Natural & Simple Fabric Wreath

I see so many wreaths that are so adorable! I thought I should make a new wreath to hang on my wall. I found this great natural fabric called osnaburg. I like the clean, natural, simple country look it gave to this wreath.

 Materials needed: 2-2.5 yards of fabric, wire hanger, ribbon, wire cutters
 1. Cut fabric into 5" wide strips. I got the strips wet and stuck them into the dryer. Don't iron the strips.You want them to be wrinkled. This makes the wreath look more full.

 2. Leave the edges raw, but cut off the long strings.

3. Open your hanger. Form it into a circle. Poke the fabric onto the hanger. Weave each strip onto the hanger. Make it as full as desired, until you have it complete. I used 2 yards of fabric. I also cut a few inches off both sides of my hanger. You may need to cut the hanger ends shorter to make the circle (wreath) smaller.

 4. Twist the hanger at the ends to connect the wreath. make sure to squeeze it tight enough to stay closed.

5. Tie a piece of fabric on the center top. This way you can hang your wreath. Try other fabrics like burlap, linen or fabric with print. Try different sizes too! I am. :)

 Decorate it any way you wish!

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Father's Day Thoughts and Ideas!

Below is a song that I got from the Children's Songbook about fathers.  I thought it was tender and sweet..describing the special role of a father.

The father of our home

Leads our family

With wisdom's light in all that's right

My father's good to me

Fathers are so special

With a very special love

They watch us and protect us

They guide us and direct us

Back to our home above!

Fathers are so special! They have an important and vital role to play in the family.  Like the mother, a fathers  influence is most powerful..for good or for bad. What a responsibility to be a father! With the responsibility and challenge of fatherhood comes an overwhelming joy and love for those he has steward over. His unselflish acts of love and the service that he renders, changes and shapes the lives he touches. A father who honors his role, holds a special place in the hearts of his loved ones. My children LOVE their daddy! He is hardworking and gentle! What great things we learn from him!

The Family A Proclamation To World states:

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. 

In a book by Marjorie Pay Hinckley entitled Small and Simple things, She points out how important it is for wives to support their husbands. She says:  

 "Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."

Along with the special meals that accompany this special day, it's always fun trying to surprise daddy...Trying to think of things that will help him feel extra special and honored on Father's Day!

The kids are always making sweet little notes and cards for daddy! This year for a father's day gift, I asked each child to tell me a word that made them think of daddy. I painted and sanded a frame that my husband made a while back. We thought it had some defects then, but it still turned out. Then, with vinyl lettering, I put the words the kids and I chose to describe daddy, on the frame. Finished it with some sealer and it was done. I thought it turn out pretty cute.  Now, I just need to find a picture for the center! 

 You can make several gifts using words to describe your wonderful dad or husband. Make the words into a poem and laminate it, making a bookmark. You can even buy a frame, paint it or use a frame you already have and put the words inside. You can even embroider the words. I have a vinyl machine, which made it simple for me, but if you don't have a way of getting vinyl lettering, paint or stencil the words on the outside of a frame. There are so many options and ideas! The possibilities are endless!

Fathers are so SPECIAL!!

Being Prepared!

There are many ways in which one can prepare..emotionally, spiritually, temporally etc...In case of emergency or disaster, being prepared can help relieve fear and keep us calm. Below are different lists that can help us collect items that can be useful and necessary in an emergency situation. My mom sent me this list that she was given. It came from a list at a grocery store. Although lists may vary and differ depending on what we need..I thought this had some good ideas on it.

Provident Living

Here is a short message on becoming provident providers:

To listen or read the whole talk this message came from click HERE!

My husband is taking a class right now in which they have been discussing the different aspects of provident living and becoming better provident providers. I love talking with him about the good things he is learning. It helps us to look at our family and see how we can improve and be better. There are many areas in which someone can practice provident living. Once again our family is looking inward and finding ways to improve ourselves. It is always a constant goal for us to become good provident providers. One area that has blessed our family, is being sure that we have food storage.  Being prepared in this way has helped us when things get tight.
There may be times in our lives when we are not the ones who are in need, but what a blessing it can be to someone else because we were prepared. We can share and bless others when we are prepared. Prepared temporally and spiritually. The Lord is able to use us as instruments to help those in need. There are many people in need..especially with all the natural disasters that have been happening. There have been many helping hands out there giving. On the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints website www.lds.org there is a page dedicated to provident living. Click link below to go to it:  

 Provident Living

 There are so many great links on that page regarding self-reliance and provident living. There are many resources to find out info on what is needed to become self sufficient. There are different links, where you can find ways to help those in need around the world. It is a very informational sight. Here is a sample of what you can find:     

Click FOOD STORAGE CHART

There are many good websites and books that can give us good ideas and information on provident living. 

Years ago when looking for ideas I came across this book that I think is very useful. This book has emergency preparedness ideas, food storage ideas, How to store and how long to store, different ways to enjoy eating your food storage, recipes, etc.

