"Toad"ly Crafty

Happy Birthday dear Gavin!!

2010-11-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

My middle child's birthday was last week...I can't believe how fast they grow!!

2003

2007

2010

But he reminded me that I still owed him a birthday quilt. Since I made one for his brother. Gavin was very specific what he wanted, black, red and skulls. He even picked out a pattern he liked ....here is what I came up with for him...

I am happy to say he loves it! But....it has been added to the stack...

of quilts that need to be finished....I may have to get s second job to support my batting habits....lol! But seeing how Gavin has requested to have this by Saturday (not really sure why?) I guess I will be using my "allowance" to get batting and binding fabric....good thing he is cute!

Maybe I will be able to get a few others done next week during the

Hmmm....maybe...well happy crafting!

Blogger's Quilt Festival

2010-11-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on to Amy's Creative Side during her spring Blogger's Quilt Festival. I found so many cute quilt ideas and blogs to follow!! There are a TON of fantastic quilts linked up here. Check it out if you get a chance.

I was torn between which quilt I wanted to share, I ended up picking my Halloween Quilt. I know it is past Halloween, but it is the most recent quilt I finished, plus it the most fall of the two quilts I was considering. The other quilt is this one ...but here is the Halloween Quilt.

This is by far the most intensive quilt I have done yet. All of the squares are my own, I did not use a pattern, just took them right out of my head...

My two favorites are by far the pumpkin...

And the cute spider.

I backed it in a soft orange flannel, with a pieced strip. I did a meandering stipple quilting, but also added some detail to the pumpkin, spider and square. I love how it looks on the back on these squares....

It looks ADORABLE on my couch and I have loved cuddling it all month...but it is time to retire it to the basket and get a Thanksgiving one going.

Thanks for visiting...happy crafting!

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

I am majorly suppressing the desire to take down my Halloween stuff today! We celebrated last night, with the trick or treating and everything. I really just want to put up my dang cute wreath for Thanksgiving, don't remember it? Check it out here.

So until I can I thought I would share some of my latest creations....

Thanksgiving quilt top...this is for my mom...all thought I really want to steal it and add it my Holiday Quilts...but she did pay for it...so I guess I have to give it to her!

Over on my favorite swapping site, Two Peas I am hosting a 12 days of Christmas quilt squares. There are 6 people participating and each person choose two numbers to represent in a 12x12 quilt square....I had 11 pipers piping

9 Ladies dancing.

I also made some Christmas tags for swap I am in, the themes were

red, white and silver

Nativity

and penguins, which I did cause Gunner LOVES penguins!

Well hope you all have a Happy Halloween, I am off to play in the craft room!

Family reunion time!

2010-10-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

So a few months ago I posted here about the auction our family does to fund the following years family reunion. Well we just had the annual Evans reunion at the most beautiful cabin, with yummy food...and all of it was paid for with funds from the auction last year.

So here is what I made for this years auction....

I found the one Halloween print in the remnants bin, so it was super cheap....and way cute! I decided to turn it into a disappearing 9 patch quilt. I totally heart how this quilt worked out! I was really tempted to keep it...

Here is a close up of the stitching and the fabric.

My mom, sister and I also did more of the Kitchen sets from that previous post. This time we did a Chocolate Fantasy with a turquoise accent. Love this one..it was my favorite!

We had a hot pad, apron, and tea towel made by me...

adorable recipe cards and white chocolate popcorn, complete with darling labels made by my mom....

Yummy fudge and hot cocoa mix made by my sister.

The next one was name a Cup of Kitchen Cheer

With homemade hot cocoa mix and hot apple cider mix by my sister

tea towel and apron by me

recipe, labels and mugs by my mom.

The next one was A"pear" of "apple"ing aprons (this was my moms favorite)

My mom did recipe cards and canned apple pie filling,

I did a tea towel and matching mommy and me aprons

And we included some homegrown pears from my moms tree.

We had another, called Pepper me Pretty....with a jalapeno theme, but I did not get pictures of it.

My mom and dad also did these...

They are homemade BBQ sauce and homemade Jack Daniels sauce in jars with toppers carved by my dad.

This auction was very successful! There was some way fun things and we raised enough to hold the family reunion in the same location again next year!

Happy Crafting!

Progress report...

2010-09-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

Well sent my last post I am proud to say I have gotten alot done! For fabric/sewing I finished quilting Jacobs blanket, for my project hug them all....my self set goal to make a blanket for each of my nieces and nephews.

I also finished my quilt a long quilt that I did along with Crazy Mom Quilts.

I am in LOVE with this one...I better be considering how intense it was! I ended up backing it with a really cute flannel blue polk a dot with a red binding.I gave this one to Cory, my hot hubby. He has been ~~whining~~ nicely asking for a quilt for quit some time. Every time I would get one finished he would say, wow....now wheres mine? It is meant to "match" this one that I made for myself.

I have started my Halloween quilt as well. (Notice the cute "model" in all my quilt pictures?) The green squares are going to be spiders, I plan to stitch them with some details in black.

Close up of one of the pumpkins. I am excited about this one and really just want to finish it...but we have a family reunion coming up and I plan on doing more of these for the auction...so I am busy making aprons.

But I am also planning a quilt for my little sister Star...she has been hinting at one...very discreetly...since her bday in June. I picked these fabrics because they remind me of her room.

This fun idea has been tumbling around my head for quite a while.

I had my sister in law Lyndsy take this picture last fall of Gunner in his Cub Scouts uniform. He has since graduated and moved on to Boy Scouts, but I knew eventually I would put together a shadow box with the picture and all of the mothers pins I received while he was a Cub Scout. I scored big and found this shadow box at Micheal's this weekend for half off. So I snapped it up! I plan on doing the same thing with his varsity pins and with Gavins pins as well.

For my latest swap on Two Peas I am participating in a Halloween Betty Swap. It is a three part swap. The first is to make 18 Halloween recipe cards. I did Spudnuts, YUMMY! The 2nd part was a partner swap. Which include filling a trick or treat bag with goodies, a Halloween serving tray to serve your recipe on, the special ingredients needed to make your recipe, and a few fun kitchen gadgets. I made my trick or treat bag...I bought this cute fabric to use for my quilt, but then decided to use something a little less obviously Halloween.

I have also made a some fun things to put in the bag

Like this cute charm bracelet and earrings.

I really love this bracelet and want to keep it! My favorite charm is this crystal ball.

I also made a magnet and a Altoids tin album.

And a altered composition notebook. I carry one of these around to jot notes in, grocery lists, crafty ideas and so many other things! Pink is my Betty's favorite color so I sent with a pink theme for it.

My mom made these for me to include too....we are doing a trade since I am making an apron for her Betty.

I hope my Betty likes all this.....

The other swap I am in right now is an altered coffin partner swap....but I need your opinion on it....

with feathers?

or with out?

Here are a few other pics of it

And a few of the goodies I am including in it..

Well that is it for know....I am trying not to save up all my projects for one big giant post. My new goal is to post twice a week....um lets see how that goes.

Feeling a bit naughty....

2010-08-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

...but not in a fun way! I feel a bit like a teenager who is out past curfew....any minute someone is going to start yelling "Where have you been!!??!" But summer is drawing to an end...the kids go back to school on Wednesday...I have to admit it is time...they are starting to drive me crazy!

But just cause I have not posted, does not mean I have not been creating....here are some of the things I have been working on this past month....

Finished my quilt top from Crazy Mom Quilts quilt a long.

Hosted a state recipe swap on Two Peas for which I made all these cards...

Plus a few more that did not get photographed.

I also hosted a cupcake, picnic and a copycat recipe swap as well. I made these cards for it:

I decorated my front table...which is not anything great, but it I liked the feel of it. I have had that Roses vinyl forever...so I was really glad to use it!

I also made this cute little guy!

It is a empty spool of thread that I could not bring myself to throw away.

So I turned it into a mini album

Doesn't it look cute next to my J!

Some up coming projects I have in the works include some aprons from these fabrics

Some Halloween Spudnut recipe cards from this fun paper..

Completing these three quilt tops...

And finishing this quilt that I started for my dads birthday.

I am also hosting another fun swap on Two Peas....it is for a 12 days of Christmas quilt...I am still looking for a few more swappers. If you are interested check it out here.

Results.....

2010-07-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

I got sew (haha, crack myself up!) much done last night!

It was actually Friday night with a bit more on Saturday afternoon...but none the less....

This

Princess & the Pea top is part of my Project Hug them All. This is for my little niece Paislee. She and her twin sister, Kailia are turning two this week. I wanted to have both their quilts done by their birthday, but I don't think that will happen. You may have seen this on Moda Bake Shop. I got the pattern there. But I have made it a bit smaller then theirs. Kailia's is in the planning stages still.

I also got this top done

originally I was making it for my nephew Aiden, but I have decided to make this one for Jacob and do something different for Aiden. (He just got a new room with a sailor theme....I have something in mind that would go more with that)

And the last thing I did was ad the next step to the quilt along over at Crazy Mom Quilts.

I am loving how this is turning out!! It is very tedious, and the amount of seams on the back is unbelievable, but it is my favorite quilt to date!! (Don't I say that about each quilt I do?)

I think with all this accomplished, and my house even got cleaned, I deserve some vegging time with my favorite little girl, Taya, a bowl of popcorn and She's the Man.

Happy Crafting!

Big plans for Friday night...

2010-07-23T10:08:00.001-07:00

yea I know not as "cool" as what I use to do as a young, hip kid....but I am excited about it!

Crazy busy!!!

2010-07-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

I love summer time! Spending time with my kids, the warmth, gardening....so I have been absent from posting.

But I have still been crafting! In addition to a few swaps I have been finishing up for Two Peas

I made this quilt for Gunner. He celebrated his birthday last week and asked me for a quilt. So I made him this tetris quilt, he is so obsessed with videos games, it seemed perfect!

The back

Its bound in a black swirl and I used black thread to stipple it. That was really scary for me, I usually use white, so it was hard to use such a dark color, I knew that all my mistakes would show up! That makes quilt #2 for him. His other one was this one for his bed.

I have also been working on my quilt along that I am following from Crazy Mom Quilts

This is last weeks step, I haven't put on this weeks yet.

And to go with the swaps I have been hosting, I made these three cute RACs

for the winners of the best in theme in each recipe group. They are made with the little Altoids tins.

Hope you all are having as fun and productive summer as I am!

2010-07-12T19:59:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be guest blogging over on Pickup Some Creativity with Chris today.

Chris was one of the other competitors of SYTYC . She has a darling blog with great ideas!
The theme is sewing basics, right at my level! Go check it out if you get a chance.

I'm so proud!

2010-07-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

Gavin has been working on getting his Wolf finished up for Scouts. One of the requirements was to make something useful. So with that as an excuse, I offered to teach him how to make a quilt...and I guess the summer boredom has gotten the best of him...cause he accepted!

Here he is with the finished quilt! It just right for a little lap quilt for him. I am so proud, he did everything on his own...including the quilting which can be quite daunting!

While he was working on that I made this little set for my niece's 4th birthday.

Its a tote bag (yea, I know, I am obsessed!)

Black apple doll

And a doll blanket.

I love that fabric! And I love it even more cause I found it in the remnants bin at Joann's so I got it for a great price!

Hope you all had a great 4th!

Pepsi-aholic's dream bag

2010-06-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

Look what I made for my favorite lil' Pepsi fan!!

My mom, Rosy Cheeks gave me some Pepsi labels, some bright red and blue polka dot fabric and asked that I make her a tote bag to lug around all her crafty projects.

(I love the flower! I think she needs one for her hair!)

Now, I am not much of a soda drinker, the easiest place for me to cut calories is by limiting my soda intake. But not the case with my mom, if she does not have a Pepsi by 10, heaven help us all!! (Love ya mom!)

But, I do love how this bag turned out, it is so bright and cheerful!

On the inside, I lined

it with the blue polka dot fabric and a little red gingham. I used more of the red polka dot fabric to make lots of pockets to hold all the little things she'll need when she crafts.

A few weeks a go she did a cola swap on my favorite swapping site, Two Peas that I think would be so cute as a dangler from this roomy bag.

I think I may have to do one of these in Root Beer for Gavin to use as a library bag, he takes after his nana, a soda fiend!

Hope you love it mom!

2010-06-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

My 4th of July quilt is done...and it is all mine!!! Here are a few detail shots

I quilted around all the denim stars in red and then quilted some blue star shapes in also.

Down the two red columns I used blue thread to quilt in some lose loops and free hand stars.

Here is the back side, even all on its own it is pretty cute!

And like a good artist, I even signed this one. (On the blue rectangle)

And here it is in its place of honor in my family room, waiting to be snuggled with! I think that I may have to do one for each holiday....just what I need another project.

I also worked on some of the swaps I am in. The top is my recipe card for the 50 State recipes swap I am hosting on Two Peas

The next three are for a quilt square swap I am in on Two Peas. The bottom one is a summer theme, the middle one is a red, black and white theme and the top one is a fall theme. What do you all think of that top one? Does it say fall to you? I am just not sure I love it....

Well, Happy Crafting,

What a productive week!

2010-06-12T10:43:00.000-07:00

Is is amazed how much I can get done when there are not a hundred school functions...oh and your hours get cut at work! Not good, now my craft funds are even more limited....but I did get a lot done!

Designed and sewed my fourth of July quilt top....LOVING it! And as promised, this one is all mine!!

Started on my July set for my front door.....

Made my cupcake recipe cards for a swap I am hosting on Two Peas

Did some awesome hair dos on Taya, thanks to A Princess and Her Hair

And I redesigned my blog and my mom, Rosy Cheeks, blog.

I am feeling accomplished! On the list for this weekend, besides clean, laundry and errands (boring!) is to start quilting my 4th of July quilt and get a few more recipe card groups done....well I am off to the grocery store!

Happy Crafting!

Added note: I am linking this post up with Craftaholics Anonymous

Check Mark!

2010-06-07T20:03:00.000-07:00

Another one off my hug them all project. I call this Caleb! Caleb is my 4 year old nephew on my husbands side. This little kiddo is constantly on the go! So the colors and patterns I choose were bright, cheerful and full of energy.

I did this disappearing nine patch quilt as part of Obsessively Stitching's quilt along.

And even though this was not my first quilt ever, it was fun to do a traditional quilt for the first time.

This is the back.

I still need to add his name to it. I need red thread. I think I am going to hand stitch it on.

This is the quilt top I started today. It is for my 6 year old nephew Adien. I am calling it Big Little Boy. 6 is about the age when kids start thinking they are to big for mom and cartoons and early bedtimes, hence the name. So I combined fabrics you might use for a younger boy with fabrics for an older boy. It is all made from scraps I had. But I do need to get more white for the rest of the sashings.

Here is a close up of what I mean by the little boy fabrics, the zoo print in green and the big boy prints, the black, red and gray skulls.

I have also started cutting for the next online quilt along I am doing. It is over at Crazy Mom Quilts. This one I am giving a red, white and blue color scheme for the upcoming holiday. I promised myself that if I got Tayas, Baileys and Calebs quilt done that the next quilt I did would be mine. So this one is for me, well sort of, for my family room which is decorated in a star red white and blue theme.

Happy crafting!

Yummy Kitchen Sets

2010-06-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

Every year for my Dad's family reunion we do an auction. All the items on auction are donated by family members. All the proceeds go to funding the following years reunion. Everything is payed for, the campsite, the evening meal and the morning meal....all are covered by what is made at the auction. So you can imagine there is some pretty good stuff! I will admit, the family reunion, use to be a drag...hanging out with old people i don't know. But, these auctions have not only funded the last several reunions, but have made all of us want to go, to show of our own stuff and to "win" some of the awesome items donated by other members. And because of this, I have gotten to know a lot of really neat family members I probably would not have known otherwise! One year one of my dad's awesome carvings went for over $150. And a quilt that had been started by my great grandma and finished by one of the aunts went for about the same price!

So why am I telling you all this?

Two reason:

One, I would totally encourage you to try it out with your own family.

Two, I want to show you what my mom, aunt, sister and I came up with.

These cute boxes are actually for my mom's family reunion. This will be the first year the auction is introduced, so it might be a little slow, so we came up something awesome to show the family how its done.

Each kitchen set comes with:

- An apron

- A tea towel (Both my contribution)

- A set of 8 recipe cards (My Mom, Rosy Cheeks Contribution)

- A yummy treat (My sisters or my aunts contribution)

and a "bonus" item.

This is the first set, I call it have my "cup"cake and eat it to Kitchen Set.

The "bonus" is the cute magnets. Don't you just love that Itty Bitty Oven Mitt magnet?!?! I did when I saw it over on Obsessively Stitching, Care has a great tutorial here if you want to make yourself one...they are so easy!!

The yummy treat in this is a 1/2 dozen pretty cupcakes!

The second box (My Moms favorite)

I call "Summer Lovin" Kitchen Set

Inside:

The picture on the right is a pin that can be move around the apron or worn separately. Is the "bonus" along with another super cute Itty Bitty Oven Mitt magnet.

The cute part of this is my dad hand carved a little pig to be the "cork" on the top of the bottle of homemade BBQ sauce my mom made for the treat.

The third set I call Berry Sweet Kitchen Set. (This is the one my aunt had me do)

Inside:

I just finished this tonight. I will get pics up of the adorable apron and tea towel tomorrow, when I have some light again. The "bonus" for this one is a little girls version of the apron, so a mommy and me type thing. Its super cute! The treat for this is going to be some homemade strawberry jam and a fresh load of bread.

The final one I call

Hands off my chocolate Kitchen set (It my favorite, I don't know if I can let this one go!)

Unfortunately it photographs really dark, but I love the pink and brown color combo!

Inside:

This one is a half apron. It is so cute!! Apparently I forgot a pic of the cute tea towel and the "bonus" on this one. Which is pin in the shape of a chocolate chip cookie. The yummy treat for this is going to be a box of homemade chocolates.

I am pretty excited how cute these turned out! I hope the fetch some good money at the auction!

Happy Crafting!

Check it out...

2010-06-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

My Sister in law is an amazing photographer. She has taken some of my favorite photos of my kids.

And she has taken our family Christmas card photo for the last two years.

And if you happen to live around us here in Utah, Utah county area, to be a bit more specific, then you will want to check out her blog, Pickle Head Photos cause she is giving away a a photo session here!

I wish she had been doing pictures when my babies were newborns, cause her photos of my new nephew are too cute!!!

Go check her out if you get a chance!

2010-05-31T18:24:00.000-07:00

Finger Print Pendant Tutorial

Supply list:

Mold

Resin or diamond glaze

foil tape

black ink pad

velum

bead

eye post

This mold is made for resin jewelry. We bought it at Hobby Lobby for $4.99. It has been very loved and there fore worth the price, plus my mom paid for so, for me really worth it :)

So I started by having my hubby stamp his finger with the black ink pad on to velum. You can use regular printer paper, but the pendant won't be opaque.

My DH insists that rolling his finger was better then putting it straight on the paper and lifting it straight off. But it ends up looking like the above pitcher, a bit smudged. So I would recommend the straight down, straigth up approach when stamping the finger print.

To get the heart look I stamped my finger slightly over lapping his. (Sorry about the pink smudges, those are on my table, not on the vellum)

You can see this creates a heartish like shape.

I used a pencil to lightly draw a heart shape. It doesn't quite take in the whole finger print, but most of the middle is included. Then I cut it out. Be careful not to touch the stamped image, it will smear.

For this necklace I used our initials - C & S - with the word forever, smaller in a different font.

You can get really creative with this part. I made this in pain, mostly because I have not broke down and bought photo shop yet.

Notice I printed this on printer paper. But if you wanted a more opaque look, use vellum.

I then cut everything down to the size I wanted and arranged it in my mold. I added a gemstone, to give it some bling. I did the same thing with the one I am doing to represent my kids. I used a quote by a religious leader in my church, it says "The tiny fingerprints that show, will disappear all too soon, and you will miss them" It is actually a shortened down version of his quote, but still affective. Then I stamped my kids finger prints over it. This time I used brown ink, so it wouldn't blend to much with the printed words. A gemstone representing each of them was then added.

The resin I use is from Roberts craft store, but I know it is also available at Hobby Lobby. I have had it so long I can't even remember the brand name. It was around $10, but I used a 50% coupon on it. It really has lasted through many projects, including this, the playing pieces for this and the nine planets necklace here . It is great for doing scrabble tiles also! Mine is a two part mix, so you mix a 1:1 ratio.

Diamond glaze could also be used for this step.

The key to the 1:1 ratio resin is to stir the heck out of it, until little bubbles form.

Then I fill the mold half full with some resin. Notice the bubbles in the above photo.

This is were the heat gun is very important. It gets ride of those bubbles in a matter of seconds. If you skip this step, then the bubbles will harden and ruin the look of the necklace.

Once all the bubbles are removed its time to add in your fingerprints and other items. Make sure you put them in up side down, because we want the smooth round part on the bottom to be the front of the necklace. Use the spoon to push the embellishments down into the resin. The fill up the remainder of the mold with resin.

There will be more bubbles, so just use the heat gun again to get rid of those. This can get a bit messy so make sure you have covered your work surface if you don't want to ruin it

Here is a what the my pendants look like in the mold.

Now they need to harden. This will take about 24 hours or so.

This is the foil tape. I purchased it at Micheal's. It seems it was about $2.99 or so.

Once your pendant is all set, remove it from the mold. Since mine is still setting and I want to get this tutorial out done for ya, I am using another one I had from the first time I did this project. Notice it is not very clear...this is what it looks like if you don't use the heat gun to remove the bubbles.

Cut a piece of foil that will fit around all four sides of the pendant.

This stuff is super sticky and once it is on the pendant, it will not tolerate being moved very much, so I only removed a little bit of the paper backing at a time.

Sorry this is a terrible picture, but it is just showing you to center the pendant side so that it is in the middle of the tape.

Wrap all four sides.

Then use your nail to fold the foil over the rounded front.

This picture is of the back. I just fold the foil tape onto its self, but you can fold it over the back side of the pendant, but you will see it a little through the front of the pendant.

Using a tiny, tiny drill bit, drill a whole in the center of the top side. This is were we are going to attach a post.

In this picture you can see the drill bit entering the pendant.

I am not sure what this little thing is called, I always call it a eye post in my head. Cut this down to about 1/4 inch long. Add the a bead to the post. Then dip the pointy end in some E600 glue. And put in the whole that was drilled out of the pendant. Allow to set for several hours to ensure the glue is dry and the post is firmly in place.

Then string on a necklace, chain or pretty piece of ribbon and enjoy!!

June Table

2010-05-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

I finished up my front table decor last night.

These cute little ants were the inspiration behind it all. Being low on funds, everything was made with things I had on hand.

I started with the watermelon in the frame. It is paper pieced with

scrapbook paper. Then I spray painted a dollar store frame silver. I lined the frame with mat board with sheet music and used pop dots to make it stand out a bit, which is hard to tell from the picture.

Next came the ribbon topiary.

I found this cute idea here and LOVED it! I am in the works to make one just like this for the fourth of July.

Then I did some blocks with more paper piecing and a touch of the ribbon from the topiary.

The hardest part was something for my front door. I had no wreath and no funds to buy one. I came up with this.

Its not my most favorite thing I have ever put on the front door, but it works. The cone is made from scrapbook paper that I modge podged over to help make it a bit sturdier. The pink flowers a paper hearts folded to look like petals.

Over all, its not my favorite front table ever,but it will work until I can put up my 4th of July stuff!

I am linking this up to:

The Taya

2010-05-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

This is the Taya

and it is funny to actually see one of the quilts on a bed, cause Taya is my youngest. So I know she loves it!

I let her pick the fabrics out. She picked the sparkle pink first and the brown polka dots, which I LOVE and use in everything!

So we picked the stripe to complement both and tie it all in.

And then she picked this

yup, bright purple Tinkerbell. I tried to talk her out of it, I know that she will probably out grow Tinkerbell in the next couple of years and I wanted this quilt, which is the bases for her room redo, to last a little longer than that.

So we compromised and I put it on the back

and spelled out her name with it.

I used the same free motion border as I did on Baileys

I also free motion stitched around the daisy's

and the hearts.

And then I added a word to each corner, (the words are dream, beautiful, imagine and create)

I think this is my fav so far!!

And while I am on Tayas room redo, her is another cute little creation I made for her "new" room

I think this should totally be Tayas motto, she loves to twirl!!

I have Kahlia, Paislee, Britney, Gini and Ricky all sketched up....just need some funds to be able to buy the fabric. And I guess I will be taking a detour, cause last night as I was showing all these creations off to Cory, my hot hubby, he asked why I had made all the kids one, some of the nieces and nephews one and even my mom one (Yes I did and its SOOO cute....just need pics...MOM!) and I had not made him one! Swoon, hubby interested and ASKING for a crafty project, this is a fantasy come true...so I need to do one for him too!!

2010-05-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

Yup, I am going "home"

I am out this round of SYTYC. I am sad, cause next weeks theme is right up my alley (can't say what it is yet...)
but I am pretty proud of myself for making it to the top 5. Plus two wins in a row...that ain't so bad!

Its actually funny I went home this week, cause the summer theme was the easiest for me to come up with, I knew I wanted to do the lemonade stand as soon as I saw that summer was a theme.

I do have to say last weekend was CRAZY!!! My siblings, dad and I did a surprise 50th b-day party for my mom, Rosy Cheeks
and between preparing for that, working and all the end of the year parties, I am amazed I even got the stand done! It was really all thanks to my dad (Thanks dad!!)
who helped put the PVC pipe together for me.

And I have accomplished so many other projects that have been on the back burner, so it was okay (well, mostly). And it was a blast while it lasted!!

On a side note, if there is a request for a fairly simple how to or at least a materials list for the lemonade stand, let me know and I will put one together.

The Bailey

2010-05-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, get ready for a lot of posts! I am finally catching up....after I lost the last round of SYTYC But more on that in another post.

This

blanket is for my sweet pie niece, Bailey May. Bailey is 10 months old and so SMILEY!! She always has a grin on her face! She is just a sweet baby and reminds me a bit of a cabbage patch. She has big, giant blue eyes, no hair and cheeks I would love to munch on all the time!

She loves Taya, something about Taya makes her giggle. So her blanket is a mini version of Tayas, which will be shown in another post. (Told ya, your goin' to get a bunch!)

I wish it was a little bit bigger, but it is a good size for little Bailey to tote around.

I think I am getting pretty good at the free motion quilting!

I did this stitch around the gingham

and each of the four squares has this

a free motion daisy stitched in the center.

And of course, like all the blankets I have made for Project Hug them ALL, it has her name on it...but it is very subtle

and therefore hard to photograph.

Love you Bailey!!

The Bella

2010-05-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

Another one off the project Hug Them All list! Actually there are three done, but the other two are washing, so I will post them later in the weekend.

Before I introduce the Bella, I need some opinions. As I am creating and finishing all these quilts I am torn on what to do should I:
A. Give them to the recipient as soon as they are done?
B. Give them in sibling groups, so that all the kids in one family get them at once?
C. Save them all until Christmas?

I really am having a hard time deciding, and my hubby says I should wait until Christmas, while my mom says give them to them as I finish them. What do you all think?

Okay, this is the Bella...Bella is my first niece on my side of the family. She is Taya's honorary little sister, since Taya doesn't have one. Her and Taya are BFFs! Bella is actually short for Izabella. She is a sweet, patient 18 year old trapped in a 3 years old body! She is wise beyond her years! I sure hope she likes this quilt...my first rag quilt!

Love you Bells!

A first...

2010-05-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

Hi all!
The tutorial for the fingerprint necklace is in the works and will be done this weekend. They are really simple to do!

In the meantime, I am very excited! I attempted my first remake on a dress....and it worked! It must admit, it was not a dramatic makeover, but I think its pretty good for a first timer!

Taya was in need of a Hawaiian outfit for her end of the school year dance festival...I must be a bad islander, cause I did not have anything for her! I figured I would make her something...but then I found this

cute dress at a garage sale. Taya was not with me, but it said it was a small, so I figured it would fit...NOT! It must be a size small in women's, cause it drowned her!

So I cut it apart, removed the zipper, the top and the straps

Then I turned the top upside down and attached the neckline to the new waist line. Then I sewed up the back, shortened the straps and reattached them. But then I though it needed just a little something more...
(Isn't my Next Top Model wanna be cute!)

So I made a chiffon flower with a little piece of the material from the dress in it and Ta Da...one cute Hawaiian dress!

Another win!

2010-05-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

My neglecting of this blog has not been in vain....

I am so excited to have won the Science challenge over at Two weeks in a row! Hopefully this week goes just as well.

I must stay crafting on demand and with a theme has been quite a challenge, but I am enjoying every minute of it! But between competing in SYTYC, planning and hosting my moms, Rosy Cheeks surprise 50th bday party (which was yesterday and was really, really fun!) and attending all the end of the year school functions my three kiddos are involved in, all while working 30 hours a week and maintaining a house, this poor little blog has been sadly neglected. But I am still here...and crafting away!

This was my entry this week at SYTYC:

Put your love in print...finger print that is!

With this cute pendant made with yours and your honey's fingerprints. Add a verse from "your song" and you have a one of kind keep sake!

Or swap out your sweeties finger prints for the kids and you have a unique Mothers necklace.

As a bonus, you always have your child's fingerprint handy...just in case

I toyed with a few different ideas, including this cute necklace showing the eight planets.

This more than likely would have been my entry had they looked a little nicer and photographed better.

But I would have stopped then and not created the fingerprint pendant, which I LOVE!

Paper Doll magnet Tutorial

2010-05-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

Supplies:

Metal Tin container w/a lid
A magnet sheet
Modge Podge
Sponge brush
Picture printouts
Assorted paper and cardstocks
Tulle
Buttons (optional)

Step 1:
You will need several pictures of your "doll" in different outfits. One picture should be of her in something fairly tight and neutral colored. I had Taya, my sweet model/doll and adorable daughter, put on a pair of bicycle shorts and a cami. You could also do a swimming suit for this part.

It is important that your doll has the basic same pose, with the feet the about the same distance apart and the arms/hands in the same position. To make the cutting part easier, I would suggest making sure her hair is pulled behind her sholders, tha her chin is up and that her hands are not directly against her clothes.

I took the pictures of Taya over several days, as she wore a paticular outfit. On the day I was ready to put the tin together, she only had to put on two outfits, which made her much more cooperative then if I would have had her doing all six outfits at once.

If you choose to take the pictures over several days, I would suggest that you make a note of were you are standing so that you are alwasy getting the same basic porportion to your picture

I made sure that I was always about even with the door opening when taking the pictures.

Some fun suggestions for outfits: School uniform, church clothes, work clothes, play clothes, dance uniform, sports uniform, PJ's, Snow suit, Halloween Costume, Tutu...there really are so many you could do.

Step 2:
Next you will want to edit the pictures. I just do this in Windows Photo Gallery, because I don't have Photoshop. But whatever works for you.
This is what the picture looks like right off my camera.

I crop it in closer, brighten it up and then print it. (And yes, she is rolling her eyes at me!)

To fit my tin I printed in 4x6 on regular printer paper. It is much easier to cut and stick to the magnet sheet if you do it on regular paper as opposed to cardstock or photo paper.

Step 3:

Once you have printed all your outfits, you will cut them out. There was a reason I choose to take her pics against a white door, it made it alot easier to tell where I was cutting. It is better to cut ever so slightly over the picture, to remove all the white.

On the above picture you can see that there is a little shadow of her shoes on the scraps.

Basically, you are removing anything skin and just leaving the clothes. The arms, head, feet and neck all come off. I used a pair of manicure scissors to get in really close.

Then use modge podge to glue the outfit to a sheet of magnet. Allow to try for a few minutes, cut out around the outfit again and apply a top coat of modge podge.

Repeat for all the outfits.

Decorate the tin with paper how you would like. Once done apply a top coat of of modge podge. Cut out the main doll, leaving the body intact. Then secure to the top of the tin with modge podge.

Attach pieces of magnets to the back of the buttons with hot glue. Place all the outfits inside the tin.

Enjoy and thanks for voting for me!

I won!!

2010-05-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

*Update * Apparently that was a premature celebration....I just checked out SYTYC and I guess I was not the winner. I must have misunderstood....but I am still celebrating the fact that I made it through to the next round! Go check out all the cute Scientific crafts for this week and if you get a chance vote for your favorite!

I am so excited to have one a round of SYTYC ! I think it might have been because my model was such a cutie!(Thanks Taya!) Watch for the tutorial coming to you soon on SYTYC! And thanks for voting!

Magnetic Personal Paper Doll

As a little girl I loved playing with paper dolls. With this cute tin, the little girl in your life will love playing paper dolls too...but with a personal twist...the doll is her and the clothes are all her favorite outfits!

There is an out fit for play, an outfit for school and even a pair of pj's! Plus, some fun accessories to dress up anything she wears!

And...it's all magnetic and contained in a cute, upcycled metal cookie tin, so when its time to head to a friends or on a long car ride, just grab this cute tin and she can play paper dolls anywhere!

*These photos have been altered to blurry out the "dolls" face, the actual dress up tin does not have the face blurred.

SYTYC Teacher Gift

2010-05-08T06:57:00.001-07:00

Wow! I was all set to "go home" and then made it through...barely...there were some dang cute crafts last week! I have to say that I really, really loved this one:

This one is not mine, just the one I voted for...I am not sure who did it yet, but I am totally coveting this...I must make one to go in my craft room, to keep all my glue, rulers, thread, etc in....I may need two!

I was suprised mine was the only one that actually involved the student/child.

It seems a teachers to do list is endless: Grade papers, Call parents, Meet with the principal, and on, and on...!

So lets give teacher a special place to write all those endless to do lists, sketch out lesson plans and jot down a quick note...

with a custom made composition notebook cover.

Having your child design and draw a special picture of his/her teacher

will make him/her proud to give their teacher this one of a kind gift. And the teacher will love the unique and reusable gift, when the notebooks full all she has to do is slip off the cover and slip it on an empty notebook.

You will be surprised how easily and quickly this cute cover comes together...you may just end up making one for yourself, cause lets face it, us moms and dads are pretty busy too!

It may not have won, but my kids teachers LOVED it!!

Plus, I think it would be way cute to do for grandma/nana for mothers day....wonder if I have time to make a one before tomorrow?? Probably not, seeings how I am headed out the door to play floral arranger for my mom, Rosy Cheeks who is a florsit by trade. Its going to be along day!

Gunner's Quilt

2010-05-04T19:25:00.000-07:00

This quilt

is for my oldest son, Gunner/Big G. (I have decided to drop their nicknames on the blog) Gunner is 10, almost 11, and is transitioning into that stage were he doesn't like cartoons, he has decided girls are pretty cute and mom can be a bit embarrassing. When I decided to include my kids in my Project Hug them all, I knew I would make them quilts for the beds as part of wanting/needing to redecorate their rooms.

So I let each of them pick what they wanted. Gavin/Lil G wanted BYU football with orange and denim blue, Taya/Missy MayMay and I actually had a fight about hers. She was insistent on wanting Tinkerbell, but I knew she would be out growing that theme pretty quick (she's 7) so I finally compromised with her and put a Tinkerbell back on with a cute pink and brown/Daisy theme front.

But Gunners was harder. He was adamant that he wanted black...nothing else and he wanted space, but not cutesy space with cute rockets and bright colored planets or as he calls it "baby space" he wanted real life, living on the moon space. (He recently has decided he wants to be an astronaut, but own a restaurant on the side...just for fun) I was a bit worried about the extreme lack of color, and snuck a little yellow, his favorite color, into the quilt.

Have I mentioned I love my sewing machine? This stitch is one of the 52 built in stitches it does. I also quilted in some stars for some character.

Just like with the other quilts I am making, it was important to me to give the quilt his name, but because it is for his bed I wanted it to be a little less obvious, so at the bottom I stitched his name in.

I love how it turned out and so does he...he says it is the warmest & best quilt ever, I said its because its made with love.....which apparently was embarrassing because he rolled his eyes with an exasperated "MOM!"

If you have not voted on SYTYC, try and take a minute to do so. This weeks theme is teacher appreciation and once again there are some fantastic ideas!

SYTYC Bath Time...

2010-05-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

Another round of SYTYC done and I am still in! I am pretty excited...I did better than last week, so that's good! The bath fizzes were mine. Now these come with a bit of a story....I have to say I was pretty miserable while making these. I have made this bath fizzy recipe dozens upon dozens of times! Granted, never in a cake shape...but still. Well the first batch fell on its face, completely crumbled the next day, which, because I am a terrible procrastinator, was the day before the project was due.

Now add to this that I have a massive sinus infection going and I may have been a bit moody (hubby says that's putting it mildly). So I may have thrown a fit or two....or ten! I was right in the middle of a tirade to my poor, sweet hubby with a off handed comment of "I should just withdrawal, I am miserable at this!" When my cutie pie 10 year old son gave me the pep talk of the year! He told me I had to stay in the competition and even if he had to stay home from school (I know so sweet of him, trying to sacrifice school for me....) we would make a GREAT project!!!

So with Big G's pep talking rallying me, I pulled it together and they turned out so cute!! I am so proud and totally give Big G credit for them!!

Don't let these tasty looking cake slices fool you!

These delicious looking desserts are actually a pampering, skin softening bath fizzy!

The wedges were made with a "mold" that you can pick up at your local grocery store. A few ingredients, a layer of "frosting" and you have a delightful and unique party favor for all those summertime showers, that will do double duty as a fun center piece!

Or package them individually in a box or a cello bag...

(Be sure to notice in the bottom of this picture, the bath fizzy in action, softening your skin while it bubbles and dissolves in your bath tub!)

...tie with a pretty bow and tag...now you have a great little gift for your co- workers, girlfriends or just to brighten someones day!

I will get the recipe for these cuties up soon! And thanks for all those who voted, for mine or not...it was still a great week!

Another one done!

2010-04-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

I am on a roll!
This little quilt...

Is for little bear. That's not his real name that is TBA...after his birth date...just a few more days now! It's all done and just needs the little guys name added after he is born. It is the perfect size to wrap a newborn in, tuck around a car seat or curl up on mommy's lap.

Little bear is my brothers first son. My brother has three sweet little girls and as much as he ADORES them, I know he is very excited to be adding a son to the mix.

I love the monkey print

No not, the little monkey, er, I mean helper holding the blanket...but the fabric! The green is a really cute, yet suddle jungle print. And yes, that is more of the brown polka dot, I swear it is in every blanket I make...but I love it! But the best part is the three extra soft squares of cuddle chenille fabric...love that stuff!!

So bring him on Lyndsy! I know you have just been waiting until I finished his quilt, thats very sweet of you....but...its done....I am so ready to meet him!

I am also almost finished with Gunners quilt, I hope to have it all wrapped up this weekend and Bella's too!

If you have not had a chance to vote over on SYTYC go check it out! All of the bath time crafts are so cute, its hard to pick just one!

SYTYC...

2010-04-24T16:14:00.001-07:00

I made it through the first round! I was a little nervous there for a bit! Did you guess which was mine....

Yup, the butterfly shadow box. I have to admit, the folksy was really challenging for me. I love how it turned out, regardless of the fact I was towards the bottom.

And the butterflies inspired all the cute things I made for my front entry table and the wreath. I have been dying to post this for two weeks, but knew it would be a give away to which was my entry...so here is what I made to go with it....

The blocks...

introduce the papers. I may have admitted this before, but I am a paper hoarder. I love paper! It is really hard for me to cut it up...I mean, I know I can buy more, but what if I come up with something better that I could have used it on?

With that said, I love how all the papers combine, the perfect colors to kick off summer!

The topiary is a foam ball covered with "flowers", more on those in a minute...

some use buttons for the center, some use pearl beads and some have pins for the center. I used a branch from my tree as the pole. It took a lot of hot glue to stick it in place...actually this whole project took a lot of hot glue...

The birds nest

was my original idea for the folksy entry....but it just didn't feel folksy enough. The "nest" is burlap that was bathed in a mixture of mod podge and water

then molded around a plastic wrapped bowl

and left to harden and dry.

The birds are made with Muslim, that I hand dyed with Kool aid,

yup Kool Aid..with a just enough water to cover the fabric. I love how vibrant they turned out!

The wreath

started with a dollar store wreath. I hot glued flowers all around it, using the same types as I did from the topiary. I then used wire to make a few of the butterflies

float around the wreath....I sprinkled the butterflies throughout all of the projects.

The flowers used in all of the projects was an idea I found in Scrapbooks,etc.
If you look closely,

you can see that they are hearts, that are folded in half, then folded back in on itself and then opened up. Then they are hot glued onto a circle and finished with the different centers. I had so much fun trying different layers, and combinations to make all kinds of different flowers.

This week I have been working on "Bella" for my Hug them All project.

And been quilting away with Obsessively Stichings my first quilt...quilt along.

I am really excited about next weeks round on SYTYC be sure to check it out on Monday when a new theme is introduced and all the new crafts are posted and if you can take a minute to vote.

I am linking this post to:

2010-04-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

The Sp You Think Your Crafty competition started today. I have to say that folksy was challenging for me. All the projects are so cute!!

If you get a minute go take a look and vote for your favorite. I can't tell you which is mine, but no matter which one you vote, for they are all adorable!

Hug them all....

2010-04-18T08:10:00.001-07:00

I think I may have mentioned my obsession with my sewing machine lately. I love it!! And I am still thanking my hot hubby for buying it for me!! (Love you babe, your the best!)

So when I cam across the Obsessively Stitching stitching blog I became a fan! She has just started a follow along for making a lap quilt...

Now technically this is not my first quilt ever, you may remember this post about the blanket that I made for my adorable nephew Arbor

but it is the first time I have made an "official" quilt, one that didn't just come out of my head. I am pretty excited about it cause it is perfect timing...
After seeing how much Arbor hearts his Blanket and how much my kids love the blankets I am working on for them, I have decided that each of my nieces and nephews need a blanket made just for them by me. I adore all of them and don't get to see some of them as much as I would like since they are as far away as Washington and Wyoming. Now this might not seem like a big dea...BUT I have 27 nieces and nephews!!This includes a nephew in law and my nieces baby, I know, I am crazy! Oh and their ages span 25 to due in May and everything in between...oh and just to add to the craziness I would like to have them all done by Christmas...I know crazy right...but I think I can do it?! (Yes, that is doubt you are hearing)

So I decided to follow along with Obsessively Stitching's quilt along. Here is the fabric I choose

These are the ones I picked for my main fabric.

I am naming this one Caleb for my cute three year old nephew, via Mr Toadly Crafty's side. He is grandchild #20 out of 21, so far. All the bright colors just reminded me of his rambunctious, mischievously fun personality.

This is the top of another one, it needs to be quilted and finished...but I am working on it. This one is named Bailey..

Bailey is my sweet little 6 month old niece also on Mr Toadly Crafty' side. She is my newest one grandchild #21 out of 21, until Lil' Bear is born next month. She is always smiling! I have really never seen the little doll cry, even when she is tried she is still smiling! The gingham is so cheerful and always makes me smile...so it was perfect!

I am also working on...Bella, Marissa, Justin, and Lil' Bear (thats just his nickname for now, he is the one due next month) ....wish me luck, I think I am going to need it!

Pack it, bring it, haul it...

2010-04-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a very interesting day at work, the kind of day that means I didn't sleep well, so whats a girl to do when she is awake at 6:30 am on a Saturday?!? I didn't even realize there was a 6:30 am on Saturdays!

There is only one thing to do that early that will also help take my mind off the icky day... get up and play in my crafty room! Here is what I worked on...

What is it you ask? Let me give you a little background...

I had the cutest tote bag from a swap I did...I loved it! I would fill it with all the things I needed for crafty day or activity days or a road trip...and it was big enough to hold EVERYTHING!!

But then I took it on a picnic and it got a bit dirty, so Mr Toadly Crafty took it upon himself to wash it for me..and it shrunk, a lot... to less than half the size it was...now I am not complaining, cause he does ALL the laundry, so how can I complain....but I missed my big tote bag.

So I took that as a sign that I needed to make myself one.. and here it is!

It is HUGE!! Which is exactly what I was aiming for. I will have a little "how to" later cause I didn't take pictures during the process...but it turned out so well I am going to make one for a All Things Pink partner swap I am in over on Two Peas So I will make sure to take pics as I create this time.

I made the "tote jewelry"

with a bit of leftover chain I had from another project and with a few charms from my recent feminine chic charm swap I did with other swappers at Two Peas

Between this and the huge sparkly red daisy, it totally girls it up!

And as long as I keep it hidden from Mr Toadly Crafty...I think it will last until my next crafty day...I hope!

Don't forget the voting for

starts on Monday! I am really excited about my entry!

DS Storage Case

2010-04-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

You will need:

Chipboard suitcase
1 yard of heavy felt
colored copies of game covers
paint
scissors
Mod Podge
Paint brush
hot glue gun
sewing machine
thread

Start with a chipboard suitcase.

I got mine at Joanne's. It was $10 but I used my 50% of coupon to buy it. Paint the inside and outside. I used black.

I scanned in Big G's favorite game covers and then printed them out on my home printer. You could also color copy them.

These work best printed on regular printer paper not card stock. For some depth I used the front, the back and even a bit of the spin of the game.

Cut around the copies and lay out on the top of the suit case until you like the layout.

Coat the suit case, not the copy with mod podge. Work in little sections, so it doesn't dry out. Lay the selected copy in place. I use an old credit card to press out all the bubbles. Once all the copies are in place, coat the entire top with a thin coat of mod podge to seal.

The logo on top is just the spin of one of the game copies, enlarged.

Trace the shape of the suitcase onto the felt. Cut a little inside the line to make sure it fits inside the suitcase.

I made pockets to fit the games and styluses for the top or lid of the case. I also added a slightly larger pocket to hold game manuals.

I measured with a game and a styluses, marking with a pin. By placing my finger between each pin, it leaves a little gape to ensure the game/stylus will fit.

When sewing the pockets, I always sewed between the pockets first and then the length.

For the bottom part of the suit case, I added Velcro straps to hold the DS. Originally I had a pocket, but it was hard to angle the DS into the pocket, because of how deep the suit case is.

Two more pockets complete the bottom. Big G can use these to store chargers, screen protectors, etc.

Once all the pockets were stitched in place I used hot glue to attach the felt lining to the chipboard suit case.

Pretty easy! Now I just have two more to make....

SYTYC...

2010-04-08T17:40:00.000-07:00

Plush Action Figures

2010-04-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

I posted a while back about my obsession with the adorable Black Apple Dolls!

Well, I had to make one for my sweet little nephew, Arbor! But while I was at it, I had decided to make him a puppy doll too! So here is "Arbor" and his puppy "Oscar"

I am happy to say that he loved them! But if my BIL, Johnny asks, they aren't dolls, they are plush action figures!

I made them to match the little quilt I made for him

I even appliqued his name on to it.

Not to bad considering this is the first quilt I have done. The nice thing about lines is, if you make them all crooked....then they all end up looking straight!

I'm In!

2010-04-04T19:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you much to all those who voted for me....it was super close, but I made it in to the top ten!!

In case you are wondering which was mine....

It was the DS Case...you can't have as many boys as I do and not need one or more :) of these!

Thanks again for voting!!

I will post a tutorial soon...

It's warm and sunny outside......April Fools!

2010-04-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

Being the mom of three school age children, (seriously, you have to feel bad for all elementary school teachers today!) I expected to be woken up to some prank, or gag or silly joke. So when I beat them all out of bed I knew it was probably my only chance to be the prankster....and not the prankee. When I woke them up, I told them the school had just called and they were canceling school because of all the snow...I know I am so mean!! But what can a mom do on such short notice....

I think I will wrap it up tonight with this fun "dinner" over at Rosy Cheeks.

This yummy "dessert" will surely show those silly kids that this mom is still the "Prankster Queen"!

SYTYC!!

2010-03-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

If you guys have not check out the SYTYC challenge blog go check it out, there are some fun ideas there....and I am "competing" to be contestant for season three. So while you are there take a second to vote. I can't tell you which is my submission, but there are some way cute ideas!

And thanks for all your support!

$1 Store Challange take 2

2010-03-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

So, you know I can't stop at just one! No, no, not snickers bars....well that too! But I am talking about a "entry" for the $1 Store Challenge over at Living with Lindsay.

So entry two is not necessarily decor for my house, but it is decor....

for Big G's teacher's desk. Teacher appreciation day is coming right up, so I was thinking this would be the perfect chance to come up with something cute for the kiddos teachers.

I went to my local Dollar Tree and picked up

this...

this...

a roll of clear cellophane
and a red bow
and a blue bow.

So I spent my full $5 this time.
I also used paper, my computer and Mod Podge, all of which I had on hand.

When I got home, after the kiddos ransacked me and "stole" all the tootsie rolls... I printed out a copy of their school logo, one about 1 1/2 inch and three at about 1/4". VERY IMPORTANT - Print them on regular paper, this won't work with card stock!!

Then I wrapped the pencils with the small logo.

I mod podged some paper on to the tootsie roll container, again, this doesn't work with card stock!

I placed the three covered pencils, all the blank pencils inside the tootsie toll holder. Then I wrapped it with cellophane, covered it with a bow and ta da...

A great...easy...personalized gift for the kiddos teachers.

I NEED this bag!

2010-03-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

It was meant for me.....

Check this bag out over on Craftaholics Anonymous.

I don't normally enter these, but when I was getting stuff out of the dryer this morning, I found my beloved craft tote shriveled and ruined in the bottom of the dryer. My sweet hubby was trying to "help me" and wash it for me before my craft day this weekend.

It's a sign that I need to win it!

$1 Store Challange

2010-03-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

I am always up for a good challnge. So when I found out about the $5 dollar store challange over on Living with Lindsay...I knew I had to play.

I came up with this...

Its an I'm bored pin that fits in my purse. I can't tell you how many times we have been stuck somewhere (a resturant, in traffic, at the DR office, etc) and the three kiddos start whining for something to do.

I started with this...

It had a small pad of paper inside. I also used two magnetic shopping lists. Paint, glue and paper were a "free use" as long as they were something I had on hand.

Inside...

on the lid is a tic tac toe board that I used the magnets for

and it stores

color sheets, dot to dots, mazes, and other paper fun that I down loaded off the internet for free and printed. I saved them in a file on my computer so that as soon as they are used up, I can quickly print some more.

Not bad for only $3!! Plus we have already put it to good use...Missy MayMay was bored the other night at Pack Meeting, so out it came!

Some Bunny to love...

2010-03-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

I mentioned my obsession with the Black Apple Dolls in this posting...

So with a little twist on the pattern, I made this

I named him Honey Bunny!

I cut an extra set of arms and used them as ears. I also cut all the pieces out of muslin instead of just the head, arms and legs.

He is a hostess gift for the Easter swap I mentioned. I hope Jennifer likes him!

Easter Charms....

2010-03-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

I made these

for a Vintage Easter Charm Swap I am participating on Two Peas I think they turned out pretty cute.

The Bunny is made using this pattern. I used sea beads and quilting thread instead of pony beads.

The birds nest is done with polymer clay.

I think they are pretty cute! Hope the rest of the ladies like them.

Leprechaun Picnic

2010-03-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

This Saturday will mark our fourth annual leprechaun picnic. Each year our family gets together at a local park. The menu usually consists of all things green:

- Sandwiches on green bread, that our local Maceys bakery makes for us.
- Salsa Verde Doritos,
- Cucumber slices
- Green Apple slices
- Jone's Green Apple Soda
- Cupcakes with green frosting and chocolate coins.

Everyone wears green (unless they like to get pinched). We bring our kites and soccer balls and baseball mites and anything else the kids throw in.

For us, it really is our first chance to get out and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Our kids look forward to it each year. And for something that started for a mom who desperately needed to get out of the house, but could not afford anything to expensive, it seems to be a tradition that they will enjoy for years to come!

And I am excited to say, the weather is suppose to be beautiful!!

For my little dolly!

2010-03-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

I have been in love with the Black Apple Dolls created by the #1 Etsy seller, Emily Martin. I found them in November and wanted to make one for Missy MayMay for Christmas. But I was so intimidated by them! I am not the best seamstress. But I recently got a new sewing machine...I love it! It is a Singer and all digital and "fancy". I feel like I really could do anything with it! So I decided to give these cute dolls a try. Missy MayMay totally hearts Tinkerbell and all things Tinkerbell! So I wanted to make one into a Tinkerbell for her. This is my first attempt.

Not to bad...but could use some improvement. This one I made with out enlarging the pattern like it says. So it is a mini Tinkerbell.
After a few more trys, including the cutest set of "Twinies" for my adorable 19 month old twin nieces, I made a larger size doll for Missy MayMay
Front

Back

So now she has a mama one and a baby one!

I must say I have become a bit obsessed with making them! This is what is waiting on my craft table right now....

but they take so little fabric and are so quick that at least I am taking on something small....well small times 10!

Here is a little preview of something else I have been working on this weekend.

This is for my adorable nephew, Arbor. He recently got a new puppy, Oscar, and this print reminded me of him! I am even making a matching doll to go with it....yea I am obsessed!

A bit 'o Luck is always good!

2010-03-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

I created this

pencil with the leftovers from Missy MayMay's korker bow. As I have mentioned the kids school has a pretty strict uniform policy....but it doesn't apply to their pencils! So they each have one of these in their back packs to use for the next few weeks.

Just to add a bit of holiday spirit to their everyday!

Lucky Boy!

2010-03-05T08:03:00.000-08:00

So after I made Missy MayMay's bows Little G mentioned he needed something to wear. I am making them all t-shirts, but he wanted something for his head. That very day, while at the evil "W" store, I found a plain hat. So I bought it, transformed it and he now has this...

This will be perfect for him to wear to our upcoming annual leprechaun picnic....

Lucky Girl!

2010-03-04T19:34:00.000-08:00

I made a set of these cute corker bows Missy MayMay's hair.

I love all the colors of the rainbow. The shamrock is a button by the Favorite Findings brand....they have the cutest buttons!

I just wish she could wear them to school...but they have a pretty strict uniform policy. Ah well...she seems to like them!

I am feelin' Lucky!

2010-03-02T21:13:00.000-08:00

I love St Pattys day! Well, okay I really love any excuse to celebrate...but St Pattys Day to me means spring is upon us!! So for the next few days I will be showing a few fun ideas for the Wearin' O' the Green!

A couple of quick cuties.

This is the wreath on my front door...

Pretty easy, I weaved the green ribbon around the out side of the wreath to give it a bit more color.

And I made this to go on the front table...

Now until last week, I was not lucky enough to own a cricut. But that has all changed...my very sweet hubby surprised me with my very own Cricut machine!!! I am so excited!! I have requested the Sir Cuts a Lot software for an anniversary gift. I know, its a little greedy....but a some girls wants diamonds and some girls want scrapbook supplies! (Although I wouldn't turn up my nose at a diamond!!)

But if you don't have one, or you are looking for a quick turn around, give the letters a try that I used on this luck frame

I found these at the evil "W" store for 58 cents each. I also have it from a very reliable source (Mr Toadly Craft works there) that Lowes sales them for "pretty cheap" also.

So stay tuned for more fun green ideas!

2010-02-23T19:13:00.000-08:00

Oh and on a side note...Big G got a 100% and many compliments on his Civil War game project...so I guess the complete lack of posting and working on my crafts paid off!

So Charming!

2010-02-23T18:51:00.000-08:00

I was looking for a new take on a scrabble tile charm when I came across these

they are little wooden tags that I found with the buttons, they are the Favorite Findings brand and come in a package of six for about $2.29. I loved their little cuteness!

So took them home and created these

I think they would be so cute as a take on a locket or maybe as a charm bracelet

or maybe a key chain

but I think I am going to use them as a purse key ring

I can't wait to make a set of these for my mom with a picture from each of her kids families...just act surprised, okay mom?!?

I am linking up with:

Whats for Dinner?

2010-02-22T16:45:00.000-08:00

A Day late...a dollar short (well, more than that!) but...

Monday - Lasagna, Garlic bread and Salad
Tuesday - Mini Meat loafs, funeral potatoes and muffins
Wednesday - Roasted Chicken, rice and rolls
Thursday - London Broil, Mashed potatoes and green beans
Friday - Mini pizzas and pasta salads

So this week I am playing the roll of the mean mommy and not letting them pick a meal. Mostly because I was tired of the picking the same thing each week and because they all pouted when I said they had to grocery shopping....yes I know, I was being a jerk!

Put that's why I picked mini pizzas, pasta salad and root beer floats for Friday...hopefully they will still love me..

So this weeks theme: what meal do you make for your family that makes them feel extra special or extra loved?

Upcycling - Tights to Scarf

2010-02-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

Missy MayMay own several pairs of knit tights. She wears them to school with her skirts, so usually, after a few wears, then end up looking like this...

I was cleaning out her drawer, but couldn't bring myself to just throw them away, because they have the cutest pattern and texture to them!

So I created this for her..

Now, before you ask yourself, why is she making that poor boy (Little G) wear that girly scarf? He volunteered!! When I asked Missy MayMay to model the scarf for me, she threw a fit. So Little G volunteered to stand in. It only took to pictures, before Missy MayMay realized she had been replaced. Apparently she could not stand the attention off of her. So she gave me several fun poses!

(Maybe I should not let her watch so much America's Top Model with me?)

This scarf was easy peasy - as Missy MayMay calls it. I used two pairs of tights. I cut them into strips, just from toe to waist. I was able to get 4 strips out of each pair.

I sewed the strips together to make three long pieces. Then I braided them together, leaving a little bit on each ended upbraided, so I could fringe it.

Once I had it all braided, I cut both sides with the fringe. Then I sewed the layers together, right under were the thread bow is. I wrapped it several times and tied a bow.

Ta da!

Easy peasy!

Dinner Time

2010-02-15T12:24:00.000-08:00

Monday - Breakfast for Dinner: Creme Brulee
Tuesday - Tucano's (Happy Birthday Levi!)
Wednsday - Taco Soup
Thursday - Spagetti
Friday - Lemon Chicken

This weeks theme: What is your favorite celebration meal?
I would say growing up it was Lemon Chicken. It was such a luxry having boneless, skinless chicken breast, cause they were so expensive! Now it is usally cheaper to get then bone in chicken.

I'm still here...

2010-02-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

I know it seems I have fallen off the crafting planet, but the past two weeks have been full of other, not so fun, but still productive projects. Big G had a science fair and a massive Civil war project both due within 4 days of each other. For the Civil war project he made this:

This is a Civil war version of Monopoly. It was quite the intense project. I didn't realize how much it would involve when I agreed to it. But it really turned out to be very creative and a fun game too...his brother and sister were really sad to let it go to school.

I did manage to get some time to make a couple of bracelets. The pink set is a hostess gift for a Feminine chic charm swap and the blue one is a hostess gift for a under the sea charm swap I am doing on the two peas website. I hope she likes them!

Valentine Wreath

2010-01-26T19:29:00.000-08:00

I had one of those moments the other day, you know those moments were you see something, you fall in love with it and you MUST have it!

It happened the other night when I was perusing through the semi finalists for the next season of So You Think You're Crafty . And there was the cutest idea! This is Linda's from Craftaholics Anonymous cute craft for the auditions at SYTYC. I knew I had to have it!

But seeing how the post Christmas funds are a little short right now, I had to compromise and use only what I had on hand. Which was this

I got the red glitter sprays at a post Christmas sale for 75% off making them only 69 cents each. I had originally intended to use my other post Christmas find, the large red sparkle daisy's, but the finished product did not need it.

This is what I came up with

I love it!! Not quite the same as Linda's original, but I gave it a Valentine twist and finally was able to take down the Christmas wreath that I still had up.

Doesn't it look so cute on my door?!?

I started looking for a wire hanger to use as the "frame" for the heart. But Mr Toadly Crafty does all the laundry (I know, aren't I lucky!!)he is a bit fanatical about laundry and does not "believe" in wire hangers. So no such luck. I probably could have begged one off of my mom, Rosy Cheeks but I woke up at 7am on Saturday and was set to get this done, and I don't think she would have appreciated the call at 7 am asking her to bring me a hanger.

So I improvised some more and twisted a few pieces into this

heart frame.

Then I weaved the red glittery frames through the wire.

I liked the look of leaving a bit of the wire exposed.

Then I used one of the beautiful frames that my dad built for me and laid the heart on it.

