{Fabric Wreath Tutorial}

I see all these cute wreaths around bloggieland right now.  So I thought I would just jump on the boat and make one too.  Turns out, I really like my creation.  It is a little different since I used fabric for the wreath.  It was pretty simple too.  I have seen on Pinterest buying foam plumping pipe stuff at the home improvement store for .97.  It will seriously make two maybe three wreaths.  But the possibilities are endless with it!

What you will need: (for the wreath itself)
I used a piece of fabric that measured 5 inches wide by 40 inches in length.
The foam pipe stuff... (I am so technical I know!)
Sewing machine
Duct tape

First I ironed down the ends of my fabric to keep it from fraying.

 I then sewed both side down.

Fold the fabric in half right side facing each other and sew all the way down.  Remember to back stitch!

Turn the fabric out and you should have a nice little tube.

Here where the foam pipe comes in.  Slip the fabric onto the pipe and once that is done simply just cut the pipe with a pair of scissors.  Really easy to cut.

Use duct tape to hold the pipe together.

Then just cover the pipe with the fabric.
Viola!!!  Insta wreath!!! 

Linking to:

A Glimpse Inside
Simply Designing
Tatertots and Jello
Running with Glitter

The Kurtz Corner
Sew Can Do
Fireflies and Jellybeans

Hooooo are you!!!

1.  What is your Zodiac sign?
I am capricorn, and it fits me.  I am a very logical think it through person.

2. Name 3 things that are always in your purse besides your wallet.
Hand sanitizer, chapstick, and junk

3. Which magazines do you look at the most?
I usually just read magazines when I am getting my hair done.  But when I do I usually read People.

4. Do you pluck or get your eyebrows waxed?
Waxed, I am too much of a wimp to pluck them.

5. How often do you go grocery shopping?
About once a week.  I like my meat fresh.

Linking up to:

{A Picture Says a Thousand Words}

There is nothing in this world that makes me more happy than my family.

They are my joy, my effort, my pure bliss.

And luckily I have found a photographer who can capture just how I see my wonderful children and husband.

We are not perfect, but together we make a family.

{Picky Eaters}

I never knew I was a picky eater until I met my husband. 

I will eat almost anything. 

But my husband pointed out to me that while I DO eat a variety of food.  

It has to be cooked a certain way. I don't know why either.  

My parents fixed me dinner and if I didn't eat it.... 

I went hungry for the night.

This has transferred to my children.  

They have to be the PICKIEST eaters in the history of the human race!!!

They won't eat most meals we fix them.  

And I just don't have the heart to let them go hungry.

So like any normal mom I search for new ideas to fix my kids.  

Cause honestly chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and peanut butter jelly time gets OLD!!!

So while searching the O mighty Pinterest I found a link to 13 Toddler Lunch Ideas.

Hopeful I went to the link... and was stunned at their ideas.  

And not in a good way...

Pita, jelly sandwich.... alright, my kids would look at this and wonder if I was on crack.

 Chicken salad sandwich with a dill pickle on the side...  Ya that looks good (for my lunch maybe)

Set out a bunch of sandwich making ingredients and let your kids make their own.  That might work but I doubt it.
Okay so I am not COMPLETELY hating on the article.  They did have a couple of good ideas.
 

 Making mini pizzas.  Yes my kids would like to eat that.
 

 Pepperidge farm fish shaped bread.
So some were decent, some I just shook my head.  

One day I will get my kids to eat better food.  

Any ideas???

My Spooky Halloween Ladder

I have seen these ladders alot lately.  At craft stores, and the Quilted Bear (for those folks not in Utah its like a consignment store for already made crafts).  

But the price tag on them is something to be desired.  

So of course I thought 'Hey!!!  I can make that!  I few boards some screws and there we are' 

 My oldest the trouble maker loves this.  I think he gets the love for Halloween from his momma.

The pictures aren't so great.  We have really bad lighting in our house and most of our walls are white.  We rent so what can you do.

If anyone wants a tutorial I would be happy to make another since I was lazy and didn't grab my camera while making this!!!

Linking to:
Simply Designing
Along for the Ride
Tatertots and Jello
Sew Can Do
Running with Glitter
Blue Cricket Design
Lil Luna
Night Owl Crafting
Somwhat Simple

Ready... Set... GOOOOOOO!!!!!

