Hidden Treasures

Just had to blog about this...  I always see things like this that I want to make but for some reason I rarly find time to try other people's craft ideas. So in an ttempt to remember this and share it hopefully for future reference I will blog about it!

This craft is from the Jennifer, the Naughty Secretary... She created a bracelet using her stuffed animal collection. How you might ask? By taking pictures, modifying them, and adhering them to buttons. I cannot even explain how cool these kook, you can see for yourself here.

Thanks Jennifer!

  I know Peeps aren't just for easter any more... They make this in all shapes, sizes, and colors - all dresses up to fit pretty much any holiday or occasion. With Peeps, it seems people either love them or hate them. Which side do you fall into, the lover or haters? :-)

Where you love them or hate them, here are some fun Peep related links for you!

• Peeps S'mores
• Make Your Own Peeps
• Official Peeps Site
• Peeps Candy Design Easter Printables
• Traveling Peeps
• Peeps Haiku
• Peeps Show

With so much work to do over at the Family Crafts Site I wasn't thinking at all about Spring cleaning... In fact, I was trying to avoid it! Early this aftrenoon, however, while I was sitting and typing up an article about How to Make a Paper Plate Frog my power went off...  Poor squirrel wandered into the transformer box! Anyway, I really had nothing to do while the power was out for a couple of hours so I decided to start my Spring cleaning...  Ugh!

I am so glad I did! I had forgotten how cleansing Spring cleaning is, not only for your house but also for your soul. I know, this sounds corny, but it really is true. I found the more I cleaned the better I felt and the more I wanted to clean.  I felt liberating to open the windows wide and let in the fresh air, even if it is only 45 degrees (F) outside.

I decided I am going to try to deep clean one room every day (that we are home) until they are all done. I will still work on Family Crafts, but whenever my butt starts getting sore from sitting too much, I am going to get up and clean for about a half an hour or so.

Today I started in the basement. It is the messiest actually because it is not only where our two labs spend most of their time, it is also wher the main entrance to the house is.  My hunters also like to stack all of their hunting gear around.

I discovered a cool cleaning tip too, while I was cleaning the basement...  The back door was a mess. There was everything from greasy handprints to what I hope are dirty dog nose prints. The screen door has some texture to it so I was not having much luck with my sponge and soapy water.... After thinking about it, I ran up to the bathroom and came back with my shower cleaner. You know, the one with "scrubbing bubbles"?  A sprayed it generously over the dirty spots on the door, rinsed out my sponge and pretty much wiped all the dirt off. Yeah!

Now tomorrow, I think I will tackle my office.  There is a lot to dust in there so if you have any tips let me know. 

One of my Tweople shared a link to a crocheted Easter basket today and for some reason it took me back to the 70s... I don't think my mom ever made us crocheted Easter baskets, but I remember a variety of colorful vests, right Tony? :-)

Anyway, for some reason I now have the desire to make this crocheted easter basket, although I have no idea how to crochet in a circle, let along make the transition from the bottom to the sides!  I wonder if I could teach myself that?  Probably...

If you want to peak at the basket, here is the link: CraftSanity's Crocheted easter Basket

This is also a good recycling craft because the basket is crocheted to fit around a margarine tub!

If you are interested in other ways to make easter baskets, check out these projects:

Recycled Easter Basket
Not only can you use these cute little baskets as decorations and for giving Easter treats, but they are a great way to recycle!

Bunny Easter Basket Craft
Follow these instructions and you can make a a bunny shaped easter basket using a paper plate.

Easter Egg Basket
Instructions for making an egg shaped Easter basket using paper mache techniques.

Edible Easter Basket
From your About.com guide, a fun treat using ice cream.

I am going to try to get back to posting on my blog... It has been a long, busy Winter between the cabin, hockey, and working on my Family Crafts site, there seems to be no time for anything else!

One of my Tweople shared this link this morning and I was over checking it out and thought I would share: Wish Upon a Hero

There are requests for everything from gift cards to buy food to requests for clothing donations... I am going to explore it more... 

While our flooding in no way compares to the flooding in Fargo, Moorhead, and other towns on the Red River, but it was the worst we have seen since we moved to Sebeka 9 years ago....  Here are a few pictures:

This boat was actually parked in someone's yard...


This fish is actually part of the new play ground equipment in the city park...

Find more Wordless Wednesday participants here and more of My Wordless Wednesday entries are here

 

Here is a picture of another purse I made at quilt retreat. I couldn't post it last week because I made it for a birthday present for my mom so she didn't get it until Thursday night! This pattern is called Grids and Grommets.

It is a little hard to pick out, but I made it using all black and white cat related fabrics. One of the fabrics has cat related words, another has strutting cats, and the thrid features paw prints. The fabric I used on the inside of this purse is also black and white. It has a newsprint design featuring cute stories all related to cats. :-)

The hardest part of making this purse was doing the handle. The cording we had was a size smaller than the pattern called for and it was a chore feeding it through the fabric tube. I cannot even imagine what a pain in the butt it would be if I had the right size.

 

Find more Wordless Wednesday participants here and more of My Wordless Wednesday entries are here

 

Here are a few of the items I made at quilt retreat this year... Perhaps I better start calling it purse retreat! :-)

 The first picture here is a Clutter Bug Bag (by This and That). This is a cute, little scrappy bag with a zipper. Don't be scared of zippers, they aren't that bad! :-)  I thought this would make a cute cosmetic or toiletry bag. The buttons were covered with one of the same fabrics on the purse. This is a really cool product from Dritz (see them here). The buttons were easy to construct and I look forward to using them for more projects.

 

 

 

Next is Lisa's Photo Bag (by Designs by KC). It is hard to see in this picture But this bag has one clear pocket on one side and 3 smaller clear pockets on the other so you can display your pictures (the picture in this pocket is one of my puppies Levi). You can simply slide whichever pictures you want in the pockets and display them with pride! While constructing the part of the bag where the picture pockets are was a bit putzy, it was pretty easy. Kathy (the 'K' in Designs by KC) writes great directions for beginners. This bag also has pockets on the inside. The pattern is similar to the one I used for Parker's Diaper Bag.

 

 

 

 

 Finally, this last picture is my favorite. The pattern is called Birdie Sling (by Amy Butler). This purse is big and roomy, with two pockets inside. Katie and I both made this purse at quilt retreat. The pattern directions were a bit awkward but I figure it out. I would, however, hate to be a beginner and try to follow it I think. I love this bag and the fabric that came in a kit I bought. Katie, you should post a picture of yours too! Her fabriccs are very pretty too.

 

I will post more projects as I get them photographed!