What a Day with a Weekend Project

Maybe I should say Saturday project, but since we're rolling over into Sunday morning I'll call it a weekend project. I sewed my first purse. I screwed up a lot learned many lessons doing this bag. My seam ripper was my best friend the whole time. I cannot even fathom the amount of time I spent with my dear buddy. First, the purse I made...

Now, for what I learned:
1.) Patterns (even though they say easy) aren't always easy. They assume you have some clue of what you're doing.
2.) When sewing corners of the bottom of a purse or inside lining, don't fold the corners down like you're wrapping a Christmas present. Yeah it doesn't work! (Thank you Google...you are loved!)
3.) Taking 4 strips of material with corners cut to a slant and sewing them together to make them into a continuous piece...was more than my brain could comprehend. I ended up just doing it however I could to get it straight. (Thank you Google again for attempting to help me with this problem but with no success.)
4.) Metal claps go on the inside lining....not the outside of the purse. I have small cut holes where I messed up on the front.
5.) Sewing on a bias sucks booty!!! Especially when it's too small. I would've preferred a wider bias for this purse around the top b/c it didn't cover my not so perfect basting stitch in the back.
6.) The rough part of the fusible interfacing goes against the project...not the material you are covering it with to protect it. Took me 4 tries to get it right.

I'm sure there's more I learned, but I cannot think straight now. I did have two energy drinks before I started this purse. Took me about 5 hours or so. SO many issues! Now I think I'm going to make a matching checkbook cover and maybe a matching wallet. However, I won't be starting these tonight. Time to crash as my Princesses like to get up super early!

Sending creative vibes to all!

Excited and Nervous!

I signed up a while ago at Whipstitch Fabrics blog for their Sewing Buddy Project 2011. I am so excited to be getting a sewing buddy even though I am a very beginner. I'm worried that my sewing buddy will become 1.) annoyed at my sewing ignorance or 2.) be so advanced they'll become annoyed at my sewing ignorance! Hahaha! I'm hoping that my buddy and I (yet to be determined) will be able to offer support and encouragement to each other. Yippee!

We had snow again Tuesday night and the schools were closed yesterday...again. Princess #1 is home today with a low grade fever and complaining of an ear infection. She also has a rash across her neck and shoulders. We'll be spending the day at the dr.'s office. I need to make a bag to carry my crochet with me to the dr...like these (pictures are from flickr and by clicking the photo it will take you to the original):

made by handmadedaily

 made by Queen Puff Puff

 made by sraines

Off to get my daughter a dr. appointment. Have a good day! Sending Crafting and Sewing vibes to all!

Amazing Read!

Shadowfever is the 5th book of the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. I waited a over a year for this book to be released and it was SO worth the wait! The whole series is amazing! If you like fantasy with some major action and booty kicking...this is the series for you! It has vampires and faeries and all kinds of awesomeness! Now I am not one to reread books...at all! However, since I've finished this book I'm rereading the whole series again. I have to say it one more time....AWESOMENESS!!

I LOVE to read! I have been a SAHM since the end of March 2010. I have read 150+ books during that time. I love series! Individual novels/books are fine, but I just get into a the whole story of books. When I read an individual book it seems I want more of the characters of the books. Especially if it's an awesome book, (like the Fever Series). Some of the other amazing series I've read is The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward, Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine, the Guardian Series by Keri Arthur, and the Anita Blake Series by Laurell K Hamilton. I enjoy reading about vampires, werewolf, and really anything paranormal like that.  I'm always looking for new books to read! What have you read lately?

Princess #3 is 4!

Happy Birthday To My Princess!!!

I'm not sure where the time has gone! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home!
 

 

Now everyone together....Awwww. 

We had her birthday cakes..yes I said cakeS...on Saturday. We did it with just us because we don't have any family close, but she had a great time! Here's the cakes I made her...

She came away with new dishes, two coloring books, new plate/cup/bowl set, a Leapster Explorer with 4 games, and suckers. All in all everything went great and her and her sisters had a great time. I loved seeing her face and hearing her scream in excitement.

A New Project while Sick

Since I've been sick and staying bundled up on the couch like a couch potato I decided I'd finally break out the crochet hooks and learn how to crochet. So.. I made myself some wrist warmers:

My kids liked them so much that they have all three requested some. While I was making these my oldest Princess wanted to learn how to crochet, too...so...

