I'm Not Quitting, But.....

......I think it's time for me to slow down a little and focus on spending more time with my kiddos.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE blogging and all the new bloggy friends I've met by doing my blog, but I don't want to look back one day and wish I spent more time playing Candy Land with my girls.

But, I WILL continue to post when I have the time, so please still come visit me every now and then. 

Until then........Have fun!!

Hmmmmmm......

Now I see why this construction company was the lowest bid.........Maybe I should find a new route home.

Don't Laugh, He's My Dad.....

Sorry I've been MIA this week, yesterday was my birthday (In case you were wondering, this is the second anniversary of my 30th), so I thought I would take a few days off to relax.

And now I have to brag a little about my sweet hubby........

He was GREAT......on Tues, he took the kids out most of the afternoon, so I could have some "me" time. Then, he arranged for his step-mom to come watch the kiddos and put them to bed (thanks so much LaRee!!) while we went out to a REALLY nice French restaurant in Palm Springs. And although it was all pure butter and cream, it was YUM!

Then he left an ice-cream cake for me and the girls to eat and some awesome gifts for me to open yesterday since he had to work

Thanks Chris, you are the BEST!!

So on that note.....
Anyone need an idea for father's Day?

Well, I wanted to show you all the special gift I made to show my hubby how much we love and care for him......

I made these cute matching shirts for all the girls to surprise daddy on Father's Day last week (yes, we celebrated last week........cuz mommy got mixed up and thought it was last Sunday until AFTER church when hubby broke the news and by then it was too late to UN-excite the kids......and me :)

So, you can whip some up too just like I did with this onesie.

My older 2 girls were trying REALLY hard to help me get good pictures of them.......

....but this is what was really happening.

These were just too funny not to post, since I know you can probably all relate.

Needless to say, Kira was NOT happy about getting her picture taken and the other 2 started getting bored after a few minutes.

Out of 150 pics (I was just shooting the whole time), the 3 at the top were the best ones I could find :)

Have fun!!
And don't forget to upload YOUR pics to the NSIH Flickr Group.

Reader Flickr Feature

Time for another Reader Flickr Feature!! So check these awesome ladies out!!

Stop by and check out Sarah over at A Little of This, A Little of That and see how she makes these gorgeous table leg candlesticks.......you'll never believe what they are made of (or maybe you will since I just wrote it :)

Anywhoo, pop on over and get the full tute on how to put a pair of these together for your house!!

Next up, I saw this beautiful dress refashion and now I'm on the lookout for a shirt and skirt to make my own!! Plus, her 3 year-old took her pictures and did a very nice job :)

AND her blog name is Polkanuts.......dontcha just LOVE that name!?!?!?!?

Also, look at these adorable candle holder that omaroma made......just so cute to make for your sweetie on V-Day or your anniversary

Be sure to stop by the NSIH Flickr Group and share pics of your cute crafts with everyone!!

Have fun!

Freecycle Friday - Temple Sealing Gift And Reader Giveaway!!!!

Happy Friday!!!

Today is special because it was the LAST day of kindergarten for my baby girl!!!

I think I need to cry now......my baby is growing up so fast and she's gonna be a first grader!! Holy cow!!

When she was a baby, I could NEVER imagine her as a first grader......or a kindergartner :(

Ok, so enough blubbering and on to my Freecycle craft for today.

I found a B-eautiful frame at my local thrift store and grabbed it right up!!

It was perfect for a gift I wanted to make for some friends of mine who got sealed together last Sat!!!!!

I made this like I made the Christmas frame here and the Halloween frames here.

I started out with this......gorgeous right?

So I took it apart and spray-painted the frame black and then distressed it.

I made sure to cut the vinyl out backwards, so I could apply it to the backside of the glass.

And then I put the name on first and after the writing. I wanted to personalize it so it would be a special reminder of that special day.

Finally, I glued the glass back into the frame with E6000, so it would stay without a back.

Ta-da!

Congrats you guys!!



Also, I wanted to tell you a bit about a new snack I got to try recently.......

I was sent a pack of these yummy Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars from General Mills through My Blog Spark and let me tell you, they are GREAT!!


I love the chewy-ness (is that a word?) and all the whole almonds, peanuts, raisins and cranberries!!


These are now available at Sams club and They aren't only yummy, but convenient too, the club sized snacks are individually wrapped and ideal for throwing in your purse or travel bag, just in case your little one’s tummy starts to rumble. 


So, I got send a club-sized pack (48) AND a giftcard for $25 to Sams Club......

AND I have one (the snacks and giftcard) to give away to one of you (I pick the winners from my list of followers, so follow me if you want a chance in the future!)


The winner is:


SunShineyRain!!

Be sure to e-mail me with your info so I can get your prize sent to you!!!


Have fun! 

Why I Am How I Am - Part Deux

Ok, so I've got my bowl of cherries (no, really it's cherry season here and they are GREAT!!), a tall glass of water and I'm ready to type some more!!

Umm, so I guess this next one is from my baby sis, Sarah......she asked:

So ummm how come you haven't posted my cool clock that I made you for Christmas?

Ok, so I don't really have an excuse, other than I keep forgetting :(

But here it is now!! This is the best clock that my baby sis made us for Christmas!! Isn't it awesome?!?!?!?!

She painted, decoupaged the paper, numbers, and quotes on and then sealed it. We LOVE it and have it on our mantel for all the world to see :)

If you want to see pics of my sis, you can click here and here to see pics of her wedding last August (that I took :)

Eileen asked:

How much time do you spend each day updating/posting to your blog?  

Well, I don't post every day, but when I do, it takes a few hours (for me) to write a post. I have to write out the steps for the tute and then upload the pics to Photoshop to edit and then add them to the post.......and that doesn't take into account the bazillion times I get interrupted by my family.

Also, when I am making a craft (and this goes for all those other crafty-blog-ladies out there), I like to stop at each step to take the pics that I ultimately post with the tute.

Do you have any computer/technical background?

No way, I've had to learn how to design my own blog as I go along.....with help from some great bloggy friends of course!!

Do you earn much money from your sponsors?

Nope, for my sponsors I currently only charge $5 per month for space on my sidebar. I also earn a little from Google Ads, but it's not much....yet :)  Although, maybe next year I'll show the Super Bowl here.......and then I can charge whatever I want!!!

Lucy asked:

What is your favorite recipe?

Mostly things that are bad for me and I can't eat very often!! But, I would have to say it's a toss-up between the aebleskiver recipe and caramel sauce for dipping my mom gave me (from her Danish friend when we lived in Germany) or yummy no-bake cookies!! Both of which I will share with you soon.....I promise!

Where would you visit if you could go ANYWHERE in the world, and why?

Well, hubby and I traveled a bit in Europe before we started popping out kiddos, but the next places on our list are Australia and New Zealand (as long as we are going that far, we might as well visit both!)
Then we can visit Middle-Earth too!! And maybe meet some hobbits (because NZ is where they filmed the movies, get it?)

What would you drive if you were to be given ANY vehicle?

Just check yesterday's post to see the answer to this.

What do you love about your home?

That it's just a one level and NO STAIRS!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!

What do you hate about your home?

Too many ginormous walls to decorate......we've been here 4 1/2 years and STILL have alot of bare walls!!

Why are you so nice to share such FUN with us?

Thank you for that, BTW.~

Awwwww, you are sweet! I really like doing a blog, and meeting so many bloggy (yes, that's a word) friends! Plus, it helps that I am keeping track of the crafts I do.......I've even had to go back a few times when I've forgotten measurements or something ;)

Jill asked:

What's your favorite way to "escape from mommy-land"? 

 Well, I hate to say it, but t.v. (or movies) are my escapes. I usually watch a little to unwind after putting my 3-little-reasons-my-hair-is-grey to bed at night. My other escape is kinda obvious......what? No, it's not?? Well, CRAFTING of course you sillies (can you tell I hang out with kids all day?)!

What's the one crafty talent that you wish you had?

 I wish I could sew better........as in, not scared out of my wits when I have to sew anything other than straight lines.

If you were a superhero with craft powers, what would they be and how would you use them?

Hmmmm, hubby and I were JUST talking last week about what super powers we would each like to have. (BTW, I would LOVE to be able to teleport AND fly and hubby wants invisibility) But, as for crafting super powers.......maybe the power to NOT screw up any of my crafts? And I would use them to help others not screw up their crafts too! Because, trust me, I mess up more than you think :)

Organicmommy asked:

If you had to pick one craft to do and that was the only one you could ever do, what would you pick? That is my toughest question I ask myself.

 Oh man!! I could NEVER stick to just one thing!! I get bored all the time AND have ADD, so that would make me crazy!

When you are sitting in your nice alone time crafting or relaxing what is the one thing you mind tends to run to?

Well, sometimes I think about what I'm gonna write in my next post or how I want to do the tute.....OR trying to work out different ways to trick my kids into going to bed early or eat their veggies.

Mandy asked:

How do you prioritize your time with motherhood, being a wife, cleaning, cooking, crafting, blogging, and whatever else you have!?

Well, I have learned that when I get busy with other things, my kids are the ones that get neglected the most. So I try to make sure I spend time with them (and hubby) each day and play games or snuggle or even just listen to what they have to say ('cuz girls ALWAYS have something to say!!) As much as I joke about them, they are the sweetest and I LOVE spending time with them and all together as a family too.
So, I guess my first priority is family........but crafting and blogging always trump cleaning and cooking (we have PB and J alot for dinner at our house)!!

Shirley asked:

Prioritizing time! That will be a wonderful one to hear! Starting the blog for the ribbon retreat has been a bit stressful balancing motherhood, being a wife, and crafting and blogging about it. You craft bloggers are my heros! lol.

Mostly just what I said above. But, trying to make deadlines (that I set for myself) is stressful at times, but sometimes I have to just let my self be a little late posting in order to keep my sanity.

Where did you grow up and what in your childhood has shaped you the most?

Wow, this is deep!! I'm not sure what has shaped me from my childhood, but I do know I was lucky to have a stable family life and two parents that loved me very much. I also had TONS of siblings (just kidding, there were only 5 of us, but some days it seemed more!)
I grew up mostly in Colorado, with some time in Germany (I was born there since my dad was stationed there for the Army) when I was little. Germany is the COOLEST place for a kid.....they LOVE kids there and always seemed to be having fun things going on (or maybe that was just what I thought as a five year old :)

JustJenn said:

Wow! Good questions here! I'm curious to see your answers Emily! (call me nosey, LOL!)

That's ok, isn't that the whole reason we all read blog!?!?! Cuz we want to see what everyone else is up to and see into their lives (and wish we were them......oops, didn't mean to write that outloud)

Seth's Mommy asked:

Favorite Guilty Pleasure?

 Well, since this is a PG blog.......I would have to say going and browsing at craft stores or finding some screaming deals at thrift stores or Marshalls (that's MY crack!)

Favorite TV Shows?

Check yesterday's post.

Biggest Vice?

Candy.
(HA! you guys thought I was going to say crafting!!) If I'm not careful......I can polish off a whole bag of Skittles (or M and Ms) in one sitting. And then I'm all hyper and crazy (crazier) for a few hours!

Char@CrapI'veMade asked:

If you ever come to Utah, can we have lunch?

Umm, yes please!! Lunch is my 2nd favorite meal (after breakfast and before dinner :) We get up there around once a year to see family (Duh, I'm LDS, so of course we have family in Utah)

Would you rather have newspaper for skin or bendy straws for hair?

Ooh, Ooh, bendy straws definitely......you must've been reading my mind, cuz I was just thinking about having bendy straw hair the other day!!!

Could you do a cartwheel right now?

 Can you? I'll do one if you do.

Whose poster did you have in your junior high locker?

Hmmmmm, well that was ___ years ago.....so probably New Kids On The Block or NKOTB as they are known now. Right next to my Trapper Keeper and leg warmers.

Hope asked:

How did you feel about the way LOST ended? 

Oh man I was NOT expecting that ending!!! It was a nice twist ending and very sweet that they all ended up together (although I'm not quite sure where they went.....heaven maybe?). Even thought they didn't answer all the questions I'm sure we all had, I was actually happy with it. I guess it's kinda fun to leave with a little mystery and gives us something to talk about with our friends. I do want to watch it all over now to see the things I missed the 1st time around :)

Also, what's your favorite craft/s?

Check yesterday's post

Valentinegirl asked: 

What's your favorite color?

Blue....and I like green alot, but don't tell my girls, I'm ONLY supposed to like blue. That would throw off their universe.

What is on your most played in itunes?

 I really like Barenaked Ladies (they have a song called "McDonald's Girl"!!) and Weezer, but otherwise I listen to alot of different music.

What is your favorite quick and easy dinner to make?

