Caleb's first bike! It is a little small. We had to raise up the seat and handlebars (see pic below) but it should be a great starter bike. 
As you can see, he biked well into the evening hours. I think he likes it.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Big Winner
I attended a Walk Now for Autism awards banquet on Sunday afternoon to accept an award for our fundraising efforts. Thanks to all of you, Caleb now has a gold medal with his name on it. He loves it! I was also pretty lucky and won a little something for him.
Caleb's first bike! It is a little small. We had to raise up the seat and handlebars (see pic below) but it should be a great starter bike.
As you can see, he biked well into the evening hours. I think he likes it.
Caleb's first bike! It is a little small. We had to raise up the seat and handlebars (see pic below) but it should be a great starter bike. As you can see, he biked well into the evening hours. I think he likes it.
Monday, September 29, 2008
I Made it Myself-- Scallop Card Folder
I spent all day Saturday at a Stampin' Up regional convention and we made six different projects. This one was my favorite. It is called the Without You Gift Card Folder. Really it is a card folder for three scallop notes cards. 
One of my favorite parts of the project is using designer series paper to line the inside of the gift card envelopes. You just cut your paper to slide a little bit into the envelope, lick the seal, adhere it to the back of the paper, then trim it up even with the envelope. It is such a simple thing to do but makes the set seem extra special!
The cards are stamped using the Best Wishes & More set which all participants got to take home. We used a 1 3/4" circle punch and added one of the cute felt flowers w/ a brad.
The cards turned out beautifully and the card folder is really cute. Supplies for this are available for purchase online at my personal Stampin' Up website. There is also a stamp sale going on right now until tomorrow. Several stamp sets are discounted 20% so check it out! Online ordering is available.
Stamps: Best Wishes & More
Paper: baja breeze, very vanilla, pink pirouette textured card stock, baja breeze patterns designer series paper, scallop notes assortment II with envelopes
Ink: chocolate chip
Ribbon: chocolate chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
Accessories: flower fusion too accents & elements, silver brads, white circle aluminum metal edge tag
Tools: SNAIL adhesive, mini glue dots, Stampin' dimensionals, sticky strip, scissors, 1 3/4" circle punch, 3/16" corner rounder punch
If you have something you'd like to share this week for I Made it Myself, take a quick peek here and then post away!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Project 365
09/22/08
Caleb started the week with two front teeth!
09/23/08
One down, one to go!
09/24/08
Eva wasn't took excited about me taking her picture when she was mad. You gotta capture the good and the bad, right?
09/25/08
Now there are none!
09/26/08
Kerry still had to make her swaps on Friday so we took over the kitchen table and worked! They ended up being really cute.
09/27/08
I spent all day Saturday with Kerry and hundreds of other stampers at a regional convention in the Kansas City area. We had a great time, got lots of great ideas, made some cute stuff, and you sure can't beat our front row seats!
09/28/08
I got home about 10 minutes before the family came home from church. I waited on the stairs with my camera to capture the moment when the kids saw me. Here is Eva smiling and jumping up and down. What a cutie!
Caleb started the week with two front teeth!
09/23/08
One down, one to go!09/24/08
Eva wasn't took excited about me taking her picture when she was mad. You gotta capture the good and the bad, right?09/25/08
Now there are none!09/26/08
Kerry still had to make her swaps on Friday so we took over the kitchen table and worked! They ended up being really cute.09/27/08
I spent all day Saturday with Kerry and hundreds of other stampers at a regional convention in the Kansas City area. We had a great time, got lots of great ideas, made some cute stuff, and you sure can't beat our front row seats!09/28/08
I got home about 10 minutes before the family came home from church. I waited on the stairs with my camera to capture the moment when the kids saw me. Here is Eva smiling and jumping up and down. What a cutie!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Kansas City Stampin Up Regionals Swap Card--Enjoy Every Moment
Stamp Set: Enjoy Every MomentPaper: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Patterns Designer Series Papers Pacific Point
Ink: Pacific Point
Ribbon: 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Pacific Point
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Crystal Effects
Cut your card front from Pacific Point cardstock to measure 4 1/4" X 5 1/2". Cut a strip of whisper white to measure 2 1/2" X 4 1/4" and use the scallop edge punch along one of the long sides. Cut a 1" X 4 1/4" strip of Pacific Point and adhere to the back of the white scalloped edge piece. Stamp "enjoy", "the little things" and the flower in Pacific Point. Stamp the dotted circle in Pacific Point on the bottom 1" of your Pacific Point cardstock. Cut a piece of designer series paper to 3" x 4". Tie ribbon around the top 1/3 of the designer paper and then adhere it to the card front. Leaving approximately 1/2" of the card front showing (the part with the stamped dotted circles), adhere the stamped piece of cardstock. Crystal Effects was used on the flower. It is hard to tell from the picture, but the flower has some dimension to it from the crystal effects. I used little drops around the petals and one in the middle.
Enjoy!
Kansas City Stampin Up Regionals Swap Card-- Deer Friends
Stamp Set: Deer Friends Stampin UP! level 2 hostess set
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Marker: Real Red
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals
Card fronts are cut to 4 1/4" X 5 1/2". I cut both red and chocolate chip full fronts. Using the scallop edge punch take the edge off of the long edge of the real red card front. Attach to the front of the chocolate chip card front. Cut a strip of whisper white to 1 1/2" X 5 1/2". Stamp deer friend image in chocolate chip on each corner making sure to leave the center free for the scallop edge tag. Adhere to the card front in the middle. On a small piece of whisper white cardstock, stamp the deer friend image in chocolate chip and punch out using your 1 3/8" circle punch. Color in the nose of the deer using a real red marker. Punch out a scallop circle in chocolate chip. Adhere the stamped circle image to the scallop. Place a stampin' dimensional on the back of the chocolate chip scallop tag and adhere to the card in the middle of the white stamped strip.
Now go and find a deer friend (I know you love the puns, Catherine) to send this card to!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thay Thomething Thilly
Caleb came home from school yesterday and he had lost his other front tooth. We don't know when or where it happened (sometime between 8:30am and 2:45pm at school) but it is gone. We went to parent teacher conferences last night and asked his teacher about it. She didn't know he had lost it. She said, "I know it was in his mouth this morning!". We asked him where he was when he lost his tooth and all he would say is "AT THCHOOL!". My apologies to whoever finds it somewhere on the grounds at Calvert. I'm hoping he just threw it in the trash.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Seven Hours
In seven hours, I'll be on the road to Kansas City. I'm going to a Stampin' Up regional convention with Kerry. We will stamp our hearts out and eat BBQ.
Before I leave I must do the following:
Pack my clothes.
Pack my stamp supplies.
Label the cards I made for the swaps and bag them.
Figure out what knitting to take.
Pick up Eva from preschool.
Drop off two stamp orders.
Deliver a gift to a friend.
Feed the family.
Go to the bank.
Pay the babysitter for tomorrow.
Go to parent/teacher conferences.
Blog about my card swaps so you all can read about them tomorrow and Saturday.
Quit dinking around on the computer.
Before I leave I must do the following:
Pack my clothes.
Pack my stamp supplies.
Label the cards I made for the swaps and bag them.
Figure out what knitting to take.
Pick up Eva from preschool.
Drop off two stamp orders.
Deliver a gift to a friend.
Feed the family.
Go to the bank.
Pay the babysitter for tomorrow.
Go to parent/teacher conferences.
Blog about my card swaps so you all can read about them tomorrow and Saturday.
Quit dinking around on the computer.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Hillbilly
A couple of days ago Caleb's tooth was in a precarious situation. It was dangly and bleeding and I could hardly even look at it. Caleb kept wiggling it and playing with it and I was hoping it would fall out soon. Carl came home and wiggled it some more but it just kept hanging in there.The next morning Caleb woke up without a tooth. He came upstairs to show me. I asked him where the tooth was and he had already put it in the trash. This is a common theme with Caleb. Out of his now 5 teeth that have fallen out, 3 of them ended up in the trash and 2 were lost. He doesn't really care much about the tooth fairy. The concept is lost on him. I don't mind.
Here he is with his big gaping hole. The other top tooth is on its way out soon. I'm thinking that by the end of the week it will be gone. There's nothing cuter than a kindergarten school picture with no front teeth!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Chocolate Rice Krispy Treat Recipe
Many of you know I'm a huge fan of the humble Rice Krispy treat. Many of you may not know that I'm not that big into chocolate. Seriously. I rarely crave it. I'd rather eat a dinner roll (my personal crack---oh carbs, you do me wrong but I love you so). However, I know that loads of other people love chocolate and I thought I could figure out a way to make chocolate rice krispy treats with just the right amount of chocolate to satisfy the cravers and still not be too chocolately for someone like me.
Here is what I did:
1. Go to the store and find the chocolate swirl marshmallows. I found them on sale and I had a coupon (bonus!) so I got two bags for just under $1. Don't be sad if you can't find this good of a deal. I happened to have coupon mojo that day.
2. Make sure you have some Rice Krispies (I'm a purist and don't like using the generic, but whatever---use what you want). I also had some Cocoa Pebbles (another awesome coupon find--not my normal cereal purchase).
3. Get one stick of butter. I never said this was a low cal chocolate rice krispy treat recipe. Trust me, you'll love it.
Place the stick of butter in a big bowl and microwave it for 30 seconds. Add one bag of swirly marshmallows and microwave it for 1 min. Times could vary. You really just want it to be melty enough that when you stir it, it makes a nice fluff.
Add approx 5 cups of rice krispies and 2 cups of cocoa pebbles. These are definite approximations. I never measure for rice krispy treats. Just dump them in and stir it up until they are the perfect rice krispy treat consistency for you.
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and dump as much of it onto there as you can. Smoosh it out and cover with another sheet of wax paper. Stick it in the fridge. You should have a lot leftover. You can either make another pan or grab a spoon and dig in. We usually just gather round the bowl and have a free-for-all.
Have something you'd like to talk about today? Do it here.
Monday, September 22, 2008
I Made it Myself-- Pumpkin Hat
This week I made some pumpkin hats. You already got a preview in my Project 365 post. But, I don't have any other completed projects to show today other than this one so it is a little bit of a repeat.
This hat is made with Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn. I used the rust colorway for the pumpkin and I don't have the name of the green right off hand. Frankly, it doesn't really matter. If you make one for yourself, find the colors you like the best. This yarn is really soft and totally baby friendly (machine washable and dryable). It was my first time using it and I really liked it. It isn't quite as soft as Caron Simply Soft but it doesn't split as badly and isn't as droopy. I think it has now become my favorite 100% acrylic. Thanks, Vanna!
I did a simple stockinette cap. For the baby size I cast on 64 stitches (size 7 or 8 needles--I can't remember) and knit in the round. When it is time to decrease (when the length is enough that it would reach from the ears to the top of the side of your head), I knit 6, k2tog, k6, k2tog (all the way around). Then I knit a row. The next row I knit 5, k2tog, k5, k2tog, etc... I stop knitting a row in between decrease rows once I finish the knit 3, k2tog row. I added the green for the stem at the knit 1, k2tog row and continue with that until I have 4 stitches left. Then I work an i-cord for an inch or so and then pull the yarn through those stitches. Weave in all your ends and then you've got one handsome pumpkin hat.
I don't know if I'll be posting a hat like this on my etsy shop. With time and materials I would need to charge at least $18 plus shipping. Plus, the window of wearability is pretty slim. We'll see. I have been known to change my mind over time (minutes/seconds/etc...).
