Being Crafty while the kids are away

Well I met my mom Wednesday night and sent the two older kids home with her for five days!!! I will meet her again Sunday night to pick them up. Its been 3 weeks since we have seen her so her and the kids are having withdrawals.

So tonight I actually got some crafty things done!! I still have big plans for the next day and a half-but here is what I have done so far....

First off a bow holder for baby girl. I have finally learned how to make them and she loves wearing them, so I had to come up with something to hold them. I had this photo board in the garage that we haven't used since we moved. So I recovered it and whala!!! It is so cute! I also have wooden initials I hope to decorate this weekend and get hung before she comes home!!! This will be great since her walls are absolutely bare at the moment!!
BEFORE


AFTER


Second thing I did was very simple. I found these candle holders at the Dollar Tree and glued them together. I saw this on another website and wanted to try it myself. They turned out cute. Here I just filled them with Valentine foam hearts just for the picture.

BEFORE


AFTER


Next thing I will work on is probably baby girl's initials. Hopefully tomorrow I will get busy on organizing my craft room-right now I am having to work on the kitchen counter-because my craft table is full of STUFF!!!

Biggest Loser Weigh In #2

Today was our second weigh in at work for the Biggest Loser contest. I lost 7 pounds according to the scale at work-which this week was only 1 lb heavier than my scale at home. However it is usually 3 lbs heavier. Oh well. So according to my scale at home I lost 4 lbs this last week, according to the one at work I lost 7!! So that is a total of 8 lbs according to my scale at home-which is the one I will be going by.

This past week I stuck to a low carb diet-only eating carbs for breakfast. Mostly just eating cereal for breakfast-as it is so easy to grab and go. Still need to add exercise-but that will come...eventually I suppose.

Newspaper flowers

I want to try these with my kids. Looks cute and very kid friendly. Something they could make for Mother's Day for the grandmothers and great grandmother. Will post some pictures if we get a chance to make them.

Bows, bows and more bows

About a month ago I finally learned how to make little bows for my little girl. I've only made a few and although they aren't extravagant they are cute and get the job done. So tonight I made a few more and tried a little something different. A ribbon flower. After two attempts-yes I am sewing challenged, even with a needle and thread-I finally got it done. I actually sewed the ends of the ribbon together first and then did a running stitch down the ribbon-it seems to work easier for me. So here is my finished flower. I hot glued it to a alligator clip-not sure if it will match any of baby girl's outfits-but she will have to wear it at least once!!!

Craft Room Disaster

Well I have unpacked all my craft/scrapbook stuff and got it into my dinning room. However I have not gotten it organized yet. Actually it is a total disaster!!! My table has become the holding spot for all my clearance purchases. I have boxes full of "projects" that I want to complete but haven't had time to get started. So hopefully in the next month I can get it organized and cleaned out....

Hooked on Hooks

Ok this post is a bit lame, but who reads this thing anyway?! So lately I have been going hook crazy!!! I had hung hooks in the laundry room for the kids school bags and jackets, but it got overwhelmed with jackets, coats, etc. So I added extra hooks for bags. Here are the laundry room hooks...






Several months ago I found these plaques at hobby lobby that already had hooks on them. I modge podged some scrapbook paper on them and used a stamp and inked the edges. The first one turned out great, but the last two were kinda thrown together ad I was ready for some hooks in my bathroom. So I will eventually redo them-but for now, here they are...







The kids received hooded towels for Christmas from (Aunt) Roo. So I decided they needed their own little hook-as those things can be a nightmare to fold. I put them behind the bathroom door so they are out of the way but easy to access.





I also have a long 2 X 4 of hooks in the garage that I keep all our athletic bags hung-mostly all my bags from college and high school-just can't let go of my athletic past LOL.

So far I haven't thought of a need to put hooks anywhere else-but I am sure I will find one soon enough!!

This N That

I have been up since 4:30, and that is after going to bed at 12:30. I stayed up until the bad weather passed. So here I sit, fully dressed and ready for work, kids still sleeping-well actually JoAnna woke up at 5:25 and wanted to go potty. So we went potty and then I got her dressed, thinking she was ready to get up. But then she crawled back into her bed and fell asleep. So be prepared for a lengthy post about anything that pops into my head this morning....


