I hope everyone had a blessed and joyful Christmas, I know we did even though hubby was sick with the stomach flu. Luckily he got sick on Christmas Eve and was feeling somewhat better on Christmas. The kids enjoyed all their new toys from Santa, they were especially happy with their new Wii. Let me tell you we have some Wii hogs in this house. Mom even got a Wii fit, so hopefully this will motivate me to get in shape.
I have major cleaning to do, all my kiddos are gone for the day except Bitsy and she's sleeping so I have some time to get my house looking half-ways decent. I'll be back next week to share some photos and crafty things I made for Christmas gifts.
Hugs
*a*
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Stain Fighting
With 4 kids, we are not without stains in our house. Even I am notorious for spilling mustard on my new white shirt. I have tried all those stain fighters, and yes alot of them work but I still have that stubborn stain that doesn't want to come out. My solution,a bar of Ivory soap, it really works. Earlier in the week my hubby was working on his jeep and got black mud all over his good coat. This mud is horrible, it never comes out. So I took his coat and got it wet and scrubbed it with a bar of ivory soap and washed and waalaa all the mud came out. I wish I would have taken pictures but I didn't.
Ivory soap as a stain treater, it just works for me. For more ideas go to Rocks in my Dryer, I am telling you these ladies have some good ideas.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Day 16
We got our real tree, last year we just stuck with the fake tree. Fake trees are nice, they don't lose their needles, no watering and you can just put it away with the lights on, but you don't have that real tree smell. And I like the idea of having 2 trees. I wanted to get a picture of us picking it out and hubby cutting it down, but you know things don't always go as planned. We had an ice storm over the weekend so we couldn't get the tree when the kids were home from school. So it was just him and I and it was raining, so we had a pick a tree fast. Tonight we are going to decorate it. Fun times!!!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Day 7
Lazy Sunday afternoon, I got a picture of my hubby sleeping but I didn't think he would be too happy if I posted it on my blog. I really wanted to take a nap too, but there were coupons to cut and file, so no nap for me.
Day 6
Baking cookies, oh so yummy.....
I know I am behind with my December Daily, but on the positive side I am still taking pictures everyday, just not uploading them.
Friday, December 5, 2008
It's time for dessert!!!
I made a very yummy, simple, frugal, and low-fat dessert tonight, and it was thumbs up all around the table.
Don't they look oh so yummy!!! Okay for the simple, yummy and low-fat part.
These are carrot-pumpkin muffins and to make them it's 3 ingredients. I told you they were simple to make.
carrot cake mix
1 can pumpkin
1/2 cup water
mix together and then pour into a cake pan or muffin tin. That's it.
I came upon this recipe over the summer and used whip cream for the topping, but then Christy from the Southern Plate sent out an email that added a struesel topping. Okay it was fabulous, yes the whip cream was tasty, but the struesel even better. You definitely need to try this. They are so moist and since your don't use any oil it is healthy too.
Now for the frugal part, right now there is a coupon for $1 off decandent carrot cake, my store sells this for 2.09 and also doubles coupons up to and including a 1 so I get it for .09 and before Thanksgiving they had pumpkin on sale for .98 and the water is free. I also had everything to make the struesel topping in my cupboards. So for 1.05, I got 27 muffins and everyone loved it.
happy cooking
*a*
Don't they look oh so yummy!!! Okay for the simple, yummy and low-fat part.
These are carrot-pumpkin muffins and to make them it's 3 ingredients. I told you they were simple to make.
carrot cake mix
1 can pumpkin
1/2 cup water
mix together and then pour into a cake pan or muffin tin. That's it.
I came upon this recipe over the summer and used whip cream for the topping, but then Christy from the Southern Plate sent out an email that added a struesel topping. Okay it was fabulous, yes the whip cream was tasty, but the struesel even better. You definitely need to try this. They are so moist and since your don't use any oil it is healthy too.
Now for the frugal part, right now there is a coupon for $1 off decandent carrot cake, my store sells this for 2.09 and also doubles coupons up to and including a 1 so I get it for .09 and before Thanksgiving they had pumpkin on sale for .98 and the water is free. I also had everything to make the struesel topping in my cupboards. So for 1.05, I got 27 muffins and everyone loved it.
happy cooking
*a*
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Another Mini - I love this idea
I don't scrap Christmas pictures, it's not that I don't like Christmas supplies. I love them, so many great papers out there and embellishments and don't get me started on the kits. Way too many awesome Christmas kits. So no matter how many Christmas papers, embellies and kits I have, I still hate to scrap Christmas pictures. I don't know if it's the 30 pictures of the kids opening presents, what do you journal about. So when I saw Ali Edwards blog and her post about a mini album just for the Christmas season. I knew this was the project for me. I don't have to make several layouts about Christmas, it's all in one book. I love it!!!! I made my book in advanced and just gathered up old supplies, I didn't buy a thing. So it saves me time, it makes me happy because I don't have all those Christmas pics to scrap and it's frugal, what more could you ask for.
Here's the cover:
On the inside cover, I made a calendar so I can write down everything we did and on the first, ironically enough, my christmas cards came, so I added one to the album.
Day 1 pictures and journaling
Pretty cool, huh. Now I just need to stick with it and get it finished.
Stay crafty
*a*
Here's the cover:
On the inside cover, I made a calendar so I can write down everything we did and on the first, ironically enough, my christmas cards came, so I added one to the album.
Day 1 pictures and journaling
Pretty cool, huh. Now I just need to stick with it and get it finished.
Stay crafty
*a*
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Being Thankful New Tradition - WFMW
Every year for Thanksgiving we all say what we are thankful for, well I wanted to take it one step further and make a mini album. So a new family tradition was born. Everyone will write down what they are thankful for that year, plus there would be pictures. Alot of the men groaned and complained about this, but in the end wrote down what they were thankful for. My grandmother was there and wrote was she was thankful for during the year and I couldn't help but think what she would have wrote down at my age. Now my grandkids and kids will know what I was thankful for at age 33, when they look at these albums.
I even went to the thrift store and found a small suitcase that I am going to alter and this will be where I will keep all my thankful albums.
I don't have any pictures in it yet, I ran out ink yesterday, so a trip to store is in order.
Thankful mini albums as a new tradition -- it just works for me.
For me WFMW go here.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Hello December
Yes folks it's December, hard to believe, but in a little more that 3 weeks Christmas is here. Here's what I have done so far:
Christmas Gifts bought - check
House decorated - check
Gifts Wrapped - Half done
cookies made - not yet, but I did make my shopping list and I will go get the ingredients tomorrow and will make cookies this weekend.
Christmas dinner menu made - check
So far so good and I am on my way to enjoying this Christmas season with my family. I already feel alot more stress-free. I just need to remember to breath and if everything isn't perfect it's no big deal. You know nobody is going to notice anyway.
These past few months I have been a crafting fool, making Christmas gifts and ornaments. Now I can't show you my Christmas gifts until after I give them out but I can show you everything else I have been working on.
Okay so i love this... It's an advent calendar, I have seen these the past couple of years and thought they were awesome. So this year I decided to make my own. I think it turned out pretty good. Now I don't have it hanging yet. I didn't have enough circle magnets, so I used the strip magnets. Okay I will never buy the strip magnets again, they don't hold. So off to Wally World tomorrow to get some more circle magnets and then I can hang this up. Here is some close-ups of the calendar.
With all the magnets off.
I did mine in a Christmas theme, but you could make one to match your decor and change it for the different months. I think this would be cool. I'll be checking the thrift store for some old cookie sheets.
Keep checking back all this week, because I have been crafty.
Hugs
*a*
P.S. It's good to be back
Christmas Gifts bought - check
House decorated - check
Gifts Wrapped - Half done
cookies made - not yet, but I did make my shopping list and I will go get the ingredients tomorrow and will make cookies this weekend.
Christmas dinner menu made - check
So far so good and I am on my way to enjoying this Christmas season with my family. I already feel alot more stress-free. I just need to remember to breath and if everything isn't perfect it's no big deal. You know nobody is going to notice anyway.
These past few months I have been a crafting fool, making Christmas gifts and ornaments. Now I can't show you my Christmas gifts until after I give them out but I can show you everything else I have been working on.
Okay so i love this... It's an advent calendar, I have seen these the past couple of years and thought they were awesome. So this year I decided to make my own. I think it turned out pretty good. Now I don't have it hanging yet. I didn't have enough circle magnets, so I used the strip magnets. Okay I will never buy the strip magnets again, they don't hold. So off to Wally World tomorrow to get some more circle magnets and then I can hang this up. Here is some close-ups of the calendar.
With all the magnets off.
I did mine in a Christmas theme, but you could make one to match your decor and change it for the different months. I think this would be cool. I'll be checking the thrift store for some old cookie sheets.
Keep checking back all this week, because I have been crafty.
Hugs
*a*
P.S. It's good to be back
December Photo Project
Sounds like fun doesn't it, if you want to sign up go here. I am also participating in Ali Edwards December Daily. Both of these challenges fit together perfectly. Just document your December through pictures. That simple. I also made an album to hold all my pictures, which I will share shortly.
Here's my picture for yesterday....
We put up our tree last night and did a little photo shot.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Blogging Break
I am taking a break from blogging until after Thanksgiving. Only 1 month until Christmas and I have projects to finish up, gifts to wrap, you all know the drill. And remember my goal is to be finished by the end of this month. I can't wait to show you what I have been working on. Some fun stuff....
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and remember to write down what you are thankful for, it is really neat to look back at. I did a little mini album for our Thanksgiving, I'll share it after the holidays.
Be Thankful,
*a*
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and remember to write down what you are thankful for, it is really neat to look back at. I did a little mini album for our Thanksgiving, I'll share it after the holidays.
Be Thankful,
*a*
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Making your Home a Haven
Monica over at The Homespun Heart is doing a series on Making your Home a Haven, today is cleaning. I missed yesterday, due to Christmas shopping, so I am jumping in a day late. I think this is such a great idea. My goal for my home is to have a happy and loving environment for my family based on God's word.
I really encourage you to participate in this challenge, our home life is so very important....
Today's Plan
Clean upstairs, dust, and vaccum
Work on the laundry room
clean the kid's room
declutter toys
dust, mop and sweep the entire downstairs
Take Christmas gifts out of our car and hide
Spend time in God's word
This is alot to do in one day, but I think I can get it accomplished. I'll be back later to upload pictures of my progress.
Giving Thanks
I am so thankful for my home, it's not big and fancy, but it's just right for us...
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Holidays by Hand (papercrafting)
This is the second week of holidays by hand and it's papercrafting, my favorite type of craft.
My project is a Dates to Remember mini album. I have to admit, I am horrible when it comes to remembering birthdays, so this book is perfect for people like me or if you just want a book to keep all those important dates in. Since there is no year on this book you can use it year after year, plus there are pictures in it. It just can't get any better than this.
Now for the mini album:
Front and back cover were make from a cracker box, this is a really inexpensive and green way to make a chipboard album cover. I just cover the inside with paper and painted the outside, after it was dry I embelleshed it.
inside
Each page is a different month and on that month I attached pictures of the people that are celebrating birthdays that month. Now I just did birthdays, but you can include anniverisaries or any other important date that you want to remember. On each page I attached a pocket, this is for my cards. I just stapled mine, but you can sew or even glue them on.
On the last page I included a pocket, I just cut up a page protector and stapled it on, this is for my stamps. Now there is no excuse not to send those cards out.
I bound my mini album with rings, you can buy these at Wal-mart and they are pretty inexpensive.
This album came together pretty quickly, after I had all my pictures printed out, it only took about 2 hours to complete.
For more ideas on papercrafting, go to Small Notebook.
Giving Thanks
I am thankful for the rain.....Last night we got some rain, our creeks are really low so we really needed this rain. Plus I just love the sound of rain hitting the roof, so relaxing.
Happy papercrafting,
*a*
Friday, November 7, 2008
Toys (continued)
Wednesday, I talked about the toys that standed the test of time in our house and how I hated buying toys that my kids just played with for a day and then were finished with it. Well I wanted to show you Bisty Boo's favorite toy at the moment... If you have a 12 month old you need to have this "toy", now there is probably no need to go out and buy this, because you probably already have this in your home - 
See, kids can entertain themselves with the things you already have, there is no need to go out and buy expensive toys, just let them clean out your cupboards.
Since Thanksgiving is less than 3 weeks away I have decided to add a "What I am Thankful For" at the end of all my post. I encourage you to do the same. Sometimes we get pre-occupied with our day to day activities and we forget to be thankful for the things God has given us.
I am Thankful for my family. I have 4 healthy children and a wonderful hubby, that God has blessed me with and I know sometimes I take them granted but I am so very thankful for them. Luv you guys to no end......
With a Grateful Heart
*a*
See, kids can entertain themselves with the things you already have, there is no need to go out and buy expensive toys, just let them clean out your cupboards.
Since Thanksgiving is less than 3 weeks away I have decided to add a "What I am Thankful For" at the end of all my post. I encourage you to do the same. Sometimes we get pre-occupied with our day to day activities and we forget to be thankful for the things God has given us.
I am Thankful for my family. I have 4 healthy children and a wonderful hubby, that God has blessed me with and I know sometimes I take them granted but I am so very thankful for them. Luv you guys to no end......
With a Grateful Heart
*a*
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Works for me Wednesday....
Toys worth buying....is there such a thing??? I know I get so upset when my kids don't play with the things that they have gotten for Christmas. It is so discouraging when I fill up a bag for Good Will with practically new toys that they only played with a few times. With money a little tighter and with 4 children this year we are cutting back no more, the more the better thought at Christmas. With having 4 kids, I have found some toys that are worth buying and that can be passed down from child to child.
Lincoln Logs - my mom bought my oldest (12) these when he was 3, he played with them, my daughter now 10 played with them, and now my 5 year old builds an entire town in his room with them. I am hoping Bitsy will love them also. They are still in wonderful shape.
Legos - Once again these were bought for my oldest and he just loved them, now my 5 year is using his imagination and building cars, planes, and whatever else he little mind comes up with.
Bead Kit - This will keep my 10 year old daughter busy for hours and even her little brother enjoys stringing beads and making necklaces and braclets.
Craft kit - there is no need to go out and buy a fancy-smancy kit, I just fill a tool box or bag with crayons (from back to school sale at Wal-mart), markers, paint, paper and some stamps. This kit will keep them busy for hours.
There are alot more toys that I think are definitely worth buying, but this list is my favorites and have been standed the test of time in our house. If you want more ideas on toys go check out Rocks in my Dryers, I know I will be spending a lot of time here today checking out all the ideas, because Christmas is coming fast folks....
here's to spending wisely this Christmas,
*a*
Saturday, November 1, 2008
One year ago....
my 4th child was born. Bitsy Boo was tiny and beautiful and we were so happy that she was healthy. Miss Pie was so excited she finally had a baby sister, she told us she was moving out if this baby was a boy. I guess sandwiched in between two brothers isn't the funniest. Bitsy fit into our family perfectly and now she is 1, I know everyone says that they can't believe it when their baby turns 1, but it is so true, because this past year just seemed to fly by. From a tiny baby, to smiling, cooing, crawling, and walking she is no longer a baby but a little girl.
