My Summer Adventure in Sewing

This past December I bought a sewing machine.
With NO IDEA how to sew.
Now when I say no idea, I mean it.
I didn't even know how to tie a knot in thread.
Let alone sew on a button.

Good thing SSG Army Pants was taught how to sew in basic training.

{Source}

So with this Summer this is what I am going to do.

I am going to learn how to sew.

With a little help from my friends.

I am going to call this 'My Summer Adventure in Sewing'

First I will show you some projects that I did last week.

I took an image off of my Silhouette and made this owl pin cushion.

I made this ruffle pillow too!  I am pretty excited that I actually did this!  But I want to do better!

My goal by the end of the summer is to make another pillow like this and see the before and after difference!

{Oh Summer... How I Have Missed You}

Warm weather has finally hit Utah!!!
Yesterday was the hottest day of the year here at 81 degrees!
It was nice to let the boys out in the back yard and let them play in the water!

My babies getting hit by the sprinkler!

Kids were busy, and SSG Army Pants was busy cleaning up the yard.
So what was a girl to do?
Craft, yes that was how I was going to take advantage of my quiet time.
So I whipped this up.
I would like to introduce my new door hanger.
Just in time for the Fourth of July.... uhhh like a month away.


Maybe one day I will make new curtains for my front door.  Maybe...

Linking to:

Blue Cricket Design
Lil Luna
Someday Crafts

Somewhat Simple

 

Teacher's Gift

I cannot believe that summer is so close!
If only the weather in Utah would agree.
Our Memorial day weekend was full of cold, wet, just plain out icky weather.
My oldest son is about to graduate kindergarten!
His class could not have been better.
For most of the year his class averaged about 17 students.
With TWO teachers!
So their one on one time was pretty much amazing!
I wanted to make them something special that they can use for a while.
They were just plain basic wood when I bought them at the Wood Connection in Salt Lake.
For any Utahns out there if you haven't gone to the wood connection you should go!  They are amazing!

This is my end result! 

I hope they will enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed them as teachers!

Linking to:
Blue Cricket Design
Night Owl Crafting
Someday Crafts
Lil Luna
My Girlish Whims
Somewhat Simple
A Glimpse Inside







My short story of May

Ever had one of those months? 
The ones where it feels like you are going and going from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep? 
Well that was May for me! 
May was crazy busy for my little family! 
So here are the short notes from what this month as brought us!

First and probably the most important. 
SGT Army Pants in no longer a SGT, he now proudly wears the rank of a Staff Sargent!!!! 
He was promoted over drill weekend a couple of weeks ago! 
I couldn't be more proud of that goofball! 
This has been a promotion long coming and he deserves it!

Second of all, for Mother's Day I got a surprise via FedEx.  I had this delivered to my house!!!!

To say I was shocked is pretty much an understatement! 

I had only mentioned a Silhouette briefly to my husband and didn't think he was really even paying attention! 

I guess he proved me wrong!

I can only imagine the things that I will be making with this lovely machine!

Next I have been trying REALLY hard to learn to sew! 

I have been blessed with some wonderful friends who are extremely patient with me!

It took me almost two afternoons, and about fifty phone calls to my girl Thais.  (I know you are reading this)

Also one stop by from my friend Thais.  (she loves me I know this)

It was all worth it though! 

In the end I made this!

On my very own!!!  WHOOP WHOOP!!!!

I got the instructions and template from The Dating Divas

One of the very last highlights from my month is pretty exciting to me!

I went with my hubby SSG Army Pants, and a few men from the unit and shot a gun. 

Without freaking out!

Except when they wanted me to shoot the M16, ya right that wasn't going to happen.

I played it safe and went with a 9mm. 

Here is my target!

Not too shabby right????

Except for the one I missed.

I am calling that my warning shot.... That is my story and I am sticking to it!

Also if you ever need motivation to clean our your closets watch a few episodes of Hoarders on TLC.

I have cleaned out every single closet in my house it feels. 

I didn't want to turn out like them!!!

EEEKKK!!!!!

Caterpillar

So I kind of suck and didn't know that it was Mother's day this Sunday until my hubby told me a couple of nights ago. 

I rock what can I say!

 So I have been searching and searching for projects I can do that are last minute. 

While looking though I found a cute idea for some more Spring decor that can transition into summer. 

I saw these cute caterpillars painted onto glass and wanted to try it out for myself! 

Turns out it was super quick and only took me about an hour (with drying time). 

Here is what you will need!

Glass block (or any glass you want to use)

Paint

Foam stencil brush

Fine point paintbrush

First you will want to clean your glass with glass cleaner or alcohol.  This will make the paint stick better.  Next take your foam stencil brush and dip it into the paint.  Put however many circles you want for your caterpillar.

Let the paint dry. 

Next take your fine point paint brush and paint little legs and a face onto the caterpillar. 

And there you have a cute decoration!!!  

My husband laughed when he saw it. 

 But I think he was just jealous he didn't think of it first.  

I wasn't so great at painting the face.  Oh well I like it!

Now onto trying to figure out Mother's day gifts.

Linking to:

Night Owl Crafting
Someday Crafts
Lil Luna

Sgt Army Pants and Surgery

Sorry for my absence lately.  I got super busy last week and this week.  But finally I have a moment to sit down and blog. 

Last week I was involved in a craft fair at the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).  It was all day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  The first couple of days were slow and not many people came.  I was discouraged but kept coming in.  I was really hopeful that people would come and buy things!  Saturday was the busiest and I sold a good amount of things.

Then this week my hubby Sgt Army Pants had surgery.  While he was in Iraq he was bit by a spider a brown recluse they believe.  If you haven't heard of those icky spiders they have FLESH eating venom!  (yuck) It hasn't bothered him too much except for the past two years he gets an icky sore on his chest.  Sgt. finally went and had it checked out and they recommended surgery!  So on Tuesday we went in and he had some stuff removed from his chest.  Sorry for being so gross but this is life.  This really happened!!!!  I hope now he has a speedy recovery and this doesn't reoccur again! 

Welcome to all my new followers!  You guys rock!!!  Thanks for thinking I am not too geeky!!!

DIY Earring Holder

 It is my quest to try to organize. 

You wouldn't be able to tell it by my house. 

But I try very hard! 

My jewelry is the biggest mess.  I am either always missing an earring or can't find them so I give up and wear nothing.  I came up with this idea while browsing a local craft store.  It was fairly simple and took about a half hour to create!

Supplies:
Wooden picture frame
One sheet plastic canvas
Scrapbook paper
Scissors
Mod Podge
Paint

Paint brushes

 Start by tracing an outline of your frame onto the back of your paper.  (that makes it much easier to mod podge later).  Then cut the paper out.

 Next paint your frame in whatever color your heart pleases. 

Put as many coats on as you like.  This is a judge free zone here.

After your paint is dry apply that Mod Podge!!!!

While you are waiting for you Mod Podge to dry take the plastic canvas and cut it down to size.  I like to be lazy and take the insert that came in the frame and use it as my guide. 

Next all you have to do is secure it into the frame and look at you!!!  You just became a ROCKSTAR!!!  All your friends will want to be you!!!!  (sorry I am really hopped up on cold medicine) 

Simple, easy, and CHEAP... my three good friends!

Linking to:

Blue Cricket Design
Lil Luna
Someday Crafts
Night Owl Crafting