A Short Break

I'll be taking a short break from blogging. My daughter and I are exhibiting our jewelry in a local jewelry show and need time to get ready.  Thanks for understanding and hope to be back soon.

Blessings,

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Adorable Fabric Dolls

Moda Fabrics offers many original and creative tutorials.  This is one of my favorites. 

Fabric Dolls. 

 Just like the old fashioned paper dolls but made of fabric and much more durable.  Hop on over there to the Moda Bake Shop and check out this and many other great FREE tutorials.  You will surely enjoy it!

Happy sewing,

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Upcycle Old Sweaters to New Pillows

This is a clever way to get some new pillows that are cozy for almost nothing. Take your old sweater and create a new pillow!

The tutorial to make the pillows is over at Fave Crafts.  Instead of a new pillow form, I might recover an older pillow that needs a facelift or use some batting from my sewing stash.  The idea is lovely and easy. 

If you want the directions for this pillow idea, click HERE.

Happy sewing,

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Fire Starter Frugal Tip

The cold weater is not over yet and maybe you have run out of fire starters.  Possibly you got caught without dry kindling on a wet day.  Here is a very frugal way to start a fire. 

A friend had a pile of ragged jeans next to her fireplace and I asked her what she was planning to do with them.  She told me she uses them to start her fire.  Well, I had never heard of burning cotton clothing so I went home and tried it.  Voila!!  It worked and it worked very well.  This pair of pants was too small for anyone in my family so I used it to start my fire.  The cotton burns slowly so it gives the fire a chance to start. 

You may be an old hand at frugality and this may not be new to you but it was new to me.  If it is news to you also, give it a try.  Grab an old shirt or whatever you have that is 100% cotton and has no more use as clothing and try it out! 

Leave a comment and me know how you like it.  Thanks!

Keeping warm,

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Watch a Great Movie for Free!

Movies are great fun to watch for relaxing entertainment.  It's even better when they are free! 

Here's one you won't want to miss.  Emma, originally written by Jane Austen, has now been released by PBS Masterpiece Theatre.  You can watch it free online until March 9, 2010.  Click HERE for the link.

Here's my daughter, Julia's review of the movie:  "I watched it and I must say, I was more impressed than I expected I'd be. I love the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma, but there are many things about this new version that captivated me. :) I was pleasantly surprised by how many of the lines from the movie are actually taken straight from the book, and how little the screenwriters changed the plot, characters, and situations. The timing of everything is extremely close to how everything happens in the book. All this I love! :D I like the newer Harriet much better. At first I wasn't sure about Mr. Knightley, but I absolutely loved him by the time the movie was done.

Frank Churchill is much more like I would have imagined him to be... the ages of the actors seem to be closer to the actual book... Unfortunately, I didn't think Romola Garai acted quite well-bred and elegant enough for the part of Miss Woodhouse, and does a few things that I don't think Emma would have done... (i.e, bursting into Mr. Knightley's library, making a short electrifying statement, and immediately running back out) And Miss Bates was not quite as 'bates-y' as I would have liked. Overall though, this is a very well-done, satisfying Jane Austen Movie. "


So grab a bowl of popcorn or maybe some hot chocolate, get comfy, and enjoy a great MOVIE.

Have fun!

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Homeschool Freebie of the Day

This website is a gold mine of great books and information.  (The above picture is just one of their giveaways.)  Often the format is audio as well as PDF documents.  This free resource is wonderful for all children.  Even us older ones can enjoy and learn from the daily free items that are given away on this site.   Take a minute and check it out.  You'll be glad that you did!

Ever learning,

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Free College Education

Yes, that's right.  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers 1900 classes online for FREE in their Open Course Ware. 

It's amazing that they are just giving away this information.  You don't have to register or pay anything.  Now granted, you will not earn credit or receive a degree.  But you are learning just the same.  I am looking into some classes for my children. 

By the way, if you have high school age children, MIT also offers courses for high schoolers. 

MIT offers some interesting videos and courses for free for high school level learning.

So, if you are interested, click HERE for college information 

Click HERE for high school information.

Maybe I'll look into a class for myself. 

Ever learning,

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