Gifts- What I've Been Up To Lately

Hello Everyone!

Yes, it's been a while.  I promised to show what I've been up to lately about two weeks ago.  Well, better late than never.  Some of what I have been making are gifts and some are for my Etsy shop.  I'll show the gifts first.  The first is some fabric shopping bags for my sister-in-law.  If you are familiar with Aldi, you know that you have to either bring your own bags, use boxes off of the shelf, or buy their bags.  Well, we usually use the boxes but I thought it would be fun to have re-usable shopping bags.  I haven't made mine yet but I made these for my SIL for her birthday.

The inside is lined with a cute coordinating polka dot.

My daughter modeling them so you can get a better idea of the size.

These can also double as travel bags, library bags, park bags, beach bags, etc. You get the idea.  They can be used for just about anything.

Next up are some pillows that I made for a friend's 25th wedding anniversary.  I have purposely blocked out part of one pillow because it shows coordinates to their house.  I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it would be a great gift.  However, I wanted to try to protect their privacy somewhat so thus the blocked info.  I think you can still get a good idea of how cute it is anyway.

The last one I have to show is for a baby gift.  I didn't have it ready for the shower but was able to give it to the parents this last weekend.  Being that it is a personalized gift, it worked out better for me to be late.  (For once being late is a good thing!)

I also added a burp cloth that I made along with a headband and two flowers.

I did make another gift for my sister but she hasn't gotten it yet so I can't show that one.  I'll have to catch you up that later.

Now, my Etsy items.  I have many items to list but haven't gotten around to doing it yet.  I did list a few last week and have already sold one.  Yay!

SOLD!

Flowered Ribbon Bow with Yellow Flower Center Headband

Purple & Gray Flowered Headband

Yellow, Rust & Green Flowered Headband 

Tote/Diaper Bag with vintage style fabric.

Two pockets inside.

Crackled Marble Necklaces

Like I said, some of these have not yet been listed on Etsy but all are for sale. Even the one that already sold can be made again if anyone is interested.
So between teaching school, traveling, having company, doing laundry, cleaning house, cooking, and making all these things, I have had little time to post.  So now you know what I've been up to lately. I'll try to not take so long next time but I'm not making any promises. ;) So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge- Black and White

Hello Everyone!

Another photo challenge from I Heart Faces. This week they are doing a special challenge worth wonderful prizes.  I keep hoping if I don't give up that maybe one of this days I'll submit that "just right" photo and win something.  Anyway, here is my submission for the Black and White theme.

I love the captured moment here.  I didn't ask her to look down, we just were talking and she laughed and looked down and I snapped.  The result was great. Love that smile!

Hope you all aren't tired of seeing my photo entries.  I promise I've been doing other things.  I just have to get my pictures uploaded, give a couple of gifts this weekend, and then I can share what I've been working on.  So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

I Clicked it Up a Notch February Photo Contest

Hello Everyone!

It is that time again for a photo contest.  This time it comes from I Clicked it up a Notch.  This is for your favorite photo of February.  Why is it always so hard to choose?  Well, I decided to submit one of my brother's family that I just took while on vacation to CA.  I was so glad they asked me (after I strongly suggested it) take their pictures.  It was a quick photo shoot; around 30 minutes.  My bro doesn't go for the long, lot of poses, get real creative photo shoots but I was still able to get some good shots.  We chose a little courtyard area on a street with several quaint shops.  We also went around to the back of the buildings to the parking lot where there was a brick wall with vines.  So without further ado, here is the one I am submitting.

Back in the Grind of Life

Hello Everyone!

Well now we're back to real life.  No more vacation, no more slacken.  We got back from CA. last Thursday afternoon.  We spent the next few days unpacking, paying bills, grocery shopping, doing laundry and a hundred other things that one does when they come back from a vacation.  Today we started back to piano lessons for my daughter and my son started guitar lessons.  On top of all of this, I remembered that I signed up for a children's consignment sale that starts this Thursday.  Yikes!  Last night I hustled around getting things priced and tagged.  I made a couple of things to put in as well.  Saturday night, I whipped up a couple of bags for my SIL for her birthday.  I have been searching around blogland and youtube for tutorials on reusable grocery bags. I combined a few ideas and came up with my own version.  It was rather fun and easy so making bags is my new "thing".  When I get some pics uploaded I'll show you what I've been making.  So, that about covers what has been happening since I got back.  Now, I'll show you a few pics from my trip.  I didn't take as many pics as I did last year but I still took quite a few.  Here are just a couple.

It wouldn't be a complete trip without going to Yogurtland.

Fresh lemons.

Alvera street in Downtown LA for Mexican wares and fresh taquitos.

Trip to the California Science Center and IMAX

Saw this on Pinterest and tried to duplicate it but didn't have the right lens on my camera.
It says, "Jesus Washes Away Sins".

The coastline at Sunset Beach, CA.

We also went to a museum that used to be an old Rancho. It was really neat to see how the rancheros lived back in the 1700 and 1800's before So. California became so populated.

I just loved the big wide porches, top and bottom, that surrounded the whole house.

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The master bedroom.

The dining room.

It was a beautiful day to walk around the house and gardens.  We really enjoyed our time in CA.  We would like to go back in the summer as the whole family.  So that is all I have for now.  I will be posting my latest projects soon.  So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie beth

California or Bust

Hello Everyone!

Just a note to let you all know that we are CA bound tomorrow.  I've already checked the weather and it is going to be glorious sunny and warm. (at least most of the days)  Compared to the cold of MO. I am looking forward to it.  I plan on taking lots of pictures and possibly a post or two while I'm there.  Don't hold me to the posts though.  I may wait until I get back for that. ;)  Here is a photo from last year that I sent back to my friends in freezing MO.

We came home to about 2 feet of snow and couldn't get back into our driveway.  Here's to hoping that doesn't happen again!  Well, I'm going to sign off and do a last run to town today and some last minute packing.  So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

New Etsy Items

Hello Everyone!

Just thought I'd drop in to show you what I've been making and what you could be buying.  I have some new items up on Etsy.  I will show you a couple of pictures but you can click on the link on the side bar to see all available items.  Go check it out!

Washer necklace.  Other styles also available.

Fun mouse pad.  Other styles available. 

Too cute vintagey pillow.  Can be made to custom by changing the color. ( The rectangle with the bicycle really is straight.  I was having issues with the wind while taking this picture so it looks all cock-eyed.)

Canoe & Kayak photo taken by me.  There is another of just a canoe listed as well.  These can also be customized by changing background color.

So there is a small portion of what is listed for sale right now on Etsy.  I am hoping to get a few more things on later in the week.  I am also getting ready for a vacation in two weeks so I may not get anything else listed until I get back.  I am not putting my shop on vacation mode but be advised that if you order after the 10th of February, I will not be able to ship until the 24th of February.  If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment with your email address and I'll get back with you. So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge-Oh So Silly!

Hello Everyone!

It is time for I Heart Faces photo challenge.  This week's theme is "Oh So Silly!".  I had to spend a little time trying to decide which photo to use.  I finally settled on this one.

I had taken one previously of everyone making funny faces but this one got me.  You know how kids like to make funny faces...well, it just kept going with this little one.  So hop over to I Heart Faces and see everyone else's entries to this week's "Oh So Silly" photo challenge. So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane