Party is Cancelled

Do you ever use a party/social gathering as motivation to finish all of those nagging projects?

I DO, I DO, I DO

My husband and I were using our 1st Annual Oktoberfest Party (you know celebration of the fall and beer) as partial motivation to finish up some projects around the house.

Then LIFE HAPPENED, we ended up canceling the party that was suppose to be this past weekend. We were really looking forward to the party and getting a bunch of our friends together. It has been 3 years since we have had a party, but we are not fortune tellers, and a week and a half before the party my baby boy got sick!

My baby ended up needing surgery and a staying the night in the hospital. No fear (now), the patient is doing wonderful, but since it was so scary we decided it would be best to cancel the festivities. We just had no idea how the week would unfold for him plus getting ready for a party seemed like a little bit much! I was a little sad about cancelling the party, but my son's wellness comes first. Although I would like everything else to slow down...contract agreements still exist. That left us with some of the house projects that were still on-going.

TWO of our nagging projects were the garage and the deck, but were SUPPOSE to be done by the party...

ONE of them we are doing ourselves....

The other one we PAID for someone to work on....

Guess which one is finished?

HALLELUJAH IT IS DONE!!

Don't get me wrong my husband is doing an awesome job on the garage and it is so close to being done, but like I said LIFE HAPPENS!!

Disclaimer:...we did not cancel the party because the garage looks like this!! My friends love me no matter what my garage looks like...I think!! We were just hoping for the added motivation to have all pieced together before the party. Oh Well!!

It will get done when it gets done...there is no rush now...

Dealing with a Family Loss

I have been MIA due to the loss of our beloved dog, Chewy.

Last Tuesday should of been a day of celebration, it was our 8 year wedding anniversary. We didn't have anything planned just a nice evening with the people we love most our kids and our dog. Well... that was not meant to be. Monday Mr Chew was just fine, his happy normal self. Tuesday he woke up and would not eat, wouldn't walk and his breathing was labored. The kids and I took Chewy to the vet and he had a tumor on his spleen that had ruptured. He was bleeding internally and there was nothing we could do to save him.

Our hearts are broken. I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest. He was like a kid to me and our family just loved him. (Sorry for repeating this story for those of you who read my family blog)

In dealing with our loss and the emptiness of our home hubby and I have different ways of coping. My husband doesn't talk much about Chewy except in quick references. Then I have talked about Chewy (probably too much) and have reached out to my family and friends for support. That is how we differ...but we are the same in wanting to keep ourselves busy.

Here is my husbands newest project...this was on the forecast of projects "to do" but it suddenly took top priority this weekend..

Here is Hubby and his little helper.

First piece going up


This is a MAJOR improvement and I am so proud that my hubby can do stuff like this!!

I have been fiddling with my college that I got on Mother's Day, but never finished it...Go Figure! I thought there was no better time then now to finish my college, and make sure I added pictures of ALL of our family. Including Mr Chew.

I have a tendency to be a negative person, but I really try hard to always find the positive in every situation even if it's the smallest streak. If there is anything positive about our loss we are trying to move on in a constructive manner. I did complete #10 on my Getting Back on Track List. See that is positive!?!? Plus, I have a wonderful frame hanging in my hallway up stairs. I know I will enjoy looking at all of these pictures for years to come.

We Love you, Mr Chew!! You will always be in our hearts and thank you for 10.5 wonderful years!

Walls are coming down: It's DONE!!

It's DONE!! (I feel like Mater from Cars) when I say that!!

My hubby has completed our picture window between our kitchen and den. He is the best at finishing a project. Unlike myself no grass grows under his feet. Thanks babe, you are the best!

Before:

After:

Details!

One other small change. I changed the color of the wainscoting on the peninsula to the color of the den. I thought it would help me like the kitchen color more....it doesn't! However, I like the added punch in the kitchen! I will paint the kitchen walls one day just not right now.

Wesley wants to be like his daddy!! He is the best little helper.

Verdict: I love it!! The fact that I can see who comes in and out of our garage door (used 99% of the time) while I am in the kitchen makes a world of difference. I know as the kids get older this will be even much more beneficial!! Plus, we have another place to eat, a place to set stuff out when we entertain (we never do but maybe we will start now), and our kitchen looks bigger!! It is a win win!!

We still need to buy bar stools but that is our anniversary gift to each other in July. Now I have lots of accessorizing to do. I am working on that this week!! Plus, I am working on July 4th outfits (yes I am cheesy like that), and my guest bathroom!!! See you all later and thanks for your support!!

