Homemade birthday gifts

Sierra's friend Rachel (see previous post) recently had her 17th birthday. We wanted to do something special for her but wasn't quite sure what. We decided that we wanted to make her birthday gift this year. So we dug in the craft room for supplies I had on hand and came up with two separate gifts. The first was a keepsake box. We started with this:


And finished with this:

We did have to buy a few items: the tin and the flower on the front. Everything else I already had. Now Rachel has a box for all her "keepsakes" or "treasures".

Next it was on to this: I hate to admit it but this project cost exactly $.60 - don't call me cheap, just thrifty. I found the frame at a yard sale last fall for $.10 and just knew that it would come in handy for something - just didn't know what at the time. The letter was $.50 at Micheal's and the ribbon and the spray I already had on hand , so that cost doesn't count.

So this:

turned into this:

There is no back on the letter it just hangs there freely.

16 and a first date

Sierra turned 16 a couple weeks ago and things have not been the same - She's ready to drive - in fact she has her learner's permit. And the biggest event was her first date.

Two of her really good friends surprised her with a date on her birthday. As part of their gift to her, they bought her a dress and came to the house to do her nails and hair. She was completely in the dark as to what was going on. They even arranged the date.

It just so happened that at the high school that night was the prom, but they decided to have their own prom. They first went to Joseph's house for dinner, then to Katie's house to learn some dance steps and then to Rachel's house for ice cream and games. She had a great time.

Here are the cute girls all ready to go - now if the boys would just be on time:

(Sierra, Rachel, Katie)

AHH - the boys show up - with flowers:

(Joseph, Sierra, Rachel, Collin, Katie, James)

Sierra and her date Joseph: