Inspired By Mimi

2010 Brand New School Year

2010-09-23T03:40:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone? It seems to be the theme around this blog. I can't believe I haven't blogged since January. It's October....what have we been up to? Whatever it was...it must have kept me off blog world for a while.

We've been keeping up with school. We even schooled some during the summer. I know...call me crazy...but what else are the kids going to do when its 105 degrees outside. I'd rather let them do school during the summer and let them play a little more in the fall and spring.

Well, get ready for some updated pictures....hopefully the picture walk will take you through what we've been doing all year!

The big girls played tennis this year. They loved it! Of course, Autumn had to have her own racket too!

Science Fair Projects: Mikayla doing the Water Cycle, Hannah doing Mummification (of a hotdog). 3/10

Art Fair 3/10 Hannah's Koala bear watercolor, Mikayla's Jar Watercolor and Charcoal

Hanging out at the Zoo with Abigail.

Making an Eco System so we can live on Mars. (Studying Mars in Apologia Astronomy)

Fieldtrip to Birmingham to the American History Village. Here we are choosing which George we want to run our country. King George or George Washington.

Our American History co-op that went to the Birmingham Fieldtrip

It's snowing....Fun in February....what better way to spend a cold day at home!!!

Mrs. Sharon showing us how to sew. We love Mrs. Sharon and have fun learning at 4-H.

Black eyed Susan's from the garden 2010

2010-08-19T22:17:00.000-07:00

Our Flowerbeds 2010-Early Spring

2010-08-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

While the heat has taken its toll on our beautiful flowerbeds, this year was a beautiful year to look out our back window.

Lots of New Things!

2010-08-19T21:41:00.001-07:00

So I've been a little busy this year, I guess too busy to post. Lots of new things, I've made. I've been inspired by all you crafters and sewers out there! Usually the things I make end up being gifts because its so fun to give handmade gifts. Sometimes, I am able to sell a few things. That helps us so much while we are on our homeschooling journey. If anyone is interested in any of these items for purchase, let me know!

Jennifer

Post it note holders

Hannah's love of fashion...Santa just knew!

2009-12-25T23:17:00.000-08:00

One of the things Hannah received from Santa was a Harmunka doll. It is basically manikin with a slot in the back you can tuck strips of fabric into so that the front will make out fits...just like a fashion designer.

Hannah LOVES this thing. I went rummaging through my scraps and found her some more material to get creative with...no way I'm paying $5 for more scrap material...I have tons of that.

Here are some shots of her latest fashion line:

Watch out world...who knows where this will go to....

Leg Warmers from tube socks

2009-12-25T23:06:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to try these forever!!! So I found a pack of 3 at Big Lots for $5 and thought I 'd try them. Leg Warmers for kids and toddlers.

These were sooooo easy. I did them tonight while packing...yes...I am a little add and ocd....but sometimes thats good...haha...

Here they are!:

This is how the started...snip ....snip...snip...

This is how they ended....it was a 5 min affair...LOVE THEM!!!

I'll try to see which victum in my house will try them on very soon!

This is where I got the idea from and the tutorial...http://sewingdork.blogspot.com/2009/10/diy-legwarmers-and-giveaway.html

I love personalized things

2009-12-25T22:19:00.000-08:00

I love them...I do...Am I too cheap to have them done...well...um yes...more like have to make due with the money we have and monogramming is not on top of the budget list...

But tonight I found this awesome little way to embroidery names on things....I am so going to try it this next year!

Nikki, in stitches...cute blog gave the insturctions on how to do this!

Can't wait to try it on a few things!

Cute skirt from a fitted sheet-tutorial

2009-12-24T20:12:00.000-08:00

I found the cutest tutorial. If anyone knows me and my sewing they know I LOVE to make things from sheets...there is so much material there and I LOVE to find a great deal...usually Target is my place for both.

I was doodlebuggin' around on the computer today and found this great blog...called While they sleep...and it has the cutest skirt...that I can't wait to make...so what if I have no fitted sheets for the beds...we will all have lots of skirts!!!!

Check it out!!!

Our First Christmas Fire & Girls in their Snowman Pillowcase Dresses

2009-12-21T13:05:00.000-08:00

Chad was so excited to make his first fire for us this winter. He worked so hard (we didn't have any kindling but had plenty of shred material (I know, I know-its not good for the fireplace). It looked so beautiful!

