making magnets

This is so easy and satisfying.  I have this delightful collection of bottlecaps and for the most part, I like to collect things that I can make into something useful as well as aesthetic. So I got the idea to upcycle these into magnets. It couldn't be easier--purchase 1 in. wood discs (you can get them at a craft store) and magnets (craft store also) and hotglue the wood disc into the cap, then hotglue a magnet on. Voila!

And here's another kind which is also really easy and satisying.  A great way to recycle cards or magazine pages into something useful. 

Take those wood discs and a 1 in. paper punch and punch out paper to your hearts content. (Another cool thing would be to take these cardstock circles and glue them spaced out back to back with a thin piece of ribbon sandwiched in between--and voila--garland).

Glue the paper to the disc with UHU glue, hotglue a magnet on the back, and finish with this paper glaze. It adds durability and a smooth waterproof marbly surface.

Package in a metal tin (this gift card tin is from Michaels--$1) and there you go.  Great for teachers, friends, cousins, anyone.  You could also print the alphabet on cardstock and do a whole bunch, or a child or friends name, anything!  I need to go get more supplies and make more! 

felted wool stuff & pillowcase apron

We made these felted balls and felted rocks--so tactile and colorful!

And I found this pillowcase at Goodwill for .99 and made this apron out of it.  Pretty easy, since the bottom of it is already hemmed.  I have enough left to make a smaller one for Lily, so we'll have matching ones. 

Wow, I can't believe christmas is 4 weeks away.  I have lots to do!

crocheting with Grandma & puppet theatre

Yesterday (well, Wednesday) we made a toy theatre out of a box, inspiration found here.  I added as much detail as I could with a feverish baby strapped to me and called it good.  Eric was very excited about it, crafting the felt clothespin Superman entirely himself, except for the hot gluing.

Thanksgiving Day I nearly finished Lily's scarf--just need to add some tassels to each end.

I asked my Grandma to show me how to crochet.

She is a patient and encouraging teacher.  I was able to do it under her watchful eye.  Love my Grandma!!  But curses to my camera, how I long for a fancy, new (to me) good one that's not a point and shoot.

Feverish baby was back to normal yesterday, just in time for TG.  But now it's after midnight and shoot, he's still going strong.

The End.

What We are Eating this Week and Weekly Quote

I have discovered chalkboard paint and plotting where next I can use it.  Latest project--painting the pantry doors for menus.

I also try to do a weekly quote (also on the pantry.)

On another note...it is still Fall.  Not Winter.  I can't get into celebrating Christmas in the Fall.  Not before Thanksgiving.  Not even in November.  Nope.  I say this as I see more and more Christmas decorations going up on houses.  There is a house by us that had Christmas decorations up November 1st.  Yes, the day after Halloween.  Right beside the jack-o-lantern leaf bags.

I don't want to eat my Thanksgiving dinner beside a Christmas tree (and I don't, thankfully).  We really start celebrating just a couple of weeks before, which also helps the children be patient.  With Christmas 4 weeks from Thanksgiving, that seems like an eternity to have a tree up, at least to me (and lots of excited kids). I like the old fashioned tradition of bringing in the tree Christmas Eve, myself, though we will probably get ours a few days before that.

fairy house