After getting my super cute business cards printed from WHCC.com I had to make a business card holder to take care of them.

I found a great tutorial on The Crafty Cupboard.

The only real difference with mine, is I used laminated fabric as the outer fabric.  Yes, a little hard to work with, but it will stay cleaner.  And, we all know that mothers with 4 little children need all help we can get.  ALL THE HELP!!!!! ( am I getting this across...my children have been messy lately, breaking more things than I would like to say, but at least I can protect some stuff....like all important business cards)

Okay, to not scare you off, I have to say this project took me 1 hour.  That is it.  I was even acting as a parenting referee for part of the time, and trying to get dinner on the table.  If I can do it, you can!

All my supplies.

I marked the center to put my button in by folding 

the fabric in half.  You probably didn't need that explanation,

but someone did...and this is for them!

Showing all the layers, ready to go...yep, that is a

red hair elastic for the clasp.

Maybe it is just me, but sewing on laminated fabric,

especially Moda's is challenging.  It is thick, and 

doesn't glide well.  Oh well, the seams were almost perfect.

Clip those edges.  I almost always forget to do this 

before I turn the edges.

The finished project.  Everything looks

way better after a good ironing (on the non-laminated

side of course)

 Closed.....

Open....those are my cute cards inside.

Sew...it's ART.

Remember a while back, I posted about this

and this...

and this?

Well, now we are asking for more help to further the cause.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and as such I am a member of the Relief Society organization.    Our purpose of Relief Society is to provide support to those in need....it doesn't matter where they live, they could be neighbors, or live in distant lands.  We simply want to lift the weary hands that hang down (Hebrews 12:12).

As part of our efforts to help others in need, we have organized a project called Sew...it's Art.    We are working to provide wall hangings for orphanages and institutions around the world.  On Saturday, March 10, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the LDS church building  at 939 W. Chapala Drive there will be an exhibition showing all the great wallhangings, after which the quilts will be sent off to their new homes.

  We would LOVE to see your wallhangings join ours.

YES, I am asking you to contribute to the fun.  Go to the Sew..it's Art website, and follow the instructions on how to make the wallhanging.  Nothing could be simpler.  Plus, there are so many that will benefit from your generosity. Not only will orphans from around the world get to see something beautiful, but you have the chance to learn a new skill.  Maybe there is a new method you would like to try out?  Maybe you want to work on your binding skills?  Maybe you have always wanted to tackle curved piecing....maybe it is machine applique?  Whatever you want to learn, try it out on this small canvas.  Not only will your skills improve, but your heart will grow in size as well.

I know as I put aside my own to do list, and help others, magically I am blessed.  I  find time to get work for others done, as well as the things on my list.  The small things I have done to help others, blesses me much more than I bless others.  I am constantly in debt to a loving Heavenly Father, who wants to bless the efforts I make to serve Him.  

I hope you will join me in this effort.  It's a small thing, but will mean so much to those for whom you do it.    When you are ready to send it, you can send it to me.  Just email, and I will let you know my address.   

PLEASE read the guidelines page before you start.  A couple key guidelines are:

quilt any size between 18"x18" and 40"x40"

NO fabrics with WORDS, LETTERS, FLAGS, RELIGIOUS, OR MILITARY THEMES 

(as this is going to many different countries and religious organizations)

THANKS for being willing to help in this cause!  

Headband tutorials....just in time.

Here's a super easy headband tutorial, just in time for your friends and neighbors you love so much.  Last night, my sweet daughter needed some quick gifts for friends, so I whipped up 8 of these babies in about an hour.  That is my kind of gift.

Okay, it may take you longer than an hour (if you have never made one before), but not much.

Here's what you will need:

1 - 2 1/2"x 21" strip (this is the length of a fat quarter, or half width of fabric)

1 goody hair elastic (the thick ones)

1.  First cut your strip.  Clear a spot from your overflowing cutting area, and give yourself a small area to make a cut.  (Oh, you are more organized, and have a clean work space...congrats to you!)

2.  Cut the corners off...this is so the headband tapers down to your neck.  I cut off 1/2" on each side over 4 inches....does that make sense?  Look at the picture, you will understand better.

3.  See.....it is tapered.

4.  Fold the fabric over twice (a little less than 1/4"), and iron in place.  You may want to use a spray starch to keep it in place. 

BIG TIP...if you have a rolled hem foot use it.  I used it last night and all my dreams came true.  It was awesome.  

5.  Pin down your ironed edges....just to help yourself a little.

5.  Using a super small seam...sew the edges down.  

5.  Get ready to put your headband together...use the goody hair elastic.

6.  Fold your raw edge over first.  

7.  Now, fold the folded edge over the elastic, and pin in place.  

****This is where you need to use your brain.  Check the size of your head.  How tight do you want this to be, how loose?  And adjust your folds accordingly.  The bigger the fold, the smaller the headband, etc.  For adults, I folded it over twice about 1/2", for children, maybe it was 1"  (as you can tell, I am super precise).

8. Do that to both sides.  And then sew in place.

9.  Clap and cheer, you are done, and you have  a super cute headband.

10.  Give it to a loved one, make them put it on ....then and there, and they will LOVE you for always and forever.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our house to yours....have a beautiful Holiday!

WHCC

These are the Rep Card offered by WHCC.  A number of times I have been asked for my business card, but had nothing to offer.  So, finally, I put one together using photoshop.  I knew it had to be cute, and I wanted it to reflect my personality, as well as show some of my work.


This is the result.  I love it.  I printed these using the pearl finish, and I love the look of it.   I totally won't be embarrased to give these little babies out.


The cost?  $12.00 for 50.  I know it is a little steep, but I think it is reasonable for me.  Of course, if you are printing more, the cost is less per card.  If you are looking for a unique business card, or unique cards, wedding announcements and more, check out whcc.com.

Artisan Bread, wheat style

Today I made creamy chicken noodle soup for the teachers at my kids elementary school.  I made enough for our family tonight, but we definitely needed a starch to accompany it.  We are trying to be healthy, so I thought maybe grinding wheat and making 100% wheat artisan bread.

Grinding the wheat was fun, Noah hasn't seen me do that since he has been old enough to get excited about it.  He loved it, he kept wanting to watch those little wheat berries get ground to bits.  Then came the mixing of ingredients.....let's just say, this was a much less wet mixture than with white flour.

As you can see, Noah liked the mixing the ingredients too.   He really wanted to get as dirty as possible.  I tried to keep him out of the dough, but finally gave up, and just gave him a small portion of the dough to call his own.

And this is how they turned out.  The master recipe can be found here.  I used 12 cups wheat flour, and 1 cup regular white flour.  These loaves were a little more dense than usual, but they were still yummy!

Merry Christmas

My family has discovered Kid History.  This is episode 7, the Christmas Episode, and I had to share it with you.    If you like, check out the rest of the kid history's, they are hilarious.  We quote them quite often in our home, and they are a source of lots of funny joy.  


I hope your Christmas season is going well.  Things are moving along pretty well here.  I have been busy working on many Christmas cards for friends and friends of friends.  I am happy to say I just completed my last card.  The shopping is all done, and the gifts are all wrapped and under the tree. Do you think now I can go to the sewing room?  We can only hope.  I have tons of fun designs dancing in my head, waiting to come out.  Wish me luck.


Merry Christmas.