HOT DOG.....

..hot dog, hot diggity dog!!  Ava LOVES Mickey Mouse.  I took a WalMart knit shirt and pants, some ribbon and embroidered a Mickey Mouse on it from the Brother Quattro machine.  She will love this.......and this is what older folks do on New Year's Eve!!!
Happy New Year to you all!

Tutu Cute!

Ava's first birthday is coming next month.  Casey and I made her a tutu!  I used a 19" piece of elastic (was about 1 1/2 less after sewing together)  then added pink, green and white tulle all around to create the tutu.  I cute the tulle in 6x14" strips and I have counted 54 in the final total.  These are really easy to make.  I used a plastic canister from the kitchen to hold the elastic while tying the tulle.  If you will google making a tutu you will find loads of info and even videos.  Hopefully I will have a picture to post of her wearing it.  Now on to embroidering the onsie with a birthday design!

Moda's Knotty Jumper with Ruffled Leggings

Wow, talk about cute!  Moda has some of the cutest things on their website.  I hope I get time to make one of these for Ava!  Go to the Moda site and look at all their "recipes" for using those cute precut fabrics!

Moda's Fabric Shawl

I couldn't get the picture here but this article has a wonderful quilted shawl.
(http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/08/pure-comfort.html) If you don't quilt, making it from fleece might be an option.  Would make a wonderful gift for anyone and could even be personalized with the embroidery machine.  I want one of these for myself!  I also know many folks I would love to make one for!  Simple sewing at its best.....don't you just love Moda??  Lots of great ideas there and lovely fabrics to drool over.
Countdown is on.....Christmas is just around the corner for sure now!  Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and enjoys the family time without getting too tired or stressed.....God bless you all!

Honey Grahams

Honey Grahams
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
put in a saucepan and bring to a boil for 2 minutes
add 1 cup pecans
line a pan with graham crackers and pour the above mixture over and bake for 10 minutes on 350
This is really good and easy for those times you need something fast and easy.

We are a bit cold right now for the south, that is!  Woke this morning to temps in the teens and never got over 30 degrees.  I know that may not sound cold to others living up north but its bone chilling here!  Blessings to all and don't get too stressed with the holidays coming, not worth it!

Making a Teepee Model

Yesterday had to make a teepee model for Emilee. I got online and read although I had in my head an idea of how to do it. Finally settled on covering a cheap childs party hat with some tan fleece I had on hand and used some reeds I had left from some fragrance dispensers for the sticks. Easy enough! Then I cut a circle from construction paper for a sun and used strands of thread to put behind it for a "sun" decoration, put some red rick rack around the teepee....used a knotted piece of green thread glued to it for a "snake" and took a piece of indian looking fabric, fraying the ends, and glued all this on for decorations on the outside of the teepee. I cut some leaves from some fabric scraps and glued them on there too. I used a permenant marker to make paw prints on it too. Not really hard to do but the real delight was when Parker saw it......he kind of had that glazed look that I get seeing a new sewing machine......saying I need that. So after I can get myself settled I guess I will be making some teepees for the grandsons that enjoy those cheap plastic "army" type men so much!
We are so blessed with the grandkids but they do keep you busy. I can't imagine how parents manage alone without the help of someone else!

Make a Snow Globe

Emilee, the 10 year old granddaughter, had to make a snow globe from recycled materials for extra points. I had never done the but after a little reading on the web found what info I needed and we got one done. Here's what you will need.....
One empty jar with lid (I used a junior baby food jar)
one figurine for the inside (we did purchase a glass angel for $1 at the Dollar Store for this)
gorilla glue or some water proof glue
assorted trims and a bead (all from left over craft projects)
Baby oil
glitter
Make sure jar is label free and clean and dry.
Glue the figurine to the inside of the jar lid and let set whatever amount of time your glue recommends, I let it set overnight.
Fill jar just almost full of baby oil and add glitter. Glue the lid on the jar making sure you seal it well to prevent leaks. When this is set use hot glue or any other you choose and attach any trims you want, we used some beads that were on a strip of fabric that would hang down from the lid. I glued a bead on top and put in a pc. of trim to make this an ornament....use the stronger glue for this so it won't come loose.
I can see where this would be a wonderful project for Bible schools and parties. The baby oil helps the glitter from falling too fast or you can use water with a few drops of glyercine added.
Merry Christmas all....don't stress over all that is to be done, take a breath and just relax a moment, if it gets done, good for you, if not you will likely be the only one that knows what your "good" intentions were anyway!

Ava is GROWING!

New pictures of little Ms Ava.....one at the Pumpkin Patch and one where she is getting caught checking out the gifts under the tree. She is trying to walk and can crawl really fast! Can't wait to see her at Christmas. We will be blessed with all the kids and grandkids here at once and that doesn't happen very often anymore.