Guess what....

So guess what?

School started! 

Do you know what that means?

I officially have a kindergartner!!

I am home alone! 

I'll give you some time to let that sink in. 

Amazing, right?

I have so much time to get things done. 

I said that when Kels, started Preschool, 

but now I have tons on time. 

(at least until I get a part time job...)

Oh and another "guess what".

We are trying to adopt. 

All the paperwork is almost done, 

in the next week or two we should be done!

I am so excited!!

Please spread the word and think about us!

Quilts Galore

I get on kicks, as I have mentioned before. 

This past month I have made 3 quilt tops. 

Not small wall hangings, but 2 lap size and 1 baby quilt!! 

One lap size is done, I hand quilted that one. 

Which was a blast!!

I am off to the beach to enjoy the salt and the sea. 

Happy birthday to me!!

Still Kickin'

I'm still here. 

I have been doing crafty things. 

I just haven't had time to show and tell. 

My daughter started Pre-school, 

which has given me 2 hours of free time, 3 times a week. 

(Which is actually a super short time!)

Halloween is sneaking up on us, 

which gives me an opportunity to stretch my creative powers and see what I can come up with. 

I'm still going to be taking things slow 

 because... 

you'll never guess....

I have the chicken pox. 

I KNOW!

Who gets chicken pox these days?! 

Well apparently, I do. 

I don't feel bad at all, 

I just look really bad. 

And, no, I won't be posting pictures. 

This is not something anyone needs to see. 

I try and do better for you! 

Thanks for sticking with me.

Thanksgiving Weekend

I hope all of you had a great time with family and friends 

this past weekend. 

We did!

I think I gained about 10 lbs, 

no joke. 

So much for working out all year. 

I guess that what the holiday's are all about, 

riiiight???

Anyway, 

I whipped out a toy I haven't played with for a while, 

last night. 

Have you heard of the bamboo tablets?

They are super fun! 

This was my first experiment after a long absence of not using it. 

It is not the best, but I had fun. 

And that's what this is all about.

Go add this to your list of possible Christmas presents, 

have a great day! 

DI Frame

I know it seems there hasn't been much going on here lately. 

But really I have been up to things, 

and plan on telling you, soon!

Like this!

There is a story that goes with this frame, 

and let me tell you, 

it is pretty awesome. 

We traveled up to Utah a few weekends ago, 

for a wedding. 

The wedding wasn't until late that night, 

so we spent the day shopping, 

and just goofing off. 

Something we don't really get the chance to do very often. 

On our shopping trip around 

the Salt Lake area, 

we ended up in West Jordan. 

(At least, I think it was, 

our navigation was sending us to some weird places)

I spotted a D.I. sign, 

so we had to stop and check it out. 

(Aren't thrift stores so much better

when they are not in your town?)

Well long story short, 

I found this frame and bought it, 

HELLO! 

$3!? 

Of course. 

But sadly after much trial and error in the parking lot, 

which probably looked super funny 

to people passing by,

the stupid frame wouldnt' fit in our trunk!

So this is how it fit. 

If you saw us driving down I-15, 

yep that was us, 

hope you got a good laugh.  

But hello, 

this huge frame! 

$3. 

Sorry honey, 

couldn't pass this one up. 

Look at those awesome details!

Not only will this look amazing in our house, 

but an awesome prop for photography! 

Didn't believe that it was $3, 

here's the tag. 

Yep.

Now I need your help to try and decide what color I should paint it. 

It is plastic, 

which means I am a little limited. 

I am thinking:

These are Krylon Fusion for Plastic colors, 

but maybe I could spray paint the frame white, 

then choose a different color over top. 

What do you think?

What color would you choose?

365 project Day 15

I thought I would share this picture with you.

Not only for Kay's crazy hair, 

but for the dress. 

I am making matching dresses for her and her cousin. 

Who could be sister's they look so much alike. 

I am not usually a fan of matching clothes, 

because my mom made my sisters and I wear the same clothes 

ALL the time. 

Because I am the youngest,

I got to wear the same dress or outfit for 5 years, 

because of hand-me-downs!

But because Kay's cousin doesn't live close. 

I am making a simple matching dress, 

from vintage knit from Grandma. 

I think I might put together a tutorial, 

since I haven't done 1 in a while. 

What do you think?

Want a tutorial?

Up to lots of good...

