Saltwater Kids

full of adventure

2012-01-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

We ended 2011 and started 2012 with some fun adventures!:

New Years Day: snowshoeing

1. New Years Eve: "Yukon Do It" 5K race (my little runner's third 5K of the year)

2. Chrismas Eve: Snowflake Fun Run 5K - DIY medals

3. Gifts for the boys: DIY Race Boards for keeping all of their race numbers and medals

4. Christmas Eve: We hosted our own 5K race (Snowflake Fun Run) and invited a few of our favorite little running buddies to join us. (Originally, we had planned on signing up for a Jingle Bell race, but I procrastinated too long and it sold out. So, we decided to host our own race - medals and hot cocoa for all the finishers!)

5. DIY: Race numbers (to hang on the race boards)

Camping on Christmas Eve: I think we can add this to our end-of-the-year adventures too - twinkle lights and all!

Here is to a new year full of exciting adventures!

mini icebox cakes

2011-12-07T01:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I shared one of my favorite quick and easy desserts from my childhood over at MADE as part of the Sweets & Treats event going on all month long. Icebox Cake.

This recipe is very rich, so a little goes a long way. I thought it would be fun to make mini icebox cakes.

One thing I love about this recipe is that it is SUPER easy to make and you can store the cakes in the freezer for two months!

Mini Icebox Cakes:
Famous Chocolate Wafers (I was able to find them at my Safeway store)
1 pint (2 cups) heavy whipping cream
1T vanilla extract
2T sugar

10-12 - 1/2 pint wide Mouth Jar Canning Jars

Whip the cream until almost stiff. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until cream holds soft peaks.

Scoop about 1/4 cup of whipped cream into the bottom of the jars. Add a wafer. Keep layering in this pattern until you have 5 scoops of whipped cream and 4 cookies. Then pop them in the freezer (if you want to eat them the same day, then refrigerate for 4 hours before serving).

When you are ready to eat your sweet little treats, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw for 1 hour. Then grab a spoon or fork and enjoy!

Share them with friends and neighbors, or maybe enjoy one while putting the finishing touches on those last minute gifts.

Happy Holidays!

freezer paper shirts: turkey trot 5K race

2011-11-29T00:30:00.000-08:00

Turkey Trot 2011

Running the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, with our friends and family, is something we look forward to all year long. This year it was especially wonderful because both of my boys ran the race in record time - with smiles!

At our pre-race craft night, we traced, cut, and painted our design on t-shirts - a lot of fun, but a lot of work! Next year, I think we might try our hands at making our own silkscreen.

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!

sand toys for big boys

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

Over the holiday weekend we headed to the ocean to dig for razor clams, and...

when we arrived, we were shocked to find a vehicle nearly completely buried in the sand.

Of course, we had to check it out.

After a while, we continued down the beach...

to scope things out.

And enjoy the sun.

As we headed back to the truck to gather up our clam diggin' gear, we noticed this coming down the beach...

could it be? No way? What are the chances?

For these two little construction enthusiasts, this was a dream come true - the ultimate sand toy!

After the excavation, we got down to business. Clam business.

mmm, dinner!

Oh, what a perfect day!

hot/cold pack details

2011-11-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

After receiving a few comments and emails with questions about the hot/cold packs I made for Halloween, I thought I would give you a quick rundown of the details.

The tutorial for sewing and filling the packs can be found over at Rubber Punkin, so I am just going to share how I was able to get 24 packs from one yard of fabric.

CUT:

(24) 12" X 5" - from main fabric (see diagram below)
(24) 6" loops - (I cut 1" strips from a t-shirt, stretched them out, and then cut the 6" lengths)

Here is the layout for cutting 24 packs out of 42" wide fabric (you will have 4" left over along the 36" side)

Check out the TUTORIAL for sewing and filling the packs HERE at Rubber Punkin. She also has some great ideas for adding different scents and fillers.

Thanks for stopping by!

party favors: hot/cold packs

2011-11-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to share the party favors we handed out this year at my son's preschool Trunk-or-Treat party.

Last year I made hot/cold packs for the boys' Valentine's Day parties. Since then, several parents have mention how much their kids loved them - which inspired me to make them again.

They are a great candy-free gift for kids, and easy enough to crank out in an afternoon.

The tags were made using my tried and true method, and they turned out great.

To make 24 packs I used:

- one yard of fabric

- scraps from an old orange t-shirt

- long grain white rice

- flaxseed

- mint essential oil

...and I still have at least half of the rice/flaxseed mix leftover. Stocking suffers? Birthdays? Get well soon gift?

Thanks for stopping by!

halloween 2011

2011-11-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it was a successful Halloween around here - no costume malfunctions, no meltdowns, and best of all, no rain!

We ventured downtown for the second year in a row, and by the size of the crowd I'd say the entire city had the same idea.

Which, as it turns out, is great for people watching, but not so great for trick-or-treating. Who needs all that candy anyway, right?

This last minute costume was made using freezer paper stencils, and came together just hours before the school Halloween party on Friday. The first costume, Artzooka!, was great (and he loved it). Unfortunately, not many people around here know about the show, so they just thought he forgot to dress up (he was devastated). So, we put our heads together and came up with this skeleton costume.

My favorite part is the profile of the skull. The idea came from this skeleton costume on Etsy.

One day last week my youngest and I walked into a Halloween store to get some ideas and he saw spotted this viking helmet on the shelf, and he was SOLD. Needless to say, the helmet came home with us, and I guess it was the right choice, because he really played the part well!

The "boots" were made using this tutorial, and they turned out perfect!

Halloween 2011 was fun, and I can't wait to see what costumes they dream up for 2012!

happy halloween & a DIY halloween village

2011-10-31T06:56:00.000-07:00

DIY Halloween Village

This Halloween village was a gift for my mother-in-law, and it turned out to be such a fun and simple project.

Materials:

- scrap wood

- paint

- fine point pen for outlining (optional)

... I am dreaming of a little winter village for our mantel!

Happy Halloween!

artzooka! superfan costume

2011-10-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this show? Around here, Artzooka! is tops. The word "Artzooka!" is mention at least 15 times a day in our house.

Jeremie, the host, makes cool stuff using recycled materials. My kids spend hours upon hours designing and building all kinds of wonderful things from their very own "Artzooka! bin" of recycled items.

Just the other day, my oldest said to me, "Mom, we don't need to buy toys because we can make our own that are WAY cooler!"

It warms my heart to hear my kids say stuff like that!

When it came time to decide on a Halloween costume for my oldest, it was a no-brainer. Yep, one Artzooka! costume coming up.

With a little freezer paper stenciling on a dollar store t-shirt we were in business - total cost, about $3.

The picture above is from a costume birthday party he attended last weekend. Together we made a duct tape wallet for the birthday boy (Artzooka! inspired, of course) - and it was a hit!

The Artzooka! show is on the Canadian public television station, CBC (that we just happen to get here in the Pacific Northwest). You can find some fun craft ideas HERE on the Artzooka! website, and we are crossing our finger and hoping the Artzooka! show will be available on DVD!

finished strong

2011-10-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I did something I thought I could never do... I finished strong. In my last (and only) attempt at running a half marathon I finished, but not strong. I crossed the finish line disoriented, weak, and had to be carried into the first-aid tent. I swore that I would never put myself through that again.

Michael, my best friend's husband, and I after the race with our free fire logs!

Well, never say never, right?

My best friend, Kelly, the GREATEST running partner ever, thought it was time for me to get over it (in a supportive, best friend kind of way). So, without telling me or her husband (pictured above), she signed all of us up to run the Race for a Soldier half marathon in our town.

I found out what she had done when the registration confirmation showed up in my inbox - congratulating me for signing up. Um, WHAT?

Within seconds I was on the phone, dialing Kel's number to make sure this was just a joke. But when she answered with a giggle, I instantly knew it was not. Oh my.

We continued our four mile/four day a week runs that we had been doing all along, but when we attempted longer runs in order to prepare for the race, it didn't go as as well as we had hoped. I was experiencing the same symptoms that I had in the first half marathon, and felt terribly discouraged. Eventually, I had to come to terms with the possibility that I was just not cut out for half marathons, and settled on running and walking this race.

(image source: michelemaule on Etsy)

On race day, Kel came down with a terrible cold and couldn't run (she was completely devastated). I was so bummed for her, and I seriously considered bagging the whole thing, because without her I would be lost. Her husband, Michael, (who actually is a runner, unlike me) offered to step in and run/walk with me. I felt terrible that I would be slowing him down, and told him many times that he was free to go ahead. He insisted it was no big deal (thanks Michael).

As we stood at the start line, I had a moment of complete panic (on the inside). What the heck am I doing? I can't do this! Michael is going to hate running with me.

When I turned around to look for an escape route through the sea of runners, I heard the gun go off. Dang, too late.

I had no choice but to go for it, and hope for the best. And you know what? I had a great time. Michael did a wonderful job of keeping me chatting and distracted, and before I knew it we were passing mile marker 11 - and still running!

I made it. The entire 13.1 miles. Without stopping or walking - in two hours and five minutes. And the best part, I crossed the finish line (strong) and walked right past the first-aid tent - on my own, with a smile on my face.

What a great day! (Kel, I wish you could have been there, because that would have made it a perfect day. I am looking forward to all the races we will run together in the future - 'till we are old and gray!)

Thank you Kelly and Michael, I couldn't have done it without you guys! And a big thanks to my cheering squad: Grandma, Frank, my boys, and Lora!

sometimes crafting is like childbirth

2011-07-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

Up until a few weeks ago, this is what our red wagon looked. Sad. Dilapidated. In desperate need of some TLC. One morning I decided to do something about it. I called my husband to ask for advice - he laughed. Hard. And then said, "Call the body shop and ask for an estimate!" And laughed some more. I was not discouraged. In fact, I was more determined than ever to do get this done. At that moment I completely forgot about the piles of laundry and the toilets that needed scrubbing - this was personal. And nothing was going to stop me.

Realizing I was on my own, I scrounged around in the garage and found a chisel, sanding pad, and a drill with a wire brush attachment. The plan was to scrape off the flaking paint, sand it a little, and then give it a fresh coat of paint - it should just take an hour, or so...right? HA, Wrong!

After the boys and I were a quarter of the way (and several hours) into the paint scraping, I realized that this was a much bigger project than I had originally thought. It suddenly dawned on my why my husband was laughing. But, quitting was totally out of the question. I might have to stay up half the night and suffer through blisters on my hands, but I was going to finish this darn thing. (The good news: I didn't have to stay up half the night. The bad news: my hands were pretty torn up and blistered. No pain, no gain. Right?)

I decided that, in order to continue, the wagon would have to be taken apart (which turns out to be much easier said than done when it comes to dealing with rusty bolts). I struggled for a while, but eventually claimed victory.

In the (late) afternoon my husband called to inquire about our progress, and I proudly reported that we were ready to paint.

When he arrived home, and saw first hand just how much work we put into the project, he volunteered to do the painting and assembly. I happily accepted the offer (honestly, my hands could not endure much more).

The boys picked the colors, and they are absolutely thrilled their shiny new ride.

Every time I look at the wagon I have to smile - I did it! I knew I could do it! Crafting is like childbirth sometimes - it can hurt like crazy in the moment, but you completely forget about the pain by the time the next project comes around!

FYI: My husband is a very supportive guy, but sometimes I think he breaks into nervous laughter in order to deal with my wild ideas and crafty ambitions. Thanks Hun for (eventually) jumping on the wagon!!

Happy Crafting!

finally!

2011-07-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

The sun decided to shine just in time for the 4th, and the Beach Robe finally made its first beach appearance!

Have a great weekend!

summer projects in full swing

2011-07-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

Summer has just begun, and so has my list of projects that have been started and, in most cases, completed.
1. new 4th of July bag in the making (and since completed) - tutorial found here
2. two vintage Pyrex bowls - $.50/each (not a project, but totally made my day!)
3. sewing room clean out
4. rock painting
5. red wagon overhaul "before" ("after" pictures to come)

not pictured:
6. 4th of July skirt in the making
7. apple chips - made in the dehydrator
8. miniature rafts made from sticks and yarn
9. baking soda and vinegar volcanoes
10. PVC pipe water toy
11. apple pie in a jar
12. OJ & vanilla yogurt popcicles
13. finished 19 fort kits
14. 6 hours of painting at one of my favorite thrift shops
15. to be continued...

Hope your summer is off to a great start as well!

testing, testing...

2011-06-16T18:04:00.000-07:00

pattern testing that is!

When Dana, over at MADE,asked me to test her new pattern, I jumped at the chance. She is always coming up with amazing designs, and her instructions are so easy to follow, so it was a no-brainer.

When I found out that it was the Beach Robe pattern, I was even more excited! You see, my boys have swimming lessons twice a week, and we are constantly using beach towels. Unfortunately, those towels have seen better days, which is why this project was so perfect!

I let my son pick the color, and he of course went with his favorite - ORANGE!... we're talking BRIGHT orange.

One of the great things about this pattern, is that it offers so many different options. I used one of my old shirts to make the optional lined hood.

I have dreams of seeing this Beach Robe on an actual beach, but sadly the only sunshine we have around here is liquid sunshine. But I can dream right?!

So, by now it is probably pretty obvious that I am smitten with this pattern, but the best part is that he absolutely LOVES his new Beach Robe (and refuses to use any other towel in the house). This pattern earned a five star rating from us, and is going on the short list of Birthday gift ideas.

Here is the link to the Beach Robe pattern.

Thanks for stopping by!

teacher gifts and a TUTORIAL

2011-05-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

My oven has been working overtime this week, baking bread for Teacher Appreciation lunches. With so many loafs to wrap and deliver, I thought it would be fun to try out a new bread bag.

The 5 Minute Bread Bag is great, but in situations such as these (large potluck lunches), where there is an abundance of food (and clean-up), it seemed more sensible to use a disposable bag.

So, I gathered some supplies from around the house and set to work...

To check out the full TUTORIAL, click the button below:

bring on the may flowers!

2011-04-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

The April showers have overstayed their welcome this year. And not just a few sprinkles here and there, no, we're talking TORRENTIAL downpours.

So, to combat the soggy-boot blues, I say...

bring on the May flowers!

All the materials for this project can be found around the house: (the instructions can be found here.)
- toilet paper rolls
- paint
- wood skewers
- tissue paper
- green paper

Now, if we could just convince the sun to stick around... hmm.

home sweet home

2011-04-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we brought home a box of cute, fluffy, peeping chicks. The boys were beyond excited, spending every waking moment in the garage, hanging out with the girls.

Having transformed into teenage wild-women, the box in the garage was cramping their style. They were in desperate need of some room to express themselves.

So, to accommodate their growing needs, the boys set to work finishing up the coop for these little ladies - Betty, Helen, and Elenore.

Sunday was move-in day, and so far they seem to be loving it!

We are all eagerly awaiting that first egg. It should be an egg-straordinary event! (sorry, I couldn't help myself)

Welcome home little ladies!

I would really like to make a "fresh brown eggs" sign, but I am not sure how I want to go about making it. Any suggestions?

I couldn't resist

2011-04-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

making this warm surgery goodness...

cinnamon sugar pull-apart bread

what a great way to start the weekend. I hope you are having a delightful weekend too.

Here is the recipe.

all sorts of forts

2011-04-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

(image credit Country Living website)

As I'm sure you know, we LOVE forts. All sorts of forts. One of my son's preschool teachers found this fort in Country Living Magazine. It was made with a few roller shades and a sharpie. Genius.

Here are a few more fun indoor forts (v ia Apartment Therapy):

Sheet fort with twinkle lights: We Heart It
MOD teepee: Varpunen
A fort under the stars: We Heart It
Dreamy hideaway : My Shabby Streamside Studio

Have a great Weekend!

good for the soul

2011-03-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

Time spent with friends, is time well spent.

Our weekend was filled with spontaneous adventures, good food & drink, funny stories, and lots and lots of laughter. So much laughter in fact, that my stomach muscles are still trying to recover.

It is times like these when I am reminded of what is truly important in life.

Friendship is good for the soul.

Fort Kit WINNER!

2011-03-05T08:16:00.000-08:00

Wow! What an overwhelming response, 685 entries & sweet comments - Yowza! You made my ~~day~~ week, thank you!

Unfortunately, there can be only one winner, but if you want to make your own fort-kit I have a mini how-to HERE.

Here are the results via random.org:

The winner is....

#664 - Anonymous said... This is so awesome! Hope to win!

664

(you should receive an email from me shortly)

Have a great weekend!

Celebrate the Boy - TUTORIAL and GIVEAWAY! (closed)

2011-03-03T04:55:00.000-08:00

First off, I would like to welcome all of you who are visiting from Celebrate the Boy over at MADE! And for those of you who are regular visitors, I am guest posting today at MADE, and I highly recommend that you hop over and check out all the amazing boy inspired projects.

Boys, boys, boys. The silly things they say and do keep me laughing all the time. In fact, as I was working on this post my three year-old came blasting by, one arm outstretched, clutching his toothbrush, shouting (in a deep manly voice) "Oh, Mr. Plaque I am coming to get you!" Dental Superheros make my day!

My favorite part of making this tutorial, by far, was the photo shoot. Not just because the pictures crack me up, but that my boys actually agreed to do it, AND enjoyed it! Normally (98.7% of the time) they want nothing to do with "crazy mom and her camera," but for some reason, this time was different. They totally hammed it up, AND they happily agreed to wear the short-shorts I made. Wow! Shocking. I am still in a state of disbelief - but also still smiling just thinking of their silly poses in front of the camera. Oh, how I love those two!

I am so excited to share this project with you because it is as fun as my two silly boys.

The design of the RETRO DUFFEL is based on the original Duffel Bag - the manliest of all the bags in the luggage family. The simple, functional design, and durable fabric make this an ideal boy bag.

This is a miniature version of the typical duffel bag, perfect for an overnight stay at Grandma's, hauling gear to the big game, or for storing my all-time favorite gift - the FORT KIT!

So, today I am giving away a RETRO DUFFEL Fort-Kit!

The RETRO DUFFEL Fort Kit includes:

RETRO DUFFEL bag
two twin sheets with ties attached
suction cups
clips
clothespins
flashlight
rope
HOURS of FUN!

Giveaway Rules:

- Leave a comment on this post, that's it!

- Leave your EMAIL ADDRESS in your comment.

- Only One entry per person (leave only one comment please).

- Open to US and Canadian readers only.

- One winner will be picked via random.org.

Giveaway Ends: FRIDAY, March 4th at Midnight (pacific time). The winner will be announced Saturday, March 5th.

Find the RETRO DUFFEL bag TUTORIAL HERE:

Thank you for visiting!

a hat for a cool cat

2011-03-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

I made a hat for a cool cat.

Oh, it will be a fantastic, Seuss-tacular celebration!

Happy 107th Birthday!!

thank you

2011-02-18T13:18:00.000-08:00

To all the Saltwater-Kids facebook fans - THANK YOU!

...your support makes me as happy as a 3 year-old in a mud puddle!

Have a great weekend!

a reason to celebrate

2011-02-15T11:43:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day in a month-long Celebration of BOYS! Head over to MADE and join the fun. I will be hopping over there later this month to share a boy inspired tutorial.

.

laundry

2011-02-11T08:22:00.000-08:00

whoever said doing laundry wasn't fun?

Have a great weekend!

candy-free valentine's day gifts

2011-02-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

This year, our candy-free Valentine's Day gifts were inspired by my boys. It seems that they are constantly suffering from bumps, bruises, owies, growing pains, you name it. A bag of frozen pees, or a warm cloth is usually all they need to soothe the pain, and they are back playing in no time at all.

So why not make a reusable hot/cold pack that was ready for just such occasions?!

I have seen many versions of the rice hot/cold packs around the web (this is a cute one) and thought they would be perfect for my two little bruisers - and all of their school friends!

front

back

I purchased a large bag of long-grain rice, a bag of flax seed, and combined the two. I also added mint essential oil, which my boys love.

Adding a loop on the side keeps your fingers from touching the hot pack when it comes out of the microwave.

I printed the tags on white paper, cut them out, and then folded and stapled them to the bags.

super easy, super inexpensive, and super useful!