This is a good store to find helpful products: Just click link below to go to website

Basic Living

I have been looking at manual grain mills for a while now! :)

Thought I would share some things that I found. Hopefully something on this post will be helpful to you as it is to me!

Applesauce Banana Pancakes!

For breakfast this morning we had YUMMY banana pancakes! No oil added! I used applesauce instead. Healthier? Yes!  I had some ripe bananas so I made up these scrumptious pancakes and in turn got smiles and full tummies! Loved it! What a GREAT way to start the day! Now to remember how I made them...

Recipe:

1/2 cup white flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

2 Tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup milk

2 heaping Tbsp unsweetened applesauce

2 ripe bananas slightly smashed

1 slightly beaten egg

 Makes about 12 pancakes

Combined dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients. Stir to make batter. Careful not to over mix. Batter will be lumpy and a bit thick. Heat griddle on Med or about 275-300 degrees. Cook until golden brown on both sides or until cooked through. Serve warm and top with your favorite toppings! I like unsweetened strawberries (any fruit really) and unsweetened applesauce! Just plain GOOD!

 YUMMY!!

Blue Jeans to Bag Tutorial!

   I needed a new bag..So I started looking at the fabric I have. As I looked at my fabric I didn't really have any material that was real durable.  So I went looking in my closet..Now if you are anything like me, you have clothes that are different sizes. Pregnancy has had that weight gain/loss effect on me. :)  Needless to say, I have skinny jeans and in-between jeans, also maternity jeans.  I found a pair of in-between jeans that would make a good bag. So the project started! Follow this tutorial to make a NEW bag!

Materials: Sewing machine, Fabric (1- 1.5 yards will do of same or scrap material), Thread, magnetic button, 
1. Cut the leg bottoms of the jeans..I cut about 13" from bottom. (or cut the size fabric you want your bag..remember the seam allowance) Cut up the inside seam of each leg. You can  trim off any excess inseam. This will be the main part of bag.

 2. Using one of the open sides as a pattern, cut 2 contrasting pieces for the bags inside liner. Cut your inside layer at least 2" taller if you want to fold it over for a trim.  I only cut mine 1.5" taller and it wasn't enough..you'll see later.

 3.Cut 2 contrasting material (or same as main bag) for pockets.  Measure how big you want the pockets.  I measure up one side of the bag, starting from bottom of main bag. The pocket size I used was 7" x the width of the bag. (note if you use a pant that has a small flare like mine were the bag will not be totally square.) I cut my pockets straight and trimmed off the excess fabric later..you can cut it the same shape now or later. Use the side of your main bag as a pattern for the width of pockets. I doubled up my pockets for strength. So I cut two pieces for each side. Four in total. I used contrasting fabric for inside liner. Just like for the inside liner for the main bag, cut the pocket liners about 2" taller than the outside pocket. If you want the trim of course. Then lay them wrong sides together.  Fold and iron top of liner 1/2" down. Then fold over pocket and iron. Sew on the top of trim 1/8" from edge.

 4. After putting together both pockets (one for each side of bag), lay one pocket on outside of the main bag. Sew down the center to connect it to the bag and create two pockets on one side. Do the same to the other side. remember to back stitch. I also went over it twice. Now you have four pockets! two on each side of bag. Sorry, I don't have a picture of the pocket sewn on.

 5. With pockets sewn, put right sides of bag together and pin.  Make sure you have a heavy duty needle or one that can be used on jeans. Sew around sides and bottom. 1/2" from edge..don't accidentally sew the top closed. Pull right side out and push the corners.

 6. Now to sew the liner of the bag..quick and easy.  Pin right sides together and sew 1/2" around sides and bottom. After sewn put the liner in the bag. Wrong sides together.

 7. Remember I said that I cut my trim too short..Well, I just left the edges raw with the frayed looked.  Otherwise you would do what you did for the trim on the pockets. Fold and Iron. To add the magnetic button you will want to mark where you want it on the inside of bag. Cut with a seam ripper. Then push it through both layers of the bag..minus the trim for the outside. Put the washer on the back and bend the prongs tight on washer. Do same on the other side of bag with the other side of button. Make sure to match the position of button sides.

 8. Fold over trim and sew 1/8" from edge.  I sewed a second row 1/8" from first.

9. I wanted something easy for the strap. I cut the waistband off the jeans and used that. Cut the belt loops off..be careful not to cut too close to the waistband, this could make holes. Cut the waistband in half and now you have two straps.  The button connects the strap at the top. Fold the raw edge of strap under about 1.5" and pin on one side of bag, preferably on the side seam. Sew a box with an X..I went around twice. Do the same on the opposite side. 

The bag is done!  Turned out a bit more juvenile then I would prefer..but It's a bag. When going places or running errands with my kids, I always need some sort of bag for those snacks or diapers etc.  Just remember, if it doesn't turn out the way you imagined, at least you learned something. Or you can give it away as a gift!!