YARD SALE FINDS

So I found 3 of these lovely ladies at a yard sale a while ago....I think I may have paid $1 for all 3! They have been sitting in my basement collecting dust until I could figure out what to do with them. I originally thought I would cut a piece of wood to fit in the bottom, but there was no "ledge" to hold the wood in place.

I decided to sew liners for each. I used some Laura Ashley drapery fabric from my stash of "oooh this is pretty fabric, & it is cheap, so I must have it" fabrics. I sewed a simple reversible box and added an elastic tube at the top to fold over the edge of the server! I measured the length/width/height of each box and added one inch to each measurement. So I ended up with 2 bottoms, and 8 sides. & Viola!! I think they turned out pretty cute!

Find #2. I picked up this little silver (ish) tray for $0. 25! I cleaned it up and added a J using a stencil and acrylic paint! I wanted to add a Christmas word and hang it from the tree....but my daughter insisted on a "J"! Not sure where it will land now...it isn't exactly my style, but it sure is cute!

# 3 Antique Frame. This was a freebie from my MIL. No glass or backing. A friend added eye hooks for me and a few rows of wire. We hung pictures using teeny teeny tiny clothes pins. I love the way it looks, just didn't realize how much I hated the paneling. I have seen something similar using screen in the frame and using it to hang earrings.

I wonder if I can find a yard sale on New Year's Day.....? Happy New Year!

Fabric Roses

I have found a great blog, love her ideas....and I have copied a few (well some) (OK a lot). So here is the link to her Tattered Fabric Roses Tutorial http://http//bridgetbaxter.blogspot.com/2009/11/tattered-fabric-roses.html. Unlike the tutorial directions, I used ES 6000 glue and straight pins to hold my flowers together, removing the pins after a few minutes. I used the ES 6000 because the fumes are so much better. Just kidding, I can't find my glue gun.


Such a fun project. Another easy & fast one! I also made a necklace. The back is awful, hopefully no one will ever see it! I wore it to a party & it stayed together! I guess I did something right? I am going to attempt a fabric covered bead necklace with roses...maybe tomorrow!

Christmas Play -COSTUMES, COSTUMES, COSTUMES!

Well the Christmas Production is over and it was a HUGE success. The play was based on the book Tales from the Manger, adapted by our drama teacher . The kids did a great job and they are sooooo proud. Thought I would post a picture of the costumes I made for grades K-5. The kindergarten and 1st grade were baby sheep and mice, gray & white t-shirts, ears, and simple skirts for the girls. No tails, for obvious reasons. The older kids...grades 2-5...were the manger animals. Each animal had a (very) simple apron and a ski cap with ears of some sort. My favorite was the rooster! I sandwiched a piece of card stock between layers of felt and stitched it onto the hat. The kids looked great! However the donkey and the sheep, that looked like a dog, (played by my son) are still a little angry with me. ;)

Teacher Gifts

Just waiting until the E-6000 (I LOVE that stuff) dries, so I can wrap these babies up! I made each teacher this year a fabric covered button ring, necklace, bracelet, and matching fabric flower! I tried to match their tastes-hope they like them! The necklaces actually have pin backs on a large button back, so they can be worn as a necklace or pin. I purchase all of my supplies on Etsy from Fiddlers Creek Designs)http://www.etsy.com/shop/FiddlersCreekDesigns).

Oven Mitt Tutorial

OOOOh! Just found this tutorial, so I am posting the link...just in case! http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/featured-products/Free-Make-an-Oven-Mitt.htm
I think I can get a few in in 10 days?! These would be so cute with some tea towels, baked goods, or homemade jelly in a basket...


I love this website & they have tons of free tutorials...got to get my machine going!

Pumpkin Muffins

My friend Shelia gave me this great recipe and I make it A LOT. My kids love them and I like to think of them as nutritious. (Please don't comment & tell me that they are indeed not nutritious) OK...here is the recipe...one box of chocolate cake mix (I use devil's food) and one 16 oz. can of pumpkin. YEP, that is IT, 2 ingredients! Mix them together, it will look like you do not have enough liquid, keep stirring. When everything is sufficiently mixed, fill mini-muffin pan cups 2/3 full, then bake 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. You can also add mini-chocolate chips if you like! EASY, EASY, EASY!

20 Easy Aprons & A Pretty (but SMELLY) Christmas Tree

I currently teach a 2 year old preschool class at my children's school. I decided that I would make aprons for each of the 2 & 3 year old students for Christmas.....SO EASY! Not sure where I found a tutorial or if I read this somewhere...? So I will tell you how I did it!

I purchased $1 dish towels at the Dollar Tree. They were kind of long, white with a red stripe. I began by folding the towels 1/4 of the way up, and sewing vertical pockets for untensils. I then cut "holes" for the arms. I zig zagged the arms & attached white ribbon for the ties at the neck and sides. I also purchased 4 wooden untensils for $1 per pack. I plan to include 2 untensils with each apron. I will also include a child friendly recipe on cards that I found on Microsoft online. Tied with a pretty ribbon & VIOLA...cute, homemade gifts for my class!

OK now on to the SMELLY TREE. I am afraid I am going to be taking benedryl for the next few weeks. My nose is running & I am sneezing like crazy! I have no idea what kind of tree we purchased at the tree farm today? I loved the blue color, I was cold, and the kids were making me VERY nervous with the saw. I really just wanted to get out of there and get home to decorate! I definitely do not have the fresh pine smell in my house!

I am without my camera so I can not include a picture of the stinky tree or the STINKING CUTE aprons! Maybe later ;) !

Take Two & A Busy Weekend

35 Loaves of Banana Bread DONE & 15 or so more to go! My daughter tells me it is delicious, I will take her word for it! I will be happy not to see or smell another mashed banana for at least another 12 months.





I have successfully (at least I think so) completed 24 fabric flowers using my friend Shelia's curtains! The remainder of the curtains will be quilts for my children's school auction. But, SIGH, I will save that for a later post. Back to the flowers...so EASY. I simply ripped one inch pieces of fabric, the width of the fabric....I think it was 40 inches or so? I like the frayed edges of the linen fabric. I then gathered one side and "shaped" the piece into a flower. I stitched an X in the middle of the flower and glued a fabric covered button or something from my stash in the center. I then glued a pin onto the back and VIOLA! 2 dozen flowers!


I also finished my MERRY banner for my fireplace today...my first decoration to go up. I found the freezer paper stencil tutorial on the Everday Chaos Blog (link at the bottom). I also made HO HO HO for a friend. I have tried different methods to attach the burlap letters to the jute cord, I have decided that E-6000 is the quickest & easiest. Have a look....!