Newest Swap

I wasn't going to sign up for another swap, but I decided to participate in a Secret Santa Swap!  I've done a couple of swaps with Shawnee at http://www.flirtyapronswap.blogswap.com.  Shawnee has asked people to post answers to the following questions.

1. What are your hobbies? making jewelry and sewing
2. What are your favorite colors?  right now I'm into more earthy colors
3. Do you collect anything? tea cups and craft supplies
4. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? no
5. Do you have any pets? yes, an american eskimo dog named Takoda
6. Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate? Tea
7. What do you like to read? craft books, cookbooks, true stories
8. Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet? Candies
9. What is your favorite holiday treat? I don't know that I have one
10. Describe your favorite holiday tradition. being with family, seeing christmas lights
11. Did you believe in Santa as a child? yes
12. When do you open presents? We got to open one on Christmas eve before we went to bed and then the rest Christmas morning when my grandparents came over.
13. Do you put up a tree and when?  If not, how do you celebrate?  Usually the day after Thanksgiving, but that has changed since we have little kids
14. Does your tree have a theme? ornaments that I have been given over the years
15. What has been your favorite gift to give?  to receive?   to give: things I have made, to receive: My engagement ring

I can't believe that I am doing another swap, but I am pretty excited about it!

Amy

Newest Projects

My friend Liz over at http://www.goddessinprogressblog.com/quilts/ posted a fun bag she made from http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/free-diaper-bag-pattern.html.  I couldn't wait to make this bag and I finally pulled out a bench of material to make it.  I love that I used some material that I had bought before my wedding (shhhhh, don't tell anyone, I was supposed to make bridesmaids gifts that never happened).  I Love how it came out!  I can't wait to make another one.  I probably have enough material at home but not the interfacing (which I didn't use for my first bag). 

Sewing this bag re-ignited my passions for sewing and any other craft related item.  I just joined in a table runner swap over at http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/.  I am so excited!  I love aprons, but I love that this is a table runner swap.  We are in the process of making some small renovations to our kitchen so this will be a nice addition to the kitchen!  I missed out on the last swap since it was during the summer.  I just figured that there wouldn't be enough time to sew it and get it out in the mail, but with school back in session, I think this will work, plus I am trying to tell my husband that we both need to make time for our hobbies (he needs to get back into his wood shop), but we are just so tired by the time the kids go to bed!

I have so many projects that I want to do.  I really need to start working on the kids Halloween costumes.  I can't wait to make them, but I am not looking forward to cutting and sewing satin material.  I probably shouldn't complain, but I hate the slipperiness of the material.  After that, I really need to start on my Christmas gifts.  I am really hoping to make a lot of our gifts this year, partly for financial reasons, but also partly because I love it.  I am really finding that I need to make time for my creativity and I hope that I can really make a point to do what I love!

Amy

Finished Apron Swap

Finally!  I got to the post office before the next storm is scheduled to hit the Boston area tomorrow.  I really hope my partner likes her apron.  I attempted a new pattern that I thought was really cute.  I added in 2 pot holders that coordinated with the apron, some stickers, a set of heart cards, heart cookie cutters, heart doilies, a faux vintage pin, a small vintage looking calendar, a few heart shaped lollipops, and a few pieces of chocolate.

Enjoy,

Amy

Newest Events

I got may partner for the next flirty apron swap.  I am so looking forward to this swap.  This swap's theme is Valentine's Day and/or baking.  I now have a reason to go out and buy new material, but I have to wait until Thursday when I get paid again.  One goal/decision/resolution that I absolutely have to keep is no credit card use unless absolutely necessary.  That means, I only go to stores when I have money bugeted and/or when I have to.  So, no Joann's Fabric unless I can budget money for it.  I am hoping that I can make something with maybe a yard of new fabric and use some of my stash.  Now to pick out a pattern.  the best part is my partner decided on letting me choose the style of apron so I get to be really creative if I wish.  I can't wait, then it's on to quilts for my kids and my sister's soon to be new baby.

I entered a give away on citylifeeats.com for stevia.  I wrote a blog about my love for stevia in my tea and am so happy to say that I won free stevia.    For some reason, I had stopped using stevia in my tea and started to use honey.  I really didn't like the switch so now I am back to stevia.  I like honey, but only for certain things.  I can't wait to try this new stevia.

I have gotten rid of dairy for my kids and now I need to completely get rid of it for me too!  I am doing so much better, that is until tonight.  I even had coffee which I drink with cream.  That was a really bad decision, but as of right now, I am back to eating the way that I know I should be eating.  I really need to work on losing weight.  It really hit me tonight, just how much I need to lose weight.  I am back on track as of right now!  No more fun and games.  It's not only important for how I look, but for how I feel and my health!  I'm always fighting blood pressure issues and if I can't get my weight and my eating under control, I could be in some trouble!  I don't have a ton to lose.  If I lost even 15 pounds, it would be helpful, but in reality, I'd really like to lose more like 30 pounds.  I guess for now, I'll focus on the 15, then I'll look to lose more.

I can't wait to start sewing and eating well!

Amy

Flirty Apron Swap

I just signed up for my second apron swap over atr http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/.  I was so looking forward to doing this again.  I kept check the blog to see when registration opened and now it has.  This swap is going to be a Valentine's/baking theme.  I am so excited that I had a hard time choosing what kind of apron I wanted.  I am hoping to do a half apron this time and hoping to get a little more adventurous in the design.  Last time, I said that I didn't mind waht style apron I got, and I got a really nice half apron, which I love.  This time, however, I asked for a full apron.  I am thinking that I will change my style each swap, especially since I can't ever really decide which one I like best.  And, if I can remember, I will post a picture of my lovely apron from my last swap.  Have I mentioned yet that I love swaps!  Some of my facebook friends think I'm crazy for doing swaps, but I really love it and with 3 little ones, crafting/creating is my therapy/stress relief.

Amy

First Apron Swap

I think I am almost done with everything for my first Flirty Apron Swap.  I should be able to send my package out Monday or Tuesday at the latest, maybe even sooner.  I had so much fun with this swap and loved making my first apron.  I really enjoyed creating the tuck-ins also.  I've already posted my apron, but unfortunately didn't get pictures of the rest of the tuck-ins.  I chose the word angel and my tuck-ins are the following:

A-handmade quilled angel notecards

N-handmade needle case

G-ginger tea in 2 handmade tea bag carriers

E-angel earrings packaged in a hans stamped box

L-lavender,lemon,geranium,rosemary bath salts packaged in a hand stamped box

I hope my partner enjoys everything.  I look forward to getting my package and seeing what everyone else gets!

Amy

More Crafting

I have been working on my tuck ins for my flirty apron swap.  I am absolutely loving sewing.  I always enjoyed it, but am enjoying it so much more now.  I'm not sure why.  I am even using my cheap sewing machine because it is easier to take out and put away and right now I need all the time savings I can get.  So far I've made a tea bag cozy and will be adding ginger tea bags to it (am going to make 1 more to match the apron I made) and  a needlecase that matches the tea bag cozy.  I still need to finish my quilled angel notecards, angel earrings, and my lavender/geranium bathsalts.  I am thinking of adding more in, but I'm not sure what else.  I certainly don't want it to seem cheap.

A- angel notecards
N-needlecase
G-ginger tea with tea bag cozies
E-earrings (angel)
L-lavender/geranium bath salts

I will be making a few wine sacks for Christmas gifts, some play food for the kids, and I'm not sure what else I have planned.  I definitely need to complete a scrapbook for my mom for Christmas.  That will probably be my next project along with a couple of recipe cards for my sisters that have my grandmother's recipes.  Unfortunately, I only have a few since she made most of her recipes by the measurements she had in her mind.  I may do something similar for my husband's family, if I can find the time.  Then after the holidays, I will be making sure that I make at least 1 item a month to donate.  That's my goal at this point anyway.

