Git R' Dun!

Today is so bloody cold out and, if subzero temps are not bad enough (-10 anyone?), I have pinkeye. Fabulous.  So what better way to spend the day than staying in the house, sewing?? Yeah, I thought so too. 

I got a few things done...

A cute tie shirt for St. Paddy's Day for my Snoopy lovin' Elliott

A shamrock shirt made from St. Paddy's Hello Kitty fabric for my cat obsessed Norah

And another kitty fabric for the same sweet girl, but for Valentines Day. I also managed to get some more life out of a pair of jeans that she recently wore a hole in.

The other night while the boys were at their Pack meeting, I made this little thing w/ some scrap paper, my Cricut (the Storybook cartridge), and some $1 frames from Mike's...

...while Miss N worked on this canvas to hang over the hole on the wall where I am impatiently waiting for my TV to go (wasn't it supposed to be there in, oh, October?)

Fly Like An Eagle....

In a few short hours, my first born baby will board a plane for California.  Its not his first flight. Not even his first flight to CA. But this is his first flight without mama. And his first time flying alone.  He'll be flying out with daddy, but then dad has to stay to work and my little guy will come on back.
He's uber excited to see his cousins. He's bursting at the seams.  He adores them and normally only sees them but once a year.
And I thought I was totally cool with this. But when I think about my baby on a plane, with no one but the flight attendants, and then in an airport that is foreign to him (granted, he'll be accompanied by a FA, since we had to pay and its required), but dang. What if the layover turns into a delay (yes, I did buy him a pre-paid cell phone)? What if there's a bunch of turbulance and he is worried? What if he just wants to talk someone's ear off? Because that's what he's good at. Boy was born to talk.
Deep breath.
They certainly do have good timing. Its going to be below 0 tomorrow. Perhaps I'll stow away in his luggage.

Beaming with mama pride

Once in awhile, its nice to get a sign that we really are doing *something* right. That we're not totally screwing them up, right?

 two sweet letters from Aidan that he typed up and printed recently

 

Norah's letter to Aidan that she tucked into his backpack after he went to bed tonight

A letter we received from Norah's teacher today

(i feel bad not representing E, because he's equally awesome. i just didn't have anything photographed)

Bedroom Woes.

I hate my bedroom.
Part of the issue is that we moved here from a home where we had a hulking master bedroom and our furniture (and more) fit just fine in it.  And now? We have this teeny tiny little box of a room. Not much of an oasis.  And I'd be ok with it, except that I do think it important that my bedroom be somewhat of a sanctuary. I need that to sleep. Otherwise I go through bouts of insomnia. And I am not a nice mom or wife (heck, I am not a nice human) when I am operating on 3 hrs sleep and a marathon of Intervention.

We have a 4-ish bedroom home. 2 up, 2 down. We're down, as is the 'den' (formerly the playroom).  The den does not have a door and the doorway was widened, so its not an option.
When we first moved in, we resided upstairs. The thought being that there was no way I could nurse twins (let alone the crying and the sleep apnea monitor) and get up at night after a c-section and do the steps.  Problem was, that left one child needing to be downstairs, alone. No bueno. I did not feel good about that. Nor will I feel good about that when they are teens :)  Also? Our honkin' furniture wouldn't fit up our 1920's curved staircase w/ the low ceiling. Good times.  We could get rid of it, sure. But we do have a new mattress that cost an arm & a leg and there's no split box spring. And the kids. So its not an option.
So we're stuck in our box. And I need to make it an oasis.  I tried with the blue paint. It screamed relaxing to me. But the bedding? I hate. It attracts dog and cat hair like mad.  And I am so over the duvet. I announced to C that last night, when I restuffed the duvet after washing it, that it was the final time. I am so done with that horse and pony routine.
So here's what I've got....

The bedroom is arrange differently than what it is in this photo. Bed is under the window, facing out. Dresser on wall where headboard was in this photo. Highboy still where it is in this photo.

The furniture is that mission style stuff.
Closet doors are a MUST GO. Hate the louvers. Hate them. Need some nice panel ones to match the other ones in the house.
Blue? Not attached. Willing to paint.
Bedding? Any color is an option.
I have one night stand.  I'd like 2. Or a table. And I need some cute lamps to flank the bed.

HELP ME DECORATE. Thriftily.  Ideas?????? I do like some of the Dwell Studio stuff Target has right now. Any comments on the quality?

Bound. And determined.

I need a silhouette. I want one. I must have one. But I think that if a charge showed up for one, even a discounted one, there'd be an angry Scotsman in da howse.  I could save my pennies, of course. But that's a lot of penny saving. And I am not good at that.
So when an opportunity arises to win one of these suckers, I jump.

Traci at Beneath My Heart is teaming up with Silhouette to give one of these babies away.  And imma win one. Maybe not now. But someday. Imma.  Check it. And the amazing shiz you can do.

Ten On Tuesday

Tell me 10 things about you and I will tell you 10 about me that perhaps are not apparent at first glance...

1.  I am very easily oh look...a squirrel! distracted.  Very. Its absolutely awful. And I procrastinate. Its not a pretty combo.