November 1, 2007 1:30
November 1, 2008 1:30
Happy First Birthday little Miss Aly!!!!!!!
November 1, 2007 1:30
November 1, 2008 1:30
Happy First Birthday little Miss Aly!!!!!!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Not blogging.....
I have decided to stop blogging over at my frugal blog (I live a frugal life), I don't know if you remember this post here, but by having two blogs I'm just not using my time wisely, plus there are so many awesome blogs dedicated to saving money that I just don't know what to blog about without sounding redundant. I have decided that this blog will feature everything, money saving tips, crafts, my family and whatever else strikes my fancy....
Here's to a simplier life
*a*
Here's to a simplier life
*a*
Another crafty week, oh my!!!!
Hey all, I know I have been such a bad blogger. My goal each week is to post atleast 3 or 4 times, but sometimes life gets in the way. Even though I have been such a horrible blogger, I have been crafty, I haven't gotten alot accomplished but I have been busy. Can you believe Christmas is less than 2 months away? I sure can't, and my goal is to have all my gifts made, bought and wrapped by the end of November. I better get my butt in gear if I am going to make this goal. I recently found this site and they have some really great ideas. I love the idea of a Christmas Planner, I have never done this before, but this year I am. It will be great to have everything all in one book, plus mine is going to be in a 3-ring binder so I can use it year after year. When I am finished with it I will post pictures. I am also taking a class here, like I don't have enough to do this month, I decided to add a class into the mix. So far I am pretty impressed with the class, they have downloads for my Christmas planner and the 2 projects that they have down I love and will definitely be doing. So if you have some time and want to take a class I would definitely recommend this class.
Okay enough of that, so you ask what have I been working on, well I'll tell you and show you.
Here is what you can make out of wooden circles, an old dictionary, stamps, and some bling.
I think it turned out great, I just added a bail and a chain and waa-laa you have a necklace. I made several of these, which I am not sharing because they are Christmas presents. Miss Pie loved them so much that she claimed one for herself and I even claimed one.
I love the name of this bag, a booty bag, just makes me chuckle. I still have 2 more of these to make and even though jeans are pretty sturdy I did line this it just makes it a lot prettier inside.
I'm outa jeans so I think a trip to the thrift store is in order.
I found a tutorial for this bag holder here and it was so simple to make, I think it took me about an hour to sew this, but I am a true beginner at sewing. For someone who sews alot you could finish this in about 30 minutes. I really like it and have put this on the list to make myself plus 2 or 3 more for gifts.
With all my Chirstmas crafting my dining room is being taken over....
Okay so right now it doesn't look that bad, I'll have to take a picture of it when I'm in the middle of a project.
Have a great day, I'm off to finish my Christmas planner.
Happy crafty and hugs
*a*
Okay enough of that, so you ask what have I been working on, well I'll tell you and show you.
Here is what you can make out of wooden circles, an old dictionary, stamps, and some bling.
I think it turned out great, I just added a bail and a chain and waa-laa you have a necklace. I made several of these, which I am not sharing because they are Christmas presents. Miss Pie loved them so much that she claimed one for herself and I even claimed one.
I love the name of this bag, a booty bag, just makes me chuckle. I still have 2 more of these to make and even though jeans are pretty sturdy I did line this it just makes it a lot prettier inside.
I'm outa jeans so I think a trip to the thrift store is in order.
I found a tutorial for this bag holder here and it was so simple to make, I think it took me about an hour to sew this, but I am a true beginner at sewing. For someone who sews alot you could finish this in about 30 minutes. I really like it and have put this on the list to make myself plus 2 or 3 more for gifts.
With all my Chirstmas crafting my dining room is being taken over....
Okay so right now it doesn't look that bad, I'll have to take a picture of it when I'm in the middle of a project.
Have a great day, I'm off to finish my Christmas planner.
Happy crafty and hugs
*a*
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Crafty Momma
It has been one crafty week and I love it. I forgot how much I love to create and make stuff. My goal this year for Christmas is to make 50% of my gifts, I really want to cut down on our Christmas expenses. Truly the gifts is not what this holiday is about and I really want my kids to know that Jesus is the Reason, not all the stuff.
Last week I got this:
Isn't' this fabric absolutely fabulous. I love it. I started sewing, now I really haven't sewn since 7th grade home-ec, unless you count sewing on my scrapbooking projects. But I recently got an itch to start. My granny was an awesome quilter and seamtress, I got some of her stuff, so I am hoping that some of her genius wears off on me. For my first project, I wanted to make a bag of some sort, so here is the first one I made.
For my first purse it turned out cute, I even lined it. I had to rip it apart only once, so I was pretty happy about that. Caitlynn loved it. Here's the second one I made. I am still in the learning process of bag making, but I think I am addicted to it. I will have a closet full of bags, one for every season, occasion, etc... This bag is my own pattern, with the first bag I did use a pattern but the directions were awful and I had to alter it to work. (added note: it might not have been the directions, chances are it was the reader of the directions and her inability to follow them properly.)
Here's the inside view of the bag, I love all the pockets, it really keeps all my stuff organized. It is a little small and I wasn't so thrilled with the outside of the bag, I have also realized that I need to add some interfacing. I used canvas for the outside but the bag doesn't have enough structure. Like I said I am still in the learning process of this new craft. I'll post the next one I make.
Now for some scrapbooking projects, I told you I have been a busy, crafting fool. Sadly none of this stuff is for me, so I am hoping the people that receive this stuff loves it as much as I do.
My daughter wants one of these too, so I am thinking stocking gift for her.
These are mini-albums I made, I am definately making the dates to remember for myself because it turned out great and the All Mine mini is an idea I got from here, I absolutely love her kits and she has some really great ideas for mini-albums.
My projects this week includes, old paper, wooden circles and stamps, oh my (what could it be, make sure you come back to see).... and some booty bags.... (I love that name, it just makes me smile.)
Big hugs and stay crafty
*a*
Last week I got this:
Isn't' this fabric absolutely fabulous. I love it. I started sewing, now I really haven't sewn since 7th grade home-ec, unless you count sewing on my scrapbooking projects. But I recently got an itch to start. My granny was an awesome quilter and seamtress, I got some of her stuff, so I am hoping that some of her genius wears off on me. For my first project, I wanted to make a bag of some sort, so here is the first one I made.
For my first purse it turned out cute, I even lined it. I had to rip it apart only once, so I was pretty happy about that. Caitlynn loved it. Here's the second one I made. I am still in the learning process of bag making, but I think I am addicted to it. I will have a closet full of bags, one for every season, occasion, etc... This bag is my own pattern, with the first bag I did use a pattern but the directions were awful and I had to alter it to work. (added note: it might not have been the directions, chances are it was the reader of the directions and her inability to follow them properly.)
Here's the inside view of the bag, I love all the pockets, it really keeps all my stuff organized. It is a little small and I wasn't so thrilled with the outside of the bag, I have also realized that I need to add some interfacing. I used canvas for the outside but the bag doesn't have enough structure. Like I said I am still in the learning process of this new craft. I'll post the next one I make.
Now for some scrapbooking projects, I told you I have been a busy, crafting fool. Sadly none of this stuff is for me, so I am hoping the people that receive this stuff loves it as much as I do.
My daughter wants one of these too, so I am thinking stocking gift for her.
These are mini-albums I made, I am definately making the dates to remember for myself because it turned out great and the All Mine mini is an idea I got from here, I absolutely love her kits and she has some really great ideas for mini-albums.My projects this week includes, old paper, wooden circles and stamps, oh my (what could it be, make sure you come back to see).... and some booty bags.... (I love that name, it just makes me smile.)
Big hugs and stay crafty
*a*
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