Monday, November 22, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!


Happiest of Thanksgiving to all of you!!!

I'm sorry for lack of posts!
I'm working on my gift for the gift exchange (see side bar).
That will be in the mail tomorrow!
I received my gift from my partner. : )
Love my gift!
When I return, I will have pictures of everything for you!

We just got home from MI last night and return on Wednesday.
Friday we leave for Disney : )
Boy oh boy do we need a break from real life!
What a year...what a 3 years!

So, as you can see, I'm busy, busy!
I will be back sometime next week!
I will have pictures and pretties to see.

Have a great Thanksgiving with your families!

Hugs!
Kim

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Please Hold

I'm so sorry but the blog you have reached
is currently overloaded with birdseed wreathes,
yo-yo's and other projects with a
weekend deadline.


Kim and Emma will return as soon as possible.
Kim is behind on emailing back too,
but she will be getting back to you
ASAP!

So, while Emma snores away like all bullies do...
Kim will be sewing and stirring birdseed.

Kim and Emma hope you have a great end of your week!
Be back soon!

Hugs!



Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Thrifty Find and More Yo-Yo Hats

Hello!
Back in MI, over the weekend, I went to the Salvation Army.
I found this really neat hanging picture frame duo.


I plan to spray paint it turquoise when the weather warms up again.


I love the details.

I, also, found these brand new hats at the Salvation Army.
(I prewashed them)
I decided to add yo-yos to these for Lifebuilders.


I love the color combos!


This is my favorite!
I have one more and I'm going to make it for me,
like this one.

Well, I am off to Michael's.
I need to pick up some supplies for my Gift Exchange (see side bar) partner's gift.

I'm linking up today...
lil luna link party button

 
Have a great day!!!
Hugs!
Kim

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

I Won!!!

Morning!!!
A couple of weeks ago we went to the Chicago Pet Show.
I wanted to meet the folks at the Illinois English Bulldog Rescue.
We had fun meeting Louis, a rescue waiting for his furever home
and chatting with his foster mom.

Before we left the booth,
I bought some raffle tickets.
I thought I was just supporting the organization
but I actually won one of the prizes...


A Skagen watch, valued at $95!!!
I was so surprised!

Thank you IEBR!!!
Emma sends bully kisses!


We cannot wait to move permanently to Illinois.
When we finally get a house,
we want to be foster bully parents!

Have a great day!!!
Hugs!
Kim

Friday, November 12, 2010

Yo-yos For Charity



Morning!
I've been busy getting some things ready for charity.
I have been making hats for a great organization called

LifeBuilders is a faith based organization...
This is taken from their website:

LifeBUILDERS began in 2005 as a place where people in transition could get all-encompassing help reaching their goals. LifeBUILDERS focus was to provide encouragement, instruction, healthy relationships, transportation, employment and guidance to people in a Christian community.

I have been blessed by hearing the testimony of women who have been helped.
 I know Marilyn and Larry Johnson who run this organization...wonderful people!
Many of my friends help every week with LifeBuilders.
If I was still living in Michigan, I would do more but
from Chicago I can do something!

Last year I started making hats with yo-yo embellishments for their Christmas Store.
I, also, give plain hats for those who are not into embellishments.
Here are some of this years...

Headband hats for little girls.

Another headband hat.

A woman's hat with a little sparkle!

A little girl's hat.


A few of them all together.

Another way I am helping...
Heritage Church in Sterling Heights, MI
are big supporters of LifeBuilders.
Each year Heritage has an auction
and this year all the proceeds from
the tickets and the auction
go directly to LifeBuilders.
We will be there!
Saturday, November 20th!

I will be making one of these for the auction...


It will be all wrapped up pretty in a Christmas hat box.
Pictures to come.

Sooo...that's one way I'm giving back this holiday season.

Hope you have a great weekend!!!
Hugs!
Kim

Thursday, November 11, 2010

I've Been Featured!!!

