Pegging me for a crafter

I needed a new space to hang my ribbons that was easy to change out when either A. I ran out or B. needed to take it with me. The hubby had some old peg board and posts from the garage and I had the frame and paint.

 1. First step was to cut the board down to the right size and then I painted it a nice matt black.

 2. To add a bit of cuteness and to use some of my nifty ribbon I glued lengths of it to the outer edge. It over laps a bit where the frame goes but I though it made it look more finished.

3. I sanded the edges down a bit to take off some of the stain and then it was off to paint the frame. Since I have GALLONS of left over house paint (gee I really should finish painting my kitchen) I used my red to brush on and slightly wash the frame. Then i used a paper towel and rubbed some of the paint off to give it a used look. Put the frame and back together and look at it now.

I plan on gluing some little strawberries and bows to cover up the screws holding it to the wall. When I find the one I really want I'm putting up a ruler under it so I can measure just what I need.

It's sew easy to fall in love...

I found this totally awesome cute half apron at Goodwill one day and we I didn't buy it cause I just knew I could make one. I was excited when my hubby told me he'd get me a sewing machine for my birthday next month, so I thought hey I have time to get everything I need together... I about killed myself jumping for joy when I got one from my Mom for Christmas instead. I was in a whirlwind of ideas but alas no thread to do anything with, so last week I finally bought some and VOILA!

I started sewing again. And as you can see I have a pair of pants that are getting a ruffled edge... Is it a skirt? NOPE it's a cute apron!

My lovely daughter is modeling her new cooking apron. It's made from the butt from a pair of her old jeans, a bit of ruffled lace and a ribbon belt to tie it on.

Working on one for me that will  have a button hole to place changeable hand towels while I work.

After this I made a couple quick throw pillows to add some color to my living room and bedroom, can't wait till I get a chance to do more.

Crafting and more crafting OH MY!

I don't have any pics to show off right now, but I have been crafting up a storm using ideas from Pinterest.
- I made a Felt rose  headband.
- I made some paper plate baskets.
- I made some pretty awesome twine/yarn covered vases.
- Since I seem to have a decor ball fetish, I made my own.
I have also had a great time playing with stamps and learning calligraphy. And last Thursday I went to my first The girls meet up group and made some cute plant stakes for my house and got a jump on 2012 ornaments.
But my week hasn't been just crafts. I took my very first leap into DIY laundry items. It started with wanting to make dryer sheets since my kids go through them like crazy!  Then I decided if I do one thing Homemade I might as well try all that I wanted to so I went to Wal-Mart, to get what I needed & made my very own fabric softner, which led to making my own laundry soap, and febreeze. I did all this which should last around six months for under 20$. I spend that every 2 weeks on the store bought stuff. I feel pretty accomplished right now, so much in fact I went shopping for some new craft items and some much needed shirts. Stay tuned for all the other items I plan on making, and this time I'll make sure the camera batteries are fresh LOL.

Headless Gingerbread men

If you love making gingerbread people over the holidays, you'll love this fun take for All Hallows Eve! This recipe for Headless Halloween Gingerbread People is too cute for words and they make great Halloween party cookies.

 
Cooking Time: 10 min
Ingredients
 10 ounces or 300 grams self-rising flour
 Pinch salt
 4 ounces or 100 grams caster sugar
 3 teaspoons ground ginger
 2 ounces or 50 grams margarine or dairy-free spread
 3 tablespoons golden syrup
 4 tablespoons milk or water
 1 tablespoon raspberry or strawberry jam

Instructions
1. Heat oven to 160 degrees Celsius or 325 degrees F. Grease a baking tray.
2. Put salt, flour and ginger in a bowl. Warm sugar, fat and syrup together, and add this to the dry ingredients. Mix well.
3. Add milk or water and mix to a firm consistency, and then knead lightly.
4. Roll out dough and use a person-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes out.
5. Modify these shapes with a knife, removing most of the head. Feel free to get creative and leave jagged edges at the neck or remove part of a limb too etc!
6. Place on baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes. Remove and cool on cooling rack, as syrup-based cookies need a few minutes to crisp up after baking.
7. Decorate with the jam and a pastry brush/small paintbrush, brushing the jam onto the necks. Again, feel free to get creative - clumps or trickles of jammy 'gore' are all in the spirit of Halloween!