Here is a picture of the girls in their snowman pillowcase dresses too. I guess this will probably be the last year I can dress them like this...Hannah is "much too old " to wear these (she thinks). I love how "Little House on the Prairie" the look.

On my to do list: After Christmas

2009-12-20T17:51:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy getting Christmas presents made and bought, that I haven't made time to do some things I really have been WANTING to do!!!

My list for 2010:
Get busy on oilcloth chalk cloth crafts...I can't wait to get some of this ordered and things made!!!

1.Here is one of the ideas of many I want to try with the chalk cloth: Chalk Cloth Fun!!!

2.Redo Chairs I found in the trash...yes...I am a trash digger...LOVE, Love, LOVE to recycle things...

Christmas Letter '09

2009-12-13T18:09:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas,

This is the first year of many we’ve been able to write a Christmas letter. Just like most of you, we’ve been busy, busy!

We are still home schooling. Hannah is in third grade and Mikayla is in second grade. Autumn just celebrated her second birthday and thinks she is in school too.

Chad is working at MS Valley Title and is very happy there. He has just recently moved over to their Canton courthouse and loves it. It puts him traveling 45 minutes one way to work, but he says it is worth it!

Chad has recently been very busy preparing for Pinelake’s (our church) Christmas Music program called Best Gift. By the time this reaches you, Chad will have performed in 5 performances in one weekend and many, many rehearsals. He has one short solo part and is singing in an ensemble. I am so proud of him being brave. I will be helping with the interpreting in our Friday performance. Chad is really enjoying his new found friendships with all his choir friends.

Chad has also started hunting again this year. He is very excited about it. He has even taken Mikayla out in the woods to hunt. She loved it too. Chad said she was the perfect little hunter, quietly watching and waiting for a deer to approach.

I am still signing at Pinelake with other interpreters as well as teaching Sunday school every now and then in the Deaf Ministry. I am very involved in our ReACHE home school group. I was just appointed to their board to take over the communications area. I basically created; run and update the ReACHE website and YAHOO group, as well as put together a newsletter quarterly for our members.

In June, I also started a website for our community called RankinKountyKids.com. This website is a database for fun things to do in and around our community (in our county) for parents and kids. It has been fun to put together, as well as a challenge to learn different types of HTML and CSS code on my own.

I’ve also been busy, busy teaching myself how to sew and knit on a loom. I’ve been able to make lots of fun things this year. Pillowcase dresses and twirly skirts have been fun to make. I’ve made several hats and scarves. As you can probably tell, I have a hard time sitting still.

These are hats for We Will Go ministry downtown.

Birthday gift for my niece.

The big girls went to sewing camp last June and had a blast! They both learned to hand sew and sew on a sewing machine. They made bags, skirts, purses, pillowcases, hair scrunches and many other things. They’ve sewed several times since then and have even sewed some Christmas gifts for family.

Hannah and Mikayla with the group of girls showing off their pillowcases and skirts they made during camp.

They have also started Karate this year. Mikayla picked it up right away and LOVED it. Hannah was a little more apprehensive about it, but is doing GREAT. They plan to test for their first belt after Christmas. Chad is taking karate with them.

Hannah went away to her first summer camp last May. She was gone for a week. It seemed like eternity for the rest of us. We couldn’t wait for her to return home. She had a great time. She also stayed with Nana and Pappy (Chad’ parents) and Misty and Marty (Chad’s sister and brother-n-law) this year. She is a girl who likes to travel.

Hannah also started her own little business making bubble magnets. It’s been lots of fun helping her in her creative ventures. I suppose it runs in our family.

Mikayla is more of a homebody but thrives in her environment. She has taught herself how to do handstands and back flips. She is doing excellent with her piano lessons. She will learn to play something, memorize it very quickly without having to look at the music again. She is one of those that tries something once and has it.

Autumn has learned sign language this past year using her Signing Time DVD’s she received for her last birthday. She signs all kinds of animals, foods, vehicles, emotions, and daily life signs. She is very shy with the camera so I’ll have to hold everything she has learned in my memory.

The girls are doing very well in school. They are involved with several co-ops this year. One is American History that meets once a month. So far they’ve learned about Christopher Columbus and William Bradford. They’ve even been geo-caching. Another Co-op they do once a month is PE. They get together with our home school group and play all kinds of school yard games and learn basic skills for different sports. Finally, the last co-op they are involved in is one that we do every other Friday with a dear friend and her daughter. We study different artists and try to recreate some of their techniques in an art project, they have piano lessons, learn praise and worship songs in ASL, and do review and a project from our Astronomy curriculum we study during the week.

