Tote Bags For Sale !

Tote Bags for sale !

Here are just some of the tote bags for sale ! Please pop on over to http://sherriesbagworld.blogspot.com/

All the bags are made from 100% cotton fabric, made using solar power & they are all individually & lovingly made by me ! I'm very happy to discuss special orders and certain colours. They cost $8.50 each +$1.50 postage & handling. I will send anywhere in Australia, I will also include a lovely handmade gift card with every order. So for $10 in total, I think that's great value. I would love feed back as to what other people think .

  













The Winners Are !

The Winners are !

Last week I had a giveaway of 2 sets of cards for 2 lucky people and the winners are !

Jo Carson & Barb. Can you please email me at sherriec@westnet.com.au  and leave your mailing details and I will pop them in the mail asap!Thank you both for following my blog and taking the time to leave your comments thank you both !

I will pop a bonus gift card in with each set.
I went to Barb's blog today and it's her birthday ,So Happy Birthday Barb here's wishing you a wonderful day filled with,love,health & happiness !So to all my readers/followers if you have time, please pop over to her blog at http://barbsbackyard.blogspot.com/ and wish her a happy birthday !

I Just Received Another Lovely Award !

I Just Received Another Award !
Wow . What an amazing week I'm having, this is the second award I have received from the lovely Sam this year. Please pop over and visit her blog ,it's about a stay at home mum of two little boys trying to organise her home and run her husbands business.Sam is so honest in her blog which is very real and refreshing no airs and graces she just says it like it is for all to see and read ! So I really hope you pop over and say hi.
http://myendlesstodos.blogspot.com/
I send you a big thank you Sam you are such a sweetie, big hugs to you & congratulations on receiving the award and passing one on to me !
Now as for passing it on to 15 bloggers , I will be only passing it on to seven as I just got another award on Sunday. and yesterday it took me ages to do 14 bloggers as we only have dial up Internet were we live here in the bush. I will go with seven bloggers.
http://cottageinarainbow.blogspot.com/
http://atrayofbliss.blogspot.com/
http://casafamiglia-thefamilyhouse.blogspot.com/
http://barbsbackyard.blogspot.com/
http://debksdailyjournal.blogspot.com/
http://secrethippie.blogspot.com/
http://everythinghasanotheruse.blogspot.com/
It's not easy some times picking great blogs there are so many wonderful blogs written by such creative,talented, clever,gorgeous,amazing people ! I love finding new blogs, some times I spend too much time blogging and blog hopping, Kev says to me if you enjoy it, then why not.(What a lovely partner he is ) better and cheaper then reading magazines and it always gets my creative juices flowing seeing all the creative projects and things I'd like to make or try and makes me think of other ideas as well.
Gosh seven more things about me .
1. I have 3 sons aged 8,22&23 this year they will be 9,23&24.
2. I have a wonderful partner Kevan.
3. I drive a white Honda Jazz which I love.
3. I was married in 1986 then got divorced in 1996.
4. I'm a sagittarian.
5. I love reading books that will enhance my life.
6. I love watching romantic comedies.
7. I received my first sewing machine at about 7 years of age.

Sunday I Received A lovely Stylish Blogger Award !

When I checked my comments today on my blog I found a lovely message from Melissa from 3creativechics informing me, she had chosen me as one of the lucky seven to win the stylish blogger award . How lovely, I feel really thrilled to receive such an award it made my Sunday even more of a special day ! Thank you very much  Melissa !

Now there are responsibilities to having this Award

and I am to do the following...

1. Thank and Link back to the person who Awarded you.

2. Share 7 things about myself.

1. I'd rather blog & craft then do house work .

2. I love making gifts for family & friends.

3. I love going to the movies.

4.Favourite TV show, Everybody loves Raymond.

5.I love reading.

6.I love recycling

7.I love going to the beach .

3. Now I get to Award 5 to 15 other blogs that I follow/love.

http://theserendipitycafe.blogspot.com/

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/
http://www.paintmewhite.com/
http://fullofgreatideas.blogspot.com/
momscrazycooking.blogspot.com
http://creativecollectiveblog.com/blog/
http://kraftykat76.blogspot.com/
http://wherethegrassisgreener-rz.blogspot.com/
http://sara-vs-sarah.blogspot.com/
http://seekatesew.blogspot.com/
http://serendipitychicdesign.blogspot.com/
http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/
http://bitsouttheback.blogspot.com/

Make Lovely Cards From Scraps & 2 Sets To Give Away !

Make Lovely Cards From Scraps!

