Thing-a-Day 2012: #17 Felt Dahlia Pins

#17 Felt Dahlia Pins

Another felt craft from my huge stash. These are 4" pins, 3 layers of leaves with 2 small 4 or 5 petal flowers in the center covered with small beads.  I didn't have any pin backs in my stash so when I go to the craft store again, I'll pick some up so I can finish these. Only one of these is mine. The other will be used as a gift package decoration. I plan on making another one in purple and possibly one in yellow. I haven't quite decided. I think they are really pretty and they were super easy to make.

Thing-a-Day 2012 - #16 Zentangles

#16 Zentangles

I discovered zentangles quite by accident several years ago. They're a fun way to relax assuming you don't stress yourself out deciding which patterns to use! I was given a book about zentangles for christmas a couple years ago and I love all the patterns that can be made with simple shapes and lines. I didn't stress too much over today's design. Being that it's February, hearts seemed to be the only way to go :)

Thing-a-Day 2012 - #13, 14, 15

#15 - Baker's Apron

I found this yummy fabric at the local Goodwill - on a 1/2 off Saturday, no less! - and knew it would make a great apron someday. And that someday is today! I tried to use a pattern found on the Martha site, but it didn't include directions and the pattern was in 13 pcs and I couldn't figure out how to piece it together. So I winged it. I measured it out, cut, sewed, cut again, sewed and ironed and sewed and now I have an apron to protect my clothes when I'm tossing stuff around the kitchen :)

#14 - Valentine's Day Card

Happy Valentine's Day! I have a bag of cards that came with some promo a long, long time ago. And you know I save stuff like that to use "someday". I was digging around in my stash thinking to make an ATC, but when I discovered that little bag of goodies, today's thing-a-day was a cinch.

#13 - Mustaches

Ok, this one is lame. I was lazy all day. Mondays usually go that way. And while I was waiting for dinner I knocked these out of some scraps of felt, thinking I'd attach them to some drinking straws and take a cute, funny family picture. No go. These 'staches arent' fit to be seen, let alone groomed for photo ops. I'll have to try again some other time, when I'm more likely to have the energy to actually care.

Thing-a-Day 2012 - #12 Nail Paint

#12 - Nail Paint

It's been a long while since I've bothered to paint my nails. The Girl got this nail art kit for Christmas and I thought today would be the perfect day to give it a try. So I painted my base in a lovely Vintage Blue from Avon and I did the designs in Blue Me Away by Sallen Hansen Xtreme. There is definitely a learning curve. I couldn't get the entire design to transfer, and by the time I figured out what I was doing wrong, I was on my next-to-last fingernail. Ah, well. Until next time!

Thing-a-Day 2012 - #10 3-D Paper Ball Ornaments

3-D Paper Ball Ornaments

I found the instructions for this ornament here. I think the all white style is my favorite. I want to make some more of these in all kinds of sizes. I also want to try making a large one out of clear plastic or vellum and then insert a small, low watt light bulb inside to hang as a pendant light. I think that could be amazing!

Thing-a-Day 2012 - #9 Felt Valentines

Felt Valentines

I saw somewhere on the 'net some felt valentine ornaments, but I am running out of places to hang things so I left off the ribbon and made these to nestle in a bowl. Unfortunately, the bowl I wanted wasn't available, so I stuck them in my mondo mug. I think they're cute and I got to practice my blanket stitch again :)

Also, they were made completely with supplies I had on hand AND they are stuffed with scraps! Waste not, want not. I used up the scraps from these hearts in 3 of them and then pulled out a bag of fabric scraps from a bag I made a couple years ago. Yes, I kept my scraps for that long. Yes, I always keep the scraps. You never know when you may need a patch, or a small bit for another craft :)

Thing-A-Day 2012 - #8 Felt Heart Bunting

#8 - Felt Heart Bunting

I had a huge stack of felt that I bought several years ago for another craft that I never got around to finishing. I've seen these heart buntings around the 'net for awhile now, not only in felt, but paper as well. It took me longer than I thought to hand cut all those hearts and in the end I had to cut some more to complete the entire room. On the up side, I did use up most of my felt bits and instead of tossing all those scraps I stuffed them into an old mason jar, tied it with a bow and called it "bonus craft!"

And later I can pull those scraps out and do something else with them ;)

There is nothing better than making something awesome out of scraps that would normally go in the trash. 

Thing-a-Day 2012: #7 - Valentine Specimen Art

Valentine Specimen Art

I already had the frame and tons of paper scraps so this craft was a no-brainer. I do wish I'd had a heart punch to make this go a little faster. I didn't enjoy hand-cutting 20 little hearts for this. I think I'll need to skip my next craft because it requires almost 100 tiny hearts. I need a heart punch. I'll leave that craft on the list for next year, I guess. I'll also add the punch to my Christmas Wish list :)

Side note: I missed days 4-6 because I was sick - as in really, really sick. It rarely happens that I am so sick I'm stuck in bed for 3 days. I was so bummed that I missed out on completing the Thing-a-Day challenge this year. Ah well...can't win 'em all.

Thing-a-Day 2012 - #3 Circle Ornaments

Paper Circle Ornaments

I've seen these around the 'net and in several magazines lately, so I thought I'd give them a try. And goodness knows I have plenty of paper laying around to play with :)

Thing-a-Day 2012 - #2 Kitty Cat Origami

Thing-a-Day No. 2: Kitty Cat Origami

I have this Origami calendar from 2005 that I threw in my craft supply box, since the origami paper is still in good condition and I knew I could use it at a later date. And I have. Several times! A few years ago I made origami hearts and fish and things for the thing-a-day challenge. This year I have several origami bits I'd like to make. I especially like this kitty because, if I change the color to something a bit more orange-ish it could look like a fox! Way cool :)

Thing-a-Day 2012 - #1 Wire Snowflakes

You know those annoying, plastic-coated wires that are used to fasten toys to their boxes? I save those. Just for this reason: to reuse as a craft supply! Today for craft #1 of the Thing-a-Day 2012 challenge I used some of my wire stash to make these snowflakes. They are now hanging in my kitchen window to help remind me that it really is winter here, despite the fickleness of the snow this season!

4X12: October 2011

This year I made sure we got ourselves out to the local corn maze. Not only did we have an afternoon full of crazy maze fun, we also went home with a giant bag of apples, half a dozen pumpkins, 2 gallons of fresh apple cider, some acorn squash, and various peppers.

Spring Ball

Baseball season is fully underway, and with both kids playing this spring, our schedules are overly packed. We've had a game or practice 6 days out of 7 for the last 3 weeks! Sometimes, the kids have games on the same day, which means Dad takes Little Man and I take The Girl. Plus, The Mr. is a Coach this year so he really needs to be at every game even if Little Man isn't playing that day.


It's difficult for me to get photos of Little Man since I often do the scorebook. So I'm going to have to take a game off here and there so I can get some more pictures of him in action.

This is The Girl's first year playing on a team. Because they offer a girls softball league here, they wouldn't let her play baseball. She was not happy. And the coaches are having a hard time retraining her! She doesn't throw like a girl :)

And she loves to slide! Here I caught her stealing home. Which she does quite often. She's also managed to get pretty banged up while doing it. That's my Girl :)

Little Man's 13th Birthday

The Big 13! I can't believe it. The day started off with a light breakfast. We then went to a movie, and CiCi's for lunch. While at lunch, Little Man opened some gifts.

After lunch we did a little shopping, got some DQ and then headed to the Silver Hawks game. We had a birthday message put on the board. I think they should give us a refund since they misspelled his name :( During the 7th inning stretch Little Man got to play a relay game. He wasn't too thrilled with how it went down. But you can't tell from the grin on his face!

Later that weekend we had a little family party and I made the obligatory baseball themed cake. I think this makes 4 years in a row?

Next year he says I just have to make a baseball stadium just like they did on Ace of Cakes! I think I'd best start planning now...

The Mr's 40th Birthday

He wanted a little cake with a lot of candles. All for effect :)

4x12: March

Better late than never, I suppose! Not having my own computer to work with really hampers my creative time online. One of these days, I'm sure I'll break down and buy a new computer. In fact, it'll probably be sooner rather than later...

March 31 was the Mr's 40th Birthday! To celebrate we blew up 40 balloons after he went to bed so that when he woke up in the morning he would have a birthday surprise. It worked out pretty well. But when it came time to take pictures we found that most of the balloons wouldn't float any higher than our heads. So we blew up the rest of the balloons to give us a nice big bunch for the pictures. So the Mr's birthday pictures are pulling double duty this year!



A simple family picture turned into quite the production. Little Man turned his funny bone on its side and gave me plenty of photo ops:


He's such a goof ball! I suppose that's because he takes after his father...



