I don't like a bunch of stuff on my fridge and I couldn't find a way to track my family's nutrition without using a chart.  I'm not obsessed with what we eat, but I do like to know that I'm feeding my daughter everything she needs. Of course it also helps me realize what I'm eating.  Anyhow, after some thought I decided to make simple magnets representing the different servings from each food group.  I used; glass beads or stones that one would use for floral arranging (or decorating), clip art I downloaded, round magnets and hot glue.  I tried to use clear liquid glue but it made my pictures bleed. 
The intent is that when I have a serving of something, I will move a magnet from that group to the other side of the fridge. 
I made a couple of sets and the whole suggested daily serving fits in one little tin.  Cute hey?  I think they would make neat gifts for my friends with little kids.  I might also use two sets for myself, one for my daughter and one for me- poor husband has to fend for himself!




An action shot!


What do you think?

I've been so happy with the way my biscotti has turned out I've gone berserk for biscotti!  The recipes are from a book called one smart cookie.  So far I've made peanut butter biscotti, holiday biscotti (white chocolate, cranberries and walnuts), Milk and white chocolate chip & cappuccino biscotti and power pumpkin biscotti.  I was hoping to package some of them up for Christmas and hostess type gifts.  Any clever ideas on how to package these?

I've been wanting to make one of these for quite a while.  I used a tutorial mentioned on another thread http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=263750.0  and think it worked out great.  I can see that some of my silk came free from the top stitching thanks to some fraying (top left) so I'm going to hand stitch it back in place.  In the future I might not start with this easy to fray silk on my first attempt!  Oh and I used some natural bamboo twill fabric (which feels much lighter than cord or canvas- but is very strong) for the straps.  I'm going to try one of the pouch slings next... any suggestions?
PLEASE NOTE
Due to some concern I wanted to point out that the mei tai body is constructed with 3 layers- the inner layer which the straps are securely attached to- is canvas and very heavy.  The silk brocade is a decorative layer on the back.

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a maxi dress, but that's what it reminds me of.  I picked up this top on vacation but have never worn it.  It's very light and has some soft thin cotton lining.  I cut it to do the wrap thing up top and repositioned the straps.  I added elastic in the back so I wouldn't have to cut out a whole bunch of fabric.  I think I'll still need to do something with the lace up top as it keeps flipping down.  But... all in all... it's my first recon and she seems happy with the result.

Before:


After  (that's a necklace she's playing with- not another strap)

Hello Everyone!
I posted two similar dresses prior, but thought I would share the ones I made this afternoon.  I'm loving this fabric so much that I made my daughter another dress almost identical to those earlier ones (except I used black trim this time) because she's already outgrown the other one.
 


The third dress is from a pattern I bought (McCall's M5084).  I didn't bother to read the measurements and even though it looked big when I was cutting it out, I just kept going.  Anyhow, it's very large, she's 14 months and I think it won't fit until she's at least 2.  I'm thinking it looks a little busy in the back with the paisley, polka dots and the ruffles too.  Next time I'd use a darker fabric to coordinate with the paisley.  I haven't finished hemming it as I thought I'd wait until she's remotely close to wearing it!

I found these new fabrics in the store and just had to make something with them.  I love them so much that I'm contemplating making a duvet cover and curtains for my little girl's room.  I thought I'd do something reversible with the polka dots on one side and the paisley pattern on the other.
  What do you think?  I've included an action shot.






Jacqui

I was coveting these creative memories (A scrapbooking supplier) displays even though I'm not much of a scrapbooker.  I racked my brain to come up with a way to magnetize a frame to create the same effect, but eventually found a bulletin board and some fancy tacks and decided to do a slightly different version.  I change up the pictures and backgrounds quite frequently but I believe the intention is to design scrapbook layouts on them.  To make, I used a bulletin board and applied the ribbon by hammering in the silver tacks to the frame (hot glue wasn't strong enough).

Here is the inspiration- not made by me (that my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas!)


And here is my version.





Jacqui

I made these for both my mother-in-law and my mom for Christmas last year.  The frame was a bulletin board (already decorated) from HomeSense and I purchased 3 (cheap) scrabble games to get enough letters for both families.  The letters and the game board are all attached with hot glue.  It was very simple to create.  I've actually been looking for another frame similar to make one for myself but haven't found any yet.  I may have to improvise something!




Jacqui

Jenny, thanks so much for the links to your tutorial.  My 1-yr old will sleep anywhere and as a result she often sleeps on a thermarest on our living room floor.  After I saw your pictures I went out and bought fabric to make her one.  I've been making taggie-type blankets and had fabric already for the blanket portion.  I'm loving the results and your tute was perfect. 



And here's my little princess already using it!



Jacqui

I just love looking at other people's craft rooms.  I recently changed our bonus room (room above the garage) into a combination play room and craft room.  The room is quite large so what you don't see is a full size couch and large window.  There is also a children's table in the center of the room that I hope to someday replace with a larger table for sewing.  The desk has hidden hinges which make one side of the desk fold up into an L shaped table.  The other side has storage for both my serger and sewing machine.  Paper for scrapbooking and different notions are all stored in boxes or cabinets.





Let me know what you think.