Peanut butter and jelly!!! I make it alot when hubby isn't home so I don't have to listen to the kids whine about dinner being "yucky"

Rafahi Family asked:

Do you constantly think of crafts all the time? And when you are on vacation, do you break from crafts, or write down ideas to crate once you return home? Or do you take crafts to do while on vacation?)

 Yes, yes, no. 

Ok, yes, I am always thinking of crafts to do, but it's not because I'm crazy or obsessed or anything (just a little of both)........it's just because of the blog and I want to always have cool stuff to post for you all.

Well we haven't taken a vacation since Jan 09 because we were saving $$ (and vacation hours for hubby) for our trips to Russia, but when we do get out again, yes, I do break from crafts and just maybe take a few notes if I see something cool.

No, hubby would probably leave me if I took crafts to do while on vacation......not kidding.

Greenbean asked:

Ok...i know nothing about sewing...but wanting a newbie friendly machine...any suggestions?....

Unfortunately, I don't know much about sewing machines (other than mine). I know that I do like that mine's NOT digital (too many things for me to break), but I've heard others say differently.  I also LOVE the button feature and the general setup of mine (I have a Janome model 385.4052LX200). But I think Ashley over at Make it and Love it did a post about machines awhile back you could check out.

 *Update* I totally forgot to add this in that my super-sweet friend Chanelle (who writes the blog Simply Real) wrote for me to put in here. She says:

"When I read Emily's post asking for questions, I thought and thought about what I could ask, but couldn't come up with anything. I did think of some things you might not know about her. She said she would be honest in answering your questions, and I'm sure that's true, but there are some things she may forget to tell you. So that's where I come in.

Things you never would have known about Emily
So you already know that Emily is a super star crafter. But you may not have known she's got the Midas touch- everything she touches doesn't turn to gold, it turns to a craft. You've seen that with her freecycle fridays, but what you haven't seen is her crafters club. She'll have us over to do crafts, take one look at mine, and say something sweet like, "Maybe I can finish that up for you." When I next look at it, my tile with vinyl slapped on haphazardly becomes a beautiful work of art.

When Emily moved in a mutual friend told me that Emily was into health. I believed her for a while... until Emily fed my 8 month old a donut (his first sugar EVER!)

But healthy food or not (and seriously, it's probably healthy most of the time), whatever she's doing is working for her. A man down the street from her said to me, "You and Emily look exactly alike. Except she's the skinny version." Ummm...thanks?

When you walk into Emily's front room, the place where a dining room was probably shown in the model, you see a craft table for the kids. There is open space where folding tables can be set up at any time if someone wants to come over and craft.

The only time I can remember Emily getting mad at someone in the four years I've known her is when someone tried to take credit for an Emily-craft. She's the kind of person who will do anything for anyone, but don't mess with Emily and her crafts." (Aaaawwww, thanks Chanelle, this is so sweet!!)


Well, thanks so much to all of you who asked questions, and those of you who just stopped by to read them. 

Hopefully I didn't bore you and make you not want to ever come back here or fall asleep on your keyboard....like I did a few times :)

Please come back tomorrow for Freecycle Friday.....I'll miss you till then!!

Have fun

and don't forget to upload pictures of YOUR projects to NSIH Flickr group.

Why I Am The Way I Am

Sooooooooooo, you wanna hear all my deep, dark secrets?

Well, I guess I won't make you all wait any longer, so I'll just jump right in......hope you don't find my life as boring as I d...zzzzzzzzzzz.

 

Sandy asked:

1. Mayonnaise or miracle whip? (ha! how's that for easy)

Well, actually neither one (what!!) Yeah, I started using sour cream awhile ago cuz it's healthier (go with Daisy for pure ingredients) and I LOVE the tangy taste. I usually use the "light" kind, though (still great ingredients).

2. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a veterinarian for a long time......but then around high school I realized how much schooling you have to take and ended up working at McDonalds for my first job.
How's that for karma.....I worked at McDonalds, and at my high school I was known as "McDonalds Girl" 'cuz in my senior year I was a manager and would give out free food coupons.......and THEN I ended up marrying a McDonald  HA!!

