Family Tree

Another project that I finally finished. Memory Tree Magnet Board. The kits provide enough material to display three or four generations. The featured faces are magnetized so it's an easy way to learn family lineage. I purchased the materials from this web site and it also helped me make it.  Cool site, check it out.  http://www.storiesbyme.com/  The only thing I did different was I put both mine and my husband family tree up with my children in the middle.

"SWAP TIL YOU DROP"

I saw this blogger on the Utah TV show Studio 5 here is the link http://thisandthat-amy.blogspot.com/  You have to check it out.

"SWAP TIL YOU DROP"

  Swap parties are popping up as a fun and free way to get rid of stuff you don't really want anymore, and the best part is that you get to take home something you do want.  
  Invite some of your closest friends over for a swapping party.  Instruct each person to bring 5 to 7 items.


For example;  bracelets, a picture, a door hanging, items that you already have around the house that you either don't like anymore or don't use, cookbooks that you are done using, books you have already read, stamp sets, and scrapbook paper you have never opened, but thought someone else might like to use, perfume.  Looked through your closets, and found clothing you don't wear anymore.  Go into your storage room and found things that you've had for a while that were just tucked away that you don't use anymore in your décor.  Once you place your tagged items out for display, and got a few instructions about how to claim an item with clips, the swapping begins.


  When more than one clip is on an item, put them in a bag and draw out the winner.
"Swap ‘til you drop,"  "Just used it as a girls night out, and it is free!"

Invitation: In keeping with the Swap 'til You Drop theme Amy took a simple pink gift bag and glammed it with a feather boa around the edges and added some zebra tissue paper. Put the actual invitation inside as well as a fun poem, and tags so guests can tag their items before hand.


Poem:
We're totally in a recession,
At least that's what they say.
I don't want to face it,
Just want to play, play, play!

It is time to get the girlfriends,
All together for a bash.
We could always go shopping,
But, who has the cash.

I've got a fab solution,
to this financial jam.
Just bring all your older stuff,
Your man won't give a damn!

We'll eat and laugh and have some fun,
and drink some diet pop.
In the end we'll choose the goods,
We'll Swap 'til We Drop!

This idea will bring for sure,
Joy beyond measure!
Remember, one girlfriend's junk,
Is another girlfriend's treasure!


Tags: Every item got a tag. On it, the ladies wrote a description or "selling point" for the item.


Clips: Amy found the pink clips in Target's dollar section for half off. She then added a jewel and name she printed from her computer. You could also use clothespins, and put an initial sticker on top, or have each guest write their name on clothespins.


Favors: I found these re-usable shopping bags online (cheaptotes.com) for $1 a piece. We wanted them to match our theme, so Amy added messy bows complete with ribbon, fabric, and crepe paper as well as some paper name tags with jewels. Everyone used the bags to take home their items, and as an added bonus they'll be able to use them the next time they go to the grocery store! Amy had some extra paper, so she also made these darling candy bars. It was just one more thing everyone could take home to remember what a fun night it was.


A few other tips:

Decorations: The paper Amy chose for the invitations set the theme for the party: pink and zebra. Amy wanted it to feel like a Girls Night Out. She loves throwing parties, so she already had most of the decor. Don't go out and buy stuff for this party. Pick a theme that fits with your style. Revamp things you already have. That's what it's all about.

Inviting: You want to think about who you're inviting. Invite people who have similar tastes, that way you'll want to swap with them.

Packaging: Amy's friends did a great job packaging their items. They used cellophane, ribbons, and baskets to make their items look brand new.

Be Creative: One of Amy's friends was really worried about what to bring. She didn't feel like she had anything, so she made homemade salsa. Packaged it up on a tray, she already had and with some cellophane and it was one of the hot items that night. You could also narrow it down and have a book swap or a holiday decoration swap.

Donate: If something doesn't get claimed. Take it directly to goodwill. You may even want to have a designated box for those items.

I am so glad that I found Amy's blog.  Thanks Amy
 

Magnetic Calendar

Here is another project I made with the help of the website at the bottom.  You can interchange pictures for the birthday's for family members.  It is magnetic also.  Cool huh 

www.storiesbyme.com

Decorating

Another decorating idea or two

Weekend Project

I needed something to hang at my office, so my husband and I made this magnetic board out of 1X4's and leftover flashing from his job site.

Easter Wreath

Materials;
40 colored eggs
grapevine or styrofoam wreath
Low temperature glue gun and glue sticks
Baby's breath white or pink or white feathers (opt)

Glue eggs onto wreath and then put baby's breath or feathers between eggs.  Tie a pretty bow on and your done.

Old Windows idea

My son, Trevor, was remodeling a old house and had some wooden windows that he gave me.  This is some ideas that I did with them.  It is really hard to find old wooden windows so good hunting.

 

This one I put mirrors behind.

 

This one I put photos of my family

 

This one I put vinyl words on.

Bathroom Update

I wanted to remodel my bathrooms but I didn't have the money to do so.  We just had plain mirrors so I got the idea to put a frame around them so I built them out of 1X4's and painted them with black paint and sanded the edges to make them  look old and then just siliconed them to the mirrors.  This is a quick remodel and cheap too.

Flower Power

I found this flower pattern on the web site diy dish they were using them as flowers for pillows, I had an idea to put the flower on a necklace.  It turned out pretty cute.  You can also use it as a hair accessory or whatever you would like.  If you would like the pattern and instructions go to the web site at the bottom.

 

 

http://www.thediydish.com/

Cooking

PIE IN A JAR

I found this cute idea searching the internet and wanted to share;
Use half-pint jars,
STEP 1:  Pie Dough
You can use any pie dough you like
STEP 2: Make a topper and line the jar
Roll out a small handful of dough.  This is just for the tops of your pies.  Grab the ring part of your jar and use that as your cookie cutter.  Cut out the tops and set aside.
Use the rest of the dough to line the jars, no need to grease them.  Make sure it's pressed all the way up to the top of the jar.
STEP 3:  Fill them up
You will need about 1/2 cup filling for each jar
RECIPE FOR 4 PIES
2 cup Fruit
2 TBS Sugar (brown or white)
2 TBS Flour
1 TBS Butter (divided between the pies)
Whatever flavorings you would like; cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, almond extract etc.
Divide filling between the jars and dot a pat of butter on top.
STEP 4:  Top it off
Make sure the top of the pie (dough) has a vent so the steam can escape.  You can cut a couple of slits or make a decorative cut on the top.  (the top piece of dough's outside edges goes up the side of the dough-covered jar a bit.  Use your finger to press the 2 pieces of dough together to seal.  Or you could us a crumb topping.
CRUMB TOPPING (for 4 pies)
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Flour
2 TBS Oats
1/4 TBS Cinnamon
3 TBS cold Butter
Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon, cut in butter.  Add oats and stir to combine.
REMEMBER brush pie tops with butter and sprinkle with sugar.
STEP 5:  Freeze them
When your pies are all done and topped put lids on and tighten them then they can be put in freezer.
STEP 6:  Bake them
Bake at 375 degrees for about 45-60 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the middles are bubbly.

Filling Up My Cup

Yesterday, the kids and I went to the Idaho Falls Temple and did Baptisms for the Dead for our Heiner ancestors.  We did a total of 10 males and 17 females.  It was so gratifying and rewarding.  That had been the best day off of work that I have had in a long time.  I feel that I can continue on with my work week.

Winter

I feel that I am living in a black hole in the middle of winter. Am I the only one that has the winter blues or should I say whites? I travel 45 miles north and there is no snow. I travel 45 miles south and there is no snow. Why is that?