Labor of Love

I've been a stay.at.home mom all my married life.

{so that's been what? a decade...or 2}  

That's not to say I haven't worked, I just haven't gotten a formal pay check for anything I've done - I've only been paid in smiles & hugs.  So I have no professional references, but I'm flush in volunteer positions!

As a family we finally hit critical mass.  Three kids with 3 tuitions {and sports & activities and assorted wants & needs}, 3 cars {but 2 I'd call Fred Flinstone cars both on about their 10th life},  a mortgage etc etc.  All on 1 pay check.  In addition to being Handy, Hubby's been a great provider but I'm sure you see where I'm heading.  Momma finally had to get a paying job.

I had concerns.  Daughter A is a senior and I would be heartbroken if I missed out on any of her stuff this year.  My SAHM status had allowed me to be at their beck and call.  I've cooked all of their meals.  I've packed their lunches.  I've done almost all of their laundry...

Hmmmmm...

Maybe a little time out of the house would be a good thing...

I happened to see a want ad for seasonal help at a warehouse nearby.  I filled out an application on-line.  They accepted volunteer references if you didn't have professional references {were SAHM's a target demographic?}.  And best of all they were hiring on the spot.

I feel like I've been training for this position all of my SAHM life!!

When I arrived I waited in line at the door.

{like I've done in school pick-up lines, at Disney, Black Friday}

They had me do a Skills Test to see if I could pay attention to fine detail.

{my kids don't call me Eagle Eyes for nothin' - I.SEE.ALL}

Many of the stations required some computer aptitude.

{I'm gonna say my limited stint blogging has helped me learn to navigate a computer : )}

I had to participate in a drug screening.

{it turned out to be a mouth swab - thank goodness! cuz I was a little uptight about the possibility of having someone watching me produce a urine sample.  I won't even let my kids do that any more...so whew!}

I had to agree to the possibility of being on my feet for 10 hr shifts.

{Umm contrary to popular belief, being a SAHM is not about kickin' up your feet & eating bon-bons.  It's an endurance test - am I right?!  fine, I will admit I don't write any posts standing up}

And I had to agree to some regular lifting.

{Ok well, I figure 20 lbs is like a small child who begs to be picked up all day long!  & I feel like I go to the grocery about every day. I think I'm good there.}

I'm pretty sure I've been placed in the packing department.

{Now if 22 years of successfully packing Christmas ornaments away doesn't qualify me for this job then I'm hopeless!!}

I was told I had to wear my hair in a pony tail or a bun.

{Are you kidding me? No wasted time on personal grooming in the morning?  Would it be too forward if I say 'I love you'?}

& I was told to wear comfortable clothing.

{Well, I've got the perfect mom-jeans for the job, man!}

See?!  This job was meant for me!!

Smiles & hugs are da bomb! But nothing says 'thanks for your help' like a paycheck : )

Of course, every work day when that alarm goes off at 4am, I'll have to chant to myself

I love my family!

I love my family!!

I love my family!!!

*ps I may be a little slower getting around to commenting that I used to - please forgive!*

Blessings!

In the Know

Handy Hubby : )'s birthday was at the end of November.  He is the 3rd of 9 kids.  To date, there are 31 grandkids on his side of the family! Over the years we have made several variations of the family tree for his parents.

This year I made one for Handy Hubby : ).

To the untrained eye, this may just look like a number chart...

but for those in the KNOW, it's actually sorta kinda a family tree!

A little back story for you - When my in-laws moved into their current house, they found boxes of antique printing press numbers and letters in the attic.  They are really cool but no one knew what to do with them.  One SIL sorted the pieces by size into 3 different boxes.  She took a few letters and spelled out 'cookies' & 'yummy' in her kitchen.  One day when we were over to help clean out the garage, my MIL asked if we'd like the rest of them.  

Mmmm, Yes!! Please!!

I sorted them again.  So, now I have ziploc bags of each number and letter.  Perhaps I was inspired by all of the subway art and Pottery Barn knock-offs for my creation.  

