that lady

Pumpkin Chicken Curry Recipe- this pregnant lady's dream

2012-01-10T12:38:00.001-06:00

Best EASIEST at home Indian food ever! I've been craving GOOD ethnic, eastern (Thai, Indian, kebabs...) food my whole pregnancy and in this small Texas town that's a big FAIL. I died when I tried this and have made it twice now in 3 days! Thanks SIL foodie extraordinaire Teri!

Pumpkin Curry Chicken:

1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp vegetable oil
2 cups chicken brth

1 ½ cups canned pumpkin (or cooked, mashed sweet potato or squash)
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
Dash pepper
½ cup cream cheese
2 or 3 cooked, cubed chicken breasts
Chopped fresh parsley

In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté the onion in oil until tender. Add broth, pumpkin, lemon juice, curry powder, sugar, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in cream cheese and chicken; heat through. Garnish with parsley. Serve over rice. Yields 4 servings.

From the kitchen of: Diane Chatwin

Curb Treasure Shelf Redo- Tutorial ish

2012-01-06T10:07:00.003-06:00

Saw this shelf on the curb in my friend's neighborhood- an ugly, DIRTY, purple/ blue thing with GREAT potential. I just new it would be perfect for storage for the new baby!! (DUE IN 70 days! Holy Cow!) Since we went for a smaller, older house with more updated amenities instead of the large 1980's ugly white carpet and walls rental house last june, this little beeb doesnt have full room of his/her own for me to decorate and nest over. But that's ok, not really needed, we'll only be here for 3 months after beeb is born so we'll make do. We're used to sharing anyway. But we desperately needed storage! Every single closet in our house in completely full to the ceiling with food storage, craft supplies and our clothing. This shelf was just what I needed! I got so excited! Hubby was kind enough to haul it home for me and I got started right away!

Before my tutorial let me just say- people are so FREAKED that I'm not finding out what I am having. I think it's hilarious. In the begining of my pregnancy I was bummed because I thought I couldnt "plan" for things... but as time has gone on I've come to find out not knowing gives me SO much more freedom and creativity! (Next post- how to prepare VERY CUTE things for a gender neutral baby!) I've been drawn to nautical themes and blues and whites. Aqua makes it just girly enough if it ends up being a girl, and the plan is to add pink touches if it is! If it's not- everything is ready to go! (even though husband doubts the manliness of the navy and white polka dot bedding in the baby's bassinett. haha!). I also thought it was hilarious that as i was searching pins for whales and nautical on pinterest, people's descriptions were like "am I allowed to do a whale room for a girl?" seriously? Funny. Anywho... here it is.

Tutorial- ish:

Supplies:

1. Shelf- Free (Turns out its the exact same shelf as one side of my in laws entertainment center)

2. Primer (already had) White Paint (already had), Glidden Paint in Navy Blue-$7, Custom aqua paint (already had), Glidden Poly-$8

3. Anthropologie Knobs! (Already had- used to collect them when they were on sale)

4. Cute baskets, etc.

Steps:

1.Remove Doors

2. Scrub the whole shelf down- NASTY Black rags after this step

3. Sand entire shelf with electric sander just to create even surface (get rid of paint drips from last crappy paint job, rouch edges, chips in the old paint, etc)

4. Vacuum shelf and wipe down with damp cloth

5. With the shelf layed on the ground on it's back (easier to get to the insides and the high places) Prime entire shelf, inside and out (even though people who painted it before neglected "less seen" areas. I only did one coat of primer. Mostly for the sake of time. Also my glidden paint is the "Paint and Primer in one" sort of fancy paint. I still always prime- good idea when you're going up against ugly purple.

6. Paint your inside color- 2 coats, letting them dry completely in between

7. Tape off stripes- I did every 6 inches, so I started off taping for white and did all of my white painting- 2 coats, let it dry completely, tapes off for navy and painted 2 coats.

8. A LOT of retouching and fixing mess-ups in my crisp lines- allow to dry completely

9. 2 coats of polyeurathane (VERY IMPORTANT STEP! I once was at a friends house with some DIY painted furniture, and it was all TACKY- as in sticky not ugly- like the paint was never completely set even years later- this was because she did not seal it with PLASTIC! POLY IS YOUR FRIEND!- the paint will also chip easier wihtout it.
10. Mark where you want your knobs, drill holes, and insert!

Sparse Hair Toddler Hair- Do's!

2012-01-05T22:32:00.000-06:00

Three great ideas for hair doings for little ladies with whispy mullety shorty baby hair:) I looked all over for tips for no hair and only found a few. So here's my contribution to the mommy world.

Love me some Hand Me Downs!

2012-01-05T22:26:00.000-06:00

Boots: Old Navy, Sweater: Circo (Target), Skirt: Gap- ALL hand me downs! FREE! LOVE it!

Aqua ruffle tank- DIY out of 99cent store baby dress! (tutorial possible one day)

Mama done Picture Day

2011-11-07T21:26:00.001-06:00

Original- I'm wondering if I should have just left that head. I hated my bangs though. ugh. and I couldnt fix that gross light on my face.

After photoshop...hmm... did I make my head to small? woops

So, being the stylist, camera tech, event coordinator, big pregnant lady with frizzy hair, mama to tired baby who is OBSESSED with and clings to, and artistic director makes for a slightly stressful photo session. Especially when I ultimately have no control of how the pictures come out because though I have a great snap- photographer, I do not have an expereinced professional directing our crazy faces or off balanced poses, or framing every picture the way that I desire. Regardless, blessed photoshop came through and we came out with a family portrait acceptable for giant mantel adornment. Acceptable. Photos while pregnant are not always the funnest. But the lighting was so pretty.

Other good pictures from the day

Master Bedroom!!

2011-06-22T13:06:00.001-05:00

I'm SO relieved and excited to have the whole room finally planned and on its way to being done! Currently, there are only a few more things I need to purchase then refinish all my furniture (AH!!) then it will be ready for a big reveal!! Yay! I want to link to this on facebook so badly but I can't ruin my husbands anniversary surprise! :)

How Essential Oils Have Changed My Life

2011-06-21T22:06:00.022-05:00

About 10 months ago, after friend of mine who had been telling me how much essential oils had changed her life for quite some time, she let me try some of her doTerra essential oils and I could NOT believe how quickly the peppermint oil eliminated my migranes and helped regulate our digestive systems when taken internally. I was hooked. With a 6 month old baby I could not wait to get my hands on the various types of oils that could help with the constant health and everyday issues (sleeping, relaxation, digestive issues, relentless colds, diaper rash, etc). I was a very eager student and customer because it felt as if essential oils were an answer to my prayers for health of our family. Finding and learning about them also felt like something was finally happening that was supposed to happen.

I was intimidated at first to learn something new, which felt like a big undertaking as a wife/ mother/ student who already had a lot on my plate- but I can tell you this- once the oils are in your hands, and you start using them in very simple very effective ways in your families everyday life, you will be excited/ eager and learning more will come naturally. After just 6 months of usage and purchasing oils monthly, I myself had a resource of over 40 varieties of oils and felt so confident in my knowledge and in the power of the oils, that I began teaching classes on what I know.

Learn about essential oils on my site HERE or come to a class if you are in the DFW area!

Contact me if you are interested in hosting a FREE class in your home.

Here, I just wanted to share with you some of the experiences we have had in these last 10 months.We have avoided over 20 doctors visits and medication cycles by my estimation, have saved money, and felt control over the health of our family. I feel bad because I have not recorded/ kept track of every thing but here are just SOME of the major health issues we have suffered from and how we treated them:

Baby Issues:

Teething and Sleeping issues: Lavender on the gums, on nipples before nursing, on temples, feet, and spine.

Croup: Thyme, Eucalyptus, Breathe, and Frankincense on Chest, Spine, Pressure Points, and feet 4-6 times a day.

Ear Infection:

Combine 2 Tbsp fractioned coconut oil (or any other dilutive oil- olive oil,veg oil, etc) with 2 drops lavender, 1 drop roman chamomile, 1 drop melaluca, and 1 drop Purify. Apply in ear (NOT inside ear canal). on guard/ melaluca/ purify on feet 3 times a day.

Diaper Rash: Clearskin Diluted with Coconut Oil rubbed in and topped with baby powder!

Other Illnesses:

Sinus Infections: Diffuse Lime, Eucalyptus and Breathe, Apply all three to chest and back, take On Guard, Oregeno, Melaluca Internally. Completely gone in 2-3 days of consistent application.

Asthma/bronchial/lung issues: Frankincense on base of spine, neck and chest, and Breathe on neck, chest, back (I find that frankincense is a MIRACLE worker when I have a hacking, irritable, asthma or allergy related cough. I used to not be able to sleep because I'd be up all night with that irritating, itchy cough- frankincense stops it in its tracks and I'm out!)

Stomach/Digestive Issues: Digest Zen and Peppermint internally. Digest Zen on stomach. I have had a few super exciting experiences with this with my baby. She was constipated this winter for a few days and after just one application of Digest Zen on her belly she passed a good, big poopy. Also, she was suffering from dehydration in this CRAZY Texas heat a few weeks ago and after diarrhea for a whole day and (along with a whole lot of Pedialite + LEMON esential oil) I applied Digest Zen to her stomach and she seemed less irritable immediately and had more solid stools before bed that very night. Made me feel like a much better mommy after a whole day of feeling so terrible and neglectful (dehydrated babies can make a mama feel that way)

MRSA: YES! MRSA! In case you didn't know it is a strain of Staph infection. A few months ago, I had what I thought was a bug bite that kept getting bigger, harder, swollen, red, and then when it began to be very hot to the touch and hard and painful I became concerned. Having experience in helping people who had had MRSA my dad said that's exactly what it looked like, so I began treating it and headed off the the Dr. as soon as possible just to get the lab work done on it and be certain what it was.

Treatment from Day 1-Day 7 (On day 2 I went to Dr. and had it drained): doTerra Clearskin oil on sore 3-5x/day and Veggie Capsules filled with Oregano, On Guard, and Melaluca 6-8x/day internally. And it healed so quickly!

Couponing Tips for the NEWBIE couponer

2011-06-06T01:24:00.000-05:00

From One Beginner to Another

things I've learned that you should try out in your area that might work for you!

Prime Shopping Times:

1. CVS- as soon as Possible in the Sale week (Monday Morning)

-because CVS has VERY limited quantities and very frequently runs out of items

2. Walgreens- I've shopped at a small Walgreens and a larger Walgreens- VERY different. I'd advise if you live near a small Walgreens to call ahead (Monday Morning) and ask them if when they are getting there shipments that week to get extra of the things you need multiples of. I had issues redeaming rain checks for week because they generally have very little of each item.

-larger Walgreens: VERY end of the sale (Saturday night- LATE)

I generally have found that at this time they completely disregard the item limits on the in store coupons since the sale is about to end. Stock up!

Tutorial: Custom Scrapbook Slip Cover

2011-06-05T21:36:00.000-05:00

Follow my tutorial for custom embroidered portrait HERE

Part III: Scrapbook Slipcover

1. Take the cover of your scrapbook apart so that the front is separate.
(Undo the little screws that you would undo to add more pages,
and then pull the back cover out of the little pocket in the front cover).
Rescrew the screws while you work so that your pages stay in place

2. Lay your embroidered piece in place where you want it on your cover.
Cut pieces of fabric to stitch around this piece to create the correct sized piece for the front cover.
You want it to cover the entire cover plus seam allowances. Stitch together (sort of like quilting)

3. finished front piece. Press and cut a backing piece the same size. Sew the two pieces right sides together on the 3 sides- leaving the left side of the front piece unstitched (Make sure to round the corners if your scrapbook has rounded corners). Turn right side out and press.

4. Slip your handmade cover onto your scrapbook front piece. Fold the front into the little pocket that the back piece slips in to and glue in place. Cut holes on the back side where the screw holes are so that the screws can go through your new fabric slipcover as well as the cover. put your scrapbook back together and voila!

I generally love things off center but looking at this now, it would look way better centered on the cover of the scrapbook, so I may go back and do that.

Good Luck! Happy Stitching!

Tutorial: Turn Portrait into Custom Embroidery

2011-06-05T20:03:00.112-05:00

Prudent Baby was hosting a "Use Your Words" Embroidery Contest for the month of May. The winner gets a new Brother Project Runway Limited Edition LB-6800PRW Sewing and Embroidery Machine!!! And I came up with something brilliant because I NEED to win!

I was inspired to make this beautiful embroidered portrait of my one year old daughter commemorating her first year (her birthday was last weekend) and all of the things that make her her. The outlines of her face are done in brown embroidery thread on natural linen and include her nicknames (like boo, birdie, and bug), words describing her sweet little self (fearless, squirmy, tough, bright, etc.), and what she is to me (blessing, home, sweet, etc.), and her ears are probably my favorite part ( no no no no no).

This may look complicated but it's really SO easy!! All you need is:

Materials:

a photo editing program that allows layers

a printer

freezer paper

fabric (I used linen)

embroidery floss

embroidery hoop

needle

Part I: Preparing your digital "word sketch" portrait

1. Turn your photo into a sketch HERE!

2. Open your sketch in a photo editing program (like Photoshop, Elements, or I use Seashore, a simple, free program for MAC users)

3. Create a new layer and with the brush tool, outline the most prominent, general features of the face.

4. Hide the background layer (the original sketch) to keep checking your crude outline to see when you feel you have enough detail- but not too much!- remember you have to stitch all of this!

5. When you feel you have a good general outline, save your general outline as a JPG.

6. Open your general outline and create a new layer for every word you want to use.

(Find a cute font that is the right size for outlining the face. I used Pea Luv Holly Wood )

Rotate and move the layer until it fits perfectly over a piece of the outline of the face. Click back on your background layer and erase the face outline under the word to see how the word looks as the piece of face outline. Continue with more and more words until the outline is finished :)

Part II: Embroidering the Portrait

1. cut a piece of freezer paper the size of a standard
piece of printer paper- 8.5x11

2. Cut out a piece of fabric the same size. Plastic side down on the fabric,
iron the freezer paper to the fabric, creating a firm surface to go through the printer

3. Put the fabric with freezer paper in the printer
so that the fabric will be the side that gets printed on.
The freezer paper creates a rigid sheet that will go through
the printer perfectly and print easily on the fabric.

4. Peel the fabric away from the freezer paper and put in your embroidery hoop :)

5. I used 6 threads to stitch the facial features, 3 threads to stitch the big words and 2 threads to stitch the smaller words. Don't know how to hand embroider? Use Prudent Mama's Start Stitching Beginner's Hand Embroidery Tutorial.

Frame for a beautiful piece of home decor, make into a pillow, quilt square, etc. OR- follow my tutorial for making Custom Scrapbook Slip Cover HERE

happy first birthday to our little lady!

2011-05-29T17:16:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Banner FREE Printout & tutorial.

2011-05-17T01:07:00.000-05:00

Inspiration by Jessie @ Team Huish

LOVED this tutorial and adorable banner from one of my BFF's Jessie, and wanted to recreate for my little lady's bday. I changed a bit and made it party ready by using the Sunday Funnies and created my own birthday lettering. Follow Jessie's tutorial (my only addition to her instructions is that when you are cutting your newspaper strips you basically are just cutting down the center the whole length of the paper- and making 2 strips out of one side of paper- make sense?) and use my FREE happy birthday banner letters! Save these next two pictures full sized to your desktop and print out full page then cut out letters! Use for 1st birthday, or just use as "Happy Birthday" banner.

99¢ Striped Bow Canvas Grocery/Beach/ Toy Bag Tutorial!

2011-05-17T00:15:00.001-05:00

My first official tutorial 100% by me! Hope you enjoy- Please post any comments about how my directions were, if I explained well and made the project seem easy, and how your bags turned out! I was out at the good ole 99¢ Store with my mama and LOVED this canvas striped kitchen towel when I saw it! I had no Idea what I was going to do with it but I made sure to pick up two (later went back to get the 3rd that I needed to finish) and see what I was inspired to do. Here was the result:

Materials:

1. Three 99¢ Store (or any other canvas or canvas-like) striped dish-towels

(at my local store they came in this blue color and a red color)

2. 1.5 yards of strap fabric

(I got a tan 1.5" cotton woven from the "by the yard" trim section at Joann's)

1. Cut 2 of the towels in half width wise- creating 4 seperate equal pieces

2. Cut two of those 4 pieces 6" from each side. Save one of the center pieces for your bow and discard the other. The 4 large outer pieces created will be the sides of your bag and your bow.

3. Cut a 6" long piece along the width from your 3rd towel, creating the piece for the bottom of your bag.

4. To create the bow, first cut the finished towel edge off of two of the pieces. Then sew them together on all four sides with a 1/4" seam leaving a 2-3 in opening on a side of your choice that you will use to turn the bow right side out. All of your pieces for the project should look like this:


5. turn your bow right side out and press. fold the opening under 1/4" and topstich it shut.

6. Find the center of the bow and pinch together, put under the presser foot and CAREFULLY (it will be very thick- sew slowly) stitch the gathering in place. It should look like this (sorry this pic is upside down)

7. Finish the edges of the tan bow center- Take one of those center strips that you set aside and fold into the striped side 1/4-1/2" and edge stitch.

8. for this part, I personally wanted to save time so I hot glued the bow center together on the back if the bow. Set the bow aside and keep the hot glue warm :)

9. For optional inside pocket, cut a piece of the 3rd towel along the width of the towel as many inches as you want your pocket to be wide. That sounds quite confusing, but basically you will fold the pocket onto itself right sides together, sew on the two open sides, and the top will be two already finished edges from the towel and about 8" deep. Turn the pocket right side out.

10. Pin the inside of the pocket 1 1/4" from the top of bag

11. Stitch your pocket down and it should look like this.

12. Sew side pieces to the front of the bag right sides together (making sure that all pieces have finished edges of the towel as the tops) with 1/2" seam. Continue by sewing both side pieces right sides together onto the back piece of the bag. Press seams. you should end up with a tube like the next picture.

13. Pin the bottom piece to the bottoms of all of the sides of the bag with right sides together with 1/2" seam.

14. Fold your strap under 1/4" and pin to edge of front piece of bag 3" in. Stitch at edge of your fold and about 1/4" up from that. Results should look like next picture

15. I then used my handy glue gun to just glue that cute little bow right on to the top/center of my bag on the same side as my pocket, covering the stitches attaching the pocket.

And here you go:

little feet

2011-05-16T23:12:00.000-05:00

your little feet
squirmy, squishy, chewy
tiny little sausage nubs,
all the same little short ball shape
perfect
scraped
and busy.

my day

2011-04-26T00:37:00.000-05:00


asleep nakey on the front lawn and swadled like a newborn. a treasure for me to hold before she toddles away from babyhood forever.

fresh picked from the neighborhood...baskets full

heaven on earth

Some Lady Artists and their Beautiful Beauties

2011-04-26T00:21:00.000-05:00

This weekend my hubby and I with our sweet little pea treated my amazing mama to a nice little stay in San Diego for her birthday weekend. I love her so much. And I loved our weekend. We made a stop in the greatest little shop at Seaport Village called Urban Lounge. There we discovered some of the greatest whimsies ( I did NOT want to leave) and among the driftwood canvas art, whitewashed barnwood walls, TOMS shoes, eco-baby toys, and gnomes in all shapes and sizes- was a wall of gorgeous canvas prints by this lady. Here are two of the four we bought for our home.

Love her.

Kelly Rae Roberts

brave girl and you and me

And through my search for Kelly on the internet, I found this little gem...

Mati Rose McDonough

feather power in violet


turquoise elephant


feather power in rose

I'm having a really hard time deciding which I like more, feather power in violet (for the beautiful colors and adorable face), or feather power in rose (love the mama with her baby!)

