Cards

My friend Sharon has a "MUG PARTY" at Christmas-time every year and this year I made the invites; which was so much fun. Its like a XMAS gift exchange but the rule is the gift has to be a coffee mug stuffed with stuff. Its a blast.

Anyone who knows me knows I love making cards - in fact I have been known to give a bundle of assorted cards as a gift. I am sometimes a bit unsure about giving them as gifts - but so far they are a hit. Everyone loves them! Its a good tip if you are a scrapper with lots of materials but low on funds (who isn't) at Christmas or B-day time - whip up some cards, or a small album for a gift. Those kinds of thoughtful gifts go a long way :)

No-Knit Scarf

Tessah and I are working on Christmas presents for some of our loved ones this year, its a tradition for us to give handmade gifts. She is a great little "crochet-er" so we crocheted long (140 inches) strings of funky yarn and then tie together in these cool scarves. This is our first one - We were both pretty happy with the finished product. And I am teaching her to be ever the bargain shopper - the yarn was on sale at JoAnn's for $1 per skein - regularly $5.99. I bought 5 skeins - but it only took 4 skeins to make it - not too shabby $4.00 for a scarf. And its made with LOVE - plus we had fun :) She also thought it was pretty cool that she had to teach me to crochet AND she was WAY faster than me! Hopefully the loved one for which this gift is intended will forget to check my blog until after the holidays :) XOXOX

For my Little Princess

I promised my niece, Indiya, a trick-or-treat bag - and she came with me to pick out the fabrics - so its Halloween on one side and her favorite thing on the other...princesses for a princess. And she SO is! (See picture below for proof!!!!)

Happy Halloween!!!!

The kids love it when we decorate for the holidays.
Halloween is one of my faves! Here's a peek.

Adding more color to my life....

As I mentioned before - my bud Rachel gave me some free paint... One was a pint of green (used under the bar) The other -a pint of orange (I haven't used it yet) And finally a whole gallon of "Ripe Banana." I held onto this a while until I finally just dove in and took the gamble with such a bright color. I chose to only paint one wall...because that's all the paint I had :) I think it works. And I think it will be great during our dark winters.

The living room wall before.....BLAH!



And after.....Wa -Lah! I love it. The clock by the way was crafted by me.. the kit that makes up the motor and hands, broke, so I have to order another one...can't get it anywhere in Alaska. The scarf was a gift, again from my friend Rachel - she picked it up while in Ethiopia. The rod I used was a bathroom towel rack I got on clearance at Fred Meyer for 4 bucks. All in all a pretty cheap "lift" to an otherwise boring room.

A view out my window

This is the view I had out the computer room window this morning! I really do love Alaska.

Another Schlep Bag

I made another schlep bag. This one for my friend, Candy, in her sorority colors. I added the patches of the sorority's letters and symbol...I thought it came out pretty cool. What do you think?

Jakes 9th Birthday Cake

Jakob is nine and his favorite favorite favorite thing is Legos. So what else but a Lego cake!

So we found a name for our new little kitty..... DOVER as in "white cliffs of..." I was there as a child and we thought it was a great name for a little white kitty.

Here we go again

So a stray kitten waltzed into our neighbor's house. They have dogs who don't get along with those in the feline family...so Jakob volunteered our house...and once Brent laid eyes on her it was all over! No name yet...but I'll keep you posted! The neighbors asked everyone in the vicinity and no one is missing her.....

another diaper cake

My latest diaper cake, for our neighbor....can you guess what she is having?

side

back

side

front view

Schlep lunch bag

I modified my "schlep bag" pattern and made a little lunch bag for mom. I think it turned out cute :)

Diaper Cake - BOY

Jamey saw on craigslist that there was a girl looking for someone to make a diaper cake so I called her and got my 1st official order to make one. I might start a side business doing this. What do you think? Please comment :)

Sewing up a storm

Today I spent working on the "Schlep Bag", a super cute reversible bag. It is so simple, my friend Dar gave me the pattern. I have had the squares cut out for months and I just now got around to finishing it. I love it. Thank goodness my mom-in-law does not mind waiting 8 months for me to get around to finishing it for her....I cut it all out in January!!!! Next up... I am going to make one for Mom while she is here, only smaller so she can use it like a lunch bag for work. I'm in a crafty mood :)

My latest quilt project

Here is the finished product of my button bouquet flower pot wall hanging. I took a class at a quilt store in Anchorage. I am REALLY pleased with the result.

Two other members of the family who require very little of my time and attention, but give me much CALM. Love these guys.


Smudge

Bender

FAT CATS ~~they fit in just fine~~

Tessah's Room Re-do..well not Re-do...more like DO!

The Desk "BEFORE"

TESSAH'S ROOM
The Desk - AFTER
Her fave: The animal prints - WILD CHILD
Above the closet door reads: If the shoe fits buy it in every color
So I finally got around to finishing Tessah's bedroom.

She has been using furniture since 2002 that is of course hand-me-downs, because that's the way it is. The desk was previously her Grampie's. Brent's dad got it from his grandfather when he was in 5th grade. She also was given a bureau, that had the same exact hardware and matched perfectly with the desk from her Nana and Papa when we lived in Florida. The Maple color never really worked for her room. So I re-fabbed them both. Slapped some white paint on them, some new knobs and drawer pulls that I let her pick out. The knobs were a bargain at 67 cents a piece. So I let her pick the nicer drawer pulls, $3.97 (GASP) She wasn't a fan of the cheaper ones...her words. I have also painted a desk chair to match, but have yet to finish the 2nd coat, so that will be "aired" at a later date.

The color on the wall is CLASSIC TURQUOISE by KILZ. The little doo-hickeys on the walls are wind hangy whatcha-ma-call-its that I found in the garden section at Joann's Fabric's and hung on the wall. There's 4 in different colors, but you can only see 2 in the picture. Also, you can click on the pictures to see more details. She loves the animal print curtains and wants to get a zebra print throw or pillows.

Latest project - For Alora

My latest quilting project is a foray into applique, which I have never tried it before. So I thought the upcoming arrival of my new niece, Alora, was the perfect opportunity to start. Imodified a pattern for a Christmas Angel that I ordered to the theme of "pastel stars" that Jamey is doing for Alora's nursery. What do you think? I'd love to start getting comments from you all! If anyone is even looking at my blog :) Next post should include Tessah's bedroom makeover.....

My collection

For a couple of years now I have been collecting cookie jars. It all started with "the little boy" that was Brent's Memere's that we have had in every house we have lived in. For a long time it was the only one we had. And my loving husband pointed out it is the only one that is not MINE :) Then Miriam gave me the "strawberry" for Christmas a few years ago....then I caught the bug. At first I bought them as gifts for Miriam's collection...but once we hit Alaska...I started my own collection because I have the perfect kitchen cupboards to display them. I am fond of the quirky or different. For Christmas 2006 I got the "jukebox" and "the Pillsbury" from Brent and my mom-in-lawMary got me the "jeans" for my birthday last year. When I buy my own, I make every attempt to find the best bargain I can. Thrift stores and yard sales are the way to go. Bishop's Attic is a local craft store and I got the "hippo" there for 5 bucks in the box! I got the "purse" at Salvation Army for 4 bucks! No run of the mill for me. The "coffee grinder" was another Salvation Army find...a bit steep for my blood at 12 bucks. "The bag of lemons" was at Bishop's Attic...3 bucks, baby! The only one I have spent any substantial money on is the "retro toaster" and its my favorite. It was 1/2 price, but still a little to much for my cheap ass! The one that led me to post this today is the "scottie dog." I got him today at the Salvation Army for 5.50 in the box. Woohoo! I also have a purple one that matches my Fiesta Ware, but it is on the counter filled with dog biscuits. So now, you know my weird little hobby!

Joanna the Party Planner....

Ok, so anyone that knows me well knows I like to have parties...Pampered Chef, Close to My Heart, Home Interiors, Vinyl Home Lettering, holidays...I like to have people over and feed them! I don't know why, but I do. So when my sister-in-law told us all she was pregnant, I immediately started planning her shower in my mind. It was June 21, and I think it was a success. I made my first diaper cake (that was FUN) and we had a ball!!!