A handmade gift

I don't know about you but I love receiving a handmade gift...something someone has crafted themselves just for me. I love that! I love all the gifts we received when our daughter was born, but one that stuck out to me was a handmade hooded towel by my friend Bobbie. As a mom of little ones that are growing older, those little baby hooded towels are so sweet and so snugly, but they quickly grow to too short and too small. As my daughter has grown and is now almost 4, she can still use this pink sweet hooded towel. It's so great because she has lots of long hair and it is so warm and cozy and she feels warm after her bath. While I started putting away her baby towels and teeny bathrobes, I realized I am going to need to purchase her some new towels and I realized I should make more hooded towels. Now, for someone who struggles threading my bobbin, I thought this was an impossible feat, but I found a great website that I go to when I make these (because I always forget the directions) and make theses sweet towels. http://www.makeandtakes.com/easy-hooded-bath-towel

For my nephew last year for Christmas, I made him at least two, I think. And for our son for Christmas this year, I made him two. Our daughter's original towel is made with a ribbon around the hood, which is how I made our little girl's extra two and my nephew's. My poor son does not have his decorated at all, so I'll have to work on that! My best friend from college just had a baby!! And I thought, I'll make her one for her little one. I decided to try my hand at lettering, and no I do not have an embroidery machine. I think the last time I did lettering was in Middle School and made a FMS pennant. My pennant was made with felt and did not move, so I tried just fabric and I struggled and tried to give up, but I think it turned out nice. I know it's not perfect and I have a lot to learn! Next time I may use fleece instead, as I am afraid my lettering will fray, sorry Kel! Here's a photo of my hooded towel for my sweet friend Kel and my "niece" Ava!

Disclaimer: I realize my lines are not near straight, but I am learning and trying! I just hope she enjoys it as something of her own! If you or anyone would be interested in a hooded towel, I enjoy making them and would love to share with you too! Just let me know!

Another reason

Another reason my writing has been so few and far between would be the many projects that I have assigned myself to. One is the new projects I have started making. As 2011 rang in, there was, on Facebook a craft-it-forward project. This project was to sign up under someone else's status to get a craft from them, in exchange for you to craft-it-forward to 5 others. So I have received my very fun magnets from my good friend Tammy and was all inspired to try something new, out of the box! My mom received a very neat gift for Christmas from a student. It was a trivet with her name written and stamped snowman on it. It was so cute and simple, but my mom thought it would be something I should do. I didn't even know where to begin or how to even attempt it. But after looking online and watching some tutorials I found a new hobby/craft that I love doing. I can make coasters, trivets or art with this simple trick. It just takes a little Mod Podge, tile and a little imagination and I start crafting away. Here are a few of the projects I have done:

I love any verse about the Lord being my refuge and have been meaning to post it somewhere...so I finally did it! I just need to get a book stand so that I can set it up right! The letters are from my cricket.

This is from left over boarder wallpaper from our kitchen. This is my favorite to work with.

This is a trivet.

I love this vellum paper and how the tiles look through the paper! 

I got a little excited with the stickers, but this was for a friend whose living room is decorated in hunting. I like how they turned out!

I am just so thrilled to have this new idea and I am hoping to be able to give them as gifts for weddings or at showers. What new crafts have you found?

Struggling to write

So over the last weeks, there has been ALOT of snow and ice and we have been stranded at home for days, but it seems we have found things to do around the house and have been so busy that my writing has been put on the back burner. So here we are, and I have a lot to share. For one thing, if you haven't tried it you should: Host a House Party! http://houseparty.com/events
I had never heard of this until I was reading my informative couponing blogs this fall and I saw one for Shutterfly (which I am a huge proponent of). I felt though the application was, well reminded me of, the college essays I wrote for applications. I tried my best and wrote what I felt was the right things and I did not get chosen. So a few weeks/months later I saw they were going to have a COFFEE-MATE House Party. I signed up for this one and the application was so much less intense. I was chosen!! They gave you several scenarios to choose from for your House Party and I chose the Cafe Bistro Coffee Party. I received a package in the mail filled with fun items: a new heart-shaped silicone cupcake pan, a red COFFEE-MATE apron, cups and napkins and creamer and coffee samples. They also sent recipe cards and a recipe notebook where the recipe cards can be filed! I also received about 12-15 coupons for FREE COFFEE-MATE!!!! I was so excited! I invited friends from church and home to enjoy the event. I had a group of about 15 and it was so enjoyable to just spend time together and relax. The evening went beautifully and I loved having friends and family in my home. I did not have to do a presentation, as some House Parties you do. They sent a few talking points and so I put them on table tents around my house so my guests could read at their leisure. For my friends who did not like coffee, I provided Hot Cider, which they still tried the COFFEE-MATE by adding the caramel vanilla to their cider and they loved it. At the party, if I took at least 5 pictures and sent them in, I also received a $5.00 amazon card! Which I love to use for purchasing a new book for my kindle off my wish list! It seems on their website (CoffeeMate, that is) that they are doing more House Parties, so sign up! Currently right now, Johnsonville, Green Works and Singer Sewing Machines are doing house parties. It's a great way to try new products, and sometimes enjoy getting them for free or at a very reduced rate! I love opening my home and this was a fun way to have friends and family over to visit!
Here are some pictures from the party: