The Gratitude Tree

Being thankful is such a wonderful attribute.  Sometimes we don't realize just how much we have to be thankful for.  Of course, being thankful shouldn't just be focused on around Thanksgiving, but it sure does help!

I saw this Gratitude Tree on pinterest and I knew I just had to make it!  I just grabbed some tree brances from a tree right outside our apartment.  Oh, and don't mind that the t.v. is on, my little one is watching yo gabba gabba and I knew she would throw a fit if I turned it off for the sake of the picture. Ha! We have yet to put things that we are grateful for on it.  I think I want to save it for Sunday or Monday for Family Home Evening.

I love it! I cut out the leaves with my cricut and my awesome program sure cuts a lot2.  I love my cricut!  I just wish I had a craft room so I didn't have to keep digging it out of its box and putting it back.  That's just the lazy part of me talking, though..

More Halloween Decor!

I've recently joined pinterest. I hope that is spelled right.  I was hesitant, but once I realized how easily I could organize all my "wish list" of crafts, I thought it was an amazing idea!

At any rate, I just opened up the browser and went to the my homepage. I don't think I have anything pinned just yet.  Anyway, on the page were a bunch of stuff that other people had pinned. I scrolled down and saw the cutest skull halloween decor. I just had to make them!

So, instead of cleaning, which it doesn't look too bad, I decided to make them.  I actually traced the image and used my exacto knife since I couldn't find one I liked on the internet to have cut on my cricut.  I LOVED the way they turned out.  And though the frames look crooked, I assure you they are straight on the wall~ =)  I used supplies I already had in my craft closet, which was a bonus. I bought these frames forever ago at the d.i. I never put pictures in them.  For the past 2 years they have been waiting to be created into this!

I love how I am making my halloween decor instead of buying it.  Although I will be at the stores when the decor goes 75% off!

Monsters!

I went through my holiday decorations and was saddened when I realized I had barely any Halloween decorations.

I saw this cute tutorial and I knew that I had everything to make them.  I really like how my little monsters came out.

My husband says I tried making the characters of yo gabba gabba but I assured him that I was just making monsters.  But I can see how he would think that. 

At any rate, I am excited that I have some more halloween decor for our home.  They were super fun to make and if you have kids who are a little older, they would love to make them, too!

Halloween Countdown Blocks

With Halloween coming next month, I wanted to have some countdown blocks to bring in the holiday.  I know that once Emma is older she will appreciate it more.  I love them and made them with paper I bought at the Scrapbook Expo last March.

I LOVE HALLOWEEN!

Wreath with Style

I was given a stryofoam wreath and so I decided to decorate it! I bought these flowers at the Scrapbook Expo back in March (I have to thank Bree Olson for all the awesome colors) and used some leftover velvet fabric I had.

It was super easy and it's super cute! It's perfect for Spring and Summer! I will also be donating this for the Lyons Reunion auction.

Lion Pillows!

We have the Lyons Reunion this weekend. I am super excited! I made lion pillows! They were super easy to make! I wish I would have bought more fleece to make more because I had so much stuffing left. 

When I was sitting in the Dr.'s office back in January, I came across this awesome tutorial!  I just knew that I had to make them for the Lyons Reunion.

Instead of using tacky glue, I just sewed around the nose.  I thought it would be sturdier, since these might be going to some kinds. I also didn't put whiskers. Either way, they look cute!

Primary Bag

I was called into the Primary in our new ward. I am the new Sunbeam teacher. I am truly excited to see how this adventure goes! As such, I needed a bag big enough to carry all my sweet materials and to act as a diaper bag, as well.


I bought a canvas bag at the D.I. for $1.50. I came home and personalized it! Not only will people know it is my bag, but it perfect for primary!

Sunglass holder

Over the weekend I bought a new pair of sunglasses. Usually I hate spending a ton of money on sunglasses.  But we were at a softball tournament and the sun was blaring in my eyes.  I began getting a headache from squinting, so we while at the Gunnison Market, I decided to buy some glasses.

I spent $11 on them, which I think was way too much. I'm happy with $5 ones.  But I was desperate and my husband was willing to let me buy them.  Because of this, I want to make sure these babies last a long time. I decided to make a case for them so that I can throw them in my purse. My purse is full of everything and I knew they would get scratched up in no time.

It was easy! Things you'll need:

-2 different kinds of fabric (if you like) One fabric a softer one. I had velvet-like fabric
-ribbon
-all your sewing necesities

First, cut your fabric. This is the tricky part, since all sunglasses are different sizes.  But I just measured mine and pretty much guessed. I ended up cutting my fabric 6 x 9 inches.

If you are thinking this doesn't look like the right measurements, you are right. It ended up being really small.

I have 2 different fabrics. I wanted a softer material for the inside, so I took one of each fabric. Right sides, facing in, sew all around, except for the top. This will of course be the opening.

Clip the excess. And turn inside out.  Take the other two fabrics and do the same thing.

Making sure right sides are facing in, combine both pieces and sew. Here is the tricky part. I had to have a seem that was 5/8 so that it would fit my glasses.  Simply measure what yours would be. Then sew all around, except for the top.  Snip excess fabric and turn inside out!

Next, we will make the casing.  Fold 1/4 inch then 1/2 inch, then sew leaving about 1/2 opening for the ribbon.

Take a safety pin, and then pull through.

 Tie knots at the ends. I did double knots. Then pull together and your case will close!

There you have it!

Dresses

I've been dress happy the past couple of days. I found this cute pattern and I've made a few already.  If you have a little girl, or know someone who does, or have to get a baby shower gift, this is cute and simple and cost hardly anything! 

Here are some of the dresses I did.

 My flower child

 She is so happy!

