Easter!

Not the best pictures...especially green on green.

But this is our little egg tree for our table.

I dyed 4 cups of rice green to make some grass I didn't have rubbing alcohol which I have used in the past to help it dry quicker and dye more evenly. I actually like the blend of different shades of green.

Here is the recipe:

dry white rice – any kind

rubbing alcohol – this helps rice dry faster

green food coloring

plastic zip baggie

paper towels

cookie sheet

Put the rice in the baggie and drop 2-4 drops of food coloring in and shake together to mix.
Drop in 1 Tablespoon of the rubbing alcohol
Put paper towels on the cookie sheet.
After you have the desired color pour out the rice onto the paper towels.
Place in the sunlight.
Should be dry in less than an hour.
Enjoy your green rice!

Table Runner

New table runner.
Just in time for Easter!

Art Case

I'm really happy with the way this turned out but do not like how flimsy it is. Novie was using it in the car and had a hard time keeping her coloring book flat and not bending as she drew on it. I think I would like to try this again and place cardboard between the outside pieces instead of interfacing so that it's durable for coloring on top of.

Passport Wallet

I make alot of things but not too often do I absolutely LOVE what I make. Now this, I LOVE!!! I have to use it every day as an American living in a foreign country, it's cute, extremely useful and it fits all 4 of our passports! I fussy cut the bird so it would fit perfect.

Garden/Tool Belt

Online this is actually a tutorial for a Tool Belt. I showed it to a friend who has a little boy and she instantly made her son and his friend one. I could not resist the temptation to make two as well for my little girls, but to be used as Garden belts instead. We have a beautiful yard and garden and have been teaching them little lessons on flowers, how God made them and how they grow. I had such a wonderful time surprising them with these! So far only dirt and flowers have filled up the pockets but I love to watch them insist on wearing them when we mention we need to work on the yard.

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2010/02/childs-tool-belt.html

Simplicity New Look #6688

This is my second time ever following a pattern. I use TONS of online tutorials but there's nothing like cutting out that ridiculously fragile, thin paper to make a pattern. I got this material in the States last Oct. on furlough and have been staring at it for months now wondering what would receive the high honor of being made out of it...silly I know. Now that Novalie understands the concept that mommy can make her things she has started to make requests! She cracks me up! Her first thing was a blanket for her stuffed horse :) then she asked very sweetly for a twirly dress. Here it is, Novie's twirly dress.

Pillows, Pillows, and more pillows

It's amazing what covering your old pillows can do to give your living room space a face-lift. I think it took about 2 hours to cover all these pillows. I did not get a before photo...oh,well.

Camera Strap

I think a only few months after getting this camera
we were at a Banquet where there were cute little center pieces with candles,
needless to say I set my camera way too close and lit my camera strap on fire.
I thought (after 3 years) maybe I should cover that and eliminate the questions.

Scrappy camera strap

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/05/scrappy-camera-strap.html

Thank you Angie for the material!

Smocked Dress

I found this old curtain at the thrift store in Jazberny. I LOVE that store!

I got a kilo of clothes for under 5ooft! What a steal.

I used 3/4th's of a yard to make this cutie little dress and my guess is with the adjustments I made it's somewhere around a 3t. Now I have to try it on my little model. Here is the tutorial I got the idea and measurements from.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/how-tuesday-smocked-sundress-from-weekend-sewing-4578/

First Project Entry

Here it is my first project being recorded. I picked this one since many people have been getting this in the mail for their birthdays or other celebrations.

Here it is introduced by Sew Mama Sew!

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=514

Here are some pictures of the ones I've made.

Projects

This is Novalie she is 3, she is my sweet spirit,

happy all the time, so full of joy!

This is Eden she is 21mo. she ha so much energy!very adventurous

but also my cuddle bug.

I want to start recording everything I make..whether it's sewing , crafts, decorating, baking, bow making or crocheting. I want to ultimately have it recorded for my girls and for my mom my first sewing teacher. Our first lesson was beanbags, when I was a little girl.

I'll post the tutorials I got the ideas from and do my best to provide good instructions if one of these days I venture out and come up with my own idea. 99% of my ideas come from other blogs of stay-at-home-mommies, and I always think to myself, "If they can do it I can too!"

Like Totally 80's!

I find myself doing this more and more lately...neglecting my blog. I LOVE to blog but have been horrible at it lately. I've been pouring my time into so many areas that I've begun to feel guilty sitting at the computer. Also, about a month ago a little mischievous 20mo. old spilled coffee on my keyboard making it near impossible to type one word correctly! The key were sticking real bad... let's see, can I possibly come up with any other excuses :)

Now you may be wondering where I have been "pouring my time into."

First off, I have recently been asked, or "elected" to be in charge of student activities. How exciting!!! I LOVE games, the student and having parties! Perfect! I know tis is a small way I can encourage the student body. I started out finding a team of students to help plan, organize and run the activities. Lots of meetings later we began with a game night and last wknd had 'Like,Totally 80's!" Party. We had contests for the biggest hair, best rocker outfit ,tallest shoulder pads, best valley girl impersonation and lots of other hilarious categories. The students AND staff went all out to make this night a memorable one. I spent half the night laughing at everyone'costumes. of We had 16 staff members send in pictures of themselves in the 80's how fun to watch the students guess the staff and their ages!
We did the limbo, hokey-poky, and chicken dance trying to bring back those Friday nights we spent as kids at the rollerskating rink.
We ended the evening with prizes and Back To the Future.Yay Michael J.Fox.

Secondly,I have recently committed to prioritizing my life little by little. Andy and I have made a BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING discipline chart and have been focusing on following that. What an encouraging thing to see our girls already improving in small ways and how AWESOME to be on the SAME page as my husband when it comes to discipling our children. "Spare the rod SPOIL the child." How true!

Thirdly, within the prioritizing my life comes many avenues of change. Some small some large. Many of those can be saved for another blog...Another thing (which as moms you will understand why I say this) is getting some time for myself and NOT feeling guilty about it...that rarely happens if their is a load of laundry to do, or one speck of dust or a toy out of place I have a hard time relaxing. Praise the Lord for a husband who knows me and notices when I need a moment alone. So, to prevent those "hair-pulling" moments from happening my husband has suggested I 1-get out and get involved and 2-have an hour to myself every few days! He is amazing! So all that to say I have been sewing like a maniac! Not only am I getting some alone time to think and pray I am keeping my hands busy by making things for my family! I LOVE these moments! I become quite a blog "stalker" as I search for new projects and tutorials..if you ever find a great tutorial,pattern or project PLEASE share it with me!

Alright...enough typing time to post some pictures!