A very exciting thing that happened this year for both Hannah and Mikayla (and us) is that they asked Jesus in their hearts. Hannah was baptized in February and Mikayla was baptized in November. It was very exciting for our family!!!

Mikayla's baptism

Hannah's baptism

As you can tell, we stay very busy but our life is blessed and we are thankful for God’s mercy, faithfulness and guidance in our life. We’ve lost much in the last few years, but have pulled together and grown closer through it all. We pray that you will have a great Christmas and especially a wonderful new year.

You can see what we do all year by visiting our blogs:

www.parkerplaceacademy.blogspot.com

www.inspiredbymimi.blogspot.com

www.hannahshappies.blogspot.com

www.rankinkountykids.com

and catch Chad and I on Facebook.

Chad, Jennifer, Hannah, Mikayla and Autumn. ~ 2009

Aunt Phyllis' Famous Thankgiving Dressing...

2009-11-25T15:47:00.000-08:00

For years (mostly my adult years), Mimi made this delicious dressing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can barely think of a holiday passing without making this or having it. I am sure she pulled it out of one of her MANY cookbooks but her daughters have renamed it "Aunt Phyllis' Famous Dressing".

I am not really one that's fond of the holiday foods...you could grill out hamburgers for all I care...but if I have to eat Turkey...this dressing makes the whole holiday to me.

I just finished preping it to cook it tomorrow. I can't wait to "go back home" when I put it in my mouth...

I think Mimi thought cheese could make just about anything better and toss in some yummy ground sausage...you have some melt in your mouth "yum"!!!!

Here is the recipe if you'd like to try it: (click on it to make it bigger)

Snowman Pennant

2009-11-09T18:29:00.001-08:00

I made this cute snowman pennant today! I hope I have time to make more!!! They are adorable!

Another hat for the homeless

2009-11-08T15:49:00.001-08:00

Fun scarf

2009-11-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

I finished this scarf in a day...so fun!!! This one was double knitted on the yellow long loom using bulky yarn. I NEED more yarn....

Mikayla's Baptism

2009-11-08T15:17:00.000-08:00

Listening to Mrs. Jennifer read Mikayla's testimony.

So proud of my sweet Mikayla today! It was the most awesome Children baptism service. Pinelake does a New Beginnings Class for children that want to ask Jesus in their heart. It is four weeks long and it involves making sure they know what kind of decision they are making and how to become a disciple.

Today was the culmination of the class. Her baptism. They told us that the parents could join them in the water, so Chad went while I had Autumn and Hannah in the audience. I didn't know but they let the parents baptize the children (Chad is an ordained deacon, but Pinelake's stance is just being a Christian, follower of Christ allows one to baptize). This was the most precious thing ever! A daddy baptizing his little girl...his sister in Christ. It was beautiful!

They all were able to take the Lord's supper and they clearly explained how the ceramony was a time to remember what Christ has done for us and examine our own lives and confess any sins we many have before partaking.

After this, we had a reception for all who were baptized and they awarded each child (who was baptized) a certificate of baptism and a beautiful Adventure Bible with their name on it, to start their journey getting to know who Christ is!

An exhausting day, but a beautiful one! We are entirely blessed!

Hats and Scarves...oh my!!!

2009-11-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

I've been down with Bronchitus this past week...so though I've had no physical energy...I've had to keep my hands busy...I hate staying still but when you have no get up and go...its hard to feel inspired to do anything...

Enter the knitting looms...they are just sitting there begging to be used to make something...so while I watched about 4 movies laying in the bed...I made these for the girls...

Hats for homeless project

2009-11-02T13:33:00.001-08:00

Our church is doing Hats for Homeless. My goal is to make 2 hats per week for the project. Here is my first one for it. I've made a couple for the girls so now I've had good practice. This one is made on the extra large yellow round loom. At first I thought it would be huge, but when you take it off the loom it tends to shrink up a bit. I think it'll be nice and cozy for whoever gets it. I made it with a combo of olive yarn and black chenille type yarn.

Sewing swap

2009-10-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

I was in a sewing swap recently. I received 2 half yards of fabric to make anything I wanted. Knowing that my person had 2 little girls, I decided to make as much as I could for them out of what she sent me.

I ended up making a crayon roll, a marker roll, 2 tote bags and a key chain. Fun stuff!

I have been bitten by the knitting bug!

2009-10-18T22:29:00.000-07:00

I have found this cool thing called a Knifty Knitter. I wanted to learn how to knit...but I really need to have someone show me how. So this is a meet in the middle kind of thing. I LOVE it. I've made 2 hats in 2 nights. Not perfect....but pretty close. These are so fun to make. I am going to teach the girls had to make them too! They love them and get excited when they see the colors blending!

It's Birthday time for my little niece

2009-10-05T21:40:00.000-07:00

Snowman Themed Skirt and Shirt outfit with headband and totebag to match.

This is the tutorial I found this skirt on.

The shirt with the yo-yo on it came at a light bulb moment and the rest of it just spilled out as I looked at what fabric I had left to play with!

It's Christmas come early! With a late October birthday, what's better than a great Christmas outfit! This definitely is crying out for some funky tights to go with it!

Still looking for a cute top to use for this skirt..Should I applique...should I add y-yo...hum??? What to do!!!

I am so excited to make one of my sweet niece's her birthday present this year. I've made her two twirly skirts. One I still have to get a shirt to go with it but the other one is all finished and looks oh so cute!

I found a tutorial on how to make a twirly skirt and just had to make it! Don't all girls love to twirls...smile!

Hope you enjoy!!

Fall Fabric Pumpkins=Had to try them!!!

2009-09-23T00:25:00.000-07:00

I found a tutorial here on these beautiful fabric pumpkins. I had to try them...I think they turned out super cute! What do you think???

Luggage Tags

2009-09-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

I've been having fun making luggage tags...

Mikayla making earrings

2009-09-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

I've had jewelry making items since Hannah was in kindergarten. I keep them around and since the girls have recently had their ears pierced...they've been very interested in making earrings...especially Mikayla. She wanted to make some last night. So LSU was on the top of the order.

I went ahead and made a pair too...they are too cute...both of them!

Hannah wanted to make a bracelet...so here is her creation too.

So I bought this crock pot....

2009-09-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

Crock Pot from Kohl's.

I have been eyeing and well REALLY wanting this crock pot for a while now...it was on MAJOR sale at Kohl's but all they had left was the display...and they would not sell it to me...that's how desperate I was to get this thing...anyhow...

Last Saturday, I broke down and bought it. I LOVE it. I bought it for $29.99. I've only used it once...we'll actually Chad used it to cook a deer roast...yummy!!! It is like my friend calls it..the cadillac...of crockpots. The reason I liked it at first is it matched my other appliances so I felt like I could leave it out on the counter...hoping...maybe I would use it more.

I am scouring for recipes now so when we go grocery shopping...I can plan meals. This way maybe Chad will actually not have to cook when he gets home...

Anyhow...just wanted to share...my exciting new crock pot with you guys!!!!

New-New Diaper Bag

2009-09-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

So...the new diaper bag that I made for Autumn has a huge ink spot on it...don't ask me how it happened...but of course, I had to make a new one for her. With a plethera of black and white zebra fabric left, I decided to make her one out of that.

I am the queen of recycling, so I found a pj top that I didn't wear and used that to make the lining. My sweet friend, Cristy, helped me figure out how to do the applique. I had also read a few tutorials on how to do this so between all of that, I figured it out.

I made little pockets inside for her milk and wipes box...they turned out good as well.

I think it turned out cute. Hannah suggested I make it smaller than the green polkadot...so I took her suggestion. I think it is better that way...not so much to lug around and not so much to try to look through and find what I am looking for....

They girls love to sew and make things...

2009-09-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

So the girls are hooked on sewing. A friend of mine gave the girls these little lambs. That night, they insisted they needed diaperbags to go along with them. So again with the mass of zebra print we had, we cut out some squares and rectangles and began to measure, iron, pin and sew. The girls had a great time and they were finished within an hour...pretty good for a 7 and 8 year old.

They insisted I sew a yo-yo on their bag. They turned out cute and Hannah even wanted to put "gussets' in the bottom so it would stand on its own. So, I showed her how to do that and she did it!

Mikayla's Birthday Dress

2009-08-20T22:15:00.000-07:00

She was so sweet to wait til we got back from Florida for me to make her dress...she was very understanding. So here it is with headband and all!

The girls bags they made for friends

2009-08-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

Going home

2009-08-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

Our family made our first trip back home since everything last summer. My anxiety level was at very high levels. When I arrived....everything came rushing back to memories of last summer. It was hard to face it. Here...I can move...fast...to keep from feeling the pain of loss...but there...it was in my face and I had to face it.

I failed to live in the Spirit as I had really hoped I would. I wasn't prayed up or Bible fed like I should have been and I know that had everything to do with it. My flesh overcame me with aggravation, irritation, anxiety and stress.

I wanted to be different, but I didn't take the steps necessary to prepare. I am thankful that my family was understanding and My God is forgiving and gives me a new start. I want a new start. I want to heal from these hurts and pray that God will help me do this. I know that God needs me to move on so I can serve Him and my family like I should. Praying for His healing!

Autumn's New Diaper Bag!

2009-08-03T22:11:00.000-07:00

I bought this decorator material on mega sale at Hancock's! I bought a yard and paid $3.00 for it! I loved the green polkadots. I used part of a bedsheet to make the lining with pockets. Now I just have to embelish it a bit!

Our flowerbeds...boy how they've grown!

2009-08-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

New Pillowcases for our living room

2009-08-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

The black and white pillow is the new pillow case for 2 of our pillows in our living room. We are changing things up a bit and going with a black and white theme. I still have to repaint our lamp from red to black but it is shaping up nicely!

Hairband holder

2009-07-29T18:53:00.001-07:00

I made this last week and love it for our headbands! LOVE IT!!!

Checkbook Cover and the girls sewing Camp tote bags

2009-07-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

I saw this cute fabric but there was only 1/4 yd left...what to make??? A checkbook cover of course!

Mikayla's totebag she made at Sewing Camp!

Hannah's totebag she made at sewing camp.

The girls at sewing camp.

Ladybug Placemats

2009-07-20T21:12:00.001-07:00

We made these out of Red Circle Placemats ($1.50-Walmart) and Felt, black ribbon and chenille pipecleaners..They turned out so cute for the girl's ladybug room!

They are sooo cute in there!!!

Very Cool FlipFlops

2009-07-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

i
These are called Shews...I love practicality in its finest...I found that in these flipflops and LOVE them. I love switchflops...but the price is so unpractical...I just can't do it.

These I got for 75% off because the button back was missing...no problem-o...I can tweak some things for $10!

The top has a vinyl opening underneath the button and you can slide the different card stocks through...how cool. Now I just need a pair in brown!!!

Making My Third Skirt

2009-07-20T20:44:00.001-07:00

I love these skirts. I found 3 more yards of material that I LOVE. I finished one here and have 2 more to go. Now what am I going to wear when it gets cold...I love these skirts too much..they are way to comfy to wear....I guess I have a while before I have to think about this!

I have made a red one and a black one that I adore too. I think my next ones will be a tad bit longer. I like them to my knees....we will see what I can do.

I made the skirt this afternoon to wear to my party tonight...I love the colors...teal and brown!

More Clipboards

2009-07-18T23:34:00.000-07:00

These are the 6 x 9 size! I am doing these for my sister but I can do them for you too if you like them! The pocket on the back is for sheets of paper that the teachers have to bring to PE Class when they are outside.

Ta-Da! They are finished!

2009-07-18T23:02:00.001-07:00

Purple Big PolkaDots

Yellow and pink and brown and orange polka dots.

Crayon Rolls and Clipboards

2009-07-17T22:41:00.000-07:00

Back of Hannah's Crayon Roll

Hannah's Crayon Roll filled up!

Crayon Rolls Rolled up

The back side of Mikayla's Rollup

The front side of Mikayla's roll up

I have been on a "roll" in the creating department lately. I saw these online and wanted to try making them. They turned out pretty cute. The vinyl kinda made the fabric a little wonky but they will work for trips and such. I made one for both Hannah and Mikayla. I think when I make another I will either put vinyl on the front and back or just do felt. It will be just as cute, I'm sure!

I've also been making altered clipboards for my sister. I have 9 almost finished and one more to do! They are so cute. Still need to sand them, mod podge and add some extra to them...I think they will be cute!

All the paper measured and cut out.

Every thing glued and pockets for the back mod podged.

Tomorrow I will work on finishing them up!

