a new tote I made two weeks ago from Bend-the-Rules SewingHere are some great Valentines that I put together yesterday afternoon.
They were inspired by this post, and they were SO easy and fast to make!! I may just have to do these every year! We also made these cuties for Katie's friends, and these for John's friends.I also sewed up this cute little patchwork bag from Pink Penguin and embroidered the Twirly Bird on the linen side. I love this little bag.
I also made this really cute purse, but just haven't taken time for a photo shoot yet. This takes only 30 minutes or so to make and would be a wonderful birthday gift or a "just because" gift for a friend!!
I have had the goal to learn to make sourdough bread for years now. I am not a good bread baker at all and just buy it from a local bakery. But I adore sourdough and have kept the desire to at least try to make some. A dear friend gave me her simple recipe for a starter and I actually had success and can't wait to keep it going!
And finally, all of my attempts at natural deodorants have been awful!! I have tried SO MANY brands and I am just not satisfied with how I smell even just after a few hours after I have put some on. And I am more hyper-sensitive to smelling good and fresh when I am pregnant so I just went back to using my regular deodorant for the past month. But I found this recipe a few weeks ago and made some of it this morning and put it in a empty massage lotion jar I had kept for re-purposing. So we will see if this simple recipe actually works!!
Are you enjoying making stuff during this so-called-shortest-but-feels-like-the-longest month of the year?? If you have the winter blues, help shake them off with some simple creativity...I promise that your spirit will lift! :)
24 comments:
Love it, love it, love it!!!
I just printed out the Twirly Bird...how cute is he?!
Love your beautiful bags...nicely done, my friend!
Can't wait to hear how you like the deoderant.
I read this quote by George MacDonald this morning, and it so aptly fits here...
"If one could see the mind of a woman as she sits spinning or weaving, it would reveal the process next highest to creation. But the only hope of every understanding such things lies in growing oneself. Be it soft as a moonlit night of reverie, or in a storm with tempest and lightning abroad, the enlarging by great bursts of vision and leaps of understanding and resolve, the story of God's universe lies in the growth of the individual soul."
Sorry to be so long, but it's so beautiful, and your post reminded me of it!! (you may see it again on my blog at some point!)
oops...should be "in ever understanding" not "every"
:)
now i seriously may take up your whole comment section:)
I love the bags! Bend the Rules Sewing is one of my favorites. You had asked me previously if my etsy store was up yet. I'm working on it, and I will let you know when it is finished. Now that I'm finally getting beyond the pregnancy sickness, I may actually start to accomplish something.
Oh my! My creative senses are on overload. So many wonderful projects. Thanks for all the helpful links. Can't wait to try some projects.
It sounds like you really have been busy! I love the totes and purses you made. I haven't made myself a purse in so long. I love the hand embroidery too.
Christine @ Live to Learn
Cute Valentine ideas...maybe I will make some of those next year.
I love that little patchwork bag... adorable and pretty! And I'll have to try that deodorant... I love coconut oil. Thanks for all the helpful links, Aimee. :o)
I love the hand embroidery! You've been busy, but I agree with you that that it's the best way to pass these winter blahs.
I am new to your blog (from Tonia's I think) and am enjoying getting to know you. I,too, find doing things with my hands brings me such a measure of peace.
I love everything you've done especially the little patchwork bag. It is just adorable.
Thank you for sharing all you wonderful new things. I'm thinking I'll be a regular visitor if that's allright :-)
lovely...what cute little matchbox valentines....
Love, love, love everything you're doing. . .esp. the darling Valentines. Don't know if my older ones would go for them, but I might be able to convince Will of their value for next year. . .:) Can't wait to eat some warm sourdough bread with you next weekend. . .do you have any starter to spare? My mom always made sourdough loaves, and I love it too.
how fun! I love the matchbox valentines! I can't until Will is old enough to make stuff with me. :)
Hey, Aimee!
Way off topic here...I was wondering if you could happened to know what model your dishwasher is? If not...I can ask you a couple of questions and probably figure it out. There are some things we are really liking about the Kitchenaids, but I did have a question about one model.
