Scarves Part 2 (as promised!)

Now, back to business…

This scarf is my favorite by far!!  It was a bit more time consuming than the straight out embroidered/monogrammed ones, but oh so fun to make. :)

Here’s a sampling of the scarves I made mostly for teachers…

Here are the scarves I made for my mom, aunt, and grandmother so they can all match!

Here are Em and Jack sport their Christmas presents in the snow. :)

I’m thinking of making a tutorial on how to make these pretties.  They are SUPER easy to make and quick to whip up when you need them!

Scarves and Jewelry

I had planned on blogging about my craftiness leading up to the holiday season due to the fact that I haven’t done a whole heck of a lot of crafty posts as of late….  I became a wee bit sidetracked, however, and had a TON of fun taking pics in the process!!  I ended up making scarves, scarves, and more scarves for just about everyone on my gift list this year… I even made one for myself!

Here is the peace sign scarf I made for Emily and another shot of the green one I did for myself.  I even tagged each one with my Liberty Original label for that “professional look.”

While I was playing with my camera (um I mean taking pictures for this post), the USPS brought a loverly pkg to my front door… My Stella and Dot jewelry arrived!! 

  And as you can probably tell, I really enjoyed playing dress up with my new goods. :))  Aren’t these necklaces just to die for?  I want to wear the cascading chain necklace with every outfit!  I really like the way you can layer their pieces to create your own look.

I learned how to make these really fabulous collages with my Photobucket account…

 

Aren’t they great?!?  Since I got sidetracked, I will have to make a “Scarves Part 2” post so I can actually show you the rest of my sweet little prizes that I made.  I don’t know that I will ever be able to write another post without organizing my pics into one of these beauties!!

Stylish Blogger Award

 

Many thanks to Jen over at Petite Hermine for giving me the Stylish Blogger Award!!  I recently found her blog via Blog Frog and absolute LOVE her style and her etsy shop!

So, I shall follow the rules and tell you 7 things about my self while awarding this to 15 other newly discovered blogs.  I must not forget to link everybody so you can check them out.

7 THINGS ABOUT ME:

~ I love my children more than I love life itself… I realize this sounds a little twisted, but I’m just being honest here

~ I think black nail polish is pretty and the fact that I like to wear black nail polish doesn’t mean that I’ve gone over to the dark side

~My absolute favorite candy is Laffy Taffy… seriously, if there is any in my house, I have to eat it immediately.  This includes confiscating it from Halloween candy!!

~ Love, Love, LOVE to sew and embroider…. I wish I could do it everyday and avoid other time wasters (ie paying bills, cleaning my house, taking the time to eat properly)

~ I wish my sister and I lived in the same city… heck I would settle for the same state!

~ I put on a tough act sometimes, but I’m a true romantic at heart

~ I like to say a little prayer whenever I’m making something… I pray that God will watch over the person who receives my Liberty Original and will grant them peace in their heart

10 STYLISH BLOGS:

Little Miss Momma

Carried Through Grief

Sandbox Gems

Riding the Rollercoaster

Miss Val’s Creations

Mothering Mayhem

The Mad White Woman

Speaking Thru Me

Deep Thoughts By Cynthia

Sparkles and Fairytales

Soooooo, I fully realize that I only listed 10 blogs instead of 15…  In keeping with my NYR to Make The Effort even if things are not perfect, I’m meeting my personal deadline and publishing this post!!  How do you like THOSE apples? :)

Make the Effort

 

So, it may seem sort of mundane, but I’ve decided on one resolution for 2011:

Make the Effort

So often I don’t even try something because I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it perfectly.  I don’t let the kids have friends over because the house isn’t clean or I’m afraid the other child won’t have a good time.  I don’t start a project for fear of messing it up.  I tend to stick with what is comfortable to me… what I know that I can complete successfully. 

So, I promise to make the effort this year and break out of my box… for my children, for my friends,  for me. 

Clipart in the post courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Adieu, Adieu

 

Although I am ready for 2010 to be over, I do have some happy memories that have occurred over the past year.   I do believe this is the most personal I have ever been on my blog!

 Things I want to remember

{1} “Honeymoon” in Jamaica (after 12 years of marriage)… we even renewed our vows!

{2} Watching my kids grow and mature

    

{3} My friends and family that have supported me

Now, for my things that I am READY to forget

{1} The personal strife that affected me the first half of the year…

Embroidery design from Urban Threads

{2} My neck surgery where cervical discs 5 and 6 were fused together, the pain that led up to the surgery, and the recovery afterwards…

{3} The pain of watching dear friends bury a child…

{4} All the negativity in my life…

So, adieu adieu 2010… you will not return again.

 

I’m STILL working on those resolutions…  but, I have a good vibe about this upcoming 2011! 

