That's right....the 'baby' has decided she's ready to join us for school, "just like the big kids!" :) She wrote her name without help for the very first time, March 31, and is also drawing "people"....
**notice the 'glue goo' coming from the nose on her artwork, above.** haha!! :)
My little lovely, Ella.
Here to stay is this adorable blue bird! My kids stitched along happily as we made this addition to our Winter Wonderland...
You'll need::
Craft felt in colors of your choice.
Sewing needle
Embroidery thread or other thick thread.
Scissors
Fiber Fill, cotton, or felt scraps to stuff the body of the birdie.
Instructions::
On a piece of paper, draw an outline of your birds body (with a head). Cut it out and pin it to a doubled piece of your felt. Cut around it. Stitch all around the body of the bird, leaving and opening at the bottom for stuffing. Stuff the birdie (we found that leaving the head a little empty was a bit cuter). Stitch the bottom closed. Sew in eyes by stitching through the head several times in the place you'd like the eye to be. (Cuts down on having to sew each side individually and this way you know they're even.) Cut wings any shape or size you'd like. Stitch them on by holding them both in place and going through the body the same way you did the eyes. You can do this as perfectly as you like, but as long as your birdie can fly-- that's all that matters! This is a GREAT project for kids interested in sewing. It doesn't have to be perfect, and the little quirks here and there are what makes it so sweet. Get creative & have fun!!
Happy Holiday Crafting, Y'all!!
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Other happenings of the weekend::
Yesterday, we went skating with our homeschool group. Ella even put on some skates and rolled around! She has excellent balance and coordination. (If I do say so myself.) I wish I could post the video...you'll just have to take my word for it. Genna-Clair wasn't much on skating...she preferred to wear her skates and hang out in the arcade or indoor playground area with her other five-year-old fashionista friends. Love her! Trip had us all cracking up as he took full advantage of the disco ball and spotlights on the rink. He is such a showboat.
This evening, we visited Santa at Christmas on Springfield Cove. We nearly froze, but it was worth it! I'd forgotten how extraordinary this venue is. They were celebrating 25 years and had cake and hot chocolate for their visitors! How nice! I hope they'll be back next year. Our kids always look forward to it the last Saturday before Christmas. We know several families who take their children because driving into Memphis is such a headache...plus, this Santa is much more friendly/jolly and the whole experience is so personal and special for the kids. Santa knew their names before they even got there!!
Santa - "Hi Genna-Clair! Have you been a good girl?"
Genna-Clair's chin dropped to her chest and she refused to speak. She wouldn't go near Santa's lap and avoided eye contact....
Hmm.........coal and switches? haha
Ella and Trip were complete opposites of Gen. Ella hopped right up and critiqued Santa's display of elf posters and other holiday decor. I wish I'd had my camera recording video...hearing her say, "Merry Christmas, Santa!" was priceless!
Trip was disappointed that Santa's beard wasn't fake....he has been plotting to expose a fake-bearded Santa Claus for years. heh.
I LOVED that Santa made a point to tell the kids that Jesus' birth is what Christmas is all about, and gave them each a bracelet as a reminder. One reads "Jesus is the reason for the season." and the other, "Happy Birthday Jesus!"
Thank you so much to Sandy Hoots and Debbie Magee and everyone else who makes Christmas on Springfield Cove so great each year!!
**Just posting the final projects. Something happened to our internet connection last night. I've also been busy working on a quilt for a friend and helping the kids make felt birdie ornaments (will be included in a post later today)
(smile)
Yesterday was filled with Christmas ornaments, baking, cleaning, creating, and loving every minute of it! The kids were more than happy to work alongside me. Especially when we made ornaments from Baker's Dough. This has become a sort of tradition around here. Every year we make ornaments, and it seems every year since discovering them, we've made this special kind of ornament.
Also on the list were chocolate chip cookies, Yarn-ball ornaments (made using balloons), crocheting dishcloths, a crochet scarf, and a "magic weave" scarf.
Here I'll share our crafting and some of the directions for five projects we've done, complete with pictures!!
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1. Baker's Dough Ornaments
The kids loved measuring, mixing, kneading, rolling, and cutting the dough to make their very own ornaments.
Ingredients ::
4c All-Purpose Flour
1c Salt
1tsp Alum (found in spices) *this is an astringent that helps to bond the ingredients together
2tsp Vegetable Oil
1 1/2 c Warm Water
Rolling Pin
Aluminum Foil
Cookie Cutters
Drinking Straw
Instructions ::
Mix all dry ingredients together, then add water and vegetable oil. This may be too hard to mix with a spoon, so feel free to dig in with your fingers! After I'm satisfied that things are mixing together fairly well, I hand each child a good-sized ball of dough for them to knead until smooth and roll out themselves. (I help lots because sometimes this dough can get really tough to work with.)