I'd love to have you participate this week in I Made it Myself. Add your post below.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Project 365
09/15/08
Whitney and Eva doing some reading at B&N after seeing Curious George.
09/16/08
Reminder---several card sets are still available at my etsy shop to help out Brenda's family. Spread the word!
09/17/08
Eva crashed my spa party. I think she had a good time!
09/18/08
Dish Rag Completed.
09/19/08
In honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day we got out some paints and painted one! Arrgh!
09/20/08
I actually made two of these hats yesterday. One was too big--Caleb & Eva love it! The other one is for Caden.
09/21/08
Eva being cute after church. Need I say more?
Whitney and Eva doing some reading at B&N after seeing Curious George.09/16/08
Reminder---several card sets are still available at my etsy shop to help out Brenda's family. Spread the word!09/17/08
Eva crashed my spa party. I think she had a good time!09/18/08
Dish Rag Completed.09/19/08
In honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day we got out some paints and painted one! Arrgh!09/20/08
I actually made two of these hats yesterday. One was too big--Caleb & Eva love it! The other one is for Caden. 09/21/08
Eva being cute after church. Need I say more?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Follow, Follow Me
A few weeks ago Blogger came up with a new "following" feature. I decided to try it out. Kudos to my former student (and chuzma) JennieO for being the first to follow me! You get una estrella dorada!
Here are the details if you want to find out more how to follow someone's blog or have followers on your own. All you really need to do is click on the widget in my sidebar (to the left of your screen). Try it! I think you'll like it! I love how it is compatible with google reader (another one of my favorite things).
Here are the details if you want to find out more how to follow someone's blog or have followers on your own. All you really need to do is click on the widget in my sidebar (to the left of your screen). Try it! I think you'll like it! I love how it is compatible with google reader (another one of my favorite things).
Friday, September 19, 2008
Book Group Picks 2008-2009
October--Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
November--Snow Flower & the Secret Fan by Lisa See
December-- A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg
January-- The Year of Living Biblically by A J Jacobs
February-- Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray
March-- Three Bags Full by Leonie Swan
April-- The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
May-- Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
June-- The Minister's Daughter by Julie Hearn
July-- Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen
August-- Journal of the Dead by Jason Kersten
September-- The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
November--Snow Flower & the Secret Fan by Lisa See
December-- A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg
January-- The Year of Living Biblically by A J Jacobs
February-- Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray
March-- Three Bags Full by Leonie Swan
April-- The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
May-- Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
June-- The Minister's Daughter by Julie Hearn
July-- Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen
August-- Journal of the Dead by Jason Kersten
September-- The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
BlogHer 2009 Here I Come!
Thanks to Kelby, the stars aligning, and some lovely sponsors, I get to go to BlogHer 2009!!! It will be sometime in July and somewhere in the US and I will be there. For sure!
Don't know what a BlogHer convention is? I only know how awesome it can be by living vicariously through other bloggers. There are parties, classes, and Rocco DiSpirito!!! Okay, Rocco might not be at BlogHer 2009...but that won't make it any less fabulous.
I have 10 months to prepare.
What to wear?
Anyone want to plan on coming along?
Don't know what a BlogHer convention is? I only know how awesome it can be by living vicariously through other bloggers. There are parties, classes, and Rocco DiSpirito!!! Okay, Rocco might not be at BlogHer 2009...but that won't make it any less fabulous.
I have 10 months to prepare.
What to wear?
Anyone want to plan on coming along?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Dish Rag Tag--The Sequel
Last year my team came out victorious. This year we're hanging in there but it doesn't look like we'll be the first team to finish. But, that isn't going to be because I didn't get the dishcloth out as soon as possible! My package arrived moments ago and after I'm done with this blog post, I'll start knitting! My dish rag should be in the mail later this afternoon to the next one on the list.
So, if you'll excuse me. I've got some knitting to do. Sometimes being a competitive knitter takes sacrifices. :)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Helping a Friend
Some of my blog readers may know my friend, Brenda. She kept me happy and sane when Carl was on his mission and when I came back from mine, she had my back at all times.
Last week, Brenda's husband was killed in an automobile accident. She is 8 months pregnant with her third son. He was self employed and I know that they are going to need some financial help.
I don't have much at the moment to spare but I do have a lot of paper and an online shop and a blog that I can use to promote said paper and shop.
I made some Thank You card sets. There are six cards for $10. For every card set sold, I'll send $10 to Brenda's fund.
Last week, Brenda's husband was killed in an automobile accident. She is 8 months pregnant with her third son. He was self employed and I know that they are going to need some financial help.
I don't have much at the moment to spare but I do have a lot of paper and an online shop and a blog that I can use to promote said paper and shop.
I made some Thank You card sets. There are six cards for $10. For every card set sold, I'll send $10 to Brenda's fund.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Curious George
My kids love Curious George. They love the movie. They love the books. When I found out he'd be at Barnes & Noble, I knew we'd find a way to be there too.
We weren't alone. Julie brought Bella and Wendy brought Whitney & Simon.
Eva asked me all morning when we were going to see Curious George. She looked for him in every car we drove by. She looked for him all over the book store. When he finally showed up it was all I could do to keep her from running over all the little kids to get to the front of the line.
She finally made it to the front to give him a big hug!
Smiles all around.
We weren't alone. Julie brought Bella and Wendy brought Whitney & Simon.
Eva asked me all morning when we were going to see Curious George. She looked for him in every car we drove by. She looked for him all over the book store. When he finally showed up it was all I could do to keep her from running over all the little kids to get to the front of the line.
She finally made it to the front to give him a big hug!
Smiles all around.
Monday, September 15, 2008
I Made it Myself-- Dandelion Bag
This week I've been trying to build up some inventory for some upcoming craft fairs. Unfortunately, this didn't really happen. I just thought about building up some inventory for craft fairs. I did manage to sew three little drawstring tote bags earlier last week. One is going into my etsy shop, one got sent to a friend, and the other is being held for the craft fairs. 
I used this really cute dandelion fabric and lined it in a light blue. I don't know if you could consider this an original pattern because I took a bag that I love and tried to copy it as best as I could. The drawstring runs through a channel and comes out through buttonholes. These bags are just the right size for a small knitting project (SOCKS!) or a purse when you don't want to carry around a big one. It measures approx. 8 3/4" wide by 9 1/4" tall. 
The handles are about 5 inches long. It is 100% cotton fabric in shades of blue.
I bought some more fabric last week that will make it into these bags. I got two coordinating fabrics--one with hoot owls and the other with stripes. That will be so much fun to sew!
What did you make this week?
If you'd like to participate in I Made It Myself, take a moment to read through the FAQs and then post away!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Color Select and Rainy Days
I can't stop using the color select button on my camera. It is so much fun! I took these the other day when it was raining and we were waiting for the bus. I told the kids to make their mad faces.
*Yes, Caleb is wearing "hair". He wears it while he is waiting for the bus and then we take it off when the bus comes.
I haven't been able to craft much these past couple of days with Carl being gone. By the time the kids get to bed, I'm too tired or I have a bunch of other stuff I need to do (like take out the trash and clean up after dinner). I can definitely see a difference in my mood when I don't get to make anything creative in a day or two. These pictures are the closest I've been able to come. So, enjoy.
Friday, September 12, 2008
String Beans
Last weekend Carl took Caleb to an event put on by the Autism Family Network and a few other agencies from town. It was an ice cream social and a concert put on by the String Beans. Eva and I were going to attend as well but about 20 minutes before we left, Eva fell asleep and there was no way I was going to wake her up. Here are a few of the pictures from that event.
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