Thanks Everyone!!

Just wanted to say thank you for all the sweet messages regarding Emma's 3rd Birthday! It was a really rough day for me. Special dates always seem to send me into a tailspin. I kept thinking that I would type out a special post, but in the end I didn't have it in me.

In other news, we got a new roof yesterday due to hail damage. Austin and I spent much of the day out and about, which gave me plenty of time to shop for the prizes. I "think" I have everything bought now. Winners, be expecting your packages late next week.

Hugs to all!

Happy 3rd Birthday Emma Grace!

We love you!

Awww...thanks, Kate!

Kate gave me an award! Thanks, my dear....not sure I deserve it, but thanks any way. :-)

Now for the hard part. I nominate:

Kathy, who has one of the most generous hearts.
Knit-A-Little, another great mom and charity crafter.
Woolwinder, who does an amazing job of detailing her knitting projects.
Marcia, and yet another wonderful charity crafter.

Fulfilling my pledge...again

Today is my good friend's birthday. Happy Birthday, Beth!!!

It was hard for me to send an e-card instead of a paper card. She NEVER forgets my birthday, but I wanted to fulfill my pledge. I hope she understands!

While I was at it, I sent an e-card to my friend, Jill, that is going through some really tough personal things.

Hugs to both of you!

The Winners Are....

In a random, yet slightly chaotic, drawing

the first 3 names FLUNG from the pot were
CONGRATULATIONS! I will be contacting each of you in the next few days about your prizes.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all that participated in the 3rd Annual Remembering Emma Grace Donation Drive. Without you, this would not be possible!! The blessings that you give the struggling families are remarkable. I do not have the words to express how thankful I am for each of you.

Total collected: An unbelievable 1296 items and $648

Think we can beat that next year??

Fulfilling My Pledge

I've made a few strides in fulfilling my MyZeroWaste pledge.

Fabric Shopping Bag - This bag is one that I won at our annual Easter Egg Hunt. It's from Target and holds probably 3-4 plastic bags worth of groceries. I used it on Thursday. I still want to make some using old fabric from this pattern.
Composting - Here's the start of our compost pile.

When discussing recycling and the MyZeroWaste pledge with friends, I was pointed toward a few ideas for reducing junk mail.

Green Dimes - This was the first site that I was alerted to and I signed up for the free version of it. This group will lead you through steps to opt out of mailings. If you wish to pay $20 they will do all the work for you and plant 5 trees in your name. Again, I chose the free service and see how it works out.

Catalog Choice - When I signed up for Green Dimes, there was steps to opt out of catalog mailings. I haven't signed up for Catalogue Choice yet in hopes that the catalog mailings are covered with Green Dimes. I will research further when I have time.

OptOutPreScreen - This will opt you out of the pre-approved credit card mailings. The same link is included in Green Dimes, but I think there's a form that must be completed and mailed in. I will research this link also more when I have time. The pre-approved credit card mailings are a HUGE risk to idenity theft and fraud.....speaking of which, I need to tell you all what recently happened to me, but that's going to have to wait until I have more time. LOL!

TIME? WHAT'S TIME?

Aug 15th

Today's the last day of the 3rd Annual EGF Donation Drive!! I know a few of you have things in the process of being shipped. If you haven't contacted me, please do and I'll add you to the drawing.

Current totals are AMAZING!!! 1186 items & $533

Thank you ALL for your time, energy, and heart!! It will probably be a few more days before I pick the 3 winning names. Then, depending on the winners (and their craft of choice) I will be buying some more prizes. I decided to wait to see who wins.

Hugs to all!

Want to take a pledge?

My Zero Waste is having a competition. Wanna join and reduce your household waste? (Note: I can't get my pledge to go through on their form).

I pledge to:
I will talk to at least one family member or friend to promote recycling.
I will recycle an old mobile phone.
I will take active steps to stop junk mail being delivered to my home. (not sure how to do this so if anyone has an idea, please let me know!!!)
I will offer unwanted item on Freecycle or take to a charity shop.
I will use washable cloths instead of kitchen towel. (I assume this means cutting down on paper towels)
I will send an email greeting card instead of a paper one.
I will cancel my telephone directory / Yellow pages (didn't know you could do this, but I'll look into this for sure!)
I will use a reusable bottle for water.
I will start a compost heap, wormery or bokashi.
I will make one meal from leftovers.
I will start using reusable shopping bags instead of carrier bags.
I will continue to garden and use curbside recycling.

