VISIT

American Girl Party.

What a crazy busy month it has been!

phew. 

My Daughter is turning 5 this year. FIVE!!!

Her Birthday is on Thanksgiving this year, so we had her party early.

She decided this year to just take a few girlfriends to the American Girl store and have the Birthday party package there. 

Easy Peasy!!

So I thought, why not make one of those Life Size American Girl Doll Boxes.

Walmart had moving boxes for $1 and spray paint for .97 cents!

Score one for Mom.

I cut the vinyl Lettering and Stars for the sides with my Cricut.

Score two for Mom.

Spray Painted in the grass, on lawn day... so all of the evidence was cut away.

Score three for Mom.

 Outside the store, We were having too much fun!

 My Punky Brewster and her doll!

I got a few other great close ups!!!

Spray Paint is Colonial Red and Gloss Red with White trim.

And this is what I am still working on... Her American Girl house!!!

More pictures to come.

I have some work to do, and my Bathroom wallpaper is being uncooperative... as you can probably see in the photo! This was her gift from Mom and Dad. She got lots of AG Doll goodies to go in her house for her Birthday!

I have some work to do, and my Bathroom wallpaper is being uncooperative... as you can probably see in the photo! This was her gift from Mom and Dad. She got lots of AG Doll goodies to go in her house for her Birthday!

NO more Halloween Dresses, I promise. Last one.

My kid, really really really likes scary stuff. She was born that way.

She was always disappointed when the bad guy looses his battle.

She loves the Wicked Witch. 

She is referred to as the evil Genius in our house. 

I have an equally opposite Son, who would NEVER play the bad guy in pretend. And together they are quite the pair!

Soooo, Halloween is a favorite of hers. She gets to wear the spookiest stuff, and celebrate her love of scary.

This is the last Dress, I promise.

I was just loving this fabric by Alexander Henry: Ghastlies!

 My Favorite part is the rhinestone Zipper. I am just loving all of the notions that are out now. Little touches that really stand out. 

I used THIS Simplicity Pattern. I would say it is a good one for beginners. It was not very difficult. I used a trim instead of making ruffles for the black. 

A Ghastly Dress, just Ghastly.

 Ghastly Ghouls and Candy Hoarders... October is upon us. 

Where did the summer go??

My Daughter has requested a few dresses, this is the first of the two. The Pettiskirt is separate and can be pulled up higher or pushed a little lower for a longer dress. It can be worn separate with a cute shirt.

And the dress is a little cooler in this Texas heat without it... so I made sure it was a separate piece!

I used McCalls Pattern found here in size 6, and added 5 inches to the bottom of the dress, and 5 inches to the bottom of the skirt.

Fabric is Alexander Henry Ghastlies in Mauve and Varying Fabrics from JoAnn Fabric.

Easy Best Friend Shirt Dresses.

My daughter picked out this material and I picked up shirts at Walmart for $4.

The shirts have sparkling buttons and Lace! Love.

We made VERY simple Best friend dresses.

This is a 5T and a 3T.

Robert Kaufman Material, Granimals T shirt. 

Cut your shirt off about 2.5 inches from the button bottom. I cut a yard of fabric in half.

Cut one half of fabric to 40in (no worries on length as you will hem it to size) for the 3T and the 5T I left full sized at 45in. 

Right sides together, sew the fabric into a tube. And then across the top do a gather stitch and lightly gather/ruffle. 

Match up right sides to your shirt bottom and sew a zig zag stitch all around. turn right side out and top stitch for finish.

I did these dresses at 3T 23inches length and 5T 25inches length.

Cut where desired, adding an extra inch.

Fold up 1/2 inch and press and then fold up 1/2 inch and press.

Top stitch to hem. 

Yeeeeeeeeeehaawwwwww

Y'all are not gonna believe this. hahha

My Babysitter is a real Texas girl. 17 and LOVES Dukes of Hazard!