I got her set finished yesterday and have two more sets to make for each of the the Princesses. She's so happy about learning to make a chain that she even practiced this morning after getting ready for school:

Coat, backpack, and even her new wrist warmers I made her...

"When I grow up I'm going to go to Walmart and buy alot of yarn and crochet stuff!" 

We are all starting to feel better around our house thankfully! Hoping to get caught up on everything that got neglected while sick and get to work on some sewing stuff and finish up the other 2 sets of wrist warmers for my kiddos.

Insert creative title here

There comes a time as a mother, or parent, that one might think God is playing a cruel joke on us. *knock on wood* There is nothing much harder than having a sick child and a sick parent. The last several days has been such a roller coaster of sickness, dr appointments, and attitudes.

Monday: Wake up at 5:30 am to the school calling and saying it's closed for a snow day. 5:45 walk out of my bedroom to find all 3 kids already up and one sitting by the toilet sick and a fever of 101.3. Proceed to get her fever down to 100.3. This goes on til 2pm when my neighbor so kindly took 2 of my children to give me some rest. I ended up taking the sick child to the dr office who said it was just a virus and nothing he could do. Continue giving Tylenol and Mortin/Ibuprofen alternating every 3 hours. Then I went across the hall and visited the Dr for myself. Major ear infection with sinus infection. Zpack, and 3 kinds of samples and sent me on my way. Three hours total at the dr office. That night I slept on the couch (being considerate of not waking my husband) and got up every 3 hours to give my poor sick child medicine.

Tuesday: Wake up at 5:30 am again b/c that was the 3 hour time schedule for medication and decided there was no point in going back to sleep for 45 mins. I am greeted by this:

 

Is actually much redder than the picture and very swollen!

Arm red with odd rash and very hot to touch.

So...back to the dr again. 2 shots later (steroid and benadryl) and a conference with another dr. and it could be an allergic reaction, a rash from virus, or even a weird case of hives. They aren't really sure. So we left with a prescription of steroids and are to go back to the dr the next morning. Also, fever got up to 102.9 while at dr office. Another night on the couch for me with another night of medication every 3 hours.

Wednesday: Rash or whatever it is, is almost gone and back to the dr's office at 8:45am. Meanwhile the steroids has put this sick child on edge and she is beyond grouchy and loaded with attitude! Drs are happy to see the rash gone, but we are to continue OTC benadryl and the prescription steroids. They still have no idea what or why w/the whole rash/redness/swelling thing. No fever after 3am dose of medication. So I made some of these:

Honey bran muffins (just add milk...lol no homemade from me)

We all lay down for naps and I ended up sleeping most of the day. Got up for a bit last night and was running fever myself. At least I got to sleep in MY bed with no medicine interruptions and slept from 8pm-6am.

Thursday: That brings us to this morning.... no fever for the sick kid or me this morning, but the steroids have upset her stomach so she stays home another day and I'm on the verge of a migraine. While waiting outside w/the oldest Princess to get on the bus this happens to the youngest princess:

The kitten scratched her leg.

It has been a very LONG week and it isn't over yet! I hate when my kids are sick and it makes it even more difficult when I'm sick with them. I think it just deepens my depression. My house hasn't been cleaned, the clothes hasn't been washed, and everything has piled up and become junky. I hate it! All I need want is for our routines to get back to normal and everyone to be well. No crafting, sewing, or anything for me this week.

Like Christmas Morning!

Every time I check my blog reader to see if there are any new posts from blogs I follow or subscribe to it's like Christmas morning when there are new posts! I get so excited and I'm pretty sure my heart rate picks up because I just know there will be fun, inspirational, and amazing stuff posted on these blogs! I am addicted constantly checking my google reader to see what's new! The more new ones there are the happier I am! Anyone else like this or is it just me?

Yippe!

Well, I did it! I just bought a FQ set of Kate Spain's Fandango! *insert frantic screams and crazy jumping up and down here* It was also my first purchase on Etsy. LOL I don't know if I'll ever cut into it, but I'm SO excited! I've seen SO many projects made with this fabric and I have fell head over heels for it! Here's a photo of the FQs..

I'm also working on a purse. It's a slow go b/c it's a patchwork purse and I've never done anything like this. It's my first time with interfacing, too. LOL I'm nervous!

My kids are getting a snow day today. We got about 1.5 inches or so.

