Phone Pouch

While on vacation this summer Erika and I escaped for a couple of hours and got lost in  a favorite store in Tuftonboro, New Hampshire called Apple Hill. 

While we were there I found these... 

They are little pouches for a phone. I fell in love with them immediately... but when I looked at the price tag I couldn't justify spending the money. I took a picture and was determined to go home and make my own. 

Well.. it turns out it was not as easy as the picture make them out to be... but like I said I was determined. What I liked about this project was even though I am not great at sewing I could stitch it together by hand and make it work... But at the same time because I don't have a clue how to really sew, I wasn't able to figure out how to make the fabric lining. And.... the sewing helpline I use wasn't available... so I decided to proceed without the lining, saving me a lot of time and frustration. 

Here's mine... 

The wool came from some sweaters  I had felted back in February to make these hearts.  The sweaters were a nice shade of "Scarlet" and "Gray"... so I ended up with an Ohio State color combination... Go Bucks! 

Happy Birthday Nancy

To the "greatest" on her birthday.

Jewelry Frames

A creative way to keep track of all my jewelry... 

(Thanks Sarah H. for the idea)

So far I am using them for earrings... 

I am planning to add larger frames to organize my necklaces and bracelets. 

Hi!

 One of my favorites. A simple hi.

Penny Rugs

My sister shared with me a blog post she found about an interesting craft... and instantly I fell in love with the idea. It is called a Penny Rug. I have seen examples of Penny Rugs in antique/primitive/country shops and always thought I'd like to have one. After reading the post I realized I could make them myself. 

Here is my first Penny Rug: 

Adventures in Relish Making

Summer is the time for adventure. I spend my summer with my family and friends back in New England. There are so many great places to travel for the weekend or even a day. I filled the last seven weeks to the brim with all kinds of adventures. One of my favorite adventures took place last week in my Aunt's kitchen. Together with Rebecca (my sister), Julia (my cousin) and Nancy (my aunt) we made Green Tomato Relish using my grandmother's recipe.

We went to a local farm with a five gallon bucket in hand. They sent us out to the field and showed us where to  pick the green tomatoes. We cut up lots of tomatoes, green peppers, and onions. The recipe calls for grinding up the vegetables. We (and by we I mean Julia... ) used my grandmother's hand grinder and then mixed everything up together. The mixture went into the fridge overnight. Early the next morning, Nancy got up and poured salt over the vegetables. Four hours later we were ready to combine all the spices, sugar and vinegar together on the stove... add the vegetables... and then can our bounty. 18 jars later we finished jarring up the relish. 

It was so fun to work together and produce something handcrafted. It was also great to learn how to can from Nancy... she always has great things to teach and I thank her for a wonderful "Auntie Adventure" and her willingness to share and pass down family traditions.

Here are a few pictures from the "Adventure in Relish Making":

Yum! 

Cooling Down with a "Coolie"!

During vacation at the lake "Grammy" pulled out her sewing machine to make a craft. She had bought this thing you wrap around your neck to help keep cool on hot days.  She wanted to recreate it... I read a blog post last summer with the same project idea. I bought all the supplies,  and managed to make one with my mediocre sewing skills. Sewing and I don't have the best track record. So when "grammy" suggested the craft I was all for it!

The "Coolie" is made with fabric and "Cracked Ice Crystals''. The crystals are small hard rocks, but when soaked in water they swell several times their original size. We created a long narrow tube with small chambers to hold the crystals. We deposited about a half of a teaspoon into each compartment and sealed the tube. 

Once it was sealed and everything was trimmed and pretty... we soaked the "Coolie" for about 15 minutes in a bowl of water. Then it was ready for trying out! By the end of the morning we made 5 "Coolies". 

They are great for the beach and the boat or just laying on the couch on a hot day!

"Grammy" working her magic!

Before Soaking in Water

After Soaking in Water

A very happy COOL kid!