She asked me to do a page in her scrapbook for her Senior year... and the theme of course was Dukes!

MILDLY out of my element hahha. 

Midwestern born Yankee here. Detroit Native. hahhaa

Still, sounded like fun.

Here goes. 

Here is my two page 12x12 spread. 

It holds three 3.5x5 photos, two 3x3 photos, one 3x4 photo and a 4.5x5.5 journaling spot! :) 

Embellishments are from the Dukes Museum site. 

Teacher Gifts. Teacher Tote Tutorial.

School is starting again.... So, I need to come up with some new Teachers' gifts.

Here are my end of the year gifts from last year.

I told you before... I have a small problem with my embroidering.

I would use lighter thread or different fabric on the darker one, if I had thought it through!

These hold a Binder and Books perfectly!

Here are my directions for your own... 

Made up my own design .... Cut: Fabric #1 14x14 (2), Lining Fabric 14x14 (2), Fabric #2 6x14 (2), Lining Fabric 6x14 (2), Handle Fabric 2.5x40, Medium or Heavy Weight Interfacing 14x14(2), 6x14(2). Iron Interfacing to Fabric #1 and Fabric #2, leave lining pieces unlined. Sew 14x14 lining pieces on left and right sides and a few inches on each side of bottom. leaving gaping whole in bottom. Sew Fabric #2 6x14 to Lining Fabric 6x14 right sides together, then flip over and top stitch across the pocket. embellish pocket with ribbon or whatever you like. Sew the pocket to the front of each Fabric #1 at the 7 inch mark. Creating two pockets. Place Fabric #1 with pocket sewn to it together and sew sides and bottom together. Cut a 1 3/4 square out of the both bottom corners of this piece and the lining and create a box bottom by lining up the side and bottom in a pinched box and sewing. Turn Fabric #1 with pockets right side out and push out all corners, place down inside the still inside out lining and sew across top. Turn lining right side out through whole left in bottom and top stitch across top. Add Grommets following grommet package, and then fold over the end of the handle strap fabric that you have already folded in half and folded in the rough edge 1/4 inch and ironed and stitched up both sides. And sew and X with a box around it to secure to itself. 

Quick and easy. Took me longer to tell you how!

Quick Card. Yep, that's right... a CARD!

Lost my Card making Mojo awhile ago... if found, please return to this girl asap.

My favorite friend is not feeling well... so PUSHED myself up to the craft room, and forced out a quick card.

I was inspired by Dawn's Hymn on SCS. 

Gorgeous. 

This a bad cell phone picture. The colors are prettier in my opinion. :)

Unity and Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps. 

Summah Campers

My Kids look so forward to their Summer Day camps every year.

This was my 4 year old Girls first year going to Day Camp!

 Lucky for this nervous Mama... my baby girl has her 9 year old brother to watch over her!

This year the camp them was Zoo Crew and they went to the zoo on a field trip! 

Texas heat and the Zoo, ick... good thing there was a Splashpad!

My kids need bags that were clearly Marked with their names on them. I told you... I have an embroidering problem. I admitted it. I did.

My Brother SE400 and my Sew What Pro Program with free fonts from the internet in the Lettering Tool.... and wellah.

Camp Bags.

I then drew some fun animals and painted them and outlined them. Kids helped. 

I erased the last names... but I embroidered those too. 

Long Hot Summer.... well the HOT part is right.

Summer is coming to an end. 

And I did a mild amount of crafting this summer. 

Mostly sewing projects for the kids. And embroidering everything they own for school!

I will try to share a few of my projects over the next few months.

I saw "boot socks" for sale, for $35!!!!

Cha. nO.

Try again. 

So, I made my own. 

Here are my first two styles. Using knee socks and lace and crochet lace on a roll (50% off at HL). Turn your knee socks inside out and place around the large arm of your sewing machine, stretch them as you sew the lace on, cut lace trim when you reach the starting point at end. Takes all of 5 minutes. tah dah. 

Phew Summatime!

Well, Summer crept up on me like a ninja!

I have been supremely busy... with the addition of a teenage boy to my household!

I have a few crafty projects to share... But I am slow going.

So, for today.... visit my ongoing crafty project.... My Etsy!

Sew here we are again.

I have another sewing post. I am still working on some other things... paper craft and 'other.'

For Easter this year, I made my bunnies bunnies.

 I followed this easy Tutorial... there are a lot of others out there as well. I just loved the size and floppiness of this one.

Girl Bunny has a real necklace, that can be worn as a bracelet. and boy bunny has a removable cape.

Sew Sew Sew your Toe...

Sew, I am not sure if I blogged this already or not... BUT I murdered my sewing Machine. It was a good machine, always there when I needed it. I learned to sew on it, and it did what I wanted it to do...sometimes against its will. It was sad when I killed it, it was unintentional manslaughter. I swear. But it was not something that could be repaired cheaply. My Frugal spouse, tried, he did. And then he decided that purchasing a new machine would be more economical than fixing the old!

And he picked up a Brother SE400 for me! AMAZING.  Such a great price for all of the features. 

I have been using it for a while now, but I had yet to play with the Embroidery features... call me chicken!

Here is my first shot at Embroidering with it. 

I downloaded this font, and used this basic tutorial for the dress!

This was way easier than I thought it would be. I do not have any embroidery software. I did this by re-hooping for each letter. Since I did the 3 inch size. It would not have fit if the machine did it itself.

My skirt panel is 13x29 and the bottom hem is 6x29 folded up. I basted, then stretched and scrunched the skirt before attaching to the tank that I cut off.

The tank top was $1.50 and material was $2. 

Bargain!

Scrapbooking ... that is still a thing right!?!

I signed up for a Circle Journal with Simply Betty's Facebook group. A really fun bunch of ladies that are non judgmental.

Why? Because I lost my motivation. And I want to start working on my books from years ago. 

This will force me to get some creativity back. Give me a deadline and force me to do some things I might not do normally. 

So here is my March Layout for a gal in the group... I doubt she will see it ... since I am not all that popular. hahahhaha. Don't show her! :) 

 My Layout... Horses. Not something I have any experience with. But here in Texas, it was not difficult to find some products... and it is Rodeo season here.

 My About me Tag, Pull out tags and Layout.

 The Swinging Sentiment. Attached with twine and eyelets.

 The tags: One for Journaling and one with "The Old Horsewoman" poem on it.

Lots of Dimension. Why not! The shadow horse border was from the Animal Kingdom Cricut Cartridge. Fits a 4x6 photo, and five 2x2ish photos, along with journaling.

Happy Birthday Miss Rio!

Well Miss Rio, you are another year older! And my OLD lady advice to you is this: Enjoy RIGHT NOW.

You are only young once, and many people try to get back those youthful years all of their lives! Enjoy them now while you are IN the moment, and continue to do that all of your life... and you will be fulfilled and happy.

 Ever take a picture of a card, and the colors turn out weird? Well, the body on this zombie babe doesn't have that much orange on the creases of the arms... it is far more blended. Gotta love light reflecting.

Copics, Stickles, PMS Sentiment, Paper Piecing, Printed Background.


