Simple. Inspired. Homemade.

A new Chocolate Chipper

2011-04-22T13:40:00.001-04:00

Sunday I was totally into trying new recipes, I haven't baked in a bit, I tried a new sugar cookie recipe and this new chocolate chip one...and honestly I love it. The extra brown sugar makes them so much 'richer'. I plan to take many to work (so I don't eat them)-I will let you know what they say!

Here is a picture and the recipe.

Preheat oven 360 bake for about 12 min

2 sticks of butter

1/2 cup of sugar

1.5 cups of brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 3/4 cus of flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1.5 tsp baking powder

1.5 bags of chocolate chips

Mix, sneak a little dough, bake...enjoy with a nice glass of cold milk!

New Recipe-Sugar Cookies

2011-04-17T22:18:00.000-04:00

Well, everyone knows I have killer sugar cookies (insert pat on the back) but sometimes you just look for something different. And, Google didn't let me down.

Its actually really funny everyone knows I am a CY fan, well I guess GAC did a spot about singers favorite cookies during the holiday season called "GAC 12 Days of Country Cookies" and I actually stubled upon it, and tried it today. I hope I did his mama proud.

It is very different from my normal recipe. First, you don't need to cut them out, you roll them into a ball, sort of like PB cookies. Second, it calls for Orange extract (which-FYI-I didn't have any...I had to go buy some) And finally, there is no baking soda or powder in them.

After baking them, they are really good. The finally test will be at work tomorrow-lord knows they love free baked goods but will always give me an honest opinion-Mrs. Harris I hope they love them!

Here is the receipe and a few pictures of my cookies...do they look ok?? (and lucky you even get to see a small video about it-wink wink)

(Also, I changed the frosting, I am guessing (correct me if I am wrong) she actually uses a thicker frosting I made mine more a glaze, the cookie tasted so good I didn't want to take away from it, perhaps next time I will stick with the her call)

Frosted Christmas Cookies

Time and YieldCook time: 10-12 mins Yield: Varies
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
2 1/4 cups white sugar
2 eggs
4 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon orange extract
milk as necessary

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and 2 cups of the sugar. Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each. Combine flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon orange extract. Add flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture alternately with the milk to play dough consistency.

In a small separate bowl, Dip rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into sugar.

Place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.

Frosting:
Combine softened butter (1/2 stick) with sifted confectioners sugar until creamy. Add 1/2 teaspoon orange extract, 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract, and food coloring of choice. Mix well, add additional confectioner's sugar to desired consistency. Frost each cooled cookie with dollop of frosting. Serve.

Have a great day!
T.

Cupcake baby

2011-04-04T22:46:00.000-04:00

Alyvia recently turned 6, so we have been thinking of birthday themes I totally thought she would pick something girl-Barbies, Princesses, etc., which I would be fine with, but she choose CUPCAKES! How awesome is that! I love cupcakes they are so fun. I have big plans for this party.

While searching the web I came across a pin the candle on the cupcake, can you say perfect. Well except the price. Sorry I loved it but I wasn't spending $20 on it (I know I am cheap). I have tons of felt left over why not put it to good use.

It measures about 22x24", its not too big, I made 12 candles with velco on the back so they would stick.

I free handed the cupcake and sewed it using a zig zap stich. The sprinkles are just floss I hand stiched.

If you are not interested in making your own you can purchase it on Amazon.

Have fun--and good luck getting it on the top!
T.

AG Bed

2011-03-19T23:50:00.000-04:00

As I previously posted for Alyvia's birthday she recieved an American Girl doll. I made her a quilt, bed and pillow. I previously posted about the bedding here, today I am going to talk about the bed.

At our old house I had this skinny tall chair in the bathroom to hold towels, decorative I guess. Anyway when we moved to the new house (3 years ago) I didn't really need it for that purpose anymore. Therefore it sat in the garage until about 2 months ago when I found it a new purpose, life.

This was before, cute chair, not very functionable.

Lining up the holes-like the laser level? I scared the crap out of Steve using the saw!

The headboard and foot board are from the chair, the other 'rails' are just spare 2x4's we had around (it looks a little crooked but its not really)

Here it is done. She loved it! Yeah!

So you wonder where I have been?

2011-03-14T23:47:00.000-04:00

With this lovely man....in case you didn't know its

CHRIS YOUNG!!

My bestie and I went and saw him in Feb and I got to meet him! Oh happy days.

oh wait, it gets better he signed my kindle...

Anyway....thats what I have been up to (wait-did I mention he was like 6'2-4"?

AG Quilt

2011-03-13T10:19:00.000-04:00

Long time no blog..I know. My life has been CrAzY once again.

So lets back up...for Alyvia's birthday I made her and American Girl doll bed , Quilt and pillow. Today I will be discuss the quilt. I love it! It turned out great. The colors are fun!

This was my first actual quilting project I did, I hope she loves it!

i stumbled upon...

2011-02-08T13:14:00.002-05:00

i seem to stumble upon tons of blogs. i know how i do it, i visit a favorite one and they link up to their favorite one and so one... which leads me to the coolest new blog i found: flower patch farmgirl. its a fun, exciting, crisp, true blog. i love reading the ramblings, fun! i have been really busy lately (hence the lack of crafty blog-shame...hanging my head in pure shame) and not checking in on my blogs i follow, again shame, so to my surprise when i was a couple days shy of her really rodeo of a giveaway! bummer...big bummer.

on the other hand, i am super happy i stumbled upon it because the esty shop is so awesome, farm girl paints, i instantly fell in love with the cuffs. i want one so bad, i have been holding on to a little money since christmas, i think it might be time to break that bill!

i am however having a hard time picking which i REALLY want...

yeppers-need to do that every once in a while.

why wouldn't you?

wish i did more times that i do

dreams...catch them
(all photos are from her website)

i hope you check out her shop, it seems awesome. i just need to figure out which one i need (want).

Happy Tuesday,

http://www.etsy.com/shop/farmgirlpaints?page=1

my new bff

2011-01-18T14:29:00.001-05:00

Okay Ladies and Gentlemen...who out there has a Kindle? I got one from my inlaws for Christmas and I honestly am in L-O-V-E!! I never read anything other than magazines and crafty books, but now...I am on book number 4 since I got it Christmas Eve. Can you believe that! I have found it very hard to figure out what types of books I really like (suggestions are REALLY welcome). So far the ones I have read I really like (another post).

This post is not to toot Amazon's horn for the Kindle but for what I made and recieved for my new bff. First lets talk about recieved. For Christmas I this really cute vinyl for the back of my kindle:

It is from Esty (of course), I requested a custom order and she whipped it right up!

Thank you LeenTheGraphicsQueen's

Secondly, not only do I share the love of the Kindle but, my besties do to! So of course while sewing my Kindle a new warm and cozy cover I made some for them! (my print is above it matches my owl decal perfectly and B's I forgot to take a picture of ...gasp!)

It took me a little over an hour to make 5 covers. Two I did with zippers....and that is the reason the others have buttons-HA!

Find a good book and snuggle up!

You are so pretty...I must make you mine (all mine)

2011-01-14T11:16:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday-for Christmas from my mom I got the most amazing quilting book, a new quiliting foot for my sewing machine and a binding foot too. I just need some amazing fabric...off to Etsy I went. Man did I find so many pretty (and needed) fabric! I seriously love this site. Here are a few of my favorites:

1-Everyone's Favorite Ta Dots Fabric by Michael Miller at the Fabricshoppe

Oh my how I L-O-V-E polkadots...seriously this just makes me so happy to look at!!!!

2-Urban Zoologie and Remix Fabric by Ann Kelle for Robert Kaufman at the Fabricschoppe

This would be a super cute and fun girly quilt!

3-Love Birds by My Minds Eye for Riley Blake at SistersandQuilters

Two words-THINK SPRING!

4-Wheels collections by My Minds Eye for Riley Blake at Sistersand Quilters

Perfect for any little boy who has a special place in your heart!
5-Organic Free to Grow fabric by nancy Mims for Robert Kaufman at fabricshoppe

This is just so pretty and fun!

6-Robots Fabric Boy Bundle at the fabricshoppe

I honestly just found this but OMG (sad I know) I could make the cutest little baby quilt with this!

7-Urban Zoologie, Metro Market and Remix Fabric by Ann Kelle at the fabricshoppe

Whoo whoo doesn't think this is CUTE?

8-Remix Fabric by Ann Kelle for Robert Kaufman, Argyle in Bright at the fabricshoppe

Um, need I say more?

9-Groovy Guitars in Lime by Michael Miller by Fancypantsfabric

10-Buld Your Fabric Stash-Large Surprise Fat Quarter Bundle of 16 by fabricshoppe

And in case you can't just pick one...or two...or...well you get it.

And I can't wait to show you what I bought!!! In due time, all in due time.

Knight=Boy Peggies

2010-12-29T14:14:00.000-05:00

It seems like I am always making things for Alyvia...I needed to shift gears and make something for Porter. My first boy peggie creation...A castle and Knights!

The castle was a bird feeder at Michaels. I started by making the door larger and then decided that just was not enough room to play...I just ripped the front off! (oops, but I like it soooo much better)

Next up are the knights, I used the flat bottom peggies with a mild sparkle gray. I also hand painted all the details.

Finished product:

Perhaps he needs a lady to rescue???

15 minute Christmas Gift-legwarmers

2010-12-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

While paroozing the blogging world I found this simple idea of making legwarmers for babies, well neither of my kids are babies anymore but one is a dancer! She often says she is cold-perfect! Off to Target I went to buy some long socks. While there I decided on the adult knee socks-she can always scrunch them down if needed. (side bar-as I was shopping I said to myself: I cannot believe I am making my child legwarmers! They were so cool when I was a kid) The socks were only $2 a pair!

This project was super simple-it only took me 15 minutes to make both pair!

Nice fun colors for Alyvia!

Here they are all done! Sew simple (ha)

I am going to Target again today, I think I am going to make a few more pairs! They are so cute, I cannot wait until she opens them!

Happy Thursday!

On the 3rd day of Christmas

2010-12-22T10:44:00.000-05:00

Day 3: Eartha Kitt-Santa Baby

Simply Fabulous Gift

2010-12-21T23:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday morning, only 2 more days and the big guy comes! I don't know about your household but my kids are SUPER excited! The joy of being a child!

Anyway, I wanted to share with you a thoughtful gift I received this Christmas. I work at Cornell University for the Chair of my department, she has 10 teaching assistants that I work with very closely all semester long. They are great 'kids' full of energy, goals, dreams, spunk, and thoughtfulness. Below is the wonderful gift I received from them; a ball of super soft and luscious yarn, needles and a gift certificate to our local knitting store.

Thank you PAM 2300 TA's-it is very much appreciated!!

Happy Holidays!

I hope you get a fun and thoughtful gift this year!

On the 4th Day of Christmas...

2010-12-21T13:12:00.000-05:00

Day 4: Faith Hill-Joy to the World

On the 5th Day of Christmas...