You'll be amazed at what you can make from scraps of fabric, paper, cardboard & other bits and pieces that can be found lying around or in your craft supplies. I brought a sketching pad for $5.50 and it has 35 pages, that means I can make 70 cards 17cm x9cm or 6&3/4 inch x 3&1/2 inches and 70 smaller gift cards. I also brought a packet of pearls that cost me $2.50 for 16 so a total of 15 cents each. So for the larger cards 5cents for the paper +15cents for the pearls that's 20cents so far , scraps are free and some double sided tape so lets say 22 cents per card. Now that's good value, I used left over curtain lace, white bubbly paper from box of chocolates, silver paper from foil packet of tea bags, cut into squares and layered them cut out little hearts added a pearl . I will make some envelopes to match. They are lovely for any occasion , Mothers day,Birthday,Thank you cards the list could go on ! So instead of buying over priced cards why not make your own so much more rewarding & from the heart. I always say, the money I save on the cards I can spend extra on the gift . I was thinking of adding ribbon to match and printing instructions on the back to make a book mark that way the card becomes a gift the recipient can keep using when reading their favourite book . What do others think !Please leave a comment and you have a chance of winning a set, I have 2 sets to give away (3 purple ones in each set with matching envelopes) but you need to be a follower !So what are you waiting for post now and be in the draw.I've added a bonus small gift card as well it's really cute I will draw 2 winners tomorrow so it's your last chance to post a comment and be in the big draw !

My Alkaline Version Of Bake Beans !

My Alkaline Version Of Bake Beans !
I made this for lunch today, it was absolutely delicious. I recommend you try it, I was amazed how delicious it was. Here is my version of the recipe .
Ingredients
1 can white beans.(drained)
1 large brown onion.(finely chopped)
4 medium tomatoes.(finely chopped)
2 small cloves of garlic.
fresh herbs I used basil & parsley.
A sprinkle of cayenne pepper or chili powder.
Celtic or Himalayan salt to taste.
1/2 cup of water.or you could use the liquid from the tin of white beans.
In a pot I put onion in dry pan on medium heat to sweat the onion so I didn't use any oil . cooked a few minutes,then added tomatoes cooked for a few minutes, mixed in fresh herbs then added a tin of drained beans, added about half a cup of water, left lid on a few minutes sprinkled on salt and pepper mixed well and served with avocado and a good handful of snow pea sprouts. Serves two or if really hungry serves one. I'll be making this recipe again I brought the tin beans for 99cents then saw them at another shop for 79cents . So it's a really tasty, economical , healthy dish you could serve for any meal of the day ! If you try it please post and tell me what you think. I could buy the beans dry and soak & cook them, but the tins can be so more convenient at times. You could also cook a big batch and freeze them in individual containers and then use them as required.
I'll be back crafting soon but as I said I will be adding delicious alkaline meals that I make and think are delicious and well worth sharing !

Lunch Yesterday - I'm Trying To Make My Body Alkaline !

Lunch Yesterday - I'm Trying To Make My Body Alkaline !
My new mission is trying to eat a diet that will make my body alkaline. So I plan to eat this way for 6 months and see if my health improves. I suffer with chronic fatigue & Reactive hypoglycemia, any one who knows me well,will know when I undertake new eating plans, I pretty well stay on track at least 99% of the time to prove one way or another if it works. So from time to time I will post new alkaline recipes that I try and like. Food has to be delicious other wise it can be very hard to stick too. So yesterday for lunch I made a lovely fresh raw salad ,of tomatoes,avocado,cucumber,red onion snow pea spouts, fresh rocket and parsley from my garden and I also sprinkled a little chia seeds (the new super food ). It was delicious , I also made a lovely green smoothie for breakfast with 1/4 of a cucumber,apple with skin/seeds,1/4 of a lemon with skin, 1/4 avocado, 2 teaspoons barley grass powder water to cover and blended it up well in my blender it was delicious. Today I also ordered alkaline drops to make alkaline water.When I receive them I will report when I start using them and the benefits. So stay posted if interested in hearing my results.

Shabby Chic Cushion Cover !

Shabby Chic Cushion Cover !
I made this cushion cover some time back , same technique as the raggy quilts people make. On each patch I put a heart cut from fabric with little roses and another layer behind and cut it all around the edges to look shabby. I think it looks rather sweet and very simple to make.

Make A Sweet Easter Basket !

Make A Sweet Easter Basket !
I made this yesterday, I think it looks really sweet! Another recycled project, It's  made from a beetroot tin which was white inside which looks nicer then the unlined silver tins, well for this purpose it does. So you will need a 825gram tin that still has the top edging on. I made the handle from using packaging strapping from the previous post, which I cut 31 cm long or 12 & 1/4 inches long then I cut a strip of fabric 34 cm or 13 &1/2 inches long and wide enough for the stitching and the strapping to thread through once it's folded the right way.Then I got scraps of fabric and sewed them together, added lace and made a cuff to fit the tin so measure around the tin add a little for the seam make sure it fits really snug . You could use glue or double sided tape if you aren't into sewing. I sewed the strap to the sides of the cuff before putting onto the tin. Then I put some double sided tape around the top of the tin folded over so half was inside and the other half outside.I used a piece of  nylon that I unpicked from some lace to fit or either use some white bias binding. Then I got my glue gun out and glued some pink braiding around the top edge and bottom edge and glued on a pink a fabric rose.
Cost was really only the glue for the glue gun and 2 rows of lace all the other stuff were scraps I had in my scrap bag in my sewing room. I thought it would look lovely filled with some finely shreded paper and topped up with Easter eggs ! Then I thought it would also make a lovely birthday gift, filled with girl things like hair clips and bows and scrunchies and maybe shampoo,conditioners, brush and comb. You could also fill it with sewing supplies for the little sewing beginner.What do you all think, please post and share any other ideas !

No Need To Buy Boning or Rigilene Again !

No Need To Buy Boning or Rigilene Again !
Use Recycled strapping from packaging, It comes in lots of different colours and a few different widths. It's great to use for bag handles, strapless fitted dresses, bridal dresses, hoop petticoats, corset making that's just a few uses there are so many other uses.  So save some money and recycle, you can usually find heaps of it on any building site , look for where they are building a new house, it's used to strap bricks and other products, my sons brought a flat screen television yesterday and it had the strapping which was a little wider then most I have come across ,it will be great for stiffening bag handles. If any one else uses it please post and tell us what you use it for. In the near future I will make a few things that I will use it in and show you all, it is also great to use in the end of a fabric glasses case to keep the end closed. I have purchased boning in the past many years ago when I made myself a fitted strapless dress and believe me it's just as good and it's free and you are helping the planet by recycling, that's another win win win !

Lavender Balls !

Lavender Balls !
I've been making these lavender balls for the mothers day stall, for my sons school to help for fundraising. I have posted a blog about making these before, but as I'm making them now I thought I would post about them and show you how to make them, they are very easy to make. I was given an unwanted curtain made from a lavender organza fabric and some pale lavender roses, from Jodie who is on the committee, I had a roll of purple ribbon at home and I grow lavender in my garden and Jodie had some in her garden. As we didn't have enough flowers, I decided to use the leaves as well they are probably for fragrant then the flowers any way. So you cut out the circles fill with lavender, tie with 3 knots and then you can either decorate with roses or leave plain, I think they look lovely both ways . I have made 50 of them so far. Here is the tutorial I have made for you to follow to make your own !They make lovely little gifts !

Make a circle template out of an old magazine
cover,or other scrap paper or light cardboard
16.5 cm diameter or 6 &1/2 inches.
Then cut pieces of ribbon about 14.5 cm or 5 &3/4 inch long.

Put the cut out circle of fabric on the table fill with lavender, I weighed 7 grams in each one, then gather up the top, tie with ribbon, tie twice then make the top even then tie again. You can either decorate with little roses or leave plain, I think they look lovely either way .

Calico Double Ruffle Rose Shabby Chic Bag !

Calico Double Ruffle Rose Shabby Chic Bag !
I made this bag for my friend Margaret's belated birthday gift .
I hope she likes it, I mailed it the other day . Its' made with unbleached calico, has a lace top and a double ruffle with pink       rose that can be removed when bag needs washing or you can change the roses or different flowers for different looks. It is lined and has a big pocket and a pocket for a mobile phone. If you would like to make one, I 've done a tutorial its for my linen shabby chic bag but the measurements are the same except it has a double ruffle and the rose is in the middle of the ruffle.I made a whole and sewed around it a bit like a button hole. I was going to put an eyelet but couldn't find it in my sewing room ,next time I will put 2 eyelets one in the middle of the ruffle and the other just under the bottom ruffle so the stem can be threaded through. I hope that makes sense.  http://simpleliving-sherrie.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-shabby-chic-linen-bag.html

Reuse Pickle Juice To Make More Pickles !

Reuse Pickle Juice To Make More Pickles !
After Kev finished the dill pickles yesterday, I sliced up half a fresh cucumber and placed in the jar after about 24 hours they should be ready to eat. I have been doing this for years, I say why waste the pickle juice reuse and save money. Use juice from dill pickles,gherkins or other pickled vegetables. Use until all the flavour has gone maybe 2 or 3 times . Why not give it a try if you haven't done it before. Then you could mix it with some vegetable oil and make a salad dressing I always use extra virgin olive oil, you could also add some finely chopped herbs for extra flavour& maybe a dash of honey.

Make Gift Bags Using An Old Street Directory !

Make Gift Bags Using An Old Street Directory !
This will be my last post of uses for an old street directory, I hope you all enjoyed the different ways of recycling an old street directory, and use some or all of the ideas to recycle your own. So this one is making gift bags which are very easy to make again I have done a tutorial for making gift bags using old news papers, but I think these ones look a little nicer. Here is the link to the tutorial I did previously http://simpleliving-sherrie.blogspot.com/2010/08/news-paper-gift-bags.html
These gift bags I have just folded over the tops but you could add ribbons /jute/paper to make handles. So easy to make and they look great. Here are some others uses for using an old street directory, use them in scrap booking I don't do scrap booking but think it is a great budget idea as I've seen the prices of some of the papers they use. Make lolly bags, seed packets, Xmas crackers, line your draws and shelves,make paper chains,paper lanterns, sewing patterns, paper templates,cover school books,origami projects,I'm sure there are so many more great ideas. Does any one have any other great ideas to share with us, if so please post and tell us. If i think of any more ideas I will post them !  

Cover Tins Using An Old Street Directory !

Cover Tins Using An Old Street Directory ! 
I have done a post some time back about covering tins, but this one I have covered an assortment of tin sizes , These would also make great gifts for the kids to make for gifts, would make great gifts for male family and friends. The largest tin is a 3 litre golden circle juice tin which I have been using for some years now, so decided to cover it, a large fruit tin great for pencils, pens and textas. The skinny one great for rulers and scissors and smaller one for glue sticks. They are very easy to make, I used double sided tape to stick the paper to the tins but I have also used glue in the past .Just another way to reuse the old street directory.

Make Your Own Gift Wrap From An Old Street Directory !

Make Your Own Gift Wrap From An Old Street Directory !
It's so easy to make cut out pages I used my craft cutting knife then glue the pages together to required size, when glue is dried roll up on a cardboard tube , I had this one left over from a roll of gift wrap. Now when I need gift wrap just roll out cut required amount to wrap gifts. It's really free gift wrap from something I used to just throw away. Looks great . What do others think ? so please stay tuned for the next exciting adventures of uses for the old street directory ...doesn't get any better then this . I have a friend who would probably say to me "get a life" That's ok this is my simple life , getting pleasures from the really simple things! I don't need big things to get excited about ,they rarely happen, so I'm very contented with getting excited about recycling, that can happen every day in my life ! I know our bank balance is growing so I'll have the last laugh when people snigger !And also trying to do my bit in helping look after our beautiful planet.

Make Your Own Envelopes From An Old Street Directory !

Make Your Own Envelopes From An Old Street Directory !
I have posted before about making envelopes, but not from an old street directory. I think these look great, they look as if they are meant to travel, if you know what I mean. They are very easy to make just make a template from an old envelope the size you want to make then cut out, fold then glue edges. Way too simple, again some may say why bother, but I say why not, just another recycled project, saves a little money to buy the things we cannot make. To make them quicker, I cut about 6 at a time, I used paper clips to hold the paper together then cut.I put a strip of double sided tape on the inside flap so you just peel off the paper to seal the envelope. I picked pages that had mostly blue with the print at one side so it's easier to see address on the front. You could also make larger envelopes and line them with reused bubble wrap to send parcels.

Cover Notebook/Journal Using An Old Street Directory !

Cover Notebook/Journal Using An Old Street Directory !
So easy to do and they make great gifts for every one especially males in your circle of family and friends . They would also be great to give them to family and friends that are travelling and you could make a label for the front saying persons name then travel journal . If you have pages that you are going to make one maybe you could use pages where the recipient lives, nice for children with their street address on it . They are very easy to cover, I used double sided tape but you could also use a glue stick and decorate the cover to suit the occasion if you wish . I also covered a pencil to match , I just cut paper to size put doubled sided tape and rolled it so end over lapped .Just another way to reuse what we have. I think they would make great gifts !

Cover Shoe Boxes With An Old Street Directory !

Shoe Boxes Make Great Storage Containers !
On a previous post I covered shoe boxes with pages from an old street directory but I used the index pages because I wanted them in black & white. I have covered this one with the map pages I wanted to show you both and how effective they can look. I made this one for my son for all his Pokemon balls, saves them being all over the floor and shoe boxes are free, so free storage even better. Just glue the pages together until you have the required size you need , another great tip is reinforce the lids with masking tap inside and out , It can be frustrating going to all the trouble of covering them and the corners split and you could also do it with the box itself I didn't but I may next time. It makes me think of so many games we have and the lids of the boxes nearly always split at the corners, if you are like us you will also have a cupboard full of them repaired with sticky tape. Especially the much loved games that get played a lot, actually our monopoly box completely fell apart ,so we don't have a box for it at all. I'm going to try and get a few more of these shoe boxes the same size and make a matching set for Jack's room to store all his collections of toys !They are great for storing so many things like DVDs or CD's, use as a sewing box, smaller ones make great jewelery boxes, recipe cards,craft supplies there are way too many to mention, What do you store in your boxes ?