My Life in Lists . . .

Any one else ever feel this way? Your life can be defined by one HUGE list. Mine always feels like an ever evolving "to do" list but the other day while in Books-a-Million I ran across these two "books" which I think will be appearing on my Christmas List somewhere.

One of the greatest reasons I scrapbook is for history. I do not keep a diary/journal well at all - I have the best intentions but those quickly go out the window each evening when sleep calls just a bit louder. I have tried so many times it is just ridiculous. However, I thought these books would be cool. I could even rip them out and make a scrapbook page with them if time allowed and desire hit me (surely it would at some point)


The one on the right was a bit more exhaustive but it was such a cute "journal" of lists. Two really great things in one that didn't require them to be done chronologically (which most of you know is a must around here!) and would be a glimpse into my heart/mind right now.

So to leave you today (since there isn't a crafty thing to show 'cause I made two cards this weekend, neither of which go their picture taken - ugh!) with this phrase:

"A Clean House is a sign of a Wasted Life!" I must be living it up then:) Happy Monday!

It's a Hodge Podge Friday!

So I did it! I actually linked up on the actual day - I normally procrastinate and then it's too late! Go check out this cool blog: HodgePodgeLife There are so many cool people doing really great stuff! Let me know if you see mine!

Where I Am Right Now ...

* TOTALLY over Halloween! I hate this holiday and wish it didn't exist!!! I am so ready to move on to Thanksgiving and may just do so without any one else's permission:)
*is trying to decide on the wrapping paper/color scheme for Christmas so I can begin making gift tags - Lisa, I'm thinking of you here!
*is working to keep life in balance. Realizing that on the scales it takes alot more on the "God" side of the scales than the "world" side of the scales. Someone said blend - not balance. Not sure how I feel about that but I'm thinking on it.
*working to keep the right perspective on the things going on around me.
*praying for miracles - not small ones, BIG, HUGE ones. I know they aren't huge to God but they sure seem HUGE to me.
*enjoying spending alot of time at the kid's school. They totally light up when they see me - how cool is that?!?
*enjoying my sweet girl tell her brother "Desperate times call for desperate measures" you know what that means "You gotta do what you gotta do!" I LOVE that girl:)

And since a post can't go without a pic - and my sister borrowed my camera to get herself some good pics (BTW - hope that worked out) I have an older one that might make you laugh - My chef trying to clean up "all" his mess!


Happy Thursday!

Tribute to "Tator Bug"

So as most of you know, we recently celebrated Taylor's (left) 4th Birthday. She is such a sweet girl - sometime she's moody like her daddy - hee hee! - but she has a great heart, she's a big helper and we just LOVE her.

She started her "party day" by watching Abbi & Mason play soccer. It wasn't a very exciting game - felt bad for them - final score was 0-0. But I think they still had fun playing around. Here they are walking our way and I couldn't resist this sweet photo op!


Here is another cute one - I love how Taylor's eyes are "squinched" trying to really concentrate on what Braden is showing her.


Here she is opening "our" present. I made her a matching skirt like I did Abbi a few weeks back - but added a little t-shirt with her initial on it. She wore it the next day and was totally cute! Of course!!!


The most fun thing at Pump-it-Up is this slide - can't you tell?

A quick shot of the cousins~

I didn't buy her this toy - but man I wish I would've! I love how much she loved it and I love thinking of the fun my brother will have listening to her enjoy it - life is SWEET!

And I guess this is how you feel when you don't get to sit in the big chair and eat your cake!

Taylor we love you and can't believe how quickly you're growing. You are the sweetest little girl!!!

I think it's here!?!

Fall that is! Maybe, we can "cross our fingers" can't we? The weather today is AMAZING! and my children actually went out to play without being forced or threatened with punishment - that too is AMAZING considering the hottest summer in what feels like forever. So, I had this card to make, a little late for World Card Making Day but it needed to be made. Today's cooler weather inspired me to go fall for it.

SUPPLIES: American Crafts (plaid paper and striped flair), alphas by October Afternoon, Pebbles for the brad, ribbon (paper & actual) is Hobby Lobby.

This one came together very, very quickly (less than 15 min - honestly!) Hope you like it!


And here is glimpse of what we do on fall days - we apparently take the Dominoes on the front porch and play with them there. I took this through my front door because I didn't want to mess it up by them knowing I was taking a photo. Love how well these two play together!

Off to organize! I was inspired by this blog and so I'm off to tackle Braden's closet and all the "hand-me-downs" from Mason. Enjoy this weather - I think I might open some windows while I'm at it.

Crafty Memo Board - NO SEW!

So, this project has been 1/2 done for at least a month - pitiful, I know! However, today has brought with it an attitude which requires all things unfinished to at least be attempted. This is a very easy project, with no sewing! Just some straight pins and a glue gun (that I remembered I forgot to turn off - be right back!)

This isn't an exact tutorial but I think you'll get the jist of how to do this (assuming you want to!)

SUPPLIES: Foam board cut to desired size, adhesive spray, batting, straight pins, hot glue gun, misc. buttons, thread and ribbon (one for the cross pieces and one for the "hanger") I used less than one roll for each items.

Begin by spraying the board with adhesive on one side and applying the batting to it. Once that is set, cover the board with your desired fabric. I used straight pins to keep the fabric on the board and tight. The number of pins depends on your level of OCD - I obviously used quite a few! ha! Scroll down to the next photo to see the corners and back for reference - sorry they are out of order.

Once you have the front adhered you could easily apply the ribbon and hang it but for a more finished look I added the criss-cross pieces and the buttons. Since there is batting it looks a bit "quilted"

I hot glued the tied bow to the ribbon hanger because the ribbon is one sided and I didn't want too much of the white showing. If you had a double-sided ribbon this step could probably be eleminated.

I am hoping for an old-fashioned hook at some point but for now a standard nail will have to do! Hope you like it!

Have a great weekend and do something fun - mine will be filled with soccer games and a birthday party for my sweet niece Taylor! (Oh and this reminds me it's my brother's birthday too - better not forget that!)

"You've been pretty crafty today!"

Was the direct quote from my child yesterday as I was on project #2 (which was her skirt) Project #1 isn't finished due to insufficient supplies - ugh!

This was very simple! Seriously! I found some fat quarters at Hobby Lobby that were fall colors and coordinated (so I don't have to do that part) and that's pretty much the only supply. I did add the grosgrain ribbon as a ruffle as an after thought and I had that from my fall wreath from the previous post left over. Love it when that happens!

Anyway, I cut each quarter into equal strips and then decided which order I wanted them in. I just sewed each section together. Once all of the pieces were sewn together I made a "pocket" for the elastic to go through and finished the top off very simply. I gather the ribbon (kind of a chore) and then attached it as my finishing touch.


Our model was VERY EXCITED to have this! and that make this mommy VERY EXCITED! I did this in less than 1/2 a day and between football games, cooking dinner, laundry, etc. Due to the simple nature it didn't require a ton of dedicated thought process.

Hope this inspired you to do something fun and crafty. The whole skirt cost less than probably $8 - that is cool, very cool!