Cool Gift

This year, for gifts, since I haven't been the best and doing things ahead of time, I've given kids the gift of music. There is a website- totally legit- it's called Free Kids Music and it's a bunch of artists who want to get their songs heard. So I have them saved on my computer and I put them onto CD's and give them as gifts. Easy, only the cost of a burnable CD and the kids love 'em!

Genius Cards

Ok, so here is my super genius idea that I'm so cranking out for my kids' friends Christmas gifts.

Memory games using the Cricut machine. No, I don't have one, and no, it's not 100% necessary, but that's a lot of cutting w/ out. Or you could use the big punches. Or die cut machines. Just to show you what i'm thinking, I'm making a non-cricut tut.

You'll need:

Punch of your choice

Various patterned paper

Solid Cardstock

Glue

Step 1:

Decide how many matches you want. This will depend on the age of the reciever. Let's, for sake of tutorial, say you want 3 matches. Punch out 6 pieces from the cardstock.

 

Step 2: Pick out three different patterned paper. Punch two shapes from each of the patterned papers. Note: if the punch, die cut, or whatever shape you're using isn't symmetrical, you need to make sure the cardstock is the same color on both sides or punch the patterned paper upside down.

 

Step 3: Glue the patterned paper to the cardstock

 

Now you have a set of memory cards! Cute, eh?!

Variations:

Use stickers instead of patterned paper (you can get a book of stickers that repeat themselves from the $ store)

Make marble magnets, but on the bottom of the magnets, place matching stickers. Now it's a memory game to go. Or to play on the fridge.

Gifts that Fit into an Envelope

I'll be adding to this as I think of more

• Paper Clips

• Paper Clip Stitch Markers

• Templates


• Bookmarks


• Cards


• Photos


• Ribbon


• Seeds


• Confetti


• Artist Trading Cards


• Painted Book Pages


• Stickers


• Tags


• Wallpaper Samples


• Cartoons


• Mini-books


• Paper Dolls


• BandAids


• Gum


• Stationary


• Patterns/Instructions/Tutorials


• Glitter


• Iron Ons


• Shrinky Dinks


• Kool-Aid


• Magazine Articles


• Carstock Games


• Scrapbook Embellishments


• Little Handmade Envelopes


• Temporary Tattoos


• Luggage Tags


• Perfume Samples


• Word Puzzles


• Recipes


• Jokes


• Popsicle Stick Puppets (maybe w/ a handwritten screenplay)


• Stupid Trivia


• Bumper Stickers


• Baseball Cards


• Poem Cards


• Quotes (esp for Scrapping)


• Postcards


• Certificates/Awards (Best Friend Award, etc)


• Mini Calendars


• CD


• Quotes from favorite movie/show

Gilmore Girls = Gitmore Done

i'm watching Gilmore Girls for the 1st t ime. My friend has the whole series. I watched the first DVD doing laundry the other day, then put the second on last night. I got FIVE painted letters done!

Hey, has anybody ever made a truffle cake? I think I want to make one. However, they call for springfoam pans (which Alton Brown thinks shouldn't even exist). I'll use whatever he suggests, I'll have to dig out my book......

Something Special

Yes, I'm fully aware that it is only August. However, I need to make two or three extra extra special Christmas gifts for this year (one of them also has a bday in October, so I need to add that in there too).

The first gift is for my mom. Kristin gave me a few really, really good ideas that I am really toying with for her. One was a book w/ letters from people who love her. I like that idea, but it makes me nervous having to rely on other people to get stuff done on time. I think I might hold off on that one till her bday in June. Another idea we talked about was a tablecloth/runner/placemat/napkin set. I love that idea too, but she deserves amazing fabric, so I'm going to keep my eye out for some kickin sheets to turn into that set.  Kristin sent me an email w/ a link to an apron pattern. It makes me feel silly for not thinking of an apron before. How neat would that be if I could actually pull off a GREAT apron for my mom? One that says, "I know how much you adore the kitchen, how cooking is your therapy. Thank you for the years of care, comfort, and of course, food you've given me. I couldn't have done it without you." It just seems the perfect thing for her. An apron. Yes, I think I"ll make my mom an apron. A GOOD apron.
This is my mom:

