Instant Birthday Present

Jenny and Blake had a combined birthday/slumber/pedicure/pampering party on Friday.  It was a crazy night of massages, FOOD, Food, candy, and tons of fun!!!  Me and Franny enjoyed the Candy Bar---like an all you can eat buffet of yummy candy---YUMM!! 

ANYWHOOO--I had already celebrated Jenny's birthday with her and given her a birthday present.  HOWEVER I did not want to show up empty handed, so I made an INSTANT birthday present.

I took a piece of scrapbook paper and folded it into fours to make the card.  Then I used a glue stick on the inside of the folds so that it did not flap apart.  I cut another piece to decorate the front and then flipped a small piece over to the back (the white side) and wrote a message. I should have printed up the wording, but I was tight on time and used my own ugly handwriting:(

Next, I cut two squares and glued three edges to the iside of the card--leaving the top un-attached.  On one side I slipped in a gift card for a movie (Todd and I have had this since our wedding so I decided to re-gift it---not tacky right???? I checked to make sure it still had all of the money on it).

On the other side I made Jen a coupon for free babysitting.  Their anniversary is next month and I thought they might need a date night.

I am sure Todd would have rather me spend more money than agree to watch Creete over night:) 

The gift was a hit---with my sister at least.  She loved the idea of already having a babysitter.   Can't beat a cute, personalized present that only took about 10 minutes to make.   There you have it---The instant gift!!!  BTW the card did not fit into any envelopes, so I slipped it into a small gift bag with a piece of tissue on top---that way she even had a present to open-----even 35 year olds like to open presents right????

Perkin's Family Fabric Wreath

I have been dreaming about making a fabric wreath ever since I saw THIS over on P.S. i quilt.  I could not make myself pay for expensive pre-cuts for a NON-quilting project, so my wreath dream never came to life.  THEN I decided I wanted a Springy/Summery wreath for my door and I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone. 

This is what I did...

I used a metal wreath with 4 rings (just like the one in the other tutorial).  I also used 9 fat quarters (3 of each fabric). I bought a plain white wooden P and the wooden summer cutouts (already painted) at Michaels (only like 59 cents apiece).   

I used fat quarters because they were on sale for .99 cents at JoAnns, but I think it would work really well if you bought a third of a yard of 3 fabrics.  I will have to try those measurements out though----I am thinking a red, white and blue 4th of July wreath is in my near future. 

ANYWAY.... I ironed my fat quarters and stacked them in stacks of four.  Then I folded them (all 4) in half.  Then using my rotary cutter I straighted up the edges and then cut them into 1 1/2 inch by 5 1/2 pieces.  If you used 1/3 yard cuts I think you could cut 6 inch pieces (right???).

I did not take any pictures because the other tutorial explains really well.  BUT the gist is....you fold each piece in half (hot dog style) and then tie a half knot around the wreath frame (then repeat about a million times).  I covered all 4 layers of the wreath because I wanted it fuller.

Then I spray painted my letter (LOVE SPRAY PAINT BY THE WAY).  Next I drilled two little holes in my P.  I REPEAT---I drilled holes---all by myself---with the drill!!!  I know some ladies are super tool friendly (Sarah Palin), but this was my first drilling experience.  Actually my hubs called me Sarah Palin when he explained how to drill and then watched me do it, but the drilling was ALL ME!!!:)

Anyway....I then used wire to attach the P to the wire frame of the wreath.  THEN I used my handy dandy glue gun and glued the summery wooden cutouts onto my P. 

The next step was to hang it on the INSIDE of my door so that I did not have to go outside in my PJ's and admire it for about 20 minutes (that part is optional though!!!!).

Pumpkin cake in April--Why not???

I was cleaning out my pantry the other day and found a cake mix and a can of pumpkin.  I know it is not really the right season, but I LOVE pumpkin cake so I whipped up a batch using the easiest pumpkin cake recipe EVER. 

All you need is 1 boxed cake mix ( I prefer spice or carrot) and a can of pumpkin (or pumpkin pie filling--either works).

You just mix the two together---do not add anything else!!!  Simple huh????  It works to cook in a 9x9 for really thick cake.  Or a bigger pan for thinner cake.  Or a cupcake pan for cupcakes or muffins. I like to call them muffins because I can eat more muffins than cupcakes without feeling guilty.  Use the baking temperature from the cake mix and cook until a toothpick comes out clean.  It can take a while to cook, but it is worth it.  They stay super moist and they are low fat (compared to actual cake).  I don't know how LOW is LOW, but I tend to not think about it and eat a ton.  It is good with cream cheese frosting, but my favorite is with whipped cream on top,  This is my GO-TO recipe.  If I forgot that I need to make something I whip these up and VOILA--yumminess.  I need to try it with a SPRINGY type cake mix and see how it works.  HMMMMM????? 

The Reason

And this is why I LOVE to quilt....

3 Little Cuties

This week I made Emersyn a cute little dress using A PATTERN!!!  Yep--that is my first time.  It was  a free pattern, and only had 3 pieces, but STILL!!  I thought it was cute and tried to get Em to try it on, and she told me NO--LANEYS.  Apparently she thought the dress looked more like Delaney's style than her own.  It got me thinking....WHY NOT????  So I made one for Delaney, and one for Gracelyn.  I wish I could get them all together wearing them--and holding still, but that is for sure a lost cause, so this still picture is it.  I used THIS free pattern.  It was SUPER easy and fun.  I will be keeping this around for the next few summers because the pattern goes to a size 6 I think---CUTE!!!

My favorite part was the little bit of ric-rac along the top.  I have a thing for ric-rac:)

Emersyn got to wear hers today to Baby Colton's shower.  She was thrilled to see her two best friends and to get some yummy snacks. 

She also realized that Gracee has cooler toys than she does (or maybe just different ones).

AND decided she REALLY wants a baby brother for her birthday.  I think she honestly has a better shot at getting a play kitchen---but who knows;)