Friday Friends!

Good Morning! It's Friday and it's time for another installment of Friday Friends! I slept in this morning so I'm a little late getting started, but I've been surfing blogland this last week and I have some super blogs for you to visit.

First up is Saving 4 Six. Carrie has a good-looking blog and some great ideas for saving your hard-earned dollars. This post gives you ten ways to save, and some of them are being talked about all over blogland, such as homemade laundry soap, but some you might not think about right away. She also has other great ideas. And she's given herself an organizing challenge. She is working on organizing her whole home, one room at a time. There are pics and tips, too, and it's looking fab! Go see what she has to offer at http://www.saving4six.com/ and you won't be disappointed.

Our next got-to-see blog is Crafting Rebellion. Oh My Gosh! Have you ever made silk tie eggs? Me neither! And they are beautiful! How anyone ever came up with this idea I'll never know, but WOW! Go to http://craftingrebellion.blogspot.com/2012/03/silk-tie-easter-eggs.html and check them out, then check out her other ideas and tutorials. She's got some great ones. The only thing I can see that's missing from her site is info about her (or them?). But go visit anyway.

Over at do stuff! blog, Lee Meredith is all about the title of her blog......doing stuff! She is a knitting designer, among other things, and has some cute patterns along with her other cool stuff. The post I'm linking to today is fun-a-liscious! Have you ever died your own yarn? Or wanted to? Well, here are the directions to die yarn in a crock pot with....wait for it......KoolAid! Yep, you read it right, KoolAid! And the yarns are so beautiful, you will want to make them into something right away! Hats and scarves, and the occasional pair of mittens, are the only things I knit, but I can see how beautiful they will be with this yarn. Go check it out at http://www.leethal.net/zine/?p=764 .

I found a blog called Garden Therapy, and again, I don't know who she is, but her blog is wonderful. She has some of the best photography ever, and lots of ideas to get you out in the outdoors. The blog is mostly about gardening, but includes recipes and crafts, too. My favorite post is this one, where she teaches how to make seed paper. I know, hers are valentines and that is past, but they wouldn't have to be valentines. I think they would make super Mother's Day cards. I think I might make some of these with the grands, to give to their mom. We could make them in the shape of a heart or flower and write something mushy about moms. What do you think? Oh...I forgot to tell you what seed paper is! It's handmade paper impregnated with seeds, and you plant the paper and the seeds grow! How cool is that!?!

That's it for today. I have been in a lot of pain for about a week and a half now, and I can only stand to sit at the computer for little bursts of time. And I can't get into the doctor until April 3rd! I hope I can stand it until then.

I hope you will all go visit these blogs, lend your support, try some of the projects, or just read the information they give. And leave comments. Let them know that you saw them here, but most of all, let them know they are being heard out there in that giant blogland that is getting bigger by the day. And leave me comments, too. I love comments! Until next time, think about what Albert Einstein said. "Life's real failure is when you do not realize how close you were to success when you gave up." Sometimes I feel like giving up on this blog, but I'm hanging in there. Hopefully, I will experience success someday soon.

St. Patrick's Day Wreath

Today was a good day. My husband had his follow-up visit with the doctor who removed his thyroid and he gave him a clean bill of health. He also had an appointment for lab work because it's been a while and because they have to keep an eye on his thyroid producing hormones. He has an appointment for next week to go over those results, but that's with our regular doctor, not the specialist. Yesterday wasn't so good. I could hardly walk. My hips hurt so bad that I'm walking crooked! I can't get in to the doc until the first week of April, so I'll just keep keepin' on. Anyway, between feeling like doo-doo and doctor's appointments, I had no time to blog. And I missed it, too.

I went to the dollar store a couple of weeks ago and picked up some things to make a St. Paddy's wreath.

I got two packages of foam shamrocks, a wire garland and a pair of shoelaces. I spent $4, plus I used a piece of foam water line insulation we had left over from the motor home and some green fabric scraps.

I cut wedges out of the open edge of the insulation, so that it would bend nicely and not crimp. Then I removed the yellow plastic and adhered the two edges together. I used hot glue to glue the two ends together and wrapped the glued spot with duct tape, then wrapped the whole wreath with green fabric strips that I tore to give them a raggedy kind of edge. (Although, when I got done, they didn't even shoe, so it doesn't matter if you tear or cut.)

I forgot to take a photo before I started gluing everything on, and I'm sorry it's blurry. I just held it up and snapped a pic so you could see. After I had it all wrapped with fabric, I started gluing the shamrocks on. In each package, half were glittery and half were plain, so I did the first layer with the non-glittery ones, then went back with the glittery ones for the second layer.

Then I started wrapping the wire garland, and I'll tell you, this was kind of tricky. If you keep the garland rolled up, like it comes, it will make things so much easier! I let mine get away from me and I had to roll it back up again. Anyway, I had enough garland to go around the wreath 3 times plus make a few curly-cues.

I finished it by making a bow from the shoelaces, and I think it turned out pretty cute for $4 and a few on-hand supplies!

Friday Friends!

It's a beautiful Friday here in southern Oregon. The weather can't seem to make up it's mind. One day it will be bright and sunny and the next we'll get snow. I am so ready for Spring!

First, we have a light weight jacket you could wear in the Spring. (Notice how I got Spring in there?) It's from Meggan at Megpie Designs. She has some cute tutorials you need to check out while you're there. Here, she has painted a denim jacket for her daughter. I could see my granddaughters wearing one of these.

Go to http://megpiedesign.blogspot.com/2012/02/painted-denim.html to see more ideas.

Next, we have a really cute Spring wreath for you. I saw the picture on the Grow Creative blog, but didn't realize what she had used until I read about it. I actually have some acorns hanging around, too! If you go to http://growcreative.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-wreath-tutorial.html , you'll see what I'm talking about. Elise has some very good ideas, and I love her artwork, too. I'm going to try some of the watercolor techniques, because I've always wanted to watercolor, but never had the nerve to really give it a try. Be sure to look at the Art Gallery. And leave her a comment if you like what you see. Everyone loves comments!

It's a good thing hearts aren't just for Valentine's Day, because I love these earrings! I am going to make a pair for myself, maybe tomorrow! Stephanie at Henry Happened has a very nice blog and some great ideas. There are some other jewelry ideas I think I'll try for my girls. I wonder how hard it would be to shape a paperclip into a shamrock? lol :) Go to http://www.henryhappened.com/diy-paper-clip-heart-earrings.html and see what's cookin'.

Our last friend for today is Amanda at Amanda's Crafts. She has an abundance of ideas on her blog. She has a cooking blog, too, and she's involved with several other blogs, including Family.com. In this post, she has made some darling herbs plaques that are easy and fun. I think the idea has a lot of possibilities, including name plaques for kids' rooms. Or a long plaque that says Family to go with a group of family photos. Lots of possibilities! And she uses a product I've never even heard of to make them, so I'm going to have to try it out.

I'm giving you a bonus today, too. Amanda has the cutest bread tag monsters and snowmen. I love them and know you will, too. I can see some of these on cellophane gift wrap, or bags of hot chocolate, or........

Go to http://craftsbyamanda.com/2010/09/recycled-bread-tag-monsters.html to see the snowmen and the tutorial and have fun making some of these cuties.

Well, that's it for today. Hope you like. Until next time,

Wednesday's Wealth

Okay. So I can't make up my mind. I guess Wednesday's Wealth is whatever I want it to be. First, it was going to be the little things in life that we tend to gloss over. Then it was going to be thrift store or yard sale finds that I could turn into treasure. Today, well, today it's totally different. Today when I got up and looked out the window, I saw a very different type of wealth. The kind that brings joy in the spring and summer.

I took this through the screen on the front door. It's only the 3rd time we've had snow this winter. At least where we are. And the two previous times were gone in an hour. This is going to be around for at least a day, I think, because it's now snowing again! My granddaughter went to school this morning and they sent her home saying that school was delayed for 2 hours because of the buses. My grandson got the same thing at his school. I'm sure it's because both schools use the same buses. So, we fed them cereal and gave them hot chocolate before sending them back out into the cold.

So what is the wealth associated with this picture, besides Halena's beautiful smile? The flowers that we will see in the spring and the fruits of summer! There are so many flowers that bloom here every year and they depend on the moisture that we get in the winter. And there are a lot of wild fruits that grow here that need that same water supply. So when I see the snow or rain, it doesn't depress me, it gladdens me. And that is my wealth today.

Remember, there are no shortcuts to any place worth going. And that includes the weather. We endure the wet so we can have the beautiful. Until next time,

Edit: Okay, so it made a liar out of me. This photo was taken in the afternoon. Look, ma, no snow!

I just thought it would last a day or two! It started raining and melted the snow!

A new project

Merry Monday! I went for another 3-mile walk today, and boy did I feel it! I'm going to take it slow tomorrow. But I did finish it, so that's a good thing.

I promised a new project and I got started on it Saturday. How many of you have ever made a coffee filter book? They are actually really cute, and since the coffee filters come in more than one size, so can the books. Plus, it's the best use of coffee filters that I can think of! The filters I am talking about are the flat ones, quarter-circle shape. They come in brown and white, but I could only find the brown ones this time. And I usually use the larger size, but couldn't find them, either.

So I bought these and got started. I usually put about ten of them in a book. That's a good round number. I made these books with the Young Women at church and we did 7 pages for the YW values (back when there was only 7). I brought a bunch of papers in the value colors and we used the larger white filters, and lots of embellishments, and they turned out so cute! I wish I had kept my sample so I could show you, but I sent it to my granddaughter in Utah.

You will need at least one 12x12" sheet of heavy cardstock, or two 8 1/2 x 11" sheets. These will be your covers. They do not have to be the same and two-sided cardstock is great!  You need lots of other papers, and these can be scraps of all kinds. I like to have a theme or color scheme to mine, so I can pick out papers that go together easily. This book is all shades of blue, with a few accent colors. I also like to choose a title or an idea that will flow through the whole book, because that helps, too. This one is circles. And of course, you need embellishments and ephemera. 

My scrap tub. It's getting a little full and needs to be thinned out!

Okay. You start by tracing one of the filters, with the seam on the left-hand side, and make it about 1/8" bigger all around. Mark the seem side on your pattern, so you get things going the right way. The filters are not symmetrical, so if you accidentally turn the pattern over, it won't fit. Now, trace the pattern onto your heavy cardstock. I don't have any right now, and I'm really trying to use up what I have, which needed a little more body, so I attached other papers to the inside of the covers to give them a little extra strength.( I like to do this anyway, because it looks like end papers.) Using your pattern, cut two covers.

I do my main decorating before binding, so the holes go through the decorations, too. Sometimes I stitch around the edges and sometimes I don't. It depends on the look I'm going for. After I have the main stuff done, I punch holes for binding. This part is totally up to you. You can sew it together, or lace it, or tie it with ribbons and fabric strips.......there are any number of ways for binding books. I wanted this one to have a spiral binding, so I found a nice size piece of dowel and some heavy silver wire and made my own. I start the wire in the first hole and bend it so it won't come out. Then I lay the dowel on top of the book and wrap the wire around it and put it down the next hole. Then up around the dowel again and down the next hole. Keep doing this until you get to the last hole. Cut the wire with about an inch extra and remove the dowel. Bend the wire and wrap the end around the next coil so it doesn't come off. Do both ends, and there you have it......a book!

I stamped my dragon on the back. You can't read it but it says, "by George, You've Got It!"

All that's left to do (and it will take the most time) is to add papers, embellishments, stamps, pictures, etc. And journaling. Don't forget the journaling, because it's important.

And because the filters open up, each page is also a pocket! So make a template for the inserts and then you'll have double the space for photos and journaling. It also allows you to make some of your journaling a little more private.

Patterns for page inserts.

My book isn't done, but you can see where I'm headed. These books are really easy to put together and so much fun to make. And there is no wrong way to make them. You choose your colors or just go with the flow. A theme makes it easier for me, but you may not want a theme, and that's OK, too. Just enjoy yourself and create a book that is all you. Kids love to make these, too, and because they're cheap and easy, they make a perfect kid's craft.

So there's a new project for you to try. If you have any questions about anything, just email me and I will do my best to help. Until, next time, remember, the memories we make follow the road we take, so choose the high road.

Friday Friends!

