Stockings

This past weekend, my family went out to visit my sister (One Star Away) for Christmas. A few weeks ago, she made some adorable stockings for Jake, Zoey, & the new baby (due any time now). I liked them for many reasons: they were personalized, not 'typical' Christmas stockings, and all of them were handmade and hand-embroidered. So... I decided to make my own! This year, Kevin and I just used stockings that I had from years past. Lisa showed me how to start and I took off from there. It only took me a few hours, too! I am very happy with how they turned out. (Kevin must be, also. He hung them as soon as we got back!)


This one is mine:This one is Kevin's:

Okay, okay... so pink and aqua are not really Christmas colors, but I love them! They were so fun to make (and easy!). Thanks Lis!

My Contemporary Advent Wreath

Since Kevin and I didn't have an Advent wreath, I decided to make one-- just a small one-- but at least we have one now! So I made a trip to the Flower Factory and purchased my supplies...

I needed three purple candles (29 cents each=87 cents):

I needed one pink candle (29 cents):

I needed the "wreath" part- a box I found on clearance ($1.95):

And I got some small green glass gems (two bags at $1.45 each):

Finally, I put it all together!

I like it! I don't think it's too bad for only about $6... I know it's not a traditional Advent wreath (sorry Dad!) but at least we have something now. :-)

Happy Birthday to Me!

I received this email today from my Grad School Advisor:

"Congratulations, Renee! Your ePortfolio has passed the Professor Review Committee with a score of 30/30. Your Portfolio Requirement sheet has been signed and forwarded to the Graduate School for confirmation for graduation.

You should be very proud of your efforts, your artifacts are exemplary and are a wonderful indication of the progress in the program and your proficient use of technology to support student learning and your teaching."

What a great (early) birthday gift :-)

...Have a great rest-of-the-week!

iMas Galletas!

Sylvia's wedding was just a few weeks ago. The cookies turned out so nice and I had so much fun making them! Here are a few pics:

Cakes:

Brides:

Grooms:

All packaged up!

Of course, I had to taste some, mmm! Shhh!!!

(It's okay... that one broke...)

What a fun game!

As a result of our board making for Jamie and Ben, we received two more orders! Yay!

One set was Steelers:

The other: CAVS! Our first Cavs set ever... we love how they turned out!

Hoping to get more!! :-)

Happy Father's Day!

Only a few days late...

Happy Father's Day to all dads out there!

Our friend, Jamie, asked if Kevin and I would make a set of cornhole boards for her husband for Father's Day. They are Cleveland (Browns) and Pittsburgh (Steelers) ACA regulation custom painted playing board. These bags are orange and black duckcloth filled with one pound of corn kernels, double-stitched. We were happy to make the boards and hopefully Ben loved them!

Here they are:

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies!

I have been asked to bake/decorate/design cookies for wedding favors again! This is for a very good friend's sister! I am SO excited to do these as they are a little different than the favors I did for Jenny. Her wedding is in July and her colors are Tiffany blue and pale yellow. I am really hoping to get more "business" in this field...I'd love it if it were consistent...

Here are some trial runs:

So cute! and SO fun!!! I can't wait until July :) Thanks, Sylvia!