Simply A Musing Blog

I got an email from my MIL, stating Christmas was going to be rather tight this year and she really hopes that I like homemade gifts. She's a classy lady, that MIL of mine, yes ma'am. Read below to see her note: My dear, It's somewhat embarrassing to admit, but Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for you and the girls as gifts. Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've included the instructions below. These slippers are: * Soft and Hygienic * Non-slip grip strips on the soles * Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh * No more bending over to mop up spills * Disposable and biodegradable * Environmentally safe * Three convenient sizes: (1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand Bags. I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see the nifty slippers for yourself.... Awaiting your response. It's ...

I receive the Home Made Simple online magazine and though we don't usually have pumpkins around Halloween time, I'm almost tempted to make an exception this year - look at how absolutely adorable this is! I'm thinking I might wait until after Halloween and do this for Thanksgiving time instead...as I said yesterday, Fall is my favorite time of the year -- is it any wonder why??? Look on the bright side! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Because they can do anything I can do, only oh-so-much better. Take my friend Rachel, for instance. She is one of the most talented artists I know - she's a photographer, scrapbooker, crafter, you name it, she does it. And no matter what she does, it's always beautiful. Case in point - just look at these gorgeous birdhouses she made for her etsy shop , DoOverDesigns: **Photo credits to Rachel Whetzel** Go check her store out - there's only a handful of these sweet treats left! Look on the bright side! Subscribe via RSS.

Well, I have been having some fun tonight on Cafepress. I have some items for sale in my little shop if you are interested. I was just playing around, but I think I'm going to order some mugs or tees and give them out every now and then as giveaway prizes. What do y'all think? Would you even want one? Look on the bright side! Subscribe via RSS. Technorati Tags: simply amusing tee , cafe express , Texas

Rambling post alert! Reading this post may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate heavy machinery . 1. We had our annual church Ladies party last night - it was so much fun! I didn't remember my camera, but I know a certain friend who took lots of photos...including one of her in the bathtub! (fully clothed, but you should see this bathtub -- it's seriously delicious!) We had what I have always called a "Chinese Gift Exchange", but others (in the interests of political correctness?) call it a White Elephant party. So for all of you Chinese folks that have ever heard me call it a "Chinese Gift Exchange"...please don't be offended, I was, up until now, ignorant of the fact that I was being offensive. Instead, I'll just call it a "Chinese White Elephant" gift exchange. Because I'm wierd like that. 2. AJ got SAVED Wednesday night! Yours truly was blessed to be able to walk him down the good old Romans Road at 9:52 pm and ask...

Since the moulin rouge (okay, money) is pretty tight around here these days (don't tell anyone, but I actually squeak when I walk now), we are giving handmade gifts for the holidays. A couple of weeks ago, I was in the process of making some top-secret goodies and with the help of my craft-loving kids, we have continued with the projects. Before I go any further...if you are reading this and your name happens to be Lulu, STOP READING now unless you want to know what you are getting for Christmas. Shoo. Just go on now...aren't the Cowboys playing on tivo??? I decided to make things that were practical (aprons, appliqued towels, coasters, etc) this year because...well, because it's hard to make something impractical with no money. So there you have it. I sewed this up tonight and used one of the flowers I made a couple of weeks ago on the front just for fun. In case you can't tell, (what does that say about my sewing prowess?) it's a grocery bag dispenser. I found the...

We don't celebrate Halloween, but we love the season of Fall and all things associated with it. Especially pumpkins. I recently picked up some miniature pumpkins and after searching the web for something fun to do, I came across this idea. Why not make a pumpkin topiary candleholder for a festive fall centerpiece? First, let me tell you right up front that I am unabashedly and wholeheartedly taking this from PattieWack.com . I could just link to her website alone, but I love the photo and instructions, so I am posting them here for you, along with a link and all credits should go to her. Supplies: Miniature Pumpkins 5 Inch Wooden Disks Krylon® Black Spray Paint 3/8 Inch Dowel Rods (for topiaries) 5/8 Inch Dowel Rods (for torches) 3/8 Inch Wood Bit and Drill Craft Glue Craft Knife Tea Lights Marker Optional: Decorative Urn, Spanish Moss, Fall Leaves Steps: 1. Drill through the center of 5 pumpkins with 3/8 inch drill bit. Lay aside. 2. Drill 3/8 inch hole in center of wooden disk, ...

