Katelyn & Co

Totally awesome giveaway going on right now at Katelyn & Co.  Check out all this loot! 

Click HERE to enter.

An Ode to the Deepfreeze

Somehow along the bumpy trip from Idaho to Arkansas our deep freezer fell ill.  I didn't realize this until after I had stored my six month supply of breastmilk in it, and came out in the morning to find it all thawed out.  Gasp.  Cry with me please because that is literally what I did -- sat down and cried.  Then I took a deep breath, sighed, and walked out of the garage.

Now that it has been a couple of months, and I'm back trusting that a freezer will not fail me again, I took the plunge and bought a gorgeous new upright freezer.  Ecstatic!!!  My DH thinks I'm crazy, but whatever...you all know I'm right.

I went searching for the best way to store my freezables (is that a word??) and came across this tip from A Little Tipsy - read the whole post HERE - and can I just say, it changed my world!  I am able to store twenty pounds of hamburger and twenty pounds of chicken on one shelf!!  I still have a whole freezer to fill up.  Plus, it looks so pretty!  Definitely try it out - and check out their other awesome tips!

A Pocket Full of Posies

All I can say is, I want one!  I looked at this and lamented over I got rid of all my ribbon scraps before moving across the country.  Darn, I just might need to go get some more :)

Take a look at what Jill from A Pocket Full of Posies has created. 

She has some really cute flower ideas too - I love how bold she is with her use of colors and size.  I would never think to accessorize the way she does.  Purely fabulous!

Love, Actually

I grew up with holidays being a big deal at my house.  This was made apparent when my sixteen year old brother asked my mom, "Why hasn't the leprechaun come yet?" last year at 7 p.m.  My husband rolls his eyes, but to me it is a tradition I want to continue.

The problem is, I don't make holidays about my husband at all.  In fact, it's always about the kids.

So I want to do something ultra special for him this Valentine's Day, so maybe next year he'll say, "Honey, how come cupid hasn't shown up yet?" and he won't mean it in a *wink wink* sort of way.

Stumbled across this blog by way of one of the many blogs I frequent.  Love, Actually is such a great idea blog!  I have to get some ducks in a row and try out some of these.  The best part, most of the ideas are not only feasible, but affordable too.  Makes having date night more of a reality once the little monsters show up in your house -- or start sleeping in your bed.  {Yes, that is still a common occurance at my house.}

 

Hope this helps make your Valentine's Day a little more romantic and hubby oriented!

My Sweet Melissa

A good friend sent me over to this blog My Sweet Melissa that is just getting started.  What an inspirational story behind the reasons for this blog and some great home decorating ideas.  Head over HERE to get inspired and show her some bloggy love.

Panic Setting In

I started off my morning going to Silver Sneakers Yoga.  Yes, the one for the really old people.  I was the only one in there under sixty -- literally -- and it was great!  I met some awesome folks, centered myself, and thought, "This is going to be a great day."

Then I came home.

The pile of laundry is still in the living room.  The bathrooms still need cleaning.  The kids are still whining. And the dinner still needs to be made for the people who are coming over tonight.

And for some reason the yoga feel is wearing off.   

Miles to go before I sleep, Miles to go before I sleep.

Previews

Remember THIS post, well, here's a sneak peek -- They just need one more day to dry before I can hang them up.  Drying takes FOREVER!

And yet another thrifty find, sneek preview...Wait til you see what I'm going to do with these!

Oh So Girly Giveaway

There's a great new giveaway going on at Someday Crafts for a interchangeable watch face and band AND a $10 credit from Oh So Girly.  What a sweet thing!!!  Go check them both out!

Feeling the need for Valentine's Day Lovies

There's something so drab about January - and I'm feeling the need to fill that holiday void by getting ready for the next holiday.  Here's some easy peasy Valentine's Day crafts to get excited about.

Softies Hearts from Blisstree

Brown Paper Bag Valentine's Album from Craftbits

Cockscomb Valentine Wreath from Martha Stewart

Food Storage

I may be crafty, but I do not claim to be handy.  Anyone want to make me one of these?  I'm literally drooling in awe of her resourcefulness and ability.  And to have my cans all lined up like that: organized, pretty, rotating... drooling again!

Check out even more amazing projects at I refuse to Recede -- and if you really are handy and can make one of these, she has a tutorial for you HERE

Snow Ice-Cream

Apparently everyone except us in Arkansas are getting hammered with snow.  What better way to keep your kids entertained instead of letting them drive you mad during one of those snow days.  Make up some Snow Ice-Cream with this fun tutorial found HERE at Lark Song Knits.  Yummy!

Bloggy Got Back

I don't know if you are like me at all, but I like to change up the look of my personal blog a lot.  It's fun to find that new look that no one else has, if you know what I mean.

Bloggy Got Back is a fun new blog offering FREE backgrounds.

Gina and Dana {the designers} are seriously 2 of the most creative gals I know.  Not only are they wonder-women in the way that makes everyone roll their eyes, but they genuinely care about people and do everything with their whole heart.

They are always adding new designs -- I really like the Valentine's Day ones.  Here's a smidgen of samplings - I just realized I picked a lot of pink ones because I happen to be into pink at the moment.  But there really are a lot of other colors too...

Circle of Love

Almost Janelle

Lime Sublime

Just Janelle

I'm pleased to Introduce

I love after Christmas sales.  80% - 90% is pretty much the only way I roll.  Check out these babies I got at Hobby Lobby - what I should have paid $34.97 - what I did pay $6.95!

I have thus named them, Orson, Fiona, and yet to be determined little guy.  {Any suggestions?}

I like them so much I want to figure out a way to keep them out year round - somehow decorate them  for upcoming holidays and keep switching it around.  Any ideas???

Argyle Shirt

I love finding ways to jazz up my little man's wardrobe - it seems most things are geared towards girls, so boy finds are great!

Lu Bird Baby turned this fabulous onesie into a stylin' Argyle Shirt HERE.

Could easily be finished while watching your favorite TV show {although at the moment they're all reruns, dang it!}

Ribbon Ruffled Socks

Easy project - wouldn't it be darling to match these with the little Misses' bows?

Find the tutorial HERE from the Ribbon Retreat

So you can get to know me...

A = ADVOCATE FOR: Kids in carseats and seatbelts.
B = BEST FEATURE: I'd have to go with my long legs
C = COULD DO WITHOUT: washing the car
D = DREAMS AND DESIRES: Finishing school
E = ESSENTIAL ITEM: Ceptaphil - keeps my skin amazing!
F= FAVORITE PAST TIME: Reading a good book
G = GOOD AT: Playing the piano
H = HAVE NEVER TRIED: Skydiving, and hopefully never will.
I = IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS: I'd be rich!
J = JUNKIE FOR: Sno-cones with the cream on 'em
K = KINDRED SPIRIT: Probably mi madre
L = LITTLE KNOWN FACT: I have a piece of graphite stuck in my foot 'cuz I tripped holding a pencil when I was seven and jammed it in there real good.
M = MEMORABLE MOMENT: Being elated when I found out I was pregnant and then freaking out because I found out I was pregnant.
N = NEVER AGAIN WILL I: jump out my window while playing house {hey, I was 7!)
O = OCCASIONAL INDULGENCE: Pedicures
(Did no one else notice there was no P???)
Q = QUOTE: "Seriously!" (the most used phrase on Grey's Anatomy)
R = REASON TO SMILE: I have the cutest little boy and girl ever!
S = SORRY ABOUT: sweeping around the kitchen mats - sorry mom.
T = TAG SOME FRIENDS: I'd love to hear any tid bit about you!
U = UNINTERESTED IN: Anything concerning knives, much to my husband's chagrin
V = VERY SCARED OF: Falling
W = WORST HABIT: Popping my knuckles
X = X MARKS MY IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Anywhere warm and beachy, like Hawaii or the Caribbean - but my dream vacation is Italy
Y = YESTERYEAR DECADE OF CHOICE: Bring on some of that 1990's music!
Z = ZODIAC SIGN: Libra

Major Snowstorm in Arkansas!

Just because I know all you westerner's are getting slammed,
I thought I'd let youknow I feel your pain.

Hehehe

What? You don't see the specks?  Ok, ok, here's some proof!

So we had to bundle up our snow baby to go to church.  After all, it was her first snow experience, being an Arkansas girl and all.

Public Service Announcement

Hey everyone!