All The Lovely Ladies found HERE

RueLaLa.com: Free $20 Credit

2011-04-21T01:03:00.000-05:00

Sign up for a free account with RueLaLa.com by April 25, 2011 and you’ll get a free $20 credit ! Your credit will show up in your account within 48 hours and is valid through May 25, 2011.
When RueLaLa ran this promotion in the past, many of us were able to get high-quality items for free or almost-free after the $20 credit!
Plus, if you share about this deal with your friends (or post about it on your blog or Facebook), you’ll earn a $10 credit in your account if they sign up with your referral link and then place an order with their $20 credit. It’s a wonderful win-win!

Thank you, Money Saving Mom!!

Pretty Big Girl

2011-04-18T04:14:00.001-05:00

via Fat Fashion

I've always been a bigger girl. It's been hard for me because I don't relate myself to "those" "fat" girls who I sees sometimes and admire-I felt like I had to be popular, gorgeous, funny, loud, and obviously aware of my fatness to be able to pull it off. Though I was many of those things, I never felt enough of any of them to fit into that category I had observed and I had created myself. I ALWAYS felt like an average sized girl in a bigger girls body, and therein always battled...

I was round as a child- but active, athletic, competitive and healthy. Taller and a little chubbier than (mostly) all the other girls. In high school and college I went up and down but mostly felt confident, beautiful, healthy and even got down to a size and shape that I felt like a bazillion bucks at. (but had to work out 3hours a day to maintain. Which don't get me wrong I actually LOVE just for fun and feelin good- but is not practical at any other time in my life) Got married, lived a lonely life with an oil man husband and loved on treats and movies a little too much. Created a baby with this amazing, strong, capable body of mine and it changed a bit plus added a little extra ehhh.....

chunky little me on the far right @ 5 or 6

Been trying to get my groove back and become comfortable with myself while continually striving to get healthier and fit...but in the meantime, it's been very hard to find my old self again. Confident, fashion driven, lovin lady. I haven't had a compliment for lookin really cute since I was pregnant. (like REALLY cute- not just oh cute...but oh you look so stylish where'd you get that outfit?)I know that sounds weird cuz I was even bigger then, but it was easier then. I've been reading CJane 's Posts by Janna Dean about weight acceptance and am really learning HOW important RHETORIC is in the way you speak to yourself and your children. I love what I am learning. and I am learning that if I lose weight I may become more confident but it will not make me a "better person." Being thin does not make me good. Being kind, loving, patient, forgiving, charitable, faithful, and hard working does.

And what I am learning is is that I am truly so grateful for this uncomfortable, out of my comfort zone, bigger time in my life, because this healing, educational process of acceptance is going to greatly enrich my value as a mother to not only my daughters, but in teaching my sons the true value of a woman as well.

Thinking of how I will speak to my children about body image, self worth, and the worth of another... my amazing mother in law comes to mind. She is kind, she is faithful, she is patient, she is forgiving, and she is an amazing mother. My husband is the most respectful man I have ever met. She truly taught her children the real worth of all of heavenly father's children and I hope to do the same thing.

While I do not fully embrace the whole fat girl acceptance thing on the web (I do not like that "acceptance" means be sexy and lewd just as much as I don't like when skinny girls talk or present themselves that way- I believe a woman's body is sacred), I do believe that there MUST be a way to dress up this bod of mine that looks more appropriate/ gorg. And as I move forward, I look to these chica's for cute style inspiration and confident example:

Adele via Return to Sender
F21+ (I wanna look like this adorable girl on the front page)

Buttons, Bows,& Brogues- LOVE HER

"normal" sized fashion ladies I love:
Totally Tessa:of course she's cute with a name like that!!
mikaela
karlascloset

... and now that I've stayed up WAY too late looking into, reading and browsing these things... me and my swollen hand are hitting the hay (oh I got into a very serious tether-ball competition today)

Nursery/ Almost Big Girl room

2011-04-16T03:00:00.000-05:00

I stayed up way too late. But I had to do this. I was obsessing and I couldn't move forward on the simple task of painting my little bug's crib until all the plans were squared away. This may look WAY hectic to most people... but to me it all makes sense. It's all going to be VERY close to EXACTLY how I've always wanted it and on a BUDGET! Just wait and see...some of the pieces and to do's:

Decorations:

Pom Pom garland (EASY)

Vintage Fabric Scallop Banner

Vintage Fabric in Embroidery hoops

BUY canvases

Furniture:

Crib- White

Chest- Aqua

Chair- White

Foam Couch Red stripe cover

Textiles:

Crochet Rug

Crochet/Sew Pillows

BUY Sheets

Already Have/ DONE:
crochet blanket
pretty pillow
mattress
vintage little girl photos

2011-04-15T23:38:00.000-05:00


The Little Lady with her and her auntie's Black Apple Dolls

(and the soaps in her hands she got from the bathroom and crawled around with everyday from 8-9 months)

the old door

2011-04-07T01:10:00.000-05:00

So my artsy sixteen year old little brother found this old four paned front door somewhere and has it stashed in my parents backyard... with ALL the other stuff out there. Seeing as he has no home of his own or place to put it at this time, I plan to take it with me when my man and I move all our stuff back to Texas. I've been dreaming up what to do with it. Mirrors in the empty panes sound divine I'm just not sure how to work that. Here's some inspiration.

found here

Funky Junk Interiors: Awesome as a closet door on a track


Funky Junk Interiors: Made into a bed!

Mounted with a gorgeous outdoor fountain. Found on Chateau Couture

Childhood Favorite...Sex Ed

2011-04-07T00:32:00.002-05:00

THIS book.
Adorable.
Simple.
Educational.
Hysterical.
No longer published? Cannot find it anywhere in the internet.
Not Intentionally infringing copyright putting it on here... just wanted to share the joy:)

I remember it being my favorite- but when I opened it up I sure was suprised at how educated I was so young!

You Were as Small As a Dot.

go ahead. ask away little lady.

big girl

2011-04-06T22:41:00.000-05:00

my doll at the park

her daddy's such a pro at taking pictures.

warm spring day

duckies

Dede and Grandpa

dirty knees

smudgy feet

big smiles

Internet Mommy Slang Dictionary

2011-03-20T00:51:00.000-05:00

So, When I was pregnant I'd occasionally go on these pregnancy/ mommy sites... and people post all this junk with abbreviations and I hate that I have no idea what the crap they're talking about!! I mean, it really wasn't that big of a deal in my life... I'm SUPER glad I'm not really into posting on those sites... I just REALLY don't like feeling out of the loop. So here's the down-low and the lame internet mommy lingo. Please let me know if you know any to add!

AF- Auntie Flow (Period)
BF- Breast Feeding
BIL- Brother in Law
BW- Baby Wearing
CD- Cloth Diapering
CIO- Cry It Out
CNO- Couples Night Out
DBF- Dear(Darling) BF
DC- Dear/ Darling Children
DD- Dear/ Darling Daughter
DF- Dear/ Darling Fiance
DGF- Dear/ Darling Girlfriend
DH- Dear/ Darling Husband
DINK- Dual Income No Kids
DN- Date Night
DP- Dear/ Darling Partner
DPO- Days Past Ovulation
DS- Dear/ Darling Son
DW- Dear/ Darling Wife
EBF- Exclusively Breast Fed
FIL- Father in Law
GNO- Girls Night Out
LO- Little One
MIL- Mother In Law
MLM- Mom's Like Me
MNO- Mom's Night Out
MOD- Moderator
SAHM- "Stay at Home Mom"
SIL- Sister in Law
SO- Significant Other
TTC- Trying to Conceive
VAX- Vaccinations
WAHM- Work At Home Mom
XBF- Extended Breastfeeding

So like, I really miss my DH and could use a DN after BF my DD all day long. It's super tiring being a WAHM with no MNO in site. But I seriously love BW and spending every second of the day with my LO. I hate letting her CIO and I'm thinking about CD. And I'm wonderin if AF will come soon. <3

Working. Stitching. Love

2011-03-19T00:45:00.001-05:00

I've been MIA- apologize for anyone who actually reads my blog. Just a little peek at something I'm working on to help my sister open up an etsy shop to pay off student loans. Only trouble is, we're facing the possibility of being unemployed very shortly and this is a Lot of work so.... two separate shops maybe? We've got two different aesthetics and I've taught her how make the patterns on her computer and am willing to do all of her digital design. That sounds good, right?

oh if the stars would only align

2011-03-08T01:03:00.000-06:00

and my bod and my bank account would allow these to adorn me daily...

descriptive words

2011-03-02T20:07:00.000-06:00

"hauntingly beautiful"

This Years Girl on Etsy

"modern rustic"

Living Etc dining set found on Apartment Therapy

Run

2011-02-25T00:55:00.001-06:00

6 months preggo? No 9 months PP. Training for a Marathon (well...half)

On May 1st 2011 I am running my first real race. Mind you I won't be racing anyone in particular except for the ground maybe, and the clock. Gotta finish the half marathon in less than 3 1/2 hours! I just did my first 4 mile run for training in 55min so I'm thinkin maybe I'll make it. I'm also hoping I lose at least 20 lbs in this training process since I'm in this competition through doTERRA, and so that it will get easier and easier to lug this body around. I love that I still look 6 months pregnant. Awesome right? I don't dare post my competition before photos. It was actually quite theraputic to directly confront the body that I have been trying desperately not to see head on for the last 9 months. Instead of being able to cover with drapey dresses, shield my eyes from in the mirror, or quickly delete bad angles on the digital camera, these competition photos had to be face forward, full out confrontational, body 411 kinda stuff. Maybe in two months when it's over and I'm lookin rockin in the afters I'll post the befores (hint they're even worse than this running pic!! well actually, my belly is protruding even more so than natural in this picture... I guess I puff it out when I run). Anyway, wish me luck! I was really inspired by my poetic song choices during my run. Please enjoy and have a good laugh at my action running pic.

