not exactly how I planned to spend my evening

Okay, so I had big hopes of working on a couple cute valentines projects that are in progress. (my next 'Just Because' gifts) Instead we got to spend the evening in the ER getting this...
My adorable four-year-old thought it would be a good idea to combine two of his favorite toys...
needless to say, the idea wasn't his best.

Okay, so now on to me being a CRAFTAHOLIC. He's going to have to wear this sling for the next few days...I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this, but the first thing that popped into my head when the doctor put it on him was 'sweet, it's a blank canvass, how can I dress it up?' I actually said as much to my husband. He's sweet and gave me a 'whatever' grin and slight roll of the eyes. I'm thinking of doing a little freezer paper stenciling/painting. I'll be sure to let you see what I come up with! (I mean after all, if Kyle is going to have to wear this for a while, shouldn't it look fun?) Right now the phrase 'I do all my own stunts' is what I'm thinking.

my Mom's quilt

My mom made this quilt top last year. I felt honored when she asked me to quilt it for her. I mentioned a few posts ago that my favorite part of making a quilt is the actual process of quilting it. How fun is it that I got to avoid doing everything else and just got to do the quilting! I did a simple large stipple and am happy with how it turned out. (I am definitely no pro, but the more I do it, the better I get!)I really hope that she's happy with the result.

Flower Applique t-shirt makover

Hey! So my friend Lynette over at Get Your Craft On is hosting the 'El Cheap-O Shirt Challenge'. I wanted to get in on the action. Here is a top that I made a little while back. I bought the shirt at wally world on clearance for $1. A few different flower print fabrics, some wonder-under, a few ribbon bows on the sleeves, and voila!

Christmas card recycle

If you are like me, come the beginning of the new year, you have a handful of Christmas cards that you're not sure what to do with. I always hate just tossing them, but I'm not necessarily a clutter collector either. My suggestion...look closely at them and maybe there will be a few you can recycle/upcycle into Thank You cards or handmade cards for next Christmas.

Here is my example. Both of my boys got this card from their Great-Grandparents...
I needed to send out a bunch of Thank You cards to family and friends for Christmas gifts and such, so I came up with this...Ten hand made thank you cards that took me less than half an hour. Yes, they are simple, but they'll get the job done and the cost very little to make. (For speed purposes I bought the 'Thank you' words from JoAnns, which made the process even easier.)

Anywho, I know this concept is nothing new, but maybe it'll spark an idea in your brain as to how you could use some of your left-over cards.

a 'just because' gift

I'm still feeling the Christmas spirit of love and giving. I want it to last well into the new year. I'm hoping that by acting on that feeling it won't fade as quickly.

One of my new year goals is to make something for somebody else at least once a month...just because. While most people already probably do this sort of thing, with a young family (and my 7 month old who is constantly crabby) I don't get to serve others and give as much as I'd like. I'm going to make more of an effort to do so this year. Even if it is only 12 times. Twelve is a start, right?

1 of 12 - I have a friend who is great. She's a true friend through and through. She is also a GREAT cook. She spent a year and a half living in Japan in her early 20's and can make Japanese food like nobody's business. (Bring on the GIOZA!) I figured somebody who likes to cook can never have enough aprons! So Sumer, this one is for you!
I've made this same pattern a hand full of times. I love it. I have one for myself that I use pretty much every day. It whips up in an afternoon of sewing. The pattern is by 'The Apron Lady Designs' and is called 'Flirty Skirty.'

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after hearing from some of my friends that they love the idea of 'just because' gifts, I decided to issue a challenge!

My challenge to you. - Join in on the fun! Make an effort to give somebody a totally unexpected gift each month...Just Because! Why? Everybody love presents, I don't care who you are. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy to receive one. Let's spread the warmth and love this year.

If you want to participate (and I SO hope you do!) grab the 'just because' gift challenge button on my side bar and add it to your blog. Leave me a comment with your blog address as well...maybe you'll be the next person chose to receive one of my next 'just because' gifts!

Snow Family

Happy New Year!

I'm excited that my first post of the new year will be a QUILT! I LOVE quilting. I don't have enough time to quilt nearly as much as I'd like. Piecing a top and then quilting it have to be two of my favorite sewing projects. (Although oddly enough, I LOATHE basting the quilt.)

This quilt project I titled 'Snow Family'. (I had every intention of getting it off to my in-laws for a Christmas gift, but didn't quite get it done in time. I'm sending it tomorrow since the Post Office is closed today!) The snowman material is a panel that I bought a few years ago with my in-laws in mind. I picked up the rest of the material at my local quilt shop (actually the green material for the letters came from my stash.) Overall, I am happy with the finished product, although it had to grow on me. I loved the top, before it was quilted, but then once I quilted it...the jury was out. The white thread on the blue and red is a little bold. I did kind of a double loop stitching that I first saw on crazy mom quilts. (Her version looks oodles better than mine, but I'm getting better!) Now that it is bound and ready to go, it looks better and is growing on me. I'm sure that they'll love it regardless! (I mean really, isn't that a parent's job? To love anything that their children give them?)

Finished Size 43"x47" (Almost square, not on purpose. I didn't have a pattern for this quilt, it just kind of grew. It's just big enough to cover cold toes on a chilly winter night!)

Hostess Gift

I thought I'd round out 2009 with one last little post.

A couple of years ago, my husband's aunt introduced me to 'hostess gifts'. I love the idea, it is very southern hospitality like. I realize this is nothing new, but I love it nonetheless. Really it is nothing more than giving a gift to your host/hostess whether it be for a party you were invited to, or somebody's house you are visiting for the weekend. I loved the first time they came to stay with us and brought an adorable cookie jar. It's just nice to receive gifts for no other reason than because you are letting people into you home one way or another.

Anywho, we are headed to a New Year's Eve party tonight at a friend's house. The party theme is 'Tropical'. This was just a little something I came up with to say thank you. Sparkling Cider and Chocolate...you can't go wrong!