Pay it Forward 2011

I came across this awesome “Blog Party” going on over at A Woman's Haven although I found it through a blog I follow at Liberty Original.  Follow that?

Here's how it works:

• Be one of the first five people to comment on this post

• You will receive something handmade from me within the next few months

• Post about Pay it Forward on your blog/social media site of choice, and send something handmade to the first five people who comment on your post before 2011 is over. Keep the craftiness going!

• You can send anything, big or small, it just must be handmade.

Pretty cool, huh?.  I have of a couple rules I want to add though.  If you know me, then you know I am guilty of being forgetful.  With that being said, I am going to get my handmade items sent to everyone within one month of you commenting.  Also when you comment, please leave a preference as far as favorite colors.  I’m not sure what I am going to be creating yet as I have a lot of ideas but this will help me create something that you will enjoy.

Will you Pay It Forward?

I Get Hacked ALOT!

Do you know my husband?

He really is “funny”!  At least he thinks he is most of the time.

Case in point – he likes to hack my Facebook account!

I can only imagine what people that don’t have a clue who he is think about him {or me for that matter}.

Don’t think he is onery and down right irritating sometimes?  Here are some of his “hacks” from the past month.

I'm sitting on the couch eating bon bons watching Judge Judy and I realize how lucky I am to have such a hot sexy husband Brian Eaton. He's the bee's knee's!!!!

I sure can't wait for my handsome and smart husband to bred me!!!! he has big muscles too. well back on the chain to make breakfast and do the dishes.

I think im gonna watch an all my children marathon. I'll just make Brian Eaton, my very good looking husband do the laundry and dishes today. he usually does anyway im a lucky girl!!!

you would think that she'd learn not to keep her facebook open when i'm around. duh

I guess I don’t learn.

I really should have posted all the comments to these statuses but I really didn’t think you had all day to sit and read those.  There really could get an award for the funniest and most lengthy ever, I think.

He thinks he’s so funny.  It’s amazing how the things that you fell in love with become the things that irritate you the longer you have been together.  His oneryness is to much to handle sometimes.  Through all of that I still love him though.  He keeps me laughing and smiling for sure!

By the way, we are not doing anymore “breeding”.  I am done! 

I Need This Reminder Today

Today, I need this reminder.

Let them be little!

Stained carpets, messy rooms, fingerprinted walls...

Little white lies, hiding from trouble,  dishonesty...

I must remember that these are all parts of growing up....

Let them be little...for they won't be like this for long!

I love my kiddos.  I don't think they always "feel" it though.

Time For My Stillness

“People who find time for stillness are people who have the energy and perspective to stay on top of their hectic ‘outer’ lives.”

By the way – this is the BEST WINE I have ever tasted.  And yep – it’s a twist top.   I’m cheap!

But it’s sooooo good!

Inspired Spotlight -

It's time for my Inspired Spotlight Thursday!  Welcome Ashley from Ashley's Crafts.

Hi, I'm Ashley and I was so flattered when Beth asked me if I'd be a part of her Inspired Spotlight Thursdays! I'm excited to be here with you all today. My husband and I have been together for just over 5 years (married just over 4). He goes to school and works, while I stay at home with our beautiful, opinionated, almost 3 year old daughter.

Just like many other mommy bloggers out there, crafting is a release for me. It helps keep me sane. I like to consider myself a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. So you'll find a little bit of everything on my blog, from cards and sewing (including refashions), to recipes and some holiday decor.

Beth asked me to share why I started blogging. This is actually a story I haven't shared. When I created my blog it was called "Ashley's Stamps". I was a new demonstrator for a rubber stamp company and needed somewhere to showcase current promos and cards I had created. Well I failed miserably at being a sales(wo)man. So when my family blog became bombarded with all of my crafty creations (I'm great at making stuff, just not selling it) I decided to switch my stamp blog over to a craft blog and I love it. Blogging is my little guilty pleasure..well, that and chocolate.

I thought I would share with you all a little tutorial. I haven't written many tutorials, so bare with me! Let's talk bridesmaid dresses. Most of us have at least one (or 5) hanging in the closet. I only have 1 dress that was casual enough that I would wear it again (and I have) but I have several that just sit there taking up space. Which is unfortunate given how much they can cost. So I decided to use up some of that nice expensive fabric!

Here is what the dress looked like originally (it went all the way down to the floor).

First, I found a skirt that I liked the fit of and pinned the fabric around it. If you don't have a skirt that you can use as a template, you can measure around the widest part of your hips and cut the whole thing that width.

You'll want to decide how long you want it and add about 6 inches. Here it is cut out, make sure you leave enough room for a seam allowance. Now sew along the pins. At this point, I would try it on and see if you need to take it in or let it out at all.

I don't have pictures for this next part, but it is pretty straight forward. Make a casing at the top for the elastic waistband. I like to serge the top edge so that I only have to fold the fabric over once, but you could do a traditional casing (fold over about 1/4 inch and then another 1/2-1 inch depending on the width of your elastic). Insert the elastic.

Now you'll need to cut 6 pieces of narrow elastic to the length that you want the finished skirt to be (for me that was 20 inches). Find the half way point on the length of your skirt (for me - around 12 inches) along with the half way point of your elastic.

Pin together along the side seams.

Starting right above the bottom hem (I used the existing hem) sew the elastic to the skirt with just a few stitches.

Since your elastic is much shorter than your skirt fabric, you'll need to stretch the elastic as you sew. Just pull it until it lays even with the fabric.

Before pulling the elastic.

While pulling the elastic.

Now you should have two pieces of elastic sewn to your skirt. Next you'll add two more pieces to the front and two to the back. Just measure the distance between your side seams (18 inches) and divide by three (6 inches) so you know how far apart to space the other two pieces of elastic. I know I took pictures of this process, but they have somehow disappeared.

That's it! You should now have a skirt that looks something like this.

And if you have enough scraps left over, you can even make a matching one for a small person in your life.

Thanks, Beth, for having me here today!
---------------
Thank you for being with me today, Ashley!
Make sure you stop by her blog HERE and say "hi".

Fabric Swap Link-Up

Hey ladies - if you participated in my fabric swap it's time to link up all those wonderful goodies that you got!

Here what I need from:

1.  Create a blog post about the Fabric Swap Party.

2.  Come back here and add your actual blog post {not your main blog} to the linky party so everyone can see what you got.

3.  Then you're done!

EASY PEASY!!

I can't wait to see what everyone shares!  Leave me a comment if you enjoyed this and want to participate in another swap party and what you would like it to be!

Hoo Are You!

Night Owl Crafting is hosting a “Hoo Are You” again!

Here are this week's questions!

1. Do you make a budget and keep it, or just fly by the seat of your pants?

2. Do you do spring cleaning and if so which month?

3. Are you a yard sale lover and do you have them and go to them?

4. What do you take when you have a headache?

5. Name 3 things that you feel lucky to have in your life!

My Answers!

1.  Psshhttt….I wish we made a budget and stuck to it!  We really do try but it always flies out the window.  I know there is so much more we could do if I could just stick to a budget but it’s just so dang hard.

2.  I do “some” spring cleaning but it isn’t really scheduled.  Just whenever the day hits me and I feel “in the mood” to clean.  I am typically a “tosser” when it comes to cleaning too.  I get tired of having clutter around and will toss lots of stuff when I’m in cleaning mode.  Sometimes to my dismay, a few weeks later I wish I hadn’t.

3.  I love yard sales.  I rarely find good stuff that I want to buy though.  It still doesn’t stop me from browsing though.  I DON’T have garage sales!  They are too much work for not any money really.  Not for what I have anyways.  Remember I like to throw stuff away.  People would be better off coming and going through my trash cans and getting some cool stuff for free.  Or going to Goodwill on the days I drop off.

