Monday Accomplishments

Today I decided to dust off the embroidery machine and get to work on some pillow cases that have been taking up space.  I am always on the look out for great deals and I like to pick up mix-matched pillow cases at my local Goodwill.  At .49 each, you can't beat it!  My goal was to take these home and start embroidering the girls' names on them so that they had something special on their bed. 

I made 2 for Kayla, 1 for Kaileigh, 1 for Haley, and 1 for Grace and felt pretty good about getting something accomplished until I saw their faces when they got their pillow cases embroidered in their favorite color, and then I felt GREAT!

I have a Janome 350e.  I bought this machine about 3 years ago with the intention of doing all types of crafty goodness.  And I love that I got it.  I've done decorative towels, embroidered burp cloths, hair bows, wash cloths, pillow cases, and even blankets.  I think my favorite was one Xmas when I made everyone no sew fleece blankets, and then I embroidered their names in the corner.  Dallas Cowboys for my Dad, Texas Longhorns for my son. 

So I wanted to show you a little of what I did today.

 The picture above is a picture of my machine hard at work.  I have done a lot of trial and error with my machine and I have a lot more to learn.  My biggest hiccup is getting the tension right for different fabrics.  Too much and the white shows through, not enough and I get bubbles.

 This picture here is just a close up of the machine doing its stitch work.  My older daughter says that this machine is a cheater because I don't have to do anything but punch in what I want and hit go.  If it were only that easy LOL... but really... it sort of is!

This is the finished piece.  Not too shabby for a built in font and a .49 pillow case.  One thing I've learned about being a Mom of 5 is that I don't have the extra money to cute up my house right out of the designer stores, but I can do a little crafting up to what I do find and make it as cute as can be. 

I have a couple of projects I'm working on with my machine and when I get it perfected, I'll share on here.

1) Appliques.

2) Embroidery on cards.  Yep you knew I had to have paper in this somewhere LOL.

Until next time keep Crafting, Keep Crafting, and have a great day!

July Constant Campaign for CTMH!

Good Morning Readers!

It is ridiculously early to be up in the summer time (especially for a teacher), but here I am posting away to let you know what the incentives are for shopping with CTMH in July.  This month, purchase $75 or more and receive a popular paper packet and coordinating accessory free.  It gives you a retail value of up to $17.90 FREE.  If you need to coordinate your shopping to which paper packet you want that is perfect!  Here is a list of the packets that will be offered and what dates, so you know when to shop!

July 1 - 5                 Mischief Paper Packet and Mischief felt shapes                     $15.90 Value

July 6 - 10               Dreamin' Paper Packet and Harvest Charms                           $14.90 Value

July 11 - 15             Fanfare Paper Packet and Level II Assortment                       $17.90 Value

July 16 - 20             Lucky Paper Packet and Lucky My Stickease Assortment     $17.90 Value

July 21 - 25             Mayberry Paper Packet and My Stickease Assortment           $17.90 Value


July 26 - 29             Sophia Paper Packet and My Stickease Assortment                $17.90 Value

July 30 - 31             Believe Paper Packet and Holiday Pockets OR
                                Wonderland Paper Packet and My Stickease Assortment        $14.90 Value


If you are ready to get shopping just click on the picture above of all the cute paper!  This week in the blog I will be posting a project I'm working on for my classroom.  I need to make a door decoration that welcomes students to the room. I've got a design in my head, and I'm about ready to put it down on paper.  Until next time.. Get CRAFTING!

Inspiration in Books - Review

I ask a lot of my crafty divas where they get their inspiration from.  I've had a lot tell me from the internet, something they saw on TV, a craft show... lots of places, one of the few listed places though was from books.  And I'm not talking about just craft books either, I'm talking about regular fiction/non-fiction books.  Have you ever read a book and a character had something in it that you thought... man, I'd like to have on of those!

The possibilities for this kind of inspiration IS endless, so I'm going to try and remember to throw up a book or two every now and then that I think are really neat for inspiration or just a great read so your mind can relax and get that inspiration flowing again.  I'm beginning to think I need to start having theme days... Like Food Friday, Scavenger Saturday LOL.

In honor of my first book posting, I'm going to post a children's book.  Let's face it... all you crafting parents out there KNOW how hard it is to get some serious crafting on when the kiddies want to help.  Here is my solution:











How can you go wrong with a book that gives you 365 different things to make and do!!

The best part about this book is that right now it is ON SALE.  Regular price is $24.99 and it is on sale right now for only $10.00!  That is MORE than 50% off for all of you math buffs out there ;)

This book has 128 pages, and is for ages 6 and up, but I'm betting you could squeeze some activities out of there even for your younger ones!

If you'd love to have the book, just click on the book and it will take you straight to where you can buy it!

Now I'm off to do some Sunday reflecting with God and Spiritual Crafting.  Have a great day!