Crafter's Weekly - Week 4

This week's challenge at AJcrazies was to make a child's toy.  I've had my project in mind for awhile, but since it required my husband's help, it didn't get done until Saturday night:)  (In all reality, it's not completed yet; it just looks like it is!)

When I was taking down calendars on January 1st, I decided it was such a waste to throw away my nice ones.  After all, they costed a pretty penny!  I decided to save them and make some children's puzzles. 

I just needed David to cut me some blocks to put them on!  We didn't have the wood, so I stopped by Parr to get a 4" x 8" x 8' piece of lumber.  He cut that down for me into 3 1/2" square blocks, and was able to make 50 of them!  For this project I used 9.  Clint sanded the sides down for me, but I realized when I went to use them that the edges weren't done.  When I asked for the sander, Reid found it for me, and then proceeded to sand them all.  I guess it ended up being a family affair!

I cut my picture into nine 3 3/8" squares.  Then I got my Mod Podge and spread that on one side.  I then added the picture and spread more Mod Podge on top.  By the time I got all 9 done I was able to turn the block and do another side, until all 6 sides were done with 6 different calendar pictures.  I still need to do at least one more coat of Mod Podge to finish them.

Next time I'd take a picture of all my pictures first, so I could put a copy with the puzzle.  I was trying to make the puzzle tonight and had a tough time, not knowing what the picture was supposed to look like.  I still can put the finished puzzle pictures with it.

These pictures came from John Sloane's FOUR SEASONS 2011 calendar.  These are 4 of the 6 sides.

Get a Horse!

Ripe and Ready

Home for Christmas

Gathering Gold

 A side view of the blocks.

I'm linking up with Aimee.

Crafter's Weekly - Week 3

This week's challenge at AJcrazies was to sew a bag using fabric you have on hand.  I've heard about and seen a few bags made with a Duct Tape lining.  I decided I wanted to make one of those.  They are waterproof.  It sounded like a good plan, but there must be a better/easier way to do it!!!

I had bought a remnant from Joann's last fall sometime that I decided to use for my bag.  It ended up being exactly the right size for my whole bag, handle and all. 

My bag ended up being very big!  For some reason, I didn't think it was going to end up so big.  I'm sure I'll like it for the right things, but I wouldn't suggest trying such a big one for your first time!  I didn't think of taking a picture of the inside, but here are my pictures.

A close-up of my flower.

I'm linking up with Aimee today.

Have a great week!

A Good Book!!

A couple months ago a friend on Facebook told about a book she'd just finished.  It was Before Green Gables, by Budge Wilson.  It is a prequel to Anne of Green Gables.  I thought it sounded interesting, so I promptly went to the FVRL website and placed it on hold for myself.

It's been quite a few years since I read the Anne series, but Anne in this book is just how I remembered her.  This book is so delightful.  If you like Anne at all, I think you will like this book.  So, hurry to your local library and get a copy to read yourself!  I didn't read it out loud, but I almost think it would be a fun one for kids to listen to. 

ENJOY!!!

Crafter's Weekly - Week 2

So this week's challenge over at AJcrazies was to knit something.  I used the knifty knitter and made a hat for my little sister, Morgan.  She didn't like the hat, and would pull it off . . . :)

 Walker went outside with PJs and boots this morning.

It's been steadily snowing all day since around lunch time.  Probably about 6 inches now.

Love and God's Peace,

Tara

Change

Finding money for an 8th grade sweatshirt ain't horribly hard, but a little bit . . . so I had counted up my quarters and it came out $29 even . . . lo and behold, the 8th grade sweatshirt cost $29 even.  

29 stacks, 4 in each stack:)

 AND, my cute little sister found a candy cane:)

 

Love and God's Peace,

Tara

P.S. Check back sometime on Monday for my Crafter's Weekly post.  I did it!!!

Crafter's Weekly - Week 1

Tara and I are joining Aimee at AJcrazies this week for her new Crafter's Weekly.






The challenge this week was to make a scrapbook page layout that uses fabric scraps.  Here is Tara's page.  The brown and white gingham and the red behind her photo is fabric.

I used a sketch I found online for my layout.

I used fabric for my journaling. 

Our fathers were both over for Father's Day last year.  Usually I don't get pictures, but I decided to ask if we could take some this time.  I'm so glad I did.  Looking back now, after Mom has been gone, I wish I had more pictures.  So many times I brought my camera but was too lazy or didn't want to interrupt and get pictures taken.

We're so happy to be taking part in this challenge.  I know it's only the first week and we won't manage to do something every week, but it feels good to get a project done that wouldn't have happened otherwise!  I hope more of you will join in!!

Love, Elva & Tara

Cute Outfit

Here's a cute little outfit I just finished.  It's a long overdue baby gift.  If I would've planned on just buying something, my great niece would've gotten her gift months ago!

I made the little flower pin for the shirt, but since I haven't tried such a thing on Morgan, I'm not sure how practical it will be for a baby.  I think it's really adorable:)  Since it's just a pin, her mother can decide whether it will work and can just remove it if necessary.

I really have 3 quilts to work on right now, so I made myself sew this before I could start on my quilts.  I'm really excited to work on them, so it got me moving!!

I'm hoping to link up with Aimee at AJcrazies for her Crafter's Weekly on Monday, so maybe I'll be accomplishing something else, too!

Hope you have a great weekend.

Sugar Cookies

I've made many different sugar cookies over the years, but these were by far the best!  It's the first recipe of cutout cookies I thought I'd want to make again.  They tasted absolutely delicious . . . and were very easy to work with.  Thanks for the recipe, Nadine:)

My sister made some sugar cookies with crushed candy cane and I thought they were so good, I had to give them a try, too!

I gave a few plates of cookies to some of our neighbors.  As you can see, I didn't decorate them very fancy.

Sugar Cookies

Cream together 1 cup butter and 8 oz. softened cream cheese.  Beat in 2 cups sugar.  Add 2 eggs, beating well after each.  Add 1 tsp. baking soda, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. vanilla.

Beat well and add in 4 1/2 cups flour.

Chill dough for one hour.

Roll out on floured surface to 3/8" thick.  Cut into desired shapes.  Bake at 350 until edges are golden brown.  (About 10 minutes)*

Let cool and frost with frosting.

Makes approximately 4 dozen cutout cookies.

Frosting

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

4 tbsp. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

3-4 tbsp. milk

Mix together until smooth and spreadable.

(Need about 2 batches of frosting for 1 batch of cookies.)

I baked all of my cookies for exactly 10 minutes.

I'm linking up with Aimee at AJcrazies.