Craft Shopping Trip Postponed

This weekend was supposed to be my big shopping trip.  (I live in a little town where there is not even a Wal-Mart much less a HL or Michaels.)   I had been dreaming about all the craft stores.  I had my coupons printed and my gift cards packed.  I had been drooling over spending hours just looking around making my choices.  Only that didn't happen.  I got sick!  We made it to the "big" city only for me to come down with the stomach bug.  :(  Talk about disappointing...  So instead of checking out all the great craft stores in the area I took a nap in the hotel.
We are planning another trip next month so maybe the sales will be great!  I still have my gift cards and I'll be sure to print out the latest coupons and try again.

Pay it Forward

I saw this on a blog I am now following.  Sweet Magnolia Rose is paying it forward and challenging others to keep it going.  Here are the rules:

I promise something handmade to the FIRST 5 people who leave a comment here. However, to be eligible, you must repost this status, offering something handmade to 5 other people. The rules are that it must be handmade (or homemade) by you and it must be sent to your 5 people some time in 2011. Ready, set, GO!

Please note the arrival of your handmade item - "some time in 2011."  I always have good intentions of getting things done early but life happens and I am usually running around at the last minute!

I'm excited about this project, how about you?  What a fun way to make someone's day!

Congratulations, sweet E!

Just wanted to post a proud momma shot.  My DD is in our church Awana program and LOVES it.  Give her little goals to work towards and she takes off.  She has been earning little jewels for her vest every few weeks but the award she wanted was at the end of the book.  She wanted the blue ribbon!  She has worked hard studying her verses to learn and finished the book in only half the classes.  She will now work on the extra credit patch.  Way to go E!  We are so proud of you and your hard work.

Turns out the ribbon was actually green.  :(  Also, it was western night.  Her leader doesn't always wear chaps.

Make Your Own Tote

I know, I know.  The previous post states I am not a sewer.  I'm not really.  My projects are far from perfect and the great thing about posting pictures is you can't see most of the flaws!  This tote was made from a bird seed sack.  My neighbor growing up sells bird seed and this is one of his new bags for canary feed.  I love the bright cheerful colors. 



His wife is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.  They always open their home up for people.  The holidays will find many folks enjoying not just a meal together but lots of fellowship.  She makes sure to have a craft on hand for anyone that ones to participate... supplies included.  This tote was this year's project.  Since her DH is the owner she was able to get the feed bags BEFORE they were ever filled with seed so no allergies to worry about.  (I'm sure you could wipe them out if you bought it from the store and still reuse it.)

To be a really useful tote I must have pockets!  I put three small pockets on each side.  And just so you know, I started the project but I'm too slow so naptime was over and my sweet mom finished it for me.  Thanks mom and thanks Connie for the wonderful project!!!

UPDATE:  Here are 3 more tote's that were made using these reusable feed bags...



Mom's bag... appropriate since we raised parakeets!



E's bag... sized just for her.



 

Tina wanted a larger tote and that is easy since you can cut the sack to any size you want.

Crinkle Taggie Blanket

Hi, My name is Audra and I am not a seamstress.  There.  I have admitted it.  I love the thought of sewing and making things.  I see projects and think how fun it would be to try.  I see lots of projects... in my head.  Not many of them actually join the real world.
Over Christmas I thought I'd tackle one of those hidden ideas in the warmth and guidance of my sweet mom's sewing room.  I saw a tutorial on making crinkly taggie blankets and wanted to start whipping them out as gifts.  We did finally get one made.  Actually, my mom made one after my third attempt of having to rip the seams out yet again.  I think next time I'll pull up the tutorial and make sure I have the layers in the correct order first rather than try to make it from memory.  :)
Here is the final project. 

I am saving the wipes' bags still because I plan on making more.   Any other ideas on how to reuse those crinkly wipes bags?

PKS: Sketch Challenge #43

Today I needed to make a thank you card for a dear friend.  While browsing the blogs I saw that Peachy Keen Stamps was having a sketch challenge.  GREAT!  I can use their sketch idea to make my card.  Thanks PK for designing the layout for me.  ;)

I used my new Gypsy to design the cut.  I sooo love being able to put all the paper down and do one pass through cut.  So far that is my favorite feature.  I know most of the blogs give you the recipe for the materials they used but I honestly have no idea about paper and ribbon brands.  Maybe when I buy new supplies I'll keep better track.

Also entered:
Really Reasonable Ribbon
Paper Sundaes Challenge #51

Goals for the New Year

I didn't plan on making any resolutions for the year but as I sat there thinking on my birthday I decided goals would be good.  It is always good for me to have something to strive towards so I came up with five things to work on this year.

1. Do some sort of craft projects 5x/month.  (emotionally uplifting)
2. Read the Bible through.  (spiritual)
3. Spend 15 minutes a day on some form of home improvement.  (home life)
4. Continue excercising to reach weight goal.  (physical)
5. Find ways to encourage/ minister to others at least once a month. (others)

Those are my plans.  As of day 5 so far so good.  What are your goals this year?

First Gypsy Project

I couldn't wait to try out my new Gypsy.  First, I had to register and update it.  That took me TWO HOURS!  Two hours of precious crafting time... but it is done.  I decided my first project needed to be a thank you card to my generous MIL.  After poking around with all the buttons on the machine I was able to cut only the parts of the image I wanted and also lay out the various papers on the mat so I could cut once.  AMAZING.  LOVE IT! 

I still have lots to figure out but this is the best invention.  I love that it stores all the carts on it so I don't have to change them out... when I get to fancy designing.  But now I know which carts I own even if I'm not home.  And let me just applaud Provocraft for their slick marketing trick.  ALL the carts are on the Gypsy so you can design layouts with them.  The trick is you can't CUT without owning them.  Pretty good sales pitch... get you hooked on the cart before you even own it.  ;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

Wow, 40!  My BFF and I do birthday weeks except when the birthday ends in a zero.  That calls for a month long celebration!  That means I get to indulge in little treats all month.  Makes the big birthdays a lot more fun to look forward to rather than dread.  Still, I don't feel 40... however 40 feels.  Today was fabulous!  I went and got a massage.  I even scheduled another one in a couple of weeks!  :)  I received some unexpected flowers from a dear friend and I GOT A GYPSY!!!  I have the best mother-in-law who spoils me rotten.  I mentioned wanting one to save paper on the cricut and she bought it for me.  I am so excited about all the things yet to be made.  2011 will be a GREAT crafting year!!!