Christmas Picture

Here are the pictures of my sweet family at the Christmas Eve Love Feast. (hear me screaming happily here!) Luke wore his bow tie proudly and everyone just ooo-ed and aww-ed at them.Oh I just can't stand it!!! HE'S SO CUTE!! and he's so precious to me. Thanks MaMa-WatWat (cathy watkins) for his awesome green corduroy Christmas pants!!!Here are the three of us. I know you can't see my necklace too well but it looked good. And I also mod-podged some shoes with red fabric at the last minute to give me more Christmas flare! I didn't take pictures though.

We had a great time celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Every time I think of what the angels told the shepherds, "Behold, I bring you GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY that will be for all people" , I just break down and cry. Thank you God, for coming to earth in the form of a baby and saving me from my sins. AMEN!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I'm a Dork

That's what my friend Anna called me when I showed her this stuff that I made. Two things I love, Christmas, and matching-matching everything! Combine those two and what do you get: matching Christmas bow ties for my husband and son and matching Christmas necklace for me! AHHHHHHH! So excited to wear these at our church's Christmas Eve Love Feast! Here are the links I used as inspiration : Bow Ties and Necklace. Don't ask me how I attached the ribbon to the necklace because I really don't know......I just messed with it until it worked.

So call me a dork if you want, but I'm just a proud Christmas loving mom!!! I'll post a picture later of how we all look wearing them!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Ornament Exchange and Craft Time

Every year (except for last year because my little guy had just been born) I have hosted a Christmas ornament exchange for the ladies in my Sunday school. It has always been a really great time, and I hope that it is a tradition that will continue to go on and on. Recently I added a craft time where all the ladies make an ornament together to commemorate our time. I think everyone has loved doing this. Here are some pictures of our time together. Leslie and Leah were working really hard on theirs. And this is the felt ornament that we made. I found this tutorial from CREATE. It was really easy once you got the hang of it, especially if you're not used to hand sewing.

It was a really great time together. We had fun making fun of our sewing skills and also talking about our family Christmas tradition.

Merry Christmas!

ABC's

Here's some fabric letter that I made for The Boy! That's what we call my son Isaac. He's turning 1 tomorrow! I can't believe it! They weren't too hard to make, just really time consuming. I used a variety of fabrics that I already had that had a blue focus to them. I also bought a yard of this batting and just sandwiched them, then sewed on top. So the edges are raw but I think it's fine. My goal is that they'll get a nice fluffy fray look after I throw them in the wash. Oh I hope he likes them.

Christmas Handtowels and Coasters

My sister-in-law, Alinna has been married a little over a year and they have only been in their apartment for about 2 months. She needed some Christmas things, so for her birthday, I made her these towels and coasters! I saw this idea at Homemade By Jill. She really liked them, and I have all kinds of ideas going through my head now. The possibilities are endless!

Pumpkin Pudding

I do NOT like pumpkin pie. I think it's a serious texture issue for me. So for Thanksgiving this year, I decided to make some pumpkin pudding. I saw it on Rachael Ray last year and was excited to try it. It was a big hit! Mostly just to my husband really. A lot of people filled up on pie before they could try it, but I'm glad Luke liked it!Here's the recipe:

• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground clove
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 5.1-ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 12-ounce box Ginger Snaps

( I didn't have ground clove, so I used pumpkin pie spice instead, and I also used vanilla wafers instead of ginger snaps. Oh and instead of whipping cream, I used Cool Whip: a lot cheaper and a lot easier)

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin, spices, pudding mix and a good splash of water (about 1/4 cup). Using an electric mixer, beat everything together until smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until blended and no streaks of pudding remain.

3. To assemble, layer the cookies and pudding mixture in a serving dish (or several individual dishes) in whatever fashion you like. Cover the puddings with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 and up to 8 hours (you want the ginger snaps to soften up from sitting in the pudding mixture).
So there you go! Enjoy! There's a few weeks left in Fall for you to bust out this recipe!

