card and gift bag {For baby girl}

Today is one of those days where I could sit here, fingers on the key board, and pictures posted, with not a whole lot to say.  I am working on cleaning my kitchen. . . the counters are slowly making an appearance (that's what a week of laziness and a weekend of baking will do to it!) and cleaning the rest of my house so that I can have some fun and do some things just for me.  I am really excited about that!

Here is a card I made for Lisa's shower last month.  I loved the colors and I even got to use my cricut!  Super excited about that too!  I am not sure what the paper is, but both prints are a glossy cardstock that were on clearance at Michael's one day (sometimes i collect scrapbook paper. . . who doesn't, right?)  I love the way the colors went together.  The stamps used were by Stampin' Up! and on the little baby pajamas I colored it in with my blender pen and chalk (SU! also).  I added a library clip (SU) for something extra. 

I also added something to the bag.  Target started selling brown craft-style bags with pretty grossgrain ribbon handles.  Super cute.  I like to add a little something to them, so I added some pink and purple baby carriages from my Nice and Narrow set (SU!) and backed it behind purple and pink paper.  

A close up. . . 

So. . have a wonderful day. I am going to go and look for my kitchen. 

Toddler Time: Check this out!

So, last week I talked to my fellow MOPS moms about the importance of literacy through reading, writing, and art (I think I may have mentioned that in my lat post).  One of the really awesome blogs that I often visit for inspiration is this blog:

So, to encourage my fellow moms in their quest for reading books and doing art with their children, I want you to go check out the very awesome giveaway they are hosting.  Seriously. . . It's awesome.  There are 3 very cool October themed books and a fun crafty kit.  I highly reccommend going and visiting them here . . make some fun comments. . . become a follower even.  Have fun! 

First day of Fall {bucket list}

Did you know that today is the first day of Fall? I wanted to try to balance an egg. . . it didn't work.  I may have waited too long. . . the people of Noodles and Co. tried it and said it worked.  Maybe it only works in Colorado.  Maybe it only works at 2am when people should be sleeping.  I don't know.  Did you try it?  Just curious.

(picture from here. . . it's actually a free printable. . check it out!)

Anyways, today is the first day of Fall.  We celebrated with spaghetti at the Spaghetti Factory.  I actually don't think that had any thing to do with it, but it sounded good.  After dinner the car told us that it was 100 degrees out side. . . at 6:30.  No. It is not fall.  The majority of the leaves are still green.  I can't wear a sweatshirt to my son's soccer game in the morning.  And I certainly am not going to be spending $5 on a delicious pumpkin spice latte to only cause me to sweat at 10am.  Yep.  I may just be sick of summer.  Oh well.  We can still play outside, swim, and enjoy the weather until it ends. . . soon. . . I'm hoping.

But not only that, today is the FIRST day that I am only committed to 2 things.  Number 1:  My family.  Number 2: MOPS as in coordinator.  Not bad.  I am ready for today.  My husband actually put my on a sewing/craft hiatus for 1 year.  Yes, it still means I can get my craft on, but only for me (or my family).  I had been so busy working on gifts for other people that my own children don't have quilts made by their mother.  I have projects started for them that I intend to finish (and show you of course!).  I am super excited.  I am learning to say no. And I am learning to delegate.  So excited!

I finished up the last commitment last night. . . it was awesome. . . and slightly nerve racking.  I had an amazing opportunity to speak at our MOPS group about literacy (something I have a huge passion for) at home with preschoolers.  And by preschoolers I mean, any kid not in school . . . birth to 6 (or so).  Most of the stuff I spoke about applies to school-age kids, too.  I hope I didn't intimidate my fellow mom friends by all the stuff I do with Ethan.  I love what I do and he loves it so much he asks for it (I'm not complaining!).  I am going to try very hard to post more things for my toddler time section, because I think that doing creative activities centered around literacy is so very important for the growth and development of language, reading, and writing.  If you want to see my power point presentation send me a message and I will email it to you.  It's not very long at all.

taken from here.

Here's my fall bucket list:
:: Go to pumpkin patch
:: Make as many things pumpkin as possible.
:: Savor my Bible Study, Saying Yes to God, by Lysa Terkeherst.
:: Continue my quest of thankfulness
:: Take in some zoo tot time with the boys
:: Continue my quest for home organization.
:: Make my own laundry soap (yep. . . I'm gonna try it out!)

Not too long.  See you next week.  Relax and enjoy your first fall weekend!

Countdown to 3!

My first born turned 3 last week.  In all honesty, I can't believe how quickly the last 3 years have gone and how much has happened in such a short time span.  Ethan is an amazing gift and a joy to be around.  He loves anything that mommy and daddy love. . . that makes me so happy!  He is so much fun to bake with and craft with.  In fact, this year, he asked for a pair of running shoes so he could go on runs like his mommy and daddy. This year, we started a new tradition based on the Christmas countdown paper chains I made in elementary school (I am sure you all know what I am talking about!).  

We counted down from 15 days, which was a lot of fun! He couldn't wait to tear it off and count how many were left every day.  If we forgot, he would remind us.  We will definitely be doing this every year.  We will most likely countdown to Weston's first birthday next Feb, so Ethan can help count for his brother (he's a good helper like that!).

This was so easy to make.  There was hardly any prep work at all, especially since you can cut several pieces of that really thin construction paper (ours comes from Target) at a time.

Materials needed: construction paper, paper cutter, glue, sign. I made the sign on the computer with a fun font and a graphic that I googled and made black (we were out of color ink at the time).

Quilted zoology {for baby}

 My best friend just had a baby. . . well 3 months ago (you met Mr. Tanner here).  I finally got his quilt made.  I absolutely fell in love with the fabric.  Most of it comes from Michael Miller's zoology line, but the aqua with grey boxes comes from Sherbet Pips line. I backed it with white chenile and tied with some grey yarn.  Pretty simple.  I loosely followed Lotta Jansdotter's pattern for her play quilt (found in the book Simple sewing for baby).  It is one of my favorite patterns because it's so easy and quick to make.  

 I also made here a lion tag pillow (shown below).  It was a lot of fun.  I found the tutorial here and made a few adjustments.  I had stitched the eyes, nose, and mouth with felt and embroidery floss.  LOVE the way it came out.  I will have to post a close up soon.  You will have to go check out that tutorial, because it is hilarious to read her take on the taggie patent that drives all sewers crazy.

Things are starting to slow down here.  I promise.  After this week is over, I can sit down, put my feet up and read my Food Network magazine while Ethan plays in the pool (because where I live, we will be swimming for at least another month!).