Good Morning!

Happy Monday morning to you! Do I sound too cheery? Sorry about that. It's just that I've had a sick husband this past week (2nd time he had the flu in the past 3 weeks - double yuk), and I'm so happy that everyone is finally healthy.

Although, as I've learned in the past few months, that can change in an INSTANT!! It seems like we are constantly battling some kind of virus lately. It's a little ridiculous. And makes me totally yearn for spring. Although I'm actually enjoying the snow and don't really mind the cold right now.

However, if anyone wants to send me on a tropical vacation to a sunny place, I would totally take you up on that. I'll be waiting for your call...

In the meantime, I've been crafting away in my *spare* (ha, ha, ha, ha) time. And this is what I've worked on recently.

I made these fabric flowers out of felt, following this tutorial. It's a really easy way to add some color and cuteness to an outfit.



The jacket was a Christmas gift last year and it came from Francesca's. Love the mustard yellow paired with the black and white.



I also made a gray flower...



I'm loving gray right now. It's the perfect winter color. I found this white jacket at Goodwill a couple years ago and wear it a lot.


So there you have it! My list of things to get accomplished this week is a mile long (what else is new), but I'm trying to just relax and take things one step at a time.

I need to clean the dust bunnies out of this neglected house, work on some custom canvas orders, brainstorm ideas for a house that I'm decorating for a friend (so fun!!), and, oh yes, I have to remind myself that I do have three children who need me to take care of them too! :) Or rather, THEY remind ME! Ha!

What I Wore Wednesday - It's Baaaack!

I decided to take the plunge again and link up to the Pleated Poppy's "What I Wore" party this week.

Sorry if it seems dumb to take pictures of myself and post them for all to see, but it does help me to put a little more effort into what I've been wearing.

And, hey, I'm a girl and I like girly things like jewelry and shoes and clothes! Shallow, I know, but it's ok!

Oh, and I love being thrifty and spending next to nothing for the fun stuff! So here ya go!

Thursday:

Striped top: Ross

Yellow top: Goodwill (originally from Target)

Scarf: gift from mom

Trouser Jeans: Goodwill (Ann Taylor Loft)

Shoes: Sofft from Marshalls

Friday:

Purple tank: Target

Cashmere sweater: Goodwill (Peck & Peck - and did I mention it's CASHMERE! SO comfy!)

Belt: Goodwill

Jeans: Target

Shoes: Ross

Saturday:

White Button-Down Shirt: Goodwill (White House Black Market)

Black & White Jacket: Forever 21

Yellow Flower Pin: made by me (more on that later)

Jeans: Forever 21

Boots: Goodwill (brand new -originally from Target)

Sunday:

Purple Tank: Target

Brown Jacket: Plato's Closet Consignment

Jeans: Target

Shoes: Ross

Tuesday:

Striped Top: Goodwill (Old Navy)

Jacket: free from clothing swap (J. Crew)

Yellow Scarf: Christmas gift

Brown pants: Goodwill (Ann Taylor Loft)

Shoes: Walmart

Cuz I like to make lists

Cringe-worthyness....

*lukewarm showers.

*speedos, on anyone, no matter what size they are.

*walking into forever 21 and feeling like all the teeny-boppers are staring at me going "she is WAY to old to be in here".

*sharing one bathroom with a husband and three little kids. it means that I never get to shower in peace. like ever. i know, such a hard life.

*hearing a mom curse out her little kids in the middle of Walmart. and, no, it wasn't me. very funny.

*finding hairs in your hotel shower. eeeeew.

*dwight. the office. enough said.

*dirty floors. i have an unhealthy obsession for keeping my floors clean. if i were rich, i would hire someone to clean my floors 24 hrs. a day. i'm totally serious.

*unfinished house projects. drives me IN-SANE. i can't handle it. just ask hubs.

*words like moist and retch and puss and fester and snot and chunky and plop.

okay, enough of my dumb ramblings. you can go on with your life now...

**by the way, no, i don't think my son in the picture is cringe-worthy. i just added the pic because i felt like it and he makes me smile. :)

A fun little sewing project

I was in the mood to get my sewing machine out this week and I have a whole list of sewing projects I wanted to try.

I decided to start by making some burp cloths for the babe in some fun colors.

I just love shopping for fabric. My mind starts going in all kinds of directions when I see all the colors and patterns and textures! So many fun things to make - so little time!!

I bought the floral and polka dot corduroy fabric on clearance at Hobby Lobby. The striped pink terrycloth side is made from a towel that I bought at Target.

