Freezing Rain Weekend!

So how was your weekend?  Here in the upper right hand corner of the Nation it was very cold but very nice on Saturday because at least the sun was out.  It was too cold to enjoy the outside but it was nice to see the sun streaming in the windows.

Sunday it was freezing rain.  The Patriot's played in the freezing rain and that is the kind of game where those of us at home watching the game are very glad that we are not AT the game in the freezing rain but rather we are home with hot cocoa and a fire going.  WAY TO GO PATS!!

Since I'm not a football fan (can I say that and still live in the North East?) I decided to craft.

I've been really admiring the place settings I've seen on Pinterest lately and really wanting napkins.  Not the paper ones that we buy for the holidays or birthdays but real cotton, cloth napkins.  But Oh My! the prices I saw on Amazon made my Scottish  blood boil over.  So into the fabric bins I went.

I think that a really good size napkin is at least 16 x 16 inches so all I needed was material that was at least that size.  I started cutting  my material and matching it up.  I cut the material 17 x 17 inches.  I figure as long as I'm making one why not back it with a matching fabric and then have have 2.

If you're using new material, make sure to wash, dry and iron it before you cut it up but I was using what I had on hand.  So it was already washed, dried and ironed.

With right sides together, sew all the way around the material, leaving  an opening in order to turn the material right side out.  

Clip corners, cut close to the edges and turn.  

 Then you can top stitch to give it a nice finished look.  Use either a matching or contrasting thread.  Once it's all sewed, fold into thirds and fold in half and you have a great napkin.

August decided to hold down the ones that were done.  He's good like that!

In all I got 8 two sided napkins which really means I have 16 napkins.  Make them to match your kitchen, match the season or holiday.  Use the material you love.  I made some Frozen ones for the grand girls.  They are never too young to learn about napkins. If you don't have material large enough for napkins, how about using Fat Quarters?  Since they come already matched up, according to color schemes, it would be easy to get several napkins out of them.  Think I have a reason to go to the fabric store now.

Did you craft this weekend, what did you do?

What to do when you're home sick.

Well, Craft of course.

When I wasn't coughing up both lungs and all 10 toes, I was crafting.  After all it was Christmas time.

I made some body pillows for the grand girls.  You've seen them I'm sure on Pinterest.  Basically you take 5 pillowcases and sew them together, stuff them with pillows and you have a body pillow.  Since I couldn't find 10 "Frozen" pillowcases, I made the pillow cases for both grand girls, then Hubby went shopping for 10 pillows to stuff them with.  Here is what the finished product looked liked.

It touched my heart that both girls used them to sleep on the floor for a few nights and loved them.

The other thing I did was create a better way to hold on to August's rompers.
What's a romper?  It's play clothes for a small dog to wear either as jammies or to play outside in the winter and stay warm.

August goes to day care every day with me and while I work (with Becke in my office as my office buddy) he plays.  If the weather is really terrible the small dogs will play inside with the door to the outside open  so that they can go outside to "go".  So the inside room is just as cold as the outside.  If it's not too terrible, the small dogs play outside even in the winter.  Either way, August is cold so he has play clothes to wear out there.

I've bought a few outfits but made most of them.  There is a child consignment shop in the big city and I get either 6 month or 9 month size outfits and adjust them to fit his "boy parts". T-shirts are often onezeeze with the snaps cut off and then hemmed.  Easy!  His one pants and tops are often just that, a top and pants sewed together, then the middle is cut out for his "boy parts".  It really is easy.

As for storage, I found this doll clothes rack and hung his clothes on it.  It was $6.99.  The hangers, were either hangers from baby outfits I bought for a gift and kept the hanger or one of these hangers from the Dry Cleaners.  Pull off the cardboard, bend to fit the new smaller outfit and hang your dogs clothes.

From this 

To this

2 pieces sewed together

All hung up and ready to find what I want.

Did you do any crafting this season?  What did you do?  How did it work out?

A Bit More Crafting - for Free

I enjoy knitting and crocheting. But all those needles can be really hard to keep track of. So one day I gathered all the material that I had and looked for something colorful.  It was winter and I really needed some color besides white.

The insides has 2 layers for storage. The shorter front pockets hold the crochet needles, tape measure, scissors, and a box of row markers. The top layer pockets hold the larger needles and ruler. The top folds up to make getting to those needles easier and velcros down to hold them in place when I'm not using them.

When I'm done I simply start on one end and beging to roll it up.

I takes 3 rolls to completely roll it up

And then I have knitted a band that buttons close and all the needles are inside and neatly stored. 

Again all the materials were on hand so it was free!  I've seen these cases in stores for $30.00.  I'm so glad that I learned to sew a long time ago.

What have you made lately?

Crafting The God Box

The idea of a God Box has been around for a while. Mary Lou Quinian wrote the book "The God Box". A story about one woman's journey discovering her own mother through some 20 God boxes that she found after her's mother death. Little boxes where the mother placed prayers to God. Prayers for good health, the money to buy a house, help with dealing with a problem and dreams for her children. Placing them in the box symbolized to her the act of giving the request to God and forgetting about it.  I liked the idea.

Once the box and cover were made, the cover didn't fit on as it once did. I taped ribbon to the inside of the top and box and now they are connected. 

So I made myself a God Box.  Someplace to put the prayers that comes from the depths of my heart. Some place to see that I've "mailed" off my hopes for my husband, my kids, my grandkids.  A place to put my dreams, my struggles, my frears, my joys. A place where I write it down and then forget it.
The prayers don't have to be long, or eleganant, or for something very big - but they do have to be honest. Sometimes my prayers are simply "Help". I know that God knows what I need.

A Box where I put my dreams and God takes them out.
A Box where I know that He will see it and take care of it.
He will answer them in time.  He will send His peace and I can rest in His love for me.
My job is to send my prayers to Him. I'm pretty good at this part. I'm hoping that the Box will remind me to NOT take them back. I'm not so good at that part.

Have you ever heard of the God Box?  Did you read the book?

Winter is Here - Keep your Pet Warm

We all love seeing small dogs in winter coats. Our little August is getting bigger and at the moment his butt is higher than his shoulders so when he runs he face plants a lot. That includes outside in the snow.  I can do some sewing for him and so I made him several coats. All of the ones I made are reversible so for the work of one coat, I have two.  Coats are easy to make and there are lots of free patterns on the web. You web people are so wonderful and share so much.  I am grateful for all the free patterns I have found. 

Because August is so little, I can use the extra material to make him a matching harness.  I have his tags on a little tag holder that quickly comes off one harness and onto the next.  

But larger dogs can benefit from winter coats as well. Older dogs can have a harder time maintaining body temperature as well, as well as dogs with compromised immune systems for any number of reasons.

Becke, the Wonder Dog will be 12 years old on January 30th. It's 12 degrees up here in NH and yes, she has a coat. Several in fact.

 This one was made from a bath robe material

And it is reversible as well.

My friend Anu has a great newsletter that deals with caring for your dog without breaking the bank and she wrote a great article this month on more tips for keeping your dog warm and why that's important. You can find the article here at More Bark for your Buck.  If you have a pet, this newsletter is a great way to see how others cut the cost of owning a pet without cutting the joy. Join her mailing list, and every month you will get great advice on caring for your pet. Yes, she gave me a kind shout out in her article, but even without that, it's a great article and timely with winter still bearing down on many of us.  Have a great weekend everyone. Stay warm.

Grannie to the Rescue

Being a Grannie is so much fun. It's our reward for letting our kids live! Remember  those teen years?  You simply say "Good Morning" to your child and get in return a long story about why it's NOT a good morning at all for everyone.  Those mood swings were terrible and we let them live.  They live because God made them so cute as babies and we remember those days. We let them live because we know it will get better and that there is a reward coming. The reward is grand children!  We have 2 of the best grand daughters live close to us and we get to see the girls almost every week. It's wonderful!!! But I digress.....so where was I going with this?  Oh Yes, I remember now.

Last week I got a message that the youngest didn't have a Christmas Stocking to hang up and could I help. Can I help? You bet.

I went to work. First I had to remember what the colors of the Christmas stocking that I made for the oldest grand daughter so we took off to there house to take a few pictures. Any excuse to see the girls you know.

This is the stocking that I made for the oldest grand daughter a few years ago.  I wanted to make sure that I picked very different fabrics for the youngest ones.

While we were there, we played with the girls and Pepere and the oldest grand daughter played with Lego robots.  What fun to hear her talk like a robot.  She didn't know we were coming and surprised her when we walked in the door. It was great to see her jump up and down and scream in joy at us coming in.  When we left, she cried a little which touched my heart. But we were on a mission.  Off to the store to get what I needed and then to find the time.

August has discovered that if he jumps on my foot while I'm sewing, I will yell and the machine goes faster. So sewing time is limited to when a) he is sleeping and b) when Hubby can keep him buy.  One day after work, he fell asleep and I grab all my supplies and put this together in a few hours.

So Grannie has come to the rescue and now both grand daughters have very different Christmas Stockings.  I am so glad that I have this talent and can make them both happy as well as my own daughter.

YUP! I am Super Grannie!! And I LOVE it.  Have a great weekend all, Lord willing, I'll see you Monday.

TGIF: At last!

Earlier in the week Hubby and I went to our new Hobby Lobby. It was only the second time that we have been in there and this time we took more time looking around.

We were looking for just a few little things but Hubby got me a great big gift.

Circut Electronic Cutter - for those who do not know what it is, you use it to make cards and other gifts.

Press one little button and it opens to show you all its beauty.

The Circut comes with one cartridge but Hubby bought me another one as well.  Guess what I'll be doing this weekend? Since I'm learning this new toy, I've warned my friends, "Learner cards" are on the way. I've had one friend already offered to help me learn and play with it. Good friend!!!

Thank you Hubby for my gift!

Have a great weekend and Lord Willing, I'll see you Monday.

Project in the works

Don't you love having projects? I know I do and I am rarely bored. I have winter projects that I do when I'm trapped toasty by the fire, inside and the wind is howling, the snow is piling up and temps are in the negative numbers. During those times I do a lot of sewing, knitting, closet cleaning (I do have to tie a line on me in case I get lost in there and can't find my way out).

 But in the good weather, I'm pruning, planting, weeding (a whole lot of weeding!) painting and refinishing. That is what is happing this week. Remember the kitchen do over?

Well, it's still a work in progress and will be done when time, and money come together,  but I have been working on revamping the cabinets to use for other things.

Three of them are on the floor for toy storage: awaiting wheels, door pulls and a top still, but in the meantime, they do the job they are intended for.

The fourth one is almost finished - most of it is painted, stained, frosted, and ready for it's new job.  It's still waiting for a top and the front doors, but it is in it's new place.

This cabinet had glass doors on both side and I didn't want to build a new backing for it, so I finished the doors and frosted the glass and put them on. It matches my "Meme's" side board really well and looks old as well. It will house the "Good Dishes" when I finish with it.  

How about you? Any projects in the works? Share will you.

Another Goal Achieved: Another project in the works

We interrupt this blog for a special announcement.  I  reached my 1200 miles Monday night (in fact I achieved 1202.74 Monday night). I am quite proud of having met my goal.  The lobster with butter will have to wait a few weeks, Hubby is working long hours this week and next week is Father's Day and I plan to take him out. Still, I have achieved something that I wanted to achieve and I wanted to share, now back to the regular blog.

I have my grandchildren's toys in this planter. Others are scattered around the living room, my home office, the back yard, etc.  This is not the toy storage I wanted in the house but it worked. Then we started the kitchen make over and an idea hit me... 

 I am using the old cabinets from the kitchen make over. They cannot be rehung but with a coat of paint, new door pulls and a new top will make these great for toy storage. But for now they look like this.

A work in progress for sure but I hope to have them up and ready for the toys soon.  Some projects take a while and that is OK. I'm learning patience, and I hope to learn that quickly.

Have a good day everyone. 

Quick Tip Friday: What to do with Christmas Cards

The cards from this year hanging as you walk in. Thank you all!

Outfit # 29, I've been Nice - how about you?

