Monday, Monday

Hope you all have had a good Monday. I meant to have this up and posted this morning, but here it is, time for bed and I am finally getting around to it. Here's a little bit of what we've been up to around here.

We spent the last Saturday of January having a fun day at the beach enjoying this view, and a little bit of thrifting. The weather was perfect. Sort of a last day away, before the weeks of 6 / 12 hour days start for my guy. 

                                                                                             I organized Craft Night for the ladies of our church, this past Thursday. We made felt flowers and did some embroidery hoop art. The pouring rain didn't keep 20 ladies away. We enjoyed a taco supper, and fun night of crafting. 

Friday, I headed South to see my daughter and her family,  much needed time away, and a great visit with everyone, especially this little guy. He is Mimi's favorite!

We spent our time just hanging out at the house. He and I checked out all of the pretty flowers in the yard, and had lots of good snuggles. Mimi always tucks him in when she's there. His new phrase was, "this is just wonderful!" and "oh my goodness!" He is something else, for sure. No shyness or lacking for personality with this one!

Today, we have had rain, rain, and more rain!! The chance for rain tomorrow is 100% and 80% on Wednesday. Really need to get some painting done for my booth, and around the house. I have a few small projects that I am hoping to finish, and will share some pictures when I do. 

Ready to get into the PJ's and settle in with a good book.

Make Your Own Advent Calendar

A couple of weeks ago I saw this Christmas Advent Calendar, and knew I had to make one. Emily has done the hard work for us. She has made the free printable tags to use for this project. I have to admit I wasn't sure I could come up with 25 totally different items that the ones she had used, so I copied.

I had a lot of fun with this project, and love the finished results. As Emily said, I will leave all of my tags on because it looks prettier that way.

Here's what I did different. Already had the bulletin board and couldn't find the upholstery nails similar to what she had used, so I painted the frame with Country Grey Chalk paint, and waxed with clear and dark wax. My frame sort of came apart easily so I removed the cork before painting.

I used a piece of linen fabric that I had on hand and covered the cork. I used spray adhesive to ensure that it would lay flat, then wrapped the linen to the back and stapled. Then I just slipped it back into the frame.

 

Here is a closer look at my items:  Gold Bell (Dollar Tree), Green Ribbon, Lamb Ornament (thrift store), Felt flower, Plaid Fabric & Mini Pine cones, String of vintage fabric flowers,

 Red/White Pennant, Vintage thread spool, Vintage rhinestone earring, Glittered H

 

 Moss from my beach trip (more on that later), Old skeleton key, Small tassel from trim 

 Red Bow, Small shell, Mini bird nest w/ eggs, Snowflake, Mini paper chain

 Greenery w/red berries, Christmas Tree Pin(thrift store),Old thimble

 Candy Cane, Felt rose, Driftwood, Gold Star

This fun little project cost me less than $5.00 and it was worth it.   

Getting It Done: Day 13, A Box of Pumpkins

Today was my volunteer day at Rachel's House, our crisis pregnancy center. Along with being there today, I managed to finish this little box of pumpkins for my booth. All that I have taken so far have sold with the exception of 1, 'tis the season for pumpkins. I have ironed a few linens to take, and have a few items in my car that need to be tagged and taken before the weekend.  For right now there won't be anymore shopping, just getting all the items that I have ready. Tomorrow I will be working all day, so my Getting It Done, will probably consist of getting our Dave Ramsey budget down on paper.

Have a blessed Friday!

New Hobby

For quite some time I have wanted to learn to crochet, so when the opportunity to take a class at our local technical college came up, I gave it a try. The teacher just happened to be my sunday school teacher, so I have access to her help outside of class. My goal was to learn enough to make some pretty dishcloths, and I am excited to say that I learned just that, and a little more.

The bag I started using for my supplies, became the color inspirations for this granny square afghan that I am working on.

and here's a little closer look.

It is not perfect for the first try, and I saw my mistake a little further down the road, than where I wanted to go back and pull everything out, but improvement will come with practice.

