Family

Even though there is distance between them, I hope Lilly Mae and Sarah Beth can get to know each other well and become good friends.  During our family visit they played well together for the most part and enjoyed each other's company.  SB even cried after LM went home. 

In ten years I'd love to see the sweet innocence of these girls as teenagers the way I see it here.  Our only hope is Christ.  We are trying to teach this to SB.   She will make mistakes, I know.   I just pray that when she does, her response will be to stand in awe at the grace of Christ and love him more for it.

Pretend Play is the BEST Kind of Play

This is how we have fun.    It seems the more money we spend on toys, the less she actually wants toys.

Take a guess as to what she's doing here. 

Hide and Seek? no

Bored? no way

Seeing if she can fit in such a small space? no...wait...yes partly

Pretending to be a bunny in a hotel room waiting on room service? yes, you finally got it!  How'd you guess?

Summer Art

I'm letting SB paint this 3' x 5' canvas for our living room.  I limited her color palette.  She's taking care of the rest.  She's a genius!

Straight Hair, Lovely Dress, Beautiful Girl

Sometimes SB lets me play with her hair and dress her up like a little doll.  I decided to see if she would put up with me straightening her hair with a flat iron for church.  It's hard to tell how long her hair really is when it curls up.  Those lovely locks reach her waist!  I'm so tempted to cut it sometimes.

This dress is the one I made for Jason's wedding.  I really love the way it turned out. Very "vintagey".  (I don't think vintagey has made it in the dictionary yet.)  Aunt Alli made the hair clip which has frayed ends hanging from it.  I love 'em.

Do you wonder as much as I do how great it would be to get a genuine smile from her?  She's really a happy child.  She sings all the time, loves to play, and can't get enough kisses.   The photos speak lies!!!

Putting up with me...

...getting more annoyed...

...bribed with candy...

...threatened and bribed.  I'll have to try a new combo next time.

Do you notice the background?  That is my new floor.  It's what I've been doing for the last month and why my back hurts and why I haven't blogged and why I may need to be institutionalized soon.

rescue.me

"What is this?" you ask?  It's a logo for a friend who likes to rescue animals.  She and Katee, my sister, would get along well since they always end up with other people's unwanted pets.  

Oliver + S Ruffled Halter

Here is my version of the Oliver + S Ruffled Halter.  I found this free pattern here for anyone who wants to get their own.  Very cute, but it didn't come with instructions, not that I ever read them anyway.  I may eventually make an adult version... maybe. 
Stitch Magazine, which is where I got the halter pattern, has some great patterns if you're in the mood to sew something right here right now.  Of course you need a printer and some tape to get all those pieces together.  If you've never printed a pattern online before, it's not that bad, unless you are a dedicated tree hugger, because you will be wasting some paper.

  SB had some silly eyes going on in this picture so I photoshopped some super cute black glasses onto her lovely little face, just to cover up what is normally her most fetching feature.  In this photo, not so.  Don't judge me.

Potty Training

Dear reader,

 

If you have a late potty trainee, don't despair.  Sarah Beth is a month over three now and is just getting the hang of this.  Frankly, she's smart enough to have conquered this long ago, but has refused saying things like, "I'll NEVER use the potty" or "Will you buy me this toy if I start using the potty?" or "I don't really need a party for using the potty."  I read all I could find about how to potty train a stubborn toddler.  Based on all the personal advice, reading on my own, and downward glances, I've decided to approach it in the follow way.

• take some time off (a week or more if possible)
• get rid of the diapers completely
• fill her up with tasty liquid until dinnertime
• set the timer for potty times so I won't forget
• punish her for refusing to cooperate when it's time to potty (not for accidents)
• reward her with stickers and treats for doing a good job
• double the reward for poop
• be consistent
• pray for sanity in the process

Just a little FYI:  As I was composing this post, she went in her closet and pooped. . .  I love being a mother.

105th POST

I was looking forward to writing my 100th post.  Unfortunately I saved it in draft and forgot to post it when the time came.  Five posts later, it is finally being posted... except now it's my 105th post. 
It took me 2 years to get to my 100th post, 105th post.  That's because I like to spend time with family and friends, and my sweet girl.  I've come to terms with not posting as often as I'd like.  There are more important things to be done, but I still love to share with you.

For my second set of 105 posts, you can look forward to ... well I'm not really sure yet.  I tend to make things up as I go so you'll be as surprised as I am.

Birthday gift #2

Since Melissa had a double birthday party for her girls, I had to make something for Allie too.  Here's the dress I made for her.  Again, mostly thrift store material was used.  Lots of raw edges cut on the bias, a gaudy headband, what more could you ask for?

Cheap but Awesome Birthday Gift

I made this little dress for a my friend Melissa's little girl.  This dress starts my attempt at taking pictures of the things I make before they're gone for good.  SB volunteered to model this one for me before we gave it to the birthday girl. 

All of the material used came from the thrift store.  (I know what you're thinking.  The material is washed, don't worry.)  My mother-in-law loves to bring me any material she finds from there.  Sometimes it's a gold mine. 

I was a little worried that this would look too "Little House on the Prairie" but I actually think it looks pretty cute.  I even thought about keeping it for SB and making another one for the birthday girl.  With only a day left, I decided to give it. 



Happy #2, Kierstyn!  You look super cute!!



Girls Beach Trip

Last week ten of us girls from church went to the beach for a little R&R.  Not that we don't love our families, but it was high time some of us got a little break from the everyday responsibilites. 

Some high points for me were: 

-Grocery shopping and seeing almost all of us buy healthy food rather than junk.  Ok we ate the occasional peanut M&M...or two.

-Seeing our total spending come to $95 including lodging, gas, and groceries for 4 days.  That's what I call a trip!!!

-4 lovely days of sun.

-Spending time talking with girls who don't normally have lots of time to talk due to the fact that they are raising 3-4 kids each.

-Talking about Jesus and how important He is to each of us.

-Praying for the needs of others as they arose.

-Not getting sunburned. (Somebody shout!)

Some things I learned about these girls along the way:

-The motherly instinct comes out in most of us even though our homes and families are far away.  (Those dishes and clothes were constantly being washed rather than piled into a dirty heap.)

-Erin may never win a frisbee tournament but has great taste in fabric.

-Rita likes to play games and is definately a child at heart.

-Melissa is a born leader and die-hard workout diva even with an 8 month baby belly.

-Jessica is about to marry a really nice guy who really loves her.

-Bekah is a no holds barred kind of girl who appreciates her marriage and God who holds it together.

-Becky is a farm girl for life and is pretty much self-sustained.

-Kim is a devoted sister to Kerry and a sweet friend to all.

-Kerry is also a devoted sister to Kim and is a natural born cheerleader.  She needs no pompoms.

-Beth stays sweet through the worst of headaches and thankfully doesn't snore.

Across the street from the condo.  I despise pink houses.

Cliche, but I saw it so I photographed it.



These are mine.



Thank you husbands for letting us go for a few days.



Peacock Fascinator

This is something I tried on a whim for a friend... realizing she was about to fork out some major bucks for one of these.  When the pics come back, I'll post. 

Recycled Shirt/ Apron

The only items added were the green ruffle trim at the bottom, the strap on top, and the pockets.  The yellow on the pockets were made from the sleeve cuffs.  The green dots came from my stash.

Paper Flowers

Flower made if Mulberry Paper covered in Mod Podge.

I'm trying my hand at making flowers without using fabric.  Why?  I dunno.  I just like trying new things.  I know how to make a few varieties of flowers from paper, but I'm trying to make them durable and "damage resistant."  I'm gonna post my attempts and report LATER on the resiliency of each.  Hopefully some will fare well and I can use them in some hair pieces.

Why I Like Being a Mommy

Who wouldn't wanna greet this in the morning?

Cha Cha Cha CHANGE

If you've read this blog before or you know me, then you know what line of work I'm in.  I teach "talented art" to a small groups of kids each day in a public school setting.  Due to the nature of my job, I tend to keep the same students for a number of years.   Some I've taught for 5 years now.  I've practically watched them grow up.  I've gotten to know their parents as friends and feel very comfortable seeing familiar faces every new school year.  Next year will be more of the same and I'm glad of it. 

One thing gets to me though.  Once my students move to 9th grade I lose them to another teacher.  I know it's for the the best, but it doesn't make it any easier.  They always make me feel like I'm the key to their success as an artist, and while I'm flattered, really my desire is for them to take what they know and run with it, learn something new, get a fresh perspective.  

My greatest desire for my departing students is that they would remember my everyday life, while FAR from perfect, is pointing to Christ and bearing fruit.  If it isn't, then the greatest artist to come from under my teaching would be wasting paint.  It's true that I love art, but I love Jesus more.  I'd rather see the gospel advanced in their lives than visual arts.

To my students who read this blog:
I love you,
I'll really miss you,
Come and see me,
Ride the bus back to the elementary school next year if you must.

Ahem... Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Tomorrow is SB's actual birthday.  I don't think I'm gonna tell her.

Party fit for a Princess

Today was SB's third birthday party.  In her own words, it was her "best birthday party ever." 
I opted to hold the party a few weeks before her actual birthday hoping that the weather would be a little cooler.  It was.
One of my former students came as Cinderella to entertain the girls and they really loved having her there.  If you live near me and want a Cinderella for your party, she is for hire.  Send me a comment or email and I'll put you in touch.

Meet n Greet:  Question of authenticity- "Where's your prince?" SB asks.

I was tired before it was over.  Thanks for the help, Mom and Crystal.

A sweet and caring princess.  SB had 4 cake pops on her plate and still managed to take a bite of Cinderella's.

Tea Time for 12 toddlers!!

Two pretty princesses, one semi-smile.  By now, you know how she rolls.

Mary Ellen looks more excited about Cinderella than Lilly Mae.

Thank you, Brooke for doing a super job.

Baby Remy, Crystal's boy.

Mary Ellen, Katee's girl.

She's got smiling down to a science.

The gentlest touch...

doesn't always...

receive a warm welcome.

I leave you with this.



Happy Birthday SARAH BETH!

Camera Shy or Camera Hater?

Why does SB not look in the direction of the camera?  That's how she rolls.  As beautiful as she is, and she being my daughter and all, I'd love to take multitudes of photos of her.  It may never be.

Mouth full of chocolate cupcake and a bribe to smile.

The best I could get after a plead to look my way.

This = Smile

Jason's Wedding

These are some of my favorite pictures from the wedding (in no particular order.)

This is the second flower girl dress I made. 

This is the first flower girl dress I made.