2010 Homesteading Skill-A-Month Challenge

**Debbie-cat** · 01-04-2010, 11:25 PM

Well making the blocks won't take long but I have to hand stitch it into the quilt so that might take a looooong time!

**missyali** · 01-06-2010, 09:30 PM

My kids INHALED the bread! It was gone on Tuesday! I'll need to make two loaves next time. Or, a loaf and something else. Maybe this weekend...

**Debbie-cat** · 01-06-2010, 10:12 PM

Isn't it great when you make something homemade and the family loves it?

**Kerjack** · 01-06-2010, 10:34 PM

I'm in for this challenge! I got a lot of skills that I want to be able to do by the end of the year, and this is the perfect way to keep me motivated. For January I think I'm going to learn to sew by hand. I don't have a sewing machine, but I'm looking for one.

By the way Dean I love the paper! I'm defiantly going to try that!

**Debbie-cat** · 01-06-2010, 10:46 PM

Isn't the paper great kerjack?! Dean always keeps me motivated!

**frugalfranny** · 01-07-2010, 01:54 AM

Just checking to see how everyone is doing.....

Can't wait to see all the blocks DC!

**dean** · 01-07-2010, 07:04 AM

Okay, since it's still January and I finished my skill already, I am going to do a variation of my paper this weekend. I went through my scrapbook paper stash and came up with some paper I don't really want to use for scrapbook pages, and will attempt to make paper with seeds imbedded. I think that would make a cute gift included in a card. We'll see where it takes me.

I have been looking for wool felt and I hope to have some by Feb. to start my penny rug.

**Debbie-cat** · 01-07-2010, 10:24 AM

Dean - the paper with seeds in it sounds fascinating and I can see where you are going with it. So cool! Yesterday when I was digging through my stash I found a kit that I picked up at goodwill once. Funny as it is a penny rug kit but it doesn't make a rug per say but a tablerunner! I am going to have to try it soon.

**dean** · 01-07-2010, 04:19 PM

Penny rugs aren't really rugs for the floor, they are runners. Very cool that you have one deb. Please make it and post a pic when you have the chance.

**Debbie-cat** · 01-07-2010, 06:03 PM

Oh dean I didn't even know that!!!

Goes to show you how much I know about them. I looked at it again today, it has a santa face on it with a star, the kit unopened and I paid 99 cents for it.

**dean** · 01-07-2010, 06:14 PM

Way to go deb. Another great bargain at your Goodwill. Wish we had deals like that at ours.

**frugalfranny** · 01-08-2010, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

My sewing machine has an electric button holer that I don't have a CLUE how to use. (was shown once, years ago) I AM going to learn to use it this month --hope I still have a sewing machine, in one piece, at the end of the month! It is supposed to be easy - plug it in - set the size of the button and the rest is done automatically.......YEAH, RIGHT! So - here I go.....

Well.......who knew???

I am done with my challenge!!

I CAN NOT believe it - and guess what? I plugged it in - the machine asked me some questions, I filled in the blanks..pushed on the foot pedal ....and off it went!!! And buttonhole happened!! Just like it was supposed to.....

I then played around with it and a couple of them don't turn out so nice - but it is just magic! I can't tell you the number of buttonholes I have 'made by hand' but on the machine!

You REALLY CAN teach an old dog new tricks!!!

**Debbie-cat** · 01-08-2010, 07:30 PM

Woo hoo FF! That's fantastic! I wish I had a buttonhole thingamajig!

**Debbie-cat** · 01-09-2010, 04:18 PM

Finished my homesteading skill for this month. It was to make napkins as I want to get away from paper products. I made a bunch for us and a set of 8 for my SIL for Christmas (I will be making her placemats to match and will pick up napkin rings from the Dollar Tree). One skill down for the year! I will be making more for us as well. Theme napkins .... Valentines for Feb, green for St. Patricks in March...etc. I am going to buy the material AFTER the season so I can get it cheaper.

**MandaRenee** · 01-09-2010, 05:01 PM

Great work so far everyone!

Dean--I love the idea of seeds inside the paper. I have some gift tags left over from Christmas that were made just that way. They actually grow little tress. I can't wait to plant some.

FF--way to go on the buttonholes! I can just see you putting buttons on everything now.

Debbie--your napkins look great. I've been wanting to make some but haven't gotten around to it. Are they lined or just a single fabric layer?