Monday Morning Inspiration/Gift Giving Made Easy

It's been a rather tense morning as my dog Little Bit is not feeling well. As I drove her to the vet's office this morning, I couldn't help but shed a few tears. She's 15 years old, so our time together is drawing to a close, faster of course than I would like. The good news is that the vet feels that she will pop back. So today, I am making some special food for her and just staying close in case she needs me. 
Since I am in the kitchen today, I decided to make up a few jars of Fire and Ice pickles for friends and relatives who have been asking for a new jar. If you like pickles, and you like a bit of heat, these pickles are just the best. I originally posted the recipe HERE. They do have a little kick, but only a little.

The pickles are so easy to make up and make a wonderful "homemade from your kitchen" gift. And, they cost next to nothing to make! The only problem is that once you give someone a jar, they will want more. So print out the recipe
on a cute card and attach it to the jar. Maybe they'll get the message that they can make their own jar next time...maybe :)
I have 4 batches going at the moment and I'm thinking that I may need another 4. At least they are easy to make!

Remember too that I have a few free patterns available that make up quickly, and make a wonderful gift. The poinsettia napkin ring can now be downloaded by just clicking HERE. They really do give a holiday table a special touch.

I also have the Beret and the slipper pattern available. Sadly, I have not figured out how to get the patterns onto a downloadable file, at least not yet. But if you would like the pattern, just send me a note and I will get it out to you as quickly as I can, sewbussted@yahoo.com. If by chance you don't hear from me, please try again as sometimes the messages go to my spam folder and I may miss it.

Hope you are having a lovely day. 
Just remember to enjoy the simple moments, as in time, they become our most precious memories.
Rhonda

Thrifty Thursday

Good Morning, or Afternoon as it may be for you!
Well.....a little bird told me that you are talking about me :)
I awoke this morning to this most delightful message,

Good Morning!
Just wanted you to know that I hear the most wonderful things about your blog. You are helping people and inspiring them!
I can't imagine how much work it is, but trust me, your readers adore it.
Susan Khalje

So, to Susan, thank you for taking the time to send the note. And to all of you who have "talked about me," my most heart felt thanks. In response to the comment about the work, it's not work when you love doing whatever it is you do :)

Now, on to the day at hand! Before you think that I have somehow slipped into some strange gap in the cyber world and the blog has become a craft blog, i.e. yesterday's pumpkins and now today's post, just wait until tomorrow for Fabulous Free Pattern Friday!!! But in all honesty, I LOVE crafts!!! I think it helps to satisfy the kid in me.
Although Christmas is still a few months away, it will be here before we know it. Since I love doing little gifts for my friends that are actually useful, I need to get started. So I came across this super cute little potholder from
http://missmary.com.au/2013/02/25/easter-pot-holder/

She calls it an Easter Potholder as it's shaped like an Easter Egg. I think it's super cute and very useful for anytime of the year. 

The shape is simple, but Miss Mary has kindly made a free pattern available so that we are sure to get the correct size. It's just one page, so NO TAPING!!!! Print out 2 sheets of the pattern, cut out the egg shape for the body of the pot holder and then cut out the shaped piece for the pocket. Simple!!!

I have a group of friends whom I exchange gifts with and they all enjoy music, so I made musical potholders for them!!! The surprise is over if they see this post, but that's okay :) They'll love them anyway.

As I said, they are so easy to put together and such fun to make. You can customize them for whatever the occasion is or whatever the person enjoys.The thought occurred to me that they would even make a great money holder. So if you would like to give money to a bride to be, she gets a useful gift with a little bonus tucked inside the pocket.

They wrap beautifully around a pot handle.

You can find the instructions and the free pattern here. There are lots of other cute ideas on Miss Mary's blog, so be sure to check it out!

Now, if you are planning to do some sewing for Christmas, there are a few free patterns available from me.
This easy to make Fleece Slipper pattern.

The Poinsettia Napkin Ring Pattern.

And The Clamshell Wristlet. 

If you would like a pattern for the Fleece Slippers, the Poinsettia Napkin Ring, or the Clam Shell Wristlet, or all of the above, just email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com and I will be happy to send out the pattern....or patterns.

Happy Sewing!!!

Gifts From The Heart

I so enjoy sharing the beautiful things that so many of you have done using patterns that I've posted. Today, the post is all about slippers. 

When I opened my email this morning, I found this post http://corecouture.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/shortest-day/ from Ruth. She made the sweetest gifts for her niece and nephew, robes and slipper sets. She used the slipper pattern that I posted here, http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2012/09/fabulous-free-pattern-friday_20.html.

I always find Ruth to be quite the genius when it comes to being resourceful. Take note of the material she used to make the slippers non-slip. Such a great idea. It's the material that you would put under a rug to keep it from slipping. Another great idea...She stuffed the slippers with small gifts that are appropriate for each child, so not only are the slippers useful, they made great Christmas stockings too! Like I said, genius!!!

Now on to Willi. How cute are these slippers?!!! When Willi sent the picture, she told me that she had modified the pattern and made doll slippers for her two granddaughters.

 Once again, how cute is this?!!!

These two little girls are quite lucky to have Willi for a grandmother :)

I know that there are only a few days left before Christmas, but if you have some fleece laying around the house and you need a last minute gift, you are always welcome to email me for the pattern, sewbussted@yahoo.com. I'll do my best to get it out to you as soon as possible. You can also download a woman's and child's medium sized slipper here, http://www.sewnews.com/content_downloads/Mommy_and_Me_Slippers.pdf
Happy Holidays!!!