Walls are coming down...Part II

Yep, we are still working on the wall... All of the mudding is done and the "bar" is in place. We are just sanding, sanding, and more sanding. Next time I get the bright idea of ripping out a wall I need to remember how much I hate dusting...

One neat note is we got to use my belated grandfather's router we got while cleaning out his garage 5 years ago. Still works and we found all of the pieces (miracle.) Collins got to use it for the first time to make the nice rounded edges. It is nice to be able to have nice sentimental items like this while making something for our home. Goes to show loved ones may be gone, but never forgotten. My Granddaddy would be so proud!!!


Everyone is getting into the action to get this done. We need all of the help we can get.



Wesley is getting into the action by participating in the Derby race!!!


The wall should be finished by this weekend. Well, pending on the fact we find the left over paint cans!! Wish us luck! Apparently my hubby knows me too well and says the paint color stays...well, a girl can try!!

Mod Podge- Baby Monitor

Sorry I am late posting this because my little guy was sick with a fever last night!!

Today I am participating in Xazmin's Mod Podge Mania (a day late!!)

Now, don't make fun of me, but with Mod Podge anything with a semi-flat surface is fair game. I have no idea why I decided to do this but the mood struck me and so I Mod Podged a...

Baby monitor!!!

Before:

They are essential in every home with a baby but not exactly beautiful!!

It is kinda ironic that I waiting for little guy to wake up and I am listening with my latest Mod Podge project. I only did the front of the monitor and everything stills work perfectly! I knew if it didn't I would have back-up plan because I have 2 of them.

Finished and in place. I think it needs a bow but I don't have the right ribbon right now.

There you have it my newest mod podge project!! True Mod Podge Mania!!! Thanks Xazmin!! Next month I won't be a day late!

And now little guy is awake!! Let's hope he is better today!!

Organizing Challenge with a little Mod Podge too!!

I am a busy lady, like so many other women out there. Since I am so busy (some of it self-inflicted) I tend to over look some details in my life that other would CRINGE over. That something is

ORGANIZING!!

It seems to me that every time I organize I can't find anything. So to eliminate this problem I just don't organize. Simple, right??? It just so happens that one of my husband's pet peeves is not being organized (so glad he loves me!!)

On the way to beach this weekend we were talking about home stuff we would like to get done. We were having an open and honest conversation on the way to see his family (could of gone good or bad, luckily it went good). He told me that he would be more inclined to do more home projects for me/us if our home was more organized. I didn't get mad (sometimes I have a tendency too when he questions my homemaking skills) I took this as a challenge. I decided to start organizing our home. The question is will he hold up his side of the bargain!?!?!

Monday: I organized our linen closet in our bathroom. I would show you a picture but it isn't that pretty so trust me it is organized!! I am finally able to get sheets in this closet rather then taking up a dresser drawer!!

Tuesday: Nothing (busy day)

Wednesday: 3 kitchen drawers and a medicine cabinet. Proof Below...

Before:

After: Divided utensils into metal and plastic (bet it doesn't stay like this for a week)

Medicine Cabinet

Before: So embarrassing- I have never claimed to be Martha Stewart

After:

Notice the cool canister on the bottom right?

This now holds all of our band-aids and creams for boo-boos. Nothing can be easy for me so I decided to do a little project while organizing. I made a band-aid canister with the following items...

After: If I had some cool scrap booking stuff I would write band-aids, but this will have to do!!

This project made me laugh out loud because I remember reading some one's blog about how they mod podged a metal canister and when they tried to open it up the next day it wouldn't open (that so stinks). I made doubly sure I didn't put paper under the lid!!

Back to organizing...

I still have lots of drawers, closets, under beds, cabinets, pantry (YUCK!) to deal with, but I am getting there S L O W L Y. Maybe this will make my life simpler OR maybe it will make me even more crazy because I can't find CRAP!! Who knows....

Vending Event- Apron

Last week all I did in my free time was prepare for my first vending event with The Other Kid (custom dog collars and leashes). That is why I didn't post too much last week...did you miss me?
To say I was nervous about the our event, Bark Around the Park, is an understatement. My nerves kept me from being able to sit still very long and it kept me motivated to accomplish everything on my 'to do list.' Besides Pregnancy Energy, Nervous Energy is second best!!! I wanted to share with you one of the items I made for our event this weekend.

To keep us unique and different I made us aprons....