Tuesday we had our first Biggest Loser weigh in at work-since Monday was a holiday. It was not pretty. Per my home scale I knew I had gained one pound, but according to the scale at work I gained 2 pounds!! YIKES!!!! So I have decided to go back to Atkins-somewhat. I am still going to have my breakfast cereal-I just can't get up in time to fix something non carb-like eggs, bacon, sausage, etc. Throw cereal in a cup, put a top on it and haul it to school with me is the best I can do. So carbs for breakfast and that's it for me. I've done well the last two days so I hope to see a loss come Monday.

As for the crafting front...hmmm. I am slowly working on getting my craft room organized. It seems every time I get my table cleaned off it fills back up before I can even turn around. I did buy a few tins yesterday to use with the magnetic dress up dolls. The tins have cookies in them and cost $2, I have been waiting for them to mark them down to $1 but decided to go ahead and grab a few in case they get rid of them. I bought the magnetic dolls to give as gifts but wanted to get tins to store the pieces. I haven't been able to find any gift card tins that are long enough to hold the doll. These $2 tins are the right length but they are a little deep-but they will do. I plan to modge podge some prettiness to the outside of the tins and they will make such cute gifts. I have taken a few of the dolls to school and the girls just love them.

We just got our Hooked on Phonics program in this week!! I finally had a chance to open it and go through it after the kids went to bed last night. Jacob is really wanting to learn to read. We tried to read a phonics book last night but it just wasn't working. He knows all his letters and their sounds so I think he will do well with the HOP program. We will see.

Randon Christmas photos

So I haven't posted pictures of my kids in a long time....so here are some random photos from the last few months..



This is JoAnna right after I put the MSU tatoo on her cheek. She decided she didn't like it, but by the time I got a washcloth to take it off she wanted to keep it. But since my parents are LSU fans and my in-laws are MSU fans, I think I will blow this up and have it framed for my in-laws for Christmas next year!! LOL!!



My baby Jace with his tongue stuck out. Jacob always had his tongue stuck out as a baby-every picture we took that first year he had his tongue hanging out.


Jacob playing in the laundry basket. Never mind the hundreds of dollars of Christmas toys he just opened a few days earlier-he prefers to play with the busted up laundry basket. I know what I am putting on his Christmas list next year!!


CC's socks!! JoAnna found a pair of CC's socks and just had to put them on. I thought they were so cute!! The look like little leg warmers!!!


This is me and the kids after their Christmas program at school.


This is JoAnna opening her gift at school. They brought gifts and exchanged with their friends. Her gift was a phone-she just loves phones. The look of excitement was just priceless.

Being Creative

Well my "craft room" is an absolute disaster at this right now so I haven't really been able to get into some of the projects I really want to complete this year. So tonight I grabbed a few things and went to the kitchen. It's terrible to have a room dedicated to my crafts and not be able to enjoy it-my project for this weekend is to organize my craft room! Hmm, not sure if I can get that done in just ONE weekend. Might have to send the hubby AND the kids to the in laws for the entire weekend!!! MIght be a plan!!

So here is what I worked on tonight....everything is still a work in progress-waiting for the Modge Podge to dry.

First thing I started was a photo plate. In this tutorial she uses fabric, but since I didn't have any cute fabric on hand, I used some wallpaper that was given to me. It is beautiful wallpaper but after I modge podged it onto the plate I really didn't like the way it went with my photo-guess I should have taken a closer look before I started. Oh well. In the pictures are my three children on the right and my niece on the left. Think I will go back and add "Grandchildren" in there and possibly give it to my mom.



Second item I started was a pencil holder. I am making it to hold Valentine pencils so I am using Valentine paper and ribbon. Will add photo once I am done.


Thirdly I decided to use some of the leftover wallpaper to make a few pendants for necklaces.


So as soon as they dry and I can add the finishing touches (hopefully tomorrow night!!!) I will come back and add some photos.

