Look what I made

Over the past while josh and I have been committed to buying locally, handmade and fresh. So as part of that we have decided to make as much as possible for ourselves. This has involved learning many new skills which have included bread making(without a bread maker) sewing my own clothes, raising hens, growing a garden and most recently canning. Kristen and I went berry picking on Thursday and got a ton of blueberries and raspberries. The next morning I made my first ever batches of blueberry and raspberry jam. guess what? They turned out perfectly:) I used the no sugar needed pectin and added only 1 1/2 cups of sugar per batch which is much better than the 7 cups per batch with regular pectin. We will be getting 300 lbs of peaches and 100 lbs. of pears in the next few weeks so that should keep me busy for a few days:)

crafting

Since it has been like 90 degrees(that's Fahrenheit Liz)all I've done is hang out at the beach and sew. The kids only have 3 weeks left until school starts and they all need new kit bags. So we headed to the mall to check them out and once I saw the $30+ price tags I knew I'd be making them instead of buying them. It then required a trip to the fabric store(woohoo) where I found 100% wool for $1 a meter yes that's right $1 A METER!!!! The first messenger bag I made was a little big for the kids so I guess I'll be forced to use it:) but the second turned out awesome. It is a grey wool outer with a skull and cross bones fabric on the inside. Noah loves it and thinks he looks pretty cool with his new bag. now there are only 3 more to do but since I know how they go together they should only take about an hour or two each to make. I am going to make the younger ones lunch bags too but I'll spare Nesta and let him paper bag.

I have made a few purses for myself( A girl can never have too many purses) and a few pairs of PJ pants($1.50 a pair) But the best so far has been the shirt I made for Paige last night. It was so simple, it only took me about an hour to make and all materials cost me no more than $1.50 a meter. I love bargain priced fabrics!.