Fun with Family Friday- Letter B

It is time for Fun with Family Friday- today's letter is B!

For B we will be working with the Butterfly

First is the Butterfly TP Roll Craft

Materials: toilet paper roll, a printer, paper, and scissors

Instructions:
Click on picture to make it larger and then print. Cut out the template pieces.
Glue the large rectangular piece on first to cover the tube. Glue on the head and the six hands (have the children count the hands. Butterflies have 6 legs).
Glue the wings onto the back of the tp roll. Finished!

Next we have :
Our B recipe- Easy Kids Recipe Butterfly Snacks

Ingredients:
2 stalks of celery
6 Tbsp. cream cheese
12 large pretzels
12 sliced mushrooms or slivered almonds
18 raisins

Directions:
1. Cut the celery into three equal parts.
2. Place one tablespoon cream cheese into each celery stalk.
3. Gently place one pretzel into the cream cheese on each side of the celery to form the wings (lengthwise).
4. Place the raisins at one end for the eyes, mouth and nose. Place the push the slivered almonds or mushrooms at the top of the
raisins for antennae. Enjoy!

Last we have - The butterfly song
www.butterflysong.com
Words and Music by Brian Howard

If I were a butterfly, I’d thank you Lord for giving me wings
If I were a robin in a tree, I’d thank you Lord that I could sing
If I were a fish in the sea, I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee
But I just thank you father for making me, me

For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus and you made me your child
And I just thank you Father for making me, me

If I were an elephant, I’d thank you Lord by raising my trunk
If I were a kangaroo, You know I’d hop right up to you
If I were an octopus, I’d thank you Lord for my fine looks
But I just thank you Father for making me, me

For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus and you made me your child
And I just thank you Father for making me, me

If I were a wiggly worm, I’d thank you Lord that I could squirm
If I were a fuzzy wuzzy bear, I’d thank you Lord for my fuzzy, wuzzy hair
If I were a crocodile, I’d thank you Lord for my great smile
But I just thank you Father for making me, me

For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus and you made me your child
And I just thank you Father for making me, me

© Mission Hills Music (BMI) www.butterflysong.com

Sew Easy Reversible Full Apron- my first Ebook! Update

Yeah- my first Ebook ! I am signed up a swapper in the Sassy and Flirty Apron Swap and wanted something different. My partner asked for a full size apron in bright colorful colors- so I picked up out this funky polka dot fabric. I then created the apron pattern so that it would be long enough and reversible . I am working on putting the Ebook together and have already submitted my pictures and idea to www.youcanmakethis.com . So I am crossing my fingers that Kim and the others will like the idea and will want to include my ebook along with their other great selection of patterns. I am looking for 2-3 people who would be interested in testing my ebook out. If you are willing- please just leave a note in the comments. Also - for those of you that have made ebooks- what software/program did you use to make the ebook on?

So what do you think of the apron pattern - I would love to hear your opinion!

Update-
Mama Krit asked about the contrasting front- they are pockets and the neck and waist straps are in the polka dot fabric.
Thank Carlotta and Shelly for volunteering. Once I get the Ebook finished- in a couple days- I will forward it to you all! Thank you for your help!

Grab the check books and go shopping !

Looking for some new online fabric sites?
Try checking some of these out and remember to sign up for email newsletters to receive coupons and Sales.

www.Fabric.com Free shipping on orders of $35 or more

WWW.imaginefabric.com - shipping only $4.95 total!

www.aboveallfabric.com

http://www.jandofabrics.com

http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/

http://mariemadelinestudio.com/ free samples available

http://www.minkydelight.com

So let me know what you think of the list and have fun shopping!

Free Scrabble tile pendant Tutorial

Surfing the Internet for free patterns( because who doesn't love free stuff) I found a free tutorial for making those darling scrabble tile pendant- Yeah! You could personalize it with your kids photos, favorite saying or bible verse, fabric swatch, scrapbook paper, make gifts, and other great ideas.

Check it out here http://www.makeandtakes.com/links/scrabble-tile-pendant-tutorial

So go grab up those scrabble game sets at Walmart and start creating!

"Fun with Family" Friday- Letter A

I decided to start a new series called "Fun with Family Friday" . Every Friday I will feature a letter of the alphabet by sharing a craft and family recipe to go along with that letter.I would love to see pictures of you and the family working on it or your completed items. I hope you will like the series and if you ever have a suggestion- please let me know.

So let's get started!

Today's projects: LETTER A!!!

"A" craft - Apple Stamp Valentines

Materials: An apple, Finger paints ,paper grocery bag or paper, and a paper plate.

Step 1-Cut your apple in two lengthwise (so that you will get a heart shape when you stamp it.) This will become the stamp you use.
Step 2.Pour a little paint on to your plate. Too much will cause a blob of paint on the paper instead of a nice stamp. Take your Apple stamp and gently push into the paint.
Step 3.Push the apple stamp onto the paper in different places. Have fun decorating your paper!
Step 4.Let the prints dry. Draw an outline of a heart around your apple stamps.
Step 5.Cut out your heart and display

"A" recipe- Apples and Dip Have fun making this with the kids!

Ingredients:
1 8 ounce package cream cheese (softened)
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter or soy butter
Few sliced apples

Directions:
In a bowl, mix cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla well.
Add the peanut butter or soy butter.
Chill in the refrigerator.
Serve with the sliced apples.

Yummy!!

Love is in the Air!

Here is the second pattern from the ebook- Love is in the Air by Sister to Sister Designs. It is an adorable lovebug. Her patterns can be made into loveys or pillows - so very fundtional!! However I am going to have to make another- the boys all want their own.
So cute- I love her Ebooks.

Do you need some love?

Do you need some love? Well- here is the solution .

This super cute puppy is another wonderful creation from the Ebook "Love is in the Air" by Courtney at Sister to Sister Designs. This ebook hopefully will be available on www.youcanmakethis.com in the next couple weeks. Also if you have not already gotten the Ebook "It's a Jungle in Here " by Courtney - that is now available to purchase at YCMT for the low starting price of $9.99 for 3 patterns. What a super bargain!

Her patterns are so cute and easy to make! Have fun!

Simply hearts Table runner

This weekend I decided to start on Valentine's Day decorations. I made the free Ebook pattern - "Simply hearts table runner" on YCMT. I did not do the daisys on it - but I will probably add the black binding around the edges. I have more of the pink fabrics left- so I think this week I am going to work on the ragged hearts coasters that I posted the tutorial on.

Thank you for thoughts about our loss yesterday and don't forget - tonight is the final night to sign up for the Valentine's Day contest.

Good luck!

Ragged Heart Coaster tutorial-finally!

The site with the ragged heart tutorial is working again so I decided to just copy it here in case the site goes down again. Please let me know if you have any questions with it. Enjoy!

First you will need to make yourself a heart pattern from paper. The heart should measure about 4".

Cut four squares of fabric measuring 5 1/2 ".

Pin and cut out the four hearts.

To make a set of four coasters you will need eight 6 1/2" squares of fabric for the coasters, and four 4 1/2" squares of quilt batting for the inside of the coasters.

Place one quilt batting in-between two 6 1/2" squares, just like a "sandwich", with the pretty sides of the fabric facing out.
Pin one heart on the top, in the center of the "sandwich" .

Stitch around the heart using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Stitch around the outer edge of your "sandwich" using a 1" seam allowance.
Do this to all four "sandwiches."

In order for your coaster to "rag" well, cut slits around your heart and the outer edge of the coaster making sure you do not cut into your stitching. The smaller the slits and closer together, the better the coasters will "rag."

Wash your coasters in the washer under the setting of "Cold/Cold." Dry your coaster in the dryer under the "Low" setting.

Your coasters should be nice and raggedy!

Too hot to Handle! Oven mitts to the rescue

Have a grill-master in the house? Why not make them oven mitts to show their team spirit! Here is a great tutorial at : http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/oven_mitt/oven_mitt_pattern.html .
My hubby wanted the mitts to be elbow length so I made my own pattern - however I am doing a few apron swaps in the next month- so I will use this easy pattern to make a matching oven mitt. Making oven mitts is very easy- however the insul-bright batting is a little more expensive. I used quilted blue batting also for the lining to add more thickness.

I also decided to stay with the crown banner. It is actually the banner I made for the baby website that I used to have and it is does go with the blog name as pointed out. Also- we all know that I am always changing my blog background - so the banner at least provides the same look. I do like MamaKrits idea of changing it to the background colors so I may work on that ( if I remember how to- LOL!) Thank you for your opinions!

Gifts for your guy n more week!

I have an Eagles fan in my house. Needless to say- he is very happy right now. So I decided this week I am going to work on gifts for him. However these ideas could be incorporated into other teams/sports/ fabrics etc. Valentine's Day is just a month away- why not start making him gifts for his favorite team? My favorite sports fabric site is http://www.jandofabrics.com . They have great prices, a great selection of many sports/teams, and very fast shipment. Received fabric within days!

Today's idea is a stress bag and foam brick. The stress bag is very easy to make- just sew a little bag , fill it with the items listed, close off , and attach the label. The brick is a foam rectangle square covered in fabric, folded on the ends like a package , hand-sewn closed, and label attached.

Brick tag reads" As you watch sports on TV, you may get mad at the referee. Throw this fake brick & you will see , you will not need to buy a new TV!