I loved how it looked here. But to give a bit more of a wreath look, I decided to add the grapevine. I did not have a wreath and I couldn't go buy one, so I improvised again and used a section of a grapevine garland I had to make a wreath. I love the texture it adds to it.

Then used ribbon to hang to the door and ta da! A Valentine's day wreath!

I still want to make Linda's adorable heart piece, but until I can purchase the pieces I need, this will fill the "HAVE to HAVE" it need!

Snowy day fun!

2010-01-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

This is a cute and easy craft I have had in my "archives" for awhile. I made this fun tic tac toe game for a swap I was in. My kiddos loved it!

I started with one of those inexpensive chipboard boxes from the craft store. They usually run about $2. Then I covered it with cute paper, this time in an orange, brown and blue color scheme, securing it to the box with Modge Podge. I used paper strips to make the grid pattern on the lid.

I made the magnets just like all the other glass pebble magnets. I made five 0's and five X's. Then used hot glue to attach a magnet to each pebble and to each spot on the board. And ta da a new "toy" for a boring, inside, cold day!

I love the fact that it is self contained, that the playing pieces can be stored inside the box when not in use!

Weekly Menu

2010-01-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

Monday - Pork Chops, funeral Potatoes and blueberry muffins - (Lil G's Pick)
Tuesday - Tacos, Rice and Beans (Missy MayMay's pick)
Wednesday - Chicken Noodle Soup and rolls - (Big G's Pick)
Thursday - Roasted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Corn - (Mr Toadly Crafty's Pick)
Friday - Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole - (My Pick)

This weeks question - What is the most unusual protein you have cooked with?

Mine is probably ham hocks, the meaty part of a pigs leg. I have used it in a Brazilian soup recipe that the family loves on a cold winters night.

Back in craftin action...

2010-01-12T15:55:00.000-08:00

So I have been crafting up a storm here!

We had our monthly craft group on Saturday at my sister in laws house (Thanks Lyndsy, for hosting!) I had fallen in love with this idea on the adorable Shanty 2 Chic blog. I was unable to find everything that Whitney used, so I filled in with a few ideas of my own...

Here is my take on them

This project cost me about $12 for the three of them. But I did not have to buy the roof flashing, my brother had that in his archives. And my hubby works at Lowe's, so he gets a (small) discount. But it should not cost more than $14 to do all three of these.

I knew that I wanted all three to have a different finial on top. So I didn't want to buy three of the same thing.
For this one

I purchased a banister post at Lowe's. That was the most expensive thing it was $3.50.

This one

I found the finial in the same place, by the banister pieces. It was $2.50. It has thread with a screw piece so it did not have to be glued. The post is a dowel that I got at Micheal's it was $2.50 and I had my brother cut it into a 11" piece a 10" piece and I had a left over piece about 12" long. So I could have just used the dowel for all three if I had not bought a full banister piece.

I am not sure what this piece

is suppose to be used for. I found it at Micheal's by the dowel section. Unlike the banister piece it was not pre set with a screw. So I used E600 glue and some hot glue to attach it to the top of my dowel.

For the base

I used a piece of moulding that I found at Lowe's with all the decorative moulding. (There are some really cool pieces in the decorative moulding section, it is totally giving me some ideas!) These were around $1.20 each.

For the flat piece

on the front I used a blank wooden plaque that I found at Walmart. These were 98 cents each! (Yea I know I was giddy too!)

I attached all the pieces with the E600 and hot glue, including the roof flashing. To make the base and dowel attachment sturdier,I had Mr Toadly Crafty put a screw threw the bottom up into the banister/dowel piece. After they were all glued together I painted them black. Whitney did some really cute white ones washed with brown here that she is using for a recipe holder. I love the colors on this one too. I am in plans to make one like this for my kitchen with a twist fun twist and one for my desk at work.

For the last step I made some simple glass magnets and used them to hold my picture on the front

(isn't my sweet Missy MayMay adorable!?)

Rosie's Rockin' Kula Pig Sandwiches

2010-01-05T20:36:00.000-08:00

This recipe is my mom, Rosy Cheeks It is super easy and feeds a crowd! When I make it I either freeze some, use it for another meal or serve left overs for lunch the next day.

1 5 lbs or so pork roast - doesn't need to be fancy, a butt or picnic roast works great!
2 to 4 cloves of garlic, crushed.
1 can of pepsi - this can be Coke if you choose that as your poison. Even Mtn Dew or Dr Pepper work great, just needs to be caffeinated and NOT diet!

Place pork roast in crock pot. Crush garlic on top and pour in soda. (If it is missing a sip or two, (wink, wink) it will be fine!) Place lid on crock pot. Set on low and cook for 8 to 10 hours.

Drain off all but about 1/4 C of liquid. Shred roast with forks and put back in crock pot. Mix in reserved liquid. For serving you will need:
Kona Coast Island Teriyaki sauce - we have tried alot through the years and this is the BEST!
Hamburger buns
Lettuce
Pineapple rings.

Place a good size scoop of pork on bun. Top with a drizzle of Teriyaki sauce, lettuce leaf and pineapple ring.

This is also really good for use in burritos, haystacks, rice bowls, etc.

Hope you enjoy!!

Weekly Menu

2010-01-05T20:26:00.000-08:00

Monday - Daddy Cooks! Steaks, Baked potatoes and green beans (My pick, I have to work late and he is off, only seems fair)
Tuesday - Lemon chicken, Rice and steamed broccoli (Mr Toadly Crafty's pick)
Wednesday - Rosie's Kula Pig Sandwiches, potato chips, Root Beer floats (Little G's pick)
Thursday - Mini Meat loaf, mashed potatoes and corn (Big G's pick)
Friday - Chicken & Pasta, Garlic Bread (Missy MayMay's pick)

This weeks theme: What are your quick cooking tips? I love using my crock pot, like for Wednesday's recipe. Throw it in before work and when I get home dinner is ready! And since Wednesday nights are chaos at our house...love the crock pot!

"Toad"ly neglected?!?

2010-01-05T20:22:00.001-08:00

Okay so before I have to rename my blog "Toad"ly neglected let me give you the reason why...

these three and after seeing there cute faces can you blame me!?! With these three out of school the last two weeks and the craziness of the holidays about us I feel pretty bad! But I am back and should have some fun new ideas to post here in the next few days! So thanks for your patience with this busy, working, exhausted crafting mama!

2009-12-19T19:40:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas from the Toadly Crafty Family!

Cookie Exchange: The last chapter

2009-12-19T19:13:00.000-08:00

I must apologize for not getting this last post up quicker! I had the stomach flu from heck....it kicked my butt, my kids butts and poor Mr Toadly Crafty's too. At least we got past it before Christmas!

This is the invite I sent out..

the little paper clip is removable so that they can keep as a paper clip in their cook book.

Today was the official party or I should say parties as this year I hosted two of them. It was a lot of work, but oh so fun! And I have goodies to last a life time, unless Little G doesn't stop eating them, then they may only last through the night!

Look at all the yumminess....

Rosy Cheeks cookies.

Gee, who got a hold of my camera....Teisha!!

Third place for best packaging.

Winner of best packaging.

Second place for best packaging.

For the party favor I did the scrabble tile necklaces with gingerbread buttons. I removed the little loop on the back with a pair of pliers. I have found that if you coat the side of the scrabble tile with modge podge along with under and on top of the paper it prevents the resin from soaking underneath the paper and causing it to look stained. After the cured for a day, I drilled down through the top of the tile
I have seen lots of these necklaces down with bails, but I could not find them in my local craft store and all the ones on line were expensive. So I drilled the whole and used a post that is used on earrings. Then I made a simple loop and strung them on ribbon. Super cute, easy and inexpensive with out looking it party favor!

A quick, easy gift idea...

2009-12-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

My activity day girls made this simple gift for their parents. I had a copy of the Family Proclamation for all of them. (Free at the distribution center) I gave each of them a piece of vellum and a dollar store frame. Then I told them each to draw a picture of their family, doing there best work.

My kids and I had experimented to see if crayons, markers or colored pencils work best. We had the most success with crayons.

This is little G's framed masterpiece. Big G did a family tree starting with Nana and Papa and working down to all the grand kids. He gave this to nana and papa for Christmas. Missy Mama drew one for her grandma with just her, grandma and grandpa. They all turned out so cute, I wanted to keep them all.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

2009-12-06T18:47:00.000-08:00

I finally got tired of my 3 kiddos telling me and the hubby that we were the most un decorated, un holiday spirit house on the block! So this weekend I tackled the decorating. I am not talking one small box of decorations...oh no...we have 9 big boxes of Christmas decorations. I like to do it up big!! Each room in the whole house gets at least a touch of something Christmas in it! And I do the entire living room, family room and kitchen! I must admit that the tree is not quite done yet, but that is only cause half the lights are not working and lights fall into Mr Toadly Crafts area... and the poor man has been working all weekend. But he swears he will get to them tomorrow, since he finally gets a day off.

Here are the highlights.

I started with the front table.

I moved the "J" wreath featured in my last post to the mirror. Then I added my beloved garage sale finds, the apothecary jars. In one I put a silk poinsettia, in the other I put some small glass balls and in the other a strand of beads. I used a couple of Christmas books stacked up, to ad some height. The 3 pictures are off my babies. It was my tradition to take a picture of them on their first Christmas in the wrapping paper.

Then I added a small tree. I used this to display my charms from my last swap, which was a vintage Christmas charm swap. Last is a 6x6 page from a Christmas countdown, also from a swap.

Ah the nutcracker...

this is Big G's. He got him two years ago. He had studied and watched the Nutcracker ballet. He LOVED it! One day at the evil W store, he saw him on a shelf and begged to have him. At first I said no, we were tight on money, I wasn't even sure how Christmas was all going to come together at this point and it was $25 I didn't have. But asked again and the look on his sweet face, I caved! I could not say no to my sweet oldest son, who does so much to help me and rarely and I mean rarely asks for a special treat like this. Now, today, I am glad I caved. He still LOVES this and he will dig in the boxes until he finds it. He received another, smaller one, last year from Santa and I have a feeling Santa will bring him one this year too.

I love to get a real poinsettia every year for the house. But I always feel so guilty about spending the money on something that dies. I was not planning on getting one this year, thinking I could put that money towards stocking stuffers or something instead. But then Mr Toadly Crafty came home from work with this!(Mr Toadly Crafty works at Lowes)

You have to know he never buys me flowers! And never anything like this!! It is big, it is gorgeous! When I tried to say he shouldn't have, he said he knew I wanted one, that I was not going to buy one and he knew I would miss it...plus it was on sale for a really great price! lol! Got love the man!!

Apologizes, for the ramble post..just a few fun stories behind some of the decor, but I really should not post when I am feeling so nostalgic!!

Not your ordinary Christmas Wreath

2009-12-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

I know that the monogram is a huge trend right now. And I have seen a few monogram wreaths out there in blogger land. But I was so inspired by this one (scroll down some)at Rosy Cheeks cute blogs. And maybe that is because I have seen this one in person, every Sunday when I go to her house for dinner (Rosy Cheeks is my mom!)

At first I tried to tell her it would be really easy to turn that "T" into a "J", that didn't work. So then I asked my dad if I could have it, and he said "Sure!" But mom caught me trying to take it off her door.

So I gave up and made my own!

I used a piece of cardboard to make the J. Then I bought the garland from Jo Ann's with my 50% off coupon. I just wrapped it around it, pulling as much of the strands to the front as I could. I had seen the beautiful poinsettias at Jo Ann's also, all glittery and sparkle. But they were to much. So imagine my delight and excitement when I saw them on sale for 60% off at the day after Thanksgiving sale. I HAD to buy them, they were so cheap!

Here is a close up of the flower part.

I originally had it on my front door, but it kept getting blown around. Plus I always have a fresh pine wreath on the door and I can't break the tradition, so it has found a spot in on my front entry mirror.

On a nother note, this was asuper productive weekend! I got activity day invites made, Cookie Exchange invites made and made the scrabble tiles for the party favor...I will be featuring the cookie invite and scrabble tiles in an upcoming post...so stay tuned!

Holiday Yummies: Bacon Wrapped Chestnuts

2009-12-02T15:40:00.000-08:00

2 cans of whole chestnuts
1 package of bacon
toothpicks

1 C of ketchup
1/4 c brown sugar
Tabasco sauce, to taste

Cut the bacon in to thirds. Wrap one chestnut in one slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick and place in a 9x13 pan. Continue until all the chestnuts are gone.

Mix the ketchup, brown sugar and Tabasco sauce in a small bowl. Drizzle over the bacon wraps. Sometimes I double the sauce if I feel they don't have enough. Bake at 400 degrees until bacon is cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Transfer to a pretty serving tray. You will be surprised how quickly these disappear!

Cookie Exchange: Part 2

2009-12-02T14:55:00.000-08:00

On the To Do:
* Plan a menu
* Start planning party favors.

I unusually keep the menu to savory appetizers. I figure everyone just spent a lot of time making 10 dozen Sweet's I am sure the sampled them and are probably sick of sweet stuff.

This years menu will more than likely consist of Bacon Wrap Chestnuts, (A yummy recipe that is a tradition in my family)Stuffed mushrooms and probably a fruit dip. I know that leans to the sweet side but at least it is healthy.

I have seen other hostesses who have everyone bring an extra dozen of the goodies so that everyone can sample them at the party. Others have a contest for the best tasting so after everyone samples each goodie they vote secret ballot style.

I always ponder too long on the drinks. I know I don't serve anything sweet, but we all do nibble on some of the goodies. So I need milk, no cookie is complete without milk! For religious reasons, I don't serve alcohol or coffee, but have seen these suggested on other sites. I usually opt for hot chocolate, egg nog and Pepsi. The last one is for my mo, Rosy Cheeks cause if she does not have her Pepsi, watch out! (Love you, mom!)

So I have also been pondering the party favors. This is something I added just a few years ago. Last year I had cute red serving spoons and tongs tied up with a cute ribbon. This year, I am leaning towards Scrabble tile pendants with a cute ginger bread man (cause of the whole theme) on them. I was also thinking about homemade bath fizzies in a cute paper crafted box. The third possibility is a tea towel apron. Not sure which one yet. I think I may try a sample of each one over the weekend to get an idea of which I like best.

The other thing on the To Do list this weekend is finish up the invites and get them mailed out.

Up coming post
* Decor
* Party favors and prizes

Weekly Menu

2009-11-30T19:55:00.000-08:00

Monday - Fettuccine Alfredo, Broccoli and Texas Toast (Mr Toadly Crafty's Pick)
Tuesday - Tacos, Rice & Refried Beans (Missy MayMay's pick)
Wednesday - Chicken Patty Sandwiches, Potato Chips, Carrots/Celery Sticks (Big G's Pick)
Thursday - Ribs, Funeral Potatoes, Green Beans (Little G's pick)
Friday - Breakfast for dinner, Creme Brulee (My pick)

This weeks theme: What are some of your favorite stand by recipes? The tired and true that you know you can go to when you need to get dinner on the table quick?

Cookie Exchange part 1

2009-11-30T06:11:00.001-08:00

Each year I host a cookie exchange party. This year will be my 7th year! I must admit there is a bit of selfishness behind the idea....get 10 dozen assorted cookies. It would take me days to accomplish that much variety on my own!

Over the years, my party has become a bit more elaborate then the first year. I have added things like a little party favor and a couple of prizes. I have also refined the "rules of the exchange". But rather than give you information overload, I am going to divide it up into a couple of different posts.

Today's post will cover setting a date, invitations and suggestions on the "rules".

Date
Today, I set the date. (I will actually be hosting two this year. One for the craft group and one for my neighborhood friends.) So to save myself from having to clean my house twice, I am going to do them back to back. I selected December 19th. I selected this date for a reason. This is the last Saturday before Christmas. There for most people will be having get together and parties through the rest of the week and can serve the cookies at these functions or they can save them for Christmas and they will still be fairly fresh.

I know this is a busy day, but the party only usually lasts an hour, at the most. I host it early in the day so as not to conflict with any other evening parties and last minute shopping.

Once I set the date I sent an email to the ladies I plan to invite.

This is the email:
I would like to have a Cookie Exchange party on Dec 19th that is a Saturday @ 1 (please be on time!) I know this is a busy day for most, but the cookie exchange usually goes really quick. If this does not work for the majority of the group I will rethink it.

Here is how it works. In addition to the craft group I am inviting my BFF and my moms BFF. That is 10 cookie makers.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET BACK TO ME ASAP IF YOU DON’T PLAN ON PARTICIPATING SO THAT I CAN FIND AN ALTERNATE FOR YOUR SPOT!

Each person makes 10 dozen Christmas cookie/candy/treat (I will define this in a moment) and brings them with them to my house. If you can’t make it that day but still want to participate, drop your cookies early and I will exchange them for you. But please let me know if this is what you will be doing. In addition you will need to bring a large tray, box, tin to place your cookies in as we exchange them. Planning on using the tray you bring the goodies on does not work as that one is full of cookies. (You will be getting back one dozen of your own.)

Cookies: All cookies/candy/treat MUST be homemade, no store bought allowed. Doctoring up a store bought item (IE: dipping pretzels/candy canes in chocolate) does not count. (Do not confuse this with Kiss cookies, M&M cookies and those awesome Reese Peanut cup cookie tart things) All cookies should be completely cooled before they come to the party.

Serving size: Take in to consideration a serving size. When you make that treat how many do you eat in one serving? A large cello bag full of white chocolate popcorn or muddy buddies does not equal one dozen. If you plan on doing an item like white chocolate popcorn or muddy buddies, then a small cello bag would be considered one item (so you would need 9 dozen small cell bags to equal nine dozen cookies) Also consider the size when cutting items into pieces (IE: Brownies, fudge, etc) If you have questions about what a serving size, please ask in advance. Making a dozen sugar cookies is a lot of work and then being handed 12 small chocolate turtles in exchange is very disappointing.

Quantity: I know that 10 dozen may seem like a lot. Please don’t let this be intimidating. It really is not that bad once you start working on it! And the reward is well worth it! In the past we have done 5 dozen and every one got a half dozen of each, but it you think about it that is only 6 cookies, which is only one per each person in most of our families.

Presentation: Arrange your goodie in a cute, unique and/or fun manner. A prize will be awarded for the best!

* No duplicates are allowed. So let me know early what you want to make.
* Please email me a copy of the recipe that you will be making by Dec 14th.
* Wear your Christmas attire, a prize will be awarded!

I know there is a lot to this, but This will be 7th year hosting a cookie exchange and I have learned as I have gone! Please email me your address so that I can get an invitation out to you.

Thanks! Shilo

I know it is alot of words to process, but the more clear and up front on the "rules" I am the better the swap goes.

So on the To Do list today:
* Set a date and Time
* Send an email or a quick phone call to give each potential attendee a heads up.

Invitation
The one consistent thing through each year is my theme, Gingerbread Men. I love the little guys! My kitchen is all deced out in Gingerbread Men any ways so the theme seemed to fit perfectly. I start introducing the theme in the invites. I wish I had saved one from each year, but I only have the past two years. Here is the one from 2007.
Front:

Back:

I have just begun this years, but will post them as soon as I am done. A e-invite would be cute to do, but I like to have a paper copy too. Every invite I send, birthday party, BBQ, etc. I put a magnet on the back so it can go directly on the fridge of the invitee.

"Rules"
Like I said before, the "rules" have evolved a bit.
But basically they include:
* All cookies must be homemade.
* All cookies need to be completely cooled before the party.
* No husbands/kids
* No duplicates (Who wants to go home with 5 dozen pieces of fudge)
* RSVP, ASAP

I am a big stickler on the RSVP. The earlier I know the sooner I can start looking for a substitute if necessary.

I will never forget the year that one lady made 10 dozen beautiful divinity. They were beautiful and tasted heavenly! And knowing how difficult and fussy divinity is, I can only imagine her thoughts when seeing that one of the other swappers had brought a small stick pretzel, not a large rod, dipped in chocolate. Hence the reason I am a bit picky about what a goodie is.

A great sight for other ideas and "rule" suggestions is www.cookieexchange.com

There are lots of variations out there, so look around and decide what works best for you and your friends. But most important have fun, that is what the holidays are all about!

Up coming posts will include
* Refreshments and beverages
* Decor
* Party Favors
* Contests and Prizes