recovering stools

 Lately I have been bored of our decorating in the living room and dining room and I have been thinking of ways to add a bit of fun to those spaces. Somehow our collection of antiques has grown so much that our home really needs to be balanced out with something colorful and fun to keep the space fresh and young.  We really love old timeless things that have a history or connection to the past, but we are young and fun loving and our home didn't reflect that side of us. We needed an element that says "we don't take ourselves too seriously". So in an effort to bring whimsey to our dining room I recovered our bar stools. They were dirty and boring, & needed a face lift bad!

I recovered them with vintage fabric I had purchased a year ago at a local thrift store. I love how they look in the space! They really added that missing element of fun. And I love that they look a little like toad stools.

 Here is what they looked like before  :(

 

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no sew applique shirt

A few weeks ago I made Lizzy an shirt with a girls face on it. I really love how it turned out! I did some sewing to make the eyes nose and mouth but no sewing at all to attach it to the shirt!

 It's ironed on!

 

Trent took the nice camera ( a Nikon D-80 if you're curious) with him today, to take photos for paintings, so the kid's digital camera will have to do for today.  I actually really like how the photos look with this camera. (I did have to warm them up a bit in Photoshop though.)

 I am for sure going to post about how I did it as soon as I get some quality time with the nice camera. 

Chinese Birthday Party

Last summer my daughter Lizzy had a Chinese themed Birthday party. For almost the entire year she had been in love with all things China. She pretty much knew that China would be the theme for her birthday 6 months ahead of time. 2011 was the year when everyone had small family birthdays and fairly simple decorations. We try to have low key parties every other year so the kids don't expect a huge circus of a bash every year, plus it  gives me a needed party planning break. :)

It was super simple and really fun! I purchased the takeout boxes,the fortune cookies, and the chop sticks at the dollar store. What really made the party special was when we ate the ramen noodles in the take out boxes with chop sticks! Oh and if you don't have a birthday to plan this would be a great Chinese New Year party idea.

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In love with the cowl scarf

I have been on a knitting and crocheting kick these past few weeks. I have especially been in love with making cowl scarves. I made one for my sister Mer, and I also made one for my little sister. I didn't stop there either, my daughter has one and so do I! :) I have a few available on my Etsy shop right now if you want one, and If you want one in a different color just let me know and I'll be sure and make one to order just for you!

I am planning on selling patterns as well as finished products so if you knit or crochet be sure an check back soon. In fact, I just finished a new scarf I made as a knitting pattern prototype and I really like how it turned out! It is long, really stretchy, and can be worn three ways. I'll be sure and let you know when the pattern is ready and in my Little Lola's shop. For some reason you can't tell I'm 7 1/2 months pregnant in these photos and I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. hmm.

stuff in the shop

I just recently added some still life prints and crocheted items to my Etsy shop Little Lolas. I plan on adding some crochet patterns as well. I am super excited because I am working on crocheted toy patterns and I can't wait to share them when they are finished!

thinking about valentines

I figure now is a good time to start thinking about Valentines Day. I am not really sure what I am going to do this year though. I don't want to decorate yet but I should start thinking of what I want to do for the kid's class valentines. As many of you know we home-school, so by "class" I mean Sunday school class.

 

Above is a photo I took last year when we made cute heart shaped sugar cookies. They were super yummy!
Honestly though, I am not really feeling the love for Valentines this year. Probably because last year we had a Valentines tree and decorations up right after New Years and I started hating the holiday since it was up for so long. This year we didn't do a Valentines tree and its nice because the house feels clean and organized. :) Sorry, I don't mean to sound like I'm hating on Valentines I really love it I am just not ready to go full force filling my house with cupids and glittered hearts. I think minimalism is my Valentines motto this year. You know the 'less is more" route.

If you want to see what we have done for Valentines crafts and decorating in the past click here. :)

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yummy yarn

 

I mentioned earlier this week that my mom sent me a huge box of yarn. It really was enormous! These 2 photos show approximately one 6th of all the yarn in that package! I am so excited to get started on some projects for the baby! :) I have plans for a granny square blanket and some baby layettes. The bright colored yarns are sure to become little crocheted dolls and toys eventually. I am so excited! once I finish a few I'll be sure and share the finished projects. :)