2010-12-20T09:53:00.001-05:00

Day 5: Kenny Chesney with Alabama: Christmas in Dixie

On the 6th Day of Christmas...

2010-12-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

Day 6: Alan Jackson-Let It Be Christmas

On the 7th day of Christmas

2010-12-18T19:31:00.000-05:00

Day 7: Wham-Last Christmas

On the 8th Day of Christmas...

2010-12-17T12:23:00.000-05:00

Day 8: GLEE - Baby, It's Cold Outside

On the 9th Day of Christmas...

2010-12-16T14:19:00.000-05:00

Day 9-Elvis and Martina McBride-Blue Christmas

On the 10th Day of Christmas

2010-12-15T08:38:00.000-05:00

Day 10-Jason Mraz - Winter Wonderland

On the 11 th day of Christmas...

2010-12-14T13:08:00.000-05:00

Day 11: Bing Crosby-White Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

2010-12-13T08:55:00.000-05:00

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me....a holiday song everyday!

For the next 12 days, other than my normal posts here and there, I will be posting one of my favorite holiday songs for your listening pleasure. I hope they put you in the spirit to decorate, bake, spend time with friends and that you enjoy them!

Day 12-Brenda Lee-Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

What is your favorite song?

Ahhh the perfect tree....

2010-12-09T16:32:00.000-05:00

We took our annual family trip to Hunt's tree farm the first Sunday after Thanksgiving (as we always do) in search of the most perfect, tall, skinny tree...and I am happy to report that we found it! All the credit must go to my hubby, he picked it out.

While searching Livy and I found this tree, I am not sure what happend to it. But can you quess what it reminds me of? Whoville-they always had strange looking trees!

After hanging all our amazing ornaments from the past and present it turned out magical. I love having the tree up; sitting there with only the tree lights on, peaceful!

Every year I buy a cardinal ornament in memory of my grandfather, however this year we lost my grandmother, and I am still dealing with that loss. My mom got herself, my sister and me the same ornament. Its just perfect. Its a male and female cardinal-reminds me so much of grandpa and Memo.

What does your tree look like? Do you have any special family traditions picking the perfect one out?

T.

A new shape...for crayons that is

2010-12-05T14:34:00.001-05:00

Who doesn't love a crayon? I do, I love opening a new box and seeing those perfectly pointy little tips, it truely makes me happy. And to boot I love to color. Whenever the kids want to, I am first in line! It is so relaxing. Seriously!

Honestly who has 5000 crayons laying around their house most broken and looking a little sad. I say lets help those crayons out! Simple and easy to do:

Step one: take off all the wrappers (yes this is the most borning part)

Step two: cute those crayons up into smaller pieces.

Step three: place them in an oven safe bold, I got my at Joann's its for muffins/cupcakes

Step four: wait, they have to harden.

Step five: admire your hard work.

The kids and I made snowflakes since yesterday was our first official snow fall of the year!

And check out these other two awesome blogs with refurb crayons:
http://jessicapeck.blogspot.com/2010/10/busy-mama-easy-crafting.html
http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2010/10/diy-molded-crayons.html

Happy Sunday!
T.
Linking up at: http://i893.photobucket

Fresh new curb appeal

2010-11-19T22:52:00.000-05:00

We have lived in our house for about 3 years, and I love it! I really do. However my front door needed something to spice it up. Tthe total spent was about $45, and I think it made a HUGE impact!

Before

After

New Paint color $20

New wreath and holder: $15.50

Vinyl rub on from Empressive Designs on Etsy $9.50

Well what do you think?

SYTYC turns 1!

2010-11-15T16:11:00.000-05:00

There is a little spot on Blog Street called

So You Think Your Crafty; its an amazing blog!

And guess what, it just turned 1-Congratulations!

Honestly, this blog is awesome, not only does it have super talented crafters, ideas, and giveaways, but Missy is super sweet!

Check out the website she is offering give-a-ways all week-good luck!

And leave a comment wishing them a happy birthday!

Photo Friday-Farewell to Fall

2010-11-05T13:30:00.000-04:00

November is here, I know this mainly because living in Upstate NY it actually snowed Monday night! Yep first thing Monday morning a car passes me with about an inch of snow on it...ugh really! I am not ready for boots, coats, hats and mittens. My hubby and kids are super excited to go sledding...me I like the warm indoors. Even though it is not officially Winter (yet)-I say farewell to another NY Fall:

I am off on my annual ladies shopping trip this weekend, so there will not be any craftiness for three days! But there will be a lot of laughs, friendship and great memories!

Have a great weekend!

Does your blood run red--Cornell Red---Hockey???

2010-10-27T22:53:00.003-04:00

I have lived near Cornell University my whole life. As I grew older and married the hubster I also began to love hockey. And there is this strange, magnetic, over powering conection between Cornell and Hockey! The Mens and Womens Hockey teams are simply amazing. This is the sport...they sell out every season. The Womens team is ranked number 2 in the Ivy League and the Mens team is ranked right up there as well. They always make it to the Frozen Four. Again...something about Lynah Rink...its small but always packed.

A couple weeks ago my co-worker Erin (see picture below...she is a San Fran fan-Go Giants) gave me the most amazing opportunity. She asked me to take pictures at the annual Red and White game with the Ithaca Little Mites. A bit of history (and not the snooze fest you are thinking) the Red and White game is the traditional first game of the season when all the Cornell Mens Hockey team split and play each other. Like I said previously, hockey is very popular here in the area, the Ithaca Little Mites are boys and girls around the ages of 7 or 8. They get the prestigious honor of being the 4 string that night! Can I just say they worked so hard and were so cute.

That night I took over 500 pictures (oops) and after editing and cutting I ended up with 231...not too bad. Below are a few I really liked.

Oh and how could I forget the icing on the cake, I got to stand in the middle of Lynah Rink to take a team photo. Most people can only dream to stand in the middle of the ice after a friece game!

Thanks EO-I owe you!!!!

Smart Idea...bad result!

2010-10-24T07:26:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had an amazing idea...thought it through...and it just well FLOPPED! Que the violins...

I sure did. I am so disappointed in this, for real. I had a brilliant idea...personalized match game for PJ. He is totally into Toy Story-Buzz, Woody, Jesse, all of them. I had some stickers left over from his birthday party, just enough to make a set of 6 matching pieces. I ran to the craft store purchased some wood, painted them black (lack of a more fun color) and then stuck the sticker on...and reach for the Modge Podge. Somewhere in those easy steps something went terribly wrong. They look OK, but they stick together when you pile them up. Yeppers, stick together. So I ask all of my fellow blogging Modge Podgeusers:

What did I do wrong?

Did I not wait long enough between my three coats, did I pick the wrong finish? HELP!

Here they are in a pile before they made their way across the room to craft heaven (aka the garbage). I might try again..I might not. Again, good idea, terrible outcome.

So I want to hear them...what terrible outcomes have you had (secretly asking please help me rebuild my craftiness mojo!)

CUPCAKES!! Yummo

2010-10-20T08:29:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you, but I find cupcakes: FUN, crazy, cute and YuMmY!

I am not sure what it is lately but I just find myself completely in love with the idea of a cupcake, not so much as the taste of them (don't get me wrong I do a nice cupcake) but how people can create them. Those perfect peaks upon the top of a moist and perfectly round cupcake top,talent! There are some really amazing blogs out there just about cupcakes, and tons of stuff with cupcakes on them.

Sites I heart about cupcakes:

This one is a fun design:

LUCIUS Jewerly Shop on etsy.com

These are the sweetest things ever (and man are there a lot to pick from):

Scrapbooking Stuff on Esty.com

Check out these fun and colorful cupcake liners:

thebakersconfection's on Etsy.com

And for the walls too, this is simply awesome!:

Defiant Decals on Etsy.com

Check out this sign:

On etsy.com at http://www.etsy.com/people/queensspoof

I have a pipedream, well really a few, one I want to own a bed and breakfast but thats a whole other post (sticking to cupcakes here) I would love to have a bakery of nothing more than fun, simple, yummy, exciting, and pretty cupcakes! I know this little dream will not happen as the current very small town I live in has 3 bakeries and that just may be enough for our town...for now!

So I will just live my dream via blogs and merchandise for now!

Photo Friday-back on the wagon!

2010-10-15T13:00:00.000-04:00

I have been lacking in sticking with my photo Friday...so I am getting back on the wagon.

This picture I took when we were at the beach this year. Alyvia is completely into headbands! Which is funny because when I was her age I had a yellow headband I NeVeR (and I mean never) took off. I guess that could be genetic too...right?

Anyway, Happy Friday!

A Little Rainbow in the Fall

2010-10-08T12:58:00.000-04:00

I am jumping on the rainbow cupcake bandwagon! My hubbs just recently started coaching Alyvia's soccer team and we rotate snacks, it was my turn and thought yep I am going to try and make those. Alyvia was super excited.

However, pay attention to the green you make...ours look like um, ya know....baby poo!

The other colors were pretty (notice the ACMoore receipt-ha).

Ashlyn (B's little one) and Alyvia enjoying their cupcakes after a hard soccer game.

Up close, the green didn't turn out too gross, totally thought it was going to however!

The kids loved them. I might not make them again because they were pretty time consuming with all the mixing but fun...and maybe for a special occasion.

Happy weekend , it going to be amazing here in Upstate NY, we are going to enjoy it, thats for sure.

A B C...

2010-10-06T21:28:00.001-04:00

Alyvia just started Kindergarten this year and man does this kid have homework! About 20-30 minutes every night, I guess dear old mom and dad were not expecting that! They are learning their alphabet-lower and upper case. Alyvia however already knew these from Little Sprouts (thanks Mrs. W). Therefore I had to think of a creative way to review them with her...enter tongue depressors. I always keep them on hand, you never know when you need to use them to mix paint, smooth play dough...etc.

All I did was put the BIG letter on one end and the LITTLE letter on the other..so easy! That way you can cover the other letter so she can't peek! (Sneaky mommy!)

I apologize for the lack of posting we are all finally settling into a routine with school, dance, and Steve is coaching Alyvia's soccer team. We are BuSy! But I do have several projects in the works:

Finalizing my craft room

Re-doing the basement (complete overhaul)

Re-doing the front door

Started some Christmas projects

Holiday themed table runners

So I have been busy just haven't had time to post...they will come..until then...HaPpY CrAfTiNg!

going once, going twice, SOLD

2010-09-21T12:02:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I have been MIA lately, its true. But, man if you live in Upstate and L-O-V-E crafts this just might be the auction of a life time!

I live very close to Bostwicks Auction and they are having this unbelievable auction on Friday-all stuff from a local craft/sewing store! AH, wait, what...what did you say! Yep its true!

I cannot attend however my hubby has to work...blasted him! His last Friday ever working and its this one...do you think the auction house could post-pone this for next week...tee hee! I doubt it!

Check out these great pictures (they post pictures of things coming up for sale)

Boxes of patterns!!!!

Can you believe this!! Look at all that loot, there has to be a treasure of 5 in there.

And I really want this sign for my craft room:

Thats all for today...

Summer has come and gone...

2010-09-08T15:39:00.002-04:00

I want to apologize for the lack of posting...we just returned from the beach and Alyvia had her first day of Kindergarten today...busy!

I will have a real post soon!

T.

Clink...Personalized Wine Glasses

2010-08-23T14:04:00.000-04:00

I didn't realize this but I never posted about my first SYTYC craft. Week one; the theme the Dollar Store. Holy challenge that was! Where I live we have multiple Dollar Stores...none that great and almost all the same. Granted tehre are endless possibilites I just needed to find inspiration.

I have been toying with the idea of painting on glass, be it cups, plates, or bowls. I love to give personalized gifts. I went to the Dollar store and walked around for 15 minutes to try and find some sort of inspiration-then I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a whole wall of wine glass, pub glasses, water glasses, martini glasses, and even margarita glasses! Jackpot! I took that as a sign to stop looking and buy.

Being a beautiful crystal clear glass it was an open canvas. I didn’t want to do my first thought because everyone would know it was me, so I went with my next favorite pattern-Paisley's! Come on-who doesn’t love a paisley print. Yes, some would say you are going back in the day to the 70’s, not me! They always come in fun happy colors!

This may be the simplest project ever; all you need are glasses, mine were $1 a piece, acrylic paint, and an oven. Three things…well and a little creativity. I will admit I put on about 4 coats of the lime green background mainly because I wanted a very smooth coat; the others are just one coat. The darker the colors may streak more.

A close-up of the bottom of the glass-that needs a little attention too!

Be simple or go crazy with this is quick, inexpensive and fun project-run don’t walk to your Dollar store!

Color My World Crayola

2010-08-10T13:22:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't love to color? I know I do! Its peaceful, relaxing, fun, and a great time for kids to learn.

This year was Alyvia's last year of Pre-School. We have been going to Little Sprouts for 3 years, we love Mrs. Wheeler. She is a great teacher, friend, and mom. Over the last three years I have come to know her outside of school, she is now one of my best friends. I wanted to make her something special for Alyvia's graduation and to celebrate her achievements. (PJ will attend Little Sprouts as well but not for another year.) I made her this picture so she could hang it in her class room.

Thanks Mrs. Wheeler-you rock!

T (and Alyvia)

trying something new

2010-08-06T00:28:00.001-04:00

Ok, who noticed my fun new header?

I am changing things up a bit around here...starting with my header. Next I added in a fun day on my blog.I love photography; its such and amazing way to capture that little moment, express yourself and have fun. Therefore I am dubbing Fridays as:

FOTO FRIDAYS!

Every Friday I will post a picture for the week I took personally that I really am proud of.

Happy Friday and enjoy!
T.

Stand Up To Cancer

2010-08-04T14:51:00.000-04:00

I just thought I would share this PSA, it is awesome.

It's a PSA for Stand Up To Cancer, which airs to primetime TV on September 10, 2010, at 8PM EST & PST / 7PM CT. The one-hour fundraising event will be simulcast live and commercial-free on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, HBO, Discovery Health, E!, MLB Network, The Style Network, VH1, HBO Latino, Showtime, TV One and G4.

T.

have you seen this?

2010-08-02T23:13:00.000-04:00

First let me say I am not by any way being paid by Sharpie (however it is my favorite writing tool-home and work) to endorse this product.

I found these little paint pens at Michaels...I will admit that I hesitated on the purchase due to the price (yes I am frugal), man was I happy when I used them! They are simply amazing. I used them on my wine glasses and for my peggies, two different mediums; glass and wood, and they worked amazing.

I would highly recommend purchasing a couple; at least in the basic colors anyway. I am tempted to get every color (who knows perhaps a Sharpie person is reading this right now and a box of Sharpies will come to me---ahhh wish, dream, wake up). Check out Sharpie.com for all the amazing colors there are! One day to have them all.

So clip that coupon and run on down to pick up your very own little slice of heaven!

T.

Stroller Cady-SYTYC

2010-07-29T12:43:00.001-04:00

Well, I have been pre-occupied with family things that I didn't get to post about this...

I didn't make it to week two of SYTYC; which is a total bummer. I guess my head just wasn't in the game and dude, the competition was...AMAZING! I needed to have a craft ready for week two if I made it and the theme was baby items. I made this stroller caddy. It was so much fun to design and make. I will try and write up a tutorial for it, I sort of just pinned and went with it.

With out further ado: I tried to think of something I would want as an expectant mother. When you have a baby and you need to run in to a store and I never wanted to carry the diaper bag, tada, a stroller cady.

It has a large pocket for diapers and a small container of wipes, two smaller pockets with flaps that hook closed and back pockets to slide your cell in, and a key ring/toy hook. The little pockets are great....bank card, money, extra nuk (or two), snacks...I could go on and on.

Happy Expectant Baby!

T.

Linking up at:
http://terelauritsen.blogspot.com/

Mema/Memo

2010-07-23T18:37:00.000-04:00

After a four month battle with bladder cancer my grandmother peacefully passed away yesterday afternoon. I am very thankful my mom, papa, and her favorite nurse, Marie, were with her.

She was an amazing grandmother and Memo (great grandmother). I am very thankful for all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers for our family.

Memo, you will be dearly missed; thank you for caring for me, loving me and my kids! I love you!

Memo and Livy (around 2 months April 2005)

Memo and PJ-September 2008

June 2010

Memo and PJ-June 2010

Alyvia and Memo-June 2010

Me and Memo-July 5, 2010

tweet...someone got married.

2010-07-21T11:54:00.000-04:00

Happy Wednesday Everyone.

Today I am going to be blogging about a little project I did for a fellow co-worker. M just recently got married in May, her theme for the wedding was very natural, earthy, nature inspired. She made the vast majority of her decorations herself. Ok, her hubby made a few things that required power tools. I was really honored when she asked if I could make her pie (I said pie) topper. Sticking with her theme I went with birdies. The pattern I used I found on the internet, and forgive me I have since lost the site but I found this one at Lolly Chops blog.

With out further ado:

Print the pattern or make one of your own. You will only need scraps of fabric for these, cut out the pattern and pin your belly to the bird body.

Sew about 1/4" seam, watch out for the pins they will get you...I use a lot as you can see.

After sewing leave the tail end open for stuffing, I used regular old stuffing nothing fancy. You want to stuff it so they are firm. Add a little extra because once you sew up the tail you can push it down to make that a little soft too.

I apologize I didn't take any pictures of sewing up the tail, it was not fun. Perhaps you will have better luck that I did. I finall got it done however.

I a pleased to introduce the Groom:

And the Bride:

I added a couple little fabric rosettes to make her have some embellishment, I sewed them on by hand.

After they were ready I hot glued them onto a wooden plaque I got at AC Moore. I painted it cream to keep with the colors. And I didn't like how plain it looked so I glued some ribbon/string around it.

Finished:

Congratulations M & P!

just my opinion....but...cancer SUCKS!

2010-07-19T13:17:00.000-04:00

I do not typically blog about person items, but I just have to say cancer...just plain sucks.

My grandmother was diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer back in April, they told us at the time she would have 6 months to a year if we are lucky. Well I guess our luck is running out. This past week she has been progressively getting worse. She is in so much pain now, it is just not fair. Its not fair to her first of all, she is a kind, amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, wife and so on, its not fair to my mom to have to do this alone (her sister passed away a few years back), my children; they love Mema, and to me. I am not ready to let her go...I am just not. I love her so much! However deep down I know she is in pain so I must find a way to be strong so she can feel ok with letting go. Its not about me or us, its about her. Making her comfortable, making her feel ok with leaving us...I also know deep down she is scared, which I would be too...all we can do is tell her we love her and thank her for 79 amazing years of life.

These past four days she has not been out of bed, has not ate or drank anything, they do have her morphine and some other pain pill so she isn't really with us, so to say. She hasn't even spoken in days, a few things here or there to my mom. Yesterday I was sitting with her sobbing like a small child holding her hand and she sat right up in bed, I instantly responded with "Are you in pain? Do you need something" and she puckered up...she wanted a kiss. So I obliged-and I said I love you. She said it back. That is one special moment in time I will never forget. The next days to weeks are going to be bumpy ride...with the use of A LOT of tissues.

I just had to share my personal opinion of cancer...yep it sucks! (I guess that's my favorite word right now). So may I please remind you to take every day as a special gift and hug your loved ones today.

Love you Mema!

T.

SYTYC-Only one day left

2010-07-15T12:29:00.003-04:00

Just a small reminder that tomorrow is the last day to vote on SYTYC--please vote!!!

Happy Thursday!

SYTYC-Dollar Store Crafts-Starts today!

2010-07-12T07:21:00.001-04:00

Good morning all! Well today is day one of the So You Think Your Crafy competition! You can find the crafts at

http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/?p=798

Now, I cannot tell you which is mine, all I can ask is you vote for your favorite craft! There are some really AMAZING crafts.

Again, thank you for your support!

Happy Voting and Monday!

Let them roll, around the track

2010-07-08T14:25:00.000-04:00

Having a son now I need to start thinking of more boy crafts, thanks to awesome bloggers around the internet world you can find awesome things. Jill from Homemade by Jill and Dana and Made always provide amazing ideas! The first thing I saw that I knew I had to make for PJ was a car cozy! This may have been back when he was a little guy, say 5 months old or so, but still I book marked that! And I did it! I love the way it came out. I had so much extra felt from the house I used that, it holds up so nice...steardy!

First I started by measuring out my flashy green felt, and my o-so-crystal clear blue pond. I used canvas as the outside fabric...must be tough for boys...right?

Then I added a very vibrant red pocket and ric rac trim to cover the seam and sewed away. I made four pockets for the cars and put two straps for closure on the cozy.

Top stiched it all the way around, and don't get me wrong I love to sew but man did this take

F-o-R-e-V-e-R! Well, ok, maybe not but it seemed that way!

I then drew a nifty little race track out of black patterned fabric and used iron transfer to put it on the felt. I was a little nervous that it would burn the felt but it didn't (thank goodness). And as an added bonus I didn't have to sew it on. I am sure if you wanted to you could, I however do not feel overly confident in my curvy sewing.

And just because I wanted a little extra texture I added some grass out of a lovely grassy green embrodiery floss, cute and fun.

Other Car rolls:
http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2009/12/cozy-car-caddy-tutorial.html

http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/2010/04/tutorial-tuesday-car-roll-up.html

http://733blog.blogspot.com/2010/02/cw-fabric-roads.html

http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2010/05/car-cozy-tutorial.html

http://mygratitudeattitudes.blogspot.com/2009/09/car-cozie-tutorial-and-etsy-re.html

Vroom.....

4th of July

2010-07-02T09:31:00.000-04:00

I cannot believe that the 4th of July weekend is apon us already. Where has half the year gone? I wonder.

I want to thank all the service people, past, present, and future for taking such a huge and amazing risk protecting me, my children, my family and the country everyday!

Thank you.

I have to admit I do enjoy the 4th Holiday. We will be attending the local fireworks show tomorrow night, the kids (and secretly myself) love fireworks! Monday we will be attending the 4th of July parade in my home town. Sad, but true, I love this parade. Every year I look forward to the same things in it. Floats, the local Kirby band, local politicians, and of course a fire truck from every neighboring county! Here are some pictures from the past couple of years...

Fireworks

The famous Kirby Band

Phil Jordan-it is amazing to me he can ride this thing...talent!

Mema-3 years ago on the 4th, in healthier times.

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!

SYTYC-Sunny Days Keeping the Clouds Away

2010-06-29T14:49:00.000-04:00

The sun is shining what a great day!

As you may know I was voted onto Session 4 of So You Think Your Crafty. My audtion craft was a fun, cute, functional craft...a sunglass holder for your car!

Some have asked for a tut on this so your wish is my command (for certain things I can not renew the three wishes....ha!)

1-Start out by picking some super fun fabric. I have had this laying around for a long time and I just love it and thought this was a perfect craft for it.

2-Cut two pieces of fabric 5x9" (you can customize this size if you wish to fit your car visor better)

Cut two pieces of felt, for padding, 5x9"

Cut one piece of cardboard, for stability, 4x8" (this will be the finished size)

3- Sew the cardboard into the felt, you can just top stich it due to you will be inserting this into the pretty pocket soon.

4-Next you will need to make the hooks. I used 2"x 8" pieces of coordinating fabric. Fold in half the long way, then fold over about .5" on each side and iron, see below picture.

5-You will then top stich around each piece, I used 4 since I have four people in my family. You will then have pretty little retangles like the picture below. At this point you will need to align them on the top part of the fabric and sew only ONE end to the fabric, I used a 'X' to hold it tight. On the opposite end place a piece of velcro. I used some I already had there were sticky on the back, easy peasy.

6- Align your top fabric face to face and sew along three sides, if you wanted to add some pretty details like ribbon this is the time to align it and sew it between the two top pieces. Flip right side out, insert the felt/cardboard combo. During this process is when you will also sew in your elastic band. I used two pieces about 10", you want it somewhat tight on the visor.

7- Tuck in your remaining side, ribbon, and elastic band and top stich all around the piece.

8-Once all the top stiching is done, place the otherside of the velcro piece (via sticky-ness) to line up with the other piece on the hooks.

9-Finally add your sunglasses and enjoy!!!!

(in the car)

Just a small reminder that Session 4 of SYTYC starts on July 9th, check it out!

So you think your crafty?

2010-06-21T13:32:00.001-04:00

I like to think so! I made it to Session 4 of So You Think Your Crafty! I am so giddy- like a small school girl right now!

The Rules:

10 Weeks
10 Crafters
10 Challenges
10 Themes

Missy supplies us with a theme weekly and its up to you America...you decide who stays and who goes (Ugh I think I just sounded like a reality TV show).

The craft with the least amount of votes heads home -sigh. Each week: new theme and one less crafter until a whole hearted crafter, with a little inspiration from Martha, who messes up every now and again (we all do), is crowned Session 4 Queen Bee Crafter!

Crafts are posted anonymously to keep voting fair, just vote for what you like, think is fun, functional, or whatever your reason!

What I can promise you: I will work very hard on all the themes...I have a few in mind for far down the road (so please keep me around (wink wink)) and once the voting is closed and a new week starts I will post about my creation.

We will start in the beginning of July, but for now head over to SYTYC and vote for the final two of Session 3. They are both awesome, outstanding, and fun ideas!! Good look ladies!

Now without further ado I present to you the ladies that are ready to bring on their A game for Session 4:

Kim @ A Girl and a Glue Gun with her Cardboard Clubhouse

Tina @ Simple. Inspired. Homemade with her Sunny Days Sunglass Holder (AHHH THATS ME!)

Emilie @ Emilie Handmade with her Super Absorbent Super Hero

Vanessa @ Tried and True with her Seat/Floor Cushion

Natalia & Whitnee @ Piece N Quilt with their Quilted Bed Runner

Kristin @ See Mommy Sew with her Summer Time Swim Suit

Heidi @ Hello Color with her Embroidered Slippers

Carrie @ Tao of Craft with her Rocket Ship Softie

Cheri @ I Am Momma - Hear Me Roar with her Leather Leaf Necklace

Mary Beth @ Addressing Spaces with her Time Worn Table

This is going to be a super fun, crazy, exciting, hot glue mess, sewing, crafting 10 weeks, I cannot wait! Thank you to everyone who voted for me and to Missy for giving me the chance to audition!

And now this is how I am feeling right now:
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Have an awesome Monday!
T.

How good are you?

2010-06-19T22:49:00.002-04:00

My daughter is 5...and I thought it was time for chores to start. While flipping around my Family Fun magazine there was an article about a mom with 5 children and she started a marble jar system. While reading I thought I could do that...so I did! We are on day 4 and its going really well. She gets excited to add the marbles when she completes a task and if she loses one (perhaps a small rolling of the eyes) she is starting to understand why. With out further ado...the Marble Jar.

First I found a old frame and painted it a burnt red color and inserted the list of items and the worth.

Painted a mason jar with an A and polka dots:

The lid I padded with a piece of craft foam and covered with a fun fabric.

And finally the duo wait for the tink of a marble to fall.

Happy weekend!

T.

Linking up at:

3 projects going and a HUGE thank you.

2010-06-18T08:08:00.000-04:00

First I want to thank everyone who has voted on SYTYC and guessing which is mine. (I will tell you once the auditions are over and post a tutorial on it) Only two more days and I will find out if I have advanced on.

THANK YOU!

I have about three current projects going and tons spinning in my head. I am making my BFF's little girl a peggie house and dolls for her birthday, complete with some furniture. Along with two additional houses, I figured I am painting and such I might as well do bulk. I have thought about selling them on esty.com (its like my favorite site). But...we shall see, its a lot of work, but they are soooo worth it in the end. Plus, I really enjoy doing it.

My third project is a yard sale find that is like a dream come true. Here is a before picture, just wait til this little beauty is done. Can you guess what its going to be?

Thank you again for the support in SYTYC! Today is the last day!!

Voting has begun: SYTYC

2010-06-14T07:18:00.000-04:00

Here we go...you may or may not know this but I am auditioning this week for a blog called: So You Think You Are Crafty and my audition piece is up! I cannot tell you which is mine, all I can ask is for you to just vote for your favorite!

http://soyouthinkyourecrafty.blogspot.com/

Wish me luck!

A new family moving to town

2010-06-04T15:23:00.000-04:00

Check this out...about 6 new families are coming to town...ok they are not real...but wooden. They will be families for 4 little girls I have in mind. I have made Livy tons of peggies in the past so I thought I might as well buy more...so I did! 50 to be exact....here they are in all their glory just waiting for some personality. I really appreciate Gemmie from http://www.etsy.com/shop/gemmielou she allowed me to customize my order and they were here in two days ...on a holiday weekend to boot! Thank you so much!!

Below are all of Livy's current peggies...she has requested nana, papa, gpa, gma, and a bride and groom...

Check out my fish bowls and the little boy with a hawk! I crack myself up.

On to other news, I have something very exciting coming up I will share soon!

Laundry Room Redo/Ideas

2010-05-26T23:39:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, I know its been a long time...we have been crazy busy here in our house. And I am thinking it is not going to get any better. I just booked our mini summer vacations. Since my Mema is sick we are not going to take any long vacations just a few overnight trips, the first one up is Sesame Place in PA. I am so excited Porter is in love with "Melmo" aka Elmo right now. It should make for some great memories.

With the busy life comes very little time for crafts and sewing, I have a few projects but have not edited the pictures to post yet. So I thought I would mention my dream (ok one of many decorating dreams); I want to re-do our laundry room. I know strange but I walk by it everyday, use it multiple times a day, and when people come to visit they too have to walk by it to go to the restroom. Therefore I want it pretty, inviting, creative, and useful (I guess) all at the same time...is this possible I must ask?

I have search the internet over and thought I found true love...just kidding; flashback: Hee Haw, and found some really cool ideas...what do you think? Thoughts? Ideas? Pictures of your own?

Photo Courtsey of Country Living Magazine

I really like the drying rack hanging on the wall, great use of space.

Photo from homehousedesign.com

I love the color, the cabinets, the organization...its so clean and put together! The cabinet for the basket is super cute but yet functional too.

Sorry, I can not remember where I found this picture.

How fun is the tile work? The robin's egg blue cabinets? I could do many loads of laundry in here!

Photo courtsey of phraseslettering.wordpress.com

This would be really cute and fun to hang over the door.

Photo courtsey of http://www.furnishism.com/

Again super fun, exciting, welcome, and looks so nicely put together. Jealous! The lights are a cool way to have some lighting and accent the pictures at the same time.

Photo courtsey of houseandhome.com

What words could really describe this other than simply amazing. The organization with the high cabinets, color matching right to the hook on the side.

Photo courtey of www.mysweetheartmoments.com/

I actually have this vision in my head (not of sugar plums either) but of exactly this. I want a more efficient way to store small things like hats, gloves, scarfs, etc. And this shelf with hooks for coats and baskets for the rest is an awesome idea!

Well that is all the ideas I will share with you for now, I hope you find something inspiring on the web today.

Cinnamon Rolls...so yummy

2010-05-16T20:57:00.000-04:00

Hello, earlier this week I said that I was going to share my recipe for Cinnamon Rolls; so here goes:

Ingrediants:

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

1 cup water

1 Tbs active dry yeast

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

6 cups of flour

1 cup sugar (white)

Filling:

2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

Frosting:
2 cups powder sugar
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbs milk

Step 1: Warm the mil in a small saucepan until it bubbles, remove from heat. MIx in the butter, stir until melted. Add water and let cool until lukewarm.

Step 2: In large bowl, combine milk mixture, yeast, and white sugar, salt, eggs and 2 cups of flour, wtir well. Stir in the remianing flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the doug has pulled together, turn it out onton a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic about 8-10 minutes.

Step 3: Divde dough into two pieces. Roll each piece intoa 12x9 rectangle. In a bowl still together the cinnamon and brown sugar. Spread each piece with half the of butter, half the brown sugar/cinnamon mix. Roll up dough, using a little water to seal the seam.

Step 4: Cut each roll into 12 slices, place rolls onto two 9x13 greased baking pan. Cover and let rise until amost doubled, about 1 hour.

Step 5: Preheat oven at 375. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

To make the frosting just combine all ingrediants spread over warm rolls.

ENJOY!!!

Happy Sunday!

Whoo Whoo is knocking at the door?

2010-05-10T07:40:00.003-04:00

WE ARE!

They do not officially have names but we shall call them Purple and Orange..so original! I love owls, that is a fact they are so fun looking and you can really make them look like anything. I saw some stuffed owls on the blog world and etsy. My kids are really not stuffed animal children, but these are actually funtional!

First; they have a loop on their heads to hang, I hung ours on the kids bedroom doors. Pink=Livy Orange=PJ. Like so...

Second; on the back they have a little pocket (made out of canvas so that they are sturdy) either for a note, small toy, or candy. The possiblities are endless for these little guys. They are made out of felt. Again, left over from the table top tent (will it ever end-my husband asks daily!)

They hold about a 4x6 index card folded in half.

I love these I might make more for my friends children, its soo nice to see them excited when there is a small somthing for them. Somedays it just says 'I love you'. And that will just start anyones day right...right?

So I wonder whoo whoo will be knocking at your door?

Happy Monday

Linking up at:

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T17:05:00.000-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in the blogging world!

Below are the gifts I gave to my mom and Mema...chalk board vases with some lovely bright flowers. The vases are so CoOl! I just love them!

UPCLOSE:

And, these are the yummy cinnamon rolls I made...Mema loves them. I will admit they are a lot of work but so worth it. I will post the recipe this week.

Last but NOT least these are the lovely flowers my kids gave to me...From PJ

From Alyvia

Happy Mother's Day!

Proud Mama Moment

2010-05-02T23:42:00.000-04:00

Happy late Sunday night, I finished three projects this weekend along with my normal life. I just wanted to share a proud mama moment with you, and then I will post about the other things later.

We went for family pictures today and typically I let Livy pick something to have in her pictures with her, last year she had her Disney Princesses, this year...my peggies, I mean her peggies, the ones I made her! Can you believe it out of all the commercial Barbies, Polly Pockets, or Princesses I was the highest on the list...this is a total GO ME moment!

Thanks Livy for making me feel so proud and loved!

fabric travel doll house

2010-04-26T21:31:00.005-04:00

I recieved One Yard Wonders by Yakers and Hoskins for Christmas this past year. I have flipped every page about 100 times, put post-it-notes on the projects I wanted to complete.This this darling is the first project I have completed, a fabric doll house, it is apporperiate for Livy right now as she plays with Polly Pockets all the time! I just love the way it turned out, and I think that Livy does too, she has played with it nonstop for days!

This is the outside of the house when it is all buttoned up, 5 buttons hold the sides together. The walls and roof are padded with batting around plastic grid. (I am not sure that is the technical name for it-the plastic sheets you cross stitch yarn with...)

The super cute and fun fabric I used.

The house open, I used felt in the inside (I have tons left over from the felt house I made)-the girls (redhead PP and brown haired PP-they don't have real names as Livy changes them all the time) are loving their new home!

This was a fun project for me and so happy the way it turned out. At first I was not really sure what it would look like but after reading the directions, and again, and again, I just started sewing and it all came together. I am making PJ a barn, I thought these would be great for vacation, dinners out, or just a little quite playtime.

I have linked up at:

http://itssoverycheri.com/

http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/

Weekend.

2010-04-25T21:52:00.000-04:00

Well, its been a very busy weekend. I had this past Friday off...ahh three day weekend you say-but just one more day to do more stuff. And stuff we did. This post is going to be such a hodge podge of items.

Friday-PJ and I took Livy to school came home and played, just the two of us, we hardly ever get to do that. Picked Livy up and later we went to Friendley's for dinner and the toy store. Livy had some tooth fairy/Easter/Birthday money just buring a hole in her pocket and since Polly Pockets were BOGO she was in 5 year old heaven!

Saturday-Livy, PJ, and I spent the night at my Nana/Mema's. Hubby was installing hardwood floors Sat. and Sun. therefore I thought it be best the kids and I just were not there! Smart women (its ok to think that-right?). We played outside for a while, it was so nice. PJ loves wearing his rainboots-even when its not raining.

Sunday-just a lazy day, my hubby did an amazing job putting in the floors. Yeah three years later and I have a carpetless dinningroom! I was in 31 year old heaven! Later B and I went and saw The Back Up Plan-so funny! Highly recommend it! Literally laughed out load! Here is the link incase you want to check it out: http://www.fandango.com/thebackupplan_126383/movieoverview.

I finished a small project I was working on I just need to take some pictures of it, and I am in the process of washing some fabric I got to make myself a skirt. So excited-I hope it turns out ok. I have never sewn anythng for myself before! Wish me luck!

One last thought-Today Livy says to me "I literally couldn't find it." Did she just literally use the word literally? I proceeded to think to myself I must use that all the time-whoops! It was cute anyhow.

What did you do this weekend-sew? movie? be with family?

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T23:22:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone! Happy Earth Day!

In honor of Earth Day I made a special treat for ladies night and for Alyvia's pre-school class...dirt cups! What you say, that sounds so gross! Well, I am here to tell you no they are not, and super easy to make!

List of needs:
Small cups
2 pks of instant chocolate pudding mix
1 smaller tub of cool whip
4 cups of milk
Chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Oreos, one bag
Gummy worms

In a mixing bowl add the milk and pudding mix, beat until blended and let rest for 5 minutes. After waiting (and maybe a little quality control) fold in the coolwhip and had about a 1/2 cup cushed oreos. Then the fun part, start with a small amount of crushed oreos, pudding mix, oreos, and a gummy worm. Place in fridge for about an hour prior to serving. This will yeild about 15 cups.

Yum, enjoy.

Today and everyday treat our planet with kindness and respect, make it a better place for our kids and our kids-kids.

White walls, bright lights...its an ART GALLERY

2010-04-13T09:36:00.002-04:00

All over the blog world you see very cool projects for creating an Art Gallery for your kids. Well I loved the idea. I was digging in my box of decorations for something different for my kitchen table and came across this sign I no longer use...AHHH its perfect! So here we go!

BEFORE: (cute but just not really used anymore)

I painted the outside fram a brownish color (I was originally going to do white-but after 4 coats trying to cover the blue...I moved on)

Then I popped thehears off the inside part of the sign.

I used some fun patterned fabric and Modge Podge and covered the words.

Can you believe how strong and stiff MP makes things! Its an amazing little product.

I then cut my letters using my Cricket and MP those on as well.

The clothespin I covered with corrdinating paper with MP and hot glued them onto the frame.

Here it is hanging on the wall. I like it, I think it came out well! I hung it low to the ground so that the kids could put up what they wanted to.

AFTER:

Check out this link for another one in the blog world:

http://servingpinklemonade.blogspot.com/2010/02/art-gallery-revisited.html

Have a great day!

PS, I linked up to the following this week:

http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/2010/04/just-something-i-whipped-up.html

Books: information, inspiration, guidance…

2010-04-06T20:49:00.001-04:00

I love holding new craft book in my hands. They are so rich in information, inspiration, and guidance, along with stunning and flawless pictures. I am not much of a reader when it comes to regular books; I am a magazine person in that aspect. However, craft books…bring on the pile!

For Christmas this year I received some outstanding books. My mom, who is not a crafter but a gardener, didn’t really understand why I need/wanted such a variety. She thought they were all the same. Oh no, my dear! I cannot tell you how many times I have looked in these books. I just flip over the pages again, and again, and again. My daughter is starting to do the same (I think I may be creating a monster). I am actually starting my first project from one hopefully over the weekend.

Without further ado, the list of books I received for Christmas:

One Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects; Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric! By R. Yaker and P. Hoskins (2009)
Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching By H. Ross (2009)
Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts: An A-to-Z guide with Detailed Instructions and Endless Inspirations By Martha Stewart Living (2009)
Sewing: 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar By Accord Publishing and Megan Smit
Warm Fuzzies: 30 Sweet Felted Projects by Betz White
Pretty Little Patchwork By Lark Books

Wish list of books to come (hoping my new library card will help the wallet with these ones):

Martha Stewart Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts: Basic Techniques for Sewing, Appliqué, Embroidery, Quilting, Dyeing, and Printing, plus 150 Inspired Projects from A-to-Z By Martha Stewart (2010)
Whip Up Mini Quilts: Patterns and How-to for 26 Contemporary Small Quilts By K. Ricketson
Pretty Little Mini Quilts By R. Hemachandra
Make!: Over 40 Fantastic Projects with 16 Exclusive Designs By C. Kidstonfrom the Editors of American Patchwork and Quilting By Better Homes & Gardens
Fa la la la Felt: 45 Handmade Holiday Decorations By Amanda Carestio
Modern Primitive Embroidery By J. Baer

There you have it a list of my current books and very long wish list! Now, go to the library, Amazon, or B&N and grab one or two or three today, happy reading!

T.

Birthday Gift Bag

2010-04-05T10:16:00.006-04:00

Hello, this past weekend I attended a birthday party for my childhood friends little girl. I have to admit one thing right now...I dispies buying wrapping paper and bags...its such a waste! Seriously, they rip it to shreds and then we just put it in the garbage. I need to find a better way for wrapping things...so I made a flannel lined goodie bag (aka drawstring bag).

The overall measurements are 8x8 inches. I used a pretty yellow fabric and lime green accents (the initial and the ribbon).

I filled the bag with a gift card to a famous T store and a couple LPS that she likes. I figured after her birthday she could keep her favorite LPS in there. (And in case you didn't know what LPS is, they are Littlest Pet Shops)

After cutting the fabric and sewing together I cut the M out and ironed it on to the bag.

Flannel lined (those are the LPS-aren't they cute (they are really like bobble head animals))

All filled and ready to be given away!

Enjoy-M!

http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T21:17:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter!

(btw, I made the quilt runner, Easter sign, and painted the wodden eggs)

Tea for Two

2010-03-24T23:44:00.004-04:00

This is a story about B my friend, we have been besties for about 7 years, we didn't grow up together however we both married boys (I mean MEN) from our current small town in NY and as the saying goes "once you marry a valley boy you never leave", yep that is true. I am very lucky that her husband didn't move away and that we didnt either!

So the funny story goes her MIL only has organic fruity tea...we are both tea drinkers but good old Earl Gray or Breakfast Blend. Nothing fancy for us! Since we are 'normal' tea drinkers (not to offend those who drink other kinds) she started to carry a baggie with her with tea bags and sugar, she was ready to go. She takes that baggie everywhere.

I recieved this sewing calender (find it here) for Christmas and one of the days was a tea wallet holder! Could you believe it, guess who instantly came to mind...you guessed it B! She NEEDED one. I had to make it in a sunny yellow (her fav.) And so I did. The directions were super easy! I just loved the way it came out-I hope she loved it and will enjoy it.

Tea Wallet (christyscreations.com-Sewing Calendar 2010)
Supplies:
Fabric (four 5-7" pcs)
Interfacing (one 5x7" pc)

Step 1: Attached interfacing to the wrong side of one of the fabric pcs.
Step 2: Fold two other rectangles (will be the pockets) in half legthise and iron.
Step 3: Topstitch the folded edge of your pocket fabrics.
Step 4: Measure 1" up from the bottom of the right side of your interior fabric and pin the bottom of your first pocket into place.

Step 5: Sew along the bottom of your first pocket.

Step 6: Line your second pocket up with the bottom of your interior fabric and pin.

Step 7: Sew along the bottom of your second packet

Step 8: With an erasable fabric pencil mark the center of your pockets and interior fabric. If you've cut your fabric exact this will be 3.5"

Step 9: Sew this line.

Step 10. Place ribbon on either sides to create the ties (in the original they used a button) this should be between the two main layers.

Step 11: Sew the pcs together leaving a 2-3" hole in the bottom of your wallet (right sides facing each other)

Step 12: Turn wallent right side out.

Step 13: Iron

Step 14: Top stitch around the wallet very close to the edge and closing the opening.

Step 15: Insert tea bags, close, tie bow and Ta Da you have a lovely tea wallet.

So go ahead make a Tea Wallet and enjoy a cup of hot tea with your bestie!

(sorry the picture quality is so bad we were in the middle of Eddie Bauer trying on silly hats and I took it with my cell!)

T.

Linking up at:

Linking up

2010-03-22T09:18:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday, I am linking up at Skip to My Lou's "Made by you Monday's". Check out these great links!

Happy Birthday Mema (and Steve)

2010-03-21T15:58:00.000-04:00

Friday was my husbands birthday and the kids and I made him these:

They are his favorite, he is not a fan of cake-yummo! Happy Birthday!

And...

Mema's (my grandmother) birthday is tomorrow-she is very difficult to buy for, she turned 79! Its amazing all that she has gone through in her life, she is one of my heros. I made her a quilted table runner, took her some fresh spring flowers and lunch.

Love you Mema!

The colors stem from the flowered square-purple and greens, I just instantly thought of her once I saw it. The picture doesn't do the colors justice, the purple is so deep, like a plum.

I hope she loved it.

Happy Sunday,

Sweet Calendar Girl

2010-03-19T15:21:00.002-04:00

Happy Sunny Friday! Can you believe it, Spring is here (ok, so they are calling for some snow next week...but I am holding out!). I have my windows open, fresh breeze coming in, kids playing with sidewalk chalk and their swing set! Yes!

The project I did this week stems from a few things. One I live in a raised ranch and I am finally getting around to decorating the entrance way-its only been 3 years- I started with a large display of different sized and shaped black letter D's on the wall. And now thanks to Mr. Weatherman I am going to paint this small green corner table I have black this weekend, yes things are shaping up nicely. But, I need something to put on the table. (I am trying to avoid spending a lot of money due to our vacation this year). I went to Michaels bought a dollar unfinished picture frame, painted it black. And that was the start! Then I made different pictures/sayings for each month of the year with my scrapbook paper! I am an avid scrapbooker, I have just lost my way. I have a TON of stuff, why not use it for...something. That is just what I did. Check out the pictures below. Its the same frame just swap out the picture. The best part...the little table has a small drawer just big enough to store the extras in! Yeah! Cute and functional!

The months are:

Janurary: Snow

February: Valentine's Day

March: St. Patricks Day

April: Easter

May: Spring

June: Flowers

July: 4th

August: Summer

September: Fall tree

October: Halloween

November: Thanksgiving

December: Christmas

There you have a calendar of sorts! (and if you go away signing calendar girl-sorry-I have been!) I have many projects in the works-happy weekend everyon!

Linked up.

2010-03-16T08:20:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. I am linking up today to Jenn's very first Tot Tuesdays Mcklinky Party at Delicious Ambiguity. Check it out very cute ideas! Thanks for recommending me Jenn!

Have a great day!

Color My World

2010-03-15T14:55:00.000-04:00

My son is just over 18 months, so now is the time that his little brain is a sponge and will soak up knowledge left and right. I wanted a fun way to help him learn his colors that was also portable. I made him this quilt book. It took about a hour to do. I started with buying 1/4 yard of different fabrics. I tried to get different textures and patterns for eye appeal. I actually even used some ribbon! It was so much fun to pick out crazy patterns.

First step is to sew different fabrics together, this part doesnt matter too much on size and placement, once the squares are sewn together trim them to be 8x8-after all the hemming and putting the "binding" on it will be about 6x6 which is perfect for little hands!

Trim off any extra fabric to make them exactly 8x8. Figure out what order you want your book to go in, I was very creative and did the old ROYGBIV(well sort of) My colors were Red, Orange, Yellow, Green Blue and Black & White. As you can see I choose some really fun fabric, I figure this was the time I could! (I secretly heart the yellow lemons!)

With the right sides facing each other sew a hem, about a 1/4-1/2"around THREE sides, leaving one open. This side will be where the binding will go to hold the book together-my combos were:

Bundle 1: Front cover (just a blue striped fabric-you will soon see) and the red square

Bundle 2: Orange and Yellow

Bundle 3: Green and Blue

Bundle 4: Black & White with the back cover (same as front)

Flip right sides out.

Next up is to make the Binding, pile the squares on top of each other in the order you want them sewn.The binding should be a piece of fabric about 4 inches wide and 8 inches long. You fold over one of the long edges like in the picture and slide it under your pile of pages.

Next fold over the sides to cover the pages to hold them secured. See arrows.

Final step of the binding is to fold the remaining fabric over, my too about three times, which I was fine with so I had a fatter binder. Sew a straight line about 1/4 inch in to secure the pages. (right were the pin is) Remember this is what is holding the book together so make it a pretty and strong line.

And enjoy your book. Here are pictures of the book with the pages flipped so you can see all the pretty colors!

In retrospect I wish I would have done more colors, like purple, pink, but maybe next time. I am currently working on a counting soft book for PJ. I hope he loves it just as much as I do!

Happy sewing.

Headband Idea

2010-03-12T10:10:00.000-05:00

I finally found it again, it took forever but Blue Cricket Design.net has a great tutorial for these headbanks! http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/03/rolled-felt-headband.html

Thanks Blue Cricket Designs!!!!

An Embellishment (headband) for A

2010-03-10T23:16:00.000-05:00

Fun, exciting, embellished headbands are all the rage! And lets face it have A LOT of felt left over from the felt house project. I would love to be able to wear them, but lets face it I am not really a stylish lady...pretty ordinary. And I like it! However, I can live via Alyvia...so she has recieved her very first embellished headband! Yeah! I think that I was way more excited that she was. Maybe with time that will change, lets hope so since I had so much fun making this!

Supplies: 12" by 1/2" strips of felt for the big "roll" and then shorten for the smaller ones, hot glue, and a headband. ~I used one that was not her favorite, I asked first, just incase~

Step 1:

Cute the felt into long small strips-enough for all the "rolls" you want to make.

Step 2: Bend over the edge and hot glue to hold to start the roll, and just roll, pull tight, roll, pull tight...you get the idea there. Once you come to the end add a dab of hot glue to hold the end secure.

Step 3: Pick the color you would like for the back of the head band and glue the rolls together and to the backing.

Step 4: Very tricky=cut out around the rolls to make one large "unit".

Step 5: Place a line of glue along the back of the felt piece and stick the head band on and hold it until its dry.

Step 6: Cut a small thin piece of felt to cover the headband piece.

Step 7: Place on your model and admire!

You can find a world of information about headbands on so many blogs, I have a few favorite ones, which I will find tomorrow and link them up!

Sewing Machine here I come!

2010-03-08T22:11:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday everyone!

This weekend I have cut, Cut, and CUT many projects out. I am getting ready for a sewing fest! I trimmed out Alyvia's spring dress, cut some cute felt food, a present for B (she doesn't what it is yet), measured out some plans for a surprise for Alyvia, prepared/drew out some "toys" for the beach traveling (I know its months away but I am a planner)....I have been busy my poor little hands are tired from all that measuring and scissor use! Getting ready I made myself a little pin cushion. I will not tell a lie I previously had my pins in a recycled box and everytime I went to get one, yep, I stabbed myself. I said NO MORE. I have a lot of baby food jars left, I have given some away, used some for lunches, but have many left, what a perfect storage container for them and the top, well I can make the perfect little cushion for them...so I did! This was so easy!

Supplies: clean baby food jar, a piece of felt cut into a circle (about 8"), hot glue, fun ribbon

Next cut a circle pc of felt, weave a needle with floss on it and then... pull tight to make your 'ball' and stuff!

Place on top of the baby food and hot glue, pick some super cute ribbon and hot glue around the top of the lid, be very careful NOT to glue the top on.

Finished Project-Pins on top

and store them inside!

Have a great day, will post a few other things soon!

Dreaming of the beach

2010-03-02T20:13:00.000-05:00

While it is snowing, cold, bitter, and blowing all around, what is a better thing to do than book your summer vacation! Yes sir, that is what I did over the weekend. I booked our summer vacation at the beach, and it must have been a sign when on my way home from the store I heard "Under the Boardwalk". We (my DH and I) first went to the beach together on our honeymoon and we have been back every year since, this will be our 10th year. I can hardly believe it. There are so many things that I love about the beach-first; the ocean, I love that smell as we get closer the salt water, second; the boardwalk, there are so many awesome things to do there and so many people from all walks of life, third; shopping! Who can resist outlet malls and specialty shops...not I. I can feel the sun on my back and the sand between my toes! How many more months....until then:

The view of the coastline from a priate ship (yes a priate ship)-"ahoy maties"

Can you hear the waves crashing? And the smell of the ocean?

My kids are scared of these little guys!

And their little foot prints.

Dear beach, we will meet again...soon!

Warm and Cozy

2010-02-28T18:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to breakfast and shopping with a good friend, we have not chatted in a while it was very nice to catch up. We are going to plan a trip to NYC together with some other friends, since I have never been.

Friday we had a snow day, it was nice to stay warm and cozy with the family for an extra day. While home and the kids napped I looked up simple projects I could complete. I found this really cool scarf on Martha Stewart.com called the "No Knit Scarf"...I could do that. Here is the link: http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/yarn-crafts Off to Joann's I went, I got a big fluffy pile of cream colored yarn. Last night with my hubby at the CU basketball game and the kids in bed I went to work. It was really easy! I am really happy with it, I am sure there are things that I would change if I did it again, but for a first time-go me!

The supplies (doesnt the yarn look warm!)

I taped it to my mat to keep it steady and tight.

All done, very cool!

Happy Sunday,

SNOW DAY!!

2010-02-26T08:03:00.000-05:00

Can you believe all this snow....because we have a snow day! Yeah!

Our front porch! Yikes! Look at that drift!

My hubby shoveling...hard!

Enjoy your snowy day!

When it snows ALL day...

2010-02-25T23:38:00.001-05:00

When it does this all day (pardon the bad pix I was taking it from inside)....

All you can do is...sew! I have been a sewing lady tonight. I have sewn a half a Mother's day gift, a mini Easter tree skirt (I will post just as soon as I have the very last part done), the panels for my bulletin board, and put it together...all in about 2 hours! Busy little lady!

The story of the BB (bulletin board); I work at a Ivy League University and my building is currently having some MAJOR overhauling so they, meaning facilities, from time to time offer office supplies/furniture for free. When the opportunity came up for a free bulletin board, I got TWO! Free is free...right? They have been sitting in the garage for a while now. I mainly got them for my craft room to post my current projects or ideas that I have found I have to do. Well I hung it up and…blah! So boring, that isn’t going to do, this is my creative workspace it needs some PeP! The wood trim I gave a nice coat of black semi gloss, that looked better already, but I still was not convinced. Needed something more….ahhh fun fabric! I knew I wanted to go with purple as its my favorite color, and the green was just a last minute decision. It has a little pattern nothing crazy, some small circley flower things.

I got home with my fabric, the purple looked good however this BB is much larger than I remembered. Lets face it no matter how many times you measure sometimes it just doesn’t set in until you are ready to tackle sed project. That’s where the panels come in. I just zipped them through the sewing machine and…T a Da. Lovely. Last step was to trim the edges and tuck them under the edging. I love it! I can not wait to hang it back up and see the difference.

The next step in my craft room; I want to borrow an overhead projector from my friend, he is a school teacher (they still have those don’t they?) and write fun, inspiring, and creative words on the wall and paint them, like they are floating. Pipe dream for the moment.

(Close up of the fabric-simple and cute right?)

Well, off to bed I go, I am hoping for a snow day tomorrow ….not that will happen but we can wish for a three day weekend.

(See much bigger than you think-its covering my whole kitchen table!)

Sunday and Silhouettes

2010-02-21T22:02:00.001-05:00

Hello! What an awesome day it was today, the sun was actually shinning! Can you believe it. I went to a movie today with my besties...B, A, and K...missed you J. Okay this is where it gets tricky...they saw Precious, I saw Dear John. It was so good. I cried the vast majority of the time, but none the less it was great, two thumbs up!

I started 4 projects today. Can't just do one thing at a time, watching the paint or modge podge dry is a waste of precious time, I can sew something...right, thats multi tasking at its best! I have been continuing to work on my mother's day gifts, started a quilted tree skirt for my Easter tree, and a upcycle project. Busy, busy busy!

Lately the trend all over the internet is Silhouettes. I remember when we were little my sister, my childhood friends, and myself used to sit in front of a flash light and trace our heads on paper that was taped to the wall. We were so cool back then and like anything great they are becoming popular again! (Insert a great 80's tune) When I was at a local store with a bullseye they had them but I would rather have my own kids than some strangers head hanging on my wall! Ha. I know someone out there can relate to that...right? Throw me a bone here. Anyway I search my 8000 pictures I have on my computer and found two good silhouettes of the kids, printed them off and went from there.

1-Upcycle some old pictures-these used to be in my apartment...11 years ago (literally), the frames and glass are in great shape.

2- Trace and cut the outline of the person you wish to have a silhouette of-in black

3-Paste or stick the "head" on to another paper, and you can stop there. I however added some scrapbooking touches-ribbon and my kids names.

4-Hang and enjoy.

I really like the way they turned out. The names are not that dark so its hard to see them which is fine by me because I want the focus to be the silhouette. I am going to hang them in my craft room, since my children give me so much inspiration! I am working on another project for there as well, some day we will recover from the minor flooding....ahhh dream.

I hope everyone has a enjoyable Monday....

It's official-I have a button!

2010-02-15T21:45:00.001-05:00

This is super exciting, I have a button! Yeppers, I found some super easy directions at http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ A HUGE thank you Steph.

This almost makes me feel like an official blogger just like the others I so often follow and inspire to be! Please add it to your page!

A new place to live-

2010-02-14T18:56:00.002-05:00

It's finished! I can not believe it, finally! I stated this project at the tale end of November in hopes it would be done for Chirstmas, life happend and that didnt. Well Friday night while watching the Olympics I finished sewing the final two sides...and I admit that I did a little happy dance! My husband said "you are weird but I love you"- thanks hun! I think he knew just how excited I was to finish this project in time to give my two little Valentine's a special gift. And truely from the heart! Thank you to Jill from http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/ she gave me the idea and I changed it a bit from hers to adapt to my kids. Side one is the front: the door (bright orange), a yellow mailbox, a window with the panes cut out and flower garden. Side two: the farm the barn door opens to allow crawling in and out, a pig and a chic. Side three: the tree, right now there are 5 apples to pick and an owl-I want to make some pears in the future. And the final side is the veggie garden. The mailbox on the front side opens so that the kids can "mail" letters to each other.

This project even though it took me A LOT longer than I thought it would I am super proud of it and the kids LOVED it-Enjoy, I know my kids are!!!

Happy Valetine's Day!

2010-02-13T22:32:00.002-05:00

A and I made 10 dozen heart shapped sugar cookies! Can you believe it, 120 cookies! That was a lot of frosting. However I smartened up this time, I thinned out my frost a little and put them in squirt bottles, A loved it! They were so easy for her to use and really participate with. We had so much fun, we gave some to Nana and Papa, Gma and Gpa, her Pre school class, dance class, I took some to work for my co-workers and some for the research lab students, and my husband took some as well...and you know what...we still have plenty at home!

My husband I went and saw Valentine's Day today and had a wonderful late lunch at the Boat Yard in Ithaca, it was wonderful. I hope you and your Valentine have a lovely and warm day!

All About Boys

2010-02-09T13:20:00.001-05:00

One of the blogs that I have marked on my favorite list is celebrating boys all this month. Crafts, projects, and ideas for boys! As a mom of a girl and a boy this is very exciting. I can always find things to make for A but not so much for P. So if you are looking for some great ready check out Dana's blog MADE, http://www.dana-made-it.com/ . And one of her blogger friends, Rae, http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/, is joining in the fun as well! Great job ladies, I am very excited to see...well...EVERYTHING!

A is 5!!

2010-02-08T21:16:00.001-05:00

My little girl turned five this past week, it so hard to believe where the time has gone. She had three parties! Yeppers three. One with her friends from school, one with just grandparents on her actual birthday and this past weekend with everyone else in the family! It seemed like she was turning 5 for 7 days! Ha. The theme of the week was Tinkerbell. I made all three of her cakes! Very time consuming and I could not use my hand after piping all the icing, but I love to see her face when it is done!

I always make my own icing, it’s the simplest recipe but sooo yummy! The first cake was for her “girly” party, a Tinkerbell face. I used the Wilton cake pan, find that here http://www.wilton.com/shapedpan/Disney-Fairies/. I previously bought cakes for their birthdays, however I have decided it would mean so much more to make my/our own. Alyvia is at that age where she will help me; use the mixer, pour some of the ingredients in, pick out the frosting colors, and this time she actually piped some of the flowers! My big girl. Happy birthday baby girl! The big 5!!!

A little Homemade Mac and Chz....

2010-02-03T16:23:00.000-05:00

My Grandmother "Mema" made this my whole life. Even to this day she still makes it for Holidays. Its a tradition. This is the easiest recipe ever!

You will need:
Elbow noodles: I use whole wheat pasta (they do not know the difference)
A brick of cheese: I use Colbet Seriously Sharp
Milk: about 1/2 cup
Flour: about 2 Tbsp

Boil your noodles.
Cut the cheese into small cubes.

Heat the other ingretients to make a "rue".

Put into a baking dish and bake for about 30 min at 375 and ENJOY. Or you could just eat it gooey and yummy like that!!!

Would you Be Mine...

2010-01-24T16:31:00.001-05:00

To add another little detail to my Valentie's Day display I made this very easy wooden sign. Its a block cut off the end of a 2x4, you could use any size really. I printed the word Be Mine on regular old paper, penciled the back and tranfered it onto the block after I painted it white. The little imbellishment is just a diecut from my scrapbooking stash. I used ModPodge to stick it on, then did two coats after. The final touch was a little red bow...too cute! Here is a picture of just that and then my Valentine's Day tree, mailboxes, and sign. Won't you be mine?

Anybody need any mail?

2010-01-13T23:01:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I know its only mid January, but...I was participating in my normal walk at Target, I always stop at those little bins in the front of the store-they always have something cute right? Then I saw them...pink and red mailboxes-yep-gotta get two for the kids. I just knew I could perk them up and when we gave the kids their Valentines gift I would put it in there. I also thought it would be fun to every so often put a Hershey Kiss or something small in and put up the flag stating they have mail----TOO CUTE!!! As you can see I am very excited about them, oh did I mention they were a whopping buck-yeppers one dollar! Crazy, again, LOVE Target! I am not sure why I am so excited about Valentine's Day this year but I am. The kids and I decorated a little tree with glass hearts in pink and red, white lights, and a red beaded garland, it looks mightly festive and fun. I have a piece of Valentine's monkey pattern fabric as the skirt. These mailboxes will just compliment it so well! I am working on a few other little things to complete the Valentine's display...then I must start thinking of the next one...I think Easter-ohh the ideas are coming right now! Enjoy the pictures...and get yourself a mailbox, you never know who might leave you a little gift!

Before, cute but plain

After one hour and a little magic:

The fronts (pardon the backgroud) I used rub ons for their names, I hot glued on the ribbon, and the heart and Love pcs are from Making Memories. I broke into my scrapbooking stash!

The sides w/out the flag (they are rub ons)

A view of the flags, had to add a lil bow!

Easy Peasy Hair Clips

2010-01-10T19:16:00.001-05:00

My awesome daughter turns 5 in just a few weeks, this will be the first birthday she is having all her little friends over from either daycare, school, or dance class. Her theme is Tinkerbell. I am not a mom that wants to load other peoples (friends) kids up on sugar, aka: candy. So I wanted to do something fun and rememberable! So I am giving each girl a crayon roll in corrdinating colors of Hot Pink, Lime Green, Purple and Pink. I also made up hair clips today, never did that before, much easier than I thought it would be. I think I may have lost a fingerprint or two in the processes from burning myself but hey...its worth it they are super cute. And once I started it was hard to stop! Ha. I got my aligator clips at Sally's a box of 100 for $5, what a deal if you ask me. And I originally only saw a small pack and asked for the bulk set, so make sure you do or you will be paying $5 for 20. Ohhh I would have been so annoyed. Anyway, the product is super cute, and I did a few extra for Alyvia...just because I love her. I cut a 2.5 inch circle with my Cricket and stamped the words "Lets Party" and a row of presents.
Just because I had these cute blue felt flowersA orange sampleA hot pink and purple flower one

Alyvia's party favor #1

Alyvia's party favor #2

Alyvia's party favor #3

Alyvia's party favor #4

Happy Sunday.

HAPPY 2010! (and a little Christmas too)

2009-11-30T20:35:00.015-05:00

Remember when we said "Gonna party like its 1999" well, can you believe its 2010! Man, time is flying right by, I hope everyone is slowing down to look at all the wonderful little things around you!

I have finished many projects! And have many, MaNy, MANY more in the works. I love it, I got so many amazing books for Christmas for ideas: Martha's A to Z Crafts, Weekend Sewing, Warm and Fuzzy (a felting book), a patch work book, and I believe one more. I also got this really inspiring calendar for my desk at work called: 2010 Sewing Calendar, every three days there is a new idea for you, most seem simple, but hey I am only on the second one! My holidays were amazing! I spent time with my awesome family, my kids were just a touch over spoiled with their 5 Christmas'! Yep I said 5 (divorced parents). Here are few things that have been completed:

These are the super cute and easy brownie Christmas trees I made for my daughters Polar Express day at Little Sprouts (found the idea on Bettycrocker.com) Just bake your brownies like normal, flip them out of the pan cut into triangles, and frost with green or white frosting. Then...Sprinkle away!!!

I made felt ornaments for all my fellow co-workers a total of 10! So much fun, here are just a few (sorry about the pictures I was so excited to give them away I forgot to take pictures and then had to do it at work with um not the best lighting!): The first are a set of white felt mittens with some stiching, the second is just a stuffed round one, which then made me think of sugar cookies for the kids to play with made out of felt-next project, then, my awesome owl, the first I ever did, LOVE HIM, I am into owls lately... and lastly an ornament. I hand stiched them all! Phew!

Next up...I saw this on a blog, and forgive me I have been reading so many lately I lost where I found this....a wall of "D's". I have painted a total of 9 different wooden D's all black and I am in the process of hanging them on the wall when you first walk into our house. They are starting to look really cool. And just incase I ever change my mind I am using the new picture velco stuff, aswsome. Here is a picture with a few up....

Here are few of my Chritmas decorations around our house. We had several trees, only one real! Thank goodness. The Mr and Mrs Claus my mom made when were kids! Enjoy them. The very last one is of my sons feet in the lights...Twinkle Toes! Cute, I love them piggies!!

A next very small project that I did was glam up a outlet cover. I know that everyone must have them, the safety covers for outlets....with a 1 year old I have them....EVERYWHERE. Sometimes they are just so ugly, they need a little pick me up. So I went to Michael's Craft store bought two dino's. I just hot glued them on and....poof....instant make over! Love them. And look really cute in his rooms as well!

*Front*

*Back*

Well, there will be many more projects and a very exciting adventure for me this year! More to come on that! I hope your first week of the new year has started off with a bang and continues to be amazing!

Until next time...

Ladies weekend and the Start....

2009-11-13T10:48:00.006-05:00

We have made it back from the Annual Ladies Weekend Shopping trip in Lancaster PA. I think that we have officially supported that town for a good solid week! We had so much fun, I love getting away, we laugh and laugh... had a really good dinner together, laugh some more, and to finish with some ice cream from Friendley's with (click click) extra PB. We filled B's SUV to the brim, literally barely any room for a backseat passenger, but we managed. Everyone got most of their shopping done, or at least some ideas to start. On the way home we even did a Chinese Fire drill-Ha, have not done one of those in....YEARS! K was getting a little carsick so we switched! Good times. Like promised I would share what was in the gift bags for all my ladies: I sewed everyone their own "Santa" bag (in their fav color) in years past we just put bags after bags in the back and at the end of the shopping trip we have to go in every bag to see who's is who's-this year with a little help from the Santa bag we could just put our stuff in there and no extra time needed (sometimes I am so smart ;)), a small notebook, a pen, and their fav candy bar (everyone needs a little pick me up). It was such an awesome time, typically we figure out where we are going next year on the way home....but we were laughing to hard at ourselves....ladies...where are we going? I have attached a picture of the car...yikes, and of us.

Next on the list: operation Table top tent. Thanks to Jill from Homemade by Jill (http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/) she gave me the awesome idea for my little people for Christmas, I went and bought all the felt a couple weeks ago, and now....to begin. And I did, Monday night in my livingroom....I cut all the large pcs for the top, sides, and back (I choose a light blue so it would look like the sky when appropriate), and decided that perhaps I should start on a small end first, to get my feet wet. I figured the end with the barn on it would be the easiest...huh, well, um, not totally easy but I managed. I wanted to make sure the barn was completely level on all sides, and it HAD to have an "x" on the door, because all barns did. The little pig I made...super cute! Love him/her. I will post pictures once I sew it this weekend and its not held together by pins anymore.

On my way home from the shopping trip, well it actually may have been when I was in Christmas Tree Hill (I love this store) that I got the brilliant idea that I am going to put up ALL my trees this year. In the last couple years I have slacked off, I am not sure why, but I admit it totally. I am going to put our big, fresh one like always, then a little one that's about 3 ft and then another that is about 5 ft. The 5 ft one I am going to decorate in all white and red: snowflakes, mittens, etc. I am making all of the stuff! Yikes, yet another thing, but I am keeping myself busy. The mini tree I am going to have A (my daughter) help with. I want to do a paper chain, the old school ones, and something else....not sure yet. I love this time of year, almost a little sad when I have to take the decorations down. A and I are going to make that this weekend when my hubby is at the Penn St. game (Yahoo go Penn St.) and I am home with the kids. (only fair since I went away all last weekend.) I am also going to make some felt ornaments...due to the excessive amount I bought. To justify when you can get 50% off the bolt if there is less than a yard left at Joann's-I will!

We have family coming in this weekend, our cousin Jeff just got back from his (I believe) third trip to Iraq (thanks Jeff!) so they are coming over for a big family dinner...so excited I love cooking for everyone. I am going to make: Brown Sugar baked ham, homemade mac and chz, scalloped corn, apple pie, and PB/Choc pie. Yummy, its like um, Easter.

Happy crafting...

Halloween, Crafts, and more.

2009-11-02T12:40:00.009-05:00

Hello all, I hope your Halloween weekend was fun and exciting. Other than visiting grandparents, family, and friends on Halloween night, I had a very busy crafty weekend! Love that.

First off, I made Alyvia some additional Peggie People for her collection. This time they are to be like the Disney Princesses per request of course (Belle, Jasmine, Cinderella, and Auroa). It was fun to make them super girly...glitter and all. (Even thought I can not stand glitter) They are so much fun. I purchase naked Peggies from Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/nakedpeggies, they always say they are addicting to create, they are right. I find they are very peaceful to paint, well, when Livy isn't directing me on colors for dresses and eyes (she wanted yellow eyes, creepy). I have plans to make many more, she would like Nana, Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa. They are on order. I highly recommend trying them out. Perhaps when PJ is a little older I will make some super hero ones.

On to project number two, this coming weekend is our annual Ladies Trip, a group of us moms go away for the weekend, and shop, laugh, shop, laugh, eat...and so on. Its so much fun, I think we are really look forward to it, and need it! Between the 4 of us there are 9 kids! So I made them all a special gift bags with goodies to get us through the weekend, I can not tell you what is in them...yet. I will post next week after they have received their bags.

And the final project of the weekend were the letters F-A-M-I-L-Y. I have a really cool idea in mind, but I could not foresee spending $4-5 a piece for them, so I recycled a Huggies box (thanks PJ) and cut them out myself. Yep lost feeling in my thumb after a while, until late last night! Weird feeling..do not recommend it! HA. I then proceeded to dig deep into my scrapbooking stash and found paper that was really fun and happy. Covered the letters and then embellished, again from my scrapbooking stash. Once I do what I plan on doing (surprises are crazy right?!?!?) I will hang them in my newly reorganized and gussied up Craft room.

And finally, I am coming along on the table top tent. I cut and sewed two eggplants, two turnips, and two flowers! A small step, a very small step, but a step non the less. I hope you enjoy my projects....more to come!

Have a great Monday!

Cookies, Cookies, and a Camera Strap

2009-10-28T21:05:00.007-04:00

The bucket list coming along nicely. I finished one thing on my list...the camera strap. Its the first I ever did, and I thought I padded it too much (however very comfortable), but after reviews from fellow co-workers they disagreed. I love the fabric, I previously made a bag from it and had just enough left. It coordinates with the inside of my camera bag, pink and black. So needless to say, I really like it. Now just need to add something on the bucket list to replace it..hey might as well try and keep 10 on the list at all times!

Pumpkins, Bats, Ghosts, and Witch Hats-oh my! Tonight, my daughter and I made cookies for her Halloween party at school. Sugar cut out cookies, it was adventure. She really, I mean really likes sprinkles. I think they may rot out the other kids teeth, the local dentist will be very happy! HA. I always use the same recipe I found many moons ago, and a frosting recipe from my mom, they are oh so good! I have uploaded a few pictures, I am sure you can taste them via the computer! I hope the kids enjoy them.

Happy Thursday!

Welcome & My Bucket List

2009-10-27T12:07:00.006-04:00

Simple. Inspired. Homemade. Three outstanding words to describe me, my life.

I am a working mom of two kids, 4 and 1 yr. old; they keep me on my toes and inspired to say the least. They remind me every day to look at the little things and see things via their eyes. My life is by no means calm, tidy, or perfect, but it’s my life and I wouldn't change it for anything.

Why blog? My friends are often amazed at my ability to "run" on no sleep (5 hrs is good for me), why add another thing to my very over flowing plate...I could spend hours, even days reading blogs. I often get "lost" in them. They inspire me daily, people in general are astonishing. They are creative, kind, generous, and the list could go on and on. This leads me to my blog. If I can find time working full time, a wife and mother to do SIMPLE crafts/projects...so can anyone! Just have to have a little faith in yourself.

How did I choose the name: first I made a list of words I thought would be perfect (and that didn't have 1 million other blogs), then my friend Mel and I spit off things that came to mind about that particular word. Leading to the three words, Simple, Inspired, and Homemade. They are me! (She is a pretty groovy chic too). SIMPLE: I do not have a lot of time for projects, who does! INSPIRED: My family, friends, and other bloggers really keep me going. I love seeing an idea and putting my spin on it to change it up. Lastly, HOMEMADE: Honestly, who doesn't love getting something homemade? Cookies, a quilt, a photo album, card, even something as small as a pair of earrings, I love making those things to see the receivers face light up! It truly warms my heart!

Next up my Craft Bucket List:Everyone knows what a bucket list is....well I am doing one for my crafts. I am a list person and a huge planner. I have to be! The top 10 on my list are:

1: Table Top Tent, I saw this on a blog: Homemade by Jill (homemadebyjill.blogspot.com)-I changed things and plan to have it done by Christmas as a together gift for my kids. I really love this blog, she is super cool.

2: Camera Strap Cover (a fun and simple project for me) ETA: Before the ladies shopping trip next weekend, I would like it to make its debut.

3: Advent Stockings-Dec 1, 2009

4: My daughters Princess Peggies. I have previously made her two very large Peggie Families, but now she wants Princesses (I want to try and make Santa and Mrs. Claus too)

5: Make 1 purse: I bought the pattern a LONG time ago, just need to do it.

6: Make an apron-it is almost Christmas cookie time!

7: Make mittens for friends from my daughter’s old sweaters.

8: Valentines Garland (Thought I should get that on there ...maybe it will get done in time)

9: Finish my Alphabet Photos

10: Start and Finish my letter D project-I have a bare wall and a vision.

I hope you like day 1, come in, enjoy, and come back to see the finished projects! And maybe my crafts will INSPIRE you!
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