Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Pay It Forward

I am so excited. I received the opportunity to participate in a Pay-It-Forward. I've been admiring Liz's quilts for a few months now. And guess what? I will be getting something handmade from her! How awesome is that? And isn't it cool that she has boy/girl twins the same age as me? :o)

So here how it works, the first three people to comment on this post and say they want to play along will get something handmade by me. Rules say I have 365 days to make good. In turn, you must post this on your blog and pay forward to three more people!

I have only been sewing for a few months and certainly can't handle a quilt just yet so I wouldn't expect any of you that play along to make one either. It can be anything hand made. This is only open to people who have their own blog, so that they can continue this chain in the way it was intended.

So, let me know if you’re interested and can commit to sending something when it’s your turn. I look forward to making something for you!

What a wonderful way to get back into blogging. (I've had quite a dry spell.)

Monday, July 27, 2009

Clutter Bug ~ A-CHOO!

My name is Kathy and yes I am a clutter bug and have been for all of my existence.

I am loathing clutter lately. We have a small house, only 1300 sq ft, and it is filled to the brim. I told Mark this weekend that it's as though we've lived here 30 years, not 6.5 with all the stuff we have accumulated. So, I finally convinced him (and myself) that the stuff has to go. It's a lot easier when you're both running on the same track, ya know? I don't see us being able to move any time in the near future. BUT, even if we were able to move, who wants to move all the STUFF?! Not me.

It will be an ENOURMOUS undertaking and sure to add stress, but I think the outcome will make us all a little happier.

My parents just purged many items in their house over the past month. Even though it took a lot of hard work and was definitely emotional with memories flooding back from years past; they got through it. So for now, they are my inspiration.

On the craft front, I actually made a couple of cards this weekend and towels as well. I hope to get some pics tonight.

Have a great week.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Diet Update

DH bought me a new scale. I went digital b/c I couldn’t stand how our old spring scale would have to be re-adjusted and it was difficult to read the lines. So, now a week and a half in, I started weighing myself. I figure if I see the progress in numbers, then I will be more inclined to stick to the program. I haven’t incorporated any exercise yet besides the normal rough housing with the kids. I hope to start next week at the latest.

My next endocrinologist dr appt is in late August, I believe. So I’ll be very excited to see what I weigh at that point b/c I know that I was at my high point at my last appt and I don’t know if my scale is comparable to theirs.

Anyway, I do feel better already. I don’t feel so inflated for lack of a better word. Again, my goal is 20 lbs by Oct 31, so I have about 3.5 months to go. It would be so awesome!!

As an extra incentive, I think I will post a before picture as a reminder of what I don’t want to look like anymore and maybe a pic each month along the way.

It was an eye opener to see this picture of myself. I'm not a large breasted woman by any means, but when the tummy extends past the girls, good gosh, something, must be done.

It will get better, one day at a time.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Drawstring Bag




I saw this tutorial back in April and just knew I wanted to make it at some point. It is extremely easy to follow. However, I decided to line the bag to make it a bit sturdier and had the liner fabric folded to the outside for contrast. Unfortunately, I had trouble with the grommets. I have the Big Bite. I tried several times without success on some scrap fabric and it just didn't work for me. So then I decided to try and place button holes on either side. well, that didn't work out too well. I cut off the bottom and sewed it again. Then I realized the drawstring can be on one side. I added the little loop on the right. I would have preferred to have it inside the seam but after all of this work, I didn't want to open it up. I am very happy with the final product. I am giving it to my niece as a very belated get well gift. It's big enough for a pool bag or casual purse.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Catching up


It's been a while since I last posted. Fortunately, I am feeling a little better. So, I will live it up until the next roller coaster ride. :o)

I am starting a diet tomorrow. A friend at work filled me in on what she does, so I figured I'd give it a whirl. I hope to lose 20 lbs by my birthday which is at the end of October. I know it sounds like a lot and I am probably in over my head, but I really need to do something. I can't tolerate looking at myself in pictures anymore. :o(

So here's a few pics of 2 different projects. The elastic waistband skirt was the skirt I made in my sewing class. Funny story to go with that skirt. Here's how it went down:
Picture me sewing along, a bit tired and over concentrating when all of a sudden, WHAMMO, my finger gets stuck under the needle. YAH, THE NEEDLE WAS IN MY FINGER. 
Me: "Um, excuse, me, I'm stuck."
Teacher: "Whaaaaat??!!"
Me: "I don't know what to do, I'm stuck."
Teacher: "You should turn it; I don't want to hurt you."
Me: "OK. Everyone, I'm sorry if I start screaming obscenities. {deep breathe} Holy Sh*t, Holy Sh*t, Holy Sh*t." I then inspected my finger, "I wonder if it went all the way through?"
Teacher after seeing the blood on the other side of my finger: "Yep, it did."
Me: LOLOLOLOLOLOL. Seriously, I couldn't stop laughing even though my finger was throbbing.
Anyway, I think I will only post the skirt here and post the other project another nite. This turned into a much longer than anticipated post. :o)
Have a great week.


Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Out of Sorts

A mini-venting session is needed. I'm tired. I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of not being able to keep my head straight when needed. My thyroid is the culprit. I find out later today what can be done if anything. 
Big changes for me are happening with work. I've been given more responsibility (no extra pay, but, hey I have a job, right?). This responsibility lies outside of my comfort zone. I'm excited and worried at the same time. It's a great opportunity but being so tired lately has left me feeling a bit overwhelmed. Deep down, I know it's just a matter of standing up to the challenge, making my lists, doing my research and just taking the leap, but it's been difficult for me to get off the ledge.
I pray the doctor will be able to do something for me, b/c I honestly think that me feeling crummy has put a damper on me getting off the ledge.
I have worked on a few sewing projects since I last posted. I can't wait to take pics. Maybe I can do that tonight.
OK, venting done for now. Thanks to whomever took the time to read this. :o)

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Project of the week - Decorated Hand Towels



I am SUCH a sucker for fabric and scraps. I even try to stop by the fabric store once a week to flip through the clearance section. But now I have a BIG bin-O-scraps that I have to find a new home for somehow, hence the towels. I bought a set of 2 from Target for around $1.50 and patched together some scraps and stitched it on the towels. It's the first time I created a quilt-like look. I love how they came out. They are so summery. They will be a gift for a co-worker.
I also bought some strawberries today in hopes of making strawberry jam. Ya-should be interesting...I'll keep you posted.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Wanna see some BOOTIE?


Hah, gotcha. I had fun with the title. My daughter LOVES shoes. I mean as soon as she gets up in the morning she runs to put her shoes on. So I decided to make her a pair of slippers. I found a pattern online that was sized 0-6 months, but Maria has small feet. So I increased the size by 10% and placed it up against her foot and it seemed good, BUT since I am not as familiar with seam allowances, etc. they didn't fit. :o( So I have one shoe, what do I do? I have the other material cut and ready to go. Then it dawned on me, I will give it to my neice/goddaughter Olivia! Her Christening is tomorrow. I hope to sew the other shoe today or tomorrow morn. Worse come to worse she'll get it a little late. I used scraps from a skirt I made. (I hope to post that too.)
This weekend I have a Christening (as mentioned before) and my nephew's Confirmation party is today. So here are the cards. The pictures don't do them justice, b/c the embossing looks so very pretty and rich in real life.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Project of the week - plastic bag holder


Here's the project of the week. It is definitely coming in handy. I took the easy route and made the fabric all one piece and I got it done in 1 hour. Here's the tutorial.
I've been thinking about my stamping lately and how I haven't been doing it unless a card is needed. Why have I stopped LOVING to stamp? I don't know. Maybe it's b/c I spend all this time on a card to give to someone and never see it again. I wonder if the person who received it just throws it out. However, it's a keeper of feelings, memories and sentiments, but it gets tucked away. Sewing has given me an outlet to be creative but allows me to get daily use out of items. I love that factor. So I have been seriously considering purging some stamps. I've made some irrational purchases b/c of the old "that's so cute, I've got to have it" and then it sits in the collection for years never being used. Isn't that sad? Sometime soon, I will have to go through them and just do it. (it will be painful)

Friday, May 15, 2009

Mother's Day Sewing Project


I've had a sewing machine for a few years but never seemed to find the time or enthusiasm to sew until I started finding all of these wonderful sewing blogs. Wow, what an inspiration these ladies are. Their projects are awesome and they take the time to write detailed tutorials. How unbelievably nice is that?
Well, I took the plunge and made Maria a skirt for Mother's Day. I used the tutorial from here. Traci does an awesome job explaining such a simple project. It's the first sewing machine project that I took on and I'm so glad I did. Maria is wearing the skirt in this picture. Granted you can't get the best views of the skirt but she looked adorable in it. Also, I LOVED it when her faced lit up when I showed it to her. Maria wanted the "pretty dress" and screamed when I took it off. So now I will keep my eyes peeled for those pretty clothe napkins. Thanks Traci!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

A Giveaway with a Twist

So here's what I'd like to giveaway. Are you interested?
A fabulous Stamping Bella card backer stamp. Brand new!
An SU summer stamp set. I think I used it once for a demo long ago.
An awesome 6 x 6 Christmas album by Hallmark with 20 embellished pages! This would make a perfect gift or keep it for yourself. The value is $25.

The twist is that you have to make a donation no matter how small to the March of Dimes through my link at the right. We are walking as a family this coming weekend and I'd love to try to beat last year's total and meet that $1k goal!! As a mom with twin toddlers who were born 7 weeks premature and spent 4 weeks in the NICU, I realize first hand how important the March of Dimes organization is to all babies.

After you have made your donation, place a comment on this post and you will receive an entry. If you place a link on your blog about this giveaway, you'll receive another entry! The contest will stay open until 12am April 25.

With heartfelt thanks,
Kathy

Friday, March 20, 2009

No-Sew Banner, birthday cakes and shirts


I decided to make birthday shirts for the kids. We got their pictures taken professionally in them too. I can't wait to pick them up. I am very please with how the shirts came out considering this is my first attempt this sort of thing. I got the plain shirt on clearance at Walmart for only about $2 each. I did buy some of the fabric, other fabric I had. For the number 2 I printed out a huge 2 in a font I liked using Word. I cut out the 2, pinned it to the fabric and cut it out. I then back stiched it by hand since I don't know how to use my sewing machine (YET). The edges have frayed which was intentional with every washing.
This banner was so much fun to make. I made a cardboard template to cut out the squares with my rotary cutter. It went so much quicker that way. I then printed out the letters in Word and cut out. I did tape the letters to the felt b/c it was easier for me. The tape removed easily once done. The most time consuming part was cutting out the letters. Then I used stitch witchery to fuse all the pieces together. I did sew on the little loops, just 3 stitches so that I could hang it on the ribbon. I didn't want to permanently attach the letters to the ribbon in case I want to change out a fabric in years to come but keep others. I love how it came out.
This was supposed to be an Elmo cake, but Sesame Street won and hey, Elmo is on there.
This train cake idea I think I found on Family Fun's website.

We made it through

Everyone told me that he would bounce back quickly and for the most part he did. I have to say it was one of the most difficult experiences in my life. Seeing him in so much pain was like a knife in my heart. In short, he spent the first night in ICU b/c he had trouble breathing and they could not keep his pain level in check. So the poor thing had an epidural, pain meds every 4 hours and then when that wasn't enough, the epidural was removed and a morphine drip was started with additional meds as needed. Once that chest tube was removed he was a different person. He was like a little drunken sailor his first time out. He looked so adorable staggering down the hospital hallways with his little diaper peeking out from his hospital gown. He charmed the nurses by waiving Bye-Bye and blowing kisses. :o) On the 4th day after he was feeling better, I was sitting in a chair next to his crib and he reached over to hold my hand and gave me this sweet smile. I smiled back, took his hand and said, "We did it buddy. We made it through and it didn't break us afterall."
Unfortunately, a few days later he came down with bronchitis of all things. Grrrrr...but as of now, he is doing better and is almost done with meds. Alleluia!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Mmmm, cake




I've been trying to plan for the kids' birthday but I've been preoccupied. I decided to buckle down today to make my lists. 
Even though they share the same birthday, I believe they should each get their own cake and sung to separately. It gives them their own special moment and opportunity to be in the spotlight. I like to make cakes based on their favorite things. Last year, I made a cake for Mark based on the book 8 Silly Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. Gosh, I recited that soooo many times, in the car, while they ate, changing diapers; it kinda became a song. For Maria I made a bus for her favorite song The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round. If I had a nickel for every time I sang that song, I'd be a rich woman. It was the only song that would calm them down if they were cranky. This year I will be making a train cake for him but they both LOVE their Choo-Choos. For her, I will be making an Elmo cake. Lalalala, lalalala, Elmo's song, come on sing it with me now! I know you know the words. :o)

Monday, February 16, 2009

Beside myself

I thought I was a strong person until something, something I can't control knocked me off my feet. I am beside myself with worry. I know that I worry too much by nature, but I can't shake this terrible feeling. My handsome boy who is soon to turn 2 needs surgery. He was born with a CCAM. It is a cyst within the lung. We found out about it at our 20 week ultrasound. We need to have it removed due to the possibility of it turning malignant years from now. They need to remove the entire lower right lobe which shocked me. I didn't realize how large the cyst has grown. The last report from March '08 (which we just received results from 2 months ago, that is aggravating in itself) indicated that it is 3 inches in diameter. So if you read this post, please say a prayer for my little one and for my family to keep us strong. I will be staying with him nightly and am scared to death of what I will see him go through. March 6 is the date, so I am keeping St. Gerard close to my heart.
Thank you.

