Now that my buddy has been received by his family...

I feel I can share the Feel Better Friend I made here:

The glasses and bow tie were modeled after Caiden's own pictures.  His favorite color is green, so I gave him a green shirt.  Mom says he wears a cape with a Super C on it and has his room decorated in Superman, so the rest just seemed to make sense.

I was so thrilled to be a part of this project and this seemed like a perfect fit for me.

More Sample FBF dolls!

 Here's how doll 1 came out:

Here's doll number 2.  She's not quite finished because I was assigned a doll... so she'll have to wait until that little guy is finished.

Sample doll

Here's my first attempt at a Feel Better Friend doll sample.  I have several ideas on how I want to customize it, but here's my lil' one so far.

Christmas Shawl

In other news, I have been added as a volunteer to help make a Feel Better Friend for a child with a serious illness.  I've started on my sample doll and when that is finished, I will add myself to the list of people ready to be matched to make a doll for a child.  

If you are able to volunteer or if you know someone who needs a doll in their life, click this link and check out the organization.  There are other ways to volunteer, so check it out if this sounds like something you would like to help with!

I finished my large c2c crochet blanket!!

I finally finished my large c2c blanket!  This baby measures 72x72 inches and is square, although the picture angle makes it seem more rectangle.  This is for a Christmas gift and I was hoping I would finish in time.  So excited.  

I did not follow a pattern for this one, though I did write down the number of rows if anyone is interested in making one in the same, or different colors.

Cinnamon Santas

Here's another quick shot of my cinnamon stick Santas.  These are definitely a craft to try at home.

Cinnamon Santas

The idea for these fun, painted little Santas on Cinnamon Sticks came from the book Two-Hour Craft Projects.  The longest part of painting these little guys was waiting for each coat to dry between each feature.  I made these as little package toppers for gifts I made for a couple of the neighbors.  These would be perfect for kids to try.  

My take on a Home Depot Do-It-Herself workshop

Last night I attended the Do-It-Herself workshop at Home Depot.  They made their lighted, mantle sign out of wood with a wooden border and wooden letters.  It was a great class, I had a great time, and highly recommend them to others who want to go.

Inspired at 4 AM, this was my take on the lighted sign.  Mine is made from canvas.  The background is shelf paper and the letters were cut out of scrapbook paper.  I used a strand of twenty clear Christmas bulbs that are battery powered.  They are secured in the back after being poked through the small holes I made.

Snowman Hat

This is for a Christmas gift.  Pattern is free and can be found here.

Snowman

By request for a Christmas Gift.  Sorry for the blurry picture.  Pattern from Ravelry can be found here.  

Pumpkin Butter

These pictures cannot do justice to the smell or taste of this pumpkin butter.  Yummy!  You should really come visit me and try some.  Delish!  

Also, I fear I am starting to get a reputation.  James said to me, "It's butter you can eat?  I thought you made pumpkin body butter!"  

Teehee.  Definitely keeping this recipe in the make again column!  

The most wonderful time of the year

"What," you ask, "is that wonderful aroma that has invaded your home?"

It's the most wonderful time of the year, folks.  Pumpkin everything and everywhere.  Today I made this fabulous slow cooker Pumpkin Butter!  Yum, yum, yum. 

For those that aren't familiar with pumpkin or other types of butter, this is less of a butter and more of a jelly, except for the fact that it slides over the bread like warmed butter!

For this recipe you can use fresh or canned pumpkin.  I used canned.  1-15 oz. can of pumpkin, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp clove, and I threw in another 1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice because I love it so.  Stir it all together and turn your slow cooker on high for 3 hours.  Be sure to stir it occasionally- I did once an hour.  

Please note, it is not recommended to can and store pumpkin products like you might with typical jams and jellies.  Though I put these in pretty canning jars, be sure you keep it in the fridge and use it quickly.  I don't think that will be a problem here.  Yum!

Delicious Honey-Cinnamon Butter

I know, I know.  I have not been around much as I have been spending a lot of time crafting and creating over on the other site.  So sorry!  I have several WIP (works in progress) that I hope to feature on here as soon as I finish them.  But this was a quick and yummy pre-holiday test run.  I only made half a batch, but still ended up with three 4-ounce canning jars full of this yummy treat.  

The half batch ingredients are:

1 stick softened butter

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup honey (I used raw, local honey)

After you impatiently wait for the butter to soften on your countertop, place all the ingredients in a bowl.  Blend together with your mixer (stand alone or hand-held) until all the ingredients are combined and you are left with the fluffy, yumminess shown above.  Spoon into a container (or mix in a container with a lid if you plan to keep the entire batch yourself) and use on bread, desserts, or eat right from the container.  No, I really do not suggest that last one.

This is similar to the butter you often get with rolls in restaurants.  Let me know if you give this one a try!

WHEW- Finally finished- Babydoll crochet top

This top took weeks of on and off crocheting.  Thin yarn, a small hook, and lots and lots of time.  I under-estimated the yarn needed and even had to run out and get more.

Overall I really like the results, but it definitely was time consuming.  Happy to be done and ready to move on to whatever project falls in my lap next.  This also explains the lack of other projects appearing here.  Hopefully there will be more in the near future!

Car/Room Air Freshing Bags

Using some old potpourri I found at the dollar store (that had no fragrance, really) I made these little air fresheners.  I used my own essential oil combinations to create a spicy, fall fragrance and added simple designs to the front of the bag.  These were quick and easy to make and I am excited to hang them all over!

The nice part is that once this fragrance goes away, you can add new scents to the bag and use it over and over.  

Burlap Sack Bag

My youngest and I recently attended a program about survival.  During the program, the man presenting the information showed us the bag he made when he was a young boy that he still used every time he was out doing wilderness training.  He said none of the expensive bags he purchased over the years could stand up anything compared to the one he made himself.  

Inspired by his simple design, we decided to create one ourselves.  We lined ours with a muslin fabric and stitched the entire thing together with z stitches.  It is durable and strong.  I'm not sure yet what specifically it will be used for, but it was quick and fun to put together.  

WIP tank top- COMPLETE!

Here is the final version of this tank.  This was created from a modified version of a pattern found here.  

WIP tank top

For those that do not like tube tops, now the top has straps!  But I am not done yet.  Check back later this week for the final version!

WIP Oat Container

My almost 17 year old came up with the idea for this design and though I did not get it exactly how he suggested, I still like the overall outcome.  Again, I'm still working on the top part of this mystery object, but wanted to share this base with you.  The creative process is moving forward... now I just hope it will come to a conclusion.  

Did I mention that I cannot stand oatmeal?  

Oatmeal Container Baby Cradle

While I am still figuring out how to complete my teaser WIP Oatmeal Container pieces, I wanted to show you the second Oatmeal Container Project that I did actually complete.  If I make another of these, I do have some changes I want to make.  First, I need a bigger baby doll, but given the age of my kids, I am lucky to have had this tiny girl around.  I also think I would make the top of the cradle smaller and maybe a bit larger at the bottom.  I like this one because it does actually rock gently!  

This was fun to make and I will likely get around to making (and posting!) more of these in the future.  Now back to figuring out how to finish my other oatmeal WIP.

WIP Oatmeal Container

Here is the second base that I made.  I showed you the first base earlier, but did not yet tell you what these will be.  Besides the fact that I like to drag these things out and tease you a bit... I honestly have not yet figured out how I am going to do the second half of these.  I have lots of ideas bouncing around, and will likely do these in a series of tests.  I did not want to hold up progress, however, and so I at least am finishing the bottom part of these.  

Any guesses yet?  

WIP- Oat Container

The first oat container has been spray painted white and then completely covered in these small stones found at the Dollar Tree.  

Any ideas yet as to what this one might be?

Preview Item- Oat Container

What in the world am I going to do with these?  

Watch this blog for not one but TWO different products made from these babies.  I love reusing items I would normally just throw out.  

Any ideas as to what these might be?  

Avocado Week

If you are not checking my Beauty Blog, be sure to check it out.  This week is Avocado week.  Watch for recipes and ingredient information.

WIP Crochet Top Continued

I realize you cannot tell much of a difference in the top so far, but I have added a band at the top, about 1.5 inches tall.  

More changes to come...

Laundry Soap

You are looking down into my container of DIY home laundry soap.  This is the powdered variety.  Mix together unscented soap (I used grated Fels-Naptha), Washing Soda, and Borax powder.  I separated the mix into individual containers which I then put a few drops of essential oil in.  I washed the laundry with the peppermint version today and -Wow- the whole laundry room smelled so good and fresh.  I love it!  You only need a small amount in the washer and it works out to washing your clothes for pennies a load.  

I highly recommend giving this one a try!

Work In Progress (WIP) Crochet Top

This tube tank top is one of three final ways you can crochet the pattern for this top.  Watch for the other versions coming soon!

Cucumber Hair Conditioner

While this may look like a healthy smoothie, it's actually a hair conditioner.  It contains cucumber, whole eggs, and olive oil.  Apply to dry hair.  Wrap your hair in a warm, damp towel for up to an hour and shampoo as normal.  It smells great and really leaves your hair so soft.  

If you like this product and want the full recipe, watch for upcoming details on my book!

Pendants

I tried some more pendant designs with resin.  I learned a lot, but am not thrilled with all the designs.  It's been a good learning experience, at least!

Plastic Grocery Bag Holder

This was much more photogenic before filling it with a ton of plastic grocery bags, but of course I did not take a picture at that point.  I try to recycle the grocery bags I receive.  Even though I use my own set of reusable shopping bags, I still seem to end up with a ton of these darn things.  They were taking over my one kitchen cupboard, and so I decided I needed a holder to put them in.  I made this out of cotton yarn and used this pattern I found on Ravelry.  

I had a few other designs that I was thinking of trying, so if anyone else is in need of one of these, let me know.  

Barefoot Sandals

I have been seeing barefoot sandals all over the web.  For those that are not aware, these "sandals" are soleless so you will not have to worry about getting sand in your shoes, but still have a way to dress up your barefeet.  These seem to be especially popular for brides and bridal parties, though I am sure there are other reasons one might use them.  Pool party, maybe?  Personally, I love some of the beaded ones you can get.  Check out this link to some of the barefoot sandals available on Etsy.

I had some spare ribbon from another project I was working on and so I thought I'd try putting together some quick barefoot sandals.  I think they turned out cute for the two minutes or so it took for me to put them together.  Do not worry, I will not be modeling them here for you, but if you look at the picture (and use the link above for reference) I think you can figure out how they would look worn.

Now I just need to go to a beach!

Looking at this picture, I guess I can use them as a bookmark if a beach trip does not materialize!

Baby blanket

While not great pictures (just quickly snapped with my cell), I am in a hurry to get this one out in the mail for the new baby and so, this is what you get for now.  Hopefully the new parents will send me a shot of the new baby in her blanket.  This is different than my usual "go to" baby blanket that you can see throughout this blog and on my Ravelry page.  I decided to go with a sport weight baby yarn to make a thinner blanket.  With a baby born in July, I am not sure they will have the need for my normal blanket just now.  

This is a pattern from Caron and is called their One Skein Baby Blanket.  It was quick and easy to work up and the body of the work reminds me a lot of the "go to" blanket I do.  I think if I make this one again, and I might because it does not use a lot of yarn so I have plenty left over, that I will do a different edging.  I found some great edgings recently and I am interested in trying some out soon.  

This particular yarn is from Bernat and I loved the colors together on the skein, but I had trouble finding a design where the colors looked okay together.  This was the second blanket design I tried and even as I worked the entire thing, I was not sure I liked it.  The brown colors almost reminded me of smudges- as if I had been playing in newsprint before handling the yarn.  All worked up, I like it again, but I cannot tell you how many times this one almost got ripped out, too.  

Resin Clovers

Yes, another bracelet!

I am working on one more of these, but actually have another project planned immediately after.  

Another broomstick lace bracelet