Showing posts with label personal thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal thoughts. Show all posts

Saturday, June 2, 2012

a motto



Some of you bloggers and creators may understand that sometimes we have to create or we go crazy.
While other times there seems to be nothing to create.

Sometimes we are so excited to share our spin on a classic, or new ideas, with the world.
Other times we feel there is nothing we can offer to the creative world, it isn't really true but we seem content with what has been, and is being, created by others.

Sometimes inspirations and creations comes all at once and we cant keep it in, we create and create till the wee hours of the morning and still we are overflowing with ideas and the right amount of enthusiasm to make the ideas come to life. 
Other times we are happily wrapped up in other things that are still creative but not in the same way we usually define creativity.

Lately I have been happily wrapped up in other things like homeschooling, landscaping, mothering, nursing, and cooking. These all seem so day to day and normal and perhaps even seem boring but I am immersing myself in these things and dare I say happily avoiding the blog scene. I noticed that ever since our camera broke the desire to take photos let alone upload and edit them as all but disappeared. Don't you worry my blog muse always returns but till them you can always refer to my Pintrest for inspiration! In my blogging absence I have been pinning up a storm. So head on over to my pins and have some eye candy.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Look what I made....

Baby Evangeline was s 6 pounds 6 ounces and 18 inches long, I did pretty good considering shes only the fourth one I've made. :)  All 4 turned out perfect in my eyes. I went into labor before we could turn her head-down and since my water broke there was no turning back, I had to have a C-section. I'll elaborate on that story in a later post for now I'll be taking  it easy. :)

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 9th anniversary and I wanted to share some old school photos of us as brand spanking newlyweds! Trent looks so young with out a beard. I definitely prefer the beard, I think it makes him look like a mountaineer/lumberjack/pirate/artist/hottie. ;) I can't believe its 9 years today. I am so blessed to have such a loving husband. I really believe there is no one in the world better for me! Here is the quick version of our love story. I was 19 when we met and I invited Trent to join the church choir. We had mutual friends, therefore making it easy to run into each other often. We started hanging out a lot with friends then after two months we noticed our friends asking us where we've been. We thought "What? We've been hanging out with you all this whole time." To our surprise we realized we had really been exclusively hanging out with only each other for a month and a half. (Mostly at the bookstore.) We realized quickly after that that we couldn't keep away from each other for more than a day at a time and then soon came to the conclusion that we could and should never be apart again period. The main turning point was one night when I was day dreaming about kissing him (we hadn't actually kissed yet). I was thinking about my physical weaknesses and how unnecessary broken hearts and devastation can come from having a serious physical relationship before establishing a healthy committed emotional and spiritual relationship. I proceeded to tell Trent that I wanted him to kiss me, but only if I was the only one he would ever kiss again. I knew I was asking a lot but I felt strongly about it. He thought about my request and then kissed me one week later. :) And boy am I glad he did!! He did propose with a ring a week later, but that kiss will always be the "real proposal" to us. In some ways it feels like we have always been together, like we've known each other forever, and yet sometimes it feels like we're still those goofy teenagers who hung out at the bookstore. Thanks for the most incredible 9 years of my life honey! Here's to all the amazing years that are sure to come! I Love you!

P.S. I had a Dr.'s appointment this morning and baby is still breech. The Dr. scheduled a "turning" Thursday March 1st. If she cooperates we will immediately induce labor while she is still head down. If she doesn't turn we will wait a week to see if she turns on her own and hopefully avoid a c-section.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

announcment

We went to the doctor this Tuesday and found out that we're having a girl!! We are all so excited, even the boys wanted a girl! Immediately after leaving the doctors we all went to the thrift store to celebrate! I had given almost all my girl clothes away during my last pregnancy when I found out I was having another boy. I am not regretting giving them away because most of them were not that awesome any way. I kept all the best ones, but that wasn't very much. I have to say the pink dress is my most fave! I bought it a month ago hoping I was having a girl. I figured if I had a boy I would turn it into doll clothes or give it as a gift. All the other outfits I bought at the thrift store Tuesday. The pink bonnet is something I crocheted for Lizzy when she was a baby and I am still in love with the colors and design. I'll have to throw a pattern together sometime. It is super easy to make. I found all the quilt fabrics at thrift stores throughout the past year. I went through all the fabrics and put together a girly collection.  The color pallet kind of evolved and I really like how it turned out. :) I am so excited to be having a girl! I have so many ideas for sewing and crocheting her clothes! I'll be sure and share them as they come to be. Take care!

Friday, August 5, 2011

what a day

It's my birthday today and I couldn't ask for more than this to make the day perfect!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Celebrating: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2

 I you have read my blog for more than six months you'll know that my family is obsessed with Harry Potter.  I threw my daughter a Harry Potter birthday and made her doll Harry Potter accessories and clothes. Today part two of the 7th movie came out and we are celebrating! The kids are dressed up and we have Harry Potter themed snacks like, licorice wands and gummy frogs ( I couldn't find chocolate ones). Hope all you Wizards and Muggles have a magical day!



Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Hair cut

I chopped off my hair a few weeks ago and wanted to share the before and afters. :) My hair was getting so long that I always wore it in a pony tale except at church. So that is why I included a "before in reality" photo. because I wasn't going from " long lovely locks" to "no more hair". I was in reality, going from "permanently pulled back" to "How cute, she does her hair now!" :) I really Like how it turned out! It takes practically no shampoo, and I can go to bed with it wet and I don't drown in a wet pillow since it drys so fast! It was perfect timing for summer too! :) I love it!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

what I am up to right now

We're getting ready for Easter over here. And this year that means road trip! In deciding what needs to get packed, I am thinking of a list like this:
  • sewing machine ( for sewing at my moms house)
  • fabric
  • embroidery hoop, needle, and threads (for sewing in the car)
  • random things to entertain kids (this could be a whole other list, or book even)
  • clothes
  • diapers
  • car ride snacks
  • camera
  • home made books on tape (need to make some new ones for this trip)
  • music
Here is a tip to anyone who needs a new way to keep kids happy on a long car ride. Before you go, let the kids record themselves telling jokes, made up stories, and just being goofy. Your kids will love to listen to themselves, and, It will become a treasured keepsake when they are older. I was surprised how much my kids loved to listen to that tape! Our favorite part was the recording of the baby laughing. It made the entire car burst into laughs every time. :)
    Next week I am guest posting over at luvinthemommyhood for Comfy Sews VS Cozy Knits, so be sure and come back and see what it is I'm doing! :)

    Monday, March 7, 2011

    Home school: Rainbow fun

    For part of home school a few weeks ago we had some fun with color and light. My 2 oldest are 6 and 4 so we tend to keep things hands on and fairly simple. First I gave the kids food coloring in red, yellow, and blue, to add to 3 cups of water.  I asked them to make the other colors of the rainbow by mixing the colors they had. They had fun figuring out what combinations make what color. The purple would have looked better but it got some extra colors in it. :) (This part of the lesson was a huge hit because I usually never let the kids pour water back and fourth between glasses.)  Next we put the cups in rainbow order and learned about why the rainbow is always in the same order. Then we painted watercolor paintings of rainbows using only the primary colors. We made sure to overlap the paint to create all the colors in the rainbow. ( I forgot to photograph the paintings but they were lovely, and super fun to make! )
    The second part of the lesson was making rainbows with light instead of food coloring and paint. We used a plastic Christmas tree ornament to catch the suns rays, I was prepared for disappointment but I was surprised at how well the plastic "crystal" worked. We taped the ornament onto a dark blue paper and then onto the wall right next to a shadow so the rainbow would be easier to see. They were so bright! We were all amazed at the beauty of the rainbows. :)

    Friday, February 25, 2011

    Fashion friday: Ruche

    For five years now Trent and I have been longing for a larger piece of land to spread our wings and have enough room for animals. Room enough to easily fit a good size art studio. (Or two.) ;) Living off the grid is a dream of ours. These images from the Ruche fall 2010 look book illustrate well the lifestyle we want, clothes included! :) All you need is a hansom guy painting in the back, a few kids helping garden or playing in the mud, chickens running around, and a few baby goats and it would be even more perfect!

    Wednesday, February 16, 2011

    Spreading the word

    My sister Merrilee in having a sale on these lovely prints to benefit this amazing family! Their daughter Davy was born with a cleft lip and palate, congenital heart defects and several other conditions.
     All Lovely Love print proceeds are going to benefit the family! Merrilee posts more about it here. Check it out is really is a lovely post!
    If you buy one this week you get another print of your choice free!! That deal is only going on this week so hurry and get one! I know I want one I just can't decide on a color. Go to her shop here and get yours! 
    lovelylove3

    Tuesday, February 15, 2011

    snippet

     I'll be out for a few days since I'm super busy this week.
    Plus I'll be getting ready for this!
    How lucky I am to be part of such a talented group of creative people!
    Here is a hint at what I am working on...
    See you soon!