I'm in the business of misery,
But God does it feel so good,
It's a matter of time before we all run out,
Well I refuse, I refuse, I refuse!

If I stumble
They're going to eat me alive
Help, I'm alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer
Beating like a hammer

My body stayin vicious
I be up in the gym
Just workin on my fitness
And they be linen down the block
Just to watch what I got

Pain make your way to me, to me.
And I'll always be just so inviting.
If I ever start to think straight,
This heart will start a riot in me,
Let's start, start, hey!

I drowned out all my sense with the sound of its beating.
And that's what you get when you let your heart win!

At least now I can say that I am trying.
And I hope you will forget things I still lack.

Paramore, Misery Business. Metric, Help I'm Alive. Fergie, Fergilicious. Paramore, That's What You Get. Brand New, Sowing Season (Yeah)

Ivory Homes Contest

2011-02-22T22:32:00.000-06:00

Vote for my friend Jen in the Ivory Homes "Ivory Your Style" design contest. She's amazing and she needs to win! "Like" Ivory Homes on Facebook and then "Like" Jen's bedroom make-over!

From Jen:

I think that I should be selected as the winner because I am not limited by one “style”. As an avid blog stalker, HGTV fanatic and obsessive DIY-er, I am always reading about and seeing new and innovative ideas. As you can see from my Master Bedroom Makeover, I would classify my style as vintage with touches of modern, but am not limited to one style of décor. I believe that the most beautiful spaces combine elements of elegant with casual, vintage with modern, classy with comfort. I have the ability to make a space feel personalized and welcoming. I would be honored to be chosen as a winner for Ivory Homes and am confident in my ability to help home buyers envision themselves in their future sanctuaries.

Check out Jen's blog post about her room make-over here and check out her AWESOME BLOG Little Miss Penny Wenny with great tutorials on how she did so many of her great refinishing touches!

Oh Vanity: Hair Post

2011-02-15T22:44:00.007-06:00

I have long hair. It's gorg. I don't do anything with it. I feel a little bit like I've lost myself, nostalgic for college... and I think it's because I don't get glammed up anymore. I'm going to change that.

happy day of love

2011-02-14T23:02:00.001-06:00

to the two i adore most in this world.

bub around 2
(I'm obsessed with his hair- and outfit!
isn't he the cutest thing ever!)

our lady at 8 months

It makes me unbelievably happy how much this little nugget looks like her daddy.... and I bet after a summer at the pool all day she'll be as brown as him too :)

happy day from my love

2011-02-14T00:26:00.002-06:00

Cynthia Rowley Trim- Oh My!

2011-02-11T10:59:00.000-06:00

@ Joanns

Cynthia Rowley got me hooked with her prints and adorable woven blankets at BabysRUsbut with this I am absolutely in LOVE!! Little lady's room needs to look just like this!! I will decorate her entire room around this if I manage to get my hands on some. At $14.99 a yard I can't possibly fathom being ok with getting it anytime soon- even with a 50% off coupon because I want yards and yards and yards! Ok- maybe with a 50% off coupon. Mmm just think of all of the pretty things: pillows, a hair bow, dress trim, an embellished lampshade, so many other beautiful things that I can't even think of... I just NEED it in my stash!

Eating Healthy is FUN!

2011-02-06T23:05:00.002-06:00

I have so many things I'd like to do before my mother in law gets home this Wednesday (we are currently blessed to be living in her home for a few months as my husband's current work stop is in town- sorta. She has been in England this last month welcoming my adorable new nephew and will be back soon! Read about our travels for his job HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and most of all HERE. Basic rundown- We move every 1-3 months, live in hotels, and occasionally baby and I get left behind at mommy or mommy in laws house to save some money).

So, I should be sewing my little heart out as I have full use of her sewing machine and full range of the living room, kitchen table and desk... I should be making DVD's with her AWESOME MacBookPro that has WAY more space on it than the stupid 1.5 GB of space available on my MacBook. I should be doing HW- but that's normal.

source
OBSESSED with this helpful post about explaining healthy food/ having open convos with them about their dislikes.

But alas... a new obsession has taken hold. After having my insides turned out and this total discomfort I have been living with these past two days due to a very meat, cheese, and sugar rich diet (eating out and super bowl festivities)... I've decided to make the change I've REALLY been wanting to make for a while. I would like to change my diet (and in turn my families diet) to focus more on whole foods and LESS meat. Goal number two is difficult for a woman who is married to a Texan- a Texan who will one day be a cattle rancher- a Texan who believes that a meal is not complete without a giant slab of meat as the main attraction. Not that there's anything wrong with him- I love my carnivorous hunk a burnin love- and if he feels good and spritely eatin that way then I will feed him what he loves. But as for me- I would much rather cut meat from my diet all-together, and gradually work it back in (preferably with sustainably raised, small farm animals or wild game). But for now, until we're in our own homestead, with a pantry and a freezer full of staples and time and luxury to hunt for ourselves and raise our animals- I guess I'll just keep cooking meat for my husband and maybe occasional meatless opportunities for me.

By and by (I've been wanting to use that transition for a while:), I'm on a quest for simple, healthy, low-fat, hopefully quick, may be able to be prepared in advance and frozen??? recipes. I've found some GREAT sites.

I found this site for preparing your own babyfood through my friend Cassie this week. Healthy Food for Kids I believe I just found through Cuisine Nie and I'm OBSESSED with it. And I found THIS great Vegan recipe site when I googled "how to have a whole food diet"

I am now planning three weeks of meals and making a detailed grocery list (I need to be well organized to shop my beloved Central Market where I get easily distracted and I have a baby that only lasts a short time shopping!) Recipes I'm excited to try: these Pumpkin Pancakes, this Peanut Eggplant Stew, and this simple Pasta with Goat cheese

when you are still...

2011-02-04T13:58:00.000-06:00

my sweet little doll

relaxed and utterly melted in my arms

the most tender love

in your trusting surrender to sleep

when you are still

not a flinch or a peep

as i brush my lips across your cheek

sweep my fingers through your silken wisps

and gently pinch those tiny little toes

when you are still

Peace in the silence and in the softening

the softening of that ever expressing glowing little face
Serene observation of my precious child in the quieting
the quieting of those ever cheerful squeals
when you are still

the mommy from ten years from now calls to me
forget the laundry, the posts, the sewing that sweet little dress
forget the fancy dinner, the ever present mess
just hold that little squish tight
when she is still

Turquoise LOVE

2011-02-04T12:12:00.001-06:00

source

I've decided it's my favorite color for real. It's funny when all of a sudden you realize your "favorite" color just because a formality, something your just used to saying... and in reality your day dreaming about this other color all the time.Goodbye purple. I don't know how people can have lifelong favorite colors... that's weird to me. Though red may come close- it's my all-time 2nd. Anyway, some awesome home-decor pictures I've found. I'm the biggest fan around of turquoise and red together-so I think some of this are just red. (smile)

source

source. That turquoise couch is utter perfection, nevermind that I adore the entire room. And I DIE over that kitchen floor!

source

OBSESSED. source

source

cabin fever

2011-02-03T02:49:00.005-06:00

Someone get that girl some Peppermint and some Melissa Oil! She's got the fever!

Just kidding. (giggles).

Where we currently live is has been snowing/ ice storming and the whole world seems frozen solid. A lot of people in the country are getting this storm right now but the difference is: here this is a once a year craziness and everyone becomes a hermit (the street clearing situation isn't the greatest when you live in a place where its 78 degrees one day and 16 degrees three days later). Today mostly all of our pipes froze. Little lady and I used water from bottles and from the dripping bathtub to wash our hands and cook whatever we needed to cook with water. Oh, and to drink, duh. We stayed in our sweatsy suits all day for the second day (looking at a third tomorrow), and we didn't even think about going in the car. Here's how we passed the time:

1. PhotoBooth

2. 10 minutes of snow play:

3. Banging on glass doors

do you like my outfit? I have a red onesie on under all this too. Mommy dressed me wonky today

4. And of course... Dancing to Michael Jackson. This is one of our new favorite activities.

miss morgan

2011-02-03T01:21:00.002-06:00

my sister and I circa 1993. I miss her

A poem for my sister the English professor (in training). Emily Dickensen I am not- but it's the thought that counts- no?

No- not just a brainiac call her

For she is definitely a full blown NERD

Oh, and Don't you ever try to wake her

Trust me- I try- she can ne'er be stirred

Full of wit and strength and chuckles

And style to make all look twice

Those big eyes, the boys knee buckles

And the girls all gather round 'cause she's nice

A still untouched rose in a hurricane

through the whirlwind she dug down her roots

they grew deep through the floor boards and sutured her

to her warm bed reading books in her boots

Now here she lays quietly, a child of the word

Waiting patiently, humming and stitching

While she absorbs all who need to be heard

name name name: POST EDIT

2011-02-02T00:57:00.000-06:00

I'm totally sitting here racking my brain for a clever idea. Wasting time as I have two computers with 5 programs open on each and many tasks started here at my little desk... But my main task at the moment is this revamp... I'm starting fresh, starting new. Cleaner lines, nicer pictures, more tutorials, more giveaways, more blog traffic... thus I've stumbled upon a dilemma. My blog name is not searchable. Too broad ( "The Lady" is both a name for an English periodical and various private porno girl's sites- Gag me), too impersonal. But what is personal to me? I think I just nailed it. Journal sesh a success! I guess you'll see the new me before you even read this! Oh the irony!