Birthday Banner

Sorry for the delay in blogging. I've temporarily lost my oomph! for blogging. BUT, that doesn't mean that I've stopped creating!!!

Isaac's first birthday is coming up in two week! Oh my, where did the last year go?!? So, I've been busy at work getting some stuff ready for his party. Here's one thing, and the other will follow later on!

I saw this banner, made by Sarah at CREATE. I loved it! And here's how mine turned out. Here are some differences. First, I used all solid fabrics as opposed to patterned. I'm super bad at coordinating patterns, mostly b/c all my eyes see are polka dots :) And Luke said he would rather have it in solids. Second, instead of buying iron on letters (stay at home mom budget, you know) I used what I had at home and made my own letters (I know, crazy) then hot glued them on. Very tedious but worth it in the end! Third, instead of using ribbon to connect all the flags, I used extra wide double fold bias tape. This made it so easy to just stink them in the fold and sew them in.

I'm so excited to hang it on his birthday. My favorite part is that we'll be able to use it for all our
kids. Stay tuned for another birthday treat that will also be reusable in our family!!!

Holidays Fit for the King 2009

It was awesome this year. The speaker concentrated on Simple Christmas. She used the verse Proverbs 17:1 that says, "Better is a dry crust with peace, than a house full of feasting with strife". What a great verse to remember not only for the holidays but for everyday living. God brought this verse to my heart months ago and it's what Luke and I strive for daily in our home and family.

This year I decorated a Christmas Tree themed table. I used this tutorial to make the little trees and felt to make the tree utensil holders. The only thing I added to the little trees were cotton balls in between to give them height. Oh, and instead of sewing them all, I just used a hot glue gun. It was a lot faster!I had a lot of fun making it and preparing it!

Here's a slide show of all the other tables that were decorated! They were all so beautiful!

For Baby Bunge

One of my old co-workers is having a baby in a few weeks, or days really, and I went to her shower yesterday! Here's what I made for the baby!Paci clips, burp cloths, a bib, shoes, a taggie blanket and some pee pee tee pees. I loved being able to make them for her. And it's the first time I've gotten the sewing machine out since moving, and for that, I'm grateful for!

Fall

Here's a plaque I made for fall. Guess what it is? It's all foam board. Well, and scrapbook paper. I cut out the letters with a sharp exacto knife as well as the backing. I painted it all brown mostly so the sides wouldn't be brown. I Mod Podged the scrapbook paper and finished it with more Mod Podge. Total cost....$2. Can't beat that. The only thing is, I can't find a way to hang it outside. The first floor outside is brick and I don't know how to anchor it out there. Any ideas?

Holidays Fit for the King

This is one of my favorite women's events that Providence puts on each year. This year, it will be on November 7th from 845-noon. Click here to learn more about the event, the workshops and to register. I've also put links below for slideshows of this events the past few years.

Holidays Fit for the King 2007

Holidays Fit for the King 2008

Hope to see you there.

More Fall Decorations

I'm so excited to find new ways to decorate in my house! We really loved our apartment but there was just a lot that couldn't be done there. Here are more of my decorations for the fall. I know that I should be doing more unpacking but frankly, I needed a crafting break. And, having a pretty house is motivating me to do more and more unpacking.
The flower balls I made from some flowers my mom mailed me from Arizona. Funny because they don't get pretty fall foliage over there. I wrapped the ribbon under the ball to make sure it would hang securely. (The first one I made, I just pinned a bow on top which easily came off once I hung it.) The leaves I got at the dollar tree and just hung them with some thin brown ribbon. The biggest leaf I made hang the lowest and the smallest the highest. I really like them. They add a valance feel to the curtain rods. (Which I don't love but they were here when we moved in) Happy Fall!!!
P.S. I'm so sorry for the blurry pics. As soon as I load them on the blog, they get blurry and I don't know why. I promise they are not that blurry on my computer or when I take them. I've been noticing it on the last few posts. If anyone has any ideas, let me know!

