Crafty Mom of 4 Boys

Drawstring Backpack Tutorial

2011-12-10T13:11:00.009-06:00

I made these drawstring backpacks for a friend (she wanted them for her kids for Christmas). Note: These backpacks are great for small books and toys, but not suitable for heavy items

Cut fabric 13" or 14" wide by 36" long. Then fold in half (it should now measure 13 by 18 inches) and press. If you want to applique or embroider on it, do so now.

Measure 3 inches down and cut a slit 1/4" wide. Do this on both the left and right sides of the front and the back of the backpack. Then press each to the inside (or wrong side of fabric).

Now press the top of the front and the top of the back down 1/4". I used pressing templates that I found out about on Pintrest (I LOVE that site). You can find more about pressing templates here.

The next step is to fold the top (of both front and back) down to where the pressed edge is lined up with the 1/4" slit that you cut and press, then sew. (You will fold it down about 1 1/4".) This will make the casing for your drawstring.

Now you will need to thread your drawstring through the casing. This has to be done in a specific order for it to "cinch" correctly. I used 4 yds. of drawstring and cut in 1/2. This will give you 2 sections of drawstring 2 yds. each.

Take a safety pin and pin one of your drawstrings on one end. This makes it easier to thread it through the casing. Start on the right side and thread it all the way through the front casing...

...then thread it through the back casing starting on the left side.

This will leave you a loop on the left side...

...and 2 loose ends on the right side of the backpack.

Now, do the opposite. Starting on the left side of the front casing, thread it all the way through...

...and then starting on the right side of the back casing thread it through. This will leave a loop on the right side and 2 loose ends on the left side of the backpack.

On one bag I used twill tape and on the other I used a larger heavier cording. The thin light weight twill tape was used on a girl's backpack, the thicker cording was used for a boy's backpack. I used complimentary or coordinating colors for the drawstring.

Now we are going to use French seams. I love French seams because they add strengh to seams and they are very clean and neat. French seams are best used on straight seams like the drawstring backpack project and this project.

Wrong sides together (yes, you read right - now I know this feels wrong, but to make a French seam you must do this) pin it. Now on the right side at the bottom of the backpack (right at the fold), slide the 2 loose ends of your drawstring (that are also on the right side) into where the seam will be and pin it. Do this to both left and right sides.

Being careful to make sure the drawstring is not twisted (this is important for the flat twill tape, not the round cording) and the edges are lined up, lay one on top of the other before sliding it into where the seam will be, pinning it.

With the thicker cording, it could not lay on top of each other, so I put it side by side (to reduce the bulk and allow it to go through the sewing machine).

Sew with wrong sides together. Sew with 1/4 inch seam (if you cut your fabric 13 inches wide and 1/2 inch if you cut your fabric 14 inches wide). Sew right up to the casing and back stitch. Do this to both sides.

If you had a 1/2 inch seam, trim to 1/4 inch. Turn inside out and press seams flat. It should now be right sides together.

If your drawstring sticks out past the seam, trim flush.

Now sew using 1/2 inch seam allowance. Making sure to trim threads as you go along. This will save time later. When you sew, sew up to the casing, but not over it or you will close it and your drawstring bag will not cinch.

Inside the seam allowance, I sewed over the drawstring part 3 or 4 times to reinforce the drawstring.

Turn right side out and you are done! These make great gifts for kids for Christmas and birthdays. Especially if they are personalized - kids love to see their name.

Pull both drawstrings on each side at the same time and the bag will cinch right up!

Decoration: Paper Christmas Tree

2011-11-10T11:20:00.009-06:00

I saw this Christmas Tree in a magazine. It was just in the background (like a prop), but it caught my eye. I knew I had to try to make one. This is how I did it...

At Hobby Lobby I bought styrofoam cones (there are lots of different sizes - I think I will make several and have a small forest of Christmas trees). You can get white cones in the craft section or green ones in the floral section. I paid $4.50 for a pack of 2 small cones. The other supplies were some old books (you can get these cheap from Goodwill or yard/garage sales) that I didn't mind tearing up, scissors, a pencil and glue (I really liked the Aleen's with the brush - I felt I had a little more control).

I tore out several pages out of one of the books.

I traced the bottom of the cone on one of the pages and then cut it out a little larger than the circle that I had traced.

Then I cut small slits from the edge to the drawn circle. Then fold them up (it will make the next step easier).

Brush the bottom and the little flaps with glue and set the cone in the center of the circle that you had previously traced, then fold up the slits. You can use a rubber band to hold them in place. Note: The glue will not stick to the styrofoam very well, but it will work out in the end.

Then take one of your other pages and wrap it around the cone (my page was big enough to over lap some - you really want this). Since the glue will not adhere to the styrofoam very well, you need the paper to over lap so you can glue the paper back onto itself.

Trim off any extra.

Do the top the same way that you did the bottom (you can also do this the same time that you do the bottom - I did not think far enough ahead and had to do it in this step). Continue wrapping the cone with pages until it is completely covered. You want it covered so the styrofoam won't show through (especially if you use styrofoam (green) that is a different color than your pages).

Here it is covered...

Now, take your pages and fold them in half lengthwise (do not crease), and glue the long edges together. Hopefully you can see my glue at the top edge of the page before folding.

Then you cut slits up to the glue line (every 1/2 inch or so).

Wrap that around the cone somewhere near the bottom.

There will be places that will gap at the glued edge (this is due to the cone shape), cut a small slit at the gap and over lap, seal with glue.

If it does not meet (and that strictly depends on the size of your paper and the size of your cone), you can piece it.

Repeat with the next row, this time a little higher than the last row (the closer they are together, the fuller your tree will be, I wish I had spaced mine a little bit further apart so my tree wasn't quite as full - maybe next time).

Continue until you reach the top and you are finished.

Now you have a paper Christmas tree. I like it just the way it is, but you could spray paint it (green and then flock it with white to look like snow, or gold, silver, or whatever your color scheme is). You could also use construction paper or pretty scrapbook papers.

Jeff Bates

2011-11-09T08:32:00.004-06:00

If you read my short post yesterday, you heard of Jeff Bates (you may have already heard of him, if not you have missed out).

I think he has the deepest, sexiest voice. I first became a fan when I heard this song. It is an amazing song.

Here are some of my favorite Jeff Bates songs...

I Wanna make you cry

One Second Chance

He's got many more.

Yarn Fun

2011-11-09T06:14:00.003-06:00

A friend of mine was cleaning out her yarn stash this past summer and let me have A LOT of it (I was tickled pink). She is a knitter and I am a crocheter and a learning-to-knitter.

When I first received the yarn, I wasn't able to crochet or knit much this summer (due to time constraints and such). Now that the weather is getting cooler the autumn colors are beautiful, the leaves are falling and the air is crisp I am really in the mood to crochet and knit, so I am making time.

Here are a few scarves that I have crocheted this week. (I am slower at knitting since I am still new at it, so if I want to see results fast - I'll crochet. Also, knitting requires me to concentrate more, so I am unable to do it as often - with 4 boys around, my concentration seems to get broken a lot.)

Pink lattice scarf with white trim.

This yarn was a medium blue and white twisted together so when crocheted together it resembles faded denim to me. [Hard to tell in the picture, but very pretty.]

This is a multi-colored skinny scarf. I really like the colors in it.

I have loved working with these yarns and making these scarves. Now, do I give them as gifts (X-mas and such) or keep them to myself?????????????

I shed tears today...

2011-11-08T08:04:00.003-06:00

After dropping the kids off at school, on my drive home this song came on the radio. I had never heard it before. Before the first stanza was over I was crying and by the end of the song I was weeping. As soon as I was home I looked it up and wanted to share it with you.

I hope you enjoy it...

Late Halloween Craft

2011-11-05T14:43:00.005-05:00

Since I didn't have a camera, I almost forgot about this.

I don't normally decorate for Halloween, just fall. (That way it lasts a lot longer and I love fall - the colors, leaves, etc.) But, when I saw this, it was just too cute to resist.

This was on You Can Make This in their free section. Yes, you read it correctly. The pattern and instructions for this project were free. I already had the fabric (it's not that big, so a larger scrap piece will suffice), and the embroidery thread. I just had to purchase the black rhinestones (used 40% off coupon - it was more expensive than I expected it to be but not too bad with coupon), picture frame (Hobby Lobby $10 and then 1/2 off sale - $5) and the sheer ribbon (again 1/2 off at Hobby Lobby - don't remember the price). This project was really reasonable.

I could take it out of the frame and store with my fall stuff and use the picture frame all year (black frame goes with everything - especially black and white photos which I absolutely adore) or I could store it as is. Either way, I loved this project. It was quick and easy to make and it looked cute on the coffee table or book shelf.

You really need to check out You Can Make This. I love that website!!!!!!!!

Thank You, God, for Blessing Me - Book Review

2011-11-02T10:58:00.004-05:00

I love reading and I love passing down that love for reading to my children. Thank You, God, for Blessing Me by Max Lucado is a great book for toddlers and pre-schoolers. I read it to my younger two boys and they liked it, but they are almost too old for it.

My boys are fans of Max Lucado's Hermie and Wormie and this book has a young Hermie as the main character. The story flows with an easy reading rhythm and with wonderful rhymes to catch and keep a little one's attention.

The artwork is colorful with lots to see, but not so detailed that a toddler might loose interest.

If you want to pass on your love of reading to your child and your love of God even more, I suggest you read this book to your toddler.

I highly recommend this book for toddlers and preschoolers. This would be an excellent book to read to a toddler class at church or preschool and even better for a mom to read to a child sitting in her lap.

I received this book for free from Book Sneeze for this review, but the review and opinions are my own.

Firewood Carrier

2011-11-02T10:42:00.004-05:00

We have gas heat. When gas prices started to rise a few years ago we began to talk about a wood stove. Last year, someone in poor health gave us his wood stove. I love it! I can keep the house so much warmer than I would ever dream about with gas heat (I can't afford to keep it as warm as I would like with gas heat).

In the November 2011 Issue of Country Living Magazine (page 55), it showed how to make this cute firewood carrier. I just had to make it. Frank usually brings in a load of wood in a wheelbarrow for me, but sometimes (because I keep it so warm and toasty) I run out of wood before he gets home and can get another load in for me. I thought this would be perfect for me to carry just a small amount in to keep the fire good and warm until he gets home.

The directions called for faux bois oilcloth (Country Living Magazine said you could get it here). I used vinyl laminated cotton instead (for several reasons - it's really cute and there wasn't a big selection of oilcloth here and I wanted to make it now). I don't know if it will hold up as well as oilcloth (only time will tell).

Living in Love - Book Review

2011-11-01T06:27:00.004-05:00

Living in Love by James & Betty Robison was a little bit of a let down. The book was not what I was expecting. While it had some valuable information in the book, I feel that it should have been titled Communication is the Key to Living in Love.

The majority of the book was about communication. I do feel that communication in a marriage relationship is important, however, there are other factors that can contribute to a successful marriage. Expecting the book to address several of those factors instead of just one should not be too much to ask.

Had they titled the book differently, I might feel more favorably toward the book, but I was not really wanting a book just about communication. Each chapter of the book attempted to address different factors that affect marriage, but ended up discussing communication.

Living in Love is a well written book. The book was written clearly and concisely and it gave equal time to both James and Betty's opinions, but by not covering a wide range of topics important in a marriage (I feel the Robisons made an attempt to do that, but fell short) it left me wanting more.

If you are wanting a book that deals with communication in marriage, this just might be the book for you. If you are wanting a book that deals with a variety of marriage topics, keep looking.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books, but the review and opinions are my own.

Hello Again & Homemade Halloween Costumes

2011-10-31T13:15:00.007-05:00

Sorry that I've been gone for so long, but my computer crashed and it took a little while to get it back (I lost EVERYTHING though). Then when I got it back, my camera died (and I think my blog is naked without pictures) and I just now got a new one. So, I have been crafting, but unable to take pictures of a lot/most of them (they were gifts and are now gone). The ones that I was able to hang on to, I will be posting about them later (if I don't forget).

I like to do homemade Halloween costumes. I think it is fun (since I like to make things), my kids have a-one-of-a-kind costume, and it is cost-effective (with 4 kids I need that badly).

Let's talk about cost-effectiveness for a minute. A cheap, purchased Halloween costume is easily $20 (or more if you purchase accessories to go with it) and I have 4 boys. Let's do the math $20 x 4 boys = $80. $80 / 2 hours of trick-or-treating = $40/hour. It would cost me roughly $40 per hour for my kids to wear their costumes. Not very cost effective. (I know, I could pass the costumes down to younger children. Let's look at this option: (1) cheap costumes will probably not last - had that experience before w/ just 2 children, (2) children have a mind of their own and will not want to wear their brother's costume from last year, they will want their own, different kids - different tastes. Again not very cost effective.) So we make our own (as inexpensively as possible). Plus, as a bonus - it's fun!

Champ (11) felt he was too old to dress up, so he is not in the pictures (no costume). Lee (12, soon to be 13 - not ready for a teenager just yet, but that's a whole other topic for another day) wanted to be the invisible man (got the idea from Martha Stewart Halloween Special Issue Magazine - the Vanishing Man page 48). Anthony (6) and Rance (5) were Angry Birds.

My idea was for all the boys to be a different Angry Bird and Frank & I would be the pigs carrying a bucket of eggs. That idea went out the door because my older boys have a mind of their own (can you believe that? - how dare they think on their own and not want to do what their mother wants them to do).

