Creating and Cruising

February Banner Helps

2012-01-20T16:52:00.001-08:00

http://youtu.be/n2WeSuEVEGU

hacked again

2010-08-26T22:12:00.001-07:00

Collin Here. guess what! I hacked her blog again! anyways if you want an update on my photography you can check out my blog at http://hudsonphotoediting.blogspot.com/ to see all of my portfolio get on face book and type in hudson photo editing to become a fan!

Thanks all!
Collin Hudson

Modified Shorts

2010-08-01T12:49:00.000-07:00

Cut a pair of jeans that were to short for LouLou and made them into some really fun shorts by adding some red and white material. These were super easy and fun to make.

More Things I want to do - someday

2010-08-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more things I would love to do. I Think Dad should make one of these for the grand kids. Mine specifically! Sorry baby sis, your out of luck.

inspiration pictures

2010-08-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

Mom, you always said to have a notebook for inspirations for decorating. Here are a few of mine, for when my money comes in the mail! Thinking positive here.

Lou Lou Sewing

2010-08-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

LouLou had a fun time making her first pillow.

Apron Trade

2010-08-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

My friend over at duludes.blogspot.com was having an apron trade. She put our names in a basket then you were to make an apron for the person she drew out of the basket. I got her name and had a fun time making her this apron. Sorry the pictures aren't better. I should of had her model it. Cheri

Collin photo blog

2010-01-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

hey this is collin. yes i hacked my moms blog haha. anyways, just wanted to tell you guys i made a photography blog of my own. check it out when you get a chance.

http://collinhudsonphotography.blogspot.com

Friend Gifts

2009-12-23T08:53:00.000-08:00

We are doing this for our friend and visiting teaching gifts this year. I got the idea from another blog and I love it. Thought you guys might want to file it away for an idea for next year. (sorry, can't seem to locate where I saw it) Cheri

Christmas Food

2009-12-20T22:55:00.000-08:00

I was just going through deciding what to cook for Christmas. I always like to add one thing new each year so it doesn't get too boring. I am hoping you guys will post what you do so I can get some ideas.

For Christmas Brunch we usually do Mom's Crepes, 24 hr Wine and Cheese Omelet, English Muffins and Candy Bacon.

For Christmas Dinner we have Ham, Joyce's Potatoes, Teresa's rolls, A Pecan Salad and Coconut Creme Pie.

Here are the recipes for the Candy Bacon and Joyce's Potatoes in case you want to try them this year. I know you have the recipe for the rest.

Candy Bacon
Thick Bacon
Brown Sugar
Put foil over a broiler pan. Lay out your slices of bacon. Now cover it with brown sugar, I use allot! You can't see much of the bacon when I'm done. Yes this is fattening, but oh so good!
Then put it in the oven at 450 for lets say 10 minutes. I just kind of watch it. The brown sugar melts onto the bacon. Take it out just before the bacon looks like it's going to burn. MMM good.

Joyce's Potatoes
Frozen bag of Hash browns (The chunky unseasoned kind, not the stringy kind)
1 can of Creme of Celery Soup
1 container of Sour Cream
2 cups of Grated Cheddar Cheese
1 cube melted butter

Combine Soup, Sour Cream, and Cheese. Stir. Pour Hash browns in and coat well. Put in 9 x 13 pan which has been sprayed with Pam. Pour melted butter on top (Joyce does a thing on top with Cornflakes and the butter at the end but we don't usually eat Cornflakes so I never like to buy them just for the small amount on the top). Cook in oven at 350 for 1 hour with foil on. (You can substitute Creme of Mushroom Soup but it isn't nearly as good)

If your family will only eat mash potatoes for the Holidays. Check out the recipe here. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/
We tried it for Thanksgiving and really liked it. You can make it ahead which I really appreciated. Once again it's really fattening, but isn't that what the holidays are all about?

Now, get off your bums and start posting or I'll feel like I'm talking to myself!

Decorating for Christmas

2009-12-19T13:15:00.003-08:00

Sorry pics are a bit blurry. With all the light from the windows it's hard to get a good picture. I used baby sis old idea for my filler this year. You buy brown packing paper. Then spray paint it. I used a copper metalic spray paint. Then I cut the paper length wise. This makes the paper more managable when you crinkle it up. I think it would be really fun to do in a sparkly white or in that new light green color that people are using.
Would love to see what you guys did this year. So get off your bums and get posting. Plus need to see those new cruising pics with pics of all the cool Christmas stuff from Germany!

2009-12-19T13:15:00.001-08:00

Decorating for Christmas

2009-12-19T13:14:00.001-08:00

Fun idea from santa

2009-12-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

Came across this fun site. Loved sending a santa message to my little ones and seeing their faces. And thought it was super funny to send the naughty ones to the older kids. Thought you guys might want to do it too. Its free. http://portablenorthpole.tv/home

Advent Calendar for Teens and College Students

2009-12-15T13:04:00.000-08:00

In our family we have always bought the kids the chocolate advent calendars. However, the last couple of years they have not really liked the taste of the chocolate. Our oldest who loves tradition asked why she didn't get one this year. So, I quickly came up with something I know her teen brother and her would actually eat.
Gum! Both of them chew it like it's going out of style. The pics didn't turn out real well but I think you get the idea. Bonus that it was simple to mail.
Just numbers printed and cut from card stock, gum, tiny zip lock type bags and ribbon. And my kids have the best breath of the season!

Next year I think I'll do packs of gum instead.

I did put chocolate santa's for the last day!

Shepherds Costume

2009-12-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

Our littlest needed a shepherds costume for a Christmas Party. So I quickly sewed this one up. His friends mom sewed one up to match and he enjoyed wearing it to the party (minus the pj's underneath!)

New Christmas Tradition

2009-12-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

Wow, Baby Sis, That is the coolest banner. Get a tutorial up so I can copy!!!I will so be trying to make it next year.

I found this great idea for a new family tradition and I thought your youngest might enjoy. http://ldshandouts.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-days-of-christmas-instructions.html.

We bought a nativity that the kids loved. Then we printed off the cards from this site. There is a card for each peice of the nativity. Each peice is wrapped individually. There is a letter that is put in a basket by their door stating to leave the basket out each night and we will put something in it to help us remember the true meaning of Christmas. Here the kids are ready to deliver the basket! They are loving it.

2009-12-14T19:15:00.000-08:00

I'm loving how this turned out. It was a ton of work but I think worth it!! I saw this at a great store in St. George, Utah, took pictures and the rest is history...The one I saw was printed at a Sign shop but It was going to run about $150.00 so I used iron on transfers that I ran through my printer and ironed the letters on.

Christmas Cards

2009-11-04T10:44:00.000-08:00

I can't believe Christmas is already upon us! In the crafting world, Christmas has passed and we are now working on Valentine's crafts. My mind has been racing thinking about the new year and the classes I need to have ready.

I have been disappointed in the Christmas paper selection this year. The blues and pinks and lime green are all the rage except in my experience dealing with customers all they want are traditional colors. Our homes are generally decorated in traditional colors along with Christmas outfits for pictures. Graphic 45 has used the more traditional colors and this is some paper from their Christmas line. I love the vintage look of the paper. It is easy to use and we can't seem to keep it in stock at the Heartland Paper. On this card I embossed a great red and then used some older Making Memories ribbon and as you notice I used a border punch - Love those Border Punches!!!! The sentiment is stamped. I love Christmas!

Easy Kid PJ's

2009-11-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

Baby Sis,

Hey, I thought you might want to sew your littlest some PJ's for Christmas. These are easy peasy and take less then an hour to sew. I used "It's so easy It's Simplicity #2738" . I decorated a white Tshirt with the left over fabric and made a bag to go with. Yes, hubby is freaking out and calling it a "murse"(man purse). He's totally mortified! It makes it all the more fun. Every little boy needs one don't you think?

Crowns for Halloween Costumes

2009-11-04T08:27:00.001-08:00

I made the kids crowns at the last minute for their costumes. I modified the directions from

http://balancingeverything.com/2008/04/30/waldorf-like-felt-crown-tutorial/. I just love blogs, because of people like this who are willing to share with tutorials, and then it's a bonus when both kids win best costume!

Thanks!