My self with the 'Trouble Maker'

 Last Saturday we went to our very first Pinewood Derby!  We procrastinated and made our cars only days before hand even though we had the kits for well over three weeks.

 The 'MONSTER'

 The 'Sweetheart'

 The Staff Sergeant (SSG)

 Our cars weren't the fastest.  The 'Trouble Maker's car is there in last. 

 The Sweetheart's car is actually in SECOND!!!

Even though we didn't win any of the races we were still all smiles at the end of the night.

Hoo Are you You #55

1. What are your favorite 3 things about fall?

The cooler weather, Halloween, and the colors.

 

2. Are you a football fan and if so who is your favorite team?

I am indeed a football fan.  My favorite team is the Cincinnati Bengals!!

 

3. What is your favorite fall scent?

I really like the smell of cider.

 

4. So you have seasonal allergies?

YES!  And they are kicking my trash lately.

 

5. Have you started Christmas shopping yet?

Yes I have.  I found some good deals and couldn't pass them up.

 

Linking @ Night Owl Crafting

 

Dun Dun Duuuuunnnn...The INFAMOUS Craft Fail

 I had a request to see this 'So call craft fail'.  So I am going to show you a good craft gone bad.  Please be gentle with me cause I was super excited to do this project only to not like it.  *deep breath*

Here we go...

 First get some supplies that are fairly cheap. 

Fun Fur

A small styrofoam wreath

Googley eyes

Not shown glue gun with glue sticks.

 Start by putting a dab of hot glue onto the wreath.  Burn your fingers by placing a starting piece of the fun fur.

 Now start wrapping the fun fur round and round the wreath.  Getting styrofoam everywhere. 

 Now after what feels like 2 hours you are done wrapping all the fun fur around the tiny wreath.

Then hot glue two googley eyes to the fun furred wreath.

 And there you have it. 

Now you are probably thinking that it doesn't look that bad right? 

Well my vision of this was to stick it onto a candy jar so that when you reached in to get candy you had to stick your hand into this monster's mouth. 

I placed this on top of the jar and cringed. 

It was UGLY... BUT wait!!! 

You know what this kinda reminds me of? 

Those bad guys in Super Mario Brothers you have to jump over!!! 

 SO maybe this is a craft win??? 

Like Charlie Sheen, 'DUUUUHHHH WINNING!!!!'



Halloween Blocks {tutorial}

After my craft fail yesterday I decided to do something different today.
I wanted something to match the table runner I made for my entry.  But didn't have and orange vinyl.
Also after running my kids around the day previous getting supplies for my craft fail I didn't want to do that to them again.
So what does any crafter do?
Improvise!!!
I had the SSG cut out 3 blocks of wood. 
The bottom is 10 inches, the middle is 8 inches, and the top is 6 inches.

 First I started by painting them all orange.  I let them dry for about a half hour or so. While I went and designed and cut vinyl with my fancy silhouette.  Which I heart by the way.  It is by far the best thing SSG has ever bought me.

 I then put the vinyl on the wood making sure that they were stuck on there very well.  Didn't want paint to leak through.  On a side note, notice how happy that lady is to be at a cooking school?  Maybe I need to sign up and get a stupid looking oven mit too.

 Back to business....  I painted all of the blocks black.  I let that dry for about a half hour too.  I used this time wisely.  I cleaned my mess and changed a diaper. 

Anxiously I pulled the vinyl off.  The paint did leak through a little on the Trick or Treat part.
I think it adds a little something though. 

Linking to:
Tatertots and Jello
Along for the Ride
Running With Glitter
Sew Can Do
Boerman Ramblings
Chef in Training
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2011/09/show-and-tell-with-la-posh-style.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BlueCricketDesign+%28Blue+Cricket+Design%29
Lil Luna
Someday Crafts
Mess for Less
Sew Woodsy

{Craft Fails and a Haircut}

Ever had an idea for a craft and you thought it was just incredible!
You couldn't take your mind off of it?
Then you run your kids around for a day to get all the supplies you are going to need.
Get home.
Work your hardest on it.
And when you are finished look at it and say "bleh"?

That is what happened to me today.
Craft FAIL.
I am going to try to save it tomorrow but I think I need to take a step back from it.  Haha

Oh well at least one good thing happened today.
A little hair therapy, made my day turn around. :)

Creative Estates

I just found out some AMAZING news!  There is going to be a Creative Estates retreat this coming March!  Woohoo!!!  I wanted to go to the one last year but couldn't attend!  I would LOVE to go and see the inspiration from other ladies and just have a GREAT time! 

