Monday, January 30, 2012

I do declare, Happy Birthday Chris!

Happy Birthday Chris!
You are a rare treasure and a valued companion on the motherhood journey. 
I adore your sense of humor, sense of fun, and laid-back ease.
I love that I can tell you anything. I love that our families love each other. I love that we can talk three times a day or three times a month and it just picks right back up. 
I can be serious around you and GOODNESS knows...
I can be a little nutty and you love me anyway!
Happy Birthday Friend!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Pintrest: where I stand and why I've never been popular

Very often in life, I've not been popular. I don't just mean popular as being in the "cool"crowd (I wasn't that either) but popular as in going with the majority. For instance, I don't like seafood. Growing up on the beach, that wasn't the norm. Not popular. I cried when my daughter started Kindergarten while other moms were high-fiving each other. My tears were not popular. I don't watch Glee, The Bachelor, or any major sporting event. Definitely NOT popular with the majority of women or my husband.

The other big thing that I just can't "get" is Pintrest. There, OK, I said it. I don't like Pintrest. I've got an account. I've got a few board with a few things pinned and every day I get a few new followers (I'm sure it isn't long before they are disappointed!). Correct me if I am mistaken, but I think Pintrest is an online bulletin board where you "pin" things you like and others can borrow your idea. Is that it? I hear people talking about losing hours to Pintrest. I must be missing something. I know friends who get great ideas for birthday parties (and actually use them) and decorating ideas that are inexpensive for their homes. Again, I am missing something. My problem isn't inspiration, which I guess Pintrest is for, but time implementing all the things I already know I want to do. So there. I said it. 
Millions of people love Pintrest and then there is me (although, in looking for Pintrest statistics, I found a survey where 3% of people polled don't just dislike it, but HATE it. interesting.)

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Londa's Creative Threads

Oh boy! Do you know Londa? I bumped into her shop and scooped up some deals! She carries patterns, books, needles, scissors, patterns, cutting mats, thread, rotary cutters, and almost everything you might need. Her prices are much cheaper than my local big-box craft store and she carries some high-end supplies that you can't find anywhere else (and certainly if you do, you won't find them for these prices!). Look at my haul... 
universal needles $2.28
elsewhere over $3.50

THESE-ARE-ONLY-FOR-FABRIC Scissors (that's what I named them)
Kai Scissors under $25 
elsewhere on the web I've seen them for over $37!
{these are awesome. I've only had them for a few days, but wow! they make me want to put away my rotary cutter!}

Sew What You Love by Tanya Whelan
This book has 30 projects and patterns and it is awesome! 
Londa sells this book for over $5 under list price as well as many, many other books!

Visit Londa. Visit her NOW because she is offering FREE SHIPPING (case sensitive code, luvfreeship) until Jan 31! Visit her because she creates her own line of EASY and SIMPLE patterns (I got my hands on one and can't wait to try it). Visit her because she supports some beautiful charities. Visit her because you love her blog....just visit her!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

feeding the ducks

I had after school plans. The kind where the kids played nicely upstairs while I cleaned three bathrooms, folded two loads of laundry, and made a nice dinner. Instead we joined friends at the lake to feed ducks and I served up leftovers. Somedays are like that.















After a few rainy, dreary days, this was just what we needed.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

crazy love

every print you see on this blog is from Jennifer Paganelli's new line of fabric, CRAZY LOVE...I can't WAIT for it to come out!

Gymnastics and other cute things

Sam and Emma Kate have asked to take gymnastics and we enrolled them in once a week lessons last week. They loved it! The teachers are wonderful and they had a blast.






When Caroline heard us talking about getting them enrolled, she asked if she could do it too. We have offered it to her in the past and she has always turned us down, but since she brought it up, we thought we'd give it a chance.
SHE LOVED IT!
Look at the face....she had that smile on her sweet little face for the entire hour!

While Caroline had her lesson, Mario practiced.
Here he is with the mushroom that made him grow.
Here he is after bumping into a turtle and shrinking.

Here is is with firepower throwing fire balls.
 Gymnastics was a treat. I adore watching and seeing them have such fun!
School is also going well. I was a little concerned that after Christmas break they would have difficulty transitioning to going back, but they were ready.
oohh, I could pinch her.
and them

seriously...pinch them

aren't I lucky that my kids love to have their pictures made?
look at her smiling on cue!
oh! spoke too soon...
looks like "game over" for Mario

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Charming

I have been drooling over this pattern for a while. I love bags and rarely make them. I love clutch purses and rarely buy them. I love Amy Butler fabric and patterns and happen to have lots of each. 
This clutch was surprisingly easy to make, quick to assemble, and cuter than I imagined. It is sturdy thanks to lots of interfacing and layers. It closes at the top with two almost invisible magnets and it is roomy! It honestly fits every bit as much as my regular purse (magazine, wallet, candy, granola bar, and 17 lipsticks). 

Teri at buy design fabrics has all of your Amy Butler love covered. She carries the thread (hard to find and never at these prices!), fabric, and patterns. I also love that she ships immediately to you as instant gratification is my middle name. She also carries the Sari fabric that is used on the cover of the pattern. 

Here is the clutch I made.
see? BIG, no?
You want this purse don't you? Go ahead, tell me all about how you want this little purse. 
No. Seriously. Tell me and I will send it to you. One lucky duck winner will get this very clutch next week.

Also, Teri is venturing into handmade cutie pie things like crochet hats and slippers....do visit her...she is creative and crafty!