First knitting project EVER!

January 11, 2013January 25, 2014 ~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

I have never learned how to knit. I have attempted many other forms of sewing type crafts with some success, but never knitting. Crocheting was a flop. However, my friend Sarah showed me how to knit. And with the help of http://www.knittinghelp.com/, I have completed my first project. I am addicted. For all of you who know how to knit, please go easy on me.

My first project was a dishrag. Using a 100% cotton yarn by Peaches and Cream, I cast on 32 stiches. Then I knitted using a garter stitch until I had a square. Then I cast off. The color was not my choice but was some free yarn Sarah gave me to learn with (you can’t beat free).

Fruitcake Cookies

January 9, 2013July 10, 2015 ~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

Yes, I am one of the weird people who really enjoy Fruitcake. I don’t re-gift a good fruitcake. And if my family is well-behaved, I may share with them! I never make my own fruitcake since it takes so long to mature that I never have time, so I usually have to settle with store-bought fruitcake. About 5 years ago, I had my first fruit cake cookie. It was made by my aunt’s mother-in-law who does not share any of her recipes. Thankfully, I stumbled upon one in the Christmas Special Edition of Southern Living. Here is my spin.

Fruitcake Cookies

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 cup butter

3 eggs – divided

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 pound mixed candied fruit

3 cups pecans – toasted

1 cup raisins

1 cup maraschino cherries – chopped

Beat sugar and softened butter at medium speed until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Slowly add flour mixture to sugar mixture. Next add fruit and nuts. Drop dough by the spoonful onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 16-20 minutes at 300 or until lightly browned.

Updated on 7/15/2013 to include a printable recipe card: Fruit Cake Cookies

Home Care and Repair, #7

January 7, 2013March 20, 2014 ~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

Build a simple wooden birdfeeder, birdhouse or other project using pre-cut wood (either from a kit or cut by an adult). Learn to use sandpaper, a hammer and nails.

This requirement is a lot easier than it may seem. Check with the local home improvement store to learn about their children’s program.

Lowe’s call theirs Build and Grow. Twice a month they host an event where they provide a project kit and the tools needed to complete. And they are free, but may require registration as supplies are limited. At the time of this blog entry Lowe’s says “Build and Grow kid’s clinics are a great way to help build confidence! Bring the kids into any Lowe’s store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.”

Home Depot calls theirs Kid Workshop. These are offered once a month. And are set up similar to Lowe’s. Home Depot’s website says “FREE hands-on workshops designed for children ages 5 – 12 offered the 1st Saturday of every month at all The Home Depot stores All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement.9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety along with instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment.”

If your schedule does not allow you to attend on of the free workshops, check with your local store to see if they have kits available for sale.

What does Dr. Seuss have to do with my New’s Years Resolution?

January 1, 2013January 1, 2013 ~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

I just finished reading a cute little book by Anne Emerick, “The Day I Met Dr. Seuss”. She attempts to write in the classic Dr. Seuss style about a young girl you wants to meet Dr. Seuss to find out how he made his books so magical. The answer she receives is quite profound.

“When people work hard at what they do best,
We often think of them as unlike the rest.”

For your sake, and mine, I will not attempt to write in rhyme. How often do we really work hard at what we do best? I spend more time attempting to improve on my weaknesses than mastering my strengths. But what would happen if I were to dedicate more time to what I do best?

That leads me to the question – what do I do best? I spend so much of my day doing what must be done as a wife, mother and teachers, that I have lost who I am along the way. When I decided to start blogging that was one question I asked myself – what ONE thing do I want to write about. Since I could not find an answer, I am writing about several different topics. As 2012 draws to a close, I think I will make my New Years Resolution to answer this question.

Now if you know me, which none of you do, you would know that I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. While I know that I need to lose weight and keep a cleaner house and eat healthier, I don’t see the need to make a resolution that will go by the wayside in a few weeks (if not days). Maybe 2013 will be different! I will discover what I do best!

If you would like to check out “The Day I Met Dr. Seuss” head to Amazon or click the picture below. While the book is a complete work of fiction, the author’s note in the beginning of the book, along with the post script, make all the difference. Personally, I would not spend $2.99 on it and am glad I got it for free awhile back.

Etched Glass

December 28, 2012September 19, 2014 ~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

Recently, I had a group of AHG leaders to my house. Being winter time and almost Christmas, I wanted to get each of them a little something. I decided to make coffee cups with their names etched on them. Below is step by step, how I made them.

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1. I purchased some clear glass mugs from the local Dollar Store.

2. Using my Cricut, I cut each name out of vinyl.

3. Using a product called Armour Etch, I applied a generous coat over the vinyl.

4. After 8 minutes, I rinsed the Armour Etch off and removed the vinyl.

Here is another image of the final product. I realize it is hard to see the etching, but I hope it helps.

TIPS

For the names that were too big I used their initials to create a monogram.
Make sure the vinyl adheres completely or the image will not be crisp.
Be sure to wash each glass thoroughly before using.

Cost

10 mugs from Dollar Store – $10.85 (including tax)
3oz bottle of Armour Etch – $5.86 (after my 40% off coupon, including tax). I used less than half of the bottle
Vinyl – free since it was left over from another project
Total cost – $16.71 or $1.67 each