Envelope Pillows

Last night I whipped up some envelope pillowcases for Sydney's bed. She has a small travel size pillow in the crib and has never had cases that really fit it. I've been realizing that I can't really buy more stuff unless I start using up what I've got! Duh, right! Not that I want to buy new, but even my old sheet pile is starting to take over the room! So I made 4 of these during CSI: New York. I was done before they figured out the case!

You've all made envelope style pillows before, right? Here is a link to some decent instructions, although I would say they sound harder than it really is. Let me know if you have questions, I would be happy to help!

How to kill a rainy day

Create new wall art out of old stuff.

The frame I saved from my mother in law's donate pile, the flower pictures are old bridge tally cards from Mary Ann.

Total cost: $0

Felt sweaters instead of doing actual laundry.

Check out this amazing tip for removing pills on wool sweaters. It works wonders!

Total cost: I'm afraid I lost track. All good deals though, I swear!!

Serving up dried beans for everyone!

I got this melamine cream and sugar set during the Savers 50% off sale, along with the tray and 4 wooden pineapple dishes. Hours of fun guaranteed for little ones.

Total cost: $4 (including a bag of beans!)

A fun day stuck indoors: Priceless!

A good long weekend

Hope you all had a great long weekend! Mine was just about perfect! Did some garage sale shopping and sewing with my sister. Spent some quality time with my husband (it was our anniversary on Saturday). Worked in the yard and spent way too much on plants. Hit a great 50% off sale at Savers. What more could a girl ask for!! Now, I have collected a ton of supplies and just need to get crafting on something. Here are a few of the highlights from my garage sale trip...

This huge bowl which I love was only 50 cents!

Another 50 cent bargain! There are almost 3 yards of this stuff which is some sort of terrycloth fabric. I have no idea what to do with it, but I've never seen anything like it before so I had to get it. But, now what? Any ideas? Anybody want some?

And of course, more sheets!

There were many other things, some are off to Mary Ann's house and the rest I will show you as I use them. Now, where to put it all.... :)

Friday Goodies - - Yard Sale Jackpot!

Mary Ann and I are in the midst of a yard sale swap! I'm still working on her box, but mine arrived yesterday. It was filled with so many wonderful things, I can't even begin to explain. You've got to zoom in on this pic and snoop around for yourself!

Do you see the wokcraft cookbook - amazing illustrations in there, not to mention interesting recipes! Do you see the old bridge tally cards? I'm thinking of framing some of the floral designs in a little series. And the awesome plaid tablecloth? Its exactly like something my Grandma V would have - which makes it perfect! So much other good stuff, I just love it all! And she only spend a little over $13!! Nothing was over 1.50! Give it up for Mary Ann, Yard Sale Extraordinaire! Thanks again Mary Ann!! I'm off to fill up your box!

Gifting - - Part Three

Without realizing it, I have done a three part post on gifting this week. Tomorrow will be another edition of Friday Goodies (also by chance!). But today, I present you with this project. Picnic Placemats I believe they are called. I was half way done making them before I realized the idea came from Lotta Jansdotter's book Simple Sewing which I browsed through at Barnes and Noble one day. A special thanks to Amanda for helping me with some fabric inspiration.

My sister and her family love to entertain outside in the summer months so I thought these would be perfect for her. I made 8 of them so she should be able to actually have people over and still have enough. They are pretty simple to construct, the most time consuming part was actually cutting the denim. That stuff is hard on rotarty blades! The green fabric is from the stash. I did have to actually purchase the denim, which I was hoping I wouldn't have to do. But denim was the perfect choice and I only bought enough for this project (seriously, only tiny scraps are left) and I got it on clearance. I think I spent $12 on 8 placemats. Not too bad for a birthday gift.

To celebrate my sis' birthday we are having a fun filled "girl's day" tomorrow filled with lots of food, some garage sale shopping and an afternoon of sewing. Sounds like a perfect birthday don't you think?

Gifting

A friend of mine had a baby girl last week, so I made a very girly tote bag for her. I had plans for a diaper bag that failed, so I decided to just make a large tote with lots of pockets. You may recognize the fabric from Stacy's purse a month or so ago. I have had this fabric for a long time, and have actually used it instead of my usual hording. Not sure where I got it from, but I must have bought a ton of it! Its really fun and just plain girly.

I hadn't really planned on posting all week about gifts, but that's what it's turning in to! Tomorrow I have another great gift idea to show you that is for my sister's birthday on Friday. Hope to see you then!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

Today is my beautiful Mother's birthday. I figured she would be a little upset if I posted pictures of her, so I'm posting old ones that are so cute she can't be mad!

I have so many things to be thankful for about my mom. I'm thankful that God chose her for me. I'm thankful that I was raised in such a loving family where God was always present. I'm thankful that she instilled a work ethic in me that makes me never want to sit still (I really am thankful for that!!). I'm thankful that she is Sydney's grandma. I'm thankful for the desire she gave me to create things. And most of all I'm thankful that I can now call her my friend.

This picture looks exactly like Sydney.

Here is what I made her for her birthday. I actually posted about this at Christmas in Progress a while back, but I just couldn't wait that long to give it to her!! Guess I'm even more behind on my CIP projects now! Anyway, it is a soldered charm on an adjustable necklace. One side has a paper collage in the log cabin quilt design. The other side says "nana quilted with love". These words were pulled from an old dictionary. My mom is an amazing quilter (among other things). She really should have her own blog - I'll start working on that! Hope you like it Mom! And I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I love you!