The Unfortunate End....

I know my title sounds so... sinister... but I must say that I am rather disappointed. I posted early last week about a project I had started for myself. I always seem to be making things for others, I finally thought I'd just take a little time do so something for ME. Of course, that was in between doing projects for others and also doing housework and such while Eloise napped.

ANYWAY!

I had a couple of hiccups. The "EASY" part was a little off in the pattern directions. Actually, it was easy to execute, but the directions made it confusing! Why can't they just say it PLAINLY? Luckily my mom was able to explain it to me and it turned out just fine! She is such a creative lady, I knew I could count on her to help me out!

So... (I'm stalling on the pictures here, can you tell...?)... I have actually had a few people tell me that they were looking forward to seeing the end result. And each time I heard (read) that, I cringed. It's not that I did a bad job sewing... it's just... well... the style of shirt just isn't for my body type. And I am actually pretty embarrassed to show you the picture. (Hence, the rambling of words and the lack of pictures up to this point....)

I actually asked Cory to take a picture of me to post... and he refused. Not because he didn't want to take a picture... but he honestly told me that he did not want me to embarrass myself by posting it online. I'm serious. At first I didn't know whether I was hurt... or whether I oughta smack him (I really wouldn't do that!)... but I realized that he was just looking out for me. He knows that no woman in her right mind would want to show a BAD picture of herself for the whole internet to have access to (unless of course it was a before and after weight loss picture where they look like a million bucks! -- I assure you, this is not the case with me.) So... though I didn't outright thank him, I appreciate his honesty. Then I busted out the camera and set it on "timer" so I could take the dang picture myself.

Here is a shot of it on a hanger...

Not so bad, right?

Well, this here next picture is what I call: "Hillbilly Star Trek".
I am cringing as I hit the "done" button....


I'm only smiling because I didn't know what else to do. And YES the picture is blurry... but I was using a timer and was winging it. And YES there is a dog bed on the floor in the background... and painters tape on the wall (Did you read my Bee Post?). But, I think you get the idea. The pointy shoulders (star trek)... the shortness of it. (The bandana fabric print is where the "hillbilly" comes in) UGH!! I remember now why it's so much easier to just go to the store to try something on!!! *sigh*

I am thinking about talking to my mom to see if she can give me pointers on how to make it a tank top or something... and maybe I could do something to lengthen it. Part of me just wants to throw it in the Goodwill pile and be done with it. So... we'll see.

On a lighter note, I decided to use left over fabric to brighten up some burp cloths!

Happy Easter! - and - A Project for Me!

I hope you all had a nice Easter!

Eloise is enjoying playing with her new Noah's Ark.


The old Sunday School song "Arky Arky" has become one of her favorites,
so it was only natural for us to want to feed into that by getting her an ark and some animals of her own!

Saturday we went to my sisters for a brief visit...
and Eloise enjoyed a little egg hunt!


She was proud of herself for putting eggs in the basket!


And oh-so-excited to see my sister's goats!


Love this one.


Unfortunately, Eloise has caught a bit of a cold (or something)...
so she didn't make it to church.
I know that some people would take their kids regardless...
but the way we see it, if we take Eloise... we knowingly spread her
germs to others. I get annoyed with parents who bring
their sick, snotting kids to church to share the germs...
so we just decide to keep Eloise home.
(Is that horrible of me? I just want a healthy kid!)

So, before I left for the service... we got a couple of bunny pics!


Eloise in her PJ's... me in my church clothes...
and Eloise in total control of her bunny ears!



Somehow we mixed up our Easter meal plans with
Cory's folks. We thought they were coming to our house
for dinner and they thought we were coming to their
house for lunch!

So, once we figured that all out, we scrambled into
the car and headed over to their house for a mid afternoon meal.
It was a nice, relaxed time!



And after opening a few presents from Grammie and Pappy,
we attempted a family photo...


HAHA!

I was a little bummed that I didn't get many good pictures...
but I had to remind myself that after all, Easter to us is about our Risen Lord!
We celebrate family and it's nice to have the pictures as a reminder...
but most of all, we celebrate HIM!
No pictures needed!


On a last little note...
Someone so graciously gave me a big bag of
odds and ends fabric awhile ago.

I picked up a pattern the other day to whip up a little something for myself.


You didn't think I was going to tell you what it's going to be, did you?
You'll just have to wait and see!

Think Liz. For Sure!

So, I am working on a project for a baby shower...
I can't say too much because I don't know if the certain someone will
read my blog between now and then...
HOWEVER, I did want to point you to this awesome site I found.
I was googling to try to find a free tutorial for my project...
and came upon THINK LIZ.
There is a plethora of turtorials for you to try...
I mean, seriously... SO MANY!
If you want to turn a maternity shirt into a regular shirt...
a pair of pants into a skirt...
make your own dress in an hour...
re-purpose old sheets...
make your own bra
(not sure how that works... but hey, it might work for you!)
...the list goes ON!

I just HAD to share it with you!!
Happy Project Hunting!!

Nap Time

Nap time for Eloise means "Free" time for Mama... well, sometimes.
So... instead of blogging... I've been sewing.



I just KNEW I'd find a use for that Muppet Fabric!
Eloise has been wearing these puppies for the past few days.
FUN!!!

Perhaps I'll be having a Giveaway one of these days soon....
(Don't worry, it won't be Muppet Fabric)

Here is a very short video of our little Ham!
Enjoy!

... and again...

Well, it's been a week since I last posted.... AGAIN.

If I'm being honest, in the back of my mind, I do feel a little guilty... but then I do a mini reality check and realize that blogging is not really in my top 10 of important things to do.
Maybe not even my top 100.
And really?... life will go on without it!

But then there is that part of me, guilty feelings or not,
that does want to keep up with it when I can.

So here I am...

...to tell you that I have been swamped!
Surprise, right?

I have a walking 9 month old little girl.
Up until yesterday, I was getting a little lightheaded holding
my breath all of the time! Ok, maybe not quite lightheaded...
but I can't tell you how many times I sucked in a breath as Eloise toddled
past the coffee table. I just had visions of trips to the
ER and little tears streaming down a sweet little face.
Luckily, that never happened and I
finally cleared the coffee table off and removed it from the living room for now.
Just until El is a little more stable!

It's also been quite the treat trying to get that girl to eat
anything but mama milk and cereal!


We've had some success with bananas...
but I sure wish it wasn't such a struggle to get her to eat some baby food!!

Along with regular household things (dishes, laundry, cooking, etc)...
I have been asked to help with a last minute baby shower.


I'm talking about... the shower is on November 26th and
we just got the invitations out on Monday!
My friend has just been so swamped with work that
she kept thinking she had plenty of time... and well,
time got away from her!
It was a hustle and bustle for me on Sunday to
run to a store and try to find invitations... only to
come up with something plain jane.
I added the embossed baby footprints and
tried to hand-address the envelopes nicely...
but it is what it is! At least they got out
in the mail!!

And I'm also helping with decorations!


This is only a little of what I'm working on!
I am also going to be making lollipop cookies...
a diaper cake... and other stuff that
is just too much to blog about.

I'll post pics after the shower!

If I'm not working on baby shower stuff when Eloise
is napping... (or household chores)...
I've been reading.


Highly, highly, highly recommend these books!!

Also... on my plate...


A project.

As well as the many other things I have to work on...

Finishing the baby shower stuff (finishing decorations and helping to pull it all off!)...

My nephews birthday presents (a little project I need to finish up)...

Christmas cards! (It's that time of year again!)...

Work (church secretary stuff)...

Christmas party that my mom and I are
throwing for the place I used to work.
We have handled it for the past 4 years... this will
be year #5 (hard to believe).
So that is all getting planned and in the back
of my mind!

... and I have a couple of letters to write...
which will probably go on the back burner!!
Sorry gals!

So, I shall post again when I can!
Hopefully sooner rather than later!

Oh.. and I meant to post about this back in October...
Someone I know gave me some extra fabric...
so I made Eloise a car seat blanky.


It's been washed a few times, if you can't tell!
But it is the perfect little blanky to cover her in the car seat
without having a ton of blanket hanging over the edges
and dragging against the floor or what-have-you!

Ok--I'm off! I do hope that you will continue to
pop in now and then to see what I've been up to!!

In My Spare Time....

Most of you are probably in the same boat (especially if you have kiddos)... with all of the hustle and bustle of life... there isn't a whole lot of time to spare for "fluff stuff". By fluff I mean... things to do for *yourself*. Life is consumed by work, kids, dishes, laundry, vacuuming... you get the idea. I know that I mainly only have time for "fluff" when Eloise is down for a nap... and that's AFTER (ok, sometimes "instead of") housework! Often times I take a few moments to sit on the computer (like NOW) or work on a letter to a friend. But now that Halloween is right around the corner, I am trying to focus my attention on getting Eloise's costume together.


I'm not going to tell you what it is. Not because I want to wait for the big Halloween Reveal... but because I'm afraid it's not going to work and I'll have to go to PLAN B (which is yet to be determined!)! Haha! We aren't huge into Halloween, but I know that I always enjoyed dressing up as a kid and I want Eloise to have the opportunity to as well. We definitely don't do the scary, evil Halloween stuff though! (I hope you'll come back closer to Halloween to see El's costume--even if it ends up not being the above project!)

The other evening, a friend dropped by and told me that a neighbor up the road was setting up a yard sale and that I should come check it out. I like myself a good yard sale... but I always feel weird going to them... and especially when it's not officially open. But I guess the lady knew my friend and told her to send me up to check it out and get first dibs on some craft stuff she had. So Eloise and I took a walk up there... and let me tell you... this lady didn't just have some craft stuff.. she had THE MOTHER LOAD! I am talking bins and bins of it! You know, like those big rubbermaid containers! There was fabrics of all kinds, I couldn't even believe it! I mostly just skimmed the surface of everything because there was SO much... but I did find a number of things to bring home with me!

If I had more money, I would've bought lots of fabric... but alas, I only got a couple of things!


I know the Muppet Babies are total cheese... but I just couldn't resist this fabric. I want to make something for Eloise with it (in my fluff time--ha!).


Ok, I admit... I like the Muppet Babies.

So, sue me! :)

I am always a sucker for old buttons... or ANY buttons!


I've always wanted to make fabric yo-yo's but haven't made the time to do it... but heck, for 25 cents a pack... I figured I could do something crafty with these (sorry, the pic is blurry!).


I got a few other unexciting things... no biggie. But it was nice to get out for a walk and browse some good deals!!

Ok... and a little disclaimer here... I am not a fan of animal prints. To each their own... but they just do nothing for me. However, when people give me outfits for Eloise, I'm obviously not going to tell them that I loathe animal prints and hand them the outfits back! And I know that it would be wasteful of me not to use the outfits if we have them... so... my girl has been wearing some ((shudder)) animal prints lately - but please, don't hold it against me.

El is getting tooth #7. Somehow we were blessed with a pleasant teething baby (no crabby pants in this house! -- except for me sometimes --haha!)... but the best part of the teething process, Eloise wants to be held more! She has been wanting cuddled and snuggled... and boy does it make this mama happy! She is usually on the GO, GO, GO!!


I love this little lamby coat!! (Not sure what this face is about!)



Boo and Eloise are buddies... although only on Boo's terms. She definitely runs away if she's had enough of being crawled on and poked at!



This last picture is from today... Eloise loves books! Too bad she doesn't sit still long enough to let us read them to her all of the way through!



I hear some chatter from a special little girl... must be the end of nap time! Thus, the end of "fluff time"!!

Have a great weekend!

A Little Banner Love!

I have whole wheat hamburger rolls rising... almost ready to pop in the oven. Then I'm going to start working on homemade sloppy joes... and homemade tater tots! BUT... before I rush off to the kitchen (while Eloise is napping)... I wanted to share with you the banner I made for the day my father-in-law came home from the hospital. It was last week... but I just am now making time to sit and post the picture!



