the table {take 2} and some other things.

So I promised to tell you a little more about the new table and chairs . . .

oh how I love them so!

The chairs are these and I think they came from this website, but not sure anymore.  

And as for the table, it came from here  at the suggestion of my wonderful Mom -

who I still go to after 32 years when I need help with anything

(and obviously I mean anything) at all. 

I just wanted something

simple, sort of modern, and just a tad bit industrial-looking

without paying alot of smackers. 

I have to say I am so in love with the table/ bench combo and

the white chairs are just the cherry on top. 

And honestly, I am just so smitten with the fact that it's mine and that

I got to pick it out (our first dining room table was a hand me down

from my sister that I painted- which I was so grateful for,

but it is so nice to have something all your own).

I can't wait to show you more pics of the dining room
as a whole once I get it how I want it.  As for right now I am just
happy to have the central point of our home back into working order again. 

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

A couple before and afters of odds and ends. 

I have obviously been spending my down time lately avoiding things

that I really should be doing with unimportant unplanned projects.

The free mailbox before and after.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 
 
The clock that I was just tired of looking at the way it was and it is hung in the kiddos play area so I wanted something a little less sophisticated.  Not for sure if I like the after any better than the before but the after is definitely a better fit for now.
 
 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

And I don't have the before, but here's the after.  It was time for a little sprucing up of the play area mentioned above.  The bright colored curtain (covering up some of the too many toys we have around this house) just makes me so happy when I look at it.

 

And just one more thing I can't resist sharing with you . . .

Isla's 2 teeth. 

The front one in the middle is HUUUUUUUGE!

another "love" reference. by maddox.

I didn't really have intentions of blogging tonight

but

I wanted to post this

so one day

years from now

when Maddox has his first girlfriend

over to the house

I can remember to tell her all about how when:

Maddox created this lovely heart wreathe at school,

placed it on his head,

and

shouted out for the teacher and the whole class to hear

(are you ready for this)

" I AM THE KING OF LOOOOOOVE!" 

And if you know our little man this usually isn't his style.

He's very silly, but rather modest. 

And while I'm here, I'll just stick around a little longer.

Saw this magazine. Bought it.

I don't usually buy magazines,

but I was celebrating something

really special . . . Saturday :).

Found this article.

and fell in love with these.

and while I was looking for some better photos of these lovely scrapboxes 

I found that I was not alone in my fascination and adoration for them and

the oh so talented lady that created them.

see here.

I am such a sap when it comes

to "keepsakes".

love is in the air.

OK, just so you know I am not a Valentine's Day obsessed person,

but I do enjoy the "sweetness" of the holiday

&

getting CUTESY-FUN things together for the kids.

(Maddox's Valentines)

This is probably the last year that I get to pick out what he gives. 

Last year "we" gifted Mr. Bubbles bubble bath personalized
with a "Maddox" picture label and a "sudsy" valentine wish.

I must take just a few seconds here to tell you about
my hatred for bar code labels and the valuable time I have
spent removing them and the stickiness they leave behind. 

My oh so intelligent police officer husband reminded me
that maybe they don't make them easily removable for a reason. 
Anywho,  I am sure you have heard of it and maybe even use it on a
daily basis, but just in case you haven't or just because I want to
tell you how I consider it a necessity in any home . . .
GOO BE GONE is one of the greatest inventions ever! 

I am also pretty smitten lately with Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers. 

Back to talking about LOVE (or the day dedicated to LOVE).

(Isla's Valentines)

I got a little lazy. 

I was going to make something, but then I just decided

because her classmates are all under the age of 2, 

they might benefit from getting a "big kid" drinking cup

AND like I said I got lazy :).

But I did make her a shirt to wear for her 1st Valentine's Day.

Maddox and Isla received Valentines from Great Grandma today

and how sweet of her to send a dollar bill to each of them too.

I caught Isla playing cupid today with one of Maddox's arrows.

I just have to share a "clapping" pic with you . . . . love it, love it, love it!

And just one more of Miss "I".

A total coincidence . . .

I just happened to buy this "LOVE" picture for my

niece Emily for her birthday today. 

She is finally getting her own room and it is going to be

decorated in all kinds of bright colors.

Just because I feel like to telling you . . .

My 3 year old told me I was boring today. 

Honestly, I kind of agree with him. 

I have always thought that I am a little on the dull side,

but really I kind of like it that way.

sew easy library pockets.

Got one of these . . .

or anything like it (any old calendar, scrap cardstock, postcard, etc. will do)

and a sewing machine.

Then you can do this!

STEP 1: 

Cut the calendar, paper, postcard into a 8 x 5.5 rectangle or really any size you want.

 

STEP 2: 

And fold in half.  Then unfold.

STEP 3:   

Now cut a quarter/ half circle from the top half front of the rectangle.
(Trace using jar lid or whatever circular you have around the house.)

STEP 4: 

With the front of the paper facing up, stitch around the edge of the paper using a straight or zig zag stitch.

STEP 5: 

(You can omit this step if you would like)  Fold card in half again and trace card onto piece of fabric.  Cut out.  Open paper up and use fabric glue to attach the fabric to the back inner side of the paper. 

STEP 6: 

Fold card in half again and then sew pocket around 3 edges leaving the top open.

STEP 7: 

(Take this out too if you prefer)  They are cute as is, but I fancied mine up just a bit.

 

STEP 8:

THE END. See I told you it was easy.

Let me know if I left anything out and lost ya.  Its been awhile since I taught anything :0).

AND speaking of sewing.  Project Runway (season 7 premieres tomorrow night).

While I did that . . . they did this.

 This is our family . . . the big big one is DAD . . . the yellow hat one is ME . . . blue shoes one is MADDOX . . . purple shoes one is ISLA (he is currently sleeping with "Isla" right now) . . . not for sure who the one with the beak is.

She loves paper . . . no I promise I didn't let her eat it.

#10 of my TEN for 2010 . . . getting started.

(reference list on right)

I know it's only January and Miss I's

BIG numero uno isn't until May, but if

I am going to do this quilt making thing it would

be in my best interest to get started . . . like immediately.

With so many delightful fabrics out there, I had

a hard time deciding on which to use, but I just

couldn't let these lovely ones

from designer Anna Maria Horner's

Good Folks Collection go

 . . . for a few of reasons.

1  I like the idea of the quilt not being too "matchy-matchy"

Just want lots of all kinds of colors.

2  BRIGHT colors . . . can't seem to get enough of these

(I have been on this bright color kick for about a year now)

3  I had some of the fabrics from another project

4  These Good Folk fabrics have gone on sale lately and are about

half the price they used to be.

and

5 If mine turns out just a smidge as beautiful as any one thing on

    her lovely blog and these photos I will be one happy quilt maker. 

  Just a glance at her blog and photos bring a smile to my face and

make me wonder how one woman could be so talented. 

Just go look . . . you will see what I am talking about.

http://www.fabricworm.com/

Now just praying that I don't turn this absolutely

gorgeous fabric into a jumbled mess.

-------------------------------

And talk about another beautiful find . . .

"Pastry Lines" from you guessed it Anna Maria Horner.

So YUMMY.

http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Love these from design*sponge 2007

just one more.

I couldn't resist just one more post about a last minute christmas gift. 

I found this box of ribbon candy at our local chain store that begins with a "W" for $2.50. 

I am smitten with the looks of it.

Put it in jar, box, or whatever you can come up with.  I think this particular jar also came from the "W" store.  (Jars- big, small, skinny, fat, clear, colored, old, new- I am infatuated with them and therefore love any gift that comes in a jar.)  Decorate it with ribbon, fabric, ornament, a tag with the recipients name or initial, anything you like. 

VERY EASY.  VERY PRETTY.  VERY SWEET.

Obviously, candy in a jar is nothing out of the ordinary as far as Christmas gift giving goes; however, when you find something a little less ordinary like this ribbon candy and package it up nice and neat it puts a cool, new, less ordinary twist on a popular holiday gift. 

Once again, Happy gift giving!  Here's hoping you get something special too.

made a LIST. checked it TWICE.

As most, I had a list of things (holiday preparations) I wanted to accomplish this weekend and before Christmas.  My hope was to get everything done so that I could enjoy the next few days and not necessarily HAVE to do much of anything, but just be able to what I WANT to do and soak up all of the warmth and joy of my family and Christmas!

Have just one or two more left to wrap, but for the most part- task accomplished.

ALMOST DONE.

Wash sheets and clean up bedrooms. 
DONE.

It had been about 6 months since I had a haircut- at least 6-8  inches came off yesterday. 

I feel like a new woman.
DONE.

I am happy to annouce that I will be sending out Holiday Greetings this year (unlike last) in the form of "Happy New Year" cards.  Task almost accomplished- just waiting on envelopes to arrive.

Make snowglobes for table centerpiece. 

DONE.

Wanted to try my hand at making some scarves- learned I need alot more practice when it comes to sewing.  Even something as simple as a scarf takes me awhile.

BUT DONE.

(One for Maddox.  One for Isla.

And I threw in one for me while I was in the sewing mood.)

I wanted to make an ornament for Isla.  Another thing that taught me I need alot more

"sewing" practice.  It isn't exactly what I was thinking, but it will do. One more thing that I might try to do this week is make a "boy" face to go with it, but only if I WANT too :0). Was inspired by these. 

DONE.

#8  MAKE PICTURE COLLAGE.  BUT YOU CAN'T SEE THIS ONE. (ITS A SECRET BECAUSE ITS A PRESENT.)

DONE.

My "Holiday" goal this year was to not repeat the craziness of last year- I wanted to not be wrapping presents Christmas Eve and making presents Christmas Day.  I think I can safely say I have accomplished my goal.  Bring on Christmas and lots of time with family and friends- I'm ready!

On a side note:
I did some exploring on Heather Bailey's blog this weekend.  Loved this for some reason.

and for the holidays

Found this too. 

LOVE the color, LOVE the curtains (Jennifer Paganelli fabric), LOVE the bunting, 

LOVE the ceiling, LOVE the windows, LOVE it all.

Image came from here.