martha Holiday Gift Idea #2

I hate Martha Stewart but at the same time, I love the stuff she and her staff come up with.  I suppose I hate her because I should have thought of the stuff first and I can't seem to get around to making the items I so covet.

I'm on the hunt for little things I can make with the kiddo for Christmas - little gifts or ornaments she can give to family and friends.  I saw this Pipe Cleaner Snowflake that would be awesome for her.

I took her new book out from the Library and I love it!

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia Of Sewing And Fabric Crafts: Basic Techniques For Sewing, Applique, Embroidery, Quilting, Dyeing, And Printing, Plus 150 Inspired Projects From A To Z

I have been flipping through this book and it would make a wonderful addition to any sewer or crafter's collection.  She explains the basics and provides some neat tips.  I do love the section on the Japanese embroidered linens.  Nothing in it overly complicated or things you just wouldn't use.  She covers Aprons, Curtains, dolls, stuffed animals, how to Applique, making sheets for your bed.... you get the idea?

Now, I think I need to go sew something.

Lunch time crafting

I was home yesterday with a sick kid so I spent my lunch making a lunch bag. I had some scraps of fabric and some interfacing so I thought I'd give the tote a try. Its not great but not terrible. For Lunches too work, its fine. I have some fabric to make bigger ones for groceries (thanks mom). We shall see!

crafting fail

I wanted to add a pin to the fabulous new hand bag (a very cute button flower pin) but it had fail written all over it. I came home from my Mother's house with a box of sewing stuff circa 1978 including a ton of buttons.

Since the bag is black and blueish, I had buttons that color, a pin and some quiet time during Law and Order so why not? One problem. Wrong glue.

Looks like a trip to the craft store is needed for supplies.

too much to do

So the birthday party is done (yeah!!) and the Bridal shower is done (woot!) so that means I have a long list of stuff that needs to get done ASAP.

1) Charlie's Pillow covers
2) SCA Scroll
3) Sam's present (at least one is now done, I just need to finish the other)
4) plant the garden

These are the immediate ones that HAVE to be done. I have a list of 'would like to do if I only had more time'

IPOD monster
wrist warmers
A Bagsket
Random Cat toys
A plastic Bag holder
Grocery Bags
dice bag swag for hubby
frame my daughter's art work
free range monsters
home made granola bars
bread

This list has been shoved to the side for the time being. I have more important things to do like listen to Erin READ me a book. Yes folks, the 5 year old has gotten the reading bug. Her sight word list is a bit shaky but she's getting it. She has read 5 books for me (with a little help on some of the big words) and she's a top reader in her class. There is an issue with few words (said, is, it, the) but we're getting over it. I think she needs to see the words in context and not randomly thrown at her.

I am awfully proud of her - she's only 5. Its amazing as to what the schools are expecting of the kids now - 5 years are expected to read already. That was first grade for us. Crazy.

"Just like you..."

We're home today on a sick day (yeah soft toilet paper). She's watching TV while I work and 'crafting'. You know, coloring various thing and gluing Stuff.

She asks me for some string and I give it to her. I ask, "What are you doing?". Her reply as honest as could be "Crafting mommy. I want to Craft like you."

That made me smile. She's beading a necklace from some beads. I love my girl.

Done!

Finally, its done. The snood for Ice Dragon is complete. Its the same color as the salmon linen tunic.

I messed it up a bit for for the better. No big deal.

yeh me!

I am that Mom

For the 5th birthday, we decided to have a Princess Party. I hand made the envelopes and made the invitations.



Yes, I did the calligraphy. I am that Mom and I am proud.

have scissors, will travel

I have been on a craft kick. Like a serious kick. I have the following projects underway

1) a Snood - yes, a snood. I need it for March 15th.
2) 6-7 pillow covers - Charlie is moving (boohooo) and gets to play with a whole new house and stuff (yah!). We've covering some crappy old pillows so she can place them by the fire...
3) Dragon Bean Bag toss - the child's birthday is 2 weeks...
4) Dr. Who scarf - just because I love my Husband, this will be the eternal project. 12 feet of scarf, and I didn't even blink
5) A black shawl - I've been working on this for over a year..
6) Sam's lap blanket - another project I've been working on for a year.
7) Sam's 'present' - thats all i'm gonna say (no, Sam, its not done, it had to be fixed)
8) Wash Clothes - I have some Cotton yarn to make dish/wash clothes.
9) Favor Bags - again - for the the kid in 2 weeks
10) Wrist Warmers

I'm in way over my head but I'm a Gemini. I wouldn't have it any other way. At least the yarn in organized.

Not to mention the gazillion sites I've found recently (THANKS CHARLIE!). I'm torn between surfing the Homemade Craft sites or doing the crafts.

I really should go do the laundry.

living through the holidays

I'm a slacker. I've had time to write but refused. It feels too much like work so a break was in order. Its now New Years Eve (see a trend, I don't write on the actual holiday). Due to some circumstances, I will be spending New Years at home with the girls (Er and Bernie). Ah well. I will be letting them goof off on the Wii and Webkinz while I work on some stuff. The line up...

• scrolls for Ice Dragon
• 2 fleece hats

Oh dear god, the fleece hats. I made one for Erin and that spawned to 8 more requests. They are so easy and cheap if you use the remnant fleece that I got for like $2 a yard if that. All it is a rectangle sewn up the sides and a blanket stitch for the brim. I'll post later on that as soon as I get off my lazy butt.

Now, if I can just convince hubby to get me crab legs for tonight (wink wink)