Riley's tutu

I just wanted to share this very quick video.

It shows Riley wearing her new tutu that I made for her. 

It cost me $3. 

I used a stretch headband and two shower puffs to make it! 

Very easy - and she has fun wearing it...

Pretty in pink.  And blue.

mellow day

Today (Saturday) Riley and I had a boring day.

If I can be honest.

At least I was kind of bored.

I'm so over summer.  Over it.  It's hot.  Humid.  Ugh.

If we're not walking outside, or playing in the kiddie pool - we're inside.

Today we played with toys.  Played in the kiddie pool.

Watched some Barney on TV (the purple dinosaur is still around!)



how creepy does this doll's eyes look?!  ha



cute Riley...psycho doll (at least when her pic is taken!  Scary.)

And, we made a drum.

Out of a good ol' oatmeal container.

(I was lazy - all we did was put construction paper around it.)

Fun.  Stuff.

Riley had fun.

I was kind of bored.

(Aaron is at work today...fyi)

And to top it off - Riley is having trouble going to sleep at night.

She's into the scared phase.  Scared of fire works (thank you, 4th of July, for ruining my child), scared of thunder, and scared of the dark.

I'm bored, tired and beat.

Here's to a better day tomorrow!

Bah hum bug. 

I'm gonna go have a cookie that I baked today.

first skirt! [sewing]

My friend, Christian, came over the other night.

She's the only friend here (that I know of) who sews.

I definitely could use a buddy to get me started and keep me motivated!

She had found this really fun, and (relatively) easy skirt tutorial to try out together.

It took us a few hours - between some ups and downs; some laughs and cake...but we finally got there!

Our work station (notice the wine)

I took a picture before I sewed one pocket on

I did it; the pocket is sewed!

OK, I had enough.  Ha!
I was nervous about sewing the next pocket.  I needed a break (already).

So, Christian came to the rescue!

And, I did what I do best. 
I ate cake.
(Mocha Cake!)

Eventually...the skirt was finished!

Do you like?!

Yeah...so here's the thing.  I didn't measure right and the waist is too big.  The skirt looks a little silly on me, with the way it is now.  Christian said we can fix that.

I promise to share a picture with you all of me and my skirt - once it fits!  (It's too cold to be sporting around skirts yet anyway, so I have time.)

It looks short sitting on the table, but it's not really that short - it hits right above the knee.  The entire night, we kept saying "it looks so short!"  Ha ha.

Also, because Christian was so patient with me - she ended up helping me with my skirt more than working on her own and it got late.  She said she'd finish hers another time.  I hope to share pics of her skirt too, once it's all finished!

Thank you, Christian.  I learned a ton from you and I had fun too!  Also, a huge shout out to Andrea (another friend of mine) who sent me this amazing sewing kit that came in handy the entire night!  You girls rock.

Yay!  Here's to sewing - and friends, wine and cake!

Stay tuned for my Mocha Cake recipe...

 

new sewing machine [first project]

Remember that oh so beautiful sewing machine I received as a Christmas gift this past year?

Well, it only took me a month - but I finally used it!  It was a goal this week.  I could not let February come without me even trying out the machine.  (Nothing like last minute!)

I am completely new to sewing.  And I mean completely.  I can't even sew a button.  No lie!  I attempt to sew a button (and I can fake it pretty well) but there is no rhyme or reason as to how I get that button on.

Anyway, I read through the manual a few days ago and threaded my sewing machine.  I stopped there.  Ha ha.  I had no fabric and my brain was so fried at that point; I needed a break.  Talk about intimidating!

So today, Riley and I made a trip to Michael's for some crafty goodies and I came home with cute scrapbook paper.

I have wanted to make paper garland!

I'm having some of my girlfriends over in a couple weeks for Valentine's Day and I wanted to make some cute garland to enjoy now until then.  (And probably the entire month of February too!)

The first step was to punch out circles with my new puncher and scrapbook paper.

