Christmas 2005...

I am almost caught up... there are a missing couple of pages. I need to get more pics printed!

Memory Quilt...

So, I know I am safe to post this... mom isn't on the "blog scene" very much, if at all...
This is her Christmas gift... em and my "sisters" (sisters-in-law, really... I have ALL brothers...) put together...
Let me explain..
In October, mom, dad, Kevin & Randee, went on a little trip to Yellowstone. While there, it was cold and rainy, and thus, icy. They took a little drive and soon came upon a woman, waving them down in the middle of the road. As mom was trying to slide to a stop, Kev jumped out of the car; there were two vehicles upside down in the river. He helped people out of their vehicles and up the steep river bank. Dad was up the road stopping on coming vehicles, and mom and Randee were wrapping what blankets thery had around those who were coming out of the freezing water. When the people were transported to the hospital, the blankets went with, one was a memory quilt that mom made for Christmas a couple of years age. She made one for each of us, and one for her.
The idea behind the memory quilt, is to find patterned fabrics that represent memories. She called all of our spouses parents to get some memories, and added to our own, and made the quilts. On the quilt that she made, there is a square with kids in capes, I think we all loved to pretend to be superheroes at one point in time; cherries, for grandpa and grandma's cherry tree we loved to climb and eat cherries from; Elvis, that's for me! A Christmas square to represent Christmas our individual memories; a soccer square for Randee; peppers for mom and dad's salsa making ventures; Strawberry Shortcake, me, again, well, granddaughters now too... so you get the idea?
We made her one to try and replace the one she lost. We made it with a twist though... the grandchildren drew a picture on some of the squares of something they love to do with grammy... and what fabric I could find, was incorporated in it. I know mom did some major hunting... I had a hard time finding more than I did.

Sit, Chat, and Finish THAT...

Today, we had an impromptu "Sit, Chat, and Finish THAT"... basically an afternoon of finishing projects with a bunch of friends, a variation of a "crafternoon". It all snowballed because of Brooke and her "foster child"... we are all using her sufficiently! Once others found out the whereabouts of her location today, they all converged here, eventually. The snow made for a fun, cold, chatty day.
I got my Christmas cards all done! After Peyton's ordeal was over, I finally felt in the mood to get these cranked out...
So, if you get one, be surprised, act like you've never seen it before... ;)
Christie was working on a few things... this darling tutu being one of them...
Peyton's not sad, just shedding a few tears of joy over how cute she is...
Ashley lived-up the part of being tutu model...
As did I...
Jaclyn suggested that we form our own type of "Red Hat Society", but, instead, wear tutus... I live the idea!
We made so many other things... many of which cannot be shown until post-Christmas wrapping thrashing...

Winner...

Congrats Rachael!!!
You are the proud new owner of an item that I think will be highly appreciated in your home...
Again, many thanks goes out to Random.org, and their list randomizer... the link is for you Ally :)

QUICK!!! A gift...

I thought I was on top of it all... snack for Ashley's pre-school Christmas party: check. Green shirt laid out for her "wear green day": check. Then I came across a well-timed e-mail from her teacher....
GIFT EXCHANGE!!!!
It was nearly 11 pm... I had spent the latter part of my afternoon running errands, and I did not want to go back out. What did I have at home?
Think, think, think...
Triangle crayons... (did you know they aid in the development of small children and their writing skills?) I bought these for one of Peyton's gifts, like she can really use the crayons, yet...
What to go with the crayons...
I had these little notebooks on hand. Cut cute paper, used the Xyron to attach it to the little book, ink the edges, tie a ribbon, and punch a cute little name plate...
There it was... my LAST MINUTE gift.
P.S. The little girl who got it, put both items to her cheeks and said, "I love them!!" She was even more excited when she discovered she could put HER name on it. And I was afraid it would be lame-o...

Snuggie...

Ashley was my helper today... I was making Lynn's Christmas gift. She has got to be the funniest kid ever!! She saw the commercial on TV for "the snuggie", the blanket with sleeves, and she wants one sooo bad. She reminds me of Kevin who, every year around Christmas, would tell us he wanted a "Chia Pet"... so maybe Lynn isn't the silliest kid after all.
So I made her one. Ash was my helper to make sure it fit, and worked... now I just need to hope that she can keep it a secret, or just forget all about it...

Knit...

I've been working on this nights for the past week... just cozied-up in bed, knitting!
Next cozy project(s)... a "no knit" scarf Jacks did... and another hat for Pey. Oh... I have plenty more in the works... I am not at all ready for Christmas... only 10 days?!

Another give away!!!

I got the idea from a block I got from Grandma W. after she passed. I saw it, and immediately thought of my girls... this fits them perfectly! This time of the year holds a lot of excuses and explaining for them...
So, here's another one... same rules... leave a comment about a "Santa" memory. Link me from your blog, bonus! Brookers and Rach are the only ones who got bonuses last time...
Promise... you and Ken really need this... the two of you will have some explaining to do someday.. (wink, wink!)
Oh yeah... good luck!

UFOs...