This is Lee as the invisible man.
Jacket, shirt & tie (already had items for church on Sun. mornings): cost $0
Hat (already had hat for family pix - hopefully to be made soon): cost $0 (originally $5, but no actual cost to the costume, b/c it was already purchased for another purpose)
Sunglasses : cost $6 (Dollar General)
Gauze: cost $2 (Dollar General $4 per package, only used 1/2)
Total cost: $8

Black Angry Bird
I purchased a black, knit hat from Wal-Mart ($2), this will also help keep his head warm in cool, Halloween weather w/o obstructing his view or putting something over his face (he would probably hate and not wear anyway after purchasing such mask had I done so). Felt squares 5 for $1 (yellow, tan, black, red, white), had enough to do 2 hats and plenty left over for another project someday. Then I just cut out and hot glued on. Total cost: less than $3. (Note: I put the beak up slightly too high, so when he wears it, the bird is looking up, but since he is a 5 year old little boys, adults and older children can still tell what it is - if I had to redo it, I would put the beak and face lower on the hat.)

I did purchase a black, fleece shirt to wear (to keep warm and match the black hat), cost was $8 from Wal-Mart (he can wear it all year long so that doesn't count toward costume only).

Red Angry Bird
I purchased a red fleece hat from Wal-Mart for $3 (used the felt mentioned in the Black Angry Bird hat - still plenty left over). Total Cost: less than $4

I purchased a red and black fleece shirt from Wal-Mart for $8. He can wear it all winter long.

Total Cost for 3 costumes (not including fleece shirts) was about $15 (if you include the 2 shirts at $8/ea. the total cost for 3 costumes = $31). I realize that I only had 3 dressing up instead of 4, but 3 kids @ $20/costume would still be around $60. I think I came out pretty good.

Here are all 3 of my Trick-or-Treaters.

Faux Purse Dress

2011-08-18T14:07:00.008-05:00

I made this dress for my niece's 4th birthday. It is a size larger so that she can grow into it.

At Hancock Fabrics, I found some really cute corduroy fabric (perfect for fall) in a cute butterfly and floral print in brown and other fall colors. I made it reversible, the yellow 'lining' is the same print of the yellow butterflies in the brown print of the main fabric.

I made a faux purse (it is an actual pocket) on the side of the dress in the main fabric and used a coordinating color of rick-rack for the purse strap.

I used flower buttons at the shoulders and on the faux purse flap. On the purse flap, it is just for decoration, it does not actually button.

Rance's birthday is August 14 (he just turned 5) and my niece's birthday is August 8 (she just turned 4), so I asked Rance to try on the dress for the pocket placement and to see how it might fit. He reluctantly did it (he really love's his mother).

This dress would look so cute with a long sleeve tee or a long sleeve turtle neck under it and could be worn way into the fall.

Big Sister Little Sister Dresses

2011-07-17T08:32:00.007-05:00

My niece just had her 2nd baby (I now have 2 grand-nieces, wow - that makes me feel old). For the baby I made the Reversible Open Back Dress and Fancy Ruffled Diaper Cover that I also made here.

Here is the back of the dress, showing the striped reversible fabric.

The fancy ruffled diaper cover.

For her older sister I made a pillowcase dress in matching fabric.

I love how I was able to find grosgrain ribbon to match the floral fabric that I used for the trim of the dress. Note: I heat sealed the ribbon edges to keep it from fraying.

Showing my Independence

2011-07-16T07:59:00.005-05:00

It's a little late for Independence Day, but here you go anyway (better late than never right? - Nah, I don't agree either, just thought I'd try).

I made this Stars and Stripes Pillowcase Dress. I love the fabric because it looks antique-ish (I just made that word up, but it sounds good). The blue fabric has off-white stars in it, the red, striped, ticking fabric looks tea-stained, which gives it an aged look. A little girl could wear this any time, it doesn't just have to be worn on the 4th of July (but it does look Patriotic).

I love pillowcase dresses for several reasons...

1) The first is the history behind them. They used to be worn by peasants and poor people. They made use out of what they had. Nothing went to waste.

2) They grow with the girl. Since the ribbons can be tied tighter when she is smaller and looser as she grows, it is able to be worn longer.

3) The pillowcase dress can be worn as a top (this kind of goes with #2) when the dress gets too short. It can be worn with little bloomers, capri pants or jeans.

4) It can be dressed up or down depending on what you make it out of. Pillowcase Dress with lace trim in white with white leather patent Mary Janes makes a very cute Easter dress. Make it with a casual fabric and flip flops and it can be a summer play dress.

Here was a simple Patriotic table display. I had red and white dishes that I mixed up, I used red and blue bandanas for inexpensive place mats and napkins on a plain white table cloth. I had red and blue enameled buckets (Target $1 aisle) and American flags (Hobby Lobby half -off) about $0.25 each. Quick, Easy and Inexpensive!

Buckets of Friendship

2011-07-15T06:40:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine saw the bucket (that is pictured next to the finished chair) here and called me to ask where I got it (just at the local Dollar Store) and she went to get some. Then she saw the buckets that I decorated here, here, and here and requested 3 (one for herself, one for her mother and one for a friend).

So this is what the bucket looked like when she bought it (you know, a BEFORE picture)...

And this is one of them finished (you know, an AFTER picture)...

It's hard to tell in the picture, but the bucket is lime green with navy blue lettering. I failed to take a picture of the other two, but one was burgandy with 'Welcome' in black letters and the last (but not least) was candy apple red with black letters.

I primed each bucket with a metal primer in white. Then I put several light coats of color on each bucket, allowing them to dry in between coats. While they were drying, I cut the letters out with my Cricut and when they were completely dry, I applied the letters. Makes a great gift!

For a little girl

2011-07-14T18:26:00.006-05:00

Front...
Back...
I purchased another pattern from You Can Make This. It is a skirted diaper cover. I thought it was adorable. Think how much that it would dress up a little onesie or a simple little T-shirt or plain top.

This pattern is by Monkeysbug Tee and Tie Dyed Diva, you can also get their stuff on etsy. I am a fan of theirs. I may even be addicted to their patterns (I have a huge long list of their patterns in my 'Wish List' on You Can Make This). You can see a couple more of their patterns that I made here.

I AM Different

2011-07-11T09:56:00.003-05:00

I am just like a lot of moms. We want our kids to be cute, dressed cute, cute hair cut, you know how it is. But I am different in this way...when they get old enough to want to dress themselves - I let them.

I have friends that have children that are pre-teens, soon to be teens and they still tell them how to dress. I'm not knocking that, but that's not me.

As soon as my kids want to dress themselves, I encourage it. Yes, they may not match, but that's o.k. with me. They are expressing themselves and learning. I just make sure that it is weather appropriate (that's where I put my foot down). I do have a couple of other rules also, the clothes must be clean and they must be in good shape (no holes, stains, etc.).

As you can see here, Anthony picked out his clothes - he has an orange striped T-shirt, a green and blue argyle sweater vest, and a navy clip on tie. He was very proud of it and yes, I let him wear it to church. I even told him (without lying to him) that he was very handsome (it really isn't the clothes that make the man - he is extremely handsome to me).

I know that right now some of you mothers are mortified. That's o.k. It takes us all to make the world go around. When people ask if they dressed themselves, I nod, lean in close and with a sweet smile I quietly explain that they have their dad's sense of fashion. ;o) (Just kidding about that last part - sort of.)

A Sweet Little Something

2011-07-10T06:54:00.002-05:00

I found these two adorable patterns from You Can Make This, I purchased them and made them with no one in particular in mind. My friend saw them while they were a work-in-progress when she came to pick up the burp cloths for Victoria. She said that she wanted to see them when they were completed, they were quite possibly going to go to Spain too, along with the burp cloths.

This is the front of the Reversible Open Back Baby Dress. I made it in Size 0-3 months.

This is the back. You can see a little of the reverse fabric.

This is the Fancy Ruffled Diaper Cover. Also in 0-3 months.

And this is how cute they look together. I love how the ruffles show in the open back of the dress.

More Gifts to Spain

2011-07-09T06:44:00.001-05:00

A good friend of mine (we just met and became friends 5 or 6 years ago) was born in Spain, but moved here when she was young. When she was a teenager, her family moved back to Spain and she stayed here.

Her cousin (which is more like a sister than a cousin to her) just had her first child - a baby girl and asked me to make some personalized burp cloths that she could send to her...yes, in Spain.

I think that is so cool!

It's hard to tell in the photo, but below the ribbon is brown rick rack.

To see the first gifts to Spain, click here.

Shabby Apple

2011-07-08T09:53:00.003-05:00

Shabby Apple is having a great sale. Make sure you go check them out.

Shabby Apple has dresses and accessories for the every day woman, they have maternity dresses and dresses for little girls. Click one of the links below to go where you are interested.

Dresses from Shabby Apple

Women's Dresses from Shabby Apple

Maternity Dresses from Shabby Apple

Little Girls Dresses from Shabby Apple

I love the retro feel of this dress...

Check them out and let me know your favorite!

My Special Friend

2011-07-08T07:31:00.002-05:00

All my friends are special, but this particular one is special because she and I have been friends since we were about 15 years old and we have never met.

Go, ahead and re-read it if you want. We are both 40 years old, have been friends since we were 15 and we have never met (we've been friends for 25 years).

You see when I took Spanish (my Freshman year in High School), everyone in Spanish class was required to get a Pen-Pal from Spain or Mexico. Balbi is my Pen-Pal from Spain. She and I still write, although it is now e-mails (very few hand written letters). We have kept in touch all these years. She writes more often than I do (I am so fortunate for her to not give up on me). I have good intentions, but life gets in the way sometimes.

It is very neat that she and I were both born in November (less than 2 weeks apart) in the same year in two different countries, became friends, and stayed friends all these years.

Well, Balbi just had her first child, a baby boy! Boy is he beautiful. He almost makes me want to have another one...ALMOST!

I made these burp cloths for Balbi and her precious new little one and mailed them to go over seas to Spain.

To see other things going to Spain, click here.

The Waiting Place - Book Review

2011-07-07T11:53:00.001-05:00

The Waiting Place - Learning to Appreciate Life's Little Delays by Eileen Button is not what I was expecting. By the title, I was expecting a book that would teach me to look around and smell the roses while I was waiting in a doctor's office, car rider line at school, etc.

The Waiting Place is basically a collection of Eileen Buttons memories. (It reminds me of the Chicken Soup books, but instead of a collection of many people's memories it was a collection of one person's memories.) I have to admit that I was disappointed at first.

Since I am a mother of 4 boys, the short stories made it easier for me to read. There was nothing wrong with the book, it just wasn't what I was expecting and wanting. As I continued to read though, I began to realize that I had been in many of the same waiting places that Eileen had been in (maybe a different state, a different time, with different people, but the same waiting place anyway).

I began to feel a connection with Eileen. She understood me because we had been in several of the same waiting places. Some of the things that she felt during those times were some of the same things that I felt when I was in my waiting place. I began to appreciate the waiting places that I had been in, in the past.

The book still didn't meet my expectations, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I think that I can look at things in my past differently (in a more positive light) and hopefully train myself to look at present and future waiting places more positively while I am in them.

I received this book for free from Book Sneeze for this review, but the review and opinions are my own.

I am Unstopable

2011-07-07T10:43:00.003-05:00

Vocal Point (see below for more info.) sent me this product by Downy called Unstopables and asked me to try it. Well, I love it! The first thing that I really liked about it was the packaging...

...you are able to smell the product without opening it. So in the store aisle, you know what it smells like instead of having to wait until you get home. (But you don't have to worry - it smells great.) I was sent the fragrance 'Fresh' it has a aqua colored lid.

My husband even commented on how good it smelled (without me prompting him - that is very rare). He said it even smelled good outside (when I had my dryer going - it is vented outside - and he was outside working he could smell it).

I am really into lavender right now and they have a fragrance called 'Lush' and it has a purple lid. I am really anxious to try it! Wonder if it smells like lavender?

I will give you a little warning. The fragrance it strong, so if you don't like that, you might not care for this product. However, I do like it. I want my clothes to smell fresh for days (I love to take a towel out of the linen closet and it still smell fresh and clean).

It comes in these little half-spheres that you shake into the lid (the product labeling tells you how to use it).

Then you pour them into your washer at the beginning of the wash load. Because you pour it in at the beginning (instead of the rinse cycle) the clothes are infused with the fragrance. This is also nice so that you don't have to worry about listening to the rinse cycle (or I have a Downy ball - and sometimes it doesn't release the fabric softener in the rinse cycle and I have to re-rise my clothes).

Unstopables is safe for High Efficiency washers, it is safe for all colors, all fabrics and all loads.

I suggest that you try it when you can (it is only available in select stores right now - but if you sign up with Vocal Point you can get a sample for yourself). They are having another sample offer coming up soon.

I am a member of Vocal Point and I am constantly getting free samples to try. I got a full size bottle of Downy Unstopables to try. They asked me to let my readers know what I thought about it, but it was not a requirement for the free product (I got the product regardless). If you want to become a member of Vocal Point you can do it by typing in this link (or copying and pasting) and signing up (it's free) http://www.vocalpoint.com/registration/acquire.aspx?sourceid=466 .

MOPS Retreat

2011-07-07T10:04:00.008-05:00

We just had our MOPS Steering Team Retreat this past weekend. That is our planning session. We work for about 24 hrs (with just a few hours of sleep) to plan our whole up-coming MOPS year.

It's pretty intensive, but it is also fun. We (the Steering Team) really get to know each other (which makes working together the next year easier).

