One of the great sources of bliss in this world is giving, and as a stay-at-home mom, I can often give more "time and talent" than I can give funds. Anyone can make a positive difference in the world by helping others, even though they may have little money or time. I have found enormous comfort in sharing time and talent with others in my darkest days, after the death of our 12 year-old daughter, Katie.

Katie was diagnosed with a rare form of adrenal cancer in October, 2006. She endured five rounds of chemotherapy treatment, an 18-hour surgery (to remove the tumor) and many difficult weeks of recovery. Her courage, humor and strength were (and are) a huge inspiration to me.

To our horror, Katie’s cancer recurred just a few months after she completed her treatment, and we had to face the fact that she was going to die. After caring for her at home, with the help of hospice, we were by Katie’s side when she passed away, in August of 2007. It is terribly painful to have to learn to live without her. I started writing as a way of coping with this personal and spiritual crisis.

One of the activities that comforts me during the most painful times is sewing simple quilts for the cancer ward where Katie was treated. I've been doing it for nearly two years, and we have just turned the "Katie's Quilters" project into the "Katie's Comforters Guild" at Seattle Children's Hospital. My goal is to have a handmade blanket waiting for every child who is admitted to that hospital. Our hope that our guild will continue to grow until the need for blankets is met; we are just getting started!

Why did we decide to make blankets, instead of raising money to buy blankets?

A store-bought blanket is a nice gift. But the gift of a homemade blanket, with all of the care, love and intention that goes into it, can have a profoundly comforting effect on a person who is in the hospital.

Many patients don't know they are going to be checking in to stay, when they arrive at the hospital. Some come in through the Emergency Department; some are airlifted to the hospital. Some simply come in for tests, but a problem is discovered, and they are unable to go home to get items that are comforting and familiar to them. This is what happened to Katie. By grace, she had thought to bring her favorite quilt with her (one that I had made) on that day. It was months before she was allowed to go home again, and that quilt was a reminder of the security and love that she enjoyed in her home life. That blanket was with her during her weeks of in-patient chemotherapy; in Ronald McDonald House, in the months we lived there; it was with her in the intensive care unit, and on the surgery ward, as she grew stronger and prepared to go home again. It was also on her bed when she passed away, and now it is in my bedroom, as a token of love and comfort.

Katie used her quilt as:

• A tent, to hide under, and sometimes to feign sleep with

Here she is a few weeks later, checking her email on the SCCA ward.

• A mask, to block smells that bothered her

Her quilt is barely visible --under the big pink and purple fleece blanket from a friend -- in this photo with David and two of the Seattle Seahawks, but it's there!

• A lap blanket, to warm her legs when in the car or a wheelchair

• A wrap, like a pashmina, to keep her upper body warm

• A blinder, to avoid sights she disliked (such as hypodermic needles);

• A bathrobe, over her pajamas

This is David, Katie and Nurse April, helping Katie to walk after her surgery.

• A distraction, studying its pattern (the state flowers of the U.S.A.), instead of watching procedures

• A comforter

Here she is on the surgery ward, almost ready to go home, nearly 6 weeks after her 18-hours-long surgery.

I'm sure there are lots more possible uses. Kids are creative!

In these difficult economic times, many of us cannot simply write a check for a charity that we love and want to support. Among crafters; however, I have come to learn that we nearly always have a “stash,” some materials stored away that we haven’t had a chance to turn into a gift or a project.

Are you a crafter? Do you sew, knit, crochet or work with fleece? If you have a “stash” of materials, and would like to share it with sick children, I invite you to join us (or to start a project of your own, in your part of the world). Our guild’s website is www.katiescomfortersguild.blogspot.com

If you would like to learn more about the hospital, click on this link to Seattle Children’s Hospital’s website.

The joy of sharing your time and talent, and knowing the comfort that it will bring to others, is a great source of bliss. I hope you will find that this is true in your own life.

Note: Children’s Hospital can only accept brand-new blankets; no pre-owned or used blankets can be given, due to issues of infection-control.