3. Dream car?

I would LOVE to (someday) own either a Rolls Royce, vintage Corvette Stingray, or Jaguar!!! But I'm nearly there, as I am now driving a super-sporty Saturn minivan (man, seeing it actually written down makes a little part of me die inside)

4. Dream occupation?

I have it already!!!!!!! (is that the right answer for a mom to say?)
Maybe once the kiddos are a little older I would like to do something with foreign language (I speak French and a tiny bit of German, but want to learn more) or traveling alot.

 

Abbie Byers asked:

How did you learn how to do so many different kinds of crafts and how do you get your ideas?

Well, I didn't learn all at once, just kinda pick up new things as I go along. I love a good challenge and  working hard to figure out how to do it....it makes me feel so MacGyver~ish :)

I get some of the best ideas (or find the best ideas) when I set out to make something out of nessesity like this, this, this, or even this! I also get TONS of inspiration from other things I've made, other AWESOME bloggers and websites like Martha, Pottery Barn, BHG, etc. And if I see something I really want, but don't want to pay for......I try to make it instead  :)

Katie asked:

I want to know more about your adoption. How and why did you decide to adopt? Why did you do an international adoption? Why Russia? How long did the process take? What did you love about it? What did you hate? Tell me all about it:) On a side note, I think you are awesome:)

First of all.....Thanks!!!! I think you're awesome too! :)

As for our adoption......you can read about the "whys" here in longer version, but mostly it was all because that's the way we felt we needed to do it with baby #3 (and where we felt we needed to look for her)

It took exactly 2 years from start to finish (Feb 2008-Feb2010)

The parts we loved were: Once we found out who we were going to be bringing into our family, Meeting her for the first time, and OF COURSE finally bringing her home!!

The parts we didn't like were ALL THE REST!!!! Especially the looooonnnggggg waiting.

CBear asked:

Favorite household chore?

Ummmmmm, none of them. Oh wait, does eating ice cream while watching LOST count? No? Well then, defer to my 1st answer.

Lease Favorite household chore?

All of them!

Favorite sound?

My kiddos laughing and having fun (Aaawww!)

Least favorite sound?

Spoons in the sink disposer.

Favorite word?

Hmmmmmm, well I've been trying not to say crap anymore (sorry Char :) since my kiddos started saying it too. So, my new word is "criminy.".......Don't ask.

Favorite book?

Like ever? I would have to go with....(no, not Twilight) Anything Sherlock Holmes and Jane Austen (especially P and P). but I like reading a good variety.

Favorite movie?

Definitely The Princess Bride!! Who can resist Westley and Buttercup? or the super romantic line: "As you wish"

Favorite kind of craft?

Well, I love paper crafts alot cuz they are usually cheap and pretty quick :) But mostly I LOVE "Freecycling" crafts!!!!!

Favorite holiday memory?

Sneaking and opening Christmas gifts before Christmas with my older sister.....and then carefully wraping them back up after :)

All time best thing you ever ate?

CHOCOLATE!!! ALWAYS CHOCOLATE!!!


Barbie and Craig asked:

I'd love to know how you have the energy to craft after you put the kids down to bed! :)


For some reason, I've ALWAYS been a night owl, so I seem to get a second wind at night AND I seem to be able to think better (I wonder why.....maybe no "mommy, mommy, mommy!!!" every 30 seconds)

What is your favorite craft to make WHILE watching tv? (That way I can do something and hang out with the hubbs at the same time...otherwise I end up upstairs and we spend the evening apart :( )

Anything repetative or easy (so I don't have to pay much attention and can watch my show :)

What shows do you watch?

Umm, nothing anymore since all the seasons are over :(  But, I LOVE crime dramas like Law and Order (regular and CI), How I met your mother, Big Bang Theory, CSI, LOST, Accedentally on purpose, NCIS.

What's your favorite thing you've ever made?

My kids! Even though I didn't make them all :)

What's your favorite baby gift to give?

It really changes depending on what I feel like making at the time, right now I guess it's sassy screen~printed onsies.

How old are you? ;)

Next week (the 16th) will be the 2nd anniversary of my 30th birthday :)

I love your blog, and I have no idea how I even found it. Are you LDS? Maybe that's how :)

 

Yup.

 

 

Erick and Molly asked:

 

I want to know when do you craft?

Basically whenever I can fit it in!! I would love to be able to do it all at night....but then you guys wouldn't have any purdy pictures to feast your eyes on along with the tutes :)
Is your home super organized?

Not at all!!! And I'm not just saying that to make you guys feel better.
Basically....how do you do it ALL?

I don't. I do all the nessesary stuff that keeps everyone here alive and the rest of the time I (try) to do crafts or blog about doing crafts or help my friends do crafts. By bedtime, I'm usually ready to poke my eyes out with a spoon and often think about taking up drinking.
 
 
Marilyn asked:

You inspire me, so I'd love to hear where you get your ideas and inspirations. Favorite types of crafts to do, AND please tell about your workspace - or post photos. (Maybe I just missed them. A link to photos, perhaps?)


Well, for the first 2 questions, just see above.

For the third one....just feast your eyes on this post and see for yourself.

Ok, so my butt hurts from sitting here and my brain hurts from thinking too much, and I'm sure you guys are tired of hearing (seeing) me ramble......so I will be back tomorrow with the rest. Stay tuned!!!

Have fun!

Great Baby Shower Gift

Howdy all!

Don't forget to post your burning questions for me to answer :)

Today I wanted to show an AWESOME baby shower gag gift and a super-easy way to make it.

I have been wanting to make a funny onesie for a friend Jessica's baby for awhile now (I meant it to give it before he was born......but these last 6 months have just flown by!) and now he's crawling, so I thought it was now a perfect time to whip one up!!

Good thing he still breastfeeds :)

I was going to make it like I did this t-shirt, but then, after some research, I found this easy-peasy tute from Ashley on Little Blue Boo on a super cheap and easy way to do screen printing at home!!

So OF COURSE I had to try it......and it is SO easy!!

Here's how I did it:

Other than a onesie, You will also need:

• Large embroidery hoop (one large enough for your design)
• Screen printing ink- I used Yudo
• Sheer drape panel
• Squeegee or credit card
• Contact paper or vinyl

So, you can get the contact paper anywhere in the kitchen supplies section and run between $2-$5 bucks per roll. Make sure it has adhesive on one side.

The drape panel I just got at Wallmart for around $6 bucks (I think), but there is TONS of material, so you and a bunch of friends can go in on one panel and have plenty to share!!

The ink I got at Michaels and Joanns. It is the Yudo brand and I made sure to use a 40% off coupon, since it's pricier than regular t-shirt paint (21.99 for a 3 pack or 7.99 per bottle before coupon). But, I wanted to make sure it would work with the screen and wash out nicely, so that's why I went with the screen-printing ink instead this time.

Also, the lady at Joanns said she thinks it's formulated to wash out of the screen, so you can use it again later.

Anyhoo, start by washing your shirt beforehand and make sure you don't use fabric softener. And cut a piece of cardboard to go inside the shirt to prevent bleed-through.

Grab your contact paper or vinyl, and cut out your design using an Xacto knife, Cricut, or other die-cutting machine.

Cut a piece of sheer drapes and stretch it onto you hoop. Then, adhere the design to it.

Place the design over the shirt, where you want it (make sure it's straight) and then put a thin line of ink down as shown. Take your squeegee (or credit card) and drag the ink over the design. I did mine a few times to make sure it was well covered.

Then, lift it up and check out your hard work!!

Don't forget to remove the vinyl (or contact paper) and rinse the ink out of the screen (material) after you do this. 

Let it dry and heat set it according to the directions.

I also got some matching knee socks from target and made some cute Baby Legs for him to protect his cute chubby legs while he crawls around :)

Now he'll be the best dressed baby boy on the block!!

Have fun!!

Don't forget to upload pics of your projects to our Flickr group.

Freecycle Friday and Our Little Guest

Happy Friday!!

After today, it's just one more week of school before Maddie is out for the summer (and she's been asking to go swimming for 2 months already!)

And also, you guys continue to ROCK!!

I just LOVE the questions you are sending, they are so funny, thoughtful, sweet, ingenious, and imaginative all rolled into one!!

When I checked my e-mail this morning you guys had me grinning (and laughing so hard I almost peed myself....although maybe that's not so hard to do since I've had 2 kids :)

Well, keep 'em coming.....this "answer" post promises to be interesting!

Anyhoo, today I just wanted to show a super-simple thing I did to help me organize our bills to pay.

Last week I got a panel of curtains at Wallyworld and after I took them out of the bag, it seemed a shame to throw it away. After all, it's fairly sturdy and has a nice zippered top and it's own hanger!

