Making the Move!

For those of you that know me personally you know that sometimes I can be indecisive. It can be when deciding what to do for dinner, what to wear to work, or what project I’m going to start next. Recently, when trying to revamp my WordPress blog I was getting very frustrated that I was so limited to design and changes unless I paid $50+ for a unique theme or shelled out the same to “Upgrade.” Maybe I just don’t know it well enough to break the system…I am broke and don’t have that kind of money (planning a wedding does that too ya)! 

So instead of caving and buying into WordPress I decided to make the switch to Blogger. I took some time to play around with it and it just seems like I have more creative freedom on Blogger. In time I will move my older posts over to the new site. Until then this will still be kept active so if you want to come back and find something, you can!

I hope that my past followers have made the switch and keep reading! I also look forward to new readers and blogging friends! Come Visit me: http://craftyenough.blogspot.com/

Amy Marie

What I’ve Been Up To!

So its now been another 2 weeks since I have posted, but I am happy to say I finally have a computer again! After a long battle, I have my college desktop hooked up and running! The weather has been such a roller coaster this winter that its been kinda nice being disconnected for a while but I am ready to get back into the swing of things!

Since I haven’t been in the blogging mind set I thought I’d jump back into things by sharing with you all what I’ve been working on. Many of you know that I am selling my jewelry in the Running With Scissors Gift Shoppe. Its this awesome little shoppe in downtown Springfield filled with handmade goodies. There is everything from scarves, purses, jewelry and candles to soaps and candies! If you are a sucker for one of a kind goods, go there now!

Here are some of the things I have made for the shoppe!

Birds Nest Necklaces and Rings

Flower Ear Rings

Pearl Drop Necklace

If you like any of these pieces be sure to go visit the shoppe! I hope everyone has a great week!

Wordless Wednesday

My blogging has been at a minimum lately due to the fact that I am computerless! Eek it has been kind of nice to not go home every night and sit at the computer but I do miss it. Since I haven’t been around lately I thought I would give wordless Wednesdays a try!

 

 

 

Quilt in a Day – Update

Happy Friday!! I can not tell you how happy I am that it is Friday. This week has been crazy at work and I am just ready for two days without the office drama. Last Friday I posted about my families quilt day. I am please to say that we had a great turnout and lots of people finished the top of their quilts. We followed this tutorial for the Strip Quilt Race. In the video one woman gets her top done in 35 minutes! Let me tell you that did not happen at our quilt day but I think it was pretty successful to say the least! Check out some of the pics!

My Quilt! Because my seam allowance was 1/2 mine ended up being a little off. But I added a 6 inch border all the way around and made it square!

The sister-in-laws quilt! She did an awesome job...once she got the bobbin threaded.

Everyone’s quilts turned out so different but all were beautiful. Head over to The Sweet Life of a Sewing Mama and see Alisia’s wonderful quilt. She was the winner of the day, she got her top done the quickest!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Amy Marie

Quilt in a Day!

I am so glad it is finally Friday and that tomorrow is our annual Wensink Family Quilt Day!! This is the 4th year we have done this and I look forward to each each time. Its a day where all the ladies in the family get together to sew. We usually pick out a project each year to work on, with the hopes of completing it in one day.

Over the years it has expanded to include in-laws, friends and who ever else wants to endure enjoy a day with the Wensinks. I am happy to say that my future mother-in-law and sister-in-law are making the trek north to sew with us this year.

Below are some pictures of our first quilt day project. Melinda made a barbie sized quilt and Aunt Rae made a beautiful lap quilt. We used the Rail Fence quilt block, which is an easy square for beginning quilters/sewers.

Last year we made awesome bags that were easy to make and big enough to hold anything you might need…including a baby or sewing machine! I couldn’t find the picture with the baby in the bag so you’ll just have to get the idea from this pic.

This year we are making a Lasagna Strip Quilt. You use a jelly roll to make it. If you Google strip quilt you will find lots of tutorials. Hopefully I will remember to take lots of pictures and I will share them with you next week.

I hope you all have a safe and wonderful weekend. I know I will really enjoy spending the time with my family!

Amy Marie

 

Free Kindle Cook Book!

Guess what I found?! Another Gooseberry Patch cook book…for free! This one is Savory Pie Recipes. Check it out and get some new recipes.

Amy Marie

A Disappearing Act

Happy New Year! Ok so I’m only 18 days late but I have a good excuse…kinda. Right before New Years Eve there was a quick thunderstorm that passed through western Ohio. Well to make a long story short, I probably should have unplugged my computer. I’m not 100% sure that is was the lightning but as of now my computer is out of commission.

I really want to thank all of you for reading my blog in 2011. I hope to make 2012 even better (off to a rocky start, eh?).  One of my other hopes for the new year is to start eating better and drop some dead weight! Last week I decided it was time to try some new recipes! Kyle was such a trooper through it all! I will link to the recipe after the review.

I will link to each recipe and give a little review. Also I will try to add in some Kyle comments too!

Baked Crab Cakes

These were the bomb.com! I tried to make crab cakes a while ago but couldn’t get the right consistency. These were so easy. I followed the recipe exactly, except instead of sour cream I used greek yogurt. Kyle liked them because they have a little spice from the hot sauce. He even told me I could make them again…WIN! Recipe

Grilled Fish Tacos

 

The fish tacos were also pretty good. We used the our George Foreman grill but just used the bottom like a flat top grill. I improvised with the marinade, made it with garlic salt mix and some Mrs. Dash. Use whatever flavors you like! Kyle liked these a lot too. A much lighter way to have Mexican. Recipe

This week I also got Kyle to try a Turkey Shepard’s Pie and Bubble Up Pizza. Both of those are on my Pinterest Page.

Last Minute Gift Idea

So there are only 3 days or to be technical…2 sleeps, 7 hours, 20 minutes & 47 seconds! I also only have one more craft to share with you all until I complete my first 12 Crafts of Christmas; exciting isn’t it? Like others I’m sure, I feel like I am running out of time so I am going to share a craft with you that I have done previous to this blog. I think this craft would be a great stocking stuffer or gift for that person who has everything!

I think I may have originally found these on Pinterest in my early days of pinning and decided to make them to sell at the Springfield Farmers Market. They were a big hit! Who doesn’t love a fun MAGNET! Yes that’s right, magnets. You only need 4 things to make these awesome little devils. They are so easy you could do them in your sleep (ok maybe not but it is easy).

Supplies:
Flat Glass Decorative Stones
Old Magazines
Super Glue
Magnets (strong enough to hold the stone)

First find a picture or pattern of something you like in your magazine. I think it helps to slide the stone over the page to see how it would look on there. Then cut out your magazine page to size. Put 2-3 drops of super glue on the surface of your image (rightside up). It doesn’t take much glue. Then push and hold the flat part of the magnet onto the glued image. I hold it for a few seconds to make sure it stays on. Let that dry, maybe 5-10 minutes then attach a magnet on the back the same way. Now I use super glue for this so that the magnet doesn’t fall apart when m0ving around on fridge, metal, etc…

Ta Da! How much easier can it get! These are just a few examples of the ones I made for the market. I have tried printing pictures from the computer and found that the ink runs pretty badly. It might help if it was a slick paper, but with regular ol’ computer paper it didn’t work. Also I was able to find the stones at the Dollar Tree, so check around before you buy at the craft stores!

There are endless possibilities to what you can do with these. Add words, letters, faces, just have fun with it and gift a personalized gift!

Amy Marie

 

Dog Gone Good!

Last week when I was making Christmas goodies to give to my friends, I was also making some goodies for furry friends. I had seen this recipe online, on Pinterest (of course!), for Frosty Paws. They are a delicious frozen treat for dogs. I just couldn’t wait til summer so I made them now! Here is the tutorial for Home made Frosty Paws.

It was a really simple recipe with 4 ingredients, all of which a human can consume without cringing. I made mine in ice cube trays then put them into a baggy with some dog scrapbook paper.

These treats are Moose approved and I’m sure he will enjoy them even more in the hot, dog days (pun intended) of summer!

Amy Marie

Tag, you’re it!

Well the days until Christmas are fading away and I still have some crafts to finish up for my faithful readers! First I should admit something…I think I might be addicted to the Dollar Tree. I went there tonight to pick up a tray for some cookies I am giving to a coworker and left with $13 worth of stuff. Some I needed and some, well I wanted. I did get some stuff I need to wrap Christmas presents with but for crafting some things there are too good to pass up!

Tonight I was thinking back to Pinterest to get some inspiration for wrapping presents when I came across this gem.

On Pinterest this link doesn’t take you anywhere so I decided to come up with my own directions. This wasn’t too hard to figure out and I’m sure there are easier ways than what I did.

Need:
Card board or card stock
Brown paper (if using card stock)
White Buttons
Ribbon

Instructions:

First I cut down my card stock to the size tag I wanted. It helps to lay out your buttons on the stock to get an idea. Then I glued on brown paper to my card stock (it was actually an old x-mas card). Then using some sort of adhesive, I used double stick tape, add your buttons and bow. This is a great tutorial for making small bows with a fork. Last, punch a whole and tie to package!

See how easy that was! The picture kinda stinks, but its from my phone, too lazy for good camera tonight. I know that this wasn’t the most complex craft but its all I got in the craft department for now. I still have to wrap almost all the presents we have bought and I want to try and make some more treats…we’ll see if that happens.

Amy Marie 

P.S. I promise I didn’t forget about the dog treats…