Winter Hats

 We have been having beautiful, crystal clear warm weather here in Southern California (79 degrees) Well, all of a sudden on Sunday afternoon ; it rained and it poured sheets of rain. I decided to stay in-doors and crochet. I went through my scrap-yarn box. I found a beautiful deep blue chenille ball of yarn but there wasn't enough yarn to make both a scarf and a hat, so I used some regular 4-ply blue yarn to make the hat. I made a big flower and I sewed a large fake pearl bobble in the middle of it. The weather report is high winds for tomorrow, so I am ready! I also finished a red hat that I had been working on. I guess the cost of the two hats and the scarf would be under $10.00. Without the costly chenille, the price would be about $7.00. The time was about 6 hours. There is no pattern, I just made it up. If you are interested,
I can remember. Just ask! I feel accomplished for using my scrap yarn!

This is a red kind of wild hat, and I love it! The picture doesn't do it justice. I mixed two different types of yarn; Red Heart and Vibrant Red Chenille that looks like velvet. I had a small ball of fake red fur, so I out-lined the hat with that.

My Newest Cuff Bracelet

I made another crocheted bracelet. This one has a tiger-eye stone in the middle of the flower. The thread is glittery-gold in color. I placed little golden rhinestones all around the bracelet. I have two more started and I will post them tomorrow. This one looks great next to denim clothing.

Making The Most of Each Day On The Blizzard Blog Hop

Good Morning Friends and Fellow Bloggers!

Today,  I am linking up my blog from with The Blizzard Bloghop 2011 hosted by http://www.household6diva.com/. I am unable to attend the conference this year. I am a blogger from Sunny Southern California. Here is some information on me and my blog!

My blog "Making The Most of Each Day" is a blog for anyone interested in the Lord; home decorating on a budget, crafts, cooking and more! My name is Robin. Before I had my only child Sarah, I was a Wedding Designer. I am a soon to be Grandmother (can't believe it!) I love to craft, paint, write, and mostly; I love to talk about my Savior and the beauty of His grace and love!
I have fallen in love with the art of making things beautiful on a budget. Come along with me on my journey!

Have a blessed day and remember to make the most of each day! :)

Robin

So it is WEDNESDAY! "Women Living Well"

My daughter and I have been sewing recently. I can sew, but I don't enjoy it. She actually enjoys it. I think I'm perhaps getting tired.

I got to thinking about my mother who was an absolute fabulous designer/seamstress. I think I didn't attempt to even try and meet her standards. Here I have this daughter who wants me to teach her to sew. I am wishing her grandmother were here to teach her.

 As we have been sewing, I appreciate my beautiful clothes that my mother made me my entire childhood. Oh how I wish I had thanked my dear mother. I took her for granted.

As my Sarah was sewing today, we had countless confrontations: Sarah, "Why do I need to iron the pattern?"
Me, "If we are going to do something, we are going to learn to do it right."
Sarah, " Who taught you to sew, you slave driver?"
Me, "No one! I taught myself and I am just trying to show you how to avoid a million mistakes."
Sarah,  " 1/4" IS NOT ENOUGH MOM!!!"
me, "Just be QUIET and trust me!" I told Sarah if she complained, criticized, or whined ONE MORE TIME,  "I am going to leave the room and you can figure out the pattern for yourself!" 
she said,  "Who needs your help anyway?" I left the room , did some laundry, listened to our president's speech, changed the litter box, fed the cats,
and Sarah walked in the room saying,  "I will cook dinner for you tonight , do you think I will be able to finish Robert's outfit tonight?"

I decided to help her because I cannot resist a subject that has Robert in it.

My daughter ran to the market just now and I am thinking of myself and the impatience I had with my own mother.

I want to share this story with you:

Art's Yardage Store

My momma sewed constantly! She did not drive, so we  frequently walked downtown. We went to"Art's Yardage" store almost three times a week. I hated going there because Momma spent way too many hours looking at : laces, trims, buttons, zippers, patterns, and fabrics. She visited and brainstormed with all of the sales ladies; and more often than not, she ran into friends from the neighborhood or from church.