Then I found out the Ashley @ Little Miss Momma is having a giveaway for ONE free ticket to this event!!!  Want to try to win?  Here is the link:  Little Miss Momma and Creative Estates

I hope you don't win, so I can... :)

Mandi A to Z

Today while eating my yummy breakfast burrito and going through my reader I stumbled upon this at Meet Virginia.  Morgan at Meet Virginia has been on my reader for a LONG time.  She is probably one of the first blogs I started to follow.  She is just beautiful and always has great content!  If you have never read her blog I suggest you do!

A. Age: 28... gulp... I will soon be 29
B. Bed size: A queen, our room is too small for anything larger.
C. Chore that you hate: Hands down I DESPISE cleaning the bathroom.  I have four guys in my house (three little boys and their dad) Let's just say it is pretty gross.
D. Dogs: We have a chocolate lab named Zazu.  Like the bird from Lion King (we adopted him)
E. Essential start to your day: Diet PEPSI!!!!
F. Favorite color: I have a thing for turquoise.
G. Gold or Silver: White gold or Silver
H. Height: 5’3" and a half.  Yes the half is VERY important.
I. Instruments you play: None that I know of. 
J. Job title: I am HOTEL 6 in this joint!  For those not familiar with the military that is like top rank.  In seriousness I am a stay at home momma!!!
K. Kids: Yes I do, Three boys ages 6,3,and 2
L. Live: The great state of Utah!!!
M. Mother’s name: I have three mommas.  My real mom Naomi, my step-mom Andi Jo and my fake mommy Judene.
N. Nicknames: Mandi is actually my nickname.  For all legal purposes my name is Amanda
O. Overnight hospital stays: Yes for each of my kids. Also I had my appendix taken out when I was a kids.
P. Pet peeves: When people make noises when they eat, ie: smacking lips, eating with their mouth open, taking too big of bites...Just thinking about it pisses me off.
Q. Quote from a movie: Give me a liter o Cola.  SUPER TROOPERS!!!
R. Right or left handed: Righty.
S. Siblings: I have 2 brothers and 4 sisters.  I am third to the oldest.
U. Ultimate Vacation: It doesn't matter where just as long as I am having fun and the Army doesn't call the SSG.
V. Vegetable you hate: LIMA BEANS. bleh....
W. What makes you run late: Sleeping in, and children.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Geez too many to remember.
Y. Yummy food that you make:  The SSG loves when I make roast.
Z. Zoo animal: The elephants.

5 Questions about me!

1. Do you prefer sweet or salty foods?

It really depends on my mood.  I really like chocolate covered pretzels that give me the best of both worlds.

2. Name your 3 BEST personality traits!

I have a good sense of humor, I am true to my friends, and pretty happy.

3. Name your 3 worst personality traits!

I am SUPER bad at procrastination, I stick my foot in my mouth ALOT, and I worry too much.

4. Do you collect anything?

Bones, haha I am kidding.  No I don't collect anything.

5. What is your favorite season of the year?

Hands down FALL, I love the warm but cool air, leaves changing, the smell of fireplaces.  Plus Halloween is in the fall and I love me some Halloween!!!

Linking to:

http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/2011/09/hoo-are-you-54.html

It's the little things

Really it is the little things that count.

Today I am going to post things that I am truly thankful about no matter how small or silly they may be.

I am thankful for diet pepsi, it's sweet tasty goodness is just what I need after losing a battle to my kids on cleaning up the toys.

I am thankful for coupons.  They save me money on things like 8 jars of peanut butter.  That way I will never promise Peanut Butter Jelly time and realize I do not have peanut butter.

Little Army men, I am thankful to you being on the floor.  You keep me up to date with my super sneaky ninja skills in the middle of the night.

I am thankful for you Lego Indiana Jones for keeping my three year old entertained why I ran around taking pictures of random non sense.

I am thankful to dead flowers in planters outside my house.  It reminds me that I have no business planting flowers since they always die.

I am thankful to pretty shoes.  That is all that is needed here.

I am thankful for Scentsy.  That it keeps my house smelling so fresh and clean even though there are three little monsters who live here.

I am thankful for little boys in dirty shirts.  I will never question whether or not I have enough laundry to start a load.