Furniture

We are looking to change things up at our house so we have posted some of our furniture for sale on Craig's list. We are selling our couch set and our teak tv cabinet. Here are the links to the ad's, http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/fuo/2131762114.html and http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/fuo/2131765829.html

If you know someone who might be interested, please pass this on and let them know the prices are negotiable.

Asking $599 for the couch and chair

Asking $450

Christmas Wreath

So I totally suffer from craft envy. I have started to see all the blogs with these amazing crafts women are doing, and I can't help but want to join in. Well Josh and I are starting to house hunt so I am working hard to keep my craft urges in check. Yeah it didn't help that I spent some time cuddling with my son this morning while catching up on my Google reader. Needless to say, after breakfast we headed out to the $1 to see if I could come up with anything to make a wreath or an advent calendar. Two things I have always wanted but never bought.

So my inspiration to go to the $1 store was this advent calendar I saw on Infarrantly Creative,http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2010/11/dollar-store-advent-calendar.html. I saw the buckets and almost bought them but then I remembered that when I try to do my own version of someone else's project, I NEVER like mine. So I had to come up with a design on my own. After walking around for only 5 minutes I knew exactly what I was going to do. I spent $6 +tax. I got a wreath, 4 tubes of ornaments, and some gold bells.

I unpacked everything, broke out the hot glue gun and started randomly placing them on the wreath. I really wanted to get a bigger wreath, but that would require more ornaments and I wanted to stay at $5 (the gold bells were an after thought that I am soooo happy I got!!) After about 30 minutes of playing I was amazed. I honestly couldn't believe that something I did came out like I pictured it in my head.

I thought is was pretty on my counter, then I turned our fireplace lights on, and wow did it sparkle. After I put it up I decided to add a few extra touches to the mantle. I wanted to doing something with my candles to jazz them up and since all my wrapping paper and ribbons are in storage an hour away, I stole the handles off two gift bags from under my bed and cut them up to make ribbons. Finally, you can't tell from the picture, but I have pine cones and sparkly red balls in the vase to the right. I would like to have some greenery running across and weaving along the mantel, with a few other things, but my dear husband is a minimalist when it comes to decorations, so I try to hold back when I can.

Happy 1st of December to everyone!!

No cost pattern holder

I have been trying to get my sewing stuff as organized as I can. It's hard with not having a sewing room or even a place to keep my stuff together. So organization is key for when I want to do a project. Until tonight I have been keeping my patterns in my sewing basket, but it is annoying to take them out when I need to get to the stuff in the bottom, which is almost every time I open my basket. So since we finished a box of Cheerio's the other day, I decided to turn it into a pattern holder. Here is what I did...

I took a regular box of Honey Nut Cheerio's and...

measured it to fit the pattern. You can see I cut the box and made it slimmer.

I then took a 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper and wrapped the outside of the box.

Ta-da!!!

We get Honey Nut Cheerio's all the time and I have several pieces of this paper and in different colors, so it will be easy to make more as my pattern collection grows. Fun stuff.

Holiday Cards

So it's that time of year again. I am starting to think about Christmas cards. I love getting them from friends and family, especially when there are pictures on them. I keep them in a file and compare them throughout the years. I love to make them, but this year I am considering having a friend who is a graphic designer do them for me. She has a new way to do them and I think they are very unique. Check out her website, http://redpearldesigns-blog.com/index.php?year=2010&month=November&post_get_id=47&page_type=recent to see what I am talking about. They are so pretty!!

