Fall Projects

Since I don't like to post gifts until after they are given (ruining the surprise) I have this post set for Friday after the Halloween parties. = )

Juliet wanted to sew.  For her project she picked a wrist rest for her keyboard.  She picked the fabric and helped with every step!

Ironing:

Pinning:

Sewing:

And she was responsible for putting in most of the rice.  She had one major spill, but had it cleaned up quickly.  She was able to use her new wrist rest that night!

I knocked out all of my to do list items for fall break.  I was so excited!

And my biggest project from my summer list is finally complete!  Our front window trim was peeling and looking awful.  Billy did the sanding and replaced the bottom board.  It took almost 3 weeks to complete, thanks to a rainy fall and the wrong sandpaper.

But once it dried out, I taped and painted and  it looks so much better!  So, now, I'm almost done with my summer list. lol.

I winterize my sandals (since I really cannot wear them year round here) by treating them with leather conditioner at the end of each summer.  Shoes actually wear out up here, so I'm trying to take good care of them.  So far I've not had to send them in for a repair.

I signed up to bring cutlery to Emily's class party on Friday.  She was happy to help make them look festive.

I found three free 'fishbowls' at a thrift store in Mason.  Sarah found me a couple of more at the dollar tree.  They turned out to be the cutest little jack-o-lanterns for their teachers!

 I also found a treat jar for Seven's Christmas. = )

We found another place to display Emily's bearpaw!

Elizabeth's birthday was a the very beginning of this month, and I totally dropped the ball.  Once I finally found out what she wanted, ordered it, and received it, it was three weeks late, and I still had to send it to her.

I sewed them in place with some fishing line, and Emily decorated the box.  Hopefully she likes it!  It is supposed to arrive today or tomorrow. = )

later days

Projects

With my children in school, I had time and opportunity to sand and repaint our handrails.  The brick I used to sand was some awful porous thing that was like holding a nail file, so I had to wear Billy's work gloves to get the job done.

 Before sanding:

After sanding:

The sanding was the worst of it.  But step two said to wash it down with soap and water and let it dry.  The soap and water wasn't bad, but the drying took so long, I went up and volunteered to help open lunch containers at my childrens' school.

When I came back it was still not quite dry, so it was late when I finally painted the primer on.  So late in fact, that I would have had to wait until after pick up the next day to paint on the black paint.  I gave it the weekend to dry, and finally finished painting it early the next week. = )

Much improved.

I had a chance to go visit my friend Cass who just moved, so I made her some oven mitts as a welcome gift.  It was my plan C actually.  The cutting boards I had planned were not clear enough for vinyl to show through properly.  Then I bought a bottle of wine, which was such a lame, unoriginal gift, but better than nothing.  Then, in the wee hours of the morning, the oven mitts came to me.  I was so excited.  And, it turns out, they even match her kitchen!

My third tail light went out.  When the replacement bulbs came in I went out to replace it.  Turns out you literally have to break the assembly to replace the bulbs.  And the assembly was old and was breaking apart in my hand.  And the bulbs were too big.

I used the too big bulbs and a twist tie to hold it together on the inside. This got me through until the new assembly arrived.

Billy helped me install it this weekend and it looks much better!

Alice's dress had metallic thread in the decroation on the front.  The protective layer had washed out, so I dug out some old iron on material that my friend Kelli gave me years and years ago.  It worked splendidly!

But Alice still doesn't care for it, so I think we'll be hanging it in Emily's "future clothes" closet space, if she ever cleans it out of her backpack ; )

later days

Winding Down Spring Break I

I didn't make the time to blog yesterday, but I did knock out all kinds of to do list items.

The first unexpected task came about when my radio in the bathroom (that we run to remind us of the heater being run) was no longer charging my ipod, but it was still playing the music.  I tried a few things, messaged my sister who had me try a few things, but without success.  It was not the best way to start the day.

Next up was my coat.  I'd lost a button, and had been meaning to clean it.  I sat down with a full lint roller, a needle, thread, and scissors. I repaired the button, and went over and over my wool coat with the roller, but it still does not look as clean as I'd like.  Once I find one, I will try a lint brush and see if that make it look clean.

At this point, I'd put off any issues that my children had brought over, so it was time to help them with their tasks.

In the basement, the previous owners had left some outlet cover paper.  Since it was a free project, I flipped the fuses and got to work.  Before and after pictures.

The nightlight was my test piece to make sure the power was off before using the screwdriver near an outlet. = )

It didn't feel like an endless project, however, I don't love it.  It looks marginally better, but the sticker was not overly sticky, so the edges are pushing out along the edges.  Also, I don't think it will clean well.  If you catch the rag in just the wrong spot, it will rip the covering.  So, at some point, I'd like to get the actual metal covers that we had in our Houston home.

Also, we had four packages arrive yesterday, including liquid seaweed for my green lovelies, and some additional 3M hooks.

I had tired of having the measuring cups and spoons on hooks in my utensil drawer (and it'd be worse still to have them loose. )  So, the vertical space on my cabinet doors has simplified my storage. = )

The kids enjoyed playing in the boxes that delivered my goods, and would play together between rounds of roblox, wii games and videos on their tablets.

When Billy came home, he recommended using a toothbrush on my radio connection. It totally solved the problem! = )

**************

Today I was less ambitious, with only two things left on my list, and supplies to complete only one of them. lol.

Grace talked me in to spending 2.5 hours making waffles (since each pair has to cook for 15 minutes on my new, less loved waffle maker.)

While they were cooking,  I prepped ingredients for homemade oatmeal packets:

I make a double batch, while I have everything out.  And I use my super fancy Canadian* maple syrup to make the brown sugar. Billy approves, so it's worth the time to make it, especially since it is also cheaper than buying the packets.

My mom picked up the two ingredients that I needed for my final project, so if she swings by in the next 24 hours, I will be able to finish my to do list for the week!

So far, we've thoroughly enjoyed our break.  And this weekend in the Viking fest!

later days

*I actually know a real Canadian that sends it my way!  = )

Crafts

Our First MOPS meeting wasn't until the end of September this year, which gave me some time to sew, once the big kids went back to school.  I helped with décor for the meetings, and even had time to make each of the ladies at my table a welcome gift!

Sent the teachers some of those cute toilet paper pumpkins, monogrammed napkins and Halloween socks to kick of October. = )

I even got to a point where my sewing desk was clear!

But, this week the crafting urge kicked in, so I made a set of bags for Jessica's little ones.  The J's were too much for me to keep straight, but the vintage angel/avocado green was just too perfect!

I've also been working on William's birthday invitations, but they are not ready just yet. And next it will be time to start on teacher Christmas gifts! = )

later days

Projects

My mom brought back an authentic Texas flag star for me on one of her trips. it took me a while to figure out how to display it, but this is what came to mind:

Sadly, I broke the square glass, and did not care for the black lettering.  I took to facebook with some options.  This one was the top pick:

And tried out this pattern too:

Ultimately, I decided that I didn't care for any font, and just put up the star. = )

I also started to make my own sugar cubes, for economical purposes = ), and of course picked a themed mold.  Sadly, these things are huge, even for this sugar fiend*.  The humidity here has been high, but the temperature low, so we've been living with the windows open for the past 3 weeks!  This means it takes days for the sugar to dry, so the first few batches weren't very pretty.  I've since perfected my method, so if you stop by, I'm happy to share!

My latest endeavor came from a rummage sale that my mom and I happened upon.

They had 3 options, and naturally, I purchased all three!  The catch, of course, was that a large portion of the game was on cassette tape^!  So, after a few weeks of searching, I found a brand new, in package, cassette player, with headphones and speakers for $5** at goodwill! $5!!!!!

I've since printed the envelopes, even sealed them with wax!  Can't wait for this soiree at the end of July!  We still need to round up some costumes.

Summer activities are just so fun!

later days

*so, I only fill them half full now. = )
^this is necessary, so that the host can participate in the game as well!
**this is outrageous.  it is antiquated technology, and $5 is my normal budget for the entire trip!  but, my need outweighed the cost, literally.