My Motto

 

So, I’m working on my last post of the year.  I’ve decided that I won’t be shedding any tears for dear old 2010…  In fact, I think I will say, “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.”  Not very eloquent, I agree… but it does get my point across!!

Now, off to work on those lovely resolutions…

Peace…. Love…. Joy

 

Merry Christmas from my family to you this sacred day.  May you each find peace in your heart, joy in His gift, and love surrounding you this holiday season.  And, yes….. hubs pretty much always looks that grumpy in pictures.

RECAP OF CHRISTMAS MORNING….

Finley (2)wouldn’t even look at the Dinosaur Train guys Santa left for him…. all he wanted was Star Wars guys like his big brothers.  He did warm up to them after about 5 minutes… :)

Max (10) was completely stoked about his acoustic guitar and even graced us with a few strums of random notes.

Emily (8) was also happy with her zoobles and zooble world.  Little House on the Prairie seasons 1 and 8 surprised her in her stocking and she proved to be in utter bliss at this surprise. 

I was sooooo super excited for Jack (4) this Christmas.  He is completely into Star Wars like his older brother.  Santa brought him a gumball machine just like he asked.  He also wanted “Star Wars Guys.”  I found a ginormous AT-AT clone trooper vehicle at Target for him.  I just knew he was going to LURVE it more than life and have the best Christmas ever.  He plowed through his presents….. and instead of telling me I was the best Mommy ever after he opened his present that I had been so excited about, he burst into tears.   YES….. tears, sobs, full fledged sadness… his heart was broken…..  he didn’t get his Star Wars Guys…. SERIOUSLY?!?!?  I actually had to send him to his room so I didn’t ruin Christmas for the other kids with a very big scene.  My mom gave him 2 Star Wars guys, 1 Star Wars guy came in the AT-AT, he got a Star Wars gun, and a Star Wars game that came with 2 little Star Wars guys.  In his little 4 year old mind, that box that was as tall as he was, was FULL of Star Wars guys….  When it was a ship, he was devastated that he didn’t have a collection of Star Wars guys that could rival his brother’s.  I have to remind myself that he is only 4.  When he came back from his room, he did apologize and tell me that he loved all his presents.  I guess that’s what I get for patting myself on the back prematurely!!

They are all snuggled in bed soundly after a miraculous white Christmas in Northwest Georgia.  All that playing in the snow tired them completely. :)

More pics soon of the many Christmas presents I made this year.  I hope I’m not naive in thinking everyone liked them.  At least, they said they did anyway!!

Purple Snowflake Outfit

 

  

Okay, okay… I’m over my little fit from my post about Em’s Christmas shirt….  :)  Here is an adorable outfit for a friend’s daughter.  I used my very favorite of all favorites fabric (Tina Givens, Chloe’s Imagination, In Time in Azur Tea) for it.  The Snowflake appliqué is from one of my most trusted embroidery sites, Planet Appliqué.  Rachel is amazing and I absolutely LOVE her designs!!

Here is a close up looksie at the ruffles at the bottom of the jeans.  I accented with purple metallic ric rac.  Who doesn’t love ric rac, right?

Of course, a little closer look at the shirt as well.  The snowflake has a tulle and metallic trim little bow to pull it all together.

I had a fun time putting all the special little touches on this ensemble.  I can’t wait to see it in action!!

Linking up to a few of THESE parties…. you know you want to check them out!

Christmas Shirt

I don’t know exactly how much time I have before Emily thinks the things I make for her are completely lame….. so I shall relish in her excitement for this season!

I have sooooo many ideas mulling around in my head and not enough time or energy to get everything executed.  Stinker!!  I’m realizing that Christmas is ONLY 3 weeks away…. seriously?!?  WTH? 

I’m trying to make as many presents as possible this year without stressing myself completely like I did last year.  I don’t know why we as women always feel like we can accomplish the unattainable around the holidays….. constantly setting ourselves up for failure and disappointment.  I suppose it is very difficult to look into those little eyes and settle for anything less than the very best for them.  Thus, the motivation to continue! 

Tulle Frosting Cupcake Shirt

Jessi’s birthday outfit is D-O-N-E, done!!!  Jessi’s mom brought me a pair of her old jeans to add ruffles… I used black and white damask as well as Berry Whispers from Art Gallery Fabrics girly girl line.  I absolutely love the colors together. :)

  

 Now, as for this little cupcake here…. My embroidery machine was less than thrilled to undertake the task.  After restarting a few times, in addition to several choice words topped off with tears, this is the end result (before adding the trim).  I had to show her some serious tough love, but I think it was successful.

 

The completed shirt!! 

No time to rest… Max has a 102 fever, Finley wants to be held 12 hours out of the day, and I have to take a bath at some point today.  Sonya, I will swing this by your house today!!

 

XXOO

Linking up to a few of the parties listed HERE… go check them out!!