That's Life Kid!

I made some puzzle blocks to give to two of my second cousins who are having their 1st birthdays next weekend. I found the tutorial here:  http://go.tipjunkie.com/hm/988/theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/05/fabric-puzzle-blocks-tutorial.html I didn't have any puzzle worthy material, so I used scrapbook paper for one side and some of the leftover vinyl tablecloth from this project  http://thatslifekids.blogspot.com/2011/06/lap-desks-for-car.html  for the other side of the puzzle blocks. Also, I had some smaller wooden blocks on hand, so I used those instead of  going out to buy the 2 inch blocks. First set of blocks: Second set of blocks: What the back looks like for both sets: My new favorite gift "wrapping". The pdf is here:  http://go.tipjunkie.com/hm/338/www.gomakeme.com/2010/12/christmas-packaging-and-gingerbread-recipe.html

 To "mix things up", I sometimes do my routines in a different order. Instead of emptying the top of the dishwasher, then the bottom, then the silverware, I might do the silverware first. Watch out! Or instead of taking out my contacts, washing my face, then brushing my teeth, I might brush, then wash, then contacts. Bam! Pow! Ha ha ha! Oh..... it's a little sad, isn't it? : )

Last week, I had decided that the t-shirt purses were not enough for my nieces, so I also made them pom pom bib necklaces too. I found the tutorial here  http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2010/12/pom-pom-bib-necklace-tutorial-lmm.html She promised they would be easy and would only require material, a chain and hot glue. I LOVE hot glue! Well, not as much now that I have a hot glue blister from making those necklaces, but still. : )  She was right. They are very simple. The only problem I ran into was buying the wrong sized chain. I bought an 18 inch chain and you need to be able to slip it over your head. 18 inches was too small, even for my young nieces. They could barely squeeze them over their heads. I would recommend a 30 inch chain or glue the chain in such a way that you can use the clasp. Also, make sure when choosing your fabric to buy the kind that has the pattern or color on the back also.

Our car DVD player is playing sick right now, so I am having to get creative for our road trips. I so loved the party trays I made with the Dollar Tree metal trays, that I decided to use them again. I sprayed them pink, cut up a vinyl tablecloth for the center (so they could use playdoh on it and I could just wipe it clean), and finished the edges with some ribbon. I printed off some free paper dolls onto magnetic paper, so they can play with those on the backs of the trays. I used E6000 glue for the tablecloths and if I did it over, I would use spray adhesive instead. The E6000 leaked through in a few places, making dark spots visible. I also would use ONE piece of ribbon to trim the edges instead of 4 pieces. I ended up having to make bows to cover the messy corners.

I needed some gifts for 3 nieces who have a joint birthday party this weekend. I found a tutorial here  http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2011/05/greeneasy-knit-produce-bag.html  to make the CUTEST t-shirt purses/bags. It was so simple and it didn't hurt that I have a neighbor friend who whipped out the seams for me on her sewing machine! : ) I added some easy t-shirt flowers on mine to girl it up a bit.

At least someone is having fun with all this laundry....

God has been dropping scriptures into my heart for a couple of weeks now and just last night, they all connected to form a teaching. I was so excited that I wanted to share it. The first scripture was Prov. 4:23: Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. This is a very important practice. When the enemy (or people) shoot arrows at my heart, I need to know how to guard it so I'm not beaten down. So the question for me became, "Ok God. Show me how to guard my heart because I don't know how." Here was His answer: Eph 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, and with the breastplate of righteousness in place... What is righteousness? It is right standing with God. Meaning that when Jesus became our righteousness and God looks at us through him, we have a good position with our Father. We can stand in God's presence without guilt as if sin never existed. We can have confidence with the Father. We don't...

What can a girl say about her dad? He gives her confidence, strength, and love. My dad had two jobs for as long as I can remember, but he was always ready for fun when he got home. We had tickle parties, nature explorations, camping trips, and art sessions. My dad always made me feel important and that he had time for me no matter what he was doing. He taught me so much. I love you dad!!! My Dad's dad. Grandpa Crews. Handsome man! My dad playing basketball. Also very handsome! Me and my daddy! My dad has always been a lot of fun! Dad with one of my girls at the hospital. So sweet! Happy Father's Day! I love you dad!

My friend Heather came up for a visit and we spent several hours yesterday making our hubbies some awesome Father's Day gifts. I had heard about putting your children's footprints on a piece of paper, adding a poem and framing it. But, I thought, "Why not do all of that on burlap instead?" So we did!  Did you know that if you use spray adhesive to attach a piece of burlap to computer paper, you can run it through your printer??? Awesome! That is how we got the poem on. Then, we used black paint to do our kids' footprints. Here it is: We also went to Hobby Lobby and had the kids pose with letters that spell Dad and took their picture. Then, we came home, printed them off and put them in a frame. I love that they each show their personality in the pictures. Very sweet. Here it is: You know how I love to share the realities of DIY. All in all, it went pretty smoothly. However, there were some glitches like: My first few poem prints on the burlap were too l...

This week I had a blast exploring the world of duct tape. Even after we were done making our planned crafts, my 7 year old daughter and 9 year old niece spent  hours playing with the duct tape. I highly recommend it for a summer day when the kids are bored. The main website I got ideas from was:  http://www.duckbrand.com/Duck%20Tape%20Club/ducktivities.aspx

As a mom, I have MANY days that I want to throw in the towel and completely lose it. Or at least check out. However, my desire is to give every single day my all. In those moments when I have endured one too many tantrums, I can dig deep, and remember that God has given me EVERYTHING I need for life and Godliness. Everything! Even the ability to be a loving mom when my kids have been ratty. Do I still have days that I check out or lose it? Yes. But, my goal is to live my life out loud. No regrets. No sitting on the sidelines. No half-hearted days. All or nothing. We serve an awesome God and guess what? We already know the ending. We win! We are the head and not the tail. Everything we put our hand to prospers, but no weapon formed against us ever will! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVsgwHWXUco

Emma's tea party was so much fun to plan and prepare for! I'm pretty sure I had as much fun doing the party as Emma and her friends had being at the party. Yes, there were several late nights of making straw flowers out of cupcake liners or ruffled streamers out of plastic tablecloths. However, those are the times I crave when I am able to step out of my mommy self for a while and just be creative! Here's how I did it:  Wooden "E's" from The Hob Lob, spray painted green. The bow is pink streamer, fan folded, held with wire in the middle, fanned out, with rhinestone glued in middle, glued to toothpick. Boxed cake mix and canned frosting. Cute $1 liners and pink sugar pearls from Michaels. Same lemonade bottles I used at Elle's party. Glued some cute scrapbook paper on, slapped a couple of American Girl stickers on (from  Michaels) and some alphabet stickers I set up a dressing area in a corner of the living room. I used Emma's bed canopy, s...