I think not. I love my kids and their artwork, but this little girl is amazing. She's been painting since she was almost two years old and her artwork has received national attention. She has a GALLERY , people. Her name is Marla Olmstead . See her available work here . Technorati Tags: my kid could paint that , marla olmstead , Texas

Apparently, I don't love my readers enough to: 1)carry a camera with me everywhere I go, and 2)to do food tutorials. I am not too lazy, however, to show you what others have done. Here's a sampling of what I saw today: 1. Bacon Mat @ Serious Eats . 2. How to Chop an Onion at Gluten Free Girl (Is anyone else distracted by the chef's dirty fingernails? Eww.) 3. The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe EVER at Shelteriffic. 4. DIY Pumpkin Tea Lights at Pink of Perfection . (See? Not everything is food centered - although, technically, pumpkin is a food, I suppose.) 5. And my personal favorite - Bacon Salt . Blogged here and here and photographed here . Has anyone ever used this? Seriously? Technorati Tags: chocolate chip cookie recipe , bacon salt , Texas

Technorati Tags: crafts , MAKE , Texas ***And if you haven't voted for my new blog header, look below and leave me a comment, although I think the winner is pretty clear, already!***

I haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do with them, but Katie and I made these tonight in multiple colors: (We'll do just about anything to take our minds off that tonight is our last night of freedom. Homeschool starts tomorrow and lesson plans are DONE!) Technorati Tags: crafty , ric rac flowers , Texas

I made a family quilt of our family photo yesterday. It took a long time, but I love the outcome. My husband hates it because he says it makes his forehead look like it's 20 feet tall. I have to admit...it sort of does! Technorati Tags: crafts , scrapbooking , photos

My daughter is going through that "awkward" stage that kids at 10 seem to go through. She's got hair growing in places she's not comfortable with, her teeth are too big for her mouth, she's all arms and legs and has that awkward gawky look when she walks...but I think she's a "Perfect 10". The journaling reads: "dreamer, negotiator, caretaker, sister, friend, daughter, intelligent, reader, do-gooder, witty, sarcastic, obedient, beautiful. Even at this awkward stage you are so beautiful to me." Thanks for looking! ~Karen Technorati Tags: crafts , scrapbooking , family

Well, here they are...the bane of my existence right now. Those (cursed) culottes... I've got them all cut out, but only one pair completed. No must see tv for me tonight. Do they even still have must see tv? I'd much rather be HERE.

My favorite day of the year is just around the corner! Make home-made bubble mixture and go outside and blow bubbles! Make a Bubble Picture . Make Flowers and Garden crafts. Make some fancy garden stepping stones to decorate your yard. Make a unique rain hat using a clean, empty milk jug or perhaps this umbrella picture. Trace your arm and use colored pop corn to make this neat tree full of blossoms . If you are a sports fun you can try some of these baseball crafts . As the bird start to return, why not make some birds of your own. make some butterflies, ladybugs, and other bugs. Make a frog craft . Make and fly a kite . Make your own rainbows . See? It's not all about me. Get out there and enjoy your kids tomorrow!

I finally got up the nerve to do one and now I'm hooked! I said I wasn't going to be picking up any more hobbies...with 3 kids and a business to run, I'm just too busy...but I can't help myself! (well, okay...technically, I CAN help myself, I just don't want to!)

Today I'll be taking a creative break...forget what I said yesterday about those silly culottes...I'll get them made somehow. My brain just cannot stand it any longer. I. Must. Scrapbook. Tallyscrapper is having their GRAND OPENING today! Scrapping starts at 12 noon CMT and will continue until midnight! There will be hourly prizes...so be sure to head on over and check it out! If you've been having trouble finding motivation to DO SOMETHING in your life, I'm going to point you to this . Enjoy and have a blessed day!

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions. I was HAPPY! when I received this: I was sad when I remembered I have to sew 6 pr of these first: Sometimes I let my mouth overload my buttocks....or my ability to complete those tasks which exceeds my capacity to stay entertained. These culottes are for a friend who once entered her girls into a beauty pageant with dresses she had "hand sewn" - (ie - she used fabric glue for every seam)...luckily the dresses did not come apart whilst the girls were onstage. These girls are much older now and I don't want them running around playing volleyball with glued-up seams...there's just something not quite right about that. So I volunteered to make them a pair...mom decided they needed 3 each and bought fabric for said amount of pairs. I can't very well just make one pair and then allow her to (gasp!) glue the others...so here I am. Personally, I think this is one of the ugliest patterns I have ever seen for culottes...but I'm lov...

I have a confession. I have not scrapped in over 4 years. I have always watched the scrapping trends and keep telling myself..."one day I'll get back to it". Well, that one day is soon to come. I've joined TallyScrapper - one of the hottest, newest Scrapbooking sites there is. If you haven't seen it yet, you should head on over there. My ebay and bloggy friend Rachel introduced me to it. If I can ever get up my nerve to post anything, I'll be doing good. First, I need to get out and shoot some photos...that's my goal for today.

Click on the photo below to create your own library catalog card. Just think of the possibilities! (thanks to Katrina at Callapidder Days for the linky!)