Clipboards for tomorrow

2009-07-16T23:18:00.001-07:00

I will be making 10 halfsize clipboards tomorow for my sister...Fun!!! Fun!! She's such a good teacher and good leader for her group. She is making them for her teacher's in her group that have to carry a clipboard out to PE with student passes to go back in, a baggie for bandaids and all that kind of stuff you have to haul around just to go outside for PE.

I'll try to post pictures when I'm finished! I am excited to do them!!!

Backseat Car Organizer

2009-07-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

In my heart of hearts, I love to organize. In my world of chaos, that rarely happens. I found a tutorial online on how to make these. So I took the idea and tutorial and quirked it up a bit to fit what we needed in our car. I love it! I am adding elastic to the bottom to keep it up against the back of the seat. I cut squares out at the top to put underneath our headrest (I have to take off the headrest off and put them back on to put the organizer on-easy peezy!)

I made it out of black twill. (Bought it at Hobby Lobby with my 40% coupon-yay!) So it was about $5 for a yard an a half (making another one for my Annalise's birthday).

The material I used to make the pockets was something I intended on making a skirt for me but I cut the pattern out the wrong way. I think it will look better on the back of the car seats than the backside of my anyhow...smile!

It took a while to fold and pin all the pockets and get it just the way I wanted it...but it is so the way I want it!

I have a pocket for their drinks (for traveling), their DS, DS Charger, Markers on the top row and on the bottom a place for their DVD's (and a pocket on the front for their DS games) and coloring books or regular books (and a pocket on the front of that for their crayon roll(next on my list to make.))

Crafty weekend

2009-07-12T21:57:00.000-07:00

Headband holder

I made the blue flowered headband to match a skirt I made Hannah.

I have been a busy girl this weekend! Chad let me shop all by myself Saturday and I hit the new Micheals. I also shopped Hobby Lobby and some other stores.

I bought material to make the girls crayon rolls, backseat organizers and my niece's birthday dress.

I can't wait to get started on all those. I had some other things I wanted to work on this weekend...and I got to most of it.

I am so excited to have made 2 skirts this past week. I have 2 skirts that I dearly love but not how they fit when I sit down and stand up...so I searched the web for a tutorial to make my own. I have found that I really like a tutorial over a pattern...even if it means creating my own pattern.

So far this week, I have made two patterns...the one for my skirts and the one for the backseat organizer. I am still working on the organizer pattern trying to decide whether I want to include a pocket for the DVD player or make a separate holder for that.

The last few weeks I've been working on some headbands for the girls. I will try to post photos of those sometime this week, along with the skirts I made.

Today, I made a black skirt, some cute clipboards and felt barrette's (with Mikayla's help). I also threw together some quick headbands for the girls.

Felt Barretts

Bandana Clipboard

Green Funky Clipboard-Back

Front of funky clipboard

Homeschool Art Supply Caddy

2009-07-05T01:21:00.001-07:00

I am very proud of the caddy Chad and I recently put together! Old formula cans that I have hung onto-FOREVER....were just waiting to be made into this. We homeschool so this is an awesome deal for us!!! I found a lazy susan that I won way back in the day when I sold tupperware. It worked perfect!

Step 1-Screw holes in the cans at matching points on all cans. The middle can must have 6 holes spaced correctly to match up to the one hole in each of the other 6 cans.

Step 2. Spray adhesive the scrapbooking paper (after you measure how much you need) to the can. Easy peesy.

Step 3. Put a thin layer of Modge Podge over the paper on the can. Let dry.

Step 4-Take out side and spray a coat of clear sealant on it.
Step 5- Screw the cans together.

This is what it looks like from the inside center. I could have used shorter screws...but this works. We also put on bolts to keep the screws from loosening up.

Step 5-Fill it up with all your goodies!
Mine includes: Scissors, Fat markers, thin markers, color pencils, glue bottles and sticks, rulers, dry erase markers, regular pencils and pens, a few sharpies. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!

2009-06-30T00:29:00.000-07:00

So, in my business to make Hannah something for camp and making this and that...Mikayla was feeling left out. She picked out some hankies at the store and wanted for me to make a shirt out of them. Of course, she couldn't just get one color but two-see below.
Who would of thunk...she wanted LSU colors...Too cute..and she loves it!
Hannah has taken to really liking Tennis. She asked me to make her a tennis bag for her balls and specifically wanted me to use THIS material...she is such a fashion diva...smile!
I found a tutorial for how to make these quick headbands online...super cute and super fast. Took me 10 min each. The girls loved them!

Gifts I've made

2009-06-30T00:15:00.000-07:00

This is an apron I made for my sweet niece for her birthday.
I made this...well...just to make it! Thanks to Paula...I figured it out...smile!
All 3 of the girls received a LSU poncho and hat for Christmas. Cozy...Cozy!
Anna's Blue and white daisy pillowcase dress/top.

2009-06-30T00:04:00.000-07:00

SO I made this swim suit two weekends ago. I wanted something that I could put over her washable swimmy pants. It turned out cute. Warning: Lycra swim material is not the bomb to work with unless u feel you are having an awesomely patient day. I had no pattern except copying one of her dresses and giving it a 1/2 seam allowance...I learned a lot making this. 1. Buy a pattern 2. Buy a swimsuit instead!

The painted room

2009-06-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

m These are the afters...can't you just see the ladybug ideas!

The horrid bubblegum pink before!

So the only room in the house that didn't need painting....is the one we painted. I wanted to do a ladybug theme in the room....so it had to be painted green of course. This color was making me sick by the 4th coat. Should have kilz the walls...always kilz the walls...hum...lesson learned!

Candy so sweetly helped me with trim...trim...my arch enemy! Blue tape-my new enemy...sneakin underneath the tape and getting on my wall rail...I am ashamed to have even of loved you at one time! No more! Be gone Blue Tape forever!!!

May Creations at our house

2009-06-29T23:48:00.000-07:00

Hannah's easy peezy ladybug dress. I just had to measure her, stitch up the back seam and add some ribbons to keep it on her...too cute!
I made this shirt out of one of Chad's old shirts that had shrunk up on him (short wise). Autumn looks so cute in orange and white gingum!
These were some "HOLY" jeans that Hannah did NOT want me to cut off...but they were very sad looking. I convinced her to let me put some trim on the edge...now they are a favorite pair of her shorts...too funny!
So, I LOVE the idea of switchflops but just haven't sucked it up to buy a pair...so I am thinking...why can't I make a pair...seems easy...well I am sure her first prototype didn't go so well either. At least these are still presentable...I just need to make some different ribbons to switch them out with...smile!

Autumn's pillowcase top with ruffled pants. I love the coordinating colors...so springy! Click Here for more info on this!
I had to just try this for the DS case. This is from an old pair of Chad's jeans. It was originally for Hannah but she didn't want it...so I gave it to Mikayla...she was super excited about it...then Hannah wanted it back...go figure!
My Attempts at switchflops. Love them...not the price!
Hannah's Bandanna pillowcase top for the Hoe-Down at summer camp. I made a matching one for her friend that she went with. Click here for more info about this top.
Another cutting of our plants outside...so pretty.

I was a busy girl in May. I had a lot of ideas and things I had to put together...when I get a bug...I am just about unstoppable...smile!

2009-06-29T23:41:00.000-07:00

I painted this LSU Bird house. It was one that Mimi "Left" for us...Click here for more info.

CUte Lady bug birdhouse I found at Old Time Pottery

Hannah's cosmos' she planted...I'll have to take a picture of how tall they are now...smile!

The lavender we planted. It is dead now. The Daylilies I think sucked all their water supply...smile!

My recent Creations

2009-06-29T23:35:00.000-07:00

This will be a long one...well...because I am playing catch up adding all these pics. If anyone wants the directions or how-to on these....just email me and let me know!

I've been dying to get our backyard looking pretty. So first, we found this swing! Awesome deal off of craigslist-$40!!!

Our friends came over to help us til up the yard...ewww...that was messy work!!! This was back in March or April of 09

What's the blog all about?

2009-06-29T23:31:00.001-07:00

We'll I was putting too many side items in my homeschool blog so I thought I would start a new one. Hum...what will this one include:

1. My Sewing Projects: Some of you know that my 2nd Mom passed away last summer. This was an intense summer of caretaking for her as well as my children. Her cancer came quickly and took her quickly. The sting is still very much here. Anyhow...I inherited her sewing machine and have began to do little projects here and there. Each time I used her sewing machine , I think...she would be so proud. I've always wanted to sew but lacked the confidence to figure it out on my own. So there ya go...

2. My ramblings about life, crafts I insist on making, and just ongoing projects I am tackling because life is too short to wait til tomorrow!

3. Whatever else evolves here...who knows what the Lord will give me to say!