Another added bonus is that in the few classes I have had, I was able to teach my daughter to crochet during my last visit to her house, and she has been going at it, trying new patterns, and even tackled making some little flowers. I can't wait to see all that she has done. How about you, what new things have you learned lately?

Have a blessed week.

What's Better Than a Bow?

Why a little bit of Rag Garland of course!

Everything you see here is thrifted, or items I already had on hand.

The fabric is leftovers from adorable Christmas wreaths that my daughter made for everyone, and of course silly me forgot to take a picture!

This was the last little bag of goodies for my nephew and his sweet wife.

I am joining DIY Day over at ASPTL, so head over to check out all of the other wonderful projects.

Jackie

When Plans Change

     Or this could be titled, When your 30 minute dentist appointment turns into a 3 hour and 30 minute dentist appointment. Here's another one: When your filling replacement turns into a ROOT Canal! Or, my mouth hurt last night, and this morning and my mind can't even think of a good blog post. Take your pick.

     With that said, I thought you would enjoy what I found over at Life in Grace. She is having 12 days of handmade Christmas!  Go here to see some wonderful ideas!

Day 1- Dishmat  ( my favorite so far)

Day 2 - Raggamuffin Garland

Day - 3 Tile coasters

Day - 4 Fabric Birds (these would be so cute decking out their own Christmas Tree)

I can't wait to see what today's project will be, and in the mean time I will be planning who will get some of those dishmats. Have a wonderful day!

Jackie

Return and Sophisticated Tutorial

After being away for several days, I am back . Things here have been in sort of an organizing mode. Since I last posted, this is what I have been up to:
* Moving a trailer of appliances and wedding gifts to my daughter.

* Re-organizing the way we keep records of bills, receipts, etc.

Many of the tips I am using came from some of you.

* Coupon clipping and planning menus to help with more thrify grocery shopping.

If there is such a thing.

* Trying to accomplish a major organization of our entire house.

* In addition to all of this substitute teaching regularly.

* Almost forgot I started Beth Moore's new Bible study on Esther.

It's Tough Being a Woman. This one is great already!

Now for the sophisticated tutorial:

First you're going to need some of this.

A little of this.

To make this. Oops! I forgot you will need a little duct tape too.
I forgot to take a picture, but you will also need red tinsel of some kind. Mine came from Big Lots. It was 25 feet @75% off, which was .75. Wrap it around your heart shape, with a little hot glue along the way.

Then you will end up with this. They were selling similar ones at Big Lots for $11.00. Now you could use a styrofoam heart shape, but I was determined to do this cheap. My husband keeps all sorts of odds and ends, so when I told him what I was going to do, he suggested the hose and wire. He actually put that part together for me, and made a wonderful little hanger, so it would hang correctly on the front door. I spent a total of 75 cents for this one. What have you been up to lately? Jackie

Box of Goodies

It has looked like this all day at my house. In case you can't tell those streaks in the picture is lots of rain pouring off the house. It has been one wet day, and I feel as if I have been cold and wet all day. Today was the day I had to get my Thanksgiving Swap package off. Nothing seemed to go exactly as planned, not to mention I have the two dogs to tend to. I do not have a project to show, but thought I would show a little picture of what my swap partner is getting next week.

Rain, rain, rain and more rain!


This is her box of goodies. I hope she likes them. Remember the "Give Thanks" plaque, the candle and the note cards? She will be getting those along with 2 pretty pumpkin towels, a journal, notepad, small cookbook of Holiday Appetizers, and Easy Weeknight Favorites, a turkey tea light holder, bag of spice potpouri , a little acorn dish filled with chocolates and some spice cider mix for juice? I hope she likes it. Have a wonderful and blessed weekend, and maybe I will have some more projects next week. See Ya, Jackie

Better Late Than Never

I am a little late posting today's project because I had to substitute teach today, and I had church last night and was just too tired to get the post ready. This project is quite simple, just a little more time consuming. I have not yet perfected the way to get the pattern, well perfect. I can be a little ridiculous about trying to perfect something and get frustrated if I don't think it is just right, but here goes. First you will need one of these. This is a small clipboard, about 1.39 at Staples.