Fall Candles

Here are some candles I made a few falls ago. I didn't make the ACTUAL candles, but did do the decorating.The candles I got at the dollar tree and the leaves I got...outside of course. I made these before I made the amazing Mod Podge discovery, so I just used some tacky glue. It worked great and a few years later, they are still glued on and looking great. I did light the wick for a few minutes so they looked used, but I haven't ever actually just let them burn. they just look too pretty and that way, I can keep using them year after year!

Delay

So sorry for the delay in posts. It has taken longer than I thought to get settled and certainly to get crafting again.

But please stay tuned....I've got my fall decorating started and will post pics soon.

Crafting Break

Well, next weekend is the big move into our first house!!!!! We're about 70% done with our packing so......

My hubby has put his foot down and said no more crafting until after we get all moved in. In fact, I have to pack everything away tomorrow. I hope I can make it that long. :) So I'm guessing it'll be about a week before I update my blog. Don't tell Luke but I'm leaving a pair of knitting needles and some yarn out hidden in case my withdrawal gets really bad ;)

I can't wait to get in there!!! Just for fun, here's a picture of our new home.
P.S. That's not our car.

The Simplest Craft

My 6 year old niece, Zhayla, made this for me. Now I know what you're thinking....big deal, it's just some puff balls and paper. You're right! But it speaks so much love to me. Why? Zhayla knows how much I love polka dots. (are you seeing it yet?) She came running up to me so excited to give me her craft saying, "I made this for you, it's polka dots!!"I seriously almost teared up, as I'm doing even now. My heart was overflowing as I thought of Zhayla thinking to herself, "Titi's (that's what they call me) coming this weekend and I really want to make her something. Hmmm...what should I make? I KNOW!!" It's these gifts that mean the absolute most to me. She specifically thought of me and what I love and as she made it, I'm sure she was thinking, Titi's going to love this! And I did!

Now I know this sounds so self- centered, but it's not. It's humbling. This is the mentality I try to have with every gift I give and with every craft I make. What does that person love? What does that person want? It's not whether or not it costs $1 or $100. It's not whether or not it came from Pottery Barn or Goodwill. So with gifts for me or gifts from me, it really is the heart that counts!

Zhayla's craft for me really is Something Wonderful.

Stay Tuned....

To see what becomes of these two items:

Craft Club and Glass Etching!

Last Thursday, I attended my very first Craft Club. It was so fun and fulfilling. Not only because we did crafts, but because I got to spend a night away from home, by myself, with some awesome ladies! The craft this month was glass etching. Here's how my baking pan turned out. Now whenever I take a meal to someone, there will be no wondering who it belongs to! For a complete tutorial on how to etch your own glass, visit this link over at Create Studio.

Thanks Sarah for a great time!

Shoes and a Sewing Sister

This is my sister in law, Alinna. She came by today to keep me company and to do some sewing! Only God's sovereignty could have brought us into the same family. We are both the same in our sewing passion and our "try to do it yourself" mentality.

She really liked the shoes that I made for Isaac and wanted to make some for her daughter Ruby as well. They turned out super cute didn't they?!They're a little big for Rubes at the moment, but we can't wait to see her crawling around in them.**Stay tuned: Alinna may start contributing to my blog so be on the lookout for her creative ideas!**

Water Sponge Toy

I'm marking something else off my list!! I found this project over at Make & Takes. I wanted to make these for my nieces and nephew on our pool day but ran out of time. So I made if for Isaac instead. It was super easy to make. I was able to find the materials at walmart and the whole thing only cost about $4. It also only took about 10 minutes to make.

I think Isaac liked it okay.

Fall Ribbon Wreath

As previously mentioned, here is the fall ribbon wreath that I made for my sister. I wasn't too sure about that gold color. It didn't look so gold online, but I think it works.I also need to mention that I got a great deal on this ribbon online and it got to me fairly quickly. The website is B.B. Crafts. Each spool of ribbon is 50 yards for only $7.49. And they have LOTS of colors to choose from. I'll definitely be ordering from them again.

Praise the Lord

My sewing machine is fixed!!! WOOHOO!!! So as a result, I have had a very crafty week. Keep scrolling down to see what I've been up to this week!

New Shoes for Isaac

This project I first saw at Homemade By Jill but the actual project comes from Stardust Shoes. She has a whole pattern that you can print out at home. So, because I had so much fabric left over, and because I'm a little obsessive about matching things, I made these shoes for Isaac!
This was also a really easy to make. I actually made them for my own personal therapy because my husband had to work late and Isaac had an exceptionally difficult evening. So I put him down a little early, pulled out my sewing machine, turned on my instrumental tracks playlist, and started sewing away. I was able to get them finished that night and Isaac wore them to a family dinner the next evening! Very fun! My husband liked them so much he asked if Icould figure out how to make some for him. Maybe.....

** I did have to modify the pattern slightly to make the shoes bigger for Isaac. The pattern is for 0-6months***

Fabric Key Chain

I got this project over at the Idea Room. My sister in law, Catherine's birthday was yesterday and I though this would be a great gift for her.This was a really easy project to make and her instructions were thorough and very easy to follow. I loved it so much, I'm making one for myself as well! And, I can mark something of my list!

Another Matching Bag

Now that Isaac's on solids, we have to take actual food with us when we go out. Though the diaper bag my mother in law made has lots of pockets, I never found a good spot to put all his little food containers. AND I was getting quite annoyed with juices spilling out everywhere. So, I pulled out the pattern I had for a small bag and decided to make a matching bag that had some sort of water proof lining. And this is what turned out. (Sorry for the super blurry picture)My sister in law saved their old shower curtain for me and that's what's on the inside. It was quite easy to sew through too! And, of course, the most important thing: it matches. I had a lot of fabric left over!

Ribbon Wreath

My mother-in-law gave me a subscription to Family Cirlce Magazine for Christmas and I'm very excited about. It has great home decorating ideas and lots of recipes. One of which is my spring wreath that I made.The great thing about it is you can make one for any season by changing the color of the ribbon. Here's how I did it:

Pick three colors that all coordinate. I got 4 spools (4yds. each spool, 1 1/2 in. thick) of each color. Cut into lengths of 21 in. You may need more ribbon depending on how big the wreath is. I just took an old wire hanger and made it into a circle. Tie each length of ribbon into a bow around the wreath and bunch them together as you go to make it look full. It was really fun to make. It's been hanging outside all summer and the ribbon is holding up pretty well. My sister requested a fall one for her birthday and that's what I'm working on now. I'll have a picture of that one when I get it done.

For All You Crafters!

Here are some coupons!

Michael's

Joann's

AC Moore

Homemade Magnet Alphabet

Birthday parties are fun!!! Here's what I made for Vivian who's having her 2 year old party today: Fabric covered alphabet magnets.
I printed out the alphabet, taped in onto some old magnet thank you's I had, and cut the letter out. I have a knife pictured here but found that scissors actually worked better. The knife worked for letters like O, and D to cut out the middle.

I bought this Fabric sample book at the SCRAP EXCHANGE for $3 and this was the perfect project to use it for.

Use spray adhesive to glue the RIGHT side of the letters to the WRONG side of the fabric. After is dries, cut the letters out again.
I used some seam glue to make sure the fabric didn't fray. Oh, and I also cut two of each vowel, and an extra V so she could at least make her name. You can also use nice scrap book paper instead of faric. This project from start to finish took me about 1 1/2 of Isaac's naps (about 3ish hours). I hope she likes them.

Monogrammed Napkins

I saw this idea in a magazine, I think. I honestly don't remember but am fully admitting that I did not come up with this. I love monogrammed ANYTHING, but knowing that it can get pretty pricey, so I'm always looking for ways to do it myself. So here are my napkins.I used napkins that I already had that I wasn't afraid to mess up and only bought the paint and medium. So total for this project was about $2! WooHoo!!

First, I printed out an "m" and cut out a stencil using my knife.I used regular acrylic paint mixed with some textile medium that should make it permanent on most fabrics.Let it dry overnight, then heat-set it. And here it is! They each have a little blunder that's different, but it's like I always say, the imperfections make it perfect.