The secret to this display is that each of the numbers, of course, represents each of the siblings in HH's family.  For each number, the groupings are made up of the number of kids in each person's family.  Get it?!! 

It's subtle, for sure.  

But that's what I like about it - it's not in.your.face!

And there's even room to grow if absolutely necessary {NOT the 3's, however... that oven is no longer in service : )}

Here's my favorite little grouping

{I know these look like e's but when they're stamped they are 9's}

Sib #9 has 4 kids.  The oldest are a set of twins.  I love their little pyramid : ) teehe

I got a cut of discount gold silk-like fabric from Hobby Lobby.  And I got a simple black frame with a coupon.  Together they make up a black & gold background representing Purdue {where HH & I met}.  The gold also happens to be the color in our basement where this will most likely hang.

I used Gorilla Glue to adhere everything together.  It was the first time I'd ever used the stuff.  It's interesting.  It certainly is strong glue but I'm not sure I like all the expanding it does...

So when you stop by next and see this frame hanging up, YOU are now one of the people 

In the Know!! : ) 

Blessings!

You might find me partying at some of these places *HERE*

Jumping for Joy!

So waaaay back at the beginning of September I won one of my first blog giveaways.  

Oh! it was such an exciting morning to sit down at the computer with my morning cup of coffee, open my email and find out that I had won a $55 gift certificate to CSN from Maryann @ Domestically Speaking!  (If you aren't familiar with her, you've gotta check out her blog - seriously!)

Before I had even had my caffeine fix {a morning person I am NOT} I was able to magically jump up to do a happy dance - and I'm talkin' booty shakin', head swingin', lower lip bitin', fist pumpin' excitement!!  Woo Hoo! 

I had never shopped at CSN before but was thrilled to explore the site.  {Have you ever looked at their site?  It's overwhelming because there is SO much to look at!}  And after MUCH agonizing & spending the GC 100 different ways I finally decided on some Le Creuset cookware : )

Ja wanna know what I just ordered?

 

Le Creuset 12" x 9.5" Rectangular Dish in Black Onyx

Le Creuset Stoneware 10.5" x 7" Baking Dish in Cobalt with FREE 7" x 5" Bonus Dish

Oops! I loaded the wrong color duet *pictured is Caribbean but I ordered Cobalt*

I wish I could say I'm getting these for myself... remember those 100 different ways I spent the GC?  Well, approximately 98 of those ways were for me, myself & I!  But truth be told, we're stretching our budget every which way we can right now.

So the cookware will be wrapped and sent to 2 very good homes where they will be used and loved by the chefs of the house!

Who knows, maybe one day I'll be served something in those little cuties : P
Again, gifting with ulterior motives - hehe

So, Thank You Maryann & CSN for giving me the opportunity to play Santa!!

 

Blessings!

Impatient!

My parents are coming for Thanksgiving this year!  I'm looking forward to a nice visit with them!!

I've got a lot of planning to do - meals, activities, cleaning & prepping...

So, Handy Hubby : ) decided this would be the perfect time to start a pantry makeover project.

My pantry contents are spread out all over {can't find anything}.

Aaaaaaaargh!

Is he secretly reading my blog news feed or what?!  I never even mentioned this current pantry makeover trend!!!

I know, I know,  I should be doing a little happy dance but...

right NOW?!

Since he was going to all the trouble of dressing up the wire shelving, it only made sense to paint the disgustingly dirty walls.  I went to Lowes and bought a gallon of Valspar, eggshell Oops! paint for $5.  It's called Tempered Steel.  Probably not what I would have picked out but it was the most neutral color available and was in the budget.

Yours truly went to all the trouble of cutting out all of the little shelf hooks.  Turns out they won't really show anyway. Oh well!

It's a little darker than I would like but clean walls are always refreshing.

The wood shelves are being painted white.  And HH will add decorative molding to the face of the shelves to cover up the wire {also going white}.

