Winner of The $100 gift bundle to You Can Make This!

Well- it is time to announce the winner of the $100 gift Bundle

to You Can Make This.

Using random.org - the lucky number is comment number 5.

Yeah- Joan J you are the winner !

Would you like to learn how to make an adorable Aline Reversible dress like this?

Check back in the next few days to see the new contest

featuring these great Ebooks from

You Can Make This.

Also see what I create using these wonderful sets.

Time for holiday cards

Well- Thanksgiving is just a week away and it is time to start thinking about those holidays cards. In the last few years I have become a big fan of the picture holiday cards at Shutterfly. It is so easy to do , low cost, and much more personal than store bought cards.

The biggest problem is deciding on what card template to use! There are over 200 choices. Something to make just about anyone happy. Sound intimidating at first but you can narrow down the choices with the easy to use search bar.

So let's see. I think to start off I am going to narrow it down to cards with 3 or more photo inserts. With 4 kids- need to get everyone on! I am at first drawn to the HO HO HO design with 3 picture bubbles.

I also like With Love Chartreuse. 5 window spots here- so room for a family picture and then one of each of the kids. HMM? Also Most Wonderful time of Year design also works for the same reasons.

But then I also find A year in Review. Many window spots for pictures- wow!!

So what do you think? Which card should I use?

One of the best things about the holiday season is getting the Christmas cards in the mail. I always put all the cards up on the coat closet door in the entry way so that we can see all the cards from our loved ones and friends . It is always nice to get the photo cards to see how everyone has grown and changed over the past year.

Do you have a special place or way you display your holiday cards?

Would love to hear about it .

Make sure to head over to Shutterfly to pick out your holiday cards!

Time for a contest!!

With the holidays just around the corner- it is time to start planning out your gift giving!

Well- why not go for "A Handmade holiday" where you make as many of the gifts as possible.
You CAN create a handmade gift that is made with with love and care. Who would not love that as a gift? Now you may be saying to yourself- I do not know how to sew or make anything or I am not artsy /craftsy.

Run over to You Can Make This and look around. There are tons of darling ideas on there to make for anyone on your list. Pajama pants for anyone on your list, adorable ties for all the men (little ones to grown ones) in your life, beautiful dresses for the little ladies, and wallets for the special gals. I could go on and on!!

Well - over the next few weeks you will have a chance to win many wonderful ebooks from there.

The first contest is an easy one.

Just become a follower of this site and refer your friends.
Leave a comment saying you are a follower.

Leave a comment on this post saying you are a follower and that counts as one entry.
Refer your friends.
When they become a follower- tell them to leave a comment saying they are a follower and also leave your name for referring them.
Now you both have an entry. For every friend you refer you receive another entry.
The more friends you refer - the more chances you have to win!

Now more the good stuff- the PRIZE!!
$100 Handmade Holiday Bundle from You Can Make This Includes:


1. Kimberbell Kids 24" Cloth Doll Pattern & Clothes (11.95)

2. Kimberbell Kids Clothing & Accessories: Gift Exchange (8.00)

3. The Duet Apron (7.99)

4. She Loves Me, She Loves Me Knot Handbag (8.00)

5. "Paper Piecing Project": Christmas Tree Pillow (5.00)

6. Smilin' Daisies Photo Quilt (8.00)

7. Adorn, Volume 1 (5.95)

8. Tea Towel Celebrations (7.95)

9. Sew Simple Felt Food: Time for Breakfast (5.00)

10. Personalized Name Pillows (6.95)

11.Hair Flair (7.95)

12.Sew Boutique 4 Dolly: Holiday Baking (9.95)

13.The DIY Dish 2-minute Craft Countdowns (5.95)

14. Football Baby Lovey's (Blankets) (3.50)



Wow- what a huge wonderful set!! Contest runs thru November 19th.

You can make this! coupon code

With Christmas just around the corner- time to start thinking about those gifts! But why not make some wonderful handmade gifts this year and surprise everyone ( and yourself!) with what you were able to create.

Think that you can not make a beautiful dress or pajama bottoms? What about lovely table runners, petticoat skirts, tutus, and more? Sound impossible?

Not at all! The wonderful authors at You Can Make This have simplified the process with easy to follow step by step photo instructional e patterns. You can learn to make all these things and more.

So head on over and start brainstorming on what you can make! As a special offer for my blog readers- save 15% with coupon code BlogthisFall.

Also- check back - over the next few weeks -I am going to be announcing some wonderful contests and giveaways from You can make this and more.

A new look and a new love!

Well- I am back!

It has been a very long time and so much has happened .
I have added dear sweet Grace Lillian to our family.
She was born January 20th , 2010 and is our little princess.
At 8 days old- she became sick with RSV and ended up in Cooks Childrens for almost 2 weeks and in ICU. It was a very scary time but she is much better now and we are so blessed to have her in our lives.

I also have a new passion and love ( besides her!! ) - Embroidery!
Back in June- I decided to purchase a Viking Designer 1 machine and absolutely love sewing and machine embroidery. So this is my new passion. I love to test designs for a few designers and will be featuring my favorite places to purchase designs.



I also am in the work to open a new etsy store under the new name- Four Bees Embroidery.
As you see here- my blog has a new name also- but will still be found under the same url that I have had. As I get the shop open- I will post more here. Along with the new name and look- I also will be having new contests and giveaways.

Since I know I may have lost some readers along the way- I need word of mouth from my readers to get new followers. So- I feel a contest coming on. Check back soon for more details.