Friday, February 6, 2009

I won!

Therese over at Softies Central is a big quote collector. So she decided to have a contest. All you had to do was leave a comment with one of your favorite quotes. Well, I thought it was a long shot. I've entered many contests and never win, but hey what's one more? There were over 60 participants that offered profound quotes from Oscar Wilde to Emily Dickinson. Here's what I wrote:
"When I was a little girl, my father and I loved watching PePe Le Pew mainly b/c of his adorable quotes. To this day (and I'm 35) my dad will send me a quote from time to time via e-mail. It brightens my day. So although these quotes aren't earth moving perhaps they will put a smile on your face. To get the full effect, you have to read it with a fake French accent. "You know, most men would get discouraged but now fortunately for you, I am not most men!" and "Where are you, my little object of art? I am here to collect you."
She wrote me an e-mail telling me that my quotes made her laugh and reminded her of when she used to watch tv with her dad when she was a kid.
So, what did I win?? Looky here:
I can wait to get it! Thanks Therese. :o)

Friday, January 30, 2009

2

My twins are turning 2 March 2. Time has flown. So I am starting to plan some special projects for their birthday. I am so ever grateful for Emily introducing me to Etsy, but DabNabit, it is addictive! No, seriously, it has been a great source of inspiration. 
I'm amidst the production of a birthday banner that I can use year after year. I did not realize that the fabric store is A LOT like the paper in the scrapbook store in that all the fabrics are mesmerizing and beautiful and make your mouth water and make you want to create EVERYTHING and ANYTHING even though you can't sew, e-hem
Anyway, I will post the banner once I've completed it, but you can't have a party without an invite, right? So, to save me some time and cash, I downloaded some FREE digi items from Shabby Princess (thanks Dani for telling me about them) and created this. Came out cute, eh? It only cost 13 cents each to print and I will just slap that puppy on a single sheet of cardstock and VOILA.
Have a fabulous weekend!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Getting Ready for Baby

Oh how I wish it were me! I have loved being a mom every step of the way. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my “dear god in heaven, please keep me sane for just a few more minutes” moments, but being a mom has been the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me. 

So who are these for, right? My best friend is having a girl in just a few weeks. So, I ventured into the attic to get together some baby items that I have been saving and gave them some much needed refreshing. As I was hanging them to dry I realized how adorable they all looked hung in a row, although some look like they are being tortured being hung by their tails. I just had to take a picture. Going through the toys brought back so many happy memories. Alas, they are off to a new home and where they will be put to wonderful use.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Pink Paisley Sneak Peek


Oh me oh my! Have you seen the new paper collection from Pink Paisley? There are others as well, but this really caught my eye. Be sure to check out their product inspiration section. They posted gorgeous projects.

A Giveaway!!

I recently came across Tiffany's blog. She is a seamstress and makes these beautiful handbags, diaper bags, book bags, ok you get it, she makes BAGS. I recently placed an order and she was so wonderful to deal with. She allowed me to choose the fabric and change the dimensions to suit my style. How awesome is that? Truly, it can't get any better. 
Today she has posted a giveaway with 2 prizes, first prize is one of her fabulous handbags that she has posted and the second prize is a $15 gc to her shop. Now, please run right over and enter and keep in mind that she does custom ordering too!
Please tell her that Kathy sent you!! THANKS

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Tweet Baby Designs Giveaway!

Hey Gals, there's an awesome giveaway from this talented crafter at tweetbabydesigns. The actual giveaway is through Em's blog. Please place your entries there. The prize is a pair of baby leggings. They are fabulous. I hope I win!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Better one, better two?

Do you remember going to the eye doctor when you were a kid? If you wear glasses, and I have since age 4, then you'll probably remember that question "better one or better two?" as the doctor displays different lenses in front of your eyes. Anyway, I was visiting this blog today and she had a demo on how to make the colors in your photos pop. I'm not too much into photo editing, only basic stuff since it is time consuming, but after I did this, WOW, I can really see those colors come alive. I tried  few other photos where the results were not as drastic. I think outside photos are easier to see the change since natural light plays a huge factor. So here's my take on playing with hues. Better one or better two?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Do you follow??

So today is my very own mommy day. I am turning off the computer when I am done with this post and scrapbook alllllll day!!!! It's kinda freaky that NO ONE is home right now but me. I mean I can dance around the house naked if I want to, and I just might just to say I did. 
On another note, when I do post, I see that my counter goes up so there are some readers out there even though there aren't any posts. So I thought if you do take a read from time to time, it would be nice to know who you are so I can come visit you sometime. So join my followers group if you'd like.

Have a wonderful day, time for me to dance!! Boo-bye


Monday, January 19, 2009

Crafty things


My BFF's baby shower was last weekend. I made these diaper cakes for centerpieces. I thought they came out pretty cute. The hardest part was the construction. Once I had that down, then it was easy. It took me two evenings and a little extra time to add the ribbon. The night before, I packed them up in a box and placed them by the back door. I went outside to pack up the gifts and headed back in (literally gone for about 60 seconds folks) only to meet my husband Mark at the door. He said that I didn't want to come back in and that I will be mad. He pulled back the door I saw my Mark Jr and Maria tossing around diapers. AHHHH! They reached over the fence and took a cake layer, deconstructed it and started playing. I said, "No, no, no, give those back to mommy." So of course, my daughter obeyed and threw the diapers back over the fence hitting me in the face. Let's just say I can laugh at it now.Above is just a card I made for my nephew's birthday. I love the paper, forgot I had it. Sorry, a little blurry.

Can you guess what this is?? Yep, I'm trying to learn to crochet. I know I'm nuts, I already have a lot on my plate and I am so very behind in scrapbooking, but I realized that I spend a lot of evenings on the computer. This is not a good thing when I'm on all day for work. I need to give these peepers and my mind a break. So, I thought crocheting would help me clear my mind. It certainly did last night when I first gave it a shot. I've got a long road ahead of me, but maybe, just maybe this craft will stick. Time will tell.

When was the last time...

OR did you ever French braid your hair?? I was never great at it but decided to do it Friday night before I ventured off to my nieces' and nephew's international fair at their school. It was either take a shower when there was no time to spare, bun or this. Maria never lets me put any hair ties in her hair. She loves the act of it and says it's 'pretty' but then tears it out 20 seconds later. She has such beautiful hair, I'd love to be able to style it. 

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Baby it's cold outside






We're expecting a winter storm this afternoon so it's time to cuddle up inside with hot chocolate and take down the Christmas decorations. A few weeks ago when we had our first substantial snow fall, we took the kids outside. It was their first experience being "in" the snow. Here are just a few pics. For those of you experiencing snow where you are, stay warm.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Baby Layouts




Yes, that's right, I am still trying to complete my children's first year album. It's been so rough getting time to do it. When I do get the time, I love reliving those special moments and feelings. I was hoping to finish by the new year but it did not happen. I'm trying not to beat myself up over it but my kids will be two March 2 which is right around the corner. For now, that is my new deadline. I think I will need to take a day off for me soon. Working on their album for 8 hours straight would be awesome. Whining has ceased for now.
Here's just a few pages that I really liked. Hope you do to.

Not Me Monday

I decided to partake in the "not me monday" which I found out about from Emily but it originated with MckMama's blog. Basically it is a list of embarrassing deeds that I've done over the past week and poke fun at myself for doing them. So here I go...
~I did not wear the same Christmas shirt 3 days in a row b/c it made me smile and kept Christmas alive a little bit longer AS WELL as make my husband's allergies crazy b/c of the perfume that permeated it.
~I did not dig into the freshly folded laundry basket for 5 days b/c I was too lazy to put the clothes away.
~I did not carve a little path to lead out of my room b/c recent art projects and Christmas presents have taken over my bedroom on my side of the bed. (If there was a fire, I don't think I'd make it out alive.) On the same note, I did not just giggle to myself when my husband just now tripped over the "stuff" on my side of the bed. How timely...)
~I did not just discover my daughter with a blackish tongue only to discover turquoise poop in her diaper. This definitely was not the result of her eating an aquamarine crayon. (thank goodness for non-toxic materials)
How's your Monday going?