Be Still…. And Know

Have I ever mentioned that I really love to make dishtowels?? 

At my wedding shower (like a billion years ago, nonetheless), my mom talked about how you should always pray for the women in your life when you do your dishes.  She gave everyone in attendance a dishtowel and asked them to pray for me when they used it.  Every since then, I haven’t been able to look at a dishtowel the same way!

So, here is my first of several posts about these lovely little items that all of us use on a daily basis.

I designed and made this particular towel for a dear friend for Valentine’s day (she also happens to be Finley’s teacher at “school”).

I found the message to be fitting for this time of year… just a little reminder that we sometimes have to shut the noise around us out so we can hear what God wants to say.

I’m totally in love with this shabby ruffle, btw :)

I need this reminder, like every day, so I made one for myself (I’ve actually been making stuff for myself lately… wow, what a concept!).  I wash it as soon as it’s dirty and hang it right back up!!  I’m not really a fan of laundry (I’ve actually been known to buy new socks so I didn’t haven’t to sort through the old ones… horribly wasteful, I know) so that is a HUGE accomplishment for me!!

It makes me smile.

AND we all need things in life that make us smile. :)

Linking up to a few of these par-tays!!

CRAZY Rosette Hat

Late Thursday afternoon, Baby Girl told her lovely Mum that she needed a large colorful crazy hat for Friday…. as I’m trying to get her ready for gymnastics, Jack ready for his soccer game, Max ready for baseball practice, and some sort of nourishment prepared for everyone’s tummy.   She quickly picked the fabric (canvas for the hat and two beautiful batiks… she does have good taste :)) and described her vision.

So, after I got everyone to bed that evening, paid bills, and was just about ready for bed myself, I remembered the hat… (insert word of choice here).  Flashbacks of the excitement on her face as she told me what she wanted… the giddiness only a child can portray over getting to wear a hat to school flood my entire being with guilt.  I made a promise.  I must keep my word even though it is after midnight and I’m exhausted.

I tore strips of fabric (an even number I think) and just started creating.  She wanted a “big glob of fabric” on the front of the hat and “things hanging off” the side.  I’m thinking… I can do this…

I braided fabric for each side of the hat and pinned them on.  Then, I knotted a strip of fabric, formed it into an “E”, and hot glued it between the braids.

I sewed two strips of fabric together length wise, ruffled one edge, and hot glued that bad boy to the front of the hat to make a GINORMOUS rosette.  I think that definitely satisfied the “big glob of fabric” request.

So, at 2 am, I placed the hat at her place at the table so she would see it first thing in the morning.  Even though I couldn’t see straight 4 hours later as I was getting breakfast ready, the “Oh, Mommy…. It’s perfect!  Thank you,” made it worthwhile. :)

Linking up here this week!

Tribute Tuesday ~Make it Count~

I’m participating in Tribute Tuesday again today!

My tribute today:

make it count

Often, it’s easier in life to coast along and not make the effort in the small things along the way.  The humdrum of daily life, the constant and consistent circle of activity, the monotony…. 

However, it’s only a monotonous humdrum circle of life if you allow it to be so….

I choose to make every minute count…

When I look at these faces, how can I not?  I OWE it to them.  They are little pieces of my heart walking around… in front of me, beside me, and behind me.

 

~Lowe’s Made Me HAPPY~

   { no, I’m no longer pregnant… but this is a picture that makes me happy when I look at it :)}

THANK YOU

to everyone who was so supportive during my little pity party earlier!!  What wonderful emails and texts I received… I feel so loved. :))

So, here’s the update:

Lowe’s was unable to get an installer out here today.  HOWEVER, the manager (Chris) and Theresa (from appliances) were super accommodating. The delivery manager came back to pick up the dishwasher (as I was afraid that Finley or Jack would pull it over on their little bodies or run into the sharp corners and seriously hurt themselves) and I should have it re-delivered AND installed FREE OF CHARGE on Thursday!!! 

I know it was an honest mistake.  I was just so frustrated earlier after getting my hopes up of having a dishwasher that actually works (after several years of having one that doesn’t quite cut it).  I am super impressed with Lowe’s customer service and I truly appreciate them honoring what we were initially told.  I will definitely shop there in the future!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

Rewind to two days ago:

At Lowe’s, have been looking at new dishwashers for quite some time, decide to take the plunge…

HUBS:  So, you guys will deliver, install, and take away the old dishwasher?

EMPLOYEE:  Yes, sir.

HUBS:  Great… Can we get this set up for Friday?

EMPLOYEE:  We can definitely do that.

Hubs and I are thinking…. “That was easy.”

Back to the present:

Call at 6:45 am… “Can we deliver your dishwasher in about 1 hour?”

“ABSOLUTELY!” (I’m so excited that I don’t have to wash each dish by hand BEFORE putting it in the dishwasher…)

8:30…. “Here’s your dishwasher ma’am”

“You aren’t going to install it?”

“No ma’am.  We only deliver.  Call the store and they will set it up for you.”

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”  (Seriously folks… thought it was an April Fool’s joke…)

“No ma’am.  Let me see who helped you…. Oh, he’s new…. he didn’t set up installation…”

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”  (Still couldn’t believe it)

“No ma’am.  I’m sorry.  Have a nice day.”

SOOOOOO…….

Here I sit, waiting for a call back from the appliance department to see if an installer can come out today, having to pay an additional $110, trying to keep my little two from accidentally running into the dishwasher that’s

SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF MY KITCHEN,

needing to mail out orders, go pay bills, go by the bank, drop the dogs at the vet, etc etc….  I’m afraid to get in the shower or even go to the bathroom lest I MISS the call…

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

SERIOUSLY???

I saved a whole sink full of dishes for my new dishwasher…. guess I better get to hand washing them…

FTLOB Handmade Trade from Amber

Have you noticed this little button on my sidebar??

 

I was paired up with 2 swap partners as Amber’s partner was unable to participate….  I haven’t exactly finished my trade items for Amber and PoeKitten but I’m ALMOST done!!  If you haven’t visited her before, please check out Amber’s Blog!!  I love her style and easily get lost in reading all about her postcards, craftiness, recipes, and kiddos.  I received these lovelies in the mail about 2 weeks ago:

I was uber UBER excited and have received more compliments than I can count on her handmade craftiness!!  Look at the attention to detail in the bracelet girls…  I am so in love and so happy that these little gems are mine to keep.  :) (I know that makes me a wee bit selfish… but hey…)

Amber was one of the first 5 to comment on my

 PAY IT FORWARD

post so I get to make her more than one pretty!

Thank you, Amber!!!  You are

FABULOUS!!

Tribute Tuesday

So, today I’m participating in Janette’s Tribute Tuesday…. Go check her out!!  She is my Bloggy BFF!!  We have never actually met, but we talk just about every day via our blogs, email, or texting.  I run quite a few of my ideas through her first to get her perspective and vice versa.  We are definitely a match made in heaven. :)

My tribute today:

my sister

Here is a picture from her visit last week (hence my absence) of us by the Etowah River.

By now, I hope most of you know that I am much better at editing and posting pictures than actually writing something of content….  But, I will try to do my sis justice.

Here we are as little kids at my Nanny and Papa’s place in Arkansas.  We moved around ALOT as kids and visiting Arkansas was always like home. 

 

The high school years….

I was ALWAYS jealous of my beautiful sister…. she was so petite and perfect.  She had the pretty naturally curly hair, I had the frizzy.  She had skin that tanned, I had skin that burned.  She had the petite features, I felt more like a hobbit.  When she sang, it sounded like angels… me, more like cats fighting on a hot summers night.  I used to sneak in her bedroom and try on her clothes, her makeup, her perfume.  I wanted to BE her…

We became REALLY close after she left for college.  She became the sister I always wanted…. she had always watched out for me and taken care of me, but things were different.

She has become my best friend, my confidant, my biggest supporter in life.  I honestly do not think that I could continue to live on this earth if she were not here with me.  She finishes my sentences without missing a beat…She knows what I’m trying to say after only hearing a sigh… She calls me on my faults… She tells me I’m a bitch when I am… We always joke that we are actually twins that were born 4 1/2 years apart.

We are both terrified of drowning (and so are our daughters, btw), have four kids (3 boys and 1 girl), and married physicians (before they had the title).  I’m the sewer and crafter… She’s the cooker and baker… We both like to garden.  If you get us together… we are the perfect woman!

So… Here’s my Tribute… 

i love you, carrie

Avery’s Cupcake

I have had the privilege and honor of creating Miss Avery’s  1st AND 2nd birthday shirts!!  Avery has a blanket  she calls “Manky” that goes EVERYWHERE with her.  Her mom has enough material to make an extra blanket when needed and wanted to incorporate “manky” into Avery’s birthday this year. 

The cupcake base is the ever coveted blanket fabric and Avery was soooooo excited when she saw it on her birthday shirt!! 

It was also Auntie Julia’s 15th birthday and Avery’s mom didn’t want her left out!!

As soon as I receive a picture of Miss Cutie Patootie in her shirt I will definitely post it!!

Partying HERE this week!!

Wordless Wednesday

I haven’t been posting as my sister and her family are here from Colorado!!!  This picture was TOO FUNNY not to share with everyone.  Jack and Cameron were very excited to have their pic made with the wrestling pigs. :)

Pink and Brown…. Ooooo La LA

I’m sure you are all tired of my Lily Kate posts… but this is the LAST one…

promise…

Here is the sweet little diaper bag to match all of her other goodies.  The lining of the bag is a lightweight cream corduroy.  The trim circling the monogram on the outside also adorns the inside pockets.  Have a look-see:

It’s a simple square bag with a single strap and elastic casing around the top.  Easy to get baby goodies in and out!

The bottom is squared off just a tish.

 

I continue to swoon over this pale pink, ivory, and chocolate brown palette.  I’ve always loved brown, but don’t think I have truly appreciated it’s peanut butter and jelly like affair with light pink! 

I’m totally hooked…. sigh…

Linking up with a few of these lovely ladies!