Thursdays Post

My dear friend keeps looking at my blog and reminding me that I am a loser when it comes to posting these days.  She reminded me that I used to always post on Thursdays.  Today, I was out and about I remembered that it was Thursday.

This post is for you Leslie!!

Top 5 right now:

1. Little miss is learning all sorts of words.  Her favorite is “NO!”  She knows the appropriate time to use it.  It has taken her all this time to finally say “Mama.”  It is so endearing when she does. 

 

Everyday I think that I couldn’t love her anymore, and then she wakes up and… I do.  I am so thankful for our fourth child.  She is a gift.

2.  This last weekend, I took a much needed girls trip.  I went to Dallas with a few girlfriends. 

This picture was taken just before we left.  When Marji pulled up we noticed that we had the same shirt on.  I guess that is what friends do; dress alike.

We had such a wonderful time.  We literally shopped til we dropped.

 

We celebrated Pam’s birthday by eating several yummy meals throughout the day.  Elvis even sang happy birthday to her.(she wouldn’t let me post that picture)

We were able to stay with Marji’s best friend.  Thank you for having us Brandi.  We had such a great time.  The best part about staying with her is we felt right at home because we got to come home and squeeze her twins.  Aren’t they cute?

 

I am thankful that Jonathan was able to take care of the kids so that I could get away.  They had a great time with him.  I am also thankful for such fun friends.

3.  I still working on my New Year/New Me list.  Included on that list is taking risks with my camera.  I have had fun taking pictures of a few babies around here.

Baby London

Baby Maddox

4.  I tackled a little sewing project a few weekends back.  I wanted to add a little color to our furniture, so I added some new pillows.

 

I fell in love with this yellow fabric.  It was a little pricey so I only bought one yard and added to it.  I love the way they turned out.

I carried the yellow into the dining room.

5.  I think I have discovered something about myself.  This is something that I thought I would never admit. 

I am beginning to be a Southern Girl.

I am embracing the south.  I love it.  I love phrases like, “fixin too, down in the holler, and mama’s sweet tea.”  When I hear them in a country song it brings a smile to my face.  It is nice to actually understand what it means to live in the South.  I want to explore more of the South.  I think Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee would be fun places to visit.  What do “Ya’ll” think? Would “all Ya’ll” like to come?  Don’t be surprised if you hear more of the southern lingo fly out my mouth.  The people here are so endearing and really mean it when they say,“Have a blessed day.”

Finishing Touches

As you know, I recently did some furniture rearranging.

I mentioned that I was not done with the dining room.

Well… I finally have it just. the. way. I. want. it.

After laying in bed thinking and thinking… I was able to make over the dining room by shopping my house.

This little makeover cost me $15… that was in fabric.

What do you think?

The wall behind my table is such a big wall.  It needed something more.  I had originally thought I would put my clock there with the silhouettes, but I could not stand it.  I was so used to checking the time above my mantel that I had to put it back.  It was a happy choice because I love my book wreath there.

I also love how this little side wall turned out.

I just shopped the house for these pictures.

However, my table needed a new runner.  I have been wanting one for some time so I broke out the sewing machine.

I used cheap synthetic satin, some fun ribbon, satin flowers that I made and a old pair of vintage earrings for the center of the flower.

The green fabric is gathered and hangs long on both sides.  It totally completes the table.

Well, along with the centerpiece of course.

All of this was stuff I already had.

I recently bought the vintage handkerchief at a antique store.

The chair in the corner, also needed a little something.  So I used the left over runner fabric, and some lace and whipped up a little pillow.

I think this is my favorite corner of the house.

I love how all the finishing touches came together. 

I feel like I am in a new house again.

It is fun to switch things up.

Give it a try.

Just a little idea...

We have about eight birthdays this month, and countless birthday parties to attend too.  I am trying to make gifts this month to save a little money.  This is what I came up with:

I made the apron with some fabric that I had laying around.  I add a cake or brownie mix, a little recipe and WA-LA;  a baking kit.

I love gifts like this.  I really like consumable presents, and then I don't have to find a home for it in the midst of my already too cluttered house.

The aprons were easy.  It took me about 2 hours to make 5.  There are many patterns out there.  I made mine up.  Just a simple square of fabric with a few pleats and a long tube for the tie.  I made a simple pocket with a monogram.  I used my zig zag stitch for that.  Then I used bias-tape to outline the pocket.  SIMPLE SIMPLE.

I hope our friends will enjoy a day in the kitchen making a goodie.

OH HAPPY DAY!!

“What I have learned Thursday.”

What I am sharing this week has a lot to do with my spirituality. I am sure that is something that I need to work on so Heavenly Father is teaching me through others.

As many of you know, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I am always thankful for the reminders from church leaders and church members that help to keep me focused on what is really important. 

These 3 “what I have learned” topics are all spiritual, but I believe they can be helpful to all no matter your religion or beliefs.

1. Read and Understand.

I “try” to find time to study my scriptures every day.  It doesn’t always happen.  For years I have tried to read a chapter a day.  It dawned on me that in doing so, I was just trying to get it read.  I was not really focusing on what I was reading.  That is when I realized that scripture study is not a race.  It is about reading and understanding.  Now, I may only read 2 verses, but I understand what I have read and can apply it to my life somehow. I really try to think about what it is I am reading, and sometimes that means only reading a few lines.  I would rather it take me ten years to read an entire set of scripture and understand it, then a year just for the sake of saying I read it.

2.  Reaction

Since the birth of our 4th child we have been notoriously late for church.  We just can not get it together.  A few Sundays back, I told Jonathan that I will not be late again.  I think the devil heard me say that.  I think he played some tricks on our house.  Our kitchen sink started to leak, my blow dryer blew up(while my hair was still wet), and part of a lesson Jonathan had prepared was not cooperating.  We were running late.  I almost didn’t get in the car. I was so frazzled.  I was angry at everyone.  I found myself yelling at the kids, “get in the car.” “Why aren’t your shoes on, where is your tie?”  This is my typical Sunday morning banter.

Once I got to church, I told my friend Tracy, who is so wise. “I think Heavenly Father is so sick of us being late.”  Because Tracy has five kids, and knows what it is like she responded like this, “I think Heavenly Father understands you being late.  I don’t think he wants you to make Sunday mornings unpleasant by the way you react to the situation.”  How did she know?  How did she know that I acted like a lunatic this morning?  I guess because she has been there.

You know she is right.  The tone that I set in the home on the Sabbath morning will be something my kids will always remember. It also sets the tone for the spirit to be with us during our church service.  I will always remember the lesson I learned that Sunday.  Who cares if I am late, what matters is how I react.

3.  Be Prepared to Serve

I have a friend who recently showed me her schedule.  She has grown children and is currently not working.  She gets up at 5:00am and has a list of things to do.  ie: exercise, eat, shower, get dressed, read her scriptures, and she does all of this before 8:00am.  I asked her, “why do you do this when you could sleep in?”  She replied, “What if someone calls me at 8:30 and asks me to take them to the doctor?  I will have to say that I haven’t showered so I can’t.  I want to be prepared to serve in any way that the Lord needs me to.”

WOW!!  It really made me stop and think about being prepared to help others.  I am not in a place in my life that I can be prepared every morning like that.  However, I can be prepared to say yes to whatever it may be.  I can also make sure that I leave openings in my week to serve.  I can also pray for opportunities to be of service to others.

I am so thankful for her example of service.

I hope these 3 things have helped you think of ways to add a little more spirituality to your life.  We all need it no matter what we believe.  Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual ideas and thoughts are important for our soul, our growth, and who we are.  They create a balance in our being.  I think my spirituality was throwing me off balance some.  I am thankful for the reminders, and the opportunity to see the good in others.

I am thankful for what I learn from others. It helps make me a better person.  I hope that sharing these thoughts helps you too.

Now last but not least, the Easter Surprise I promised.  This is Stella’s Easter Dress. 

I made it from an Ann Taylor Skirt that I found at the thrift store.  I got the idea from here. 

I added the idea of the flower and the ribbon around the middle.

I made sure I used a skirt that had a zipper.  It made it so easy to sew.

I am new to sewing so it is so nice to have a way to make something out of a skirt that is already put together.  I was able to make it my own.  Thanks Disney for the great idea.

P.S.  I will do a tutorial on Stella’s hair sometime this month.  I get so many questions about how I do it like this, so watch for a Princess Crown Tutorial in the near future.

Homemade.

There is nothing sweeter then a homemade

gift.  I have been looking for opportunities to give as many of those as

possible lately. 

It is so fun to come up with a neat little gift for people that requires use of your hands and creativity. 

Okay so I don’t always come up with the ideas.

Sometimes I “borrow” them from all those neat bloggers out there, but I always manage to change it a bit or add my own flare.

Buying birthday gifts is one of my least favorite things to do.  Not so much because it is money spent, but because I always worry that it is money spent badly. What if they don’t like what I bought?  Then I have just wasted all this money and energy finding the “perfect” gift.

It seems like people treasure things more when they are homemade.  It makes them want to love it, plus they can’t take it back.  I do not do returns people.

Here are some of the gifts I have given lately.

This was for one of Stella’s friends.  Stella was invited to her Birthday Party.  Stella really wanted me to make her a skirt.  This is what I came up with.

I made her a skirt, a shirt with a transfer, and a hair accessory. 

This little project took me about 2 hours, but was well worth it.  Stella was so excited to give it to her.

I have also been making these pins.  Pins are all over the internet right now.  I have just taken what I like and adapted them.  Here are a few you might like:

I have also been making a lot of the zipper pins.  I love wearing these. They help add some whimsy to whatever it is you have on.  I have been making enough of these to have on hand for gifts.  They make perfect birthday presents.

… or you can add them to your gift bag.  It starts out  as decoration for your gift, and then serves a purpose as a pin for a jacket or blouse.

I packaged this little gift in a mesh bag that some onesies came in.  Never throw clever packaging away, you can always use it for something else later.  Once inside, I added some ribbon and the pin. What is inside you ask?

One more gift idea.

I found this idea here,and then I made them smaller.

The original Keep Calm and Carry On sounded so much more fun to me when I saw Jen say “keep calm and have a cupcake.”  If you know me, you know that saying fits so much better.

This saying I soon found out is floating all over the internet.  Google it.

So I adapted Jen’s idea of the pillows only I made this smaller version.

I designed this on my computer.  Then I printed it out on transfer paper. Then ironed it on, and stitched up the pillows.  I stuck a ribbon inside so that when I turned the fabric the right way I would have something to hang it from.

Then I sat down and enjoyed a movie with my husband while I stuffed them, and hand-stitched the small corner that I had left as an opening.

I made 8 pillows in 3 hours for $1.00 a pillow.  If I gave you one of these as a gift don’t think I am cheap.  I put a lot of love in these pillows. Heck! I am giving you permission to stop and have a cupcake.  Could there be a better gift then that?

Here is the one hanging in my house:

When thinking about your next gift… think Homemade. It really

does mean so much more.

Stay tuned for more about this little diddy.  Here is a sneak preview.  Yes, it has something to do with Easter.

Oh, and when I actually remember tomorrow to post “What I have learned Thursday.”

Ya, that will have to be called, “What I have learned Thursday when I remember to post it possibly Friday or next Thursday.. or…”

See you tomorrow.

Fabric.

Where do you get your fabric?

Of course I am a lover of Amy Butler, and Heather Bailey.  I so wish I could afford a piece of every style... but I can't.

"Sew" when I am in the mood to Sew(and can't afford my favorites), I rummage through my closet, the thrift store, or my MIL's stash.

This week, I made a skirt and a dress from a shirt of mine.

This was the shirt.

Here is the dress:

and the back:

I wish I could tell you how I did it, but I can't.

This was a complete experiment.  I basically cut along all the seams.  Placed it on Stella, and used pins to mark where I needed to sew.  I used the extra fabric for the ties in the back. 

Then I used the sleeves for this little diddy:

The sleeves already had a gather around them.  I cut apart the seam, and sewed the two together.  That is the top of the skirt.  Then I made one more out of the rest of the sleeve.

I then sewed the skirt on to a pair of pants that were to short.  I cut them off just above the legs, and then added the skirt.

Once I finished, I added a few embellishments, and had a few small scraps left from my shirt.  I basically used every scrap.

Doesn't she look like a babe?

I have also been making some baby legs.  I found some adult socks on clearance at Target.  Tessa has more baby legs then one could ever wear.

I am all about the accessories.

Remember to shop your closet for fabric.  There may be something in there that you could use to make another item.

Like a sweater that would make fabulous pillows.

For example:  I have a skirt that I am going to make pillows out of.

Here are 3 tutorials:

Baby Boy Gown out of Fathers T-shirt

Girls dress out of mother's t-shirt

Baby Legs

P.S.  These  Robins have been in our yard all week.  In the morning, and then again at dinner.  Like 8-10 at a time. It is so fun bird watching.