Cute Pioneer Party Idea

Check out this pioneer party idea.  So cute for a girls birthday party.
http://onecharmingparty.com/2009/08/american-girl-pioneer-party-pics/

Mini Notebook holder

Last year I made a few post it note holders out of cardstock and my Mom has one.  She uses it in her purse and takes notes in church on it.  It has gotten very beat up and post it notes for sermon notes?  I decided to make her a new one with a mini notepad.

For this one I used a cereal box covered with patterned paper. 

I did not cover the inside because the brown was ok with the paper I used. 

Hopefully this will hold up a little better then the

one made with just cardstock.  

I liked the little tree and because the first one I cut was too small

I decided to make a card that matched.

I used the tree from the wild card cricut cartridge. 

The outside cover is 9 1/2 x 6, scored at 4 1/2 on each side. 

The side pocket is 5 3/4 X 3 3/4 for the bottom and

6 3/4 X 4 1/4 for the top. 

The top is scored a 1/2" on 3 sides with the

bottom corner cut out and folded

and glued down with sticky tape. 

With an oval punch I cut a half oval out

of the top of the holder. 

I also used a small piece of ribbon glued

under the notebook to hold the pen.

Basically I measured my notebook and

pen and added enough for the fold.

I also need to add paper inside the pen so it all matches.

My Pink Stamper

If anyone has a cricut check out http://www.mypinkstamper.com/  This is how I learned to use my cricut.  Love My Pink Stamper!

Stationary Box

Here is a stationary box I made last year at Sarita's creative cottage and the one I made at home.  It has a spot for cards, mini cards, tags, stamps, a pen, and a notebook.  I loved going to Sarita's and have her show me how to make this stationary box. 
These make great gifts or a way to organize your birthday, anniversary, thank-you cards.  You can use the notebook as an address book or as a birthday calendar. 
Check out Sarita's blog to see what classes she is offering.  http://blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/

I found a tutorial online here http://notleftstanding.blogspot.com/2009/02/cuttlebug-stationary-box-tutorial.html

and here  http://jackietopa.typepad.com/addicted_to_stamping/2008/05/stationary-box.html

Some of the bags I have made

 This one is reversible.

A few years ago my Mom was at a cute quilt shop in Northern Wisconsin and found this bag pattern.  She took me to the shop and hinted that she would love one of these bags. 

I fell in love with the all fabric and the patterns and have made several bags since that first bag.

So much fabric so little time....

Pasta Day

Today the girls in my Bible study got together to make pasta.  I've never made homemade pasta before and it was fun.  Of course getting together with friends to make just about anything is always fun.  We made it the old fashion way, without the food processor.  1 egg per cup of flour and added water, oil, pureed spinach and mix and knead.  After it rested in a bag for about 20 minutes we ran it through the pasta roller, let dry for 20 minutes then you are done.

Tonight I'll find out if my family appreciates the fruits of my labor.

Placemat bag

Here is another bag made from "Simply Sublime Bags 30 No-Sew, Low Sew Projects" by Jodi Kahn.  This is the placemat tote bag and I am planning on making more of them.  I picked up 3 placemats on clearance at Kohls, $1.19 a piece.  I used the "wrong" side of the placemat for the bottom. So for about 5 dollars I have a sturdy tote bag that takes about 45 minutes to make.  All you have to do is sew the strap on the front and back, sew the bottom on both top pieces, with right sides together sew the side seams and sew the bottom corners.  Done!  Check out this link for complete instructions.  http://www.mylifetime.com/lifestyle/home-crafts/craft-ideas/sewing/place-mat-tote

Washer Necklaces

I have made several of these washer necklaces, some big ones and some smaller ones.  I also have made many of them double sided.  That way if my washer flips over it still looks pretty and I have twice a many necklaces.  You can have one to match every outfit.  I have used diamond glaze and glossy accents by Inkssentials for the glaze and I glued the paper down with mod podge.  I used scrapbook paper and cut the circles on my cricut or with an exacto knife. Here is the video I watched to make these cute washer necklaces.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-94pom-i1Wc
WARNING: these can be addicting!!!

New DIY Dish web show

This looks like it will be a fun new do it yourself web show.  I'm looking forward to the new projects they will show us.  They are giving away 2 sewing machines on their website.  Check it out.

Friend Day

Today was a great day.  I went to Hobby Lobby with a couple of friends.  We bought some fabric to make a no sew tote bag, from "Simply Sublime Bags" by Jodi Kahn.  We all picked out our fabric which turned into each of us buying enough for 2-4 bags, 1 is not enough.  After getting our fabric cut we asked to lady at the cutting table if they carry colored duck tape.  We decided that the duck tape should be in the sewing section, for a new generation of sewers.   Don't get me wrong I do love to sew, but to be able to buy your fabric and staple and duck tape a bag together with friends who don't sew and all before the kids are home from school = a good day! 
Of course we also bought beads for our newest obsession-beaded watch bands.

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/no-sew-tote-bags 

Here is my bag.

Notebook purse

I have made several of these notebook purses. They are soooo cute and fun to make. I used mini composition notebooks found at the dollar store, 3 in a pack. First I trimmed the ends with a rotary cutter or you could use scissors or an exacto knife.  I glued scrapbook paper on the front and back then trimmed the corners after the glue was dry.  I found that is helpful to put a piece a scratch paper inside the front and back cover until everything is dry.  I used ribbon for the handles and wider ribbon for the closure. Embellished and added Velcro under the ribbon to close. After it was embellished I glued paper on the inside to cover the ribbon ends. Very cute and easy to make.  I found this idea at Sisters' Stuff.
http://sistersstuff.blogspot.com/2009/08/altered-purse-notebook.html