Next on the list is Rachel. Rachel and I were roommates in college. We hung out more than I did w/ any of my other roommates (because she came w/ me to Roger's house). After college we'd talk a little, but not often. Then she got married and had a baby and since then, we have been SUPER close. Roger and her hubby, Jerry, get along AMAZINGLY, her little boy is Juliana's age, and now we live in the same time. They've saved our butts on more than one occasion and just take care of us. So, I need TWO special gifts for Rachel. One for her birthday in October and one for Christmas. Any ideas? Last year for her birthday I made her a bag and matching headband. That so doesn't seem like ENOUGH anymore. I've thought of possibly crocheting and/or sewing a SLEW of belts for her (she loves belts). I've also toyed w/ the idea of printing a bunch of pics of her son and framing them, but I just don't have the money for that. What do you give someone who has given you things that you can't even express how much they mean to you?
This is me and Rachel:

I also have a few other very important people in my life I'd like to make some gifts for, but I'm not giving any details because I know a few of them check this blog, tehehehe. So, if you're one of them and you know it, just pretend you didn't read this part. ;D

Any ideas are great. I'm so excited for Kristin to put her lists up because there will be awesome ideas on there. Right now she has a list of stuff for kids that I will DEFINITELY be pulling from and you'll totally hear about it eventually.

Father's Day

Ok, so I need to start thinking NOW about Father's Day. It is on June 15th- TWO DAYS BEFORE I HAVE MY BABY!!! As for a gift, we're filling his tackle box w/ fishing stuff (he's very much a beginner). However, we still want to do some craft projects. In looking at Oriental Trading, I get lots of ideas. They've got some ok ones. So far I'm liking.... a paper/foam Toolbox Card. It's cute, you open up this toolbox http://tinyurl.com/4rm2tk (let me know if the link works or not, please)
I also like the idea of the travel Mugs, but is there a way to do it w/out ordering the kits? http://tinyurl.com/3fq9or


The HP website usually has some neat stuff, too, but they still have Mother's Day stuff up, so it's too early to find too much there.

I'm googling stuff as I type this post. I just found this: http://amazingmoms.com/htm/fathersday4.htm   
Cute, huh? Especially since Roger just started grilling this year. If I was a nice wife, I'd make him an organizer for his grilling tools. I might, still!

And look how cute this is
http://www.daniellesplace.com/HTML/mengifts.html
just a note about this, a lot you have to be a member for. I almost cried!

I am blown away by the generosity and genius and creativity of people. Here are a few more links:
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/dad/
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/fathers-day-crafts-and-gifts/
http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/father3.shtml
http://www.makingfriends.com/dad.htm


Anyway, if you run across any other ideas, I'd love to see 'em/ read 'em.... whatever. :D Or pics of what you've done previous years....

What I've been working on

I haven't posted much lately, so I wanted to show you what I've been doing!

I haven't tried them yet. They're hot glued on, so I'm not sure how secure they are!

I *think* I learned to double crochet today. I hope I'm doing it right.

I am also starting to dabble in Barbie clothes- I'd like to have a collection by Christmas!

What're you working on?

Tutorial Friday: Felt Decoratable Cake

Ok, so I got this idea from Twinkle Cakes, which look WAY more professional, but unfortunately are too expensive for me. It would be SO nice not to have to do any of the work and to feel that soft wool felt vs. my cheap acrylic felt. But then again, if I had one of those, I might not let my kids play with it, which is what I want them for. My kids are constantly smushing all their playdough together to "make a cake," so I thought, why the heck not make them a cake?

First I started with three Styrofoam circles, at varying sizes. When I went to buy mine, I went to Michael's first. The smallest one was  $2.49 I about died! Then I went to Walmart and got the same size (i think) for $.97. So I recommend going to WalMart or the dollar store first!

Next I cut and measured the felt so that I had one for the top and bottom of each circle and one to go around the sides

I then pinned the felt in place

That's when the sewing started. It's all by hand, but I pretty much made a slipcover for each of the circles. I think I used a whip-stitch.

Once all three were covered, I hot glued them together

Last step: I cut out a bunch of felt circles to use as decor. If I could've found bigger styrofoam, I'd have made a bigger cake and had way more fun w/ my designs, but this cake is really small. I tried using Sizzix to cut a few shapes and it worked, but you have to go over it SO many extra times that it's not fun.
ANyway, then I let my kids test it.

Can't wait to see yours!

knock it off

Why won't my brain just STOP thinking of ideas. I have too many of them I am working on or planning on already. Why oh why does the list get longer and longer as time before baby gets shorter and shorter?

I started making aprons for my kids for Easter, but haven't finished them. Then yesterday after having to scout down our "funny hands" aka oven mits for the third time, I thought, duh, why don't I make their own? Now I couldn't just leave it at Aprons and Funny Hands, could I? No, no. So I thought the perfect "first" crochet project when I learn will be mini washcloths for them and their kitchens. Oy!

A Schedule

First, I don't have any links from challenge-takers yet, so that's why there aren't any up yet.

Second, after talking to my great friend Kristin, I decided to start jumping on Christmas gifts and gave myself a schedule. I decided that I'd try to do ONE a week until I have the baby, then take a good 3 weeks, then try 2 a month. Now this will also include any bdays coming up as well. So here's my schedule for April.
    6 felt mail set (sorry, I can't remember where I got the pic. If anyone knows, please let me know so I can give proper credit)

13- ribbon streamers (yup, by Kristin herself!)

    20- barrettes and/or bobby pins
I'd like to do pretty barettes, but I have two friends who are INCREDIBLE at making them. I'd like to support them, but I rarely have the means to do so. I'll probably start out w/ the bobby pins anyway.
Maybe some like this (by Just Add Charm on flic
kr)

27- purse tissue holders- from my great friend Jeanette at Keep Me In Stitches

Finished!

I finally finished the door handle!

Ok, I chickened out. That wasn't good enough I decided, to give to that couple. I'm not sure if they appreciate that kind of stuff or would think I was being "cheap" by giving something handmade. So I changed my plan and yesterday made this:

and gave it to them instead. Still homemade, but also less mistakes on it.

Ebroidery and the ER

So I finished the embroidery part of the piece I"m making for the wedding gift. I did re-do the letters (and in doing so tore the fabric, but there wasn't enough time to start over so I patched it as best as possible). I finished the last half of the words last night in the ER.

So here's the story: We put the kids to bed about 8:00/8:15ish and Juliana fell out of bed. Now, her bed is a toddler bed, about 1' off the ground, so super low. We have hardwood floors, but she has this huge rug on her floor. She's fallen off lots of times, usually, gets up w/out a fuss and goes back to bed. Last night, however, she cried BAD. I just figured it was because she didn't want to go to bed. Anyway, we put her back to bed, and I had to run an errand. So I left.

When I came back, she was on Daddy's lap downstairs. He said, "Every time I lay her down she screams and wakes up, even if she was out cold." So I thought for a while.... it must be her ears, right? That's what wakes kids up at night. Well, she was on Daddy's lap on the couch and I came to the computer. She decided she wanted to sit on my lap, so she came over and I picked her up under her armpits to lift her to my lap. She SCREAMED. I thought, now THAT is odd. So we asked her about all her possible owies. Do your ears hurt? no. throat? no (unless you pointed to it on the left side) back? no tummy? no. So we narrowed it down to throat and figured she must be achy. Our friends left and I went and joined Daddy on the couch. Juliana stayed awake the whole time, being totally good unless you lifted her up or raised her left arm. We finally found a tender spot between her neck and shoulder.

Thinking we'd leave it to the next day and just watch it, we decided to go to bed. We told her that she could sleep in our room (we have a matress on the floor for just such occasions). While Daddy made her bed, she layed on ours. I looked at her and she was trying to sit up, but after an effort, cried out in pain and layed back down. I knew something was wrong. So I took her to the ER.

We got there about midnight. They got us back into our room quickly, but there were bigger emergencies (like a finger stuck in SOMEthing that they'd been trying to free for hours). Juliana was SO patient. She was as goofy as all getout due to being tired. I, luckily, had my embroidery with me. Apparently, at 1 AM, watching the needle come up from the back of the fabric to the front is HILARIOUS. Finally, we got to see the Dr (who apologized profusely for being so busy). He had us do X-Rays (which she was SO good during, esp since I couldn't be next to her). She finally fell asleep after X-Rays. Sure enough, her collarbone was broken. They can't do much for that. I finished my embroidery while waiting for our paperwork to come back. We got home at 3:30AM

Tonight I'll be washing it and putting it together so it'll look nice, but here's the embroidery part. I hope my 2AM work cuts the mustard.


in front of the G is where the fabric tore.

I still have to french knot the i in goodnight, that's all I didn't have done.

Inspired by Kristin

Ok, so you all know I talk about Reclaiming the Home all the time, but Kristin has really inspired me. Not just by sending me TWO boxes of delicious goodies, but in more ways than I can describe. So tonight's post is dedicated to the inspiration of Kristin. I hope you're having fun at RENT!!!


Ok, first up, If you look at Kristin's blog, you'll see this incredible card she made w/ an owl on it. She sent me that card, yeah, LUCKY me, it should be framed and the book she used to make it so that I could experiment w/ book paper. Here is my first product.