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When I one day have the craft room of my dreams, there will be so many organizational bins that it will look like the warehouse at the end Raiders of the Lost Arc. I'd love everything to have its place, and if it did I'm completely convinced that I would be able to be more effective in my crafting . . . the creativity would churn out more quickly because I would know exactly what I have. A girl can dream, can't she? Here are the instructions for bin #328.

Supplies & Tools:

• FolkArt® Acrylic Paint
• Bright Baby Pink
• Turquoise
• Yellow Citron
• Mod Podge® Satin

• Wood Storage Bin
• 2” Wood Balls – 4
• My Mind’s Eye Scrapbook Paper – 4 sheets, 2 each of 2 designs
• Turquoise Ribbon – 1 roll
• Paper Flowers – 4 coordinating
• Pink Buttons – 2
• 1” Flat Paint Brush
• Craft Glue
• Craft Knife and Mat
• Pencil
• Scissors

1. I always trace the shapes for my finished project first. Why? Because if pencil marks get on my surface, then I can paint over them. Start by tracing one side of the bin on the four sheets of paper. Set those sheets aside –you’ll cut them while the paint is drying on your project.
2. If you haven’t noticed, I fancy colorblocking. On the storage bin, paint the inside Turquoise, two sides Yellow Citron and two sides Bright Baby Pink. Paint the bottom whatever color you want – I painted it Turquoise. You will have to paint several coats of all colors. Allow to dry.
3. While the bin is drying, paint the wood balls Turquoise. Allow to dry.
4. Now cut the paper. Measure approximately 1/8” inside your trace line on all four pieces from step 1 and trim them down using the craft knife.
5. When your bin is dry, adhere these four pieces to the sides using the Mod Podge. Work one side at a time. Completely smooth out all air bubbles and allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes.
6. Coat the entire bin with at least two coats of Mod Podge. Coat the inside and the wood balls as well. Allow to dry completely.
7. Glue the wood balls to the four corners of the bottom with the craft glue. Allow to dry.
8. Cut the ribbon to fit two opposite sides as you see in the photo. Start with one side and glue the pieces down with craft glue about 1/2" apart. Glue some paper flowers down in the center and then add a button to finish. Allow this side to dry before turning bin over and doing the same to the other side.
9. Allow the storage bin to dry for at least 24 hours before using.

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I don’t have to tell you that the holidays are coming up. Every year it seems as if they creep up faster and faster. You are enjoying summer and flip-flops and your garden’s bounty when all of a sudden the realization that Christmas is almost here might leave you in a panic.

With the economy on the minds of most everyone it might be a bit overwhelming when we think of all of the people we’d love to bless with gifts at this special time of year. There are many ways to go about it but one way to give a meaningful gift without spending too much is by making your own. Yes. You read me right. Making gifts on your own for those you love.

Homemade gifts are more than crayon scribbles and hot glue. There are a myriad ideas out there for you to use to create just the right gift for each person on your list. You can generally make gifts fairly inexpensively. If you are purchasing craft items, wait for sales at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s or use their coupons. Check out yard sales for odds and ends.

Here are a few links to get you started:

• All Free Crafts
• Make-Stuff
• Family Fun
• Instructables

Some other ideas:

• Decorate a frame with tiny novelty spoons, measuring cups, and bake ware for a grandma/aunt/sister/mom who loves to bake. Put in a family photo and you are all done.
• Make a “specialty basket.” We’ve done a movie theme for family before in which we added DVDs, candy, popcorn, and other goodies in a pretty basket. The great thing about baskets is that you can customize them to your recipient.
• Mixes in a jar. These are perfect for that single brother or uncle. Make up a whole bunch of mixes, put them in canning jars, attach the recipe to the outside, and you have a gift that you know will be used.

• Books. You can find these in great condition second-hand.
• Bake some yummy homemade breads and wrap them up in pretty cellophane.

Homemade gifts are fun to make, personal, and can be very affordable. I would love to hear your ideas!

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• Two used Mason jars

• Wire from the back of an old mirror.

• Silver handles from a used Bathroom fixture.

Wrap the wire around the lip of the Mason Jar, and twist it tight. String silver handle through. Fashion a loop at top- Hang from a screw.

Add water and fresh flowers, and there you have it – the world's easiest hanging vase. Added bonus- totally "Green" didn't cost a dime.

Look around your home, who knows you probably have things to fashion a hanging vase too.

Happy Day

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You'll only need a minimum of supplies including a Styrofoam cone, acrylic paint, plastic decorative apples, decorative wreath stems, a hot glue gun and a candlestick.

First paint the Styrofoam cone the same color as the decorative apples. This will help the Styrofoam blend in with the apples.

Separate the apples by size and use the hot glue gun to attach them to the cone. Start with the largest ones on the bottom and work your way up to the top, decreasing the size of the apples as you go.

After you have adhered all the apples, add decorative wreath stems around the bottom by sticking the wire stems into the bottom of the Styrofoam cone. Make sure you push the wire stems upward toward the center of the cone to prevent the Styrofoam from chipping.

Attach the entire cone to a candlestick using the hot glue.

Voila, it's just that easy and no one will even know you made it yourself.

Happy Holidays!

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LeAnne's countdown to trick or treat calendar.

This is Amy's version and I really like all the ribbons she used.

I was also inspired by the Pottery Barn's version of their advent last year and made you a step-by-step tutorial on how you can make one. Print out the tutorial for free on Executive Homemaker.

I wanted mine skinnier to fit a specific wall, but you can make it wider if you'd like. Please forgive the picture, the quality isn't the best.

If you're intimidated by the work load, do what I did and make it with a couple friends. It makes it more fun and you get to divide up the work.

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I think this idea from Chocolate on my Cranium for Pumpkin Toilet Paper Covers is awesome!   What a quick and easy way to spruce up your bathroom for the fall season!

All you need is a little bit of scrap fabric and some brown paper lunch bags!  I even tried it with decorative scrapbook paper and it worked just as well (just make sure your paper is big enough or you have 2 sheets per pumpkin)!

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The GO GREEN LUNCHBOX.  This is the coolest, most convenient lunchbox ever made and it helps eliminate the 67 lbs. of lunch packaging waste your child will accumulate throughout the school year. Plus, it's got a really cool built in dry-erase board for scribbling love notes to your sweet little ones…

Check out my blog, A Purse Full of Cheerios, for more details…

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This pattern purposefully does not call for interfacing or fleece.

It has been designed to fit easily into a pants pocket when you need your ID & a little cash, but don't want to carry a purse.

Would I sew this pattern again? YES! – Wonder Wallets are very likely to show up in a Christmas stocking or two.

Sewing Skill level: Beginner – this would be a good project for someone learning to sew.

WHY is it named a 'Wonder Wallet' ? (by Lazy Girl designs) – it is designed to NOT require a zipper or extra Velcro to hold coins. Brilliant!

See the compartment where the coins are sticking out in my photo? This compartment holds coins and after you close the Velcro front flap, they won't fall out.

I've actually had friends TRY to shake the coins out of this wallet…..to prove me wrong. Ha! No can do it!

If you sew one of these, make a bet and you'll win some extra coins to put in your wallet!

It is truly wondrous.

Get the Pattern

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So you returned from that big trip, what was it, back in July? And where are your photos? Still on the camera you say? Use these 10 steps to get back in the game.

1. Unpack/put away any summer items still laying around.
2. Write down your memories of the vacation.
3. Gather all of your photos from the trip in one place.
4. Quickly purge all unwanted photos.
5. Back up your original images to a DVD or hard drive.
6. Select your favorite pictures and go ahead with printing.
7. Decide whether your photos need any editing.
8. Use batch processing to streamline any edits, uploads etc.
9. Share your photos on your favorite social sites.
10. Plan next steps for your memories, like scrapbooks.

It can be very intimidating to properly honor those vacation memories, but these steps make it oh-so-easy.

Photo by befehr

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