Cindy Lou Designs & Creations

Getting Closer....

2011-07-13T21:33:00.002-05:00

to finishing Jessie's room update!

I was hoping to be done by Friday, but I don't think that is going to happen. Jessie is leaving to visit with her cousins in Atlanta for a week on Sunday, so I really wanted it done before she left, but you can only do, what you can do!

(remind me to clean that window!)

The color is a little darker than I would have picked, but it looks really good against the white beadboard. We still have a coat of paint to do on the beadboard.

Be back soon!

Love Hate Relationship

2011-07-11T12:01:00.002-05:00

I am trying to create something like this:

(Picture from Pottery Barn Teen Spring 2008)

See how far behind I am? 2008 This was and still is Jessie's dream Teen room!

See why it has taken so long to take on this project!

Wallpaper! My love hate relationship! Love it going up, Hate taking it down! Not to mention, having to repaint the ceiling, all the woodwork, etc, etc.

I can't get blogger to post the pictures in the correct order. I give up! Use your imagination!

Be back soon!

It's a Bird Feeder!

2011-06-14T15:53:00.006-05:00

Remember my last post??? It's been so long, and I have been busy! Those china pieces I showed you created two super cute bird feeders! I actually saw this posted in a craft magazine years and years ago and recently saw them appear in blogland! It jogged my memory about wanting to make one for about TWENTY years! So, not wanting to waste another twenty years without one, I got right on it!

I made two of these adorable bird feeders, spurred on by the fact we have a bird nest on our covered back porch with little baby birds and more birds live in the bush behind the bird feeder!

This was a free $$$ project for me except for the copper caps I purchased for the copper tubing. I had everything else. Most people use a tea cup saucer for the bird seed, but I like the bowls to keep the seed in better. You fill up the cup with water for the birds. Perfect except.................................it's been a week and I have not seen one bird getting seed from them! I am giving them another week and then I am buying a fake bird and setting it on the edge. Just for my own satisfaction!

I have also been busy making the pennant banners for our western/cowboy themed party during 4th of July.

I have them all sewn, I just have to add the ties at the end.

Be back soon!

Behind Again................Naturally!

2011-06-02T18:49:00.002-05:00

This time of year is always busy, busy, busy! I am trying to catch up at work with everything put off from tax season, actually clean my house a little, put off during tax season (that's not working right now) but I thought I would show you what has been going on.

I wanted to show you my birthday gift

an apple green enameled cast iron pot made by Lodge! I can't tell you how much I love this pot! Jessie thinks I decide what we are having for dinner by what I can cook in this pot! LOL!

My birthday was in March, and Hubby had bought me a pot, but it didn't have the enamel on the inside. So I returned it and after tax season, he set about finding a replacement. He did Great!

For Mother's day hubby bought me a new camera, for my ebay business. This camera intimidates me!

I have a lot to learn about this camera, but it sure does help me get better pictures! (none of the pictures used in this post was shot with my new camera)

The kids chipped in and bought me a great gift also!

(notice the cute wrapping paper!)

Dooney and Bourke Aqua patten leather purse. Just perfect for the person that carries everything BUT the kitchen sink!

This is the makings of my new project that I will hopefully be able to post pictures of this weekend! Any guesses????

Be back soon!

I Would Post, But Blogger is being a Bugger!

2011-05-23T22:20:00.003-05:00

I can't get blogger to do anything I want it to do! This is not the first time this has happened! UGGHH!!

Easter Egg Art & My Next Sewing Project

2011-05-09T12:40:00.000-05:00

Doesn't this Easter Egg art look great? I think Jessie could demand at least $1,000.00 for this beauty! And all she was doing was dyeing Easter Eggs.........

I think next year I am going to lay down a white t-shirt so she will have a memory of her Easter dyeing event. Then she can date it, sign it and wear it!!

So this is the fabric for my next sewing project, that I WILL do this week!

I will be making some pennant banners for our "themed" day of the 4th of July Riverunion! Can you guess what it will be?? Then I need to get to thrifting all of our costumes, or sewing them!

Be back soon!

I Think It's Time! Trying to get back in the Groove!

2011-04-26T21:25:00.001-05:00

I am trying to get back in the groove of posting, but it is hard when I haven't done anything crafty or done any sewing. I have been working on my shrug, slowly but surely, very slowly! (see previous post)

Tax season is over so I should be doing some of those things soon! I guess I will have to do another recap of things that have happened since my last posting........

February 2, 2011 was a special day for us!

Hubby and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary,

and Jessie got her braces off! Yeah!

and just to let you know how weird I am, I became obsessed with this house.

I passed this house occasionally on my way to my second job. Yep, I had to go by to see when they actually took down the Christmas wreath and lights. At first I thought it was great that they didn't have them ripped down by the first of January, but then January turned into February and the lights shown like a beacon guiding my way to work! (This picture was taken in the middle of February.)

I told you I was behind! I will also tell you it is really hard to get a picture of a house while driving down the road! Kids don't try this! It is dangerous! Do as I say, not as I have done. I learned my lesson! Pull over and look like the stalker you are!

Anyhow, I quit my second job at the end of March and they were still glowing, even with daylight savings time. I finally went past the house last week and guess what, they were down. I was beginning to think this was Gretchen Wilson's home (Redneck Woman)!:)

Be back soon!

Crocheting..............Dusting of the Needles

2011-02-17T15:37:00.004-06:00

Renee over at GoosieGirl's posted a crochet project that looked super simple and super cute! A super simple shrug! I haven't crocheted in a long time, and I do not know many stitches, but this project had the two stitches I knew.

So I tested my long retired skills with left over witch hair.

Then I tested again with some turquoise yarn that was hanging around the house.

I was then ready to begin MY shrug. This is the start of it that I began on Super Bowl Sunday.

A week later.........

And today......

Funny how you can see all your mistakes in the photo's but not when I am sitting there crocheting. I am just enjoying the process.....mistakes and all!

I just hope I finish before Spring get here!

Be back soon!

Makes You Wonder...........

2011-02-01T23:22:00.001-06:00

Last week I sold a beautiful Ralph Lauren sweater on ebay.

It was too bad this 99 cent sweater was a small! So it went on ebay. This is where I had to send the sweater after it was purchased.

Uh mm REALLY? The only women I see working at a place like this, look like this..........(we have a tattoo parlor on the first floor of our office building, that is how I am privy to this info)

I am dying to know the story here. I keep wondering .........

Did a man that works there buy it for his girlfriend, the whole Opposites Attract theory?

Did a woman buy it for something to wear to the PTA meetings, or dinner with Mom and Dad, who don't know about her tattoos, or possibly for a court date?

Was it a gag gift for a fellow worker?

Doesn't it make YOU wonder????? What do you think??

Be back soon! (as soon as a person who works at an accounting firm at this time of year can be!)

Recap Part 3

2011-01-21T14:00:00.000-06:00

While out thrifting the 99 cent day at Goodwill, you see a lot of cute things. If I was a size 2 or a petite, I could be a well dressed person!! But I am not.

One day, I saw the cutest paisley pleated skirt in every Tennesseans favorite color - Orange! I was ecstatic to see that it was new with tags and it was MY size!! Woo Hoo! I really felt like I won the lottery! Super cute, new with tags and MY size! I snatched it up quick!! What do you think?

I did manage to find the perfect orange sweater to go with it. Unfortunately, it wasn't on the 99 cent rack. I had to pay $2.98 for the cashmere sweater.

I love this outfit! It is so comfortable and cute!

Be back soon!

Recap Part 2

2011-01-20T14:00:00.002-06:00

Jessie made some angel tree toppers out of those badminton birdies. Aren't they adorable?

I told Julie about Martha Stewart's tissue paper pom poms. Thinking she may want them for wedding decor. She tested them out in red and green Christmas tissue paper.

They turned out great and they were simple to make! I think they are a keeper for wedding decor! Just not in red and green.

Jessie and our granddaughter Katie made the BEST chocolate chip cookies ever!!

and they used my recipe..........how does that work??? Mine never tasted that good. Reminds me of when I was growing up. My sister Tami's chocolate chip cookies always tasted better than mine. Must be the technique. I just don't have the magic touch for chocolate chip cookies!

Be back soon!

Recap Part 1

2011-01-19T13:55:00.004-06:00

Recapping things that happened while I was gone (from the blog). Jessie finally learned to french braid hair.

She actually managed to do her own hair here. It took watching U Tube over and over again, but she finally managed to do it! Yeah Jessie! I can't even do that!

Since she was successful with that, she learned to do the fishtail(?) U Tube to the rescue again! (What did we ever do without U Tube?)

Here is my hair, with Jessie's talent, sporting the Fishtail! Pretty cute! I did add a ribbon to cover up that big black hair band at the base of my head.

Be back soon!

She's Back and I'm Back

2011-01-11T16:15:00.003-06:00

I have been gone for a while due to the fact, my computer died. My computer usually sits on my messy kitchen table. When my computer died, we confiscated Jessie's laptop for the kitchen table, but it just never felt right to me. I would use it sometimes, but just for things like checking ebay or my email.

But thanks to our Genius son-in-law Chris and $20.00 I have my computer back! So now I feel like posting again!

Isn't she pretty! And Yep the table is still a mess!

Important stuff has been going on around here while I have been gone! Son #2 got engaged to Julie the day after Thanksgiving! Yeah!!!

Here will be the blended family!

Aren't they cute!!! Can't wait for the wedding, October 8, 2011!

Be back soon! (I'll probably be recapping things that happened around here)

Guess Who Has Their Learner's Permit?

2010-10-22T23:45:00.000-05:00

Well, the baby of the family has her permit. She had to take the Old "Paper" test (the computers were down) and she received a perfect score! I even like her picture on the id, of course she doesn't.

This is scary! I really hate this part of being a parent! I am too nervous for the actual teaching part. I did the HARD part of taking her to get her permit and being interrogated by the DMV. (Trying to prove you are you are a legal citizen of the U.S. requires a lot of documentation.) Dad is going to have to handle the teaching part!

I was talking to son #1 this weekend and he told me as a kid he didn't understand why I was nervous, but now at the ripe old age of 28 he understood completely!

Congratulations Jessie! Be a safe and courteous driver! I know you will do good! Love you!

Be back soon!

It's Halloween and No Cricut?? No Problem!

2010-10-19T14:10:00.010-05:00

I think everyone in blog land has a cricut machine, or some other die cutting machine that does the vinyl also. While I would love to have one to play with, I just don't know how much I would use one. I wanted to create some Halloween plates that simply had a vinyl black cat on it. So I did it my way!

I assembled my supplies.

Found a Black Cat Graphic on the internet and printed it off

Cut roughly around the black cat graphic and cut two pieces of clear contact paper a little larger than the cat.

I applied mod podge to the back of the graphic and placed it on top of one of the contact paper pieces. Put it on the clear contact paper side, not the paper backing.

Then I peeled the back off the other piece of contact paper and slowly covered the cat with the contact paper.

I waited for the mod podge to dry, about an hour. Then cut around the shape. I didn't bother cutting out the whiskers. I wanted the cat really black, so I painted over the shape and allowed it to dry. I forgot to take a picture of that.

Aren't they Cute!

Then I added some google eyes. Much better!

Then I just peeled the back and stuck them to my plates. I stuck a ribbon bow at the top with rolled up tape.

The best thing is, I can change these out with the season!

Be back soon!

