Recyceld Wool Sweater Throw

Once again I have been pinspired by a blanket that I saw, made from old recycled wool sweaters. 

So I finally made one for myself. I started with about 6 wool sweaters and then quickly realized I needed at least 6 more. I washed all the sweaters and dried them on high to shrink and felt them. 

 Then I started cutting my squares. They are 5 x 5, and I ended up with 192 total squares. I had it laid out on the floor for weeks as I kept adding to it, making it bigger and re-arranging the squares.

Then I decided that it still needed something. I originally had hoped to find a sweater with some fun striped print, but there was no such luck. So I made some fun owl appliques from other sweaters. 

Once I added them in, it still felt like it needed something more. I decided to get out my wool roving and needle felt some of the squares. And then my boys wanted to help, so I taught them how. They had so much fun, and all of our squares were done free hand. They did great! When they finished I used my sewing machine to sew their names on each square that they made. 

Finally I was ready to start putting it all together. I stacked each row and began sewing. It only took me about 2 hours to get all the squares sewn together. 

I bought a microfiber blanket for the back and a layer of batting for the middle. 

I stacked my layers and sewed it all together. Then I turned it inside out and realized that I had my stack layered wrong, and the batting was now on the outside. So I had some wine. And then grabbed the seam ripper. This took days.

I had to seam rip each stitch, there was no pulling it apart since it was all made from sweaters. 

The kids helped me "un-sew" it. I had been working on a little bit each night, and then one day I came home and my hubby had finished it for me! 

So today I was finally able to put it all back together. 

 I am very happy with how it turned out!

 So is Zach!

This is by far the warmest blanket I own! It was fun and easy to make and is now an amzing family keepsake. I love the art my boys added to it. 

Happy Sunday! 

Let's pretend this never happened

I started listening to the audio version of this book today. I began reading her blog after the giant metal chicken story, this book is written & read by the bloggess herself & it is by far the funniest book I have ever read! I highly recommend it. I was laughing out loud all day! 

Oh and one more thing:

Congrats Jenny!! 

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

 I had some bananas that either had to be used or tossed. So I went to my favorite site & I found a recipe on pinterest, but quickly made some changes to make it my own! 

I have eaten 2 since they came out of the oven, and am guessing that after my kids & hubby have them for breakfast, they will be gone! 

Here is how:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 medium bananas, mashed
1 egg
1/2 cup milk 
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 packages (individual serving size) Quaker apples and cinnamon instant oatmeal
3/4 cup sugar
1 pkg mini chocolate chips

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375*F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners and set aside.In a bowl, with an electric mixer on low, mix together butter, bananas, egg, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda, powder, and salt until well combined.In another bowl, mix together flour, oats, and sugar. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix together until just combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. Add 3/4 bag of mini chocolate chips & stir by hand.  Scoop batter into the 12 muffin cups. 

Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Cool on a wire rack. 

Enjoy!!! 

Cute Outdoor Sign-HOW TO!

It seems I am starting to spend my Saturday's making something that I was inspired by on Pinterest. 

Here is another. I saw this sign little saying, and thought it would be perfect for my mom's greenhouse. 

So I cut 5 boards, each one was 12 inches long

Decided I wanted the letters white, so I gave it a couple of coats of spray paint, let dry!

 Once they were dry I brought them in and started cutting out my letters.

 I used my cricut, I selected several different fonts and sizes. I cut them out of white contact paper. 

 Once I had them all arranged I peeled off the back and stuck them in place. Make sure to stick them down very good. 

 I went back outside and sprayed over the boards, including the sides. I let this dry until it was tacky, and then carefully removed all of the letters. 

 I let that paint dry overnight, and then sanded the edges slightly. To put it all together, I cut 8 pieces of wire, and bent them into a U shape. I drilled small holes in the corners of the boards to put the wire through, and 2 larger holes at the top, I decided to hang it with rope. 

 Once the wire is though all the holes, I used a pliers to twist the wire down tightly against the board. Some I tapped down with a hammer so it didn't stick out too far. 

 To help feed the rope through I taped it off. It makes feeding the rope though much easier. 

 Then remove the tape, tie a knot and you are done!

It is now ready to hang up! Her employees and customers will love it! 

Happy Spring!

 This past weekend was 74 in northern MN, I had spring fever, BAD! So now the inside and outside are all set. Bring on the warmer temps! I am ready! Are you all set for Spring? All the snowmen are tucked away until next season, and the bunnies are out! 

I got this little owl at Pier One last week.

I love this old window, and I love that I can simply change out what I hang from it every season. Right now it's just a simple egg wreath. 

Outside it was time to get out the patio furnature! Luckily my little men were all about helping mom. 

Here is my attempt at the terra cotta succulent wreath, I was not able to find all of the succulents I wanted, so we will see how ling this one lasts with what I had to use. Tuorial to come soon on this. I did pin it, but there were no instuctions! 

My perfect table, an old electrical spool, it is right next to my favorite bench. 

I wanted to make some new deocr, so I made this from a vintage strainer, moss, a real bird nest (left from last year!) and a stone bird that I painted off white. 

This is the most used space outside, we eat out here, sit and drink our morning coffee and just love to hang out! I do love my covered porch, I even love it on a rainy day! 

Now too bad I have to wait 2 month to add fresh flowers! 

Back inside.... Another bird, this one I painted apple green with Rustoleum 2 x coverage, it is only the best spray paint you can get! They have so many colors now!

 My other new Pier One bunny!

This little guy has been around for a few years, I am surprised that he has survived my little ones! 

Happy Spring! 

New twist on the mail sack

I have been loving the mail sack pattern I have been using lately! I wanted to add my own little twist to it though, so I did!

 I added a ruffle and a strip a fabric. This is such a fun versatile bag. I am so glad that I bought the pattern!

 and I also added LOTS of in side pockets to the purse! 4 interior and one with a zipper.

Then I made a matching wallet with 12 card holders and a zippered coin pocket on the back.

 Here is a cell phone holder that has a pocket on the front for debit card, lip gloss, etc! It was made using scrap of the purse and wallet fabric.

 Here they are the ruffled trio! The fabric is from Hannah Johnsons, here in Duluth MN. If you have not been there, you need to go! The best fabric in town!

Look for this trio soon in my etsy shop! 

Happy Wednesday!