What do you know, I can sew!

Well, sort of. I was the award winner for Home Ec my freshman year of high school. But I truly believe it's because the student teacher sewed my entire jumper. (Which I never wore by the way.) We're still friends and we always laugh about that:)

I follow a blog and saw this idea. I also read these directions. I knew I could do it. If it doesn't require a sewing machine it doesn't really worry me.

You'll need:

A t-shirt to wear
A t-shirt to cut (I got mine at Goodwill)
Scissors
A Pen
A cookie cutter or template
Needle and thread
I put the cookie cutter on the inside of the shirt and traced around them with the pen until I had about 20. I then cursed under my breath as I used scissors that were bought specifically for fabric, hidden where only I could find them, and then savagely stolen to be used to cut paper, hair, food, and whatever else my family could think of. Needless to say, it took me awhile.I simply put one down, sewed it into place with about three stitches and repeated that over and over again. I had the other websites open so I could glance at theirs from time to time.

Here it is all done.And here's how I looked after getting back from the Pioneer Woman's book signing. I thought it was worthy of her. Next up on my agenda...a ruffled shirt. A sewing machine would be handy to make the basting stitch...but I'm pretty sure I can make it work with just a needle and thread!

Stay tuned:c)

PW's necklace

**************UPDATED**************

Here's mine all finished.I'm in love.

I haven't been to The Affair of the Heart since McKinley was a baby. After my mom's death and my inheritance of all her possessions my home decorating changed from country/artsy crafty to traditional. But this year McKinley was invited by a friend and because of an event at church I ended up having to take her late and staying myself. It was still a lot of the country stuff but I did find a few things worth my money. But what I found the most of were ideas. Thanks to a tall friend and a cell phone I was able to get some pictures of some things I knew I could make.

I decided to make the first for The Pioneer Woman at her book signing.

I learned quite a few things to do wrong and a few things to do right.

Here we go.

You'll need:scrapbook paper, silver charms (size and shape of your choice), rhinestones, Mod Podge, a paint brush, and glitter.

And if you could please have some permanent pumpkin pieces (say that three times fast) on your floor, I'd appreciate it.

My paper had a sheen to it. It was pretty but meant that it took 2 1/2 years for the ink to dry. Well, not exactly. But I will say that I ruined about four before I got it to be smear free. Next time I will print in the morning and assemble at night. I found a pretty font and printed out the initials. Font size 72 is one inch and by measuring my charm I figured out that 14 would work best for me.

(Sorry for the lack of pictures but I get started and forget! I also had Mod Podge from my fingers to my elbows and was afraid to touch my camera.)

After it had an appropriate time to dry, I cut the letters out leaving a bit of space around each one. I then carefully held onto it and ripped around it so that it had rough edges. I covered the charm with Mod Podge and stuck the paper on. I Mod Podged around the edges being careful not to get it on the printing because it will smear. (Don't ask me how I know that.) While it was still wet I used tweezers to place the rhinestone and sprinkled the whole thing with glitter. I set it down to dry and later shook off the excess glitter. The last step was going to my local do-it-yourself jewelry store and buying a chain.

Here it is all finished and boxed up. Sure hope she liked it!

Now, who wants to make one for me?? I'd like one for each of my girls. An M, K, and R.

Anyone?

Oh fine.

Guess I better get busy!

Done!

I finished my monogrammed permanent pumpkin last night. Shawn finally showed me how to add fonts to Word and I got everything set up.

I printed our name out and cut the letters apart. I taped them in place on the pumpkin and played around with the spaces and angles.After using the tool to cut out the letters I tooth picked the inner letter pieces back in place.I put in on the porch with two little flicker lights and Shawn and I admired my handiwork. He although didn't think it was enough light so soon we had a work light inside of it. The massive amount of light coming out the bottom is not to my liking so we're still on the lookout for the perfect light.But for now I think it's looks cute just sitting on my porch.

Now, on to another project. Stay tuned!

Permanent Pumpkins!

I was introduced to a new craft idea at a Girlfriends' Craft Night recently. What I lovingly refer to as Permanent Pumpkins.

I showed up at my friends house with my pumpkin, a drill, five different sized bits, and an idea in my head that I'd seen somewhere on the internet. Everyone else used the little pumpkin carvers as I tried to remember how to put a bit on the drill. I finally did it and started drilling. The first hole made a mess. The second one made a bigger mess. By the time I finished about 40 holes, I (and everything around me) was covered in permanent pumpkin pieces. My friend Kristi pulled out her vacuum and the two of us (the vacuum and I) had a very intimate moment that didn't last long enough. I then begged to please clean up a little more. It was quite a mess.But the mess was worth it! It looked just like the picture in my head.

Here are a few of the others created.I went to Hobby Lobby the next day and bought another one. It's twice as big and will soon have our name carved into it in some cute font.

But for now I have this one. It looks better on my porch, trust me. My kitchen cutting board doesn't do it justice!

Magnets

Almost a year ago I got a wild hair, hare...which is it? Hmmm....

Anyway, I decided to make some magnets. I had an old humongous frame that I wanted to use as a magnetic bulletin board in Shawn's office. I painted the frame black and bought a piece of sheet metal that lucky for me fit perfectly. I had no desire to cut sheet metal.

For the first set I needed letters so the girls and I scoured magazines looking for everything. Can I just say that there are not enough K's in magazine headlines. We needed three. Finding the letters was hard, but Mod Podging them on and hot gluing a magnet on the back took all of 30 minutes. That was mainly dry time. They ended up costing a little over ten cents a piece.

After we'd made the names we also cut out some cute patterns or pictures.I ended up making another magnetic board for the girls room.After those turned out so well we decided to use some leftover scrapbook paper and made more.I ended up selling quite a few at a home craft show and even to a friend that came over this summer.

Now I just need to make a magnetic board for me. My magnets have to live on the refrigerator. I guess waiting for someone to make a board for me isn't going to work out.

Oh well, at least I have a cute fridge!