Dec. 18, 2009 - Yarn Wax Sticks (Homemade Wikki Stix)

I got a sample of wikki stix with my renewal of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. My children loved them but with 8 dc the price was a bit daunting. Then I remembered I had the instructions saved to make them. These aren't hard to make but very very messy and time consuming. But you get huge results for your effort. We got about 1,000 sticks out of it. We covered the table plus 3 craft tables. And mine were longer than real ones.
Homemade Yarn Wax Sticks
I got this recipe from Bethany at Happy to Be Called Mommy




Bundled and Ready for Gift Giving!

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Nov. 5, 2009 - Another Version of Heidi's Pattern.

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Nov. 4, 2009 - New Hat and Sweater

Prairie Princess is growing fast and needed a new hat and sweater.


The sweater is a FREE pattern called Baby Kimono Wrap.
The hat is another version of Heidi's Perfect Newborn hat.
I made it the largest size and lose. I also wove a ribbon around the brim.

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Oct. 26, 2009 - We got a New Horse

My oldest ds made it for his younger siblings. If you want to make one he got the pattern out of this book.
Sunset Woodworking Projects II by the Editors of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine
He found the book at the library.

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Sep. 16, 2009 - There is nothing as sweet as....

The pinging of canning jars sealing.

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Jul. 29, 2009 - Poor Man's Macro

Couldn't decide if this should be under craft or Photography so put it in both.
My 12 yr old son was reading Boy's Quest April/May 2009 copy, which is the Photography issue.

 In it they had an idea to use bolts, washers, wing nuts, nuts, magnifying glass and wood to make a camera able to take macro photos. He took it a step farther and made it so his can tilt and angle.
Here it is...



If you want to make one you will need.
 1 board any size; he used 11 X 13;
solid maple scraps

 1 carriage bolt 5/16  length 6 to 10";
 1 5/16, 2 " long bolt;
1 5/16, 1 1/2" long bolt;
5 -  1" washers;
2- 3/4" washes;
4 wing nuts to fit your bolt;
1 locking washer;
1 5/16 nut

1 camera to try it out. A point and shoot is fine.

Here a are his results. First a normal photo

And then Macro.
If you need better information just holler.

Don't miss my blog Giveaway. 4 DSLR Camera Strap Covers.

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Jul. 28, 2009 - Necessity the mother of Invention

I have a camera bag coming someday but had been using a purse I had purchased at a garage sale for now. Well I was afraid my equipment was going to get damaged so......

I created this insert. I had seen a simular idea at etsy. But why buy when I can make it myself. :)  I still need to make a few velcro panels that will go horizontally. So small equipment can go below a lense and not be touching.  I am really happy with the way they turned out. And it even matches my camera strap.
(I am giving away 4 strap covers on the Photography side of my blog.)

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May. 19, 2009 - Home Planner or Organizer

First start of with a notebook and make it pretty! This one I did with  pictures that represent my life. You can do it any way! You will use it more if it is beautiful.

You need a zipper pouch to keep those little things you use all the time. Like pens, pencils, note pads, etc...


Next I made the dividers pretty also. I used slip in sleeve dividers. (Where its' plastic sleeve with a tab attached) I also include pictures to help prompt me to prayer. I think I found them at walmart or target.

My Home Organizer is divided in these categories...
Studies and Notes (I currently have an article about what people eat in different countries for 1 week, very humbling how much we are glutons!)
Calendar and Address
Household- Which includes a lending record and Menu section.
Cleaning- Has an emergency cleaning plan I got from this site, (I don't agree with all her views but she is a lovely Christian sister) diligence assignment worksheets from www.titustwo.com which is assigned chores for dc and myself , A dear online friends cleaning schedule that is inspirational. (thanks Katie!)
Bible and Prayer section- I keep photos of people to pray for. Prayer prompting cards by Stormie Omartian. I have husband and children cards.Prayer requests and a weekly chart to pray for certain things on certain days. i.e. missionaries monday, friends tuesday, distant family wednesday, etc...Plus a place to keep notes from bible studies I do or attend.