POST EDIT: Just kidding. The names are all taken :( I was going to be Mrs. Bubba

little lady, Phone Home

2011-02-01T23:32:00.000-06:00

Picture I just found on my FIL's external of the lady at 2 months

E.T. the extra terrestrail

Seriously???! I mean, I thought it all the time when she was little but her little olive-y mexi skin and that bald head... Gee I did NOT realize just how much our little lady looked like ET when she was little. I'm about to pee my pants.

my bug

2011-01-28T19:08:00.000-06:00

These were accidents...but I'm obsessed with them. I love this little nugget. Every day she makes me love life, myself, and my husband a little more. She has got so much personality that makes her so wonderfully herself. She wiggles. Doesn't snuggle (except when she's sick or extra cold- and everytime she does it's extra special). She never squeaked as a baby. Screached. She is very independent but cries equally for her mommy and daddy. She kicks and screams at the vacuum. Loves it. She falls and hits her head at least ten times daily, but cries about it only about twice. She's one tough cookie. Frequently, she crawls on over to mama with smiles and a face full of drool and its only then that I see a random big scratch or huge new red spot/ bruise/ goose egg. She eats paper, sticks, grass, adores being outside, and is very content playing by herself with toys as long as there are other people (even better if there are other kids) sitting/ playing around her. I can't get enough of her little cheeks, her laugh, her thighs. She's my best friend. I'm eatin it up while I can.

Check out letters to my little lady on Letters To Willow: Memoirs of a New Mama

Vintage Cane chairs: POST EDIT

2011-01-26T01:09:00.000-06:00

So... still house-less- never been"homeless" perse but definately house-less for the last 2 years (took my baby to the storage unit for the first time today actually and she got to see the family couches/ everything else). For some annoying reason I'm nesting like cray cray. Probably because I'm less than a mile from my storage unit and I know whatever I get I can just stuff in there for when I finally do have a house to make our home. So, I suddenly (can't remember what set me off) developed an obsession with repainted/upolstered cane chairs. (learned that's what they were called last night). So, I found an amazing one on craigslist but since I wasn't hearing from the woman like NOW I just HAD to go antiquing to see what I could find. So, I got a great little number but then she emailed me back saying she could meet up tomorrow! So, I may have two projects on my hands!Yippee! The one I got today was a strait back with arm rests and the one I will score tomorrow is a curved back similar to the ones in these pictures. Some inspiration on how to make over. I'm thinking the dining chair will be in black with this AMAZING gray fabric I got at ikea for SO cheap and the little ladies chair will be white with green or turquoise velvet :

EDIT: Here are my chairs!!

And here's my inspiration (So far):


I really really love this contrast of white on black with black piping. If I weren't doing my round chair for willow's room I'd do this .source

Or this. I'm obsessed with this black with red velvet- especially how it doesn't look gothic but classy. source

source

A makeover by Jayne Bramley, featured on Design*Sponge found here

source

Number 1!

2011-01-26T00:20:00.000-06:00

The little lady turns one in 4 months! Time to start brainstorming!

I'm OBSESSED with this cake I found via Australia Entertains

While searching for Circus themed cakes I found some great idea's HERE:

For circus invitations we had clowns with balloons in the party colors at the bottom and said "To celebrate Amelia's Thrid Birthday the circus is in town, hip hip hooray. Join us under the big top for some clowning around on date/time/place. Ringmaster RSVP xxx-xxxx".
Circus decorations at the party included a circus tent made from party colored streamers in the carport; balloons in same colors everywhere. I got circus bulletin board pieces from an educational supply store and put those all over the walls in thecarport as well. There were also stuffed monkeys hanging on trapeze from the 'tent top'.
We had a popcorn machine, hot dogs with chili and chips and cracker jacks for food.
Circus party goody bags were actual popcorn bags filled with a bag of cracker jacks, circus theme animal stickers and stamps, and a circus theme animal foam mask as well as cotton candy.

Circus Party Mosaic from Australia Entertains

The next 2 collages via Living Locurto

Dream Cakes:


source

LOVE THIS ONE


ADORE this one too. Maybe I could learn fondant in the next 4 months? If we live where we'd love to settle by her birthday I can order it from them! source

Do-able Cakes?:

source


source

Vintage Quilts

2011-01-25T23:32:00.000-06:00

My friend J or "Aunt Spicy" is a collector of all fabrics and trims beautiful, quilter extraordinaire, fancy treats maker, and bonified world traveler. She's basically Martha Stewart. I was just searching her blog for chairs I swear I once saw that she refinished and stumbled upon this beauty. I love love love these modern looking vintage quilt squares. I want to make some! hope I can figure out how and then how to quilt them together!

doTERRA sweets recipe #1:

2011-01-24T02:00:00.000-06:00

I'm a genius!

Where I come from, folks go crazy over these:

It's weird, growing up I wasn't the biggest fan, and actually I think the only reason I liked them at all was the whole whack them on the table and they go into slices thing.

But for some reason tonight I had the urge to make some sweet with some of my very natural, potent, tasty doTERRA oils. So, off to my mother in laws food storage room/ grocery store where I found Betty Crocker Devil's Foodcake mix and a can of diet coke. Mix, bake, cool...off to the frosting.

Found this great Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe here at the Cupcake Project. Whipped it up (with only 2 cups powdered sugar since I'm using it as cake frosting, not cupcake frosting), dropped in 3 drops of Wild Orange doTERRA essential oil, whipped, frosted, and decorated with some toasted sliced almonds and mandarin orange slices.

I get lazy when I'm decorating my experiments so if I ever made this again I would actually make it 2 tiers higher (1 more box of cake- and there was actually enough frosting for this) and be a little more thoughtful in toppings.

Idea for future endevour: Cupcakes inspired by my favorite chocolate treat (York Peppermint Patty) with Betty's Dark Chocolate and doTERRA's peppermint.

Fabric Letter Gift

2010-12-12T16:08:00.000-06:00

Anthropologie charges 14.99 for these fabric letters. Not bad, but when you want a whole word, kinda spensy. Also, I don't like that you have no control over what fabric you get on which letter. So imagine my chagrin when I found this tutorial by Lele from Just Showed Up.


Letters from Anthropologie in little lady's room.

Lele's letter's from her tutorial.

I was super frustrated for a second that she didnt get into more detail about how in the world to wrap hard letters like an A- then realized she had mostly easy letters with "Olivia" and didnt encounter such a thing. I'm sorry, I don't have a tutorial for wrapping the fabric around "A" either- woops. It's so fun trying to figure it out on your own though!

Sorry, I have some other cute fabric on the whole word but can't show the whole thing just in case the person who's receiving this gift reads this blog! (though I am not sure they do! Just wanna be safe!)

I decided with my letters to use contrasting fabric around the sides like Anthropologie does. I like it both ways, just depends on what project you are doing.

Granny Square's, oh my!

2010-12-12T15:52:00.000-06:00

I will be making some very special granny square blankets this year:) and here's some inspiration for the task.


the first granny square blanket I've made for my little babe.

 And some great Ideas for more!

oh the cleverness of me!- peter pan

2010-12-12T15:31:00.001-06:00

I fear I am not clever anymore. When I was dating my husband, engaged, even newly married I had all these great ideas of cute, simple things to do/ make for him. In high school, we all hear stories of and perform our own crazy creative little gimmicks to ask a boy to Saddie Hawkins or to celebrate some minor teenager-y advancement in a relationship. I had so many great ideas back then. Mind you, I'm an adult now and I don't really think a banner hanging from an overpass with some cute little riddle asking my own husband to dinner with me would be appropriate- but I do think that some of that fun needs to be instilled somehow, right? It's hard because now, as married folks we spend most of our time together anyway; with scheduled date nights, babysitters to hire, and all that jazz- so how do you do you make that more exciting and fresh? Really, I'm asking for ideas here. I'm also talking myself through it to try to figure out some ways on my own.

Family History: Creative Family Trees

2010-11-22T14:12:00.000-06:00

My Grandmother (the cutest baby in the little German outfit, far right).

Boy do I wish someone still had that little German outfit somewhere to dress my baby up in.

A few years ago (at least it feels like it- it may be a little more than a few) my parents helped me get a new laptop for school and it came with an HP printer that included a scanner. So, when my mom pulled out all these old family photos that were her mother's I offered to scan them and save them onto the computer. Looking the through photos, imagining and romanticizing the lives of all of my relatives as I swooned over the "vintage" photos a fire was lit within me to find a deeper connection with where and who it is I come from. Specifically, my mother's family and our farming and German Heritage. (My father's family has been extensively researched by other family members and it's a little tough to get motivated to find things before the late 1700's). Blessedly, that following year I was scheduled to take a Family History Course at my University where the most extensive Geneological Library (aside from the one in Salt Lake City, UT) in the world is located.

I was on fire! I devoured the old script descriptions of the census, worked for hours on end in the basement library seeking aid from the knowledgeable senior volunteers like a sleuth in a black and white thriller. And now with all the knowledge under my belt (and more constantly coming in as I continue to search)...how to display these findings and instill that passion in my own children?

Some great ideas:

Heirloom Illustration by Simple Sweet Design

bird family tree by Modern Repeat

great modern hand stamped and silk screened design by cozy blue

Digital Family Tree by i shoot nouns

note to self: make this bathing suit

2010-11-20T22:42:00.000-06:00

My Baby Jo Suit

My favorite bathing suits come from My Baby Jo.

I've bought two from them in the last 6 years and I LOVE them. for a time a bunch of us girls had them and it was fun seeing our personalities through our different fabrics when we all showed up in the same suit: Gracie in her blue with cherries, Megan in classy black, Katherine in Polka dot and me in leopard print. Now, my suit is white with black polka dots... but after a pregnancy (wore it til 6 months) and an even larger body post-pregnancy stretching it out... I'm thinking it won't really fit great next summer when my bod's the bomb.com. (I'm not just all talk. I've lost 25 lbs in 6 months and have got 38 to lose in the next 6 to reach my goal weight before my baby is 1! is that too ambitious?) So anyway, I'll need a new suit. And since I'll be in a house by then (crossing fingers), with a new, working sewing machine (crossing fingers), and don't want to spend $75 for a suit again....I'm going to use Burda's FREE pattern, go downtown to Michael Levine's to get some killer lycra and make my own!

leather belts inspiration

2010-11-19T22:58:00.000-06:00

2 cute belts from Anthropologie

vintage french bow belt from bOmode

romantic gold and white saddle belt by AyeletShachar

pink knot belt by Elizabeth Kelly

brown suede bow belt by darlingtonia

I've seen so many beautiful belts lately that make me want to make my own leather belts so badly!the local craft store has awesome leather too!