Gotta admit I'm a lot little impatient.

It better be done before Thanksgiving is all I have to say!
{otherwise, I know JUST the turkey I'm going to roast : )}

 

 

Blessings!

H is for Heroes

 I MUST start with a salute to anyone who has ever served, is serving or gave their life serving our country to protect our freedom!  We are truly indebted to you for your commitment and sacrifice!!  This Veteran's Day we thank , honor and remember you. 

I would also like to give a shout out to the Everyday Heroes around us, too.

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I watched "Freedom Writers" this weekend and it made me realize I live in a middle-class, suburban bubble!  While many teens worry about spirit week fashion, homecoming displays and getting into college, other teens worry about gang violence, a roof over their heads and living to 16.  

This movie is based on a true story.  It chronicles the trials of Erin Grewell, a new teacher in an inner-city high school, who struggled to break down racial & gang barriers in her classroom, to reach the school's and society's cast-offs while teaching them life lessons through history and English.  She helped them gain self-respect and gave them hope for their futures.  She made many personal sacrifices to achieve this.  Not every teacher is like Erin Grewell but some are.  

They are inspirations and heroes!

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Ok!  Well, at risk of wading into charged political waters...

I recently saw a video of a talk given by Gianna Jessen, an abortion survivor.

Sep 9, 2010 2:29pm

Disclaimer: I do not know the person who distributed the video.  It was passed on by others.  

Regardless of where I fall on the pro-life/pro-choice spectrum, I have to admire someone who is willing to make a stand.  Her history was beyond her control.  She didn't have to make it her cause or her life's work.  Her unique circumstances, however, provided her with an opportunity to speak up for those who could not speak for themselves.  She discusses some hot button topics for sure!!

I find her mission to be powerful and heroic.
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So, Who else?  My parents are my heroes!

 For doing the best they could with what they had.  For trying to give me and my brother a better life than they had.  For their unconditional love, faith, strength, wisdom, guidance & sacrifice.  {of course, I called all of these attributes something else back in the day...}
 Yup!  Once lame-O, kill-joys turned Heroes!  : )

Parenting is definitely full of delayed gratification.  I didn't get it until I became one.

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My kids are my heroes, too!

Regardless of my screw ups and failed parenting attempts, they are growing into wonderful human beings despite me!! 

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And for all of YOU behind.the.scenes people who volunteer and give of yourselves to make the world a better place - I continue my theme of Gratitude from last week - thank you for being Heroic!!

Blessings!

G is for Gratitude

What's November without a little gratitude?!

I spent some time this morning composing a memory tribute to one of the people being honored at the President's Dinner at my girls' high school this year.  I felt it was important to let this man know how he has impacted my family.  He may not know otherwise!  Our story is not unique.  Mr. McC has touched generations of people with his time, talent & treasure.  I'm sure he doesn't give of himself for the recognition or glory, but sometimes it's just nice to know that you've made a difference!

This led me to think of all of the people who have influenced my life in one way or another.  People who give of themselves in big ways and small.  People who touch my life just by living their own.  

Sometimes I am guilty of wanting a pat on the back for things that I do, but then I can be stingy about acknowledging what others do...

So, during the month of November (not just for a day), the month of Thanksgiving, I'm going to try to be more mindful of what others offer me - tangible, verbal, emotional, big or small
I've been told you can't be grateful & resentful at the same time.

Today I'm going to start with YOU fabulous bloggers!!  I didn't really know what to expect when I started on this blogging journey.  I just mentioned to someone that I don't really know where I'm headed with this but I LOVE the options & directions I can go.  And I appreciate the sharing and camaraderie and support found here.  I love your sincere comments and musings.  They make me smile & laugh.  Sometimes it's just the thing that I need.  It's been such fun so far : ) So Thank You!

And just so you don't think that I'm all business today, I wanted to let you in on an uber thankful secret that brings a smile to my face on a regular basis...  *Go Here* 
you can thank me later : )

 

Blessings!

ps just wanted to share an opportunity with you!  wouldn't it look great somewhere in your home or as a gift?  check it out!

Bringing Peace Into The Home is holding a giveaway

of this print by Liz Lemon Swindle.

Click here to enter for the giveaway.

btw this print represents something else I'm grateful for!!

F is for 4 Funny's & a Funeral

{1}  Have you watched Parenthood or Modern Family or The Middle?  So Funny!!

{2}  Pull your lips into your mouth, covering your teeth.  Now try saying "Rhutabaga, Rhutabaga"  Hahaha - You look Funny : )

{3}  Q:  Why don't cannibals like clowns?
A:  Because they taste funny!

Do I hear crickets?  yeah, well, that's Handy Hubby : ) 's favorite joke.  It would at least make me smile if he'd stop telling that one!

{4}  Homecoming was a few weekends ago at the girls' high school.  The theme was Disney movies.  Each class picked a different movie to showcase.  The freshmen class *Daughter S* picked Finding Nemo.

Well, despite their efforts the freshmen didn't win - they never do.  The seniors won {Daughter A happens to be a senior}so there was still celebrating in our house.

I think the freshmen should have won for their slogan alone:

Frosh are Friends, Not Food

Hahahahahahahahahahaha!

 Just in case you haven't seen this movie, there is a scene where a friendly shark learns in 'school' that

Fish are Friends, Not Food

Get it?! 

AhHahahahahahahHahahahaHahaha!
Totally tickled my funny bone! I'm easily amused *not by cannibals, however* & it is about the little things, after all.

I loved that they could laugh at themselves & understood where they fall in the school food chain : )

Oh! Shark Bait *another movie reference* can be soooo FUNNY!


& Finally the {Funeral}  The 20th was my birthday.  I turned Forty... something ; )
Anyhoo - My MIL & several S'sIL kindly invited me out to lunch to celebrate on Wednesday!  I accepted.  Then the next day I got the call about a funeral at church scheduled on... my birthday. (I'm on the funeral luncheon committee)
Talk about the circle of life!

At first I wasn't sure how to feel about it.  A part of me wanted to be selfish and proceed with my plans.  Never mind that the current chairperson running funeral luncheons is in her 9th month of pregnancy with her 5th child.  Forget the fact that another woman & I already agreed to tag-team subbing for her while we give her a 2 week maternity leave *jk!*  Well, and then there was the sad truth that I'd only ever worked 1 funeral dinner.  There hadn't been a funeral in almost 2 months so it could be trial.by.fire if I didn't try to learn the ropes when I had the chance. 

Ultimately, I decided that I was fortunate enough to be able to postpone my birthday celebration - I had the luxury of time.  And this funeral was the last big thing the church gets to do to honor this man.  I was happy to serve at his funeral luncheon on my birthday!!  *I don't mean I was happy about his funeral... Oh! you know what I mean!!*

I just hope the Fam could chuckle at the fact that I ditched them to work a funeral...
or am I digging my own grave?!
duh, duh, Duuuuuuh

 

Blessings!

Cute While Cooking

I know some of you think I've fallen off the crafty wagon.  Well, I've just been preoccupied with a few other things, is all!  And to prove I still do the occasional project - just wanted to share a birthday gift I made for my son's girlfriend.  They were here over the weekend.

 

She likes to cook so I thought she might enjoy looking cute while cooking : )  I bought my materials at GW this time because I was hoping I would get more fabric for the money.  The spotted fabric is from a flat twin sheet.  The brown fabric is a duck cloth window panel.  They were $3.99 each {and I think I might have enough fabric left for another apron although it might not be double-sided like this one}. 