Jessie's Witch Project & Great Thrift Finds

2010-10-15T11:42:00.003-05:00

I have been trying to get this post done for awhile. I have been really busy with Jessie's Birthday, Mom & Sister's weekend and an October 15th deadline for individual tax returns.

This was a Halloween project that I was going to do, but Jessie took over when I screwed up on the painting. I bought this flat sided fish bowl (at Goodwill of course) and I wanted to paint the inside, I made a mess of it and that is when Jessie took over.

She painted the outside with glass paint, which was so much easier. That was when she claimed the project as hers. She did the rest.

I purchased the witch headband at the thrift store and a big bag of yarn with the black and gray yarn in it to add to the hat. She added wiggle eyes. I made some clay that you bake to harden. Jessie made the shape of the nose, wart, mouth and tooth. After baking she painted them and attached it to the bowl with glue. I put a strand of 50 Christmas lights inside to illuminate her.

And here she is:)................

So Cute!! She now sits in our Bake Center. I removed the little lamp that you can see sitting behind her.

My great thrift finds??? You know that bag of yarn I bought for the witch hair? Well I sold the rest of the bag in 2 separate auctions on ebay for a total of $28.00!!! I didn't realize it but this bag had some Tilli Tomas silk yarn in it. That doesn't mean anything to me except it made me some money. I had no idea who Tilli Tomas was before, but now I will look for her at the thrift stores!

I had the HP56 toner cartridge on my shopping list for a couple of weeks. I wanted to use a gift card I had at Office Depot. I just couldn't seem to make it over there, it wasn't on my usual driving route. One day I stopped in at the little thrift store down the road from my 2nd job and guess what was waiting there for me???

Just the cartridges my printer takes! Two twin packs packaged in a plastic bag for $4.99!! That is about a $95.00 savings!!! Yahoo!!!

I was beginning to feel real lucky, until Hubby's office computer crashed and then my laptop at home crashed two days later! Do you think I can find those at the thrift store??

Be back soon!

Pottery Barn Knock Off - Galvanized Metal 3-Tier Stand

2010-09-25T22:05:00.002-05:00

Pottery Barn image found here.

I have loved this galvanized Metal 3 Tier Stand for over a year!!! Pottery Barn you rock! The buffet in my dining room has a galvanized top, so this belongs in there!! This is something I wanted to keep on my informal dining room all the time and change the display with the seasons. Unfortunately I didn't like the dimensions of this stand. It would be too tall and too wide to use for a centerpiece on my dining room table.

I thrifted two silver trays and I was ready to go! I collaborated on this with hubby, who told me to get a threaded rod from the lamp department at Home Depot. He didn't like my idea of just using glue and a dowel. Something about structural support etc, etc..... So he measured and drilled, and drilled, and drilled some more. He used some pvc pipe to increase the diameter of the center post and added a top ring with something he found in our "Parts Bucket" Here it is before painting.

Here it is after spray painting with a hammered galvanized spray paint.

Not quite the finish I wanted!

So I did a little faux finishing and sealed it with a matte sealer. I threw on some of the fall decorations that I had stored in my buffet and a crow I had purchased at the dollar store. Those crows go fast at the dollar store. Do not attempt to find one in October when you are in the mood to decorate for Halloween.

I love the way it turned out!

I still need to accessorize it. I really want a candle on the top tier. I want to put some candy corn in the bottom pumpkin dish and maybe some other type of snack wrapped with that gorgeous orange polka dot ribbon Pottery Barn used! I think I have some some in my sewing room.

The best thing about my Pottery Barn Knock Off is my bottom tier is a ball bearing swivel plate (carousel or turntable)! The worst thing - I love the knob at the top of the Pottery Barn version. I really want a knob at the top of mine. I may make a second version of this..................who knows when of if.......

Be back soon! Jessie has been crafting!

Thrifting Intuition?

2010-09-22T14:35:00.002-05:00

At the end of July I was thrifting and saw a gray metal cart with wheels. Price $6.99. It rolled really nice and smooth. But I didn't need a cart! I walked away to look at the books. Something drew me back, I kept thinking I had to have it! I picked it up and paid for it, all the time thinking Hubby will not be happy with this purchase! Where are you going to put it? What are you going to do with it?

I didn't even bother getting it out of the car when I got home on Friday. I just didn't want to hear all the questions.

Late Saturday afternoon I was taking Son #2 and his girlfriend Julie to a BeerFest in Nashville. (Hubby was on pick up duty) Julie gets in the car and looks at the cart. She ever so sweetly asked if I saw another one at a thrift store if I would buy it for her. She really needed one for her classroom to put her computer on.

Sunday we spray painted the cart a pretty blue color and off it went to Julie's classroom!

Thrifting Intuition is great! I need to just learn to accept that "Pull" even though I don't understand it!

Don't you love that sign above the white board?

Good News! Son #2 is now an employed teacher! He is teaching Science to 7th and 8th graders!

Be back soon! (with a Pottery Barn Knock Off!)

A New Dress - Thrifting Again

2010-09-07T16:00:00.002-05:00

I bought a new dress at the Goodwill for 99 cents.

....and where will I wear this beauty????

No where! This is what I was after............

You see those rhinestone buttons? Those babies are super expensive in the fabric stores! So snip, snip. snip, snip and the buttons go in my Bling jar. The dress is donated back to Goodwill!

Yes I do have a Bling jar and I work hard to fill it up, as cheap as possible!

Be Back Soon!

Tip of the Day

2010-08-25T23:13:00.002-05:00

buy a large burner ring (or two) for the stove to cover your pie crusts. Much cheaper $$$$$ than a purchased pie crust ring, and a lot better than burnt crust!

Pecan pie - a favorite around here! If only there was more pie left from the weekend!

Be back soon! (Hopefully with something crafty or sewing related!)

How to Tell You are a VOLS Fan

2010-08-24T13:50:00.001-05:00

When doing laundry you have a separate pile for Orange clothing!

This photo was from Son #2 doing his laundry. I thought it was hilarious!

Be back soon!

Trash Room Treasure

2010-08-17T13:20:00.004-05:00

Every floor in our office building has a trash room. Hubby and I were taking a few bags over and what did I spy sitting on the floor next to the bin???

Hubby told me not to take it! "It's UGLY!" he said.

Nothing a little spray paint over the weekend couldn't cure!

Perfect for holding some of my shabby fabrics! Actually, I am debating whether I should give it a whitewash or do some distressing, or both. It just looks too bright.

And just to let you know, this is not the first time I have confiscated trash from the trash room!

Did you see those vintage patterns next to it? I found the "mother load" of them at the thrift store last week! I was so excited! I just love looking at them!

Be back soon!

My first Tiffany & Company Purchase........

2010-08-10T12:50:00.002-05:00

.........from a thrift store! Brand new with the tag still attached. This is a little bedside crystal pitcher that has a cup that fits in the top of the pitcher to use as a lid. I think it would be perfect for using in a guest room!

Do you see that aqua tag on it??? That is what drew me to the item. So what did I pay for this treasure????

What a deal considering I have seen these for years (just not Tiffany & Co.) and loved them!

I also found some nice silver trays at half off - $4.00 each.

You see that smaller one in the corner of the picture??? The one with the twisted edge?? Sorry - forgot to bring my camera with me to work to do this post. (On my lunch hour of course!)

Well I turned it over to clean it up and guess what??

Another Pottery Barn find! Somehow I am always attracted to this brand!

I need to get my silver polish out!

Be back soon!

Preparing for Mom & Sister's Weekend

2010-08-08T12:13:00.001-05:00

I will be hosting Mom & Sister's Weekend this year. It is from October 7th thru October 11th. I was working on the menu for the long weekend. I was going to have "Soup Night" - Beer Cheese and Broccoli Cheese soup (can you tell I LOVE cheese?) I decided to test a recipe for bread bowls that I have had for years!

It's supposed to be so simple to take frozen bread dough and create the bowls. Well they didn't turn out exactly round and they were way too small! I guess I will have to try again! Darn! I will be forced to eat the samples again! Maybe I need to make the soup too!

Be back soon!

A Free Chair

2010-07-26T14:24:00.007-05:00

My friend Janice brought me a chair that was "abandoned" in the hallway of her new offices. At least no one came hunting it down for the five minutes it sat there. Just kidding, she let it sit there for DAYS!

I loved it from the minute I saw it! I immediately thought I would paint it white and the back part that has scratched up leather I would replace with some neutral linen I had, maybe even add a little padding, and use brass upholstery tacks around the edge! Then I was gong to make a cute ruffled chair cushion with the same linen. It would definitely look fantastic in my sewing room! You can imagine it right?? It would look great! It did have a little flaw though....

the seat had a crack in it. No problem though. I would add a metal brace underneath to keep it from splitting anymore!

Here is where Hubby enters the picture! He unloads the chair from my car and say's it would be sacrilegious to paint the chair, this is an antique and should be restored to it's former glory, and I cannot put a brace underneath it, it needs to be totally reglued, blah blah blah...... So here it sits in my dining room, while we are at a standoff!

I created another of my stands this weekend, but this one didn't come out as I wanted. It was a metal candlestick glued to a cheese dome. For some reason it orange kept coming through the paint on the candlestick part.

I had started with spray paint, and then I used kilz (still there) and then I used bush on paint. Nothing will get rid of this orange color! I'm not quite sure what I could try next!!!

Random question? Why are pinwheel steaks not available in the spring, winter or fall? I really have to go out of my way to find these in the summer.

I marinate them in worstershire sauce and grill them! Ummmm a family favorite! I sure would enjoy them at other times of the year. I can never buy enough to stock in the freezer either. They only have a couple of packages at a time!

Be back soon!

Long Time No Blogging - I'v Been Busy!

2010-07-13T13:53:00.000-05:00

I have been super busy the past few weeks! First was Son #1's wedding reception in Chattanooga. They had this super life size cutout of them from their wedding day! Here is my Mom standing with it. She looked so pretty!!!

and here is my Auntie Delaine and Uncle Roy from Michigan! It was so good to see them!
I was blessed to have a lot of my family, from all over, come to the reception! You just never get enough time to visit with everyone!!

Then it was a quick makeover of a thrifted skirt for my sister Gail for her 50's party! I also made her a super quick crinoline. It wasn't pretty, but it did the trick!

Then I made a 50's pennant banner for a picture backdrop and thrifted the 45 records from the Goodwill outlet! Looks pretty good to me!

Not to mention the Forth of July party the same weekend! Check out my daughter's recount of it on her blog! It was an exhausting and exciting time! Too much fun!!!

I also found another pretty mirror for the sewing room, while thrifting the forty five records, that I painted my favorite color - white! In this picture the painting is in process! It's amazing what 10 minute time blocks can accomplish!

I managed to get to a 50% off sale at a fabric store in town. I, of course bought Halloween fabric! I love the vintage look to these fabrics!

I also have been making some raggedy roses pins for some aprons I am making. They turned out really cute!

But beware of that glue gun!!!!

Son #2 made us a fantastic dinner on Sunday night with the catch of his fishing trip in in Charleston South Carolina, and some purchased shrimp. Barbecued shrimp with baguette bread to dip in the sauce, blackened red fish, new potatoes, and steamed veggies! It was an awesome meal!

See I told you I have been busy! I also started a part time job at night Monday thru Friday with weekends off.

And to my sister Tami, your pillows are on the schedule for this weekend!

Be back soon!

Hooded Bath Towels

2010-06-17T21:27:00.011-05:00

One of our granddaughter's birthday party was this past weekend.