I have so many projects I want to try to get done this year, like THIS! Wow! I have seen the crayon cozy before but never thought to use it for MY markers!!! Hmm. looks like a great teacher gift too-might have to get busy making some for my kids teachers!

Official Weigh-In Day-And Start of the Biggest Loser at Work

Well I started last Monday trying to slim down. Although the first four days I would come home each evening and chow down on some chocolate chip cookies. I got serious Friday. I knew they were starting a Biggest Loser challenge at work today but I had not intentions of joining until Friday afternoon when I had a conversation with a coworker that changed my mind.

So today was weigh in #1 and I am happy to report I have lost FIVE pounds since last Monday!! Although this won't count toward my "Biggest Loser" total, its still counts for me!! However when I got to work their scale was 3 lbs heavier-eek!

I did much better today although I did eat lunch at school-not the best as far as calories are concerned. I still need to get active!!! Want to start walking so I can work up to running.......

Working on the Resolutions

Well my goal was to start last Monday with eating better and exercising. However I was a bit delayed, four days actually. I ate better most days until I got home and snacked way too much while getting dinner ready. So Friday I was determined to do better. I packed my lunch for the day, a salad and chili but when it was time for lunch the kitchen was cooking pizza!! I love their pizza. So I ate my salad and once slice of pizza. I didn't snack when I got home either.

Also starting Monday we are doing a Biggest Loser challenge at work. I had no intentions of signing up because I really don't want anyone to know my weight. Although we aren't weighing in front of anyone and only the director will know my weight I figured it would be revealed at the end. However, after thinking about it last night, it's just a number. It doesn't change who I am or how I look just because my weight is revealed. So I think I am going to join. The prize is $100 and 3 days paid vacation. I figure if I did as well as I did after JoAnna was born I could lose at least 50 pounds. By her first birthday I had lost 50 pounds, but only dieted for 6 months-taking a break during the holidays.

I plan to attempt the 30 day challenge on the Wii Active and start walking. I thought of doing Atkins again since I did so well with that but I think I'll just limit my carbs at first and if the weight doesn't come off I will then go to Atkins.

So far I have lost 3 pounds!! And that's with eating chocolate chip cookies every night this week except one!!

I will keep a tally on the right side of my blog to keep everyone updated on my weight loss. I loved seeing the weight loss add up last time!!! HOpefully I will have the same success this time around. As of today I weight exactly the same as I did when I started my weight loss after JoAnna was born. Of course that was one month after giving birth, but this time it's been 4 months. So I am getting a late start getting this baby fat off!!!

Happy New Year 2010

Ok so I have lots of 'goals" for the new year. I really want to take time and be with my family this year and concentrate on the important things in life. I want to be more proactive instead of reactive. I want to set goals and strive to reach them.
So here are a few of the goals that I really want to work on this year...

Spend more time with family and friends: this is were I struggle the most. I usually make plenty of time for my family however, my friends usually get neglected. I don't keep in touch well with people I don't see on a regular basis. Although I hope these friends know I would be there at a drop of a hat if I can and would do anything possible for them. So my goal is to try to keep in better touch with my friends this year. Either by email, text, phone calls or maybe even...gasp...visiting them!!!

Run: believe it or not I use to love running when I played soccer. I was never fast but I felt my endurance was fairly high. I didn't much like running around a track but preferred running through a neighborhood or a trail. so I'd like to start of slow by walking and then work my way up to running.

Bible/devotions: I want to make sure I take the time each day to read my bible and do devotions. Not only for myself but also with the kids. I bought a devotional book specifically for the kids with special activities that are meant to help the lessons be memorable. So I would like to start that with them.

less tv: my kids like most kids today watch WAY too much tv. Its my fault and I need to start limiting their time in front of the tv and computer. I had tried letting them watch a show or two after 7pm-only after baths, dinner and homework (that is speech homework for Jacob). This worked great since they go to bed at 8-they only get an hour of tv AND I could take tv time away as punishment if they didn't behave during bathtime or dinner time!!

weekly game night: I want to have "game night" with the kids once a week. They have tons of board games and such and we really need to pull them out and spend some quality time with them. This will most likely decrease our tv time as well!!

date night: there for a while my husband and I were taking a date night once a week. Now we rarely take this much needed time. So if not weekly at least every other week we need to set a night aside just for us and preferably something other than dinner...

create weekly/monthly: I would like to create something weekly. Sounds a bit much considering I have three kids, work full time...etc ...etc. But I would like to complete something weekly. Either a new project, a hair bow, a scrapbook page...SOMETHING each week. It really gives me a sense of accomplishment when I spend time in my craft room and create something.

make gifts: I would like to make more gifts-such as Christmas gifts for next year and/or birthday gifts.

make cards: I need to start making my own cards and keep a stash of them on hand. I have a huge supply of scrapbook stuff and should be able to make every card for every occasion!!

photo session monthly: another passion of mine is photography. I love taking portraits. I have always wanted to be a photography but haven't taken the leap yet. I have photographed a few small weddings and taken pictures of friends and family but not much else. I would really like to schedule one photo session a month to build my confidence and my clients. I have been putting this off for far too long...

artwork on walls: we moved a year ago and still do not have much on our walls. I find I am too cheap to buy stuff in the stores so I want to create things for my walls. Which should be easy since I plan on creating something every week!!!

lose baby weight by Jace's first birthday: After I had JoAnna I went on a serious diet and lost all the weight I gained while pregnant with her and then some. I was down to my "pre kid" weight-which was before I even got pregnant with Jacob. However, once I started my new job I gained 20 lbs in 5 months and then got pregnant with baby #3 and gained 43 lbs! YIKES! So I really have to work hard now to get this weight off-especially since he is already 4 months old!!!

Cook at least twice a week: since my husband isn't home for dinner most nights I haven't been cooking much at all. My kids are picky so I usually just eat whatever it is they will eat: mac and cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, etc, etc. So I would like to cook more "adult friendly" meals and hopefully this will help introduce them to new foods and help me with my weight loss!!

WOW!!! All in all that is a LOT of goals for one year!

Jewellery

I found a cute necklace online and thought I'd try my hand at my own. The one I found was here at Making the World Cuter. I ordered the "owl" necklace and it arrived today!! Cannot wait to wear it-so CUTE!

So last weekend I tried making my own using photos. They turned out cute. I made one for myself with a picture of my kids, one for my mother with a picture of my kids and my niece, and one for my mother in law with her 9 grandchildren. Here is mine and my mother-in-laws.

Colorbok Chipboard Albums

I LOVE, LOVE these albums. I have bought several in the past-the oval, star, scalloped, square, heart, etc, etc. On my last trip to Michael's I found these great albums in Christmas shapes!!! A santa hat, ornament shape, snowman, tree, star, gingerbread man, and an angel. So I bought more than one of each pack. Thought they'd not only make great albums, but also embellishments to a page, or even ornaments for the tree!! So here is my first attempt at an ornament-or maybe a page to an album-not sure yet.
The original chipboard is of course on the left. These albums come with 5 pieces and are connected with a metal ring. What a deal at just $1!!!

Some GREAT craft ideas!!!

Found this quick and easy idea on counting down the days to Christmas. I have seen so many countdowns and advent calendars that I want to try, and this one is super easy!!! Might try getting this together this week for my kids although we have already done the peppermint tree. Found this one at
The Sweet Life: Countdown with Chocolate





Here is another advent calendar I want to try-very cute although it would take a bit more time. Borrowed this one from "Craftaholics Anonymous"

Another cute idea!!!! Christmas pop-top gift ideas!!! Some people are just so crafty!!!

Blue Cricket Design


A snowman!! I have been looking for something cute to make with Styrofoam balls and this should be quick and easy!! Can' wait to try this one...when am I going to find the time to do all these????

Bird Crafts


Fell in love with the paper used to make these cute little ornaments....at Making Mine Beautiful

Christmas decorating

We have been busy getting our Christmas decorations up this past weekend. We have been doing a little each day, starting with the tree. The kids loved helping with the ornaments. We still need to the outside done, but will have to wait for the weekend when Keith is off work.

Here is a little countdown Christmas tree I made for the kids last year. Thought I'd post it. I finished the second one tonight-since JoAnna was too young to really participate last year I never finished hers. I put the candy canes in two different ways-not sure which way I prefer. We had one similar to this growing up and we looked forward to pulling the candy off. I hope my children will look back and remember this as one of our many holiday traditions.

Our Christmas Card

So here is our Christmas card with the cousins this year. My three kids and my sister-in-laws 6 kids. Cute idea my mother in law found and insisted we do this year. Which means I didn't have to be in the picture-YAY!!

Weigh In #1

Well it's been a week! I started off strong the first three days on my "modified" Atkins diet. I am trying to stick to low fat meats and cheeses along with the "allowed" vegetables. But from time to time I will snack on something not "allowed". However Wednesday my husband cooked dinner-not knowing I had started my diet. He cooked chicken, corn, mashed potatoes and garlic bread. YUM YUM! So of course I had to eat, how rude it would have been not to. I also snacked on gummy bears-a little treat I give my 2 year old when she goes potty-nothing better than a little bribery to get through potty training.

Anyway, all in all I did make better choices, snacked smarter, and did much better on cutting back on the diet soda.

So....got on the scale this morning.....eight pounds lighter than a week ago!!! I hope the thrill of success despite my cheating, doesn't make me think I can cheat more and more. I also need to add exercise to my routine, something that I find difficult. By the time I get the kids in bed I am ready for bed myself so it's hard to make myself stay up and exercise-but it's the only time I can get it done.

So my goals for this week-despite today being my oldests' fifth birthday, then his party on Saturday, his Thanksgiving feast/program at school Thursday-I want to continue to make better snacking choices, sticking close to the Atkins plan and fitting in a few workouts on the Wii Active.

Domesticated

This morning the in laws called and wanted to take the older kids on a little outing-so I gladly got them dressed, fed and a bag packed and sent them on their way. I still had baby boy with me but I did get a few things done. I started out the day by making cupcakes for Jacob's class as Monday is his birthday. There is a boy in his class allergic to milk so I made Weight Watcher's cupcakes. Mixed a diet soda with a box of cake mix. I then used a little gadget-an icing dispenser- to swirl on the icing. I've had the gadget about eight years and have never used it. They turned out really cute.

Later while blogging I found a recipe for chicken strips/nuggets. Using Ritz crackers, mayo and mustard. I am not much for the mustard and mayo but I figured I'd give it a try. They turned out good-although I can taste the mustard and mayo-I will have to use something else next time.

I am also trying out a new roast recipe tonight. I usually put the roast in the crock pot and pour diet soda over it. But today I had beef broth on hand so I used it. It did come out tender but had no flavor. So I found this new recipe online and will have to see how it tastes tonight.

NO MORE QUESTIONS!!!!

My four year old son is full of questions. Sometimes it can be very annoying-but what do you do? You can't tell him to shut up (although at times I am screaming it in my head). So I do my best to answer him and not let on that I am annoyed. However, there are times enough is enough. So the other night after about 2 hours of non stop questions it was bed time. We got ready for bed and pulled out a book to read. Before I ever opened the book I told him he was not to ask ANY questions until I was done reading the story. Then I began to read. I was barely through the first of eight pages when I got a little giggle. I figured he was just dying to ask a question and was very curious to how long he could wait. Then I started on page two-still no questions. I really had to struggle to restrain my laughter at this point. Then we got to page four, and I guess he just couldn't resist it any longer and neither could I. I busted into laughter. Of course he had no idea why I was laughing but he began to laugh also. So here we are both laughing as hard as we can and I am desperately trying to finish the book. I laughed so hard I cried. It was great. He still had no idea what I was laughing at and I had no intentions of telling him.

He is just the opposite of his dad and I. He could talk your ears off all day long without taking a single breath. It can be nerve racking at times but its another stage of his life that will pass. And I will surely miss hearing his sweet voice when he is all grown up-so I had better soak it up now.