HOME | ABOUT US | BUY OUR PRODUCTS | NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP | FACEBOOK | CONTACT US

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Recycled Bags

You all know by reading my blog that I am very aware of recycling whenever possible nothing goes to the trash without my second opinion. I use my husband's old levi's for purses, blankets,pillows etc. I have saved all my grandchildren's clothes that I could get from their moms to make them quilts. Buttons I have so many buttons I could open up my own store something old always has a special place in my heart. I can come up with some idea to use it later down the road. Steve will constantly find something I stashed in his garage for a later project. Gives me the look and knows he won't get me to part with it so don't even try. I can't wait to work on two old wooden lazy susans I rescued from the street on trash day. The neighbors now let me know when something is going out to the trash in case I have ideas for it. I could go on forever with objects in my yard that have been rescued for different projects this will be for another day. Today I wanted to share this great idea I found on Martha Stewarts craft site. I subscribe to her emails once in awhile something really intrigues me and today this is what I found. It is a tee shirt turned into a recycle grocery bag...I love it got plenty of hubby's shirts that will do the trick for this project. Here is her instructions -Enjoy

Turning an old T-shirt into a reusable shopping or grocery bag is a simple, clever craft to help everyone be "green." It's a Good Thing that will help protect the environment.

Tools and Materials
Heavy-weight cotton T-shirt
Pins
Sewing machine
Medium-size bowl
Water-erasable marking pen
Scissors

T-Shirt Bag How-To
1. Turn T-shirt inside out and pin bottom of the T-shirt along the hem. Using a sewing machine, sew bottom of T-shirt closed. Flip shirt right side out and lay flat on table, making sure all seams are lined up.

2. Place medium-size bowl about half-way over the neck hole. Using a water-erasable marking pen, trace along the edge of the bowl. Cut along the outline, making sure to go through the front and back sides of the shirt, in order to create an opening for the bag that's larger than what the neck hole allows.

3. Line up the hems on the front and back side of the sleeve and cut, making sure to go through both sides of the shirt. Repeat on the other sleeve. Tip: A jersey shirt would also work well for this craft, as it is already sleeveless, and it's made of a great mesh material.

Resources
Water-erasable marking pens can be purchased at most fabric stores for about $5. To purchase an already-made t-shirt bag, visit greenteebag.com

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Good Thing: T-Shirt Bag - Martha Stewart Crafts




Sunday, April 24, 2011

Life is Good

I am hoping that each and everyone had a wonderful Easter Day filled with good food, loving family and joy in your heart.
Today my husband Steve and I started our day with an early Mass as usual it opens my eyes..50 days of feasting is now the calendar event which is something I never knew or if I did I forgot. It is going to be my goal to make sure that I bring happiness in everything I do. The housework,yard work, sewing, even walking out to the mailbox I will have a smile on my face.My husband had a ruptured brain aneursym November 15,2010 it was a very difficult time for our family I never stopped believing everyday I would be by his side with a positive attitude this way Steve saw me with a smile. I believe with all the prayers that were said and the positive attitude which came from my belief of God Steve is alive. Today as we sat in church holding hands the positive energy of God was with us and we both know he will continue to walk with us. Steve is doing better each day his short term memory is getting better and physically he is great.I have my moments of tears that I keep only to myself when its very late and Steve is sleeping more from joy of his life with me than remembering the fear of my life without him. Today is my wish for you all is to Have a Happy Easter! Enjoy your life with those around you keep them dear, have peace in your heart with those that try your patience and for the next 50 days Feast in Life!







Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Versatile Blogger Award

Wednesday, April 20, 2011The Versatile Blogger Award
We were just given The Versatile Blogger Award! I'll take it! :)





Thank you Ashlee from Little Izzy Blog for presenting me with this award.
I really appreciate it! :) If you haven't already, you should stop by her
blog and follow her. She's got some awesome ideas!



The rules after excepting this award:
Thank the person who awarded you.
Divulge 7 things about yourself.
Award 15 discovered bloggers.
7 Things About Me:
1.I have oatmeal every morning.
2.I am thankful for waking up next to a wonderful thoughtful man, my husband.
3.I am an independent contractor that works from home hurray for this!!!
4.I am a native California girl.
5.I have 3 beautiful grown daughters and 7 super cute grandchildren that are dreams come true.
6.I understand and write fluent spanish don't practice enough to speak it.
7.I love music all types, jazz,spanish,opera,country anything that reminds me to open my eyes and grasp life with both arms.
Now for the part that is so difficult for me. 15 blogs that I need to choose.
If you did not make this list, please know that I still think you are the best!


And The Versatile Blogger Award goes to..................
1.My Colorful Treasures

2.Belly Charms

3.This N That Boutique

4.Brya's Baskets

5.Style 'N Decor Deals

6.Wynnie Bee

7.His Perfect Promises

8.A Taste of T

9.A Hootie Hoot

10.Susie QT Pies

11.Freckleberry Finds

12.Creative Itch

13.AtoZ Celebrations

14.Serendipity Chic Design

15.Capers of the Vintage Vixens

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Crafting,Working,Gardening,Promoting and Everything Above

Sunday afternoon the weeks do flew by. I have been busy with my daughter crocheting and woodworking. I wanted to get some children items done. I have 7 "sweet grandblessings" I borrowed this from a fellow blogger who are always wanting Nana to make something for them. Bow holders,Teacher gifts,and minky bunnies dressed in pajamas the granddaughters are happy little ones now. They love to create with me one granddaughter chose all the button colors for the bow holders thank goodness for her great eyes she pointed out to me that dark blue is not black thread. I loved that moment. This one has an eye for colors she loves to draw so for her Mother's Day present she made a drawing and I am going to copy it to pillowcases and stitch.
Crafting Mother's Day is just around the corner my dear Mother went to heaven in 2009 a week after Mother's Day so in her honor I request a mass at our church then invite brothers and sisters over for a potluck. We should be together on this day to toast Mom. Good food, memories,lots of laughter and a few tears complete the day.
Trying to think what I would like to make special for our web site for this occasion it may just be something here that I could share with you all.
The site that my daughter and I teamed up to sell is
Two Generation Designs we would love for you to come by and visit. The items will get listed on both my web site and the etsy shop soon but until then anything you like or would like to order just send an email to rachel@ourcreativehands.com
Working The work I do from my home is customer service for a wonderful company called Working Solutions. I have been an independent contractor for this company over 9 years I love it. If you are considering working from home please check out this site.
Gardening my next passion after crafting has fallen to the wayside a bit only because of the weather. Its been a bit cold for me to get my hands in the dirt. I have shared pictures of the flowers and my yard which have been tending to theirselves lately. Not for long I have some veggie seeds calling my name to plant.
Promoting oh my goodness you will find me late in the evening checking emails, sending product pictures to my web designer Lisa
My Colorful Web Design of who I must recommend she was a God send to me and our business, blog hopping,facebook reading, and looking for new patterns to make..I sometimes don't even realize its past 2 am and still awake. It is the blogs that you all have created that keep me so intrigued again I want to thank each of you for the fascinating blogs.
Everything Above- Who has any time left ME! I want to put every last minute I can into making others happy, making my life with meaning and making my house a loving home.
Remember to visit our web site Our Creative Hands
for your prmiitive, country and whimsical product designs with wood and fabric



Friday, April 15, 2011

Bunny Giveaway Winner

The lucky winner is "Take it From Me Girls" Kristen and Jamie the bunny that had the most votes was Priscilla-- Okay ladies contact me with your address to send her your way..Congrats and thank you everyone for helping me reach my goal. Another giveaway soon for 1000 facebook fans...♥Rachel



Bunny Giveaway

Good afternoon bloggers its another giveaway by a fellow blogger check out her blog page so Cute at Susies QT Pies Have a great Friday its the start of a glorious weekend♥



Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Bunny Giveaway Update

We are so close having the Bunny Giveaway ending so anyone who wanted to be entered make sue you posted under the correct blog post. Don't want you to miss out♥

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Simple Handmade with Love

Sunday evening here in California the day was a perfect spring day mid 70's and the crazy wind that has been whipping my bones was mild. I promised last week to show you my yard. We have almost an acre to tend to but one area doesn't get any special treatment except monthly inspections on weed control. We actually have city personnel drive in our neighborhood to make sure weeds are not growing higher than your shins. Got to respect the fact they are just looking out for us California is known to get some mean fires. I still remember having to be evacuated from my home as a young child because of fires taking over our street. Many friends were left without homes that summer.Oh I am sorry I did not mean to take us into sadness Sundays are a glorious day and no sadness is allowed. Back to our yard I wanted to share pictures of what I get to create outside. My home used to be so full of country crafts you could not walk but years passed and then it was my husband's turn to decorate. We are white walls, not much clutter, and lots of room to walk now. It’s fine because little at a time I bring in a few pieces large enough to blend so Steve goes with it. The yard on the other hand I have free rein. Pottery, wire, wood, shelves, dressers, signs, ceramics, statues you name it I have it. I love to bring home things; this includes plant starts that many neighbors don't mind sharing with me. My son in law brought me two lead stained glass windows one time hung them with some wire they are perfect on my cedar fence. My dad also contributed to my yard with an etched window from the home I grew up in along with his door knocker. I love it everywhere you look something reminds me of good times, friends, family and calmness. Steve and I put a waterfall out front when I am in my office working or in the craft/grandbabies room I can hear the water rumbling through the rocks. It’s perfect during the summer when the front door is open you can hear it all the way into the family room. Remember the area where I mentioned weed control only this area is overwhelmed with boulders...Rocks that are fun for any child to play make believe. There is even a cave in one of them that my daughters created when they were younger. The rule is you can only play on the rocks once you turn 5 unless your older cousins are there supervising. You know who gets to supervise Nana which I don't mind at all because these rocks are magical in a way you just get lost in all the size and shapes. I can just lie back and enjoy the sun's rays while listening to happy voices of my Grandbabies pretending about some faraway place they have created.
Hope you all have a wonderful week to come. I know I will be busy working on the Minky Easter Bunnies for the granddaughters and a special peg board for a granddaughter's birthday coming up this weekend.
I have been busy this past week with my daughter Valery making some hair bow boards and other children's items.
Valery is the owner of This-N-That Boutique she has amazing talent if you want to stop by and visit her site.
Thank you all for taking the time to come by and visit. I know all of the blogs I read every day are so amazing that I want to make sure you all know how special you are to me.




Sunday, April 3, 2011

French Knotted Bunny Stitched Pillow

What a great day to be outside enjoying our California weather the temperature stayed in the middle 70's with just a slight breeze. I love to craft but that just does not include items made with wood or fabric it includes my yard. I can go outside and find bare spots in the soil to add a new plant or some seeds my husband does comment all the time that it would be nice to have a few bare spots but not me my canvas must be full and spilling over. I haven't taken any new pictures of the yard but that will be my goal for next week's blog. I am always finding little items to put outside doesn't really matter to me if they should not be there or not because like I said I spend alot of time in my yard. Right now I have been picking glads,freeshias,orchids,and iris blooms. Put up all the Easter decorations in the house and yard to welcome Spring. I would love to visit your blogs that offer garden decor and ideas. If you have some please let me know so that I can stop by for a garden visit.
My picture today is a rabbit done on linen fabric. Target stores always have these great pillows with stitching they are 25.00 a bit too much for me since I like to change out so much that I decided to give it a go. I found a great Spring bunny traced her onto the material then french knotted with a deep tan thread. I used 3 strands of embroidery thread to make sure that it stood out clearly on the linen fabric. The backing is some tea dyed ticking cotton material and quickly sewn and stuffed now have the perfect gift for a dear friend. I am planning on trying the next one on some burlap material which I know will go great on the patio furniture. I can see flowers, birds and clay pots designed on the burlap then french knotted.
Its been a great weekend hope it was for all of you that are reading.
Remember to enter in the Bunny Giveaway tell your friends we are getting close to selecting a winner from Random.com....♥