Some recent projects

I just wanted to share some recent projects that we have completed.

Therese decorated this cake for a 4th of July party. It is her own interpretation of Old Glory. At first I tried hard to get her to make a perfect flag, but it was obvious she wasn't having much fun. I calmed down and just let her at it and this is what she came up with. Either way, the cake tasted great and Therese was proud of her creation!!




Next is a bag that I crocheted for Therese. I am still thinking about the kind of reusable grocery bags that I want. Although sewing is so much faster I think I will end up making crocheted ones out of all the acrylic yarn I have laying around. This is a first attempt. It is too small, so it is a bag for Therese.





These next pictures will be of no interest to most, but for those of us who have to live in this house, or for those of you who visit for periods of time these pictures are of great interest! First up is the downstairs bathroom, which was plagued with a unbelieveably slow filling tank (this is putting it mildly) and no toilet paper holder. Earlier this week I put in a new supply line and a new fill valve in the tank. Now it fills so fast! There was so much sediment in the line, so I am not surprised it filled so slowly. I am glad I took the extra step to replace the supply line as that probably made a huge difference. Today, I put in a toilet paper holder. I got to use my new drill for the first time!! I have actually never used a drill before, so I was a bit scared, but it wasn't scary at all. The holder is a little crooked, but it works, so that is what counts. Without further adieu, here are the pictures from the downstairs bathroom...







Next is a picture from the upstairs bathroom. The handle on this toilet always needed to be jiggled because it was broken. Well, I can't believe I didn't fix this sooner...it took less than 5 minutes. Here is the new handle...




I have also made some more pillow case dresses, but I have not taken the time to photograph them. I hope you enjoyed all the pictures of toilets in this post :)

Clothespin bag

I have been hanging to wash out for about a month now. In that time we have used the dryer only when it has rained and made it impossible to get the clothes dry outside. I must say, that even those times we used the dryer the clothes were dried at least in part outdoors.

I had been carrying my clothespins to and from the house in 2 half gallon ice cream containers. It was a pain as they always spilled out. I found this pattern for a clothespin bag and decided to give it a whirl. I got some denim fabric from JoAnn's (I should have cut up some old jeans, oh well) and sewed it up in probably about 20 minutes. It isn't perfect. I think this is because of the hanger I chose to use and because I don't have a printer and so had to fudge the template for the opening. But it works great. I used it tonight when I hung out the diapers. I love practical things. Even more, I love practical things that I make! Here is a picture of it I have been wanting reusable grocery bags for a long time. First I was going to buy some material and make some, but that seemed too costly. Then I was going to crochet some out of some old acrylic yarn I have lying around (I may still do this). But today I came across this pattern. This is my next project after I finish the rest of the girls' pillow case dresses.

Ok, now I am going to share some mommy fluff. Therese decorated some graduation cards for a party that we went to this past weekend. She was simply told to draw some pictures on the cards. This is what she came up with.

This first card is for Sarah. Sarah recently fell off her horse and sustained a serious injury. We have been praying for her recovery for weeks. Therese said that this is a picture of "Sarah riding on her donkey very gently."
This next card is for Peter. He was lucky to get a Shimkus family portrait in his card!
I am so proud of how beautifully she writes her name! Not bad for a 3yo. Of course, she is often a bit over zealous with the flags on her Es!