I'll post pictures of teh things that I have made and the things that I plan to make soon!

Amy

Finished

Yay!!!!!!  I finished my first apron swap project.  Ok, I finished the apron portion, but still have a little more work to do on the tuck-ins.  I am so looking forward to finishing up and sending off the package.  I love making things for others, and then getting a great surprise in return!  I love swaps and really miss participating in them.  I am really looking forward to getting my apron, since I am doing a lot more cooking lately.  And with the holidays around the corner, I will be doing even more.  I want to do a good amount of baking for the neighborhood and get the kids involved.  I still need to complete the tuck-ins which will be
A-angel
N-notecards (angel)
G-ginger tea
E-earrings (angel)
L-lavender/geranium/lemon bath salts

I hope my partner likes her package as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

My first apron folded

A little of the front and most of the back side of the apron

When I was growing up, my grandmother used to always say, wear and apron when you cook or bake.  I can't wait to get my apron and start using it.  I may even have to buy a new book on apron patterns.  I love how my apron came out and I want to make more.  I want to make more that are even a little more challenging.

Lately, I am loving sewing.  I love almost every kind of craft, but lately  sewing seems to be my favorite thing.  I will be working on Christmas cards soon.  We need to get the kids their pictures taken with Santa and then get pictures printed for the cards.  Other than working on Christmas gifts, I plan to do a lot more sewing!

Happy creating!
Amy

Apron Swap

Even though life is crazy busy, I decided to participate in an apron swap.  I had been reading http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/ blog for a while and couldn't wait for the new swap to open so I could join in.  As soon as I got the e-mail, I registered and went through my stash to see what fabric I had, hoping that I didn't need to spend money and hoping that I could decrease my stash somewhat.  I also am trying to make things for my tuck-ins from things I have at home.  I think I will be buying somethings at the store, but I think I have a few things at home that I can make and feel good about giving to someone.  I am really excited about participating in this swap and am looking forward to more swaps.

This swap means a lot to me, especially now that I am cooking more.  My grandmother, my mother's mother, who was a major influence in my life, always used to tell me to wear an apron when I cooked.  I never did.  I almost always got something on my clothes and should have listened.  Now that I have found http://flirtyapronswap.blogswap.com/, I am really excited to start wearing aprons.  Through the FAS blog, I found the blog http://cupcakeprovocateur.blogspot.com/.  There are so many cute aprons on there that have the classic feel, but also have a little flair to them also.  I am hoping to get some inspiration from this website and maybe even get an apron!

Amy

Swaps

I used to do a ton of swaps when I had more time.  Mostly knitting/crocheting, but I have also done fat quarter swaps.  Sunday, my husband reminded me of the dishcloth swap that I did on an almost monthly basis.  I loved it.  I also did a few granny square swaps that I loved, and I still have a ton of the granny squares that I really should put together as a blanket which would have squares from all over the country.  Now that I think about it, I also did rubber stamp swaps.  These swaps made me finish my projects because I had to send them to someone by a certain time!  Today, I found a blog http://life-is-a-musical.blogspot.com/ that posted about apron swaps that she participated in.  That got me thinking.  I would love to do one again!  Maybe I will try one out.  Now with the colder weather coming, maybe I'll have more time.  I'm thinking that simple dishcloth swaps would be a great way to start up again.  I know that I have 3 kids and to sign up for something liek this may be crazy, but I think it will be good for me!  I'm going to look more into this and I'll certainly post back here when I decide to or not to do a swap.

As a follow up to the Curly Girl post, a twin mom friend sent me info about a salon that has been trained by the woman who wrote the book "Curly Girl".  I have an appointment schedueld for Saturday with the owner of the salon who has been doing this friend's hair for 13 years.  I am so looking forward to getting a haircut from someone who should know how to cut my hair.  I'll follow up with pictures!

Amy