Jaclyn taught me a cuter, non-creepy use for this acronym... Un-Finished Objects.... that's what I have been busy working on. It sure helped that I needed to clear off my window sill in order to keep the cold out.. but I procrastinated because I miss the natural light... and discovered a few things that needed my attention... just a few details and they were finished!
Here are a few:
Bathroom wall...
Peyton's name blocks...
Peyton's "Baby's First Christmas" ornament... I used the same method and steps as the memory blocks, but as the last step, drilled a hole, just big enough in the top, to glue (using E6000) a brad with my rick rack tucked underneath, to hang it up. It's a 1 1/4 inch cube that I bought at JoAnn's.. Brooke inspired me!
Peyton's month by month layout.. What?!? Only three more spots empty!?!
A layout damaged by spilled water.. happened during mom's Sunday nap when dad was "watching the kiddos"... before:
After...

Pine Cone Ornamants...

This is an oldie (really.. my inspiration came from the small one to the right that I made when I was a sunbeam.. circa 1983?...) but a goodie! It was a fun activity to be had on our cold, snowy afternoon...
All you need are:
pine cones, dry not from our snowy ground today :)
glue, Elmer's is awesome!
glitter
ribbon or yarn
First, start by tying your ribbon or yarn snugly around the base of your pine cone. Then, squeeze glue, however you want (that's when you let the kids have at...), all over your pine cone and then sprinkle glitter on it. Shake off excess glitter. Let dry well!
I used gold glitter on ours... it doesn't show up so well in pics... but pretty in reality!
I wish I had only taken a pic of Nathan's hands after he tried to make himself all glitzy...

Winner!

Thank heavens for Random.org...
Congrats... Jen!
Watch here... later tonight, hopefully, for a new give-away...

Another give away!!!

These are some cute pinchie magnets to help you keep track of all those fun holiday invites... they make a fun and simple neighbor gift, but they do require those hard to find page pebbles...
Same rules apply... leave a comment about whether you make or buy (sell-outs ;)...) your Christmas cards...
... post a link on your blog = bonus!

Cupcakes..

I made these cuties for the ward party Friday...
I thought they turned out pretty cute... maybe I am back on track!
It was made easier chatting away with mom here while I decorated...

Winners!!!

Thanks to Random.org (so people won't think this was fixed ;)...) we have winners!
The infant dress (+ accessories..) goes to Christie...
The toddler dress (+ accessories..) goes to KDance... send your address to mindypitcher@comcast.net.
Congrats!!!
Watch for another Christmas give away later tonight :)

Smile Pey...

Four-score and over a week ago, I downloaded the 30 day trial of Photoshop Elements 7... I was so excited to learn how to "stitch together" images when you scan them in, perfect to post my layouts with (when I get to scrap:)...) my computer doesn't have enough memory to support the running of the program, and even though I am sooo excited to learn the program (been trying for over a week now...) and maybe even one day buy it... I'm just gonna have to live with my ghetto "take a pic of my layout" picture taking skills.
Ah, that's okay, my scanner isn't a true 12 incher, which doesn't help with Photoshop, and it isn't a flat bed either... not a plus... one day...
P.S. I almost forgot to post the inspiration for my layout!!! I scraplifted many of the ideas on this page from Jennifer McGuire's layout featured in the June 2008 CK... I hate to not give credit where credit is due;)

"Oh Snap!"

This is a cake that I am happy with! Thanks for the inspiration Christie!

A give away a... week?...

Trying to get in the mood of the season... as we were putting-up the tree yesterday, I stopped and said to Mer, "Didn't we just do this?" Time goes by so much faster now! I feel like just maybe, if there were some snow, I'd feel more jolly in spirit...
So I am doing whatever it takes to get into the spirit...
How about a give away.. or two!
Rules are the same as always, leave a comment with a favorite memory (there will be more Christmas-ey give aways, so be thinking of those favorite holiday things!), advertisement on your blog and participants from your blog get you bonus entries!

#1: A toddler (it fits Lynn and Ash...) pillowcase dress with jingle socks and bows....

#2: An infant pillowcase dress with curly jingle bows and jingle socks.
Make sure you specify which one you are interested in!
Thanks to Darlene for donating socks and bells so I could finish them with my mad crochet skills ;) and Christie for showing me her secrets to an awesome bow!
Good Luck!

Turkeys...

Mom made these cuties yesterday with the girls...
Rice crispy treat bodies, feet and feathers are the fudge striped cookies, corn candies, M&M's and chocolate frosting for the glue..
So simple (hello, Ashley and Lynn did them...), so yummy (um.. Ash ate hers on the way home...), and so cute (see the above pic?!)!

Cape...

Funny how things work out... I have had the desire and stuff to make this "Word Girl" cape for Ashley for Christmas, and wouldn't you know it, there was a request for tips on cape making!

Aartee said...
So cute! I want to do capes for my nephews for Christmas but have never actually used a sewing machine and always stick to smaller sewing projects....can you help????
Me and my helpful model, Lynn, here, will certainly try! (She was so great, she knows how to keep a secret!)

First, take measurements. How long do you want it to be? If you want to do the option I have pictured, measure the chest across too. Or you can opt for ties to tie it around the neck or even velcro. I also measured her shoulders, across her back, where the top of this cape is designed to lie.
I wanted Ashley's cape to be about 20 inches long, so I cut it at 21 inches to allow for seams.
The width at the top I cut at 12.
Hopefully you can see in the pic, the lines where I drew to cut. I bought a yard of fabric, folded it in half again, and I cut it on the fold. 4 layers cut on the fold = 2 layers for the cape.
I assembled the chest piece first, using one of her shirts as a guide, making sure my measurements fit in. I sewed around all the edges, leaving a little gap to turn it right side out. Then I pressed it, top-stitched the edges, and added my "Word Girl" symbol. I did the same thing with the cape.
I used Lynn as my fitting guide to see where the right side of the chest piece should lie on the cape when on the body (laying it flat, pinning it, and sewing it in place, would result in too small an arm hole...) and sewed just the right side of the chest piece to the cape.
I added velcro tabs to the left side of the chest piece and cape to make it all stay on.
There you have it...
My secret is intact!
"Word Up!"

My skirt...

I have had a skirt pattern for a few months now... the fabric, a little summer-y, but a couple of weeks ago, I found this fabric at Jo-Ann's. It is perfect for fall! I kept putting it on the back-burner, getting other projects done... Christie said she wanted to see me in it Sunday... so Saturday, I got to it.
The pattern, I forgot, runs small... so I bought one for sizes 6, 8, 10, & 12, thinking, I wouldn't be larger than a 12!?
Um... according to the measurement chart, I am between a 16 and an 18...
Bag the pattern.
I busted-out one of my favorite fitting skirts, and made my own pattern.

Memory Blocks...

This was featured on Good Things Utah, about four years ago. Rusty Pickle did the demonstration and I love doing these! They make such fun, personalized, and inexpensive gifts.

Here's what you need:
a wood block (deck posts are great for this, they'll even cut them for you at Lowe's!), some companies, Making Memories is one that I know of, sell them.
pictures (printed professionally, i.e. Wal-Mart, Costoco, etc. If you print them using your ink-jet printer at home, the ink usually runs when you top coat them.)
paper and/or paint
rub-ons
embellishments
stamps
StazOn ink
Scissors, decorative edge scissors are fun too (see my scalloped circle at the bottom..)
paper trimmer
pencil
punches
Modge Podge (They used PVA bookbinding adhesive, more $$$ but Modge Podge works just as well... I tried 2 blocks, one each way.)
foam brush
emery board or sanding block
Judikins Diamond Glaze (optional, but my favorite!)
Or you can digitally compose the bottom layer (pics, paper, rub-ons, embellishments, etc..) and just move right along with your bad self! My friend Jenny did this, and it was awesome! This also helps cut out the bulk and 3-d-edness of traditional embellishments, makes them flat.

The first step would be to get that block sanded so it's smooth, especially on the edges. The sides really don't matter, since they will be covered.
Next either paint or adhere papers, or both! You do this by tracing the side of the block to be covered, cutting it out, and adhering it down with the Modge Podge, be generous! Smooth out any lumps or wrinkles before it dries! Or paint. Up, down, side to side... however you prefer. Once all sides are covered or painted, and dry, sand the edges down. This ensures that you have no straggly paper edges hanging out where you don't want them later. I also like to ink the edges of the block, sand again, and sometimes re-ink to make it have that aged appearance.
Usually, while the above step is in the drying process, I prep my pictures. I cut them down to the size I want, sometimes ink the edges of the pictures so they pop, mount them on papers, put rub-ons on them, you know...
After you've gotten your base to be the way you want it, then get those pictures on. This step uses the Modge Podge too. Be generous!
You can layer on word strips and any other embellishments over your pictures too. After they are dry, I like to stamp on them directly. That's where the StazOn comes in, it won't run or bleed.
Once you have all pictures and embellishment on and the Modge Podge is dry, top coat your whole block, one side at a time, to seal it all in. You can also use the Diamond Glaze, it has a harder finish, cleans up really well with Windex (cause you know everyone will leave their fingerprints picking up this baby and admiring it!) but does cost more than Modge Podge. The Modge Podge works just as well, just not as hard of finish. Let it dry, and re-coat if needed.
This is Peyton's block, I took the picture before I top-coated it, so there wouldn't be a cube-shaped glare, and you could actually see what's on the block :)

Much love and credit goes to Brookers for taking such sweet pics... thanks Brooke!

A PAGE?!?

I actually scrapped today.
Even though I had a million and one things to do today, I needed to do this for ME... wasn't as easy or as fast as it should have been with a crummy-feeling Pey helping out.. but oh-well. I got to scrap!
I am hunting for a copy of Photoshop Elements (hopefully), on eBay. Thanks to the November issue of CK, I now know how to scan in a 12x12 layout with my scanner, which is not 12x12, so I don't have to take pics, and have it look crummy... if you have experience, let me know what to look for, which is most user-friendly... I'd sure appreciate it!
Tomorrow, photo blocks...