I am so very thankful today!
I just received an email from Jenny at Embellishing Life
to tell me that she has featured me today on her blog!
I am beyond excited!
This is my first ever feature!
Go visit Jenny and leave her some bloggy love!




Hugs!
Kim

Deal of the Week!

Morning!!!

Today's deal comes from Carson's again!
I needed a necklace to go with an outfit
that I'm wearing to a charity auction.
I wanted something neutral that could go
with many other outfits too.
Here's what I found...


A chunky clear acrylic necklace with a price of $44
then take 30% off
then take an additional 25% off,
if I used my Carson's card.
Ok, not too bad.
Get to the register and it comes up $6.99
then take the 25% off for using my card.
This necklace was not on the clearance rack,
so shocker to me it WAS on clearance!!!
What a deal!!!
(I, also, found a pair of earrings to match ON the clearance rack)


Here's how it looks on.
I LOVE IT!
I can wear it with so many things!
Perfection!

Find any great deals???

Hope you have a wonderful day!
Chicagoland is enjoying the bestest Indian Summer!
Loving it!
Soon it will be over but until then...AHHH! : )

Hugs!
Kim

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Note on Birdseed Wreath

If you make a birdseed wreath...store in the fridge until gifting or outside (if it's cold enough) wrapped in plastic. My first attempt at the wreath is moldy (I just checked it). ICK! That wasn't in the instructions in the magazine!!!

Remember:

KEEP YOUR BIRDSEED WREATHES COLD!!!

Hugs!
Kim

Be Careful What You Click On In Your Stats!!!

I was going through my stats on Blogger and I went to see what my Traffic Sources were. Periodically, I'll click on a site to see who is checking out my blog and where the source was from. WELL...I clicked on one that started with http://bit/ and it went to a very nasty site. NEVER again will I click on a link starting like that! I wish Blogger could leave those off our stats! GROSS and INAPPROPRIATE!!!

Just an FYI!

Kim

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Birdseed Wreath


I have a super easy and
 inexpensive gift to show you today.
The above birseed wreath!


I found it in this magazine, Sandra Lee Christmas, from last year.


A really great gift for your
bird loving friends!

Materials:

3 envelopes (1/4-ounce) envelopes of Knox gelatin.
Water
At least 6 cups of birdseed of your choice.
Standard Bundt baking pan (or several mini Bundt pans)
Nonstick Cooking Spray
Twine or raffia for hanging.

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine 3 envelope of gelatin with 6 tablespoons of cold water.
Let stand for one minute.
Add 1 cup of boiling water, and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved.

Gradually add 6 cups of birdseed to the mixture, stirring to combine.

Spray the inside of the Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Pour the birdseed mixture into the Bundt pan, and press it down firmly.
Place it in the refrigerator for several hours, or until it is completely firm.

Remove the wreath from the Bundt pan.
(I had to put a warm towel on the outside of the pan to get it loosen up enough to come out)
Tie several lengths of twine or raffia around it, and suspend it from a tree branch
that you can see from inside your home.


This is how it looks in the pan.


I released it from the pan onto paper towel.


I found these cute cake tins at Hobby Lobby for 50% off last week.
They aren't on sale this week, so print a coupon!


I made a little gift tag to add to the tin.

Total cost about $8.50.
I found the a big 20 lb. bag of birdseed at Tractor Supply for $4.99.
There's enough left to make about 3 more.

NOTE:  KEEP BIRDSEED WREATH COLD! STORE IN FRIDGE OR WRAPPED
IN PLASTIC OUTSIDE, IF IT'S COLD ENOUGH...MY FIRST ONE MOLDED!

Hope you like it!
What are you making for Christmas gifts?

Have a great day!
Hugs!
Kim

Linking up today!




Photobucket

Weekend Bloggy Reading

Monday, November 8, 2010

Quilting, Learning Curve, Mug Rug

Here it is, the good the bad and the ugly!
My first attempt at making a really quilted anything...
it turned out wonky...
I learned along the way...
there are errors...
there are small victories...
have a looksie...
please don't laugh!


This is the back.
It looks better than the front.
By the time I got to the back...
I figured out how to attach the binding with
a pretty well hidden stitch.
I still need to work on ending the binding.


 This is the front.
I like the tree...
that's about it.
The front was where there are
the most trial and errors.
Ick!


The next one should be mucho better!

Learning to sew is hard.
I used a lot of tutorials out on the web
to learn from.
I hope to be as talented as some of you great quilters...
some day.

Practice, practice, practice...
That's the goal!

Have a great day!
Hugs!
Kim

Thursday, November 4, 2010

I Need This Bike!

Madsen Cycles Cargo Bikes

I hope I win!
You can have a chance to win too!
Click here for a chance to win!
Emma and I would love the blue bike!
We'd be so cool going down the street!

Kim

Thankful Post


With Thanksgiving drawing closer, I thought it fitting to do a thankful post.

Here goes...

~ I am thankful for my Lord and Savior!

~ I am thankful for my hubby, we have been through a lot the past 3 years!

~ I am thankful for 2 great kids and a great SIL!

~ I am thankful that the Lord has seen to it that we are able
 to make our mortgage in MI and our rent in IL.

~ I am thankful to my friends who haven't forgotten
me since moving. That we keep in touch regularly and
they already came to see me!

~ I am thankful to all my blogging friends who support me.
Who teach me new techniques, crafts and inspire me to
decorate even my 635 sq. ft.!

~ I am thankful for my Emma the Bulldog who makes me laugh
and go for walks!

There is so much to be thankful for and it keeps me going!

What are you thankful for?

Have a great day friends!

Hugs!
Kim

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Hubs Lap Quilt/Blanket

Morning!

I finally finshed this lap quilt/blanket.
I'm not sure what to call it, exactly,
I didn't officially quilt it.
I used old/vintage buttons in between the blocks.


Excuse the Emma hairs.
It has been very chilly here and we had to use it to stay warm!


I used a variety of brown and gray buttons from my stash.


I forgot to bring the quilt batting from Michigan.
It is still very warm with the backing of fleece.
I didn't bind it either.
I still need to practice this skill.
Know of any good tutorials???
Or, do you have any helpful suggestions???

I am linking up at Embellishing Life today.
Please pay her a visit and visit all the others linking up.




Have a great day!
Hugs!
Kim

Monday, November 1, 2010

Wishing On A Star!

When I wish upon a star tonight...
I may be wishing for anyone or
all of these...


GO! Fabric Cutter

An AccuQuilt Cutter...
This would be so awesome to help me cut quilt pieces.
I am a lousy cutter!



A Sihlouette...
to make die cuts and words on vinyl!
I could be ultra crafty with one of these!



A Jo Tote...
I don't have a picture of one of these.
But I would love
to have a stylish bag that I can use as a combo purse/camera bag!
How cute would one of these be?

There you have my wish list.
I would ask Santa...
but I hear Santa is on an ultra strict budget
this holiday season.
Bummer!

Have a great night!
Hugs!
Kim

Business


Morning! Happy November!

Today, I woke up feeling a throat illness coming on...ick!
I hope it doesn't get too much worse.

We didn't have any trick or treaters in our apartment complex...weird.
Back home in Michigan, my daughter had to close up an hour early (at our house).
Seems we have more little ones this year.

On to some business...

I've been asked to post how to add the link for the blog button.
Here is the tutorial I used for making my blog button...tutorial.
I tried several tutorials out there and this one was the easiest for me...
I'm awful with technology!


Here's my button. You can grab it off my right sidebar.

I've, also, been asked to show my twisted flower headband on me.
I am terrible at taking my own picture.
Here it is...


I took it off the black headband and put it on a brown one.
Easy peasy...I sewed a tiny hair rubber band to the back of the flower.
Now it can go on any of my headbands.

I need to take photos of what I've been working on.
A project that I set aside for a long time
is finally finished!
I will post it tomorrow.
My battery died in my camera. :(

Ok, I'm off to rest and help this sickness go away quickly!

Have a great day!
Hugs!
Kim