Bean Bag Letters

Do you have a youngster learning their letters? Why not make it fun with

BEAN BAG LETTERS

You could come up with all sorts of simple games and activities to make learning fun. Go to makeitandloveit.blogspot.com for a step-by-step tutorial.

**These are also a good idea for a gift especially if you make them to spell the child's name.**

Finally Here

Hello Everyone-

I'm Janelle and I am the new author that has been missing in action. But here I am and this is what I have been up to in the last month.

Every Thanksgiving my sisters, my mom, and I always make a Christmas craft. This star was our craft for 2009.  I know that Christmas is over but I am hoping that I will be able to make one for the 4th of July in red, white, and blue.

I found the idea and a great tutorial @ makeandloveit.blogspot.com.

Toddler Walking Rope

I was just recently put in charge of 3 year olds at our church and needed something to help me get 7 of them from one destination to another.  I came up with this....

Every child just holds their own loop, and since they are already spaced out, I don't have them walking on one another.  It was really simple to make and cost me very little since I was able to use fabric from my stash.  I got some of my yard sale scrap fabric and cut 2 pieces of fabric 4 inches by 45 inches.

I then cut 8 straps of jean fabric and then 8 straps of matching fabric that was 1/2 inch wider.  Before cutting the yellow fabric out I ironed Heat n' Bond to it.  I then wrapped each jean strap in the other fabric so all the raw edges on the jean strap were hidden and then ironed.

I placed the right sides together on the long strip and pinned the straps on in between the two fabrics.  Sew the two long sides and one short side, leaving one short side open and ready for stuffing.  After turning it right side out I sewed on the edge all the way around the three sides to make sure the loops were in securely. I just used trash bags to stuff.  Stuffing would have worked too but I had way to many trash bags that I needed to use up and I'm cheap. :)  I took the last foot and cut the fabric into thirds.  I tied a not at the top, then braided  the fabric and finished up with another not.  I did it this way so I can open it up if I need too and also so I had a nice little section for me to hold onto.  UPDATE:  I've had to add more stuffing to the rope because the trash bags condensed after use.  I'm glad that I didn't sew it closed!

There are a lot cuter designs out there that you can buy but you can't beat a project that was almost free.  I originally got the idea for one when a friend of mine made one into a snake.

First Birthday Cake

(Sorry for the bad photos.  We got a new camera that we are now taking back!)

I decided to make my son's first cake.  It was fun but a lot more work then I'll probably do most of the time. (I even used cake mixes and it still took me forever to do!)

I decided I wanted it colorful inside so I made up the cake mixes like the box instruct you too and then I divided it up into four bowls.  I used Gel food coloring to die the cake the different colors.  I then randomly spooned in the cake mix into my two pans.  I baked it like normal and then when the cake was done and cooled I put them in the freezer.  The next day I stacked the two cakes on top of each other and cut them into the number one. 

I made up some frosting and put frosting between the two cakes and then the sides and top.  The coolest way that I learned to get the frosting to look smooth is to use wax paper.  After you have your frosting on the cake take your wax paper and push it a long the frosting with your fingers until the frosting is smooth.  The frosting won't stick to the wax paper.  (Sorry I couldn't find where I found this helpful tip.)  Also all I had was whole milk when I made the frosting and it made the best frosting I've ever made.  It was the perfect consistency.   So next time you have to make a bunch of frosting, keep that in mind. 

I then used a decorative tip to decorate the outside.  To help me get the star shape I just lightly pressed a star cookie cutter on the icing.  It left just enough of an indent for me to follower with my decorative tip. I made Alex's little cake just from the scraps of the big cake and again used the cookie cutter as a guide for the frosting.

My favorite part about the cake was when you cut into it and saw all of the colors.  I looked and tasted amazing!

Silhouette Ornaments

This year I finally gave into my mom and gave her ornaments for Christmas instead of buying a gift.  I've always wanted to do some silhouette crafts for myself and thought a silhouette ornament would make the perfect gift for Grandma and Grandpa.

I got the wood pieces at Michaels for .35 a piece (I think.)  I also got the paper at Michaels.  I loved the cracked look of it.  I attached the paper onto the wood with mod podge and sanded down the edges.  The easiest way that I've found to make the silhouettes is to take a picture.  I just printed the picture out and taped it to some black card stock.  Then I took an razer blade and cut out the picture and the card stock at the same time.  It was really easy and exact (which is kind of important with silhouettes.)  I mod podged the silhouette to the wood pieces and then did a couple layers over top as well. Finally, I took some antiquing glaze that I got at Lowe's and put it on the edges.  So simple and just the right price!

Shirt Samples Quilt

FROM THIS......

TO THIS...!!

 I FINALLY finished the quilt I made for a wedding gift for my sister and brother-in-law.  I had to cut each block out and sew every square together with a temperamental sewing machine.  I actually hate the way it looks but my husband convinced me to give it to my sister in law anyways.

 I made this quilt for a total of $7.  All of the samples cost me .25 cents total and I didn't even use half of the samples.  The backing is a sheet I found at a thrift store for $4.  I found the batting at a flea for $1.50.  I used one spool of thread which was $1.25.

Potato Head

I found a tutorial for a Felt Mr. Potato Head at Make it and Love it and I knew that I had to make one for my nephew for Christmas. The tutorial can be found HERE for the Mr. Potato Head.

I also made a simple bag to put the Potato Head supplies in.  On Make it to Love it she made a pocket on the back of Mr. Potato Head but I couldn't get mine to work and still look good.

Soup & Salad

I made these for dinner one night when the weather was cold and wet outside and I couldn't help but think about summer!  They were both so rich and flavorful.

Curried Zucchini Soup

PREP TIME: 10 minutes

COOK TIME: 20 minutes

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch half moons

1 teaspoon ginger powder

1 teaspoon curry powder

1/2 teaspoon garam masala (optional)

3 cups vegetable broth

1/2 cup plain fat-free or low-fat yogurt

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add zucchini, ginger, curry powder, and garam masala, if using.  Cook 3 more minutes.

Add broth and bring to a simmer.  Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.  Puree soup in a blender or food processor until smooth, or use a hand blender.  Whisk in yogurt just before serving.

Crab and Avocado Salad
PREP TIME: 10 minutes

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound lump crabmeat
1 large ripe avocado, pitted, peeled, and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
   Salt and Pepper

Combine cilantro, mayonnaise, lime juice, and cayenne in a medium mixing bowl, Mix in crab meat and season with salt and pepper.  Gently fold in avocado and serve.

(Both recipes were taken from The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook by Arthur Agatston, MD)

Ornament Wreath

I'm sure you've seen these all around the blog land like I have and I was in the dollar store the other day and saw their ornaments and I couldn't resist making my own.  There are some great tutorials out there such as: Thrifty Decor Chick and Eddie Ross and Just a Girl. They all give some great tips on how to put the wreath together but the next time I'll make a few modifications. 

First, I would use craft wire instead of a hanger.  The hanger was a little thick for my cheap-o ornaments which made it hard sliding them on and also it was difficult for me to finish it off nicely, HENCE, the giant bow.  


Second, I might reconsider the dollar store ornaments.  It was nice that they didn't shatter on me (because they are plastic) but even after super glue the top to the ball part I still had issues with the "hook" breaking.  If I put a little too much pressure on the bulb it would snap and I ended up using super glue to put it back on the wreath.  

Car Cozi

I fell in love with the car cozi that Jill from homemade by jill made for So You Think You're Crafty challenge.  I knew I had to make one for my 2 year old nephew. Between Jills tutorial and the tutorial from My Little Gems I was able to make my own version.

I did a few things differently then the tutorials.  First, I used a really heavy interfacing that made the road part of the cozi really stiff so it could hold itself up if there isn't a hard surface to put it on.  Second, I decided to make my road windy instead of straight.  I thought that just a straight road might get boring sooner. I used No Sew Heat-n-Bond to attach the road lines, number and car decorations on the backing.

I had some leftover car fabric from the curtains that I made for my son's room that I cut up and appliquéd to the back of the cozi.  I put the cars just on the top portion so when the cozi is rolled up that is the part that shows.

I was able to make the entire thing from scraps that I had in my stash.  I love being able to use up my stash!