Even The Girl got in on the fun!

Vacation!

First things first: a good lunch! When in Atlanta, Georgia it is essential that we eat sushi.
While the Mr. was out working, the kids and I hung out with John at one of the local malls. There were some pretty fun things to do. The kids were super psyched to race the radio control cars for a little while.

And then they just had to climb the rock wall at Cabella's. It was quite the challenge for both of them. Little Man had some difficulty with the holds being a little too far apart. The Girl made it up the wall waaaay further than any other person who attempted it that day. Girls got skillz!


On the way out Little Man shook hands with some of the local wildlife...

And then we were off to Orlando. First stop: Braves vs. Tigers Spring Training Game. It was quite a snoozer up until the 9th inning and just when it was getting interesting, the game was over! Little Man was stoked to watch Chipper Jones play.

Then we went to the WGLL Opening Ceremonies. Little Man hung out with some of his friends while The Girl caught up with some of her friends.

That night we went to Universal Studios. Our first stop was the Hogwarts Express! I wish it was an actual ride you could take into Hogsmeade. I haven't seen it during daylight hours, but at night it's pretty magical!

And then it was time for the Mardi Gras parade. The Girl came away with another 50 necklaces, at least!

And no trip to Universal is complete without picking up breakfast on the way out! mmm...

The next day we did the Universal thing again, but the kids took one of their friends with them. They wanted to be left alone, so the Mr. and I went Ninja on them! It was too much fun :)

And then we were back in Atlanta, needing something to eat late at night. Way to be there, Panda!

Next day, the Mr. had to work so the kids and I hung out at Dave&Busters. What a cool place! Unfortunately, we spend way too much money there. But it was a lot of fun :)

And then the trip home. We all found the rivers and waterfalls along the roadways to be beautiful. The kids and I usually try to sleep through the hills so we don't get sick, but it was just too pretty to miss!


Vacation is nice, but home is heavenly...you'd think that was the end of the week, but no, we were home for only a day and a half before we had to pack up and be gone for the weekend! The Mr. and I were asked to be chaperones for the Acquire the Fire conference so we didn't get any rest until several days after vacation. Man, were we wiped out! So glad to have my own pillow again...

4x12: January

After reading about this project on the Scrapbook Lady I just knew this had to be one of my new goals for 2011! It is really difficult to get pictures of the kids, but all four of us in one frame?! Where's my wand?....Ridiculous! I made my plans well known to the crew and reminded them several days in a row that I would be rounding them up for a family picture. The picture we took isn't the one I had in mind, but it's still pretty cool. And it documents our family-day trip to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo this week!



This photo is a good shot of us, but I took an even better picture of The Girl. She wanted to goof around a bit and I was feeling game so I hunkered down on the floor with my little point-and-shoot camera and we had some fun taking goofy pictures. This picture is my favorite :)


Doesn't she look like she's floating?! Just brilliant! :D

The Knitwit Files Vol 4: Mohawk Hat

Little Man's new winter sport hat

Let me first start by saying, I did NOT knit this hat. Little Man saw it (sans 'hawk styling) lollygagging around at Penney's when we picked up his winter coat. Being the "in" thing to wear this season it immediately caught and held his attention. I gave in and bought the silly thing and it laid around the house for some time, getting no use whatsoever.

A couple of nights ago I just couldn't stand it any longer so I gave the poor little dear a bit of a makeover. I picked up some yarn to match the braids and cut about a zillion 4" pieces and stacked them next to my chair. While watching TV I was able to latch hook these bits of string into the stitches of the hat, creating a lovely faux-hawk along the top center. (Any of you fashionistas out there will have seen several of these types of hats available at the local mall.)

No longer a skinny little nothing, this hat now has some major 'tude. Little Man was suitably impressed with his momma's crafting skills. I daresay this hat is about to see a wild and crazy time!

It's Almost Time...

Today we went out to the RV to pull out Little Man's baseball gear. I told him to make sure he grabbed his cleats as well, but he said he outgrew those a long time ago. And since in past years we've gone through 2 pairs of cleats each season, I don't doubt him!

This Thursday we go to the Little League meeting to sign up. As soon as they form the teams they'll begin practicing. Now that there are indoor training facilities available here, they can get a jump on spring and do a lot of drills and batting/pitching training before the season gets underway. And it's a good thing, because...

Baseball is our favorite season of the year!