Tuesday, December 2, 2008

wine lights & Thanksgiving...




These are the wine bottle lights we got together to make this weekend. The one in the middle (the one that is actually lit) I didn't make, but bought last year. Then decided I could make more on my own.


The other two are teachers gifts for Christmas (I think I am going to add a gift card too.)


They are really fun to make (with the exception of hot glue gun injuries!) and don't really take much time.


And since we are reusing wine bottles- its good for the environment too! (Ok- that may be a little stretch).






















And these were my Thanksgiving craft this year. I thought the kids could help me make them, which they did- a little. But I ended up finishing them. Which Jason laughed at me for. They are little placecards for the table. We made them for everyone that came to our house for dinner. The girl bonnets are supposed to have white bows, but I can't find (or ran out of) my white ribbon- so I made due. Karen wasn't so sure the Puritans would have been that flashy with colored ribbon! :)

I actually have another project to post- I used reverse applique on E's jeans & it turned out pretty cute. But the little one is sleeping right now (in the room with the jeans) & you NEVER wake a sleeping baby!!
So, I will post later!
-jenni

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Star Wars rag quilt...


Finally, its done!! This one was much bigger than the other 2 I had done, so it took me awhile.
But its warm & fuzzy & Colin loves it, so that's all that matters.
I have enough to make another one, I am just not sure what to do with it. Maybe I will donate it.
Next one is my Christmas one for the couch.
Have a good week!
Jenni




Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Blog link requests...

I have had a few people (ok 2 people) ask me where I got the idea for the rag quilt. Here they are:

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/photos/den.html#rag

If you scroll down on her page, there are 2 links she included & that's where I got the details from.

I saw the above one first & thought it was cute....but when I saw this one she made...I fell in love!

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/photos/rag-quilts/

Hope this helps...but if you make one, you have to post a picture!!!

Can't wait to work on the Star Wars one...

-Jenni

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Oh I forgot!

My pumpkin carving reached a new level this year!! I shaded....


Jason carved the pirate & I did the other 2.

























This one is the one I am most proud of...Its Max & Ruby, which Addi loves, so she was pretty excited about it!

I know, I know- No posts in awhile...

Honestly, I just haven't been that creative in awhile. But I saw these rag quilts on a blog & thought I could handle that! I have always wanted a Christmas quilt, so I thought that I would start there. I ended up buying too much fabric (actually, I had the right amount, but can't always visualize measurements in my head, so when I started cutting squares & then laying the out, and it covered half the basement floor, I decided it was too big!) so, I am making 2 smaller quilts, one for my new niece (which is the quilt pictured below) and one for a friends baby, who has yet to make an appearance.
















I haven't made the big one yet & then after that I have a Star Wars quilt to make. I am pretty excited, I bought the fabrics yesterday & they are pretty cool. Plus, its hard for me to make things for Colin (since boys arent' really into altered jeans like girls! :) so, I think he is happy that there is something for me to make for him,

Have a good week!

Jenni

Thursday, October 16, 2008

In honor of my 31st birthday tomorrow...

A list of 31 random facts about me:

1. I am ridiculously addicted to One Tree Hill & Friday Night Lights-- 2 shows that I think I am just too old to watch-- but I do anyway.
2. I am relieved/sad to be done with the new baby/pregnancy part of my life.
3. I like working out much more than I thought I would. Scary.
4. I have a tattoo. And I would like another one.
5. I am TIRED of having to choose which presidential candidate sucks less. I would love to have an actual choice & be able to enthusiatically endorse a candidate.
6. I love fun, different purses.
7. I wish I was brave in high school & college and tried different things.
8. I think living overseas would be fantastic- scary- but fantastic.
9. I question the theory behind public school education on a regular basis.
10. I love my chocolate brown velour pants. I would wear them everywhere if it was appropriate.
11. I love to read. I wish I had more time to do it.
12. My kids have never had lima beans or brussel sprouts. I think they are disgusting & in good conscience can not make my children eat them.
13. I love gobstoppers.
14. I get that not everyone shares my beliefs (and thats fine), but I get really annoyed when I am mocked because of them. I don't have a bumper sticker that says "Turn or Burn", why should I be ridiculed?
15. Fall is my favorite season. I love sweaters & pretty leaves & good football weather.
16. I wish I was taller.
17. My favorite shows when I was a kid were: Knight Rider, A-Team & The Cosby Show.
18. Trader Joe's has great ice cream sandwiches (and other good snacks as well).
19. I like the color blue.
20. I love Squirt & Dt. Dr. Pepper.
21. The best scrapbooking snack is peanut m & m's.
22. Lately, I feel as if I have lost my creative mojo. It concerns me.
23. I love office supplies. I don't have an office.
24. I would love to study photography.
25. The thought of raising teenagers scare the bejeebers out of me. I know I have awhile until I have one, but the way my 5 yr old rolls her eyes at me makes me think it is sooner than I think.
26. I listen to Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Pink & Finger Eleven when I work out.
27. I share my ipod with my daughters, so besides what's listed in #26, it also has the soundtracks to High School Musical (1&2), The Wiggles & Backyardigans.
28. I IM my husband from across the living room.
29. I love skim lattes from Dunkin Donuts.
30. I hate all chores relating to clothes: laundry, seasonal changing of the wardrobe, putting away clothes, cleaning out closets & drawers.
31. I love my laptop.

Whew. That was harder than I thought it would be!

Have a good weekend!
Jenni

Monday, October 6, 2008

A tutu

I made this tutu for a friends' daughter for Halloween. I have made a few tutus, but never with a ribbon wrapped waist. I think it turned out pretty cute. Hope she likes it!!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I only wish....


I could take credit for this cute bag!! I recently decided that Addi needed to get rid of her diaper bag. Its too big for her needs & I am tired of carrying it around. However, she is still in diapers & does need a few things when we are out & about. So I found this shop on etsy: http://http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=111734

She worked with me & we came up with this drawstring backpack. (I really just picked the material- she did the hard work!)


The best part is that Addi LOVES it. You should see her strutting her little self into the health club or church with her backpack. She is very proud (I think she feels like a big kid).

This picture isn't very good for color, but it shows the shape of the bag pretty well.






Not sure how much crafting I am going to be getting done these days....but we will see!

Have a good week!

Jenni

Thursday, September 11, 2008

7 years ago today....

I am sure everyone remembers what happened. I am sure everyone remembers EXACTLY where they were when they heard the news. What they were doing, what was happening around them, maybe even what they were wearing.

I had just woken up. I was sitting on the couch feeding my 4 month old son, watching the Today Show. We had just flown back from California the day before, so we were both a little tired & off schedule. I turned on the TV right after the first plane hit. Matt Lauer & Katie Couric were both confused & trying to figure out what was going on. Jason was getting ready to go to work. Then he left for work, as soon as he shut the door behind him, the second plane hit. I remember holding #1, still in my pajamas & running out to the parking lot of our apartment building-- running out to tell Jason a second plane hit, they think its on purpose. It was awful.

And everything that has happened since has been awful.

Today, before #1 went to school, I had to explain to him what happened. I was afraid that somehow it would come up in school & I wanted him to hear about it from us. Just thinking about what I was going to tell him brought me to tears. And the tears kept coming as I explained to him that bad men made a bad choice & flew planes into buildings & lots of people died. Then I tried to explain why I was so upset. I don't think it helped & I am pretty sure I am not going to win any mother of year awards for my talk this morning. I just wonder when I won't get choked up & upset when I think about that time.

And now I am angry. Angry that today, I had to take away a little of his innocence about the world we live in.

My last jean skirt...



This one took me awhile, I just couldn't figure out what to do & how frilly & girly I wanted to make it.

In the end, I just went with the ruffles (which I hate making- but that is a whole other issue). I thought it could be basic enough that #2 could wear it with lots of different stuff.

I need to hit the Childrens Place for some cute tights & knee socks to wear with it.


This is the back, I was trying to zoom in on the white zig-zag stitch I did around the hem. I thought it might add a little something to the skirt. I think it turned out pretty cute. (BTW- the white is the ruffle from the front of the skirt, there isn't any on the back).






I am not sure when I am going to get to crafting again. School has started & I am still trying to figure out how to fit everything in. I have been trying to workout at the health club 4-5 times a week & with #2 in afternoon kindy, that has really thrown a wrench into the amount of free time I have.

I am in the midst of a church bulletin board- if that turns out well I can post that. As of right now, its not so good. We will see after I work on it some more!

Happy crafting!

Jenni

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The other jean skirt...

Ok- I am going to admit it. This is my least favorite skirt I have done (well, we have one more to see how that will turn out). First, in my head it looked much cuter! I had these flowing side panel things that just didn't work out. This is what happens when you don't have a pattern & are just kind of winging it!

Second, does anyone remember that movie from the 80s, "Overboard"? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093693/ (in case you forgot) Anyway, there is this scene where she wears a jean skirt & it reminds me of this one, in not a good way. (I will admit that I have scene this movie a dozen times & often watch when I run across it on TV, much to Jason's dismay!)


I did get a little crazy with the back & took the pockets off. Wild, I know! :)









I need to start sewing again. I need to be done with alot of projects before school starts-- we have football, tae kwon do, swim & I am co-leading a 32 wk study at church. Whew, I need to get busy!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

and another jean skirt...




So, this is my ode to High School Musical. I had some leftover fabric from some PJ pants I am making for #2. I think it turned out cute & #2 LOVES it.




















I have a little more fabric left, so I think I am going to applique a shirt & make a matching headband using this tutorial : http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/2008/08/headband-tutorial.html

She'll be all decked out!

I have one more completed, that is currently in the mountain of laundry downstairs, so when I unearth it, I will take more pics.

I have one more to do & I am going back & forth between 2 different ideas. I wish I had some jeans to turn into skirts for #3, they are kind of fun to do! Maybe I will start surfing garage sales & goodwill (who am I kidding?? I hate going to garage sales!)

-Jenni

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

taking a jean skirt break...




I finally finished our pillowcases from Disney. Instead of having autographs books, someone told me (or I read on the internet) to have the characters sign a pillowcase. I thought it might be a fun, different souvenir for the kids. And I, of course, couldn't just have them sign it. I needed to add my own touch!






Using Jen's big Cricut & my Mickey Font cartridge, I cut out a giant Mickey head to use as a template. I used the same font to cut out the kids names. Its a nice chunky font-- making it easier to applique.









I did Ella's first & thought it looked a little plain, so I added the ribbon (you may think that fabric looks a little familiar--well its left over from the girls room redo & same with the ribbon)











I originally bought this fabric to make PJ pants. I haven't made the pants yet, but I am sure everyone will be relieved to know that he will be coordinated with his pajamas!!









The backs of the pillowcases have the autographs, this one is Colin's... the girls have more since they got all the princesses too. (He actually refused to let the princesses sign his!)









I have a few ideas for the next skirt & am on my way to the storage unit to find my large stash of fabric (wish me luck!)

-Jenni

Sunday, August 10, 2008

One jean skirt down.....




Yeah!! I got one down!! During the challenge, I have decided to also use materials I already have.

This material is left over from a project I did last year when I made these jumpers for #2, her dolls & my neice. Poor #3 was supposed to get one too, but I ran out of time/patience.





I think it turned out pretty cute. It was kind of fun to take bits of material & rick rack (I love rick rack-- very festive) and put it all together.

#2 is sleeping, so I can't have her try it on, but I think she will like it.






A few of the best things about these skirts are 1) they only take a few hours to make & I LOVE completed projects!! 2) By forcing myself to use materials I already have, I force myself into being more creative & resourceful & 3) when doing all this, I am distracted from the other things whirling around in my head!

Well off to bed-- and come up with another plan!

Happy Monday (almost!)

Jenni

Saturday, August 9, 2008

My own challenge....

So, I was cleaning out #1 drawers, getting ready for back to school, (a chore I TOTALLY hate). And he had a pair of jeans that were too small. Had #2 try them on & they fit her (a little big), although the legs were too long.


I had seen a tutorial online awhile ago about turning jeans into skirt, so I decided to keep his jeans & try to repurpose them into a skirt for #2.


Today, I finally got a chance to sit down at my sewing table & discovered that the jeans were pretty easy to turn into a skirt.


When I was looking at some fabric I had, I found 4 more pair of jeans that #1 had blown the knees out of last year (before he outgrew them....BOYS!). Last year, I decided to try & do something with them-- they were too trashed to give away, but the waist/top part were in good condition.


So, here is my challenge-- How many different kinds of jean skirts can I make with these pants?? I have a few ideas, but we will have to see how they pan out....
Here is how the skirt turned out....