My Homeschool Organizer
Schedule- need to make a new one!!!
Weekly lesson plans
Grades and Attendance-
Notes and Ideas
Goals and Evaluations
Blank Forms


I get my pages from different locations. Some of my favorite free ones are from these sites!
Small Meadow Press
These are victorian and beautiful. A lot of pages specifically for homeschoolers.
Donna Young Printables
These are abundant. Everything from homeschool papers, calendars, etc...Her colonial ones are very elegant
Free Notebooking Pages
A lot for different specific homeschool subjects.
Free Homemaker Pages
These are specific to you the mom.
organized home
I also purchased this The home school Organizer by Gregg Harris. It is reproducible and will bring you years and years of service. It appears to be out of print but it is a good source. Although not pretty I do have pages I use  for homeschooling for record keeping. You can probably find anything you would need for free at the above sites.


This is my Homeschool Organizer. I keep a seperate notebook because the other just got to big!!!

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May. 8, 2009 - More Booties and Sweaters for Gifts

A dear friend just had a precious boy.  Here 8th. So I made and mailed her booties and a blue sweater.




And a local friend also had a boy. So she got the opposite.

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May. 8, 2009 - Now The Bathroom Matches

For the first time ever I have matching curtains in my bath :)



And here is how it looks when the sun is streaming in.

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May. 6, 2009 - New Bedding

My old bedspread was getting really ratty so it was time for some new. Or it can look like this...




The reversible blanket, sheets and throw are all from Target

Updated my curtains with a new topper and pull backs to match the new look.

If you saw this when the topper was purple it was just too dark so I made it again!

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Apr. 20, 2009 - Look what my ds caught...

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Apr. 14, 2009 - How I Wear My Baby...

Steph over at Adventures in Babywearing 
Asked us to share how we wear our babies. My current love is a pouch carrier I made. I started off planning to make Simplicity Pattern 3712 which is an adjustable pouch. But I miss read the pattern and only bought 7/8 yard of the 2 fabrics at 45" wide instead of 60".  So I couldn't lay out the pattern. Well then I saw Steph's baby wearing video on how to wear your newborn. And she opened it up to show how to fold it and I thought I can make that. So I went ahead and made a non-adjustable pouch with just the 1 big pattern piece. I made it as long as the fabric I had.  This pouch is the result and we just love love love it. I love how small it folds. How easy it is to wear. I haven't used any of my other carriers this last baby but this one. Here Prairie Princess is helping me sew!






Sometimes Sewing just makes you tired. :)

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Apr. 14, 2009 - Cute Scrubs

My mom is a nurse and she was wanting some new scrubs. I found this lovely Simplicity 3542 pattern...
And here is the finished shirt. Modeled by my Mom.

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Apr. 11, 2009 - Baby Slippers and Matching Headband

These will make great quick baby gifts.
Headband Pattern is free from Heather Bailey. It's available in infant, child and adult.
The slippers I saw when I was visiting Kerflop. She got the pattern here.

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Apr. 1, 2009 - Sense and Sensibility Patterns

I have always admired the patterns that are from Sense and Sensibility Patterns. The Regency dress is flattering on all body types. I have just never taken the time to order it. Well now they have it available from Simplicity patterns. 
And it just so happens that Hobby Lobby has their Simplicity Patterns on sale for $1.99 this week. (they do this many times a year.)  So what would have been $16.95 we got for $1.99.


If you decide to make this dress Sense and Sensibility also have a photo tutorial available on their site.
And there is even instructions how to modify it for nursing!!!! 
Or this one.                     And one more nursing idea
For more tips go here.

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Mar. 29, 2009 - Major Snow Storm...18"

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Mar. 10, 2009 - New Jean Skirt

I made this from 2 pair of jeans using this pattern, I googled online.  WhipUp.net
Thanks Ohio Sarah  for making your daughters some. I had forgotten about this.
I haven't decided if I will shorten it. I thought I'de wear it long for awhile and see what I think.

Front
Back

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Mar. 10, 2009 - Mobious Cowl

Mobios means it's twisted!
Baby It's Cowled Outside Free Pattern

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Feb. 27, 2009 - Found a Jem on the Net

A 93 year old has put many videos together showing how to cook great depression style. Click Link below...


Great Depression Cooking with Clara

Official Website

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