I'm trying not to want but...Christmas List anyways

2010-11-18T19:52:00.000-06:00

Hand Woven leather Handbag by Mar Design

Japanese Pattern book

alice in autumn @ anthropologie

dominos!!! I love me some Mexican train!

Goody Spin Pin- $5.99 @ Target
I still haven't tried this but I saw the commercial an about died! I'm the mom with long hair and I wear my hair in a variety of messy buns almost every day! I cannnnnot wait to try this. Might be the most exciting thing on my list!

Hazelnut Prince Polo Chocolate Wafer Bars... Just discovered these at the local super market... guess there's a lot of Polish people here... I'm obsessed! It's like a kit kat mixed with a ferrera rochet ball!YUM!

embellish a knit inspiration

2010-11-18T18:47:00.000-06:00

My friend Bethany of lil bit and Nan is participating in Grosgrain's Embellish a knit month. The girl of Grosgrain is embelishing one knit a day, but Bethany is embarking on a more do-able one knit a month. I, myself would LOVE to be participating in this, and I would probably aim for the in between one knit a week- but since I currently am living on the road with my husband and babe with very few clothes/ supplies (and no longer have any sewing machine at all)- I am simply blog stalking everyone and seeking out very good ideas for the one day I actually can do this. It's actually quite exciting since I have SO many sweaters ans many many pieces of clothing in storage I don't even remember I have and one day will have some really great resources for this. anyway, check these out! Anthropologie old and new.

fresh picked fabrics

2010-09-18T18:21:00.000-05:00

So, in March at my babyshower with all of my girlfriends from college, my dear dear friend macy (who just moved to town and was getting ready to go back to school and living the gypsy life in her car and on couches) gave me a GREAT gift of $40 to her mother's AWESOME quilt shop Fresh Picked Fabrics.

Fresh Picked Fabrics

3810 Prospect Ave #A

Yorba Linda, CA 92886

714-223-1701

Lucky, lucky me... a few months later here I am living just a short drive away from her mom Gina's awesome shop here in Orange County! I had a blast picking out a quilt I wanted to make for my dear little Willow, and I was treated like a queen! I've always loved Gina, but she definately spoiled me today at her shop by grabbing THIS lovely Amy Butler bag as her gift to me on my way out! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?! She rocks! and so does this bag! I LOVE it! Check out Gina's awesome shop if you're in the area or her shop blog!

baby legs and more

2010-09-14T02:20:00.000-05:00

my adorable little lady in her new pink polka baby legs:)

I don't make my own tutorials. I'm too impatient to stop and take all the pictures and stuff as I'm working... or maybe I just don't have the time with a 3 month old who's teething...hmmm. Regardless I LOVE finding tutorials and LINKING you to the good ones! I saw on my friend Bethany's Blog some GREAT tutorials for little girl things and got obsessed with the idea of making baby leg warmers...especially because lately I've been getting worried all her 3-6 month clothes are so summery and she's going to freeze :( So these are PERFECT!

Baby Leg Warmer Tutorial

the socks I started with, cut and ready to go.

JAPAN!!!

2010-09-14T01:25:00.000-05:00

I'm obsessed with everything regarding fashion/ design that's Japanese right now. Blessedly, we are currently living (on our adventure, never-ending road-trip of a life) down the street from Disneyland and my parents decided to buy me an annual pass for use of taking long walks and riding rides with my baby while daddy's at work. Lucky for me, this means I get to check out all the of the fashion of the decked out asian tourists.... check back tomorrow for some goodies :)

But even before this grand adventure we call Orange County, I've been lusting after Japanese baby treats from here:

dobutsu baby leggings @:

Oliebollen

And Japanese Clothing Pattern Books on Etsy:

by lilymeru on etsy

I'm just saving all these ideas and links for when I'm settled with a craft room of my own to go to town some day. For now, I'll stick to little projects.

Small Craft Online Class

2010-09-14T01:06:00.000-05:00

= what I would be signing up for PRONTO if I could convince husband that I NEEDED to spend the $60 on this and if I had a home in which to work on such things/ store them til my baby girl is big enough to appreciate/ use them. 30 Kid/Baby projects, 6 weeks, lots of fun :)

http://www.redvelvetart.com/small-craft-class

vintage dolly fabric

2010-08-17T15:14:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to make these for my baby's first christmas!!! They may not be age appropriate (she'll only be 7 months) but I ordered the fabric to make them anyway. The fabric is called Aunt Lindy's Paper Doll and the smaller set are paper dolls (which i think I'm going to back with felt to use on a felt board) and the bigger ones are ready to be made into dolls! (kind of like those flat, stuffed, home-made care bears back in the day)

oh baby baby

2010-07-26T17:15:00.000-05:00

life with a 2 month old is a bit insane. Especially with a husband working out of town and having NO time to get things done. Miraculously, I've managed to actually do a lot considering my circumstances thanks mostly to my Ergo. (see next post about the ergo). Anywho... couple crafts coming up before I no longer have my mother's sewing machine to my disposal. I've been looking all over for a diaper cover pattern (even attempted to make my own).. and found it HERE at my fave site Prudent Baby.

Also, was at Kohl's the other day and saw this little gem. I'm in love with monsters for kids, and I know, this is only $13 and would be way easier just to buy. But I got the greatest idea for my nephew for Christmas! I'm going to commission a monster drawing from him when I'm hangin with him in August, and recreate his monster in Towel form!!! how fun huh? I'll it you know how it goes.

the little lady

2010-07-03T02:20:00.000-05:00

3 weeks ago at 14 days old.

Super

2010-06-23T23:13:00.001-05:00

I am super mom. I triumph over frequent feedings, going potty with a
baby in my arms, bad tummyaches, exhaustion, and irritability. I
sustain the life of another while still living my own. I feel most
beautiful when my hair is somewhat in place and my clothes sort of
match despite the trail of putrid spit up strewn across my chest. I
enrich the life of an angel. When she smiles, when she sleeps, even
when she farts: I am victorious.

I used to take two showers a day.now I struggle to get in my one.
Yesterday it was 4 minutes and I got it all done. When you become a
mom you learn that game you'll soon do with your kids "let's race. See
how fast you can get done with your chores"- because that is what your
life becomes, a race to do it all before she dictates what's goin on
again.

Advice to my lady: do not travel in a skirt.

Sent from my iPhone

Living imbelical chord

2010-06-23T23:12:00.001-05:00

Living imbelical chord
There's much irony in being a mother. Today I was pondering the catch
22 of nearly every mommy/ baby sickness. Here's what I mean by this:
we are so codependant on one another it's like we're still attached.
You know, kinda like on Avatar "make the connection!" like the
imbelical chord was never cut.
I started thinking about this today after a little reading up on my
sweet little lady's baby acne. My mom said she read in the baby books
it's the estrogen from inside me toward the end of pregnancy purging
itself from her body. Last nigh on the Internet, I read that while
they're not sure exactly what causes it, they have some suspicions
that medications taken by the nursing mother may affect and even cause
cases of baby acne. So it led me to think... Well...
It started with a bad latch. Which led to cracked, injured nipples.
Add a little bacteria laced saliva from baby. Which causes mastitis.
Which leads to intake by mama of antibiotics and pain relievers. Which
leads to intake by baby of medication filled milk. Which leads to baby
acne. Which makes mommy sad and feel like she's greasy and breaking
out too (and like a big jerk for even thinking of herself).
Don't even get me started on nearly every communicable virus,
bacterial infection, and of course the nursing mommy/ baby curse of
yeast and thrush (knock on wood). That all being said- I'm so GrATEFUL
we're both healthy and our greatest woes have been a pain filled
mammary gland and a poor complexion. We're so blessed.
We are one- still. No imbelical chord needed.
Oh the joy of being a mother.

Sent from my iPhone

The You In Me

2010-06-23T23:09:00.001-05:00

Yesterday it started. I saw myself in your eyes for the very first
time. It was so strange and so powerful and so starling to me. Is this
what it feels like to have a twin? Or to go back in time? A silly
first thought. But really- I felt as if I were looking in a time
changing mirror- taken back to 1987 and staring deeply into my own
wide open shady-blue, almond eyes. It's so amazing what has happened
in the last week. Suddenly you see me. And your gaze is so powerful.
Deep, imploring, dependant and pure. I want to be better when your
eyes capture mine. I want you to smile seeing the same purity, trust,
love, and hope I see in your new world eyes. I see myself in you and I
feel reborn through your birth. It's amazing just from your gaze the
revelation that it's never too late to start fresh. To become as a
child, meek and humble. You are such a light and heavenly father
placed you in my arms at no better time. Though I say I wasn't ready,
and that I couldn't have been prepared for the sudden neccesary hard
work, selflessness, and restlessness that this new station requires of
me, I'm so grateful He thought so much of me to make me your mother.
Sent from my iPhone

2010-06-16T17:39:00.000-05:00

more mommy-made clothes for the lady

2010-06-16T13:10:00.000-05:00

the lady's room

2010-06-16T12:46:00.000-05:00

well... sort of. her portions of the room we all share. We currently live in a one bedroom apartment since our situation is temporary. But I couldn't help my nesting instinct to give her a little space of her own. The coolest thing while looking at these pictures is, I realize how much I really did accomplish. I had so many things I wanted to do on my own/ make her... and I felt like I barely made a dent. But then I realized, most of the stuff in this room is made by me. Props to me.

little shoes I made from this tutorial/ pattern and little luggage from Paper Source.

the little lady's bow holder and all of our hair clips and pins

i made a whole bunch of these cool canvas boards my freshman year in college to try to sell as craft room organizers (I used a couple myself too). They were great with nails to hold spools of thread and hooks to hand trim and things... I found this one in storage at my parents house (with a couple others) and decided to make it a little nicer by removing the nails and adding some of the sale anthropologie knobs that I have been hoarding. Cute little display above her bed of some of her cutest little things.

cradle I found at Sal Arm and refinished with red paint, bumpers made by me and remember this blog entry here? I finished this granny square afghan for my lady and I LOVE and I also completed the doily pillow but I don't love quite as much. I really wanted to use the mustard yellow color underneath but couldn't find my fabric (found it after I finished) that color and used the pink that I had :(

eight headbands I made, two gifted, and one from when I was a baby.
oh and adorable little hat box by lily of london from Target.