I cut a strip the length of the twin sheet to make the ruffle.  I used almost all of it!  I cut off the side hem, intending to make some cute embellishments for the front of the apron.  Another length was used for the sash/tie across the top.  I cut 2 panels from the brown curtain so the apron is reversible {but it looks the same from the front or back}

After tucking the apron into a bag with some tissue paper, I tied a big bow to the handle and capped it off with a pin she can put on the apron (or sweater or scarf), a cookie cutter in the shape of a crown & a glittery M.  {I got the cookie cutter at Sur la Table for $.60}

 

Daughter A *who's modeling the apron in my pics* said it makes her want to cook something : )
Hopefully, Girlfriend M will feel the same way and then Son C might benefit from some cookies or brownies or a gourmet meal!  Oh, rats!  I let the cat out of the bag - gifting with ulterior motives...

And as a Halloween treat for both of them.  They each received a mug from the dollar section at Target.  It has Charlie Brown on the front saying "Good Grief!".  Inside I put a bag of chalkboard spray painted rocks {a la Pottery Barn} & chalk.  Now they can both say "I gotta rock!"  teehee

So, you see?  I'm not totally out of the crafting game - I still dabble a little!

You might find me partying at some of these places *HERE*

Blessings! 

E is for Economizing Efforts

 So, the economy isn't great.  Times are tough.  Everyone's tightening their belts, right?
Should one be thrifty only when times are hard?  Heck, No!  I love saving $ all of the time, it just helps most when every penny counts.  And if things are stretched thin for average josephine's like me, what about those who have even less?

Well, I'm no money guru but I do have a few tricks I love using & thought I'd share a few with you today!

My favorite 'funny money' is Discover Card's Cash Back Rewards!  *find out more HERE* I use my Discover Card whenever I can.  I use it on groceries, gas, clothes, restaurants, misc.  I hardly carry any cash anymore.  But I pay off my full balance every month & I only buy something if I'm ok with the price it costs right now.  I don't think about any money I get back.  When I'm ready to cash out I can do a number of things.

1) I can use the Cash Back Bonus $ to reduce my balance due.  Sometimes I do this when a reduced balance is really what I need.

2) I can use it to make a donation to a handful of organizations & Discover will donate a percentage more.  This option is great because there is no additional out.of.pocket expense to me.  I'm helping out a great cause *I usually choose the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund* plus Discover kicks in a little extra.  I feel good - they feel good!

3) I can get a gift card at a participating store.  So, for example, at back.to.school time I cashed in $20 in Cash Back Bonus $ and got a gift card for $25 at American Eagle!  I did that for each of the girls so for $40 I got $50 in GCs.  If a special occasion is coming up and I know we'll go out to dinner I may cash in $80 and get 4 $25 GCs to Buca di Beppo.  Bring that in with a $10-off coupon usually found in the weekend paper & I may not have to pay anything more out.of.pocket on a dinner for 5+ people!!  I usually fund my hardware store needs for my projects with Lowes GCs using my Cash Back Rewards $ although this one's not as great of a deal.  (For $45 I only get a $50 GC.)  And it has come in handy, when I have enough advanced notice, to order a card to give as a gift.  How often do you get to buy a GC for less than the face value?!

btw I didn't get paid for this endorsement - I just love my Discover Card! <3
Ok!  'Nuf about that!  Moving on -

There are 2 sites where I get good deals.  Restaurants.com & Groupon.com
 If you get on their email list they will send you regular deals.  For example, during a special promotion at Restaurants.com I purchased a $25 GC for $2!  {Yes! You read that correctly!!} I chose a local restaurant I've wanted to try.  Handy Hubby : ) & I tried it out on a date night.  We ordered $31 worth of food.  We spent about $14 total on our meal out.of.pocket (including tax & tip).  I might not have been willing to try it if not for this GC!  {Make sure you read the fine print for each establishment}

The same goes for Groupon.com.  They do offer restaurant coupons but lots of other things too.  I've tried indoor rock climbing experiences, paint.your.own pottery places, a wine tasting nite.  All things I would never pay full price for but at a discount I'm willing to give it a try.

And finally, I've recently discovered the world of couponing!!  Where have I been?!!  I mean I've always used coupons but not to this level!

