Twirl Certified Skirts

So here are the ingredients:
1. one measuring stick (or substitute for a 3x5 index card)
2. one of something to cut with (utility knife, sissors, teeth)
3. one sheet of cardboard at least 18"x5"
4. material (I use 5 different colors) - you'll need 15 inches of each
5. pineapple.  Not sure why that's there, but it looks good, right?
6. 1" elastic - cut to however round your waist is
7. pencil
8. sewing machine
9. stitch ripper (not because *you* need it but because *I* need it)
10. paddle (to threaten children who take your scissors to bring them back)

{Book Review} Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

One of my favorites!

{Book Review} Firelight

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Truly a unique romantic thrill!

{Book Review} Brightly Woven

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

This is the first novel from this author, and I just loved it!

Book Wreath #2

Thought I was done didn't you? Well, since I had left over pages from the icky romance novel I thought I would put it to good use. This wreath is different than the one I made earlier here
and I enjoyed this one a little more because it was easier than the first.

ring

i made katy a ring this afternoon - guess what it's made out of? 20 points to whomever guesses right. let me know if you want a tutorial ...

~ jannet

{Book Review} Matched

Matched by Ally Condie

Synopsis:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
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{Book Review} Cloaked

Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Synopsis:
I'm not your average hero. I actually wasn't your average anything. Just a poor guy working an after-school job at a South Beach shoe repair shop to help his mom make ends meet. But a little magic changed it all.

It all started with a curse. And a frognapping. And one hot-looking princess, who asked me to lead a rescue mission.

There wasn't a fairy godmother or any of that. And even though I fell in love along the way, what happened to me is unlike any fairy tale I've ever heard. Before I knew it, I was spying with a flock of enchanted swans, talking (yes, talking!) to a fox named Todd, and nearly trampled by giants in the Everglades.

Don't believe me? I didn't believe it either. But you'll see. Because I knew it all was true, the second I got cloaked.
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Get into Spring with Flowers

I want to believe it's spring, but our weather is not cooperating, so I am making it spring inside.

I challenge you to put flowers (real or fake) into something other than a normal vase or pot. Like a teacup above, or.....

Rick Rack Rosettes

I wish I were clever enough to think of this idea, but I didn't . . . totally cute, though, and something I love! --Susanne

Rick Rack Rosettes
by Nikkala

{Book Review} The Body Finder Series

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derling

Synopsis:

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world... and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer... and becoming his prey herself.
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talent trade?

tell me what y'all think of this ...

what if we traded talents? one person who makes something trades someone else who makes something different? anyone up for it?

{Tip of The Day} Family Cleaning made fun!

What does.......

Equal?

A Cleaning Party!


I have have 4 kids (well 3 at home now) and I know how hard it is to get them to do their chores everyday. I have a few huge whiners in the mix too-they do their job eventually- but boy I want to be like NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs & smack them in the back of the head sometimes! :p

I found something better though, something that keeps my conscience & my house clean anyway.

{Book Review} Mortal Instruments Series 4th Book

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (4th book to the series)

I reviewed the other 3 books here and waited patiently for this 4th book to come out. I think Cassandra's writing is only getting better and I am enjoying it!

{Book Review} Dark Divine Series

Dark Divine Series by Bree Despain

This was one series I was reluctant to pick up (I think the covers-although in their own way beautiful-made me hesitate in wondering if these books were going to be a little too risque for my taste?) thus why I didn't until recently. There seems to be another book coming out too by the way the last one ended. I was told it was a good series, so I finally decided to pick it up and I was actually surprised.....

tote tutorial

yet again, this is a really long post. i can't help it!!

anyhow, start with two coordinating patterned fabrics and two coordinating solid fabrics. you will use one pattern for the outside of the tote and the handles (fabric a). another pattern will be used for the pockets (fabric b). one solid will be used for the lining of the tote (fabric c). the remaining solid will be used for the bottom of the outside fabric (it gives it more stability). you will also need interfacing - it will be used with the lining of the tote and the lining of the bottom fabric.

the measurements you will need for the fabric are:

• fabric a: 1 piece - 14" x 28" (outside fabric) and two pieces - 4" x 14" (handles)
• fabric b: 2 pieces - 5" x 11" (pockets)
• fabric c: 1 piece - 14" x 28" (lining fabric)
• fabric d: 1 piece - 14" x 10" (bottom lining fabric)
• interfacing: 1 piece - 14" x 28" and 1 piece - 14" x 10"

iron all fabrics. iron the small piece of interfacing to fabric d (if there is a wrong side, iron the interfacing to that side).  

this is how the fabric will look when ironing the interfacing onto fabric d.