    Sunday, October 24, 2010

    Tribute to Fall

    Gone are the warm autumn days where you sit outside all day.  It is supposed to snow tonight, and it has been raining all weekend.  Hopefully there still a few warm days left this year but I'm not counting on it.

    fall
    This photo collage is my tribute to those warm autumn days.  I took all of these right from my front porch. :)

    Friday, October 22, 2010

    a fascination with fairies

    If you walked by my house in the morning or late afternoon you would see a blonde little girl either lying in the grass staring at bark or taping leaves together. Her love for all things Harry Potter is not trumped, but put on the shelf for awhile while fairies consume her every free moment. When I have to put home-school on hold while I nurse the baby, she can be found building a fairyland in her room or drawing fairies in her sketchbook.
    faries
    Pictured above are some of the things I have found lying around the yard.  The other day I found a pixie dust basket filled with glitter, made with leaves and washi tape.  It was so amazingly constructed, but sadly it was not around to be photographed. I assume it dried out and was crushed into dust. (Pixie dust perhaps?!) :(  It looked just like a real basket and if I were a fairy I so would have used that basket!  
    When I was little I would lay down and stare into the grass looking at the world like a tiny fairy would have.  I would tape leaves to my dolls for clothes and I would even put the sprinkler on mist for an added effect. How fun it is to see her doing the same things I did as a kid. :)

    Wednesday, October 13, 2010

    Favorite gifts to give and get

    Hi everyone! I was asked by Amberlee to participate in a post about my favorite gifts on Giverslog. If you haven't been to her blog yet get on over there. It is a great place to get inspiration on gift giving, pretty wrapping, or to just look at all the eye candy she posts!
    origami boxes
     These boxes are made from re-purposed paper grocery bags and 12x12 scrapbook paper.  If you want to learn how to make one just watch my origami box tutorial video here.


    What is my favorite gift to give or receive? I have to say hands down it's a handmade gift!  A handmade gift says, I am willing to spend the time, whether it's time wrapping it beautifully, time planing out what the gift is, or time making the gift itself.  My most recent favorite gift to receive was a skull and crossbones blanket my mother made for my son.  I love it because my son is obsessed with skeletons, & I love it because my mom went outside her own craft style just for him. (She's not the scull and crossbones type at all.) :) I also love it because every night when I tuck him in, he is reminded his grandma loves him.
    Thanks mom!

     One tradition that I do is I make a plush food toy for each of my kids every year for Christmas. As a kid I loved to play store or pretend cook. My kids are the same. My daughter loves pretend cooking. At three years old she professed the desire to be a chef, now at 6 years old she still plays with the food toys I make. Throughout the years here is some of what I have made, a 3 layered cake, brownies, chocolate cookies, pizza, spaghetti, and a popsicle. (I may be forgetting some.)

    Pictured  below are the food toys I made last year.gifts

    Wrapping the gift, for me, is just as fun as making it. A wile ago I fell in love with the cute packaging I was seeing at the craft stores.  But I was unwilling to buy them, I was bent on figuring out some way to do it myself!  And I guess I finally did. This simple origami box has changed my take on wrapping and gift giving. I am obsessed! (Yesterday I even tried to make one out of a 3x3 ft piece of canvas... it didn't work.)
    Pictured at the very top are of some of the first origami boxes I made. 
     Here is what I love about giving handmade gifts:
    • planning 
    • creating
    • wrapping
    • scheming
    • sneaking around
    • surprising
    • creating a gift that matches their personality
    • creating a keepsake or heirloom gift
    • giving something totally unique

       Here is what I love about receiving handmade gifts:

      •  the flaws of a child's handmade gift
      • remembering the giver when looking at the gift
      • the fact the no one else has one like it
      •  the time & effort they spent on it
      What was your favorite gift to give or get?
       
      I like to link up with these link parties.

      Monday, September 20, 2010

      Free Halloween challenge

      I recently went to my local craft stores and was upset at the cost of all the cute Halloween crafts there. I love Free things, as many of you do I'm sure, so I have decided to Free Halloween! By that I mean I intend to give free downloads and tutorials to you!
      I want to challenge other bloggers to do the same and together we can FREE Halloween from its expensive and overpriced existence and give it new life, a free life here on our blogs! :)

      Throughout the first week of October I will be posting different free downloads and tutorials. If you are interested in participating please let me know. Also, if you would put one of these buttons on your blog linking back to me that would be great. :)

      button blog

      button blog

      button blog

      Sunday, March 21, 2010

      a typical day in my home school preschool

      electricity on the chalk board
      At our house we are doing home school preschool, this week's letter is E. We learned the sounds it makes and how to write it; and today we learned about electricity because that starts with E! One of the things we did that I don't have photos of was the demonstration of a static balloon lighting up a florescent light bulb. The kids loved that!

      e is for electricity

      drawing electricity

      Above: my daughter drew a picture of electric wires and how we should never touch them. If you look hard you can see other pictures she drew about lightning and not touching outlets. Safety was a big part of this lesson as well as how some things are powered by electricity.

      eating electricity

      We even ate lightning shaped lunch!
      coloring
      Above: my son is coloring a worksheet I made.
      If you want to use it too, go ahead!

      Sunday, February 28, 2010

      my boys

      e and a
      Today all I did was play with my boys. I cuddled kissed and hugged each one. Including my hubby! Don't worry I didn't forget my little girl too. What a great day!