I also have a sick one at home. Princess #2 is running a 101 fever and complaining of body aches and nausea. Sigh It's gonna be a LONG day! Up since 5:30am, kids are cranky, and I'm STILL fighting off an ear infection. I still plan on sneaking in some sewing at some point today!

Sending warm and cozy vibes!

Thankful ear!

I've had earache for a few days now and didn't have a heating pad so I whipped up a rice bag, popped it in the microwave, and now my ear is feeling much better! It took me 20 mins from start to finish and my ear is definitely thanking me!



Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend! Looks like we are suppose to get us some snow tonight!

Sending creative vibes to all!!

Whew!

I've been playing catch up on cleaning and laundry for the last several days! I have a tendency to clean a while and then check facebook and my google reader. I'm addicted! Plus, it seems I'm only creative and inspired to sew/quilt/craft when my house is clean. Otherwise, I just wanna sit and stair at it all with wishful thinking.

And...my 3 year old, who will be 4 this month is refusing to potty train. Doesn't matter what I do!! We've given treats, tried bribes, did completly away with the pull ups, and she still makes a mess and refuses to use the potty. UGH! i'm kinda going insane! Princesses #1 and #2 never had any problems.  I'm just beside myself with frustration and desperation.

I LOVE getting packages in the mail! While it wasn't fabric :( it was still awesome! My niece is teaching in Japan this year and for Christmas she sent my family some candy from Japan. It was so cool looking at a wrapper with no English and just Japanese. I mean it could have said "poison" and I still would've eaten it b/c i wouldn't have had a clue! Needless to say that was the first time I've had Chocolate from Japan and it was fabulous!! Like a better version of Godiva. :)

So I'm off to finish cleaning. I'm hoping to finally get some pictures hung in our living room. We've been here since August and I haven't put out any pictures. Kinda sad if you ask me. I managed to get some candles put up as decoration yesterday and that's a start! Still so much to do as always. When your a family of 5 the work is never done!

C'ya'll!

Whats Yours?

I got to thinking this morning (everyone watch out!!) about what people’s routines are in the mornings. Mine goes as follows:

1.) I get up at 6:15am and immediately turn on the kid’s bedroom lights and attempt to get them up without threating their life.

2.) I make me a big ole cup of international coffee. I totally prefer the French Vanilla with extra spoon fulls...usually one cup = 5 or 6 tsps of coffee mix. lol I like the flavor, what can I say!! Usually have to remind the kids to leave the cats alone and I have to send Princess #3 to the other room while she plays DS so the other two will get ready for school instead of watching or playing with her.

3.) I drink half of the cup in one gulp and then head outside for my other horrible habit. We’ll leave it at that. While I’m outside I check my facebook and my email on my phone.

4.) Get on to the kids some more telling them they have 10 mins left to get their clothes on, get their backpacks packed, hair/teeth brushed, lunches packed.

5.) Make the kids lunches while I argue with them about what they can and can’t take in their lunch boxes or about what they can and can’t wear to school. (mind you they’re only 6 and 7 years old, but they still fight me)

6.) Have a seat on the couch with the laptop and recheck facebook and do my facebook games which are terribly addicting. Check my spam folder of my email since I can’t do that on my phone. Then I go to my awesome google reader and catch up on all the wonderful and inspirational blogs I follow. Meanwhile, I’m usually still fighting with the kids and telling them they have 10 mins to finish getting ready so they can eat before we have to go outside to get on the bus.

7.) Tie shoes and button pants for the kids.

8.) 7:10am head outside to wait for the kid’s school bus and then they’re on the bus between 7:15am-7:20am.  Usually having to get on to them for yelling and screaming while they’re outside. Normally it’s okay, but I try to be considerate of the neighbors. Many of them are older and I don’t know their schedule and the last thing I want is my noisy two kids waking them up. Hehe

9.) After they’re on the bus it’s a little more down time for me. I am NOT a morning person what so ever!!! Sometimes I can get right into straightening and cleaning, but most mornings it’s a no go and I lounge around for a while. Princess #3 loves her tv so we usually turn on Mickey Mouse Club House, Handy Mandy, or Oso.

So that’s pretty much my morning routine for the first hour and half of the mornings. I’m exhausted just by thinking about it! LOL So what’s yours?!!

I picked up a lot of fabric during Christmas break and I’ll be posting some pics to come. Just gotta stop being lazy to fix them and upload them. LOL

Til next time…happy quilting and crafting!