Hawaiian Delight

This is one yummylisious cake!! Perfect for Easter or Spring too. Cool, refreshing & just plain sweetness (but not too sweet). It taste better even on the 2nd day, trust me I had it for breakfast....bad me, but oh so good me!

I make this every year, and submitted it to our recipe book years ago. It is one recipe everyone asks me for, and I am happy to share it.


What you will need:

Simple and easy ingredients, and this cake is forgiving too. I didn't have enough of the fruit but it still turned out great.

{Book Review} Flecks of Gold

Flecks of Gold by Alicia Buck

You might get tired of my book reviews since I read a lot, and so I will be doing lots more of these, but also because I'm really not good at reviews & reviews are entirely subjective in nature. Yet I hope you will get some good reads out of them, plus- I really want you to read this book! :)

The author is a new author, but she did a great job with this book! The book ended complete, so to speak-meaning your not expecting another book to come out for it, but I am begging her to please write a sequel to this book! Please Alicia!

{Book Review} Need Series

Need, Captivate & Entice by Carrie Jones

I first have to say this series isn't done, one more book coming. So if your like me and hate to wait for them all, hold off until the 4th comes out, or just jump right into it. My daughter gave me the first 2 for my birthday, I was skeptical really. I do love me some strange creature tale books, but there are so many saturating the book stores since Twilight came out that I am a bit weary, but I was pleasantly surprised by this series.


Synopsis:

Need (first book)
Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal.


Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.
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Re-energize your "Stuff"

Layer things together, add some fabric ribbon and enjoy!

I love using fabric as ribbon and adding it to just about everything! I like to take ordinary things around my house and re-energize them for a different style or look. Right now I am into the Vintage & Shabby Chic look so here are a few things I have done lately.



Take old frames and spray paint them, then add some craft paint. Do the Karate Kid thing and "Rub/Wax on, Rub/Wax off" to give that antiquee' look!

First coat going on, even looks good that way. (plate is a fun project I will show later)

 Use craft paint to give it that look, or leave it alone.

Coffee Filter Wreath

I posted the coffee filter ball I did earlier here , and finally challenged myself to finish the wreath.

So for those who didn't want to mame a few books like I did with my book wreath here - here is another fun project to do. Only thing is.....patience is needed.
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{Book Review} Beyonders

Beyonders by Brandon Mull

I guess my last post was to lead me up to Author Brandon Mull's new series "Beyonders" which I just finished.

Synopsis:

Jason Walker has often wished his life could be less predictable—until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank into a strange, imperiled world. Lyrian holds dangers and challenges unlike anyplace Jason has ever known. The people all live in fear of their malicious wizard emperor, Maldor. The brave resistors who once opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.

In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.
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{Book Review} Fablehaven Series

 Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Synopsis:
For centuries mystical creatures of all description were gathered into a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite.

Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea that their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken -- Seth is a bit too curious and reckless for his own good -- powerful forces of evil are unleashed, and Kendra and her brother face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world, Kendra and Seth must find the courage to do what they fear most.

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Book Wreath

If you love books as much as I do, this will be hard ripping pages from a book, but it's fun, unique and if you go to a thrift store & buy a cheap old book you don't like-it's not that painful.

I chose old romance novels, you know those kind with muscle bound Fabio type guys, and women with their dresses draping/falling over their shoulders on the front? Yep, not my kind of book so it didn't hurt at all ripping it up! :P I only felt bad when the checkout lady told me she loved the books I bought, and asked if I loved them too? I had to be honest, and her face just dropped when I said I was going to tear them apart for a craft. Oops!
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