The store smelled of new fabrics: polyester, India, and perfume! I sometimes found it abrasive when Momma would slide her hand across different fabrics. The only tactile pleasure for me; was touching smooth silk or soft velvet.

My poor mother, I whined and complained while she shopped. So many women sewed when I was young. It was a different era. The yardage store was always crowded at any given time.

One day I was sitting in a chair looking at patterns, when a woman sat next to me. She stared at me, I was ready to get in trouble for something. She said, "Gee, you have very beautiful eyes!" I thanked her and groped awkwardly in my mind for a return compliment. This woman was very elegant and extravagant looking. She had beauty-shop hair, and nicely painted long nails. She was wearing a pantsuit (in those days!)

and she had dangling diamonds on her bracelet, earrings, and necklace. I complimented her pretty ring. It was in the shape of a crescent moon with countless tiny diamonds all over it. This woman was so pleased that I admired her ring. She asked me if I would like to hear the story about it. I was so excited to hear it.

This woman told me that she was the owner of the fabric store. Many years prior, Art her husband, designed her ring all by himself. He gave it to her when he proposed marriage to her. He had been a widower. He told her that if she accepted, he would give her the moon and the stars! That is what her ring looked like; a moon with little stars all around it.

I learned  that day; that I could get more bees with honey than with vinegar. I also learned that a compliment sometimes breeds a wonderful story.

I'm hoping that my daughter will read this story. To this day, there are still remnants of "Art's Yardage" in my life. Just the other day, I found an old bag from that store in my hope chest. It has to be well over fifty years old. Just looking at that bag brought back years of watching my momma sew. Little did I realize then; that those so taken for granted, precious days would one day be gone forever.

Just before my mother died, I remember commenting to her, "Momma, your hands are still pretty even after so many years of sewing. You never got arthritis in them!" My mother replied, " Thank God, because I intend to sew satin wings for the angels in heaven!"

When my mother finally did die; shortly before Christmas, I found the clothes she had sewn to wear for her funeral. As my tearful eyes gazed upon the clothes in her closet; which smelled like violets, her scent; I found Christmas presents she had been working on but never completed. Our names were pinned on to these last gifts from our mother. She made little cloth dolls for her four granddaughters and several other treasures for the rest of us.

When I was small, I was ill in the hospital and had to have a Tonsillectomy. Santa visited me there and it was love at first sight. My mother knew about my love for Santa and she always gave me a Santa gift for Christmas. I noticed a Santa doll sitting on her closet shelf. It was for me! I picked up this Santa doll and began to cry. Momma lined his coat with a pure silk scarf; one she and I purchased when I was four years old. The day we got caught in the rain before there were shopping Malls. This Santa was wearing a big, red plush coat. There was a needle stuck inside of his crimson-red hem which told me she intended on finishing him by Christmas, but she died on November 29th.

Among the most striking and precious things I found in my mother's sewing box were: her scissors, her thread, and the yardstick she had used for over forty years to sew for us.

As I sat quietly reminiscing in my mother's easy chair; I found some pictures in an old tin box. I noticed that we were wearing such lovely clothes in all these pictures. Momma stitched her love through our lives with both her heart and her hands.

I found two different pictures that had been taken years apart. I noticed that my sister and I were wearing the same dress. I hunted for that dress, and I found it! My daughter wore it for Easter one year. The fabric was lavender, polka-dotted Swiss voile. It was purchased from "Art's Yardage" almost 50 years prior.

When I was small, I impatiently complained for having spent too much time at fabric stores with my mother. Now, I complain because I cannot be with her at all. I have learned why patience and a grateful heart are so valuable to the Lord. God knows the rewards and benefits of patience. 

(Romans 12:12) "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction")

I will learn to love to sew with my daughter because she wants to do this with me, and I thank God for the opportunity!

Fabric and Bead Necklaces

I have a blouse made out of this fabric, because the hem was too long; I cut the bottom off and I kept the scrap material.

I folded  a 16" long by 2 1/2" long strip in half length wise and sewed it closed length wise (leaving open the two ends.)

You  will have a long tube to work with now.

I had some wooden beads about the size of a gumball. I put one bead inside this fabric tube and then a plastic bead on the outside, and then another wooden bead inside etc...

...continuing the process until the necklace is the length desired.

I used SCULPEY baking clay from Michael's craft store to design  and mold a rose, and then some leaves. The directions for the baking time are on the package.

I had some bobbles from some old earrings and necklaces which I put on a chain and connected (dangling) from the rose.

You can tie the necklace shut or add on a clasp by sewing one on, or use snaps.

It is fun to have a necklace that matches my blouse perfectly!

The sculpey is about $2.00 and it made 4 roses.

The fabric was free and I had the wooden balls in my Craft bucket along with the beads.

I would guess the necklace costs about $5.00

I didn't have anymore beads for this necklace, so I wrapped yarn around the inside beads from the outside.You could just tie knots between the beads. You would have to make a longer tube however!

I made this one from a hankie. My daughter will use this one if she ever goes line-dancing again. It matches her RED boots.

Here is one I am working on so you can get the idea.

They are fun, quick, and easy to make. May I suggest that you make your flowers ahead of time so that everything can be put together at one time.

Sweatshirt

 I purchased a large sweatshirt for $4.00 on sale. I took the clasps off of an old vest before I threw it away. I crocheted the carnation with some red scrap yarn, and the petals of the flower are from an old wool skirt that belonged to my daughter.

If you are interested, the directions are below:
Cut off the bottom band on the waistline of the sweatshirt.
Cut straight up the middle of the sweatshirt.
Turn the sharp corners of what looks like a collar, and sew them under to look curved.
Use an ice pick or a large needle to poke holes all around the waistline, the cuffs, and the front of the sweatshirt where you have slit opened the front.
Crochet in those holes to make your own border. If you don't crochet, you could sew on some sort of trim.
I chained the stem of the flower by crocheting it.
The black and white checked petals are just cut-out circles with the blanket stitch around them.
The leaves are made from an old shirt. If you don't want to turn them under to sew them on; use Wonder Under (iron on fusible) purchased at any fabric store. I used green embroidering floss and the blanket stitch to sew the leaves on.
I just sewed on the clasps. If you don't have any, you could sew on snaps or buttons.
To make the carnation (middle flower) Crochet a ring: 8 chains then join the ring, now chain 10 and join inside the ring. Continue chaining 10 and joining until you think the ring is so full, you cannot fit anymore inside.

Heart Jewelry

I have a button jar full of odd and misplaced buttons. I found some that are actually made of pearl. I cut out a piece of heavy cotton in the shape of a heart; then I sewed on the buttons, layering some of them on top of each other. I sewed a safety pin in the back. This makes for a nice lapel pin. I have made these in red and pink also, but the pearl-white one is my most favorite.

This cost me nothing because I had the buttons, cotton and thread.

 Michael's craft store had these jewelry rings on sale for under a dollar. I purchased two packages and I gathered up some heart charms from old and new jewelry remnants I had in drawers and some were in my garage. Because Valentine's Day is approaching, I encourage you to gather up some old charms, or even just one heart and voila, a necklace is made! REMEMBER, it is fun and smart to recycle!



Cameo Necklace

I found a clear cameo at an estate sale. I have quite a few cameos both old and new, but this is my first clear one. I spray painted 3 jump rings; connected them to an opening at the bottom, and strung some pearls from a broken necklace. The necklace is made from old beads I have saved from odd broken jewelry. I like the fact that whatever color of clothing I wear, the cameo will compliment it. I also made matching earrings and a bracelet. The Cameo was $3.00. It is made very well and looks old in person.

Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe !

Bear

Sophie



Well, this is the first free moment I have had all day!

Even though it is 12:11 AM, I still want to post my Wednesday story.

I have these cats who think they are human. They are very jealous of my computer time.

Each morning when I rise, I say a prayer, hit the shower, and check my messages. Two of my cats have caught on to my morning rituals. Since feeding them is about 6th. on my list, they have decided to plant themselves right in front of my computer. Bear, the black cat has taken to hitting the keyboard and messing up my business. Sophie, the gray cat learns all of her habits from Bear, ("the boss.")

As I was observing them being brats, The rhyme; "The Three Little Kittens" came to mind. I told Sophie and Bear that they will get their mittens slapped if they continue hitting my computer keys. Needless to say, I am still being disrespected by my darlings!

I started thinking of a poem/rhyme? that my mother used to say to me. It was about which day a child was born on. I could not remember it. I googled and found an interesting site: http://www.bethanyroberts.com/MondaysChildIsFairofFace.htm#WHAT DOES YOUR DAY MEAN?I learned that WEDNESDAY'S child is full of "WOE" Well, Wednesday's cats certainly were full of grief and trouble today. This is a very interesting site. If you put in your birthday: date and year, they will tell you the actual day of the week you were born on and other interesting facts. Check it out!

I hope everyone had an eventful day. It was the day the Lord made!

"How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." Psalm 104:24.

I thank you God for the joy my creatures bring me.

Brocolli/ Rice and Cheese Casserole

When I was a young bride, I entered a magazine contest with this one, and I won first place!
I've been preparing it for over 35 years and they are still requesting it. I thought I would share it today:

Brocolli / Rice and Cheese Casserole

Ingredients:
6 cps. minute rice or you could substitute with brown rice (that has been cooked)
4 cups brocolli
1 bunch of long green onions
1 large and 1 small can of cream of mushroom soup
5 cps. grated cheese
I season with Lawry's seasoned salt and some garlic salt (use your own preference.) I sometimes add Chicken or Tuna to this casserole. About 4 cps. of your preference

Prepare:
Minute rice according to package directions  (  let it sit)  until ready to use
dice the onions
grate the cheese
steam the broccoli, cool and chop into bite size pieces ( you may add the meat now if you prefer)
In a 9X13" pyrex or baking pan, place in layers as if making Lasagna:
1/2 of the rice
Mix both cans of soup together and then spread 1/2 of the soup like it is frosting, over the rice (conserve enough for 2 layers)
about 2 cups of the broccoli over the soup
1  1/2 cp. of cheese
1 1/2 cp. chicken or tuna (optional)
a handful of 1/2 of the onions
repeat the procedure again
top with remaining grated cheese

Preheat oven 350 degrees
Bake covered with foil for 15 min.
Uncover and bake 17 min. more, cool 10 min. and enjoy!

An Ordinary Day

So, I am asuming that most everyone knows the story of Cinderella and how her Fairy Godmothers helped her. Well, meet my Fairy Godmothers!
I have these two, very dear friends who are energetic earlybirds. They go morning walking for miles and miles.
So, I get a phone call very early this morning, I must confess, I am still in bed, in dreamland. On the other end is this chipper, happy little voice saying, "Have you looked out your front door this morning? Go and look out!" I go . I see the two, sweet culprits rolling something white up my front lawn. A wheel falls off this white thing and rolls away. As one friend is chasing the wheel, the other brings this great metal rocker to me. They said they found the box a couple of streets down.( Friday is our trash day) They rolled it ALL the way to my house, broken wheel and all!
Then! they found the rocker just around the corner and hauled it also to my front door! They said that they know I can make a toy box for little Robert. They have such faith in me. LOL! and if that weren't enough, my friend pulls out from her pocket; a beautiful grapefruit and hands it to me saying, "We even brought you breakfast! Such wonderful excitement! Lucy and Ethel have NOTHING on these two!
Not one penny was spent on this entertainment. Stay tuned to see what I will try to make out of these treasures! Remember to recycle!
Seek companions you can trust and become a team member.
"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" Ecclesiastes 4: 12     
"If one falls down, his friends can help him up" Ecclesiastes 4:10.
I urge you to call one of your friends today. Try to remember a time when you needed or helped each other, and Thank them. You will make their day!
 Blessings! Robin

Is it Wednesday already?

 

So Sarah, my daughter, just called and reminded me that today is, Women Living Well Wednesday: blog day. I could discuss politics: Arizona, taxes, or movies. Today I just want to share something quite awesome, simple and yet perfectly beautiful!
Last night at 3:07 a.m.(actually morning) I heard banging at my back door. I also heard a sound resembling a train rumbling. I got up with my heart pounding like a Dinosaur's pocket watch, looked out my window, and guess what I saw?
I saw 7 Raccoons rolling my 3 large trash cans down my driveway. They had untied my garbage bags and threw the contents down  the drive. I was angry, freezing cold, almost cursing, and then one of them stared me down. They have razor-sharp claws and standing upright, this one Raccoon was almost 3 feet tall. Fear left me as we stared at each other. What a MAGNIFICENT creature! The fur was pure artwork. The grays, blacks, and whites and browns all mingled together like a precise machine had loomed the meshing of perfect colors. He looked at me as if he were saying WHAT?  "We are hungry, I'm just doing what I am instinctually supposed to do, and your house is in my way."
Six of them ran away as this last one proceeded to lick clean a container he found. I looked up at the sky, and I thanked God for the beauty of these animals. That is when I experienced the pie'ce de re'sistance.
I live in beautiful California, but I have NEVER seen a more gloriously beautiful sky in my entire life!  The sky was a very bright, turquoise blue. Just imagine the cleanest, clearest ocean and then a giant sprayed it with huge dollops of  pristine-white whipped cream. That is what the sky looked like( an up'side' down ocean.)
My fear and frustration became a blessing which came most unexpectedly! God speaks in the quiet of the night. I believe He speaks at all times, but we can hear Him best in the quiet of our minds.
Goodnight, Happy Wednesday!...Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday too!
"In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands."  Hebrews 1:10

Neck Scarf

I have knit and crocheted so many scarves.
I save all the leftover yarn, and I make yarn necklaces. I attach old jewels, crystals, broken jewelry, and beads to these necklaces. They also keep you warm!

                                                 Simple Directions:

I used a piece of upholstering chord. I single crocheted all around the chord to have a base with which to loop on to

I hooked on yarn with a loop stitch until the chord was full and could not be seen.Then, I just tied on whatever notions and bobbles I had to match the colors! I cannot tell you how many compliments I have received from wearing my yarn necklaces!

Baby Robert's Lamb Made By His Grandma Robin

So my daughter found a pattern of this little lamb on line. Oh, she just had to have it for the baby's nursery!

I could have a blanket 1/2 finished with the time I put into this little guy. If you are patient, and have time, I suggest you go for it. It was not difficult, just time consuming. My daughter is happy! Next time I think I'll hit a toy store!

I think he is cuter without a face!

I tried to make him look happy! :)

I used pink in place of the pattern suggestion of black yarn.


I found this pattern on http://www.craftsers.com/ Here is the pattern below.
Baby Lamb

Materials needed:
ww or 4 ply yarn, white and black. (I used I Love This Yarn in white, and Caron Simply Soft in black)
Size F crochet hook
snap post eyes and nose or buttons or beads. (For young children, I would recommend embroidering the face details on.)
stuffing material
darning or tapestry needle for sewing the parts together

Abbreviations used:
sc = single crochet
st = stitch
ss = slip stitch
inc = increase (do 2 single crochets in one stitch)
dec = decrease ( insert hook into first stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through the two loops on your hook)

NOTE: As amigurumi is made in spirals, do not join rounds. Use a stitch marker or a piece of thread or yarn to mark the end of your rounds.
Head:

Using white yarn:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring
Rnd 2: * 2 sc (inc) in next st* repeat from * to * around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: *1 sc in first st, 2 sc (inc) in second st* repeat from * to * around. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: *1 sc in first  2 st, 2 sc (inc) in third st* repeat from * to * around. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: *1 sc in first 3 st, 2 sc (inc) in fourth st* repeat from * to * around. (30 sc)
Rnd 6 - 8: work even, no inc or dec (30 sc)
Rnd 9: *1 sc in first 3 st, sc2tog (dec) in fourth st* repeat from * to * around. (24 sc)
Rnd 10: *1 sc in first 2 st, sc2tog (dec) in third st* repeat from * to * around. (18 sc)
Rnd 11: *1 sc in first st, sc2tog (dec) in second st* repeat from * to * around. (12 sc)
ss in the next st, and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing

Face:

Using black yarn:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring
Rnd 2: * 2 sc (inc) in next st* repeat from * to * around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: *1 sc in first st, 2 sc (inc) in second st* repeat from * to * around. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: *1 sc in first  2 st, 2 sc (inc) in third st* repeat from * to * around. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: *1 sc in first 3 st, 2 sc (inc) in fourth st* repeat from * to * around. (30 sc)
ss in the next st, and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing

Body

Using body color yarn:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring
Rnd 2: * 2 sc (inc) in next st* repeat from * to * around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: *1 sc in first st, 2 sc (inc) in second st* repeat from * to * around. (18 sc)
Rnd 4-8:  work even, no inc or dec (18 sc)
Rnd 9: *1 sc in first st, sc2tog (dec) in second st* repeat from * to * around. (12 sc)
ss in the next st, and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing


Arms: (make 2)

Using black yarn:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring
Rnd 2: sc in each st around (6 sc) FO Join white yarn
Rnd 3 - 7: sc in each st around (6 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing


Legs: (make 2)

Using black yarn:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring
Rnd 2:  sc in first st, 2 sc (inc) in next, around (9 sc)
Rnd 3: sc even (9 sc) ss in next sc and FO. Join white yarn
Rnd 4: sc even (9 sc)
Rnd 5: sc in first 3 sc, sc dec three times (6 sc)
Rnd 6 - 9: sc even (6 sc)
ss in next sc and FO leaving a long tail for sewing.

Ears: (make 2)

With black yarn:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 sc)
Rnd 2 - 3: sc even (6 sc)
Rnd 4: *sc in first sc, 2 sc (inc) in the next sc* repeat around (9 sc)
Rnd 5 - 7: sc even (9 sc)
Rnd 8: *sc in first sc, sc dec in next sc* repeat around (6 sc)
ss in next sc, and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.


Tail:

With white yarn:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6 sc)
Rnd 2: *sc in first two sc, 2 sc (inc) in next sc* repeat around (8 sc)
Rnd 3 -6: sc even (8 sc)
ss in next sc, and FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly Directions:

I find it easiest to pin my pieces into place before sewing them to ensure proper placement.

Position and sew face onto head. (I sewed it on one row up from the bottom row of stitches.)
Gather ears closed by weaving yarn through last row of stitches. Flatten head with face panel in front. Sew ears to the sides of the head between rounds 6 and 9.
Attach eyes and nose. Stuff head and set aside.
Stuff body, and sew body to head.
Stuff legs and sew to front of body between rounds 3 and 5.
Stuff tail, and weave yarn through the last row of stitches to gather closed. Sew to back bottom of body, in rounds 3 and 4, or where it will balance lamb in a sitting position.
Do not stuff arms. Sew to body between rounds 6 and 8. Use extra long tail to sew arms into position if desired. Weave in all your ends.