Painting a Snow Day

This is a painting I made while having winter art time with my children. It's been a LONG time since I did this, so I'm rather impressed. Using kids cheap paint brushes and old paint on a mini canvas, it was a nice challenge.

 

The key to these paintings is layering. Sky first, midground, then foreground. It adds depth.  I was trying to teach my kids to do this instead of just painting in the lines. Remember that shadows aren't always black, sometimes it's just darker in color. Add pops of bright color to keep interest. Think of objects creating invisible lines that draw your eye from one object to another. Use ragged bristles to paint leaves/pines, use end of brush or toothpick to make dots, and don't be afraid to use your fingers!

 

Leave a comment on my blog with a link to your spur of the moment project.

Stitching up a gift

Here's some quick peeks at what I made this past week for my kiddos' and their stockings.


My old doll bed needed a makeover (since 1980 something). So this fabric I found at Joann's clearance section made the perfect sheet and comforter set. The comforter is top cotton and bottom fleece.



After looking on Etsy for modest fashion doll clothes, all I could say was "i can make that!" So I did. [Not the man's clothes, I bought that set to free up my time.] I pulled most from my scrap fabric bag, and tried the ideas I had seen without a pattern. I'm pretty pleased with myself at what I could make, and hope it will just get better until I hand over this project to my oldest daughter.

The key to making the clothes is to use elastic bobbin thread, stitched by hand at waist or top. I must say, I love my serger for doll clothes, though I did turn over a few edges. Maybe this time around, I won't find SO many naked barbie dolls around the house?!


Moose had surgery on his arm, and went home with a fleece coat, hat and mittens. No pattern, just made it up as I went. Happy that fleece stretches to fit, and hook'n loop helps pull it together. My son couldn't be happier.


My little guy also loves his crocheted hat, complete with a Santa beard. He wore it to hand out candy canes at gymnastics class. Wish I had a picture of that!

Pocket Saints and Holy Friends

We've enjoyed our Pocket Friends, and moved on to making Pocket Saints. These are all character drawings on wood craft sticks. A fun family project, a quiet time activity, party favor/activity, or stocking stuffer!
Saints were ordinary people who did extraordinary things in the name of God. You can find images of the saints online for inspiration, and be sure to read about them too! I’d suggest writing a fun fact on the back of each Pocket Saint and use them like flash cards with your children. We wrote the saint name, patron of… and feast day. Our daughter enjoyed making these three Saints for her collection. We’re hoping to make a Nativity play set for her little brothers!   Read more about Pocket Friends on Modest Mommies

My First Boutique Sale

After a week of excessive sewing, I loaded up the van for my first craft sale. It was at our church, and fees went to the CCW which benefits the church. So I felt that it was no loss if I didn't sell anything. That way I just had fun meeting everyone, talking about babies and sharing my talent with others.

 

The event helped me take a good look at my logo, my prices, and other business stuff. I offered a drawing from a stocking to get 5, 15 or 20% OFF their purchase with a code to use it online later.

I sold the camouflage cozy car seat canopy, the starry night valance and a pocket friends kit. I also received interest from the parish to enlist me to make Quiet in the Pew mass kits for children to grab as they come to church. I sold enough to pay for my booth and lunch - so you could say I broke even.

My daughter came along, but only lasted one of four hours before becoming bored. Lots of old ladies with no intent to buy for mommies or babies in their family. But that week she learned a bit about business, profit margins, crafting and more. She took her $3 profit and ran with it! My husband and I made the switch and our littlest guy grabbed smiles for me and modeled his car seat canopy.

 

The items that did not sell will be available on my Etsy shop very soon! See anything you like and don't want to wait? Email me today     4modestmommies@gmail.com

Advent Stockings - Monday Motivation

Counting down to Christmas Day is a holiday tradition for many families, including mine! Come visit me at Homegrown Catholics to see how to make these stockings!

http://stbrigidsacademy.blogspot.com/2012/11/advent-stocking-tree.html

Giving Our Christmas Away

National Collection Week Nov 12-19th!

Our family is giving our Christmas away! We've done this in years past, and wanted to share how we are doing it this year. This week is a huge opportunity for you to pack a shoe box, bring a smile to a child somewhere across the world, and bring them the message that Jesus is the greatest gift! Consider spending some or all of your gift money towards gifts for a needy child or family. Whether you support Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan's Purse) or take a name of your church's giving tree - just make the effort to GIVE! The blessings to a giving heart bring more joy than any present under your tree.

Veggie Tales pack a shoe box:

Kids Can Make A Difference video

How to pack a box: Click Here

"All About Me" coloring pages to include in the box:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/images/occ_art/ColoringPages.pdf

Don't forget a personal letter & picture from you, and the label!

 

Drop off boxes at a local drop off center. Locations listed on the website.

"Give this Christmas Away" Music Video

 

Please comment on ModestMommies.blogspot.com how you are giving this Christmas!

Thankful for a great year

It’s been one long year of crafting when I can, in between having a baby, homeschooling, obligations and family time. I’ve opened up shop, had a few customers, gave some special gifts, and I am excited to make some more! I won’t be posting much over the holidays, but you are always welcome to email or call me with custom orders. I’ll be posting items on Etsy as they become available.

 

God Bless,

Melissa @ Modest Mommies

Grand Opening Sale

  My Modest Mommies blog has been an excellent outlet to share my crafting ideas and inspiration. Every project has awakened more ideas and a personal passion for the needle arts. There is so much joy in taking a design and making it into something useful for others. Encouraged by those close to me and acquaintances - I have decided to open my own shop! Now more mommies can have products that reflect a new traditional style, which brings together old fashioned charm and modesty, simplicity and functionality for the modern day mother. Modest Mommies can help keep you and your babies covered at the breast, on the go, and as they grow.
To welcome you all to my new online shop, I'm offering a 15% off your order code! Please pass it on to your friends, and consider checking it out for your holiday shopping.
Want something not in my shop? You can make a custom order request at any time. I can sew just about anything with a pattern :)  Many ideas below, including costumes, dresses, totes, etc.  Just email me your idea.

Thank you for your encouragement and for taking a look!

*****

  To get my new shop rolling for the upcoming holiday season, I'm offering 15% off your order! Just use the code and visit http://modestmommies.etsy.com



  This Minnesota weather is having us turn up the heat and break out the sweatshirts. When it comes to our little kiddos, I've sewn up something special to keep them warm in their car seats or while nursing in public.
THE COZY CARSEAST CANOPY w/ Tootsie & Strap Covers

DAIRY GO NURSING COVER


Also taking special order requests for:
*Shopping Cart Covers (keep hands off those bacteria/flu-infested carts)
*Holiday Girls' Dresses
*Baptismal Gowns
*Crocheted Hats
*Floor Quilts for Babies
*Quiet in the Pew Totes for Church
*Aprons for adults and children
*Costumes
*and anything with a pattern!

*Guest Seamstress Kathryn & Sarah - Priest Albs/Stoles, Bed Quilts, and Dress Alterations


Thank you,
Melissa @ Modest Mommies
SHOP  http://ModestMommies.Etsy.com
BLOG  http://ModestMommies.Blogspot.com
EMAIL 4modestmommies@gmail.com

Join me on Facebook and Pinterest for more creative ideas!

UPCOMING SALE NOTICE!

This week I will be sewing up a winter storm…. by next weekend, you will see my Etsy shop full of canopies for your infant car seats and cozy nursing covers. It’s been getting quite chilly here in Minnesota, so I realize it’s time for me to help all the babies stay warm, including my own!

 

 

Visit ModestMommies.blogspot.com to read about my products, and click on the “Avail Fabric” tab for fabrics to choose from now. Visit ModestMommies.Etsy.com for current items completed for sale!

Can’t wait? Contact me today for a custom order!

  

 

This Month’s Etsy Special:

$100-$200 off these beautiful quilts! Click here for pricing and pictures.

 

 

Join my Facebook fan club and watch for Promo Codes for Discounts or Free Shipping!

Modest Mommies on Facebook

Portable Fun

Are you a parent like me that wants toys that inspire creative play WITHOUT batteries, noises or expensive replacement parts? I present you with POCKET PEOPLE. I could spend hours making these if I had time! My kids and their friends are having a lot of fun with creating them and role playing.

Steps: Take large craft sticks (tongue depressors, popsicle sticks) and draw/paint characters on them. That's it!
Optional: Decorate with scrapbook paper, decorative tape, stick-on jewels, glitter, etc.

POCKET FRIENDS


Modest Mandy has clothes that are not glued on. They slide on and off for the modest fashion show. She is so much easier to get dressed than all those plastic dolls with arms!

POCKET SAINTS
I haven't made any yet, but it is the same idea using pictures of Saints as inspiration. In the past I made Saints on wood dolls using colored pencils for wood. This is just the flater, cheaper version.

 

POCKET HEROES

You all saw this coming. My family loves the Marvel Avengers movies! I just drew these with marker, sparingly as ink bleeds into the wood. On the back side we wrote the names of each super hero and their other names, such as Tony Stark, Dr. Bruce Banner, Steve Rogers… You could also draw their alternate character on the reverse side!
L-R: Thor, Hulk, Nick Fury, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Captain America, Black Widow.


CREATE A STORY BOARD

Save us Iron Man!

 

 

Visit all my Thrifty Thursday Posts!