Thumbprint Spider Spooky Pillows

I love my kids artwork it truly is the best (and I have not thrown away much in the last 5 years), but sometimes it just doesn't go with my decor. If you know what I mean. So this weekend I decided to let the kids get involved with one of my Halloween Projects. It has a touch them and looks great displayed! Best of both worlds!

Everyone wins.

All it requires is some paint and imagination.

I first appliqued my letters on my pillow front. I should mention here this is painters drop cloth material. The letters E-E-K are in Foo font on Word at 350 points. Iron on the cut out letters with Heat n' Bond and then puffy painted around the edges. Look no sewing!! See you can applique if you don't sew!

Then with more puffy paint I made the spider web in the corner. (I forgot to take a picture before the spiders)

Then grab a kid and get a thumb print or two. This is the spider body.

Grab the other kid...they are always pleased to get messy and help you "make art"

To make the spider add legs and yellow eyes. Looks spooky doesn't it??

NOTE: YES, I KNOW SPIDERS HAVE 8 LEGS RATHER THAN 6. I just didn't have room. I promise I am not THAT big of an idiot. Although I have my moments!!

The kids LOVE to point out their spider print!

Once everything is dried put on the back side and stuff it or make it an envelope pillow to cover an existing pillow.

Kid Tested, Mom Approved Project.

Where I am sharing this project this week over on these blogs, check them out!

Happy Fall - New Purse

Fall 2010 is officially here!!

My son (2.5 years old) told me after preschool "Today is the first day of fall isn't that exciting??" I told him "Yes it is" but I think our reasons are different. Mine is the hopes of cooler weather and I can start carrying the new purse I just made (and maybe pumpkin scented candles.) I love the fall!!!

Here is my new fall/winter purse. Made with wool from my mom's collection (probably 30 yrs old)



The colorful inside from my Aunt Joanne's collection.


Oh then there are the 4 rings. They had to come from somewhere....




Recycled from my spring/summer bag. I loved this bag but it was getting dirty and I was ready for something new. So snip snip off go the rings.


So welcome fall...and new purse!


I love making something beautiful for no money!! It makes me happy!!

Also, have I mentioned before...I love the Fall!!


Happy Fall!!

Gifts and Recipes from the Heart Linky Party

Welcome to this months Gifts from the Heart Linky Party. I am so happy to have you join me or see what wonderful things people have made for others. This month I am doing something different. I am still having a section for homemade gifts but I also have another section for recipes. This month's recipe requests is for meals or treats you make for friends and family who just had a baby, just had surgery or just needs a little pick-me-up. These are gifts from the heart too!!


Why the change...this month I have spending some time cooking for other families and I thought about how helpful this can be to someone. It is so heart warming when you see an email list to sign-up for a meal to take to a family and it is filled up. Wow, people are so generous!! It got me thinking what do people make?? I would love to know!


I will share with you one thing I started making along with a main meal of lasagna is breakfast. I made a plate of Raisin Bran Muffins. They appeared to be a hit and I was asked to send them the recipe. The fabulous thing about this recipe is it makes a lot and stores for up to 6 weeks in the fridge. Plus, the kids love them!!



Raisin Bran Muffins

4 eggs beaten
5 cups unsifted all-purpose flour (I used wheat)
1 quart buttermilk
1 cup cooking oil
5 teaspoons baking soda
3 cups of sugar (you can cut this back to 2.5 cups)
15-ounce box of raisin bran flakes

Combine all ingredients well, and refrigerate at least overnight. Batter will keep as long as six weeks. Spoon desired amount of batter into greased muffin tins. Bake a 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Makes 5 dozen muffins.



From Jim Graham's Farm Family Cookbook- this is the best Southern Cookbook


Now for the party.


All of these creative bloggers work really hard creating and blogging, be kind and comment on the person a head of you!! Plus, grab my button and link back here. Enjoy!

This party will be open until Sept 26th.


GIFTS LINKS:




RECIPE LINKS:

Feature Friday: Gifts from the Heart- Hand Written Notes

Seems these days hand written notes are a thing of the past with all the technology out there people are sending emails, texts and tweets rather then personal notes. While a nice email, facebook hello, or blogger note is nice there is something to be said about a handwritten note. I like to think of a nice note as a little piece of you on paper. While I am not the best writer (proof is in my writing) I still like to think that when I do write a personal handwritten note the person knows it is from the heart. I know when I get a thank you note, a little note of encouragement, or special occasion card it makes me feel so loved! So why not give a "Gift from the Heart" and send a Handwritten note...

