So here we are, three months post Christmas and I never posted how my projects turned out... Well, the marshmallows and hot chocolate were phanominal and a huge hit with everyone.  I made the quillow for my husbands boss and they were very touched that someone took the time to actually make them a gift and loved it (SCORE!)

Recently I've been looking into working with oil cloth and getting all my tips and tricks ready for the big day when I jump on the machine and start sewing up mine and my little girls matching rain slickers.  I thought I would take the time to post some tricks regarding working with oil cloth as it can be tricky since the one side is laminated and will stick to your presser foot. So, here they are:

1. Put a piece of tissue paper on the right side (laminated) of the fabric and it will allow the presser foot to glide
2. Use a longer stitch to avoid to many holes
3.  Use a size 16 heavy weight needle (used for Denim)

Adams Family Gift

I've decided on what I think we are going to be giving the family members this Christmas (aunts, uncles, brother, sisters, moms and dads).

A GIFT BASKET

Now, I know what you are probably thinking... Lame, a gift basket? really? Like we didn't already thing of that.  All of the items (I should say most of the items) will be handmade by me and my little 13 month old helper.  So here is a list of items that are going to be in the baskets, and I'm figureing that we will have to make and ship approximatly six of them, plus a few for the troop boxes (theirs will have some extra goodies in them.)

1. Home made lip balm (aloe free)
• This is the lip balm recipe we are going to attempt and also add a little honey to it for anti-septic properties
2. REAL hot cocoa mix (not Swiss Miss)
• I will post the recipe for this a little later as it's a family recipe :-)
3. Home made marshmallows (indiviually wrapped to avoid the sticky mess?)
• This is the recipe we are going to try
4. Peppermint Schannps (only over 21's)
5. Home made sugar cookies (in a cello bag)
• This is the sugar cookie recipe we are going to use
• And this is the blog that is helping with the inspiration for decorating the cookies

And, as corny as it sounds, a picture of our little family... I would normally like to add mugs into the mix but I (personally) have enough mugs in my cupboard that we could open a restaurant, so I can only imagine what the thought would be.  "Oh, great, ANOTHER mug", now if it's a special mug, I'm good with that but no sense in wasting money on mugs that are going to be tossed to the thrift shop.

Speaking of thrift shops, since the little one is still small I have been shopping at the local thrift shop to save some money on Christmas.  I have found some great stuff! Toys (cleaning is neccasary but they are like new!), blankets (that are going to become a quilt), and some really adorable outfits. 

My husband probably thinks I'm nuts, but oh well - She will have some new things open under the tree as well but no sense in spending $1,000 on gifts that she will forget about in 10 minutes.  Besides that, she REALLY likes the boxes. :-)

Check back again for the recipes and photos on how our projects turned out.  I just ordered all of the stuff for the lip balm, excited to try something new.

Make it a great day!

Try again.....This time for real!

Well, here it is the end of November and this is only my second post...  When I initially started this I thought I would be able to carve out sometime everyday (or at least a couple of days) to update my family and friends with the goings on in Wyoming, recipes and crafts that I have tried and enjoyed.  Didn't quite work out that way, life happens...

NOW, for the month of December I am going to TRY and post ideas that I have for easy home made Christmas gifts and decorations, family gifts, group gifts (for offices), and the dreaded White Elephant(Because no one wants the mens body wash set with the super scrubber.) I also have some ideas regarding gifts for the hard to buy for child or teen... :-)

Check back over the weekend and throughout the month to see what's going on...

Make it a great day!

So, here is the start of my first blog... I'm excited to try something new.  I hope that I will be able to post interesting and useful information as well as fun events that will be taking place in our community here in Wyoming.

My husband and I just recently moved from Arizina to a small town in Wyoming - I have family here in Wyoming and I lived here once upon a time many years ago but my husband is from Arizona and New Mexico.  So far, so good - We both enjoy the outdoors and taking our 8 month old daughter on road trips and new adventures.  She travels VERY well, we were blessed with a very well behaved baby.

Well, here's to the start of a new project....