One done, nine left!

Yesterday I finished the first of the gifts in my Christmas Challenge. I made a wipe-clean calendar and message board for a family to use and record their busy lives. I really like how this present turned out and it was super easy. Here's what I did:

1. On Microsoft Publisher (or similar) create a calendar image to the size of your frame.
2. Print it onto matte photo paper, trim and stick together.
3. Pop it all in the frame and you're done!

See what I mean - its super quick and easy! My only trouble was that my cat knocked the frames off the bookshelf and I had to glue/staple them back together but if you don't have a cat this shouldn't be a problem hehe!

I'm off to start my next present now so have a great day,

~ Sarah xx

The List

Guess what's happening this time next month.... Christmas!!! I love Christmas, its my favourite time of year but I can't believe how fast the year has gone. So much has happened, and its been a great year but wow its gone fast. I better get started on those presents before I run out of time!

So here's my unfinished grand list:

1. A wipe-clean calendar and message board for a very busy family like this one.
2. Three bath towel sets similar to these ones.
3. A flowing summer dress using this tutorial (p.s. the tutorial is a .pdf file in right column).
4. An applique bag - I know the image I want to use just not what style of bag I want to make.
5. A craft kit for a crafty friend - Hello Kitty cross stitch anyone! I got a whole heap of cross stitch patterns from this cute website unfortunately the website is gone now.
6. An organisation centre which combines the wipe-clean calendar and message board with a few other things.
7. More to come...

As well as those plans I would love to remake my wardrobe but we'll see how we go between work and Christmas preparations. I get a lot of inspiration from these two blogs:

• Made - I'm going to try and make some of the cute outfits that Dana makes for her daughter big enough to fit me!
• My Mama Made it - I love the idea of transforming all my boring t-shirts into one-of-a-kinds.

Have a great day,

~ Sarah xx

I'm Back with a Challenge

There are so many things I want to make from some of the blogs I follow - there are so many seriously talented people are out there! There are too many projects to choose from some times. I decided my attempt to make a small dent on my HUGE to do list would include this challenge...

For Christmas I need to make all my presents for friends and family for less than $21.

I think it'll be a great way to use up my HUGE stash, make some one-of-a-kind gifts and save a heap of money. So here's the deal I need to make gifts for at least 10 people and I have less than 20 days. So far out of my $21 budget I have spent $7. I bought two 11 x 14 inch dark brown wood photo frames for $3.50 each at a 50% off sale at my local craft store. I plan to make some dry-erase calendars and messages boards.

I just need to put together my list of things to make and get started - Wish me luck!

~ Sarah xx