4.  I used to take Tylenol or Motrin.  Then when it was determined that I suffered from migraines I took a prescription medication.  Now, thanks to my chiropractor, I DON’T TAKE ANYTHING!  That is something for me to give praises to the Lord about! 

5.  I am thankful that my hubby allows me to be a stay at home momma and wife.  I don’t show him near enough how much I appreciate that!  TODAY, I am thankful for the sunshine!  We have had such a crazy winter and I am so ready for spring and warmer weather. 

Want to link up to “Hoo Are You”?  Go to NIGHT OWL CRAFTING.

I’m Feeling A Little “Green”

St. Patty’s Day will be here before we know it.  I usually don’t do ANY decorating for the holiday but this year I decided, “What the heck?”

I’m not Irish, I didn’t grow up going all out celebrating St. Patty’s Day, so I just don’t do it with my kids.  The most that we usually do the holiday is making some green food.  Growing up my mother always made me green Cream of Wheat!  I loved that stuff!!

Back to the decor – I’ve seen these vases on candlesticks all over and so I decided to throw some of my own together.  I’m glad I did!  They are going to be sooo versatile!  I can already think of stuff I want to do with them for some other upcoming holidays.

I stayed cheap on this, just because that’s how we roll.  Better yet, that’s how my hubby says, “I better roll!”  I already had the candlesticks.  I purchased two vases, a sheet of Patty’s Day window clings, and two shimmery wire garlands. 

$5 TOTAL!

I have to admit, I have NEVER thought of using window clings on vases!  I’m liking that it!

 

Marker Keeper

I have to preface by saying that I saw something somewhere that had a similar project to this but they used small cans, it was for crayons, AND I can’t remember who it was to give credit to. :(

I didn’t want it for crayons though.  I needed a place for all the markers in my house though.  We do have crayons for Parker but us {older} kids prefer to color with markers. 

I took a 2x4 and painted it white.  I still have intentions of putting some vinyl wording on the front but since I don’t have a vinyl cutter yet – well it just isn’t happening.

Dumb, debt payoff gets in the way of all the “fun” stuff I want to buy.  I have to keep our end goal in mind though.

Back to the project…

I got small terra cotta pots and painted them in a variety of colors.  Ultimately, I wanted all of the like colors in the same pot.  I know there are browns in the black pot but  we’re just going to act like they go there.

I have a white pot too.  Don’t know what I was thinking.  No other colors will go into the white pot except, DUH, white!  So I’m thinking we have a lot of paintbrushes and watercolors and so that may end up being the home for them.

I super glued all of the pots down and so far, they aren’t going anywhere! 

 

I know.

I really need to work on my photography skills.  They aren’t very good :(

You know, professional bloggers say that blogs with bad photos don’t keep followers.  In actuality, they lose followers.

Hopefully you hang around even though I can’t get a Marker Keeper to look “cute” for the life of me!

http://todayscreativeblog.net

My COWBOY!

It’s the Wild West!

James had his Second Grade Music Program and I must give kudos to the music teachers!  They did a great job with teaching the kids very entertaining, fun music!

   

He sure is a Handsome Cowboy!

Another Beautiful WINTER Day

Who would have guessed after getting ice and 3” of snow last night that exactly one week ago, it was 72 degrees!

Of course, we took full advantage of it!

I have a feeling Parker is going to be a BIG help with our garden this year! 

So what was he doing?  Scooping dirt {and mulch} into a planter and dumping it out only to scoop it back in again.  Yep, that’s my broom and dustpan that I use in the house.

It’ll wash!  Life is too short!

Look at that tongue!  That’s a sign of concentration for my boys :)

       

SPRING WHERE ARE YOU!?!

Inspired Spotlight Thursday!

This weeks post is highlight Christie from A Lemon Squeezy Home!