And this is an INCREDIBLE dresser that matches EXACTLY the decor I really really wanted for her room. If we were already settled in Austin (where we want to settle one day and where this beautiful dresser is located... I'd snatch it up in a second). Found on Etsy by apartment28

Showered with Pressies

2010-06-16T12:24:00.000-05:00

Oh yes my little lady was. Here's some very belated pics from my two amazing showers that I had in Provo and good ole Agoura.

My shower in Provo was at Meg's cute little cottage and it was great to see so many friends! I'm so grateful to Jenni and Charla for taking these pictures. We mad onesies, played some rockin games, and ate the yummiest treats! (Meg's chocolate bundt cake with chocolate gnash).

In Agoura I was so blessed to have the som of my favorite ladies throw me an adorable shower at Cassaundra's house. Gee, her house is great. I'm in love with all her things, and her decorating ability in general. You can see from these sweet detail photos from my shower how stinking talented she is. Sadly, I did not bring my own camera or assign a party photographer so I do not have in my possession any photographs of the event with humans in them. I am kind of bummed about that, I must admit. I looked really cute that day too, and so many great ladies were there. I know my aunt Nelly at least got a pic of my with my mom and sister. Maybe one day I'll get a hold of it. Anywho.. look how adorable my party was! (Thanks to Cassaundra for taking these awesome pics of her awesome decor so I at least have SOME documentation of the great day!)

Introducing:

2010-06-13T12:23:00.000-05:00

The Little Lady

Willow Emmarie Aranda

May 29, 2010

8 pounds 2 ounces

Hotels Combined is so GENEROUS!!

2010-06-13T12:10:00.000-05:00

My friend Joy is doing the Avon Breast Cancer Walk and this Website HOTELS COMBINED has an awesome charity program in which they give significant amounts of money for doing very simple things on the web- such as a blog post like this! You can also LIKE their facebook page and they will donate $5 to a charity of your choice! How awesome huh?! Feel like making a difference today? It's as easy as a click of your mouse.

Quick Knitted Dress Tutorial

2010-05-28T01:39:00.000-05:00

I made this yesterday as a last few days bein preggo/ hopefully cute post pardum dress. I was feeling crafty and procrastinating homework. It only took me about 3 hours (and I was doing other things too).

Sorry, I'm not good at tutorials...I usually just post what I've done and say- look what I did. But some may be able to follow this hasty explanation. Here goes:

1st: bought fabric at Michael Levine's (across the street and upstairs) discount shop in Downtown L.A got TONS of fabric because it's $2 lb.

2nd. traced a sleeveless shirt I like the fit of onto freezer paper. Figured the length I wanted was about 1/3 the length of the shirt. Added 5/8 seam allowances and cut out pattern.

3rd: Used another shirt with sleeve length I liked to make sleeve pattern that matched up with the armholes of the already made front and back of bodice.

4th: (the reason for using freezer paper) Iron the freezer paper pattern onto fabric (NO PINNING NECESSARY!) and cut out bodice from fabric.

5th: cut two pieces of the salmon material about 40" in length and double my waist measurement in width. Cut two more long pieces for tie about 36"x 6"

6th: sewed the bodice together.

7th: sewed the sides of the bottom together

8th: gathered the skirt to 1/2 its width (so it'll match up with bottom of bodice)

9th: sewed bodice to skirt

10th: took out a couple inches of the right side seam on the bodice and a couple inches on the skirt and inserted the tie and sewed the side seam back together.

Make sense? It was really easy, though I doubt these really quick instructions are very helpful. Maybe I should sell them or have a class or something.

shopping bug?

2010-05-26T14:16:00.000-05:00

Maybe it's the changing of the season, maybe it's the prospect of having my body back (I know it'll be a while)... but I've suddenly been bitten with the shopping bug and that's all I want to do. I've felt deprived of style these last couple months as EVEN LESS clothes fit me every day. (I basically have 5 shirts and 3 skirts I wear over and over). So...anywho... I will just online shop and covet everything I see :) I'm REALLY wanting to have a thrift day to find stuff to redo and make cute. But that's probably not a good idea right now. Oye!

forever21

anthropologie

mod cloth

Target

red haired, green eyed beauty

2010-05-26T13:11:00.000-05:00

(so... I don't think it needs to be said that I don't love this lady... her hair is just SO pretty in this pic)

I had a dream the other night that my newborn babe greeted me warmly with beautiful auburn locks and shockingly piercing green eyes. I was SO in love with her. (That'd truly be my dream baby, but she will be regardless of course!) When I woke up what it really made me obsess over was how much I suddenly wanted to have red hair and bright green contacts. Haha. I can live without the contacts- my bluish-green eyes are pretty rockin sometimes... but the HAIR... I can't get over it.

Why do I always want to dye my hair when I'm already very happy with the color I have???

(my hair is as close to natural as it has been in 9 years-with like 3" roots and no color in 5 months and it's so pretty!)

Wo is me! What do I do!

doll making inspiration

2010-05-14T21:40:00.000-05:00

hot mama style

2010-05-14T14:11:00.000-05:00

If I had a slightly different body this summer (like didn't just have a baby) I'd be wearing this sweet suit from anthropologie!

maybe next year when I've run off all the baby weight?

in love...

2010-05-14T02:45:00.000-05:00

with etsy's front page right now. I'm such a girl.

New SHOP: ilaju baby

2010-05-13T19:52:00.000-05:00

ilaju baby

probably a little crazy to start a shop when I'm expecting a baby any day now but this has been a looong time coming (I've had completed merchandise and supplies to make other things for WAY too long) and I'm FINALLY getting on it. I'll set it to vacation mode as soon as the contractions start coming... but in the meantime- shop away, and tell your friends!

little bo-baby

2010-05-13T18:30:00.000-05:00

another little treat that I made for my doll recently

and a little treat I made her that will also be appearing tonight in my new baby SHOP!

Hooray for Mail!

2010-05-10T21:38:00.000-05:00

look what came in the mail today!!! (oh and I got from courtney and I got at Kohl's for free!)

Best Mail day ever!!! Made my day!!!

ADORABLE door hanger pillow from Court :),

Petunia Picklebottom Diaper Bag (discounted on amazon),

the Ensign magazine I've been anxiously waiting for since I subscribed in February,

THESE sweet little booties,

and this adorable 4th of July jumper for the little lady that I got for FREE at Kohl's with my $10 Kohl's cash!!! HAPPY HAPPY DAY!

discount clips up on etsy!

2010-04-29T19:58:00.000-05:00

delica.tess.n

Vintage Items for Sale

2010-04-29T19:35:00.000-05:00

in my etsy shop! I don't have much (and I realize my pictures are TERRIBLE) but these are pretty cute.

oh dolly

2010-04-29T19:33:00.000-05:00

as a mommy to be (and a true little girl at heart...) I'm in love with this blog.
Doll of the Day

boots

2010-04-29T11:57:00.000-05:00

baby girl wants these. she will get them soon once i finally post stuff on etsy and sell something. she wants to wear them home from the hospital. the end

adorable baby clothes!

2010-04-26T18:01:00.000-05:00

Kawaii Kids
is full of some of the most fun, unique, well priced little baby and children's clothes around!

<3 these!

The only unfortunate thing is that it is an Australian company so shipping is $20 for everything (flat rate, so I think that means you should buy a lot so it'll be just $20 all together) But SO worth it!

some sweet things

2010-04-19T18:21:00.000-05:00

hat by mojo spa style
dolly
by cocoon designs

So, having not blogged in forever I figure I should post some pictures from my desktop so I can clear it out and add more crafts to my to-do list before lady gets here. I figure why not, right? Anywho... I'm simply in love with Mojo Spa style's entire Etsy shop, but this beret made me wanna die! I need it! Well, it sold, so I can't have it but i want to make one! I love everything about it, the colors, the perfect bow, the adorable lady wearing it...I just wish thrift shops were as great here as in Utah and I could find myself some nice soft sweaters to cut up. Also need some recycled sweater-age to make this lovely little doll for my lady! A while ago I printed out The Black Apple doll pattern from the Martha Stewart website and wanted to make that but I think I want to do a sort of mix of the two. Anywho... hope you're having a happy day! Wishing I could craft and signing off to do some homework!

<3 Tessa Marie

sweet dress giveaway from dear lillie!!!

2010-04-09T11:27:00.000-05:00

I LOVE this dress. So simple and sweet and you can WIN it!! Go to dearlillieblog.blogspot.com HERE to enter for your chance to win the Adeline dress in color of your choice!

project!!

2010-04-07T09:07:00.001-05:00

Thought I'd post a little project, though the pictures don't do it justice, sadly. I swear the after really does look better. Just a worse photograph. Don't mind the beautiful magic of the tele. The cute mirror is currently behind the TV on the wall since we got a TV and I havent had time to move it somewhere else.

altered anthro inspired dress for ma lady

2010-04-07T08:51:00.000-05:00

I mentioned a million years ago in this post about a little girls dress I saw embellished that I LOVED and reminded me of the Winter time baby lines that anthropology carries (I still kind of wish I'd bought my lady that little blue and gold dress when it was still there- but I couldnt convince myself even $40 on sale was worth it). I really do wish I had the original post so you can go look at what this lady did- her little dress was so sweet. Though I'm kind of glad I don't because it allowed me more freedom in creating mine and I wasn't comparing mine to hers. Anyway, I was on the hunt for a simple yet well made knitted dress to start with. Of course, the perfect dress was found months and months ago at my mother's work, Old Navy, but I still couldn't swing paying $25 for a dress that was just the base for something else...so... we waited and a few months later it went on sale for $8 and there were just 2 left! And lucky me, one was size 6-12 months! woo hoo!!! (P.S. I had a dream last night my baby was 16 lbs!!! right now!!! ya! ridiculous...) So, here's the before and after!

cutest baby clothes

2010-03-21T04:22:00.000-05:00

so here's some little numbers I whipped up for a cute girly's soon to come little lady- which she got at her shower today and seemed to be pleased with :)

and here's a little treasure I stumbled upon today at The Paper Source and just couldn't resist. This is the most Awesome gift EVER and something I'd be obsessed with and BFFL with anyone who got it for me. So... got it for...myself? I really have a friend that I think will appreciate it's awesomeness but I already made her babe a little somethin. I'm thinkin I'm gonna have to go pick her up another one and give this little pres to my husband for his birthday for the baby:) It's just toooooooo neat.

tee shirt by Wry Baby

Prudent Baby

2010-02-16T04:11:00.000-06:00

Love this Website. Check it out.