Roll dough to 1/4" thickness and use cookie cutters to cut out ornaments. Using the drinking straw, place a hole near the top of ornaments for hanging. Bake them at 250 degrees F for at least one hour until they look mostly dry or feel hard. Allow ornaments to set/cool about 5 hours.
Paint your ornaments using acrylic paint or decorate with markers.Tie a string or ribbon to the ornaments and hang them on the tree! (These also make cute gifts or gift toppers)
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2. Yarn-Ball Ornaments
Needed ::
Small balloons
Yarn
Glue
Water
Aluminum foil or plastic wrap
flour
optional- fabric stiffener
Instructions ::
Inflate your balloon to the desired size. Lightly dust it with flour (this makes it easier to remove the balloon once everything dries). Begin wrapping the balloon with your choice of yarn. Keep the yarn intact--yarn pieces won't be strong enough. Wrap on all sides allowing the balloon to still show through but also using enough yarn to make your ornament sturdy. (note our photo) When your balloon is covered enough to suit you, cut the yarn from the skein (keeping your balloon covered. Do not remove the yarn from the balloon.)
Mix 1 part glue to 2 parts water in a bowl. Carefully place the ornament into the glue mixture and turn to coat completely. It may be necessary to *gently* squish some of the extra glue mixture off of the ornament. When completely covered, place ornament on plastic wrap or aluminum foil to dry. You may also dust the ornament with glitter at this point. Allow to dry overnight.
When the yarn is completely dry, carefully deflate the balloon and remove from the inside of the ornament. Tie on a ribbon and hang it on the tree!
*You may want to spray the ornament with fabric stiffener to ensure its strength or with spray paint for a different effect. Remember to let it dry completely! Some of the other directions I found recommend taking the yarn off the ball and dipping it in glue mixture to cover the balloon. We found that leaving the balloon covered is just as effective and a little less messy. Have fun!
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3. "Magic Loom" Woven Scarf
Items Needed ::
Yarn (we used 3 separate colors)
Drinking Straw
Scotch Tape
Instructions ::
**For this project, we used three separate colors of yarn. This is a great stash-buster!
Cut the straw into four equal tubes. Cut four strands of yarn equal to the desired length of your scarf (or belt!) *We used 3.5 feet. Thread one end of yarn through piece of straw, and tape the end of the yarn to the outside of the straw. Do this for all four straws. Tie the opposite ends of the yarn together. This is the loom.
Next, with the contrasting yarn (2 balls/2 colors) tie the ends of the yarn around the base of the first straw (close to the loom strand) Begin to weave the yarn over, under, over, under, around, etc..
When there is no room left on the straws, pull the straw out some until only one or two rows of weaving remain on them, continue weaving. The end of the scarf "magically" moves down the length of the loom!
Continue weaving until the scarf is at the desired length. Tie the end of the contrasting threads to the last string of the loom. Tie the ends of the loom strings together and remove the straws. You may wish to add fringe to the ends or maybe a buckle, if you were making a belt. Use your imagination, and above all, have fun!
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4. Simply Soft Chunky Scarf (crochet)
2 skeins Caron Simply Soft yarn
Size N - 9.00MM Crochet Hook
This scarf is made by crocheting with two strands of yarn together, throughout. This is the scarf I'm in the process of making for my mom. It's actually really easy. I have so many other things going on at the time so I haven't finished it yet. =) But its soo soft and pretty, I had to share it with you!
Crochet Abbreviations :: ch= chain, sc=single crochet
Instructions :: Holding two strands together, ch 20. Row 1: sc in second chain from hook. sc in each ch across. (18 sc) Row 2: ch 1, sc in each sc across (18 sc) Repeat row 2 until the desired length, finish off & weave in ends. You may choose to add a border around the entire scarf or add fringe to the ends.
Happy Hooking! (haha)
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5. How 'bout a stack of dishcloths!
Or one or two... These are made using a very simple pattern from Ravelry , where you'll find several super easy free patterns for all kinds of things! My friend Beth has been making lots of these hats that are too cute! She's so talented. =)
Pattern for the blue ombre dishcloth
Till Christmas Eve....and (a little more than) since I last posted!! Ack! I meant to be posting all along. First of all, my computer completely died one day last week. My wonderful Father-in-law took my hard drive and placed it in a new body. :) My computer is now sparkling blue(!) and with louder volume, a slightly larger screen, and longer battery life. (yay!) I love it.
Also last week, Thursday in fact, the electric outlet/receptacle in Ella's room began sparking, causing ALL the receptacles upstairs to go out..AND the heater IN THE ATTIC. Our wiring is way weird. (say that 5 times fast!) I immediately called David Sr.(Father-in-law) to let him know what was going on, since Davey had to referee soccer. The kids and I went on a grand adventure to Lowe's for replacement receptacles, covers, and a voltage detector. We actually found some great deals! If you buy the contractor packs of receptacles and covers, it is much less expensive. (39 cents each vs. $1.73 each piece) Instead of just the voltage detector, I went all out and got a pack of tools including a multimeter and receptacle tester. Yeah, I'm awesome like that. Haha. I even made sure to grab a good supply of flashlights since our last experience a few weeks ago left us in the dark several moments with over-dramatic kiddos. Luckily they weren't needed. I learned that the label "rec" on our breaker box means RECEPTACLES, (duh!!) so we were able to only cut the power where needed. David found that we have aluminum wiring and will need to have an electrician redo ALL of our wiring before long. For now, replacing the receptacles seems to be doing the trick. Aluminum wires get much hotter than copper and tend to burn-out easily. This is why six -and counting- of our receptacles have been hot or melted--a very scary ordeal, but one I'm grateful we didn't ignore and are getting SOMETHING done about.
The weekend was filled with my beautiful Momma's 47th birthday, Christmas Cantatas and soccer games. My mom and dad and Trip and the rest of the choirs did a wonderful job! We enjoyed a visit from my grandparents (my Daddy's parents) and I think we kept them up too late, catching up on everything!! I'm currently working on a scarf for my mom, which is pictured below. I made one a few years ago and she has been hinting for weeks that she needs a new one! I sure hope she likes it! I'll be sure to post a photo of her, scarf adorned, once I give it to her. I'm a perfectionist, you know, this may take a while. ;)
*Trip is #8 for purple...notice Papa's reflection in the photo? :)
In other news, the holiday cleaning has paid off and made way for HOLIDAY CRAFTING!!
Quick story first:: Last night (Wednesday) Trip and Genna-Clair had choir rehearsal for our church Christmas service. I went to FINALLY return "The Karate Kid" (from Trip's birthday!) at the video store and went to Home Depot to check out a deal on a Christmas tree. We talked about getting a real tree, but it just isn't happening this year--our tree is eight years old--and an artificial tree on sale is the same price as a real tree....ahem. SO I called Davey to tell him about this great deal I've found on a pre-lit tree.
"If we ain't bought one yet, we're not getting one now." was the response.
I was disappointed BUT I kept my cool, paid for the fire-starter logs, and headed home.
To find that while I was gone, my husband got the tree down and had it up and was decorating it! I must say it is the cutest little artificial tree ever...and it was more beautiful since he took the time to do something really that he knew would mean so much! BUT (again, there's a "but") he didn't have any lights on the tree....
He claimed it was because he wanted to "go green" this year. A few minutes later, his dad asked if he ever found the lights. Aha! He couldn't FIND them! (They were in the garage!) We stripped the tree of its ornaments and wound lights till it made us dizzy....and realized two strands of lights were blown! Aghh! A buy one get one sale at Walgreens saved the day! We spent the rest of the evening decorating the tree, Davey playing the piano and singing -LOUDLY SINGING-Christmas songs, and "Simply having a wonderful Christmas time!"
*This post is so long, I'll show you all the fun crafting we've done today in a later post! :) We've had a very jolly day!
Warning: This is only the beginning of the things we've found, re-purposed, or bought at fun thrift stores across the Mid-South.
Thrifting is so good. Restoring things from past generations that have been tossed aside, giving them new life and reflecting on the usefulness they once served for someone else. All around our home are re-purposed things reminding us to appreciate that, and to live a little more simply.
I'm pretty sure that's a coffee table, but a very sturdy one that has become a bench for the front porch. I've been looking for a bench , but I couldn't bring myself to buy one--this was rescued from moving neighbor who planned to toss it out. And "Ole Rusty"...well, that was just too cool to pass up--a road-side find.
We've had some electrical issues in our house recently, deeming the dining room light and fan "dead" (as the kids say). This lamp someone was throwing out is perfect atop our mantle as a makeshift light. Nice romantic ambiance....ha ha. The match to it has PVC pipe as the base of the lamp. Apparently it was broken at some point, but is still functional. I haven't found a suitable shade and I think it will find its home in Papa's shop. I thought about hanging it upside down from the ceiling just for fun. (I'm joking---or am I?)
