Little Loopies

Although the curly q (korker) bows are fun and addictive to assemble, these are probably my favorite to design.  There are so many possible variations and embellishments that can be mixed, matched, and added.  Here are a few of my current favorites:

Bright pink  & black polka dot with sparkly center

Red & green snowflakes with red, shiny buttons

Blue & white with sparkly center

Black & white polka dot with black button

Blue & white polka dot with white button

Red & green Christmas lights with red buttons (I have it in green too!)



Light blue with white & silver snowflakes with a sparkly snowflake center



Blue & white with button & sparkly layered center

Sweet pea--light green & pink with pink buttons

  Bright pink w/ tiny white dots and white buttons

Lingering thought of the day:  Tomorrow is going to be a big day for us!  In the morning, Eli has a playdate at a place full of "choo choo trains."  Then in the afternoon, I have an appointment with a boutique owner about selling my bows through her shop.  Yay for fun and productive days!

Curly Qs

My most recent bow making addiction is making curly q bows.  Yes, I know they're called korker bows, but for some reason that name really just rubs me the wrong way...and I have major trouble using it.  So, I will refer to them as curly qs.  Anyway, I've been making these lately and have posted pictures of those remaining after the craft fair.

I wanted to start making bows to prepare for having a little girl.  However, after buying all the ribbon that exists within three stores (ok, so that's a slight exaggeration), I've decided to start selling the extras.  These five bows are in my etsy.com shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreativelyFrugal.  I'll be adding my little loopies and mini clippies before long.   

Teal & white polka dot

Living in Lexington, I felt a UK bow was a necessity.

Merry Christmas! bow

Bright pink & black polka dot

Happy Birthday! bow--This one is my favorite.  I was so excited when I found the cupcake patterned ribbon!

I've been collecting the little crocheted headbands and caps each time I go to Hobby Lobby ($.99 and $2.99 each).  I can't wait to put these on our little lady's cute little head! 

Lingering thought of the day:  We're having chicken & dumplings for supper tonight, and I cannot wait.  It's so cold and windy out that today's just crying out for yummy comfort food.

My very first craft fair!

This past Saturday, I went to my very first craft fair as a vendor.  Sure I've shopped several craft fairs in my time, but I've never been on this side of the table.  So I decided to give it a go.  I did learn a few things:

#1:  Ask lots of questions before getting involved.  Ask the right questions...
#2:  When the host (church) advertises only to their own congregation, a SLOW day should be expected.
#3:  Try and befriend the vendors at tables next to you and remain peppy even if one of them is the crabbiest Mary Kay lady you've ever encountered. 
#4:  Get advice from some of these other more experienced vendors for future craft fairs.
#5:  Presentation really does matter.

Here are the pictures of my table:

I put my bug bows on a "tree."  These consisted of butterflies, ladybugs, and bumblebees.

My table was covered with a quilt that we received as a wedding present--then covered in bows.  I put large, easy-to-read pricing signs on the table.  I hate not knowing how much something is...



I added a shelf to my table to add some dimension and covered the top of it in tulle. 



I attached several of my bows to business cards.  The little teensy bows were put in little bags.  And the korkers (aka curly q's) were left free to breathe.

Though this particular craft fair was nothing to write home about, I could see my doing a different one at some point.  I do like this type of thing.

Lingering thought of the day:  I thought we were going to have to send our garbage disposal on to garbage disposal Heaven this week, but then yesterday I fixed it all by myself!  We're back in business ladies and gentlemen.  My kitchen has lost the icky smell; I was able to clean out the fridge, AND now I don't have to stress about the lingering leftovers on each plate and serving dish.  Life is good, my friends. 

Eli's new favorite spot

The other morning, while I made our french toast, Eli disappeared.  It got REALLY quiet in our house.  I checked all of the rooms he'd normally be in only to find...no Eli.  I started calling for him and heard a "Yes, Mama" in return.  That response led me to the bathroom, and this is what I found. 

Eli was making a "choo choo train" out of all of the bath products and tub toys in his bathroom--from inside the empty tub.  I ran immediately to find my camera.  The first picture or so that I took, I didn't get caught.  Then I was busted.  He greeted me with a "Hi, mama!" and a "See the choo choo train?"

So now anytime the house gets too quiet, I know Eli's gone to his happy place:  the bath tub.  (Yes, I'm aware that this picture is screwed up, and I don't want to talk about it.)  Occassionally, he requests dry socks because his have gotten wet from the water remaining from his last bath.  He really loves to play in the tub.  BUT I refuse to bathe the child more than once a day...unless it's a major need.

Lingering thought of the day:  Do any of you remember the episode of Full House in which Stephanie went to live in the bathroom and turned the tub into her bed?  After watching that episode, I really wanted to do that.  Practicality and my parents were the only thing that stood in the way.  Long story short, I think Eli gets this bath tub thing honestly...only he hasn't seen that episode of Full House.

Broccoli Cheese Soup--Just cryin' out for a bread bowl

Fourteen years later, I do believe I'm up for blogging again.  Life got busy, and I just wasn't feeling it.  Now I'll pick up where I left off and try to catch you up on the last month of our crazy lives!  In my last post, I promised an idea of what to do with the leftover Velveeta from the Salsa Mac.  Here's my favorite (and might I add, it's one fabulous lunch idea on a blustery day!):  broccoli cheese soup. 

The first order of business for making this quick and easy soup is gathering ingredients:
*one small bunch of broccoli
*can cream of chicken soup
*can milk
*1/4 lb. Velveeta

Cut the broccoli into tiny flourets (of course you need to wash it), put them into a microwave friendly dish, add a smidge of water, and steam it until bright green and tender.

Cube the Velveeta while the broccoli steams.  When you pull out the  broccoli, add the soup, fill the can with milk, mix the milk in with the broccoli/soup mixture, add the Velveeta.

Heat in the microwave until the Velveeta has melted completely.  Salt to taste and ta da!  The soup is ready!  It does not get much easier than this!

This soup is great on it's own.  However, it was just cryin' out for a bread bowl when we ate it.  Some soups and days are just made for bread bowls.  This was one of them. 

Lingering thought of the day:  While we were in Missouri over Halloween week, Mugsy got fixed and a nose job...to widen her little nostrils and let her breathe more easily.  We were told "fat dog" needed to lose about seven pounds.  Between the post-op recovery and the new diet, she is NOT a happy camper.  She gets two more days of sympathy...then she has to adjust nicely.