Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Blog Award

My blog friend Kristin gave me an award! The rules are to tell the world 5 things about myself. Things that I like to do. Then I have to give the Award on to 10 more people who have a great blog (unfortunately, I doubt that any of the people whose blogs I read would do this for me, but I'll still list them...)





OK, so 5 things about me:





1. I love to cook, but I hate eggs. Have you ever read "Bread & Jam for Frances"? When she sings the songs about how gross eggs are I TOTALLY agree with her. This makes it tough to read the book to my 3 picky eaters and say things like "she should try them- I'm sure she'd like them!"





2. My Daddy is my hero. He is probably the most awesome guy I'll ever meet. Even with his many flaws (he's human after all) the good things make him my hero. Like today, when I'm making my lunch and he's sitting at the kitchen table with my son, patiently explaining the parts of the 1955 Ford Thunderbird model (a gift from Kitty- THANKS Kitty!). "You see, that's called a bumperette, and it was for in case you had an accident and...." "what's that? That's the shift. The car has four gears plus reverse." I'm in awe of the way that he explains things to my son, and how they "build" things together. Everyone should have a Grandpa Bruce!





3. My biggest dream vacation is to take my family to Sicily, and see the town that my grandparents came from.





4. If given the option, I'd do nothing but crafts all day long. Right now I can't stop thinking about Christmas gifts and what I should be making.





5. I have an irrational fear of death. I'm paranoid that I'll get cancer, or in a car accident. Seriously irrational amounts of fear. Basically, being a single mom means that I'm always worried about what would happen to my kids if something bad happens to me, and I'm totally and completly irrational about the things that I worry about.



Here's a list of my "Top 10" reads: (see the sidebar for the links)
Everyday Creativeness
French Knots
Rainy Day Kisses
Crazy Mom Quilts
V&Co
Pleasant Home
Tallgrass Prairie Studio
Bunny Tales
Everyday Crochet
PS I quilt
Freda's Hive

Let me know if you have any favorite blogs I'm missing out on!

Monday, August 10, 2009

more sewing projects

There are few words to convey my excitement over this project....

MY FIRST REAL QUILT!!!!

It's a baby quilt that I made for a good friend's daughter. After I made it I found out that it's the only handmade quilt she has... my kids each have 2, plus afghans for each. (All made by friends/family- I was too busy having the kids!) Anyway, I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out and I'm so pleased to know that it is special to her as well. The fabric is several years old, from Joann's that I got on clearance because I'd just had my second daughter and knew that I could "use it". 5 yrs. later I'm finally making something and it's not for my own kid :)
Next up, Daddy's father's day gift-


That's a chaise lounge in my parent's room, and it couldn't be more perfect there. I used charm squares from Cotton Blossoms. I'm in L-O-V-E with that line. I wanted to do a sepia photo of Daddy's boat, and iron it on in the middle. After several attempts where the iron-on image looked like junk, I just traced it and embroidered it instead. Perfect. Dad thinks so too!
Hopefully more crafty goodness next weekend. I have 3 tops cut out but not yet sewn together, and that is the priority for the next sewing day.
Hope you have a great day-
C.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Nine year olds...

OK, I know that she's a "tween" and all that, but really do we need the attitude at NINE? Today was the VBS final prayer service/"show", where both of my daughters were singing and showing off their knowledge of the Saints. Should've been sweet and wonderful, right? So then why was my oldest giving me the stink-eye in CHURCH???? I'm so not getting the mother of the year award!

(For anyone wondering, my offense was two-fold- first, I was there, second, I was WATCHING her.... how that makes me so horrible I will never know!)

Happy Friday!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Lisa

This is my kitchen window....



Every morning when I'm making the lunches I appreciate this little African Violet which was a gift from Lisa. The "watering can" -slash- shotglass next to it was the favor at her wedding 20 years ago. Lisa has been one of my best friends for my entire life, and I doubt that she knows how much I think about her every single day. She's been my shoulder to cry on, my confidante and my reading buddy. I convinced her to give Harry Potter a try, she convinced me to read Twilight... and then we both gave up doing housework for about a year in favor of just reading like maniacs. Hmm.. maybe we aren't that good for each other? Our kids are close in age, and they are all friends too. I can only hope that when they are older they will be as close as Lisa and I are. In a lot of ways, we are very different, and I appreciate having her for a second opinion. Lisa is great at making friends, and she always makes sure to include me and make me feel welcome. This is especially wonderful for me, because I have a really hard time making friends... so this post is for Lisa. To say a big public THANKS (even though you're the only one who actually reads my blog) and also for any one else who might be reading, I hope that you have a Lisa in your life too.

