Exciting news today!

I wanted to share some exciting news with you all .

Remember the Reversible Apron pattern that I designed- well- I heard back from You Can Make This and I have passed the first step to get my apron ebook submitted!! I know that it is not a guarantee - but I am so excited. I would love to be an author on YCMT. So now I need to finish my book up.

Plus today ( thanks to my mom) I got an embroidery machine!!!! I am tickled pink. Once I get used to it- I will show pics on my blog.

I hope you all like the new blog look and check back tomorrow for
"Monday at the Market" - I have some wonderful Etsy coupons exclusively for us!!

Oh- since I have had a home of sick kids all week- I have decided to extend the "You Can Make This $50 bundle giveaway" until Feb. Friday 13th. I will make some of the great items in the bundle this week so you can see how darling they are.

If you have not signed up yet to win- please click here to enter . You could be the winner!

See you tomorrow!

Fun With Family Friday- "C"

Today's Fun With Family Friday letter is C !! Cheers!

First we will start with the food-Cucumber Yogurt Dip
You will need
1/4 cup shredded, seedless cucumber
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
Fresh dill
Salt n Pepper to Taste

Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, stir the cucumber into the yogurt. Add chopped fresh dill, then salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately with your child's favorite veggies or pack in a sealable plastic container and store in the refrigerator for future snacking.

For right now- put the dip in the fridge so it can get cold while we work on the craft.

The C Craft is Cereal Box Cars

First gather your supplies:
toilet paper rolls
Cereal box or other cardboard container
Tape
Glue
Construction paper or scrapbooking paper
Markers
Decorations


Take the cardboard box and tape the ends all shut.
Next mark on the front of the box a square with a marker about 1 inch from all sides and only half way up the box. Cut the box out.




Next cut 1 inch slits on each side of the box to fold up to make the windshield.


As a Side note- we attached straws to the bottom of the car with tape- we later used these to put our tires on and fold underneath the car. However this step could be avoided if you would like.

Cover the sides, top, and bottom with construction paper or scrapbooking paper. We used glue to hold it on and then clear packing tape around it all to make it more secure. We also put a small piece on the windshield.








Next we made the tires. Cut the toilet paper rolls in half and cover with black construction paper. Then tape the tires to the bottom of the cars in the appropriate positions.


Next decorate with headlights, license plates, car doors, hood, rear lights, or whatever other decorations you want!

Next comes the snack time. We made 2 cars and found a bowl to fit into each of the car interior. Fill one bowl with chips, pretzils, fresh veggies , or whatever you want. Fill the other bowl with the dip we made earlier.

Now snack time!!

Sign up for the "You can Make This" Giveaway!

Have you heard of You Can Make This?

Well- if not- you are missing out!!

It was created by a mom who wanted to provide downloadable instructions on how to make just about anything from children's boutique clothing and jewelry, to handbags, home decor and more. What makes the site unique is that these instructions are written by everyday moms who have an expertise in an area. They are written in a way that makes you feel you have a friend sitting right next to you, telling you what to do next. They all have detailed instructions and step-by-step full-color photos so even the most "craft-challenged" person can make these items for their homes and families.

http://www.youcanmakethis.com/index.htm?cxaaffrefcodea=1039314341

To try it out- you can sign up for their FREE newsletter and receive a bundle package with 7 FREE EBOOKS!. After sign-up, you'll receive a link to your email inbox asking you to confirm subscription. Simply click on that link, and you'll receive all of these product instructions pictured here, plus an online video and digital scrapbooking frames.

Now for the giveaway!!Would you like to win a $50 bundle of even more DIY instructions?

Look at everything included in the :
Giveaway!!
This week - I will be making some of the great items in this bundle that you could win. So come back to check them out.

How to have your name entered for the $50 bundle:
1)Check out http://www.youcanmakethis.com/index.htm?cxaaffrefcodea=1039314341 and come back and post something you'd like to learn how to make.
2) Refer friends to this blog- when they sign up as a follower- you both will get an entry for the contest! (Make sure you both leave comments here letting me know your names)

So many chances to win!

Contest will end on Monday Feb. 9th at midnight! ** extended thru Feb 13th**

Remember, even if you've never sewn before, the site believes that you REALLY CAN make these things!

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!