Tip of the Day 10/31/11

To transform a dated coat try sprucing it up with new buttons. This is an easy way to transform that "old" coat into something fun and fashionable. I once bought a beautiful classic style wool coat at a thrift store and totally updated the look with new buttons. Another update for a tired looking coat is a pretty pin or flower for the lapel. Before you run out and spend $$$ on a new coat, try these simple updates. (You could buy some new shoes instead. :) )

Tip of the Day 10/27/11

Easy Gift Wrapping Solutions.

We have a huge family and it was always a mess digging around under the tree to find the right gifts to take to each home as we visited during the holidays. So, a few years ago I came up with an easy solution. I have a color scheme or pattern for each family every year. I use green, red, and gold as my main colors for decorating and wrapping. Each year I purchase paper that has that as the color theme. Some years I use solid paper, some years prints, but always those colors. To distinguish each family or group of gifts I add bows in matching colors, all red for daughter #1, all green for daughter # 2, and so on, or all Santa Clause print for one, all sleigh ride print for another, etc.. I might do all gift bags for friends and neighbors instead of gift wrap. I like the look of the matching gifts under my living room tree that is decorated in red, gold, and green, and I place all of the out going gifts under it.

I have a second tree in the family room that is decorated with my collection of ornaments from over the years and is so special to me. I call it my "Family and Friends Tree." As I hang the ornaments each year I reminisce and pray for the person that gifted me with that ornament because the majority of them were gifts. Under this tree I place all incoming gifts and treasure the thought behind each one. After the gifts are opened we leave them under the tree until we use the item or take the tree down for the year. It is nice to be able to look at the special remembrances our friends and family have blessed us with.

So choose a theme and go with it this year. It should make for a pretty display and easy gift giving.

Tip of the Day 10/26/11

Now that you have compiled your Christmas list I would like to share a few ideas for homemade gifts that will please anyone that receives them. These gifts are perfect for stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, token gift for neighbors, party favors, group project for an event, etc. Anyone can make these items and they require no sewing. All items needed for these projects can be purchased at Michael's or Jo-ann Fabrics.

1) Painted or Potpourri-filled Glass Ornaments

Needed--Clear glass ornaments-any shape or size, Iridescent acrylic paint, potpourri, ribbon

Painted--remove ornament hanger, squirt a small amount paint into ornament and swirl, add

paint to reach desired affect.

Potpourri Filled--remove ornament hanger, fill with potpourri, crushing potpourri if needed.

Replace hanger and add ribbon or other embellishment if desired i.e. pearls, flowers, lace...

2) Burlap or Counted Cross Stitch Fabric Potpourri or Goody Bag

Needed--6 in. x 18 in. piece of burlap or counted cross stitch fabric (any color),

embellishments of choice, i.e. poinsettias, small ornaments, etc., handle of choice-rope is nice

for the burlap or ribbon, hot glue or craft glue

Fray the 4 sides of the fabric about 3/4 inch. in from edge by pulling threads out.

Fold fabric in half to create a 6 in. x 9 in. pocket. Hot glue the 2 long edges together, leaving top short edge open.

Decorate one side of pocket with embellishments of choice. If using glue to attach

embellishments place parchment paper inside pocket to prevent glue from soaking through to

back of pocket.

Attach handle of choice.

Fill with potpourri, home baked goodies, gift card, etc.

3) Wooden Thread Spool Candle Holder

Needed--Wooden thread spools (sold by the bag full of various sizes or use an old family

collection), ribbon and/or small stickers, hot glue or craft glue, small candles such as

Hanukkah candles sold by the box. These candles come in a variety of colors in one

box, are inexpensive and the perfect size.

Decorate the spool with ribbon or stickers of choice. Place candle in spool. You can make a set of

varying sizes. A tiny ribbon tied around the candle is a nice touch as well.

4) Fleece Neck Scarves

Needed--60 in. by 8 - 10 in. fleece. Fleece is sold on 60 in. wide bolts and can be purchased in

any amount you desire. The fleece comes in a huge variety of patterns from sport

team logos to holiday patterns. Your width of scarf can be determined by the

pattern. If a team logo or pattern is 8 inches wide then your scarf will be 8 inches

wide. You will also need sharp scissors.

Have the store clerk cut the width you need to make the number of scarves you plan to make

from that piece of fleece. For instance, 28 inches of a team logo pattern made 3 scarves that I

was able to cut along a distinct pattern line.

If you have purchased fleece for more than one scarf from the same piece, place on a flat surface

and carefully cut along the printed line of the logo to the width desired. If there is not a printed

line to follow, use a yard stick or ruler and a very light pencil to make a line to follow. Cut fabric

the full 60 in. length.

On each narrow end of the fabric cut 1 inch strips approximately 4 inches long for fringe. These

cuts do not have to be precise.

5) Pre-cut No-Sew Fleece Blankets

These come in a variety of sizes and designs and require nothing more than tying knots.

So simple and a great gift.

I hope you are inspired to try some of these simple gifts and to try your hand at more

homemade items. Please share any simple no-sew gifts ideas you have.

Tip of the Day 10/25/11

Hopefully some of you started your lists we talked about yesterday and are ready to make some decisions about what to give to people in your life you would like to honor during the Holiday Season. I have always considered it a privilege to bless the ones I love and hold dear with a gift just like God gave me the gift of His Son. Our gifts to others can never equal that ultimate gift, but they can be given in love and touch others.

Here are a few ideas to help spark some thought on what to give this year. Take time to really think about each person you have listed and go to the heart of that person. I like to work with a theme each year and then gear the gift to the individual. Over the years I have learned it is not about the amount you spend on the gift, but if the gift is from your heart it is a blessing. There have been times when I could not afford to give more than something small and homemade and those are often the gifts that mean the most to the receiver, as well as to the giver.

Gifts of Actions:

Coupon Books of offers to mow the lawn, clean the house, babysit children, do the grocery shopping, etc. mean a lot to young Mom's and Dad's.

Gifts of Practicality:

A box of Birthday or mixed occasion cards along with stamps for an older person that cannot get to the store easily. Packages of their favorite snacks or personal grooming items. A magazine subscription.

Gifts to the Needy:

Consider packing an Operation Christmas Child shoebox in a loved ones name. Purchase chickens or a cow for a needy family in a foreign country. Volunteer hours in the name of a loved one at a local shelter or ministry. If you have a loved one in a nursing facility in another city, visit a local facility in their honor. Present your loved one with a certificate stating you have done this in their name.

Gifts of Nutrition and Taste:

Homemade Baked goods are always a welcome treat for someone who doesn't have the time or resources.

Theme Ideas: Shopping is simplified by only having to go to one department in each store. You can easily shop online or through QVC or HSN.

Watches--everyone needs one and even small children love having one. You can find one for every taste.

Reading--A great pillow, Snuggie, and a book or books make a great gift for anyone of any age.

Video Collection and Popcorn Set--Pick a set for each Family on the list. If you know each persons favorite candy this would be a great individualized addition.

Aprons and Cookbooks or Tools--Even the youngest child that can walk will have fun receiving an apron and a toy cookset. I have found science experiment cookbooks for boys to go with an apron, or Cook with Mom books for younger children, Grill tools are great with an apron for a man. A set of BBQ sauces would be great for a man as well. Be creative with what you add to the apron to individualize the gift.

Hats, Scarves, and Gloves

Slippers and PJ's

Bathrobes and Slippers

Favorite Team Hats, Sweatshirts, etc. for the whole family

Board Games and Snack Foods

Beach Toys and Chairs

Let's get busy creating wonderful memories for those we love. Please share some of your ideas for great Themes or other gift giving ideas.

Tip of the Day 10/24/11

Two months from today is Christmas Eve. I love the Holiday's and all the activities that go with making a wonderful setting in my home and sharing enjoyable times with family and friends. By implementing at least a few of tips I have shared during this year, you should be able to have a very calm and enjoyable holiday season this year.