Next, some of this. Just pick your favorite pattern.

Some of this and one of these.

And you will end up with this. I will be adding a pretty brown bow to the top.

And there you have it. Not just another ordinary clipboard! I will be helping my daughter make some of these to give as Christmas gifts too. Let me know if you have any questions. You could also add the recipients initial at the bottom. I will probably do the back in a coordinating color. Have a wonderful evening. I will try to be a little earlier tomorrow! Jackie

Need an Easy Christmas Present?

UPDATE!!

The acrylic sealer is a necessary step. I used clear acrylic sealer Matte found in the craft section at Wal-Mart and I am sure they have it at Michaels and Hobby Lobby. The stamp will wash right off the tile if the sealer is not used.

Yes, the project I am posting today would make a easy but wonderful Christmas present. If you are like me, I am looking for some ways to save on Christmas spending this year. After all, it is not all about the presents it is about HIM...........Christ our Lord and Saviour! Now this is not original to me. I first saw it here. This girl has many wonderful ideas! First you need this.

Then some of this.


One of these.


To make some of these!

Maybe you are asking what are they. They are tile coasters. The only thing I have left to do is add some cork or felt to the back to prevent scratching tables. You could use any design, I just like the bird nest, and I have an additional idea that may make an addition to this for a cute present. I think, I will be doing these for some Christmas presents.

I will try to break down the cost for you here:

Tiles were .32 ea. at Lowes

Stamp originally 8.99 Hobby Lobby. I got on sale for 4.50

Staz On Ink Pad (you must use this kind) originally 7.99 Hobby Lobby. Half price 4.00

Backing which I still need to purchase I think that will be picked up at Hobby Lobby too.

Your original investment may seem like a lot, but do you know how many of these you can make? Bunches and bunches, not to mention that the stamps would be great for note cards, gift tags, etc. Someone else suggested that they sprayed theirs with acrylic sealer, but I don't think this is necessary with the StazOn. Hopefully I will get the second half of this gift worked out and post it later. Have a wonderful, blessed Fall day! Jackie

Simple Project

Today I am posting a very simple and quick little project, because most of my time was spent on a big project.........mowing, raking, and clipping bushes in the backyard. It was badly needed, so I spent half the day out there and considered this my workout for the day. Monday nights I have Bible study, so I had to wrap things up a little early. I did however finally hang the wreaths on my doors.

Here's the front.
and here's the back.

Last of all this is the quick and easy little project that I promised you. This is the small jar candle that I told you I purchased from Wal-Mart. Very fragrant, I am still amazed that such a wonderful smell comes from a Wal-Mart candle. I wanted to pretty it up just a little. I measured a strip of scrapbook paper. Wrapped it around the jar, hot glued it. Added a strip of ribbon and glued the little resin pumpkin right in the center. A simple companion for my "Give Thanks" sign. These little goodies will be on their way by Friday. Now I am off to my first project of the day today....a little hair color. Have a blessed day! Jackie

A Project A Day

I am trying to bring out my creative side, or at least what is left of it. I can only wish that I had half the creativity that some of you have, but needless to say I have a special reason to be busy this week. All that said, I hope to be able to at least bring you one small project a day. So here is the first.

I may add a small hanging wire at the top, with a bow on the side.

What do you think?

Set of "FALL" note cards, with matching envelopes.

Close Up.

Totally amateur compared to most of you, but I'll keep practicing.

Have a blessed week!

Jackie

Creative Moment

While catching up on some blog reading this evening, I had a burst of creativity and thought I would share it with you. I was needing a unique gift for a sweet friends belated birthday, and here is what I came up with. My photography is not very good so please forgive me and don't look too close at the imperfections.

I took my thrift store fork and bent the prongs to make a stand for my verse, and there you have my customized birthday present. Total cost: Maybe $1.00. I have one of these that I use to display scripture, hold recipe cards, grocery list, etc. All you will need is a fork from the thrift store, scrapbook paper, double sided tape, ribbon and hot glue for the bow.

What easy birthday ideas do you have to share?

Have a blessed day! Jackie