pics, paper, and such.

i was wandering around (again) on my memory card this evening

trying to weed through the bajillions of photos to make some

space for new ones and i came across a few of some of the invites/ cards

that i made this summer.  i thought i would share with you before i hit the

delete button and/or move them to a soon to be forgotten

folder on my computer.   hope you like.

"Clay's Pirate Party"

favorite feature:  the flags.  i sewed/ glued them on, but i got lazy on the

above sample and only used glue.

The L Family's "We've Moved" Card

favorite feature:  the fact that everything on the card was simply

created by using shapes, lines, fill effects, etc.

"Colorful Poppies" Baby Shower Invite

favorite feature:  the poppies, of course, but i also absolutely love the suttle

geometric pattern on the cardstock.  it created a lovely background.

"Drew's 2" Invite

favorite feature(s):  the red open ended envelopes that i put them in

and the font used for the word "two".

i obviously became obsessed with using fabric flags/ bunting on my invites this summer.

i actually liked this one (isla's "1" invite) so much i had to use the technique

a few more times . . . at least :)

and I can't seem to stop myself from eating spoonfuls of this this evening.
so yummy.  it is especially good on her crepes, but tonight spoonfuls will do.

sick.

symptoms that seem to have appeared overnight.

pink eye,

coughing, wheezing, sneezing,

lots of ewey gooey, snot,

one aching ear,

1 tooth coming through,
and a fever too

equals

one not so hot feeling baby girl.

and for the full effect.

**WARNING**

its not pretty. 

*******************************************

(Forgive me Miss "I" for this one - Please get better soon!)

When I titled this post, I automatically began reciting this. 

(one of my all-time favs by Mr. Shel Silverstein)

SICK

'I cannot go to school today, '

Said little Peggy Ann McKay,

'I have the measles and the mumps,

A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,

I'm going blind in my right eye.

My tonsils are as big as rocks,

I've counted sixteen chicken pox

And there's one more-that's seventeen,

And don't you think my face looks green?

My leg is cut-my eyes are blue-

It might be instamatic flu.

I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,

I'm sure that my left leg is broke-

My hip hurts when I move my chin,

My belly button's caving in,

My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,

My 'pendix pains each time it rains.

My nose is cold, my toes are numb.

I have a sliver in my thumb.

My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,

I hardly whisper when I speak.

My tongue is filling up my mouth,

I think my hair is falling out.

My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,

My temperature is one-o-eight.

My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,

There is a hole inside my ear.

I have a hangnail, and my heart is-what?

What's that? What's that you say?

You say today is...Saturday?

G'bye, I'm going out to play! '

Shel Silverstein

And off subject . . .

Miss Sarah, these are on their way to you.  And really they are literally on their way.

I sent them with Mr. A tonight.  He is headed your way and I hope your available

tomorrow for a special delivery.  I know I should just give you a call, but not for

sure where my phone is (surprise, surprise) and Miss Isla is snuggling by me and

I don't want to disrupt.

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.

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.

simple semi-homemade gift.

I always have lots of grand ideas about all of these gifts I am going to just whip up around the holidays and I do get to some of them, but, of course, like most of you, time isn't always on my side this time of year and my grand homemade gift ideas need some revising or they don't get done at all.  For example, Last year, my wonderful Holiday greeting card went from a Christmas Card to a New Year Card to a Not-a-Card-- so no I didn't get mad at you and take you off of my Christmas card list last year I just never got around to sending any out- bummer.  Anyway, getting back to my original story, I was going to design and make several sets of notecards for various individuals on my Christmas list, but as usual, times a wasting and a couple of them needed to be shipped today.  So last night, I came up with this not so grand but "very simple" idea and I liked the outcome if I do say so myself. 

With no time for designing, I started out with some 12 x 12 heavyweight scrapbook paper that I had accumulated some time ago and cut it into 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 sections and then folded the sections in half (like a notecard).  I matched them up with some A2 (4 3/8 x 5 3/4) envelopes (which you can get at your local office supply or craft store) and the end result is a cute little note card set- of course my love for paper makes me a little partial.  I made 12 cards for each gift set.  I used somewhat matching papers with these, but I thought to even do an assortment (all different types and colors of paper) would be very cute and is a great idea if you are not real sure of the recipient's likes.  By using these card holders I bought half off at Paper Source and using some of the scraps of paper to hold the envelopes together it really made it look like a nice little gift set.  I thought it would also be cute to stamp an initial on the front of the card holder.  I know that something like this card holder may be hard to find last minute, so to package up your notecards you could use a small decorated box that you buy decorated or decorate it yourself (with photos, initials, etc.), a small jar, or just wrap them up in some cute fabric.  And another plus for me, is that this is an easy gift to ship. 

Hope you enjoy and good luck with all of your last minute gift buying and/ or making.  Sorry about the not so great pictures- not even much time for pics lately- as you can probably relate!

the fun part.

Just in case the few of you that check in here and there are wondering- I did get Step #1 accomplished this weekend.  I wasn't feeling real motivated, but I have to say putting my goal in writing made me feel somewhat obligated- oh well whatever works, right?  If it's that easy "Tammy, you will start and finish painting your dining room this weekend" (BIG SMILE :) Anyway, all the canvas pieces are covered- yippee!

Step #2 - the fun part.  Each canvas piece needs to be embellished.  This can be done with scrap paper and/ or anything else fun found lying around the house such as buttons, brads, ribbon, beads, stickers, etc.  I think I might try to use a little fabric this time when decorating.  All embellishments can be attached with scrapbooking glue/ tape and of course mod podge.  Enough room should be left in or around the center of the canvas for a 4 x 6 or 3.5 x 5 piece of plexi glass.

We (at least Maddox and I) are really anxious for some snow.  Did I mention he slept on his sled in his bed Saturday night - I think he might have even wore a scarf to bed.  But we will take 60 degree weather and some croquet at the end of November.

I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

Isn't it funny how one minute you are overwhelmed, plum tired, and telling yourself that you are not going to take on another project until you finish the ones that you have already started  or have wanted to start and then a half second later you find yourself thinking of what you can make, do, or come up with next.  After having children, I have found that if I don't have a page long list of things I have or want to do a strange feeling comes over me and I walk around the house aimlessly.  Because of this I have come to the conclusion that this is my reason for starting projects that I want to do, but shouldn't really being doing until the dining room is painted, all the christmas cards are made, printed, and delivered, presents bought and/ or made and wrapped, just to name a few.  But life's too short- right- so why not start another project.  That being said, I have decided to make some more canvas picture frames (here is one example) for an upcoming craft fair.  Although, not real quick and easy to make, I thought it might be a good way to come up with a little extra moo-lah which would benefit the "new printer fund".  Anyway, my reason for telling you this is because you can help me see this project through to the very end and make sure I finish what I start.  After all, I really need a new printer :0). Oh, by the way, the craft fair is the first weekend in December- What am I doing!?

Step #1: 
Cover these canvas ( I believe there are nineteen here) with 12 x 12 sheets of cardstock using what else but the almighty mod podge.  My goal is to have this completed by the end of the weekend- I know, seems easy, but small steps, small steps I say!  That's how I work best these days!

Isla and I are so glad to have this little guy back home, and Daddy too!

"PLAY"

Bath time and Supper time at the same time.  Isla says I'll take some of that macoroni.

"DOUBLE DUTY"

like chocolate and peanut butter.

Mixing the likes of paper and fabric ends up with the glorious fabulousness of so many other common favs (i.e. chocolate and peanut butter).  The above could have been just a simple somewhat modern print, but I thought I would make it a little less ordinary by mixing in the ultimate yumminess and texture of fabric and a few stitches.  I love the end result.  I can't wait to make more of these with different letters, different fabrics, different prints, etc - ohhhhh the possibilities! 

Great wishes for bunches of weekend fun!

busy.

Wedding Menus & Programs - purples and light pinks

1st Birthday Invites

3rd Birthday Invites - the little guy wanted some john deere invites
(or something with a tractor on it)

(Beth - I have been working on yours too - promise to get something to you soon.)

I have been extra busy lately "playing with paper and ink". There are so many other things I should be doing - like cleaning my house, sleeping, etc., but that can all wait - can't it? My little gal slept pretty good her first couple of months, but for some reason she insists on waking up two or three times a night almost every night lately so I am getting kind of accustomed to the no sleep thing. I am hoping she changes things around again real soon.

Something scary happened last night, Bryan and Maddox were gone so Isla and I were left to fend for ourselves. As I was rocking her, it was pure exhilaration to have complete control of the family room television (this is usually Bryan or Maddox's territory). Do you know what I caught myself watching - ESPN. Don't get me wrong I am fairly fond of most sports, but here's one of my few chances to watch whatever I want to and I end up on my husband's favorite channel. I know - scary!

I am in love with decorative knobs and pulls. If I end up painting the dining room, I would like to buy some from here for the corner hutches. Maybe I will use this as my incentive to get started.