The latest!

(I got this bookmark over the weekend.  I love it!)

So, I haven't been doing much in the realm of crafting lately.  I still haven't hemmed my circle skirt.  I still haven't hemmed the girl's sun dress.  However, I did organize my crafty area (again), but you wouldn't know by the looks of it (again).  We're gearing up for a move, but I don't know when we'll actually be moving, so I'm afraid to get too many things out, because that just means I have to put it all back.  Ugh. . .the downfall of moving.  Isn't there a moving fairy that just waves her wand and all your things are set up in your new house?

(The Graphics Fairy)
Oh, there she is. . .

In lieu of anything related to sewing or scrapbooking or productivity in general, I present to you a collection of pictures from our latest weekend excursion for your viewing pleasure.  While the man was fishing, the crazies and I hit up a "five and dime" with some friends.  A good time was had by all.

 This one's for Daddy

 East meets West

 This was the only hat the girl would put on.  I think the weird string things had something to do with it.

This is a stick up!

We didn't get any of the hats.  But we spent probably 20 minutes in the hat aisle alone and it was well worth it.  Afterwards, we had lunch at Bass Pro Shop.  Yes, you read that correctly. . .I had lunch at Bass Pro Shop.  And you know what, it was DELISH!  If you find yourself near a Bass Pro and your stomach is saying, "Hmm, I think I would like a little pick me up so that we can shop 'til we drop at Bass Pro. . .you know you've been wanting those moss oak waders and the furniture to decorate your hunting lodge."  You tell your stomach, "Sit tight Tum Tum, we're headed to the Bass Pro restaurant.  Where not only do they have fish, fish, and more fish, and every man's favorite, MEAT, but they have healthy and wonderful salads and soups."  It's good, really.

I also purchased a cute little pink journal while at the five and dime.  You know me, I can't pass up anything pink and I mean ANYTHING! 

And on Saturday night, I took that journal's advice.  I had a cupcake. . .or two. . .or three. . .

If one day, you find you've wandered into downtown Springfield, Missouri, visit "The Cup".  You won't be disappointed.  We picked up a few different cupcakes so everyone could share.  Let's see, we got:

Coffee Cake (with a drizzle of frosting, like really coffee cake)

Chocolate, with chocolate frosting

Chocolate and Peanut Butter, with crushed peanut butter cups on top

Red Velvet, with a yummy cream cheese frosting

Raspberry, with a raspberry filling and raspberry buttercream frosting (MY FAVORITE!)

Red Velvet/Raspberry mixed, with a raspberry cream cheese frosting

Holy Moly People!  These were out of this world.  They have a website.  Click here and take a look at all the wonderfulness they have.

Lastly, I wanted to let you know that my friend, Christina, over at Accomplishing Motherhood is having a "March of Hair".  Go to her blog and read up on it.  But the gist is that sometimes we fall into the rut of not doing our hair. . .ever.  I know that mine is usually in a messy bun and I rarely brush it (but don't worry, it is washed and cleaned daily!).  All through the month of March, she'll be posting a video featuring a new hairstyle and a tutorial for making your own crafty hair accessory.  Doesn't that sound fabulous?!  So, check it out.

And now it's time for me to say goodbye.  The girl needs to get up from her nap and the boy needs to be picked up from school.  Eventually laundry needs to be put away (or in the case of the last two loads of sheets and towels, folded as well).  After all that talk of cupcakes, I feel the need to bake some.  I think I've found the secret to making them moist and amazing, I'll let you know how they turn out.  Happy Crafting!  And if you're in the Midwest and were hit by the snow, I feel for you.  I just got used to seeing my grass again.

I'm over snow.

A couple of things

To start, I have to tell you that life as I know it has ended.  Something alarming happened to me two days ago.  It was shocking and a little bit scary.  It was something that snuck up on me, practically in the middle of the night.  Out of nowhere this unwanted visitor showed up.  Two days ago. . .

I FOUND A GRAY HAIR!!!

