Doing What I'm Good at!

As I sat for a small break from children, Lucy down for a nap and Livy watching a movie, I was determined that I would accomplish something. That's the hardest thing with a newborn is the lack of time (or desire some days because you are too tired) is not being able to work on projects.

With our annual family pictures in a few weeks, I wanted for once to have bows for the girls to wear. Too many times, while taking pictures, I find myself wishing that I would have thought about making bows.

I made two burgundy velvet bows to match the girl's Christmas dresses, a white one for Lucy's Blessing, and a princess one for Livy that I've been putting off for months.

A few of the LARGE bows that I have made this year. I have plans for several more!

Lucy with her new bow!

Livy with her new princess bow. (It has Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty on the ribbon.)

Christmas Mini Envelope Advent

With it being September, you may think it's a little early to start thinking about Christmas. I personally like to spend at least the whole month of December enjoying the holidays rather than worry about projects, let alone the dreaded shopping. So it's the perfect time to think about holiday projects.

Last fall I was searching for the perfect advent for my family and loved the idea of little envelopes, each filled with something you could do together to count down to Christmas. I was determined to make my own and I am happy to share it with you!

At a local scrapbook store I purchased several different kinds of holiday paper and used the store's die-cut machine to make mini tags.

And to make mini envelopes.

Once folded, they look something like this. I loved finding double sided paper to use for this project.

Then I got to use some creativity to decorate the envelopes. I used various ribbons, stickers and the mini tags.

For the mounting board, I used the extra heavy weight cardboard and put scrapbook paper around it. I won't give measurements because depending on the size of envelope will determine how big of surface you need.

You can't see it in the picture, but I have attached a ribbon to the top to hang the advent up. You could even put it on an easel and display it that way.

Some close-ups of the decorated envelopes, each hand numbered.

And a big star for the grand finale! The reason for the season!

I have been thinking for sometime as what I want to put inside the envelopes. You could make a tag with the countdown event on it, or even a simple piece of paper. This will take a bit of time and planning on your part. I plan on putting in things that we would normally do, like our annual family Christmas party, and things that would be fun to experience together. Most things will be fairly simple, just something little to count down to the big day.

Here are a few ideas:

* Decorate family gingerbread house

* Go see the drive-through lights

* See the lights on Temple Square

* Make paper snowflakes decorate windows

* Paint toe nails (Livy loves this!)

* Pick out a tree together

* Decorate tree and eat danish cookies & hot chocolate,

* Bake Christmas cookies and decorate

* Watch a Christmas movie

* Family Christmas party

* Read a special Christmas story together

* Draw a picture of the nativity

* Mail Christmas cards

* Go to German store and get goodies & advents

* Go to the church Christmas party

* Dance to Christmas music

* Play in the snow

* Take Christmas gifts around to neighbors and friends

* Do a Christmas craft together

* Write letter to Santa

* Make a picture for Grandma & Abuelos

* Have a fondue night

* Build snowmen out of marshmallows

* Family game night

* Breakfast for dinner

* Night time walk with homemade lanterns

* Make thumb print art

* Buy Christmas coloring books and color

* Make chocolate covered snowmen hats

* Go ice skating

* Build a snowman together

* Christmas Eve celebration (Whatever special you do this night!)

For more Christmas Advent ideas, here is the Matchbox Advent that I made last year.

A cut for the baby's room

My sweetheart has been out of town for work for the past three weeks. I had intentions of completing several projects, crafts, and to-do items. My intentions were good but I did very little. I did manage to work on a large project for the baby's room.

The stencil is cut and the painting has begun. Check back soon for the completed project!

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

When I was little I thought that I couldn't celebrate St. Patrick's Day because I wasn't Irish. Later I found that I have an itty bitty speck of Irish and also realized that it is simply a fun holiday, especially for children. Here are a few things that we are doing to make today a little extra fun.

For about the past week, Livy has slept with her special St. Patrick's Day pillow. She refers to it as her green hat Patrick pillow. I am looking forward to the other holiday pillowcases that I have created for her.

A few Irish decorations in my holiday nook. I can't believe how hard it is to find non-tacky St. Patrick's day decor items. I have been looking endlessly for something large and tall to sit on my shelf next to the plate. Perhaps next year.

When I was growing up, I loved going to people's houses that decorated for the holidays. There certainly is not an option to decorate the entire house for every holiday so that is how my nook came to be. I have the one area that I will decorate for the holidays. My only problem that I have run into, what do I do in months like May, June and August when there are no holidays?

A special bow for today! This bow is huge compared to the ones that I have made in the past. There is about 2 1/4 yards of ribbon!

For dinner we will have Corned Beef and no cabbage (Not a huge fan of cooked cabbage) and left over birthday cake. I have several Leprechaun books to read and possibly some projects to make with Livy depending on how I feel today.

What are you doing special for today?

New holiday tradition

Back in January, as I was browsing the fabric store for material to make curtains, I came across some fun fabric. My mind started thinking as what I could make with it and decided how fun would it be for a child to have a special pillowcase for each holiday!


This weekend I was finally able to work on this long over-due project. I had major sewing machine problems along the way, but ended up with two darling pillowcases for Livy's bed. And more to come as the fabric comes available.

I hope that this simple project will be something that Livy looks forward to in the future. I want the holidays to be special for her and something that she looks forward to.

I was considering making a tutorial for this. Is there anyone interested?

Finally finished!

I have been slaving away on my most recent craft project. For years I have wanted to learn to embroider and this past week I finally had that opportunity. I found it to be an easy craft that seemed to occupy a lot of my time. (Maybe that is why I haven't blogged for a while!)

There is a particular wall in my living room that I plan on turning into my holiday corner. I simply can't decorate for every season for the entire house, so I am making a nook to help celebrate. Valentines is right around the corner and my latest project will be hung on the wall. I will show my holiday corner soon!

Since this was my first ever embroidery project, I turned to a GREAT website, Needle 'n Thread, with video tutorial on how to do different stitches. A perfect resource for beginners or for those wanted to improve a stitch.

Pumpkin Centerpiece

I couldn't help myself when Michael's had their autumn merchandise on sale this week. I picked up a pumpkin, floral picks and sticks; in practically no time, I created this. I got this idea from Michael's pre-made arrangements (at $50!) and one my mom recently made. I spent probably about $20 in total.

Sitting on top of the TV cabinet in the living room.

A close up. I really like how it turned out! I personally think it looks even better then what the artificial light in the photo shows.

Everyone needs one of these!

I saw recently on this blog, her beautiful tassels and I decided then that I NEEDED one. So I made this one, the finishing touch to my armoir.

Getting crafty again

I just finished creating a bow/clip holder for Livy's numberless bows. It was very simple to make and inexpensive. I purchased a large wooden letter at the local craft store and ribbon that matches the butterfly prints on her wall. Then I glued on an extra butterfly from the mobile I created before she was born. Total cost was $7.64!

Getting crafty with the hair

One of the many projects that I have been working on this past week is hair bows for Livy. I think I may have gotten carried away, again. Even with the ones that I have made, I have plans to make more. (Plus a super cute hair bow holder...pictures to come later)

Being Crafty

For Livy's birthday, she received these adorable homemade bobby pins. Aren't they cute?!
So today, I have been making some of my own.