Hoo Are You Tuesday....

Playing again from Night Owl Crafting.  Here are this weeks questions!

1. Do you sing in the shower or car when no one else is listening?

Mostly the car, and will sing full blast if its just me and the kids.  I try to spare my hubby a wee bit and don't sing as loud....but still sing along with everything! LOL

2.  Do you have a nickname you go by now or growing up?

My brother used to call me braticus......now he just calls me brat.  Other than that, people just call me awesome! (I wish! LOL)

3. Do you speak another language?

I speak a little of this and a little of that, but master none of them.....I understand Zachanese, which no one else does.....since my son Zach speaks his own language!   Does that count?

4. Where is you favorite vacation spot? 

Vacation?  What's that?   

5. What do you cook the most for dinner?

Probably pasta or anything grilled.....keeps the heat out of my AZ kitchen!

Getting to know you Sunday

1. Thong or Granny Panties?
I have actually been really into the boy shorts lately.  They cover the entire tush so you can't see them in pants but my husband actually likes them better than thongs.....yippee for me! LOL
2. If you see a guy with his fly down, do you tell him?
if I know them, yes....otherwise I'd probably be too shy to say anything...I mean, WHY was I looking inthe first place? LOL
3. Spanx or no Spanx?
well, since my mirror laughs at me when it sees my hiney.....I would say YES, but I don't have any yet
4. Do you sleep in your sheets?
yes, with one leg out at all times.....I'm a weird sleeper
5. What is your favorite Disney character?
I have to pick just one????  Oh boy.....Sebastian from the Little Mermaid I guess!
6. Dream vacation spot?
I would LOVE to travel to Italy and Ireland.
7. What is your dream job?
If I could find a job doing social work that paid decent....I would love to have a job where I make a difference
8. Who is your hero and why?

 I just lost one of mine.  My Grandma just passed away earlier this year.  She was 102, and lived through so many things.  She lived through the great depression, she lived through losing her husband, she lived through pain and osteoporosis on a daily basis and she did it all with courage and grace.  She never complained about what life handed her, she just kept living with love and laughter.  Everyone who knew her loved her,and if I could be half the person she was I will be blessed!

Silly Saturday

So, I have 3 kids.  An 8 yr old girl, a 6 yr old boy and a 4yr old boy.  They were discussing what they wanted to be when they grow up.

My daughter asks the 4 yr old....

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

his reply.......

"A teenager"

after we all got done laughing, we asked him why he said a teenager.

"Cause I can have a phone when I'm a teenager"

Oh to see the simplicity of the world as a 4 yr old.... LOL

Do you have any funny stories you want to share?

Friday Fetch

Soo....here is my post with all of the crafts I forgot to post.  I made a separate post so I hopefully don't bore everyone to tears with novel size posts.......I can get kind of "wordy".

So, without further ado....

More button bracelets:

Ebony and Ivory

Merlot and Chardonnay

Citrus Surprise

The Wine one is in a box because I gave it to a friend of mine who was hosting a wine tasting at her home.  I thought it would be perfect.

I also had the same friend ask me if I had any owls made up that would be suitable for a baby shower for a little boy.  I DID have one, but it was more of a neutral green, so I decided to make one for her out of denim with green accents.  I thought it would be more boyish.  I always take pictures of them, but forgot.....she was gracious enough to send me one with her camera phone before she gifted it, so here is the little owl I made him:

He was about 9 or 10 inches tall.....all sewn on pieces so he would be safe for a wee one!

Alright, I think I am caught up now.  TGIF everyone!

Guess what I did????

I cleaned up my hideous closet/craft room!!  Not even 3 hours after I posted pictures for all the world to see, my husband asked me if I knew it was a mess!  HAHAHAHA!  Umm, really?  He said, "I think I've been good, and haven't said anything about it for at least a week!"  Yes, dear.....you've been good....and now, so have I!

Here is the transformation:

see all of my fabric folded and actually in the cabinet instead of in a bag on the floor?  And my ribbons are on their new spikes (I saw the idea in blogland, and for the life of me, can't remember where...feel free to tell me who so I can give proper credit if you know)

 I think they look right out of a magazine, but I have to admit.....to make them look that good, I had to tape e ends to keep them all from unwinding on me, but I picked up the spikes for 8 cents a piece at home depot.  I bought 10, so for 80 cents......voila!

and my floor is vacuumed and I have a new trash sack all ready to go.  Still have part of my yarn stash in the box beneath there......is there EVER enough room?  in a word.....NO!

So....I also added labels to all of my posts.  I figured that was the feature I like most on other blogs, so I should have it on my own.  You would think I would have just started out with it, but being somewhat blonde.....I wasn't sure how, until I tinkered around yesterday.  Soooo......check out my labels! LOL

It also made me realize that some stuff I thought I had posted wasn't in here.....so my next post I will show the other crafts I completed but never logged on here.  TGIF everyone!!!

I have a confession!

As shocking as this is to everyone who knows me......



boy, this is hard.....

I am NOT perfect!

(my 4 yr old took this LOVELY shot)

Phew....there!  I said it!

I am messy, lazy, and have jumbled thoughts all the time!  When I get stressed, I tend to sort of shut down.  If I ignore it, it goes away, right?  LOL  I can keep the entire house clean, but when it comes to my craft area....fogeddaboutit!!

Want to see what I am talking about?

How scary is that floor????  YIKES!  Bag of fabric not yet put away....box of hair accessories with the lid on the floor....my garbage sack FULL and not thrown in the garbage.  And that counter!!!  yowza!!! I am a disgrace!  My husband built me this little craft area in our closet because he KNOWS what I am like.  This way, the only person who sees it and knows my dirty little secret is him.  Well, and I guess now all of you!

Phew, I feel better getting that off my chest.  Maybe Wednesdays will become "Confession Wednesday's" for me.  You know.....a way to stay real in blogland.  I see so many perfect blogs, and perfect craft rooms......and I feel shameful of my bloggy mess! LOL  If I can help just ONE blogger feel better about themselves, then I am doing good, right?

(another pic from my 4 yr old....this one a wee bit better, but still with no makeup!  LOL)

So, anyone have anything they want to get off their chest today?

Hoo Are You Tuesday....

Here we go again.....I am participating in Night Owl crafting's Hoo are you Tuesday to let everyone know a little more about myself.  It's good clean fun.  If you want to participate, just follow this link here and tell a little about yourself as well!

Here are this weeks questions!

1. Have you ever broke a bone or anything on your body?

Not a bone, per se.....but I did crack open my head and require many stitches while my mom was out of town and I was on my Dad's watch.  Just in case you don't know......clothes lines DO NOT hold people.....just clothes! LOL

2. What is your favorite drink?

COFFEE.....dealing with 3 demanding kids every morning makes coffee my best friend!!

3. When is your birthday! You don't have to tell the year you were born!

August 2nd.....coming up soon!  as for birthstones...I think mine rivals Nov as ugliest....LOL

4. Do you have an allergies?

I think I may be allergic to bull@#$*..... but I don't know how you test for it! LOL

5. What is one of your all time favorite movies?

Steel Magnolias is my all time fave!  There is nothing better in a movie than one that makes me cry only to be followed directly with laughter.  I think laughter through tears is my favorite thing! 

So, now you all know a little more about weird little me! LOL! 

Sleep masks

Okay...so I think I am on a kick.  I made five this morning, in a matter of hours! LOL  They are so fun, and easy.

Here they are....

Whaddya think????

I'm feeling sleepy....

okay, not really, but I have been going a little nutso over sleep masks lately!!  My daughter HAS to sleep with one, and I don't really mind, because it has given her a good nights rest for the past 6 months or so.  She is afraid of the dark, but for some reason, she is okay with the self inflicted darkness of a sleep mask.  I bought her one earlier this year as a reward for having adenoid surgery, and being such a trooper with it.  The mask has served her well.....but it bit the dust this week.  My 4 yr old son decided the elastic strap on the back was a fun slingshot thingy, and pulled a wee bit too hard.....boys being boys and all that! LOL

Sooo, I thought, well, it can't be that hard to make her a new cool one! (not sure I achieved the "cool" factor, but I made her one)  It was actually pretty fun, and easy.  I am on a new sleep mask kick now, and have had friends ask me to make them some.

Here are a few I have made so far:

My daughter's new mask...

the "Owl" mask I made for my friends 2 yr old.....

the one I made for my friend who wanted scull and crossbones.... (not the best one)

I am going to try my hand at a few more today, and may list them if they turn out cute!  I'll let you know! :)

Hoo Are You Tuesday....

I am linking up to Night Owl Crafting's Hoo are you Tuesday.  If you want to participate, just click the link above!  I wasn't able to participate last week because I was dealing with a broken A/C unit in the month of July in AZ....NOT a good thing!  So, anywho....

Here are this weeks questions!

1. Do you prefer sweet or salty foods?

I have a sweet tooth for sure, but I also love salt.  The combo of the two is heaven for me......like dipping french fries in a chocolate shake....YUM!

2. Name your 3 BEST personality traits!

I think I am funny (others may disagree..LOL), caring, forgiving.  I do NOT hold grudges, cause life is too short!

3. Name your 3 worst personality traits!

That I think I am funny! (LOL), I am impatient, and lazy.

4. Do you collect anything?

I used to collect pigs, but not anymore.  Now the only thing I seem to collect around my house is dust.  I think I need to stop that, too!

5. What is your favorite season of the year?

Christmas time!  I love seeing the lights up everywhere, people showing compassion for others, the cool temps so I can snuggle with my honey....but most of all, it is a great reminder to me of God's grace and compassion.....a renewal of hope!!!

Baby comfy and bandana shirts oh my!

So, I found out that my husbands cousin, whom was expecting her first baby at the beginning of August actually had her water break on Monday, only to deliver a beautiful little girl on Tuesday.  I thought I had more time to be "creative" with the baby gift, but alas.....I did not!

I decided to make a little bay comfy....a small blankey with ribbon tags.  They had registered for everything in yellows and greens since they weren't finding out the sex ahead of time.  So, I had bought a cute fleece in those colors.  Since I knew it was a girl, I decided to dress it up in pink a wee bit.  I put a hot pink jersey material for the back side, so it will be super cuddly.  It was my first time making one, so hopefully it turned out okay.

Here it is:

Also,  After making myself a bandana shirt, my daughter decided she HAD to have one.  We picked out some pretty purple bandanas and I got started.  My little fashion diva told me she didn't want regular tank top straps, cause that is soooo boring!  She wanted them to tie around her neck.....so, this is what I came up with.  It looks super cute on her!

Having a bit of "Craft Block" lately...

So...I am re-evaluating my life a lot lately, and with the kids out of school for the summer, and always on the go...I am struggling.  I work from home for my father in law, and it gives me flexibility, but it is still a responsibility.  The kids are a responsibility.  The house is a responsibility.  Crafts are an outlet for me, but I feel like if  I spend my spare time doing them, I am neglecting these other things.  I feel guilty for wanting to do them lately, and it has hampered my creativity.

I am doing some soul searching on what I want to do with my life.  My kids will only be small for a short time, and then I will have the rest of my life to do what I want.  But the question is WHAT do I want to do with my life?  Sorry.....just rambling to myself. 

Hoo Are You Tuesday....

 So, once again, I am playing the Hoo are you Tuesday at Night Owl Crafting.....go here to play too!

1. Do you have any siblings? 

Yes...an older brother and an older sister....I am the baby!

 (the 3 of us with our cousin)

                               2. Do you have any children?

I have 3 beautiful kids....a daughter who is 8, son who is 6 and son who is 4

3. Are you a morning or night person?

My kids have sort of forced me to be a morning person, they all get up at the crack of dawn.....I find it hard to stay up past 11 pm now!!!

 

                       4.Are you organized or spontaneous? 

It depends...on vacation, I prefer to be spontaneous or it makes it too stressful to me.  Actually, I think I am more spontaneous with everything.  I am very much a "go with the flow" kind of person!

 my husband would laugh if I said I was organized!

 (This was my attempt at organizing my fabric)

 

5. What is your typical 4th of July like? Laid back at home? Community celebrations? etc...?

We usually just hang out around the neighborhood.  There is a big fireworks display not far from here, so we can see it from here.  Last year we went to a neighbors house and watched from their backyard.  Probably more of the same this year!

 

Inspired crafts

So earlier this month, I saw an adorable post by Handy Pants about turning bandanas/scarfs into tanks and skirts.  It was such a cute idea I just had to give it a whirl.  I bought a few, since I was pretty sure I wanted it to have straps, and just went to town.

Being the indecisive person that I am.....I didn't actually sew the straps into place, because I wanted opinions on which way people like it best. (sorry for the poor pics, I am a stinky photographer!!)

So...here is strapless tubey-top style

here is tubeytop style with a tie underneath breasty area to give a little "something"

here is with tie underneath, straps added and switched to tie in front

which do you like better???

Also....this Wednesday I am going to see Eclipse with some girlfriends, and I am a total nerd, but made my friend and I matching necklaces.  These will be much like the other washer necklaces, but I bought some red glass beads to add to the top.  I am a dork, but hey.....I am a happy crafting one! :)

Hoo are you?

I am participating in the link party at Night Owl Crafting for Hoo Are You Tuesday.  Go ahead and check it out and participate as well!







Hoo are you Tuesdays?
So, here are my answers.....

1. What are some of your pet peeves?
     I dislike suck ups!  I can't stand when people fall for it, and let their judgment falter because of flattery.  I think hard work and good character should always prevail!
2. Do you have a favorite or lucky number?
     8.....not sure why....just love that number! :)
3. What is one of your family traditions?
     well, I'm not sure if it is considered a family tradition, but we have started baking cookies for Christmas with the kids and their cousins each year, as well as egg dying before Easter.
4. Is there anything you are OC about?
     Sandwiches.  My husband makes fun of me for it.  Well...food in general.  I can't stand having fillings uneven.  When we eat at Arby's I have to redistribute the meat evenly and then put equal amounts of Horsy sauce and arby sauce on both buns.....my husband thinks I am crazy! LOL
5. What is your favorite kind of food? 
     Sushi!!  I could eat sushi all day everyday!  LOVE it.

Button bracelets

So, I have made button bracelets for the last year or so.  I have a TON of unmatched buttons, and wasn't really sure how to use them up, so I started making bracelets with buttons.  My first one, I tied knots at the ends after attaching toggles, but they were a bit bulky and unfinished looking.

After seeing numerous tutorials on washer necklaces and some notions you could use with twine, rope, etc....I decided to use them on the bracelets as well.

So....here is a show of bracelets through the years, ending with the one I made today just in time for Fourth of July!

So....here's the first attempt....I still wear it, since it goes with a TON of my wardrobe.  (I love earth tones)

Here is another one made using the clasps for cording:

and here is the one I made today (for the 4th):

I used the same notions I used on the pink one, but instead of using a lobster clasp attached to them, I simply left them as is, and used them as an instrument to keep the cord secure at one end, and to create a loop at the other.  I thought it turned out super cute!  I can't wait to wear it for the Fourth!!!!

I showed this off here: