Fleece Hat Friends

I am so excited...

Many years ago, I was out on a date with my hubby and I pulled a book off the shelf titled, "Damn! Why Didn't I Write That?" on how to write non-fiction.  I didn't have much extra money so I rarely bought a book but something made me buy this one.  I read it, was inspired, and sat down to write.  My first book proposal was rejected.  Yet, it still felt good to hold that rejection letter in my hand.  At least I had tried.

Fast forward to a few years later after being blessed with a little boy and then a girl, my mind returned once again to writing.  I kept thinking, "Wouldn't it be wild to walk into Barnes and Noble and see my name on a book?"

So, let's fast forward to tonight.  This is why I am so excited...

Just for kicks, I typed in my book title (eeek!) into Amazon.com never imagining that they would have it available for pre-order already... but they did!  I am thrilled!  Fleece Hat Friends will be available on September 4th, 2012.  In my search, I see that the book is listed (so far) on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com, too.

I spent most evenings and many weekends last summer in my basement measuring, cutting, sewing, and snipping.  It was quite an intense process... a labor of love!  It feels oh-so-good to see the final product... and to share it with you!

Suckered...

Keep this in mind if you are in need of a great idea for your child's Valentines.  Family Fun is featuring the idea on their site:

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/jolly-lollies-668251/

They won't take long to make - 30 minutes or less - and are made from foam!

Or how about these super hero suckers?  Zakkalife explains exactly how to make them if you click on the following link: 

http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2011/02/its-bird-its-plane-its-super-valentine.html

Just one more... I thought this was sweet, too!  Check out the link below for the instructions at Skip to My Lou.

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/02/08/how-does-your-garden-grow/

Jump and See Where You Land

A thought for today...

I have always been a planner.
But, as I look back on some of the best decisions of my life,
I see that I jumped... and flew.

I am so thankful for all of the blessings in my life and thank God for making them possible.
He is the one who gives me the courage to jump.

 


I purchased this printable poster on Etsy.com from:

Bates Mercantile Co.

Here is a link if you want to, too!

Elmo Birthday!

What to do when they turn two...

We love Sesame Street in our home - always have always will.

Our daughter, like many toddlers, loves Elmo.

So, it was only right to celebrate Elmo-style.

If you are in the same boat, but searching for ideas, look no more!

The invitations read as follows:

(To the tune of Elmo's World Theme Song)

La la la la

La la la la

Little Nanny is 2!

La la la la 

La la la la

She wants to celebrate with you.

Please come to her house on October 14th.

The party starts at 12 o'clock noon.

Nanny loves you!

Gotta have Elmo cupcakes...

The cupcakes were made by using red food coloring and shredded coconut as fur, halved mini-marshmallows as eyes with chocolate fudge for the dot in the middle, and orange spiced gumdrops as noses.  

For decorations, we used red balloons to scatter on the floor, helium Elmo balloons for a centerpiece, plush Elmos that we already own, and red and orange plates and napkins.  

Simple, easy and fun!

Sweater Mitten Class

Hello Friends!  ... and Special Greetings to My Sweater Mitten Class!

I spent 3 nights of the last two weeks with some warm and wonderful ladies that attended the sweater mitten classes I taught through Community Education.  We had a great time despite the draw to be outdoors soaking up the last bit of warmth we are being gifted.  It is 75 degrees as I type at 11:35 p.m.  That is unheard of.  Needless to say, it felt a little wrong pulling out the wool sweaters to make these cozy creations.  But, we were like mice, scurrying to get our mittens done; preparing for the cold days ahead.  

Credit needs to be given to the maker of these mittens, a dear friend, Nicole.

So, ladies... show us your final products!  Send me a picture of your mittens and I will post them to the blog so we all can compare notes and see the beautiful possibilities.  

Answering your question, "what are we going to do with all of our felted wool scraps?"  Dig back on this blog's posts or visit Mossy as they have some great tutorials.  Learn how to make owls, mice, finger puppets, super-hero accessories, and even balls out of roving.  Check it out!

Mossy

The Winner Is....

Congratulations Laura!

You are the winner of the drawing and therefore receiving the book Stash Happy Felt.  

Send us a picture of each project as you complete it.

Deadline:  Two Weeks.

Thank you to all of you who entered the drawing!  The book will be available online or at your favorite bookstore starting October 4th.  There are some adorable ideas and creative contributors inside!

The prize will be delivered on foot within 24 hours as the health, weather, or the sensitivity of the delivery man permits. No prize transfer, assignment or substitution by winner permitted. All federal, state and local taxes, fees and surcharges on prizes are the sole responsibility of the winner. If the winner declines the prize, fails to claim the prize, is unavailable for prize fulfillment, fails to abide by the Official Rules, or is ineligible, Mary's Makings may select an alternate winner from all remaining eligible entries. If the winner is not at her desk tomorrow, Mary's Makings is not responsible for the mental anxiety she may endure as she patiently waits for Monday to come.  Congratulations Laura!

Glitter Pumpkins

Can you feel the cool fall air lingering in the shadows when you step out of the sun?  There is no doubt... fall is just around the corner.  I love this season because of the colors, the smells, the baking, the snuggling with those we love... and the decorations!  Enjoy these directions for making beautiful glitter pumpkins.

Materials:

Ceramic Pumpkins (Found at the Dollar Store!) or Actual Pumpkins

Mod Podge

Fine Cut Glitter

Paint Brush

Newspaper

2 Paper Plates

Clear Spray Paint or Spray-On Craft Sealant

Instructions:

Paint the areas with Mod Podge that you want glittered (you may want to leave the stems unpainted).  Pour your glitter on one of your plates.  Next, pour it over your pumpkin making sure the other paper plate catches the excess glitter under the pumpkin.  Keep going back and forth with the pouring of the glitter until the whole pumpkin is thoroughly covered.  Tap the pumpkin stem to the plate on the table so the excess glitter falls off and set the pumpkin aside on newspaper.  Let the pumpkin(s) dry overnight, then spray with clear spray paint or spray-on craft sealant to ensure that the glitter doesn't come off when handled.

I hope your fall season sparkles with blessings!