Feature Friday: Alison from Oopsey Daisy

I am so excited to feature Alison from Oopsey Daisy today! She has an adorable blog with darling projects....and since she was a 1st grade teacher once, and so was I... I feel a "crafty teacher" connection...:) Here she is....

I am so excited to be a guest today on Sharla's amazing blog!!  Sharla's projects always inspire me, and I love that she shares so many ideas for mom's of little boys!  I have been a long-time follower of My Little Gems!

I am Alison, the crazy lady behind Oopsey Daisy.  Once upon a time, I was a first grade teacher.  Now I am a stay-at-home Mom, and I love to make things for the people I love.  This is where I find my inspiration:

I am lucky to be married to a wonderful man who lets me go craft-crazy!  And my 18-month-old Little Man inspires a lot of creativity.  He keeps me insanely busy so I relish any time he's sleeping.  Naptime and bedtime are craft time at my house.

I make lots of messes, pull out lots of stitches, and "Oopsey Daisy" is the name of my game! Here is just a snippet of what you might find on my blog:

Quiet book ideas like this Mr. Potato Head

Fun and festive recipes like these red, white, and blue strawberries (Perfect to celebrate America all month long!)

EASY sewing projects like this denim ruffled table runner

Fun learning activities for kids, like this Old McDonald barn and animals

Simple decor projects like these number placemats

Free printable activities like this Chicka Chicka Boom Boom file folder game (I try to offer a freebie every Friday!)

Fun birthday party ideas like this Cowboy Birthday Party

Did you enjoy your own personal tour?  I hope so!  Oh man, that was fun!  Sharla, thanks a bunch for letting me skip over to your blog for a day.  I hope you will join me for more Oopsey Daisy fun.  Every day is an adventure!  Come by and say hello!  

Make sure to check out Oopsey Daisy for lots of amazing and fun projects! Thanks Alison!

Celebrating This

 Many years ago...  THIS happened to my life...

And here we are today 3 children later....and they are my whole life!

I love my husband and children so very much! :)

It's only going to get better from here!

WINNER of the DVD Collection!

AND the WINNER is.... Mrs. M @ TLC!
I used Random.org to pick the winner!
It is rare that the first entry gets picked- at least I think so ! Congrats!
Leave me a comment (will not be published) with a way for me to contact you so I can get you your prize!

And everyone- make sure to check out The Best of the Fest- for some awesome DVD collections!

Give-a-way! DVD Collection from Best of the Fest

This is a GREAT give-a-way that I am really excited to offer you! A few months ago the Best of the Fest contacted me about reviewing their great DVD collections. We viewed the Family collection and loved it!

 If you are wondering where all the good movies have gone, this is for you. :) If you want life changing movies from the best Film Festivals around the world- this is for you! The Best of the Fest offers all different kinds of DVD collections -from Kids, Family, Inspirational, Chick-Flicks, and the list goes on. There are 10 different gift sets that contain anywhere from 10-20 movies- from short films to full-length.

(Retail value is 44.99 for one gift set. You can order one from the website with free shipping!)

Want to win one?

Here is what you do: Visit BestoftheFest and view their different gift sets.

Leave a comment -and let me know which collection looks the most interesting to you.

Want extra entries? Become a Follower of My Little Gems. :)

Good Luck! The give-a-way is open until MONDAY July 26th,  at 10:00 p.m. PST.

Losing Focus

{I have a fun give-a-way coming tomorrow!! Make sure to check back tomorrow!}

A while ago, some blog authors of a blog I really liked to read, decided they were losing focus and would not be publishing as much any more. In my own way, I am going to follow this example.

I will still be posting, but I am not promising how much or how often. I have lots of projects I have been working on to share, but writing posts and tutorials takes time and that is time away from my family and life.  ( for example-I would be a lot thinner if I was working out instead of sitting on the computer-ha ha ha- it's true.)

I  do have a super great give-a-way coming tomorrow! I will still be doing give-a-ways- so please email me if you are interested in sponsoring a give-a-way.

I will still be doing guest posts- if you would like to be a guest on My Little Gems please email me.

However, I CANNOT promise to do guest posts for others myself. Please understand... I have an inbox full of people I still have not gotten back to about doing a guest post or featuring this or that project. I apologize. I will try to get to you, but if you would like to feature something you see on here, leave me a comment with the link on where you are featuring it. As always, please link back to the original site/post. :)

I plan to get my etsy shop back up and going.....maybe...after I finish a few other projects :)

However- at this time I will not be taking any advertisers or sponsors. I started this blog as a fun way to keep track of my projects and ideas. I never intended for it to become anything more than that.

I will also not be responding to "blog awards". Although I really appreciate those awards, it has been obvious that I have not and do not make time for those things. I apologize for any awards I have not acknowledged.

I am also in the process of removing my links from this site and putting them all in Google Reader. Let's face it, there are just too many darn good blogs out there to list them all on here, and everytime I look at that list, I feel overwhelmed. I can't possibly read all the good stuff out there. I use Google Reader most of the time anyway. :) ...just a bunch of digital clutter I am trying to  organize for myself :)


I have three little kids. I have a husband who has a really crazy job. We have plans for our family and our future. I love technology, but have found it interfering with my life.

