Pears

So, I finally got around to bottling the box of pears. Two words describe the experience: NOT FUN!! They look delicious though so I guess it was worth it. I did 14 bottles - I could have gotten more but I wasn't really enjoying it - so I stopped at 14.

Millions of peaches -

Peaches for me! I bottled peaches yesterday. It was the first time I had ever bottled fruit and they turned out quite impressive (if I do say so myself!). It was very time consuming, but I got 19 quarts out of 1 box - more than I thought it was going to be. Don't they look delicious?! I have a box of pears to do next but they aren't quite ripe enough yet. Stay tuned for pics of them.

I finished a Halloween table runner for my mom. It is similar to the one I made for myself but instead of those blasted spiders I made some ghosts. They turned out way cute - especially because I drew the pattern free-hand and I am NO artist.

Oh, if you haven't already noticed I figured out how to make a blog button this morning (its not as easy as it looks!). It is located in the top right-hand of the page so go ahead and grab one. Also, check back because I am going to be doing another giveaway SOON!

Halloween Duo

I got the pattern for this from here: http://www.freepatterns.com/ This is such a great site and they have really cute patterns for almost any type of craft. Best of all - they are free. All you have to do is join up and you get access to all of the free patterns you could ever want. This cute little duo went together so quick and easy. It probably took me an hour from start to finish.

A friendly ghost

A smiley pumpkin

A discovery

I discovered the amazing abilities of Mod Podge today. I know it has been around FOREVER - but I haven't used it until today. I have seen this first idea on a couple of different sites - which I can't find right now so I can't insert a link. Anyway, this is such a quick, easy, inexpensive gift idea. I made this one as a Christmas gift and I took a picture before I had put the name on it across the ribbon (did that make sense?) just in case the recipient takes a gander at the blog. I decided to see what else I could do with Mod Podge so I came up with a recipe box - this is going as a bridal shower present along with an apron (which I haven't made yet). They both turned out so cute and I am sure I will be finding all sorts of cute things to do with Mod Podge now. If you are like me and haven't used it yet - give it a try.

Notebook purse

Recipe box side view

Recipe box top view

Flannel Baby Blanket

I saw a blanket similar to this in church on Sunday and it was so adorable I just had to find a reason to make one. Kaden has pretty much outgrown this type of blanket so when I found out yesterday that a dear friend of mine had a baby on Saturday . . . . . this is what I came up with. I usually make her a puff quilt when she has a baby but with three little ones of my own, it is hard to find the time to do that anymore. This blanket sewed together so fast and is so cute! (I have to do a special thanks to my SIL Andrea for having the scraps of flannel that I used) It's coming your way Sadie - I hope Maverik gets a lot of use out of it.

Benjamin wanted to pose by the construction material

Up close view

So cute!

Halloween Table Runner

I got this pattern for free when I ordered some patterns from youcanmakethis.com. I have never made a table runner before so I decided to give it a try. It turned out really cute. The applique spiders and pumpkins just add so much to it. The spiders were a pain in the butt to do - they turned out cute though. My mom wants me to make one for her, but I think I am going to change the appliques just so I don't have to do the spiders again.

"Chow" time

Today I made some relish or "chow" as my Grandpa Jorgensen used to say. I was thinking about him the whole time I was making it (I sure do miss that guy) Anyway, my dad has been after me to make it and he finally went and got me some cucumbers yesterday; so while Kaden was napping this afternoon I got it done. I had some on my hamburger tonight for dinner and man it is delicious!