Valentine's Day Crafting

I realized I really don't have any Valentines Day decorations.  So I decided to make some of my own.  This morning, I made a little wreath and some hearts to make garland.  I plan on sewing up some conversation heart bowl fillers.  Pictures coming soon!

Yummy Treats!

I wanted to get something for each person in my office, but didn't want to spend a lot of money.  So this year, I dipped pretzel rods in chocolate and then decorated with crushed candy canes, sprinkles, and white chocolate.  I also made some rice krispy treats, but they didn't come out so great.  I decorated these with chocolate and sprinkles.  I then put them in cute little bags and handed them.  Everyone loved them!

And here is Jeremy making sure the chocolate was just right...

 

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a very joyous and happy 2010!  May this year be a good one for all of us!

Christmas Gifts

As promised, here are better pictures of some of the gifts I made for Christmas gifts...from scarves for my aunts to a quiet book for my nephew.  I really put my sewing machine to work!

Jeremy and I have three nieces who absolutely love to play dress up.  As I previously posted, I made tutus for them, using elastic and pieces of tulle to make the skirt.  I then took some eyeshadow and blush compacts, removed the makeup, and replaced the makeup with pieces of color foam.  I made them little bags to put the makeup in, along with some jewelry that I found at the dollar store.  Here is a picture of the play makeup.





I will post pictures of the finished tutus soon!

For our nephew, I made a quiet book.  I was inspired by this blog, and used a lot of her tips and templates to help me create one for Noah.  I'm really happy without it turned out.













This is the second year where my cousins picked names for a secret Santa.  This year, I got my cousin Lena.  I bought her a little bag from Vera Bradley and made her a scarf using some great flannel fabric that I got on sale at Joann Fabrics.  Here is a picture of Lena showing off her new scarf!



For my sisters-in-law, I made them primitive-style bowl fillers.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of them.  For my mother-in-law, I made her a table runner and six placemats for her dining room table.  Again, I didn't get a picture of the final product because I was working on this up to the very last minute!  I made the runner and placemats like a rag quilt, very similar to the set I made for a benefit, which I previously posted pictures.

For my mom and sister, I did not make them anything; however, I will be making some special for my sister who will be getting married in September.  And I plan on making my mom somethings for her newly renovated dining and living rooms.  Stay tuned!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a great New Year.  I'm hoping 2010 will be a much better one for me and my family!

Homemade Christmas...Part 1

Here are some pictures (not the greatest of pictures, I took them with my cell phone) of some of the items I'm making and giving for Christmas.

This is a dish that I purchased, along with a cute stand, and used black chalkboard paint to make a very festive Christmas decoration.  I made two of these (for each of my sister-in-laws).  I just need to put some finishing touches on the paint...I'm not the neatest of painters.

This really is a horrible picture....but this a tutu I made for one of my nieces.  I used pink and purple tulle, cut them in 3 inch wide pieces and tied them around an elastic.  I still have a few more to make...  Along with the tutus, I'm making them each a little bag and filling it with 'princess' goodies.  I found some awesome bracelets at Target (love the $1 bins!) and some other jewelry the dollar store.  I also made some pretend makeup, using real makeup containers, but taking out makeup, and using colored foam to make the 'makeup' (see other picture).  The makeup looks awesome!