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*

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*

New Look

I decided to change the look of my blog, what do you think? The best part it was free, go here and check it out....

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!!!!!!!

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*

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*

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*