Britains Got Talent

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I've see a few of the auditions so far and laughed and been amazed! Here's one I couldn't resist sharing. I can't embed it in the blog but here is the link. Enjoy!

Made New Again!

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Remember these items I bought? The bird house was about $4. No offense to those that love gold, but this was just a little too gaudy for me.

It has a few broken pieces, some dents and dings, but that just makes it unique. So with a little spray paint later and I have a beautiful spring birdhouse for my front entrance!

For a total of $5 I have all new decor. I used indoor/outdoor spray paint so it would last a long time or at least until I have another $5 to replace it with something else! At wich point I'll probably remove the bird house and make it a candle stick holder.

Confession #1 - I have no organization system.

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I like too many crafts. You name it, I have probably done it, or want to. While to many this may not seem like a big problem it really is. I have so many projects waiting for me to get around to them. If only it were just the sewing projects, but alas, it's the decor, the scrapbooks, the furniture, the artwork, and oh so much more. My craft closet has exploded and has taken over the entire guest room, part of the kitchen, and hides in my personal closet, the garage, and yet other locations throughout the house. Shhh - don't let my husband know how bad it really is or I'll never hear the end of it.

Anyhow - I saw this closet system and it had me drooling. That's about the size of my craft closet. But then I realized I have too many large items, tons of fabric, paper, supplies, a sewing machine and a serger and a whole lot more. Organizing it all into that little space would be next to impossible. I'm not kidding. No wonder it's all over the house. That and with all my stuff put away, even with the beautiful closet system - it would NEVER look this good.

Someday maybe I'll have my own craft room. Imagine that - just walk in, sit at the table and start back up on the current project? No clearing off the table just in time to eat, no hauling everything back out of the closet just in time to have to put it all back. Apparently other people have that luxury. I curse them, and secretly envy them.

Please Vote

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So a friend of ours has entered the CW11 and Art Institute of Seattle's Animation Competition. They are looking for Puget Sounds next Animation Hero. This guy has some serious skills and we think he deserves to win the competition. He's one of the Top 20 Finalists - and from what I can tell the only one that submitted a video and not just sketches. To watch his video and to vote for him go here. His submission is "Mista Barista". Voting is daily and ends on March 29th.

Another Thing to Crave.

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So one of my dear friends and her husband dropped off a movie and some treats for my Husband on his birthday. Thanks guys! Unfortunately for me - the treat means a new craving.

I'd NEVER had Samoas before. I know, some of you are in complete shock! Don't forget - I'm Canadian and these are one of the American Girl Scout cookies. Let's just say I'm in trouble. Pregnancy and something only available once or twice a year do not mix well. So for all of you Samoa cravers - here's a recipe. I haven't tried it yet myself. But I had to search and make sure it was out there.

Homemade Samoa Recipe

I'll let you know how these turn out once I try it.

P.S. For those Gluten Free friends of mine - here's someone's tips on making the Gluten Free version of this recipe: Gluten Free Samoa Recipe.

For all my Private Readers

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There are a few new posts on my private blog...

If you're not a reader and would like to be just let me know.

Update: I have added a link for the blog on the side. This way my public blog won't be inundated with links to the private one. It won't show when the blog is updated, but I figured you can check the private blog as frequently as I post on this one and will probably find some new reads over there.

Quilt Top Complete

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I confess, this is the second quilt I ever started. Not the first I ever finished though. My first quilt ever started is not complete yet either. The top was finished and I decided I didn't like it. I am planning to re-finish it soon so it will work for my son's toddler bed. So this will be my second quilt started, and if I actually quilt it this week as planned it will be my second quilt finished!

I learned a few important things about quilting while making this:

1. Once you've completed a block trim it down to size before attaching all the blocks together. You can see why that's important when you realize half of my blocks are not lined up properly.

2. The question of pre-washing fabric is a large debate among quilters. In this case seeing as all the fabric was the same company, the same line, and it just meant i had to iron and do a lot more work to get it all done I wish I hadn't pre-shrunk. Oh well.

3. Quilting Patterns can lack a lot of information. I think the one I got assumed that the quilter would understand a lot more than I do. So if you can learn from the Internet, a friend, or a class you might find the patterns make a lot more sense.

4. I just put the batting and the back all together. I used a spray adhesive to make them more stable while I quilt. I may pin it as well, but I'm hoping the adhesive will be enough.

Best of luck on your firsts (or seconds).

Thrift Store Finds

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So I'm sure to some it looks like I bought more junk. Just wait and see what I do with the $10 worth of items that I purchased. I'm excited about this!

IMPATIENCE!

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Months of anticipation all boil down to this:

My Birthday/Christmas/Valentines gift is "Out for Delivery" and I will hardly last as long as it will take to arrive. I have the most awesome husband in the entire world. Seriously - he always seems to know exactly what I want - even when I don't give blatant hints (like he got with this gift). Anyhow - if I seem a little busy or distracted in the next little while, it will likely be this - or the Egyptian Flu.

*Update: it has arrived and I have already taken over 100 photos. (Not that all of them are worth keeping.)

The Egyptian Flu

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So recently I have come down with a serious case of the flu. I just wanted to let everyone know.

I've been hot, cold, sniffly, nauseous, and had many other symptoms.

But don't worry. It's not contagious.

P.S. Have you heard of the Egyptian Flu? After 9 months you become a Mummy!

Baby Wearing

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(New Post on the Private Blog)

I have tried several methods of baby wearing:

1. The Ultimate Baby Wrap: So much hastle to get wrapped properly and then within minutes it is stretched too much to hold the baby well. I also got warm all wrapped up with this on in the summer.
2. BabyBjorn: My husband loves this, and I do too, now. My problem with this carrier was it was so big and bulky for everyday use, and not perfect for a newborn. That and when our son was around 4 months and facing out, he sucked on it the whole time he was in it. That was the first and last time his vomit was dark green.
3. Snugli: You would think it would be just like the Bjorn but it was not as comfortable, or as easy to adjust.
4. Baby Sling: Our friend had one made for us. It ended up being my favorite carrier. Not only is it easy to use, it's comfortable, and cute. I love that there are 3 positions for using it. I also appreciated how small it bundles up. The fact that I could use it without asking for help was a huge bonus.

Hence, when I had a baby shower to attend last night, and no desire to go shopping, I quickly searched for a pattern. Lo and behold, there are a few free patterns to follow, and it was super easy to make.

I used stretch sateen cotton which is supposed to be very comfortable for the baby. I also made it reversible, not just for the two fabric options, but because I think it gave it a more finished and professional look.

So for those of you who sew here's the pattern I followed: Handmade Adeliade's Free Baby Sling Pattern. Be sure to read the instructions on how to sew it all together. I messed up the end stitch

I also gleaned information from Karma Baby's Free Baby Sling Pattern. Her pictures and instructions worked a little bit better for me, but I relied on the other for the reversible instructions.

I'll soon create my own tutorial for all to download. Until then, enjoy the above sites.

There's a new Etsy...

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Have you heard of Etsy.com? Perhaps you have sold or purchased on it recently? Well watch out Etsy - you've got competition! ArtFire.com They are up and running their Beta version. I have never sold on Etsy, or anywhere else for that matter. My crafts are either for personal use or for gifts. I don't think I've purchased on Etsy, although I have several things there on my wishlist. But today I found this new site and quickly found something I want.

So if you're looking for art, crafts, home decor, and oh so much more, stop on by and search on this new site. If you're a seller you might also consider joining while their fee is only $7 a month, no per item costs. The more you sell the better the deal.