Photo book - PEYTON

I finished my second photobook!! here is peyton's first year -

Click here to view this photo book larger

Wellness Sets Sale!

For a limited time Wellness sets will have Free shipping!



Your wellness set includes:

a heat therapy bag
cold pack
headache pack
and tissue holder
in a matching carrying bag

Message me about scent and color options. 100% Customizable!!!
Current Scents available - Lavender, Lavender and Vanilla, Coffee.
Scents coming soon - Lilac, Tangerine, Fresh linen, and more!!

Wellness Sets go for $30!

Opened my first Store!

I'm excited to say I opened a store to sell my projects! Please head over to It's Simply Handmade! And if you love it (I hope you do) please pass the link on to family a friends!

Wellness Set

I got my first order for wellness sets today. I have to make 4 this week.
They consist of

a heat therapy bag
cold pack
and headache pack
in a matching carrying bag, with an optional matching tissue holder or body scrub.

This is the first one I've done! Took me about 5 hours to make what is shown. I still have to make a tissue holder and bag for this set.

Selling them for $30. Custom color and patern choices.

Crafts, crafts, crafts....

I am so behind on my goal list. I have collected tons of materials for most of my sewing projects. I plan to start selling things I make online but I actually have to have something to show first!


What would you pay for a custom laptop sleve? iPod case? Wellness kit? (heat bag, cold bag, & eye bag) tissue holder? These are things I plan to make.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod touch

Busy day and big project

So this morning I took my first Diet pill (prescription of course) and for those who have never taken them its like pure speed. Seriously! About an hour after I took it I had the instant urge to get up and do something, anything!! I took my sister's dog on a half hour walk, approx. .25 mile. When the dog was done walking me, I cleaned the whole apartment and then went shopping with my sister. A plus I learned from last time I took them to eat before they kicked in and to take it early so I wont be up all night (I hope!).

That leads me to the big project!! Ashley wanted me to make her a computer sleeve. As you know I've used my sewing machine a total of 2 times before this but I decide to try anyway. At 4pm this afternoon we got back from the fabric store with our supplies and I got to work.
Ashley and her guy argued for about 15min. over how to cut the fabric before I told them how to do it, LOL. I then got to work sewing the pieces together. After my sister and I decided to skip ahead and then found out we did it all wrong! I spent hours with seam ripper in hand. And after 8 hours I can say I did it all by myself and it looks great! Hopefully next time it wont take 8 hours!

NOTE TO SELF: Read patten first, then again. FOLLOW directions don't just wing it, and lastly don't listen to anyone else! They only mess you up.

Here it is, would you buy it? if so for how much?

Pattern Search

OK readers I'm asking for your help. I'm in search for plus sized clothing patterns. Now I don't mean patterns that only go to XL either, I want real plus sized ones. I know I'm in the process of losing weight but lets face it, it isn't going to all melt away overnight and I don't want to be a XL anyway. As I said in a previous post I loved my size 18 plus sized figure. It was sexy!

So I'm asking you ladies (assuming all my readers are ladies) please post websites or stores where I can find CUTE and SEXY plus sized clothing and patterns!

Sewing project

My first sewing project was to make a cute little purse for Lorelai. i mentioned the pattern below. The first one didnt turn out very well and fell apart within hours. Oops! But after fixing it Lorelai wanted to give it to her cousin Mackenzy so I didnt get a picture of it. Here is the second one I made just today and I love it!!


Its so cute and I can honestly say that I made it all by myself! (Hubby did the hand sewing part of the first one and threaded my machine.) What do you think of it?

First time at the machine!

So I finally took my sewing machine out of the box and after following the instructional DVD. I can thread the bobbin and the machine. YEA! I fixed Lila's Blankie so all is well in the russell home now, and because I was feeling good I followed this easy tutorial for a little Girls purse so Lila will have a suprise in the morning!

More homemade heating pads

Everyone liked the rice sock/homemade heating pad I made. Now everyone wants one :)! So todays project is making more. Robert is off at the store buying about 5 bags of rice and good thing I got that great deal on three pairs of scock. I'm going to need them all.

Completed goals and an extra fun project!

Today I completed another goal on my list!! I also completed one on Feb. 2ND, but forgot to post about it.

I made a Rice sock. If you don't know what a rice sock does read below.
I went to Target and bought these super cute tube socks so that it would be fashionable as well as functional. I got a great deal 3 pairs for $4 on Clearance so I have a few to make for gifts as well.

Overall it was a really simple project, it could have gone smoother had my lil' helper Lorelai not be so, well, helpful. I *Think* I may have used too much lavender oil but I'm sure that it wont hurt anything. As you can see from the wet spot on the heal of the sock.

Making your own at home is super easy and inexpensive — plus your friends will love using the wrap to unwind. All you need is a sock (preferably a longer, knee sock, but most will stretch out), a bag of rice, and lavender or eucalyptus oil, or dried, if you prefer, and some ribbon and note cards (optional for decorating). To learn how to make your own great gift, just keep reading.

1. Fill the sock with rice, making sure there's room at the end to knot it.
2. Add sprigs of lavender or eucalyptus, or fragrant oil to the rice (being careful not to saturate), and knot the end of the sock.
3. Tie the end of the sock with a decorative ribbon and include instructions for heating — just about one to two minutes to get the wrap nice and warm. (you can also pop it in the freezer for a quick ice pack)
4. Wrap the sock around the back part of your neck, lean back, and soak up some soothing heat therapy.

I also finished Our homemade cookbook earlier this week. it looks great and I have plenty of room for more as we find recipes the family enjoys! Right now we have it sorted by Breakfast, Appetizers, Dinner and Desert. If we get a lot more I bought separate binders for each category and enough sheet protectors for 250 pages.


We also made crayons!! Lorelai loved this project and had a blast sorting the colors with mommy.

Sewing machine

So I decided in order to start on my goal list I shouls at least own a sewing machine to make most of the projects on the list. So this week we are comaprison shopping. I've narrowed it down to these two

Brother XR9000 Computerized Sewing Machine

or

Brother 60-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine, CS-6000i

I'm leaning towards the one from Costco because it has a few more stiches. I just hope what ever one I choose I can learn how to use it quickly.

Finished project

My crafty sister came over today and we finally got around to making Lorelai's Potty Chart. How does is look?

Lila was so excited when she woke up from her nap and saw it.



Now she and aunt Ashley are having fun drawing and sniffing with the scented markers. peyton got in on the fun too. Sigh!

My first 2010 project!

So my plan for 2010 is to try new things as well as make life easier for my family. Project #1 is to consoldate my recipes i have stuffed in a notebook and saved on my computer. So today I bought 6 1/2" binders and 225 page protectors and armed with new ink cartrages. Thank you Costco! I plan to spend the day making COOKBOOKS! Depending on how many recipes I have I might do just one full one or one for each food catagory - Dinners, Appitizers, Desert, Breakfast, and Side dishes.

But first my little guy is learning how to walk and isnt quite steady on his feet yet, i'm sure all you Been There Done That moms can see where i'm going with this........ YUP! He fell, smacked into the entertainment center, cut his check and left a big dent in his forehead. We called the Dr. and they want to see him today so off we go.