As Coordinator for our group, I want to thank the ladies that are willing to take on the responsibilities of the ST and are willing to server other mothers and make MOPS possible. They also give up a weekend in the summer to plan the next year (thanks girls - I really appreciate it), plus so much more. So here is what I did for my ST.

I personalized buckets (using my Cricut) with their last name and crocheted a cotton dish cloth to go with it.

It's hard to tell from the picture, the colors of the buckets are cherry red, hot pink, teal, and country green.

I also personalized totes (embroidered their first name on the tote) so they could have something to carry their MOPS stuff back and forth to MOPS meetings, ST meetings, etc.

In the totes, I had their notebooks (used Cricut to make the cover). Each notebook had the title of their position, our theme for next MOPS year (starts Sept. 2011) and inside I had a pencil pouch with pen & pencil, a gift card, a coupon for a free hamburger, and post it notes. Inside each binder was the handbook for their specific position, our meeting dates for the next year, a calendar with all pertinant info (ST b-days, MOPS meeting dates, ST meeting dates, etc.) filled out and highlighted. There was paper for them to take notes at the ST Retreat and anything else that they might need. They should be able to use the notebook through out the whole next year.

I want my ST to know how much they are loved and appreciated. I have a fantastic group, otherwise I would not be able to be a Coordinator. They make my job easier. This is just a small token of my appreciation. There just aren't words to express what I feel for this special group of women.

Unusual Small Necklace

2011-06-29T11:17:00.005-05:00

I have 4 humming bird feeders. I had 2 last year and added 2 more this year. Hummingbirds bring me great pleasure to watch. This year I found 2 hummingbird feathers underneath my feeders. I was so excited! I put a penny next to them so you could get an idea of the actual size of them -very tiny.

I wanted to preserve them and showcase them at the same time. I thought about a necklace that I had seen my friend Katy wear (she's a Stampin' Up rep, you can check her out here). Anyway, I contacted Katy and had her order me a necklace and this is what I did with my hummingbird feathers...

I wore them to church one Sunday and everyone thought that it was so neat. I love wearing my hummingbird feathers, that too brings me pleasure.

Another blogging friend of mine has a couple of neat posts on her hummingbird, you can check it out here and here.

Nursery Ensemble

2011-06-23T09:47:00.006-05:00

A good friend of mine (the one that suggested me putting a boutique in my home salon) needed a baby gift for a friend and asked me to make it. She said the mom bought a black w/ white polka dot diaper bag and she wanted a bib, burp cloth, receiving blanket and wipes case to match. She said that she also wanted the baby's name embroidered in hot pink on the items.

This is what I came up with...

...a wipes case (top view)...

...a wipes case (angled view)...

...a burp cloth (free instructions here)...

...a bib...

...a receiving blanket (free instructions here).

I used jumbo rick rack in hot pink for trim to match the embroidered name. On the back of the receiving blanket I used black flannel. It is soft and it won't show stains (spit up, if you lay it down on a dirty surface to keep baby clean, diaper blow-outs, etc.).

Taste of Summer (Sort of)

2011-06-22T09:11:00.006-05:00

In the June issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine on page 38, she showcased Watermelon pot holders, suggesting collecting and then displaying them. I loved the idea, but I didn't have any. Since I am all about instant gratification, I decided that finding them and collecting them could take quite awhile (after all I do not have a full staff and resources like Martha does) - it still sounds fun and is something that I might do, but for now - I made a couple myself.

I had some cotton yarn (bought a little more) and I perused the internet for free watermelon crocheted pot holder patterns. There are several out there, I chose a couple and made them (I can continue to add to my collection each month or every year). I thought it would be cute to decorate the table with them this summer or to use them on picknicks. Watermelons definitely make me think of summer.

While I was making the watermelon pot holders, something in the back of my mind kept nagging me. Something else summery. I remember seeing a pattern for this...

I searched my favorites files and found the pattern here. An orange slice potholder in bright cheery orange yarn. It too is very summery. (You could take this pattern and run with it, do it in bright green for a lime or in bright yellow for a lemon.) Lots of fun!

Summer Fun

2011-06-21T08:55:00.004-05:00

Still having fun with my Cricut!

I bought this cute red tub at Lowe's and I used the vinyl for the Cricut machine and this is what I came up with.

I used the Plantin Schoolbook Font cartridge (that came with my Cricut) and cut out Happy 4 in navy blue vinyl using 2 inch letters with the shadow effect. I cut the th (in 4th) out in 1 inch letters - the rest being the same.

Then I used the Plantin Schoolbook Font and cut out Happy 4 in white vinyl using 2 inch letter w/o the shadow effect. I cut the th (in 4th) in 1 inch letters - the rest being the same.

I then layered the white over the blue. I measured the center of my bucket with a measuring tape and marked it with a dry erase marker. Still using the dry erase marker and measuring tape, I drew a line so that my letters would be straight.

Using the Accent Essentials cartridge (that also came with my Cricut) I cut some stars out of the white vinyl and the blue vinyl. I did some plain with each color and some using the shadow effect also of each color. I layered some stars and others I did not as I placed them randomly around the words 'Happy 4th'.

This can be used for self-service while picknicking, by filling with ice and drinks. Another great thing about it is, after the holidays I can remove the vinyl and have a plain bucket or add other decorations on it (eg. Merry Christmas in green vinyl letters and put poinsettias in the bucket - you get the idea).

Happy Birthday Champ

2011-06-07T04:16:00.001-05:00

Today you are 11! Wow, already? It is hard to believe. Just a short while ago I was going into the hospital to induce you (before the Dr. went out of town, you were due on the 8th and he was leaving on the 8th). We walked right in and the nurses did all the hospital stuff.

After everything was done, we just had to wait for your arrival. Dad and I had visitors off and on all morning, but at lunch time - we had several. Papaw came to the hospital during his lunch time, Meme came to the hospital during her lunch time and grandma came early that morning and stayed the whole time. I guess you were really anxious to meet everybody because you decided to come while they were all there. You came so fast that they barely got most of the people out of the room. Grandma and Meme stayed (Meme said that she was supposed to go back to work, but she wouldn't leave with you on the way). You are the only grandchild that grandma was able to watch being born. You are the only child grandma ever saw born (she wasn't even able to witness the birth of her own children b/c things were done so differently back then).

I remember that I wanted to name you Champion from the moment that I found out you were a boy (after my great...great..a few more greats-grandfather). All during my pregnancy everybody tried to convince me to choose another name. Your Uncle Tony said that he was going to call you by your initials (CW), your grandma told me that Nannie told her to tell me not to name you Champion - even though grandma wouldn't admit it I don't think she wanted me to name you that either. Other people would give their opinions (not so favorable). I was so distressed over it that I began to second guess myself.

I asked your dad what he thought about it. (He normally doesn't have an opinion unless he doesn't like something. There were several names that I threw out before we knew you were going to be a boy and he sure did tell me the one's he didn't like.) He said that you were our child and we could name you whatever we wanted. He liked Champion and if that's what I wanted to name you, then that was o.k. with him.

People kept telling me that you would grow up to hate your name, that other kids would make fun of you, there were so many negative opinions that I decided not to name you Champion. I still couldn't find a name that I liked (I really had my heart set on Champion). When people started asking me again what I was going to name you I would tell them I didn't know (and I meant it).

Your grandma got a little perturbed at me b/c she thought I knew what I was going to name you and I just wasn't telling her.

Right after your birth, the nurse looked at me and said, "What name do I put on the birth certificate?" I looked at your dad and said, "I don't know." He just grinned and nodded. I said, "Are you sure?" He asked me if I liked the name. I said, "yes," of course and he said that he did too. We looked at the nurse and said "Champion Wayne."

You have been a Champ ever since and you just wouldn't be the same if we had named you something else.

Thanks for being you!

My Very Special Mother's Day Gift

2011-06-06T15:57:00.005-05:00

My husband found this discarded bench (wish I had before pictures) and brought it home, I spray painted it green and set it out in the yard. It needed to be braced (thought I'd get around to it, but never did), but it was o.k. to sit on. I liked the 'park bench' look about it. I have no idea how old it is or how old it was when Frank brought it home, but it had definitely seen better days.

After sitting out in the weather (for who knows how long, 5 or 6 years at my house alone) it was beginning to go downhill.

The boys were in the backyard playing a game of 'Cornhole' and Lee mis-threw (is that a word?) a bag and it hit the back of the bench. It broke one of the slats. It wasn't a big deal at all, but Lee felt really bad that he broke 'Mom's' bench (not sure why it's called 'Mom's' bench b/c I thought it was for the whole family, but that's it's nickname anyway). ;o)

So, for Mother's Day, Lee decided to fix the bench for me. He fixed the broken slat with duct tape (gave it some support by duct tapping it to another slat) and re-painted it a golden-honey color. (He was using spray paint from my stash and there wasn't enough of either color to paint the whole bench, so he used both of them - they were real similar in color.)

I think it is so precious. He was very thoughtful to think of it and he did all of it by himself. I was not allowed to go out into the yard until it was finished (and he didn't tell me why I couldn't go out into the yard).

After all that work that Lee did, after he showed it to me he asked for my camera. He took all the pictures because he knew I'd want it documented (for scrapbooks and such) and that I might even want to post it to my blog. (I had almost forgot until I was looking through some pictures.) Is he thoughtful or what? I love my boys. God sure knew what he was doing when he blessed me with them.

Lovely Quote

2011-06-05T19:41:00.004-05:00

"That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful." ~Ninon de L'Enclos

Another Dawn - Book Review

2011-06-02T18:51:00.002-05:00

Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman was an very good Contemporary Fiction novel. I loved the setting, down in the South - Tennessee to be exact. It was a novel that expressed the difficulties in coming to terms with decisions a person has made in the past, coming full circle with those decisions and the effects that they had (even on others), forgiveness and moving forward.

Grace Graham is known for running when things get difficult. Her sister blatantly pointed that out to her and told her she was needed back home in Tennessee. Grace agreed to help out, that is until things didn't go as she had expected.

When family and locals began to turn on Grace for a decision that she made, Grace decided that it wasn't worth the fight - especially since her decision could cost the lives of children. Running now would only prove her sister right, but what good would staying do?

A neighbor helped Grace see that standing up for what you believe in (even when the going gets tough) can be worth it. With God's help, we can overcome anything.

Then Grace was surprised when an unlikely friend (a formal rival) gave her support when she least expected it, but needed it the most.

Grace wanted forgiveness for the hurt that she caused, but was she willing to give others forgiveness when they had hurt her? Was the cost of forgiveness just too much? Did forgiving someone mean that she was backing down from what she believed?

Read Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman to meet Grace Graham and her family and to see how she handles the situations that arise. It is an excellent summer read.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishing for this review, but the review and opinions are my own.

A Few More Boutique Pictures

2011-05-29T08:28:00.007-05:00

It's hard to see the detail of the curtains in this picture but they are white, the ruffle on the bottom is black with yellow sunflowers. I don't have place mats,table runner or dishes set on the table yet. It just has an arrangement of sunflowers in the center of the table (which my mom made years ago - she & dad used to own a flower shop). To the right is a bench and it has a sunflower throw draped across one corner of it. (You can see it better in the picture below.)

The picture above the bench is one my mom painted years ago (it has sunflowers in it) and a friend of her's gave it to me when she saw that I had sunflowers here. I miss my mom - she would have so many ideas and suggestions and she would be so supportive (even if it fails) of my dreams of the boutique. Since I took this picture, I have moved the picture that my mom took (it is still there, but I have moved it and put something else in that spot).

It's a work in progress. I am constantly making changes (and I'm sure that I will continue to do so - that's just me). Here are a few pictures that I made about 6 weeks ago (and I have changed things a little since then).

On the inside of the wardrobe doors I hung a couple of hooks. I have some hair ribbons that I made hung on this hook. If you look at this post, I have an outfit hung on it. (You can't see it in the picture, but inside the other door is a hook with the hair bows hung on it.)

At Hobby Lobby, I found a couple of black and white hat boxes (I love hat boxes and always have - they just seem nostalgic to me) and just had to get them (used 40% off coupon). I knew they would look great in the boutique. I set them on top of the wardrobe. While I was in Hobby Lobby, I found some black and white damask ribbon that matched one of the hat boxes, used it to make a burp cloth and laid it across the hat box.

Another friend of mine saw the changes that I was making (this is where I cut my friends and family member's hair - my hair salon, sort of) and asked what was going on. I explained it all to her and she was so super excited.

She made a couple of suggestions and one of them was to hang something on the side of the wardrobe. So I added a hook to the side (just like the ones that I added to the doors on the inside of the wardrobe). Now I can hang something there, you know to maybe "showcase" an item.

Right now, all the clothes hanging in the boutique are samples (I made them for my sons). I hope to have pre-made items to sell, soon.

Wedding Gift

2011-05-28T07:39:00.007-05:00

Do you remember the gifts that I said that I made (in this post) and gave away before I took pix? Well, I said that I liked it so well, that I was going to make one for myself and I would take pictures of that? I did make one for myself and here are the pictures. (I tied a bow around the handle and attached a card to them before I gave the others away.)

Check out the picture below (the tub is yellow), then check out the tub in this picture. I found the galvanized tub and stand at Dollar General for about $12 - $14 (don't remember exactly) and I liked the stand with the tub. Then when I picked the yellow tub up and put my last name on it, I put it in the stand to see if it fit (and it did - now I can change them out).

Also, not sure if you remember (in this post) that I had something special planned for the wardrobe that I repainted? Well, I am in the process of opening a small boutique in my home. I had wanted to do something similar for a while, but I guess I was too afraid of failure and I never did. Well, a very dear friend of mine suggested it also and she came up with a game plan.

How could I say no? You know, often times people make suggestions, but that's as far as it goes. Well, not this friend she had a suggestion and a solution for implementing it as well.

You have been seeing bits and pieces of it coming together all along. Here is another one.

In previous posts, the dishes were red. (I just really thought that the red popped on the black and white - and it does - but the rest of the boutique is black and white and gold/yellow, so I changed my dishes to yellow.) I got the color scheme from the curtains: they are white with a ruffled trim, the ruffle is black with yellow sunflowers on it. I made the table runner and placemats, napkins are coming soon.

I really started sewing when Anthony and Rance came along. I wanted the cute boutique clothes, but being a SAHM of 4 it just wasn't in the budget. So my only other option: to make them myself.

Here is an outfit that I made for Anthony (then it was passed down to Rance) that is black and white gingham and I hand smocked black and gold hornets on the front. Our local schools' mascots are bees/hornets/yellow jackets, so I thought that it was appropriate (and cute). Since I made this like 5 years ago and it matched the boutique I hung it up (as a sample).

The name of the boutique is going to be Monograms and More. I will do custom sewing, children's clothes, wedding gifts, embroidery/monogramming, etc.

My children's art work is on the wardrobe again. I thought about erasing it, but I'm going to be selling children's clothes - so why not let the children do the art work?

You are 6 Today

2011-05-27T08:42:00.005-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTHONY!

It is hard to believe that 6 years ago today I was sitting on my couch when the labor pains hit me. They were not close together, but they were extremely painful. This was my third pregnancy and I hadn't felt labor pains this strong so early in the process. I was home alone with Lee (6) and Champ (5). I live 20 min. away from the hospital on back roads (very curvy, winding and steep).

I had the phone right next to me and I couldn't pick it up and dial it because the pains were so strong. I asked Lee, in the calmest voice I could muster, to call his dad at work. I told him the number and told him to ask to speak to Frank please (explaining that there were other 'dads' that worked there). I guess his 6 year old instincts knew something was up because when the secretary answered the phone Lee excitedly said, "I need my daddy!!!!! I need my daddy!!!!!"

The secretary asked to talk to me. With her voice quivering, she said, "Jena. He's gone to lunch and I don't know where he went. What should I do?"

I told her the pains weren't that close together, but I did need him to call me as soon as he got back from lunch. Frank told me later that several of his co-workers met him in the parking lot before he even got out of his vehicle.

Background information: We have a small farm and Frank gets the boys actively involved in it with him. He had been teaching Lee to drive the lawnmower (with out the blades engaged) in low gear (Frank walking beside it). Lee was learning to steer and brake and basic things like that. Frank had a small trailer hooked behind the riding lawn mower and had fencing supplies in it. Frank would ask Lee to pull up a little (Frank walking right beside him) and stop so he could repair the fence. They had been doing this for a few weekends.

When I got off the phone, Lee asked if daddy was coming. I told him not right now. He began to get worried. He said, "Mommy, I can take you to the hospital. I know how to drive the lawnmower, you can ride in the trailer." It was precious. There is so much humor there and unless you knew where we lived, you cannot appreciate that statement to its fullest. But I think you can appreciate the sweetness of it.

Side note: My first labor was very long, we induced my 2nd child b/c the Dr. was going out of town, and I didn't experience a lot of pain until I was getting close to delivery so we had discussed me driving myself to the hospital and Frank meeting me there.

Frank called (it seemed like forever, but was less than an hour after I had called his work) and said, "Do I need to meet you at the hospital?"

I told him there was no way I could drive and that he needed to come get me as quickly as possible. (His work is about 20 min. away from our home and then there would be another 20 minutes to the hospital and then somewhere along the way we were going to have to drop off Lee and Champ to stay with someone - I needed him to hurry!)

Well, we made it and I could barely walk into the hospital. (You know those movies where the pregnant women scream when they are delivering their baby? I never got that, until now. When a labor pain hit me, I couldn't do anything, literally. Every time a labor pain hit me as I was walking into the hospital, I had to stop and Frank would have to help hold me up. I felt like screaming - I had never felt like that before).

They took me in and hooked me up and did all the routine hospital stuff and left me there with Frank. They would come in occasionally and check on me. I was in tears and asked about an epidural. The nurse said it wasn't time yet. After the nurse telling me to relax and me getting short with her, she finally said "Honey, your contractions aren't close enough together. You've probably not even dialated yet." She paused and then said, "I guess I could check you."

She did and then she looked surprised. I was dilated to 6 or 7 (can't remember exactly). The nurse said, "You're contractions must be very strong, because they are not close enough together to make you dilate." I'm thinking this whole time "That's what I've been trying to tell you." She immediately ordered my epidural, but of course the anesthesiologist was busy with someone else. She paged him several times over the next few minutes. She didn't leave me after she checked me until he arrived.

A short time later we had our beautiful bundle of joy. I am so thankful that God gave me this child (along with my other 3). Motherhood is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am so blessed.

Graduation Cake

2011-05-26T05:40:00.002-05:00

A friend of mine was talking to a co-worker that needed a cake for her daughter's high school graduation and she put in a good word for me.

So I was able to do a cake for her. The school colors were white, grey and maroon. She sent me several pictures of cakes that she liked and then let me have at it. So this cake is like a combination of 3 different cakes that she liked.

She wanted a small cake (I did a 6" cake) that she could place on top of a tiered stand and then she wanted 4 dozen cupcakes (forgot to get a picture of them) to go on the bottom tiers of the stand. She wanted enough cake/cupcakes for about 50 people and she wanted them to be able to serve themselves.

I hope she is happy. I was pleased with the way it turned out.

Every Man's Battle Book Review

2011-05-25T17:49:00.006-05:00

Wow! What a book. 'Every Man's Battle: Winning the War on Sexual Temptation One Victory at a time' by Stephen Arterburn, Fred Stoeker, and Mike Yorkey came highly recommended to me by several people, men and women alike. I have to say that it lived up to it's recommendations.

I was very impressed with the depth of the book, but I didn't feel like I was drowning. Everything was clear and concise. As a woman, I had no idea what it must be like for a man. I was so unaware how many challenges a Christian man faced on a daily basis (actually several times a day). While reading the book I began to watch television differently, and to see newspaper ads, billboards, magazine covers and so much more in a new light.

As a wife and a mother of four boys, I am more aware than I have ever been about their surroundings and the impact that it has on them. As a woman I hope I can be more sympathetic to their temptations and challenges.

Stephen and Fred were very open about the temptations that they have faced in the past and the challenges that they face today. They give a lot of real life examples of how men overcame these sexual temptations and what happened to men that didn't try.

They even have sections for women called 'The Heart of a Woman' that gives us the perspective of the wives of the men as they over came their sexual obstacles. It tells the challenges that a wife will face with her husband, how she can be supportive and how her love and support are critical to overcoming sexual sin.

I highly recommend this book to men and women alike. This book I think should be for mature adults (married, about to be married or mature singles), if you have younger children/young adults I do not suggest this book (it is very candid, but in a mature and responsible way). This book is part of a series of books and there are books for younger men, women, etc. Please choose the age group appropriately.

At this moment I am actually reading with my oldest son, Preparing Your Son for Everyman's Battle.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but the review and opinions are my own.

Please click on this link and rank my review on this and other books. I would really appreciate it.

Wall Art

2011-05-25T14:35:00.004-05:00

I am so excited. I got a Cricut Expression for Mother's Day (I ordered it before MD, but just before, so it didn't arrive until like 10 days after MD, but I got it and that's what counts).

I scrapbook (some - I am really behind, haven't scrapbooked much in a couple of years), but I don't really consider my self a scrapbooker (see the above parenthesis and you will understand why).

Really I consider myself a crafter, I like so many different crafting mediums. And I am willing to try just about any crafting medium at least once. So I have put off getting this machine. I have wanted one for years, but it is primarily marketed to scrapbookers. I finally broke down and purchased one (for crafting) and I am loving it.

This was one of my first projects (not the first, I gave them away as gifts and forgot to take a picture - but I like it so well, I am going to make myself one and I will take a picture of that).

I used the brown vinyl (my walls are a light tan, with dark stained trim) and cut out a saying/quote that I liked and put it on the wall. I used the Plantin Schoolbook Font that came with the machine. I cut the letters out in 3 inches, except for small and big. I cut small out in 2 inches and I italicized it. I cut big out in 4 inches, all caps and italicized it also.

Yes, the "o" in one is crooked. Guess what, I took it off and fixed it (after the picture was taken). I have also added a fleur de lis to the bottom of it. Will have to take a new picture of it soon. I am debating on whether to add quote marks to the beginning and end? Not sure, I kind of want to, but hubby liked it the way it was. What do you think?

Hey, I saw that the Cricut has a cartridge for cupcake wrappers. That would go great with this project. Can't wait to get my hands on that cartridge!

Cupcake Stands

2011-05-24T07:43:00.006-05:00

I saw the cutest cupcake stand tutorial here. So, of course I had to make some for myself.

I followed her tutorial, but as usual I put my own twist to it. I used a different wood for the top of the cupcake stand (thicker and more substantial looking). I also used different shapes: round, heart and square. I also used 2 different heights (a taller one - like in the tutorial and I made some shorter ones also). I painted all of them with several coats of paint and allowed them to dry between coats.

I painted 3 of them black...

and 3 of them white...

With the white ones, I wanted to try a couple of distressing techniques.

On one of them (after painting it white) I sanded the top and around the edges (to give it a worn - well used look). Note: I didn't think to sand it down until after I painted several coats on it. To make it easier to sand, next time I won't paint as many coats on it to start with, just the one I decide to sand.

On another white one I put a stain on it and immediately wiped it off. The stain stayed in the cracks and imperfections and also gave it a slightly aged look.

Here they are...

Aren't they cute?

I think they would make great party favors (wedding receptions, anniversary party, birthday party, girl's night out, or any special occasion). You can make them any color to match your decor. I've just been on a black and white kick lately. It's just classic looking and goes with everything. Check it out here and here.

UDATE: 5/25/11 I forgot to mention that I printed the cupcake wrappers from here for FREE!

Updated Chair

2011-05-23T05:56:00.007-05:00

This chair belonged to my Uncle's mother. After she passed away, they offered it to me. The seat was vinyl and a corner was torn exposing the wood seat, the cushion was flat, it was outdated and it really needed some TLC.

So I decided to give it that TLC and then give it a new home.

If you decide to do this, you will need...
spray primer
spray paint
flat-head screwdriver
possibly phillips-head screw driver
new fabric
maybe new foam cushion (if the foam on the chair you are re-doing needs replacing)
staple gun
staples to fit your staple gun

First look the chair over and remove the screws using a flat-head or phillips-head screwdriver (depending on the type of screws in your chair) that are holding the seat on. (Mine had four screws under the seat.) Do NOT lose these screws, you will need them again later to reassemble your chair.

Next remove all the staples holding the vinyl covering on. This can be done with a flat head screwdriver. After removing the damaged or outdated seat cover and the foam cushion you can disposed of them if you are not able to reuse them for another project.

Lightly sand the chair and prime it (I used a black spray primer because I was using a black paint, if you will be using a lighter colored paint, use a white primer). Then completely cover the chair with several light coats of spray paint, allowing it to dry between coats.

While the coats are drying take a piece of fabric that will coordinate with the color that you are painting the chair. (In my case I found the fabric first and then purchased paint to go with the fabric. Either way you do it is fine.) When you are recovering a chair seat, measure the wooden seat part and add about 6 inches to the width and another 6 inches to the height. (This should be sufficient unless you have a super thick piece of foam - more than 1/2 inch thick, if so, add more fabric.)

Lay the fabric right side down, center the new piece of foam on the wrong side of the fabric. Now place your wooden seat over the foam. Take the top piece of fabric and wrap it up over the side of the foam to the bottom side of the wooden seat (which will be facing up at this point). You should have about 2 or 3 inches of fabric to staple down. To make it easier, put pressure with one hand mashing the foam while pulling the fabric to the bottom of the chair seat with the other hand.

Using a staple gun, staple in the center of the fabric. Do this to the bottom, then the left and right sides. Now you can continue to pull the fabric taught and staple around the top, bottom and sides, carefully folding at the corners.

Once the fabric is completely secured with staples, screw the seat back on to the chair frame.

Here is my finished chair. I love it!

Before

After

Note: I used the same fabric for the chair seat that I used for the place mats and table runner here.

In the background is the old wardrobe that I remade over (check it out here) and since it has chalk board paint on the doors, my boys can't resist becoming artists - you can see some of their artwork next to the chair.

Decorative Table Tray

2011-05-22T08:22:00.007-05:00

For Christmas, my kids got a Melissa and Doug toy and it came in this wooden box.

It was just too good to throw away, but I wasn't sure what to do with it. It hung around here since Christmas. I would move it from one place to the next, not sure what to do with it.

Finally I thought that it would make a nice tray.

I spray painted it black (several coats), then I added drawer pulls (got from Hobby Lobby when they were 40% off - YEAH!) to the sides for handles.

I cut black and white hounds-tooth print scrapbook paper to fit the inside bottom of the tray, glued it with spray adhesive - made it wrinkle slightly but most of the wrinkles came out as it dried, and covered it with Mod Podge.

Now I've got this really cute decorative tray.

What do you think?

Hey look, my place mats and table runner match this project here.