Here are some of my favorite candy-free gifts from around the web:

this one is perfect for brushing away all the Valentine's Day sweets - from FamilyFun

simple & sweet pencil toppers - from alphamom

darling barrettes - from the Purl Bee

heart magnets - from red bird crafts

also available in her Etsy shop

love these friendship bracelets - from Design Mom

Do you have a favorite candy-free gift?

more fort kits & a great tip!

2011-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

I had a lot of fun assembling these FORT KITS for a wonderful preschool teacher we know. She is giving them to her niece and nephew for their birthdays, and when I explained this to my three year old I thought that that explanation would suffice... boy was I wrong! I had no idea that I was opening such a big can of worms. He had a really hard time wrapping his brain around the meaning of "neeph" and nephew, and insisted on discussing it for the ENTIRE day! Kids are so funny.

GEOMETRIC fort kit:

RAINBOW fort kit:

The bags for both kits were made from thrifted material. I am sorry that I don't have pictures of the contents of each of those bags, but this photo shoot took place during the spare 3 minutes and 27 seconds I had before we had to leave for school (literally). I can't believe I actually got two that were decent enough to show you.

Here is a great tip from a reader: Littel Holts suggested that instead of (or in addition to) sewing ties on the sheets, create casings for the rope. Fold down each corner, and half way between each corner, about an inch, and sew. This is a simple, but sturdy, way to thread the ropes through.

we make a great pair - update

2011-01-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Because this is one of my favorite Valentine's Day gifts, I thought it would be fun to update the tags using this tutorial. (I am completely addicted to making printables with Picnik- I may need to seek help, soon!)

I have been doing a little Valentine's Day sewing, that I would love to share with you, but my photo opportunities have been few and far between lately... fingers crossed for a little sunshine this week!

inside play

2011-01-12T14:09:00.000-08:00

what do you do when school is canceled because of ~~snow~~ slush?

...build forts & make Valentine's Day decorations! (thanks for the sheets Grandma Shelley!)

fort kit update

2011-01-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

I made a few tweaks to the fort kit after my boys did some product testing this weekend.

1. added loops to the ties - making it easier to attach the ties to hooks on the suction cups.
2. added a loop & tie to the center of the sheet - to reduce the sag in the middle (we ran a rope through the loop) - this is especially useful on larger sheets. (see illustration below)

Here is a mini-tutorial for making the tie-loop combo:

I have added these changes to the original post.

bread making kit

2011-01-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

My best friend Kelly and her husband have been the guinea pigs for my bread making adventure over the past year. They have always given kind feedback, and flattered me by returning their bread bag and asking for more. If they ever tasted a bad loaf, they never said so.

For her belated Christmas gift, I put together a bread making kit which includes this book, a baking stone, yeast, handmade bread bags, and container for storing the dough.

These bread bags are a little different from the ones I made in the past. Using flour sack kitchen towels I was able to make 12 bags for under $4 ($0.33/each)!

I love how they turned out. The material is very lightweight, and the wrinkles give the bags such a nice texture.

I embroidered "fresh" on the bottom of one of the bags, just for fun!

Happy Baking Kel, I can't wait to try a loaf!

last minute wrap skirt

2011-01-05T06:32:00.000-08:00

from this:

to this:

Leave it to me to start a sewing project on the eve of Christmas vacation (when I should have been packing). But I am sure glad I followed my last minute inspiration, because the skirt got worn it A LOT!

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gifts for little friends

2011-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

I love books.

Growing up, books filled our house. They were on every shelf, stacked next to every bed, and at the bottom of every beach bag. (My mom would have gladly taken her teacher salary in payments of books instead of money.) And things haven't changed much now that I am an adult.

When it comes to giving gifts, books top the list. The ones above are some that the boys picked out for their little friends who are having birthdays this week.

I wanted to include something handmade with their books, so I decided to try my hand at making hair clips. Have you tried these?! Not having girls of my own, I am probably behind the times in this department, but WOW! they are fun to make. For those of you, like me, who don't have the time or the patients for tedious projects, I highly recommenced giving these a try. They are easy to make and can be done in a short amount of time, with minimal cost.

To package them up, I made drawstring gift bags, and attached the hair clips to the gift tags.

stepping into the new year

2011-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. "
- Walt Disney

I am truly grateful to all of you who followed your curiosity over here - thank you for your support. May your year be full of creativity, laughter, and joy.

Happy New Year!

file folder gift boxes

2010-12-12T21:52:00.000-08:00

These gift boxes are made from items found around our house.

While rummaging though our office supplies, I came across a big box of red file folders. The color was not my first choice, but in the spirit of giving simple gifts, I thought it best to use what we have instead of buying new.

I discovered that 3.5"x3.5"x2" boxes are a great size for the bird seed ornaments.

Materials:

file folders (cardstock, cardboard, etc. will work too)
ruler
scissors
glue gun
ribbon

thrifty gifts:: bird seed ornaments (for outdoor use)

2010-12-09T23:28:00.000-08:00

My boys spend hours perched in our front window, just watching birds.

They especially love putting out treats for their feathered friends.

It is amazing how quiet and still a three & five year-old can be - completely memorized.

So, for gifts this year we are keeping it simple - giving an experience rather than just more stuff. We are giving the experience of spending a few moments watching nature - a few moments to slow down, and relax.

These molded bird seed ornaments are a lot of fun to make, and very inexpensive. You may already have all the materials you need in your home - we were able to make gifts for all the wonderful friends in our life for around $3.

I found this recipe here, and it worked great!

You'll Need:

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3 tbsp. corn syrup
4 cups birdseed
molds (muffin tin, cookie cutters, etc.)
nonstick spray
drinking straw
waxed paper
ribbon/twin

1: Combine the flour, water, gelatin and corn syrup in a large mixing bowl. Stir until well-combined.

2: Add the birdseed to the mixture, stir until well coated.

3: Spray your mold(s) with cooking spray, and spoon birdseed mixture into each mold. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to pack it down, and make the top smooth.

Poke a hole through top of each birdseed mold using a drinking straw, making sure it goes all the way through.

4: Leave the birdseed mixture in the molds for two to three hours. Then, remove the straws and lay out a sheet of waxed paper. Gently remove the hardened ornaments from the mold, and place them on the wax paper upside down. Allow them to dry for at least two to three more hours, or overnight.

5: Cut your ribbon and carefully put it through the hole.

6: Package them up!

I made gift boxes from materials around the house - check out the how-to!

Happy Holidays!

thrifty gifts:: fort building kit

2010-12-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

I had one of those "where the heck have I been" moments last week, when my nephew brought his Build-A-Fort kit to Thanksgiving - complete with sheets, clips, rope, suction cups, and more.

The kit was a handmade birthday gift from his friend Joli. When I emailed her, she sent me a link to this tutorial over at BLOOM - thanks Joli! ...How did I miss this?

