Holidays: Turkey Pops

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog!

Thanks!

These adorable Turkey Pops are easy to make and could be used at each place setting on a Thanksgiving dinner table.

Any appropriately colored fabric or burlap cut in a circle is placed over a tootsie pop or the like and tied with a twisted pipe cleaner.

A Hershey's kiss beak and googly eyes are glued in place and colorful

leaves from the yard are fed through the back of the pipe cleaner.

Most items are available at The Dollar Tree.

Holidays: Halloween "Hands"

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog!

Thanks!

This clever idea works perfectly with $1 Tree gloves.  Just fill each finger with Halloween candy or toys and tie with a ribbon.  

Finger lickin' good !

 

Needlework: Knitted Barbie Doll Outfit

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog!

Thanks!

I recently found this pattern, saved many years ago.  
It works up as this adorable and stylish suit any Barbie-like doll would be proud to wear!  

 

  I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES  

Crafts: Easter Bunny Face Cloths

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog!

Thanks!

This is a cute way to do the seating arrangement at home or at an Easter brunch in a restaurant.  I found directions here: Washcloth Bunny Rabbit.

My version is a little different.  I picked up face cloths at the $1 store and instead of a plastic egg in the center, I used a Milky Way "egg".  And I simply used cotton balls for the tail and nose.  These I attached with double stick tape for easy removal.  The actual name card is the tag on each bag of candy. 

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Needlebork: Shamrock Pins

Please join my list of Linky friends when you visit my blog! Thanks!

 I found this cute shamrock pin pattern here and instead of using glue to apply the pin, I sewed the pin to the shamrock.  The pins can be found at Michaels and A C Moore stores.  These could also be sewn to a snap barrette which you can locate at Dollar Tree Stores.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY !

Materials and supplies:
Crochet hook size J
Small amount green worsted weight yarn
Pin back
Hot glue and hot glue gun


Pin:

Chain 3, join with a slip stitch in first chain to form a ring.
Petal (make 3): Chain 3, trc, dc, trc, ch 3, slip stitch in ring.
Stem: Chain 4, sc in 2nd chain from hook, and slipstitch in remaining two chains. Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Lay right side down on heat proof surface. Hot glue pin back to petal opposite the stem.

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Crafts: Restoring A Child's Fire Engine

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog!

Thank you!

With our oldest grandchild having just turned 4, we have gradually been bringing down stored "treasures" from the attic.  Boxes and boxes of Fisher Price and Playskool toys which we packed up when our youngest, now 33, no longer played with them.  Some date back to our oldest, now 39 and all the toys have held up reasonably well considering.  Our three grandchildren love to play with them on their visits.

One such toy was this red fire engine which was a gift to our son when he was three.  He is now 36 and the grandchildren are his children.  The fire engine sustained some damage over the years but the pedals still worked and the kids enjoyed riding it. 

I recently decided to give it a facelift and as you can see, a can of red spray paint worked wonders.  I also had some silver spray paint left over from another project and it brought the original shine back to the bell and the ladder bars.  Some of the stickers remained and were able to be peeled off before painting and reapplied afterwards.  

There is still plenty of life left in this 33 year old toy!

 I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES 

Needlework: Doll Sweater and Cap

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog!

Thanks! 

This cute sweater can be found in "Knits for Girls and Dolls" and fits American Girl dolls or other 18" dolls perfectly.  Using some leftover yarn I made the sweater but rather than use double point needles, I worked back and forth on the neck ribbing and added a loop and a button.  

I used a cap pattern I found online and substituted size 5 and 8 needles using the worsted weight directions.  

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES   

Needlework: Knitted Doll Outfit

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog!

Thanks!  

This doll outfit was fun to make and can be found on lionsbrand.com.  I improvised on the jacket but the dress is as described.  Perfect outfit for a favorite doll!

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Needlework: Valentine Basket

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog!

Thanks!  

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!

This little basket is a perfect container for a Valentine's gift of Hershey Kisses.  I made these baskets as table favors for a Valentine's dinner.  

I adjusted the pattern after row 7 (36 sts.) by continuing to work in the round, but without increasing, for 5 addtional rows.  I then slipstitched twice around the top edge before adding the handle.  

              

               I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Crafts: Personalized Candle

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog!

Thanks!  

This is Candle a very easy project.  Just print out a photo in black and white on vellum (I used some resume' paper I had on hand), and attach it to a clear vase which I found at Target for $2.99.  Fasten with double stick tape and the directions say add a battery operated candle but I nestled a vigil light in a small amount of sand inside the vase and that works great.  This is really something that could be used for any occasion, wedding shower, anniversary, birthday, Valentine's Day etc.  

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Needlework: Christmas Ornaments

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog!

Thanks!  

This knitted Ornament can  be found at Lion Brand Yarn along with many other free patterns including this Santa....  

...and other patterns available online are these Mittens and this Stocking,

and this Snowflake.

Merry Christmas!

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Needlework: Candy Corn Bag

Please join my list of Linky and Google friends when you visit my blog! 

Thanks!

This adorable candy corn bag is a free pattern from Lionsbrand.  It is crocheted and works up quickly using double strands of yarn.  The directions call for felting the bag but I did not do that.  

