Monday, Monday

and now you're singing it too, right?

Ah Monday, Monday. . . so good to me

Monday morning, it was all I hoped it would be

My bowl filler was featured on V and Co. today. {I would say that my balls were featured, but it just doesn't sound so great. We wouldn't want to attract "that" kind of crowd, now would we.} Hop on over to Vanessa's blog for great patterns and stunning bright colors. . . just right for spring!

The girls wore their little spring skirts yesterday. You just can't go wrong with the Edith Twirl Skirt, right Connie? Plus, I had a great time guiding Hollie through her pattern. It was her first sewing project and you can see her cute skirt here.

It's all because of Jona's fabulous pattern and instructions, I tell ya. I know how to sew from a traditional pattern, but does that mean that I want to? . . . no. Step by step instructions with full-color pictures. . . I'll take that any day! You can find her blog here with links to her etsy site and her patterns.

And, here's a little bow that I made for Paige. Turned out cute!

Happy Monday everyone!

I'm linking up with Keeping it Simple for Motivate Me Monday

Bowl Filler

I finally pulled myself together and filled this big empty jar that has been sitting on my counter since Thanksgiving. I used a tutorial by Vanessa @ V and Co that I purchased off of her etsy site. You really should check out her work, it's so fabulous!

The two largest are made from Vanessa's pattern. The medium and little ones are covered with jute and rope that I had around the house. The medium green one is covered with a crochet chain of fuzzy green yarn.

repurposed!

I just stumbled across this blog the other day and I had to marvel at the creativity. Her name is Disney. Her blog is Ruffles and Stuff. She sews and repurposes old clothes for her oh-so-cute little girl. Not only does she show off her handywork, but she posts tutorials too. So generous! Because of her, I jumped on the repurposing bandwagon.

I had this old knit short sleeved hoody that never quite fit right. Now, it's a ruffled skirt for my little one. She looks so sweet in it. You'd see a picture of her in it now, but she's sleeping, and that's even more sweet. sorry. I'm not about to wake her up for a photo shoot. Sweet, but sassy, that little one. Maybe later today.

Here's the only picture I could find of me wearing the shirt. Cheesy, I know. Don't mind the model here.

And here's the after.

C'mon now, I know you want to jump on the bandwagon too. Search your closets. you know you have things in there that you'll never wear. Bust out your sewing maching and put on your creativity cap. I'd love to see what you can come up with!

If you have another minute, link up with the DIY Show Off to show off your blog! She's having a party!

UPDATE:
by golly, she woke up just in time for a little photo op.

Like I said. . . . sassy.

"Mother, I will only be your performing monkey if you sing to me."

and sing I did.

It doesn't take much.

Here's the sweet.

Taking my mind off of . . . .

I have a few visitors that I need to escape from. They're small, yet very pesky. . and no, I'm not talking about my kids. That's right folks, we have termites. Sad, but true. Apparantly they are very common out here in the desert. Who knew! I'm completely grossed out. I mean, really, I don't want to share my home or any part thereof, especially not the wood that keeps it standing.

So, what do you do when the bug has you down. RE-DECORATE. Nothing says "Go Away Pests" like a new bedspread, some pillows, and a fabulous rust colored mirror. I'm just glad that I had a stud to nail that mirror to. I mean, they could have chewed right through it by now.

I didn't want to re-paint my room, because I really do love the color scheme, but the bed needed some serious help. This comforter is USED. See how flat it is. Kind'a like someone beat it with a baseball bat over and over and over. It has fulfilled it's purpose in life, warming those newly bathed babies, providing comfort for those with colds and the flu, and taking more than it's fair share of spit up. Time to retire oh deflated one.

Before:

AFTER:

Here, we have a touch of Rustoleum American Accents in Cinnamon . . . AAHHH! You can relieve some serious frustration with a can of spray paint and a cute little clearance mirror from Ross for 16.99.

This quilt is SOOO perfect! I snatched it up and gave the other ladies around me the evil eye, just to make sure they knew that it was mine. I may have growled a little. Home Goods, I love you! This quilt reverses to white with brown flowers.

The comforter and shams are from Kohls.

Simply Vera Vera Wang collection {Flora} (on clearance! yippee!)
This is before I hung the mirror.

I sewed the ruffled pillow covers from some blue pillowcases also found at Home Goods.

I sewed these little flowers and added them to this cute lumbar pillow that came with the bedset from Kohls. I'm pretty sure I've hit the limit on flowers and/or ruffles with the golfer around. I may still have a couple of orange pillow ideas floating around in this brain of mine. I'll have to keep them on the side of manly. We'll see if they ever actually translate to fabric and stuffing.

My room feels happy :)

puppet show

Kimba's DIY Day @ A Soft Place to Land

Thrifty Chick's Before and After Party


Metamorphosis Monday

I was so excited to give the kids the puppet show for Christmas. I saw the idea back in September over at Infarrantly Creative. I couldn't wait to make it happen, but had to survive photo season first, and then find the headboard or bookshelf that would be perfect at the perfect price. 2 weeks before Christmas, (that's right folks, I'm insane) I found the perfect headboard at Goodwill for 1/2 off and committed myself to this project despite the golfer's unease. "Where are we going to put that?" he asked me over and over. I dodged the question. With his question ringing in my ears I reluctantly layed down the big bucks. . . Yeah right, I practically danced to the checkout and nearly hugged the cashier when she told me it would be $4.50! Who cares where we'll put it! I'll put in at the foot of my bed if it sparks any sort of NON-video-game creativity in my kids. The kids were actually with me when I bought it. They thought they were getting a bookshelf. My 6-year-old's reaction was priceless on Christmas morning!

PAIGE: WHAT! WOW! This is so cool!

That's all I wanted folks. . . and a few great puppet shows here and there. . done!

Here is the before:

And the afters:

I added this little hand painted wooden plaque (.99) over the carving of the tree.

We found the curtain rod under our bed during pre-Christmas decluttering. The fabric for the curtain was at Goodwill on 1/2 off day too. $1.25

I already had the sheet metal for the chalkboard/magnet board leftover from my son's board in his room. The chalkboard paint (spraypaint) was $3.25

I already had the white paint and the clear protective coating. The moulding around the chalkboard cost 2.00 at a local salvage yard.

I made little red riding hood and the big bad wolf. The other puppets were from Michaels, from yard sales, white elephant gift at a Christmas party and gifts from a friend. I spent about 15.00 on the puppets that I bought and made. I mod podged the scrapbook paper on the backer board.

The basket was at Goodwill for .75 on 1/2 off day and the liner was made from scrap fabric that I had in my stash.

The grand total came to about $27.75. My budget was $25.00.
They love it. I LOVE it! The golfer LOVES IT, and has commented on the fact several times since Christmas. Mission accomplished.

Vintage Dreamz

My great friend, Keira, and her 2 sweet sisters have started a great blog showcasing some gorgeous photos and some equally gorgeous hair accessories. They call their blog Vintage Dreamz. Check it out. . . they could definitely come up with the perfect hair accessories for your holiday pictures!

Click on the picture below!

missing

I'm really not missing, just running around like a chicken with my head cut off. . . I know, it creates such a vivid visual doesn't it! It happens every year at this time for me. Families want their Christmas photos, and how can I turn them down. . . they're all so cute! My family, of course, is still here and ready for pumpkin carving, costumes, grocery shopping, Thanksgiving feasts, school programs, photos of every waking moment :), dinner, dentist appointments, birthday parties, scouts, music class, and to add the cherry on top of this ginormous sunday, it's time to dig in to the Christmas shopping. Maybe this year we'll just forego the kids' bathtime. That would free up a substantial amount of time. Here are a few snippets of what we've been up to:

We've been posing:

We've been baking:

We've been thrifting:

We've been halloweening:

I've been photographing families like crazy for Christmas:

This is just ONE of the 9 families since the end of September! I really love it!

Next up is photos of 5 more families, a birthday party (Webkins themed), my first wedding shoot :), Thanksgiving, photos of 2 more families, Christmas shopping, Christmas break, a trip to the snow, Christmas, another birthday, New Year. . . . . WHEW! The crafting will carry on through the madness. I have a few fun projects planned for Christmas. Tis the Season. . . (hopefully not the season for a mental breakdown!)