2009-10-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

Teresa, Love the witch you sent from your travels. It goes great hung from my trees and the kids love it. They think your one cool Aunt! Thanks

Inspired by "Lazy Day Skirts"

2009-10-25T14:05:00.000-07:00

I was inspired to make a couple skirts for Lou Lou after checking out Melissa Goodsells blog "Day to Day". She was having a 5 day sew along for Lazy Day Skirts and I enjoyed seeing what everyone was doing. Check it out at:

http://melissagoodsell.typepad.com/day_to_day/2009/10/yes-more-lazy-days-skirts.html

Spooky Eyes

2009-10-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

I'm giving Lesson 40 in Young Women's Class tomorrow. It's a class at church for 12-14 year old girls. Its on health care in the home. Its all about first aid. Instead of a handout at the end of the lesson I decided these would work well. I'm thinking probably not real appropriate for Sunday but I just couldn't resist. I found it too funny. I came up with the idea when I saw the eyeballs at Walmart. With all the sewing I've been doing I could just see someone getting one of those pins stuck in their eye, and there you go, the perfect handout.

Book On Saving Money

2009-10-24T22:00:00.001-07:00

Baby Sis, I thought it ironic that you posted about saving money, the same day I had gone out and bought this book. It's a great read. You'll notice that I'm not a "millionaire" or I would have borrowed the book instead of bought it. Thanks for the great tips.

Saving Money

2009-10-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

So things are feeling a little tight for us these days so I spent my day calling various companies trying to reduce my monthly expenses. I thought u might be interested in how I did it and how much I saved!!!! Drum roll please.........$450.00. yes I said $450.00!!!!! That's a lot of craft money!!!! I started at AT&T where we had gone over our minutes one month and my bill was over $500.00. The more I thought about the more mad I got. We have 5 phones with them and have been with them for about 10 years. The first lady I dealt with was very rude and had me quite upset actually but I stuck in there and asked to be transfered to someone else. The next lady I got took care of my problem right away and was very helpful. Not sure why there is such a big difference in service between two people...The first lady very rudely assured me that the person she was transferring me to was no higher up then her and would not be able to do anything for me.. Saved $250 in one phone call.

I called Comcast next. My neighbor told me she got them to cut her monthly bill in half by just staying on the phone and being persistent. I thought I would give it a try. I had just signed up with them for a bundle service so I was already getting a pretty good deal. I did get them to reduce my monthly bill by $10. They also threw in upgraded internet line and the Starz channel for no extra cost.

Last but not least I called my insurance co. I was able to reduce my rates by about $240. I raised my deductible for homeowners by only $500 and saved $100. Then I worked on the car insurance. Went over all the coverage we have on all 4 cars and was able to reduce that bill by getting rid of overlapping coverage. I also cancelled my blockbuster account now that we have free movies with comcast and saved another $40 a month. Next thing I'm doing is calling my Mortgage Co and having them re-calculate my impound account. Property taxes have significantly dropped due to the lower value of our homes. The only upside I see to this economy!!!!

Not the most fun thing to do for the day but so worth my few hours of work!!!! I hope this motivated u to call your company's u deal with and give it a try!!!! U have nothing to lose but a lot of money to gain!!!!

Blog Header

2009-10-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

Collin made the blog header for us. See his photography on facebook/Hudson photography and editing. Thanks, Collin

More Halloween Decorating

2009-10-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

I finally finished the blanket for Junior. It was simple, simple. I didn't realize, until I started on it, that it would turn out so small.

I made these cookie mixes to give away at Halloween time. I got the idea from http://www.bakerella.com/mix-things-up/. I used a different recipe but if I did it again I would just copy this one, because my recipe turns out pretty flat.

I put up a witches hat on my mantel but I really like Teresa's idea of having 3 witches hats together so next year I think I will find a spot to do that.

This is the runner I made along with some of the pumpkins and gourds that Collin grew in his garden this year.

Baby Sis, I had fun making the wreath you posted. I found the three orange adult boas at Hancock Fabric. I really like that it matches a table runner I had made earlier. Thanks

This is hard!

2009-10-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

I can't figure out how to write next to my pictures, so until I have help you will just have to look and if you have questions about any of the items just ask in the comment section. I'll get Tim to help when he wakes from his Sunday nap!

2009-10-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

2009-10-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ok - I am starting the blog world! Here are pictures of my Halloween decorations.

Healthy Eating

2009-10-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

Since lots of people ask me what I eat every day to keep the weight off. I thought I would post when I have new food ideas that I really am enjoying.

Start with Orowheat Sandwich Thins Multi Grains. The whole family really likes these. They are high in fiber and very low in calories. They are also made out of whole grains so they are very healthy for u. We use these now for toast, sandwiches and burgers at our home.

Next add a Boca Burger. There are many different types of these. Experiment till u find one u like. They are a good source of very lean protein. Microwave for 60 minutes and it's ready!!!!

1/4 of sliced avocado is next. These are a good source of healthy fats. Some fat helps u feel full!!! They are also yummy!!!!

Slice up 1 small tomato and add to it. I get these from my garden. As you all know straight from the garden and they taste so much better!!!!

I like to add Broccli slaw to it also. Gives it a little bit of crunch and helps get a little more vegies in.....You can just add it from the bag. No washing or extra work!!!!

I add about 1 tsp of light mayonnaise .

U could use Lunch Meat also. The only thing is lunch Meat is a processed food, therefore not as healthy for u but still low in fat and calories.

For snack a little later that day I will have a string cheese along with the other 1/4 of the avocado.

HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS

2009-10-08T18:54:00.000-07:00

I really like this idea. Saw it in a great garden store in Sutter Creek. This will be on of my next projects.

I found the skeleton Heads at TJ Max. They came in one container of about 8. $7.99 Directions are at HGTV.Com. They even have a video showing how to make both wreaths.

Super cute and very easy to make. The orange Boa's are HARD to find. I suggest ordering them online!!!!

I made both of these wreaths this year. They were really fun and easy to make. I'm working on another project with old pictures... I will post soon!!! Marty and I also made the witch and cats a couple of years ago. They are now in the Grandinroad, Martha Stewarts catalog. We put a light in front of it and behind it to make it a little more spooky!!!! Instructions are on Martha Stewart.Com.

Halloween Costumes

2009-10-08T14:25:00.001-07:00

I just couldn't wait to show you guys the costumes I've been sewing for Halloween. The little ones wanted to be a prince and princes. I based their costumes on Lou Lou's last years Christmas dress. I made Lou Lou a cape (which was believe it or not a lot harder then Charmings' jacket) and Charming a cape and Prince jacket. I still want to work on crowns and figure out a shirt and pants for Charming, but I was so excited about how Charmings' jacket turned out, that I had to show you early.

Tutorial Spooky Trees

2009-10-07T18:27:00.000-07:00

Get yourself a carpet roll. Just ask an any carpet store. Cut a hole where you want your branches. Insert.

Take duct tape and wrap around branch and then around carpet roll.

Then start adding your miles and miles of spray foam insulation. We used about three cans for each tree. The cheapest place I could find it was Home Depot for $3.82 a can. Give yourself a few days to spray, dry, spray. Then its time to add spray paint. I think flat black looks best. I forgot to tell hubby so we have half flat, half shiny on ours. It takes quite a few cans of spray paint also. Our trees are wedged up under a low ceiling to hold them up. I'm not sure how else to get them to stand up. I found this idea out of a magazine years and years ago but cant remember which one. Good luck!

Spooky Tree Decorating

2009-10-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

This year I filled my entry way with spooky trees. I covered the trees with cobwebs and spiders. I will be putting up a tutorial on how I made the trees, soon. I added a chair with tea stained material, a chandelier with melted wax, an empty dark frame covered in cobwebs and spiders everywhere. In my china cabinet are mummy hands I made a few years back. They hold an old match and are pretty creepy. I think I found the how to in a Martha Stewart magazine, a few years back. They are made with a soup can, a surgical glove, tea stained rags and starch. You might remember I used them one year for invitations to a party. I'm hoping you will post your Halloween decorations or ideas soon. Baby Sis, I still would love to see your wreaths-, and Blondie, I hear you have made a really neat witches hat that I have yet to see. I will give Mother Superior a break as she is in the middle of moving.

About us

2009-10-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

We've started this blog to keep in touch, share the creative things we are doing and to chronicle our cruising. We are three sisters and a mom who instead of birthday gifts put our gift money into a collective fund. Then when we have enough money we take a cruise together. We found it a ton of fun and better then any gift. We live in separate states and love to find out what the other is doing, so we can copy! (and pretend it was our idea).