Perfect for the little girl in your life!

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Crafts: Redneck Wine Glasses, Personalized

Please join my list of Linky friends and google friends when you visit my blog!  Thanks!

I saw Redneck wine glasses in a Hallmark store and thought what a clever idea.  However, they did not have handles.  I googled the company and found that they also offer Redneck wine glasses with handles and they are considerably less expensive online, even with shipping.  

These glasses came with a pewter lid but I thought I would switch those out for regular mason jar lids which I could spray paint with chalkboard paint.

First I roughed up the surface with fine grit sandpaper.

Then I simply spray painted the inside lid of the caps.

Now each cap can be labeled with the guest's name.

And they look great displayed in our wine cabinet!

 These Redneck glasses can not go into the dishwasher.  However, check out this blog, Blooming With Burlap, where Jennifer came up with a way to make her own Redneck glasses and hers are dishwasher safe.  Cheers!

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Crafts: Resurfaced End Tables

Please join my list of Linky friends and google friends when you visit my blog!  Thanks!

These end tables have well served members of the family for over 40 years and are in good shape other than the condition of the top surfaces.  I thought I'd try a little chalkboard paint after some sanding and it worked great!  

Perhaps we'll find a new home for these end tables yet!

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Crafts, Recipes: Bunny Napkins and Bunny Cake

Please join my list of Linky friends when you visit my blog! Thanks!

After a restaurant brunch we will come home for Prosecco and dessert.  Better Homes & Gardens has a helpful video showing how to fold the Bunny Napkins. See below.  And the Wilton Bunny cake pan was purchased at Michaels.  

The Chocolate Sour Cream Cake is the recipe used for the bunny.  

And using two round pans:

HAPPY EASTER !
I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Crafts: Goldfish Carrots

Please join my list of Linky friends when you visit my blog! Thanks!

I saw this cute and easy idea on My Wooden Spoon and just had to duplicate it for our Easter guests!  Goldfish crackers and Wilton icing bags is all it takes to make these adorable carrots.  You could also use orange jelly beans in place of the crackers.
I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Needlework: Valentine Heart Barrettes & Pins

I found this cute little Valentine Heart pattern here and the snap clips are from the Dollar Tree.   I simply sewed the valentine heart to the clip.  This is the smaller of the hearts in the directions.  Below are the larger hearts to which I attached a pin.  I used a G crochet hook and added a row of single crochet in white in the top photo.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Materials:
Small amount of worsted weight yarn
G (4.5mm) or H (5.0mm) crochet hook
3/4 inch pin back
Needle and thread to match or hot glue


Small Heart Motif

Chain 4, make all stitches in the first chain. 3 trc, 3 dc, chain 1, 1 trc, chain 1, 3 dc, 3 trc, chain 2 slip stitch. Fasten off.

Sew or glue pin back to back of heart. Embellish with ribbon or yarn bow.

Large Heart Motif

Round 1: Chain 4, make all stitches in the first chain. 3 trc, 3 dc, chain 1, 1 trc, chain 1, 3 dc, 3 trc, chain 2 slip stitch.

Round 2. Chain 3, in first trc make sc and hdc, in next stitch 3 hdc, in next stitch 2 hdc, 1 sc in next four stitches, chain1 dc in trc chain 1, sc in next four stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch, 3 hdc in next stitch, hdc and sc in next stitch, chain 3 and slip stitch in joining. Fasten off.

Sew or glue pin back to back of heart. Embellish with ribbon or yarn bow.

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Crafts: Using Chalkboard Paint to Personalize a Vase

I have seen chalkboard paint used many ways and thought I'd try my hand at blocking off an area on a simple vase I had and spraying it with a few coats of chalkboard paint.  I would recommend covering the entire vase with painter's tape or paper as the spray does find it's way to uncovered areas especially when spraying in a cardboard box.  It does however, come off easily with a scrubby sponge.

After seasoning the chalkboard area on the vase with the side of a piece of chalk, you can write any message you like depending on the occasion.   This would make a nice addition to a gift of flowers for an event or as a hostess gift.

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Crafts: Chalkboard Bookends

These bookends are sturdy and up to the challenge of holding upright a large collection of cookbooks of various sizes but they are not all that attractive.  I decided to spray paint them with chalkboard paint and write my daughter and son in law's names on them.  They have a substantial collection of cookbooks atop their kitchen breakfront which was crying out for some support.

Following the directions on the can, I did about 3 coats of paint allowing it to dry in between.  After waiting 24 hours, I seasoned the bookends by running the side of a piece of chalk over the surface and wiping it off.  An easy fix!

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

Crafts: Felt "Valentine" Flower Pins

These adorable  felt valentine rosettes were suggested by TidyMom.  You can find the full step by step instructions on her excellent blog.

I managed to get 9 three inch circles out of the 9x12 felt square which I purchased at ACMoore along with the jewelry pin backs. With the small amounts of felt left over, I made a couple of 1  1/4 inch flowers.  These are quite easy to make and work up quickly.  Such a cute idea!

 [ I did find the red can rub off onto other fabric so be aware when you are pinning them onto other clothing.  I am spraying the backs with some hair spray which I think will prevent this.] 

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES