More Bows

I did find time to sit down and make a few bows.

Here they are:

Can you tell that I'm ready for fall?

The top one was super easy- just two 8" pieces of each color, folded in, hot glued in "flower" shape on top of a foam/felt circle base, and a button to cover the middle (it's kind of a pale yellow, the photo makes it look more off white).

The second one was inspired by a Pinterest pin that really has no destination (you know how that goes). At least is was one that was a step be step guide.

I had these two pretty ribbons that me grandmother sent me while cleaning out her crafting supplies before a move. I've wanted to use them for a while but wasn't quite sure how to but when I decided to try this pin I figured they'd work alright.

So I layered them and stitched them together for the back of the bow.
Then ran a basting stitch to help pinch the middle of the bow.

Since the back of the bow is 4", I used a 3" template to measure the white ribbon I put on front- wrapping it around 3 times.

I put a small stitch in it to hold it together and then fanned it out.

I used just a small dot of hot glue to attach the white ribbon to the gold, you have to be careful because too much glue makes it so you can't pinch the middle tight.
I then used a little florist wire to pinch the middle as tight as possible (it's the easiest method I've seen yet, because it holds it so well). Finally I finished by using the white ribbon to tie a knot (as seen in the linked pin) and hot glued it on using the ends to help hold the alligator clip on. Then a quick touch of hot glue to the ends of the alligator clip to attach it to the base of the bow.

That's all for now,
Jo!

Sorry

I apologize for the inconsistent posting. Right now I feel like I'm working on a million different projects and nothing (other than laundry and dishes) is actually finished yet.

My biggest project right now is refinishing a medicine cabinet for a bathroom remodel, although right now I'm waiting on supplies to ship. I'm also spending quite a bit of my free time hanging trim for said bathroom remodel, which limits time for other crafts. However when I do have a chance I am working on a new counted cross-stitch that my Ks bought me for Christmas (while I was working on the "Family" cross-stitch already so it got delayed).

Hopefully it won't be too long before I have something to post for you all. Maybe I'll sit down and make a few bows tonight... or not, we'll see.

Nothing for now, sorry,
Jo!

My Summer Projects

You saw everything me and the K girls did together over the summer, here's a quick catch up of what I did on my own this summer.

While the girls were sewing their felt birds, I was working with felt myself making this cute little coffee cozy courtesy of Disney's Spoonful.

I also finished a few cross-stitch purchased kits.

(I love this one I think it's absolutely beautiful. And I got it 75% off when I purchased it.)

And, finally, I bought a pack of Bucilla "wood stitchers" that I bought on sale at Hobby Lobby after Christmas and I stitched those up in about 36 hours and finished them off with some Mod Podge to secure the thread to the back of the wood and then glued some card stock paper over the back (because of course I have Christmas themed card stock paper). 

That's all for now, 

Jo! 

Fruit Week, Day 3

Today we made Banana Split Kabobs. I'd seen these on Pinterest a few times and figured we'd give them a try.

They're super simple. First we put the fruit on the kabob sticks.

Then we let them sit in the freezer for about 10 minutes, just enough to give them a bit of a chill.
Take them out and dip them partially in chocolate and then dip in nuts, if desired.

Then we laid them on a wax paper cover pan to dry. Since the fruit was chilled they dried pretty quickly.

And then enjoy. They were good but really wasn't anything too special.

That's all for now,
Jo!

Fruit Week, Day 1-2

Yesterday started the last week of our summer break adventure as school starts on Thursday, until then we have a half week of cooking with fresh ingredients.

Yesterday we made stove top applesauce, and while it cooked we made homemade cherry limeades.
The girls diced and peeled 4 large Granny Smith Apples.

Then we added 1/4 c. of water and 3 Tbsp. of maple syrup to the pot and let it cook until the apples were tender.

Once they cooled just a bit (but not all the way, about 10 minutes) we mashed them.

Then we let it finish cooling in the fridge and devoured it. (Seriously between all the Ks, they each had two bowls and I had none.)

While that was cooking we used fresh limes for cherry limeades.
A bottles of Sprite (12 oz, and not something they get very often so they were ecstatic)...

Squeeze in the juice of a few lime wedges (2 should be plenty) and 1/4 c. of Grenadine or Cherry Juice.

Finish by throwing in the squeezed lime wedges and a few maraschino cherries and enjoy!

Today we made a mango strawberry salsa and served it with cinnamon sugar pita chips.
We started with 2 c. strawberries, 2 c. mango, and 1 c. pineapple chunks and pulse them until chunky and mixed well. Then add lime juice from half a lime, 2 Tbsp. OJ, and 2 Tbsp. honey.

Stir well.

And eat!

That's all for now,
(For real this time, my camera card is finally caught up)
Jo!