Stress bag read" This bag contains items to help while watching your team:
Gum- To remember to stick with your team,
Cough drop- for sore throats when yelling at the ref,
eraser- to erase the bad scores,
pencil- to make the scores what they should be,
Penny- for the coin toss,
Life saver- to throw to your team while they may be drowning,
Chocolate Kiss- to bribe the referee,
Rubber band- to help keep the team together,
confetti- for the victories!


Quick and easy!

$3.00 & 90 minutes later...

.. another romper!! Woo hoo-I know you all just astonished since I made one yesterday. LOL! Once I do a new pattern- I like to make a few at a time. However I am thinking about moving onto the John Dolls later today. I have 3 of those to make though- one for each of my little men!

See you soon!

3 quick gifts made and a quick easy dinner recipe!

I have been wanting to make the cozy coffee sleeve pattern at YCMT and finally did today. It is very quick ( if the littles ones don't interrupt every 5 minutes- LOL!) and easy. They are cute and would make a cute gift by putting 2 matching ones together with/ or without a gift card to a coffee house. I sent the 2 burgandy ones as a gift to someone today.

When sewing all day - sometimes we need a quick and easy dinner. One of my favorite quick recipes is putting chicken breasts or tenderlions in the crockpot and 2 cans of spaggetti sauce and let it cook all day on low. The last 30 minutes break up the chicken( it should fall apart) and add a bag of egg noodles. Super easy and yummy!

Goal- Boys Romper & Button Holes . Mission Accomplished!

Today I finally decided to try the boys romper pattern on YCMT but was alittle nervous since I have never done button holes. First off- the pattern is a dream! So easy to make and the result is a beautifully made lined boutique style romper. So love it! Second- her instructions on how to make a button hole without a different foot were so easy. I can't wait to make him other ones and I can even make him shortalls for the summer. ( I already have some cute patriotic fabric from my mom - yeah!)

So 2 thumbs up on this pattern!

Western outfit and Dr Visit

Sorry about the picture not being great- got to figure out what is wrong with my camera.

As I mentioned -yesterday my mom gave me boxes full of fabric and other goodies. Right away I was drawn to the denim and western fabrics. One of the western scraps there was not very much of but I really loved it. So I decided to make pants with the denim , add contrasting cuffs, and used the frayed applique instructions as listed in Hog n Kisses. I am been having some trouble with my pants not being quite right- so I purchased boutique sewing secrets today and learned great tips for pants! I have not even used the other tips yet and I would say it is worth the money!

I went to the Dr today and got some good and bad news. My adrenal gland has gotten better and all my hormone and vitamin levels look better. However now- my blood work shows that I am very allergic to something in my system. Possibly something I take or that my body produces. So now next week - I get to go to a nutritionist to find out what is wrong. They are also going to test for arthritis since I have been having a lot of joint and muscle pain. He said it could be arthritis or related to the allergy problem. So I am making improvements and the herbal medicine is helping- but let's just hope that is not what I am allergic too!

Better pic of Frayed Heart Design

I decided to take another pic of the outfit since my son was jumping around on the bed so much. I had not tried the frayed applique before- but really love them. I am going to go on and see what other patterns there are by this author. Great and easy to understand. I believe Starbright Designs is Kris. I have a few ideas for applique patterns that I would like to make- so I would love some guidance! Like I said- I am going to make him another outfit with more of the patterns from this ebook.

I am excited - my mom says she has about 2 boxes full of fabric that I can go thru!! I am hoping for some good stuff. I also am going to remake the monkey from Courtney's book using a darker color. My oldest son has already asked for a penquin too.

Hogs n Kisses

I decided to put together an outfit for my 2 year old using some darling pirate fabric I bought at Joann's on sale for 60% off. I made pants for him and then used the frayed heart pattern from the Hogs n Kisses pattern available at YCMT. I just used the pirate fabrics I had and white chenille which came out cute but I will probably try picking up valentine/heart fabric and make the outfit for Valentine's Day using more hearts .

It was really easy to make the shirt since there is no zig zag stitch or anything- just straight line sewing.

Sopapilla Cheesecake

I went to a party on Christmas Eve and tasted a yummy dessert called Sopapilla Cheesecake. We were invited over to some friends for dinner tonight so I looked up the recipe and made a few adjustments. It was a big hit so I decided to post the recipe.

I added almond flavoring and cinnamon to the cream cheese mixture. It is really easy to make and very tasty!

Ingredients
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
1/2 cup margarine or butter melted
1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

Directions
1Using a 9 x 13 baking pan, unroll one package of refrigerated crescent rolls and line the bottom of the pan.
2Flatten.
3Mix together the cream cheese, sugar and extract.
4Spread over the crescent rolls.
5Unroll the other can of crescent rolls and place on top of cream cheese mixture.
6Pour one stick of melted butter or margarine over the top and sprinkle with about 1/2 cup of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
7Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

I am getting back to sewing and crafting tomorrow but I hope everyone had a great New Years!