10 Years Today

10 years married to my love, my best friend, the father of my children, my everything. I love you, honey!

(thanks to my son for snapping a photo for us)

Spring Subway Art

At first I wasn't sure, but now I know that I have fallen in love with the subway art that is floating around.  Not all subway art is created equal - some are created better than others.  This is my favorite FREE printable that I have found so far for Spring! You can find it at Agape Love Designs.

Tissue Paper Flowers

This is an easy way to bring some spring into your home.  Make some flowers. I made mine out of the old, used, crinkled up tissues from gifts we have received lately.  I just pulled out the spring colors I had.  I can't find the exact link that I got this idea from, but here is a video that shows how to make your own.

Not all of mine came out cute.  I tried to scrimp on the paper on some of them to make more flowers - they look much better if you use lots of tissue paper instead of trying to be cheap like I am, but you get the idea.

Toy Box Into Bench Makeover Part 2

So here is part 2 of my bench makeover. I made this little cushion to go on top.  This way it's not quite so hard when you sit on it.  I filled it with - 1 inch foam.  Dang that stuff is pricey (if it wasn't I would have gone a little thicker, but it will do).  Anyways, it adds nicely to the other touches of red I have in my front room.

White Dress

Sometimes it's hard to take a picture of an uncooperative baby, but hopefully you get the point of this dress. I had fun making it and think it turned out pretty cute!

Workout Update

Remember this post about my new workout.  A few of you asked about the workout and how I liked it.  Well, I'm only three weeks into my six week workout and I'm already impressed with the results. 

Jillian Michaels delivers results.  I have about 2 1/2 weeks to go on my 6 weeks.  I feel so much better (and less sore than when I started). 

St. Patrick's Day Treasure Hunt

For a little fun today, I put together a St. Patrick's Day Treasure Hunt. I gave the kids little clues on four leaf clovers.

And at the end, they got a little treat - some Skittles (rainbow colors) and some Chocolate Gold Coins.

It was so fun to see them so excited. Running through the house hunting for their treasure.  Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Spring Dresses

This is the main reason that I started sewing more - to make matching dresses for my girls.  Their sizes are so spread out that making is much easier than trying to find matching. 

Aliza was not exactly cooperating for the pictures, but you get the idea.  I just know these will be perfect for the warm weather that is coming.  I used the same pattern as the turquoise dresses, but I added ruffles to the sleeves and a hook in the back.

Toy Box Into Bench Makeover

When Jared was little, his father built this toy box for their toys.  It was given to us when we started having kids. It was a dark wood color to begin with.  When we got it, I painted it white and padded the inside for my kids to use as a toy box.  Years have gone by and the toy box has traveled along with us but it's usually just filled with whatever junk we need to store.  It has been moved from room to room trying to find a place that we have space for it.  Still, my husband can't bear to part with it because his father built it and it has sentimental value. 

I've thought for a long time that I'd make it nice again and turn it into a bench seat, but I finally started the project.  As you can see (above) it had nicks and scratches in the paint.  So I started with that.  a fresh coat of white paint.

Already a huge improvement.  Next, I used my Silhouette cutter to give it a little flair.  I mod podged the letters on.  (It probably would have been easier to use vinyl, but I only have a white roll and didn't want the extra expense right now)

A huge improvement.  Next, I'm going some fabric to make a pad for the top.  It looks so much nicer, I am not so embarrassed to have it in our front room now.

Today I Turned 31!

It's official. I'm not just 30, I'm IN my thirties. 

Birthday Calendar

In an attempt to actually keep track of all of the birthdays in our family I finally made myself a birthday calendar.  Hopefully this quick project will keep me more on top of the birthdays and I might actually get cards out to everyone this year.  (here's hoping)

As I put in all of the birthdays, I learned that there are 3 shared birthdays (2 birthdays on the same day) and the only month with no birthdays is February and that May has the most birthdays (Aliza tipped the scales) and we have 35 family members - plus two more on the way.  Who knew? (Probably everyone else, I'm just behind, but I'm trying)

Diaper Clutch

Here's my problem.  When you have a baby, you always have to have diapers and such with you so you turn to a diaper bag.  You also need a purse to keep your keys, wallet and such in.  So then you have a diaper bag and a purse to bring around with you everywhere. I for one, don't like to have two bags with me, so a while back I made a purse to use for both.  It was great. I loved it, but now my baby doesn't go through diapers as often and I don't need quite as much stuff with me all of the time.  And so, I made a diaper clutch to keep in my car for when I need it. 

It holds my changing pad a couple of diapers and (although I didn't take a picture with one) a pocket for an extra onesie. 

It's compact (about 10 inches by 10 inches closed), easy to grab when you need it and it's cute, too.

Gotta Love It

T rarely gets dressed in the morning when we drop the kids off at the school because we don't get out of the car.  This time, he was careful, though, to get his shoes on at least.  Then when we got home, he told me he was going to get dressed.  He proceeded to put his pants on his head and run around the house. I thought it was a good look to share with others.  I love how silly he can be.

Wish Me Luck

I'm 1 week in and I've been sooo sore.

Gotta get ready for my cruise.

Baby Mary Janes

What girl doesn't like a new pair of shoes, right?  I had a little of this cute print and I couldn't resist making some little shoes out of it.  The kids call these the "cow shoes."  Now the real hard part is getting this little girl to keep them on.  She loves to pull off the shoes and socks.