Friday has come again and I'm actually on time today! I have been working on some more swaps, and I found some good blogs while roaming the internet for information.

The first one is a re-visit to one of last weeks friends, Hani at Craftionary. She has a post with 60, that's right, 60 St. Patricks Day FREE printables! There is everything from signs to cupcake toppers and goodie bag toppers to subway art. You have to see it to believe it. And there are cute ideas to go with each one. Go to  http://www.craftionary.net/2012/02/60-st-patricks-day-free-printables.html and see what I mean.

There's even a cootie catcher!

I've been looking to the future for holiday inspiration, and I found this post that's for a holiday near and dear to my heart......the 4th of July! I know, I know, it's a ways away, but if you want to have a neighborhood parade, you might want to start thinking about it now. Jo-Ann gives wonderful parties and she shares her ideas on her blog, Pumpkin Petunia. She invited the neighborhood kids over and turned the whole thing into a part.y They decorated the bikes and had lunch and everything! So much fun. I really like this idea.   http://pumpkinpetunia.blogspot.com/2009/06/independence-day-bike-parade.html . Go check it out so you can start planning yours.

Over at i am very mary, Maryann is making some phenomenal jewelry! I love jewelry, but don't wear it as much as I used to because I have neck problems and necklaces give me headaches. But I might be willing to take the risk for some of her designs. I had a hard time picking just one to show you, so go to http://averymarydesign.blogspot.com/ and see which one you like best. I bet you can't pick just one, either!

To finish up today, we have a beautiful-looking brown sugar body scrub. Jessica is the mother of two gorgeous little girls, and she'll be able to keep them that way if she keeps coming up with recipes like this! I am going to try this right away, and pass it on to my daughters.
http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2012/02/diy-sugar-body-scrub.html

I hope you'll visit these blogs and look for other great ideas. Everyone loves comments, so be sure to leave one and tell them you saw them here.

Are you looking for any particular ideas? Anything you want to learn? Leave me a comment and tell me what it is, and I'll see what I can do. I'm always willing to be of service. :) And remember......be today who you wish to be tomorrow, because tomorrow will be here all too soon. Until next time,

Swapping and Relief Society

I can't remember, but I think I told you about a web-site I found called swap-bot.com. You swap different things, like cards and craft items, with other people. It's a lot of fun! I signed up for my first 4 swaps at the beginning of February and sent off what I was supposed to. I've been waiting patiently to get mine back in the mail and I finally got three of them! Such good stuff, too. Here are photos of what I recieved. (I forgot to take pictures of what I sent, darn it!)

I signed up for a Valentine's Day card swap and here is the card I got. Inside was the cute little doily as a bonus.

I don't know if you can tell, but the paper is handmade and the heart is machine embroidered!

I signed up for a Big Fat Stuffed Envelope swap and look at these goodies!

The two clear envies at the bottom of the photo have papers and ribbons and vintage ephemera in them!

I signed up for I {heart} Mail Art - February and I got this cute envelope with hand-drawn pictures on it. I love it! And inside there was some goodies, too.

Now all I'm waiting for is my Whimsey Jar. I can't wait to see what's in it. If you would like to join in the swapping fun, go to swap-bot.com and register. Registration is free, and the rewards are plentiful!

Now, I have the promised pictures of the Relief Society party. We had a good turn out, good food and great companionship. Take a look......

We had a make-yourself-a-croissant bar. YUM!

We had displays of sisters' talents and interests. This one was mine.

This is crocheted! Isn't it beautiful?

Beautiful photography.

Hand-knitting.

Embroidery.

Needlepoint.

Jewelry making.

Woodworking.

Lovely afghans.

Knitting, baking and reading. She also plays the piano.

She wrote the book on display.

A talented sister who does a lot of different things.

Needlepoint or counted cross-stitch. I can't remember.

Decoupage.

Organizational training.

Home remodeling.

This sister grows beautiful orchids, as well as doing needle work.

We had a different hat on each table, along with a program and a little hat favor.

I spent $23 total on the decorations, and it turned out pretty good. Everyone seemed to be pleased and all had a good time.

I will show you how to make those little hat favors another day, but for now, that's all folks! Hope you have a good day and I'll see you tomorrow for Friday Friends!