So, I took out the cardboard that had the curtain info on it and replaced the bigger one with some cute paper that I printed "bills to pay" on. Of course I rounded the corners and inked the edges too :)

Now I can just hang it up in the office and when we get bills in the mail, I have someplace to put them, other than strewn across the kitchen counter.

And I know they will all be hanging in my office when I'm ready to pay up!

Next, I wanted to introduce our new little friend that came to visit us yesterday (and caused quite the commotion).

So, I had gone to the door to see if Maddie was home yet and when I peeked out the window, I saw this little guy just hanging out.

At first I thought it was fake, but then he moved. So, I knew I needed to stay there so I could warn Madison so she wouldn't get scared (or Dana Lee, our friend we carpool with :)

 

Madison got home and was intrigued (but scared enough to stay away) and Dana Lee and I didn't see a rattle, so we just went inside to tell daddy.

Chris came and got a bucket so he could move our slithery friend to a better place, but when he touched it.......it shook it's tail at him!!!!

So then: "Oh crap! It must be a baby rattler! Everyone inside!!" "Now we have to call animal control to come move it."

So I called, since hubby had to run off to work (much to his dismay), and they got here in RECORD time!

I'm gonna have to remember the old "there's a rattler on my porch" for next time I need them  :)

The snake obviously knew we were after him, cuz he slithered down the table and into the bushes, but the guy found him and caught him anyway. All the while my girls were crowded in the little window watching.

Turns out, it was NOT a rattler, just a harmless little gopher snake that was pretending to be a rattle snake (my girls were in awe when I explained this to them).

The guy that came was so nice and sweet and even let me take a picture of him in action (even though he was probably thinking I was a weirdo), but he got embarrassed and blushed and laughed a little when I turned the camera  towards him :)

And I totally didn't get his name,......

But, here's to you Mr. Snake Catcher Guy, thanks for being our hero!!!

(and so long little gopher snake, have a great life out in the field eating gophers)

So, as you can see, we don't get much excitement here. Even a few bored firemen came along to see if it was a real rattle snake :)

Have fun!

Don't forget to upload pics of your projects to Not So Idle Hands Flickr group!!

Hungry For More?

So, I'm sitting here, enjoying the smell of wet dog, (but I guess it's better than how the dog was starting to smell........) and I was thinking that since I've been doing this blog for over a year now, it was time to tell you all a little more about me.
Except, I want to let YOU guys pick the questions. Any blogger can easily pick nice stuff to tell.......but I'm not just any blogger........

I can be a little anti-social at times, so I think this Q and A is wwwaaaayyyyyy overdue. But, I feel weird talking about myself, so I have to just do it (like Nike)!!

I'm not necessarily a private person, just lazy with correspondences sometimes, oh, and I really like my me time at night. Hubby works nights 3-4 days a weeks, so I get plenty once I put the kiddos in bed early. After that,  I usually want to craft or watch t.v. (you know we all do it, so don't judge me :) So, I can answer all you burning questions then.

Anyhoo,.......just leave a comment with your question(s) and hopefully, I can get to them all in the next few days.

I'll post all my answers in next Wednesday's post for all the world to see.

Remember, I'm not shy (so ask whatever you want), but please be appropriate since my some of my family reads this blog  :)  (notice I said some,..........hmmmmm)

AND,

PLEASE don't make me feel like a loser by only having ONE question to answer in my post........because I will cry :(

Also, don't forget to upload pic of projects you've done to my Flickr group......I KNOW you guys want to be featured, and that's the easiest place for me to pick from.

Have fun!

The Tooth Marshall

Hi all!!

I just wanted to show pics of the little boy tooth fairy pillow I made to send off to my sweet nephew Joseph, (who is already losing teeth too :)

You can check out Larissa's post here to see the original "tooth marshall" tooth she made (so cute!), and click here to see the ballerina ones I made for my girls.

I used flannel for this cutie too, so I had to use fraycheck on all the raw edges (star, hat, & holsters).

I just freehand cut the little holsters, star, and cowboy hat for him. and I embroidered the star on before sewing him up (be sure to NOT sew through the tooth pocket!). I also sewed on the little ribbon "gunbelt" then too.

This adorable guy is ready for some ROOTIN' TOOTIN' fun rounding up stray teeth at his new home!

Have fun!

and don't forget you can upload pics of your projects to the Not So Idle Hands Flickr group and I might pick you to be featured!!