books in boxes all over the place. Very few of them are actually books that I'm interested in reading but the kids and I went to the dumpster for the paper recycling to drop off some shredded files and it had a ton of books in it. I think they are from a used book store that closed down. So the kids dove into the dumpster and retrieved the books. They loved it!!! Now they're disappointed every time we go back and there isn't anything for them to climb in and get. lol

One lesson that I did learn while doing these is to make sure the spine is well broken in. The book I chose had a good patina because it was pretty old, but I don't think it had ever actually been read. When the spine is still like new it's much harder to bring your pages into the circle. I had to glue all the way down the spine and then try to hold that together while the glue dried without messing up the folded pages.

Do you have any other book folding ideas? Remember, I've got a lot!!

Penny Mat

2011-07-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

I know I said in the last post that I had too many BOM's going on, and I do, but one of them isn't a block at all. I've been wanting to learn to work with wool so I signed up for a penny mat of the month club (PMOM?).

The first mailing was at the end of June and it started with this mat.

I'm participating in this one through Homestead Hearth and I really enjoyed this first penny mat. I can't wait to see what the next one brings. The kits include everything you need except the thread.

I was pretty pleased with how this one came out, especially since it's my first attempt at anything like this.

I wish....

2011-07-20T08:00:00.003-05:00

Oh how I wish I could participate in this BOM program.

It's to make this quilt top:

(I copied this photo from their website.)

Isn't it amazing?!

If you sign up early (before July 31) you can save $15 on the sign up fee. The blocks are only $25 per month and include the cosmo thread and fabric in the pictured colorway to complete them.

I am totally in love with this quilt and want so badly to sign up, but I've got so many BOM's going right now that I just can't justify adding another one to the mix. *sigh* Maybe if I can get some of these wrapped up before the October kick-off I could justify it a little more?

From mess up to a bracelet

2011-07-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

When I was making this scarf I had a little glitch.

The crochet thread was joined in the middle of my ball. Although it was a very tiny knot, it was still too big for all of those seed beads I had strung to fit over it. I just cut it on the other side of the knot and continued my scarf without any more beaded strings.

I was part way through a string when I came to this little problem. I hated to pull it all out so I didn't. Instead I just sat and stared at it waiting for some idea to form in my head. Do you ever do that? I do it more often than I care to admit. lol

Anyway, it finally happened.

I looped it around to fit my wrist, leaving room to slide over my hand. Then I used the tail at either end (luckily they met) to wrap several times around and tied them together. That way my loops were bound together and wouldn't just unloop into one big circle when I took it off.

I really like the little bracelt that it made and may have to make some more. But on purpose this time!

Cupcakes

2011-07-18T15:23:00.000-05:00

Dax's birthday was on Saturday. His favorite cake is pineapple-upside-down cake. Since we're doing the whole diet and excersise thing I didn't want to make a whole cake. I wanted us to have a little portion control built in so I decided to try pineapple-upside-down cupcakes.

They worked out great!!

I didn't have a recipe, just a box of yellow cake mix and some crushed pineapple. Oh! And cherries.

I drained the juice from the crushed pineapple and set it aside. Then I made the cake mix according to the directions on the box. After that, I added some of the pineapple juice to the batter. No measuring, I just poured it in there until I thought it was enough.

Then I placed a cherry into each one of the greased muffin cups, sprinkled a little brown sugar in each one, and then enough crushed pinapple to cover the bottom. I filled each muffin cup until it was about 3/4 of the way full and baked according to the directions on the box.

When they were done, I turned them out onto a cookie sheet. It took a bit of time for them to release and if the muffin tin is too high, the cupcakes will fall out and flip with the pineapple side down. Not that I'm speaking from experience here or anything. :0)

They really were good and very moist, and they looked pretty cute too. If you decide to try it, let me know what you think.

Quick project

2011-07-16T08:12:00.001-05:00

I saw a great scarf at Dollar Store Crafts and knew I had to give it a try.

Of course I couldn't just follow her directions. Where's the challenge in that, right?

Anyway, I had some crochet thread that I had already strung a ton of beads onto for another project that I just never went any further with. So, I decided to use that to make a lighter, somewhat blingy-er scarf. (I'll make up words if I want to.....don't judge me. lol)

This is what I came up with.

Here's a closer picutre....

The scarf is super easy. It's just a bunch of strings of chain stitches all knotted together. I used 10 strings to put my scarf together. I only have two rows in it with beads on it. I didn't want too much. On the first row with beads I actually counted how many beads I was adding in each time and how many stitches between adding beads. I didn't do that at all on the second row.

I was going to add more than two rows, but a little way into my 3rd string of chain stitching the crochet thread was joined together on the ball and my beads wouldn't slide over it. I didn't have the will to re-string them so I decided that three rows was probably just too much. Don't you agree? lol

As usual, my girls are already fighting over who gets to have it. Little do they know this one is all mine.

Insanity Update

2011-07-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

We're still sticking with it. Insanity

Dax & I took our measurements on Monday. That was our one week mark and we're evaluating every week. I couldn't believe that my bust measurement was down and my thigh measurement was up! WHAT?! Everything else was still the same. Well, not everything. My weight was down almost 4 pounds. But still, smaller boobs and bigger thighs. Who works this hard for those results? Gaahhh!!

I'm sure hoping that the next measurements are better and more worth the effort than that. LOL

Birdie Block #3

2011-07-13T08:00:00.005-05:00

I finished up the 3rd block in the Birdie Stitches BOM at Little Miss Shabby.

I am still loving the bright colors that I'm using for this. (Not that you tell they're bright from this picture.) I usually work with more muted colors so this has been a fun change for me. This is the March block so I'm still behind, but as long as I'm moving forward with it, I'm happy. lol

Great cupcakes

2011-07-12T08:00:00.004-05:00

On Friday night we had family movie night.

At our house that means that we watched old home videos. When given the choice, that's what the kids usually choose.

Since Dax & I aren't eating any kind of junk food and the kids like to have a treat while watching movies I made some cupcakes for them.

I just used a box mix that I already had. I didn't want to have to make a trip to the store.

I decided on French Vanilla.

For frosting the cupcakes I knew that I had some heavy cream that needed to be used so I decided to whip it up. Once I did that I added powdered sugar to get it a little bit thicker than I would normally make it.

That's because then I took a jar of butterscotch icecream topping and poured in about 1/2 a cup, beating it into the whipped cream well.

It turned out really good. (I tasted it!) And I know the kids liked it because they ate two cupcakes each. lol And, by the time it occured to me to take a picture, they were all gone.

Quick and easy bracelet

2011-07-11T11:00:00.007-05:00

I LOVE bracelets.

I actually like all kinds of jewelry. I've had my ears pierced since I was 7 (which is a really long time ago.) I know I had been begging my parents to let me do it for a couple of years by then. I think I just finally wore them down. lol But I really like bracelets and almost always wear one.

So imagine how excited I am when I can find one that I can make myself and it's quick and easy. (Not that I have any problem purchasing them already made either. lol) But my word this year is THRIFT and I'm really trying had to stick to it.

Anyway, I made this while I was cooking dinner.

While things were cooking and didn't require my attention, I stood at the island and strung these beads onto some memory wire. I got the idea from Yellow Blackbird. Why in the world didn't that ever occur to me? I'm going to make another one like she did with more colorful beads in a variety of shapes and sizes. This is just what I had on hand to give it a try because I couldn't stand to wait.

She did 5 different super easy bracelet tutorials on her blog. You can find them here, here, here, here, and here. Go check them out. I love her ideas with the bangle bracelets, but I have a pretty small wrist and have trouble finding bangles that will actually stay on. *sigh* But I'll certainly be on the lookout for some!

For 60 days

2011-07-08T10:55:00.000-05:00

I'm still working on my projects, but it's just gotten slower than usual. That's because on Monday, Dax & I started the Insanity workout DVD's. OMGosh!!!!

I thought I was doing really well with how far I was making it on our first day until I realised they were still just doing the warm-up. The real workout hadn't even started yet!! Gaaahhhh!

I am trying to continue with my projects, but I'm almost too tired to move by the time we get done. LOL That really puts a damper on my play time.

Here's a pretty acurate 'before' picture.

I really want to get rid of the 'muffin top'. We took real before pictures in almost nothing, but (barf) I'm not showing those to the whole world.

I decided to put this out there to help hold us accountable for making it through the whole 60 days. We've made it through 4 days so far and this morning I had lost 3 pounds when I got on the scale. Now, I know that's water because we've been sweating out butts off, but I'll take it. I also asked Dax this morning if he thought our bodies were going to be sore for the entire 60 days. lol

Anyone else already been through this torture? Will I really survive and feel better by the end?

Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to finish up with some of the things that are in the works and update with something more fun. lol Wish me luck!

Happy 4th of July!!

2011-07-04T08:00:00.002-05:00

I hope you have a wonder Fouth of July!

I just wanted to show another really quick thing that I made to help decorate for this holiday.

It's all made with stuff I had on hand, which I always like. :0)

I used it to drape across this cake stand that I had some other decoration on. It sits in the middle of my dining table.

I thought it added a nice touch to the set up.

Recycling or Upcycling

2011-07-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Either way, it's making someing great out of something ordinary. :0)

I got this really great bracelet from Whoop D Whoop (if you haven't been there you really should go) from sodacangirl.

It's a bracelt and the 'charms' are made from a Pepsi can. I also got one from her that was made using a Arizona Tea can, but I gave it to my Mom.

Anyway, how great of an idea and how fantastic of a bracelet does that make? I love the bracelet and spent some time looking at it trying to decide how she made it. I finally decided to hit the scrapbooking department at the store and buy a punch and try to make my own.

I decided on a flower shape. I had a diet root beer can at home so decided to try the punch on it. It worked out perfectly!! I used a hammer and small nail to put the holes in mine for the jump rings, but next time I'll just use a tiny little hole punch (especially since I found mine the other day while looking for something else. lol)

Here's my finished product:

(I wish the pictures were better, but I took them at night.)

One of my daughters has already claimed this one. My kitchen counter is lined with different cans that they want made into bracelets. I love the fact that they are now looking at the colors and patterns on soda cans to decide if they wan a bracelet out of them. I like it anytime I can get them to see something a little different that its usual use.

I have to say though, that it took me a LONG time to get those charms onto that bracelet. I spent almost a whole week doing it because I was getting sooooooooo frustrated that I would have to put it down and walk away. Then, on the last two charms an easier way to do it occured to me. Typical!

Another one done

2011-07-01T08:00:00.004-05:00

I got my 2nd pillow for the cat block of the month finished.

These are so stinkin' cute!

And, honestly, once I actually get around to working on it, they stitch up really quickly.

I needed to listen to a class online and managed to get about 1/2 of the stitching done in that one session.

This block of the month is from Daisy Cottage Quilting. In addition to this and the Annie BOM that I'm doing, she's got some other really cute things!

July 4th decorating

2011-06-29T08:00:00.004-05:00

I had seen a patriotic flag garland quite some time ago. I saved the picture to my computer but at some point along the way all of my 'favorites' for the internet got erased so I don't know who's idea I started with. (I hate that!)

Anyway, sometimes I actually get it together and actually do one of those projects that has been patiently waiting for me.

The little framed piece in the middle is an ant with a slice of watermelon stitchery.

Here's an up-close of the flags.

It was soooo quick and easy!!

I cut rectangles of red ticking that I had on hand, and used pinking sheers around the edges. Then I cut smaller squares of denim from a pair of old jeans and sewed it on.

To string the flags all together I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Then, in digging through my stash, I found a cafe' curtain that I had bought at the thrift store. It was plenty long enough and I loved the red gingham. I just cut the bottom off of the curtain, very close to the hem (so I wouldn't have to stitch it again) and sewed the flags to it.

So quick and easy and I just love the results!

When a cake fails

2011-06-27T13:35:00.002-05:00

Today is a friends birthday so last night I was making a cake for her.

I had grand plans. Everything was from scratch. And then, despite generous greasing and flouring, the cake stuck to the pan anyway. And not even in a remotely salvageable way. One side stuck, while the other side fell out. The more I tried to fix it, the worse it got until it all crumbled into a big mess.

So what was I supposed to do then?

I fretted for awhile, and then inspiration struck.

If life gives you a messy cake..........put it in a jar!!!! LOL

Of course Dax looked at me like I was crazy. But, the birthday girl and the other cake-in-a-jar recipients thought it was a really cute and clever idea.

That is until Dax made me tell them why it was in the jar. lol

But, hey, it works, right?

In the works....

2011-06-23T10:35:00.000-05:00

I thought summer was supposed to be a time when I could relax a little with the kids out of school and all.

No such thing around here. We've been busy as ever. The kids have summer activities going on, it's been crazy busy at the office, and that doesn't leave much time for me to play. *pout*

But, I've been squeezing in what I can when I can.

It's a small project and should be quick so hopefully I'll have it to show soon.

How is your summer going so far? Hope you're getting time to enjoy it.

Annie Block #8

2011-06-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

I did manage to get another one of my Annie BOM's finished.

I'm still one behind but I'm trying desperately to catch up on all the BOM's I'm doing. With the kids having so much going on it's just hard to find time to do this stuff when I'm not exhausted. LOL I understand that I only have 3 more patterns to receive and while I find that a little intimidating at this point, I'm excited to put together a finished product.

More Coasters

2011-06-10T13:55:00.000-05:00

I made some more of those cute coasters that will hold fluted glasses too......but this time I made some for me. Woohoo! lol

For these I used Riley Blake fabrics (love her stuff!!!!) for the fronts and a pair of Dax's old blue jeans for the back. They turned out sooooo cute!!

To get all of those coasters I only used two charm packs and part of one leg of the jeans. And I'm in love with them.

But that probably means I won't let anyone actually use them. LOL

I had a helper when I was trying to take these pictures. Can you see her paw in this one where she was trying to grab the camera strap?

Here she is helping again.....

Makings of a great weekend.....

2011-06-06T13:44:00.000-05:00

My husband and I spent the weekend in San Antonio. My parents came to stay with the kids so we could have a little get-away.

It was a wonderful weekend, and how can you go wrong with time spent on the balcony outside our room with time spent stitching, drinking a diet pepsi, and eating mini oreos?

It's funny the shift in what makes for a good weekend get away after kids are in the picture. Just a little time to sit and stitch uninterrupted )and to be able to eat more than one little cookie before the whole package is wiped out) is like a little bit of Heaven. :0)

Another block done

2011-06-01T10:55:00.000-05:00

I finally got another block finished in the birdie block of the month. This is the February block. (That's how far behind I am. *sigh* This whole raising a family thing takes a lot of time. LOL)

These are really cute and I'm determined to get this done. Goodness knows I don't need any more UFO's!!

Candy!!!

2011-05-23T10:19:00.000-05:00

Two of my girls will be cheerleaders next year, but they started practicing this year. They do a big spring show to say good-bye to the outgoing cheerleaders and to welcome the incoming cheerleaders.

Anyway, they get assigned big sisters that they are supposed to exchange gifts with every now and then, and there's a $10 limit on the gifts. I don't know if it's a good thing or not, but as a product of me the girls want the gifts to be extra special so I wind up making them.

For Addison's big sister, I bought a straw bag at Target's dollar spot and put in some of her big sister's favorite soda, a container of the hamburger cookies, some 'french fries' (made with bread stick dough), and ketchup (made with strawberry jelly).

Of course they CAN'T both give the same thing so we had to come up with something different for Abigail's big sister. We settled on a candy sundae.

I used kisses to fill the glass (it's an old fashioned coca-cola glass from the dollar store), tootsie midgies, a tootsie pop for the cherry and a pixie stick for the straw.

Abigail really liked and wants one for herself now. Too bad they ate all the left over candy already. LOL

Bento lunch

2011-05-19T12:01:00.001-05:00

I love all the cute bento lunches that I've seen when I'm blog surfing. Well, I finally couldn't take it anymore so I made them for my kids.

I just used square plastic containers (the kind that I normally use for leftovers.) I ended up adding more cupcake liners for the crackers and the cheese and chicken so that things wouldn't move around so much.....besides, it looked better in there with everything all separated out. :0)

The strawberries and grapes that I bought are huge!!!!

I used Texas shaped crackers and then cut out shapes of colby jack cheese, and roasted chicken lunch meat.

And I made these cookies.

They're 'Nilla Wafers with a chocolate cookie in the middle. They're held together with red and green icing for the fixins. I bake cookies every morning for their lunches. When I originally saw these cookies (again, somewhere blog surfing) they used a chocolate covered cookie but, believe it or not, I couldn't find any at the store. So I baked up some tiny chocolate cookies this morning. Every one of the kids commented on how small the cookies were this morning since they didn't know what I was doing with them. Are they spoiled or what?! LOL

The kids were already excited about their lunches before I even got them made. I was afraid they would be embarassed about the cutesy factor (since they're almost teens and all) but they like them. Woohoo!! Although, now Addison has decided that she wants these types of lunches every day. Yikes!!

Mother's Day Art

2011-05-12T09:52:00.000-05:00

I've probably mentioned here before that my mother-in-law likes things with the kids' handprints on them. Since I've been making these types of things from the time they were babies, I'm starting to run out of ideas.

