Saturday, December 18, 2010

Baking Frenzy!

Whew, I am done!  I am a little wiped out and the kitchen is in shambles but it was worth it.  Next year I will start sooner that's for sure.  Some of this was for gifts for Prince Charming's Command Staff, etc...and the rest are sweets for our Army guys pulling an all nighter tonight. After about 20 jars of homemade apple butter, 10 loaves of honey wheat bread, pineapple upside down cake, mini carrot cake bites, chocolate mocha cupcakes with peppermint/marshmallow butter cream, my fridge is full of tasty-tempting sweets!




Yum!!! Now just to keep the crew out of them until delivery.  This is probably my last post for a week.  Have a Great Christmas break everyone!  God Bless!

Friday, December 10, 2010

More Gifts

Finally, a slower day for me this week!  I was able to knock out a few gifts while Little Miss M napped.  I had to make a 'Monster Doll' for my nephew and wanted to make a couple of teacher and MIL gifts.







Then Jen over at Tatertots and Jello had this great tute for a felt flower for gifts.  Diva's teacher is a big GA fan so we thought this would be a fancy way to sport her colors. 


Please excuse the lazy, no make-up look...at this point it was becoming a long 'kid' evening....I did get a compliment on the jacket though as soon as I walked into a meeting.


I love it on my purse!












I also decided to keep going with the 'rosette' rings I tried a couple of weeks ago and add some earrings.  Too much?  Maybe (my husband thinks the earrings are too big, but he is a man)...anyway, here is my day yesterday.


I just started with smaller strip for earring.







 




Cute right!

Again no makeup and Crazies taking the pics...what do you think, too big?  Maybe better with my hair down. 








Whew, thank goodness for naptime!  I still need to paint a couple of trays, and I still have a set of glasses to paint....not sure with what or for who...but I am ahead for once!~amie



p.s. linking up over at It's a Hodgepodge Life and Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Our First Advent

We have been here in GA a little over a year now and will probably be here at least 1 more, so I am trying to start a couple of new family traditions while we are 'settled'.  The Crazies are now 8, 5, & 1 so I wanted us to do the Advent countdown this year.  I saw this cute idea over at It is what it is and thought it was the one for us.  We are not putting up our big tree this year (I know, boo me) because we are traveling some and Little Miss M is into EVERYTHING!  I can just see her pulling the whole thing down.  So, we have our mini trees out and fun things hanging from ceiling...and I loved this idea because I could hang it on the wall for more decoration.  She even gave us the free printable, how easy is that!  Seriously, go check out her fabulous blog!

Here is how ours turned out...and the kids are loving it!  Skater boy is even keeping up with each day and they love getting the bag off the wall.  Thank you - It is what it is- for making this an easy Advent project.



Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Chalkboard Trays

I just finished another gift idea...a plastic tray turned into decorative chalkboard.  I found a plastic snowman tray in the shape of a Christmas ornament at the thrift store for a $1.  I painted over the tray with chalkboard paint, my son was sad to see the snowman go.  It took about 3 coats...I forgot to take pics til the end. I let it sit overnight and then 'conditioned' it...does that really make a difference?  Anyway, then I pulled out the chalk markers and started playing.





Now I just have to decide where to leave it....cute though, right?  I also bought a couple of long, rectangular trays while I was there for gifts for friends. I figure I can paint them and write a message on there for them, and send some chalk.  Too easy.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Gift Ideas

I am playing around with some ideas trying to get my Christmas gifts ready.  Remember I am new to crafting so I have to play a lot...sometimes a few times before I get things the way I like them.  Anyway I wanted to paint some glasses for someone with some theme, just no idea where I wanted to start.  So I practiced on some for my Crazies at home.  I got some glasses from the $ store, some Folk Art gloss paint from Hobby Lobby and some stencils and here you go.




I tried blue paint first but it was so transparent and I didn't have the patience to see how many coats it would take.  Then the paint kept slipping through the stencils or moving around before it dried and messing me up...so finally I used a dry erase marker and drew on with stencil and hand painted.  It's not perfect, but I'll take it.  I have a small set of 4 I am thinking of doing with red snowflakes for someone, we'll see how that turns out.  Wish me luck!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Monster Crew

My Crazies saw some 'Monster Dolls' online while I was cruising around and decided to design their own.  They were very specific.  Skater boy wanted a crazy monster while Diva wanted a square, princess monster.  I did learn that sewing with T-shirt material was a pain for me, of course there is probably some trick to it that I don't know yet.  The square one was much quicker.  I pretty much did the same thing I did for Little Miss M's owl in my previous post.  Here's how they turned out.  I am going to make one for my nephew's birthday next.  What do you think?
 