Fort building is a wonderful open-ended activity, because it can be played with in a variety of different ways.

I did make one adjustment to the tutorial to cut down on time, and added an accessory bag, but for the most part, my kit is the same.

Oh yeah, and I made a custom tag to explain the gift, as well as a matching birthday card using this tutorial.

This particular kit was made for a little girl in my son's preschool class. It was a lot of fun to make, and I was able to use up the pink fabric in my stash.

Now to the Thrifty part of the gift...

Here is the breakdown:

Thrift Store:
2 sheets - $1.25/each
pillowcase (for the bag lining & accessory bag) - $.50
Dollar Store:
clothes pins, clamps, and rope ($1/each)
Home Depot:
flashlight & suction cups - $2/each
My Stash:
The bag and ties were made from thrifted fabric & shirt in my stash - free!

... so if my math is correct, that comes to $10.00!

to check out the mini-tutorial click the button below:

Check out the Fort-Kit tutorial at BLOOM HERE!

new love

2010-12-05T19:04:00.000-08:00

My new love arrived in the mail yesterday, in the form of a knitted cardigan.

I love the fit.

I love feel.

I love the color.

I but most of all, I love that it is handmade.

Thank you Jesska!

You can find more of Jesska's beautiful designs in her Etsy shop, Woolibear.

Also, visit her blog which is full of handmade goodness.

snow

2010-11-22T22:13:00.000-08:00

I made myself a snow ball as perfect as could be
I thought I'd keep it as a pet and let it sleep with me
I made it some pajamas and a pillow for it's head
Then, last night it ran away
But first -- it wet the bed.

- Shel Silverstein

stormy weather soup

2010-11-19T08:58:00.000-08:00

The stormy season has officially arrived around here - howling winds, driving rain, and power outages. Which means baking and soup making are in full swing at our house.

I thought I would share one of our favorite soup recipes just in case stormy weather is headed your way as well.

little hangs making bread to go with our soup

Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
(adapted from this recipe)

Ingredients:
(I usually double it, so we have leftovers.)

5 cups chicken broth

3 cups water

2 cooked, boneless chicken breast halves, shredded

1/2 cup diced onions

1/2 cup carrots

1/2 celery

1-2 minced garlic cloves

1 (4.5 ounce) package quick cooking long-grain and wild rice with seasoning packet

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup butter

1.5 cups heavy cream/whole milk

This is how I cook the chicken: brown it first in a pan over medium-high heat, then add it to a pot of boiling of for 20 minutes, remove and shred.

1. in a large pot, sauté the carrots, onion, celery, garlic, and 1/2 T. butter until the onions are translucent.

2. Add the broth, water, and chicken to the veggies and bring to a boil. Then, add rice (reserving the seasoning packet), cover and remove from heat.

3. In a small bowl, combine: salt, pepper, and flower.

4. In a medium sauce pan, over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in the contents of the seasoning packet until bubbly. Reduce heat to low, then stir in the flour mixture, a little at a time. Then, whisk in the cream/milk a little at a time until smooth, (not thick).

5. Stir the cream/milk mixture in to the pot with the broth, and cook over medium heat until heated through, about 10 minutes. Enjoy!

A soup dinner at our house would not be complete without bread from this book - Delicious! Do you have a favorite stormy weather recipe?

maintenance

2010-11-10T10:19:00.002-08:00

I am currently doing a little maintenance on this blog... so if you are having trouble finding what you are looking for, I apologize. I have switched over to blogger from TypePad, and in doing so I have a lot of formatting to fix, and links to reestablish - sorry for the inconvenience, I should have it back to normal soon.

In the meantime here are a few fall photos from the past week

halloween fun

2010-11-01T01:55:00.001-07:00

We had a fun (and dry!) Halloween this year.

And aparently everyone else in the town came out to enjoy the beautiflul weather as well - WOW!

The folks downtown are very gratious (and brave) to come out and share treats with SO many costumed kiddos.

I think the sheer number of people was a bit much for my boys...

but I was able to get a few pictures amongst the chaos.

My little cowboy really got into character by yelling, "Howdy Partner!" to everyone he passed.

And he was thrilled to meet a few celebrities along the way (so thirlled infact, he asked if he could go home with them).

But I have to say...

these moments were by far the most wonderful.

Happy November 1st!

jack-o-lantern puzzle favors - TUTORIAL

2010-10-29T01:52:00.002-07:00

Today I am sharing a fun, easy, inexpensive, AND sugar-free party favor that the kiddos can help make.
I know I have gone on, and on before about how grateful I am that my son's preschool encourages parents to hand out sugar free items as party favors, but really, I LOVE it. Don't get me wrong, my kids have candy sometimes, but it just seems at Halloween they end up with way more than any kid needs. And the funny thing is, my kids are way more excited to get pencils or fun band-aids anyway. OK, enough ranting, on to the tutorial.

A few weeks ago, I made this Halloween concentration game games to hand out, but I really wanted the boys to be involved in making something to give away to their friends.

So, I searched the web and came across this Jack-O-Lantern Puzzle project (scroll down to the middle of the page to find it). Using craft sticks, paint, and a marker, the kids create pumpkin puzzles.

To make them easy to hand out as party favors, I packaged them up in coordinating bags and tags.

Materials for the puzzle:

large crafts sticks (6 for each puzzle)
orange paint (I used tempera paint)
paint brush
marker
tape (something that can be easily removed)
overhead transparency & Exacto Knife - for making a pumpkin template (optional)

Materials for the bags:

9.5" x 4.25" orange fabric (I used rip-stop fabric)
15" piece of black ribbon/yarn (I used yarn because that is what I had on hand)
safety pin

Materials for the tags:

printed tags - click on image to enlarge and save to your computer ( I printed these as 4"x6" photo at my local photo center)
Scissors or paper cutter
Hole punch

OK, lets get started... Start by taping the craft sticks together. (I found that taping on the diagonal makes it easier to handle.)
Then flip over and paint (I taped as my boys painted) .
Sorry, I don't have any pictures of this... in the pictures below, just imagine the craft sticks are orange.

After the paint dries, draw the pumpkin with a marker. Make sure all of the craft sticks have some portion of the pumpkin image on them.
Optional Step: If you are making a number of these at a time, a template is helpful in speeding up the process a little. To make the template, place the sheet of overhead transparency on top of the craft sticks and draw your pumpkin. Then cut out the black areas with an Exacto knife (carefully).
Once you are done drawing all the pumpkin faces on the painted craft sticks, set them aside (don't remove the tape yet).

The next step is to make the bags...

The first step is to create a finished edge for the casing. Measure down at an angel 2" along both of the long sides and stitch in place (see photos above).

Fold the top down 1" and stitch in place, creating the casing.

Fold in half lengthwise and stitch all the way around to the bottom of the casing (don't sew the casing shut).

Using a safety pin, thread you ribbon/yarn though the casing, then turn the bag and press.

Now on to the tags...

Cut out and punch holes in each of the tags.

Now it is time to assemble the favors...

remove the tape from the back of the puzzle (assemble one at a time so the pieces don't get mixed up).

Insert the puzzle pieces into the bag, add the tag and secure with a bow - and repeat.

That's it - You're done!

...combine both games for a Halloween game bonanza!

Thanks for stopping by - Have a SUPER Halloween!

it's the little things that count

2010-10-27T15:39:00.002-07:00

It is funny how life works sometimes. Just when you think your world is spinning out of control, something reels you back in - reminding you how important the little things are.

Tonight, as I was frantically sewing last minute trunk-or-treat party favors, I pulled out this "shelf" (for lack of a better word) that I never use on my sewing desk, and found this. It stopped me in my tracks. It is amayzing how four little words can bring things into perspective. Thank you, my sweet husband, for reminding me of what really matters.

EEK! halloween costumes

2010-10-23T01:18:00.001-07:00

littlest cowboy and Tootlless (from the movie How to Train Your Dragon)

EEK! Has it really been that long since my last post? The last few weeks have been a blur, but I have finally finished the costume making marathon (more pics to come).

Have a great weekend!

halloween concentration game DIY

2010-09-29T07:57:00.003-07:00

Every Halloween my son's preschool does "trunk-or-treat," where the kids go around to the parents' cars and get their goodies.
The teachers ask that we give out non-candy items (which I think is great).
So this year I decided to have a little fun with it and make my own. I thought a Halloween Concentration Game would be perfect because it is fun for all ages.

I adapted the hang tag tutorial to make the cards for the Game. (and Free to print - can't beat that!)

I used sheer black ribbon to package them up.
Doesn't the knot look like a bat, maybe? OK, that might be a stretch, but I am going with it!

If you would like to use the game pieces that I created, just click on each image below, and download it to your computer. I had them printed as 4X6, and they were ready to pick up in 15 minutes.

thanks for stopping by!

feeling a little guilty

2010-09-25T06:36:00.002-07:00

what do you do when your husband doesn't bring his lunchbox in the house to be packed?

make him a new, that's what.

but now I am feeling a little guilty.
I was secretly hoping he would be so embarrassed to use it in front of the other guys at work, that he would remember to bring his in next time... (not nice, I know.)

but it didn't even phase him. (at least that is what he claims)

I did have fun making it, anyway - even if my evil little plan didn't work...
next time I am using a pink floral print.

"seize the day" coaster TUTORIAL

2010-09-17T17:11:00.008-07:00

A big WELCOME to all of you visiting from the CELEBRATE YELLOW event over at MADE!!
'

My most productive days always start with an early morning run with my best friend, after which I enjoy a hot cup of coffee, and read my favorite blogs before the rest of the house wakes.

Part of that perfect morning also includes one of my crazy obsessions. An obsession with having a motto - a mantra of sorts. Something that gets me motivated to tackle the day.

It became clear to me (one perfect morning) that I should combine that motto with my need for a coffee coaster (my desk was beginning to resemble the Olympics with all those rings). A coaster that is more than just a coaster.

I picked a quote that is dear to my heart, because I remember my mom always saying it. "carpe diem" (seize the day) - short, sweet, and to the point. Love it. And to illustrate the feeling of the quote, I picked out some bright and cheery fabric.
;''

OK... on to the tutorial.

So, this tutorial was made on one of my "wingin' it" sewing adventures (now that I think about it, most of my projects fall in that category). So please bear with me - some of the directions vary slightly from the photos.

''
Materials:

(2) 6X6in. squares of fabric
(1) 6X6in. square of batting
26in. piece of piping
alphabet stamps (mine are from Joanne Fabric with 40% coupon)
fabric ink pad
6" strip of fusible web (I used steam-a-seam 1/2")
6" piece of twill tape
matching thread

Lay the twill tape across one of the 6X6in. squares of fabric and measure in 1", this will be the starting point for stamping.

Finger fold at the mark.

Whenever I do a stamp project, I always lay out the stamps in the correct order first (I learned this the hard way), and then do at practice run on a scrap of fabric.

To insure that the words don't run off the side of the twill tape, start with the last letter (at the fold) and worked backwards.

After the ink dries, lay the twill tape on top of the fusible web.

Peel off the paper backing.

Position the twill tape on the piece of fabric that you want to be the top, and adjust as needed until it is in the desired location.

Fuse the twill tape to the fabric using an iron.

Now on to the piping.

Stack the pieces in this order: (from bottom to top)

batting,

front fabric (with lettering) - right side up,

piping,

backing fabric - right side down.

(I hope that was not too confusing)

This is the point where my pictures will vary from the directions.

I realized after finishing the coaster, that it would be better to have the seam at the top (behind my coffee cup) rather than the bottom.

So, instead of starting the piping at the bottom of the coaster (like the picture above), start at the top (opposite the lettering).

Work your way around, carefully pinning all of the layers.

Leave an opening 2-3inches wide for turning.

Cut off the excess piping.

It should look something like this (above).

Using the piping as a guide, carefully stitch around the coaster. I placed the rounded (rope) portion of the piping just inside the foot, to the left of the needle (above).

Clip the corners, and turn. Iron. (remember, the opening and those loose ends of the piping should be at the top of the coaster instead of the bottom like the one above.)

Overlap and tuck the ends of the piping inside the opening.

Top stitch around the coaster, and the edges of the twill tape to secure it in place.

This step is optional.

I thought my coaster needed a little texture to add some interest, so I quilted the top. (Please don't look to closely at the stitching, I was under pressure to finish before nap-time was over.)

And that's it! Now just sit back and enjoy that cup of coffee!

---------------------------------------

I already have plans for a second coaster. Double sided - a "choose your own adventure" for your coffee break!
;

Here are a few other slogans/mottos/quotes/words that I found:

the best is yet to be
live what you love
oh, happy day!
live now
smell the roses (or other favorite flower)
make your own opportunities
keep on keepin' on
a will finds a way
be yourself
if not now, when?
dream it. do it.
take a chance
smile
relax
create
...

Thanks for stopping by - come again!

turning 3

2010-09-04T14:53:00.003-07:00

My littlest man turned 3 today!

we spent the day on Crystal Mtn. riding chairlifts, hiking, and...

eating cupcakes in the clouds!

all patched up

2010-08-20T15:15:00.002-07:00

"Any day spent sewing, is a good day."

Between building with blocks, riding bikes, and a visit to the library, I managed to find a few spare moments to sew patches. The rhythm of the needle in my hand provided calm (and sanity) I desperately needed.
I am amazed at how fast I can acquire holes in my pants, this one was huge. No one told me that was in the job description when I decided to be a mom. Guess I should have read the fine print.
The patches are scraps from a shortened skirt.

typical summer night

2010-08-12T15:00:00.003-07:00

(a little fishing, and a lot of snacks!)

necessity is the mother of invention & a TUTORIAL

2010-08-08T04:20:00.003-07:00

A few days ago, as I was sewing a cowboy costume for my Etsy shop, I began brainstorming ideas for new hang tags for my shop items.

I wanted them to be fun as well as informative (providing care instructions and contact information). They needed to have some spunk, be cheap cost effective, AND (a big and here) be ready to ship TOMORROW (I like to cut things close). Hmmm...

And then it came to me...

what if I just had them printed as a regular photo? I knew Target had a fast turnaround time, but upon further investigation I discovered my local Target Photo shop was temporarily out of service - DARN!

Then I remembered the new Walgreens just down the road. When I found their website I was pleasantly surprised to discover that when you create a photo account they give you 25 prints for FREE! It doesn't get any better than that!

So I set to work designing the tags...

and this is how they turned out. I was so pleased with the result that I made a TUTORIAL. Really, the possibilities are endless.

Check out the TUTORIAL by clicking on the button below:

u-pick

2010-08-02T00:28:00.003-07:00

we had so much fun picking blueberries on our way to our vacation spot, that we had to make a second stop on our way home - for a grand total of 33lbs! Yum mm...
this is the wonderful organic farm we found here in Washington. They have the biggest blueberries I have ever seen (raspberries are in season as well). Oh, it is so worth the drive!

calm

2010-07-28T12:04:00.001-07:00

a peaceful moment amidst the hustle and bustle of our week.

gift of organization

2010-07-25T17:44:00.004-07:00

My best friend Kelly e-mailed me with "a small request" for a few fabric envelopes. She wanted to take back some counter space and, having seen the envelopes we use, she thought they would be the perfect organizing solution.
Using thrifted fabric left over from this project and this project, and zippers from my stash, I was able to make a fun gift for my friend for very little money - gotta love a thrifty gift(y)!
The bow was a spur of the moment idea - and a way to use more of my scraps.
So Kel, I hope this works!

sun, chalk, and a garden hose...

2010-07-21T14:16:00.002-07:00

does it get any better than that? I think not! (well, OK I guess I can think of a few things)
but we sure had a blast!

summer shorts and passing the "cool" test

2010-07-19T13:42:00.003-07:00

Sewing for boys is a lot of fun. Challenging at times. But fun.
The biggest challenge I face these days is passing the "cool test" with my now 5 year-old. I would like to say that this is just a phase, but unfortunately I think we are in for the long haul, as he has been this way since age 2.

Little brother on the other hand is the complete opposite, and could not care any less. (Although, if given a choice he will always pick striped pajamas... and wear them ALL day, EVERY day.)

So, when I decided to sew them more shorts (find the tutorial here), I thought it would be a good idea to use my oldest as a "cool" consultant.
I presented him with several dress shirts to pick from, and he chose the green/gray plaid for little brother, and the blue plaid for himself.
I think the deciding factor for him was the "cool" yoke on the inside of the blue shirt (the design now on the the inside of the waistband pictured below) that he insisted I use that on his shorts.

The pockets were inspired by Dana's tutorial over at MADE, (just changing the shape a little). They are lined with soft gray jersey.

Both pairs of shorts are made from thrifted shirts costing $0.50 each ($1.50 for all three), and by using a flat front style of shorts, I was able to save on elastic, bring the total cost to less than $2!
And the best part... I was given an A+ on the "cool" test!

what are best friends for...

2010-06-27T14:13:00.002-07:00

...talking you into doing crazy things (in a bar on your birthday) like running a half marathon, and then being right there with you when you accomplish it!

Thanks Kelly-Jo! You are the best!

a summer tote

2010-06-18T14:11:00.002-07:00

It is amazing how a little spring cleaning can rejuvenate my creative spirit.

I spotted this chartreuse scrap of fabric while reorganizing my sewing room, and was instantly inspired to create. Something.

Something fresh. Something clean.

So a bag it was. Perfect for a spontaneous adventure in the sun.

Made entirely of recycled materials - thrifted fabric and a belt. I love it. Love the idea of creating something new from something old.

Summer fun, here we come!

(now we just need to convince Mother Nature to turn off the rain and bring on the shine!)

while little brother sleeps...

2010-06-16T08:17:00.002-07:00

big brother is busy designing a new t-shirt

complete with a camel's hoof and a treasure map. Ahhh, to be 4 again!

geocaching - great family fun!

2010-06-11T00:55:00.003-07:00

About three years ago, I while sitting in a waiting room (I'm telling you, I find great inspiration in waiting rooms) I came across an article about geocaching - my first thought was, Geo-what? Then as a read on I learned that it was basically a high-tech version of a treasure hunt.

With one little boy at home, and one on the way, I knew this could become a very popular pastime for our family. And I began visualizing all the wonderful places we could go treasure hunting...

As soon as I got home I informed my husband that I wanted a GPS unit for Christmas... he was a little shocked at first, but when I explained to him what geocaching was, and about the adventures that we could have in our own back yard (and all over the world), he was excited too.

Buying a GPS is kind of a steep up-front cost, but you might not even need to buy one if you have GPS-enabled cell phone or PDA. (The iphone has great ratings.)
Geocaching in 8 easy steps: (list from geocaching.com)

Go to www.geocaching.com and register for a FREE account.
Click “Hide & Seek a Cache.”
Enter a postal code or address and click “Search.”
Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS device.
Use your GPS device to help you find the hidden geocache.
Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
Share your geocaching stories and photos online.

So, here we are three years down the road. Summer is right around the corner, and we are itching to get out and so some exploring. I download some new caches and began to pack a bag so we could go on a hike.

While searching the house for all the items we needed, and I realized that it would be so much easier if I just had a bag to keep all of the essential geocaching items in. A bag that we can just grab and go at a moments notice - when the sun decides to peek out from behind the clouds. (Although, I might not be able to wait that long, so some ponchos might need to be added to the packing list.)

After making the first round of Hobo Sacks from Dana's wonderful tutorial over at MADE, I knew they were the perfect size for a geocaching bag. I grabbed some fabric from my stash (navy linen, gray quilting cotton, and orange jersey) and set to work.

Feeling like I needed to label the bag, I searched the internet and came across the geocaching symbol and stenciled it on using freezer paper.

But I couldn't stop there, I then decided that we needed a First-Aid pouch, AND a bag for all our treasures to trade (swag).

I had so much fun making these bags - super fast and easy!
Our Geocaching bag includes:

GPS
notebook
pen
trash bag - cache in, trash out (we use plastic bread bags)
Swag Bag with various small items for trading
first aid pouch
sunscreen
(poncho)

Other items we throw in the backpack:

camera
extra clothes
snacks

I hope you get out and try geocaching, it is fun for the whole family. And you might even learn something along the way, because many caches are linked to historic sites!