To supplement our church food pantry, a new committee started requesting that parishioners donate their weekend ads after they've clipped the coupons they want first.  We meet weekly to sort the ad packets and clip the coupons for the best deals of the week.

Last week, I MADE $ buying toothpaste at CVS for the pantry!!  How you ask?  Well, the toothpaste was on sale for $2.99.  CVS was offering $2.99 in Extra Care Bucks but we also clipped a coupon for $1 off so I made $1 in ECB/tube!  I used my ECB on Halloween candy.  I can't bring myself to turn in that receipt to church for reimbursement - I'd feel like I was stealing!!

Now I pick up any deals that end up being free and donate it to the pantry.  Makes me feel good. 
There are several sites that watch weekly ads: couponmom.com, Just Trying to Save Money  blog & The Coupon Goddess blog!!  Check them out!

And one final tip - I promise!  If you love owning books you should check out paperbackswap.com!  You list books that you are done with.  When someone requests one of your books, you pay to send it out *media mail* and when they receive it you earn a credit.  You, then, can use your credit to request a book someone else has listed. They actually have divisions to swap CD's & movies too.

My girls have to purchase their own books for school & we can usually find most of the books they need for English on paperbackswap.  It saves us a little cash.  And when they are done with it we can keep it or repost it. 

As usual, I've run on too long!  {If you knew me in real life you'd say I'm shy - Honest!} I just get so darned excited when I can save $ on something I was gonna get anyway.  It never hurts to watch your spending!   So there you have it, Folks!  A few of Emily's Economizing Efforts!

How do you economize?

 

Blessings!

D is for Delish

Now that the weather is cooling down, I really LOVE having hearty soups as meals!

At a women's retreat weekend through church recently, I was responsible for providing a soup for the participants at the Sat. lunch which is traditionally the soup & salad lunch.  I made my MIL's recipe for Tortellini Soup.

I'm sharing her recipe but I usually take liberties with the quantities because I like my soups super chunky!

Chicken Tortellini Soup

2 cups diced chicken breasts *about 3 breasts*

1 cup sliced carrots *I double it*

bay leaf

6 cups of water

1/2 cup vermouth *or cooking sherry or white wine*

3 14.5 oz cans of chicken broth or 1 29.5 oz can

1 can cream of chicken soup *I use 2*

1 large chopped onion

1 tsp *or more* each:

oregano

basil

salt

pepper

2  heaping Tbsps minced garlic

10 oz bag of chopped broccoli

1 20 oz pack of Buitoni tortellini *in the refrigerated section*

1} Cook diced chicken in small  amt of water w/ sliced carrots & bay leaf in stock pot

2}  Add rest of ingredients to pot except for broccoli & tortellini

3}  Boil until carrots are tender

4}  Add broccoli & tortellini 10 - 15 min before serving

Serve with grated white cheese of choice and/or garlicy croutons

Serves 8 - 10

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I broke out my extra large capacity crock pot to hold this quantity.  Of the 5 soups offered for lunch that day 2 were scrapin' the bottom of the barrel.  I went home with an empty crock & several requests for the recipe.  : )  I was humbled cuz I'm not a great chef - I only make what's easy!!

My crock may have been empty but my heart was full on love!  It's truly an honor to serve meals for the participants at these retreats.

If you give this recipe a try, let me know if you think it's Delish!
I think it's D bomb!!

Blessings!

Cool, Cr@pPy & Challenging - Oh, My!

I've got a C concoction going on today since I'm participating in Jenny Matlock's Alphabe - Thursday.  It was difficult coming up with just one C word to focus on because there are so many choices, but I decided to limit myself to 3...

Since I started blogging a few months ago I've seen soooo many Cool ideas!  You all are completely amazing & talented & creative & inspiring... *do I have your full attention yet? : ) *  I saw so many ideas I wanted to borrow but I couldn't keep them all straight in my little pea brain.  So, I started an idea file {found in my tool bar} where I tucked away the links of things I wanted to remember. 