So- how is everyone out there been? Leave me a comment to let me know what is happening in your lives.

For your embroidery needs!

Looking for a great site to find quality embroidery machine designs?

Look no further than http://www.embroidery-boutique.com/ .

High quality designs at afforable prices.

Join them on facebook also to get up to the minute news on sales and new designs.

www.facebook.com/embroideryboutique

Sew Easy Reversible Apron Ebook!

The time has finally come -The Sew Easy Reversible Apron ebook is for sale on www.youcanmakethis.com !! I am so excited - now to start working on a matching children's pattern.

If you have made it already- please submit photos and a testimional.

I appreciate everyone's support and help !

Fun With Family Friday- Letter K

It is that time again - our letter of the week is the Krazy Kool letter K!!

The recipe for the week is Kid Sized Pizzas.

Most kids I know love Pizza-

so they will have fun with making the pizza themselves.

You could set up the toppings in little bowls

and set up a pizza bar where everyone makes their own .

Would also be great idea for a birthday party.

Ingredients:

English muffins, split

cup pizza sauce

cheese

And then whatever toppings you want:

mushrooms, tomatoes, pepperoni, bacon, pepper,

Directions:

On each muffin half, spread 2 tablespoons pizza sauce.

Top each with choice of toppings and then cover with cheese, dividing equally.

Place on nonstick baking sheet.

Bake at 350F for 10 to 15 minutes or

until cheese melts and begins to brown.

Serve hot.

The craft this week are King and Queen Crowns

Supplies:

poster board

measuring tape

stapler

Pencil

scissors

Items to decorate with:

crayons, markers, jewels, pompoms, glitter, feathers, etc!

First take the tape measure and measure around the child's head.

Add another 1 1/2 inches to that.

Go to the poster board and mark off that distance .

Draw out the crown spokes between the two marks .

Cut out.

Let the kids now decorate and have fun.

After they are all done and dried-

staple the ends together slightly overlapping the 2 ends.

Now the royal majesty is ready to receive their crowns!!

Make It Monday- Drawstring Bag

This week's project is a Simple Drawstring Bag .

There are different variations on how to make a drawstring bag-

this is the way I like to make them.

It is so easy to make and can be made to whatever size you are wanting.

First off - decide what size you are wanting your bag. To figure out the size of the bag you are wanting- Cut out 2 pieces of equal size fabric adding 1 inch to each side of the fabric. For example- you want a bag that is 15" by 20" . Cut out 17" by 22".


1) Take your two pieces of fabric and put them right sides ( the pretty side of the fabric) together and pin in place.

2) Fold one of the short edges of your fabric up 1/4 inch and press the seam. Then fold up again 1 inch and press again. The fold will create your casing for the drawstring.

3) Repeat Step 2 for the other piece of fabric on short side on the top.

4) Start sewing a 1/8" seam along the open sides starting right below your "casing " fold and working down the side, along the bottom ,and up the other side stopping below the fold "casing" on that side. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of your sewing seams.

5) Turn bag right side and and press your seams flat.

6) Now go back to your sewing machine and sew 3/4" seam along your "casing" fold to hold it in place. Continue from one casing side into the other side and back to where you started.




Now to attach the ribbon drawstring!!

7) Get your ribbon or string . To determine how long of pieces you will need- measure the width of your bag. Double that number and then add 12. (For example- the width of your bag is 10 " - You would cut out 2 pieces of ribbon that are 32 inch each. )

8) Cut 2 pieces of ribbon to that size .

9) Put a safety pin through the ribbon end .

10) Using the safety pin to hold on to, thread your drawstring into the casing, scooching it along inch by inch. Go in one side, through to the other side, and come out where you started.

11) Repeat step 10 for the opposite side of the bag.

12) Tie the ribbon together on each side . If your ribbon might fray- use a bit of Fray Stop on the end of the ribbon .

13) Whoola- you are done!!

Fun With Family Friday- Letter J

Letter J time!!

First our J recipe is Jello Poke Cake


You will need the following items:

1 bx. yellow or white cake mix
1 (3 oz.) bx. red jello
1 (8 oz.) carton Cool Whip

Bake cake according to package directions. While cake is cooling in its pan, poke holes all over the cake. (If the little ones help you with this step- make sure the cake is cooled down so no little fingers get burned. )You can also poke the cake with a fork if you prefer.

Mix jello according to package directions. Drizzle jello liquid over cake. Make sure jello penetrates all holes. Chill several hours or overnight. Frost chilled cake with whipped topping.

Serve. So yummy!!!!

The J craft is Jug Watering Cans .



Remember those egg carton gardens we did back on letter G? Well- mine is growing like crazy. It is about time to transport them to the ground - so I figured we would make milk jug watering cans so the kids can help out with the watering.

You will need:

a plastic milk or juice jug
a hole punch
paint and paint brushes
tape
Plant food
water

Directions:

Make sure your jug is cleaned out and remove all stickers on the outside.
Let the kids have fun painting flowers, stars, hearts ,etc (whatever they desire) on the milk jugs.
Take the hole punch and punch 4 holes in the lid top .
Let the paint dry.
Put the plant food and water in the jug according to directions.
Put the lid back on. Use tape around the sides to help secure.

Now your watering can is ready.

Remind the little ones that this special painted jug is not to drink from. It is just for our garden.
Now the kids can be involved in watering the garden and watch as the plants grow!