The Crafting Bug

Every since our family decided to do homemade gifts for Christmas, it seems to be the other thing I can think about. I've been bit by the crafting bug. I have all these fun ideas that I can't wait to make.

One of the ideas that I thought was super cool was an i-spy bag. I have seen several tutorials for these and always thought they would be fun to make. I don't think that any of the kids are the "perfect age" for it, so I decided to make one for a birthday gift instead. Our favorite kid (that is not related to us of course) just happened to be turning 3 this week, so it seemed perfect.

There are tons of tutorials out there, so I won't go through the whole process.




I did make a few changes. I wanted a list of items for him to find so that it was more of a "game." This also made it a little more educational because he can work on finding certain shapes, colors, and letters. Since he was just turning 3, I decided that pictures would work best. I took a picture of each item and then used iron on transfer paper to print it out. I attached it to the bag with a ribbon so that the fabric card wouldn't get lost.


Of course the card can't just hang out all the time, so I added a pocket to the back to store the picture card.


I wasn't sure exactly how this gift would go over. You never really know with a 3 year old. I got a little nervous as he was opening gifts because he got lots of cool cars that make noises and have flashing lights. He also got electronic games and such. That's pretty tough competition. Check out the pictures and see if you think he liked it...



Interestingly enough, he played with it more than any other gift. It was so cute. He would look at the fabric card and say "Hmmm...What comes next? I think I will see..." and then name whatever he was looking for. While he was looking he would say "Oh where, oh where could it be?" In fact, why don't you just watch him in action...

The shoe and the monkey seemed to be his favorite items. He was playing peek-a-boo with the monkey. Then he would say "The monkey is waving at me" and just start giggling. I must say that I was quite pleased with his response. It went over very well!



p.s. J is pretty fond of Mr. Bryan (and the feeling is quite mutual!)

Deja Vu

While checking out my sister's blog today, I couldn't help but think that one of the pictures of Sam looked familiar.



I went looking back through my old pictures and found this one of Emmy




While I was looking through those pictures, I also came across this picture


Which made me think of this picture of Sam


(ok, so Emmy wasn't quite as happy as Sam, but they were both smiling in their sleep)

What do you think? Do they favor each other?

While, we're at it, a few people have said that they think Emmy looks like me. Do you agree?

Some things never change

Growing up, I always wanted to do everything my big sister did. Something never change...

A few weeks ago she mentioned that she had just purchased a new sewing machine. As she was telling me about it, I instantly got sewing machine envy. Don't get me wrong, I was happy with the sewing machine mom bought me in college after I had just hot glued my first Halloween costume together, but I couldn't help but think of all the cool things I could do with a fancier machine.

Meet my new love...



I've had this machine for about a week now, but just now had time to get it out of the box. I wanted a quick and simple project to break it in. Although I have a huge list of Christmas gifts I need to get started on, I don't have the fabric for them yet, and I just couldn't wait any longer, so I whipped this up really quick...


I have a friend who has been on this weight loss journey with me for awhile now. We both kinda hit a spot where we were getting tired of it and needed a little boost. I saw an idea to write positive affirmations on slips of paper and read one each day. I wanted to make a set for her as a gift and needed something to put them in. Thus this super, easy drawstring bag.

I wanted to try out the embroidery function, so I put "I am..." on the outside of the bag.



Now I am SO excited to get started on the rest of my projects. In fact, I'm going to head to IKEA this evening to get the fabric to get started!

Paper Craft

I needed an idea for an easy, quick, cheap craft for our Fall Party at school. Leave it to the internet to provide the perfect idea! Someone else has already gone to the trouble of a tutorial, so check it out if you want to make a cute, simple pumpkin.


Admittedly, this one is a little wonky, but you get the idea. I cut these these strips about 1.5 inches. Next time I would probably do them about 1 inch instead. These could probably also be done with wired ribbon or nice scrapbooking paper for a real centerpiece.

Completion Celebration

Ok, so maybe I am not really done with grad school, but I'm at least done with my first class! (Only 9 more classes to go.) That was enough cause for celebration for me. Bryan and I decided to have a little "date night" at the movies to see Paranormal Activity. All I can say is "woah" and I sure hope I can sleep tonight. Oh yeah, and I felt a little old because I was annoyed by all the teenagers freaking out during the movie.

In totally different news, my sister insisted that I make a short little video saying hi so that her kids won't forget me. (Ok, maybe insisted isn't the right word. Maybe more like "suggested") Sorry for the cheese factor, but I will be going to Texas in a few weeks and I have to remain their "favorite aunt Christy".

p.s. Gig 'Em Aggies! 52-30...enough said!

Too Too Cute

It's been awhile since I've had the time to be crafty. School (as in work) and school (as in grad school)has kept me pretty busy.

I was talking to a co-worker the other day and she mentioned in passing that her daughter really wants to be a pumpkin fairy for Halloween, but she had tried making the costume and it didn't turn out. Well, it just so happens that I had been wanting to try my hand at making a tutu, but had no reason to, until now. I offered to give it a try. After making several phone calls to my sister who has made a few herself, I was home and ready to tackle the project. I thought I might take pictures of the process and do a full out tutorial, but then decided that there are a million of them out there already and decided I would just be lazy and post the final product.




I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy this project was. (Not to mention with how cute it turned out). I have a feeling these might be a little addictive. I've already been plotting who else might need a little tutu as a gift.

Mine, All Mine

I wrote a check and put it in the mail...



and now this is mine all mine!






Well, I guess not quite yet technically. The check has been cashed, but we are still waiting for the title. Now the Altima and the Civic are paid off. We are SO excited to be down to one car payment (and a little payment compared to mine)

What ever will we do with that extra money each month? Oh yeah...pay for grad school, woo-hoo!