Friday, May 29, 2009

My To Do List

1. Field trip at the zoo in torrential downpour - check
2. walk into a wall in the middle of the night - check

The fat lip is particularly attractive with the runny nose from walking around for 2 hrs. in the rain. Wow, can you see the line of eligible bachelors knocking on my door?

EVEN BETTER....
Today is our church festival. So everyone gets to enjoy the fat lip with me. Every kid in school AND their parents!

Hope the weekend is better than the end of the week, and hope you have a great weekend too!

Friday, May 22, 2009

some photos

First, my sundress that I made... I think I look a little chubby in it, but it's very comfy. Pretty much backless though, so I had to wear a jacket for work. The dress is a simplicity pattern for a halter top that I made longer into a dress.



Next, the dish towels that I embellished for Jane's Birthday- the fabric is from Moda, called "Fresh". I love the tulips- just so springtime!



Last, the tote that I made for mom. I wish that I would've boxed the corners, but other than that I love it. The interior is a remnant from Joann's, and the exterior is a pair of dish towels I got for $1.25 from Target. I really love Target...



The gifts were a success- mom & Jane both seemed happy, so I'm really happy that I finished them.
Now I'm looking forward to a fun weekend with my sister, b-i-l and neice and nephew. We've got lots of good things planned... food, sun, fun, sailing... I just have to remember to bring the camera. I'm really bad about taking photos!
Hope your long weekend is as fun as mine :)





Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Woo Hoo!

I finished a bag for mom last night! I took some horrible photos, which I'll be posting later tonight. Note to self: finish projects earlier! Lighting at night is not that good for pictures!

Hopefully tonight I can finish Jane's gift. It's more than 1/2 way finished now, so things are looking good.

We've been reading a lot of "Magic Tree House" books lately, so I'm ending my post with a quote from one of my favorite characters, Teddy....

ONWARD!

Hope you have a great day!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Happy Birthday Mom!

Tomorrow is mom's birthday, and hopefully tonight I'll actually finish making her gift. This may be a night for coffee instead of sleep.... especially since my dear friend Jane has a birthday on Friday... wish me luck that I finish the gifts! If I do, photos will be posted tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Missing them...

So, my kids are in Florida for spring break, and I'm stuck working... being a grown up sucks. I haven't done as much as I'd like to for the first two days without kids. The basement is still a disgrace, and the forecast is 80 degrees for Saturday. I feel my motivation for cleaning on Saturday going down the drain! On a positive note, I can wear my brand new MADE BY ME sundress on Saturday. That is what I did on Sunday, make a dress. Yesterday I cut out another dress and 2 pairs of pants, so maybe by the end of the week there will be a post with photos of the new spring wardrobe! I need to look good for all the hugs and kisses I plan on getting next week when they come home.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Twilight

I haven't written about how much I LOVE the Twilight Saga. It's like I'm a crazed teenager! Good to know that there are lots of ladies my age who feel the same way though. There's a few of them I'm lucky to call my friends, and we got together last month to visit and do a Twilight craft. Well, the visiting and 2 bottles of Champagne made the crafting not happen (I didn't mind a bit!) so I made pendants for the girls and they finally got delivered yesterday!

First, the box I gave them to L in:
I found the valentine via one of the blogs (sorry I can't remember which one) and pasted it onto a BonTon jewelry box.
As you can see, we are a group of 7 (my own is in my jewelry box, the ones in the picture are for my friends) Two of the girls are actually Jacob fans- I love them anyway, even if they are slightly misguided! The wolf girls got the wolf pendants and the rest say "team edward". This was a fun little project, and really easy to do in my "spare" time. They are just like the ones that I made for the girls dance teachers, only Twilight themed- so fun!

Hope you are having a great day-
Christine

Monday, February 23, 2009

Crafty Fun

So, what do you do when your birthday girl (my oldest turned NINE yesterday!) is home with a fever and it's her BIRTHDAY?? Well, if you're me, you go into the basement and try to find a fun, relaxing craft to keep her mind off of it.