Patterns

Here is the link to the patterns that EGF has had success with. Particularly, Toni's Burial Gown as is for a girl and DC the skirt for a boy. Sharon, one of our wonderful volunteers, has emailed me directions for making it larger. I can share that with those that want it.


As you will look, you will notice that a few of the links are no good. Here are the corrections:
Marilyn's Bubble Suit and Aunt B's Angel Wrap

I know nothing about knitting, but this Sleeper Sack is really popular. It is, however, small. Since I know nothing about knitting, it may easily be enlarged.

You can also look through Bev's Country Cottage and pick one that suits your ability. Kathy has some personal crochet patterns on her sidebar, too. Wool Winder does a great job of detailing the patterns she uses, too.

EGF Need

Emmazing Grace needs some 5-7 lb gown sets. We rarely get them donated, but unfortunately they are needed from time to time. I have recently received 2 requests for the large gowns. If you could help out, please let me know. I will be working on some myself in the coming weeks.

Reuse

These curtains were formerly used on french doors two houses ago in Mississippi. My mom and grandmother made them for me before I learned to sew. Last night, I cut off the wood board at the top that was permanently affixed to the doors and shortened them up a bit.
They are now over the garden tub in our bathroom. We wanted to leave the top windows open so that we could enjoy the view. Since it's on the 3rd floor and unless you're on our neighbor's roof, you can't see in.
Stained glass would be pretty on the bottom windows instead of the curtains......maybe one day.

And, they're off.......

Austin's first steps


Hannah's first day of Kindergarten

Dress for Emma's Doll

Whipped this together today using the Threads of Love pattern. I let Hannah pick out the bows. I'll mail it to Mom in time to put it on her grave for her birthday in a few weeks.

New Gown Pattern

A couple of weeks ago, this adorably little gown (along with 7 others to match) came in the mail from a lady that I have never "met" before. I emailed her a thank you, but never heard back from her.

I just love this pattern because there is no fighting with the neckline. It's a simple ribbon casing.

So, I decided to sacrifice one of the gowns. Yesterday as the kids were playing, my seamripper and I got to work. I've now traced out the pattern and written simple instructions.

If you're interested in this pattern, please email me or leave your email address in the comment section.

And another one

Just finished this set over the weekend. The striped flannel wouldn't have been my first choice, but it's the only thing I could find locally that matched the scalloped edging. My choice of fabric shops is Hobby Lobby and Walmart.....torture, pure torture!!

Next in line:

Another little set - just have the blanket and bonnet to complete

Curtains for my bathroom

A dress for Emma's doll that sits on her grave. I removed it at Christmas because it was looking so worn. I want to replace it by her birthday.

Strawberry Fig Preserves

Using figs from my grandmother's that we picked on the way back through after our beach trip a few weeks ago, we made strawberry fig preservers.

They didn't turn out just right the first go around. The did not gel up.

So, Friday night we cooked them down some more and I think WE DID IT! I tried them Saturday morning and they were yummy.

Here's the detail of what I'll do the first go around next time...

Cover 6 cups of fresh figs with 6 cups of sugar (I may use a tad less).

Place in frig over night.

Bring to a rolling boil stirring frequently so that it won't stick and burn.

In a separate pot, place your jars, flats, and rings and heat until they get nice and hot.

Cook figs until desired consistency. Judge by scooping out some of the "juice" into a bowl and place in the frig. If it sets up in a few minutes, then it's probably good.

During the last 3 or 4 mins left, add 4 small packets of strawberry jello.

Remove jars from hot bath and scoop the figs into jars. As the preserves start to cool, the lids suck down creating a tight seal.

Facing Tutorial

Instead of doing a bias binding around the neckline of my little gowns, I decided to try a facing. It was a lot easier for me and I'll keep doing this. I like it MUCH BETTER! Please forgive the photos. They aren't the best, but I hope you can get the idea.

Lay gown flat (sides are not sewn yet) with right side up.

Cut a circle out of a piece of matching fabric.

Place the circle over the opening in the neckline.

With a fabric marker, draw a circle about 1/4" beyond the neckline cutout.

Sew along the marked circle.
Cut out the neckline in the fabric that you just sewed onto the dress.

Notch so that the facing will turn easily.

Turn facing to the inside and pin in place.

Top stitch along the neckline about 1/4" in.

Overcast the raw edges of the facing.


View from the right side of gown.