Wedding GIfts

A lady that I work with is getting married this summer and moving away.  So sad, she is such a sweet person.  I will miss her dearly. 

Unfortunately I don't know any colors in her house, made it hard to make personalized gifts that will match her house, so I made up my own colors for her!! Hope she likes them.  

First I made (what I call) a DRINK PILLOW.  I saw something like this in a store and thought "I can make that myself!". So I did.  Right now I don't have any directions on how to make it, but that is my next project.  
I use my pillow when relaxing in front of the TV and don't have a table near me to put my drink on.  

 This is the top of it, you can see the "holder part" right in the middle.










This is the back side, I used a contrasting color.

And, this is what it looks like with a refreshing drink being kept safe and cold on the couch.  

 Cute!!

Next I made some BOWL COZIES for her microwave safe bowls.  This is the bowl heat protectors idea I used.  It was very helpful.  I didn't use the batting to make it stronger and heat safe. My idea was to use a 100% cotton dish towel and the protector.  I just cut up an old towel to fit the bottom of the bowl.  I found that there was too much bulk when sewing the 2 sides together.  I tested them in the microwave to make sure they didn't catch on fire or ruin my microwave.  Works perfectly. 

Cute!!!

Next, I went to my friend's FaceBook page and saved a couple of her engagement pictures to my computer and made a few coasters.  In the past I printed out on tissue paper then Mod Podged them on to the coasters, but my printer has been giving my problems.  So I thought - hmmm wonder if I could use the pictures.  It worked!! 

Again, Cute! 

Next I used one of the pictures to make a personalized clock.  I'll post directions for this one - I promise!

She is so adorable! 

Finally, I found this AWESOME tutorial on how to make fabric bowls.  I thought it would be neat to have a couple to use throughout the year.  And, once I made one I couldn't stop!!  Started with a Valentine's Day bowl.

Next was a Memorial Day/ July 4th bowl. 

A couple different styles for Halloween, she has to be able to put the candy in something cute!

The tall Halloween one is almost the same as the Memorial Day one.  The Crafty Gemini has a basket tutorial I used, just didn't add the handle.  She shows how to make the basket with the corners inside. 

Finally a Christmas bowl.  Also made some TEENY TINY bowls with scraps.  You can see how small they are next to the thimble.  

Sorry but I can't get that middle picture to turn the right way!! Frustrating. 

Then I made a couple extra-cute baskets just because I was on a roll and couldn't stop.  

The pink and yellow one has a cardboard square on the bottom to make it a little stronger.  

I hope she likes everything.  

Thanks so much for looking. 
Cathy

Where does the time GO??

I never would have thought that it has been well over a year since my last post!!! So much has been happening, and unfortunately my crafting and blogging has been put on the back burner!  Hate it when that happens.
My most recent INJURY has really kicked my butt!!  This past February I was walking my dogs before work and tripped in a small pot hole.  I don't remember falling but do remember the EXTREME pain.  It was a crazy fall because there wasn't any ice that day, just freezing cold.  Had to call for backup - my sister came to the rescue to get the dogs (she lives in the same neighborhood), call an ambulance - I couldn't get up off the icy cold street, and husband met us at the hospital. 

Long (gross) story short - this is what the surgeon added to my left shoulder.  I dislocated, fractured in 3 spots and broke off the top of the humorous - big OUCH!!!  Those little oval looking things are the staples before he took them out, there were a total of 38.  That is a long metal plate and some screws holding me together.  Was out of work for 2.5 months and couldn't drive that entire time.  I hated it! 

Anyway, I'm on the mend now.  Saw the surgeon last week and he said possible 2nd surgery because physical therapy isn't going as well as expected, have to get a CT to check on everything then back to see Dr.. Hoping he has good news for me - like he can sprinkle some magic fairy glitter on my arm and it will be back to normal soon.  I won't hold my breath for that though. 

Thanks for letting my catch up a little. 
Thanks for stopping by,
Have a great day.
Cathy

One Pair of Old Jeans - Two Craft Projects

I had one pair of my daughter's old jeans, and thought I can make 2 different crafts from these!!  Not sure what size they were, but the definitely didn't fit her any more.  First I made a cute little purse.  I bought a bunch (that's how they were selling them in a big bunch for about $3-$4 - love a bargain) of old belts from Goodwill last year and used one of them for the handle.                         

 

 This is the back of the purse.

 And, the front.

Tried to match the inside fabric with the colors on the outside.

 Finally, I put a cute little "belt loop" round the spot where the belt handle was attached to the side. 

This is the opposite side of the belt handle.  

The second craft project was a reusable snack bag.  This turned out so cute.  I used the bottom part of one of the legs of the jeans, from about the knee down to the bottom seam.  All I did was sew up the cut off part of the jeans to seal up the bottom, and add a liner.  I found the clip on an old key chain.  Thought it would be great on my snack bag.   

The lining on this one is a little more colorful.  

Turned out pretty cute. 

Thanks for looking. 

Have a great day, 

Cathy

Quote for the Day

"There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle, or you can live as if everything is a miracle." 

 

-- Albert Einstein

Teachers' Christmas Gifts 2013

This year for Christmas I was inspired by some things I saw on Pinterest.  That is currently my favorite site - I spend entirely too much time there looking around.     

 Each teacher received a Hand Santa-tizer and a second small gift.  One female teacher received a small basket of 15 handmade cards.  I love making the cards, and she seemed to really like them. 

 My son has 2 male teachers (they are so difficult to find the perfect gift for), and these easy-peasy

glasses of "ginger ale" (I didn't want anyone to think I was giving the teachers a beer!) were an awesome idea.        

Super cute!!

The glasses and hand sanitizer were all from the dollar store - my favorite place.

Thanks for looking
Have a great day!

DIY Pillowcases

 I saw the cutest idea on You Tube that I had to share.  The Crafty Gemini has a great (and easy) tutorial on making pillowcases.  Check out the video here to see how to make your own personalized pillowcases using only 3 simple seams.  

I found this idea just before Christmas so I HAD to make some cases for everyone!!  Took a picture of each one, I thought they turned out pretty good.   Tried to make something that each person would like.  My sister in law has a ton of butterflies, so I made her one with butterflies on it.  CUTE! 

Owls, my favorite fabric.

 I think my favorite is the owls!  They are super easy to make, and everyone loved them.

Thanks for looking,
Have a great day.

Just a Thought.....

Maya Angelou is such an inspiration!!!  I love reading  her thoughts on Facebook.  This one really made me think, something I want my daughter to know and understand.

Dignity—the word itself—has come to mean different things to different people, as many words do. It doesn't just mean always being stiff and composed. It means a belief in oneself, that one is worthy of the best. Dignity means that what I have to say is important, and I will say it when it's important for me to say it. Dignity really means that I deserve the best treatment I can receive. And that I have the responsibility to give the best treatment I can to other people.

iPad Carrier

I wanted to make my own IPad carrier to use when substituting.  I started with a book that I found at Goodwill for just $2.00!!  Love that bargain.  Make sure the book is a little bigger than the IPad so there is some extra room to protect the IPad.  This was a perfect size.  

Next I used my rotary cutter to take out all the pages.  This made quite a mess, so I would advise doing it outside or doing this over newspaper or something like that. 

Next I just measured the book and cut the outside fabric for the carrier.  I also added an old kitchen towel to the inside as some extra padding.  Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of that step.  Just trim and hot glue the towel inside and you're good to go. 

 

Next I added the inner fabric to cover the towel.   I also sewed in a small pocket so I could carry my Smart Board adapter.  

 

Finally, the handles.  I needed a way to keep the IPad securely in the holder and had a handle attached.  This was my solution.  Not sure if it the best way but I like it.  The strap around the sides hold it securely in the holder.  I can easily take the IPad out without unbuttoning the side straps too.  

I like the final product.  So cute, and the other teachers are so jealous of this!!!  LOL!
The final cost of the project was about $2.00, I had the fabric, and the old kitchen towel on hand. Only had to buy the old book.    

Thanks for looking, have a great day.
Cathy

Flowered Broom Handle

I was in search of a new broom for my kitchen. Apparently my family didn't understand when I explained that I didn't like to use my kitchen/house broom outside in the garage or yard. They of course thought I wouldn't find out!! But as we all know, Mom finds out everything!  So I went to Target in search of a new one to keep in the house.  I found this rather boring broom to keep IN THE HOUSE.  My next challenge was to make it obvious to the rest of the family that this is the house broom and it is to be kept in the house.      

I immediately went to my superiszed bottle of Mod Podge and fabric scraps.  I cut 2 inch strip of this fabric and just started the wrapping process.  It was very easy to apply the Mod Podge and wrap strips of fabric around the handle.  

   

Taa Daaaa!!!  I think it turned out pretty nice.  I like the colors (yellow is my favorite color.) and the green goes with the green bristles in the broom. 

Thanks for looking and have a great day.  

Cathy