I've used their foot prints a couple of times, and even their tiny little butt prints. (It was a shirt with 'butt-erflies' on it. Too funny!!)

Anyway, I saw this picture at Come Together Kids and thought it looked like something I could do. (She's got a whole tutorial on how to make it.)

Great idea, right? (By the way, she's got lots of neat stuff so go check out her blog.)

Anyway, my mother-in-law is more into modern and these flowers were a little frilly for her so I tweaked it just a bit and came up with this.

I tried to keep the flowers a little higher on the 'trees' so that it was clear that they were hands since my flowers are bigger than Laura's. And, since it was a gift for Dax's mom, I decided to add his hand in there too. He's in the middle with all of his little saplings around him. :0) I also wrote their names along the trunk.

It was a little labor intensive making all those flowers, and I was concerned whether she would like it at all.
Oh, I also started with a purchased canvas to save some effort where I could.

But, I think she LOVED it, so it was definitely worth the effort.

While I was busy making it, though, I wondered to myself why I never make any of these treasures for myself.

A New Bag........

2011-05-10T11:59:00.000-05:00

My Mom has been saying for some time now that she needed to learn to crochet. Soooooo, for her birthday I had gotten her some supplies to get started.

I had looked at the bags at Hobby Lobby (it's all we have in my area) and didn't really find anything that I thought she would like.

Then last week, as I was grabbing some other supplies, I came across a display that had kits for aprons and a couple of different styles of bags. I decided to make one of those for her.

I chose this one because I thought she would like the fabric.

It comes as one big panel that includes all the pieces as well as the directions.

I thought that was great, especially for what I wanted to use it for.

However, the lining for this piece was a hot pink with black/grey leopard spots. Not really my Mom's style.

So, I dug around a little in my stash and found this fabric instead.

It has the same colors as the outside fabric and the strap. Score!!

Anyway, I was careful when I stitched up the bottom of the lining by using an invisible stitch (although if you look closely, it's not invisible enough. LOL) Now, this bag is also reversible! Another score!!

I hope she likes it!

I saved the lining pieces that came on the panel and I'll use those to make another bag. Maybe a school bag for one of the girls for next year?

Flora

2011-05-05T17:04:00.000-05:00

I've been busy making flowers.

I'll show you what they're for soon!!

Easter Bunny

2011-04-25T14:21:00.000-05:00

My daughter, Addison, has been asking the Easter Bunny for a 7-foot bunny for years now.

Because I am one of 'those' kind of parents, this year she finally got what she has been asking for.

Well..............kinda'...............

It's a bunny with 7 feet!!!!
View from the back....

I don't think she was thrilled with the Easter Bunny. LOL

To make this, I just bought four bunnies at the dollar store and used the legs off the other three to sew onto this bunny.

My father-in-law kept giving me a hard time about the other bunnies being out there dragging themselves around with no legs. That's just uncalled for. LOL

Addison acted all put-out about it yesterday, but I saw her grab it to take to school with her today to show her friends. I'm taking that as proof that she thinks it's funny (because we're raising 'those' kind of children) but just felt like she needed to be upset about it.

Button, button, who's got the button.....

2011-04-18T14:23:00.000-05:00

I do!!

And a lot of them.

Kirsten and I made buttons this week (loosely) based on these tutorials. I say loosely because my computer at home has stopped talking to my internet connection (who knows what they've had a spat about) so I had to go mostly by memory. At almost the end of tax season, good memory is harder to come by.

Anyway, here's what we ended up with.

The colors are not as intense as when we started. And, I really think that we got the clay a little too thin. We'll certainly try again and go with thicker buttons.

I think Kirsten is going to use these to make a bracelet, but I don't know for sure yet.

Easy Easter Decoration

2011-04-06T10:40:00.000-05:00

I have a wooden basket on my coffee table. It usually has small rocks with candles in it.

I've also had these egg shaped Easter candles forever and I don't think I've ever actually put them out.

Well, this year I decided to do something about that.

Empty the rocks and grab a few bags of jelly beans and ta-da!!

It looks really cute (live and in person anyway.)

Now my only problem is keeping the kids from eating the decorations.

Luckily the dogs haven't discovered them yet. lol

Another Annie block done

2011-03-31T11:17:00.000-05:00

I finished Annie block # 7 just in time. My next block arrived in the mail yesterday. LOL

Don't know why it looks so yellow-ish. Guess I should take these photos as the sun is coming up, huh? LOL

I so can't wait to get these done because they are going to be sooooooo stinkin' cute when they're put together!!!

Craft Pay it Forward

2011-03-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

This year I'm participating in a craft pay-it-forward.

I've completed my first project and it's ready to send out, if I'll just get that done. lol

Anyway, this is going out to a friend that I worked with years (and years) ago.

It's a mug mat and I got the patttern from As Sweet as Cinnamon. She did her's in colors and, as you can see, I did mine in redwork.

Please ignore my Christmas mug. I'm still using them because I like the way they're shaped. LOL

Neglectful

2011-03-28T09:51:00.000-05:00

I know I've been so neglectful of this blog. It's not that I don't want to update it with what's going on. I'm just so busy, and frankly on some days I'm just frazzled. My husband is a CPA and we own our own little two person accounting business......those two people being him and I. As you can probably guess, this is a very busy time for us as far as business goes. The kids just add to that. Here's an example of a week in the life outside of the office. I try to squeeze in crafting when I have the time (or energy). LOL

Anyway, I realized that I never did show my goodies from the brooch exchange that I participated in.

Here's the haul.....

Isn't this little cloud too cute?

I got a lot of cute brooches. It was a really fun swap. I like these that don't have too many rules, that way I don't worry so much about it. LOL

Muscle cats.....

2011-03-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm doing another block of the month from Daisy Cottage Quilting. This one is cats through the months.

I fell in love with it because the cat just makes me laugh.

When I showed it to Dax he wasn't sure what to think. When I told him that it made me laugh because the cat is all muscled up like some body builder, he relaxed a little. I think he was afraid that I had gone horribly off course when I was tracing the pattern. LOL

These blocks are being made into little pillows each month. I had to fight this one away from my kids. And really, it matches my room better than theirs. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

Anyway, after I finished the pillow and wrestled it away from my kids, I put it on my bed. I swear to you it wasn't on my bed for FIVE minutes before one of the dogs had gotten it and was laying on the floor chewing on it!! Luckily I caught him right away and was able to get it before any damage was done. But, he had already gotten one corner pretty slobbery. lol

Another Finish!!!

2011-03-18T08:00:00.002-05:00

Woohoo!!! I got something else finished! Maybe if I didn't have anything else to do for about ten years, and I didn't start anything new, I could finish up all of my ufo's. LOL

This was a mystery block from You Can Make This that I did quite awhile back. I'm talking like 2-3 years ago.

When I got the top finished, I wanted the back to be in a fabric with ice cream on it to kind of fit with the theme. It took me forever to find this fabric that I used. Now, of course, I can find all kinds of fabric with ice cream on it. Isn't that the way it always goes? That just might explain why some of us have a problem with hoarding fabric. lol

I didn't quilt it all over because I couldn't make up my mind on what to do. Instead I just tied it everywhere that the buttons are. One of my daughters went through a tin of my buttons and picked out the ones she liked and where they should go. That works for me. :0)

I also recently saw a post (somewhere that I can't remember now) and the quilter was talking about how much she loved doing rounded corners on her quilts. I like the look of them and decided to give it a try. I have to say that I agree with her!! I like this table runner so much more with the corners rounded. It changed the whole look of the piece. It's amazing how something so small like that can make such a difference.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T08:12:00.000-05:00

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I did get a little something done.

I made of few shamrock bowl fillers. They're made with felt and were super easy to make.

The jar came from the thrift store. I think I'm going to paint the lid, but haven't decided for sure.

Anyway, when I was at the grocery store last weekend I was buying some spices from the bulk area. You know, where you get your own and weigh them. While I was looking for garlic powder, I came across a jar with catnip. Soooo, I bought a little baggie of catnip and made a shamrock for the cat too. She looooooves it!!

Cat toys are kind of pricey and with about 25 cents worth of stuff (if it was even that much) I made her a toy at home.

More stitchin'

2011-03-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, I've had these finished for awhile. I just kept forgetting to take a picture.

These are part of the doodle stitch-a-long over at Lark Crafts. I still have some other things to get stitched up. Well, if we're being honest here, I have a ton of things started that need to be completed. lol I need more hours in the day!! Do you think my kids would be willing to just sit around the house quietly while I get to play in my sewing room?

Aaahhh, I can dream, can't I?

Time's Up!!

2011-03-14T08:21:00.000-05:00

Well, my time is up for my 101 things in 1001 days.

I guess I did okay with it.

For one thing, I couldn't even come up with 101 things. I don't know if that means I'm pathetic or if I'm just really content. I'm gonna' go with content. It sounds so much better. LOL

I managed to accomplish about half of the items on my list. Maybe a little more.

One of the things I had wanted to do was take the kids to visit 5 new states. Dax and I have a goal of visiting all 50 states together. Anyway, we managed to visit only 2 new states. But, last summer we did go on a cruise with my family and they got to visit a whole nother country. That counts for something right? Like, say, maybe 3 states?

There are several projects that were on my list that are in a state of being completed. I did at least start them.

For example. I want to make a quilt for each of my kids. I've actually made the quilt top for Abigail. However, with four 'too curious' kids at home, it's hard to find the time to spread it all out to pin for quilting without her knowing. I want it to be a surprise. I also bought the material to make a quilt for Kirsten. I actually bought it a couple of years ago. But, because they are always in my stuff (and I want it to be a surprise) I hid the fabric..........I still can't find it!! I'm telling you, when I hide something, it's hidden for good!

I have a table runner that I wanted to finish. I have the binding sewn 3/4 of the way on then I ran out of time that day (had to get to a soccer game) and haven't picked it back up to finish.

I'm glad of the things that I did get done, and I wrote the unfinished things in my notebook so that I don't forget about them. I still hope to get them done.

What I learned from this whole experience is that even though a 1001 days seems like a ton of time, it will pass you by quickly. My list (in theory) should have been easy to accomplish. But with four kids, a business, other projects that come along, and real life, it just didn't happen that way.

Little Birdie

2011-03-07T10:43:00.001-06:00

I decided to do the Little Birdie BOM over at Little Miss Shabby.

Here's block #1

I decided to do something outside of my usual and chose these bright colors.

I tried to match my threads to the colors in my fabrics and I'm really liking the color combinations. It doesn't show in the pictures, but for the snow man and the snow flakes I used one strand of a pale blue and one strand of a pale blue DMC Effects thread. In the light it's got a little bit of shimmer to the snow that's really nice.

Once it's finished, though, I don't know what I'll do with it. My girls have already all said that they want it. LOL

Quick and Easy

2011-03-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

I just love making things that are quick and easy to put together.

At a party last month, I was talking with another lady that likes to sew and craft and she had these really cute coasters that she had made. As the conversation went on, she told me how she had made them. Last weekend I decided to give them a try and see if I could actually remember what she had said (thank margaritas.)

I was thrilled that I did remember, and it all worked out.

Can you see that they can be used two ways?

The bottom of the wine glass can actually fit into the coaster so that you don't have to hang onto it. How neat is that?

Big whoop

2011-03-02T10:28:00.001-06:00

Have you been to this new site? whoopdwhoop

It's a no cash, handmade trading area. You list things to trade and earn points for that, and then when you 'sell' it to someone else you also get points. You can then use your points to request and item from someone else. It's almost like an ongoing craft swap, only you get to pick what you want. Win! Win!

Go check it out!

Oh, and when you get there, if you want to look without registering you can just click on the button that says 'browse all creations' and it will take you to what's listed.

Annie Block 6

2011-03-01T08:00:00.001-06:00

I finished up my Annie BOM block #6. Just in time too, because my next block arrived in the mail last week.

Isn't she just adorable?

Productivity

2011-02-28T09:29:00.000-06:00

It was a good weekend.

I was actually able to get something done this weekend. Woohoo!! Feels like that doesn't happen often enought at my house. It was a really busy week--soccer practice 3 days, orthodontist with new braces for Kirsten, meeting for cheerleader try-outs--so I was in desparate need of some down time by the time Friday rolled around.

While the kids were all pre-occupied I snuck out to my studio and played around a little. (I have to wait until the kids are busy or someone is constantly out there digging around in stuff and then I don't manage to get anything accomplished.)

Anyway, I had finished the stitching for these blocks awhile ago, but finally got around to putting the borders on.

They are from Lynette Anderson's Noah's Ark block of the month. I have two other blocks that are almost done as far as stitching goes. I need to go buy one more color of thread to finish them. And then I think that will put me at only having a couple more blocks left to get the project all together finished. I need to do that since they stitch up so quickly.

I haven't given any rhyme or reason to the borders that I've sewn onto my stitching so I'll be interested to see how it all comes together when the piece is done. Does that make it a mystery project?

Winner, Winner!

2011-02-25T14:05:00.000-06:00

We have a winner!!

I let the hubs draw and the winner of the bunny brooch is.....(drum roll here)......

Jamie Lynn Barks!!!

Congratulations Jamie. Send me you information and I'll have you bunny out to you in a jiffy.

That was a lot of fun. I'll have to think of something else and do a give away again soon!

Brooch Give Away

2011-02-21T08:00:00.004-06:00

I participated in a brooch exchange over at Creative Kismet and made these.

Little chocolate Easter bunny brooches made with felt.

And today, I'm also participating in a web-wide give away.

Just leave me a comment and I'll be drawing a lucky winner on Friday. Then, be sure to head over to Creative Kismet to see the other crafters that are also participating. You can enter in their drawings too and increase your chances of winning something great!

Good Luck!!!

Photography

2011-02-16T09:45:00.001-06:00

I'm doing the project 365 again this year.

I did it last year but it turned out to really only be about a project 150. Ha!

Anyway, I took this picture of my wedding ring so that the shadow makes a heart.

I just really liked the way it turned out so wanted to share it here.

Oh, and NO, Dax didn't see the heart here either. I had to point it out to him. What am I going to do with that man? LOL

Valentine Sewing

2011-02-15T09:22:00.000-06:00

I did actually get something completed over the weekend. I was glad that it was actually warm enough to get back out to my little space and get some sewing done.

This is from a cute little mini quilt kit that I ordered from Daisy Cottage Quilting.

I just love Sharon's stuff. We seem to have just about the same taste so I need for her to quit getting new things in because I can't keep up. LOL

Oh, and I appologize for the pictures. I finished sewing the binding on while I was waiting for Addison at soccer practice and I was taking the pictures out in the parking lot at the park. I'm sure the other people around wondered what the heck I was up to! Crazy lady alert!! LOL

I have to say though, that when I finished the top I showed to my husband and he couldn't see the heart shapes made by the squares. I had to actually fold it up so that only one little red heart was showing before he got it. Then, I showed it to all the girls and asked them what it was. They all immediately said 'Hearts.' Then, I showed it to my son and he said they were red 'V's'. So, I guess the males in my house have no imagination or something? Or maybe they just need things spelled out for them a little more clearly? I dunno'.

Too Busy

2011-02-08T09:42:00.000-06:00

I've been too busy to get anything completed. I'm working on things, but nothing has gotten finished.

Well, that, and it's gotten cold here. My 'studio' is a room off the garage and for whatever reason, the heat doesn't make it all the way out there. So, since it's been in the 20's outside it's been about in the 40's in there. And, you know what? It's hard to sew with mittens on. LOL

Anyway, I've been wanting to post this brag for awhile and just hadn't ever taken a picture.

This is a leather purse that my husband made for me.

He wanted to do a lot more tooling than just that little bit in the corner (it's on the other side of the purse too) but I just really wanted something simple. I had him put black in the background of the tooling because then I can use it with anything. I love it, and love that he made it.

Valentine Stitching

2011-01-26T08:00:00.001-06:00

I've been doing a little Valentine stitching.

This is a pattern from Chestnut Junction. It's a redwork stitchery pattern that I tweaked a little bit. The original pattern is all stitching. I decided to add the felt hearts and buttons instead of stitaching those. I used a piece of fabric to stitch on that I had tea stained and I used fabrics I already had on hand to do the piecing around it.

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. And again, I had everythin on hand already.

Go Thrift!! lol

Annie BOM #5

2011-01-24T16:39:00.000-06:00

I finally got the borders sewn on my #5 block for the Annie BOM that Sharon is doing.

I've had the block stitched since October but didn't get around to getting the borders sewn on until yesterday.

Why does it take me so long to do something that only takes 5 minutes?

These are all looking so cute, I can't wait to get them all done and put together!!

Binder cover

2011-01-19T09:37:00.000-06:00

Last night Kirsten called me to let me know that she needed a new binder for Health class. Naturally, I was almost home when she called (we don't live in town.)

As I was driving I was trying to figure out how to make things work without having to turn around and go back into town and I remembered that Addison had thrown a binder away the night before.

I told Kirsten to go dig in the trash and see if she could find it. She did and she did. She was complaining that it was all torn up and she couldn't use it (duh, that's why Addison had thrown it away.) Anyway, I told her that when I got home I would just make a cover for it and then she would still be able to use it.

