Christmas Gifts

Every year, I like to try and make as many of my gifts as possible.  Partially because I don't have much money to spend and partially because I believe that homemade gifts come from the heart.  As I said in a previous post, last year it was hats, scarves

and mittens and that was great for everyone except my poor nephew since his hat was much too big.  The highlight of last year though was the creation of a Barbie doll wedding dress for my niece.  I had so much fun making this although sewing those little tiny seams for the bodice were quite a challenge.  I sewed a thin strip of velcro at the back opening  in order to make it easy for little hands to dress her.  The crown was the best part.  It was made from jewellery making wire, pearls, and swarovski crystals.  I even made the necklace out of pearls wire and a swarovski crystal and her tiny bouquet (my niece's fav colour is blue.   The beads and crystals I had left over from other projects; the white satin was a small remnant which was just enough for what i needed, the sleeves were also bits of lace left over from another project and the tulle for the veil came from the bridal area of Michael's - you can buy packages for creating Bombonieres.  I probably had more fun creating this than Lauren had dressing her Barbie with it.  This year, it's a warm fuzzy robe for Lauren which I've made especially for her to snuggle in when she stays at her Daddy's house.  I have enough material left over so I may make Barbie a matching robe. I mean she can't live in a wedding dress.  

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The Ultimate Sewing Room

Karen, from Sew Many Ways, is my hero.  She has THE most beautiful sewing room with so many wonderful ideas and everything in it has been reused from it's original intent.  Check out her blog today - it is highlighting her sewing room.  Now not everyone is as lucky to have such a large space but if you have any room at all you can incorporate some of her nifty ideas.  Already I have - I especially like the idea of having my light, sewing machine and iron all hooked up to a power bar.  This way I just turn off the power bar and I know everything is shut off.  When the light is off, so is everything else!  Just one of her genius ideas. http://sewmanyways.blogspot.ca/2013/10/sewing-and-craft-room-ideas-and-updates.html#more  There's the link - enjoy!

Just a Rant!

Well the weather is getting chillier and that means more sitting in the house and watching tv or movies or whatever.  I can never just sit and watch a program on tv without something in my hands - knitting, sewing - something!  

Which brings me to the reason for this rant.  What on earth is wrong with the tv stations?  There is more garbage on tv than ever before!  Reality tv shows, comedy that isn't even funny, what the heck are we paying for?

I understand that my tastes may be different than others and that perhaps I am weird since I don't find the adventures of Honey BooBoo or Bart Simpson entertaining.  And I don't really care what happens to the Real Wives of Tucson or whatever or The Bachelor and Bachelorette (it's not really real!)  And it's not even that I expect that these shows should be off the air but come on!  What about some really good tv?  Llike ... I dunno a plot and some engaging characters - people you can relate to?  Can anyone really relate to Homer Simpson? Would anyone want to admit to it?

I started watching netflix and discovered a number of really enjoyable series, only to find that they were cancelled on television.  What a disappointment.  So with absolutely no enjoyable television to curl up to with my knitting and a cup of joe or hot chocolate (trying to cut down on the coffee) during the cold winter months, I guess I'll be going through my old dvds and watching them.  SIGH!

Anyone else feeling frustrated?

First Post

Well this is the first post for my blog.  I'm not really concerned about followers but I'd just like a place to "spill" to the cosmic void lol.  My favourite blog and you must check it out if you haven't already, is Sew Many Ways.  sewmanyways.blogspot.ca  Karen is awesome - she is a genius at blogging, quilting, organizing, you name it, and she has the most fabulous sewing room.  Speaking of sewing rooms, my oldest son moved out (very sad - miss my boy).  On the positive side, I finally got my sewing room.  Unfortunately, it also has to serve as a guest room. On the positive side again, I rarely have overnight guests.  I'm in the process of thinking of how I want to decorate it.  So far, I can't even decide on the colour!  It's also the coldest room in the house as it's over the garage.  And it has to be on the cheap, cheap, cheap.

 This is what this blog will be about.  How to do anything on the cheap.  I figure I'm pretty much an expert.  I have been on my own for over 10 years, raising two fine sons, own my own townhouse (well the bank and I do), and I've always struggled to keep my head above water.  And I do it!  The only real debt I have is my mortgage. Both  my kids have always understood that I'm not a bank so they've always worked for whatever they wanted.  As I told them early, we are not a "label" family.  My oldest son went through university (now he has a HUGE loan to pay off), and is working as a high school teacher.  I'm so proud of him!  My youngest son is still trying to decide what to do with his life - which is fine.  I just hope he decides before he retires ha ha.   I think they learned to appreciate what they have.

So right now I'm working on Christmas.  If you want to do anything cheaply, you need to plan ahead.  Last year, I took up knitting again.  Everyone got scarves and hats and mittens for Christmas.  My poor nephew got a hat that was way too big for his head.  But he's a wonderful kid and just told me it would fit when he hair grew out a bit.  Okay so that wasn't the best.  But THIS year, I've made all the girls on my list,  lapghans.   So far I've done three and guess what? - they will definitely fit.  I also got into knitting up mug warmers and tea cozys.  This was great for my sister who lives in Scotland.  We always have to think small and lightweight when sending to her. I guess we could just have something delivered but I like to do something especially for her.  I want her to know that I've been thinking of her and spent time creating something just for her.
So ..... If anyone out there has any other ideas about Christmas gifts on the cheap, Seamus and I would love to know.