SBS http://simplybettystamps.blogspot.com/ 
& Tanja Charles
Corinne http://wishuponascrap.blogspot.com & Lisa Nelson
Irene:  http://irenescardcreations.blogspot.com/
Rachel http://www.rachelstampshappy.blogspot.com/
Michelle http://www.inkandsew.blogspot.com.au/
Kathy http://kathyand3kids.blogspot.com/
Carrie : http://carriescreativecards.blogspot.co.uk/
Lucy http://loopylass2010.blogspot.co.uk/
Kaylou http://kayloucraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Louise http://louisescraftycards.blogspot.co.uk/
Jill http://cuddlyscraftycreations.blogspot.co.uk
Darcy S. http://craftingwithdarcy.blogspot.com
Patricia http://preybueno.blogspot.com
Berenice http://karbersweetescape.blogspot.com
Anita http://kardmakingheaven.blogspot.co.uk
Beth http://bethscraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/
Roz http://wolfepak5.blogspot.com
Sheri http://www.mammasscrappin.blogspot.com/
Dawn http://www.stampersgonewild.blogspot.com
Celina http://www.scrapvamp.blogspot.com
Fabi http://www.thescrappingfactory.blogspot.com
Jacki - http://papermoments.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Dove http://just4funcrafts.blogspot.com/2013/02/party-with-big-girlz.html
Katya : http://www.kattyxotica.blogspot.com/
Sharon: http://www.mrslumpys.blogspot.com/
Karen: http://kraftykarens.blogspot.com/
Trishthedish http://scrappintillthecowscomehome.blogspot.ca/
Dena: http://missdjones.blogspot.com/
Sharette: http://scrappernthemaking.blogspot.com/
Summer: http://1craftypainter.blogspot.com/

Leather Journal Tutorial

I have had a few requests from pals to show how I do the Leather Journals.. well Here is the Tutortial!

Complete with template to download, and low quality photographs from my phone!

Supplies:

Paper Trimmer

Scissors

Imitation Sine (in leather department)

8x10 Leather remnant (in leather department)

Large Blunt needle (in knitting department)

bone folder (optional)

sewing awl or paper piercer

25 sheets of GP110

staz on ink

stamps

mechanical pencil

fine tip sharpie

Downloadable Template

Here we go!

 Start by cutting your 8x10 leather in half. Now two 8x5 pieces. And cut your 8.5x11 cardstock sheets down to 7 x4 7/8 inches. I separate  them into 5 pages each. (The template should print out this same size)

 Now fold each page in half... I use the bone folder here for crisp edges. Also, Fold the template in half as well.

Now for fun times with sharp things. On your template, poke the wholes where the lines intersect... as shown in the picture. I do this on my carpeted floor, but you can do this on soft surface that you do not mind poking holes in... a thick piece of foam is great. But I would make sure it is a few inches in depth! Sometimes you slip and really punch a deep hole. 

Fold on of your pieces of leather in half and mark the center inside. Place the template on top of the leather with the center set of holes lined up to the center. so it should look similar to what is pictured above, with more leather on one side that the other.

Mark ALL of the holes with a sharpie, checking as you go that they are leaving a mark, as the leather may not be extremely receptive to the marks.

 Use your sewing Awl or paper piercer to punch the holes. You have enough leather and cardstock books to do this for two journals! I am only showing it once!

With the folded cardstock sheets group into books of five, lay them flat and put the template on top and mark only the center line of holes that lays on the fold with a pencil. Then punch those holes with your awl.

Turn over your Leaher and stamp with Staz on ink. On the right side of the journal front.

Cut approximately 40 inches of sine or thick thread of your choice. Tie a knot in one end and run the other end through the large eye blunt needle. 

Start in the bottom left corner of the set of holes, and grab a book of folded cardstock and begin 'sewing' them to the leather!

When you reach the top you should be back to the outside of the leather and grab a second book and start on the second row of holes at the top of the journal!

My Daughter picked out the designs for this one!

When you reach the last book and the last hole, you will come out of the last hole at the top. I tie off the top and use much of the extra as a bookmark with beads or a charm at the end.

 Or you can keep sewing in zig zags etc... if wanna  be fancy pants.

 

Poor Man's Irish Stew Recipe

I was born to a very young Mother, one of the blessings that comes with that... is having the opportunity to have Grandparents and Great Grandparents that are young as well!

I grew up with my VERY Irish Great Grandfather living within walking distance of my childhood home and school. Let's just say, I often 'forgot' my key on the way home from school!!!

He would feed me and we would watch old westerns. Our favorite!

We were very close and I will ALWAYS remember the tastes and smells from his Kitchen!

I really miss this stew, and having married a beautiful Irish boy myself... I thought I might try to recreate it. 

Chancey Irish Stew Recipe

  

•  14-16 oz smoked kielbasa or sausage of your choosing. I chose a nice smoked greasy kielbasa.  Cut into 1/2-1 inch slices.

•  8 frozen Corn Cob halves
• Bag of baby carrots. Smaller bag.
• 1 small onion chopped
• 6 Potatoes quartered
• half head of cabbage, rough chopped and reserved til end. 
• 3 cloves crushed garlic
• 1 TBS Paprika
• 1 TBS Black Pepper
• pinch of salt optional
• bay leaf
• 4 Cups beef Stock
• 4 Cups Chicken Stock

Combine all ingredients except for cabbage, in stock pot or crockpot. Simmer low to med heat for 4-8 hours. 20 minutes before serving bring to a soft boil and add in cabbage to soften cabbage. Serve once cabbage is wilted lightly. 

More pepper may be desired.  

Best Intentions? Wing download too!

What is it they say about the best intentions!?!

Well, I tried to get back into my crafty mood.

Truly, and my craft room is a mess... mid project!

Turns out my pneumonia is a real but kicker, and my Takayasu's/Immunospressant therapy is a good combo to land you in the hospital on Halloween.

It has been a slow and painful recovery that is ongoing!

But I did get a few emails about sharing my drawing of my wings.

No problem, I have two... but I just randomly uploaded one!

DOWNLOAD WINGS PDF

Enjoy! Please do not claim my link as your own, but feel free to share my blog!

Winged File Folder Album

 I have been out of the game for a while. A few years really. 

My diagnosis, move and loss of the close knit crafting group that I had locally really stunted my creative activity. And I have not been up on the newest and greatest in the world of crafting!

Thanks to pinterest, I have been catching up on all the coolness I have missed.

It seems that many of the 'pins' out there are to older projects though... that you can no longer 'get' the supplies, downloads or kits for!

Waaah.

I have a weird talent though, I can draw anything I see. It has more to do with spacial relations than anything else. I am not creative in the littlest bit. I can not come up with them on my own. But I can perfectly understand how lines and space related to other. It is a weird thing.

It makes for fun conversation starters. I can solve any of those strange puzzles in seconds, and if you need your furniture rearranged to maximize space in a small room... I am your girl. hahah.

So, I keep seeing THIS pin everywhere.

And I have searched high and low for the die, or die cuts or pattern for these pretty wings.

Enter, strange talent.

I drew mine on a larger scale I think. But they are really similar! 

File Folder Mini Album! I used THIS tutorial for easy file folder folding!

The inside. Tags and mats, with cute stuff on the back too!

2 left side pockets.

2 right side pockets.

Back.

Glowing.
It ties up too... but those pictures upload sideways for some bizarre reason!
I drew my wings and turned them into a pdf and a mtc file and used my personal die cut machine to cut these. They layer nicely and turned out better than I expected!

Skully

I keep saying that I am going to get back in the game! I am trying, I am!

I have been having a rough time of it! But I am pushing myself harder to make time and effort, for things that I enjoy!

It has been harder since the move and my diagnosis. But I will get there!

I have a friend here, that LOVES Halloween. She is also leaning on the edge of jumping into a crafting hobby! I thought I would 'encourage' her with a little card set for Halloween.

I have been in love with Sugar Skulls since I was a barefoot little chicana eating sweet breads and candies every year for Dia de los Muertos. And I am really happy to see that they are very popular this year!

Besides the fact that they are more visible here in Texas than they were in Detroit!! I am in heaven.

 Inkadinkado Sugar Skull Heat Embossed and raised on dimensionals. Cuttlebug folder dry embossed black background.

 Sentiment, HAVE A WICKED HALLOWEEN. CTMH Wicked.

Finished with Red Rhinestones and a Red Spica Pen.