Happy Hunting!

beautiful day for a parade!

2010-06-05T09:23:00.003-07:00

Mother Nature worked some magic today. With rain for nearly a week, it seemed inevitable that today would be a soggy one too, but (like the flip of a switch) it turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL day!

We had fun watching the parade with friends and family...

and boy did those Hobo Sacks come in handy!

hobo sacks

2010-06-04T15:08:00.002-07:00

Tomorrow we are attending the Maritime Parade in our town, and with the parade comes a lot of treasures to carry home. So this year, instead of stuffing our pockets , I thought it would be great if each of the boys had a bag to carry their loot in.

I have been eying the Hobo Sack over at MADE for a while now, and this seemed to be the perfect opportunity to try it out.

And I am excited to report that they are AWESOME (the perfect size for little ones). I already have plans to make several more very soon!

(The pink one is for a darling little girl who we are meeting at the parade)

We are ready for a fun day tomorrow (with fingers crossed - praying for rain to stop).
A big THANKS to my friend Michael for all the trifted material.

teacher gifts - gathered clutch

2010-05-26T06:42:00.003-07:00

It is hard to believe that the school year is coming to an end, especially for my oldest. He will become a kindergartner next year, and it seems like yesterday I was walking him to his fist day in the 2's class.

We are so incredibly lucky to have such an amazing group of teachers at the school (no wonder it was voted top preschool in our city!)

So, for end of the year gifts, I was hoping to make something to reflect just how wonderful we think they are. You might recognize the gathered clutch from Anna over at noodlehead. She has a great tutorial on her blog that is so easy to follow.

Originally, I was hoping to make each clutch using different fabric, but upon checking my calendar and realizing the time crunch I was facing, I opted to add button details instead.

So, thank you to all the wonderful teachers at Little Lambs, you are amazing! And thank you Anna for sharing the beautiful gathered clutch tutorial.
Each clutch was made from thrifted material (thanks Michael), and has a dryer sachet (filled with lavender) tucked inside.
//
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If you would like to print the gift tag, click the button below.

kid size energy bars

2010-05-25T07:00:00.002-07:00

Waiting rooms are great place to find inspiration. They are usually loaded with magazines (that I normally don't get to read), and I often come home with a new recipe to try. My latest find is this recipe for energy bars - perfect for kids.

With only 4 ingredients AND no baking, I thought it would be a perfect first time recipe - especially with little helping hands. We tried the Peanut Butter Snaps version, and they are pretty good!

I would like to try a few more energy bar recipes soon - any suggestions?

from pallet to shelf - 5 minutes & free

2010-05-20T13:12:00.004-07:00

The other day I came across the website Knock-OffWood. Have you seen it? I am probably the last to know, but if you are out of the loop too, it is so worth checking out! While browsing through the wonderful plans (and making mental notes of all the furniture I want to make - oh! I want that, and that, and...) I noticed the title "five minutes and free" - It was a sign, I tell ya! As you know, I love 5 minute projects.
The next day I couldn't get it out of my head, so I emailed it to my husband, you know, just in case he came across any extra pallets, by chance. And then an amazing thing happened, the flooring we ordered was delivered the next day - on an pallet!!!
That newly transformed pallet is now hanging on the wall next to my son's bed (thanks to my wonderful husband), perfect for all the books he totes up there. And I think my husband has plans to make one for everyone in his family next Christmas. 5 minutes & Free - love it!

flag tutorial

2010-05-16T13:25:00.003-07:00

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. Full of family, friends, food, fun, fireworks, and of course FLAGS! So, in anticipation for this years celebration, I am sharing a tutorial for a fun and festive flag garland!

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Materials:

denim (old jeans work great!)
red ticking fabric
twine ($1 at Home Depot)
white embroidery floss
embroidery needle
mesh lingerie bags (pack of 2 at the dollar store)
hot glue gun (optional)

Cut:

denim into 1.5" X 1" rectangles
ticking into 3" X 2" rectangles

To achieve the soft fringe around the edges, place your pieces into mesh lingerie bags, run them under water until they are soaking wet, ring out the excess water, and then toss them in the dryer. It is important to dry the bags separately in case the denim bleeds (I learned this the hard way). Check the bags occasionally to make sure the pieces are not all clumped together. Remove when dry.

To get the fringe just right, pull off the loose strings.

Grab you embroidery floss, and cut a piece that is about 24" long. Peel two strands out of the cluster. Thread the embroidery needle, and tie a knot at the end.

(click the picture to view larger image)

Start from the back and poke the needle through the top center of the denim. Follow steps 1-6 to create the star. When finished, make a knot on the back of the flag, and cut your thread.

Iron out all the creases - they can be stubborn sometimes, and I usually find myself dousing them with the spray bottle to achieve the desired flatness.

Once you have a stack of flags ready, it is time to attach them to the twine.

(click the picture to view larger image)

Tie a loop at the end of the twine. Lay the flags out in a line to determine the length of twine needed. I spaced the flags about 2" apart. Before cutting the twine, be sure to leave enough extra to tie a loop at the other end.

Then, using two more strands of embroidery floss, thread the needle, tie a knot. Sew loops AROUND the twine, catching the ticking in each stitch. Be careful not to sew through the twine, that way you can adjust the flag placement later, if needed.

Alternative: use a hot glue gun to attach the top edge of the flag to the twin. Be sure to place them exactly where you want them, because there is no adjusting after the glue is dry!
Repeat with the rest of the flags, and you are done!

Let 'em fly!

variation: rusted wire instead of twine, and french knots to crate the circles.

a succulent gift

2010-05-08T15:50:00.003-07:00

OK, I have to admit, I waited until the last minute to get my Mother's Day gifts in order, but I am happy to report that they are finally finished. And boy are they succulent! (no peeking Shelley and Julie)

Oh, and did I mention that they are super easy to make? Here's How:
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Materials: (please note: I am not a garden expert by any stretch of the imagination)

shallow pot (if there are no drainage holes, you can always drill a few - carefully)
cactus or succulent potting mix
pebbles (optional)
succulents - I used some we had in the yard

Gather your materials...

(I have to admit that I am a little embarrassed to share this) when these succulents were given to me about 2 years ago by my dad, I set them on the rocks in front of our house expecting to plant them in the perfect place... but here we are two years later, and they are still sitting on the rocks. OOPS! But I have to say they are doing really well, and spreading like crazy! I could not have picked a better spot if I tried.

Fill the pots about 2/3 full with potting mix

Gently insert the roots of the succulent into the soil and tuck some soil around the base of the plant

Add some pebbles if you like (these are actually beach rocks) - making this a little oasis of sorts!

And that's it! See, I told you it was super easy!

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Happy Mother's Day to my Mom - an amazingly creative woman with a brilliantly green thumb! - I love you. I miss you. I cherish every day we had together.
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And Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms out there!