Some hooded bath towels were requested as a gift for Josie's 2nd birthday. I had seen some in a kids boutique for a pricey sum and decided to recreate them. I think they turned out super cute!

The two hardest parts of this job was

1. finding the START button on my embroidery machine! It had been about a year since I last used my embroidery machine and I had no problem remembering how to program what I wanted, how to position the fabric, but for the life of me, I couldn't remember (or see) where the start button was! So I spent about an hour looking for my manual, which was futile! I finally saw the big START button located on the opposite side of the programming screen! I felt so foolish!!

2. Trying to figure out how to fold these once I had finished them! Notice the two towels are folded two different ways. I went with option 1 (a little neater though) and tied ribbon around it.

Here is Josie

Notice her dress has frogs on it. Her mom bought this dress off Etsy and it is really cute! Josie loves Frogs!

Josie and another granddaughter Carley playing with balloons!

Josie wanted a frog cake for her birthday. So my stepdaughter Rebecca made the cutest cake!

Not only was this cake adorable, but it was delicious as well! Rebecca and Elizabeth have a business called The Bakery Next Door. You need to check out all the fantastic cakes they have done! Just look at the lily pad cupcakes surrounding the Frog!

Be back soon!

My Hydranges

2010-06-10T12:48:00.002-05:00

I am so proud of these! I think this is the 3rd hydrangea bush I have planted. The other two died! I finally found the perfect place to plant it! Each year I get more and more blooms!

Be back soon!

Brownie Attack!

2010-06-09T21:57:00.001-05:00

Look what happens when you leave the kitchen with a fresh pan of brownies to cool!

Apparently, the "I don't like the edges of the brownies" person in this house attacked and was so kind to leave the edges for the "I love the edges of brownies" person in this house!

Are you a "no edge brownie person" or "love the edges brownie person"??

Hopefully I will be back soon with something crafty or a sewing project! I know I have my fingers crossed!

Be back soon!

Ribbon, Ribbon, Everywhere........Not!

2010-06-08T13:11:00.009-05:00

This has been on my to-do-list for awhile. I had ribbon rolls everywhere! My closet, my sewing room, my closet, the doll room, kitchen, you get it - everywhere!!! When I saw this idea in blog land, I knew I needed to do it! I really had my doubts about this method significantly reducing the amount of space it took up, but I was willing to give it a try! I thought this would be perfect for nights when I was watching t.v.

So I started by assigning a new empty "office size" waste basket as my collector. (I purchased this from the office moving sale next our office for .50) Every time I found a roll of ribbon I tossed it in there. I also went ahead and bought some of the clothespins from the dollar store and tossed them in there too. The basket was full in no time!

So when I was sick and laying around a lot, I started working on this project. Soon I was out of clothespins! My trip on Saturday to 2 dollar stores resulted in ZERO clothespins! Walmart or Target didn't have this type either. Finally I found them at Hobby Lobby at 40% off, which isn't exactly a dollar, but I splurged to get the job done!

I put them in some glass jars I had in the garage that I bought really cheap at the thrift store!

Don't they look pretty? I love just looking at the jars! They were moved upstairs to my sewing room. I was really tempted to keep them on the kitchen counter for a few days just because I love looking at them.

I am totally amazed at how much more compact it is! I did discover about 5 yard rolls were probably the most you would want to put on each clothespin, unless it is a skinnier ribbon. The ten yard rolls, I curled up and secured with a binder clip. I don't have the energy to even attempt some of the 50 yard rolls, Not going to do it!

You really can't tell from the pictures, but there is a lot of ribbon in those jars!

And yes, I DO know I have too much ribbon! I may have to try this with my lace!

Be back soon!

Amazing How Drugs Can Help You.......

2010-06-01T21:39:00.013-05:00

I finally caved and got some medicine for my sinus infection.

These extra strong antibiotics at least let me enjoy Jessie's Graduation on Saturday from middle school and let me feel human again!

I took a four day holiday weekend and tried to rest and do as little as possible. Son #2's girlfriend Julie did a lot of work for me this past weekend. She de-cluttered and cleaned my dining room!!! And if that wasn't enough, She cleaned and organized my spice rack, my bake center and my open pantry! I feel so much better just looking at the clean organized work she did! Thank you Julie! I love you!! She is coming back in July to help me organize and clean my sewing room! I am soooo lucky!

While I was feeling bad and laying around, I started this book...........really good!

While cleaning the open pantry, Julie found this book, it was published in 1987.

It had several recipes flagged to try. So today after dinner, I decided to try the Monterey Jack Crisps. You just take Monterey Jack cheese, like this, slice and

cut into squares, sprinkle with chili powder or cheyenne pepper (I used chili powder)
and bake at 400 degrees for about 6 minutes. (You almost think they look like they are burning) Drain on paper towels.

They are nice and crispy! I think these would be great with a salad. Jessie said the first taste was okay, but by the third bite she liked them even better! My taste buds still are not back to normal, but I think they are pretty good, but greasy.

Hopefully I will be back to my normal self by Thursday!

Be back soon!

Busy As A Bee This Time Of Year!

2010-05-24T22:40:00.003-05:00

You would think since Tax Season was over I would be on easy street, pumping out exciting new creations! Uhhhh No! I have been so busy catching up on things that were put off till after April 15th and all the end of the school year events, Son #1 getting married and............the list goes on!

In the midst of all this I have been suffering with a sinus infection and feel awful! But life goes on and so must I!

Here is a picture of a "Shower in a Box" my family gave for Faith. It was a week later due to the floods in Tennessee and some of Jessie's events being pushed back. (actually it was done 30 minutes before they were married in the U.S.)

This is the cute "Invitation" my daughter Amber sent out.

Aren't they adorable! Amber did a great job on the invitations!

It was my sister Lisa's idea that we do this. We had given her a Shower in a box when she got married! She loved it! (her's was actually mailed to her)

Here is Son #1 and Faith getting married in Chattanooga.

It took about 3 minutes! Actually it went so fast, it was hard to get a picture! No time for crying or anything! The big ceremony will be taking place this Saturday in the Dominican Republic. They were worried about a foreign marriage and the legalities, so they decided to get married at home in the back yard by their pool. They are leaving tomorrow and Saturday they will have the official marriage. Exactly one year to-the-date from when he asked her to marry him!

Jessie will be graduating from 8th grade on Saturday. on to High School! Jessie had her awards banquet on Thursday. I was too sick, so Hubby took her. When she came home, I was shocked! Jessie had received a $1,000.00 scholarship award! Wow! I am so proud of her!

See I told you I was busy!

(if this post doesn't make sense, I am blaming it on being sick!)

Be back soon!

Do Your Bowls Have Names?

2010-05-24T20:25:00.004-05:00

Do you see that bowl up there? That is my banana pudding bowl. It is the only bowl I use when I make banana pudding. (The picture shows banana pudding in process)

I didn't really realize that I give my bowls names until I couldn't find my banana pudding bowl. I was tearing apart my bakeware/snack pantry looking for this, all the while telling husband I couldn't find the banana pudding bowl.

He looked at me like I was insane! I guess it is weird! I also have a brownie bowl, a potato salad bowl, a summer salad/pea salad bowl. I could go on but, it sounds too weird now that I am typing it.

Guess I am weird!

Be back soon!

Starbucks Doesn't Have Whipped Cream????

2010-05-18T14:20:00.002-05:00

We went to Target after church on Sunday. While checking out I saw they had a Starbucks in the front of the store. "Great" I thought to myself. "Maybe they will have a travel cup to replace the broken one from Mother's Day. After all, I have a very nice lid that needs a bottom!"

I was thrilled to find the travel cup! They only had two, so I felt fortunate.

On a whim I decided to order something that my daughter's have bought before and I thought was delicious! A Caramel Frappuccino. (I was only given a small taste in the beginning and what ever they couldn't finish. Can you tell I made them spend their own money on it?) I am way too cheap to spend that much money on a coffee drink - I save all that money to spend on fabric!

Anyhow, I am on a strict caffeine regimen and I was late with my noon coffee, so I ordered one with my travel mug. (to avoid a caffeine headache) I paid and the girl set about making my Caramel Frappuccino. She gets the drink assembled and puts it on the blender. She pulls down a cup and then tells me that they are out of whipped cream, would I still like caramel drizzled on top?

WHAT?? Out of whipped cream? That makes the whole drink for me! Remember, I am used to drinking the last of my daughters' drinks where all the whipped cream has sunk to the bottom. (Truly delicious!)

"Ummm, I really don't think I want it anymore. I wish you had told me that when I ordered"

"I forgot"

"Can I get a refund?"

After much fiddling with the register and nasty looks, I put my $5.00 back into my wallet. She slammed the drink into the sink as loud as she could as I left.

Sorry Starbucks! I really wanted that drink, but I need the whipped cream! I would think that would be a staple item in the Starbucks kitchen! I am surprised they didn't have someone run to Kroger when they were running low!

It's probably a good thing, I could get addicted to those things! Instead I went home and made a pot of coffee.

Now I have to go fabric shopping!

Be Back Soon!

Mother's Day In Pictures

2010-05-10T18:50:00.001-05:00

Excuse the dirty table in the middle. It needs washing and painting!

OOPS!

Hope Everyone had a Great Mother's Day!

Be Back soon!

She made an ice cream cone

2010-05-06T22:45:00.002-05:00

Remember this?

Well Jessie made this from it.

A strawberry ice cream cone! The other "BLOB" she didn't do anything with. She just had to choose to make something from one of them. I thought it turned out Great!

Jessie had school on Tuesday, but school has been canceled for the rest of the week due to lack of water pressure and water! Davidson County Tennessee is down to one water treatment plant and everyone needs to conserve! Hopefully the flooding will recede this weekend and they will be able to get the other water treatment plant up and running!

This has been so devastating to so many people without Flood Insurance. I can't imagine what these people are going through! I pray that God keeps them strong and
healthy to continue with the clean up! A long time employee at Jessie's school was rescued from the roof of her home! (I have known her for over 20 years) Somehow we need to help her! I am sure there will be some type of fund raiser for her soon, she did not have flood insurance!

Be back soon!

This, That and The Other........

2010-05-02T18:45:00.001-05:00

I have been super busy since tax season ended!!! Volleyball running around for Jessie (it's finally over!), trying to regain some strength after tax season and get my house in shape so I am not embarrassed when someone comes over! I feel like I am running one long, long marathon! And I really really really hate to run!!

I added some straps to my niece's prom dress and made a little bolero jacket for her to wear with it! The straps really made the dress! I wish I had a picture to show you! I finished the jacket at about 2:00 a.m. and they were leaving the next morning for her boyfriend's senior prom in Missouri. Talk about running it down to the wire!!!

In the middle of everything Jessie made her confirmation. Here is a picture of her with her sponsor, Chase.

and one of her and her friend Bridgette.

I bought some saddle shoes from Payless shoes online store. Actually, I was forced to! There was a coupon on the back of my Kroger grocery receipt! I am preparing for my sister and brother-in-laws annual Riverunion (an extended weekend during 4th of July weekend) and we will have a 50's party on one night. Last year it was a pirate themed party!

(These shoes run small so you need to order a size larger than you normally wear)

But they are Soooo comfy! I decided that they would look great with jeans and I could get more use out of them than just one party! So I have been wearing the heck out of them!

Even Max likes them! Seriously though, I have been stopped a lot by people loving my shoes and thinking they look terrific! I will have to get onto that poodle skirt soon!

What is this????