For all this thrifting, there are rules: It has to find a home and be put to good use within two weeks of coming to our house, or it is passed on. I'm very picky with the things I bring into our home, but occasionally I'll pick something up with another person in mind. For example, all the floral foam, pins, and containers we came across a few weeks ago and passed on to my amazing Mother-in-law. I swear I become more like her everyday....in good ways. *ha!*
I am completely in love with this bread box. I've been looking for a vintage bread box for years and this one was just perfect!
Iron hooks that happened to match our newly-painted front door were exactly what we needed to catch our "out the door" items at the bottom of the stairs. I was tired of my family members hanging their things on the bannister--this fixed that issue, and it looks like it was made especially for that space.
Another "find" that the kids adore. We had to put it in the china cabinet to prevent little fights and a horn flying across the house. I didn't realize the photo behind it was in this picture...five generations: my babies, myself, my mother, her mother Brenda Lorraine, and Great-Grandma Genevieve. My inspiration--the women I look up to and the children I'm blessed with.
Finally, a thrift store find I just had to have because it's the same thing my Great-Grandmother Genevieve (Grandma Doza) used to have hanging in the sun room and would say as she rocked us. Hers was a small paper print in a frame, and this one is cross-stitched/embroidered. I'm thinking I might take the cloth out of the frame, to be re-purposed in a quilt for the rocking chair....
That's all for now! I'll be back more often. I still have a lot of sharing to do and finally have this homeschool/work/soccer schedule somewhat figured out to allow time for blogging.
September has been, in a word: busy. Also, lately, very very wet --and consumed with soccer and birthdays.
To all the family and friends with September birthdays: Happy Birthday!!
And now, to the photo sharing::
FC Dallas VS DC United
They tied 2-2...but it was a fun game!
We cheered for the referees...
The next day, I was hot and tired and....
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The following weekend was Silvia's birthday...I posted that we would be making a gift for her. Bringing out the beads and jewelry making items inspired this:
Charms of pretty buttons and glass beads on a sterling silver chain represent daughter Dica, son Davey, and boast five sweet grandchildren and at least four decades of being family. I was surprised at the outcome of this gift-creating. I love giving something made not of me--but representing the person it is created for. This was an honor to make and present to the mother of my husband. I am so thankful for her and feel blessed to celebrate this birthday as her daughter (in law--or love, of course).
Isn't she cute in her red cowboy boots?! Trip will soon outgrow her, I think. *giggles*
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My Princess, Genevieve, is the only little girl on the team--and God love her, you'd think it were a beauty review the way she poses and prances across the field. She's so sweet. At home, she has that fire--she wants the ball and she's gonna fight for it. On the field, however, surrounded by cheering parents, little boys, coaches, and a real live referee on an actual field, I think she gets a little bit stunned and forgets what she's really there for. She'll get it in time. I know that she loves the game and soon enough she'll show some swift moves that rival those of her favorite player--Mia Hamm.
Isn't she the cutest Lil' Demon you've ever seen?! Ok, so maybe I'm a bit partial...
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More photos of fun weekends and changes we've made in the house, treasures we've found, birthdays, and so forth will have to be shared tomorrow or later today. My computer is slowing on me and my patience is wearing thin--it's 1:30 in the morning.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!
Welcome Autumn! I can't wait to share all the fun we have ahead of us with you!
~Kristen
Been meaning to post some things. I have lots of projects working all at once right now.
Currently I have an order for two "Bow Tai's"(and here) due tomorrow...I was working happily on them when my stitching got all wonky. Rather than fight with the machine, I remembered that Wal-mart had a nice machine on clearance in my town. The Brother SE350. Now, you have to understand, I have worked wonders with the little Brother machineI've used since I turned 21. So anything is a step up from that. As far as sewing machines go, I am a novice...this machine made my head spin when I took it out of the box....I kept thinking "Why didn't you wait for a nice vintage machine? Basic stitches, you have to do it all yourself like you've been doing anyway...now you're going to get spoiled and lazy!!" lol I have no clue how to use the thing. I've been reading the manual all day, between diaper changes and feeding Little's and breaking up wrestling matches (my kids think they're in UFC--they watch it with Papa) and then running out of thread!? *gasp!* I ALWAYS have an abundance of thread!!! I ran out of WHITE THREAD!!
Anyhow, I went to the store, got some thread, and came home to let the kids play in the sprinkler. They love love loved it. Elenore was in bed by 7:30....so nice! But only after she says "Baff, Mama, now.....PEESE?" She's piecing all her words together. I'm constantly amazed by her...I guess my being older, and her being "the baby" makes things a little more impressive.
