Halloween Crafty Links!

We are currently decorating our home for Halloween and thought it would be nice to share some tutorials of the crafts we are trying this year. All the links are crafts that can be done with the little ones.

Hand Print Monster Banner
We are working on this one tonight.

Egg Carton Pumpkins

Hand Print Spiders

Ghost Leaves

Tissue Paper Pumpkins

Snow Pumpkin

Hope you find these useful and get to try out one or two. I will be sure to post some of our results with these :)

More Goodies!

I took a break from Ya ya's Summer wardrobe, to help my sister out with a few small items she needed, to complete a craft swap she was a part of. I thought I would share them with you.


I made a freezer paper stencil, by hand and used acrylic paint to paint it on.


This bag was actually quite fun to make! I used a pattern (which I never really do) and though it was a wee bit confusing, I just got the basics and did my own thing. I really like how this one turned out and plan to make a few more for myself and as gifts. I am not sure of the pattern I used, maybe my sister will add that in a comment :)

Homemade Summer Wardrobe: 10lb Ruffle Dress

Ok, it isn't really 10lbs (I am sure you knew that though...LOL), it is just SUPER heavy! All I really did for this dress, was add 5 inches of material to the bottom of a shirt and added ruffles. I make it sound like it was super easy but I had a lot of issues with the ruffles and had redo some of them, more than once. Actually, it was more of an issue with the thread breaking. I think I will use a sturdier thread, next time I make ruffles for anything.

I am amazed at how heavy it seems and wasn't sure if it was going to be comfortable for Ya ya, but she seems to really like it. The material used for the bottom part was old t shirts that I had in my drawer but never wore them.

Though it was a wee bit aggravating, it was relatively easy and turned out cute.

Homemade Summer Wardrobe: Skully Shirt Recon

Here's what I have been up to, for those who are wondering :)

I am planning to make a Summer wardrobe for Ya ya and work through the "recon bin" at the same time. I have a habit of picking up shirts, skirts, pillow cases and so forth, at second hand stores, with the intention of making something new with it and have never gotten around to making anything...Until now! I really want to keep in line with being frugal, green and crafty, so this year will be a homemade wardrobe for Ya ya and some for myself. Some items will be re-purposed items and some will be made from scratch. I figure I will work through the "recon bin" first, as it is overflowing and taking up space I really don't have!

Now, I will share with you, the first item in Ya ya's Summer line :P A shirt and shorts, made from this t-shirt. I did use a piece of blue material I had as well.



I have to say, I am pretty proud of this little number and Ya ya really seems to like it!! She bounces around in it saying, "Mommy, you made dis fo me?" LOL!!

On The Menu: Eggplant Parmesan on Capellini

Yet another vegetarian meal this evening, and it was good!! I think I am in love with the eggplant! They are so tasty and good for you. Mmmmm...Eggplant!
(I am in serious need of a new camera)
I used a mix of this recipe with this recipe. It's really very easy to make. I just realized, I forgot to shake the Parmesan on top of it...DOH!! Well, I guess it wasn't really eggplant Parmesan, just eggplant mozzarella...LOL!! Ah well, I am on my way back for more and I will be sure to use Parmesan this time ;)

Awesome Things in Small Packages

I received a sweet little package, in the mail, from a friend of mine...A VERY good friend, Lottie!! I was so excited, I opened it in the car before we even got home :) Ya-ya was quite pleased with what was inside..As was I! Lottie is an amazing crafty Mama and always finds time to make a little something new. I am so happy she made time to craft a little something new for Ya-ya :) Thank you VERY much Lottie!! You know you FROCK!!

Of course I have pictures to share. Here ya go:

Everything together! 2 fantastic cloth diapers and a sweet little apron bib!

Lottie said this one is her favorite. It is so well made!! Sweet :)

This one is my favorite, but I do like them both...Of course :P

And last but not least, the apron bib. We will use this for crafty times with Mommy and Ya-ya :)

We LOVE everything Lottie!! You did a fantastic job and we thank you VERY much. P.S....I will mail you something too...Eventually LOL!

Ya-Ya Makes Sushi

She just loves it so much, it only makes sense that she know how to make her own...LOL!

Cooling the rice:

Pressing the rice on to the nori:

Adding cucumber:

Adding some avocado (the ingredients she loves):

Rolling it all up:

And....TA DA!!

On The Menu: Refrigerator Soup + Homemade Crackers

A simple recipe for all to enjoy! All you do is throw everything you have that is "soup" material, in to a pot with water and the spices you like. You might want to add some pantry goods as well, like beans, rice, barley...What ever tickles the taste buds, for you :) I also like to add a soup base/stock for extra flavor.

Tonight, I had a lot of wilted, sad looking produce that I thought would be better eaten in a soup, than wasted. I love getting to use everything, and wasting nothing!! This also good to make when you find yourself in a grocery crunch (I haven't been to the grocery store, and we are past due for a visit..LOL) Here is what I put in my soup:

Celery
Zucchini
Carrots
Onions
Garlic
Tomatoes (frozen, from our garden)
Cabbage
Onion soup mix
Barley
And, I think that's it!

Of course, what is soup without cracker? Just silly! So, I whipped up some homemade cracker as well :) These are so very simple to make and you can make which ever flavor you like. I made plain whole wheat and cheese...Mmmmm! I Googled cracker recipes and found a large amount of different kind types of crackers. I just grabbed something from each one and threw this together:

Homemade Crackers

1 cup unbleached flour
1 cup organic stone ground whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 - 1 cup cheese (not really sure here - Of course, you can make whatever flavor you like)

Combine flour, baking powder and salt. I just gave it a quick mix up. Then add the liquids. I mixed it all together with my hand until it formed a nice ball. I suppose I kneaded it a little, but nothing too heavy. Roll out on to a floured surface, make it really thin. Cut in to what ever shape or size you want. I used a pizza cutter and cut them in to squares. Bake for about 10-15 minutes on a greased cookie sheet. Let them cool for a few minutes...VOILA!

Hope that makes sense :)