Jessie said this was from a Science experiment they did and now her teacher wants then to decorate them or make something out of them! (I guess they are trying to teach them to think out of the box and to learn to recycle.) I can't wait to see what she comes up with! In the meantime, I hate them sitting on my kitchen counter! I hope they are due soon!

I am supposed to be at a shower for Son #1 and his fiance today in Chattanooga, but due to flooding and the closing of interstates and roads here in Nashville, I wasn't able to go! (boo hoo) The main road leading to our subdivision was closed just past our entrance due to Sycamore creek flooding! I have been glued to the t.v. all day long! Things look awful! Thank you Lord for keeping us all safe and sound!

Be back soon!

What I have been up to.....

2010-04-25T09:01:00.008-05:00

Well the play "Honk" is over and I thought I would show you some of the things that were made for the play. My friend Martha and I made about 9 of these mop caps in different shades of gray.

This is only half of them. Remember this is the week Tax Season ended. Time was nowhere!!! I didn't even have time to change out my thread. It wasn't noticeable though!

Here is Jessie's T-Shirt she made and wore to school to help promote the play.

For the ducks, I purchased yellow t-shirts and made orange visors. I had my friend's daughter make some barrettes with yellow feathers sticking up. I also purchased some yellow shorts for when the ducks were young and made three yellow skirts for when the ducks were older. These skirts were made Thursday - April 15th after I got home at 9:30. The 1st showing of the play was on Friday!

They were a little long on the girls, but that was better than too short!

Jessie and I attended a shower for my soon to be daughter in law. She is engaged to Son #1.

We also went to our granddaughter's 13th birthday party. No pictures, I rushed from the shower to the birthday party! I wish I had one!

Be back soon!

A Little Bit Done and Thrifting

2010-04-06T21:15:00.007-05:00

I have been doing a little bit here and a little bit there, but not much. I have been wanting to make some new bar stool covers. So I took a half hour and tested out my pattern.

Not bad, but I think it needs more pleats! I will add more pleats!

I just used some scrap fabric I had to test with. I also cut a circle the same size as the stool out of a memory foam mattress pad. It is definitely comfy and much better than the store bought lumpy ones that were on there! I just need to decide what kind of fabric I want to use.

My seeds are sprouting and doing really well!

My red flowers!

My daisies!

I did cheat and use a couple of peat pots I had in the basement. What can I say..........I was tired and wanted to finish the job of getting them planted.

I did a little thrifting last week and found this great mirror for my sewing room! I just needed to shabby it up some!

There this is so much better!

I just need to get it hung up to add to my collection on the sewing room walls!

Be back soon!

Sping Flowers????

2010-03-31T22:23:00.001-05:00

I actually can't believe I am posting this! My eyes are so tired of the computer by the time I get home at night the last thing I want to do is look at a computer screen! Not much craftiness or sewing going on here, but spurred on by Renee at Goosie Girl's
I made some biodegradable pots. Not only did her post remind me to start my seeds, I actually got it done. It was a close call though, I made eight of the origami pots and then went to get my potting soil. Not much there folks!

But I did remember the next morning to stop at Home Depot the next morning and get some more. (I really hate when I can't complete a project in one night!)

These are what I planted, Jessie wanted the sunflowers.

Renee suggested I use clothes pins to hold them open while I filled them with potting soil.

I only got two done with the potting soil I had. But my stop a home depot made me fill the others.

I actually started this post about a week ago, so I now have sprouts!!!!! I am really excited! I love flowers!

Gotta go water my seedling's now! I love my seedling tray! It was a purchase at Kroger at 90% off after the holidays!

Be back soon!

No Crafting or Sewing

2010-03-18T08:05:00.001-05:00

Working seven days a week doesn't allow for a lot of crafting or sewing time! I did manage to cut some fabric for pillows for my sister Tami. Hopefully I will be able to get 2 of them finished this weekend!

I thought I would show you a picture of a house that I stalk! I purposely go around the block on my way to work just to see this house. Not everyday, I am not that weird, just maybe once a week. This house is in an older neighborhood and a lot of the homes are being updated. There are much grander homes in this neighborhood but this one makes me happy! I have watched the owners bring this house back from ugly to wonderful!

I just love the leaded glass windows this house has!

I love the green color of the house with the bright white trim!

I love the white wicker furniture on the porch! They even have a white wicker SWING!!!

I wish I could see what they have done to the inside!

I don't know what they have planned for the bricks in the front yard. I keep driving by to see if they have done anything with them yet. I wish they would get their butts in gear! Don't they know I am waiting with baited breath???

Be back soon!

Super Quick Wardrobe Refashion

2010-03-03T21:46:00.005-06:00

I had this skirt that was too long, almost to the floor long.

It's hard to see the pattern of the skirt but it has a black background with red and cream stripes running through it.

I chopped it off and added red bias tape to the bottom.

I will be wearing this to work tomorrow with a white blouse, red sweater, black tights and black boots. Super Quick!! I love it!

Be back soon!

More Headbands

2010-02-28T22:05:00.005-06:00

Working six days a week doesn't allow a lot of crafting or sewing time! So, I picked up this box of headbands I had already cut out and sewn. I only had to turn them, topstitch and decorate them.

I did a few with some silk flowers, thinking I see a lot of kids and teens wearing flowers in their hair. I thought Jessie might like them. No deal! She said some people might like them, but she would never wear one! Okay..............what the heck am I going to do with them now?

I think they are really cute, but I think I am too old to wear them. I don't know, maybe I will wear one to pick up Jessie from school just to see what she has to say then!!LOL!

Here is one I made for myself. (I just want you all to know it is really, really hard to get a picture of yourself wearing a headband)

Not much going on here due to tax season, but I do need to get busy making some duck feet for Jessie's play.

Be back soon!

I'm Cranky and My Daughter the Model

2010-02-19T21:15:00.014-06:00

Okay, I know I am being totally boring! Tax season doesn't leave time for my creative energy and I get cranky, when I can't be creative. I guess you can tell what kind of mood I am in!

I did do some sewing last night. Jessie had a dance tonight. Last year Jessie, my sister Lisa, her daughter Lauren and I had been prom dress shopping (for Lauren). They were up from Atlanta to watch one of Jessie's volley ball games. We found some short dressy dresses marked down to 9.99 (regularly 75.00). So we bought two, thinking Jessie would be able to wear them this year. She wore one of them tonight. It was just a tad bit too large in the bust due to the fact Jessie is getting taller and slimming down. So I added some elastic to the inside of the back of the dress to pull in the fullness a bit. This can easily be taken out to return it to the original size. No pictures yet, she went to a friends after school and is spending the night with her after the dance.

In other news, my older daughter, Amber, has launched her modeling career. She is being featured in a National magazine! See all about it here!

We always encouraged her to be a hat model! (That book looks so good on her head!) She did such a great job at modeling this!

I can't believe I finally was able to rip that picture off of her blog! It was too much work! (I should have made her do it! One little text message does wonders!)

Be back soon! (Hopefully with something creative or thrifty!)

An Accidental Day Off

2010-02-17T20:45:00.007-06:00

Jessie had an orthodontist appointment at 8:30 a.m. I was going to take her to school and go to work right after the appointment.

8:10 "Come on Jessie, we're going to be late"

"Where are my keys???? " I look frantically for them, dumping out my purse (gotta clean that thing out - way too much in there! :)) No keys are found! My mind keeps thinking..........I know, I unlocked all the deadbolts when we got home yesterday, where did I set them??? Oh yeah, I remember, I used the spare key, didn't use my key's.

UHH OHH! I remember where my keys are! They are hanging in the lock on my desk.............at work!

We aren't going anywhere! No orthodontist, no school, no work, no where!

I drove to work with Hubby yesterday since there was still ice in the subdivision and on the road leading to the Interstate. Hubby had too many appointments today to leave work and bring my keys to me.

So what did I do with my Accidental time off ?

Cleaned my lower kitchen cabinets and mopped floors. Fun day for me!

And since a post isn't a post without a picture, here is a picture of my clean kitchen cabinets! No before will be shown........ever!

Be back soon!

Working on...............

2010-02-17T07:33:00.006-06:00

some birthday banner/pennants. I have had the flags done since before Christmas, maybe even before Halloween. I just need to attach it to the bias tape and add ribbon to the end for hanging.

I received a package in the mail.

My sister Tami wants me to make her some pillows. I am waiting on the zippers she ordered to get here, then I can get busy.

Be back soon!

Strawberry Cookies for Mardi Gras

2010-02-14T13:02:00.007-06:00

Wednesday night was spent baking strawberry cake mix cookies for Mardi Gras. One of the 8th graders fund raisers for their trip to Washington DC. I lucked out and since my last began with F, I had to bring in a home baked item, packaged individually!

Well as luck would have it, Wednesday was a busy, busy late work day and I got a late start on these babies!

Oh look, there are some more over there..........

And even more!

I only made two matches of these cookies, but it seemed like I would never be through with them! Now for the packaging..............

I put two cookies in a little cup, so they wouldn't get crushed and put a clear goodie bag over it and tied it with a ribbon.

I think Hubby and I went to bed at about 12:30 a.m. He helped with all the packaging and ribbons. No telling when I would have gotten to bed if he hadn't helped!!

They were delicious and seemed to go well at the "Cake Wheel" game at Mardis Gras.

Be back soon!

A New Nightgown....Wardrobe Refashion

2010-02-09T21:40:00.003-06:00

I have been really busy! Between tax season and all of Jessie's activities, I haven't had much time to do anything crafty, sewing related, or blogging.

I managed to take a fall down three wooden steps to our family room (due to water on my shoes from the snow) and my tailbone hurts like heck! That has slowed me down! I also feel like I am getting swollen glands. So life isn't a bed of roses for me right now!

I did manage to meek out a new nightgown for me. All this snow and cold weather made me think I needed another sweatshirt nightgown. I have one other of these that I made that was getting too much use with the cold weather. It had to be laundered at some time and then I was left COLD. So I took a grey sweatshirt cut and trimmed, and added some bridal satin to the bottom. Cut the neckline down, added some rosettes left over from my white sweater wardrobe refashion and her it is.................

I made the length tea length (do they still use that term??) It is so comfy!

Jessie laughed hysterically at my creation. Such an opinionated girl! She thought my use of satin with a sweatshirt was tooo weird! Not to be seen by the public! (like I go grocery shopping in my nightgown?)

I would have loved to have done something with the sleeves of this wardrobe fashion..

and I had some good idea's, but I usually sleep with my arms out of the covers and this provided more warmth! I love the satin on my legs and the fleece on the upper part. Did I say this is so comfy??? I am wearing it now!

Super Bowl Sunday gave me a chance to try a new recipe, Buffalo Chicken Dip....

Fantastic dip, but next time I will not use canned chicken!

Made my own recipe up for Spinach Artichoke Dip and it was great!

I will never buy frozen spinach dip again! This probably cost as much as one little TGIF frozen dish to make and I had six times as much! It was delicious!

Then we had the "We always have this on Super Bowl Sunday" classic - Shrimp

In other news, I found this adorable Patent Leather Planner at Dollar General for $3.00

Isn't it adorable! I love anything patent leather! I don't need a planner, so I will probably use it as a notebook, To Do List, whatever.

I gotta go bake some strawberry cookies for Mardi Gras!

Be back soon!

A New Header, A New Background and A New Store

2010-02-01T22:50:00.001-06:00

Did you notice the new background and header on my blog? That is what you get when you have a beautiful, talented daughter! (Who was totally bored this weekend, because her husband is in law school and spent the whole weekend studying)

I love it! She did such a great job!

Thank You Amber!

She even opened my Etsy store this weekend (listed on the right). Then she created a header for her sisters' blog! She was a busy little bee this weekend! And we all appreciate how much she did! (That large tuition bill for law school they paid, gave her family some advantages!)

When have you ever heard of a lawyer paying you in any way? Don't answer that hubby and Jacob!

Now if I just had something to list in that store besides potato bags leftover from my mini craft fairs! (These are really great! I used one tonight for dinner!)

Be back soon!

A New...........

2010-01-28T22:51:00.001-06:00

Yep! I have a new love................here they are

I found these at a little grocery store, in the little town I live in. It is, of course, all the way on the other side of town. If these are the medium, I don't want to taste the HOT version!

Sometimes you get sucked into things. It is the beginning of Tax season and all of a sudden I and my friend, Martha are in charge of Costumes for the Spring play Jessie and her daughter is in, called Honk Jr.

It is the play version of "The Ugly Duckling"

Oh and I did volunteer my husband for the scenery and props! Wait till I tell him about that one!

We are expecting a Winter Storm tomorrow. I am always skeptical of these warnings, usually when they say they are going to hit, they don't. When nothing is said, all heck breaks loose!

I have been busy teaching Son #2 how to list things on ebay, with his moving back in, we have been doing a lot of reorganizing and cleaning out! My dining room table is now the auction table! He has been making some money selling things he no longer needs, and enjoying the profits of ebay!!! He just wishes he took advantage of his former job and took more "Advertising Freebies" as they are selling well!

School is out again before the first snowflake! I wonder if I will wake up to snow?????

Be back soon!

What I have been doing

2010-01-20T22:21:00.006-06:00

Well, I haven't had much time to sew or thrift, but I did do a little of both in the past week. I found 4 of these little glass pedestal dishes at one store. These are so cute and dainty looking, I couldn't resist. Especially at .49 cents a piece!

I found another 4 at another thrift store. Wow a set of 8! Now what are they?

They are only 3" across. Tiny little things. Hubby and I think they are probably sorbet dishes. To cleanse your pallet between courses. Well, that is our educated guess. If anybody knows different let me know! Don't really care, I love them whatever they are!

I have been sewing some headbands. I have been using scrap fabric for this "Winging It" project. I love headbands, but most of them give me severe headaches! They are way too tight for my head! Velcro is the answer to this problem!

Reversible headbands. I made about four of these, before deciding this was the perfect width and length for ME. Now I just have to make some more in other colors. These are fantastic for people that have sensitive heads! Plus they use up my scrap fabrics!

I would show you a picture of me wearing them, but I have had about 4 different colors of hair in the past two weeks and I am still not happy! I will try again tomorrow (at the risk of losing all my hair) and see if I am able to show something that I am actually happy with!

Be back soon!

Pottery Barn Candle Holder

2010-01-15T21:22:00.007-06:00

I purchased this Pottery Barn Candle Holder at the thrift store in December.

I thought I would be able to spiff it up with my "Wrights Silver Cream".

It's a lot brighter, but it didn't really work. There are still some tarnished areas.

What to do, what to do????? Sometimes you have to admit to defeat and just get out that can of spray paint, but I am not willing to do that yet...........

I think I will ask Google if they have any idea's!

Be back soon! (Gotta get that spot on my blender cleaned up! I didn't know it was there until I took these pictures.)

Shabby Linen Pleated Ruffle Pillow

2010-01-11T20:22:00.001-06:00

I have been doing a little decluttering and cleaning around here this past weekend. My living room actually is beginning to look normal!

I only got through half of Jessie's closet. I did manage to get 3 bags for Goodwill from that half though! I would like to think I would get the rest done during the week, but I know better. It will have to wait until this weekend for me to finish it.

I did take time this weekend to make a "Shabby Style" white linen pillow with a pleated ruffle. It is an envelope style with a flap.

The pillow insert is a little fluffier than it should be. I need to flatten it a little to fill out the corners.

When I finished the pillow cover, I reached on the couch for the pillow form and realized my dog Patrick had left a smudge of his paw print on it - thanks to the melting snow.

I am sure everyone knows what happens when you wash those pillow forms! They somehow become really FAT!

A couple of days with a heavy firesafe box sitting on it, should take care of the problem!

I love the way this turned out! Just what I wanted! I didn't have a pattern, I just winged it!

Be back soon!

Another Snow Day and Pioneer Woman's "Jalapeno Thingies"

2010-01-07T22:27:00.005-06:00

We had a snow day today. When I woke up there wasn't any snow at all. It finally started falling at about 8:00 in the morning. I decided to stay home from work, even though Hubby was going. I spent most of my day cooking and not cleaning out Jessie's closet (avoidance behavior). I made a pineapple upside down cake for Hubby and a pan of walnut brownies.

Then for the big football game tonight I did the prep work for Pioneer Woman's "Jalapeno Thingies". They are fantastic if you haven't tried this recipe, you need to! I usually make half of them with cream cheese and half with cheddar cheese. I didn't have the cheddar cheese so they were all made with cream cheese.

Time consuming, but so worth the effort! I was out of disposable gloves and touched my eye hours after cutting and cleaning the jalapenos and I still think it was worth it! Man that hurt!

We have another snow day tomorrow. School is out. Here is a picture of what Jessie did playing in the snow today.

Look at all that snow!!! I can't believe we got all excited about that little bit! I also can't believe school is canceled tomorrow and Son #2 will miss another day of substitute teaching pay for this!! I may change my mind after I try driving on this tomorrow! If I try driving on this tomorrow!

Be back soon!

Not A Snowflake in Sight and...........

2010-01-06T22:39:00.005-06:00

they closed school! This is good/bad news, Jessie and I are glad. Son #2 isn't mad, but he was to start his 3 week substitute teaching tomorrow. $$$$$$! He graduated December 19th with his Master's in Education. He is subbing while filling out applications and trying to secure a job. Believe it or not, there are some open positions in the middle of the year.

Now will work be closed? Will I get that closet cleaned out???? We'll see what happens in the morning, but I am not setting the alarm clock! It's always better to wait until everyone has cleared the way! (If there is any snow at all!)

Be back soon!

2010 Resolutions Already Broken

2010-01-06T20:16:00.002-06:00

Well, I don't ever make New Year's Resolutions, but I did make a resolution to get Jessie's closet cleaned out over the four day's off for New Year's.

Julie, (son #2's girlfriend) had left a book for me when she came over for Christmas and I made the mistake of picking up this book......................

on New Year's Eve, and I couldn't put it down! So now you see why I don't make New Year's resolutions, I couldn't even keep the one resolution I made for the weekend!!!

I have gotten a few crafty things done in between the hustle and bustle of the holiday's. I made the ever popular (to crafty bloggers), washer necklace. Excuse the bad quality of the pictures.

A closer look at the ribbon covered washer.

I used wide ribbon to cover both sides of the washer. I should have changed out the blade in my exacto knife for a smoother cut. It hangs low and looks good with a colored sweater.

I also made a slipcover for my lampshade in the bake center. This light stays on all the time.

Once I got the slipcover on I decided to paint the lamp white. It was black.

I like it so much better! Since I had the white paint out, I painted a thrift store mirror I had in the garage.

My sewing room is decorated with white framed mirrors. I may try to "shabby" it up with some wood appliques painted white. I think I have some in my wood/craft supplies, leftover from other projects.

We are supposed to get snow starting in the early morning. 2 - 4 inches possible. I am hoping for another 4 day weekend! Only so I can actually get the one resolution I made, accomplished and start the year off right!!!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! (with no power loss, please)

New Hot Pads

2009-12-18T22:02:00.005-06:00

In the middle of the holiday rush, I decided to make some new hot pads. I love round hotpads as they don't seem to get in the way (fall into the food) as much. I have been doing a lot of cooking and baking for the holiday season, so this was important to me!

I chose from the stash and found the red polka dot material and red extra wide bias tape.

Looks great, except for..........................

the extra wide bias tape was too wide! It didn't set right on the backside! So I did what any self respecting seamstress would do, if this item was for themselves. I pulled out the glue! Nope no seam ripper tonight!

The fantastic OK to Wash-It glue! I just glued the backside of the bias tape down! Works like magic! Now that bias tape sets flat and doesn't bug me when I am using them! I did wash them to remove the washable marker lines.

Here they are in use...........

making my Mom's famous Chocolate Marshmallow fudge!

I can't believe I waited so long to make these! They are so quick! Jessie does think they look a little bit like pizza though.

Be back soon!

Another Wardrobe Refashion

2009-12-16T22:00:00.004-06:00

I bought this Lands End sweater from Goodwill for 99 cents. It had a few small stains around the v-neck, but I knew that wouldn't be a problem for me. Otherwise it looked brand new.

I cut it up the middle, cut a deep v-neck, cut off the ribbed bottom and used my handy dandy bias tape to secure the cut edges and tacked that to the inside.

No, the hard part of this project was deciding how I wanted to use these on the sweater.......

Option 1 looked like this:

Then there was option 2:

Or how about option 3:

Or even option 4:

Sometimes there are too many options!

Option 1 was what I originally planned, so I decided to run with it! After pinning on the flowers for option 1 and Jessie laughing hysterically at it, I began to doubt my choice!!!! Hubby originally didn't like it, but said to try a dark colored camisole under it. Then he liked it! Jessie finally stopped laughing and decided it was "Okay".

Here it is, I really like this one!

I added a hook and eye at the center V part to keep it closed. I also decided to add some pearls to the center of each flower.

I probably should have spaced the flowers a little closer together, but I'm happy with it and plan on wearing it to Jessie's Christmas concert tomorrow night!

I just hope I don't hear hysterical laughing when I walk in the door!

Be back soon!

I Am Dog Gone Crazy!

2009-12-11T19:44:00.007-06:00

This week has been busy! I haven't gotten much done except preparing the Dogs for the winter weather. The weather here has turned really cold! I decided to cover my porch furniture with fleece, so the dogs would be a little warmer when they are waiting for me to let them back in. Sometimes I will let them out and go up to my sewing room and forget about them............OOPS! Poor little guys!

Then we have a neighborhood dog that has been spending almost all his time here! He has been sleeping on one of the glider's on the back porch (another reason I covered them in fleece). "Rascal" is a larger dog, and I don't let him in the house. It was turning bitterly cold this week, so I drug a dog house out of a dog pen we have, cleaned it up, and put it on the back porch. There was a pad already in it, but I put some big towels and a blanket in it too. Then I covered the doghouse with a thick quilt for extra insulation. He has slept in it the past two nights.

I know........I am Dog Gone Crazy for doing this for a dog that doesn't even belong to me! But he is always here, he's such good dog and I knew it was going down to about 18 degrees every night this week!

I am in the middle of another wardrobe refashion.

I started by making these fabric roses. I made the roses on the right (with the straight edge) this week and then I decided to make some more with my scalloped edge sewing scissors. I don't know if I will use one or the other or both. That will depend on what I think looks nice. This was a nice sit and watch t.v.project. I hope to finish the wardrobe refashion this weekend.

Be back soon!

That Aqua Thing..................

2009-12-06T21:50:00.002-06:00

Remember that thing I was painting on with aqua paint? Well this is the finished product.....

It's a vegetable and dip stand. Vegetables go on the plate with the dip in the tea cup. This will be perfect for a buffet table of appetizers!

I used a vintage plate and cup/saucer that I purchased at the thrift store and combined it with a small concrete planter that I painted and a crystal candlestick.

I repainted the base so many times, trying to get the "right aqua color" that matched the plate. I just could not match the color accurately! I gave up! Sometimes you just have to admit defeat and go on. But I still love it!

I used the glue "Quick Grip" to attach them. I really wanted to show you a nice picture with veggies on the bottom and my "famous-to-me-only" Red Pepper Ranch Dip in the tea cup, but I kept eating the veggies! (I eat raw veggies with lunch almost every day)

I found the little spoon at a small shop in Georgia, where my sister lives.

I did another "Holiday Extravaganza" today at the church, and didn't do as well as the first time, but it was nice to get out and meet/see a lot of people.

Be back soon!

The Christmas Dress that isn't a Dress

2009-12-03T19:05:00.002-06:00

Jessie and I went shopping for a Christmas dance dress. The theme is silver and ice (or white - I can't remember). The only thing she found was a dress that was in all black. She loved it, but it didn't fit the theme of the dance! It was also $58.00! It was a simple dress, a black tank top style on the top, with elastic in the middle and black satin on the bottom with black lace over it.

This is our version of the same dress with the Christmas dance theme in mind.

I used a purchased black tank top that looked exactly like what the dress used. I put white lace over a very bright silver fabric that I lined with a black satin, gathered it and then attached that to a piece of wide black elastic. We decided a bow in silver on the side would look good. The original dress didn't have that.

Jessie decided that it was silly to destroy a perfectly good tank top, so we left it as a skirt.
So the Christmas dress is now a tank top and skirt. I think it turned out cute and for a total of $15.00!

I started and completed this on Tuesday night, all except removing the basting stitches. Just what I needed a Quick and Cute sewing project!

Be back soon!

The Recipe for a Nervous Breakdown

2009-11-30T22:40:00.001-06:00

Here it is:

1 pair of ripped jeans from your skinny legged granddaughter

Scraps of purple polka dot fabric

My granddaughter needed this pair of jeans to have fabric behind the ripped areas. Simple right? I had done one pair for her already with no problems. Well this nearly did me in! The purple fabric kept shifting and the strings on the ripped areas kept attaching themselves to my screws and prongs on the sewing machine and .............. let's just say everything that could go wrong, did go wrong! I spent a lot of time with the seam ripper though to correct things.

The skinny little legs and the fact that they had never been washed and were stiff was what caused the problem! I need to make a note of that!

I will give her a scrap of the fabric in case anything needs to be repaired later. I know I will be keeping my fingers crossed! LOL!

Next up, a simple dress for Jessie for the Christmas dance on Friday. She just needs to decide what fabrics she wants me to use:

The theme is silver and white.

Decisions, decisions.............she needs to decide by tomorrow!

Be back soon!

Golidlocks Costume

2009-11-22T20:45:00.001-06:00

Jessie had her play this weekend. It was called "And They All Lived" It was a cute 30 minute play that I thought everyone did great in! We really enjoyed the play! Here is Jessie in her Goldilocks Costume minus her blonde wig. I took pictures of her in her wig during the play, but they came out awful!

A closer view of her costume. I was going to make an apron to go with it, but her director didn't think she needed one.

And here she is when I say just one more picture!

She hates the fact her Mom is camera challenged!

I think the costume tuned out good. She looked really cute in it! Notice that hairband on her right hand. It gets her in trouble almost every day at school. They consider it a bracelet and that is against school policies! I think it is her security blanket, because she rarely wears her hair up!

Be back soon!

Coffee Table Remake Finished

2009-11-19T22:38:00.001-06:00

The coffee table remake is done. Remember this bargain at $4.99?

I should start out by telling you how Hubby didn't like my bargain coffee table. He thought it was ugly. It was purchased to replace the one in the boy's TV room. Hubby made the one in there. It was made from our butcher block kitchen countertop. It was the sink cutout. It is 2" thick and very heavy. Well, one of the legs on this coffee table kept turning in, looking like it was going to break at any moment. We have done several things to try to remedy the situation, all with no luck.

Well, I have to walk past this all the time to get to my sewing room. It literally bugged the heck out of me! Somehow (to me) it made the walls and floors look uneven. Hubby kept saying it could be fixed, but it wasn't. It has been well over a year since it started it's opposite "leaning tower" position. So when I brought this one home to replace it, you know what he did? He actually fixed the the opposite leaning tower coffee table and took it to his "Man Room". Why this couldn't have been fixed sooner.........nobody knows.

He decided we needed to use my bargain coffee table in the family room for the TV and move the coffee table the TV was currently sitting on to the boy's room. Well, this coffee table was an inch shorter than the one we had, and I thought that one was too low. (It was fine if you are slouched on your leather man chair though.)

So he built it up, I spray painted it, he added the knobs to look like drawer pulls and here it is:

This table isn't as long as the one we had before, so it makes the room appear larger. There is a speaker under the the shelf, so that is why you can't really see the shelf. We had everything to fix it up, so there were no additional expenses.

I just love creating something from nothing and that is unique!

And I won't have to bend my neck down to watch TV. Hubby might have to sit a little straighter though!

Be back soon!

This Blog is Handy!

2009-11-18T20:27:00.009-06:00

Well, I made it through the "Holiday Extravaganza" without have an anxiety attack. It actually went better than I thought. The other people said things were a lot slower this year. They didn't have as many sales as the previous years. There wasn't much advertising for this, so that could have been the problem. I was just glad I sold some things! Yeah!

On Sunday I ran into the Goodwill looking for a mug tree. I thought that would be a neat way to display my ribbon key fobs at the show. I didn't find one, but I did find this....

A really solid coffee table for $4.99. A remake is in process.

I have been driving myself crazy looking for this purple and white gingham fabric. Someone wanted rice bags with purple and white fabric. All of a sudden it occurred to me that I used this fabric for a little baby dress. (I think)

Well, I went through the posts and there it was right here! When I saw it, I knew exactly where the fabric was! Fabric I have cut out of usually goes in one place. Uncut fabric goes in another. It sounds like I am really organized, but I know the truth!

Boy, this blog is handy! It saved me hours of hunting and wondering if I was crazy!

Be back soon!

Another This and That Post....

2009-11-12T22:32:00.007-06:00

I inquired about a "Holiday Extravaganza" at Jessie's school, and before I knew it, I was committed to have a table at this event. I have been as busy as I can be, but as life goes, everything is topsy turvey. I thought I would be able to take a few days off this week and actually produce an inventory........................but life happens. I did manage to get a few things done though.

Ribbon key fobs....

Purse/Pocket Tissue Holders...

and I have been working on some potato bags. (no photo) This "mini craft fair" is on TUESDAY!

A picture of my helper with all of this............

When I am in the sewing room, he throws a bunch of stuff out of the basket (under my sewing counter) and settles in.

Be back soon!

Goldilocks Costume

2009-11-10T13:20:00.002-06:00

Well, I'm not through with the mending basket, but I did manage to complete the Goldilocks costume. I used this pattern, but went for the non-sexy style.

I lengthened and lined the skirt and decided just to do an elastic waist instead of adding a zipper.

Wow, these pictures actually came out pretty good for nighttime. I guess I need to take pictures in the laundry room more!

The vest, I created more of a V front and used pre-made loops on a tape instead of doing the grommets.

She will wear a white blouse with puffy sleeves. She doesn't like the white collared shirt I bought, so we'll try one with an elastic neckline. I may make an apron too. I'll ask the coach if she thinks it needs it. I've seen it both ways.

Be back soon!

W-I-P and the Mending Basket

2009-11-05T20:52:00.004-06:00

Well the mending basket is overflowing and hubby decided I really needed to fix his work pants, so nothing really exciting going on here. I am in the middle of another sweater transformation and I am painting this thing here. It is that wonderful "can't decide if it aqua or blue" color.

I will hopefully be able to finish this project this weekend. So in between mending, I run over and put another coat of paint on. It will take about three or four before I am satisfied with the coverage.

I was reminded of this project when I saw a "Christmas Village" billboard. Christmas Village is a craft show in Nashville that I have been to in the past. This is one of those ideas that I saw at the show and thought "I can make that", accumulated all the supplies and never got around to. At least I kept all the project items together! Usually I am running around looking for the things I bought that I put in 20 different locations!

For anyone that paints, the turntable is a necessity. I picked these up long ago at yard sales with my sister-in-law for 25 cents. I use them all the time! Everyone should have one! Or in my case 6!

Be back soon!

Wardrobe Refashion - Thanks Son #2

2009-11-03T22:43:00.004-06:00

Son #2 comes to the rescue again! ANOTHER item left behind after Christmas last year! So for me it was another wardrobe refashion!

The suspect: a black cotton crew neck sweater.

Who wouldn't want one of these to keep warm??? Obviously Son #2!

Even though he was living in an old uninsulated house near the college campus, he refused my generosity. O.K. fine by me! I have plans for this!

Well, I just love what I did with this in an hour!

In fact I have plans for the gray sweater he left behind 2 Christmas' ago!

I did put my stamp on this sweater:

Gotta get rid of those homemade labels somehow!

Be back soon!

Halloween Wrap Up

2009-11-02T20:00:00.005-06:00

Well, the big day is over. We went to my sister's in Atlanta, so I could see some trick-or-treater's. She usually has about 3oo of them. This year there were only about 150. It was cold and had rained almost all day. Maybe the weather kept people from coming out.

We had 3 stations set up on the porch. My sister's friend always comes over because she doesn't get any at her house either. They started coming early. It wasn't even dusk yet.

This was our first trick-or-treater. (My sister's neighbor with her grandson)

and a picture of kids heading our way.

No more pictures after that. It got pretty hectic. I loved seeing all the kids dressed up! The costume award went to a mother who dressed her 3 kids from the show "The Adam's family". She did a fantastic job with their makeup and outfits.

I did manage to get a picture of Jessie and my niece Lauren before they took off.

Jessie is Minnie Mouse. This was last years costume.

My daughter Amber took a picture of her in the Detectives costume I made. Click on the picture to see it in detail. (oops that doesn't work on this picture) She wore it to work on Friday.

Looks Great! Don't you think? I think I want this back!

I had a great time in Atlanta, it's too bad next year Halloween will be on a Sunday.

Now I have to get busy on the Goldilock's costume for Jessie's play.

Be back soon!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-29T21:52:00.006-05:00

Some of my favorite Halloween pictures:

I wish I hadn't put these jars in the Halloween basket. I really liked them! But at least I have the picture!

Just love my Boo sign!

I took this picture on my back porch and I kinda like the fuzziness of it! Not to mention it hides the fact my porch needs cleaning! When I have time, it's raining. When it's not raining, I am busy!

I hope everyone has a great Halloween!

Be back soon!

Completed Projects

2009-10-26T19:31:00.002-05:00

I finished some projects this weekend. Remember the "Young Detectives" costume my daughter Amber wanted. This was in the new Martha Stewart Halloween magazine. Well here is the cape.......

This turned out really nice! In fact I'm thinking I need one too. With different fabric of course. Here is a closeup of the fabric.

Here is the cap.

The dog coat is pretty small, but I didn't have much fabric left. I bought the amount the Martha Stewart magazine suggested, unfortunately I forgot that I was making a larger size adult cape. Duh!

Max didn't want to co-operate for the picture taking. He didn't seem to mind wearing the cape though. It was shipped by Priority Mail today - should be there just in time for Halloween! She better email me a picture with her wearing it!

