A lot of my focus lately has been on food. I spent time putting together my free cookbook. I've been making and packaging lots of homemade granola for the Farmers' Market (find that recipe here). We've been working on Baby Step #2 of Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, which means paying off debt. To do that, I'm trying to be extra strict with my grocery budget, and trying some new routines and new recipes to see what works. This month instead of two big shopping trips, we did one … [Read more...]
Iron Craft Challenge #10: Summer Time
I don't know about you, but home decor intimidates me. Sure, I love HGTV shows, and looking through home magazines, but actually implementing the ideas into my home is another story. So my home decor has mostly been hanging photographs on the walls. Even hanging those is something I put off for quite awhile. But especially this year, my Iron Craft projects have ended up being things I've been meaning to do but haven't. And I'm loving that about these challenges! One thing that … [Read more...]
Iron Craft Challenge #9: Store It
I love organizing. When I have a block of time, and I have a drawer to go through, or some papers to file, or even some laundry to fold and put away, I enjoy the busywork of it. Or at least I used to, before I had children. Nowadays, it's more like a race to complete the project before little people want to help dump bins out or color on papers or pull all the cleanly folded clothes off the bed. This is one of those areas of personal growth that parenting is working on me, and while I'm not … [Read more...]
Iron Craft Challenge #8: Unexpected
The challenge this time was to create something from unexpected materials, with an interesting juxtaposition of two things you don't normally see together, or a hidden surprise. I didn't immediately have a project idea, but I did have a material idea: poker chips. I had used about two thirds of a standard container of poker chips on these Wild Kratts creature power discs for the kids (still a hit, by the way). So I had a stack of them left. What could I make that would use some of them … [Read more...]
Iron Craft Challenge #7: Polka Dots
I posted my picture to the Iron Craft group on Tuesday when the challenge was up, but since it was a birthday card, I wanted to make sure it arrived before I posted it here. Also, here is my public apology that I am getting better about mailing cards for special occasions, but I'm still not good at doing that on time. One day. I hope. I love polka dots. But I usually think of something to wear, not for craft projects. Also, as adornment for a car. I really tried to find a picture of … [Read more...]