New Project

That is all I need right? 

Well, I am really passionate about this particular project.  I am a pathological picture-taker.  This little project goes right along with that.  I hope I can get in the habit with it and keep it up.  I just need to find my niche and keep it going.

I am doing my own little version of a Project 365 or Project 52.  A picture a day/picture a week.

You can check out what I am posting here:

www.pictureprojectthreesixfive.blogspot.com

(There is also a link on my sidebar.)

This has a three-fold mission for me.

1.  I hope to learn more about my camera as I attempt to photograph something everyday.

2.  To capture our life once a day through pictures, not words; for 365 days and put it in a book.

3.  To find something good in each day.

I hope you enjoy checking out what I include there each day.

 

My Spring Wreath... A vintage take on spring.

I am locked up at home, with potty training and sorts.

Every morning when I go out to water my flowers I cringe when I see this pinecone wreath hanging on my door.

Although I love it, I just don't think it fairs well with my flowering bushes and pots.

Because there is no going out for me. I can't risk Isaac peeing on some stores beautiful flooring. I wanted a new wreath so bad that I made do with what I had.

Luckily, my MIL had loaded me up with a stash while we were visiting in Utah.

I had a very small grapevine wreath on hand.  It is the perfect size for this project.  I am pretty sure that I found it at Dollar tree several years back.

I wrapped it in white muslin to cover the wreath.

Then I took some wide lace from my MIL and began doing a running stitch by hand. 

Once I got it gathered to my liking, I proceeded to  hot glue it on the wreath.  It made the actual size of the wreath much larger.

Then I picked a thinner lace, gathered it, and added another layer towards the middle.

Next, came a strip of the same white muslin that I used in the beginning.  I started by cutting a small notch and then ripping down both sides until I got a two inch strip.

I then did another running stitch down the middle.  You could use your sewing machine.  I did mine by hand because I did not want to get my machine out.

Once it was gathered, I began to roll it into a circle so that it would create a flower.  I hand stitched it in the back.

Then I made two flowers out of satin and burned edges.  I cut five circles for each.  I used a lighter to burn the edges and make them curl. 

Then off to my button stash(thanks to my MIL for adding to it), and I found these little copper gems to go in the center.

I then placed the flowers where I liked them, and hot glued them down.

I added a black lace bow, and some black ribbon for the hanger.

There you have it.  A wreath, made for FREE, that is light and reminds me of spring.

I also love the vintage quality of it.

I hope you can use one or more of these ideas to make something for yourself.

P.S.  I have been using the flowers for pins and bows, and they are just adorable.  They have such a handmade vintage quality about them.

P.P.S.  I linked up to Just a Girl Show and Share Day.

Randomness...

Lots of Randoms.

This little boy...

is a stinker.(literally)  This potty training is a battle, and I think he is winning.

He was doing so well, but we seem to have lost our momentum.

Tomorrow, is a new day.  We will try again.

I am going to win this battle.

I got to take some Senior pictures this morning of my favorite Young Woman, and my kids favorite babysitter.

Here are a few favorites:

Isn't she beautiful?

  

Jex had his first official Baseball game this week.  His team did awesome.

He did awesome. 

I can tell he had so much fun.  He hasn't quit talking about it.

He asks every day when his next game is.

Like father like son.

Speaking of father.  I love that man.

Do you all have a routine in your life?

I have a routine that I follow almost every day. It just doesn't seem right not too.

Every day for almost eleven years a huge part of my routine takes place in the wee hours of the morning.

I can expect to feel a kiss on my forehead just before my husband leaves for work.

It has never bothered me that I may be deep in sleep. 

I look forward to it.

I panic if he forgets.

Every morning, I patiently wait for my loving man to start my routine.

P.S.  I hope to post more about this little project tomorrow.  I am waiting for daylight to take a few more pictures.  See you soon.

What I have learned Thursday...

Sac*ri*fice / [sak-ruh-fahys]       to surrender or give up for the sake of something else.

Do you ever think about sacrifice?  I think about that word in my head all the time.

Sure, I will sacrifice my run so we can have a really healthy meal together as a family.

or, I will sacrifice my sleep so I can stay up and snuggle with you or rock you to sleep.

I will sacrifice my girls weekend in order to stay home with the kids.

If you think about it, it can be a nasty word. 

It can also be a very beautiful & powerful word.

I must admit, I thought about it in a selfish way.  Who else do I have time to  sacrifice for?

Then...  I had an Ah-ha or as we say as members of the LDS faith would say; personal revelation.

I was standing in the shower pondering, thinking, asking, "Why?  Why do I have to give this up?, I wanted to do this so badly."  The answer came very clearly.

"Because to fully become more like the Savior, you must truly understand sacrifice."

Mothers understand Sacrifice, but do I truly understand it?

I understand that my role as a Mother means a lot of selfless acts.  I now understand that it is important to do them with out complaint.  Do them with love and compassion, because I have been given a very important job to do.  That is the job of a mother.

I will give up my weekends, sleep, personal time because:

I am the one who:

...will tell you that you are a child of God.

...can comfort you when you are feeling out of sorts.

...can urge you to be creative, and use your talents.

...will teach you about the Savior and his sacrifice.

I know that sacrifice is not easy for any one.  Being completely selfless is not at all easy.

We have a wonderful example.  Someone who sacrificed without murmur or complaint.

I am trying to keep that in mind.

My loved ones that I make sacrifices for are worth it.

I am a child of God,  

and so my needs are great.

Help me to understand his words.

Before it grows to late.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,

help me find the way.

Teach me all that I must do.

To live with him someday.

Putting myself out there.

Sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes... you may think to yourself; I don't think so, but... I do:

Hold back.

Sometimes, I get nervous to put myself out there.  To meet new people, to shake a new hand at church.  To say, "Hi, I am Andrea, and I am a dork, but it is nice to meet you.

Today, I am doing just that.  Blogging has allowed me the opportunity to make new friends.  So... to all those friends I don't know, I am joining the "Dishing it" party over at Serenity Now.

She wants us to dish about our blogs.  Here is the scoop:

I am Andrea Swenson.  I am a dork, and a little quirky.

 

I have been blogging for a little over 2 years.  I started blogging because I live so far away from my family.  It was a way to share photos, video and funny one-liners from the rug rats.

Our blog was first called The Swenson Family 5. 

Just before Baby #4(which would make us 6) was born I changed the title.  It is now called, J & A and Co.

The reason being, both our families have shortened our names to J & A.  I thought it only fitting to add the Co., because we are so much more then J & A now.

I blog about what is important to me.  I share about my

family like I have from the beginning.  This is the main

purpose I started blogging.  This will remain my purpose always. 

I add in a recipe, tip or idea every now and again.  I also "try" to post about something I have learned every Thursday.  Stay tuned for tomorrow.

If I had to choose a famous person to read my blog, it would have to be: Pioneer Woman.  I have recently fell in love with her style, her ideas and her family values.(she's famous right? she was recently on the View)

I hope you enjoyed the dish. 

I hope I get to make a few new friends.

Go on over and link up.  Dish yourself.  Put yourself out there.  Don't hold back.

You never know, you just might make a new friend.