Hootie Hoo! Owl Softies!

For their 2nd birthday, I decided to make my cousin's twin son and daughter these owl "softies" from a pattern I found online.  They were SO much fun to make, I decided to make one for a co-worker's new son.  I used left-over fabric from the baby quilts I made for the twins two years ago - glad I am a fabric hoarder!  You can see the quilts I made in an earlier post. 

I used three fabrics for the body plus some craft felt for the eyes and beak.

I think my favorite part is the dangly legs!

Fun project! 

So, for those of you willing to spend a little time behind the sewing machine, here's the link.  They really were pretty easy, just a little time-consuming . I probably spent about 3 hours on each one. 
http://www.newgreenmama.com/2010/09/hootie-upcycled-owl-tutorial.html

Cheese Platter

First, I would like to thank Bonnie for asking me to be a part of her crafty blog. Crafts are so much fun! I will be contributing pictures of my food presentations I put together at my work!

Cheese Please! Every Friday we have a Wine and Cheese Party, where I put together both a fruit and and a cheese platter. Here is this past weeks cheese platter! A few of the cheeses I used were: Blue Cheese, Brie, Colby, Swiss, and a Lemon Rind flavored cheese.

Knit and destroy!

Has anyone else literally been awake at 3am thinking of how scary and difficult a gusset heel must be? NO? Ok its just me then.

Knitting has taught me that you'll always be intimiated by your projects until you just get 'em started!

This is my first pair of socks! I recommend starting with smaller feet than I did, sorry hubbies...

Introducing...Krafty Krissy!

I would like to introduce to you a dear friend, Kristina or Krafty Krissy as she is known in the blogger world!  Kris is a true artist.  I am looking forward to her posts on the beautiful array of foods she prepares as well as the pottery and other Krafty projects she comes up with!  Please check out her blog to the right, you will be happy you did!  Welcome Sister Kris!

Quilts fo yo crib!

I'm unsure how this obsession began - probably watching my mother and grandmother carefully piece together quilt tops and assemble beautiful finished products...  I love my home made quilts and I will never get rid of them, except to pass them on to my own children some day.  Crib-size quilts really are pretty easy, as long as you keep them SIMPLE! Patchwork quilts are the best kind, in my opinion.

This was the first quilt I ever made.   My dear friends from work provided the fabric for the squares, and I put them all together.  We presented the finished quilt to our co-worker and friend, Dave for his new son. The best part about this quilt is that it has four different personalities wrapped up into one.  

Quilt #2 - for my friend Kelly's baby shower.  Fabrics are from Hobby Lobby. The layers are bound together with yarn ties and the edges are actually the backing wrapped around the front side creating a nice border.

Quilts #3 and #4 - My cousin Emily had the most beautiful twins, a boy and girl.  I tried to stick with Emily's fun style with the fabrics I chose (Hobby Lobby). 

Welcome Lisa and Katie!

So, I have decided I need to space my posts out a little so I don't poop out.  That's right, I said poop.  So, I would like to welcome two more contributors to the God Help the Sister Crafty Blog - my sister Lisa and my dear friend Katie!  Both very creative girls that I am sure will add so much to this blog.  I am looking forward to seeing my sister's decorating and party endeavors, and Katie's beautiful knitting projects!  Thanks for joining ladies!
In their honor, I would like to post a couple photos of their work:

For Easter one year we had the whole family decorate Easter eggs using sharpie markers and they came up with some great designs! I will post those pics at some point. Lisa usually shows all of us up with her fun creations! Welcome Lisa!

While sitting around the living room one day, Katie and I decided that the pheasant above the fireplace needed a little something.  She actually knit this tiny hat and scarf just for Phranny (that's the pheasant's name, by the way).  Since this time, the pheasant goes through several wardrobe changes throughout the year, much to my husband's dismay.  I will share those photos at some point.  Welcome Katie!

Mr. Army Man Pageant

Some families sit around the table telling stories, some argue about who gets to host Thanksgiving dinner, some just watch TV in silence.... Not my family.  Last year at Easter, I hosted Easter dinner at my house - about 25 of us.  Instead of sitting around after dinner, we had a little competition - an army man pageant.

The army men came from the Dollar Tree - I think they came in packs of five or six for a dollar.  The embellishments came mostly from Lisa's scrap booking box plus some ribbons and felt.

We basically gave everyone an army man, set out the embellishments and let everyone go to town!

I am always amazed at how creative my family is...

We voted on the best, and the winners received tiny golden trophies (also a find at Dollar Tree).      I would LOVE to hear your ideas for the next family gathering!  The cheaper, the better!