Personalized Memo Board

I can't take full credit for this idea but I had this frame sitting in a closet waiting for a good home when I came across this idea.  I've turned this frame into our daily chore/menu planner for the kitchen...plus cute faces of my beautiful children.  You can get these frames at WalMart and Target for under $15.00, add some scrapbook paper, a dry erase marker and some pictures and wa-la (voila) you have a personalized memo board!

Danny even suggested changing out the scrapbook paper for different holidays and seasons.  Genius!  I knew I kept him around for something. ;-)

Check it out!

Carolina Breeze

Jenilyn, from "Grits and Giggles" asked for testers for her "Carolina Breeze" bag pattern.  I was one of the lucky testers to be chosen!

I was just as eager to get started on the bag as I was to hurry up to town and pick out fabric.  I'm not one to procrastinate but having children can put a bit of a damper on my free time (I'm not complaining).  Jenilyn requested that the testing end by Sunday.  With a baby shower to attend this weekend I didn't want to put it off.  Plus, I had bright, beautiful spring like fabric waiting to get on the sewing machine, how could I procrastinate?  After Marissa went to bed last night I got busy right away.  I ironed my fabric (pre-washed and dried) and started cutting my pattern pieces.

Dylan came along for the fun.  He sat in his papasan chair and watched Momma get to work.

I was really surprised at how quickly this bag came together.  In about 3.5 hours I was finished and that included time to nurse Dylan and get him ready for bed.

Anyway, here is my finished product.  Jenilyn will be selling the pattern in her Etsy shop soon and I will be sure to post a link for anyone that is interested!  This is such a great bag for beginner sewers (if I can do it, so can you!).  It is so versatile and can be customized in so many ways.  Your fabric choices are endless!  Check out Grits and Giggles for some of her designs!

I accidentally measured a piece wrong so I didn't have enough fabric to make a bow for my bag.  Instead I jazzed it up a little with a coordinating black button.  I like how it turned out.

Inside lining and pocket.

Modeling my bag, picture courtesy of my husband. :)

As you can tell, I am very proud of myself!  I never thought I would learn to sew.  It's always been a dream of mine and now I'm making it a reality!

How cute is that?  It would make a perfect gift for a friend or family member.  Stay tuned for the Etsy listing coming soon. 

Fabric!

In the excitement of being asked to test a purse pattern, I made a very impromptu trip to town this morning with the kids for some fabric.  I was so rushed to get out the door that I put Marissa's shoes on the wrong feet. {Insert embarrassed face here} Now unless she managed to take her shoes off and switch them around before we got to town, I'm fairly certain that was my mistake.

I digress...I hit up Hobby Lobby and picked out these fabrics.  I can't wait to get started on the project, though I'm a little nervous...I've never tested a pattern, much less used one before!  It looks pretty easy but the true test will be when I get on the sewing machine and get to work.  Hopefully I can start on it this week during nap times and in the evenings when Marissa goes to bed.  Stay tuned!

Don't Worry...

...I didn't forget about Miss Priss.  We had a beautiful Spring like day today so we headed outside for a little bit of fun in the sun.

Daddy and Marissa

She was having SO much fun!

So serious...but I love her anyway. 

I'm having a lot of fun with my camera.  There's so much I want to learn but I don't really know where to start!  So for now it's mostly trial and error.  

Melt Your Heart Monday

How can this boy not melt your heart?!

That is all. :)

Sunday Funday

It's been an uneventful weekend.  Lots of relaxing in PJs and spending time as a family.  Just what the Doctor ordered!  For those that know our last name, this picture might be a little comical. :-D

Marissa likes playing doctor.  She puts the stethoscope on and lifts her shirt to listen.  She also likes it when we listen, so cute!  Maybe she will be a doctor or a nurse when she grows up. 

Playing outside the other day 

Sittin' in a tree

Can you believe these eyes?  He is going to be a lady killer with these blues! ;-)

Apparently diaper changes are tiring, but he has the "touchdown" pose ready for football season.  {Go Skins}

Such a sweet boy!

We're successfully cloth diapering with 2U2.  A few people thought I might give it up after having two in diapers, but sure enough we're still going strong!  I need to get some supplies from the craft store because I plan on attempting my hand at sewing a diaper.  My sewing skills are still far from perfect but I thought it might be fun just to try it out.  It would be good practice working with elastic and velcro.  

I'm getting the cloth diaper itch...I really want to buy some fun new colors but I'm trying to resist, as I have too many diapers as it is. :)  Maybe I will de-stash a few so I can buy some new colors.  :o)  It's a good thing Danny doesn't mind my CD addiction. 

Dylan is coo'ing at me for some attention, so I'm off to see that sweet smile. 

Reminiscing

Marissa is at the sitter's today so I'm looking back on some photos, reminiscing if you will, and playing around with some photo editing.   I came across this photo, taken in June 2011.  This is one of my most favorite pictures of Marissa.  

She is sheer perfection! 

And this one was taken right before her first birthday

She has grown and changed so much!  She's our little wild haired, spunky, lovable, sweet heart.

Well, I'm going to head out for some errands, visit my work and possibly have lunch with Danny.  "Toodles!"