"Hello!  I'm Christie and the lucky stay at home mother of 3. Being a mom is hard work, and it's good to take a break to do what I love--crafting or sewing!  My favorite part of having my blog is that I get to be in contact with a lot of amazing women!  I started my blog because my family blog was beginning to look like a craft blog with all the craft posts I started writing.  It's fun for me to think of new ideas or make things from other tutorials I find.  It feels like a balancing act sometimes, but as long as I try to put my family first and know when to quit crafting (which is hard sometimes!), then things run pretty smoothly around here and we're probably all better for it!"

THIS post shares some of the trials she has been through in her life and focuses on where she gets her strength!  Her kids are blessed to be able to call her “Mother”.

I am going to make this Crayon Roll someday!  She shares the tutorial on how to do it if you want to try it.  I LOVE that she included a spot for a small notebook! 

Easter is right around the corner {COME ON SPRING} and THIS tutorial from last year is right on time!

This Vintage Bike Basket is very chic!  Now I need to find a bike like that so I can make it!  Want a tutorial?  She’s got it!

There you go!  Another Inspired Spotlight from a fellow blogger who inspires me!

Thanks so much Christie!

Hoo Are You?

Linking up to NIGHT OWL CRAFTING for Hoo Are You?

Here are this week's questions!

1. Where do you usually have your thermostat set at in the winter?

We keep our house set at 70 degrees.  I am cold all the time and would prefer to have it set at 72 but hubby is not so this is our compromise.  He likes it at 68.

2. What room do you tend to put off cleaning until last?

UGH – the bathroom!  I despise it!  If I cleaned it more often it probably wouldn’t be as dirty when I do clean it.  I just have to make myself do it and honestly I don’t do it enough.

3. Do you like to clean with music on or off?

I HAVE to have music on.  It motivates me!!  I like to dance to it too!

4. When do you take time to blog?

Usually at naptime or bedtime.  There are occasional poses that I do when everyone is at my feet.

5. How much time do you spend looking at other blogs a week?

Ummmm…..dare I say!  Probably at least 30 minutes a day on average.   Some days are a lot longer and there are some days I don’t ever get the chance.

Time To Hammer Down Some Rules!

We have an issue with chores in our house.

Better yet, I have an issue delegating chores in our house.

Someone once convicted me saying that I am not teaching my children how to be responsible adults by doing everything for them.  I need to get my children to do more than they do around the house.  Here are the current chores":

James

Emptying the kitchen trash daily and taking it to the curb once a week.

Feed and water the dog although I almost ALWAYS do this.  I just notice when they are out and then refill which usually happens at when he is at school.  I just need to make him do it every night before bed or everyday before school.  It’s the whole follow-through thing that I have to train myself to do.

Alysia

Doing the dinner dishes although this usually means I wash and she dries them unless days in which we have a messy dinner and I give Parker a bath.  Then she does it all herself.  It’s not very often though.

Clean the bathroom before guests come over.  If you’ve been to my house, you know this doesn’t happen every time we have guests either.  I usually have to hound her to clean the bathroom

Focus On The Family has an amazing list of suggestions and ideas for chores and getting your kids to do them without nagging them. 

Ages 2 and 3

Personal chores

• Assist in making their beds
• Pick up playthings with your supervision

Family chores

• Take their dirty laundry to the laundry basket
• Fill a pet's water and food bowls (with supervision)
• Help a parent clean up spills and dirt
• Dust

Ages 4 and 5

Note: This age can be trained to use a family chore chart.

Personal chores

• Get dressed with minimal parental help
• Make their bed with minimal parental help
• Bring their things from the car to the house

Family chores

• Set the table with supervision
• Clear the table with supervision
• Help a parent prepare food
• Help a parent carry in the lighter groceries
• Match socks in the laundry
• Answer the phone with parental assistance
• Be responsible for a pet's food and water bowl
• Hang up towels in the bathroom
• Clean floors with a dry mop

Ages 6 and 7

Note: This age can be supervised to use a family chore chart.

Personal chores

• Make their bed every day
• Brush teeth
• Comb hair
• Choose the day's outfit and get dressed
• Write thank you notes with supervision

Family chores

• Be responsible for a pet's food, water and exercise
• Vacuum individual rooms
• Wet mop individual rooms
• Fold laundry with supervision
• Put their laundry in their drawers and closets
• Put away dishes from the dishwasher
• Help prepare food with supervision
• Empty indoor trash cans
• Answer the phone with supervision

Ages 8 to 11

Note: This age benefits from using a family chore chart.

Personal chores

• Take care of personal hygiene
• Keep bedroom clean
• Be responsible for homework
• Be responsible for belongings
• Write thank you notes for gifts
• Wake up using an alarm clock

Family chores

• Wash dishes
• Wash the family car with supervision
• Prepare a few easy meals on their own
• Clean the bathroom with supervision
• Rake leaves
• Learn to use the washer and dryer
• Put all laundry away with supervision
• Take the trash can to the curb for pick up
• Test smoke alarms once a month with supervision
• Screen phone calls using caller ID and answer when appropriate

Ages 12 and 13

Personal chores

• Take care of personal hygiene, belongings and homework
• Write invitations and thank you notes
• Set their alarm clock
• Maintain personal items, such as recharging batteries
• Change bed sheets
• Keep their rooms tidy and do a biannual deep cleaning

Family chores

• Change light bulbs
• Change the vacuum bag
• Dust, vacuum, clean bathrooms and do dishes
• Clean mirrors
• Mow the lawn with supervision
• Baby sit (in most states)
• Prepare an occasional family meal

Ages 14 and 15

Personal chores

• Responsible for all personal chores for ages 12 and 13
• Responsible for library card and books

Family chores

• Do assigned housework without prompting
• Do yard work as needed
• Baby sit
• Prepare food — from making a grocery list and buying the items (with supervision) to serving a meal — occasionally
• Wash windows with supervision

Ages 16 to 18

Personal chores

• Responsible for all personal chores for ages 14 and 15
• Responsible to earn spending money
• Responsible for purchasing their own clothes
• Responsible for maintaining any car they drive (e.g., gas, oil changes, tire pressure, etc.)

Family chores

• Do housework as needed
• Do yard work as needed
• Prepare family meals — from grocery list to serving it — as needed
• Deep cleaning of household appliances, such as defrosting the freezer, as needed

Do you know why I like this chart?!?!?  Since I’m so lame at dolling out chores, it has a section for 16 to 18 year olds!  I know, I know, it should be set in stone by then, but it’s not.  At least in my house.

ALSO, according to this chart, Parker is ready to start some chores.  I think he will be great at it!  He LOVES helping pick up his toys and cleaning.  I’m afraid he has a little bit of OCD in him :)

I’m going to get to working on something more concrete that is tailored to my family with these recommendations and I’ll share with you soon what I come up with.

I think this may be harder on me than it is on the kids.  I’m going to have to relinquish some control and the face the fact that there may be times it isn’t as clean or put away as good as I would like.

Wish me luck!

My Trash to Treasure!

I have a two year old so I have diaper boxes – LOTS.  They are very sturdy boxes yet I always broke them down and recycled them for the most part.  I used some of them but with the amount that comes in my house I never seemed to have anything else to do with them.

Amy @ Postively Splendid took her diaper boxes and turned them into Canvas Lined Bins!!

INGENIOUS, I TELL YA!  You gotta go check hers out!  They are “positively splendid.”

Soooo…I pulled out two boxes and made some of my own.

The red fabric were some old curtains that I had stashed away.  And the brown striped…a curtain that I found at Target yesterday for $1.24!

Fantastic, huh!!

I think so!

I think the flowers add the perfect character that I was looking for!!

Thanks, AMY