Learning How to Use Your Silhouette

The silhouette is a fun machine- once you can figure out how to use it.  I am NOT an expert- in fact, it seems like I have to learn how to do the very basic basics all over again each time I get out my machine.  However, I HIGHLY recommend the silhouette because you don't have to buy any additional files- you can cut any jpeg file that you make or find on the internet for FREE.  Awesome! 

In my search for help I did find a few websites that offer tutorials and  inspiration so I thought I'd pass those along.

Here is the official silhouette website with a few tutorials.

Flickr has a silhouette group full of inspiring ideas. 

You Tube has several helpful clips- search "silhouette craft cutter"- yeah for how to videos!  Here is one example.

The silhouette company is quick to get back to you if you email them with any questions- they have been very helpful that way.  Just go to their official website, click on the contact tab and get their email address.

Anyone else have tutorial suggestions?

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Homemade Turkey Sausage

It is only ten in the morning and I've already finished eating lunch because I tried a new recipe and I just didn't want to wait until lunch to taste it!

Often commercial sausages are filled with an unhealthy variety of preservatives.  I was so excited when I found this highly rated, super simple turkey sausage recipe.  I made it today and I love it!

The only change I made to the original recipe was that instead of making patties I just cooked it and crumbled it up in the skillet.  I would suggest that if you like super.mild sausage you go a tiny bit lighter on the cayenne.  Totally delicious plain but also very yummy with whole wheat spaghetti and tomato sauce.

I'm so excited to make this again so that I can add it to omelets, soups and casseroles.  Yummy!

Free Halloween Tags for Silhouette

While putting together a gift for a friend I created some Halloween craft tags with my silhouette.  I thought they would be nice to add to some homemade treats for the neighbors- maybe a bag of caramel popcorn,or a plate stacked with cookies. So, I made a few extra.

The jpeg file is here for you to use.

The basic tag is a freebie from Silhouette.  I created the spider cut out.  Then I embellished the freshly cut tags with stamps, stickers and ribbons.  I saved the spider cut outs and added them to some of the tags with dimensional foam stickers.  It was fun!

                                                                                  Enjoy!

Healthy Magazine I'm excited to try (with a year subscription- ten issues- for less than $5).  Order here before Sept. 25 and enter code SHOP17.

Activity Day- Reverence Books & Conference Prep

This week for activity day (girl's group ages 8-11) we did two different activities.  First, we watched this message about general conference and then the girls colored these watches and stuck on magnets to post at home as a reminder for their families to watch.  They filled out this form (page 3) to prepare to be taught and they were given this bingo board to use as they watched General Conference.  I found all of these printable links via Sugardoodle.



Next, our ward (congregation) is focusing on reverence.  So, as a service project we made reverence books to be given to the nursery children.  To make the books I printed the lyrics to the primary song, "Reverence is Love" onto 3 1/2" by 5" cards phrase by phrase- here is a copy of the file.  The girls cut them out and used double sided tape to attach them onto solid color 4" by 6" cardstock. 

I cut pictures out of old Ensigns and Friend magazines and taped them to 4" x 6" cardstock as well.  Then we placed the pictures and the lyrics into a very inexpensive photo brag books from Target.  The nursery leaders will give the books to the little ones on Sunday.  We're hopeful they will be used as a "quiet books" during church each week. 

More crafty blogs

Although I haven't been crafting much that hasn't stopped me from checking out some inspirational crafty blogs.  I thought I'd pass along some of my favorites.

My daughter was so excited to help make doll diapers.  We found an old but simple and cute free pattern at skip to my lou.  We used soft flannel fabric and we adjusted the pattern to make different sizes for her different dolls.  I actually ended up doing most of the sewing and she was my chief thread trimmer.

While you are visiting Skip to My Lou's  blog notice her current holiday bake, craft & sew along ... so many cute ideas... and if I'm going to be making gifts I need to get started now!

I'm in love with the ruffled headbands over at Flaming Toes.  With her cute ruffled basic headband you could create a fun variety of your own favorite fabric or silk flowers to place on top.... so many fun options.

Last but not least, this simple duvet would make a very nice gift.  Happy crafting!

Activity Day: Decorating Cupcakes

For activity day today we had a mini lesson on how to decorate cakes- using cupcakes.  I showed the girls a few library books filled with inspirational photos of amazing cakes.  Then a dear neighbor taught the girls a few of the basics, how to fold and fill a parchment bag, how to make stars and some simple borders.  They were able to practice and then take their creations home to share with their families.

This project was a bit advanced for my younger girls- they were happy just decorating with sprinkles- I had fun- I think they did too!

How to Make "Anthropologie" PonyTail Elastics

Did you see these ponytail elastics at anthropologie?  They look exactly like a knotted piece of fold over elastic to me.   To make your own take five or six inches of fold over elastic (I purchased mine from an etsy supply shop- it comes in a bunch of colors), fold in half, knot the ends together, put fray check on the raw edges, allow to dry and trim off any excess fuzzies- all done.

9/26/11- I LOVE these hair elastics- they don't leave your hair all bumpy and rippled like the generic hairbands from the store.  I'll be making these again.

I've been making a few headbands with removable flowers.  I'm finding that they are always "almost"- almost what I was hoping for, almost right, almost..., almost...

I need a snazzy craft partner to push projects up a notch!