Thursday, December 31, 2009

Refashioning in the New Year!

While visions of thrifty crafting danced in my head, I decided to take the pledge to Wardrobe Refashion. First up: this groovy little scarf from Ruffles N Stuff. I've got two potential fabric donors in mind already...

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Inspired

I have been spending some time perusing blogs lately, and Man! I am so inspired by the creativity and resourcefulness of everyone! I am in awe of the way some of you gals are reusing what you have, transforming something old and forgotten into something redesigned and fabulous!

My new crush: Disney at Ruffles N Stuff. Wow. I can't wait to try some of her ideas!
My second new crush: Ashley at Lil Blue Boo. I have completely enjoyed browsing her great ideas, and I love her patterns for recycled knit dresses! There are so many adorable tees and dresses of my girls that I hate to pack away as well as tons of stuff in my closet that hasn't been off the hanger in quite a while, so maybe now I can figure out something cool to do with these clothes based on these girls' suggestions!

I did whip up a quick superhero cape for Big Sis on Sunday while Lil Sis napped... I still need to go back and add some type of embellishment to it for that extra special touch. Maybe this weekend while dh's home?! Anyhoo, I made it out of pink and green cotton twill that I scored on sale during Christmas, added a velcro closure and a little girly flower... and a superhero cape was born!

I've now got to make one for Lil Sis, so I'll add that on the to-do list for this weekend. I have to work tomorrow (BOO!) but hopefully only a partial day, so maybe I'll still have energy once the sun goes down to get some sewing projects completed.

Who knows? Maybe I'll add some superhero capes to the shop!

Monday, December 28, 2009

A Blessed 2009...


Here's to a fabulous 2010!

2010... in T minus three!

Isn't it crazy how something so constant can be the catalyst of all kinds of change?
Thus it is every year with the beginning of the new year.
In three days, 2010 will begin, as will the chance to make this next year all that I dreamed this past year would have been... and wasn't. Here are a few of the things I'm putting on my list:
1. Take care of me. (By that, I mean all that you think I mean. Exercise, eat better, drink more water, get more sleep, allow myself time away to recharge, and spend more time each day with the Lord.)
2. Take care of my chickies. (Laugh more, play more, dress up more, and not stress so much about messing up more!)
3. Take care of my man. (Be a better wife, better cook, better housekeeper *ahem*, better friend, and make more time to date the man I married.)
4. Create, and find ways to create that reuse and recycle.
6. Give it away and Pay it forward. (Cause that's what it's all about, really.)

I've got a lot riding on ya, 2010, so don't let me down!

To come - Christmas pics and a superhero cape!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

You Can STILL Win This!!

Come on guys... I've still got one You Can Make This prize to award! So leave a comment for a chance to win!

This last bundle giveaway will end December 31st at midnight. Tick, tock...

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Ho-Ho-Holy Crap!

Is it really December 24th?!

Man, this December has flown by. Here it is, Christmas Eve, and I am still waiting on Etsy packages to arrive (pllleeeease usps - don't let me down!). Gifts are hidden in my closet waiting to be wrapped. Ingredients are sitting on my counter with a wish to be made into coconut macaroons... and *gasp* I didn't even send out a Christmas card this year! Eek!

So today will be a busy day - I'll be whipping up some last-minute, top-secret tutus since my pettiskirt kits haven't arrived. I'll be wrapping gifts til the wee hours of the morning. And I'll be baking today in between chasing my two little chickies around.

But as for that Christmas card...



Wishing you the happiest of holiday seasons!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

HOW many days 'til Christmas?!!

It is the Saturday before Christmas and I am soooooo far behind it's not even funny. Seriously. At this point, I don't have a single gift for my children in my possession - all those Etsy finds are lost in the US Postal system... AND - the only day I have to go shopping is today... and the truck needs to be taken in for service! Ack!
Oh well... I did ask off next Tuesday. Guess it'll be that day or nothin'!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Bloom Where You're Planted

I am very excited about the upcoming selection for the Bloom Book Club. I'll be purchasing my book tomorrow morning as I'm waiting for that midnight sale!

Truthfully, I'm eager to be part of a book club that is so inspirational, as I'm in need of some inspiration right now. I'm at that place in my life where my job is just that. A job. It is a chore to get myself to go to work in the morning because I just don't enjoy what I do. I'm at a crossroads of "Do I get a different job?" and "Do I just stay where I am cause change is too painful?", and it's difficult. I keep praying that there will be an answer or opportunity but I'm just so unsure at this point.

I've put in resumes and applications, so pray that I'll recognize doors that the Lord opens for me and that I'll understand when He closes them.

You Can Win This!!



With the holidays just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to showcase some quick and easy gift ideas you can give to friends, neighbors, co-workers, and oh yes…even your family! You can enter to win eBooks from http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ and learn some fun new techniques, tips, and ideas not only for the people on your list, but also creative ways to decorate your home!

You Can Make This has created a free download for some fun gift tags. Each of them coordinate with ideas found as part of the DIY Gift Giving Series videos that can be found at www.youcanmakethis.com/blog , as well as designs and patterns found at http://www.swakembroidery.com/ and http://www.youcanmakethis.com/.

You can also enter to win hundreds of dollars in gift certificates just for watching the videos that are part of the DIY Gift Giving Series and answering a question on the You Can Make This blog!


And thanks to Courtney at You Can Make This, you have chance to win one of two giveaway bundles! The giveaway bundles include instructions for making the Kimberbell Kids 24” Doll and “Gift-Giver” Patterns. These are the perfect toys to make every little ones eyes light up on Christmas or any morning!!

To enter: leave a comment on this post - it's that easy! You can also earn extra entries by tweeting or blogging about this giveaway and coming back here to give the info in the comments.

Giveaway ends: December 21st, 2009. Two winners will be chosen at random.

So what are you waiting for??!! Comment and enter to win!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Sunrise, Sunset

Have you ever heard this song from Fiddler on the Roof? I know I've heard it sung at weddings, where the moms and dads are wiping their eyes as their babies fly the coop with their beloveds... and I felt my first sunrise, sunset moment yesterday, oddly enough, at Target. I was perusing the little girl Christmas skirts when I thought they seemed a little small for my almost-five year old, so I made my way to the big girl section. *sob*

It was such a surreal moment walking amongst the bigger sizes, the clothes that were no longer child-like, but rather more grown-up, realizing that my baby. is. growing. up.

"Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small?
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears"

Monday, December 7, 2009

Yikes... slow down December!

I can not believe we're already in the second week of December! Yes, my tree is up and decorated, but there is so much more to do...
1. Shopping (of which I've done nada, zero, zip, zilch)
2. Sewing (ditto on the aforementioned nothingness)
3. Socializing (which dessert did I say I'd bring?)
4. Stocking-making (one of these days we'll all have coordinating stockings!)

Yikes. I have so much to do and so very little time.
And just a quick survey of all you fabulous women... how much does your dh help you when it comes to Christmas? Does he help decorate? Does he remember to get stocking stuffers for St. Nick? Does he get gifts for the family? Does he prepare any food for the holidays get-togethers?
Just wondering. No reason.
*ahem*
Now where are those little elves?

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

This Ain't no Judy Garland...

it's an Advent Garland! I finished this late last night and snapped some pics tonight with just the light from the Christmas tree, so bear with me! I used Jenny's pattern over at AllSorts, with just a few modifications... I wanted to get it finished and up before Advent was over, so I didn't embroider the numbers - instead, I just wrote them on flower paper punches and hung them with embroidery floss. I'm not in love with it like this, so I will add those embroidered numbers before next Christmas rolls around! I also took a not-so-smart shortcut with the buttons - I glued them. Yep, I admit it. I glued them, and thus had a difficult time wrapping the floss around them! Last time I'll make that mistake... dangit.


I strung the garland on some leftover handmitt yarn, and added some fabulous felt beads from Handbegh Felts on Etsy. I have some leftover beads that are destined to become little Christmas bracelets for some special little girls in my life... *sigh* a craft for another day!Shortcuts and all, it turned out pretty cute - I've filled the pockets with chocolate so far, but they're only one Etsy shopping expedition away from being filled with some cute little clay creations! Maybe something like this in honor of this fabulous gingerbread house?


Seriously... how could someone not like Christmas?!
Oh. And Elf on the Shelf is a big hit. Stories to come!