I have had a slew of orders all come in at once {thanks for the promo Someday Crafts!}  I LOVE being able to send things out to everyone, but wanted to warn you this causes my inventory to slim down.  I will try to fill all orders, but please be aware you may be contacted in the event your item has sold out.  I hope this doesn't happen!

Happy weekend!

Ribbon Rings

Falling madly in love with these flashy Ribbon Rings from Happy Together, tutorial found HERE.  Great for moms and little girls who love to play dress up!

Nursing Bra's

I have many pet peeves when it comes to baby products.  I seriously think that real moms do not design things that are manufactured in stores. Good thing us crafty mama's come to the rescue and put out great tutorials to save us all one more headache.

Okay, enough with my ranting.  On to my great find.

Nursing bras are the bane of my existence.  I have yet to find one that fits well.  One that doesn't make me look like I'm eighty, one that isn't too tight, etc. etc.

Mama's Worldwide has an excellent tutorial HERE on how to turn a regular bra into a maternity bra.  Awesome! 

I'd put in a picture, but I think we all get the idea...

My Mama Made It

Want to start the New Year off looking as chic as possible?  Hop over to
My Mama Made It for a Mom's only GiveAway!   

 HERE

Easy Car Seat Cover

I think we've all probably seen this handy car seat covers - but somehow, whenever I'm out and about with my little Miss, I always get comments about it.  So...I did some digging and found a tutorial that is easy and quick to follow.


A Little Tipsy has awesome instructions HERE and great pictures to guide you along. 

This is an easy project - great for a novice seamstress - and it doesn't take long at all.  Also, it allows you some options to jazz up your cover your style.  I made my loops so they velcro together, then put bows on top of it to give it a more "put together" look.

Out with the OLD, In with the NEW

We all know that our inbox's are overflowing with invites to some pretty fabulous New Year's Eve parties...of if you're more like me, not so much.  I tend to kick it old school, by staying up with some treats, games, great company, and movies {all in my PJ's, of course} - minus the dressing up and drunk drivers.

Found these awesome party hats at Cathie Filian - probably won't make them, but it's on my list of things to do...  And I think the little neighbor girls would look too darling in them.

Also, for some good conversation starters with the neighbors you keep meaning to get to know better, check out these FREE playing cards from Real Simple.

Hope you all have a fun-filled and SAFE New Year's Eve.  Here's my toast to making 2010 the best crafting year ever!

My thanks for all your support in 2009!

Goals…Yet Again

I heard somewhere that if you want to actually achieve your goals, you have to put them down on paper.  Well, I don't really do paper -- I blog.  So I thought in the spirit of the New Year I would share my list of goals with all of you so that I can't rescind you can all help me along the way.

It started out as a list of 50 - it went a little over.  I have a feeling I will be adding more to it over time.

I had a list like this in high school, and so I've left off things I have achieved (or at this point, can't achieve) and have started my list anew.

What are some of your goals???

1. Graduate from college with at least a 3.7 GPA
   
2. Graduate with Honors
   
3. Go to graduate school
   
4. Retire after twenty years – still young enough to enjoy life
   
5. Love where I work and what I do
   
6. Actively participate in all my church responsibilities
   
7. Do at least one service activity each year
   
8. Never smoke, drink, do drugs, etc….
   
9. Run a marathon
   
10. Maintain a healthy food lifestyle
    
11. Reconnect with an old friend
    
12. Talk to someone in my family once a day
    
13. Go to church every Sunday
    
14. Pray every day
    
15. Read the entire Bible cover to cover
    
16. Read the BOM at least once a year
    
17. Attend the temple once a month
    
18. See Machu Picchu
    
19. See the Great Wall
    
20. See Australia
    
21. See the 7 wonders of the world
    
22. Travel to all 50 states
    
23. Travel around Europe
    
24. See the northern lights
    
25. Write a book
    
26. Bungee jump
    
27. Have a porch swing at my home
    
28. Ride in a hot air balloon
    
29. Meet a President
    
30. Buy some quality bookcases and organize all my books.
    
31. Get a bike and ride it every day for 3months.
    
32. Organize and print my personal photos.
    
33. Take Pilates
    
34. Donate time to a children's hospital
    
35. Blog every day for a year
    
36. Start or join a book club
    
37. Abstain from fast food for 3 months.
    
38. Learn to knit hats
    
39. Build something
    
40. Buy my dream home.
    
41. Do something nice for someone anonymously
    
42. Spend a night at a luxury hotel
    
43. Take a cruise
    
44. Resist the urge to go online for a month.
    
45. Invest in Real Estate outside of my own home
    
46. Write in a journal at least once a month
    
47. Donate old clothes and shoes once every 6months
    
48. Take the family to a circus
    
49. Reupholster a piece of furniture
    
50. Buy new furniture for the living room
    
51. Go sledding with the family
    
52. Be a mentor for someone
    
53. Get out of my shell more often
    
54. Work on listening more than I talk and not interrupting
    
55. Save 30% of what I earn for one year
    
56. Learn to maintain my car myself.
    
57. Design my home
    
58. Swim with dolphins
    
59. Raise happy, healthy, productive children
    
60. Actually learn to play the organ well
61. Be politically active
62. Run for a political office
    

Someday Crafts

My Tiny Sweet Cheeks is being featured at Someday Crafts - and there might even be a giveaway. 

Better go over there to see how to win!

HERE

I Know...But...

"Thou shalt not covet."

I know it's against the rules and all, but some days wouldn't it just be so nice to come home to this.  To escape from your crazy kids who decided to go swimming in the swamp backyard...

This week I've decided to tackle a project that has been irking me every time I enter my bathrooms.  Please remember we rent, I do NOT want you think I let my own cabinets get this bad.  So I'm painting them.  These are the before, so check back in for the after.  I'm using a guide from Just A Girl - who did an amazing buffet refinish.  You should check her out!

The stockings are hung, the rolls are all done
The kiddos asleep for a while
Kick back, relax - you deserve a few snacks
And celebrate Christmas in style!

{I never claimed to be a good poet...}

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Last Minute Gift

Have you ever had someone bring you a gift and you feel the need to reciprocate? {Even though they may not have been on your list...}

These are so cute and I'm betting you have all the supplies on hand.

Check out these super easy, fun gift bags from Not So Idle Hands. She has a great how-to HERE.

Recipes

After numerous requests for recipes, here they are!!

Yum Yum Coffee Cake

1 stick butter
1 C sugar
2 eggs
2 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 C sour cream
1 tsp vanilla

Filling:
1/3 C brown sugar
1/4 C white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 to 3/4 C chopped nuts (optional)

Cream butter soft and add sugar. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Sift flour, baking powder, soda, and salt together. Add dry ingredients alternately with sour cream. Stir in vanilla. Pour half of batter into greased 9x9x2 baking pan and cover with half of the filling. Repeat this step. Bake at 325*F for 45-55 minutes.

~~~

Apple Pie

Pie Crust
7 lrg apples (3 1/2 lbs) Granny Smith
1 C sugar
2 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp cinnamon

Mix - put into 9" pie pan in bottom crust. 2 Tbsp butter on top of apples. Put top crust on. Poke top with knife. Bake 70 minutes at 350*F. I always put foil on a cookie sheet to bake it on -- otherwise, it will drip in your oven.

~~~

Crescent Dinner Rolls

3 C warm milk (warm in microwave 3 minutes)
1 1/2 cubes butter (not margarine -- warm in microwave until butter melts, approx. 1 minute)
3/4 C cold water
1 1/3 C sugar
3 eggs, beaten (add after cold water)
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp SAF instant yeast
11 C white flour (approximately)

Mix all ingredients in mixer and knead for 8-10minutes. **Start with 3 C flour and dry ingredients. Mix together, add liquids, then more flour as needed until dough leaves side of bowl.

Raise dough for 1 1/2 hours in a large bowl that is sprayed with Pam. Punch down and raised for another 45 minutes. Divide dough into 3 balls. Roll out in a circle. Spread butter on dough and cut into pie-shaped wedges. (I use a pizza cutter).

Starting at large end, roll up into crescent shapes. let rolls raise for 30 minutes in *warm oven. Keep rolls in oven and turn oven to 400*F. Bake for 8-10 minutes. You might need to bake longer if you are baking two pans of rolls at a time. If oven is hotter than normal, reduce heat to 350*F.

As you can imagine, this makes a ton of BIG rolls. I have halved this recipe and it works great. Because it is time consuming (not hard) I usually only make this at Holiday Feasts! Enjoy...they are fabulous!

*A warm oven: preheat to lowest oven will go - when the rolls go in, turn the oven off.

The Beast

"Honey, you're going to kill me..." are not the words you want to hear from your DH when he comes home from a quick trip to Wal-Mart.

I like to think I've trained my husband to be frugal, so those words days before Christmas sent panic to my heart. I quickly called out, "How much did you spend?"

"No, it was free!"


And that's how the beast came to join our house. It's massive {for only being 6 weeks old}. And I'm going to groan inwardly every time I look upon it. What was he thinking????

The Food Is Where It's At

This week, it's all about the baking at my house. One of my favorite things about the holidays is food. We definitely have our fair share of food traditions at my house - these being some of our favorites!

Christmas Mornings - Yum Yum Coffeecake

Apple Pie

Homemade Crescent Rolls {to DIE for}

What are some of your favorite holiday treats? And how early do you have to get started on them? Tuesday is when we're starting around here...

If you'd like any recipes, just email! And just FYI, I do NOT make hard things. I just don't.

Washer Necklaces

I'm thinking I want to learn how to make those CUTE washer necklaces/jewelry that's all over the place now. Seriously, it can't be that hard. Does anyone know where I can find the metal stamps though? I promise a tutorial out of it, if I can get my hands on some...

Claus Chronicles

Ran across a blog I think anyone with older children (3+) who understand who Santa is should have a look at. Fun for kids and quite a hoot for adults to read. There is even a list of 100 things you should know about Santa. For instance, "My [Santa's] favorite color is not red. It is blue."

the Santa Claus Chronicles

Check him out -- All I'll say is, we BELIEVE at our house!

Ornaments & Decor

Well, since I can't bring you anything I've been working on, I went on a search for some awesome Christmas crafts you can do with your kids. Now that I'm out of school, I'm looking for things to entertain all of us.

I found this Easy Fragment Ornaments tutorial HERE at I Love My 5 Kids. I totally made these when I was a kid and am so glad to have found out how to do it! Get this, mine still faintly smells - and I'm pretty sure I made it when I was 5 (19 years ago!)


I'm also loving these popsicle stick Trees from Michaels - tutorial found HERE. They are so cute with the polka dots and color scheme - not the traditional Christmas decor.


I think I'm going to have to go hit up my local dollar store or Wally World for some supplies.

I am a hunter's widow this week. I was all set to be crafty and show you all the fun gift projects I have been working on and am getting ready to distribute. And my DH, bless his hunting soul, took my camera!!! What am I supposed to do? I don't even know how to craft unless I have pictures to go along with it. So, I am going to figure something out...what else am I supposed to do all week?

There is the potty training...

I SURVIVED finals and am officially out of school for a month!

Yahoo!!!

Prepare yourself for many a project, coming up...

A Hat for the Kids

So I've been meaning to post this hat tutorial for quite a while. Then I couldn't find my pattern. So I put it off for another while until I had the gumph to get to it. It doesn't take but 10 minutes to make this hat. Shame on me. So, grab some fabric and let's get to it.

Note, I made this hat out of some fleece I had lying around. I've also used knit fabrics and it works great! I would ere on the side of sizing smaller with knit though, as it tends to stretch more.

Get the pattern - I drew this out on an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper. Nothing fancy. My acrobat is acting up or I'd put it up for you. If I figure it out, I will post it.


First, place out your pattern. But piece A with a short side along a fold. This while be your brim. Cut out two of piece B. These will make up your hat.
Here's what you should have.
Stitch the hat (pieces B) together around the curved edge, leaving the straight edges open. Be sure to back-stitch. Then stitch the two short edges of piece A together, making a large loop.
Fold your loop in half so it's now half the width and the open edges are touching. Turn your hat right side out. Now pin all the raw edges together (it will be three thick).
Be sure to line up your seams for a clean, finished look. Stitch all the way around your hat to connect the two pieces.
Fold the brim down and you have a beanie hat.
**Optional: You can turn the hat inside out, and do a small stitch perpendicular to the seam to create a "four cornered" look.

Embellish any way you'd like. Sorry for my lack of a model, she was sleeping.