I got this 1 hour apron pattern from Stop Staring and Start Sewing. It is a good thing it was a hour pattern, because I waited until Friday night to make these (when will I ever learn?) I made a couple changes to the pattern. First, I did not make the ties as long because I was not interested in it tying in the front. Second, I added a pocket to the right and embellished it with the turquoise material. Then I printed out our Logo on printable material and sewed it to the pocket as well. Too bad my ink cartridge was running low or it would of been turquoise and brown. Oh well!!

The wonderful thing about this pattern is you can use scrap material to make this. Plus, it keeps overhead low, keeps us unique, and is very cute!!!

Thank you to those that wished me well on our event this weekend. I am pleased to say it went really really well. Our collars were very well received, we had good sales, and met some really nice people!!

Next post I will show you how our banner sign turned out for our event.

Drum Roll Please...

And the winner is....

Katie


A beautiful Easter Pillowcase Dress will be delivered to her soon!! Congratulations!! I wish I could of picked more. I appreciate everyones' sweet comments. Hope you all won something cool from some of the other great give aways today.

I don't know about you but I had a blast entering into all of the SITS Spring Fling Give Aways!! Probably spent to much time on the computer but it was for a good cause!! Hope I won something!!


I told you about my weekend projects. Well, on Monday (the weekend was too beautiful and my hubby and I did yard work while the kids took naps) I finished up my Spring wreath. I told you I am not a florist but my budget tells me "You can do it, Maridith"

Here is the finished product on my back door. A little forsythia heavy on the bottom but you know what I am NOT perfect. I did add the sign in the middle. One blogger commented the "Spring" sign was a too Easter-y. I totally agree but since my front door is still not done (hubby is working on it), this wreath might not be up until Easter. Plus, if my front door did get done before Easter this is a 2 for one deal.


I am thinking my wreath needs a bow...What color would you do? My door WILL be red one day. Any suggestions?

Procrastination Time: Considering this was a motivation tactic that didn't work- ZERO

Pack-Rat: All of the Forsythia flowers are from an old arrangement

Cost: Grape vine wreath $4, Spring Sign $2, Forsythia - Recycled, Total: $6 If I add a bow it will probably double in costs.

Time: Less then 30 minutes.

Verdict: Way easier then I thought it would be. I just inserted the forsythia branches around the grape vine wreath. (No cutting required). Then used floral wire (no idea why I have that but it was in my crafting box) to secure it to the forsythia to the wreath and my sign in the middle.

How to make Window and Door Draft Protectors

I live in the wonderful South, but right now I feel like I live in Iceland!! It is C-O-L-D!! It would be wonderful if it was cold and snowing, but NO it is just cold and dreary. YUCK! Today while the kids were asleep, and I couldn't get the chill off my bones, I decided to do something I have wanted to do since we moved into this home in January 2006 - make window and door draft protectors.

My house is not well insulated!! Thank you 1980 building supplies!

I decided to do a step-by-step this time so others out there, with drafty windows and door, can be inspired and make some! It really is SOOO easy!

Step 1: Gather your tools:

- scissors
- scrap material
- ruler
- pen (you know what that looks like!)
- sewing machine
- Reverser tool (don't know the technical name)
- kitty litter (not pictured)

Step 2: Cut your material 7" wide by the length of your door/window jam plus 3 inches. So if your door is 30 " wide you will cut a piece of material 7" X 33"

Step 3: With the right sides together match up length wise. Pin

Step 4: Sew around top edge and length with a 1/2" seam & Trim corners. (I had to attach two pieces together to make it the right length but since I matched up the pattern you couldn't tell!)

Step 5: Turn inside out with reverser tool and push out corners with the loop edge


Step 6: Fill with cat litter. TIP: Roll a piece of paper inside and with the side that is not in the material have it expand. It will make a funnel! Use a cup to pour in kitty litter. DO NOT OVER FILL. You want a little room in the draft protector so you can mold it to the window/door jam.

Step 7: Fold over 2 times open edge. Hand sew or machine sew edge - I machine sewed with a zig-zag stitch

(in front of attic door in bedroom)

FINISHED!!

Procrastination Time: 3 years, time to make 10 minutes but I made 6 so 40 minutes.

Cost: The cost of kitty litter. No cats in this house to my daughter's dismay! I used scrap material that matched the colors in that room. ( I have lots of scrap material- I am a pack-rat) You could use socks or old jeans, but I prefer something that matches. They are selling these for $10-$20 a piece and I made it for less the 20 cents each!

Verdict: Love it and could tell an immediate difference! I bet my power bill will see a difference too! I am so stupid for not doing this sooner. I ended up make 3 for my room, 1 for the attic door in the hall, and 2 for the den windows.