End of the Year Teacher Gift

2011-05-21T20:06:00.004-05:00

Our school year is finally over. This is what I did for 1 set of teachers (Lee had 4 teachers, Champ had 4 teachers and Anthony had 1 teacher). [Anthony's teacher we did a gift as a class - all the Kindergarten kids in her class and their parents got together and got her something together. Champ had extenuating circumstances and several of his teachers were out the last week and he had subs - so we didn't do anything for his teachers.]

Since Lee wanted to do something and I have 3 boys in school (makes quite a few teachers) I couldn't do too much for them (there isn't enough money in the budget for what they deserve), but we wanted to do something anyway.

A mom in our MOPS group researched the web and came up with several teacher gift ideas and made samples and set up a table to show us - fantastic idead. I really liked this idea (among others), thought it was really cute and quick and easy enough to do several at the last minute. She found the idea here. The printable is free too.

There was something strange when I printed mine out. It said it would print out in a 5 X 7 size, but printed out in an 8 X 10 size instead. Oh, well, the teachers just got a JUMBO thank you.

I took a picture before Lee signed his name to all of them.

Lots to Post

2011-05-18T16:07:00.005-05:00

Wow! It has been a long time since I've posted and my apologies to you. I haven't been able to even read the blogs that I follow and keep up with them. We are nearing the end of the school year and the kids have so many different things going on with school and their activities. Plus in less than 10 days Anthony will be six, so I am working on what to do for him. [Anthony and Champ's birthdays are 10 days apart so I usually combine their birthdays into one get-together, but Champ wanted something separate this year.]

There are awards at the middle school, there is the end of the year bash, Anthony was in the talent show at the elementary school and he has Kindergarten graduation coming up, there have been school trips to the park (for both schools) and to the zoo for the elementary, Lee is in Boy Scouts and Champ is in Cub Scouts, Frank has been in hay (yes, it's hay season here), plus we just had our last MOPS meeting of the year and it is usually our biggest and we want to make it our best, we still have our MOPS annual picnic coming up and our Summer Steering Team Retreat that I have to get ready for and there is just one of me. (I feel a little stretched.)

Some things I just wasn't able to do because they happened at the same time. I feel really bad that I had to let someone down. I usually did the activity that I knew about first and that way I didn't feel as if I was showing one favoritism over the other. (I hope they didn't feel like I did either.)

I have been extremely tired. So tired that I feel I am having trouble functioning and have considered going to the doctor. Frank said that if I would just quit volunteering at the schools so much, it would probably fix my problem. He may be right, but to me - that's one of the joys of and reasons for being a SAHM. So I am able to do all these things for and with my children.

Lee & Champ are both in middle school and ask me to come participate with them, I'm so afraid that will be coming to an end very soon. They grow up too fast and are usually all too ready to get away from their parents. I don't know when it will come to an end, but I sure would have hated to have missed out on this year and then next year they didn't want me around. So I will cherish every moment that I have with them for as long as they will let me. I can rest when they get married.

I have been crafting in my spare time and trying to take a few pictures, then there are pictures that I still need to take (of completed projects) and then I forgot to take some pictures of things that I made for gifts and I've already given them away. Oh, well - that's life I guess (or at least that's me - I am so forgetful).

Here is one of the projects that I did like a month ago (maybe longer) for a friend's son's third birthday.

I purchased the pattern here at YouCanMakeThis (I love this site).

My kids loved the chair so much that I had to make Anthony and Rance one (those are completed projects without pix - hopefully coming soon). Lee & Champ wanted one too, but it is designed for up to 50 lbs. and they are quite a bit more than that. They keep asking me just to make it bigger (but that would make it weaker I think). I have caught Lee & Champ sitting in Anthony's and Rance's chairs and they haven't fallen apart or broken yet. (It's a pretty tight squeeze though.) ;o)

This is the last week of school (Friday is the last day). I hope that means that I will have time to post more, but having all four of them home may mean that there is less time to post. Just don't give up on me. I'll post when I can and think about you daily.

Furniture Facelift

2011-04-13T12:46:00.005-05:00

I had this old (probably antique) chifferobe (wardrobe) that I wanted to make over. My DH said that I would probably regret it later (he's probably right - he usually is), but I did it anyway.

I painted the doors with black chalkboard paint and the chifferobe itself a gold color (using paint left over from this project).

I changed out the hardware (the doorknobs) with new hardware. The new ones look old though (like the antique glass knobs).

I've got something really special in mind for this baby.

Great Family Activity

2011-04-07T08:34:00.004-05:00

I was looking through April's issue of Family Fun Magazine (I love, love, love that magazine) and on page 53 it talked briefly about Letterboxing. I have never heard of this. Since it was under 5 Ways to Get your family Outside, I was intrigued. The weather here is getting nice and warm and we are actually experiencing some sunny days. I had to try this.

The article in Family Fun Magazine said to find out more you can check it out at FamilyFun.com/magazine (and search for Letterboxing) or you can find the direct link here. The article also said to check out Letterboxing.org.

I did my research (the Letterboxing.org link above) and went and bought a pink pearl eraser (2 for $1 at Dollar General) to make my own rubber stamp, I already had an ink pad, and I also purchased a book (archival safe - but it doesn't have to be) for the letterboxes that I find. Then I made my stamp (there are directions on how to do this - very simple) and I was ready to go.

Yesterday, Rance and I found our first Letterbox. It was like finding a treasure. We were so excited (you should have seen the expression on his face, you would have thought that we found real pirate's treasure). We went while the other boys were in school because I didn't know how difficult it would be and I was near one of the clues, so Rance and I looked. Today after school, I am taking all of the boys to look for another Letterbox. They can't wait.

I think that I want to plant a letterbox or two also. I will let you know if we decide to do that or not.

This would be a great on-going summer activity. We will get to see all sorts of places that we might not think to go to, it's great for all ages, it gets us outside to see the area around us, it is like a treasure hunt and it is something that we can all do together. I also love the book that we collect the stamped images on. It is like passport of all the places we've been/letterboxes that we've found.

We have gone geocaching with Cub Scouts before (Letterboxing is very similar), but you have to have a hand-held GPS, there isn't anything that you keep with you (unless you just keep a log for yourself) to see how many you've found. It's fun, but I actually like Letterboxing better (I think it is neat to see all the different rubber stamps - especially the hand made ones). When we found our first Letterbox yesterday, I looked through the book and saw all the stamps that people left (alot of them also told where they were from and when they found it).

If you've letterboxed before, let me know what you think. If you haven't, do you think you and your family would enjoy this?

"I used to have one just like it, but it was plastic."

2011-03-19T10:18:00.003-05:00

Frank was out working on his tractor. I looked out the window and spotted Rance helping him. I grabbed my camera and quietly went outside, to take pictures without them knowing about it. It was so sweet.

While I was unnoticed I over heard a little of the conversation between father and son...

Rance: "Nice wrench you have there."
Frank: "Thanks."
Rance: "I used to have one just like it, but it was plastic."

How's your driving?

2011-03-16T15:43:00.002-05:00

Seen on a church marquee...

"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"

I am NUTS about this

2011-03-15T08:31:00.004-05:00

Frank and I went on a little outing around Valentine's Day (we don't get that often) while my dad watched the boys for us. When we were there, I spotted this antique Nut and Bolt bin from an old hardware store. I love it! I want one.

It is really neat. The top is a hexagonal shape with triangular drawers on every side and it pivots all the way around on top of the base. The base it just a square with drawers on two sides. It is about 5 feet tall.

Frank said that it would be easy enough to make (but when is he going to have the time, I mean really?) and not too expensive (the hardware - drawer pulls - would be the most expensive).

I'm not sure why, but there is something aesthetically pleasing to me about this. This particular one was not for sale, when I got home I began searching the internet for these and they are VERY expensive (again Frank mentioned that he could make one - I asked him if he would and he laughed, you know the "I would love to, but when would I ever get around to it" laugh). Oh, well. A girl has to have something to wish for right?

I was telling my dad about it and he told me that my grandpa used to have one and sold it years ago for $200.00. To make sure he knew what I meant I showed him the pictures that I took (above) and he said that was what grandpa had. Whoa! What I wouldn't do to have that. I think it would be so cool to have my grandpa's old nut and bolt bin (I am very sentimental too).

Out Live Your Life - Book Review

2011-03-14T12:51:00.004-05:00

Out Live Your Life, You were made to make a difference by Max Lucado was an eye opener. I cannot remember why I chose this book, so I didn't really have any expectations of it, but I was really surprised at how it made me think.

It was an easy read. This book has several short, concise chapters, but there was a lot on information to digest (the bone may be small, but there sure was a lot of meat on that bone).

As an imperfect, flawed human being, my view tends to be very limited (myself, my family, my community, etc.), Out Live Your Life made me open my eyes to expand my view. When I look at my family, I shouldn't just see the obvious (maybe I should invest some time getting to know that outcast family member that everyone else has written off), when I look at my community I should see more than those that are affluent (that person in dirty, ragged clothes may have more to share than I could ever imagine).

Out Live Your Life, in a nutshell is to leave a legacy when your gone. Have a positive influence on those around you (even if you have to step outside your comfort zone). Let your memory live on long after you do. Not because you were rich and donated money and they named a library after you, not because you were famous and made lots of movies or records, but simply because you cared. Your best investment is to give of yourself.

Max Lucado gave lots of biblical examples of people (especially Jesus) doing just that. He also included real life people that made a difference in other peoples lives, from Mother Theresa to people that I had never heard of (but you better believe that the people that were affected by them will remember their names - will probably tell their children and grandchildren for generations to come).

I really enjoyed the book, but felt rather exposed and shallow while reading it. It did inspire me to look at people around me differently. Everyone around me is a child of God, loved by God and is no better or worse than I am. We are all loved equally by God. We should make those around us feel that way too. If you want to make a difference in this world and to those around you and you would like ideas and inspiration, I recommend this book.

This book was given to me for review by Book Sneeze, but the review and opinions are my own.

Toe Art

2011-03-14T08:24:00.004-05:00

I am NOT an artist, so the post title may not be completely accurate. Anyway, Anthony has to bring Kindergarten readers home. Books that are 8 pages long with words and sentence structure that he has been studying. His teacher asks that the children read each book a minimum of two times (more if they need it).

Anthony read it to me once and did fine, but he didn't want to read it a second time - he wanted to go play. Since he was hurrying up, he started making mistakes. I had a pen in my hand and as a joke, I took the pen and made a mark on his toe when he made a mistake. I told him that I would make 1 mark for every mistake he made (which turned into faces).

He realized that these were marks of mistakes and began to make an effort again. What you see above is the final result. (He missed 10 out of 133 words - not bad for a Kindergartener).

After we were done and they were no longer marks for mistakes, he asked me to draw a different face on each toe (angry, silly, jealous - which I didn't do b/c I had no idea how, etc.). This is the end result of that.

How do you motivate your children?

A Tiny Green Gift

2011-03-13T08:14:00.003-05:00

Remember these tiny shamrocks? Well, I found an Irish blessing, typed it up and cut it out. Pasted it on green construction paper and pinned the shamrock to it. Anthony gave one to his teacher and her student teacher. (Yes, we did it this week because we have spring break next week and won't be in school.)

How to trap a leprechaun

2011-03-12T06:10:00.004-06:00

Anthony's assignment was to build a leprechaun trap. I had done some research on line and found some traps to give him an idea, but he and his brothers wanted to come up with one all their own.

This is what they came up with...

They did it all by themselves (Anthony's 2 older brothers helped).

The green crayon is attached to a string which is attached to the gold stick. When the leprechaun goes to get the "gold coins", you pull the string and trap him under the box.

What is a leprechaun trap without a leprechaun?

I saw this cute little guy and crocheted him for Anthony's trap. (Forgot to get a picture of him near the trap.) He is larger than the trap. I wanted Anthony to make this leprechaun trap, and he would have fit in it. Since that was the trap I had in mind, I began to crochet the leprechaun. As I mentioned, the boys had their own idea and my leprechaun didn't fit. I had fun making him though. You can find the leprechaun pattern here. Note: I did follow the pattern directions, but my leprechaun is not in the same proportion as theirs. I was hurrying up, trying to finish it in the car at school the day he was to turn in his trap (I may have over stuffed him and that might have something to do with it.)

Thank goodness (before I overstuffed him) Anthony asked me to make him look like he was hugging someone. Unintentionally (unless my sub-conscience took over) he looks like he has outstretched arms.

My Baby got a Boo-boo

2011-03-10T20:35:00.004-06:00

Tuesday, the elementary school called me about 10:00 in the morning and said that Anthony fell out of the tree house at recess and took a pretty hard fall. They thought that I should come and see for myself. It was near his eye, but didn't seem to touch his eye.

I rushed up there and was glad to see that he was not crying (he had been though). I was very grateful that it didn't do any damage to his eye. I was also concerned that he got hit at the temple of his eye. He is tough.

It continued to swell that day and he had a couple of big pump knots, but the next day a lot of the swelling had gone down. However,the eye is now turning black and he has a shiner. I guess that's life with boys.

Nature's First Green is Gold

2011-03-05T09:32:00.004-06:00

Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

There's a lot of green going on with St. Patrick's Day coming up. I normally don't do much on St. Patrick's Day, but I thought I'd give it a go. I crocheted this cute Shamrock Dish Cloth (pattern here).

I had knitted and crocheted a couple of heart dish cloths around Valentine's Day and then the one above. Which got me to thinking, if I made one each holiday, at the end of the year I would have a whole set. If I made 2 each holiday then I would have a set to keep and a set to give away. If I make one as each holiday comes around, then it doesn't seem too overwhelming, not like trying to make a dozen all at once.

