3rd Jungle animal done! Loveable monkey!

For this lovey blanket- I took 3 of my son's old swaddling blankets. ( thermal, flannel, and fleece) to create this adorable monkey designed by Courtney of Sister to sister Designs. I gave the monkey a shaggy look so that he looked "loved on" just like the blankets were.

I have enjoyed making the 3 animals. They all have been easy and quick to make. Great job Courtney on the wonderful patterns!

2nd Jungle Animal- Ethan the Elephant

I used some thick fuzzy light purple fabric that I bought at Joann's about 2 years ago for like $2 a yard. The fabric was alittle difficult to work with since it was thick and shed with it worked perfectly for this darling elephant. This was so easy to make and I was able to get it done in a couple hours. My son's face is just lighting up everytime I finish these.

Now onto the Monkey! These are so fun- just love them!

The first of the animals from Courtney's Ebook! Say hello to Gerry the Giraffe.

I have the honor of testing Courtney's new Ebook that she made with 3 jungle animals. Tonight I made the adorable Giraffe. While I was cutting out the paper pattern- my 6 year old asked what I was doing. I explained to him that I was helping a friend by testing her patterns out and that I was first making the giraffe. He asked if he could have it when I was done. I said " Of course" and he kept coming back to check my progress. Once I was done- he waited patiently while I took the photos and then asked if he could have it. I gave it to him and he just kept hugging it and saying "Thank you" . It was a fun pattern to make , adorable, and easy to do. Plus seeing how excited my son was is just Icing on the Cake.

So thank you Courtney! I hope to have the next animal done tomorrow.

Another great pattern from Patchwork kids!

I am a fan of headbands so I was excited to try out this free pattern from Patchwork Kids. Well- it is another great one! She has a way of explaining things that make it very easy to understand and the finished products are so adorable.

I am also very excited to be testing an adorable blanket set for Courtney Braddock Of Sister to Sister Designs. IT is simply an adorable Ebook and I will be working on this the next few days.

Tomorrow I am going to end the year with my 10 favorite new finds for the year. So stay tuned!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year's celebration!

Oh- I am mailing the pendants to Nicki, Kim, and Kris tomorrow. If you have not recieved yours yet- please let me know. Thanks!

Twirls for girls Doll skirt

Make Twirls for Girls for "Toys for Tots!" Ebook -What a great and easy pattern to make!! I managed to make 3 in a short period ( even with interruptions from the little ones) It would be easy to adjust to fit different size dolls also. I am wanting to make the Kimberbell doll at some point and will adjust this pattern to fit. It is rewarding making something knowing that it will hopefully make another child happy.

I did start working on crocheting a scarf also. I am getting better at it but keep taking it apart since it is not quite looking right. I think that I need to make it looser - not quite so tight.

I also learned to make the fabric yoyos. So easy. I just cut out a bunch of circle of equal size and then sewed then while sitting in bed watching tv.

$1.39 + 5 minutes = 3 cozy fleece scarfs. Plus my to do list

If you have not been yet- check your local Joann's remnant bin. Right now the remnants are 70% off! So for a total of $1.39- I purchased 3 pieces of sports fleece to make scarfs for my boys. I only fold each section in half lengthwise, cut off the raw edge with shears, and then cut about 3 " long slits every 1 inch along the raw edge. It took less than 5 minutes to do. To step it up a notch- I have seen where others have sewn around the edges and then embroidered names on to the scarf to make them more personal .

I have started to work on my to do list for January of new activities to work on (which we all know- I will also add to! ) I have already purchased most of the ebook and started buying the fabric I will need.

1)Learn to crochet with the free crochet flowers tutorial

Plus free beanie crochet caps , and also how to make crochet scarfs Ebook.

2)Learn to make earrings

3) Learn to make fabric yo-yos and then make a blanket with them

4) Sudz and seams great wallet Ebook

5) the drawstring purse/ diaper bag

6) Avilio Tote purse

7) Chef hat

8) twirl skirts for dolls for charity

9) Crochet fur cuffs

10) Free Head band pattern

11) King of hearts shirt

12) Make more pajama bottoms

13) Hogs n kisses ebook

14) boys romper

15) Raglan tees

16) Learn to do zippers

17) learn to do button holes

18) make the john doll

19) Twirl Scapplini skirt

20) Chenille Creations items

21) a portable fabric matchbook car holder and playmat

Most importantly- work on any Ebooks that Mrs Courtney(or anyone else ) would like to to test .

A big list and some of the activities will flow into more than 1 day but this is my goal list.

Can it be down?? We will see!