My Christmas Challenge

Okay so everyone knows that Josh and I are just getting settled in Vancouver. I am so excited about Christmas this year because we finally get to have Christmas at home. Since we just started having cash flow to actually save money and buy presents, my desire to give is not as big as my savings. So I have been thinking through ideas as to how I can give my family and friends the kinds of gifts I love to give, but on a budget. I can always make something, but not everyone ones or needs a blanket, pot holders, or gifts in a jar (just about all I am really good at right now), so what am I to do. Alright, so last night I was hanging out with some friends and one mentioned that she knew some people who were using their Swag Buck gift certificates to help out gift buying this year. (I can explain Swag Bucks to you in an email if you want). So this got me thinking. I am a huge coupon shopper right? I have points and savings certificates to all kinds of places. If I combine them together I bet I can add $10 a family, at least!!! I only wish I could have thought of this sooner, I could really be getting my family/friends awesome gifts. So here is my challenge. I am going to do all my shopping with these points and gift certificates that way I can get my family gifts I will be proud to give on a tight budget!!! I am so excited because I love a challenge and I love to give fun gifts.

Sewing Weekend

Mary and I went to my Aunt Lorna's this weekend to have a girls sewing weekend. We had sooooo much fun and I learned a lot. I really enjoying sewing, but my skill level doesn't match my ideas of how I should be doing. So I called my Aunt and asked for help. I showed up with more projects than I knew I could finish in the time we had, however, I got more done than I thought I could. I made a blanket for Alexander, a pillow, 6 napkins (with embroidery) and a purse. I am still going to add some buttons on the purse for cute accents. As much fun as it was to get so much done, I am more happy with the skills I learn and hope to put in use at home. Here are some pictures of what I did. Oh and I forgot to mention that I made the purse out of an old jean skirt that I haven't worn since before I was pregnant.

Purse without buttons. I will add them sometime this week.

I even put pockets inside!!

I cut the fabric to size then surged the edges.

It's not my logo, but I still really like the design.

This was my third attempt at making this blanket. It helps when you have the right tools to cut the pieces straight and square. And the right way to adhere and pin the layers together.

And my ring bearer pillow. There is no string yet and this picture doesn't show the exact color, but I love the design and size of the pillow. I think it turned out good. What a fun weekend!!

Feeling Happy Today

Okay so I changed my blog theme again. But I can't help it though, I wanted something that captured my mood today. The last two days have been so much fun and very uplifting to my spirits. Yesterday I got to spend some quality time with a few of the most special people in my life, and today, I got a ton of fun free stuff to play with. I spent the afternoon sewing, neglecting everything I should have been doing (except making dinner) and I didn't feel guilty about it at all. Dishes are in the sink, clothes need to be folded, my checkbook needs to be balanced, but I don't care because I am two hems away from being down with my "Mary" blanket. And in two days I get to go have a girls weekend at my Aunt Lorna's. I'm a pretty blessed girl!!!!!

Alexander's first field trip

Today was a day I have been waiting for, our first school field trip to the pumpkin patch!!! I was so excited when I saw it on the calendar and I didn't wait one second to sign my name up to go with them. We had such a great time, Alexander got to go through the hay maze, several times, pet and feed the farm animals, climb up, over, under and through the hay tower, ride the tractor out to the field and pick a pumpkin. Then it was back to the picnic area for snack. Today was so much fun that it got me motivated to get caught up on scrapbooking so I can get to this day!!! I am feeling very blessed to be able to be entering this phase of life. All the pictures are on Facebook, but here are a few of my favorites.

Almost forgo the Pictures

Here are the pages I did the last two days. I add some other things to it once it is in the scrapbook, but since I am not going to be doing anymore pages until I get page holds I thought I would put these up for family and friends to remember and enjoy. Looking at all these photos have made me happy and sad.

Alexander's dinosaur conversation

The last two days have been so nice. Alexander has gone down for his nap without any problems. I would have given up long ago but since he naps for dad, Mary, Aunt Meghan and even Grandma who had never put him down for a nap in his life, I decided to stick it out! Anyway, I have been letting him choose one toy to take to bed with him. 9.99999 times out of 10 he picks a dinosaur. Today him and the dinosaur had a conversation and it went just like this.

Dino-"I want to fight with Allosaurs"

Alex-"After ni-night"

Dino-"But I want to fight"
Alex-"We have to sleep first, then you can fight Allosaurs"

Dino-"Okay let's go sleep"

I love his imagination and these special moments. He really makes me laugh, a lot.