To make the burp cloths, I followed the simple tutorial on Jones Design Company's blog. And it really IS a very simple project!

To show her gratitude for the burp cloths, babe spit up on me, then gave me a smile.

Oh, glory, how I love that edible little munchkin!

Happy Weekend!

Style

These days I don't get much of a chance to dress in anything other than my "stay at home" clothes, but it doesn't stop me from dreaming!

Here are some styles that I'm loving right now...

Fluffy flower attached to the belt...love...

Bunches of flowers on a necklace paired with a tweed jacket. Librarian-chic is what I'll call it...

Love the layering...if only I were so tall and skinny...

Wide belt, structured jacket, mustard handbag with the boots...

I saw this ruffled jacket at the store and almost had to get it - the price tag was too steep though. Maybe I will get lucky and find it on sale someday. Love it paired with the striped top...this is so me...

The neckline to this purple top just about makes my heart stop. I am in LOVE. Makes me wish I could sew fancy stuff like this. And the skirt is just way too cute too...

What are your favorites?

Photos 1-3: Emersonmade

Photo 4: Anthropologie

Photo 5: Francesca's

Photo 6: Ann Taylor Loft

Photo 7: Makool Loves You

Monday Monday

You'll have to pardon my lack of blog postings recently. The past week has been, shall we say, challenging. For me, anyway.

Poor hubs had the flu all week, Jack was feverish for a couple of days, baby V was fussy...so this mama was just plain worn out. Completely and utterly.

I really hope I don't sound like I'm complaining or not grateful for my little family (because I totally am), but really, there were moments when I was needed by everyone and felt like I was a robot. Going through the motions. Wiping noses, changing diapers, sweeping the floor, checking temperatures, laundry, making dinner, soothing the baby, nursing the baby...

I'm sure all you moms know exactly what I'm talking about. Where everything in life revolves around meeting the needs of everyone except yourself.


That's just where I'm at. And I know it's only a phase, and it will get better. But, honestly, some days feel like they will never end.

But right now, I think it's where God wants me to be. Crying out to HIM for strength. For wisdom and guidance and patience. Realizing that I need Him desperately.


And one day, things will change and I will have more time to do the things that I want to do. Like our friends Kent & Sheila reminded us a few weeks ago, the days are long but the years are short. So very true.

On this Monday morning, I will enjoy the momentary quietness as Violet naps in her swing, Avery plays dress-up, and Jack pretends to cook dinner.



Over and out.

{I painted the canvas above for my mother-in-law who is battling cancer.}

Barn Door Inspirations

Some of you had commented about the barn door that I had in a post last week - isn't it the coolest??

I just love it. Obviously.

The hubs saw it when he drove past a yard sale last summer, and he came home and told me about it. What a guy!! Normally, he isn't very impressed with "junk" like this, but he actually liked it! And I think it was either free or a couple of dollars.


So he went back to the yard sale and brought it home for me. For now it's propped against our garage until we find it a permanent home.


The color just speaks to me! I love, love, love it!!

I'm trying to come up with a reason to use the door in the house. I think it would be cool as a headboard.

Here are some inspirations I found...

Serene Seneca

Apartment Therapy

Martha Stewart


Beautiful Inspirations


House Beautiful

Just a Note

Because I had so much interest, I've added a few more of these "O How He Loves Us" canvases to my Etsy shop.

Click here to order.

Get 'em while they last!

Snow Day

Today I will enjoy the beautiful fresh snow.


I will be patient with the children when they misbehave.

I will spend quality time with the kids.


I will take it easy so I'm not completely worn out when hubs comes home from work.

I will not worry about having a perfectly clean & organized house. Because at this stage in the game, it just ain't gonna happen.


I will make sure my kids know that I love them.

Aaaaand, I will teach Avery how to call the mental hospital, just in case I go insane. Cuz I sorta feel like I might.


So, you know me. I've been working on a few side projects, just because it makes me feel sane and it's just how I roll.

Recently I made the three canvases on the wall behind the chair - I used words that I want our home to reflect "peace", "rest", and "joy".


It was really simple - I just painted the words onto blank canvases. And there you have it.


The pillar was left in our garage by previous owners. Hubs had it in his trailer and was planning on taking it to the dumpster before I spied it and saved it from the junk yard. He wasn't sure why in the world I would want to keep it, but I think now he's glad I did!

It's a cool architectural piece. And I didn't even paint it! I know, can you believe it?? :)


Happy weekend!