I know it's not the greatest picture... but I was really happy with how it turned out! His homecoming day also happened to be his birthday... so I got a balloon, arranged some flowers in a vase and made a big blue polk-a-dot bow to go around it... and we trekked out to Grammie & Pappy's house to hang up the banner and place the flowers and cards by his chair. It was a nice surprise for him when they got home! And, by the way... he is doing AMAZING! Cancer sure stinks! He is only able to have liquids and foods like Cream of Wheat (YUCK!)... but he is anxious to be able to eat something solid! We are trying to help him keep a positive attitude about it because it's easy to become discouraged drinking Ensure for almost every meal!

You totally have to go over to Love Love and check out the amazing baby shower she and her family threw for a loved one! I love it... I wish I had someone to throw a shower for so I could steal their ideas! HAHA!

Here is my happy baby this AM!

Off to the kitchen I go...

Pretty Project

My mom offered to help make the invitations/envelopes for someone's bridal shower...

So she came over on Sunday to attend church with us... and then we spent the afternoon making envelopes and cards!

I think they turned out adorable!!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

A Little Something to Look Forward to!

Here's a sneak peek of something special....

Stay tuned for the final reveal!!!
(Maybe in a few days or so)

Project Complete!

So, the other day I had mentioned that I was starting a project...
If you missed that little announcement you can see the fabric in THIS post.

Well, once I actually had a chance to start getting things ready
to work on it... I realized that I definitely had NOT gotten
the right amount of fabric.

DARN!

However, I was able to find some other OK fabric in my stash...
and last weekend, Cory watched Eloise for quite a bit
so that I could focus.

Check it out!

"Peek-A-Boo!"

Now I can go to a store (that doesn't have shopping carts!)
or wherever.... and haul Eloise around semi-hands free!
(Technically I can let go of her--if I need to browse racks or
something... but I feel better with at least one arm under her!)

We had gotten me one of those slings... and I REALLY
wanted to use it... but I don't think I got the right size
because I never felt like El was in it the right way.

I didn't want to be one of those mom's who suffocates
their baby in a sling!

I also was WAY too cheap to spend $80 on
one of those fancy carriers... and honestly,
I really didn't want just a cheapo one
from Walmart.

So I made my own
(yes, with a pattern--no free handing something like this!).

It was pretty simple to make and I am
pretty darn pleased with it!

WOOT!

Perhaps I will make more of these for
some of my preggy friends...
Hmmmm..... :)

I would love to hear if any of you had success with a sling!
I just could not figure it out!

Hope you had a great weekend!!

In the Works!

I've started a new project!!

Hopefully I will have time to work on it this weekend while Cory is home.
If not, it will be during El's nap times, when I can!

I'm not going to tell you what it is...
so you'll just have to check back to see!! :)

Have a great weekend!!

My New Favorite Toy

I'm still trying to adjust to having a newborn.
Is that pathetic since it's already been almost 7 weeks?

I find myself trying to utilize her nap time for cooking, cleaning (ha!), napping and when I can, computer time.

I won't lie, I miss doing some "me" things... like sewing and crafting.
I have a bunch of ideas in my head, but I can't justify spending my "free" time on those things when there are more important things that need done.
(Like, I should be feeding the chickens right now instead of on the computer!)

Anyway!
I ventured out to the store the other day and just couldn't resist getting this fun little gadget!

A Xyron sticker maker!

I've had my eye on it for awhile... but never picked one up.
Truth be told... I'd rather have the BIG model, but this one will do for now!

I absolutely LOVE snail mail and writing letters... and I love to decorate my envelopes.

I did a couple of trial runs just to see how it worked...

FUN!

So, yes... I am totally excited about a little sticker maker...
and I'm not ashamed to admit it! :)

HEAD OVER TO
MAMMATOWN's BLOG
FOR A WEEK OF GIVEAWAYS!

Visitors for a Day!

After reading a few horror stories... I mean, articles... online yesterday, my husband insists that I get a flu shot on Friday. *sigh* I am not particularly keen on the idea, however I understand his concerns, etc. There is one condition though. If I DO end up getting sick at all... Cory better prepare to give me the royal treatment! ha!