Lately it seems that everyone has been asking me, 

"How are you feeling?"

"Are you okay"

"Is everything alright?"

It has been driving me crazy. 

I was starting to believe that there should be something wrong. 

But I think I have figured it out. 

When I am not creating I am different. 

I am not sure how to describe it. 

So, "different" will have to do. 

I have taken it as a sign, 

and have started to create like a mad woman. 

Here is a glimpse at what I have been making these past few days. 

my new bag

I'm not sure I am going to tell you what this is quite yet.

I have been experimenting with some lace.

I will show what these are in a few days, 

once I finish tweaking them to my liking. 

Until then.....

Still here....

Grandpa and Grandma Ellis engagement photo, 

see how beautiful they are.

They were married for 70 years!

Because Grandpa Ellis served his country, 

 we got to witness a 21 gun salute. 

After the funeral, the family was given the empty bullet casings.

I thought what are we going to do with a bullet shell, 

besides but it in a memory box.

Really never to be looked at again. 

So I thought of this. 

The letter "V" for his name Vear.

The fish and fish hook because he loved fishing.

I still have yet to add a deep blue crystal, his favorite color. 

I love this tribute to Grandpa. 

I might not have known him for a very long time, 

but he did make a difference in my life.

I thought it would be nice to have him look at it whenever I wear the necklace.

Look at this fabric, 

try not to drool.

Grandma Ellis, gave them to me. 

She said the next time I come to visit her, 

she will give me more. 

Yes, we are going to visit her again in July. 

I thought the red white and blue striped fabric 

totally reminded me of this dress from Prada.

And this one too. 

She is excited to see what I am going to make with them.

Any other fun ideas, you have?

Scary Story

I have to tell you about some scary things that happened.

My sewing machine, 

STOPED 

WORKING........

DUN
DUN
DHHUUUUUNNN!

Let me give you a little history.

huummmm, where to begin.

I got my machine, 

almost 5 years ago. 

And it has been moved to 4 different states, 

and has been a champ.

See how pretty it is...

source

Since we moved here to this little town,

and I have a craft room, 

I have used it almost everyday, 

but it still is working great!

I love things that work, like there supposed to.

Anywho, the past month,

it hasn't been working right!!

I know!!

This is especially horrible, for me!

I did everything that I could think of to fix it,

besides taking it a shop.

(I really have a problem with paying someone 

to fix things for me)

Well, I took it apart.

At least, the body cover, things. 

I found a thread that wasn't supposed to be there, 

causing all of this heartache. 

After oiling and cleaning everything, 

I put it back together. 

I started to sew,

...................fffrrroo0o0o0o0o0o0oom.................

(that's my machine working)

.....RGFKJHKEYRKJBFKAJFH.....pah..

(that's my machine not working)

Frustration.

GRRR....

The motor stopped going!

Well, I took it apart again.

The knob on the side would turn backward, 

but not forward. 

Explain THAT!

I was starting to break down a 

teensy bit.

source

In comes my

source

Knight in shining armor!

My husband. 

He would be the first to admit he knows nothing about sewing machines,

but he sure has good timing.

He looked at it for about 2 minutes,

"This screw is loose."

He says.

After I put it back together, 

my machine has never worked better. 

The knob has a screw in it, 

and when I walk the foot forward,

it loosen the screw. 

But when I walk the foot back, it tightens the screw,

bad design there!

Disaster averted for now, 

hopefully all will be well in this household, 

for a while. 

I'll will be crossing my fingers just in case!

Hidden Blessings

I am grateful to have a 3 year old that gets into everything.

Why?

Because not only does she use a sleeve as a skirt, 

which I think is pretty creative.  

She mixes up my scrap pile/ stack, 

which reminds me that I have some awesome scraps that need to be used. 

Thanks K, for getting into everything and making my life interesting. 

Veteran's Day

This might be a little late,

but I wanted to wish you all a happy late 

Veteran's Day!!

In our little town we had a Field of Flags. 

Which K had a great time running around.

She had a fun time watching them fly in the wind

and trying to catch them. 

I am grateful to all those who served for our rights and freedom.

Thank you for making my life easy. 

I have no idea what you go through, but I am so grateful to you and your family. 

I'm Back!!

Well that was probably the longest 2 weeks of my life! 

I am so glad that I am all done with watching those children.

Although I have learned a lot, 

I wish I could have learned it a different way

then diving in head first. 

Some things I learned from my friends kids:

1) Don't give your children everything they want.

2) Watching Toy Story 2 and Cars over and over again everyday,

 will entertain a 2 year old

 long enough to do the dishes. 

3) Punish when necessary.

4) Run the dishwasher everyday 

because kids go through cups, like none other.

And the biggest thing I learned from these 2 weeks was

5) Crafts are not just for adults, 

but are for children too. 

Actually they are necessary. 

Something has to be done to entertain the children who aren't in school. 

Starburst chains will do that....

We made rings, I think I might be the coolest person in there eyes. 

I have more to come this week, 

something to do with some old books and maps!! 

Like Everyone Else

Well here's my body..... 

(I am aware I am shaped like a boy)

I made one like everyone else. My hubby might have had too much fun wrapping duct tape around me I think....

Anyway, I wanted a dress form really really bad, but the steep price kept me from getting one. 

This duct tape baby cost me $6! 

Let me give you the cost break down,

Duct tape: 2-40yard rolls of tape $3 each

Newspaper: Free

Old Shirt: Free

Wood Dowel: Free

Batting: Free 

Cardboard: Free (used cereal boxes!!)

The only thing that I don't like about it was the fact that it is silver and made out of duct tape... 

It scares me a little.

So what I did, was get this spray adhesive. 

I guess if you are going to add this to my total cost, add $5.

I got some let over fabric and....

Ta-Da!  

No more scary silver person on a stick! 

(Like Jose Jalapeño)

I was going to add a layer of batting on the outside, but I decided against it. It lost most of it's shape by doing so. 

I think now that this is done, I would have made some darts in the fabric, but lesson learned. 

I don't think I am going to be making another one of these anytime soon. 

So I am passing on my knowledge to you.

I've joined the club

I decided a couple nights ago to start an Etsy shop. 

(I know kind of a cliche...)

Like I said, I have only started this 2 nights ago. 

So there isn't much listed, Actually only 2 things listed.

And I am not sure about those things!

forgive me!

There will be soon patterns from the things which I have made here 

and actual clothes too. 

Although this might take some time to really start. 

I just thought I would tell you that I have joined the club.

Thanks for all the support and for the comments! 

I really do appreciate all the support that I get from you guys.

The more support, the easier it is for me to post things for you too see and gather inspiration from. 

Making like a baby

and "head"ing out. 

We are headed to Idaho for a family reunion for the next week. 

So I am leaving, but not for good. 

It seems a lot of really great bloggers are leaving, 

and I can understand how hard it is sometimes, but it seems weird to just leave.

But they will be missed greatly. 

I will just leave you with this....

I'll just let your imagination run wild for a little bit. 

Hint: it's pretty awesome!!

Copy Cat

I got these shorts for my daughter yesterday, for a family picture coming up.

I thought they were so cute and what made it even better, $5!!

Anyway I was looking at them this morning, thinking how much I like them, 

maybe I should go to the store and get some more...

Wait!! I know!

Make a pattern!

So I sat down while watching Tinkerbell with my daughter, and drafted a pattern, 

and cut it out. Here are all the pieces! 

Holy Moley!

That's a lot for shorts for a 2 year old!

I was attempting some sewing techniques that I have never attempted before, and

some worked out better than others. 

That's for sure. It's hard to tell but I am trying to make a

"single welt pocket"

Can you see the mistake?!!? 

(the fabric on top is supposed to be the other way)

oops!

Don't worry I fixed it.

I even did a zipper front fly! My first time. I think I did pretty well. 

I am proud of myself for that one!

Side by side, what do you think??

Extra features that are hard to see:

adjustable waistband

side pockets (which makes a grand total of 4 pockets)

belt loops

major huge hem for future growth. 

Can you tell that I am a little proud of these copy cat shorts?

Someone is hiding

She has found a new place to hide. Unfortunately the location of it is not great....

Underneath my craft table, and usually while I am sewing. 

I looooooove it.

Just LOVE it. 

I think my next project will be a fort for her, so she can climb in that. 

Something like this from missprettypretty store on etsy

Or just a classic tee-pee, simple nothing special tee-pee. 

Or I might as well take out a small loan, to build this, just for a few minutes of peace and quiet. 

And I only have one child....