Thinking of Attempting

I have never done a quilt before but I have decided that it will be one of my New Years Resolutions.  Back to my favorite web site, they just posted this free tutorial for this quilt.  I'm going to attempt it.  I have a ton of scraps in my boxes down stairs and the only thing I would have to buy would be the backing and the batting.  I think I just might give it a try.  I'll keep you updated on my progress and how it goes.

Bring on the new year!

Sewing with my Sister

With the new pattern book from the last post, Winni and I made these.

She loves them and I might just have to make some for me.

We did more than sew though.  Saw this on Pinterest and had to try it.  It was too much work to do on my nails for after Christmas but next year, I am so doing this again!

New Pattern Book

I don't know if you remember me saying this...

Well, I got it for Christmas and have already made 3 patterns out of it.  One I've modified and had to make 3 of them and it's still not turning out like I want it too.  I think I need to try one more time.  Maybe I can just change the last one a bit.

First one.  I put the elastic on it so it would hold my Kindle in there because it was so big and the Kindle kept falling out.

Thought of putting another piece of elastic on the inside to hold the Kindle in but just thought since I had the fabric, I'd make another one.

Added a velcro tap and made it much smaller.

The Kindle barely fit in this one and my notepad didn't fit at all.  I was going to make it work and just cut down the notepad but my husband pointed out that once I get the skin I ordered for the Kindle, it may not squish in.  Back to the sewing machine.

I liked the velcro tap so I kept that.

I think this is the one I'm going to stick with.  It's my 3rd attempt.  It's about 2 inches to small.  I might just cut it up the center and add in a few inches of fabric but we'll see if I get to it. ;0)  I also added tabs to hold the Kindle in the folder.  I like that!

Moutain Dew Cupcakes

This year instead of cookies for Santa, we decided to make these babies. :0)  Found the recipe here and I think they were a hit.  I'm not a MD fan myself but everyone else I know that is loved them.  Santa included.  I really want to try the Dr Pepper ones.  Also found on Pinterest.  :0)

Last Christmas Project

 I had to make more of these Mini bags.  Love how they turned out.  One for each ear bud holder I've made.  One for each sibling of mine.  (including my husband and myself.)

My sister Winni, showed me how to make these cute little stars and I thought it would be much cuter in the bags instead of tissue paper of crinkle paper.  So I had to make a ton of these too.  Saw them on Pinterest and was so excited to learn how to make them.  Thanks Win!

Now I am really done for Christmas.  Didn't get the dogs new beds made but I can do that next week.  I also made my self a skirt that I'll take a picture of on Christmas Day.  I'm doing a few new recipes today and tomorrow too so hopefully I remember to take pictures of them .  :0)

A few more pics of all these put together.

Another Gift

Isn't this beautiful!  I had this vinyl before my brother's wedding in May.  I just got the frame, which is perfect! And my sister-in-law picked out the picture she wanted.  LOVE IT!!!  Can't wait to take it to them on Sunday!  Merry Christmas!

Thank You

I came home to a package on the door step.  I didn't remember ordering anything else for Christmas, and I didn't know where it was from.  But it had my name on it and so I opened it to find...

It is the book of patterns I won from SewMamaSew!  How cool!  My husband gave me a hard time when I told him that I had won about being scammed.  I have loved this site for years and have ordered patterns from them before so I had no worries.  I was told that it wouldn't be here til after Christmas so this is a very pleasant surprise.  Thank you!

24 Clever Ideas to Make Life Easier

My Aunt Natalie sent me this email and I had to share it.  I am so using some of these ideas!  Some, not so much but I am going to take the time this week to do that with my sheets.  Why didn't I think of that?! :0) 


Why didn’t I think of that?!  We guarantee you’ll be uttering those words more than once at these
ingenious little tips, tricks and ideas that solve everyday problems.

Hull strawberries easily using a straw.

Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture
will disguise dings and scrapes.  
Remove crayon masterpieces from your TV or
computer screen with WD40.


Stop cut apples browning in your child’s lunch box
by securing with a rubber band.


Overhaul your linen cupboard, store bed linen sets
inside one of their own pillowcases and there will
be no more hunting through piles for a match.


Pump up the volume by placing your iPhone & iPod
in a bowl.  The concave shape amplifies the music.


Re-use a wet-wipes container to store plastic bags.


Add this item to your beach bag.  Baby powder
gets sand off your skin easily, who knew?!


Attach a Velcro strip to the wall to store soft toys.


Use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls
against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the
floor.


Find tiny lost items like earrings by putting a
stocking over the vacuum hose.


Make an instant cupcake carrier by cutting
crosses into a box lid.


For those who can’t stand the scrunching and
bunching: how to perfectly fold a fitted sheet.


Forever losing your bathroom essentials?  Use
magnetic strips to store bobby pins, tweezers
and clippers, behind a vanity door


Store shoes inside shower caps to stop dirty
soles rubbing on your clothes.  And you can
find them in just about every hotel.


A muffin pan becomes a craft caddy.  Magnets
hold the plastic cups down to make them
tip-resistant.


Bread tags make the perfect cord labels.


Bake cupcakes directly in ice-cream cones, so
much more fun and easier for kids to eat.


Microwave your own popcorn in a plain brown paper
bag.  Much healthier and cheaper than the packet
stuff.


Install a tension rod to hang your spray bottles.


Turn your muffin pan upside down, bake cookie-dough
over the top and voila, you have cookie bowls for fruit
or ice-cream.


Freeze Aloe Vera in ice-cube trays for soothing
sunburn relief.


Create a window-box veggie patch using guttering.


Use egg cartons to separate and store your
Christmas decorations.

Ear Bud Pouch

Had to post this one last thing!

I told you, you need to follow SewMamaSew! 

It took maybe 15 minutes to sew.  I used the little scraps that I can't seem to throw away and now I'll never throw scraps away again.  Yes, this is a new must-make EVERYONE!!!

Christmas Stockings

Since I mentioned these in my last post and wanted to share pictures of them, there is no better time then now.

Here are my Christmas Stockings.

Tucker's.

Thad's.

Norma's.

My husbands.

With each one I did they got a little better.  You can see where I was in my life at the time I did each too.  I love my Christmas Stockings.  I wanted to keep to a theme with my kids and have them with Snowmen and animals.  That is really hard to stick too.  But I found one for my baby last year and this is what is will look like.

This is what it looks like right now.

 I have a week to finish it.  I'm afraid it may not be til next year. :0/

I made this stocking holder when I was 16.  I have upgraded the pole to make it longer and we had to replace one of the reindeer heads as it got broke beyond repair.  Now my husband and I share a holder and that leaves one for each of the kids.