This week I will share some more practical ideas so that by the time Thanksgiving Day arrives you can find yourself sitting on the sofa watching the Macy's Parade while the turkey is baking instead of working in the kitchen while the rest of the family enjoys the festivities.

As I have stressed on many occasions, lists are your friend. If you have not made your shopping or to-do lists yet, take the time to do so today.

Food Shopping Lists:

Using your calendar start by planning the meals and occasions you will need to prepare food for during the season.

Include occasions like the night before Thanksgiving, when you will have guests overnight, or will be busy preparing for the following day.

Don't forget to include New Year's Eve and Day.

Include special events you will be a part of and need to take a dish to share.

Decide on all of the baking you would like to do during this time.

Once you have completed a menu for the season, you can put together a shopping list.

Purchase as much as you can in advance to save the little trips to the store that will rob you of time for other activities.

To-Do Lists:

Using your calendar plan all of the "things" you need and want to accomplish in the coming weeks. By actually putting the "to-do" on the calendar you are more likely to accomplish it.

Include everything you can think of, baking, shopping, cleaning, decorating, events to attend, events to host, addressing Christmas cards, purchasing stamps, wrapping gifts, mailing gifts.

Gift Shopping List:

If you have already started shopping, which I hope you have, start by listing all of the gifts you have already purchased. By marking these off the list it will help you not to be tempted to purchase more for those people. This is a big budget blower.

If you have not started shopping yet, PLEASE do so now.

List every person you would like to give a gift to including hostess gifts for events you will attend.

Divide by groups, each family, all children, etc. whichever grouping will help you most as you shop.

Think of a theme for gift purchasing and look for something in that theme for everyone on the list.

I will be sharing gift themes tomorrow.

Assign a day on you calendar to shop for each family or group.

Additional lists could include acts of kindness you would like to perform, people you would like to see, movies to watch, activities to participate in, to name a few.

Remember those lists are your friends and you will feel much more in control if you follow the lists and can check off each thing you accomplish.

Let's get started today making a great Holiday Season.

Tip of the Day 10/21/11

Now that most of the country has experienced at least one cool night, it is a great time to take a look at some furnace maintenance.

I am not giving advice on how to mechanically maintain your furnace, consult an expert if you need advice.

Our vents build up dust and dirt just like other areas of our house and most of us don't think about it until we turn on the furnace for the first time each year. Suddenly we experience an awful smell, (several of you have mentioned that smell over the past few days). Well, that smell is most likely dust and dirt build up. You can easily take care of a lot of the build up.

First, remove the vent covers and wash them. If you have never done this before, you may need to soak them for a while to remove the build up.

Second, vacuum the vent hole.

Third, place a single piece of cheese cloth across the vent opening and then replace the cover. this allows the heat to come through but will filter some of the dust particles.

You should have much cleaner air warming your house now. If you continue to have a funny smell each time the unit comes on, call a service man.

Snuggle up and enjoy the Fall weather.

Tip of the Day 10/20/11

Winter and Windows, the two can bring so much pleasure when you have a view of the weather, but can also bring higher heating bills if not dealt with properly.

Here are a few ideas to get your windows ready for the upcoming winter weather.

1) Close the storm windows. If you are not in the habit of opening your regular windows during the warmer months you may not have noticed the storm windows are up. Check to make sure they are all down.

2) Consider changing out summer weight curtains for thermal backed ones. Having a thermal weight curtain over a shear is a great way to keep out the heat in the summer and keep in the warmth in the winter. When the sun is bearing down on the west side of the house in the summer I can close the thermals to help keep the house cooler. In the winter I can close the thermals on the side of the house a storm is blowing in from and at night close them to keep in the warmth.

3) If you have older windows check around the edges to see if air is leaking through. If it is, consider clear window tape for the winter. Curtains can hide it and it will be worth it to save on the heating bill.

4) If your heating vents are in the floor and positioned under a window purchase the redirection vent covers to keep the heat from blowing straight up into the window.

5) One last thing, if you haven't taken down the curtains and blinds to wash out the summer dust, do it it soon.

Stay warm.