I appreciate all my online friends, readers, and followers. Thank you for taking time to read and share with me in the internet world. Thank you for giving credit where credit is due. I really appreciate you all!

FYI to family and friends: I am closing up my private family blog and completely deleted my facebook account.

Rag Ruffle Throw Pillow {Tutorial}

Thank you for your positive feedback/comments with my little rag ruffle pillow. I made another and plan to make a few more. It is growing on me-- I am liking it. PLUS- I found this Pottery Barn one afterwards- so it must be cute right? I am loving it even more now!

Rag Ruffle Pillow

You need:

Fabric scraps cut into long strips about that are about twice the length of your pillow.

My pillow was 16 inches, so my fabric strips were at least 32 inches long.

Pillow Form

Warm-n-Natural batting or other batting

White or Cream fabric for front of pillow

Fabric for the back of the pillow

1.If you can, rip your fabric into long strips. This way you will have a raw edge- (hence the "rag" look)

2. Measure your pillow form. I used old-n-ugly pillows I have had for years and just recovered them. If your pillow form is 16 by 16 inches, cut your fabric 17 by 17 inches. You need extra for the seam allowance.

3. I used warm-n-natural batting for the inside of the front of the pillow- to give it more coverage.

4. Find the middle of each of your fabric strips. You can iron a line down the middle or just ...guess...which is what I did :)

5. Move your stitch length all the way to 4 on your machine. Leave your threads extra long and sew a stitch right down the middle of each of your strips of fabric. Do not back stitch. For more information on doing a gathering stitch, click here.

6. Carefully pull one of your threads from stitches down the middle. Pull the same thread on the other end and slowly form your gathers. Space them evenly.

7. Pin your ruffles to your piece of white fabric with the batting on the backside. Space your ruffles evenly and pin right on your gathering stitches.

8. I tried to sew to the side of the gathering stitches and then pull them out, but what worked best is to sew right on top of the gathering stitches. Then you don't have to pull them out. Make sure to set your stitch length back to 2 and a half-or whatever you normally set it at.

Sew the ruffles on. THIS IS IMPORTANT: Leave about 1/2 on the sides (top and bottom) of the pillow- where the long edge of the ruffle would be. You will need extra space here for sewing the pillow closed and sew that all the ruffles are on the front of the pillow and not on the edge. Hope that makes sense- :) email/or leave a comment if  you have questions.

9. When all your ruffles are sewed to the front of your pillow, pin and sew the back side of the pillow to the front side- right sides together. Leave one side open so you can insert the pillow form.

10. If you really want the rag ruffle look, wash it before you put the pillow form inside of it. You can do it afterwards too. I washed one of the pillows...can you tell in the photo below which one?:) gives it a little different look.

11. Insert pillow- stitch up the open side...and you are done!

Throw it on your couch and enjoy! If you make one of these, I would love to see it! :)

Kids Crafts: Water Noodle Lacing & Pattern Practice

Here is today's kids craft... (still trying to post one each Monday :))

I am certain I saw something similiar to this on a blog last year...forgive me for not telling you where/when- I can't remember...

This is a great activity for pre-schoolers and even kindergarteners. In fact, it is going to be one of my centers in pre-school this year :)

It is a great way to practice patterns.

Purchase some water noodles- I got mine at Target for about 75 cents each on clearance- in the dollar section. These are the same water noodles we used for the car racetrack.

Cut them up with your kitchen knife on a cutting board.

Buy some cording- I got mine at Wal-mart for about a dollar a yard. Tape the ends really well with clear packing tape so that they don't unravel and so that little hands can handle the cording easily. You could also use shoe laces for lacing.

To secure the end, I tied one water noodle piece right to the end of the cording so that they didn't fall off the end. ( you can probably see in the next picture)

Get to work making your patterns.

With my youngest son, I helped him at first, and then he caught right on and did it by himself.

My boys suddenly had new toy snakes to play with! And oh what fun they had- and are still having!

Have fun!

( p.s.I have a tutorial and a give-a-way coming this week for you :))

Banana Split Ice Cream Cake

Can we say "YUMMY SUMMER TREAT"? I saw this in Family Fun Magazine, August 2010 issue, page 80- in case you get the magazine. ☻ Family Fun magazine is one of my favorites. Since we had everything on hand to make this- I had to try it! It s pretty and delicious! It might look like a lot of work but really isn't. It just takes time sitting in the freezer, so just plan ahead if you want to make it. ☻ This is also a great recipe to have your kids help you make.

Here is the recipe (with my changes- how I made it- if you want the actual exact recipe- pick up the current issue of Family Fun Magazine. I did the chocolate mixture differently, since I did not have all the ingredients- and it was still really good!)

Banana Split Ice Cream Cake

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (I use my mini food chopper)

1/4 cup butter or marg.-melted

4-5 bananas

1 1/2 quarts strawberry ice cream (we used left over homemade strawberry ice cream!)

