"ONE" of my favorite gifts...

my 6 year old boy...

too busy for pictures....

I never get very good pictures of Christmas... I guess it's because we're too busy having fun....

doing things like this: "NERDY NERF WARS"

She sat in this position all day sewing up a storm.... HOW FUN!

It was a TOY STORY year for Andy! (appropriate, don't you think?)

It was such a fun morning and a very long enjoyable day... nothing like Christmas day spent in P.J.'s watching movies, playing with new things, being together, and taking it easy! (that's what the kids did... ME? well, even if it's christmas there is still laundry to do and meals to make and constant messes to be cleaned up... all in a "ELF's" day's work)

Only if you are INSANE like me...

Maybe I'm an ELF...

Or just obsessed with doing crafty things. For some reason I become and insane elf around christmas time. I like projects that are quick, that use things I already have and I couldn't resist this ruffle tree...found it here

p.s. if you look at the tutorial you just might want to make one.. trust me, I started last night after dinner (8:00 ish) and went to bed by 9:40...totally satisfied that I had completed this one start to finish. ....however I haven't mastered the etch-a-sketch yet! I'm working on it.

crochetted headband tutorial

I sat down yesterday and figured this pattern out. I will do my best to share the pattern. I have shown pictures of one with 2 strands accross and one with 3. Just modify however you like it best.

I used 5.5mm hook, but you can use whatever. the bigger the hook the longer the end product (you probably know that....)

First: Chain 80 stitches (st).

turn, keeping work right side up at all times. slip stitch (sl st) in next 20 stitches, chain 40.

sl st in last 20 stitches to the end of row. row 3 - round corner (once again keeping work right side up) and sl st in same 20 stitches

thus creating a third row. If you only wanted 2 rows you would tie off now.

chain 40, sl st in last 20 stitches. tie off.

cut a 2 inch length of yarn and weave it back into work to finish both ends.

trim excess yarn.

the headband is complete. Add a flower of your choosing. Using the same needle and a 4" peice of coordinating yarn, sew flower onto head band. (in the pic, I used a different color of yarn to sew it on but tried to conceal it, you get the idea)

with needle and thread, sew on button to one end of head band.

finished product.

p.s. I use E600 glue to adhere the jewel's in the center. jewels were purchased at Hobby Lobby. Pattern for flower can be found here. This pattern was Irish Rose.

if you have any questions.... either comment or send me an email:

jandy79@hotmail.com

sights and tastes of Christmas... gingerbread cupcakes

Last weekend we spent an afternoon in an old fashioned barn watching this cute little elf dance. It was cold and rainy and the barn didn't do much for warming us up, but she sure danced cute and I can't get enough of seeing my kids do what they love.

while we were there... you had to know this was coming...

they had these delicious gingerbread cookies. I only had a bite of one, but it got my taste buds set for GINGERBREAD.

so, being the cupcake lover that I am I found this:

First: the sprinkles...are they the cutest things you've ever seen? LOVE THEM!

Second: found a recipe for gingerbread cupcakes and gave it a try...sure, I'll share... here you go!

Gingerbread cupcakes:
1 box french vanilla cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. molasses
1/3 c. oil
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

mix all ingredients well, pour into lined baking cups. bake 350 18-20 minutes.

...frost with cream cheese frosting and add gingerbread sprinkles...

p.s., if you are my neighbor and you would like to borrow some sprinkles... seriously it was a big bottle and I'm happy to share... otherwise got them at the local grocery store (Kents)

Found this cute image the other day and thought I would share. Print, Frame and add cute bow!

right click the image above and save for yourself...

I heart gift giving!!!

Have you ever loved the gifts you are giving so much that for a minute you pretend they are your own? ...

Sorry, but I couldn't resist... doesn't this just have morning hot chocolate and toast written all over it?
these quilts were the funnest to make... if you get one and I've totally ruined the surprise... sorry!

well... i'm all stitched up and ready for christmas now!

delicious little acorns

So, you all know I'm crazy...

here's what I'm doing today (when I should really be preparing to die in the most deathly winter storm that's headed our way...my 72 hr kit is strapped to my back while I'm doing it, don't worry... I do have priorities though... :)

Here's how to make darling little acorn's to adorn pie's or cupcakes or just have in a bowl for thanksgiving snacks... (come on - be crazy with me)

here's what you need...

and whatever kind of these you like best... I particularly like carmel filled

unwrap the kiss, and glue to the mini nilla wafer with melted chocolate

let set in freezer for 30 sec.

add a dot of melted chocolate to top and dip in chocolate sprinkles

seriously... aren't these the cutest things you've ever seen?

They don't taste to bad either....

...just imagine them on a slice of pumpkin pie.. won't that be cute? Or on top of a yummy pumpkin or gingerbread cupcake.

or just in a bowl ready for the grabbing... watch out for squirrels.

p.s. I got this idea out of the "What's New Cupcake" cookbook. The link will take you to this great blog, if you go there be sure to look for the cute indian corn cupcakes.. genius!

I'm a copy cat... that's what I do best!

Happy Thanksgiving

The projects I start....

get the idea? there's a great tutorial linked below....

Break out the scissors folks...I'm sewing again! Don't I do this every year? Well, Tis the Season I guess... so I shouldn't be blogging about these things, it will ruin the surprise. If you don't like surprises ruined... turn your head now!

(This top thing is some scraps.. thought it would make a cute pillow)

remember this pattern? I blogged about it along time ago... It's from this website... "Crazy Mom Quilts" great tutorial on how to make this cute quilt and no peicing triangles involved.

I can't wait to see the finished product. I'll keep you posted.

I have a pit in my stomach....

Who's not ready for the hustle and bustle of the holidays raise their hand!!!!

ME!!!!!!

it's sortof making me sick today!

(or could that possibly be too much carmel apple cheesecake bars...)

looks good enough to eat...

I've known about this blog, but decided to post about it so you can check it out too... The Girl Who Ate Everything.

This little treat may just be my next project...

Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars

pass the turkey!

Here's one for you... Imagine this turkey only naked on your fridge! We've gotta dress the turkey with feathers by doing and showing grattitude. Click on the bird for the link to the template and the details.

Thanks mom for the idea...