Short Blogging Break

Hi- I'm off to create some fun family memories. Be back in about ten days for some more posting and to see what is new in your world-
Talk to you soon!

Another Necklace

I picked up this cute family circle charm in the scrapbook section of my craft store, added a few beads and it's ready to wear. What types of jewelry do you like?

Kid's Art Necklace

I'm sure you have seen the cute necklaces that are made with scrabble tiles. Well, this is a slightly different version using your child's art (my talented niece Regan drew the above pendant). Have your child draw you a picture. Then scan it into your computer and reduce it's size and crop as needed.


Next use those precut wooden pieces that are three dollars a bag in the wood section of your local craft store. You can get any shape, circles, squares, etc. Paint the piece of wood with the color of your choice.


Then cut your picture to fit the wooden shape.


Mod Podge the picture to the wood.



Let that dry completely. Then add dimensional glaze. I've heard many people say that they LOVE diamond glaze, but I didn't have that so I used my scrap booking glaze. After that dries for 24 hours use a tiny drill bit, also in the wood section of your craft store, and just gently twist the bit with your hands to drill a tiny hole. Put a jump ring through that tiny hole and your art work pendant is complete.

To make a necklace add the art work pendant and one or two charms to a pretty chain and you're ready to wrap it up for mom or grandma!

4/20/10   I've added a two more posts about similar ideas  making charms and keychains here and here.

Free Wheat Grinder

If you would like a chance at winning a wondermill wheat grinder (we really like ours) click here and follow the info. Good Luck!

Hand outs

I had a meeting to train some church members in their callings this past week. My daughter Clarissa helped make these little gifts for those that attended. Inside were some homemade chocolates, called Chocolate Billionaires, that are delicious. The owl was to symbolize our theme of being wise. I wanted to use the owl stamp and circles, she helped choose the paper and did the chalking and assembly.

Crocheted Baby Blanket

I decided to branch out and make a baby blanket that wasn't pastel. This little baby afghan is made with red sugar 'n cream yarn. It is 100% cotton. This is a free pattern from off of the Michaels website. The pattern is for a full sized afghan, but I was getting bored and so it became a baby afghan and I'm on to a new project.

Make a Room Diffuser

I love how some of these room diffusers smell. I decided to try making my own. The essential oils are initially quite expensive. However, they last a long time... so, if you make diffusers for gifts or put them all through your house you would end up saving money.

Mine is a simple blend of orange and grapefruit oils. I just mixed six drops of each in some canola oil and placed in this little jar I had left over from a Target diffuser.

I searched a bit to find the reed diffusers and found them at Pier One Imports for only $2 for a box of 12. Tip: the oils last longer if they are in a dark bottle. I don't think you are really supposed to use Canola Oil as the base, but it is working ok.

Here is a site with some ideas for making your own. They have a Christmas recipe that would be fun to make and give as gifts-you could start shopping now for cute bottles and tiny vases at yard sales and thrift stores, etc. Some more recipes are here.

Update 4/26/09: The Canola Oil didn't work for very long. I'm looking for a good recipe for diffuser base oil if anyone finds one let me know- thanks!

Thursday Thrifting

Today was an incredible thrifting day. I snatched up the above fan- now the price on this wasn't great- but I new I'd love how it fits into this room. It has a such a nice vintage feel to it. So for $20 I bought it home (I used a photo filter to accent my new fan love).


I also found this $3 nice wooden lamp base. I REALLY like the color (the real life version- wish I was better at photography) but if I can't find a spot for it as is I'll spray paint it and put it on my night stand.

I also snagged a little tykes dollhouse in perfect condition for less than $8, a seal-a-meal for $2, an old fashioned nut chopper for 99cents (I've been looking for one of those) and a cheese set to paint and use as room decor-

I also came home with a bag full of clothes for $5. Mostly cute stuff for my little girl and a few things to make over... if they turn out I'll show you.

Since I was having so much fun I swung by Target for their 75% off Easter stuff. I bought some candy- yeah, I know- not good for me... but when chocolate is 50 cents a bag how can you resist?! There was a cute little toy I bought to use as a birthday gift. I also found this cute candle holder, 55 cents, that matches my daughters room perfectly.

I usually go a VERY long time before finding anything fun so today was extra nice! Have you found any fun thrifting treasures?

Baby Blanket with Crocheted Edge

This is my first attempt at a baby blanket with a crocheted edge. I found some flannel at JoAnn's last year that I have been saving (the colors are so much cuter in real life; a very pale yellow and lavender). I punched holes around the edge with my tiny scrapbooking hole punch and then ran a chain stitch around the edge. Then I made up my own pattern for a slightly scalloped edge. I did two single stitches, one half double stitch, four double stitches, then one half double stitch and then started again with the two single stitches. When you get around to the beginning of the blanket you just skip or add some stitches to end right.

I don't think you need to serge around the edge and I don't really like the look. So, I'm researching how to prevent fraying fabric in the future. I purchased a skip stitch blade for my rotary cutter. That should quickly make the holes evenly spaced. I'm always on the look out for baby gifts and of course, for my grandma stash!

Sewing a Spring Skirt

This quick Spring skirt was a big hit with the little one. The main fabric is from the "Darla" collection and the trim is from "Farmer's Market".

The wind was blowing from behind like crazy- so, normally it hangs better. I didn't use a pattern, just a rectangle of fabric twice the waist measurement across the top and the length I wanted it down the side. Then you just sew up the sides and make an elastic casing on top. I used the rolled hem foot for the bottom- wow,that's a quick way to finish off a project! Don't you just LOVE fast projects?!

A Wonderful Easter Message

Happy Easter. Here is a wonderful, short video celebrating the true meaning of Easter.

Private Family Blog

I decided to start a private family blog. It is called home away from home (because our home here on earth is a temporary dwelling until we return to our Heavenly Father). The address is- type it in your address bar- http://mjhomeawayfromhome.blogspot.com

You will be asked to sign in and then click remember me- it should make it so that you don't have to sign in everytime. I'm teaching myself how to do this but I think I can put your email address on a list and then you don't have to check in- let me know if you are interested.

I hope the sign in process is fairly simple- let me know if it's not!

Cranky Lady

I've been trying to be healthier by not eating sugar. So, fair warning: Stay away! I'm not nice. I'm seriously considering a cup full of chocolate chips just so I can stand to be around myself. Why does sugar calm me? It's not just that I like the taste -- seriously! ugh!

It didn't help that I had to listen to S scream for 45 min. while the dentist filled his cavities this morning. This is a nice dentist and he is really careful to make it as painless as possible- S just freaks out... so not fun!

In other news. I purchased an old ugly, forgot to take the before picture, magazine holder at Goodwill. It was black with filthy canvas. I cut off the canvas and used it as a pattern. Then I painted the metal parts cream, and sewed on the fabric (taken from my stash). Now it looks much better. Instead of holding magazines it holds yarn. It will go in my very slowly getting organized craft room....

Trying to Get Organized

I've been very slowly trying to get the playroom/craft room organized. Too slowly. Here is a little bit of what is done- I won't show you the big pile yet to do.... this is just a little pat myself on the back now keep going post.... I printed my own labels just for fun. I printed them on Avery Sticker paper and cut them out. There is a free download on the right hand side under free stuff if you need a label or name tag.

Vacuum Love

Our Eureka vacuum died. Mark wanted to get a nice new vacuum and he was willing to pay for it. But when I read the reviews the Hoover U5140-900 Tempo Widepath Bagged Upright Vacuum on sale last week for $58.99 at Amazon had excellent reviews. We decided to try it- I just use it on carpets not hard floors- it's only been two weeks but I'm still loving it.