She's mid-chew with banana bread. Love this dress!

You should try this super easy tutorial!

Portions

Big plates usually means big portions.  At least that is what my husband believes.  So, in order to get healthy we have decided to use different plates.  We have 2 sets, a large set and a smaller set.

I can't remember where I heard/saw it, but to help with portion sizes, a simple solution is to use a smaller plate! Makes sense!  So, that is what we are doing now.  It really has helped.  And if you want seconds, that's okay because your first serving was relatively small.

So start small to a healthier you and use smaller plates at dinner time!

Grocery Bag Holder

This is my pathetic grocery bag holder. I'm disgusted that I even bought it.  But I think I was desperate because grocery bags were getting out of control.  It had never occurred to me to make one. My brain can be a bit slow sometimes. Anyway, I got the idea from make it love it
I made some changes and followed the basic concept.  So, I guess I am doing what she did, but with my own twist.





Things you will need and will most likely already have if you are a sewer:

• Fabric cut into16x5 inches (4 peices)
• The top strip and bottom strip, I made wider 16x6
• elastic (1/4 inch or smaller) one piece 11 in the other 6 1/2 in
• Strip of ribbon 14 inches
• Grocery Bags

The first thing to do is sort through your fabric and choose what colors/patterns you want for your grocery bag holder. It doesn't have to totally match-Make it fun!  Cut out the strips. 

One thing I didn't do, and should have done right in the beginning was sew all the strips together. Be sure to sew the seams open as well.  I learned the hard way, but it's okay, it still turned out great!

The next part you will be sewing the elastic to both the bottom and top.  This will probably the hardest part (even though it's not) of the actually trash bag holder.

Make the casing for the elastic, fold 1/4 inch and fold again 1/3 inch over that.  Just eyeball it, I didn't whip out the measuring table. Sew it up and do the same with the top piece of the fabric.

Take the piece of elastic and pin a safety pin through it. Use the smaller piece of elastic for the bottom (this is where the grocery bags will be able to be pulled out) The larger piece is for the top.  

Sew the edge of the elastic to one end of the fabric.  Then pull the rest of the elastic using the safety pin and sew the other edge to the other side of the fabric.  It will look scrunchy. Do the same thing with the other piece of fabric and elastic.

Like I said, I didn't sew my pieces of fabric in the beginning so don't be alarmed that this piece is standing alone. It's my top piece.  Pin the piece of ribbon to either side of your top piece.

 To make it easier (as I eyeballed this) you can pin the pieces together so you can see it as a whole, then pin piece of ribbon accordingly.

Make sure top in in place and then you will sew it in place.

 I made two stitchings. I wanted to be sure this sucker wasn't going to rip off. Sew in several times over to secure in place.

Now all that is left is to sew the sides together. Make sure your fabric is inside out while you sew up the entire piece. When you are done, turn inside out and stuff with grocery bags!

This is so easy to munipulate--meaning you can change the width, the length of your grocery bag.  You can do it all one piece or several pieces. I just really liked the way all these pieces of fabric looked together.

The Wonderful World of Yoga

I have become very excited about yoga again.  It's so refreshing to do it in the morning right after you wake up.  There is something about stretching out your muscles and breathing in and out slowly that really relaxes you for the day ahead.

I have wii fit, and with it comes my routine, where you can set up what yoga exercises you want to do. I have 20 minutes of yoga exercises. I have to get up at 7:30am so my wonderful Emma doesn't try to do it with me (learned the hard way) but I would have to say that it is very much worth it.

Don't have wii fit?  A free way to do this would be to go to your local library and check out a dvd.  If you are really committed there are tons of yoga videos out there!  OR, you could even go as far as looking up the exercises on youtube and committing them to memory and allow yourself to do it anytime.

At any rate, I thoroughly love the feeling I get from doing yoga.  It is my goal to continue to do it every morning.  After all, it's great to be up and doing!

First Presidency and Apostle Magnets

I know these magnets are pretty self-explanatory, but I thought my debut craft should be a fairly simple one. One afternoon I was flipping through the Ensign and I saw the lovely apostles and First Presidency, and it was like a lightbulb went off and I knew they must be on my fridge!

Items you will need for this project:

• Copy of Conference Ensign
• Black Cardstock (or white)
• Scissors
• glue stick
• clear packaging tape
• magnets (ones with adhesive are easier to work with)

Step One:

Rip out the page where the First Presidency and Apostles are.  If you take the edge of the scissors and gently apply pressure, you can go all the way down and then easily remove the page.  We wouldn't want the page to rip! 

Step Two:
Cut close to the photos, and don't cut them out individually.  Don't worry about cutting it perfectly right now. We will do that later. At this point, if you want the name of the apostle, make sure you don't cut the name out.   After you are done, glue them to the black cardstock.  Make sure there is glue on the entire backside of the photos.  (This just makes sure they glue onto the black paper and won't flake off when you cut them individually)

Step Three:

Now that they are glued down, you can cut out each apostle individually.  Here is where you want to make sure you cute as closely to the photo. If you decided to have the name of the apostle, then cut as straight as you can under the name.

Step Four:

This is where you will need your packaging tape.  Cut a piece out that will be enough to cover the photo, but enough to fold over. This will act as a laminate and protect your photos.

Step Five:

Cute each corner (use scissors you don't care get sticky, or just clean your scissors immediately after. They will get sticky if left unclean. 

Step Six:

Fold each side back.  This will just secure it all!

Step Seven:

Simply remove the adhesive from the magnet and slap that baby behind the photo!  Easy Peasy!

Final Step:

Admire!

I hope you enjoy all your magnets. They come in handy!  And if you keep the names on the photos, a great learning tool for you and your kids!