Today I am featuring people who think along the same lines as me but with a lot more style!!

Elizabeth @ Twelvecrafts created a fabric envelope. I love these. They are reusable and beyond stylish.

Colette @ My Computer is my Canvas has some fabulous Fall Notes and tags. She is generous enough to have these for free. Love them!!

Courtney @ Red Heads Craft for Fun made envelopes from magazine pages. What a unique way to give a note. So smart!!

Go check out these wonderful ladies and maybe this weekend send a handwritten note to someone you love!!

Also, remember the 20th is my linking party for Gifts from the Heart. Show off some homemade gifts you have made. Something new: I am also adding a recipe linking section. This month I would love for you to link up and share with us recipes you make for someone who has just had a baby, is sick, or just needs a little pick-me-up. The way to people's hearts is through their stomachs, right? Share with us your gifts of food and handmade gifts!!

Bewitched Hand Towels

The weather is starting to become a little bit chilly in the morning and that can only mean one thing...FALL IS ON THE WAY, which means Halloween is not to far around the corner. I am not one to normally get anything done early but this year (thanks to some pregnancy energy and two kids in school) I am on top of my game.

Here is my latest addition to my Halloween collection. I am calling them Bewitched Hand Towels.

I LOVE THESE!


Do they look like witches shoes or could they be something Lady Gaga would wear. Did you see the shoes she wore at the VMAs? These are not them just an example.




Back to cute and pretty things...One project complete for Halloween.



Question: Do you thing these are cute enough to be sellable? I loved making these so much I was just wondering.

NC State Baby Onsies

I don't think it is a secret that I am a NC State Fan. Of course, now that they are 2-0 for the first time since 2002 I am more inclined to repeat that fact with a little bit more gusto. Not that I am not a loyal fan, I just might not scream it from the roof top when we are like 1-4.

This weekend after our win against Central Florida I decided Baby Girl needed something. It might look really plain and nondescript but wait...



Look at the bum... (sorry for the unrotated picture)



To get a better idea here is the front... (thanks Vermont Teddy Bear for being my model)


Here is the back. PRECIOUS!!

I can't wait to put Baby Girl in this!

Of course, I can't be bias to the girls. Boys need something cute too. Check out my "NC State Preppy Boy Onsie." My son won't fit in this but maybe I will find someone to gift it too soon. I think I am going to make my son one on a t-shirt.

That is my NC State Love for today!! We play again on Thursday. Go Wolfpack!

Restyled Maternity Shirt- Joining the Bandwagon

I am joining the bandwagon and revamping an existing shirt. Today at my MOPS Open House we were all asked to wear red shirts. Not sure why, but I don't own one (in my regular non-maternity clothes.) So I went digging through my maternity clothes and found an old, so last decade (2004) maternity shirt.

Nothing really wrong with it, but back then I use to think the larger the better.


See what I mean....I could fit 2 of me in this thing. I did gain 41lbs with each of my previous pregnancies but I don't think I ever filled out this shirt. PLUS, I hated the collar


(sorry, I couldn't rotate) the interfacing always popped out and the collar always stuck up (see above picture)


Here is my new Restyled Maternity shirt. LOVE IT!!


Here is what I did. I cut the collar and the interfacing off. Easy enough


Then I pinned under 1/4" of material and sewed all around. (again, sorry for the picture)


On the sides I took in approximately 3/4" or 1.5" total tapering smaller as I approached the arm hole. (I hate tightness around my armpit) Then I trimmed with a rotary cutter.


First cut the manufacturers seam allowance, then cut close to allow for a new seam allowance



Once I finished trimming the sides I had 4 strips. Even out to one width.

I sewed them all together. Put a gathering stitch in the center, gathering all 4 strips until it lined up with the of the front of the neckline and sewed all the way around (including the back for more stability)

Here is my new neckline!! So much better then the old frumpy collar. Plus it fits so much better and I don't feel so outdated!

Here is the shirt again and me at 18 weeks. I also hemmed it up by turning up the hem 1 time and sewing two stitch hem at the bottom (looks more professional that way)

There you go. My new restyled Maternity Shirt. Total cost - $0