Holiday Eating Tips

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It’s rare. You can’t find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? Have one for me. Have two! It’s later than you think!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Pour it on! Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes! Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat!

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother?

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a holiday party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it!

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. Now is the time for long naps! You need to be rested so you can circle the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at the buffet table, like frosted holiday cookies in the shape of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.

8. Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin, pecan. Have a slice of each! When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards!

10. And the last tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read tips and start over! Remember, January is just around the corner!


Motto to live by – “Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming “WOO HOO, what a ride!”


Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Jammies for the kiddos

Every year the kids get matching Christmas jammies... Right now they think it's the coolest thing EVER. But, they're young.

Walker Organizer Pattern and Tutorial

This is so easy! I wanted to post a tutorial... Here it is!!


Materials Needed for 2 organizers:
1 yard of fabric
Thread to match
10 inches of hook and loop tape (SEW-ON!!)


Step 1 - Lay 1 yard of fabric out (the way it comes off of the bolt - do not refold)



Step 2 - Cut fabric lengthwise right down the middle! You'll end up with 2 pieces of fabric doubled over approximately 1 yard long and about 11-12 inches wide, depending on the original length of the fabric.



Step 3 - Right sides together, sew along the edges leaving a 3" opening for turning. Clip corners.



Step 4 - Turn.



Step 5 - Press.



Step 6 - Align hook and loop tape about 9 inches apart. The fuzzy and the loop sides should both be on the SAME side of the fabric. This will be the flap that wraps around the bar. Pin and sew.



Step 7 - Turn fabric over (velcro side DOWN). Fold bottom of fabric up about 16", then fold the top back toward the bottom about 8". Then fold back up toward the top about 3". You're creating the pockets by sandwiching the fabric on top of itself.



The final folded fabric should look similar to this:



Step 8 - Sew the pen pockets into the smallest, top pocket. Sew ONLY into the TOP 2 layers - do NOT sew through entire thickness!! Then sew along side seams through all layers. Be sure the flap at the top is OPEN - you don't want to accidently sew the flap closed!



Give it a final pressing and it's ready to go!!

Facebook

I have joined Facebook... bear with me as I figure it out.

Walker Organizer

We're getting geared up for our Christmas trip to the Nursing Home. Last year a friend gave me a bunch of fabric to make bags and totes for the inmates (and I'm referring to the inmates at the nursing home - NOT prison inmates!... there was some confusion!). This is what I came up with. It's got a large pocket for books or magazines, and a smaller pocket for glasses and pens. The flap folds over a bar of the walker and fastens with velcro for easy removal and washing. I'm quite pleased! The whole thing is fully lined for durability. Thanks goes out to the boy (who is feeling MUCH better) for holding it up for me!

Matching Christmas Jammies

Since we're homebound due to a stomach virus, we had to postpone our plans to mummify the rooster. I decided to sit down and sew something - it's been weeks! These are for our friends. I made some for them last year, and the kids liked them so much, it's going to be a tradition... well, until they're teenagers!

The girl made a pillowcase!

The girl has been bugging me since yesterday to sew something. She found this fantastic fabric stashed way in the back... it's butterflies - and it sparkles! How will she ever be able to fall asleep on such a beautiful pillowcase?! She did a fantastic job. All I did was iron the top seam! Way to go girl!

It's November

Apparently, someone is confused. It's November and our high tomorrow is 39 with a chance of snow.

*sigh*

http://www.cocobayresort.com/photogallery/antigua_vacation_photos.htm

It's fall today

The kids have been enjoying the mountains of leaves. The boy went out today just as a gust of wind sent sheets of leaves down from the treetops. He looked at me with excitement and said, "It's fall today!!"

Yes, indeed. Fall is here!

Pizza Pinwheels

I found a recipe for these somewhere in the labyrinth that is the Internet.

Just take crescent roll doll and lay out 2 triangles together, so it's still a rectangle. Flatten with a rolling pin then add cheese and pepperoni or whatever you like. The green one's happen to be feta, mozzarella and spinach.

Roll them up tightly, then slice roll into pinwheels. Bake according to crescent roll package.

Perler Bead Tic-Tac-Toe game boards

The girl wanted to raise money for Heifer International. In order to raise money, she made 8 Tic-Tac-Toe gameboards to sell. They took about an hour and a half each. Her friends each contributed hand-made crafts to sell also. That, and the generosity of our friends, family and neighbors, enabled her to raise $280! That will buy a goat, 6 rabbits, and about 35 chickens for families in need across the globe. You can find out more about Heifer Project by visiting www.heifer.org.

Jack-o-lanterns

We try to do jack-o-lanterns every year. This year, the girl dove right in with both hands. She cleaned, cut and carved the fancy starry-eyed Jack.

The boy, on the other hand, was NOT happy about the cold slime. He only likes cold, slimy things that one might find outside. Cold, slimy things within the shell of a pumpkin, well, that's just down-right scary!

Bookmarks

I got this fantastic idea from Jnet (who else?). The bookmarks are just a long piece of ribbon doubled over and decorated with a charm and some beads. They loop and the beads at the end act as a fastener. So you place the ribbon loop around your book or magazine then just slide the bead to secure. You can drop the book, fan the magazine, give to small children, and they still stay in place!

This pile is for the inmates at the old folks' home. We're planning on going for Halloween. Since they're not allowed to have candy, the kids and I are bringing in some magazines with those fancy bookmarks for them.

Crocheted Washrags

Well, a little old lady told me a few weeks ago that these 100% cotton washrags were just the best in the world. I figured it'd be a good way to try out new techniques. This is a Basket Weave Stitch... directions for those interested:

Ch 28 loosely
Row 1 - Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across: 26 sts.
Row 2 - Ch 2, turn; skip 1st dc (work FPdc around post of next 3 dc, work BPdc around the post of next 3 dc) repeat () across, hdc in top of beginning ch: 26 sts.
Row 3 - Ch 2, turn; skip 1st hdc, (work FPdc around the post of next 3 sts, work BPdc around the post of next 3 sts) repeat () across, hdc in top of beginning ch.
Rows 4 & 5 - Ch 2, turn; skip first hdc, (work BPdc around the post of next 3 sts, work FPdc around the post of next 3 sts), repeat () across, hdc in top of beginning ch.
Row 6 - Repeat Row 3. Weave in ends.

Blueberry Jam

It's finally cool enough that making jam didn't seem like a monumental task! I made 2 batches of organic blueberry jam today. Yes, blueberry! Won't it make those everyday PB&J's seem so much more exotic!?

Ocean Box

The girl has to make an ocean box for her Science Class. As the year goes on, she'll have to add different animals and geological details. Dad is even going to provide her with REAL sand for the ocean floor.

Tae Kwon Do Test

We've been really busy lately. We just got back from a trip to Nini's. It was so much fun. We got a chance to play with my nephew... he just turned 5 months.

The boy has really been involved with Tae Kwon Do. He had his first belt test last week and was awarded his white belt. Such an honor!

Dorothy Halloween Costume

A friend's daughter wants to be "Dorothy" for Halloween. I'm going to surprise her with this when I go over this afternoon. It's my first successful attempt at a Peter pan collar. I changed the pattern a bit - I wanted the bodice to be lined. The lining actually made the collar go in easier - no hand-sewing the binding!!

I've been working on this for a while, only taking it out when there is a lull between other projects. I really like the beading details, so until I can figure out the art of picture smocking, I'll have to settle with the bead embellishments.

My first pleating attempt!

As anyone who has spoken with me in the last 3 weeks knows, I got a pleater!!! (Many thanks to palmettokids.net and Ms. Debra!)

Well, I finally had a chance to fill the MANY, MANY bobbins and put my pleating skills to the test. I just did a test insert. I have no idea how to alter a pattern to USE the insert, but I plan on figuring it out!

Tea Party

The tea party was a success! The tables were decorated beautifully. It was the perfect garden tea setting! Great job C and A!

Tea Party Dress

The girl had a tea party with her friends this afternoon. I made this dress so she'd have something new and fancy to wear.

The boy at the golf course

Daddy took the boy golfing on Saturday. He had so much fun! He got to drive the cart and practice his swings. A Tiger in the makin'!

Matching Sun Hat

Here's the hat I finally got around to putting together. It matches the romper. Fully lined!

Rainy Day

My cousin was in town this past week (which is why I haven't posted until yesterday), and we worked on a few projects to pass the rainy days. I made this set for my nephew... a super fuzzy hat and booties. I'm just in love with this yarn. It's the Italia from Yarn Bee - so fuzzy and so soft!

Winter Hat

Well, the boy was jealous, so he got a hat, too.

Crocheted Hat

This hat was kind of an accident... it's not anything like the pattern I was using, but with a little improvisation, I think it turned out okay... and the girl was THRILLED! The plan was to make the "Paris Hat" from www.crochetpatterncentral.com. I used the treble stitch, but a different weight yarn and a different size needle so it came out a little big. I just added that braided cord around the bottom and voila!

Baby Boy Romper

One of the guys at work is a proud Papa again, so I pulled this together. It's a vintage Simplicity pattern from the early 70s. I'm pretty sure it was one of Granny's. I changed up the pattern just a little. The pattern called for just a facing at the top, but I went ahead and lined it entirely. I think it just looks nicer without any raw edges. And I'm loving those hammer in snaps! Thanks, Jnet!

My Little Pony Jumper

The girl has been begging for My Little Pony fabric for MONTHS. I've even considered buying from ebay! ACK! Well, went to Hancock over the weekend and found this lovely print. The girl is on Cloud 9!

Hairbows

I've been on a craze making hairbows. They're so pricey in the stores, and after a couple, they're really not that difficult to make. Here's a great website with multiple tutorials on all different types of hairbows! Even the famous "Gymboree" korker bows. And sure enough, it works!!

http://bowdesigns.50webs.com/pinwheel_bow.html

Fall Romper - Corduroy!

This is some more of that great corduroy fabric. I've had this pattern all summer - I was just waiting for the girl to stop growing so I'd know what size to make it! The bodice is completely lined, so there's no itchy parts, but the ties are my favorite part!! A headband is coming up next.

Jingle Dog Collar

At Christmas, we bring our beloved lab, Dan, to the local retirement home and visit with the "inmates". The kids' bring them goodie bags and Dan gets lots of love. I found a picture of a Chihuahua wearing a crocheted jingle collar and just knew Dan would have to wear one this year.

Playing in the rain

We've been enjoying the rain since yesterday. The kids have been begging to use their umbrellas and raincoats, so during a lull in the thunder, we rushed out to play "Off to school". They'd give me a kiss and head off to school in the rain.

Fall Corduroy Jumper

Found this fantastic corduroy fabric at walmart last year for $1 a yard. I knew it would make the perfect fall jumper!

Kitchen Aid Mixer Cover

My dear friend Cyndi asked me to make her a cover for her Kitchen Aid mixer. This is what I came up with!

Here's a link to the "pattern" I used.

http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/n011801b.htm

Baby booties

These little booties were made for our friends. I found some super soft yarn at Hobby Lobby so I've been pumping out booties like crazy! The ribbon just makes them even more girly!

Girls' Hand-smocked and Hand-beaded dress

I made this little dress for some friends. They're expecting their first in only a few weeks. It was the first time I'd incorporated beads with the smocking, but I was extremely pleased with the way it turned out. Although a bit tedious, the results were well worth it! Be sure to click on the image for a close-up!

My roses

In addition to crafting, roses are my hobby. They're a lot of work, but no store-bought bouquet compares to a display of fragrant blooms brought in straight from the backyard. This GIANT pink bouquet is from some of my Princess Diana bushes. The blooms are so large, you can see they dwarf that big pack of gum.

My hand at smocking

Ooh, my OTHER new addiction, in addition to crochet. My dear friend, Jnet, constructed and pleated this dress for me and I smocked and hemmed it. It was a team effort, and it turned out beautiful!

Purse and matching Scottie

Every fashion icon needs a pup in her purse. The purse pattern is on Craftster.com - it's the "Jordy" pattern. The Scottie pattern can be found at http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/05/softie_scotty_d.html

My daughter's Embroidery Work

I'm not the only one who loves crafting! My 5 year-old daughter has the bug, too. She's been working on this butterfly and her talent is obvious!

I forgot to add that this embroidery pattern was one I found in the box from Aunt Patti. See, I told you we'd put it to good use!!

Green eggs and ham

No kid has lived until they've eaten green eggs and ham! Scramble the eggs then add blue food coloring (not necessary to add yellow - the eggs are already yellow!). Cook as usual! YUM!

Messenger Bag

I've had this fabric for about 3 years. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it - I just didn't know what to do with it! It's got turquoise and white embroidered daisies all over it... when I found the tutorial for the messenger bag on Crafter.com, I know just which fabric to use! It's fully lined - and it's going to my sister-in-law for her birthday. Shh!!

Baby Bubble in Toile

Super cute and summery "bubble". The fabric for this was so amazing... a pink toile! Another Children's Corner pattern.