Vent on Life.

Life has been a little crazy around here. The economy is taking a huge bite out of our lives. My husband just got a second job. He thinks I should stay home with the kids. We discussed this prior to having kids. I would stop working and take care of them, but we never thought that would mean he would have to get another job! I am very proud of him for stepping up and allowing me the joy of being with the kids all day. I am also very thankful to have a husband that sees the value in parents raising their children. However, I sometimes worry if it is enough. I may have to go back to work. Times are hard. We live in new construction and currently our air conditioner is broken! Our old house was over 40 years old and the air conditioner never went out on us! It is storming outside right now and I am waiting for the service center to open to see how quickly they can fix the air. The storm is supposed to bring in cooler air, so that is a plus. I don't mean to be so negative, because all in all we are truly blessed! I have two healthy children (and was told I wouldn't have any), I have a husband that loves me and values me, and I have a great extended family. Times always get better, it's just weathering the storm. God has been good and I have faith things will turn around for us soon. Thanks for the vent this morning :)

Gina's Birthday Present.

I have been completely consumed with this swap! It takes over my posts! I have wanted to post this little present I created for Gina since I made it. I of course forgot to take a before shot. It was a hot pink Disney Sweethearts train case. I picked it up at a garage sale for 50 cents. The previous owner had colored all over it with markers and crayons, part of the lining paper was torn out, it had seen much better days. Gina had shown some interest in American Girl dolls so I thought I would make her some doll clothes and get her an entry level doll. What better place to store the doll and clothes than in this adorable, made by mom, case.

I primed the entire case with Kilz. Then I painted the outside of the case an aqua color, being sure to leave the trim and locks white. Next I cut out some G's using the cricut. I attached them using spray adhesive. Then I randomly stuck "precious jewels" (as Gina likes to call them) around the G's. I tied various coordinating ribbon around the handle.

For the inside I painted it ballet pink. I then trimmed the tattered edges with purple polka dot ribbon (I used hot glue for this). I covered the drawers with flocked scrap book paper ( I used spray adhesive again for this). I then put eyelets through the drawers and looped purple polka dot ribbon through for drawer pulls. I am in love with this case! Thankfully my name starts with a G too, so I can take it back when she outgrows it LOL!

This is the inside, not being used for what I made it for LOL!

The final batch

Well this is the last set of pics :) I did not photo mine. I will begin sending them out tomorrow. I have to do this in shifts. The packages I have to go to the post for may have to go out Tuesday while my mom watches the kiddos. My post office is sooo slow! They haven't grown to accommodate the size of the town yet, so the lines are LONG! I can't imagine doing this with a wiggly 9 month old and a full of questions 5 year old.

Michelle sent this lovely fairy pin too! I love pink and fairies!

Christina sent some yummy strawberry candies, which did not make it to the photo shoot, Thank you :)

And finally Kristy sent a much needed needle case (that's what it was right?) I am using it for that anyway ;) I need to photo it though, because it is lovely! Thanks!

Thank you all for participating :)

More Fat Quarters ;)

So many to post :) I think I may do 2 posts today.

*edited because I posted the same pics as yesterday*

More Fat Quarter Pics

Looks like I have 2 more days of posting pics. I had a rough night with the little one last night. I can't wait until he can talk and tell me why is awake.

Notice the sweet goodies Lindsay included! Thank you so much, I LOVE ric rac :)

More sheet goodness

As promised here are more pics of the Fat Quarters for the swap. I needed to take pics before the swap so I could divide them without sending someone back what they sent me.



*The red vintage fabric above was a gift from Amie. Thanks Amie *
Thank you for all of the sweet notes too!

The sort begins!

I have taken a pic of each stack of fat quarters. I am just about ready to divide. I thought I would post a few pics a day of the packages that came in. I have no idea how to use flikr or I would... I am sure it is so simple :)

I have enjoyed this so much! We did have a few people drop out/not respond, but we still ended up with lots of variety! Since starting this swap I have celebrated my sisters birthday, my daughter's birthday, and my own birthday. I should have been keeping track of the countless Dr visits with a sick infant, not to mention Gina's 5 year boosters, which were a huge ordeal! Adler is still fighting off a sinus bug! I will be back tomorrow with more pics :)

Last Call!

If you have sent your Fat Quarters in and I have not emailed you, please contact me. I will do the big sort this weekend and get them back out to everyone next week. This has been a lot of fun. I will post pictures of the big sort soon.
*Edited to say that I am waiting on one package to sort*

My Sweet Girl turns 5!!!

I can't believe it! My Gina Beana turns 5 tomorrow! Where has the time gone? We had a party for her on Saturday. It was at 9 in the morning! What was I thinking? It was a blast! It was a smaller party, because it was so early on a Saturday.
We had it at Jump 4 Fun! One of those big bounce house places. The kids all had a blast, and the parents were grateful to have the rest of their Saturday to do whatever they wanted.
She had her core group of friends that she really wanted to come in attendance, so all was great! Her BFF, as they like to say, is the adorable little girl on her left. Gina had a great day! It was so wonderful to watch her play with all of her friends. I feel truly blessed to have such an amazing little girl!
*Oh adorable # 5 shirt made by me :) Gina picked the crazy rainbow fabric out years ago. I always wondered what I would do with it. I really like the way it turned out and so did she!

The sheets are slowly coming in.

I feel I must apologize for having a swap deadline on a holiday? I did not think of that when I chose the first of September. I was just making sure I did not interfere with Elizabeth's swap per her request. It has been such a busy time. We have 28 swappers and so far only 8 packages have made it to me. I have responded to all of you that have said you are late, I completely understand. It has been very busy all the way around. Also I am getting a list together to email those that have sent theirs in. Sorry I am a new swap hoster, and did not even think of emailing you when I received your packages, I am going to email you today. I will still try to get the Fat Quarters back out by the 15th, assuming that I have received all packages by then. :)