Gingerbread Party

I had my first experience actually baking gingerbread and I doubt that I would ever do that again. It was fun to have any excuse to use my mixer but that is about it.

Decorating was really the fun part. Everyone had their own graham cracker house and then we worked on the big house together. Everyone was very creative is was rather unexpected. Highlights in my opinion were the star tree and cinnamon toast crunch for the roof.

Random Pics:

Family Birthdays

So I loved the idea of this since when I first saw one of these but because I am crazy and couldn't settle on one that I really liked I did my own spin- wood burning. Yes, another one of those I bought this cool wood burning thing ten years ago because I thought it might be fun but I never actually used it until now (unless you count that first week when I "practiced" all over the place).

I have a large family on my mom's side and gave this away as a gift to my grandma. People tried to make requests for their own after they saw it but I was too burned out. Wood burning is a slow and uneven process which I am not sure I can really recommend but the results were mostly good.

I was too lazy to stain or paint and I realized quickly that the wood of the sign seemed lighter than the wood the chips. I tied on some bows to separate them and called it good. Like I said it was gift and there was a time frame I had to make. Still countless compliments make this worth the time and cost (I forgot to use coupons and it required wood and such that I didn't just have on hand.

You need:

• A plaque piece to write "family birthdays" or your family name or whatever ( I want to say mine was like 16-18 inches long)
• The wooden circles for however many family members you have
• The hook screws (definitely not the technical name)
• Jump rings
• pliers
• a drill
• wood burning tool (or paint, or sharpie or something to write with)
• ribbon
• um I think that was it

And then this is what you get :)

 Note: Check all your names and dates before you complete this project. I took these pictures on my phone after I had already given this to my grandma looks like switched Ben and Charlie's birthdays (oops!).

Reusable Bags

I am sure I originally found this on pinterest too. I know the tutorial I used came from Skip to My Lou. I am not sure if the finished dimensions were exactly what I was expecting but I loved the project and ended up making one for my mom too.

When I got my grandmothers old table sewing machine I also got some great fabrics. I could have gotten tons and tons more but my husband already complains about crafts everywhere:) For mine I used some of these for my mom's I went to Joanns and tried to pick some that I thought she would like.

I had envisioned grocery store bag size but it ends up flatter and I use as a purse instead. After I was using the bag all the time I though I should have added a pocked so instead I made myself that little zipper pouch on the side. (and yes, I am too lazy to take my stuff out or you might have gotten a better picture)

 I am not sure why this one looks so squashed. I guess I can't computer as well as I would like hehehe.

 These are the colors that I used on my moms and I did add some pockets to the inside. Well I guess technically they are reversible but I still think of the more patterned side as the outside. I think they were a bit high because the bag doesn't have much structure like a real purse when you put things in the pockets the weight is kinda funky. So instead of roughly an inch down and four or so inches high I would recommend moving the pockets down.

I use mine virtually everyday and am considering making more for gifts... and myself :)

1st Comment

I couldn't believe it I about had a heart attack when I saw it. I had my first comment!!!! Yes, I only now realized it and it was like 3 weeks ago but it was the most pleasant surprise. So I am going to a) try to blog more and b) try to not just chit chat on here but try and give more pointers and better directions. No promises though :-P

I had another first this week. We had our first sleepover since I finished my pillow cases. My nephew came over last Friday. I don't think he noticed or cared but I did!

So, long ago maybe 2ish years my mom and I were at Michaels and I got inspired. I had done simple cross stitch projects as a kid which usually ended up half finished and kinda disappointing but I am older now and felt inspired. So I was browsing the sewing section and noticed a number of pillow cases and fell in love. It wasn't cross stitch it was preprinted embroidery. I decided why not.

I finished 1.5 of 2 pillow cases that came in the set I picked around the same time as I bought it but maybe 6 months ago I actually finished the second one. I highly recommend this project for these reasons:

• It wasn't as time consuming as I thought
• It can be done while televisioning.
• It cost maybe $15 for the set (maybe a good gift?)
• I had to learn about 3 stitches for the whole project
• The end result is great if I do say so myself.

Ok, so I don't iron pillow cases (or really much of anything) give me a break :)