While I was at it (maybe I did it before the Shamrock Dish cloth) I made a few small shamrocks or clovers. I found the directions here. These are so super simple and whip up really quick. I added a safety pin to the back of a couple of them to make them to wear on St. Patrick's Day.

Cake for Cub Scout Blue & Gold Ceremony

2011-03-03T06:54:00.000-06:00

My DH volunteered me to make the cake for the Cub Scouts Blue & Gold Ceremony at a committee meeting (I don't go b/c he's the Pack Master and needs to go, so I keep the kids at home so he isn't distracted). A friend of mine on the committee called me a day or two later to let me know what Frank had volunteered me for. It's a good thing to b/c he didn't tell me until a few days before. (She figured this might happen and gave me a 'heads up' - what a friend, same friend that consoled me here.)

(The Blue & Gold ceremony celebrates the Cub Scout Organization's birthday.)

I couldn't find navy food coloring so I did the best I could to make my own (if I had planned better, I could have ordered it online).

If you look at the top picture, there are navy and gold dots on the sides - just so it doesn't look so plain.

A Late Valentine

2011-03-02T06:23:00.000-06:00

I really meant to show these before Valentine's Day, but I didn't get around to it. Maybe it will help you for next year.

I am pretty sure I got this idea from Char at Crap I've Made, but I couldn't find it when I looked on her blog. Maybe she did a guest post on it somewhere. If it wasn't Char I apologize because I really do like to give credit where credit is due.

I traced a heart shaped cookie cutter (fairly large) and then cut it out and on one side I wrote TO: and FROM: and had Anthony fill them out. Then I cut out 28 hearts. (I need 2 hearts for each Valentine and there are 14 kids in Anthony's class - minus him.) I filled out 13 more with the TO: and FROM: (for a total of 14). I filled out Anthony's name on one of them to make sure that it fit.

On one side of the 14 other blank hearts I wrote, "You break my heart."

I then filled them with conversation hearts (I counted out 12 for each Valentine - I didn't want any kindergartener to think someone had more than they did) and stapled around the edges. So they have to "break" them to get the candy out.

For the boys' teachers I did simple Valentines. I cut out heart shapes and wrote on them, "Teacher, I hope your Valentine's Day is all 'write'." I used a heart shaped hole puncher (just because I already had it) and then tied ribbon through it and around a couple of red ink pens. I had the boys sign their name on them.

I had the boys give a heart with a set of pens to each of their teachers. Lee and Champ are in middle school now (Lee has 4 teachers and Champ has 5 teachers), so I couldn't do much of a Valentine gift (I couldn't afford to). I thought it would be appropriate though (teacher's and red pens for grading, red pens for Valentine's Day).

Anthony's teacher got a little more (plus he had a student teacher in his classroom). I gave his teacher and the student teacher the set of pens Valentine and heart shaped crocheted dish cloths (in pink or red cotton yarn), hand lotion and air freshner.

The ink pen idea is one you can do anytime. I did it for Valentine's Day, but you could do it for Teacher Appreciation Week, just because, or any holiday. (Teacher I hope your ____(fill in the blank)___________ is all "write.")

The Grace of God - book review

2011-03-01T16:01:00.003-06:00

The Grace of God by Andy Stanley helped me to understand God's grace. I know that God's grace is freely given unmerited favor. I understand the words and what they mean, but I didn't really understand grace.

We live in a society that doesn't like to give grace. "You get what you deserve." You work hard in school - you get good grades. You work hard in college - you get a good job. You work hard at your job - you get a promotion and/or raise. Positive action = reward. You don't apply yourself in school - you get bad grades. You take something that doesn't belong to you and you go to jail. Negative action = punishment. The list can go on and on.

Andy Stanley helped me to really understand God's grace. We cannot earn it (if it's earned, it's not grace). We do not deserve it (if it is deserved, it is not grace). The Bible is FILLED TO THE BRIM with God's grace. Lesson after lesson teaches us God's grace.

The trouble is, that as a child I heard all the lessons in the Bible. I know the gist of the parables, etc. I didn't read between the lines and see all of the grace that is there. There are some lessons where grace is obvious (The Prodigal Son, Christ dying on the Cross, Joseph), but there are several that aren't so obvious (at least to simple minded me). Judah, Joseph's brother, is one of them. Everything about Judah and his actions and rewards showed God's grace (but I had never really focused on Judah - I had focused more on Joseph).

Andy Stanley presents the grace of God in a new light and in a very clear way. His book takes lesson after lesson starting in Genesis and working his way all through the Bible to show how God extends his grace.

I really enjoyed this book. It is not my usual choice of books, but I am glad that I chose to read it. I don't agree with everything that Andy Stanley believes, but he really opened my eyes to understanding God's grace.

This book was given to me for review by Book Sneeze, but the review and opinions are my own.

Letters to God

2011-03-01T11:11:00.003-06:00

We had our MNO (Mother's Night Out) with our MOPS group on Saturday night. Our host showed the movie 'Letters to God.' To be honest, I had seen the movie at Redbox and read the description (basically it's about a little boy with cancer and he wrote letters to God) and I didn't think that I wanted to see it. It just sounded depressing and sad.

Boy, was I wrong. There were some sad moments in the movie, but it was a fantastic movie. His letters that he wrote to God, were his way of praying to God. In all the letters that he wrote to God, he never wrote about himself. He wrote about all the people in his life (even the bully at school). That was so amazing. Isn't that the way we are supposed to be, selfless and prayerful for even our enemies.

The movie really made me aware of how truly fortunate that I am and how much I take things for granted. The little boy touched everyone around him in a very positive way and left everyone feeling good. I think I should strive to be that way.

If you get a chance to watch this movie, you should. I am going to watch it again with my family (I think my boys should see it). The host of our MNO said that she purchased the DVD from Lifeway (last week) because it was on sale. This is one movie that I would like to add to my collection, I think if it is still on sale this week I'll purchase it too.

If you've seen it, let me know what you think about it.

A Very Impressive Letter

2011-02-28T06:40:00.004-06:00

This is a letter that Abraham Lincoln wrote to his son's Headmaster. I think it is very powerful and a wonderful sentiment. I want these very same things for my sons.

He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader...
Teach him for every enemy there is a
friend,

Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick... Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books...
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat...
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong...
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon...
Teach him to listen to all men...
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.

Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad...
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness...
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he's right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage
to be impatient...
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do...
He is such a fine fellow,
my son!

God Gave Us So Much Book Review

2011-02-17T10:41:00.004-06:00

I love reading to my children almost as much as they love being read to and this was a great book that we all enjoyed.

The book 'God Gave Us So Much' by Lisa T. Bergren is really three books in one. It has three fabulous stories about the things God has blessed us with and Polar Bears are the main characters. It is primarily for pre-school and early elementary aged children. It has wonderful illustrations by Laura J. Bryant.

The first story, 'God Gave Us The World,' is about how God made different kinds of bears, not just Polar Bears, and how he provided a special and unique home for each of the special and unique bears.

The second story, 'God Gave Us Love,' explains that there are different kinds of love. There is love between mommies and daddies, love between parents and children, brothers and sisters, friends, etc. We can and should love everybody because God made so many different kinds of love for so many different relationships. It also teaches that even if we don't like the things that someone is doing, we can still love them because God loves us - because God is love.

The third story, 'God Gave Us Heaven,' I thought was fantastic! Heaven is hard enough for adults to understand, try explaining it to a child. I think Ms. Bergren did a wonderful job explaining Heaven on the level of a small child.

The illustrations are colorful with lots of detail without being too busy or complicated for younger children. My boys loved looking at the pictures and picking out certain aspects of it and seeing how it changed from page to page (their clothes, their surroundings, etc.).

If you want to emphasize the importance of God to your children, I highly recommend this book. With books like this I am able to reiterate at home, what they learn at church. It opens the door for communication between my children and me.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but the review and opinions are my own.

*Go to WaterBrook Multnomah and rate my review please.

The Day My Cowboy Stopped the Cattle Rustlers - The Final Chapter

2011-02-10T06:55:00.002-06:00

...they have a good chance at getting shot at just because they are there. (We have no choice but to protect our own way out here.) So, they probably weren’t able to call for help that way either.

What I have learned from this…(1) there is NO ‘Honor Among Thieves’ (if there was, the truck driver’s companions wouldn’t have abandoned him and left him to take the heat alone); (2) crime doesn’t pay (he got caught, he will have to pay an impound bill and a tow bill – which will be pretty hefty because of where we live); (3) news travels fast (this all happened on Friday night starting around 10:00 p.m – we got a call first thing Saturday morning wanting to know what happened – we hadn’t even had a chance to tell anyone, not even our family); (4) John Wayne always wins (wait, I already knew that).

The moral of the story…don’t take something that doesn’t belong to you.

You can read Part 1 here,
Part 2 here,
Part 3 here.

The previous story was a true story that happened to my family on Friday, February 4, 2011.

The Day My Cowboy Stopped the Cattle Rustlers - Part 3

2011-02-09T06:50:00.003-06:00

...He described the truck to Frank and that was the same truck that was parked at our barn at 10:00 p.m. the same night trying to steal our cattle. He had been scouting out the farm and cattle.

The Truck Driver’s Story…

He had two companions earlier that evening with him, but he had taken them to another town and dropped them off. He got a call on his cell phone that a man he knew had bought and paid for some cattle and asked him to go and pick them up then gave him our address. He was here just trying to do his job.

There are several holes in his story: (1) when the officers checked his cell phone, there was no record of him receiving a call from the number he had given the officer or from man which he said had purchased the cattle and asked him to haul them – actually, there were no calls received at all during the time frame that he gave; (2) if you know anything about cattle at all – you don’t get them up at night – period; (3) if you are unfamiliar with the cattle and if they are unfamiliar with you or if you are unfamiliar with the layout of the farm – you don’t get cattle up by yourself (worst case scenario: you bring help; best case scenario: you get help from the cattle owner, who is familiar with the cattle, the cattle are familiar with him, he is familiar with the farm and how it operates – you know, which gates open in and which gates open out and which cross fences/gates lead to the barn and which ones lead to another field, etc.); (4) if you are hauling cattle, you back your trailer up to the end of the barn to make loading easier, not to the side of the barn - which may hide your truck from view, but makes it much harder to load cattle – or anything for that matter (if you are there honestly on a job, why would you need your truck hidden from view anyway? – just saying).

The truck driver’s companions probably had an interesting and difficult night, if they were with him (which I truly believe they were and they just ran off so as not to get caught). We live way out in the boonies, in the bottom of a hollow. Which, since they had been scouting out our farm probably thought that was to their advantage, but proved to be otherwise.

We live so far out that we do not get cell service within a five mile radius of our house. We do not have very many neighbors (there is only one house that is within sight and that is only during the winter months when the leaves are not on the trees and there is nothing to block sight). So, if the truck driver had two companions with him and they ran off, they cannot conveniently call for help. They would have to walk about five miles up hill either way to get cell service (it was dark and misting rain – that would also make things more difficult or at least more uncomfortable). Since they were from another county, it is possible that they were unfamiliar with the layout of the land (with the exception to the road).

If they were to go up to a stranger’s house that late at night (way out where we live) they have a good chance at getting shot at just because they are there. (We have no choice but to protect our own way out here.) So, they probably weren’t able to call for help that way either.

Part 1 here
Part 2 here
Part 4 here

The Day My Cowboy Stopped the Cattle Rustlers - Part 2

2011-02-08T06:42:00.007-06:00

...Frank said, “I have a gun and if you take another step, I’ll shoot.” The man stopped (well at least he has a little sense about him).

Meanwhile, I was on the phone with the Sheriff’s Dept. and giving them as much information as I could and waiting until help arrived. I had three kids in bed and I felt helpless (thank goodness that they slept through the whole thing), I had no idea what was going on and there was nothing that I could do to help. Three patrol cars finally showed up after what seemed like forever (I guess just because I was scared for my husband). I had no idea what he was facing. I didn’t know how many there were, I didn’t know if they had weapons or not, it was pretty scary.

One of the officers recognized the truck and the driver and said that he had just pulled him over earlier that night for not having lights on his trailer. He said that there were three boys in the truck at that time. The officer began to question the driver of the truck about his former companions. According to him, he didn’t have his companions with him any longer.

The officers called in the tags of the truck – he wasn’t from these parts. The deputy found out that the driver was wanted (he had a record already - and theft was part of that record). He was arrested and taken away. One of the officers asked my husband if they could leave his truck and trailer where it was. Frank said that was fine, but he better be escorted by an officer when he came to pick it up because that man was never to set foot on our property again. They decided to haul off the truck and trailer.

The next day, one of our neighbors (we don’t have too many because of where we live) said that he saw a truck about 5:00 p.m. on Friday driving up and down the road. He described the truck to Frank and that was the same truck that was parked at our barn at 10:00 p.m. the same night trying to steal our cattle. He had been scouting out the farm and cattle.

To be continued...

You can read Part 1 here.
Part 3 here.
Part 4 here.

The Day My Cowboy Stopped the Cattle Rustlers - Part 1

2011-02-07T06:39:00.007-06:00

It was Friday night about 10:00 p.m. and a little rainy, we were sitting on the couch watching a movie. I got up and went into the bedroom and Frank came running down the hallway. I could tell something wasn’t right. I asked him what was going on. He said, “I see flashlight lights at the barn.”

He put on his boots and hat (baseball cap), jumped on his trusty steed (actually we don’t have a horse, it was a Nissan Sentra) and rode to the barn. The barn is about ½ of a mile from the house and it is not easy to see, and with it being nighttime and a misting rain it didn’t help visibility. I opened our bedroom window and tried to watch as best I could. I saw his car lights stop at the barn, then I heard him yell. (Mind you, my husband is very patient, laid back and pretty tolerant, so when I heard him yell – I got VERY concerned.)

I ran down the hall and grabbed the phone and phone book and looked up the Sheriff’s number. Frank comes flying back home on his steed (Sentra) while I am on the phone with the Sheriff. I told him that I had the Sheriff’s Department on the phone and what should I tell them? Frank said, “Tell them to hurry before I start shooting. No one’s going to steal my cattle.” Frank grabs his gun and goes back to the barn as fast as he can. (You remember when I said that my husband was patient and tolerant? Well, he has no patience or tolerance for thieves.)

I found out later (when I was able to get all the details) that when Frank went to the barn the first time that the guys had their truck and cattle trailer backed up to the barn, they had all the gates open and were in the field trying to run the cattle into the barn lot, so they could load them on their trailer. Frank wrote down their license tag number and then he got on his tractor and blocked the would-be cattle thieves’ truck so they couldn’t leave. That’s when he came back home to get his gun.

When he went back to the barn, a man was standing beside his tractor (probably trying to figure out how to get it started so he could move it out of the way and leave) and began to walk toward my husband. Frank said, “I have a gun and if you take another step, I’ll shoot.”

To be continued...

Go to Part 2 here.
Part 3 here
Part 4 here

An Unusual Friendship

2011-02-06T14:03:00.004-06:00

The Dragon and the Turtle is a wonderful book about an unusual friendship between a dragon named Padraig and a turtle named Roger. It is written by a mother and daughter team, Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark and is illustrated by Vincent Nguyen.

First let me say that as I was beginning to write this review, my five year old son asked what I was doing and I told him that I was writing a book review and he asked what that was. I said, "I have to tell whether I liked the book or not." He saw what book I had in my hand and said, "I love it! It's a great book about friends."

The book is for pre-school children or children in early elementary school. It is very appropriate because this is the age that they are really learning about friendships and maybe even establishing a friendship that may last a lifetime.

Padraig puts off doing some things that he wanted to do for himself to help Roger, a turtle he just met. Roger is lost and needs help finding his way back home. Padraig tries his best to help Roger. If you read between the lines, it is also a book about patience. As Padraig tries to help Roger, he has to try many many times before he is successful.

The book also teaches about the 5 senses. Roger describes his house to Padraig by telling what it looks like, what it sounds like, what it smells like, what it feels like and what it tastes like.

In the story, Roger's house smells like cookies, Chocolate Chip Snappers to be exact. When the friends finally find Roger's house, Roger's mother gives the two friends some Chocolate Chip Snappers. As an added bonus, there is a recipe for the Chocolate Chip Snappers. (If you made a batch of these and while they were in the oven baking you read this story to your child, what a great story it would be. Your children would be able to experience their five senses the whole time.)

I recommend this book for younger children. It is wonderfully illustrated with colorful and delightful pictures, the story is very appropriate for the age it is written and my children loved it. What more could a mom want from a children's book?

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but the review and opinions are my own.

Success

2011-02-05T16:06:00.000-06:00

"The only certain means of success is to render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what that task may be. This is a habit followed by all successful people since the beginning of time. Therefore I saith the surest way to doom yourself to mediocrity is to perform only the work for which you are paid."
Og Mandino in "The Greatest Miracle in the World"

Sneak Peek

2011-02-04T08:47:00.004-06:00

Here is a sneak peek at something that is in my work basket. I am also trying to work on my photography skills (they are so lacking - in everything).

I have worked with crochet thread before and the normal yarns, but I have never used thick yarns. I have always wanted to, I just love the texture and the chunkiness (if that is even a word and if not - I'm going to use it anyway and make up my own word) of it.

I found those knitting needles on clearance somewhere (for a little bit of nothing) a couple of years ago (before I learned to knit - knowing that I wanted to learn). I thought they were the perfect size for the thick yarn. It is really easy to work with and I am loving it.

I am using the yarn that I bought for this project. It is LionBrand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Butterscotch. **Just a side note, I still use that decorating idea and I keep adding yarns to it (and taking them away for different projects like the one above). I also change out colors for seasons (reds and greens for Christmas, pastels for spring, etc.). Not only do I like to vary the colors, but also the textures. I am big on texture.

More Valentine Hearts

2011-02-03T08:31:00.003-06:00

I crocheted this heart using a red cotton and a pink cotton crocheted together (talked about it first here). It is thick enough that I think it could be used as a trivet. You can find the pattern here.

To knit this, I used the pattern that I found here.

I am really enjoying knitting, but crochet is faster. Not sure if it is really faster or if is just me because I have crocheted for so much longer and knitting is still pretty new to me. It is fun either way, but if I want a quick project - I crochet.

Something to think about...

2011-02-03T08:24:00.003-06:00

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin

Hot Chocolate on a Stick

2011-02-02T06:51:00.004-06:00

I wish I were more of a photographer, but I am not so I apologize for the pictures.

I tried another recipe from Foodie with Family (you can see the first one here). I couldn't resist this one - Hot Chocolate on A Stick! (It just sounds good.) I made it almost as soon as I found the recipe. It is quite possibly the best hot chocolate that I have tried (it is super creamy)!

We filled a basket full and delivered them to friends and teachers. I know that Rebecca did hers around Christmas and shared them (which if I hadn't been so far behind on my to-do list and was able to keep up with the blogs that I follow, I could have done it then too). Well, it is still winter and we are still having cold days, so I made some and shared them.

I think it would be super cute on a heart shaped doiley tied with pink or red ribbon and given for Valentines. You could also cut the chocolate and the marshmallow with heart shaped cookie cutters and attach a note that says "Valentine, you make my heart melt!" Hey, I may just have to try that!

My Husband is so lucky!

2011-02-01T18:43:00.005-06:00

No, really he is. And not because he married me. About 4 years ago he went to a work-related trade show and entered a few drawings. He won a gun safe (worth over $1,000)!

This year he went to the same work-related trade show and entered a few drawings and won a 32" flat screen TV.

I told him that if I ever wanted to win something, I am taking him along and having him register. (His sister said that he needed to enter the lottery.)

Yes, that looks like computer stuff on the TV screen because it is. I have my computer hooked up to the TV so I can watch Netflix movies.

Happy Birthday to my firstborn

2011-01-31T09:51:00.005-06:00

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him."
Psalm 127:3 NIV

Happy Birthday! You are 12 today. Where has the time gone? It doesn't seem like anytime since you were so tiny and new in my arms.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:13 - 16 NIV

You are growing up (quickly, I might add) to be such a young man. You are so full of life and smiles. You are a wonderful son and a fantastic big brother. You are so patient with your younger brothers and you do your best to set a good example. I am so proud of you. I am proud to be your mother and I am proud to call you my son.

From Chaos to Calm

2011-01-30T09:00:00.004-06:00

This picture doesn't have a thing in the world to do with my post, but I hate posting without pictures and I thought this was cute. Also, a life with boys can be pretty chaotic, so maybe it does.

Anyway, I have been following Melissa Ringstaff's From Chaos to Calm series and I am really enjoying it. Check it out and see if it brings some order into your life.

It is a 15 week series, she posts Monday through Friday only and this is week 4 (but you can read the back posts - she has them available also).

Wonderful Breakfast

2011-01-29T08:41:00.003-06:00

I love the blog Foodie with Family, she has such great ideas. I want to try so many of them. I have been reading her for awhile and have wanted to make several of her recipes (I don't always have the ingredients on hand, but I have a lot of her recipes saved).

Today it is snowing and the kids are out of school, so I tried one of her recipes for breakfast. Finnish Oven Pancakes.

It was delicious. It had very few ingredients, I already had all of the ingredients on hand, it was quick & easy to put together and it tasted fantastic! Plus this one recipe has so many options (can't wait to try the other options). What more could you ask for?

It put me in the mind of French Toast. We ate it with snow (powdered sugar) & maple syrup (that's how we normally eat our pancakes). I will definitely be making this again.

Sorry that I didn't get a picture before we ate it. We were all hungry and it smelled to good while it was in the oven that we couldn't wait.

If I'd known you were coming, I would have baked a cake

2011-01-28T08:18:00.004-06:00

This is the cake that I mentioned here. It is a simple cake, it is a Duncan Hines butter recipe. I made the Wilton buttercream frosting, but I used butter flavor Crisco. That is what gave it the beautiful pale yellow color. (I didn't use a drop of food coloring.)

I made an 8 inch cake and torted it, put French vanilla pudding between the layers. Covered it with the pale yellow frosting. I did tone on tone, the whole cake is decorated with the same yellow frosting. I simply did a shell border around the top edge (I didn't have room on the bottom, it would have looked better if I could have done a shell edge there also). I wrote everyone's name on the top and then I put dots all over it.

I wish now that I had not put the dots on top (I still like them on the sides though), because with all the names, it was too busy. But hey, it tasted good and that's what matters, right?

God Loves Me More Than That

2011-01-27T10:58:00.009-06:00

I really enjoy reading books. What I enjoy even more is reading books to my children. (I hope to instill in them the same love for reading that I have.) What I love the most is reading books to my children about our heavenly father.

I read the book 'God Loves Me More Than That' by Dandi Daley Mackall. It had a great rhythm to the book and it flowed very smoothly. Rhymes are great for young children and this book had sweet rhymes.

Dandi Daley Mackall told children how much God loves them in terms that they could understand. "How much love does God have for me? More than the letters between A and Z." The things that children relate to everyday are used to explain God's love, that makes it seem as real as it is.

David Hohn also did an excellent job illustrating the pages of the book. He illustrated the book in a way that pulls the children into the story. My two youngest boys were pointing to things that they saw in the pictures and commenting on them. They enjoyed the story and pictures as much as I did.

This is an excellent book for pre-schoolers and early elementary aged children. It is beautifully and simply written (my five year old was reading parts of the book to me). I highly recommend this book if you have younger children. Especially if you enjoy reading to your children and/or they enjoy being read to. This book would also make an excellent addition to a church library.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but the review and opinions are my own.

Cupcakes

2011-01-27T07:21:00.006-06:00

In January, my husband's family has more than half a dozen birthdays, plus my in-laws' anniversary. So we have 1 get-together to celebrate everyone's birthday/anniversary at one time.

I was asked to do the cake (post coming later). My hubby's family is fairly large - he's one of 6 kids (when you get spouses, kids, kids' husband/boyfriend, etc. just immediate family alone is about 30 people). So I asked my husband what size cake to make (a large sheet cake or a regular size cake)? You know I didn't need to bring any cake home or I would eat it and I don't need it.

He said he wanted a cheesecake (and since his birthday was this month too and the celebration was as much for him as anybody - how could I say no?). So I made a cheesecake (New York style), but I also made a regular birthday cake (for the kids and those that might not like cheesecake - what? someone might not like cheesecake?). It was an 8 inch 2 layer cake.

When Frank saw the regular birthday cake he said, "Is that all the cake?"
Me: "No, I made a cheesecake too."
Frank: "I meant was that all of the other cake? I thought you were going to make it bigger."
Me: "I asked you what size should I make it and all you suggested was a cheesecake. I thought that between the 2 it would be enough."
Frank: "I just thought you would make a bigger cake than that - just not a huge cake."

So, I made some cupcakes too. To make sure there would be enough. I saw on the cover of the January/February 2011 Midwest Living Magazine these really cute cupcakes. I just had to try them. They had white and chocolate icing swirled together. It looked so pretty. (You can see another idea that I got from Midwest Living Magazine here.)

I used the Wilton recipe for buttercream frosting and chocolate buttercream frosting. Filled my decorator bag on one half with the white icing and on the other half with chocolate icing and squeezed it down. Then I just swirled out the top.

I tried a second batch (new decorator bag because the frostings mix together after being squeezed and you will loose the 2 toned look) and this time I put the chocolate frosting in first and the white in second. Then I swirled them on the top of the cupcakes. When I added the chocolate first, it kind of tinted the white as it was squeezed out and it looked off-white. It was still pretty, you could still tell it was 2 toned, but the white didn't have the brightness as it did in my first attempt. I guess it depends on the look you are going for. Forgot to take a picture of the 2nd attempt.

I had seen them use marshmallows for flower petals before and always wanted to try it, so I thought now is my chance. In a house full of boys, I don't get to do too many floral things.

Here they are before I put in the M & M centers. I experimented with them. I have decided that I like the 5 petal flowers the best. Sanding sugar lasts a little longer than sprinkles (on the flower petals), the sprinkles color will start to bleed after a little while.

How to do this is you take mini-marshmallows and cut them on the diagonal with kitchen shears. Take the cut part (it is sticky) and dip it in sanding sugar (or colored sugar), then place on top of cupcake.

Here they are after the M & M centers have been added. Excuse my mess, not sure what was in the background. Never even noticed it until I just posted the picture here. Ooops!

Everlasting Bucket of Snowballs

2011-01-26T06:58:00.006-06:00

In the January/February 2011 printed issue of Midwest Living Magazine, on the Table of Contents page, the background picture was of a gloved hand holding a galvanized bucket of snowballs. I loved that picture. It spoke to me. I wanted a bucket of snow balls. Here in Tennessee, we don't get too much snow, just the occasional flurry, but this year we have had quite a bit (especially for our area). I really wanted a bucket of snowballs.

What's a girl to do? It might keep on the porch for a few days, but then it will warm back up and melt pretty soon. It just wouldn't last. I still wanted a bucket of snowballs. So, I made one and brought it inside for a table decoration.

I took a small galvanized pail (I really wanted a big one, but for the table a small one works best) and filled it with a few styrofoam balls. I wish I had bought a few more styrofoam balls (I will probably go back and get more soon) to really FILL my bucket up, but right now - I have my bucket of snowballs!

I like how the styrofoam glistens and looks like real snow!

Double Rewards

2011-01-25T07:04:00.002-06:00

If you collect Coke points. Today Only you can get double points on select products. So start typing your codes in here.

Valentine Knitting

2011-01-23T11:11:00.003-06:00

I found this illusion heart dishcloth pattern at I'm Knitting A Rat's Nest. But since then, I've had trouble finding it. I can find the blog post about it (click the link above and scroll down to the bottom of the page) but now I cannot find the pattern. Wait, I did a little more searching and found it here.

I did it in red and white for Valentine's Day. I just think it is so cool how it goes from stripes to a pattern. (Don't pay attention to how wonky it is - I am still working on my tension - keeping it even and not getting too tight or too loose or keep changing from tight to loose and back again - it will come...eventually.)

You can see my first attempt at illusion knitting here.

Sweet Sentimentals

2011-01-22T08:12:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine from asked if I could embroider some handkerchiefs for a family member. Someone had passed from this world and they wanted to present the family with a keepsake item (not the traditional plant or angel) and they also wanted it to be practical (you know how I love practical).

They had me embroider handkerchiefs with the deceased's initials and the birth & death date. It will be a memento of their loved one and if they need a hanky during the funeral - they will have one handy.

I absolutely love that idea. How thoughtful.

She brought me some ladies' handkerchiefs and some men's handkerchiefs. The ladies' handkerchief already had white flowers embroidered in one corner (that's the reason I chose white thread for the embroidery that I was doing). It was a smaller handkerchief and since it was for ladies, I did it was a more feminine font. For the men's handkerchiefs I used a block style font and continued with the white thread so they all looked alike.

Knitting Fun

2011-01-21T09:25:00.004-06:00

I have been working on teaching myself to knit for quite sometime (since summer of '09 - I think). I was able to do a small garter stitch (only) rectangle that I used for a dishcloth. I was wanting to improve my skills and learn other stitches, but since it is a new thing for me it takes concentration and sometimes it is hard for me to do (concentrate) with a house full of boys.

Since Christmas (the hustle and bustle, the too many irons in the fire) is over, I have tried again (and with the snow we've been getting - it has been easier).

I first made a "Letter Dishcloth" - I did "B" first (for my last name). I was so excited that as soon as I finished it I began using it right away and forgot to take a picture. It was not perfect, by the time I reached the end of the dishcloth I had 3 extra stitches on my needle (I had already taken it out and restarted like 5 times - so I figured that I could live with just 3 extra stitches). You can find the knitting alphabet dishcloth patterns here (along with some others that I want to try).

Then I did another "B" and didn't have any extra stitches. I gave that one away before taking a picture also. Then I did an "E" that you see above. I have someone very special in mind to give this too. I am still working on my tension, but it will come. I remember when I learned to crochet - the tension just got better with practice.

Now, I've found illusion knitting and I just think that is really cool. Below, you can see that I've knitted a pink ribbon (for breast cancer awareness) - get that pattern here. I'm giving that away to someone special too.

What is neat about illusion knitting is from the top, it just looks like striped...

...but from an angle (it has to be a certain angle), you can see the design.

Crocheted Cuties

2011-01-20T09:07:00.003-06:00

Champ was perusing the internet and saw a cute little Mario Brother's mushroom made out of yarn.

He said, "Hey mom. Look at this! Can you make one?"

I cannot make my own patterns, but I can follow a pattern. I told him that if I found a pattern, I could make one. After just a minute or two on Swagbucks (I love them - scroll down to the bottom of the page and sign up if you are not already signed up) I found this pattern here.

I made the red mushroom first. The boys thought that it was the cutest thing (I thought it was pretty cute myself). They all said, "I want one too!" So, I made 3 more (and I did them all in different colors - so they would know which one belonged to them). Anthony and Rance took theirs to church with them on Sunday (they make really great church toys - not noisy, even if they are dropped) and my nephew wanted one, so I will make him one soon.

It's an easy pattern to follow and fun to make. I thought about making a few for the treasure box in Anthony's class (we will have to see about that - I have other projects that I want to do too).

Are you tired of seeing my Christmas stuff yet?

2011-01-19T12:44:00.003-06:00

...I hope not. I couldn't show these before Christmas because I couldn't risk anyone seeing what I've done and spoiling their Christmas surprise, so you get to see them all now. (That's another reason for me being behind in my blogging. Everything that I was making - I couldn't show and left me with nothing to blog about - if I even had time to blog at all, which I didn't. If I were able to find a moment to spare, I was too tired to do anything.)

I did several blankets for Christmas and personalized them. Some of these are done in school colors for the boys.

They are like the ones here.

More Christmas Items

2011-01-18T12:34:00.004-06:00

A friend of mine, bought these cute bags (in all colors) for the girls on her Christmas list. She asked me to embroider their names on them. I think they are adorable. I bet they had fun opening these up for Christmas.

This is the front of the bag (they all look like this) and I embroidered their names on the top of the bag.

I want one!!!!!!!

Napkins for Mary

2011-01-17T12:09:00.001-06:00

Mary, one of my closest friends in the world, asked me to make some napkins and place mats for a couple of people on her Christmas list. Here's what I did...

You can see more napkins I made here. The place mats are just something I came up with in my head.

I just love these napkins. The ones with the linen look (I can't actually afford real linen) are my favorite. They just look more elegant to me. Simple, yet sophisticated.

I also did some napkins for people on my Christmas list, but can you believe that in all the craziness of Christmas and making Christmas gifts that I forgot to take pictures of those? I know, it surprises me too. Oh, well...a napkin is a napkin.

Christmas Picture

2011-01-16T11:47:00.002-06:00

I made Frank and the boys matching vests. I finished up 2:00 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 26. (So that they could wear them to church that day - Sunday, the day after Christmas.)

I used the pattern McCall's 2447 for Frank's vest and for the boys' vests, I used the pattern McCall's 4290 View B. They are all made out of a beautiful brick red and lined in black satin.

I just happened to have a brick read sweater that I wore. I girl from church took this picture for us in the church annex (with my camera). She did good.

I then, over the internet, sent them to Walgreens and made a bunch of copies. Addressed the back of the picture and sent it out as a postcard. It was our Happy New Year card (since I didn't get Christmas cards sent out).

More Christmas Goodies - Spa Set

2011-01-15T10:58:00.000-06:00

My husband's family usually has their Christmas on New Year's Day (or sometime on New Year's weekend - depends). This year is was Jan. 2. They also play Dirty Santa with the adults (his family is large and it would be too expensive to buy for everybody). This year, they decided that the Dirty Santa gift had to be hand made and this is what I made.

I chose white terry cloth for my spa set. It gives the spa feeling, it is crisp and clean looking and can be bleached to keep that look. Terry cloth is fairly soft and somewhat durable

This is a white terry-cloth spa towel wrap. I took a large bath towel (you could also use a bath sheet) and I folded down one long side and made a casing for elastic. Then I cut the elastic a little shorter than the towel and fed it through the casing. Then I sewed both ends of the elastic into the end of the casing. I then added a wide strip of velcro and I did a really long strip - so it could be used by someone small or large - of the loop side (because it is softer) to the side that would be facing out (it would actually touch under your arm). Then I sewed a large square of the hook tape to the side that would be facing in. (Not sure if all that is clear - I know what I'm thinking and I hope you can read my mind.)

For the neck wrap I used white terry cloth fabric and I sort of used the tutorial here, but I did things a little different. (You know I have to do things my way.) I made a cover for it (so the cover can be washed), and I added a button on the cover and added a piece of elastic to the actual neck wrap. Hook the elastic from the neck wrap over the button on the cover so it won't slip down inside the cover.

I added 2 ribbon ties on each end so that the neck wrap wouldn't just fall out of the cover. I filled the neck wrap with rice. I included a sheet of paper that told what each item was and it included instructions with the neck wrap (can be heated in the microwave or can be cooled in the fridge or freezer).

I also made a washcloth. I crocheted it out of white cotton (I Love This Cotton brand). I just made a chain until I had it as wide as I wanted and then used single crochet and continued until it was a square shape.

They eye mask was made of white terry cloth (I put an inner layer of dark, heavy weight fabric in between the 2 layers of white terry cloth to keep the light out). I use the tutorial from here. There are tons of sleep mask instructions/tutorials, but I liked the one from Michael Miller the best. I liked the way it looked and it was easily assembled. Very quick to make too.

Key fob Christmas gifts

2011-01-14T10:53:00.004-06:00

My husband works in a predominately male work environment (there is one lady that works there). He has 3 bosses (they are brothers), so at his office's Christmas party, I made the lady that works in the office and the bosses' 3 wives key fobs with the company's logos on them.

I found the instructions/tutorial here. It was easy and I was pleased with the results.

Here's one that I forgot

2011-01-13T10:43:00.004-06:00

I purchased this fleece blanket (I was running out of time to make more) and personalized it myself for a friend of my boys.

It already had the hunter green blanket stitching around the edges, so I matched hunter green embroidery thread and Voila!

Christmas is Over

2011-01-13T10:25:00.004-06:00

I have been busy making most of the gifts for the people on my Christmas list, so that left no time for blogging...sorry. But, now maybe I can catch up on my blogging and now that Christmas is over, I can show you what I've been up to.

For my nieces and nephews, I made them all personalized throws. I made fleece blankets and serged the edges and embroidered their names on them. Maybe that will keep them warm and cozy this winter.

We have had lots of snow (for this area anyway). The kids were out almost 1 week before Christmas break. After Christmas break they went back for almost a week (were out the last day, Friday - didn't actually snow, but the weather forcasters were predicting a huge snow storm - for this area - they missed it and the snow didn't come until Saturday). We have been out this whole week so far and I am guessing that they will be out tomorrow too (it isn't getting above freezing so the snow isn't melting). It is supposed to get above freezing over the weekend.

I have been wanting to learn to knit and because of the weather I have not left my house since going to church on Sunday. Since I have been homebound, that has left me lots of time to learn to knit and I think I've got it. Just the basics anyway, now I just have to practice and perfect it. It's fun. I still enjoy crocheting. They each offer something different, but I'm having so much fun learning a new skill.

Post of Pictures that I like

2010-12-31T10:17:00.006-06:00

I am not a photographer, but occasionally (by accident) I will take a picture that I really like and am pleased with. I love these 2 shots of Rance (they were taken this fall). Now a real photographer probably wouldn't appreciate them, but I like them and that's what matters.

Maybe someday I can take some photography classes. (I want real photography classes and not photoshop classes - well maybe them too eventually, but I would love to know what to do when I am behind the camera to get a good shot.)

I LOVE this picture of my dad with the 2 little ones. This is Christmas Eve and he is reading them the Night Before Christmas. It is right after bath and right before bedtime. It has become a tradition for us (my dad has done this for about 9 or 10 years).

Homemade Goodies and FREE gift tags

2010-12-21T08:39:00.004-06:00

I love giving homemade goodies from the kitchen for Christmas. Everyone has to eat and it shows that I gave something of myself also (time - which sometimes is more precious than money).

There are some free, very cute, downloadable tags for homemade goodies here at butter is best along with recipes.

Homemade Sour Dough Bread is one of my favorite things to make and give during the holiday season. Sweets are nice, but a lot of people give sweets and I feel bread is a reprieve from all the sweet goodness. You can see what I am talking about here and here. (If you were thinking about giving me sweets, go ahead, I won't be offended.)

Here are a few more printable gift tags...
About.com
Gift tags for all occasions at brownie locks
Printable recipe cards with matching gift tags from allfreeprintables.com

Hope this gets you in the mood to make some homemade gifts and while you are at it, send me some to sample.

A New Christmas Tradition and a Christmas song

2010-12-14T12:00:00.000-06:00

Two years ago we started a new Christmas Tradition at our house...Santa Bags. Each of my boys has his own Santa Bag (you can see one here). On Christmas Eve, the boys place the bag where they want (under the tree, on the couch, etc.) and Santa puts their gifts inside their bag.

The next morning they open their bag to see what Santa brought. A friend of mine asked me to make her boys Santa bags this year. They are approximately 2 feet by 3 feet, red fleece with a gold drawstring. I embroidered their names in white. I hope they enjoy the new tradition as much as we have.

Now here is one of my favorite Christmas songs by one of my very favorite Country Music artist.

Blanket for a boy

2010-12-14T11:07:00.006-06:00

One of my closest friends asked me if I would make a blanket and pillow for a little boy's birthday. She said that he loved John Deere tractors. (I think that he is 4.)

I made a crib size blanket (so it would be large enough to cover him, but small enough for him to carry around) with JD flannel on one side and solid green cotton on the back and I used a yellow satin binding around the edges. I embroidered his name in yellow.

I purchased a travel size pillow and made a matching pillow case for it. The pillowcase itself is the JD flannel, the edge of the pillowcase is the solid green and I embroidered his name in yellow on the green trim of the pillowcase.

My friend intended for Morgan to use it now, but I think his mom is planning on putting it up for Kindergarten next year.

My husband works for a New Holland/Kubota Tractor dealership. I thought he was going to divorce me for making something with green tractors. (Just kidding, but only a little.)