Make your own candles! I bought this "Candle Magic" candle wax in approximately 1996 from Michael's. I have no idea if they are still selling this stuff. I had this cute mold to make star shaped candles, you just melt the wax and put the wick in the center and voila, a handmade candle. Except that they were hard to make and they looked like a 2 yr. old had done them and if you were paying attention at the beginning my oldest just turned nine, so I didn't have any 2 year olds to blame for the cruddy looking candles. So the wax sat in my basement. Then it moved to my next house, the storage space and finally my new house. I really want to use up some of the ridiculous quantity of craft supplies that I own, so this was a perfect project for yesterday! In case you can't tell from the photo, the jars are from baby food. We didn't have to melt the wax, because we put it into the glass jar, and it melts as you use it. Both of the girls loved making the candles, and we are going to burn them at dinner every night per their request. I love a good crafty project that makes everyone happy and isn't even all that messy!
Hope your day is full of fun too!
PS- for those worried about my daughter, seems that the fever was a "24 hour" thing. She's just fine today, enjoying the extra vacation day from school!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Twice in one week???

Mommy, this one is for you, but anyone else can feel free to read on!

A couple of weeks ago there was a baby shower for my cousin, and these are the gifts from Mom and me:


A laundry basket filled with goodies!

3 pc pajama set




baby hooded towels with matching washcloths


Blanket #1 (made by yours truly) - a safari theme, complete with hand embroidered onesie to match....




Blanket #2: a train theme with another coordinating onesie...




and a burp cloth that matches the safari stuff...


I really missed my mom and sister at the shower... family functions aren't the same without them! However, I had a great visit with my other cousins, and that was very good. Plus they gave me cake. Any day with cake is a good day!











Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Photos- finally

Well, you thought you'd never get to see the gifts I made for Christmas this year, but it only took me a month to put the photos up!

For my middle daughters teachers, a bag
and a scarf
For my oldest's teachers a scarf


and a bag


For my sister in law (and best bud) a scarf



with matching cup cozy (shown with a starbucks cardboard cozy so you'd know what it was! Otherwise it looks like a weird spider-ish thing)





for the dance teachers- these are glass pendants and a pair of earrings. Unfortunately they did not photograph well. But, you get the idea. All I can say is that they are cuter in person!

I've got to find some photos for another post of the pj's that I made for one niece and nephew and the sweater/skirt combo I made for the other niece, and the mailman bag that I made for my nephew. Maybe my sister and sister in law will help me out with those....
Until next time- have a great day!
Also, if you want a gift like one of these for your upcoming birthday, now is a good time to comment on this post and request one :)












Monday, January 12, 2009

Happy New Year!

OK, the month is practically half over and I'm just now getting around to my new year post. Sad! So far in 2009, being a single mom is kicking my butt. I've tried to be as upbeat as possible, but I have to say that the past couple weeks, I'm just failing miserably. Today was the 3rd time since Christmas that the girls almost missed the bus. I've been late to work nearly every day since Christmas break... and the list goes on. Forgotten things, general unrest. My goal is to get my life in order by the end of January. I've made some progress this weekend, and I'm planning on working for 1 hour a day to get ORGANIZED. Later this week I'll be sure to post the photos, but this is what I made for Christmas projects this year:

For the dance teachers - pendants
For Miss Wendy at the dance studio - earrings
For the teachers at school- 2 crochet scarves and 2 tote bags
For my sister in law- a crochet scarf and matching cup cozy
For my niece and nephew- matching pj's
For my other niece- a crocheted sweater, a sewn skirt and some store bought tights
For my nephew- a mailman bag
For my own kids - matching pj's

It was a lot of fun making all those goodies, and I'm looking forward to making lots more! I've decided that I'm going to spend one hour a day on my own projects, just selfish "me" time. For January it's all about organizing. Then for the rest of the year, I'm all about the crafting! Especially sewing in my kick butt sewing room- after just one hour this weekend, I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, and I can picture how great it's going to be to have the huge sewing table cleared off and filled with actual sewing instead of boxes of junk. There's still 19 days in January- that's 19 HOURS of organizing. My house should be perfect after that!

Hope you are having a great day!