Not Much

Not much is going on in our house.  Ryan started getting sick last week.  He had a runny nose and a fever.  But it just wouldn't go away.  He seemed to be getting better the day before yesterday.  He ate lunch, played, didn't have a fever.  But then the afternoon came and the fever came back with a vengeance.    Off to the doctor's office we went to find out he has pneumonia.  Not what we wanted to hear AT ALL!  But he's been on antibiotics and he's already starting to feel better.  This is what it's looked like over here most of the time - TV watching or video game playing.  No one feels good enough to do anything else.

I found a little time to sew.  I've been wanting to make something out of this cool green fabric that came in the pile of material I got from David's grandma.  So I made a little make-up bag for myself.  

I think it's pretty cute.  Not sure what I'll do with the rest of the fabric.  I don't have a very big piece left, but I'm sure I'll think of something.

Spring Is In The Air

We had very cold temperatures the last couple of weeks.  But for the last couple of days the sun has decided to come out and the temperatures have risen.  The snow is almost all gone.  Yesterday after church the boys played out on the street and rode their bikes and scooters and I enjoyed the sunshine.  It was a short lived enjoyment.  It wasn't that warm.  After all it is still February.  On our way inside I stopped off to look at my barren flower bed and dream about warmer temperatures, pretty spring and summer blooms, shorts and t-shirts with flip flops, sunglasses...when I spotted these!

Praise be!  My tulips are coming out of the ground.  What a miracle.  I did a little happy dance right there on the spot.  Now, I realize it could very well snow right over top of those beautiful green buds next week.  But I know they are there and that means spring is in the air!

On another note.  My dear and lovely boys are TV addicts.  It drives me crazy.  I know some of this is my own fault.  It is so much easier to make dinner or get a break if we just click on the TV.  The other day they were fighting about what to watch.  Ryan was yelling out his favorite channel while Adrian was refusing to cooperate.  Next thing I know there was hitting and screaming.  I marched over and turned it off, simple as that.  This, of course, created more protests about the stupid thing being off and whining about having it back on.  I told them they had plenty of toys to play with and that was their only option.  They played for about 5 minutes and then the questions started coming at me about turning the TV back on.  I got so sick of saying no, that I made this and covered it up.  Now when the cover is on they know it's play time and not to even ask.  

Before - with one of our favorite characters.

After

So far it has helped a little bit.  When ever the TV has the cover on the kids know it means playtime and not to ask.  Plus it keeps off the dust!  Two birds with one stone.  

Heart Garland

Valentine's day is coming up.  We really don't do anything on February 14th.  Some years I've forgotten all about it.  It's not as commercialized here as it is at home.  Sometimes I miss it, and other days I don't.  But I couldn't pass up trying to make this and hang it in our home for a little extra something.

It's a heart garland.  Pretty cool, right?  I thought Adrian would like to help me, turns out he wasn't interested.  Also, he's sick today and laying on the couch.  Poor guy.

Back to the topic at hand.  Below is a short tutorial so you can make your own.

Here's what you'll need.  

If you don't have a paper cutter, you could use a ruler and a pair of scissors.

Cut your paper into strips.  Mine were about 1 inch wide, but you can make them any size you want.  Next, cut your long strips in half.  I folded mine and then used the scissors to do this.

Now, the fun begins!  

Take two strips of paper and staple them together at one end.

Curve it down to form the heart shape.

Staple your next two strips into place at the bottom of your first heart.

 And then keep going...

 and going...

 until you have the length of garland you want.

Hang 'em up for all the house to enjoy!

 I couldn't resist making another with the left overs.

I hope you enjoy your heart garland as much as I do.

Winter

We had a piddly amount of snow fall last night.  But it was enough for the boys to pull on all the snow gear and head out.  I was perfectly happy to watch after them from behind the window.  Winter has finally arrived with temperatures dropping into the low 20's (-5C).  You'd think we'd have more snow with it being so cold.

We finally got them all bundled up and off they went.  

Let's make a snow angel!

That's as many pictures as I could stand from the door without a jacket.  I've had a cold and wasn't feeling all that grand.  I watched the boys from our living room, and made lunch while they played in the back yard.  They had a pretty great time.  I'll wash all the snow clothes and they'll be ready for another day - probably tomorrow.

Angels

For our children's Christmas musical, we had the kids dress like angels.  They looked pretty cute.  It was a project that was more work than I had anticipated.  In the end they all looked great! When my mom was here she helped to cut them out and then two other ladies came over with their machines and we sewed them together.  Here they are hanging, all ironed and ready for Sunday.

I worked and worked to iron them and make them all pretty.  I suppose it helped some.  However, as soon as the kids got a hold of them I may as well have not ironed any at all.  Another lesson learned for next year.

Aren't they cute?

Adrian praying during the offering and here he is singing one of his solos.  I am one proud mamma!

Everyone really enjoyed the program and all the kids did an excellent job.  But, I think next year they'll wear matching scarves!

Applique

I've tried my hand at appliqueing.  My first try wasn't so bad.  I put it away for a rainy day and some more instructions.  Then, this week, I got the opportunity to check out a friends handy work.  Her applique was so nice that it inspired me to try again.  

Here's what I came up with.  

I positioned my applique a little too low, but I think I did pretty good.  I'm still playing around with these little wallets and toying with opening an etsy shop.  We'll see about that later.  In the mean time, I have a few gifts to give away!

Here's the back.

What do you think?  Are they worth buying once I get all the kinks worked out?

The Jenny Bag

Some time ago I made the pattern for this bag from a friends bag.  Her bag was extra loved and starting to show a bit of wear.  We laid it on the kitchen table and traced around it to make a pattern for a new one.  Since then I've made quite a few.  It's one of my favorite bags to make.  First, it makes me think of the original bag owner, and I smile.  Second, it's a great bag.  With each bag I've made some improvements and now I've got it down.  Here are some of the first few...

Now, for the one I made this week.  I added a zipper pocket, something I've never done.

This isn't the greatest picture, but at least you get an idea of how big it is.

There it is!  I hope the new owner likes it.  I do!