As a side note - this puncher cost $14.  That's a lot, is it not?!  I could've maybe found a cheaper one else where but I hate running errands with Riley (sorry baby girl, it's true) and the thought of looking around for a cheaper puncher just wasn't an option.  I had every intention of buying a heart puncher, but when I saw the price I said "forget that!"  I went with the circle.  I can use this for every. single. occasion.  All I will need is pretty paper based on the holiday or celebration.  So I plan on making this garland a lot - just to get my use out of this puncher!  Ha. 

OK - so below are my beautiful circle punch outs.

I then went to my sewing machine.

I didn't even get pictures of the first strand I sewed because it literally flew by.  My foot was on that pedal a bit hard.  Ha ha.  It was scary.  But exciting too!  I was so giddy after I had a strand of circles together.

I continued to make more!

I really don't have too many spaces in my house to hang things like this - especially with Riley ready to grab anything at her height.

But so far this is where they ended up...

I know so beautiful hanging with my kitchen stuff

On our big mirror

I have red paper to punch next.  But the thing is, is I have no clue how to change out my thread in my sewing machine.  He he.  (And I have dark pink strand in there now.)

Baby steps.

I feel so proud though!  I actually sewed something.  It was paper...but still!

The very first sewing project.  Something easy.  Something I wanted to do for a party.  And something that got me to practice with the straight stitch and the pedal.

I see sewing in my future, oh yes I do!

(A friend of mine is coming over Friday...she's going to help me and I'm going to attempt to sew a skirt..eeeeek!)

time management

I hope everyone has enjoyed their first week of 2012!

This past week (as part of my "resolutions") I focused on managing my time better.

Since becoming a mother (almost two years ago!) I have really struggled at finding a balance that works for me.

I remember learning time management in college.  And while that was tough then - it's not even close to what I'm talking about now.

Being a wife has changed things.

Being a mother has changed things.

Being a wife, mother (stay-at-home) and ME all at the same time has been hard to balance.

I know you guys know what I'm talking about - you've been there too, right?!

Balance is hard; something that constantly needs to be revisited and adjusted.

If I get pulled too much in one direction - I start feeling frazzled, stressed, and unhappy.  It may not be immediately; but eventually it catches up and slaps me in the face.

A top priority of mine this year - is, well, to get back to my priorities.

One big priority of mine this year is exercise. 

I complain a lot - and now, even I'm sick of my own complaining!

I'm sick of complaining about no gym membership; no treadmill; not a big enough house for a treadmill; winter - cold and dark; little free time; my husband is deployed, etc.  Boo hoo.

All excuses for not exercising; when exercise needs to be a priority in my life.  It just has to be.  End.  Of.  Story.

So, I am working out at home - making exercise fun again.  I'm not doing the same thing over and over but a variety of things.  I'm just moving.  I don't care what I do or when I do it - I'm just going to be active.  Inside or out.  During the day or at night.

(I've had to let go of some high expectations of mine too - that's part of my priorities this year.  Is to let go.  Stop being so hard on myself; stop feeling so guilty.  I'm not perfect and I'm surely not a super-momma!)

And another thing on my "to do" list this year...

Start sewing.

I have no excuses now - I got the equipment for Christmas!

I really am excited to learn and look forward to keeping you all in the loop as I try out (or fail) projects! 

I have to be honest, I'm a little intimidated right now about it all but I know once I start I will enjoy it (I think) and if I don't...well, there's more to life than sewing.

I'm pretty sure either way, I'll survive.

So...while I have a gazillion areas of my life I'm striving to work on and to better - I just wanted to share a couple things with you.

The trick will be to balance it all in.  I've already re-worked my schedule during the day and night to really take full advantage of the "me" time that I do have; while also keeping the family time intact (a top priority, always).

As for blogging - it's a fun hobby of mine, so it's not going away!

I hope you all are finding the proper balance in your lives too!!

***********************************************

Don't forget to enter my first ever giveaway...winner will be chosen tomorrow!! 

 

save those Christmas cards!!

I am going to be putting away our Christmas decorations this weekend (most likely).

Before doing so, I wanted to go through all our Christmas cards!

Some cards I save (and I'm not telling you which ones). 

Some cards I hang on our bulletin board for awhile (picture cards of cute kids).

Some cards I pitch (hello too much glitter).

Some cards get cut all apart (most of them, actually).

So, tonight while drinking some hot cocoa I went through our cards and started sorting, and cutting! 

All you need are scissors and a hole punch.  If you want to get fancy, you can use a paper cutter.

This idea comes from my mom.  I had seen her do it one year (not sure how long she's been doing it) and honestly, this is the first year I'm giving it a whirl!

Ta-da!  I made some present tags for future Christmases!

If you haven't thrown away your cards yet (don't tell me you save them all) definitely do this.  It's too easy not to.  Sit down to a cup of coffee or watch a TV show while cutting away.

Buying tags every year just adds to the expense of Christmas, does it not?  Yeah, OK they only cost a few bucks - but I'm here to tell you, those few bucks add up!

Besides, wrapping presents with ribbon and attaching a lovely tag is so very pretty.  Why not then make it your own?!

Happy cutting. 

Bye bye Christmas!



(I apologize if you are upset with me for rushing Christmas...it's just I'm ready to see my hubby!  Bring it, 2012!)

thank you's

I really enjoy making easy (and inexpensive) goody bags, party favors and little "thank you" gifts.

Riley & I visited Aaron's side of the family over Thanksgiving...

I decided to create a goody bag for the immediate family (three bags total) since they all do so much for us when visiting.

Honestly, it did not cost much to create each bag. 

Even so, I felt like it was a nice way to say "thank you." 

hot chocolate, magnet list & pen, peppermint soap, candle, and Lindt truffles
(hint: always buy candies or chocolate in a big bag and package yourself to save $$ vs. already pre-packaged items)

the final product
(I bought the bags at Target for $0.25 each!)

I made this "tag" on the computer; cut it out and then glued to cardstock - easy!!

I also took a plate, with 5 different kinds of cookies on it, wrapped in cellophane wrap to share with family.  It looked pretty!  Again, it was an easy and inexpensive way to show my thanks and to contribute something.  (Sorry, I didn't take a picture to share.)

All the cookies were baked during the couple weeks prior to our visit, and frozen.  Having frozen cookies on hand during the holidays is a must in our house.  It's so easy to take them out and package them for family, friends and neighbors.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

There is so much to be thankful for, isn't there?!

 

couple projects

I finally finished two things I have been wanting to for weeks now!


One...

A craft project that I never finished from one of the Mom's Time Out meetings.  We left early that day because Riley was crying hysterical.

It was such a cute idea!  You just take any tin or container you have, add some scrap-booking paper to it, and that's pretty much it! 

You have a pretty container now that looks nice sitting on a shelf or desk.  And it's so cheap and quick to make!

Two...

I sorted through a stack of photos sitting on my desk (since July, and every month adding to it) and organizing them into a photo album.

I ended up ordering a bunch of photo pages and buying a regular 3-ring binder.  Honestly, it was much cheaper than a lot of photo albums and it's a big one so I can fit lots of photos in it!

I'm going to do our photo albums this way from now on...so much more cost effective.  Especially, since we take and print out a lot of photos!

I feel very accomplished just by working on these two things!  It's amazing how much longer it takes me to get little projects like this done.

Do you feel the same?  Please tell me that I'm not alone!

family magnets

This idea was inspired by a friend of mine...

Riley loves looking at our pictures around the house, and especially on the refrigerator. 

She is learning all her family members' names.  She has her immediate family down, but now we are working on the extended family too.

All you need are a few items to get started on this easy project!

1. Contact paper
2. adhesive magnets
(I got mine at Michael's)
3. photos
4. scissors

I cut the Contact paper to fit on each side of the photo and cut the edges, keeping about 1/4 inch as the border. 

I then placed two magnets on the back, and put the photo up on the fridge!  EASY.

Every day, Riley is going over to the fridge to look at her family! 

She rearranges the photos.  She takes them off and will play with them on the floor and she enjoys sticking them back up on the fridge too. 

I wanted to make the magnets this way so that she can play with the photos without me having to worry that she's going to rip or destroy them.  I wanted this project to last...

You can use any photos you want, get creative!