On another note, I was doing so good with my scrapbooking. I was on day three and going strong when I went to put my page in the book I realized, I don't have anymore room. Shoot now I need to find a way to get more pages for my book so I can get back on task. It really has been fun going back and looking at life three years ago. Now that I am out of the "storm" I can really enjoy the special times and memories we have.

Scrapbooking

I was looking at my scrapbooks the other day and I realized that I really miss putting them together. I know it is mostly for me, but it really lifts my spirit when I sit down and look at things like, Josh and my dating years, and our honeymoon. Looking at pictures on the computer and Facebook are nice, but just not the same. SO I am on a scrapbooking mission. I am going to try and do one page a day during the week. I am picking up where I left off with Alexander's book, his first trip to the zoo, and I am going to work hard until I got to his life now. I told myself that I never wanted to be one of those scrapbookers that is years behind, you can imagine how that has worked out!!! So here is it my first page of my journey. Did I mention that I have a scrapbooking program. I print the pictures in these pages then add decorative touches with tags and journaling before then are put in the book. It's really helpful for both the creative and not so creative moments.

New Items on Esty

I decided that since we are rapidly approaching the fall, I would make a bracelet and earring set inspired by the fall weather. I actually made the earrings a little while ago, but wanted to add a matching bracelet. I used to not really like fall colors but I am starting to see that my tastes are changing, orange and brown are becoming two of my favorite colors.

I also thought since Costco has Christmas wrapping paper why can't I have Christmas wine charms. The holidays really are the best time of the year to use them, so I posted a set on my Esty.com shop. Here is a link if you would like to see everything I have made, http://www.etsy.com/shop/WithThisRingWedding

How I feel today

"...but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give
him will become in him a spring of waterwelling up to eternal life." John 4:14

You know that first drink of water you get just after a run or brisk walk? For me, that first drink is so refreshing and that is how it felt to be a women's bible study this morning. Even though I only knew a couple people, and I felt very nervous, it was so refreshing. After being at Morning Star for so many years, knowing so many people, and being the go to girl, it was so different. A few weeks back I introduced myself to the director and spent some time getting to know her, so this morning she had me passing things out and picking things up and it really helped having her call me by name. Again, this is how I felt while I was sitting in small group, that God was there and He was calling me by name. I don't know how else to explain it other than a feeling, deep in the pit of my stomach, was saying "stick out the nervousness, this is where I am suppose to be" I well up every time I think of my "girls" in Salem, the ones who have loved me in spite of my failure, walked with me through my struggles as a young woman and follower of Christ, encouraged me when I was letting myself believe lies about myself, and let me in to their lives. Trusted me with their struggles, victories, and very importantly, their friendship. I am SO sad to not be close enough to be able to share all these things daily as I used to. However, I trust God to bring me through this new season of life and give me new friendships that I could get no where else and that will help and challenge me in new and important ways.

Dinosaur Shorts

I have had these major crafting itches lately. (No I am not pregnant) So to help curb my desire I made a bridal veil last night and some dinosaur shorts for Alexander this morning. I wanted to start simple so that I would not get discouraged if they didn't turn out. I was not disappointed, in fact, I am really proud of myself. I read the pattern, followed the directions, took my time and made him some cute little shorts. I even left room in the hem just in case I want to let them out a little as he grows.

The fabric and pattern

Since this pattern goes up to size 8, I worked hard to not cut the pattern down.
I want to be able to make these shorts again since they were so easy.

Cuts made and inter legs put together. I am just about to sew the front seam.

Front seam together and they are starting to take shape.

I took my time and followed a tip my Aunt Lorna gave me years ago. Iron before you sew. It really helped everything to lay right and keep things neat and clean for sewing.

I even measured the inseam to make sure the legs were the same length.

Matched with a grey t-shirt and we have so fun dino shorts!

Did I mention that I had to bribe him with a cookie to get him to stand so I could take a picture!! I think that these shorts are totally worth it for $4!! I might even try and make some pants for him for the fall by just adding some length to the legs, we'll see.

Glow stick "Star Wars"

Oh my goodness! I didn't know that glow stick from the $1 store could be so much fun. Josh and Alexander played with these things for a long time. It was hard to make them stop, but it was 10 pm and Alexander needed to go to bed. We did let him keep one until he fell asleep though.

Meet Nemo

Alexander has many interest and one of them is fish. Every time he sees a fish tank or water that he links should have fish in it, he wants to stop and look for a long time. So today while I was at Walmart I saw the goldfish were $.28 and a fishbowl was $1 so I decided to let Alexander get his first "pet". I did actually give him the option of a blue fish but he was set on a gold one. After he picked it out and the lady handed him the bag he sat real quietly in the shopping cart holding the fish just staring at it. Then when we got to the counter to pay he shouted to the clerk, "I GOT A FISH" and held it up so proudly. From that point on until his nap he sang, "fishy fishy fishy" and when we moved her into her new home he was very sure to make sure I didn't smash it because "it would die mommy". The only concern I have is that he is going to try and pet it or dump the bowl because he keeps talking about her licking him and that it tickles. He is supper cute with it and I hope he enjoys the idea of having a fish (since it is only .28 to replace we should have "Nemo" for a while!

Camping in July

Our first camping trip this year was near Crater Lake. We went with some of my extended family, but sadly Josh could not get the time off work, so he didn't get to enjoy the week with us. It was a fun filled week with lots of bugs, "swimming" in the creek, shopping in Medford, digging in the dirt, hiking the nature bridge, fishing at an old family favorite spot, lost of time around the camp fire and so much more. Alexander crashed every night and slept to his normal time each day, which was a blessing to me, along with taking his naps when the tent was not frying hot. It was such a great week watching him run all over the camp ground with his cousins trying to be as big as them climbing trees and playing hide and go seek. Four generations have now camped at this camp ground, it sure is a great tradition to have! Here are a few more of my favorite pictures.

Looking at the nature bridge with the cousins

Picnic in Medford just after picking up some much needed bug spray

Getting ready to fish the Rogue River

Meet Mary

I know most everyone who reads this blog knows Mary, but I just wanted to make sure everyone knows what a dear and special friend she is to me. Mary really started making an impression on my heart just after Alexander was born. Those first few months were super hard for me and she was there. Our friendship grew as she gave us a place to stay while we got our house ready for the new renters, then while I was away on my journey, she and I talked just about everyday online, including doing a couple bible studies during those times. She sent me care packages with chai tea, oreo's, taco bell sauce, boxed pasta and books to ready Alexander. Her friendship to me during that time was really the only way I survived being away from everyone. Then after we got back and had very limited funds and no place to call home, her and Dan welcomed us into there home for another six months! This picture was taken on Thursday when I got to spend the entire day celebrating Mary's 29th ;) birthday with her. I know the day was suppose to be celebrating her, but Alexander and I had just as much fun as she did, what a joy it has been to know and love her for the last several years!!!

Preschool Party

We had Alexander's preschool birthday celebration today. It was supper simple but he loved it. I got him a cupcake cake that I decorated with dinosaurs and his teacher made him a birthday crown to wear. The kids were so excited about the cupcakes that I could barley keep their hands out of them while I got pictures! His teacher also took the kids out to the pond and got some cute pictures of the class. I am so thankful for where he is, his teacher is so great.




Enjoy the pictures and video...

The PRIDE of USA

I just couldn't help myself! The fourth of July is a perfect time to use wine/water glasses and when I saw these "Pride" charms at the store I had to make a set. I'm not sure what I will do with them since we, most likely, won't be here on the fourth, but I thought they were cute anyway.

The New Set

Today I decided to make a set of earrings and necklace. The black bead is a little heavier than I thought it would be, but it was still fun to make. I have decided to start trying to sell my stuff on Esty.com It's one of those websites that you have never heard of then as soon as one person mentions it, you hear it everywhere. Anyway, I thought it might be nice to make back some of the money I have spent on beads.