thanksgiving recap

Where did the last week go?? Thanksgiving was so wonderful! Several days of no school for the kids and no work for Michael was heavenly. I've had a hard time adjusting back to normal life.

Thanksgiving dinner was hosted by my sister-in-law Jen this year. Everything was delicious! I made a turkey, roasted carrots, rolls (I used frozen rolls- don't tell anyone!) and several pies.

The adult table:

The kid table. They had lots of fun coloring on the paper covered table.

There was a little wiffle ball going on in the front yard. Sutton LOVED being included with the big kids.

Then came the PIE. I may or may not have looked like this after I ate my pie.

The obligatory group shot. Kalleen, you asked for a belly shot. This is probably the closest you'll get. I am starting to get a complex. The next person that asks me if I am "sure there are TWINS in there?" would get kicked in the teeth if only I could get my foot that high! :)

christmas pillows

I have been in the kitchen all day. So far I have made pie crusts, two chocolate pudding pies, brined a turkey, roasting another turkey (for the Church Thanksgiving dinner tonight. Thanksgiving dinner two days in a row? Yes, please!), cranberry sauce, homemade pumpkin puree (for the pumpkin cream pies I will be making tomorrow) and washed more dishes than I can count!

BUT, I had to pop in here to show off the Christmas pillows I made. I will be decorating soon, friends! I can't wait much longer!



This pillow reminds me of ribbon candy. I used this tutorial. Does it look familiar? I made one in orange a while back. I changed it up a little this time. Rather then leaving the ruffles raw, I used a decorative finished edge on my serger. I love my serger and use it a lot but it is capable of so much more than I use it for. It was fun to branch out a little even though it did require me to re-thread the machine. Ugh!



My favorite part of this polka dot pillow is the rick rack edging. I adore rick rack.



I love this quilted pillow! I used this tutorial from Sparkle Power. The contrasting red thread was a good idea in theory but boy, it is hard to sew evenly spaced perfectly straight lines! When I make more of these in non-holiday colors (and I definitely will be) I will be using matching thread like Candace did- it gives you a little more room for error.


Now if only I could justify spending $200 on a tree skirt...


It's so pretty, I would almost be tempted to wear it!



To all of you in the United States: Have a joyous Thanksgiving! Get out of the kitchen and have fun with your family. I know I am hoping to! :)

fabric covered notebooks

These 5x7" fabric covered notebooks make perfect gifts! Who doesn't love something pretty to write their lists in?


I made one of my younger sister (she recently started a blog. Check it out and give her some commenting love!) and my sister-in-law for their recent birthdays.

The fabric covers are very simple to make. They are constructed just like the art notebooks (omitting the straps and interior pockets and adding elastic for a pen holder) but are smaller. In the past I have bought the notebooks at Target but lately I have only found this 5x7" size at office stores like Staples.

Make one for someone on your Christmas list!

fabric covered notebook (5x7)
Main fabric: 12 3/4x8 1/4" (cut two)
Contrasting flaps: 8 1/4x9" (cut two)
Tab: 8x2.5"
1/2" Elastic: 2 1/4" (fold in half and sew in at the same time as the tab)

follow the assembling directions in this tutorial.

yarn trees

I have not started decorating for Christmas yet but I have been making a few things. Starting with these trees.


I got the idea from the talented Jamie at Pretty Ditty. She has a simple tutorial for the tress. I love them. They are so soft and pretty!

I knew I wanted to make several trees but I knew it could get pricey buying all the materials so I paced myself and bought everything over the course of a few weeks using Hobby Lobby's weekly 40% off coupon. Hobby Lobby is about two minutes from my house so it isn't inconvenient to stop by a couple of times a week.


I used two skeins of yarn. One a variegated green (on sale) and the other a fuzzy white (used a 40% off coupon). The red berry garland was on sale and to make the project even more economical I used the 'vine' the berries came on for the stars rather than buying the floral stem wire.


Even after making five trees I still had lots of yarn left over so I grabbed one of my thrifted wreath forms and when to town. I like the simplicity of it. I am not sure where to put it though. The wreath is very pale and almost all the walls in my house are pale shades of gray or blue (this picture was taken in Liam's room). I like light walls but this wreath needs a contrasting color or it just blends in.

this weeks thrifty finds

Some weeks I find nothing at the thrift stores. Other weeks I find several great things. This was one of the good weeks!

A couple of years ago my sister-in-law bought an awesome white lamp that I totally coveted. I finally found one almost identical to hers! It was only $4.99! I love the shape. I put it in my bedroom replacing the yellow lamp. I was ready for a change so this lamp came at the perfect time!


This $1 box caught my eye. I love the colors and flatware design inside.


At first sight, I wasn't interested in the recipes and cards inside but after flipping through them some of the recipes look really good and the dividers have helpful information like this place setting guide. Plus the cards have a nice clean design with great colors. I couldn't find a name on the box or cards but it looks like something Real Simple would have produced.


-Three wreath forms (I gave one to my sister-in-law Laura. She is going to make this super cute wreath!) $0.50 for the large one and $.025 for the small wreaths.
-I love these vintage red satin Christmas balls- eight for $.025. I am hoping to find more of these before we get a tree.
-The gold sparkle star was a 'splurge' at $1.99 but I really liked it.
-I am hoping that my old friend spray paint will help me transform this sad little tree ($0.99) into a glossy beauty like this.


Last, and one of my favorites, I found these adorable shoes for Ezra. He has very wide, chubby feet and it is almost impossible to find shoes that fit. These shoes give him plenty of room and they were $1.50 and in unworn condition!


Total: $11.72. Not too shabby! Have you thrifted anything great lately?

is it too early...

to decorate for Christmas??


I have always followed the rule of "no Christmas before Thanksgiving" but this year I am dying to get out my Christmas bins and infuse my little house with some Christmas cheer! I love the glow of the lights, the smell of goodies baking and the warmth of homes at Christmastime. This time of year I long for a (working) fireplace. Preferably one with a switch! :)

I tend to stick to the classic red and green color scheme and I have a few Christmas decor projects already started. I can't wait to share them with you!

If you celebrate Christmas, when do you start decorating? What is your favorite/most meaningful decoration?

upcycled hats

We are in a bit of a cold spell here... well cold for North Carolina in early November- mid 50's. Sutton asked me to buy her a hat. Of course there is no way am I going to buy a hat when I can make one for free!

I remembered a tutorial that my friend Jennifer did last winter. I dug through the 'clothing to be recycled' pile and pulled out two sweaters. The hats were very simple to make.

I grabbed some felt and made some flowers. For the white flower I used this tutorial. I made up the purple and pink one myself. I much prefer the white flower (I love it's texture and volume) but Sutton insisted on having at least one hat with a pink and purple flower so of course she prefers that one!

homemade dishwasher detergent

I have been making my own laundry detergent for 18 months now! It doesn't feel like it has been that long but it has. I can't imagine switching back to the store bought stuff. It is easy, cheap and effective! Earlier this week I made six batches of laundry detergent. I should be set for at least a year or more!

So it probably isn't a surprise that I have been wanting to try my hand at homemade dishwasher detergent. I always buy Finish Powerball tablets at Costco. I usually use a 'buy one get one free' coupon but I am not sure if Costco is doing the coupons less often or if I am running the dishwasher more frequently but the last few times I have had to buy the tabs without a coupon. I really was tired of dropping almost $17 for dish soap so yesterday I decided was the day I would finally make my own!

Since the recipe calls for almost all the same ingredients as the laundry detergent the only thing I had to buy was the citric acid. I was able to get it at a local health food store for $12 or so per pound.

homemade dishwasher detergent
1/2 c. washing soda
1/2 c. borax
1/4 c. citric acid granules
1/4 c. kosher salt

Combine ingredients. Use 1 tablespoon detergent per load. *Use white vinegar in the rinse aid compartment.

I used it last night for the first time and the dishes came out sparkling clean. I will reserve judgment for a couple of weeks though before I decide if it is effective long-term.

How about you? Have you made your own laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent? Did you love it or hate it?