Next, these two chalkboards are inspired by the one Kristin did for her girls' room. I have almost a dozen of these little chalkboards, so it was nice to know what I can do with them. I hope you love it, Jeanette




























And one more thing. Just one more. Kristin and I were talking about Kielbasa and Italian Sausage. I hadn't ever paid attention to packaging. Anyway, just to clarify WHY I was confused, when I saw this at Wal-Mart I had to take a pic. Maybe I won't seem such the idiot anymore and instead just seem pregnant. :D

Embroidery

I hope that the person I'm making this for doesn't see it and know it's for them.  If so, oh well. She knows I love her. It's been taking up a lot of my time, so I haven't been doing a lot of other crafting. I did make a sock monkey (keep checking for a tut).

As for the embroidery- I'll probably re-do most of the words, or at least "Always"



















I really, REALLY need opinions, though. What was the best present you have ever given or received at a wedding? I've got a few weddings coming up and want my gifts to MEAN something, you know?

Binder Goodness and Happy Birthday

Ok, I decided to organize my life into binders. Here are some pictures of them.



My binders















Gifts to make














Housecleaning/Organization


You can't see it, but this one has tabs to separate it into separate rooms. The cleaning section is all on it's own.















This is the holiday binder. I've been very picky what I've actually put in there. I have files and files of ideas, but I just put my fav's in here for now. And so far, only Christmas, but there soon will be a tab for each holiday










This picture is not from any of my binder's. It's a photo of most of Kristin's birthday package I sent out today. MWAHAHA. ANd NO photoshop cheating.

Care Packages

Best Friends: (this is more for girls between 7-14 yrs old)

• A card



• Clothespin
  Dolls*- these can be done two ways. In a kit for the receiver to put
  together themselves, or already made. Find out how to make them here (although I'd look for the clothespins at the dollar store first, that's where I found mine). For cute packaging, try this



• Friendship Bracelets* Learn how here



• No Sew Fleece Pillow KIT (so she has something to do). Just include materials and instructions, found here



• Photo Holder- there are lots of different kinds to make. One is here.
  You can also try this: Cut small styrofoam ball in half. Painted as
  desired. Cut 1-3 pieces of 24 guage wire into say 10" -12"pieces. Curl
  into spirals at one end. Stick into foam. Decorate as desired.



• Headbands-  Scarfbands
  or Take some ribbon, as wide as you like, measure it so it goes
  *almost* around the head (make sure it's a similar size for the person
  you're sending it to). Make sure the edges aren't going to unravel by
  either hemming, fray checking
  or burning the edges. On one end of the scarf, sew a button. On the
  other, loop a piece of thin elastic and sew it to that edge. Put it
  around head and make sure the loop fits around the button.



• Jump Rope- not very expensive, but if you know how to knit, then try this one



• CD Case Book- you could put pictures of you and the person you're sending it too, or write a story. They're adorable!



• Things to just buy: stickers, lip gloss, the person's favorite candy, glitter pens, mini notebooks, cute erasers

Get Well Soon:

• Heating pad:  make in a square for anywhere or as an eye mask. Use rice and any scrap fabrics, aren't they beautiful?



• For younger kids, the special box would be a great way to occupy them.  If you use stamp pads, be sure to include a few "fingerprint animals" or fingerprint crafts. If it's an option, Ed Embry books would be GREAT with this!



• Soup in a Jar- Find a recipe for chicken noodle soup here and other soups here



• Slippers- all kinds, there are! knitted, felted, crocheted,  and others



• Spiced Tea in a Jar



• Stuffed animal- there are so many tutorials for all kinds of stuffed animals, but here is the basic. Here are some more complicated ideas



• Things to buy: Mug, bowl, favorite magazine, DVD rental gift card

Thank You Gifts

Today we're doing themed thank you kits

Thanks a Million:

    * Penny Necklace
    * Penny Pals-
    * Dollar Shirt or any other dollar oragami
    * A wallet- out of cassettes, duct tape, scrap fabric, crocheted, or others
    * A dollar book- Looks like this but made like this
    * If you have the materials, you could make a change necklace
    * Cell Phone Cosy, clothespins, stationary... anything decorated with a dollar sign. Try these tut's and add your money symbol as you see fit. Electronic gifts,  stationary, clothespins

Thanks a Bunch:

   
* clothespin flowers- paint a clothespin and add felt flowers and a magnet like this
    * Felt Flowers- add magnets or pins to make the flower versatile
    * Pressed Flower stationary
    * Seeds
    * Paper bouquet like this one with tissue paper, this one with cardstock,  this one with duct tape, or this one with fabric
    * Oragami flowers
    * Flower Pens- Get an artificial flower, and trim the stem down to fit on the pen body. hold it against the pen. wrap both in floral tape. *tip* sometimes WalMart will have bags of all their loose artificial flowers for UBER cheap, like by their scrap fabrics under the cutting table
    * Things to buy: stickers, seeds, flowerpot, gardening tools