On a better note... Yesterday I had visitors! Yea!

My sister and 2 of her kids came over to hang out! The girls worked on making some Christmas ornaments for my sister's tree and little Jaxson hung out playing cars and other things to keep busy! I would post all about it... but my sister already did HERE. You can head over to her blog and see the absolutely HORRIBLE picture of me making applesauce with Jax. (Can we say... puff ball?) -groan- *Ok-she cropped me out of that one--phew!*

Have a happy Wednesday!

Christmas Project: Seat Belt Cover

I decided to try my hand at making a seat belt cover today. I had stopped by the fabric store and picked up this cute whale fleece yesterday. I didn't have a pattern or anything, but I think it turned out OK! I think I may use a different type of velcro on the next ones I make. I plan on whipping 3 more of these up to give to my sister's kids for Christmas! Don't you hate it when your seat belt cuts into your neck? Now that kids have to sit in booster seats until they're practically 13 (ok, maybe not quite that old)... I thought these little covers would be a practical gift!


I'd love to see projects you're working on!!! I've got a few other things up my sleeve, but can't post them because of peeking eyes on my blog!
Maybe after Christmas!

Christmas Project... Pomander

So yesterday I told you that I was working on a project with these:

The plan was to make a Pomander.
My aunt decorates with all sorts of funky things...
so I thought it'd be just perfect!

Unfortunately, it's not as great-looking as I'd hoped.

Actually, it looks pretty decent in person,
but in a picture... it looks pretty crappy!

See?


Of course, I don't have the best camera or photography skills.


I think perhaps I will need to make rosettes that are
the same size as opposed to random sizes.


A little more uniform might do the trick!
We'll see! It's not too bad for the first attempt!

Here's the tutorial I used from Betz White.
Mine aren't quite like hers... but same general idea!

It Has Begun...

I know that fall just started a couple of weeks ago... and I am definitely enjoying the cool, crisp weather and changing leaves! We've had a number of rainy days though and I don't know about you, but it just makes me want to curl up on the couch with a good book and a hot cup of chai tea latte (I should check the local cafe to see if they carry those in decaf... I really want one!). I don't feel like cleaning, doing dishes or laundry. I just want to feel cozy! I'm guilty of having these days quite often... not that I want to be lazy... but when the opportunity presents itself...... well, ya know. I do the bare minimum of cleaning, dishes and laundry and then find the rest of my day lounging around.

Hey, I can do that at this point... I don't imagine I'll be able to once the baby is here (I started my 6th month! Eeek!).

Anywho...

My mind has started drifting to things like Thanksgiving and Christmas, wanting to make plans for family gatherings (perhaps we'll have Thanksgiving here this year)... and then I realized... Oh Crap! I better get my butt in gear if I want to do some handmade gift-giving this year! I say it every year and then I wait until the last minute and feel CRAZY trying to get it all done in time!

(My nephew at Christmas last year, laying out his Curious George PJ's for everyone to see)

Last year I made PJ's for my niece and nephews... and sweater totes for a couple of cousins.

I have a couple of ideas in my head of what I want to do this year...

My nephew LOVES volkswagens... so I'm going to try to make him a vw bug pillow. TRY being the key word.

I found some clothes on sale last spring (can't beat 97 cents each!)... so I probably won't make anything for my niece this year... or if I do, it will just be something small.

Not sure what to do for my other nephew who is into all sorts of stuff... farming, cars, trucks, tractors.... *I'm drawing a blank*.

Anyway...

As I've been cleaning up my craft/guest/baby room... I have had to sort through so much fabric and wool sweaters, so I am trying to come up with projects that I can do using those items... instead of going out and buying a ton of supplies.

So today, I started a project that I think is going to turn out really cool.

Here's a peek:

I need to pick up some more supplies (just a few)... and then I'll post a picture of the completed creation! I'm actually really excited about it!

And so it begins... the season of Christmas crafting!

I would love to hear of any handmade gift suggestions or projects that you're working on! I don't know about you... but getting something handmade from someone you love is so much more special than a gift from the store (although, I won't turn those gifts down! haha!).