Vintage sewing patterns look so fun!

I ran into some fun patterns, books, and magazines recently while cleaning out the craft room at Kileys, Grandmas house. I really got a big kick out of some of this and thought you might too.

EVERY couple should have his and hers outfits like the ones below on this butterick pattern. They are happy and in love! Not to mention smoking hot.

Women we must learn to crochet matching purses and hats. This is the in thing!

Whenever you go to step into the kitchen, don't forget your apron and your Charlie's Angels hairdo. I don't know about you, but I always make it a point to look this fabulous in the kitchen. Its a must!!

Try a make over every once in awhile. Leather, fur, and felt.....3 of my favorite things to wear!

If you cant get find a companion or get married, there are always pretty dresses you can make for your dolls and animal friends to keep you company.

Frugal Mom, Free Photocards, & A Giveaway!

You could describe me as a Frugal Mom. I'm always looking for the best deals, own a coupon organizer, stock up on certain sale items, and feel great inside when I get a good deal. This has been an acquired taste that Ive developed over the last 14 years (motherhood).

I discovered this site a few months ago and since then I check it DAILY. Remember how I told you that I LOVE to check the mail? Well...now I love it even more. For about the last month and a half I have been getting all sorts of coupons and fun samples in the mail. I find all of them on
Freebies4Mom You usually have to fill out some info on the company's website, but Ive got some really cool stuff in the mail. Shampoo, cereal, fiber bars, full sz box of potatoes, coupons, and more.

You can go to Kodaks Gallery Giveaway because they have tons of gift cards to pass out between now and 11-18-09. The $15 gift card only applies towards product purchased, and you will have to pay shipping - The $15 can not be applied towards shipping, but their shipping prices are reasonable. I got some of Kiley's photos printed in 8x10's and they look great!!!

This one you have to do! Go to Seehere.com and sign up for a free account. Then you can use the code freebies4mom-1109 to order 50 FREE 4x8 or 5x7 photo cards with free shipping. It took awhile for me to load the pictures and pick designs, but I'm so excited for the FREE Christmas cards! I did this yesterday and got the email confirmation today that my order is being shipped! It expires 11-30-09

If you are anything like me, Im all about a good deal! I was so excited about these offers I had to share them with all of you.

If you like this sort of thing and want me to list more in the future, please leave a comment and let me know.

Thanks for reading!

How did my kids get this big?

We were past due on getting pictures of these kids. Kiley does an awesome job capturing them being themselves. My motivation for pictures was Christmas cards. I got picked to have a picture party for Photo Works and needed some pictures to choose from.

I have to admit...I stayed in the car while they took these photos. I'm the kind of Mom that likes to straighten shirts, comb stray hairs, and remind then not to slouch. Nothing wrong with that, its just very distracting to them and my handsome photographer.

Its really hard to get a 14 year old boy to smile.

Although, I think he looks handsome with a serious face.
Your probably wondering why I haven't blogged in awhile. We were so incredibly wrapped up in Kalen's 1st football season, not to mention he is in his 1st year of High School. To top it all off, the Saturday practice before the last game, Kalen got injured. He has a fractured fibula and upper ankle sprain. He was on crutches for 3wks and gets to wear that handsome boot you see in the picture. Good news is, as of Friday he is off crutches. He will continue to wear the boot for another 3wks and go back in again. Its been hard on all of us, but getting better everyday.

Korby has made this face ever since she was a little girl. We call it "Pouty Pete". Pouty Pete comes out when she is tired, angry, upset, or not getting her way. I was thrilled to see that Kiley captured "Pouty Pete". Someday she might outgrow this face and I don't ever want to forget it.

This Fall photo session has made me realize how big my kids are getting. I'm fortunate to be able to hang out with them everyday. Sure they drive me nuts when they fight (which by the way is 89% of the time) but they are mine and I love them to pieces!

To see more of my husband, Kiley's photographs go here

BEST cake recipe ever! I promise

This is the EASIEST cake in the world to make.People will think its very fancy and that it took you hours and hours to make. This cake (not the one pictured) sold at a Cub Scout Cake Auction for $35.00. It was the highest bid on all the cakes. It is so incredibly yummy.

Yesterday was Kileys birthday, so of course I had to make the turtle fudge cake. We haven't had it around our house in awhile. It was a huge success.

Cake ingredients:

devils food chocolate boxed cake-

follow the box direction and bake as directed according to the box

Let the cake completely cool before making frosting.

Frosting ingredients:

1 small jar of caramel ice cream topping

4 squares of semi-sweet bakers chocolate

Finely chop the chocolate and combine in a microwave safe dish with 3/4 of the container of caramel. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. I put it back in for another 30 seconds and stir again. You want to keep doing that until its completely melted together.

Poor this over the top of the cake and spread all over the top and sides of the cake.

Once you are done with that, you can drizzle the remainder of the caramel topping on the top of the cake.

Now place your cake in a safe spot in the fridge (so no fingers will end up in it) and let the topping set for at least 30 minutes. This cake sat in our fridge for several hours, yesterday was insanely busy around here.....but I wont bore you with the details. LOL

Eat and Enjoy!

This was a hysterically funny card that my Mom and Dad gave Kiley for his birthday. We laughed so hard that I decided to share it with all of you. Hope this doesn't offend anyone. One thing about my Mom, you can ALWAYS count on her to get you a good birthday card.

Happy Wednesday-Welcome October!

Loom Knitted Fingerless Mitten project

Its a busy time of year at our house. How about yours? I was looking for an easier project that I could finish in a few days. There is nothing more exciting than holding the finished project in your hands, or in this case...wearing them. :)

Click Here for an awesome tutorial on loom knitted fingerless mittens from Polka Dot Cottage. They are so soft and warm on your hands. Perfect for that dreaded weather that will be coming our way soon enough. These only took me a few days to finish.

My goal is to hand make the majority of our Christmas this year. Someone will be receiving the orange and green pair.

I bought a set of looms at Joanns with a coupon. Provocraft has a list of project ideas you can try or you can venture out into blog land and find some great pattern ideas. I have since learned to knit with sticks, but really enjoy knitting on a loom as well.

Even though we don't talk about (snow) in our house yet and it is considered a bad word, these mittens are making me look forward to that kind of weather. Ok, maybe not! :)

One last thing, don't forget to bop over to Christy's website to vote for me in the craft challenge. Scroll down and look for the box VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE. My project is the box organizer. The voting ends tonight and I would be thrilled of you would vote for me. Thanks in advance!

Craft Challenge Project idea

I recently got the opportunity to participate in Christys Craft Challenge and was so excited to make a project. If you click on the link above you can read more about it, see what I started off with, and vote for your favorite this month (please vote for me & tell your friends about it too). I'm in the process of sending her my pics, but I decided to blog first.

So here is a little info for you. I sat down at the beginning of this week after helping my girl get ready for school to work on this project. . I had not finished my coffee yet, but for some reason I really wanted to get this started. I wanted to to make this cute little box to hold the things that are scattered all over the desk. What better thing to use than a hot glue gun, right?

To make a very long story a little bit shorter, I was pressing the fabric down with my fingers as I was putting the glue on. Do you see where I'm going with this? Next thing I know, glue comes out the side of the fabric and onto 3, yes 3, of my fingertips. It was the worst burning feeling EVER. I got them under running water right away & cussed a little too.

Needless to say, I put this project on hold until today. I wouldn't dare take a pic of my ugly blistered fingers. It could scar you for life. Korby cant stand to look at them, it grosses her out. I'm doing much better today. But that devil of a glue gun is put away.

This is what it will look like holding desk clutter. Its bright, fun, cute, and was easy to make.

Dont forget to go check out her challenge and vote for me!

Happy Friday!

Fall Fingerless Mittens

I kept forgetting to blog about my new hair color. It was time for a change people. I was in the mood for Fall. Unfortunately, I have a ton of gray hair and I'm not at that point in my life where I'm ready to own it. So here it is....What do you think?

Lisa was my inspiration for buying a loom last year. She was making so many cool things, I had to give it a try. My all time favorite was this loom knitted fingerless mitten. Aren't these great? They are perfect for Fall. I need to finish the other one, but with it being the first day of Fall I had to show you at least one! :) Click on her name and it will take you to her fabulous pattern that is easy to follow along with.

I have since learned to knit with needles. But I LOVE making hats and fingerless mittens on the loom. Its very rewarding. If you don't have one travel to the nearest craft store and pick up the GREEN loom by provocraft. It has simple instructions on making a standard hat that anyone would love. For these mittens I used the blue loom. Be Careful......its kind of addicting.