We decided she was missing something and added her cute mouth.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving All! 

I had so many plans and projects I wanted to have ready for today.  I had crafts for the kids to do for our table, a runner I wanted to make, etc...It just didn't get done.  I realized quickly that my kids were tired and just needed a break this week.  I understand, between school and homework, the activities during the week, everyone could use some downtime.  This is also the 1st Thanksgiving we have spent home this year doing our own thing and I'm not sure we know what we want to do yet.  I would love to have all these traditions built in already but we are military and move a lot.  Also, my children are really just getting to the age that we can start some fun things like that.  With all that said, I shook off the mom guilt and went with what I had...and you know, I think it worked out just fine.  I do think if my husband doesn't bring home flowers today that I might torture my kids just a little and have them cut out paper leaves to write what we are thankful for to put in the empty pumpkin in the middle of the table.  I think the kids are really hoping for the flowers :)  Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

P.S. I got the flowers :)  I think they made such a difference!  Just the pop of color we needed.

Please ignore the burnt rolls!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Check it out!

Run over to Tatertots and Jello and enter for your chance to win a Silhouette-SD!!   How great would that be?  I want one!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Little Miss M's 1st Owl!

Hi there!  I am loving the Owl theme...I know it's starting to show up everywhere but I'm in on it too.  I am doing Little Miss M's room in owls and keep seeing the cutest stuffed owls on people's blogs, too cute!!!  I had to try one.  I followed the tutorial on Toad's Treasures, such a cute blog.  It was very easy...even for me it only took about an hour and that was with 6 kids running in and out of the house and me yelling at my poor sewing machine because I am still such a beginner.  It looks homemade but I love it!  I want to make some more, ok I want to make a whole bunch and fill up her room...I know, I'm a mess.  Little Miss M was very pleased, she drooled her approval on it already.  I am already planning some more stuffed animals and monsters for xmas gifts.  Thanks for coming by!


 

T.V. Pillows

I did these a while back for the big kids.  I saw the idea in a magazine...I love magazines!  Anyway, the idea was to take a baby blanket and make it a big pillow once your kids got older.  I loved this idea since we are military and move all the time...I have to keep getting rid of things and it's hard to let go of the baby stuff.  In fact, by this time I only had a couple of Diva's and only 1 of SkaterBoy's left.  Which isn't bad considering they are 8 and 5.  They were both the thinner blankets (if they were the double sided ones I could have just opened a side and stuffed them), so I bought some coordinating fleece, sewed them together, stuffed them and that's it.  I need more stuffing, so you will see they aren't closed up yet.  The kids love pulling them out for our Family Movie Nights, and it let's me keep some of their baby stuff around a little longer.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Fuzzy

I mentioned last post that Little Miss M loves her 'fuzzies'.  Any kind of soft and cuddly blanket for that matter but her favorite is a mini-blanket.  It's the size of a burp cloth but with the soft, fancier material.  I love that she can carry it around easier and nap with it because it can't get wrapped around her.  I ordered hers from a local crafter but thought I would try one on my own.  A friend had a baby shower last weekend and I thought this would make the perfect gift to go along with the nursing cover I had made for her.  I love having crafty friends...my friend Lauren over at BeginswithL.etsy.com makes the most adorable children's clothing and other things...seriously, go check her out.  She keeps Miss M very stylishly dressed.  Anyway, I called and asked her to whip up a nursing cover for her and she did!  Isn't that so pretty?

Nursing cover
 



And here is my fuzzy....so easy, done in about 15 minutes.  I just cut my material, pinned it together, sewed, turned inside out.  Next time I will embellish more, add a ribbon, or initial or something but I was pressed for time.  I think these are such cute baby gifts.  I will be making some to keep on hand around here.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Tie-Tab Blanket

We made these a lot a few years ago.  They make great gifts for all occasions and are so easy to make.  I would even get my husband in on the action while we hung out and watched movies.  My youngest daughter doesn't have one yet, and she really loves her 'fuzzy' blankets.  I found some really cute fleece material on sale and here you go. 

In case you aren't sure how to make one...I spread my material out on the floor, 1 layer of the print fleece and 1 layer of plain coordinating fleece.  There is 1 side that is 'stretchier' than the other so I make sure they are facing the same way, stretchy sides together and then trim off the excess so they are the same size.  Also 'right' sides out...how you tie it is how it stays.  I grab a piece of cardboard and cut it into a square with 4" on 1 side and 5" on the other.  This is to cut out the corners. 
The 5" side is for the non-stretchy side and the 4" is for the stretchy side (since they will give more when tied).  Then start cutting tabs up the sides of the material about a thumbs width apart all the way around.  Then double tie, not too tight, double tie all the way around.  I like to make sure I 'tie' the same way so it is all even, like on this one I always looped the brown thru.  See how the brown is always on top after tie?
When I get close to the end of 1 side I stop and skip over and do a few knots on the other row...I find that it helps it not to bunch up on the corners.  Finish up, then shake it out and give it a little stretch on the corners and done!  Super quick and easy blanket.  Little Miss M loves it!



Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Fabric Flower rings

I have been keeping my eyes open for cute and easy handmade gifts for Christmas this year.  I have several nieces and nephews all in different states...anyway, I often cruise SewMamaSew to see what's new.  They have a great blog with things like Handmade Holidays, love it!  Yesterday, I saw this cute idea and tutorial from Vanessa at V&Co and just had to try it.  I ran to the store today and bought some blank rings and here you go...I knocked out 1 and my daughter loved it and her friend wanted 1, so I knocked out 2 more and done.  They are too cute.  The 1st 2 I rolled a little too tight so they came out smaller, which worked well for the younger girls.  I started to get the feel of it by the 3rd one and made mine a little larger.  I think my nieces and MIL will love one of these!
 


You can still see some glue, but I am figuring it out.  Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

The Cars Cake

I made this cake a couple of weeks ago for a client turning 5.  He told me he wanted 'Cars' with a few of the characters and a race track.  This was going to be a pretty good size party and needed to feed at least 50 people.  I decided to incorporate a few different scenes from the movie and make it a 3 level cake.

 I covered the whole cake in different colors of butter cream and then added fondant accents. I made the base the race track.  I cut out squares of black and while fondant to 'glue' around the sides.  Crushed up Oreo's were the track complete with toy cars of the racers.  The second level was the desert scene.  I made some cactus and mountain looking areas out of fondant.  The top level was the sky complete with Mater jumping through his ring of fire(like on the mini cartoons).  This also has the waterfall coming down into the desert, and clouds out of fondant.  I made some tires, barrels, haystacks, and name and #5 out of fondant and let them dry.  I assembled the cake and used my Shark steamer to shine it all up and there you go.  A very happy 5 year old and plenty of cake to go around.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Grandma Dot's carrot cake

My husband's grandmother is known for her cakes and pies.  Every time we visit she makes a carrot cake, or pulls 1 from her freezer (yep, still awesome).  We live to far away now to just pop in, and I have been craving this cake for a week now.  I have never attempted this one before but found her recipe in my stash.  I went for it and it was amazing!  I should have let it cool properly but was too impatient for that.  Instead I threw the pans in the freezer for a few minutes then pried the cakes out, so my layers turned out a little uneven(but really, who's looking at that).  I made Dot's cream cheese icing with chopped pecans and spread it on when it was still warm. 

One trick I learned for sure...don't serve warm!  We couldn't wait and dug in and it was very good, but it tasted more like baked sweet carrots.  The next day however after being in the fridge over night, it had time to set up in it's yummy goodness.  Served cold with coffee or milk was so much better.  I already have people begging for more.  This may have to become a new regular.


This is a triple layer 6" round and made well over 14 huge servings!

Monday, October 25, 2010

My Attempt at Subway Art

I love sites like Tatertots and Jello and have started trying some of the ideas on there.  There are so many Subway art projects going around I thought I would try my own.  I am not a big crafter so I don't have any of the fancy cutting machines or any of that....just a board, some paints, and freehand.  I found a trick on a fellow blogger's site Sawdust and Paper Scraps where she rubbed chalk on the back of paper then wrote on top which traced into the chalk for you to paint over...works pretty well.  I wanted to add a couple of pictures and here is what my finshed project looks like.  (Ok, I got a little carried away with my daughter's glitter paint, but go with it). You will also have to forgive the lighting, this is in our little entry way.