I pinned it AND I did it!

Whoops! 6 months since my last post....slackkkker!

I am glad to see 2012, I see lots of good things happening this year.  It's already been off to a great start with the birth of my new niece.  I am overjoyed and can't wait to snuggle her!

I'm always sewing and creating new things but seldom remember to document them, so I am going to try to do that.  Or not...we will see what happens!

One of my newest addictions in the last 6 months has been a little ol' website called Pinterest.  Heard of it?  Yeah I thought so! Best website ever invented! You can follow me on there and see what kind of goodies I pin. 

Here are a few things that I have pinned and GASP...actually made! Go me! Woot!

Here's a little round up:

I am getting ready to do a 22 mile with the Young Women's group at church and well, I figured we needed some of these little babies to carry our water bottles. They whip up really quick and I have TONS of strapping on hand so that made it even better.

Source: thelongthread.com via Amy on Pinterest

I am in the progress of making one of these. It's going to be a little different but this was my inspiration. I will post pics of it when I am done...if I ever finish;) Oh...and funny story. I got an email on Freecycle about free pallets, replied right away and sure enough it was one of our favorite teachers from the girl's school...the pallets were at school. Total score!

Source: designfinch.com via Amy on Pinterest

April (my 12 year old) found these on Pinterest and made them for a Christmas cookie exchange she had with some of her friends. They didn't quite turn out looking like that but they were still yummy and she did them all by herself!

Source: creativekitchenadventures.com via Amy on Pinterest

Ok, so a certain 12 year old in my house sometimes doesn't get her hair washed as well as a certain mom in this house would like and well, it looks greasy sometimes. (certain people will remain nameless...) Anywho, didn't want to spend a mint on store bought dry shampoos because I am cheap like that. Whipped some of this up with ingredients I had at home. Used it one time...it worked wonders and ever since then she is washing her hair better. (maybe it was actually just a magic potion?!?!?)

Source: hookabledesigns.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

hehehe, did this one to one of our favorite friends/neighbors. The joy of teaching my girls the art of ringing the bell and running as fast as they can back to the car so we can take off before getting spotted was a delight!

Source: poppiesatplay.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Yummmmmo! Made this, loved it!

Source: stamps4fun.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

I've made quite a few batches of these amazing chocolate chip cookies using my sweet cousin Stephanie's recipe...it's my fave go to chocolate chip one for sure!

Source: homegrownhospitality.typepad.com via Amy on Pinterest

Made a few of these and totally forgot about them. Where did I put them?

Source: thecottagehome.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

I worked on this and wish more people would....

Source: etsy.com via Amy on Pinterest

Unfortunately, I did a bit of this....

Source: gracieava.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

This couldn't be truer...

Source: georgeandlola.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

VERY important!

Source: mylifeinwords-m.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

And another wonderful, inspiring doodle from my cousin Stephanie...(does she realize how amazing she is???)

Source: homegrownhospitality.typepad.com via Amy on Pinterest

And lastly, this one needs to hang in my house! And the reason I don't usually blog pictures of my creations is....

Source: patinawhite.typepad.com via Amy on Pinterest

Oops, that was a lot! Did I mention I love me some Pinterest??

Something new EVERY day in June!

Yep, I set myself a goal and if I don't keep it...I give you all permission to kick me! I am planning to post a new item in my Etsy shop every day for the month of June.  I am ready to really build my business back up again and I thought this would get me a little jump start.

With today being the 2nd day of June I have already put 3 new things up...yep, I am one ahead already!
This is one of my new faves....

Go to Nifty Apple on Etsy to see more!

My Banner as a Photo Prop

Sigh! How cute is this??

Shanda of ShandaLeighDesign on Etsy used my Sweet Romance fabric banner in one of her newborn sessions! Squeal! Thanks for sharing the picture Shanda....

be sure to check out her shop, she has some really cute crocheted hats and photo props!

Getting my Earth Day on.

Remember our little starter seeds from last week?

They are growing up fast!

The only dilemma...what do I do with them now?  We have a big backyard but most of it is "desert-scape" which means lots and lots of rocks and dirt that is hard as a rock!

I decided to check out the raised bed option.  I went to Home Depot first and they had a really cool kit for $34.  Not bad and it looked really nice.  But then I realized that the soil would be the expensive part so I thought I better check for other options.  (seriously, I didn't want to end up spending $100 to get 3 cucumbers...I am still not sure what color my thumb really is.)

I checked out our wood scraps and saw that we have a few pieces that I could use to make my own bed...but first thought I would check WalMart to see if they had one.  (I had to get frosting and makeup remover anyway...seriously where else can you shop for a garden bed and frosting in one stop? Ok, probably Target but that's about 2 miles farther and you know how gas is right now....)

Anywho...I ended up finding a good option for only $10!! woot!

I waited until my little garden helper was home from school. 

And there it is.  Looks a little wonky in this picture but I am sure my veggies won't mind!

(side notes....Abby is growing out her bangs and totally needs to put a clip in her hair and I need to finish painting my chairs red.) 

Wordless Wednesday- Smiling Jam

Not only is homemade jam delicious, but it smiles at you too!

Spring Bags

I had an order for some personalized bags...haven't made them for quite awhile and I had lots of fun!

My super sweet customer just told me to make them fun and girly...hope she likes them! They were fun to make and the colors are bright and springy.

I am picturing lots of fun Easter goodies stuffed in these bags...wouldn't that be a treat?

Cucumbers and Carrots

Yesterday we started our little veggie garden.  We haven't had much luck growing things in our backyard lately so I decided to use the starter pods to get the plants going before we put them in the ground. 

We planted cucumbers and carrots.

I am hoping the cucumbers do well because I REALLY want to make some bread and butter pickles! Yum!

Conquered Canning!

Today I tried something I have never done but have always wanted to try...canning!

{pinto beans getting ready to go in the canner}

I have a good friend that has a pressure canner {just like this one and I totallllly want one now!} and she was sweet enough to take her day today to show me and another friend how to do it. 

{pic from Amazon...this is on my wish list!} 

I canned pinto beans, black beans and chicken.  I guess the chicken is all flaky like tuna would be and I am sooo excited! It was totally fun and really pretty easy.  And of course it was especially fun to do with friends because we got to chitchat all day! {And our kids played so good all day too!}

It's So Saturday

{Nifty Apple Display at a recent show}

Happy Saturday! Today is also our first day of Spring Break, woot woot! I am pretty sure we are the earliest Spring Breaks out there.

Not a whole lot new on the crafty front for me lately.  My oldest daughter is off at camp this weekend and I made a super fun (at least we think so) Bible cover...other than that the poor sewing machine has been a little bit quiet.

I need to start sewing...maybe some pillows? I am thinking of tackling the zippered pillow cover after seeing this tutorial from Prudent Baby.  Looks simple enough and I have a billion zippers...ok, maybe only like 300 but I think that qualifies for an over exaggeration.

Oh, exciting news...my BFF finally started a blog.  Yeah Heather! Check it out, I know you will love it!  

Extra Frosting

Have a super weekend!

{Psst...I think there are still 2 $5 Friday items in the Etsy shop if you want to grab a super good deal on a fun fabric banner!}

Working that Etsy shop!

I am finally getting rolling on the Nifty Apple Etsy shop.  I just realized I opened it in oh...2009...so I guess it's about time and something I have been wanting to do for awhile! (and even worse the woven labels I have {and just now started using} were bought in 2008! eek.)

I even started a fan page on Facebook..teehee.  I am excited that I got my 1st 25 fans and was able to get a vanity url for it.  Woot! www.facebook.com/niftyapple
When I get to 50 fans I am going to give away $5 towards a Nifty Apple purchase.  (baby steps....)

A peek at something I posted today....