So, I went out to my 'studio' and dug out some fabrics and got to work. I had no pattern to go by, just a general idea of what I was trying to accomplish.

Here's what we wound up with:

I knew right away that I wanted to use the green fabric with the vegetables on it since it was for Health class. Kirsten thought that was a cool idea too. I didn't have enough of the green fabric so I had to do the insides in something else. Addison was 'helping' me and chose the blue fabric that I used. (She was really out there with me because since I was going to be doing something 'cool' to the binder she wanted it back. lol)

Anyway, the blue goes all the way down on the inside of the binder and the green on the inside is pockets. I also glued some batting to the outside of the binder to make the look a little smoother since it was in pretty rough shape.

I'm still trying to decide what to do on the front of it to decorate it up a little. I'm thinking maybe just 2 or 3 yo-yo flowers or something like that. Just a little something extra, you know?

Anyway, the only thing I would have liked to have done differently is on the inside. I wish that I had had enough material to come all the way over to the rings. I'm still trying to think of something to do to get that part covered up. Kirsten is happy with it just like it is, but I just can't let go. It's just not done enough. lol

Of course, the other two girls have been trying to decide what fabrics they want me to use to make binder covers for them. They've already been talking about how they'll be the only kids in school with such awesome binders. lol Addison is already trying to decide how much her friends should have to pay if they want me to make one for them too. They are certainly my biggest fans. Gotta' love it!!!

Stitch Along

2011-01-17T09:51:00.000-06:00

I decided to participate in the Doodle Arts stitch along over at Lark Crafts. (click on their name for the link to the first pattern in the stitch along.)

Here's the first stitchery in the series.

It stitched up so quickly and that little troll is just so cute!!

I don't have a lot of options in my little town for fabrics to stitch on. Because of that I've learned to look for fabrics in the items that are available to me. I was in Goodwill last week and bought a blazer made of a nice heavy, ecru, 100% cotton. I was cutting the pocket off to use for another stitched piece and it occured to me to use part of the sleeve for this little pattern. Since it was already hemmed on one end and sewn in a circle I decided to make it into this little bag.

I'm still trying to decide whether or not to put handles on it. We'll see if I get around to it or not. lol Regardless, I love the way it turned out and there was minimal sewing involved to turn it into a bag. I kind of like it when an idea strikes that pushes me into thinking outside the box.

Oh, and it fits in with my theme of thrift for the year. A double win!!! LOL

Quick and fun scarf

2011-01-12T10:30:00.000-06:00

I was puttering around online the other day (I know, what a stretch!) and I saw a picture of a scarf that had an animal at each end. It was really cute.

I don't have any idea about how that scarf was made, but I did one of my own.

First I asked Addison if she had any stuffed animals that she didn't want anymore that also had black in it. I asked for black because I knew I had some black fleece on hand.

She came back with a panda.

So, I cut it in half, took out a little bit of the stuffing, and stitched a half to each end of my fleece.

Lickity-split, in a matter of 5-10 minutes, she had a new scarf.

Forgive the model. I can almost never get her to act normal in a picture.

Although, really, for her this level of silly is normal.

Cousin Eddie Cap

2011-01-09T12:36:00.000-06:00

1) My family loves the movie "Christmas Vacation" and we usually watch it (more than once) during the Christmas Season.

2) Yesterday, we were meeting up with Dax's family to go watch a hockey game. His step-Dad had mentioned recently how his ears got cold when he would go outside to excersise, especially if he was riding his bike.

Because my mind works the way it does sometimes, I put those two little tid-bits together and made him a cap.

Cousin Eddie style:

We all laughed so hard when he put it on!!

I got the pattern off of Thread Banger. The pattern doesn't come with any instructions on how to put it all together, but there is a video. I had to deviate from it a bit because my fabric is kind of a micro-fiber on one side and the fuzzy (lambs wool like) stuff on the other side. That meant that I didn't have to line my cap, it was already done for me. It also meant that I had to re-think seam allowances--like where I needed to leave them in and where they needed to be taken out.

But seriously, it took me less than 30 minutes to get it done. And that includes cutting it out and digging around to find the strips of leather for the ties. lol

It was fun and quick and we had a lot of laughs with it last night.

Valentine's on my mind....

2011-01-04T10:48:00.000-06:00

I'm already thinking about Valentine's Day. Is that some kind of sickness? Do I need to take some time in between holidays instead of just rushing on to the next one?

Regardless, I have a work in progress and I'm really liking the way it's turning out.

But, yesterday I got up earlier than anyone else in my house so I snuck out to my craft room.

I say 'snuck' because if anyone knows I'm going out there, they can't stay away. I've asked more than once if there is some kind of alarm that goes off in the house when my butt hits the chair in my craft room. They keep telling me there isn't one, but I'm not convinced yet.

Anyway, I spent some time out there tinkering and came away with this:

It's always so exciting to sit down and work on something and actually come away with a finished product.

We all need a quick project thrown in every now and then.

It's even better that I already had all of the items on hand. I used jump rings to make the chain and the hearts are buttons. It makes me want to get in there and make more, which my girls have all asked for anyway. :0)

It's a new year........

2011-01-01T17:54:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the new year.

Like many other bloggers, I like the idea of a word to guide me for the new year.

It took me quite awhile to settle on just one word. I really kept going back to some of the words I've used in the past. I guess maybe I didn't get the ideas associated with them as fully developed as I'd hoped. Whatever the case may be, it took more consideration this year than it has in the past. But I finally settled on

I chose thrift because this year we have decided to make a real push (and the associated sacrifices) to get all of our debts paid off, both in our business and at home. I've already made a big step in that direction by changing our insurance coverages on our vehicles and our home. I saved over $2000 for the year!!!! Can you believe that? I didn't think it was really possible, so I was shocked........and a little sickened that I've wasted that much money for who knows how many years.

Anyway, I'm hoping to not buy so many new project supplies and work my way through using up some of the things that I already have. It will not only save me money, but will also help to clean things up a little.

Last year I chose two words, one of which was calm. I gave it the good-old-college-try, but because of the actions of others in my extended family, it turned out to be a year with a lot of hurt feelings for my husband and anything but 'calm'. Fortunately, the offending family members don't live near us so we were able to block much of it our from our daily lives. And, since I really try to be a peacemaker, I offered advice that would have solved the whole issue early on, but was (in a round about way) told to mind my own business. So be it. The issues still haven't been resolved, but my husband is at peace with it, and really, he's the one that matters to me.

But, after all of that, I can say that I didn't even consider 'calm' as a word for this year. lol I'm just hoping that 'thrift' won't have the same opposite effect that calm did last year.

Do you chose a word for the year? If so, what did you chose and why? (if you don't mind sharing)

I hope that everyone has a year blessed with love, happiness, and abundance.

Cookies, cookies, and more cookies

2010-12-28T08:00:00.000-06:00

Each year I make a box of cookies for some of our monthly bookkeeping clients.

Let me tell you, it's a major undertaking.

I spend about two weeks making test cookies for the family to taste until I settle on the 6 or 7 diffent kinds that will will be in the boxes.

I usually make about a dozen of each kind and do this for about 10-15 different clients.

I know, right?

Here are the cookies I chose this year.

From left to right: Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies, S'mores Cookies, Melting Moments cookies

Chocolate Raspberry Bars, Snow Balls, Cinnamon Cookies

It's always a lot of fun trying all the new cookies in order to make a decision, but, honestly, I'm sick of cookies for awhile.

Christmas Stocking

2010-12-27T16:28:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited!!!

I started a Christmas stocking for my daughter Kirsten this year.

And, I actually finished it THIS YEAR!

AND, in time for Christmas!!

(if you can believe that)

It is a redwork pattern that I ordered from Bird Brain Designs earlier in the year. She's got some really cute stuff. Go check it out.

I finished the back of the stocking with leftover fabric from the sleeve of the Santa Claus sweater that I made into a pillow. (I had to really keep my eye on that pillow on Christmas day because my mother-in-law kept trying to sneak out of the house with it. lol)

To market, to market......

2010-12-19T08:00:00.001-06:00

With all of the felt food that I've made for my niece I figured she should have something to carry it in, so I made a market bag for her also.

I just used fabric that I had on hand and made up the design as I went.

I used burlap for the outside. But, since that's kind of itchy, I lined the inside and added some little handles.

This whole project was just so much fun. I've never worked with felt before and I didn't have patterns for any of the things I did. It is so far off from my norm for me to do things without a pattern and directions. It was really freeing. And honestly, trying something with no pattern and having it turn out the way I envisioned really gave me a boost of confidence to keep going. It really has helped me to even begin to think about branching out more on my own and looking at things in a whole new way. Give it a try yourself!!

Felt Food Installment.....

2010-12-17T15:12:00.000-06:00

Well, this is the last installment for the felt food project for my niece's Christmas present.

I made a bunch of little tea bags.

I used wedding tulle for the actual tea bags and put sequince leaves inside.

It's really been a lot of fun doing this. I suppose that the possibilities are unlimited. All kinds of foods could be made.

There are some that I attempted which were total fails. I'll need to practice up on those a little more. :0)

Oh my!

2010-12-06T13:24:00.002-06:00

Oh my!!! How time does fly when we're busy.

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted or that I left the picture of my ugly pantry up for so long. What was I thinking?!

Actually, this is the busiest time of the year for us. My babies turned twelve last month. I still can't believe it!! I am a little more than scared at the prospect of teenagers next year.

I have been busy on a big project so you'll have to wait a little longer to see pictures of it. It was a huge undertaking and a totally new undertaking. But, more on that later. (Call me a tease, it won't bother me.)

I did stop into my studio for a few minutes on Saturday and whipped up this Christmas pillow.

I made it from a sweater I bought at Goodwill last year. I think I paid $1.00 for it.

I stitched it up so that I could still unzip the zipper to take the pillow form out to use for a different season. That also helps to save so much room on storage space.

I was absolutely thrilled with how it turned out. And, seriously, it only took a few minutes to make. Just some zig-zag stitching and then cuttin off the excess and I was done.

Now you know to be on the look out for those holiday sweaters. There are bound to be tons of cute things to be made from them.

Pantry Re-hab

2010-11-16T08:00:00.001-06:00

OK. One of the things on my list of things I wanted to get done was to re-organize my pantry.

I'm really going out on a limb here, because I'm going to show you how bad it actually had gotten.

*deep breath*

It had just about everything crammed in there. There were tons of craft supplies included. And, if that wasn't enough, anytime the kids drop something, they just push it out of the way. Actually picking it up is out of the question. lol

Well, I had started going through things and cleaning it out and then I had to push it up to full gear. I have a neighbor that has goats. She's not feeding them. I would call animal control except that she would know it was me that called -- there aren't any other neighbors. We've had our issues with her before and I don't want to make it any worse. I plan to live here for quite awhile.

Anyway, rather than watch her goats starve, I bought feed and on of my daughters has been feeding them. She carried the bag of feed into the house and left it in the pantry. Bad idea.......it was full of weevils!!!

So, needless to say I had to empty and clean the pantry, then discard all of the grain products in my pantry. (I just got rid of them rather than checking to see if they had weevils--it can take a month after they've been infested to actually see any signs.)

I am still in the process of transferring things to glass jars to avoid any problems in the future, but the pantry is looking much better.

I'm always amazed at how much stuff is around my house that just doesn't need to be. Why don't we get rid of it sooner? Why is it always when it gets overwhelming that I finally decide to sort through it and discard the things that will never be used? It would be so much easier to just get rid of it as we go.

I guess that's why. I forget that there's an easy way to do things sometimes. LOL