3/4 of a small can of sweetened condensed milk (I used the fat free variety)

1 cup chocolate chips

1- 8 oz. container cool whip (I used fat free variety)

Combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 melted margarine. Press into a 9 by 13 glass pan.Slice bananas on top as shown. Chill in freezer for 1/2-1 hour at least. While that is chillin', soften your strawberry ice cream on the counter.

Next spread your softened ice cream all over the top of the bananas.

Chill for at least an hour. I did this part before my church meetings, and finished the last steps afterwards.

For the last step- (the actual recipe calls for evaporated milk and powdered sugar but I did not have that.) So I used sweetened condensed milk for this next step.

Put your 1 cup of chocolate chips and 3/4 can of sweetened condensed milk in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir well. Return to the microwave for about 30 seconds or until the chocolate is melted. Every microwave is different - so watch it carefully!

Spread this layer on top of the ice cream layer and return to the freezer for about an hour.

Last, spread a 8 oz. container of cool whip all over the top.

Top with the reserved graham cracker crumb mixture. Chill in freezer until ready to serve!

Enjoy!

Rag Ruffle Pillow {take one}

I have a little bit of an obsession with throw pillows. My husband does not like it. I always have a lot of them, -probably way too many.

So after moving, I wanted to change things up a bit without spending a lot of money.

I had a vision of a ruffle throw pillow made from fabric scraps....and here is the first attempt.

I love color but the room that this pillow is in is pretty neutral-with tans, whites, blacks, and reds. I am trying to use my love for color very carefully so it doesn't look like a circus....

I plan to make more of these similar pillows (with a tute if I can get it done) - so tell me - what do you think?

Cute pillow or tacky homemade pillow??

Army Army Party Party

photo: the army guy cake....note: I am not a fancy cake baker person :)

We are having an army party today. Nothing like a last minute party using things you found in the dollar section at Target! (I wish I would have bought more of these bright green army men because they are not all aiming their guns- some are doing different things -and that is hard to find from little green army men.) I'll show you more  of our army army party party later. We are off to see more army men in Toy Story 3!

 Having lots of fun and lots of pretending and partying! ☻

I do not endorse any kind of playing w/ any kind guns, or violence of any kind. But you gotta let your boys use their imaginations and pretend play! It is so important to let little kids do that...and that is just what we did. :)

And if my hubby was in the army...I don't think I'd do an army party- :)

Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza

When I started this blog- a few years ago- I posted this- but without the recipe! Duh...of course you want the recipe. ☻

I have been making this for about a decade, and we love it- especially in the summer- it is really delicious.

Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza:

Pizza Dough:

I use Rhodes rolls, homemade dough, or Trader Joe's dough. For the one pictured, I used Trader Joe's.

Spray your pizza pan, and roll out your dough. Bake according to the directions for about 5-7 minutes. (about 1/3 of the time on  the packaging/recipe)

ADD: Ranch or Creamy Caesar Dressing (whatever amount you like)

Top with Cheese-a combination of a few different cheeses is the best, but use whatever you like.

Add pre-cooked chicken. I use about 1-2 chicken breasts, cooked in the microwave or on boiled on the stove top and shredded or cut up.

BAKE for the remainder of the time, until the dough is baked, and the cheese is melted.

Top with romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes, avocado, or whatever you like.

If you want to add more dressing, top it off with a little dressing.

Refrigerate any leftovers. It works best to keep the lettuce and tomato, etc. separate from the crust.

ENJOY!

Fabulous CSN Stores

Several months ago, CSN stores contacted me about becoming a CSN Store Preferred Blogger. Remember the cute toy  give-a-way I had  with them around last December? They have the cutest toys- but they offer so much more than toys!
You can find anything at CSN stores-cookware, bedding,  cute shoes, things for baby, even a bathroom vanity  or an exercise bike!

Here are just a few of the little gems that I found from CSN stores:

Cute Diaper Bags

a Bathroom Vanity I would love in my house

And an exercise bike like this is just what I have been looking for

And I'm loving this duvet cover- and color combination

You can find anything at CSN Stores If you haven't checked them out - have a look!

As a preferred blogger for CSN stores, I'll be reviewing some of their great products! Stay tuned....

Kool-Aid Playdough

Kool-Aid Playdough is a classic. It is soft, bright in color, and smells good too!

Here is the recipe:

Kool-Aid Playdough

1 cup flour

2 TBSP cream of tartar

1/4 cup salt

2 pkgs. of sugar free Kool-Aid (use the same flavor/color for each color you make)

1 cup water

1 TBSP oil

1. In a saucepan combine everything but the oil.

Stir well.

2. Stir in oil.

3.Move saucepan to stovetop and cook for 3-5 minutes on medium heat. Stir well the entire time.

4. When a soft ball starts to form, turn off the heat and remove the pan. The playdough will be HOT, so be careful.

5. Remove the ball of dough from the pan and let cool for a second.

6. Knead well until soft.

7. Store in an airtight container or a ziplock bag.

This takes about 10 minutes to make for each color. I make my kids use place mats on the table when they are doing playdough, or markers, or something messy. It makes less mess for me to clean up and keeps it contained in a specific area- mostly on the place mat.

Now do your exercise, laundry, cleaning, crafting/sewing, while your kids have a few hours of fun!