It was awful and traumatic!  I don't know where it came from.  One singular gray hair, taunting me in the mirror.  It was reminding me that in a few months, I won't just be almost thirty, I'll actually be thirty.  (Side note: I feel that if I type out the word thirty rather than the numbers, it doesn't look as obvious.)  I couldn't find my tweezers to pull it out (it was short) and because I'm not one to over-react, I did the next logical step. . .I immediately went out and bought a box of hair dye!  So, now my hair is nice deep brown all over, with zero chances of that pesky gray hair popping up and taunting me again.  My wonderful husband told me that it was just a fluke and that I'm not going gray.  He said that it probably wasn't a gray hair after all and just the way the light was hitting my hair. . .do you see why I love that man?!

I took his words to heart.

Maybe he was right.

I dyed my hair anyways.  He could be wrong and I didn't want to take any chances.

So, crisis averted and all is well.  My hair looks nice and I feel better.  Now on to craftiness. . .

I finally made a circle skirt.  I'm unhappy with the elastic on the top, so I won't be tucking in any shirts while wearing it.  But I am happy with the way it looks.  I just need to finish the hem. . .shocking, I know.  If you've read any of these blog posts, you'll know that I hate the hem.  I need to get to it though, because things are piling up.  But here's the skirt:

I apologize for the lighting.  Remember, I'm just using my iPhone.  It kind of looks brown, but it isn't.  It is a deep purple with green vines and little blue flowers.  It's cute.  I'm ready to make another, so a visit to the fabric store may be on the agenda for this long weekend.

I also made the little girl another pair of leggings.  I didn't plan on making them, but I promised something crafty on my next blog post and I wasn't sure if I was going to finish the circle skirt.  The leggings are an easy project.  Plus, I saw the cutest socks at Target that I HAD to get.  So I cut them up and made. . .

If you didn't see the previous post with these on them, I found the tutorial here.  They're super easy.
And finally, last night I whipped together a little headband.  I saw them in a store and thought I could make it myself.  There are a few things I'll work on for the next time, but all in all, I'm happy with it.  Plus, I can use it to cover up any gray hairs I may see in the future :)

And that's all I have for you now.  We're headed out of town for the weekend, so I need to get us packed and the house cleaned.  Who else here hates leaving your house a mess when you go away?  ME ME!  Oh, and I think the dog wants to be fed eventually.

Happy weekend!

The Graphics Fairy

These are a few of my favorite things

No craftiness today.  Sorry.  I've been doing other things.  Don't ask me what, because I don't have an answer.  I know I must be doing something.  How am I spending my days?  The answer to this question eludes me.  Something, something happens, something gets done. . .I'm doing something.  I think I did so much for Valentine's that I needed a break.  I decided to treat myself today.  I went to the Candle Queen and bought a new bracelet.  I saw it a few days ago and didn't get it.  But yesterday I decided that I really wanted it, so I bought it today.  It was only $20. . .I love it!

Wow!  The flash was really bright.  I'll work on that for the next time I go out and buy myself a $20 bracelet as a treat to myself.

And in honor of my treat to myself, I'm listing a few of my favorite things, just to make myself feel good.  (Can you hear Julie Andrews singing in the background?)  Oh, and they aren't in any particular order, just the order of when I think of them.


1) My new washer and dryer.  I know, I know.  I've raved about these already, but seriously, I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THEM!  I love doing laundry now.  What does that say about me?  Here is a glimpse of laundry heaven. . .

And yes, I have watched the clothes through the top of the washer and got dizzy doing it.  I am not ashamed to admit it.

2) I like to read.  Here is my current reading list:

-The Well-Trained Mind (because I got it in my head that I wanted to homeschool my son).
-The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading (because I got it in my head that I wanted to homeschool my son and what better subject to start with than reading).
-The Pioneer Woman, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels (because Ree Drummond's website is my new favorite online obsession).
*As a little side note to my list, I wanted to tell you about my trip to the library.  Don't worry, this isn't too far off the beaten path because it relates to the first book on my list.  It was recommended that I read "The Well-Trained Mind" to get a glimpse at homeschooling and how to go about doing it.  However, what was not brought to my attention was the size of the book.  It's a big book.  Now, don't think that I'm concerned about the size because I can't read a book that big. . .if you were my brother, that's exactly what you would be thinking and then laughing about.  The size of the book comes into play because. . .I went to the library to get it, with my 5yo and 2yo.  The 5yo had already picked out 5 books for himself so he couldn't hold it.  The 2yo couldn't be let down because she would have picked out 20 books not for herself, but to throw around like it was a party.  So, here I am with the diaper bag around my shoulders, the 2yo in my arms (squirming to get down), trying to help the 5yo carry his 5 books in a manner that wouldn't cause them to slip and fall, all the while trying to get this massive book (and one more that I thought I might need) to stay resting ON the diaper bag (because there is never room IN the diaper bag) and against my hip. . .while trying to walk.  Of course, we were on the 2nd floor and the check out desk/exit is on the 1st.  Raise your hand if you love taking your kids to places that insist on a quiet working environment. . .OH ME!  I DO!  By the time I was able to check out all our books, the 2yo was running around chasing the 5yo, one of her shoes had fallen off, and she had a stinky diaper.  Oh and my little keychain library card was all bent and had teeth marks. . .guess how that happened?  Man, I love the library.

