Fashion Accessories

Three of my favorite fashion accessories are 1) hats 2) scarves 3) purses.

My least favorite is a single black boot, the kind I am sporting on my left foot. I do not like. I do not like it one bit. I am ready to be done with it forever. It does not go with ANYTHING!

I am on my way to find out how much longer it has to be a part of wardrobe.

In Addition....

Here's another view if the T-bag. In addition, it could be used ffor a kid's book bag or overnight bag.

For a child's gift, fill a fun bag with favorite story books, coloring books, markers, colors or other age appropriate art supplies.

For an overnight bag, fill with a new pair of pajamas, cute slippers, and/or a stuffed animal.

If someone on your gift list has a green thumb, fill it with bulbs, seeds packets and/or garden tools.

Do something similar for your your favorite "foodie".....adding a flavorful recipe, spatulas, spoons, loaf of bread, kitchen towel and tea bags!

The ideas are limitless. For more information on "how to" you can request it at your local library or order through your favorite bookstore. There are many other fun ideas worth looking into.

Have fun!

Care To Join Us For A T-Bag?

Blue Sparkle happily agreed to be my model for today's blog post! She's a big fan of T-bags and can now spot a stray t-shirt miles away (atta girl!)

This idea came from a book titled "Simply Sublime Bags". It was my answer to recycling t-shirts and making something purposeful/useful and best of all I got to play with duct tape and staples! (Last year at this time I wasn't as comfortable with the machine in my craft room as what I am now!)

I've since made several bags in a wide array of colors and sizes. I recently converted a cute little 2T Halloween/bat shirt into a mini-sized trick or treat bag. The purple "Julius and Friends" t-shirt, shown here, is one of my favorites! I like the small size, though it's still roomy enough for a water bottle, snacks, notebook, books, scarf, etc. It also quickly converts to a lunch bag.

I have a larger size I use for grocery bags. It actually stores all of my "green bags". It's bright neon green and grabs my attention when I throw it in the front seat to remind myself to take it into the store. (Am I the only one that remembers that I brought bags when I'm ALREADY IN the store? Uggggg!)

Duct tape comes in all kinds of colors, including purplr plaid and tie-dye! The colored versions are a little higher price than the good 'ol original, but they provide fun bursts of color within the bag's lining. This bag spots a bright yellow interior, which I adore!

These bags can be whipped up in less in an hour. They make a great gift and even a fund-raiser or silent auction item. I made several of them with 2nd graders last year.

Small to medium sizes are the easiest to work with. If using large of extra large, make sure to have at least a couple of roles of tape on hand.

Cold Weather = Quilts!!!

One of the things I LOVE to do in the fall and winter is wrap myself in the luxurious comfort of a handmade quilt. There’s something deeply comforting when surrounding oneself within such an artistic creation. In the organization efforts of early spring, I realized just how much I love blankets, throws, quilts, etc because I found more than enough of them for myself, the members of my family and any friends who come to visit!, I’ve kept them all too. Nearly everything else went: plastic bottles and cups were recycled, the clothes sold or given away, the decorations donated but the blankets stayed……..you just never know when one will be needed for a road trip, or to throw on a lap while sitting by a campfire. Extras can always go in the horse trailer, the camper, tent or (and this is THE most important one) for building a forts in the living room!

I’ve been a long time fan of the handcrafted. When possible, I prefer to purchase such items as there is definitive vibration that goes missing when the item is mass produced. I am in awe of those who can sew and quilt. I am learning to sew on my grandmother's sewing machine but it is a slow process. Though it is fun, and I enjoy it, I am certainly not as "hooked" on it as I am knitting. I definitely admire those who can take a piece of fabric and turn it into something wearable, useable and beautiful. Quilting nearly blows my mind! I am always amazed at the final result. I've never quite figured out how seemingly contrasting pieces of material can come together and coordinate in such elegant masterpieces.

These quilts are the creations of Mitch Schulte, the brother of my dear friend Shelly. Yesterday, during our visit, Shelly brought this amazing Five Elements Quilts to show me and I knew that I wanted to share it here. It's safe to say that I'll likely NEVER make a quilt! I don't have the drive or the passion for it, though I LOVE that other people do! I don't know Mitch, but I am already a big fan of his talents! (He also created the Star Quilt picuted above!) If you are interested in having Mitch design/create a custom made quilt for you or for your holiday gift giving. Please send me an email. I’ll be happy to share Mitch’s contact information and how you can get in touch with him! What a great idea for a family heirloom, a gift that can be enjoyed for many generations!

In addition, if you have a talent that you'd like to share through this blog, send emails and pictures to cre8tivecowgirl@gmail.com I'll be happy to pass along your offering. Tomorrow's easy, peasy, cre8tive craft idea.......T-bags!

And don't forget..............Cozy Craft Afternoon this Saturday at my place!

Here's to honoring and celebrating the homegrown and handcrafted! Happy Holidays!!!

Cre8tive Craft Idea #1

As promised, I have a Cre8tive Christmas Craft to share today! This is one of my favorite and most simple gifts to make. Several years ago I found this recipe holder in a magazine. I would love to give credit to the inventor but alas, I do not know his/her name! I do believe that fabulous ideas are meant to be shared and so I am passing this along to the Cre8tive Cowgirl Blog Readers.......free of charge!!!!

I scoured Goodwill stores and several garage sales to find stray forks that could be repurposed for recipe holders. With a set of needle nose pliers, Chad bent the outer tines in a forwad motion, ends curled and the inner tines, to the back for balance, ends also curled. This was the last one left. I keep it in a drawer with my recipes and pull it out often. I also use it to display any bills or letters that need quick attention on my desk. The goal is to have my desk (like my counters) free of excess clutter, papers and debris. I am happy when my little letter holder is EMPTY (and that doesn't always happen!)

To add a little jazz and pop, one could tie this with a bright red ribbon, set into a basket of homemade bread with a handwritten jelly/jam recipe included. Use your imagination and cre8tive, crafty skills to dream up something superbly fun!

I'll be writing down all kinds of ideas AND taking pictures, so who knows, by next year at this time, perhaps I'll have an official "book" to share! If you have a craft or Christmas idea you'd like to pass along, to be posted on this blog,  please send an email to cre8tivecowgirl@gmail.com.! We are now just under 40 sleeps 'til Christmas!

Tomorrow, I'll feature a really cool, Feng Shui Elements quilt, handcrafted by Mitch Shulte. If you are in the market for a personalized handmade quilt, he may be the guy you've been looking for!

I am watching with amusement as the clouds have come over the canyon, gotten very dark, rained like crazy for two minutes, quit and now the sun is shining brilliantly! I can see the goats romping in their pen and the duck quacking nearby, telling them all "how it is!" I've just finished drawing/coloring several "masterpieces" with my girl. She confidently plastered the "new" copper fridge with her creations. In spite of me directing her to the terrific "art board" just outside her room, desinged for displaying said pieces, she ALWAYS chooses the fridge! We really must have a talk about this...........someday!

Have a wonderful rest of the day!

Do You Know What This Means?!?!

I can FINALLY have friends over!!!! (Actually, friends and family are, and always have been welcome with open arms!) This means NO MORE TRIPS UP AND DOWN THE STAIRS to use el bano! I'm terribly excited too, its been a long time coming.

Chad moved all the tools and extra boxes of tile out of the bathroom this weekend. We picked up cups and toothbrush holders as well as towel racks: our "loo" is fully functional~YEE HAW!

To commemorate this wonderful milestone, I'll be hosting a Cozy Craft Afternoon for anyone interested in working on craft and/or holiday projects. I know it can be a pain to load all the supplies up and go somewhere else but it can also fun and relaxing to connect with other crafty cre8tors! I'll have hot cider and coffee ready so feel free to bring a favorite snack to share. We'll have the basement to ourselves, plenty of seating and great music (Christmas music optional!)

And if you aren't into crafting, feel free to come over and just hang out. Maybe you'd like to organize holiday menus or even browse through the array of books on my shelf for ideas? I'm in the holiday mood and I have a feeling it could be contagious! Let this be your warning!

Doors to the craft room open at 1 pm and will stay that way for whoever wants to cook me supper! ha! (Just kidding, though I'd never turn a delicious meal down!)

If you are thinking this sounds like fun, send me an email, text or phone me with your name and number of peeps in attendance! And remember, there's now a fabulous loo on this level, so no running about! Yay!

Here's wishing you all a cozy evening and the start to a productive, enjoyable week. (Ahhh, can you tell I got out of the house today?!?!)

Thank Goodness for Books and Knitting

I'm spending my Saturday the same way I spent Friday: in the recliner in my living room. The child that was so sweet and loving yesterday has bounced forward into her own recliner and is commandeering the dvd. It's not a good situation.....I don't think I can stand to watch Trumpet of the Swans ever again, four times was plenty!

My foot feels about the same today. It's sore but not unbearable. I'm trying to keep my mind busy so that I don't think about it. This is a great time to catch up on my knitting and reading. I seem to have a lot of books "saved up" so I'll be in good shape in that department. I'd love to get out the broom and sweep this floor or start tearing into all the laundry but I dare not. I feel good and I know its a bit early for all of that.

I am trying to enjoy the "down time" I really am, I just so badly want to get up and go....without this "robo cop" left boot!! Ok, ok, enough of the complaining already, that's certainly NOT what this blog is about!

The boys are off hunting. This is their first time going and I dare say, the younger two didn't sleep much last night. I have no idea what time the eldest crashed, I'm know I was sawing logs before he shut his computer and new GPS "toy" down.

I've gotten words that Pecos missed a 2x buck and that a doe ran away before Park got his shot off. He also informed his dad that he's ready to come back to the house for a civilized meal and he's about to get tired. He'd also like to warm his toes! (Hummm not sure he'll stick with this hunting thing, time will tell!) Pecos on the other hand could go all day without eating (if he really had to!) And if he were cold, you'd never know it. Hunting is in his blood. He loves it and has aspirations of following in the footsteps of the many great hunters in our family! We have no doubt that he'll stick with it. Little sister gave them all a speech last night, informing them she's like to have deer steak and jerkey, so they better pay attention! I have a feeling she'd like to be shooting something too! Like her Mama, she doesn't love the cold, so for now, we're pretty content to sit in our easy
chairs.

So, back I go to my knitting. I have several scarves I'm working for gifts. I have some fun "blingy" pins and ribbons I'll be adding to jazz them up. I was pretty delighted yesterday to see all three of my children donning scarves I made them last winter (without me telling then to wear them!!!) If my kids like them, I'm pretty sure my friends will!

There may be another post coming this afternoon. I'm working on gathering ideas for easy, fun, cre8tive Christmas crafts! I've promised the Happy Holiday participants that I'd do this and I'm very excited to share! If you have a favorite Christmas dish, craft or tradition to share, please email me or share in the comment section below!

Happy Saturday!