I've been searching everywhere for good lullaby playlists for baby. You know like music that will sooth baby but also make me happy? (Martha Stewart has one and there's others online elsewhere too) this blog has the greatest little love song lullabies on this post.

♡ thrift

2010-02-13T23:27:00.000-06:00

So today I was already out and decided to keep runnin around town while I waited for a friend to let me know when we were meeting for dinner... (Since my house is in the boonies). I stopped by a few thrift shops and got little lady the SWEETEST little dress EVER, then at Salvation Army found some tea cups, an adorable orange ceramic vase (which I might sell because orange just isn't really my home decor kinda thing), and THESE amazing 1950's art deco book ends by Earl Bernard!

I'm not quite sure if I'm going to keep these for little lady's room (someday, when she has one of her own)...or sell them. Please excuse the very annoying little star/flower things on the picture I got this picture online. The only difference in mine (and the only thing that might deter me from selling them) is that one of the book ends has a large crack through her hat that looks like it was glued back together and the top of the blue background is chipping off a bit. Otherwise, SO adorable, huh? I looked up Mr. Bernard and honestly, these aren't even the cutest.. he has SO many adorable book ends- this one made me die!
Oh what I'd give to trade!

Baby Daddy

2010-02-07T18:52:00.000-06:00

I get weekly emails from baby center and this week there was a link for this article on the Top Seven Fears of Expectant Fathers. The entire thing was very interesting and made me smile and giggle, and even get a little teary eyed. This was my favorite one... it's something I NEVER even imagined was something normal that a lot of men go through but I love the way it goes into the psychology of a baby daddy not being able to fathom how Divine and Miraculous an event has just happened and that HE was a part of it. It made my heart swell just thinking about my hunny on that day 3.5 months from now:

Paternity fears

About half the new and expectant dads I interviewed eventually came around to admitting they had fleeting thoughts that they weren't really the baby's father. But if you ask them whether they suspect that their wife had an affair, they're insulted and hurt. On a logical level, it's a disconnect, but on an emotional level something else is going on. He's dwelling on his own inadequacies: "It's too monumental, too godlike, being part of the creation of life. Someone bigger than me must have done it."

One of the fathers I encountered was this interesting guy with bright red hair, freckles, and a crooked smile. His baby had bright red hair, freckles, and a crooked smile. And he said with a straight face, "I wonder if my wife was unfaithful." But he went on: "It just seemed — I don't know — this was too good, too miraculous to happen to me."

Free Couch?

2010-02-05T01:30:00.000-06:00

So... Predicament. A little bit OBSESSING over refinishing furniture and getting stuff for free/ cheap lately. Decided to look on craigslist for...well whatever I could get my grubby little paws on (even though there's a line a sweet old piece has to wait in to be refinished.. and there are 3 other guys lined up first). And I found this AMAZING couch!!!
I'm simply in LOVE with that sleek, modern, vintage design!
I'm SO tempted to go get it but
#1. We really have nowhere to put it til we move in a couple weeks
#2 check out this description:
"This is a nice vintage piece if you have the time and money for re-upholstery. I can't afford to do it and now I'm moving, so I can't store it anymore.
Sorry, I don't have a working camera, but I found some photos on the internet to give you a good idea of what to expect. Please remember: the photos below are NOT photos of the couch I'm giving away. These photos are merely a reference tool.
The first photo shows the general shape of the couch. Some of the tufting is different, but the frame/construction is the same. The couch I'm giving away is an aqua color.
The second photo shows the degree of damage to expect. There are multiple rips and tears on this couch. It will need to be reupholstered.

Keep in mind that there are 4 separate pieces: a left arm couch, a right arm couch, a wedge-shaped connecting part of the couch, and an accent chair. Each piece is very light. There is no damage to the frame at all, just the fabric. "

and here's her bad fabric example:

What d'you think? Someone help me quick! If you don't tell me no in the next 12 hours I might just be going to get it and putting it???? WHO knows where??? it's FREE for goodnes sakes! and beautiful!

shoesies for the little

2010-01-30T21:00:00.000-06:00

look how cute! Found these adorable "Crib Shoes" here at The Baby Garden.
I would buy- but first I'll try to make! How fun!

and oooooh my goodness! Look at these also from the Baby Garden!

oh those hats!

♡

2010-01-30T19:36:00.000-06:00

ummm... sorry, but I'm not linking this picture to where it is being sold because well, I really want to buy it. I'm not quite sure if I'm willing to pay that much for it but I've been looking for a functional typewriter for a while now(I have a COOL antique Royal- but it doesn't work). And I'm in love love love with this pink little baby. BUT, I do have a lot to get for little lady these days. I might keep searching for a cheaper one of this same gem.

new in my shop...

2010-01-29T10:48:00.000-06:00

well...soon it will be. i need better pictures. But check out this cute bow holder I made for little lady! (I might decide to sell it though and make her one later).

Projects Priority LIST

2010-01-28T20:00:00.000-06:00

can you tell I've got my groove back lately? feeling so inspired and motivated. Wonder why? I'm in school for the first time in two years. Cruising the net for inspiration and dreaming of a home of my own makes me feel SOO happy in the majority of my procrastination time! Onto THE list...

Click to see tutorials

1. Finish Painting the little lady's cradle RED
2. little lady paintings of mommy/daddy (easy/quick and gotta do while still excited)
3. hooter hider (need to buy some boning)
4. bubba's suprise
5. String Pendant Lamp

6. little lady's granny square blanket

7.. felted animals mobile (will cost a pretty penny...worsted wool is kinda a lot)

8. scrapbook (no due date just want to SO bad)
9. Refinish/ Modernize hand me down big cedar dresser for our apartment
10. doily pillow (for baby's room but I only have 1 vintage doily so it's gonna take a while to collect)
11. photo album (don't need for anything, but want supplies so when it comes up i can do it)
12. necklace holders (for having sales.. if I ever decide to make that happen)

and it's driving me nuts that as I was web cruisin last night I saw the CUTEST tutorial on embellishing a baby girl's dress. It was plain navy blue and white striped/ polka dot and when she was finished with it it looked like it belonged in the anthro christmas baby line. it's not that hard to figure out and I get the idea, but I really wanted to post her pictures on here so you can get inspired too! Old navy used to have the CUTEST really similar dress and now its not on there website...so its gone? Sad.

Hope you got some great ideas for your own sweet home-making!

more inspiration for the little lady's room.

2010-01-28T15:02:00.000-06:00

lovely banner from Sparkle Power.

and oh gosh... now i feel like a terrible blogger becauseI wasn't planning on blogging these so I don't have links to where they came from :( don't get mad at me. Anywho... the pillow above was made by my mother in law and i ♡! And these little granny squares at TO DIE FOR! exactly the colors I want and everything for a big blanket for my girl.

more great scrapbooking

2010-01-28T02:35:00.000-06:00

I think i may even like these better. The other's are gorgeous, but this is more the style (plus uses less supplies so not as SPENSY) that I'd love for a family album.

This girl did an awesome altered book for her boyfriend: found here.

baby, home, life wishlist

2010-01-27T23:57:00.000-06:00

the prospect of being in one place for longer than a 6 month (even 3 months for that matter) period has got me dreamin. here's my wishlist right now. An actually realistic one. Things I WILL buy if I make enough mullah workin from home (or ever get serious about my etsy).

Black and Decker Mouse
(yes, a power tool :) I love me some building. mother in law has one and last year I borrowed it often for crafting... I yearn for it's ease)

Complete Embellishing: Techniques and Projects by Kayte Terry
(enough said)

And the big purchases that I'll be saving up for:

Anthropologie Rosette Quilt
(would look beautiful with my dream bed at the bottom of this post)

headboard by Andy 1000 on etsy
I think I can make this myself? I LOVE the simple beauty of such a headboard. Where do you think I could get natural edge wood slabs like this?

Babyletto Mercer 3-in-1 Crib
And I'm in LOVE with this crib. We thought we were getting some baby furniture for free but the lady's sister in law got pregnant :( But I LOVE this and I'd rather have not matching, garage-saled, refinished myself dressers anyway.

Ok... and I guess these aren't NEEDS but very strong WANTS...

Z Gallerie Chambers Chaise
(Miss Courtney saw this through the window of the store and HAD to sit on it. I'm kind of mad at her because it was the most comfortable thing I ever sat on in my life!!! not to mention it's GORGEOuS and you might not be able to tell but the width is almost as big as a twin bed!)

And look how beautiful this bed is. It's just a dream. I don't think the Hub would go for it and it's a bazillion dollars. Too much for us right now.

Sophia Bed by Layla Grace

Anthropologie Whorled Trapundo Rug
(a girl can dream, right?)

i wanna be a SCRAPbooker!!

2010-01-27T23:50:00.000-06:00

So... I found this girl Michelle Clement's blog that's got me going big TIME! She's SO amazing and INCREDIBLY inspiring! Not only is her work beautiful but the music on her blog is so uplifting and inspirational! Check her out here

in the meantime...
her work...