A Goat and Two Chickens

  With Thanksgiving approaching, I have really been trying to think of ways that I can convey being thankful and helping others to my four year old. I feel like God has put it on my heart to find ways to do missions with my children. It's obviously not very feasible with a four year old and baby in tow to serve at a soup kitchen or travel great distances to serve. I've racked my brain and finally come to the conclusion that for now, we can do something that may not involve face to face contact with those we are helping but will be meaningful and help teach my little ones about giving.

So, this year during the holidays, we are starting two projects. Our first one is A GOAT AND TWO CHICKENS ($100) through World Vision.

We are going to make a jar with this picture on it and a little meter we can color in until we save the $100 together. Now, I won't be putting in all of it...Cooper has chores he does and he earns money for them (now most of them are only a quarter), but he can put some or all of his money in our jar and I will put in money as well and match his too. I haven't tried this before so we will see how quickly we can do it. I would love to do this one by Christmas and continue giving projects throughout the year!

For our second project we plan to make cards for troops. My brother is in the Navy and he says it's great to get things in the mail, especially when you are not stateside. This is something fun we can do that is not expensive but that may mean a lot to those who receive them.

I pray that we can be a blessing to people we don't even know this holiday season and that we will experience the joy of giving like never before! Happy Thanksgiving!

Picture Perfect Gift Ideas

Say "Cheeeeese!"!! If you're like me, the only time I am actually IN a picture is if we get someone else to take it, otherwise I am behind the camera. This is the time of year that seems perfect for getting a family photo for Christmas cards and just to update your frames. 
I am a huge fan of using photos as gifts! I know to some it may seem corny or cheap or just plain dumb, but what do you give the parents and grandparents who have everything?!?

Shutterfly photo mugs

 I love Shutterfly for photo gifts and prints...they have a ton of ideas from collages to mugs, calendars, and more. I actually gave these photo mugs with personalized photo cards for Father's Day this year and they were a big hit! And, they didn't break the bank, which was a huge plus!

Here are a few other photo gift ideas that you can make online or use already printed photos:

Scrapbook page framed--frames at Hobby Lobby are around $20, so wait til they are on sale!

Canvas prints--My friend  and neighbor, Traci, (check out her blog!) always does our family photos and she orders from a professional photo printing if I ask her to...for super quality, ask your photographer about this, otherwise, sites like Shutterfly, Snapfish, Wal-mart and the like will probably be just fine.

Collage--online or make it yourself

Photo Coasters--online or make them yourself using tiles, cork squares, Modge Podge, and sealer--I made these for Mother's Day a couple years ago...you can even put them on mini plate racks to display!

Calendars--online or make it yourself---way cute to personalize with kids' photos!

Photo Books--These are way cool and easy to put together online! You can even make "story books" where you can type in things you want to say about the photos, etc.

You can start by downloading your favorite photos to your favorite photo service site (which is the longest part of the process usually) and then click and play with them to see what you can come up with!
   If you have a favorite photographer, ask them about photo gifts or if you have the rights to use the pics they've taken of you and your family to make your own gifts. Be sure not to use them without their permission! Also, don't forget that some of your own candid, fun snapshots are just as meaningful as posed or professional photos so don't discount your own, even if you are not a fabulous photographer!

And don't forget the shots that are fun and don't even involve people! I took this one on vacation a couple weeks ago.

Sewing Machine Cover-Up

 

As you can see, I actually have a hard plastic cover over my sewing machine, but  it was rather unsightly, and I wanted to pretty it up a little. I came across a general pattern for one and changed it up a bit to fit over the plastic cover. I made it double sided, with a layer of thin batting so that it lays nicely and I can reverse it. I also made one side a little longer to cover the back, where the cord is out, which is also a good place to "hide" your foot pedal (if you have one). 

You simply need:

About a yard of material, thread to match, twill tape ribbon, batting

Be sure to measure to make it wide enough to fit your machine, especially if you are covering a plastic cover. Also, be sure to make the ribbons on the sides long enough to tie. You could also use material covered elastic if you want or some other fastening system, but the ribbon looks nice and is easy to attach. 

Place your pieces front sides facing and sew edges all but one end, then turn right side out, slide batting (cut to fit) in and smooth out, then hem up your open end. Place ribbon in position with pins and try out on your machine for placing, then simply stitch all the way across...you could do a fancy stitch or several stitches to make it look decorative, or even a contrasting color thread just for fun. This is an easy project that you can personalize and it will brighten up your sewing spot!