Valentine's Day Hearts and Hearts Galore

This month has truly crept into the beginning of February not only my birthday month but it means Spring is just around the corner.
I will be able to start seeing the bulbs in our garden peeking out of the ground- I did actually already have two daffodils bloom surprising me with their gorgeous yellow happy faces I took a picture for my screensaver to put on my telephone.
The month started out very productive I sewed over 50 hearts all different shapes and sizes with different looks. Some had wool centers, then burlap centers each with a stencil cupid in the middle adding tags along with special saying I was happy.
I loved the one completed out of wool then added warm and natural along with onasburg each smaller in the larger center of the wool heart. I could not find the dowels I wanted to put them on "make-dos" are what they are called so as crafty is my husband he helped me come up with a stand he could cut from wood for me. These I stained but painting them will be just as great. I watched ebay for days trying to win the bid for different spools, dowels etc after this I decided too much pressure need to find my own way to display. The result was fantastic plus my husband was part of the project which he enjoys. This heart is not only going to sit on my entry table for the February month I love it so much that it will continue to be out all year. As you will see in the pictures things can be added with my first choice being little trinkets that the grandchildren give me, special items from both my Mom and Dad, her sewing needles, or locket, and or even a mismatched earring mementos of Mom, Dad on the other hand he is always on the look out for old items for me I think I learned my picking habits from my Dad- he gave me these old sewing needles from the early 20's they will be going on the heart soon. I would love for you to view the pictures to see what is started on my heart.
I put up my items for sale on face book business page for Our Creative Hands
for now hoping soon to get them listed on the web site.
Our Creative Hands face book business page has previews of the new items if I don't get them on the web site they are still available for sale you will just need to contact me.
So I have given you a little insight of what I have been doing the month of January 2012 hope that all you are starting out your new year very happy, more important "healthy" with best from me to you... Rachel

Merry Christmas

I wanted to take this time and Wish each and everyone a Merry Christmas.
I can't believe that I have not been blogging for almost 2 months where did the year, the months or the time go.
Well I can't wait to share all the new pictures with you from the past few exciting months with family.
Lots of crafting was buzzing here and I really finished up at the beginning of this week unbeliveable to me.
I am going to be baking today before the family arrives for our Christmas Eve get together.
I am thankful for all the blessing we have had throughout this year and it would not be possible without the love of God and you all my followers, friends and family.
Again Merry Christmas to you and your family... lots of love Rachel

Pumpkins- Edible or Not We Love Pumpkins

October is fast upon leaving us can you believe it just over a week it is Halloween. I have you made your way to the Pumpkin Patch or decided to have the gorgeous plastic pumpkin found at Michaels Craft Store. I have pumpkins everywhere just love the orange color. I started decorating on Labor Day weekend since I really don't care for scarey Halloween I have inviting Fall decor. Pumpkins are small, big and huge. Plastic, wood, tin, fabric and stitched it doesn't matter they all have a home here in my house and yard. I don't know which I like better oh yes I do the edible type. Today I ventured into our local Starbuck Coffee shop trying their new Pumpkin Spice Latte it was so YUMMY. I know every week I will be treating myself to a tall drink to warm my bones. My husband just does not know what he is missing drinking his instant Folgers with creamora along with 1 bag of sweet and low. Boring I tell him but no changing his mind not even one sip will he take of my fabulous tasting coffee.
I receive Betty Crocker emails for receipes every day I love them sometimes I stumble upon a fantastic tip or receipe to share today it was for roasting pumpkin seeds. What a great time to share this with you since Pumpkin carving is just around the corner.
Here is the link
Betty Crocker-How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds
Please remember to scroll down for the comment area there were a few additional ideas to make the seeds taste even better.
Have a great Halloween enjoy making those costumes, carving the pumpkins and trick or treating with those you love.
I know I am looking forward to having family and friends over on Halloween night for Chili and Hot dogs with all the fixings. Desserts before we are off with all the grandchildren to show off their cute little costumes hoping for lots of candy.

This picture is 2010. Every year I am fortunate to have all the grandchildren have dinner with us then I go out in the neighborhood to trick or treat with them. I truly love this tradition ....

Groups that help Promote Your Craft Business

Every day it gets closer to the holiday season most seasoned crafters are well ahead of the game. Their Christmas products are finished ready to put up on their web sites, facebook page or take to local craft shows these are the ones that I admire with a bit of envy but with a gentle bit of green showing. I know that Spring time I should be gathering my patterns checking out new ones and buying fabric but I get distracted by the beautiful outdoors with planting beckoning my name. I have a hard time staying indoors while I see the birds playing in the several birdbaths I have outside in our yard. Its like they want me to go outside smell the beautiful fresh air to search for my bulbs that I starting to peek up from the ground. I have made myself a promise to make a sign nothing fancy but big enough in my sewing room to remind me to start Holiday sewing.
Now this takes me to the title of my blog today I said I admire those that are prepared for the holiday season I see them on their blog pages. Oh those beautiful new products they have created. These wonderful ladies also share ideas how to make your crafting easier. Here is one site you must join TheHive
You join for free with many groups to chose from. I can't stress how wonderful this site is. I have met in cyberspace of course some of the nicest people. Here I learned how to add Pinterest button to my blog site. I asked the question on the board in a matter of days one of those special kind ladies was there to show me and others how. Her site is Sweetly Scrapped

I wanted to make sure you all go over to her facebook site let her know I sent you because she is wonderful. Her products are great too.
So today I am sharing a fantastic site for you all to join that will help you in many ways if its crafting for a business or just for you this site will be something you will need to add to your favorites.
Have a happy creating week - Stop by and visit me too at Our Creative Hands

just added more products for fall- the Christmas craft preview items are on our facebook fan page Our Creative Hands

Problems with Blogspot

Hi my dear friends I have been having an error problem with posting comments... I want you all to know that I do read the comments appreciating each and every one of them.
I have contacted blogspot -Google about this problem for future use.
The holidays are upon us wanting to make sure that you are able to reach me if any questions my email is rachel@ourcreativehands.com  until this issue gets fixed please bear with me.
I always try to check into each of you my followers to see what you are up to I enjoy all the wonderful
blogs thank you for sharing....
Sincerely
Rachel

Recycled Jeans handmade into Lap size Quilt

Recycled Jeans have been my all time favorite from bags, vests, doll making accessories and quilts. I have found using old jeans are the perfect medium for quilt making.
My husband used to travel allot for his business complaining always about the hotel blankets since he lived in so many hotels he knew not to use the top blanket so he would always bring his own pillow but have to suffer with no blanket. He has worn Levi jeans forever nothing ever could take their place I tried Wranglers once oops they went right back to the store. Levi 501's he has probably been wearing them since Levi's was cool...Well I noticed that allot of them the knees were gone, or paint was spilled even had a few with holes idea struck me to cut them up for a quilt just for Steve. He would have his own blanket to take to the job site hotels and since it was made from Levi jeans well he would not mind this at all. I made a queen size quilt for him put a thin batting and a flannel plaid backing. Steve was thrilled and took this with him always. He only had one problem now was to make sure that it was the first thing he packed for his return home. All was good for us both.
Steve being the wonderful husband he is, always brags about my creations but the Levi quilt was his favorite. He would tell everyone about his quilt that I made from his old Levi jeans soon friends were asking me if I wanted their jeans which was a no brainer since I knew I would make something from them. I received so many from a dear married couple that were just starting to have grandchildren enrich their lives so I offered to make the babies jean quilts that were from Grandma and Grandpa. I loved making them took about 5 complete jeans I cut them up making sure the width was at least 7" no matter how long I cut them. I wanted the width to always stay at least 7" this made the quilt easier to make larger squares for me to deal with. Since the quilt was for a small child he just turned one a lap quilt size was perfect you have to remember how heavy jeans are no matter what style of jeans you use so keeping the size down makes it easier to store or travel with. I must tell you the jean material is so fantastic sand from the beach does not stick on it, grass brushes right off making sure you use a cotton backing all you do is shake and fold. Great quilt for the desert! 
I finished up another Grandbabie quilt this weekend using the perfect boy cotton fabric backing, a thin layer of batting in between for a bit of cushion, cut a pocket from each Grandma and Grandpa's pant to add, stitched his name the finished tieing off with  dark blue embroidery thread to match.
This past Saturday we headed off  to the birthday party with wrapped quilt in hand the crowd loved it and I felt the parents appreciation with my labor of love yet of course knowing this was made from the baby's grandparents jeans.
Don't get rid of the old jeans any longer no matter what type they are RECYCLE them.
I have enclosed some pictures of the newest quilt .

The day of the party I found out a new grandson just arrived before we left I asked Grandma and Grandpa to start saving their Levis again for the newest addition. I have made 3 quilts so far for this family.

Just a little side note that some of you may not know
Levi company will replace any of their jean product for manufacture defects. If you find a hole starting in the pocket area, wearing away of the material by the belt loops etc defects they will replace for the same style and size by calling 800-872-5384.
This is not a gimmick I have had several pairs of Steve's Levi jeans replaced throughout the last 8 years.
They send them back if they are not defected so holes in the knees don't count etc. I have sent back Levi shorts, Levi pants and women's Levi pants getting back brand new replacements after 6 weeks. You do pay the postage to ship them to the company but it is so worth it since Levi 501's cost 42.00.
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Crafty Fall Items

It is already September - I have been so busy creating Fall and Halloween products. I love the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla mixed with coffee the finishing touches to the ornies, dolls and other items that I have completed. Just this makes me know that fall is in the air. Chilly nights again hurray since I do live in California we don't get that brisk change of the season colors- I have to create the ambiance myself. I decorated today that means everything that was americana for the 4th of July months gets packed away the colors of fall come out. The linens, towels, dishes, pillows, rugs everything changes in our house. My husband watches as I lug up from the bottom garage tote after tote of decorations. Sometimes he offers to help but I think he would rather let me do it by myself hoping the decorating occassion will cease to a miminal amount. No he is out of luck I love to go all out! Everything changes.. Right now pumpkins are lining the front door with scarecrows along with signs of my own and others that I have purchased the entry hall leads off with corn and gourds, old dolls that I have collected along with floral arrangements. Next the living room, kitchen and yes the bathroom are all decorated too. I don't really like Halloween too much so I hold the few items of scary Halloween week only- I do have a few scary items but its not what my little grandchildren like neither so they are happy that Nana doesn't have all the scary sounds and sights in her house. The backyard,front and side yards are all decorated with artifical flowers of fall(saves on the water bill) along with scarecrows and wooden birdhouses that my husband made for me. (And he says he doesn't like me to decorate you would never know since alot of the wood items I have he makes...LOL) I have the newest items up on my facebook fan page they will soon be on the web site but you can order directly from facebook if you want them now. I have a few more products that I am working on to finish up the Fall /Halloween pages on the web site those will be done this week coming up. A preview will be posted on the fan page first. I love comments so if you have any suggetions or requests just let me know. To end for today I have included a link that will really get your palate ready for Fall its Betty Crocker delicious desserts just for those cold evenings..

I hope you enjoy them. I am looking forward to visiting your blogs to see what the Holiday season has in store for you. Lots of love Rachel