I finished my project from two years ago, that I found in the closet. Orange felt circles were stitched around the edge

and faux fall leaves hot glued on.

It became a placemat for Thanksgiving or any fall inspired event.

I'm not sure I'm loving it. I like it, but it may be better as a hot pad in the center of the table. Sometimes I have to live with things for awhile before I decide it I really like it.

Be back soon!

The Results Are In!

2009-10-22T19:57:00.017-05:00

Well, the cheer team placed 4th (out of 8 teams). They did really good in the competition and I am surprised that they didn't place higher. Here they are with their trophy.

I know I am biased, I have never been a cheer leader, I don't know how they score in the competitions, but I think they deserved better than 4th place!

They did their routine perfectly each time and managed to hold the signs up in the correct direction. A major deal to me (a non-judge biased Mom). No one was dropped during the stunts either. Another major deal to me (a non-judge biased Mom).

Oh well life goes on! I am just proud of all the hard work and determination of the coaches and cheer leaders. The school's motto is "Do Your Best" and I think they did that last night.

You can't see any of my hair bows in the picture above! Boo Hoo - all the time I put into them. They looked really cute in the french braids though!

Jessie did tell me today that everyone loved the hair bows, they even wore them to school today. (Except her of course)

I am off to work on laundry and my 2 year work in process.

.....or I may go to bed early!

Be back soon!

I am in Ribbon Hell.....................

2009-10-21T12:54:00.006-05:00

.........and I can't get out! The cheerleading coach asked me if I would cut some ribbon for the Cheerleading competition for bows. She gave me the ribbon in two sizes. That's when I opened my big mouth!

"Do you want the bows attached to a hair band already?"

"That would be great!" she said.

I don't know why I said that! I am so not a bow maker! Drives me crazy trying to get the loops even etc, etc. Even trying to decide how to do them was stressful!

Yes that is my glass of wine helping me deal with the stress of it all! I tried to con hubby into helping.

"Real men help make hairbows!" I said.

His response: "No they don't!" and proceeded to walk out of the room before he was talked into anything.

I managed to make 15 last night of the smaller ribbon.

All the cheerleaders are having their hair french braided after school today.

Jessie came up after I completed these and said "You only have 15. You should at least make 16."

"I have one for each cheerleader, and I will make 15 large ribbons, so then they can decide what size they want to use" I defended myself.

"Yes, but some cheerleaders are going to do two french braids, so you need an even number."

Uhhh! Ohhh! Don't ask me why it never occourred to me that they would have two french braids! So now I have been working on them at work instead of payroll returns.

I am making bows until I am out of ribbon, or time! Hopefully they will do well in the competition tonight!

Be back soon!

This Weekend.......

2009-10-18T22:27:00.003-05:00

Well, I didn't get to work on or finish the Detectives Costume this weekend. I was running around all weekend with Jessie's activities on Friday night and Saturday.

Sunday I had to go grocery shopping and laundry. I did make some cookies on Sunday though - Death by Chocolate. Delicious!!!

.......... and to make my husband happy, I made a batch with some walnuts.

While putting some things up today, I found a project from about two years ago that I need to finish. I can finish this project while watching the news, so I brought it downstairs to work on during the week.

Hopefully I will be able to show you a completed item tomorrow.

I have another busy week with Jessie's cheerleading. Besides practice they are having a competition on Wednesday night.

Be back soon!

Detectives Costume

2009-10-15T22:33:00.001-05:00

I am working on the Young Detectives Costume for my daughter Amber. It of course will be for a not so young person.LOL!!! This is in the Martha Stewart Halloween magazine. I found some hats at Walmart marked down to $1.00 for two. Unfortunately they were white. I bathed them in Rit Dye and that is the beginning of the hat.

The beginnings of the hat. This looks like a pretty simple costume. I hope to be through by the weekend, and in the mail it will go!

Looking better, but I need to take my steamer to them. That's what I get for leaving them in the dryer too long!

Hopefully it will end up looking something like this:

Here's another picture:

Ohh................She wants one for her dog Matlock too!

Be back soon!

Even Though I've Been Sick......

2009-10-14T21:30:00.001-05:00

.......I have still been doing things. I am doing better now, just a nasty cough left over. The weather keeps changing, which always makes me sick.

This is my kitchen table. This picture was taken last weekend. I was working on several projects at once. I completed my vintage Halloween inspired pennants. That black Rit Dye in the picture is for a project from the Martha Stewart Halloween magazine for my daughter Amber. More on that in a later post.

I love these pennants! I made four for me!

I really need to take pictures during the day. The pictures come out so much better! I will use two in the dining room, one for the fireplace mantle and one for the staircase. Hopefully I will be able to decorate for Halloween this weekend!

I did do some thrifting in this week, while Jessie was at cheerleading practice. I went to look for some books by Iris Johanson. I read a book by her on my "Mom and Sister's" weekend, while in the airport. I am hooked. She writes mystery novels with a little romance thrown in. I found three of her books at the Goodwill.

This is the one I am reading now. Addictive!

I also found this book..................

Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. This is a very large book that retails for $45.00. It is in like new condition and only $2.99! What a deal! Even the cashier at the Goodwill was jealous! I had thumbed through this book at the bookstore before and knew I wanted it.

I also found a bunch of Pottery Barn Kids pink gingham sheets. I use these in a lot of sewing projects, so this was a great find. They looked like they were brand new, just out of the package.

That's a lot of yardage!

Be back soon!

My Friends

2009-10-07T22:15:00.002-05:00

Still not feeling well. These two are some of my constant friends right now.

They aren't my only friends though. I have more. See........

A 1972 copy of Southern Living Party Cookbook. I have only tried one recipe from this book, but it was great! I love to try new recipes and have been meaning to bookmark more for testing. Unfortunately, every time I pick it up I get sleepy.......

And to my little sister Vicki - the Vodka immunization/regimen didn't work!

I know you are going to give me all the reasons why it didn't. I wasn't on it long enough, I forgot a day or two, but I don't want to be sick!

While on Sister's weekend, Vicki said she had had great success with this Vodka regimen. She used to get colds all the time, until she heard about this and tried it. Now she is healthy as can be! No colds, no sniffles, etc, etc. - all that wonderful stuff that she lied about! I know I was only on this for 5 days, but that alcohol should have done something!

You are supposed to have a splash - not a shot glass full, just a tiny bit, mixed with water in a shot glass three times a day, for three weeks. Then you do this once every night after that. Vicki is a non-drinker and she swears by this. Since I came down with this COLD, I haven't been taking my "Medicine".

Time for a nap!

Be back soon!

Surprise Visit and I need Nyquil!

2009-10-06T21:19:00.001-05:00

We had a surprise visit on Saturday evening from our daughter Amber. She lives in Virginia and she showed up on our front porch Saturday evening. Her husband and her were unexpectedly in town for a funeral.

She decided to surprise her little sister Jessie and celebrate her birthday. (Jessie's birthday was on Monday)

She put candles in a slice of cheesecake and sang to her! She came bearing gifts too! After the gifts were opened the two of them went shopping for Jessie's "Neon Dance" coming up soon.

Soo cute! I can't believe how quick they put together this outfit! I would still be wandering around the mall! I am definately not a mall person.

Then they played with glitter eye makeup! Ugh! I will be finding this in my kitchen for Years!

Thanks Amber, for making a little girl's 14th birthday even more special! She loved it and I loved seeing my girl's together, giggling, laughing and having a great time!

I gave Amber some Halloween goodies for her office. A pennant to hang in her office cubicle and one for home.

A "BOO" sign. I had made two of them.

She loved the fact that it could be used year round. HUH? I forgot that Amber and her husband call each other "Boo".

A Halloween decorated candy jar and hand sanitizer.

We'll see if it actually makes it to her office!

I have a bad cold and I am out of Nyquil and Dayquil. I am totally unprepared for the winter season!

Be back soon!

A Quick Halloween Project

2009-10-01T20:53:00.006-05:00

I bought this package of black glittery "Boo"letters from Halloween about a month ago at Joann's.

They were in the $1.00 bins right at the front checkouts. It came with a black ribbon to hang it up with.

I have seen this project all over blogland, for every season, so I copied! I had a frame already. I am sure it was from some project I never got to. I had some scrap paper left over from another project. That's all I needed, besides a glue stick and glue dots.

The black border around the edge was actually divided into 3 sections, I just cut off the dividers.
I wish the photographer could have captured the glittery "Boo" letters, and not gotten a picture with glare on the glass. I think it's time to look for a new photographer!

That's the start of my Halloween decorating. Hopefully, I will get a lot done this weekend!

I sat it on the mantle and the photographer, again, took a bad picture!

So simple, so cute and so easy!

Be back soon!

Busy, Busy...........

2009-09-29T22:43:00.001-05:00

You see this orange pennant? It was driving me crazy! I couldn't find it when I was putting together the other "Vintage Feel" pennants. I always have nine, where is it??? What could I have done with it? After 30 minutes, I gave up and substituted something else. I had to rearrange my whole pattern, but I got it done!

Well, apparently Patrick, the new dog in the house, scooped it up when it fell on the floor and took it to the scrap basket under my sewing table. That's where he lays when I am in my sewing room. He has a dog bone buried in there and he was digging for it tonight and guess what he pulled out?

At least I know I am sane! I knew I had nine of that pattern! Things like that make you think your going crazy though.

I went to Joann's this afternoon. I had two coupons that I had to use soon! I have been on a buying freeze, trying to use what I have, but I needed two items. I needed fabric for the Goldilocks costume and black and white houndstooth for my older daughters "Young Detective" costume from the new Martha Stewart Halloween magazine. She desperately needs it! And her dog needs one too! Just like the picture.

See, I got exactly what I needed.

Then I decided to wander to the remnant racks. Just to look. I found the cutest fabric:

Isn't it adorable? No idea what I will do with it. I'm sure something will come to mind soon!

I spent the evening creating a new car stash. Jessie has a busy week. She is cheering Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and another game on Saturday. Lots of idle hand time.

Do you see my fancy turners on top? They work great! I actually cut more, I just ran out of time to serge the edges.

That colorful thing in the background is Miss Jessie's and her friend's balloon car for a science project. It is powered by a double balloon. I am impressed! I would be more impressed if she cleaned up the counter but that's another matter.

Be back soon!

Working on:

2009-09-28T22:34:00.005-05:00

You see this pile of fabric scraps?

They are from making my "Vintage Inspired" fabric pennants. A little at a time...............

It's amazing how much work you can get done in a car while waiting on your daughter to finish her activities! I just have to add the ties to these. Maybe I can get that done tomorrow and take a better picture!

Be back soon!

A Bed For Charlie!

2009-09-26T22:02:00.007-05:00

Charlie needed a bed. Before Patrick, the new dog came, Charlie slept on my husband's side of the bed in a dog bed. When Patrick came, I laid down a fluffy comforter beside my bed for him. Guess who decided that was his spot! Charlie!

Well, he would spread the whole comforter around the floor and I had a hard time getting out of bed because of this. Enough was enough!

I took this crib bumper set I bought at the thrift store about a year ago. I bought it because I loved the fabric. I was going to take it apart and use the fabric in something.

I found another use for it!

Charlie now has a new bed!

Looks pretty comfy to me! The main objection from my husband and Jessie when I told them what I was going to do:

"It's pink and he is a boy! You can't make him sleep in a pink bed!"

"If he has an objection, he won't sleep in it!" my response.

Guess he isn't intimidated with the pink. He is old and grouchy and growls all the time at the other dogs if they come near him. But obviously, he has no problem with the pink dog bed I made him.

I am scared by how his eyes showed up in the picture. So Jessie put his picture through PAINT and made him less scary!

When I get up in the morning, I won't be tripping over a queen size comforter that Charlie has decided to carpet the floor with.

Life is Good!

Be back soon!

My Daughter Amber Was Right! Finished Halloween Basket!

2009-09-25T17:50:00.014-05:00

She left me a comment saying something like this about my Halloween Auction Basket:

"There is no way in Halloween ALL that stuff is going to fit in one basket!"

She is so smart! She was right! I thought the only thing I would have to wrap separately would be my spice rack. No such luck! I ended up with three packages to wrap.

I came back from Mom and Sisters extended weekend on Tuesday and got busy in every spare moment! I really didn't think there was that much left to do. It took me much longer to get everything done than I thought it would! You know the saying, "If it can go wrong, it will!" That's how it went! But it is done and I am satisfied except for the wrapping. It was late last night and I was too tired to fool with my bows or the wrapping.

Here is a picture of the napkin rings I did to go with the napkins and table runner.

A picture of a few other jars I did besides the ones in the spice rack.

Yes that is a rock on my counter! It is one of three I took from my sister's lake house in Cheboygon, Michigan. Love those Michigan rocks!

This is the first package, two crates and a cauldron.

Some of the pictures are pretty bad. The bag over them made it hard to photograph and I was sooooo tired!

Here is the completed spice rack. No pictures with the crow and the lights on it.

Jessie did the shrink wrapping on them and she decided to add some extra bugs to the front of it. I liked that idea!

Here are my pictures of the basket. I wish they were better!

You can't really see what the heck is in there but it looked neat!

The wrapping was another story. I couldn't find a bag big enough to fit it. This was the jumbo size bag and I tried setting it inside the bag and it ripped. Then I decided to just put it over the top of the basket and put a ribbon on the bottom part. I also taped the bottom.

I also included two of the Halloween banner/pennants I made in addition to the other things I posted about.

I am glad it is done and delivered. I just hope someone bids on it! I am always so shy about my work. I always have this dreaded feeling that my basket will be the only one without a bid on it!

Keep your fingers crossed!

Be back soon!

Goldilocks Wig?

2009-09-14T22:07:00.006-05:00

Jessie has a part in a play as Goldilocks. I bought this wig at Walmart this weekend.

I can't decide if this will do for Goldilocks or not. I wish it had ringlets. I thought if I put it in ponytails with yellow ribbon it may be okay. Or will she look like a blonde Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz?

Hmmmmm! I guess I will look at it for a while and see what I think in a couple of days.

Another Pennant Garland

2009-09-13T15:51:00.004-05:00

I have been working on another Halloween pennant garland. I wanted this one to have more of a vintage feel to it.

These are the scraps from the fabrics I am using. I don't have anything finished yet.

I just noticed the sock on the couch! Patrick, my dog, stole this and I have been looking everywhere for it! I need to go upstairs and get it!

I am making a spinach and mushroom frittata right now. It really smells good! I'm sure I will be the only one eating this, so I will freeze some of it and take the rest to work for lunch this week.

I am also trying to get everything washed that I will need for our annual "Mom and Sisters" weekend coming up this week. I will be FLYING (hate it) to Michigan on Thursday and coming back next Tuesday.

Be back soon!

No child, no sewing, no crafting......................

2009-09-11T22:17:00.008-05:00

instead I am taking my time browsing thru the new Martha Stewart Halloween magazine.

I dropped Jessie off at a friend's birthday slumber party this evening. She has cheerleading in the morning and then a Taylor Swift concert Saturday evening, that she is going to with her friend. I will pick her up on Sunday. So I am home free for the weekend!

I spent tonight browsing my favorite edition of Martha Stewart magazines - the Halloween edition! I found soooo many great idea's! Going back for another look!

Be back soon!

Mark One Off My To Do List

2009-09-10T21:54:00.004-05:00

The cheer leading skirt now looks like all the other girls skirts. Just in time to cheer at a football game on Saturday.

There are some light marks on the skirt from where it was pleated, but the camera exaggerated them. They really aren't that noticeable! If anybody knows how to get rid of press marks on polyester, please let me in on the secret! I have tried several things with no luck!

On to mending my Granddaughter's jeans.

Be back soon!

Working on......

2009-09-08T23:43:00.006-05:00

Just thought I would show you what I am working on at the moment. I have a table runner in progress for the Halloween basket. It matches the napkins I made.
I am also working on a cheerleading skirt. I am depleating(I know that isn't a word. I just don't know what to call it) and making a straight skirt from it. For a new cheerleader.

Too tired now...............

Be back soon!

Halloween Basket Part 7

2009-09-05T21:07:00.006-05:00

Eight cloth napkins. Tied up with ribbon - four in each packet. Each packet has two orange and two black, polka dot fabric. They all have the same checked fabric on the opposite side. All the fabric was from my stash. Another stash buster!

I have been looking for something to use this ribbon on. It is too stiff. My bows don't look that pretty - but good enough!

I am working on a table runner from the same fabrics.

Have a good Labor Day Weekend!

Be back soon!

Halloween Basket Part 6

2009-09-01T20:29:00.004-05:00

Working on the labels for my witch spices. I found them on a Halloween forum, free for the taking. At least something is going my way!

So far so good. Don't you think? Gotta get back to work! I have to fill out a form about what is in my basket by Friday! Ugh! I need a few things, but the stores don't have them out yet. (At least I hope they have them this year) I can't list them until I know I have them.

Be back soon!

Another One

2009-08-31T08:02:00.002-05:00

I decided to make a shabby style stand from the same items I used to make the Halloween witch dessert stand.

I had some runs in my spray paint because I was impatient. I added too much paint, too soon. #1 rule in spray painting is several light coats. So as I was sanding the runs off, I decided I liked it and left it. I did add a coat of matte sealer.

Be back soon!

This - N- That

2009-08-29T20:48:00.007-05:00

Son #1 gave me his treasured autographed Ryan Sandberg jersey and a shadow box at Fourth of July. He wanted me to mount it for him.

About two weeks ago, I asked him when he would be in town, so it would give me the incentive to get going on it. Well he and his fiancee are in town this weekend for a wedding, so I got busy on Friday night and framed it for him. (no sense rushing into these things!)

It turned out pretty good. Definitely not professional, but still good!

In Other Matters:
I have been working on the labels for my Halloween Jars, and unfortunately, I made them too large, so I need to redo them. I decided this after cutting them out and aging them -ugh!

I am eat up with chigger bites and all I can think of is scratching! Scratching! and more Scratching! Just like the chicken pox! Seriously, what is the purpose of chiggers? I don't even like their name!

Be back soon!

Halloween Basket Part 5

2009-08-26T21:55:00.005-05:00

The Witches (Witch's?) Kitchen Basket continues. Here is the dessert stand I made for her kitchen. Everybody loves dessert! Even a Witch!

A closer view because I am a bad photographer.

and an even closer view (the glass distorted the heads - they are not chubby!):

Made from one of those cheese boards with a glass dome lid that you see all the time in the thrift stores (unless of course you decide this is so cute and you need to make one for yourself!) and a wooden candlestick, glue and black spray paint. Sooo Easy!

Oh yeah and I forgot. You need to add the dessert! This Witch loves mini baby skeleton heads with black spiders! I want to add some spider webs, but the dog gone stores haven't put out the Halloween stuff yet!

Don't you just love it? I know I do!

Be back soon!

Halloween Pennant

2009-08-25T20:44:00.004-05:00

I have been doing other things than spray painting and working on the Halloween basket.

This has been on my list of things to do for a while, not necessarily for Halloween, just to try it out. I did a little bit here and there through the weekend and finally put it all together tonight.

A Halloween Pennant Banner for my dining room. I need to make another one for the other set of windows in there. The second one is almost finished. Hopefully I will be able to finish it tonight. (I just started watching Legally Blonde while typing this, so I don't know. I've never seen it.)

I tried to get a close up of the fabrics, so you can see how really cute it is! Taking pictures at night is hard. I just used fabric I had on hand, trying to reduce my stash. (Another 30 years and I may have one empty closet!)

Be back soon!

Halloween Basket Part 4

2009-08-23T10:04:00.008-05:00

Yesterday I worked some more on the Halloween Basket. I did a lot more spray painting.

I also aged my Witch Cookbooks.

Brush the watered down paint on..............(take a picture for your blog)................wipe it off. Let it dry.

I also worked on my rat or tarantula cage. I don't know what it its going to be yet.

I aged it and sealed it. Then I took a thin plastic cutting mat, that I buy from the dollar store for my purse bottoms, cut it to size and hot glued Spanish moss to it. That way it won't create such mess on counters or tabletops.

It's looking good to me! I wish the stores would hurry up and put their Halloween stuff out. I really need a few things. Usually I am thinking, Wow they have that out too early. Now that I need something, it's way too long!

Be back soon!

Conversation with Hubby Today

2009-08-22T22:58:00.005-05:00

Well I have been doing more spray painting this weekend for my Halloween basket.

This is a conversation that could have been overheard by the squirrels, birds, lizards and toads by our back porch.

Hubby: Why are spray painting on the walkway? (note: I did have my handy dandy plastic drop cloth down)

Me: Because I needed a level surface.

Hubby: What happens if you get that black spray paint on the walkway cement?

Me: I guess we'll be getting a divorce. You are much too smart to be married to someone who would get black spray paint on the cement walkway just to decorate for Halloween.

Be back soon!

Halloween Basket Part 3

2009-08-19T21:28:00.003-05:00

I thought I would show you a little bit of what I have done on my gross witch spice jars.

I spray painted the lids of salsa jars this weekend. (I need to thank my SIL & her husband who eat this all the time and have been saving their jars for me for years. Love the wide mouth jars!) I found this rack at the thrift store - perfect for my jars!

The picture above is taken with the lights on. It looks really cool with the lights off. I attached to the back of the rack a small little led clip on light. I still need to paint that black.

Below on the top shelf I have bloodied severed fingers and ..................I need 3 (cheap) ideas for the other jars. I am racking my brain.

Below on the bottom shelf I have bloodied eyeballs, cat guts and ugly teeth. I need an idea for one more of the large jars.

I think I will make the water in the jar of the ugly teeth a little lighter. Hubby thinks I have too many cat guts in the jar. He is probably right now that I am looking at the pictures, but don't tell him I said that! He doesn't read my blog so I am safe.

I still have to wrap twine around the top of 5 jars and put on some labels. I don't want them too large. I want people to see what is in the jars!

Here is a picture of my spice rack with the lights off:

Looks Good to me, but I am a Halloween Nut! I still have more projects in the works.

Be back soon!

Halloween Basket Part 2

2009-08-18T20:25:00.004-05:00

I have been working on the Halloween basket, a little here and a little there. I did a lot of spray painting this weekend for it.

Here I am making cat's guts to go in a jar. So simple to make with a hot glue gun and a glass cutting board.

Look what I found at Michael's this week. I need something like this to go on my "Spice Jars" for my Halloween Witch Kitchen basket.

We all know how talented Martha Stewart is! I just knew she would have something I could use! I bought this with my 40% off coupon, so it was about $3.50.

Be back soon!

Spray painting my weekend away

2009-08-16T23:06:00.004-05:00

Yep that is what I did this weekend! Hopefully I will be able to show you something tomorrow.

Oh and that is Patrick checking things out! He seems to like it around here!

Be back soon!