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Sunday, December 21, 2008

Sweet 16 Duet Apron


My neice turned 16 yesterday and we had a family party for her tonight. We had more snow today so I almost thought we weren't going to be able to make it. We decided to start out and then just turn around if the roads were too bad. We made it! She loves to cook-she made all her birthday party treats- so I made her an apron to go with the rest of her present. I finished it about 15 minutes before we left-talk about close :) She liked it and smiled when she realized what it was. I'm glad I was able to give her a little something special, just for her, and although I spent all day finishing it up, it was worth it.
P.S. Kris-I stuck the check in the pocket just like you suggested and then wrapped it all up :)

The icing on the cake...

I won a prize in the Thrifty Under Fifty challenge! I'm so excited! Thank you again to www.youcanmakethis.com for this wonderful experience. Time to go pick out some patterns :)

Friday, December 19, 2008

Thrifty Wrapping

Snow, snow and more snow here so the girls were home from school again today. As soon as my 3 yr old saw the snow, she said "is it Christmas?". We made candy for their teachers' gifts and worked on wrapping them. The candy is so easy. It's one big bar of almond bark (I can only find it at Walmart around here, but I don't have many stores near me) and one jar of peanuts. You melt the bar of chocolate, add the peanuts and mix it all up. Then you just use a spoon and plop spoonfuls on wax paper. Put it in the frig and let it harden. It's delicious-we had to sample some, of course. I sampled more than some :) The girls liked licking the spoons and bowl.


We worked on wrapping next. We took brown paper bags and cut up pieces of fabric. I used a bowl to draw a circle on the bag and the girls glued the squares of fabric around to look like a wreath. I cut red felt circles for berries. I'm going to cut two holes near the top of the wreath/bag and use ribbon to close the bag and also be the bow of the wreath. The girls really got into this project. The first picture is my 3 yr old's bag-she was so funny-she just glued away the whole time. I didn't notice until afterwards that my 8 yr old drew doors behind her wreaths-too funny. I think they came out so cute and will look even cuter when tied with ribbon. Best of all-$0. I had all the supplies.





P.S. In the second picture, you can see the snow falling outside the window. You can also see the bottoms of the snowmen we made the day we had no power. I'll have to post a picture of them. They came out cute, were easy, and best of all-have glitter!!!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Fabric Flower Pin

I'm sorry, I forgot to include the tutorial for the pin. I followed this tutorial http://artsycraftybabe.typepad.com/artsycrafty_babe/2007/02/fluffly_flower_.html I also found this one http://www.fiskateers.com/blog/2008/09/18/cool-sewing-tutorial-pinkys-flowers/ It was fun to make and can't wait to make some more to spiff up my wardrobe.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Four more gifts completed







Here's the four gifts I finished last night. The two aprons are for my 8 yr old and 5 year old and use this pattern http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/cooking-baking/The-Duet-Apron-Set-Adult-Child-Size-Apron-Patterns.htm It was very easy to make, directions were great and they are so cute! I'm going to make the adult version for my neice who is turning 16. She loves to cook and I want to give her something special since it's her 16th birthday. I'll put it with her gift of money :) The two key fobs are for my 8 year old's Brownie leaders. I used this tutorial http://creativelittledaisy.typepad.com/creative_little_daisy/tutorials/index.html (scroll to the bottom) If I had more D rings in the house I would have kept going last night and made more. You just need a little fabric, interfacing or ribbon, a D ring and a split ring.

I can't believe the challenge is over-feels like it just started. I feel very honored to have been a part of a great group of people. Thank you to http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ and Kim for having the challenge and inviting me. Thank you to Kris for being such a great leader who always left very supportive, motivational messages for us even when a certain 3 year old cut a project up :) Thanks too to the other leaders-even though we had different teams, everyone was sharing and very supportive. Lastly, thanks to all the members of Team Kris for always being there-glad I got to know all of you-and to all the thrifty fifty-it's a great group of people.

I didn't quite get to finish all the gifts on my list so stayed tuned for more projects, pictures and sharing!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Getting down to the final stretch....







Just a few pictures before I start dinner. I was able to get some things done today with the kids home. My 8 yr old went to a friend's, my 11 yr old had a friend over and the baby took two good naps. I finished the fabric flower pin for my sister. I had to put the button on. I made the squares 4X4, maybe next time I'll make them 3x3. I'm going to make some for myself because I wear alot of plain colored tshirts. The bib is reversible-with my son's initial appliqued on one side. I used this YCMT ebook http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/featured-products/How-to-Applique-the-Easy-Way.htm I have 4 more things to finish up. Sorry, just realized I didn't turn the bib pictures.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

8 Key chain wallets and a necklace holder







I finished 5 more wallets so that brings me to the 8 I needed for teachers and aides. http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/featured-products/Aivilo-Key-Chain-Pouch-Wallet.htm I also worked on my daughter's necklace holder. http://ycmt.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/zero-extra-dollars-make-a-purse-jewelry-holder/ It's all done except for the hooks and I'm not sure where my husband put them. I'll do them tonight after the kids go to bed. I also am 97% finished with a child's duet apron. http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/cooking-baking/The-Duet-Apron-Set-Adult-Child-Size-Apron-Patterns.htm I just have to sew the waistband. The apron was so easy! Doesn't take long at all.