Feel free to email me or whatever is easiest for you:)
Hi. I am so thankful to God for your husbands safety. I read about him on "Holy Experience" blog.
I really enjoyed visiting your blog. I love the pics... the children and I memorized John 1:1-15... last year. Plus lots of little verses but I like long passages. I needed the reminder.. thank you.
Also, I love the *starter* recipe. Do you also have the sour dough recipe? I am going to make the starter tomorrow or Wednesday (not sure my yeast is good :) ) so would love your recipe.
Will be back to visit... Praying for all of you~
blessings,
Teena
www.homeschoolblogger.com/teena6
Oh those valentines are so cute !!
I just popped by from down-to-earth. Love what I see ! Will stop by again !
Oh, I Love all of your creative, homemakey stuff! It makes me wish I had my sewing machine with me! Your baking looks wonderful, too.
Susan
Please do visit often, Linda :)
Kelli, I just tried to find the model number on the dishwasher itself and couldn't find it...will ask Mike to get out the owner's manual when he gets home today!!
Teena:
Combine starter ingrdients in a covered container and let sit on counter for 5 days (stir daily with wooden spoon).
On the evening of the 5th day, feed the starter with:
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. potato flakes
1 cup warm water
(stir with wooden spoon and let it stand outside frig 8-12 hours with lid loosened)
Morning of the 6th day, in a non-metal bowl with a wooden spoon, MIX:
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
6 cups unbleached bread flour
1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 cup starter (stir first and put remaining in frig with lid loose)
Mix into big dough ball. Pour 1-2 Tbsp. oil to cover. Cover with wax paper over top of bowl. Let stand covered for 8-12 hours in a cozy place.
Evening of the 6th day, punch dough and knead on floured surface. Divide into 3 parts and knead each part 8-10 times. Put into greased loaf pans and brush with oil. Cover with wax paper and let rise 8-12 hours.
Morning of the 7th day, punch down a little bit to get rid of bubbles and let rise 30-50 min. more (optional). Bake on bottom rack of oven at 350 for 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Let cool and wrap well!
Aimee, thank you so much for the recipe .... it sounds wonderful.
I will also be back again and again to read.
I like your sinus remedy... My youngest son Wesley (5) had/has RAD (reactive airway disease) .. he is lots better than when he was younger. Out of the blue he starts coughing... and it sounds awful. I have tried elderberrry syprup. It is called sambucol I believe. We are in a rural area and not lots of health food stores.
I think you are in Georgia too right? :)
thanks!
Teena
www.homeschoolblogger.com/teena6
www.facebook.com/teenaprice
I have had the same experience with natural deoderants! So disappointing!
I am still enjoying my new found knitting skills. I would like to learn to sew too. I love the cute bags.
My hubby bakes the bread around here. I'm afraid to attempt it!
Hello! I have been reading your blog for quite some time, but have never commented. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, crafts, and your inspiration for simple living. I have really enjoyed my time here! I have also tried many natural deodorants and have not found any I really like. I am curious how the one you mixed up is working.
Thanks!
Erin
Hey Erin! Welcome!! The deodorant has been working GREAT!!! I can't believe it. I have used it for a few weeks and I am not wet, don't stink, and it lasts all day! I am WAY impressed with it.
Hi Aimee!
I'm so excited that it's working for you and I can't wait to try it! Did you use the arrowroot powder or cornstarch? I also saw she has a recipe for shampoo - have you tried that one? I've been wanting to switch to a natural shampoo, but I didn't want to spend a lot to buy one... I might have to give it a try. :)
Thanks again!
Erin
Erin,
I had cornstarch already on hand, so I just used that! I haven't tried her shampoo recipe...I tried "no poo" and didn't like it and have tried many natural shampoos on the market. I have found the best luck (meaning I like my hair the best!) when using Burt's Bees shampoo every other or every third day!
I mixed up the deodorant today, so I'm looking forward to trying it out! :) Do you use Coconut Oil for anything else?
Thanks!
Erin
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