I have a week to get a whole lot done....not sure if I can! The first order of business for "getting things done" started last weekend, when we had a yard sale. Well....I take that back. It actually began when I ordered fabric. Then we went to a yard sale where we bought my new (to us) dining room set. Huge table, 8 chairs, and a beautiful china cabinet. The first really nice furniture we've bought. (sad?) THEN came the yard sale, where we made a pretty good $238!! We sold our old table and I cleaned out the garage. A much needed task...I also hurt my hand/wrist in the process.
Basically, I'm re-arranging--again---and going through and getting rid of things--for real this time. Sewing and decorating and working on getting the house company-worthy. Right now I'm embarrassed to allow the neighbor's dog in here (yes, that's an exaggeration--especially since I don't know if my neighbor has a dog). I can't stand the clutter!! And I can't see spending money to replace the furniture if its still in good condition, structurally. I'll just recover it! New project photos coming soon....its a surprise. Here's a sneak peak:
It includes~
These pics do NOTHING for the colors....these colors actually match a lot better IRL(In real life).
Anyway...back to work!!
OH! And the title reminded me that Papa took us to a movie Sunday... "UP"(in 3-D) is the best movie for kids in a long long time....we really loved it!
But isn't that actually WORK?! I guess so since I'm promoting my cute lil blog along with all my sewing stuff....(Okay so not very cute yet but it will be)
I'm feeling kinda creative today...but not in a way that inspires me to clean the kitchen or go outside in the beautiful cool spring sunshine and play with my kiddos...or sew, or organize anything.....
Nah, I just want to play on the new computer and mess around with the applications and stuff on my blog! Maybe check emails for new orders, make a few phone calls, etc...but most of what I'm doing today is work on THIS. So be sure to check back soon for any fun changes and remember to leave me a comment if you read this blog! I need some good encouragement! :)
My children are finding icky worms and slugs and running in to show me! EW!! They want to find the "teeny-tiniest" and "most huge-gigantic" worms in our yard! Then they're gonna feed them leaves and see how big they get....because their Abuelita taught them how worms compost the leaves and make good soil for planting. Good lesson for the day, right? Well, it has been their obsession since we found a giant earth worm about a month ago...we'll see how long this one lasts! ha ha.
Again, I'm going to post more pics as soon as I figure that out.
Oh, and an update from the weekend...we went to the A-fair in Hernando. Lots of home-made goodness! Many things were a repeat from one booth to the next but there were some real treasures. I came home with a yummy smelling Jasmine & Sweet Pea candle from Spring River Candles, and a metal cross from a lady named Joy. It says "Make a Joyful Noise". I think it fits us well, since we're always singing or making music. (again I need PICTURES!!) She doesn't have a website yet because she just got started, but I did tell her about Etsy! So, Joy, if you happen to read this: I love your work! You better get to it with that business of yours! You are a very talented lady! :)
I'm sure you'll hear more from me later.
Have a blessed day everyone!
David, and his favorite thing...Yeah our back yard pretty much stays a mess. I'm pretty much sick of it. Hope to have it cleaned up by mid-summer.
My rather dirty, yet beautiful, darling Genevieve. She loves getting into things....she makes me crazy, but I don't know what I'd do without her! Do you see the stain on the antique piano bench cushion? That was a Kool-Aid spill from Miss Genevieve. Any suggestions for getting it out are very appreciated!!
I love those sweet ringlets...they're like spun gold; the perfect shade of strawberry-blonde. (Not sure if you can tell in this picture) This is the baby, Elenore, being silly-as-usual.
Spring River Candles : Sweet Pea & Jasmine. It smells wonderful, and it was the last one they had that day!!
I didn't notice, until just now, that the "l" is missing from "joyful". That's an easy fix, and its still so cute and so perfect for our family. We are always making a joyful noise.
Isn't that neat looking? I think its some sort of honeysuckle. It smells like it, but looks like pin-wheels! I was so happy to have snapped this pic-- because a few days later, several thunderstorms came and beat all the blooms off of the vines.
My Mother's Day gift from the kids:: a hummingbird feeder that looks like a wine bottle. Now, what does that say about me? *wink*
Isn't that just the cutest little thing?! ha ha That was a special gift from my Hubby. He's a sweet-heart. And did you notice the book I'm reading? I have a hard time with comma splices, so I'm reviving my inner stickler with this pretty nice little read....I've enjoyed it so far. Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynne Truss.
~Kristen
I'm a crafty Momma taking things one day at a time. ;)
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