Tales of a Crafty Mama

what is it?

What is it about wearing an apron that just makes the day feel a little bit happier? It is strange how tying apron strings around my waist seriously puts an extra spring in my step. And it doesn't matter if I am wearing jeans or my grubbiest clothes ever- I always feel prettier wearing an apron...

I'm sure it helps that this lovely one was handmade by dear friends, the fabric picked specifically with me in mind!  Each and every girl at our blogging getaway a couple of weeks ago received one of their own. Such a sweet + thoughtful gift!

Hope you are all having a happy Friday! If not, maybe try putting on an apron?

random things on my mind today

 

I do still love to scrapbook. This last year it has just been a constant struggle to find the time/energy to do it. But now that Elliot is a little older and officially not sleeping in our room, I am rediscovering how much I love paper and glue. That coupled with the fact that I finally, finally have a friend to scrapbook with! My dear friend Courtney and I have been getting together every couple of weeks at a local coffeeshop and scrapbooking together. It is a super fun way to get to know each other better and have a little time away from the kids and create! I treasure our little dates so much. I made this card when we met last Friday night. (Sidenote: I used one of this sweet friend's yo-yo's- currently one of my favorite embellishments. You can buy them in her Etsy shop).

Thank you for all the encouragement regarding our (gulp) mouse situation. I have seriously never been so grossed out in my life. I know that almost every one deals with them at one time or another, but this was my first time and I was not a happy camper. It all started with the random stashes of rice we found on Saturday morning in Elliot's dresser drawer (yuck, yuck, yuck). Then on Saturday night we found the evidence of the big party the little stinkers had thrown while we had been in Montana in my pantry. Thank you, thank you to my sweet mother-in-law who spent hours cleaning up that disaster with me. After locating a couple of other spots they had been, I think we have somewhat "dealt" with the problem...hopefully. And thank goodness that even though there was evidence that they were in our room, they did not raid my patterned paper or fabric. Whew.

But the animals were not done with us! On Sunday night, Erik almost got attacked by a random Cockatiel in our front yard who had obviously escaped from some neighbors or something. Yesterday afternoon I arrived home to a baby pig huddled by our garage, from another neighbor we're assuming. Remember, we do live in the country...Then this morning, Erik opened the front door to see the biggest beetle I have ever seen- and I have traveled in both the Philippines and Mexico! It was seriously the size of one of our little mice...What the heck is going on around here lately!? Have I mentioned that I am totally not an animal person? This is crazy!

On a completely different note, my little Elliot has been really sick lately. He came down with it right before our vacation and it has continued for the last couple of weeks. He acts okay most of the time, but something in his body is not right because, well, he has to go to the bathroom a lot. I took him in to the doctor right after we got back from Montana and found out that he had lost a pound, which is not good because the boy does not have any weight to spare! The doctor gave me a dietary supplement to add to his food to pack on the calories. We went to see her again yesterday- he has put on 1/2 pound since Friday (putting him at a whopping 18 pounds), but he is still pooping a lot. They are doing some tests now to see what's up because 15 days is too long for just a normal virus. Tonight I noticed that he is getting some big molars, so part of me is wondering if maybe he had a virus at first, and now he is just reacting to teething. I don't know. I would appreciate your prayers though!  

I had a fun little late night date with Erik tonight. We went out after 9:00pm- so late!- to dinner and a drive through one of our favorite local neighborhoods, dreaming of living there someday when we can afford to buy a house. Can I just tell you how much I love hanging out with my man? Even when it is way past his bedtime and he chooses to drink diet Coke instead of beer in order to stay awake on our date, he is still my favorite person to be with.

I am currently obsessed with eating Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds for breakfast.

I missed playgroup this week because of Elliot's doctor's appointment, but can I just tell you how excited I was to hear that my friends sewed while the kids played? Seriously made me so happy.

My kids have been napping at the same time in the afternoon lately which means that I get lunch to myself and a short nap. Bliss. I have decided that if the opportunity to take a nap presents itself, I have to jump on it. A happy, rested mama is much more important than a spotless house.

Oh, my goodness! Did I forget to tell you that we got a new car? Well, actually it is a...minivan. Yes, I totally have a real mama car and I am not the least bit embarassed of it. I am actually quite in love with it.

Oh, geesh. Here I am again, staying up way too late. I better sign off. Hope you are all having a happy week!

corners of my home

I have a little ritual of going around my home and taking pictures before I pack for a move; I have done it before every move of my married life. It is fun for me to have the pictures, to compare the different places we have lived and how our decorating style has evolved over time. And I think that it will be special for my children to have photos of homes that they have lived in, especially ones that they are probably too young to really remember!

So here are some of my favorite little corners of my home right now:

Above a window in the kitchen

My stove

The side of my refrigerator, displaying Audrey's lovely artwork

The door in my kitchen that leads into the laundry room

Audrey's art/play/cooking table, also in the kitchen.

Sidenote: Do you see the little stool with writing on it under the table? It says "Andrea Mae" (my name) on it and was painted by my mama when I was a little girl. I remember using it all the time as a child- for standing and sitting on (of course), but also as a baby bed, a boat, a Barbie house...It is so fun to see my own little girl enjoying it now!

The view from the doorway leading into the kitchen from the living room

The top of a bookcase in the living room

More to come!

small joys friday

Lately Audrey has been taking almost an hour to fall asleep for her nap in the afternoon. I lay her down around 12:30pm or so and then she plays contently for awhile before finally falling asleep. I usually peak in on her a few times- partly because its fun to watch her play when she does not know that I am watching, and partly because I want to know when she is asleep! However, today when I peaked in, I caught my snotty-nosed daughter (she's had a cold this week) rubbing snot in her hands like lotion and then wiping it in her hair and all over her face! YUCK! Needless to say, I interrupted her little "beauty treatment".

As gross as that little incident was, believe it or not I still found joy in it. I've been learning that when you're a parent (especially a parent of a toddler!) you have to learn to laugh at things or you will seriously go crazy!

Here are a few more things that have brought me joy this last week...

Homemade chocolate-chip cookies. I made these for the first time in forever a couple of days ago. I don't think that I should make them very often though because they are seriously addicting. I used my mom's top secret recipe...at least I think its a secret. Is it mom? If not, then I will definitely be sharing it with you because its the best recipe ever!

Erik's new work schedule. I was not too happy when his schedule changed last week and he had to work Saturdays again with Thursdays off. I really loved us having the whole weekend together. But after having him home all day yesterday in the middle of the week I think that I could get used to it! It was so nice to have a whole week day as a family- we were really productive around the house, I got to sleep in, and Audrey of course was thrilled to have her daddy home all day.

Herbal fruit teas. I have been drinking them almost every day this week. There is something about tea, even simply the process of making tea, that is so soothing and relaxing to me.

Being on a design team for scrapbooking. I don't know why I never wrote about this before! I think at the beginning I was a little embarassed and then I kind of forgot. This last October I applied to be on the design team at my local scrapbook store. I had to submit two layouts, three cards, and a special project or two. I was so nervous; I had never submitted my work to anything before, so it was a really big deal for me. And I was one of three ladies that they chose!

This is my third month working with them and I love it. On the first of every month I go into the store to pick up my kit- I am given about $40 worth of product and a few assignments. My assignments are due back at the store on the 15th of the month and there they are put on display for the next couple of months. Then I get them back to keep, along with any of the product from the kit that I did not use! So cool.

I need to go into the store and take pictures of the work I have already done, but here are a few of the things that I submitted to them in my application:

The invitation to Audrey's first birthday party

A layout about being a mama

And my very favorite piece of all...

A canvas I made for Audrey's room. (If you click on the picture, you can read what it says better). The amazing photo of Audrey on the canvas was taken by a good friend of mine when Audrey was three months old. The verse is one that I felt like God gave me as a prayer for Audrey when I was pregnant with her.

Staying caught up on housework all week! A very big deal for me. There is nothing like going into the weekend with a clean house.

Hosting small group at our house last night. We have not had it at our house in a couple months and it was really fun to have everyone over. We had yummy food, good conversation, and the kids all played fairly happily; a pretty perfect night!

Erik and I have a date on Saturday night! Our first one since the end of November because our baby-sitting co-op took a break last month. I am so excited!

Happy Friday and weekend everyone!

small joys friday

Just a few small things that have been bringing me joy this last week...

In the midst of organizing photos, coming across this sweet picture of Audrey from Christmas last year. She was three months old.

Speaking of organizing photos...organizing photos is making me happy! I am seriously so far behind on editing and storing my photos- definitely one of the downsides to taking mostly digital these days. I am not joking when I say that I am over a year behind. My goal is to be all caught up within the next couple of months. We'll see how that goes...

Finding out that one of my favorite scrapbookers is blogging again.

Discovering this awesome CD at the library this week. I am in love with it! I also really like how it reminds me so much of my dear college roommate, Marie. It is totally something I'm sure that she loves as well.

Spending last weekend in eastern Washington with Erik's side of the family (I've mentioned here before how awesome they all are). Minus the not so fun eight hour road trip each way, we had a super relaxing time eating lots of yummy food, celebrating New Year's with family and close friends, and learning how to play Sequence.

Staying home this week and getting Audrey and I back into a routine.

Discovering fun, new blogs. Two of my favorites this week have been 3191 (a photo blog) and Tree Fall Design (a craft blog).

This awesome lotion. I bought it for Audrey last winter when her skin was really dry, but just tried it on myself a couple of weeks ago. I am in love.

A new issue of Simple Scrapbooks in my mailbox this afternoon. Thanks again for the subscription, Mom!

This movie. After a friend recommended it to me, I put it in my Netflix queue and there it sat for over a year until we got it last week by accident. I haven't actually even finished it yet- movies seem to take me forever to get through these days because I'm too tired to stay up late!- but it is really good so far.

I am loving both of the books my book clubs are reading this month. One of the groups I am in is reading Teacher Man by Frank McCourt; the author taught highschool English for thirty years and ages ago I used to want to be a highschool English teacher, so I have found it really interesting so far. My other group is reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, which I am ashamed to admit that I have never read before, but is now one of my favorite books ever. Really. How could I never have read it before now? That and Little Women (which you recall I just read last month!). Shame, shame, shame.

The evolution of how Audrey says "baby"; it has gone from "ba" to now what sounds like a French "bebe"! Super cute.

Happy Friday!

a home...

I know I said that I was not going to post until next week, but I couldn't help myself. Last night I was looking through a vintage Better Homes and Gardens magazine from 1925 at my in-laws house and I found the loveliest little essay that I wanted to share with you...

I Want to Build  by Chesla C. Sherlock

I want to build a house to endure. A house of generous size and low-flung roofs, caressed by the gentle shade of great trees, where Permanence and Strength shall be reflected. A house where little voices may babble in the ecstasy of babyhood, and grow to the full blush of youth, and, in the fullness of Time, come to maturity and age, and grow old, and nod, and sleep. A house where my children's children shall be nourished and fed and protected by these same walls which have sheltered and protected me.

I want to build these little lives which have rooted in the garden-soil of my soul so that they, too, shall endure. Build them so that they shall know the glory that Love is, the joy that Happiness is, the peace that Contentment is. I want to root them in the eternal truths and nourish them with the true ideals of usefulness and service. I want to build them unafraid-gentle as the daisies nodding in the fields, sturdy as the rock-ribbed hills, strong as Love.

I want to build a garden where Loveliness dwells. A garden where the lingering pictures in Memory's eye come into being and all the dreams I have dreamed of Paradise nestle at my feet in my own door-yard. A garden where mine enemy dare not come lest he, too, be charmed into forgiveness! A garden where the divine laboratory of Eternity lies in my hand and speaks in untold tomes the delights, the mysteries, the wonders of the Hand behind it all.

I want to build a home where Love will dwell. A home valued not by the dollars it cost, or the richness of materials or furnishings going into it so much as by the happiness it has created. A home which has grown dear and near because of the stress and storm it has weathered, the tears it has dried, the smiles it has caused. A home where patience and effort and denial have brought their treasures of happines and contentment and peace. A home where Love comes like the fluttering dove, and perches and dwells- unwilling to search elsewhere.

I want to build a home!

tuesday randomness

Just a bunch of random things that are on my mind today...

This great post about the fifth anniversary of 9/11.

Erik's parents celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary yesterday!! I wish that I could have found a picture of the two of them together to post. They are the best in-laws ever and have always been one of the best examples Erik and I have of a healthy, Godly marriage. They are so committed to each other and are truly each other's best friend. One of my favorite things about them is just how much they enjoy being together. It is really beautiful! Congratulations, Doug and Sue! I love you!

Audrey's second day of swimming lessons went much better than last week. She is still a little bit nervous, but she got way more into it yesterday than before. I figured out that she really hates laying on her back in the water, so we're working on that...

While waiting for the next installment of Lost-Season 2 from Netflix, I've been watching this. Erik got it from the library and it is really fun. Not quite as good as this, but still super interesting.

In the midst of all the busyness and last-minute planning for Audrey's birthday, her and I both have come down with a cold! Such bad timing. Not that there is ever really good timing to be sick. But I just have so much to do...

Speaking of all I have to do the next couple of days...

• finish purchasing decorative stuff for Audrey's party (i.e. plates, balloons, party favors, etc.)
• go food shopping for Audrey's party
• make cupcakes
• wrap Audrey's present and make her a card
• clean the house!
• return library books that are so late (side note: Erik told me the other day that we should just ask people to get us gift cards to the library to pay for all of our late fees!)
• and some other top-secret craft projects in the works

I feel so idealistic about Audrey's birthday. Like everything else, I want it to be perfect. But I am so tired and don't feel well and don't really have the energy to put everything I want to into it right now. I know that I need to let go of some of my expectations, but it is so hard. She's my sweet baby girl and she's turning one! If I can just get over this cold, than everything will be much much better...

messy kitchen...

Does anyone else ever space out and run the dishwasher without soap? Geesh. I hate it when that happens. It kind of grosses me out too. I am one of those anal people who rinses stuff off before I load it in the dishwasher. So when I unloaded it last night, everything looked clean, but really wasn't. So the breakfast and lunch dishes we ate on today? Probably not clean.

Hey, at least you get a glimpse into my kitchen. Even if it is kind of messy...