2.  I have dreams of long, lush hair that's got that beachy look to it. Instead, everyday, I loathe and curse my stick straight, baby fine, limp, thin hair.

3.  I have no willpower when it comes to eating food that I really, really love. Like brie and bread. Or kettle chips. Or movie theater popcorn. I think it stems from a decade of controlling every morsel that did or did not go into my body.  When I finally let go, I was never able to reign it back in.  I do find it amazing that I made it out of that decade without any lasting health issues.

4.  I dabble in many things, some of which I am good at, but am truly great at nothing.

5.  I am a sucker for a good rock & roll song...70's, 80's, 90's or current.  Anyone else?

6.  I am very grateful for my parents, who help us with our kids so we can do things without them, including go on vacations every few years. I am also very grateful for a group of supportive friends who like me for the freak I am.

7.  My biggest fear is death.

8.  I hate putting away the laundry.

9.  I had really awful PPD that I pretty much denied (to myself) that I had for months. I mean, I'd be crazy to be unhappy. My babies were miraculously healthy and thriving, my husband made it able for me to SAH, I had smart, beautiful toddler.  It lasted a long time.

10.  I am passionate about gay rights and the research that the March of Dimes does. If it were not for the MoD, my turbo two would not be here.
What causes are you most passionate about??

White Fluffy Stuff

Today I took the kids sledding. Can you believe that this was the first time I've ever taken the kids sledding alone (as in, this wasn't a family affair? Which I've only done once?) Yeah. I suck. One could say I am not a fan of winter.  I like sledding. Its fun. I like it when the kids have fun. I like skiing and tubing, too.  But being cold I do not enjoy. At all. It makes me cranky and miserable.  And yes, I've lived in this state my entire life. And no, I've never gotten used to the cold. And I don't look cute in a hat, either.

 the boys, trying to smile while getting pelted by snow

 Elliott, as he flew by me

Norah, mad that she missed the "jump" (to the left of the photo) because her aim was off.

Word of the Year

Heather at Pass The Cereal talked about being inspired by Ali Edwards to chose and live by a word of the year in 2010, and again, in 2011.

Its taken a lot of thought as to whether or not I'd feel too much pressure if I chose a word. If I'd feel like a failure if I chose a word and didn't live up to it. And what word to choose to live by. But I did it. I found my word for 2011.

I have projects I want to accomplish.
There are goals regarding my personal being I want to accomplish.
As a mama and a wife, there are things I'd like to accomplish.




What's your word for 2011?

Freebie!

My friend, Robyn (who, if you are local, is a really awesome photographer. She's passionate about her work and loves kids and is fun), posted this freebie on her blog. Works with PS and PSE. I am thinking the bookmarks will be awesome for classmates for valentines (we'll do a generic photo of something fun...not my children) and the others for grandparents.

Who Rules Your Roost?

I regularily read this blog. I have great respect for the blogger. So by no means is this a dig. But a comment I read today went something like this: "he is the head of our household."

And then a commenter wrote this: "...submit to our husbands and support the decisions they make for our family."
and another
"but [I] wanted to honor God by submitting to him."

Woah.
Now, maybe its because I don't subscribe to a single organized religion. Or maybe its just the way I was raised. Or maybe its just a personal preference. But I am just floored. Floored that marriage in this day and age is not a 2 way street. I work at home, so I don't bring in an income, per se. My husband is our breadwinner. But he certainly is not the head of our household. We make all major decisions...financial, child-rearing, life-concerning...together. I am just stumped. Is there something in the bible that says that you are not honoring God if you do not submit to your husband? Again, not a dis by any means. Just an honest thought process.

More Fun Appliques

Ahhh. The tie shirt. Cute. Fun. Don't attempt at 12:30 am. Look at this! Hot damn - its crooked! Once its appliqued on there, you're screwed, aren't you?? But that's not enough. I didn't notice that it was crooked until *after* I did the shoddiest job sewing it on. Wow. I am keeping it as a reminder of not to rush. Or sew at 12:30am.

At least the cute 'C' turned out ;)

Bathroom Facelift

Years ago, we redid the bathroom. When we bought this 1920's house, someone had already 'updated' the bathroom. Horribly, horribly updated it. There was this paneling on the wall. Only it wasn't a wood paneling. It was a metal, faux wood paneling.

It was glued the wall. And nailed. Fab. The tile that was under it wasn't ceramic tile, though. This photo does not do it justice. No... it was a peachy-colored metal tile.

I know y'all love that light fixture/medicine cabinet.

The husby tiled over the 'tile' and then we picked out a paint color to match the blue in the floor and I found a shower curtain from The Company Store to give the bathroom a pop of color.



Here in the city, if we really wanted to, we could talk to our neighbors through our houses. They're that close together. That's why I've always wanted curtains in the bathroom. In the summer, when the window is open and our neighbor is out in her driveway, I really don't like her being able to see me. Or vice versa. Since I was going to make curtains, I decided to change things up. It was time.

I found this fabulous organic cotton at a LFS, Drawstring Studio. Its Nancy Mims Free to Grow for Robert Kaufman. And I got it on sale on Cyber Monday!!


The grey rug on the floor matches the grey in the curtains. I went w/ a white shower curtain that will hopefully remain white and not covered with dirty handprints and toothpaste. And we did the walls in a really light grey that's in the same color family as the dark grey in the curtain & rug. I like the airy-feel of the room now!!!

Jumping outside my comfort zone

:: What I wore Wednesday ::

I never thought I'd be *that* kind of person. But I really enjoy [s]wasting[/s] spending my time looking at other people's WIWWs. It gives me ideas and inspires me to wear more than yoga pants and a fleece. Something that's especially needed when its freezing outside and you're living in an old, drafty house and you're not leaving the house all day, save for walking your kids to and home from school.
So I am doing it. Yikes. Putting myself out there. I even had to purchase a full-length mirror! Not that I didn't need one. I've had to rely on my husband's opinion when I can't decide on a shoe choice and well, that just isn't acceptable in my book.
I am hoping that by doing this, it'll inspire me further, help me with my photo taking abilities, and also link me up with more bloggers.

Here goes...

black shirt : Target
blue dress/tunic : local consignment boutique
skinny jeans : Kohls
black knee socks : Target
boots : Target
wooden beaded necklace : Walmart (gasp! those that know me, know my disdain)

I'll be linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for WIWW, so go check it out. Tons of fun ideas there!

What I've Made...

:: This and That ::

An advent calendar I've thought about for years, but never did. It was fun to make...don't know what was holding me back! I think when I took this photo, it wasn't adhered down or sprayed yet.

A ceramic flooring tile I mod-podged a photo of my beautiful nephew to, as a gift for my Aunt. Super duper easy and I now want to go tile crazy! We have a box of the white ones leftover and I want to cut out some cool designs on the Cricut and make some coasters.

Pillows for the chillins for the den. Nuthin' fussy, just simple and straightforward and cheap flannel.

What I've Made...

:: Flowers ::

My first singed petal flower.

...and my second one. Using this fabric was much more difficult!

The first rolled roses I made. I attached them to felt and sewed them to a cardigan for my mom.

An attempt at a flower using wired ribbon

Felt rolled roses...fun adornments and cheap & easy to make! I found the tutorial on Mrs. Priss. Come to think of it, I think I used her tut for the singed flowers, too.

I really like these. Kinda remind me of The Pleated Poppy's Petal Pusher, which I just adore to death. I had no tutorial...it was a lot of trial and error using an old tshirt until I got the look I wanted.

Experimenting with a few different flowers. I liked the rolled rose in the center the best. And I like the magnetic backs vs. pins.

What I've Made...

Appliques!

Alyson of Eisley Rae made these adorable ruffle pants for Miss N. She was so kind and sent me some scraps and I made this Christmas tree shirt to match. It was my first time using a fusible web. I used Wonder Under, following some instructions on Crap I've Made. I was super frustrated, but it turned out. And I have enough fabric left to make another matching non-Christmas shirt.

This was my second experience with Wonder Under and woah...it went so much easier. Like riding a bike!! Easy peasy lemon squeezy. And I just adore this red fabric that I got from Drawstring Studio.

I have some more adorable appliques planned. Some for boys, some for girls. I can't wait!

What I've Made...

Skirts!
This one is my first skirt. My first piece I ever made with a machine. My first pattern. And I have to say... I am proud. It wasn't easy and I did well. Its not something I'd pick out in a store, but I do like it.

A Halloween skirt I made for Miss N.

Miss N's cute owl skirt

I adore this fabric. Natch, another piece for Miss N.

There were a few others I did for Miss N, but they are non-descript and basic skirts like this :) Now I need to graduate to fancier skirts. Fun!

Where do I go for inspiration?

Its funny. I was perusing the crafty blog-iverse and was hoping to come on some new and exciting ideas. One blog I read is The Stories of A to Z. I found this recent post...A small sampling of where she goes for inspiration. Low and behold...aside from 2 or 3 blogs, there was nothing new there to me. It appears everyone visits the same crafty blogs! Not that its a problem, but I'd like to see new faces, too!!! I am a big fan of a lot of what I see out there, but living where I do, in the type of home I live in, I am not a fan of the beachy stuff or stuff that is just too southern-y, ruffley, or burlapy (nothing warm and cozy about that!). So there ya go!

New Year, New Look!

2011 brings with it some simple goals. No resolutions, since those are too easy for me to cast aside.

My days are no busier than ever before, with this being the final half-year of my PTA presidency and being chock full of activities. Not to mention volunteering in the twins classrooms and the library and whatnot. I need to carve out time each week to work on Chili'n on the Ave 2011. I need time to go to the gym. And after all that and the obligatory house cleaning and laundry duties and keeping food in the house, I need to carve out 'me' time. Time to get my creative on. I may not be all that and a bag of chips yet, but I'm learning and I enjoy it immensely.
So my goal is to come up with a daily schedule. And stick to it. Wish me luck. In the meantime, I'll post some of the projects I've done and some I am working on at the moment (curtains! chairs! flowers!).

Happy 2011!

Ready? OK!

Miss N, striking a pose