The pile of jeans....
Check out the holes in those knees!!! Good grief...I am reinforcing his knees in his pants this year!!
Anyone have any ideas?? I am totally open....
Have a good weekend!

Monday, July 28, 2008

#1 & his new room

So, his room used to have a sports border. We bought a new surfer bedding, so I painted over it with the yellow. And then added light blue where white used to be.









Here are his bookshelves that I redid. I tried to line up the stripes, but obviously failed. I really hate painting stripes.





















And the part he will be most excited about...the Star Wars floor pillow!









His furniture still hasn't come yet, hopefully it will sometime this week.

Projects in the works: currently I am wrapped up in my entry into the Memory Makers Masters contest: Masters contest
that has to be postmarked by July 31st, then I have some material for PJ pants, need to finish up the kids autograph pillowcases from Disney, another HSM tote & tutus, lots of tutus.

Busy days!

My first non-craft post {politics inside...procede at your own caution!}

Unfortunately, the presidential election is looming upon on us. I will just say that I hate this time of year. I hate the smear campaigns (from everyone), I hate the way our electoral college works, I hate the way the media makes me distrust everyone, I just hate it all. [I could really go on & on about my dislike of this whole process].

My inlaws sent an interesting article out & so far its the best political article I think I have ever read. I agree with everything the author had to say. For a brief synopsis: it basically says both of our choices suck. That both will run this country into the ground, although one will quicker than the other. I will say it comes from a far more conservative site than I consider myself to be-- but I still think it warrants a read...

None of the Above

This lead to me actually research the candidates & their views. Jason helped me find a site that side by side compares the candidates. It was nice to just read about their voting record & not the usual he said/she said junk that usually accompanies these sorts of things. If you are interested in doing a little research....

Select Smart


Ok, I will carefully climb down off my soapbox now.

We will return to your regularly scheduled crafting fluff!

Friday, July 18, 2008

#2 & her new room....

#1 is off in CA with my parents & #2 is in OH with Jasons'. We had decided awhile ago that they both needed new furniture (neither one had headboards or proper dressers). I thought it might be fun to get it while they were gone, so they can come home to new rooms.

Well, that lead me to #2 really needs new bedding, and it won't match the walls. I am not sure how many of you remember that the girls share the master bedroom (while we live in the basement...which always reminds me of [in my best Chris Farley voice] "I live in a vaaaannnn down by the riiiivvverrr" I digress.) Since we are looking to put the house on the market (again) sometime next year, I thought this was a good of time as any to paint it in a more neutral tone, to make it more like a traditional master even if a 5 & 2 yr old live in it. Anyway, this lead into a ton more projects (because I can never make anything easy on myself). We have the new dressers, but have to wait on the beds. The room isn't completely done, once the bed comes, I am going to hang up canopys over both of their beds. #3 got hers from Ikea (which matches her new big girl bed & bedding), I will probably end up making the other one. The ones I have seen are made of netting, which I don't like & I think I can make easily & cheaper-- at least according to the directions I found!

So this is what I have been working on this week, with #3 by my side-- she was pretty good, didn't get into much.






This is about 2ft. tall, I covered it my accent fabric.





I redid her corkboard to bring more pink into the room (I am thinking she is not going to be thrilled with the coffee colored paint)














The lamp I covered with fabric & trimmed with ribbon.











The bookshelf I redid. It started as one of those white shelves made of particle board that they sell as target. It needed some paint & fabric--I think it turned about pretty good.


The flower inside covers a slight mistake. Oh well. still looks good.














Her accent pillow, I think it turned out pretty cute. And the HSM pillow, its huge & meant to be a floor pillow. #1 is getting a yoda pillow & #3 gets a nemo pillow.













Well, thats all for now. Need to go clean up! I will post pics of the finished room when its all done.

Have a good weekend!
Jenni

Monday, July 7, 2008

We're your back yard friends...the backyardigans...


#3 LOVES the backyardigans. She spotted the ribbon at JoAnns one day & went crazy! So, I got it & altered jeans & a tee that she already had.



The whole outfit...










The hem of the skirt. I have 'ribboned' jeans before, and tucked the denim under, so that there was the rough edge. But I like the look of the rough edge on a skirt, so I left it.








I really like how the ribbon tee turned out.












She wears this outfit every chance she can.

So, thats all for now- hoped you had a wonderful 4th!

-Jenni