Spools, Spools, Spools

Going through as many spools of thread as I do, I’ve been wondering, “What in the world do I do with all these empty spools?” Of course I could just pitch them, but it seems so wasteful. Surely there’s something my kids could do with these! So off I head to the internet to find some ideas. Most ideas I found are for wooden spools, but mine are all plastic. So here are 2 ideas I found that I might try:

Fourth of July Necklace from Highlightskids.com

Sitting Spools from Funology

I plan on taking my empty spools on our vacation for a craft project with the boys. I’ll post photos of our craft endeavors when we return, especially if I come up with any really cool spool ideas. I’m thinking I’ll take glue, fabric scraps and paints with us, and see what happens! Maybe a colorful spool pyramid for the boys to build and knock over (which they will love even if they don’t want to do the decorating part!), and maybe some strung shapes like I’ve made with beads in the past, we’ll see!

Got any great ideas of your own??? Let me hear 'em!

And here’s an adorable spool creation I found on Etsy made by KreatedbyKelly!

Have a great weekend! Amy

Vacation Prep

So, big nerd that I am, I decided today that instead of making my own vacation checklist I would do a Google search to see if I could find one ready-made. Surely with the organization industry as big as it has gotten it wouldn’t take too long to find one – and I was not disappointed! Soon after starting my search I found many travel checklists – some too broad, like world travel on an airplane, and some too narrow, like only how to pack your suitcase efficiently. All important checklists to have, but not quite what I was looking for. Then I found a variety of travel checklists on RealSimple.com – should have figured to look there first! There’s so much information and travel tips there about packing – how to’s, what to’s, and what not to’s, etc.

I found a pre-vacation checklist for things that I should take care of a few days before our beach vacation, and checklists for packing up everything we’ll need for our trip. Perhaps these links will help you get ready for your next vacation – especially if you’re a big nerd like me!

At StickyFingersTravel.com I found a checklist for long car journeys with kids– fabulous!

My ideas on what not to forget:

*To check your tire pressure, and make sure you have a spare and tools in case of a flat or blowout

*To check your vehicle’s fluid levels

*Flares, flashlight, white cloth and other emergency equipment

*A jug of water, for vehicle and human consumption in an emergency

*A cooler with water, fruit, and box of granola bars or suitable energy-replacement

*Napkins or paper towels

*A trash bag (I have a new one from Allyson Hill that is way cool!)

*Those blankies and favorite stuffies for a more comforting and comfortable long car ride!

Happy Monday! Amy

Beautiful Things To Come

Almost daily I'm getting new fabrics in (did I mention it's a sickness?), and I want to just dive in and roll around in it all- they are just so beautiful! I can't wait to get down to business with them, but I also just find beauty in the uncut fabric and want to soak it all in.

Farmer's Market and Ginger Blossom by Sandi Henderson, Ginseng, Aviary and Chestnut Hill by Joel Dewberry, Garden Party by Anna Maria Horner, some Amy Butler and Tina Givens, just to name a few.

Here are a couple of bags I whipped up yesterday and today - keep checking the shop for more :o)

Amy

My First Press!

Boy was I elated this morning when I opened my inbox! I had an email from Regan Stephens from Sprig.com's Green Deal of the Day saying she'd done a write-up on my Checkbook Cover & Eyeglass Case Sets. It's my first official press, which makes me pretty giddy :o)

I'm filled with gratitude every time I sell something. I'm just not sure if I'll ever get used to it. I kind of hope not. Just to know that doing something that gives me such joy can go on to give others some joy makes me truly thankful that I have the time, talent, and family support to make this business keep going!

If you'd like to check out the post on Sprig.com I encourage you to do so! Sprig.com Green Deal of the Day

Have a great Monday! Amy

Love and Joy

Ahhhh...vacation Bible school :o)

I remember just loving VBS as a kid - the songs, the stories, the crafts - and I'm hoping my little men do as well! This year our theme is Son Harvest County Fair, growing the fruit of the Spirit. Our church is decked out in farm decor with gardens sprouting, animals grazing, and farmers tending.

I'm helping in the craft department again this year (surprise, surprise), so I get to see all of the pre-K through rising 4th graders come through. They are having such a great time! Monday and Tuesday our kids grew love and sprouted joy! I can't wait to see their sweet faces again today!

John 15:12, (Jesus said) "Love one another as I have loved you."
Psalm 126:3, "The Lord gives us joy."

So far we've made bookmarks and cards to give to others to show our love, joyful watermelon music shakers, and piggy banks to remind us to be thankful to God for all he's given us!

My little men's crafts from day 1 and 2!

More Hair Clippy Caddies to come...

...in all sorts of fun, novelty prints! So while I am sewing up a storm to get ready for fall shows, I’m still adding items to my Etsy store. I love these ditties! The Hair Clippy Caddy has so many functions, and in these fun fabrics, they are such an adorable display. In my listings I’ve come up with different uses. If you have one of my Hair Clippy Caddies, how do you use it? I’m sure there are other great uses out there!

Some of my uses for the Hair Clippy Caddy:

*In your bedroom or bathroom – holds your hair clips, barrettes, bobby pins and ponytail holders – almost any hair accessory you use!

*In your office - holds binder clips, paper clips, rubber bands, and extra staples

*In your laundry room - holds clothes pins and small stain sticks or wipes

*In your pantry - holds coupons, memo pads, small pencils

*In your craft room - holds quilt clips and small sewing supplies, even use it to thread your needle and pins into

Best of all, the Hair Clippy Caddy is one of my Adoption Support products!

Have a great week! Amy

Georgia Rules!

My Little Men at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

Have you ever just been wracked with fear over whether or not you should get on a plane with a 2 and a 5 year old? Well we just returned from the most amazing time over the last 5 days hanging out with my cousin, Jen, and her husband, Jim, near Savannah. The trip held a bunch of firsts for the whole family. This was Sam’s first flight ever, and Caleb’s first that he’ll remember. The boys did wonderfully, and we were so happy we decided to fly instead of drive 10 hours! It was the first time we’d been to Jen and Jim’s horse farm – Silverthorne Run Stables and Riding Academy, and Sam’s first horse ride (which lasted all of about 1 minute). Caleb’s first time doing farm work (which included mucking out a stall, spreading hay, helping drive the tractor to move a manure pile, and we all fed the horses their fair share of grass and carrots). We all got to witness horseshoeing , which is incredibly neat, especially when you’ve never seen it done before. And this was all on Wednesday, our first day at the farm! Caleb was quite the little farm hand. He just wanted to be involved in everything Jen was doing!

We spent a few hours on Thursday in downtown Savannah, where we ate lunch at Leopold’s, walked through the city a bit, and went down to the river to watch the boats go by. Most of all Caleb was anxious to get back to the farm to see the horses, play with their 4 dogs, and chase whichever of the 5 cats the boys could find at any moment.

Friday we all jumped in the trucks to head to my uncle’s lakehouse. Jen and I had the pleasure of spending time, just the two of us, in one truck with the dogs. And even more fabulous, I had a doggie in my lap the whole way up and back – pure heaven! The lake experience was a first for all of us to swim in a lake, and ride jet skis. We left the wakeboarding to the experts in the family! We got to spend a few days with Jen’s brother, Scott, and his wife, Erin. Caleb really enjoyed playing with Maddie and Kate, their two little girls. Sam is very much a two-year-old, and spent most of the time bouncing off the walls, or changing his mind back and forth about going in the lake. I think he finally felt okay about it about a half hour before we got out to get ready to drive back to the farm!

It was great catching up with my cousins and their families, and enjoying a vacation that was actually relaxing! Now we’re back to reality, and I’ve got to get sewing in between our other summer activities to get ready for the fall craft show season, and keep my Etsy shop full of interesting items.

Thanks to Jen and Jim for their fabulous hospitality, and for showing us a great time in such a relaxing setting. We can’t wait to see you again!!

A New State and New Experiences

Tomorrow marks the first flight for my 2 year old son, Sam, and the first flight my 5 year old son, Caleb, will remember. We are all very excited about getting away for a small vacation. The boys are both enamored with airplanes (and cars, and trains, and trucks, and motorcycles, and fire engines, and ambulances, and lawn mowers - you catch my drift!), but I'm a little nervous about how they'll respond to the revving engines as we begin our flight. They could totally surprise me, as they do every single day, and really not be affected by it, and I'm praying that's the case.

So, we're off to Georgia tomorrow, to visit my cousin at her horse farm. I expect 5 days of wonderment as my little men also experience horses and farm life firsthand. It should be fun! I hope to have plenty of fun photos to show of on our return. As for now, it's all laundry, packing, and getting the dog and fish squared away for our departure :o) Once I get back it will be back to work, and time to buckle down to get ready for craft show season this fall with SewArtsy!

Blessings, Amy