My all time #1 favorite, uber Cool idea to date is *HERE*
These scultures are made out of driftwood by  Heather Jansch !!

I have absolutely no hope of EVER constructing something like this, but I had to save it and share it because it blows my mind!!!  The fluidity and beauty of these creatures astounds me.  I'm confounded by her vision!  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised, in the least, if one of them actually galloped away!!  Whew!  Oh, I'm flushed - those sculptures truly move me!!

Ok! So that was the Cool... moving on to the Cr@pPy Crafts

{1}Do you recall this wall of vinyl frames?  

Do you recall I predicted they would fall down one day?

 Well, slap me silly & call me a fortune teller cuz look what happened

As it turned out, the black frame was not the part you 'rub on' the wall.  It was the negative space that was sticking to the wall!  A few little sticky spots were not going to hold up the large frame!  And it didn't, obviously.  I may have even damaged the wall because I kept rubbing & rubbing the black trying to get that part to adhere to the wall!
Looks like this one's next... Grrrrrrr!

So, I'll warn you again:  If you are tempted to buy the faux vinyl wall art from Target - Just Say NO!!

{2}I picked up a few discontinued fabric samples from JoAnn Fabrics a while ago.  I've been doing different projects with them *see here, here & here*

I was saving my favorite for a special project.  Love it!

I finally decided on a handbag.  I wanted a funky shape for my cool print and came up with this

My idea was to have interchangeable handles, so I punched holes to install grommets.  Unfortunately, I chose a grommet the wrong size for my punch.  Now I just have holes.  I'm not calling it a Craft Fail yet.  I'm not buying a new punch yet either.  I'm calling it Cr@pPy planning & filing it under 'In Limbo'

{3} I could keep going on & on but I'll just bore you with 2 today and move on...

My Challenging Craft is definitely my hip chair I found at GW right before Labor Day

I thought it was just going to be a reupholstery job & I thought it would be pretty easy with it's clean lines.  But when I removed the fabric I found Mr. Grumpy Potato Head underneath

& it smelled!  I couldn't bring myself to just cover it up so I stripped it down to the frame.

Now we're talking a totally different ball game.  I don't know nothin' bout redoing this!! 

The back was tufted.  And the seat has deteriorating burlap which I wanted to replace but can't because there are wires running through it.  I can't spend a lot of $ to redo this.  So there it sits in the garage where Handy Hubby : ) walks by it and asks every day how much longer it's going to be there.  Siiigh!  

So there you have it - The Cool, the Cr@pPy & the Challenging!

C you next time!



ps for those of you still hanging around  and who asked to C this...
Here's the crumb.catcher/dust.ruffle dress from Plan B

Blessings!

Paper Bows

Yay! I'm finally back in business! 
I haven't been able to load pictures to my post for almost a week and it was crampin' my style!  And not even because I have anything fantabulous to share with you. It's just I want what I want when I want it!!  That's not too much to ask, right?!
Well, all I've really got today is a quick little project.

This is the centerpiece I have on my table this year.  Although I had all of the pieces last year, I've never had them together in this combination before.  It's just a pre-fabbed candle ring on a pedestal with a foam pumpkin on top.  The only thing new is the paper napkin I used for the bow. 

I'm in LOVE with the quatrefoil pattern right now, so when I saw this pack of cocktail napkins at Target I had to have it.

 I only used 3 napkins to cover my pumpkin.  See how *here*

Anyway, the centerpiece pumpkin looked a little plain so I used one of the napkins to fashion a bow for the top.

I started by opening up a napkin and cutting it into 1/4's

I took strips and fashioned them into parts of the bow

Then I took left over twist ties from treat bags and wound them around a chopstick to make curly Q's

And since my pumpkin is foam, I simply used straight pins to attach all the parts of the bow.

Easy Peasy!

*That's more than I can say about getting pictures to load to my post!!*

You might find me partying at some of these places *HERE*

Blessings!