Homeschooling A Houseful

My Sister in Love, has started a photography business, and she takes the cutest pictures!! If you happen to live in Utah, and need new baby photos... check out her site. Marlina Gilbert Photography . She's running a baby special until the end of March.

Here's what I made for A1... a burlap pillow ! Instead of a Monogram, since all the kids are A's {it might get even more confusing!!!} I decided to use one of our favorite hymns... "Savior Stay this night with me..." I simply went onto a my windows works, and typed it, found a cool "boy" text, and made it the size I needed for the pillow I wanted. Then I used an exacto knife and cut out the letters, painted it and sewed! He loved it. And A4 got a new fleece blanket. Nothing "special" there, I came up with some ideas, way too late to accomplish it before Christmas, so I am going to do one for his birthday. His blanket was one of the no sew ones. I took fleece, two different pieces, and cut out the corners. I cut 7 inch squares off the corners, and then every one inch you cut a 7 inch strip, then simply tie together. He didn't even notice, he only got a blanket!!!! Actually I must add a big thank you to Papa Bear, he stayed up the night before ...

and I am almost sure I won't be doing these for Christmas this year! I thought I'd make a quick post, to remind myself about them later. And I don't know maybe there will be someone else out there, who can do this now! I know my older daughters would love to help me do these, maybe a fun birthday gift!??!! Sorry I can't post a picture, because I haven't made them!!! Also this blog has it so you can not use her pictures. {Smart lady} I will try to explain, they are wooden very small pegleg dolls {the old fisher price kind of people} with small circle screws in the heads to make into necklaces, or you could make them into cute ornaments...okay go look at the blog, it's much cuter than I explained!

and now for what Mama Bear {aka Melinda!!} is making for A2 and A3.... CLOAKS!!! I have wanted to make these for these two girls for some time now, and what better time than Christmas! I do have a feeling I will be making 2 more after Christmas for the 2 younger girls!! oh and I should mention, that once I am all finished with all these gifts... I'll post some pictures!! I accidentally, okay wasn't thinking, and wrapped a few already, so we will have to wait until after Christmas, there's NO WAY I would ever unwrap an all ready wrapped gift!

busy, busy, busy....man do I ever feel busy!!! I thought I'd drop in for a quick post about another fun Holiday Memory we have here. Around Thanksgiving, all the A's names go into a hat. Then the A's choose a name, and make a gift for the chosen A. We started this a few years back, and it's been one of the best memories for the A's. A6 will be making a present for A5, and I thought a Homemade Tutu would be great!! She will help me by choosing a pattern, and handing me the next strip to add to our tutu! Here's a great clip, instructions, and photos, of what we will be making! Now back to my cutting, I am hoping to get this all prepared, so we can finish it in the next few days.

Well I haven't been around my blog much over the holiday weekend.... I have a good excuse honest!!! Papa Bear had the week off, and since we don't get advantage of having Papa Bear around very often.... we took full advantage of him. I had him hang some much needed shelving in the new learning area, and we made a semi-sewing area in my bedroom. I want to make some homemade gifts for everyone this year. {We will see how this works}. Here's a few ideas I am pondering over for some of my A's..... A7 a jingle bell ball I saw this posted on homemade by Jill, she got the idea from grand revival. {as a side note, I just finished making 2 of these, in about 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 mins} LOVE these Black Apple Dolls again, saw these on homemade by Jill. The pattern is on Martha Stewart. These are a must, for A5 & A6 I have seen tons of cute ideas for A2 & A3, now for the older boys....hmmm Any suggestions?? I've seen some cute matchbox car cozies, but A4 is probably...