So Darn Easy

OK. I am thrilled at how darn quick and easy this one was! (And inexpensive)

What I used:

Wide black elastic (the most expensive part of this project... I will not disclose how much it was because my mom will read this and say, "You paid how much for the elastic?!" Mom- I used my 40 percent off coupon plus my 15 percent teacher discount. Additionally, the fabric was 2 dollars a yard. I was able to get 2 skirts and a nice scrap out of it. In all, the skirt was a great deal. This cool elastic was just expensive for elastic.) I love you mom!

Less than a 1/2 yard of knit ($2/ yard clearance)

Wonderful Tutorial from the Amazing Disney at Ruffles and Stuff (free... Thanks for sharing your talent with all of us)

I could make these all day. It would be so fun to add appliques, ruffles, lace, etc to these, but dear miss Kiley has an attitude and really wants to keep it simple. I need a new kids to sew for. (That came out wrong, I will keep Kiley because I love her, but I would love to sew for a little girly girl. Oh wait, I have nieces and neighbors!)

Science Time...

Another great Goodwill find. It was Tag Day... Blue tags were 1.49!


Tate found this Microscope with a screen, slides, slide covers, prepared slide, droppers, gloves etc. Goodwill price 9.99 tag day 1.49!!!






Kiley was MIA for about ten minutes... she reappeared with a slide she made... a variety of flower petals! Too smart!

Inspiration Board

I have been wanting to add an inspiration board to my sewing corner for quite sometime... Jesse has been wanting me to take care of some of my junk from my April/ May collecting adventures. Here is what we came up with...

So simple to make...

1. Remove glass from old window frame or large picture frame.

2. Cut cork to fit behind the window frame. We measured all the way to the edge or the frame.

3. Use Gorilla Glue to attach the cork to your frame. Be careful with this stuff... It expands! Make sure you read and follow the directions with this product...

4. After the glue was dry, I used brads and a hammer to reinforce the bond.

Thank you Jesse for your help on this project. I will someday be brave enough to use a saw!

Twirly Skirt and Getting Over It...

I found the tutorial for this super cute skirt over at House on Hill Road. (Pretty sure I would love living this life!~ but am thankful of the life I have)




Kiley has a thing for owls. We went and picked out the fabric for this in April. I cut the skirt out the same day. AND there it sat for TWO MONTHS! (How embarrassing!)

In talking to my friend Jodi, I realized why there are so many things I want to do, but never do. I have a fear of making mistakes. I am afraid that I will try something and it won't work, it will look funny, or I won't love it... I tend to get the materials all ready for a project and then let it sit.



Guess what!? I went for it! I made plenty of mistakes on this project, but figured out how to fix them, cover them up or let them go!

For example:

OOPS! This did not lay flat, so I made some felt hearts to cover it with!

Fourth of July Ruffle Skirt

I had some free time this morning, so I decided to whip up this cute little number for Kiley to wear on the 4th. The best part is... I used two old t shirts and a piece of elastic!




Kiley was unavailable to model, but I did take a picture. My intention was to add a row of white ruffles, but I ran out of steam. (I really gravitate to projects that can be completed in 30 minutes or less.)

UPDATE: After looking at the picture here, I have decided to add the white ruffles. This skirt looks superman, not Fourth of July AND Why did I choose that color of blue? URG!


Head on over to Sew Much Ado to check out how this puppy was made!

Sew Much Ado: Refashion Tutorial: Toddler Ruffle Skirt

mOm...

Sometimes my kids make me laugh so hard I almost cry... Sometimes they make me want to scream... Sometimes I do. (Praying for patience, understanding, and wisdom every single day!)

Here are some nuggets from this week:

"mOm... I need some dental floss and a rock..."


"mOm... I am so awesome, do you wish there were twins of me?"


"mOm... Your breath smells like bones. Dead bones. Sheesh, did you forget to brush?"


"mOm... Do girls have penises?" "No." "Can I check yours?" "No." "How do you even go to the bathroom then?"(I hesitated to post this, but it was just an honest inquiry.)



"mOm... When you're a redult, do you get to pick where you live? Good! I am going to live at the Maxa's!"


"mOm... If when we get to the farm and the farmer gives me a mertilized egg and I sit on it to keep it warm and it doesn't even crack and it final does hatch will it be a human boy or a human chicken or what?" (yes, this came out as one sentence...)



"I love you guys." "...But we're driving you crazy, Mom?"

The kids are currently obsessed with fake glasses. (Kiley has been for a long time now... She has 4 pair!)

What a bunch of punkerdoos!

This little girl

This little girl makes me so happy. Her giggle and her smile make my heart sing.

She spends hours and hours making things.

Ideas just fill her head and come pouring out.

She is a dreamer, a pretender and a planner.

My dear sweet Kiley is growing up.

Hey Good Lookin'

I made this apron using the tutorial from Ruffles and Stuff. (love her fantastic ideas and beautiful style!)

I will admit I crashed and burned on this and it turned out a bit sloppy. Truth be told, it was meant to be a gift for a friend, but it was looking a little small. I think a Large or XL Tee would work best (or maybe that's just me because I'm a bit hipish... no not as in trendy as in rump and hips)

(Tate was making his secret Nutella and Pb treat!)

Off to find more rockin' shirts in bigger sizes! I promise to be more patient when I sit down to give this another try. (I can sew with knit. I will sew with knit. I will love to sew with knit!)

Ruffle T

I have been dying to try this project from Tea Rose Home and finally sat down and did it on Saturday. I was thrilled with the results!

I used these plain T's- found at Target for 3.50 (Note removable bib necklaces... BONUS!)

And made this ubber cute T... Yeah for trying! It literally took me 20 minutes. (Yes I made some mistakes, but I am planning to give it another go and change things up a bit.)

There are additional tutorials over at Tea Rose Home. Check them out. AMAZING!

Goodwill and Great Garage Sales!

The kids and I had a fantastic time thrifting last Thursday. These are some of my favorite finds... Also the reason I have to wait until July to buy a pinking shears. (I did find a pair to borrow:) until then.)

The kids found some great things as well, but of course they have vanished into the playroom, yard and closets!

Ready, set, goat...

It has been raining for a weeeeeek! There was a break in the rain on Sunday and our dear friends an neighbors invited us to join them for a fish fry. Yeah, just what we needed! The great thing about our awesome neighbors is that they are so generous, welcoming, and FUN.

After dinner, the kids were playing a game of tag, which lead into races. Dear Jesse, who can't stop being competitive for even a minute, needed to get in on the action. (Mind you, the kids range in age from 4 to 11... yet, my 31 year old husband couldn't resist the urge to compete.)

Here is how he attempted to even the score...




Eventually a piggy pile...





More races... dear sweet Chad found the urge to compete...





And vicious wrestling match where Tate learned that one little girl was a lot tougher than she looks...





What a beautiful evening!

It's good for the soul...

Have you ever noticed how wonderful it feels to swing?



We were at the park and Tate was off playing tag. Kiley was complaining that she was bored. I told her I'd push her on the swings. Insert huge eye roll and groan followed by FINE!



Pretty soon, she had a smile on her face and was chatting away. So I saddled up on the nearest swing and soon I felt light as a feather and my heart was just happy. We were chit chatting and feeling magical, wonderful bliss!



Swinging is good for the soul. Please remind me of this when we are in the midst of her middle school drama or her teen angst. We have our very own swings in the backyard. I will fight to keep these. We will need them long after our kids think they are too old to swing.

Angels Among Us...

My dad suddenly passed away on May 5th. Aside from being heartbroken, I found myself thinking about his last hours and minutes. Worried. Worried that he was scared. Worried that he was alone. Worried that he was in pain. Worried that he knew that the situation wasn't good. Worried that the heaven I so strongly believed in for thirty one years might not exist and that I might not ever see him again.

My dad was an amazing man. I am so proud of him, everything he was and everything that is because of him. I can't even begin to write about him for fear I might leave something out.

What I can write about is the beautiful story of his last day here on earth. A story that didn't unfold until after his funeral. A story that has brought me much comfort a renewed sense of faith.

On May 5, Sam and Sharon were on their way to town for their weekly Wednesday date. They were running behind by about a half hour. It was when they missed their turn and had to turn around that they noticed a truck pulled off to the side of the road.

In that truck was a very special man. In that truck was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather, a friend. In that truck was my dad.

Sam noticed the hazardous chemical sign on the truck and decided that he should pull over and see if help was needed.

Upon first speaking with my dad, Sam noticed him to be very confused. He didn't know where he was, what his name was, or why he was there. While Sharon was off calling 911, Sam helped dad out of the truck.

There was an instant connection between the two men. A connection that Sam relates with such beauty and confidence. A connection that I believe was God's hand. Sam sat Dad down. He sat sat right there with Dad in the rain. Sam hugged Dad and let him feel his presence. He and his wife told my dad, a complete stranger, that they loved him. They hugged him and held him and told him they loved him. Their friend, a pastor, was the next to come along. They prayed with dad. Finally, the ambulance arrived and Sam and Sharon waited in their car, but after a long period of time had passed, they realized there was not much more they could do, so they left not knowing how much they had done.

The ambulance took dad to one hospital and it was quickly determined that he needed to be airlifted to another. Mom was called... all seven children were called. None of us knew that two very special people had taken care of our very special guy. None of us knew that while we were all going about our daily routines, our dad was in need of something and God sent exceptional people to be that something for him.

Dad had an aortic dissection. He was in surgery for twenty minutes by the time my mom and brother reached the hospital. After many prayers and several hours of surgery we lost him. God sent two very special people to bring love and comfort to my dad. Dad sent two amazing people who will forever be dear to us!

Kiley, me, Sam, Mom, Tate, Sharon

Angels Among Us

I was walking home from school on a cold winter day.
I took a shortcut through the woods and lost my way.
It was getting late and I was scared and alone.
But then a kind old man took my hand and led me home.
Mama couldn't see him, but he was standing there.
I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers.


Oh, I believe, there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love.

When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love

They wear so many faces, show up in the strangest places
Grace us with their mercy, in our time of need

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love.

To guide us with the light of love.

Sam and Sharon came to visit us and helped with a tree planting in the park.

My niece Katelyn's post: http://abreiden.wordpress.com/2010/06/19/missing-you-papa-g/