Today is Christmas Eve, and you may be running around trying to get the last bit of shopping done. Or maybe you are still baking those special cookies. The house is beautiful, the tree may be filled with all the gifts ready to hand out.  So with all you may still have to do, I am thrilled that you stopped by for a quick visit. Impressed really.  As you look at all the cards, or email you got this year, do you have plans with what to do with them after Christmas? Well since I'm Scottish I keep them and reuse them next year. 

I cut the cards in two and toss out the part where they signed there names. Now if the card has a really nice verse on it, I may keep it to use the verse for further use. I will hold onto the picture cover part of the card for a year. So these pictures are from cards we got last year.  Here some options that I do with those cards.

1. It becomes a gift tag for a large gift.  Keep the size as is and just punch a hole in it and write then name of the new recipient of the gift. Attach to the new gift. 

2. If you need a small gift tag, cut part of the card, glue it to card stock and punch a hole then attach it to a gift. Sometimes the back of the card has a small photo that is perfect for this. That is what I did here.

Use scrapbook scissors to cut out the part of the card you like.

Glue it on top of matching card stock, punch a hole it it and use yarn to attache it to the smaller gift.   No more buying gift tags, no more tossing out great cards to the land fill, no more writing on the gift with a Sharpie and you get to see all the cards all over again!

3. Using craft sticks, create a frame  and take some of the cards to place on the back, rub the top with glue stick and let your little ones shake some glitter on top and hang your child's work of art.  

Thank you for stopping by on such a busy day. I so appreciate it! Have a blessed day today and Tomorrow. Laugh, Love, and now Stop reading blogs and go hug someone! While you're at it, thank the Lord for someone to love.  Lord willing, I'll see you Monday.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

Quick Tip Friday: Pine Cone Fire Starters

OK, so the Christmas rush is on and you just remembered that you needed a gift for a family member. But your budget is spent - what to do? Or you have a good friend and you would love to make her something that she would use? Or you are a crafter that loves to create. Here is a fun fast craft that would make a great gift as well. If you have friends with fire places who use them then these are fun to make and make a great gift for them. Or make them for yourself and use them watching a Christmas Movie with the ones you love. It's also very easy on the wallet.

Here are the supplies:

Collect pine cones if you live in a area where there are lots just laying around. I had some great friends give me some from there yards.

Gather wax - either store bought or candles that have lost there scent, or too small to burn anymore.

Crayons to color the wax if you want to add color or change the color.

Double boiler for crafts -I use a old coffee pot and put it inside a larger pot with water in it.

Pot holders ----Tongs

Cardboard egg crate plus another egg carton lid -you will need the extra lid only the first time because you can then reuse that lid over and over.

Rainbow Flame Crystal (optional)

Wax paper

Start by putting water in the large pot and your wax/ candles in the smaller pot. Melt the wax/candles on med low heat and watch the water to make sure that it doesn't burn dry.

If needed/wanted add the wax crayons for color

In the meantime, separate the egg carton and place the part that holds the eggs inside the lid. Tear the other lid into small pieces and place those pieces inside the egg cups.

I used 1/2 of the lid for this.

Take the Flame Crystals and pour it into a large ziplock bag.

Once the wax is melted and colored the way you like it, take a pinecone and drop it carefully into the wax. Use the tongs to make sure that the pinecone is completely covered then lift it out and let the excess drop off. Place it in the ziplock bag and shake the bag coating the pinecone and then place it on the wax paper. Do another one till you have enough for each egg cup.

Using pot holders, slowly poor wax into each egg cup on top of the small pieces of lid, and top with the cooled pinecones. Slowly poor a small amount of wax over the top. Let cool completely and then remove the bottom lid and cut the cups apart. You can now place them in a bag or box of your choice and give them as a gift. When you are ready to light them, light the cardboard cup no wick needed! See simple.

You can also coat just the pinecones with wax and the crystals and just let them dry on the wax paper, then toss into a burning fire to add color to it. Put them in cute box (or crate) or bag them in a cute Christmas theme bag a you now have two easy gifts to give to those who have and use there fireplaces. Have fun!

Christmas Outfit #15 of the day: Have a Blessed Weekend everyone.