I Have Gone SEW, SEW, SEW Crazy!

My “Goodwill Hunting” has been on hiatus this past month as I have become highly addicted to my sewing machine. Entering a fabric store for me is like an alcoholic going into a liquor store. My mind is racing with what I can do with this and this. Not a good mix!

 I think it stems from years of wishing I could make that, to now I CAN make that.

I have yet to use a pattern for anything and wonder if I am even capable of using one. Sometimes I am not the most patient person{smile}. So if I can do it you have to at least try it!

I wanted a super cute MacBook cover. Then one day while surfing etsy I found a ton of cute ones and thought I can do that

So, I did.

I love the look of these stockings and pillows from Ballard design.

I found the fabulous French print at my local home fabric store for half the price of Ballard design. It’s a nice heavy canvas weight. So I copied them!

I learned the hard way how not to have these puker!

Our couch is super deep, and now when friends come over, we all don't have to hop on with our legs sticking straight out! And I am 5"9!

Then I wanted the kiddos to have cute Christmas pillow cases.

So I made them…

And a few more.

I promised my family I would pack Janome away until after Christmas.

But I am already dreaming of next year.My New Year’s resolution will be curtains for the living room {and maybe a few others}! Unless we are iced in for a few days before Christmas. Then I might have to bring her back out just so I can keep idle! Hee…Hee..

Sew on my friends...Sew on!

My Own Illustory!

Ever been to a staff Christmas Party or a family Holiday gathering, with kiddos running EVERYWHERE? Take this with you the next time and I promise you will be the hit of the party!

Remember in August when you could pick up these little boxes for about .10 cents?

I picked up a few of these blank books here. You can search online for them or stop by your nearest teachers supply store. Mine cost a mere $2.49 each.

I packaged them together , threw in a few stickers and wraped it up.

The kids have a great time creating their own Christmas story. And it’s always a hoot to see what they come up with.

I know that markers, glue and paint would be fun too. But keeping it to just crayons insures that their clothes and the house stay in tacked!

Quick, fun and only $2.59 each!

Stop by Between Naps on the Porch for more great ideas!

A little Bribe Never Hurt!

It was the day after Halloween and the weather was just “picture” perfect. So I wanted to take advantage of it and snap some urban pictures of the kiddos. In hopes to get a head start on our Christmas cards this year.

 {Click on any of the pictures to get a better look!}

We had a soccer game that was going to keep us tide up until about 4pm. And with the time change that meant the sun was going to set at about 6pm.

So, I only had a small window of time. That’s when it hit me to bribe them.

Yes, I bribed my kiddos into taking pictures. I had promised that whoever did the best job for me I would buy them more ounces of ice cream at Orange Tree {their absolute favorite ice cream store}.

And you know what it worked!

It worked to well. So, now we are stuck trying to pick the best shot out of 100 and they are all great.

You can be rest assured that yes, I will be bribing with Orange Tree again come spring time!

To Theme or Not To Theme?

That seems to always be the question. People often decide on a Christmas “theme” to decorate their home in. For me all I can think of is when people used to ask me “Do you have a "theme" for your nursery?” Um….NO!

I guess you can say Christmas has a bit of a “theme” it’s the biggest Birthday Party of the year. A time to rejoice in God sending His one and only son to die for {insert your name here}!


So, my Christmas “theme” is and will always be family. When we decorate our tree “a family theme” unwrapping each ornament takes me back to that time in place when our family was together. I will share more about my tree in another post I am working on.


Today, I want to share with you a neat craft to cherish for years to come.

I started with Hannah’s 1st Christmas. I tried to think of a way to create an ornament that would capture her age and take me back to that time in our lives year after year. And this is what we did.

Hand ornaments…

There is one for each year of my child’s life up till the age of 5 years old {when their growing really started to slow down}. Each winter we would make three sets and wrap one up for Grandma & Nana.

They are so simple to make. Just purchase stiff felt sheets at your local craft store and outline your child’s hand. Let your imagination go with what to create out of it.

Some years I got really carried away and did other “hand” Christmas gifts.

This was my sons first Christmas and at two months old tracing his hand was not going to work. So we waited till he fell fast asleep and inked his hand up.


I cherish them so much. And in the spring, when we hear the tornado sirens and run for the storm shelter, they always make the trip. It’s just something that you can’t find a “theme” on at your local store.

Stop by Somewhat Simple and Finding Fabulous for more fabulous Christmas ideas!

Bake it Pretty

If you are like me and a million other Americans this time of year, you’ve been thinking about all those baked goods you would like to make and take this year.


Well, have I got a site for you Bake it Pretty has the cutest stuff.

Like printed masking tape.

Red stripe twist ties.

Super cute lime green checked goodie bags.

And fabulous icing tips to make all your bake goods look like they just popped out of Magnolia Bakery.


So if you get time stroll on over to Bake it Pretty for a lot of eye candy.

Yummy, Dt. Coke Salad!

Hands down, this is by far, Miss. Hannah’s favorite holiday dish! I used to only make this at Christmas but now we grace our table with it at Easter, Fourth of July and Halloween. It originated from Weight Watchers.

It’s a simple and healthy treat that my entire family enjoys. And if you have to take a side dish anywhere this year this is the one!

You will need a 20oz bottle of chilled Diet Coke {this bottle just so happens to have a DO NOT drink label that Hannah attached}. One can Bing Tart cherries , NO pie filling{I have not been able to find these at Wal-Mart but my local Homeland always has them}. One can crushed pineapple, one large box of cherry sugar free Jell-O {or two small boxes}, chopped pecans {optional}.

Measure out 16oz {2Cups} Dt. Coke and set aside. Open and drain fruit into Pyrex measuring cup. You need to collect all the juices and then add however much Dt. Coke to make two cups total liquid. Transfer liquid to pot and bring to boil. Add your Jell-O mix stirring until dissolved.

Add remaining measured out Dt. Coke and fruit {optional nuts} stir until mixed well. It will look something like this. Please note that you will not use all 20oz of Dt. Coke, only your pre-measured 16oz.

Cover and chill overnight.

Transfer to your serving dish and that’s it!

Dt. Coke Salad

16oz Chilled Dt. Coke


1 Can crushed pineapple


1 Can Bing Tart Cherries


1 Large box Cherry Jell-O


Chopped Pecans {optional}


Drain and collect fruit juices. Add enough Dt. Coke to make 2 Cups. Bring to a boil and dissolve Jell-O into liquid. Add remaining Dt. Coke, Cherries, Pineapple and chopped pecans. Stir until well mixed.


Cover and chill overnight until set. Transfer to serving dish and enjoy.



Jump on over and visit Soft Place To Land  and Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for more great ideas today!