Book Giveaway!

The UPS man handed over a very exciting package today!  I ran into the house, flopped down on the couch and unwraped two copies of the long awaited Stash Happy Felt!  The crisp pages were filled with 30 adorable projects for fellow felt junkies.  There is something wonderful about the look of felt - whether it is machine felted wool, needle felted wool or felt sold by the sheet.  And isn't there something magical about flipping through the bright beautiful pictures in a brand new book?

Why am I so excited about this book?

1)  It isn't available in stores yet.  It's release date is on October 4th so mark your calendars to make a trip to the bookstore OR pre-order it online.

2)  It has a special place in my heart and you will see why if you check out pages 66 (really raccoon t-shirt) and 88 (beary baby hat). These are my projects that were accepted into this collection.  This is the first time my work has been published.

3)  YOU CAN WIN A COPY!  There were two copies in the package I opened... one for me and one for you!  How can you enter the drawing?  Make sure you are an official follower of this blog (you should see your name under "Fellow Followers of Mary's Makings".)  If you don't see your name select "Follow" at the top of the page in the upper left hand corner.  Then leave a comment below so I know you want in on this drawing.  Please invite your friends to participate in this book giveaway.  The more the merrier!  The winner's name will be drawn on September 15th.

Good luck my friends!

  

New Adventures

You know the saying, "when God closes a door he opens a window?"  I truly feel like that is happening in my life. As  you may know, I have had the opportunity to write a book (thank you Lark Crafts!) and the deadline was on Monday, August 15th.  My whole world revolved around that date as it crept closer and closer on the calendar.  It wasn't just me who took on this challenge... my family and friends got pulled along for the ride.  Thanks go out to all of those who helped me with ideas, helped pick up materials that were needed, and took the kids overnight or over to play.  Of course, much love goes to a very supportive husband for his willingness to help me achieve this goal.  He was behind me guiding me forward in every aspect of this venture. He continued his sweetness by deciding that he wants to wear a critter hat around town in an effort to advertise the book and he is currently selecting which one.  What a guy...

Anyway, that door is closing (for a little while at least) and a window has opened.  I have always had a passion for photography but due to recent happenings I have been able to act on it.  If you have seen me lately, you have seen the camera hanging from my neck. I can't help it. I can't put it down. I do not want to miss capturing the most perfect moment of you. So here goes...

Let me introduce you to Mary Rasch Photography...

I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph your family.  My introductory rates are as follows:

$75 for 1 hour of photography and the best 25 moments on a disc

$140 for 2 hours of photography and the best 50 moments on a disc

You have the choice of location, you have the rights to all the photos on the disc and we will have loads of fun!  These package prices are good through the end of September.  Contact me at mrasch1616@yahoo.com.  Can't wait to see you! 

Heighten your Ceiling and Lighten Your Space

Let's create tall ceilings and more light in your spaces but let's do it without all the noise and construction dust...

  

I moved into this house 10 years ago (I can't even believe it has been that long) and I hung my curtain rods and valences as I believe most people do... I lined them up with the top of the window trim.  The windows in our room are low in the first place and I have to bend down a bit to look out because of the curtains.  Here is a picture of a window...  

I remember hearing this trick on HGTV and I was reminded of it this weekend while talking with my Uncle Jeff.  They both suggested moving the curtain rods up so that the bottom of the valance is in line with the bottom of the trim at the top of the window.  It makes you think your windows are much taller and it allows more light in the room, which makes it feel less claustrophobic and therefore your ceilings are taller.  Here is the after picture...

The one thing this picture is missing is the amount of light that is bouncing around in our room.  Now, on each window there is an extra 10 inches of glass showing.  Try it at your house... I guarantee you will notice the difference!

Backyard Bowling

With the hot weather, our family has been guzzling down lots of bottled water.  I ran across this idea and thought it was a great way to reuse some of the bottles that have collected in our recycling.  We made bowling pins!

Collect 10 water bottles and take off their labels.  If there is some stickiness left from the label, Disolve-It works wonders when removing goo (someday I will have to do even more of a plug for that product and list some of the ways it has saved us.) 

Fill the bottles with water and add 5-10 drops of food coloring to each bottle.  If you plan on keeping this game around for a while, or would like to use it indoors, spread glue on the mouth of the bottle before putting the cap on.

Line up the pins and use any type of heavier ball such as a soccer ball.   Let the good times roll!

A Tribute to the Master of Crafting...

I know how proud I feel when I place the final stitches on my projects.  

Imagine how you would feel if you created these...

God, thanks for surrounding us with such beautiful things...

they are fun to photograph!

Mail Bag! (a.k.a. The Comment Box)

Greetings!

Earlier this month, Blythe asked, 

"Can you do something on cute, classy, and inexpensive ideas 

for decorating rather boring walls? 

I've got that dilemma and I think you could help!"

This idea is fairly inexpensive - and it is useful, too!

You can purchase any type of vinyl saying or greeting from sellers online or even at a local store.  Follow the directions that accompany your purchase which explain the application process.

Usually, you can find buckets at craft stores and they are often painted in fun colors, too.  You can personalize each bucket with vinyl cut by a Cricut, but stickers or paint pens would work great, too.  

Purchase your oak board along with the hooks and their hardware at your hardware store.  These hooks were actually found in the shelving area and were meant to be decorative shelf holders.  

Not only is this a fun decoration for your house but it is useful too.  The buckets keep each member of your family organized by making a home for wallets, keys, cell phones and other small items.  

Here is another idea...

 We have started to frame photo booth picture strips.  Every time we see a booth we stop in, act goofy and carefully pack away our freshly printed treasure until we get home.  Although they do a beautiful job, to save money in the framing process we only get our mats cut at the frame shop and purchase our frames from a discount store.


  The framing shop I went to was kind enough to cut only the mat and we mounted the pictures inside.  So far, our collection consists of three strips since our kids were born.  However, we plan on having a wall filled with these collages of memories as the years roll along.

Dinosaurs!

In honor of Brian, who won last Friday's giveaway, today's theme is "dinosaurs."  

Here are a few cute ideas...

Dino Box Stomp

 

Save your Kleenex boxes, paint them green and attach toenails made from construction paper, felt, or other such material.  You will have one stompin' good time!  This idea is from Rockabye Butterfly at:

http://rockabyebutterfly.blogspot.com/2010/12/letter-d-and-number-4-week.html

Dinosaur Tails

Ever feel like roaring at the world?  Just imagine if you had a dinosaur tail to aid in your wild act.  

I guess kids might like these, too.

Jessica from Running with Scissors was featured on 

craftzine with this fun idea.  Check it out:

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/03/how-to_dinosaur_tails.html

Dinosaur Sweatshirt

I love this idea from Ginger and George.  

It is sure to be your little one's favorite, too.  

They can wear it for dress-up and 

it is cute enough to wear out and about.

http://kirstyneale.typepad.com/gingerandgeorge/2011/03/dino-boys.html