3) As I mentioned in #2, Ree Drummond's website is my new favorite place to waste time.  Go there, you'll love it.  It's called The Pioneer Woman.  She has a bunch of different things there.  Cooking, photography, homeschooling, confessions. . .on and on and on.  GO THERE!


4) My new bedspread/coverlet.  I got this a few weeks ago at the antique store here in town.  It was only $16 so I couldn't pass it up. . .a second time.  Yes, I passed it up a 1st time and I had to go back to get it. Yes, it's a similar situation to the bracelet.  Yes, it's a pattern.  It's a queen size coverlet, for only $16!  I love it.

Just so you know, that pillow in front. . .yeah, I made that!  But I did have help.  I don't know what it would look like if I didn't.

So, those are a few of my favorite things.  The list could go on, but I don't have pictures of all my favorite things and I can't think of anymore at the moment and it's time to get my son from school.
I'm sorry that I haven't been adding pictures of my projects.  My goal is to have something to show you tomorrow.  I don't know what it will be, but something will be here. . .there's that word again, something.  Something crafty will happen tonight and/or tomorrow!

Do you feel the love?

Happy Valentine's Day!  

I heart Valentine's Day.  Why?  Because everywhere you look what do you see? No not the hand holding, the hugging, the kissing that can make you want to yell "GET A ROOM!", all the I love yous being tossed around.  It isn't any of that, though I do like those things.  Why do I heart this day?  Because everywhere I look, I see PINK.  I love the color pink, it encompasses all things girly.  I never liked it when I was younger.  You categorize it as an almost pure hatred of the color.  But now?  Now I adore it.  When I found out I was having a little girl, I got very excited.  1) Because I was having a little girl and 2) because I knew I was going to get my chance to fill a closet full of wonderful pinkness.  I try to wear pink when I can, but I've also come to the realization that I am almost. . .ahem, cough. . .30.  Only almost, but not quite there yet!  And that by being only almost 30, I probably shouldn't run around looking like a. . .well, I can't think of something that wouldn't sound offensive to at least one person, so I just won't say it, but it may have had something to do with those that like to listen to/watch Justin Bieber.  So, I just live vicariously through the cuteness that spills from my daughter in all her pinkness!
Anyways, this is all randomness.  I don't have anything crafty to post, I'm just posting about love.  Not just my love for pink, but all the love I have for those that surround me.  I had to put a few pictures of my munchkins.  Those kids bring so much joy into my life and I just can't get enough of them.  I mean, look at them. . .you can't tell me that you don't feel the love when you see them :)

I mean, look at this face!

And this one:

I realize that my opinions are just that, my own opinions.  And I may be a little partial towards them, considering they are my children.  But I can't help myself sometimes.  I just love those two little devils. . .and I do mean devils, because sometimes they are CRAZY!

But I also can't forget the bestest Valentine of all. . .The Hubs!  He and I met on Valentine's Day, did you know that?  Yes, nine years ago today I met the man I knew I would marry.  I can hear all of you saying, "Ahhhhh".  I know you want to know what he looks like, if you've never seen him before. . .

This is a picture from our dog's first night at our house.  He's trying to bond with her.  That was over four months ago. . .they are still trying to bond!

This day isn't just for those with a significant other, it's for love.  Even if you're single, you have love.  So, on this day, think of all those people that you love, that love you back.  Think of your family, your friends, your dog. . .whatever.  Just know that someone, somewhere loves you.  And if you don't think that anyone does, well then. . .I LOVE YOU!  I hope that makes you feel better.

In closing, I wanted to add a poem.  I didn't write and I didn't find it myself.  I stole it from a different website.  Okay, stealing sounds bad.  Let's just say, borrowed. . .from Victoria Coulter Designs, she makes cool stuff.

Day Dream

-by Cassie McNair-

Whenever I day dream, and day dream I do,

in my secret garden, I day dream of you.

I day dream of you, in my magical land;

embracing me tight and holding my hand.

Holding my hand, and touching my face.

Just you and me, in this peaceful place.

In this peaceful place a pristine river flows.

Where the unicorns run, a breeze always blows.

A breeze always blows and sings of a song;

Our love in a place where you're never gone.

When you're never gone is as it would seem,

from dusk until dawn, whenever I day dream.

And whenever I day dream, and day dream I do,

in my secret garden, I day dream of you.

(If you like the clip art in this post, go get 'em at The Graphics Fairy)

Valentine's Day fun. . .sort of.

Monday is Valentine's Day.  The day of love.  And to show my son how much I love him (and all things crafty), I decided that I would make our own Valentine's cards.  If you go to The Idea Room, you'll find a ton of ideas for super cute Valentine's cards for kids to bring in.  I saw them and I wanted to do that.  I didn't.  I realized that since they're probably going to get messed up in my son's backpack between our house and school (which is only a 2 minute drive. . .and yes, I drive him that super short distance), I thought simple might be better.  Here's what I came up with:

Okay, I can't say that I came up with it myself.  That would be lying (and I'm trying to teach the girl that lying is BAD!).  I found them at Bright Ideas.  It's the website for all things M&M and yumminess.  Between two teachers and 18 kids, I thought I was going to throw up pink, red, and purple hearts by they end of it.  What do you think?  If you can't tell, they're supposed to be fish.  The fish of Love :)  I wasn't sure the boy was going to be able to put his name on all of them.  He was pretty tired of it after the first nine.  You should have seen him when I told him that I forgot the teacher cards and he had two more to do.  But they are done and off to school today.  Why so early?  I guess they are putting them in mailboxes today.  At least that is what the boy told me and he said he NEEDED to bring them today.  Actually the conversation went like this:

Boy: What are you doing?

Me: I'm cutting hearts to make your class Valentine's cards.

Boy: What are you doing with the chocolate?

Me: I'm putting them on the cards.

Boy: Can I eat one?

Me: No.  I have to make sure I have enough for the cards first.

Boy: (Insert whiny tone here as a result of no chocolate).  Well, there are a lot of kids in my class and I need them tomorrow.  So you better work faster.

And off he goes to destroy the enemy castle in his room. . .

Oh, and as a result of me needing to bring lots of wonderful candy to school, those little fish cards are not the end of it.  On Monday for the party, I'm also bringing these:

Little baby food jars, filled with M&Ms and candy hearts.  Because the little piece of chocolate on the card wasn't enough, I thought the kids needed more sugar!  I painted the jars pink, put a little piece of tissue paper inside, added the candy (they are evenly distributed, because I didn't want some kid to think he got less than another. . .because things like that MATTER!), covered the lid with more tissue paper, and finally tied it off with curling ribbon with hearts attached.  Wow, that was one long run off sentence. In case you're wondering, 6 candy hearts and 16 M&Ms.  And RJ made sure that I got the plain chocolate M&Ms, because some kids in his class can't eat or don't like the peanut ones.  I don't know if this is due to allergies or just a general dislike, he was vague on the subject.  Maybe he's like me and didn't want to have to share the peanut M&Ms with others.  So, Valentine's Day parts 1 & 2 are done!  Sunday is the day for part 3. . .I'm making CUPCAKES!  Yes, I'm that mother sending in as much sugary goodness as possible.  You know you wish there was a mom like me in your kindergarten class!

On a very random side note. . .MY NEW WASHER CAME YESTERDAY!!!  Now, my beautiful dryer has a partner!  I don't think I can describe how excited I am to have these.  They are LG and they are the greatest things EVER!  I did 3 loads of laundry yesterday, just to do laundry!  The only downfall, the dryer doesn't fold my clothes.  If it did, I would be golden.  I hate folding laundry, I really really HATE it.  I would pay someone to come in and fold it for me.  That and emptying the dishwasher.  Oh well, I guess I can live with it. . .until my kids are old enough to fold for me!

Random acts of craftiness

Holy Moly!  I just realized that I haven't been on this thing since last Wednesday.  Sorry for the delay.  We had a LOOOOONG week last week, full of wonderful/tiring (depending on who you ask) snow days and we had family visiting for the big game.  Favorite commercial: VW's Darth Vader.  But only because it was really the only one I can remember (that would be a result from seeing it before the Sunday and having to watch it at least 4 times, because my son LOVES it).  I also bought a new washer and dryer.  My old dryer decided to "kick the bucket" and refuse to start again.  So, instead of fixing our old (10+ years) dryer, we bought new ones.  I love them.  And when I say love, I really mean I REALLY love them.  They are LG.  I didn't get the front load washer for a number of reasons, but my top loader is just as wonderful.  They sing to me when the load is done.  Here's a confession. . .I hugged the dryer last night :)
That pretty much sums up my last few days. . .two kids going stir crazy in the house, a dead dryer, trying to line dry clothes in the house (which took forever), and getting two big items that pretty much equal laundry heaven.
Today was supposed to be the boy's first day back at school.  I say "supposed" because he was only there for an hour.  He got sick.  So guess who is back at home?  That's right, MY SON!  And he can't go back until he's been sickness free for 24 hours.  And I totally understand that rule, but at the rate we're going, he'll never finish Kindergarten and I should just homeschool him.  Second confession of the day. . .I've actually been giving serious thought to homeschool (insert collective gasp here).  I know, I know, I said I wasn't the homeschool type.  I don't know what has come over me.  But part of me thinks that it could possibly be a good idea.  If you have any input, feel free to let me know.  I'm open to any types of homeschool programs, but leaning towards Christian-based ones.  And of course, I haven't discussed this with the hubs. . .I'm afraid he'll have me committed to a hospital if I do!  Here's my email, in case anyone out there knows what I should look at, because we all know that I do not!

jellybean727@hotmail.com

Now back to things I'm more comfortable with.  I've been working on a few things lately, but no pictures to post.  I promise, skirts will be finished, pictures will be posted for all to see.  In the mean time, I thought I would post some of the things I've done in the past (pre-blog).  So, would you join me for a walk down memory lane (in no particular order):

A dress for my little bean. . .I think the rubber snake really sets it apart!

 Other than the yo-yo thing being in a really random place (don't ask me what I was thinking, it's practically under her arm), I like it.

This is a blanket and pillow for a friend and her new little girl.

The little bean's blanket, obviously awhile ago!

My first try at making bows.  It looked HUGE on her head.

The girl's hat.  It didn't really work out well.  The stiff interfacing was SUPER stiff.

 This is the inside, it was reversible (except I messed up on the seam).

A quilt made from jellyrolls for my girl.

The kids' Halloween treat bags.  The boy used the bigger one and hers was the small one.

 Other side of each bag.

 And finally, this is a lap quilt I made for my niece.  She's a teenager so I wanted to use something fun.  This is made from the "Fandango" jellyroll from Moda.  Go to their bake shop (Moda Bake Shop) and find wonderful patterns like this one!

 This was before I put on the binding.

That's what I have so far.  I think my favorite is the quilt for my niece.  I wish I kept it for myself!  The kids are calling. . .Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is no longer entertaining.  I guess I need to get back to mothering.

We're snowed in!

Well, not so much anymore, but we were yesterday.  Those of you in the middle of the country know what I'm talking about.  Things got CRAZY outside!

But it was clear skies today. . .clear skies and lots o' snow.  It took my wonderful husband 2 hours to dig out our driveway so we could get out of the house.  And believe me, we NEEDED to get out of the house.  These two crazy kids were getting stir crazy and would not stand for another day of not leaving.  So, we took a nice trip to. . .McDonald's :)
The blizzard has also caused the boy's school to be closed.  Yesterday = Closed!  Today = Closed!  Tomorrow = Closed!  And Friday was already a no school day, which means he had a grand total of 1 day of school this week.  One single day of school.  I mean, I realize it's just kindergarten, but come on!  He really needs to go to school.  He's better off learning at school than at home.  I'm not really a homeschool person.  Not to knock those that do homeschool.  I have a lot of respect for you homeschool parents. . .I would totally send my son to you!  I just don't have the patience.  And then there's the matter of the little girl. . .
The reason why I've been MIA for awhile is because the boy and the girl have been home. . .together. . .fighting.  When the two of them are together, mayhem and foolishness abound.  When the boy isn't in school, I find that I don't have the time to get on the computer to blog.  It just takes too much time, time that neither child wants to give up.  At least when the boy is in school, I have nap time to do this.  However, when he's home, he sucks up the nap time as his time.  I love my kids, please don't think that I don't, but, man, they are a handful to say the least. He bosses her around, she bosses him around, the poor dog is caught in the middle.  It's a circus, a crazy crazy circus.
However, though I've been MIA from the blog, I haven't been MIA from craftiness.  So, here's what I've been up to:
1) I made that makeup bag for my mom.  And can I just say, I LOVE IT!  It turned out really well, considering who made it :)  The little green button is my favorite part.  I like the way it looks against the black and white fabric.  And just as a refresher, I got the pattern from Up the Rainbow Creek.

I also made her a little mini makeup roll bag (found here, at {make}).  If you're interested in making it, know that it's pretty mini, but I think its a good size for lipstick or chapstick.  I like it, if that means anything to you.

 Here's the outside. . .

And the inside. . .

2) I started to make skirt.  I didn't finish it.  I tried it on once I got the pieces together and it was too small.  Either I cut the wrong size or those dumb peanut M&M's really got to me.  Fun fact: I love love love peanut M&Ms.  It is a horrible addiction.  Anyways, I was going to just let the seams out a little bit, but then my wonderful husband looked at the fabric and told me that it was ugly :)  I personally love the fabric, however, upon further inspection, I too realized that it wasn't the best fabric to use for a skirt. Okay, I'm sure other people would wear it as a skirt, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  So, I will cut it up and use it for something else.  Here's a pic of the fabric. . .feel free to leave your own opinions about it.

 3) Because there was no school or work for both my guys on Tuesday, Monday night was "Living Room Campout" night.  Tents were pitched, camping snacks were eaten, fun times were had by all.  And by "all" I mean the husband and the son, not me.  I chose to skip the campout and sleep in my comfy bed.  

4) And lastly, I decided to get a jump start on Valentine's Day.  I didn't execute proper time management when the boy's class Christmas party came 'round (i.e. I was rushing the morning of the party, just so I could get everything done. . .my kitchen was a hot mess), so I promised myself that I would do better this time.  Thank you to my bestest friend Megan for having a baby that is eating baby food.  She handed over lots o' jars.  I've decided to put a bit of tissue paper inside the jars, put some holiday appropriate M&Ms (the regular ones because the peanut ones wouldn't stand a chance in this house), and then cover the lid with more tissue paper.  Finally, I'll tie them all off with some curling ribbon and hearts.  I was unhappy with how plain the outside of the jars were going to look, so I painted them.  I'm definitely happier with them now and can't wait to put them together.  Here's the pre-wondefulness pictures and once I get the yummies, I'll post them in all their glory.

Just so you know, I really love pink!

And because I feel like I need to get all the other kids hopped up on sugar just to make them as crazy as mine are (ha ha other parents!), I'm also going to make some jello cupcakes with raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting.  My goal is to end the day with everyone bouncing off the walls!  HA!

Okay, this is the last thing and I'll be done. . .for real.  On Saturday, Megan (the bestest friend mentioned earlier) and I ate lunch at a fabulous little cafe.  If you ever find yourself in Leavenworth, KS, you MUST go eat at The Peacock Cafe.  It was so good!  I highly recommend the Tuna Sandwich, with the Spinach Salad and a Lemon Bar.  I LOVE lemon bars and this one was awesome!  It's run by a wonderful lady named Kelly who also runs the Farmstead (this is her blog, go to it).  But after you've finished lunch, go see Stacy the Candle Queen at Candle Queen Candles Gift Boutique.  (Have you ever written or typed a word so many times that it starts to look a little off. . .that's how I feel about "candle" right now!)

And that my friends is "all she wrote"!  It is getting late and I need to eat some ice cream before it gets too late and I start to feel guilty.