Quick craft for the day

With company in town - I have not been able to craft since Tuesday and I feel like I am going to burst! So tonight to get something accomplished - I finally got around to doing the bottlecap necklaces. I had bought the supplies months ago and just never got to it. It is such an easy project and is a great activity to do with the kids. There is a great ebook at youcanmakethis ( follow the link on the side of the page) that fully explains . There are a number of ways to do this- purchase premade stickers , print off your own pictures /stickers, , or purchase premade graphics from Fairy Pixel. This is also a great party activity and becomes a personalized favor that each child could take home. Just print off in 1" sizes with each child's name and let them create their own necklaces. Also - small stones can be added to add some pizazz to the pendants.

Oh- I also included a pic of the boys on Christmas morning in their tents.

I can not wait to get back to sewing!!

Merry Christmas to all!

I will return on Friday with more of my crafting adventures.

So peace to you and your family , be safe , and be merry.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' Gospel of Luke

Merry Christmas to all!

Aivilo coin purses- Done Christmas ties- done! Yeah!

Okay - I finally got my Aivilo bags done. That project seemed like it was cursed. The first time I attempted to make these- the person at Joann's gave me the wrong interfacing so that bag did not turn out right. I had been nervous to reattempt the ebook even though it sounded super easy. Well last night I tried again except this time I was having problems with my iron! So I decided to stop for the night. This morning I woke up and decided that I would get them made. Well- only a short time later- 4 were made!! Yeah! This Ebook is very easy to make and so cute- I am glad that I did not give up.

I also managed to get my Christmas ties made from fabric that again I found in the remnant bin. It was only about $1.50 and I was able to make 3 matching " Bah Humbug" ties for my boys. In case I have not said it enough- I love that Ebook!!! I even had enough fabric to make my 3 dogs matching bandanas. I also retook the photo of the necklace so it is easy to see.

My mom is taking my kids for the night so that we can wrap gifts in quiet. I also have a free small things to finish up on different projects. So I am off to complete more tasks!

Beading fun

This is the first necklace I have made. I used Sodalite and silver beads that I had bought on the internet, Auntie Bead's. and at Joann's This will be a gift for my mom. The pic did not come out great- may try to retake tomorrow.

Make sure to check those remnant bins!

All these ties are all made using fabric I found in the remnant bin at Joann's . I just about died when I found the Tech fabric since my brother went there. Matching father and son Tech ties- how fun is that. The buzz tie is made using flannel - so do not limit yourself to just regular cotton blends.

I just love the ties patterns- it is so simple and low costs to make custom ties! Just Christmas ties and now I am thinking about making my son's matching Eagles ties to be like Daddy! Plus the Ailvilo bags and I may make the new coffee cozy pattern on youcanmakethis.com . Just too many great Ebooks calling me - "Oh Melissa Oh Melissa- make me" I just cannot resist!

Gifts for Guys

The tie patterns by patchwork kids at http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ are great. I used the men's pattern to make the tie for my hubby. As far as the pants; I used a pair of his pajama bottoms as a template to make this pair from. Both projects are very easy to do.

Onto the next items!

Child's pillow and blankets done!

I started the pillows and blankets about 6:30 last night and finally finished. I made 4 quilted blankets ,5 pillows, and the last Car fabric book that had bought at Joann's last week.

The basketball pillow is for my nephew. They live in Houston and he has some Houston Rockets posters in his room. I could not find any fabric however I found some puffy stickers at Hobby Lobby in the clearance. So I bought basketball fabric and made a vinyl pocket on the front, slide in the sheet of stickers, and sewed in up. Luckily the stickers were on a heavy plastic material so it was like sewing with vinyl .

Okay I have a list a mile long of items I want to sew but I decided I better make a list of what needs to be done before Wednesday. I bought some Philadelphia Eagles fabric so I want to make my husband a tie, pajama bottoms, and a stress bag. I will tell more about that this week.

I also would like to make 3 Aivilo bags to put in jewelry for my sister in laws. Plus I need to finish the Texas Tech father and son ties, a buzz lightyear tie, and possibly some Christmas ties for church on Christmas Eve. Oh- I still need to wrap all my gifts, frame the wordles, and blow up some pics to frame for my husband.

I would like to get all the sewing and framing done by tomorrow so Wednesday can be wrapping and cleaning. Wish me luck!

Addicted to Joann's

Okay- I guess it is a clue that I have been to Joann's too much lately when I know what new fabric they have gotten in! I got up early and went in before the store got busy this morning. Was only there about an hour and spent $120. That is $2 for every minute in the store! Scary! But I bought a self healing mat and rotary cutting set, quilted material and fabric to make 7 children quilts, and other neccessities. I made the Batman quilt for my nephew since he is into superheros. I also got Cars fabric, Wall-E , cute pirates fabric , and more.

Afterwards I went to those new clinics at CVS to get a tetanus shot. My hubby has been after me since my mishap on Monday. I waited 1 1/2 hours and then the Dr even said I probably would be fine without it- but better to be safe. But I guess I know I am safe to play with needles again.

Well- I have 4 days and I keep adding more to my list so I guess I better get sewing!

It has been a looonnnnnggggg DAY!

It has been a long day between Christmas parties at school , watching neighbor kids, son getting sick at Chick Fil A, and my puppy tearing up the house. I did not get as much sewing done as I would have liked ;however I did get to make one of the Cars books that I bought at Joann's the other day. My 6 year old son is peeking over the counter showing his reindeer antlers.

It is not complicated at all (just cutting and sewing a straight line) but would probably go quicker with a rotary blade. I may go tomorrow and pick one up at Joann's with the 50% off coupon.

Anyways- but at the end of a long hard day , I must remember:

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense." –– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Simple Child apron in less than 30 minutes

My 6 year old son is a little chef in the making . He attended cooking classes over the summer and even has his own safe set of kitchen utensils. However his canvas apron is abit big on him and hangs to low on the top since it is not adjustable.

So I came up with this simple to make adjustable reversible apron. This one is 101 Dalmations on both sides but I am going to try to make some Thomas and other characters before Christmas. I also plan on making him the chef hat pattern at http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ .

The one strap thru the neck and down the sides makes the apron adjust to fit around his neck better. I have some other ideas to alter on future ones I make. It was very simple and took less than 30 minutes total.

Capture memories with photo tiles

These photo tiles are so easy and cheap to make! Go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy white tiles.Use modge pog to paste the pictures on. Use a couple thin coats.Let it dry and you are done.You can use different type of rollers to put on the glue to give different textured appearance.

Thank you Punkydoodlebugs for the idea! She is an amazing photographer.

Hello Kitty fabric challenge!

Today I was at Joann's digging thru the remnants and I came across Hello Kitty Chistmas fabric. Only 9 inches long and 45 wide. My niece loves Hello Kitty but what do I make with only 9 inches ? Well- I decide to buy it and just figure something out. When I get home and look at it- a lightbulb goes off. A stocking! I just used a stocking off the mantle as a pattern but you can purchase a Ebook at http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ .

I am making photo tiles also today- an idea I got from another crafter on the Thrifty Fifty challenge. I will post photos tomorrow .

I was also excited to find in the clearance section the "Cars" fabric books. (I snatched those for my son Ellis since he is a Car movie fan. He always carries around at least one matchbook in his little hands.) It comes with the fabric and the batting and you just sew it together. I will probably do those tomorrow also.

Wordles are wacky good fun!

I am not sure where I originally saw the idea- I believe it was Courtney at

http://sistertosisterdesign.blogspot.com/ but I created my first 2 wordles today and let me tell you- what a cool gift idea! Quick, easy, a gift from the heart , fun to make , and FREE!! Can't beat free . The pink one I printed twice so it gave the words a cool calligraphy look. So thank you for the idea!

I am doing better today from my sewing accident yesterday- only hurts alittle when I type. Could be worse- LOL!

Ahoy mates and Win a free gift for you!

As noted in my earlier post today- it has been a rough day! At least a rough day for my poor finger. I appreciate everyone's thoughts .It really has not hurt too much (considering how bad it looked!!)

The Thrifty under Fifty challenge officially ends tonight and I am very sad. It has lighted a fire in me to create and sew. Whew! So I will still continue to be making items probably up to Christmas Eve. So I hope you are stick around and watch what other items I come up with. This has been an awesome and wonderful experience and I am so happy to have gotten to know everyone better.

I have figured up that so far I have created 57 gifts and spent $63 dollars! Plus I have enough supplies to make much more.

So after the long day- I am wrapping up however I am ending this challenge with a contest .


I will randonly choose a winner from the comments left on this post to receive a free name pendant. Drawing will be tomorrow night on Tuesday evening at 7 pm Central time. I will email the winner to find out what you would like on it.

Thank you for following me along this journey and stick around for more!

Have fabric scraps?

Have fabric scraps and do not know what to do with them? Make pockets pals for small gifts, package toppers, ornaments,and more! Find the tutorial at http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ . I made the middle one abit larger than the pattern. I am going to make up a basket of these to give to the neighborhood kids when they drop by over the holiday season . Great little gifts to have around. Easy to make!

Patchwork quilt in less than one day!

Yes- my surprise is a patchwork quilt that I decided to make last evening starting about 7:00 pm just using scraps that I have around. It would have been done sooner today - however there was a bit of a mishap! While making my patchwork quilt - I compeletly sewed through my finger nail and broke the needle inside MY FINGER. The needle was sticking out the other side of my poor little middle finger. I did my best to remain calm, pull out the needle and thread, try to stop the bleeding , bandage it up , and go right back to SEWING!!When I told my mom and husband - they both asked if I was going to stop for the day. I said "NO" I must not let the quilt win!! I also managed to completly gross out my husband telling him the whole story!

The quilt was a gift but after this- I may have to keep it for myself to look back on and laugh about. I am off to do more sewing!

Sneak Peak for tomorrow!

It has been a long day- so I am going to wrap up but I am going to leave you with this sneak peak photo of what is coming tomorrow!! So check back and see.

6 photo coffee mugs

For this project- I took those mugs that you find out at craft stores with the insert pictures for kids to draw on. You know the ones- usually less than a $1.00 each? Anyways- I took the papers out and used that as a template to cut out from the shimmery denim fabric scraps I had left from the tee-pee from earlier today. Printed off pictures from our trip to Disney. Glued pictures on fabric . Finally inserted back into mug frame and then inserted the base. 6 instant photo gifts for loved ones!

What is that- well a microwave potato sack!

Ladies and Gentleman- Have you ever wanted a baked potato but did not want to wait an hour for it. Well- wait no more!! Here is the revolutionary microwave potato sack!! Have baked potatoes in minutes. HaHa- kidding aside- this is a great gift for any man or woman you know and so easy to make.

Finished photo frames with family portrait

The frames are still a little wet looking but here they are with the photos inside.

I am half done with the 6 photo coffee mugs- so those photos will be up tonight.

The birdhouse has received it's final coat of grout and should also be ready for viewing in a few hours. HEHE!

Off to make the microwave potato sacks !

Denim Tee-pee & Ariel dress too!

Well- again my dear husband and mom helped with the tee-pee. The pic isn't as cute as in person since we had to cram into the guest with all my crafting supplies to make it in secret!! I have left over supplies so I am going to make a mini teepee for my son's webkinz. Anyways- as I was saying. It is denim fabric, with rope and red paisley fabric ties to have a semi- nautical look. Cause you know you always see teepees along the coastshore - right?

The Ariel dress still needs straps but costs are only $2.50 into it. Ariel is my niece's favorte princess so I think she will love it. ( At least I hope so!!) Sewed in up in no time.

On to the next project!!

10:30 am and 6 gifts done!! Watch out for all the work today!

My mom and husband and helping out today and we have already completed 6 gifts by 10:30 am. Whew! The first gift is a joke for my FIL. He feeds all the birds and yells at the squirrels that come and steal the food. So- we decided to make this sign for him. Actually - my husband did it all! We also made 5 frames using scrapbook paper and wood frames I bought for $1.99 each and Joann's. We took a family photo a few months ago all wearing red, white, and blue so I think they will look nice in the frames. I will post photos of them later once they are dry.

Keep checking back today- we are on a roll!

Today we are making a teepee, photo coffee mugs, and finishing the infamous birdhouse!!

4 homemade food baskets done!!

So I went shopping today to get the rest of my Chrismas gifts and crafting supplies. The stores were abit crazy but at least all the shopping is done- Whew!

I worked on my Homemade food baskets this afternoon/evening and got all 4 completed. They contain my special mint Amaretto Hot Cocoa Mix, Almond Biscotti , and Chocolate- mint Popcorn. Yummy! My mom assisted as we cooked the food and assembled the gift baskets. I am happy with them and hopefully so will the recipients!! LOL!

All the baskets and containers came from Dollar Tree.

First pair of pants ever made!

Well they are not perfect but here is the first pair of pants I ever made! At least they actually look like pants! LOL! From start to finish- less than an hour. Not bad!

3 more ties completed- how easy is that!

I just completed 3 more boys ties from the great pattern by Patchwork kids at http://www.youcanmakethis.com/. So easy!

Initial Letter Pillow!

This is an easy project and cost about $2.00 for the stuffing since I had the fabric already. It is an initial pillow for my niece. Her name is Genevieve so I did not want to do the whole name- but I will probably make the letter name pillows on http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ for my son's since their names are shorter!! Lol!