Here's what I've been up to...

Let me introduce Nolan Brian, born 5/19, 8 lbs. 12 oz, 21 in.

I was so excited when I started my blog earlier this year and had high ambitions to post lots of great creations....Then pregnancy at 36 hit me. OMG!!! I was just plan exhausted all the time. Not much got created when I was pregnant and now that he is here, not sure when I'll get time to be creative.
Nolan is 2 weeks old and I'm still recovering from the c-section. I'm also struggling with breast feeding. I so want to have our normal on the go life back but my body isn't ready for it yet.
Hopefully, more posts will come soon of great creations. For now I will just focus on healing and loving this beautiful creation.

Valentine's and a Presidental puppet

Yes, another late post but this should have me up to date...for now.
We found this idea in a couple of places, but here is our version:

We used a flower shaped punch and punched a lot of tissue paper flowers. Then printed "Happy Valentine's Day From: Melissa" on green cardstock and punched the words out with a heart shaped punch. We folded the flowers into quarters and snipped off a tiny bit and used a hole punch on the heart to make holes to slide the flowers and heart up the sucker stick.

Lissy's 3rd grade project was to make a puppet of an assigned president. She was assigned Bill Clinton. We started with a tan pillow case that "looks like skin color."

We drew a head shape and then rectangular body shape. Cut him out and sewed it together, well that was the plan. I thought I could sew. I've made projects in the past, basic sewing projects but I did it. I really think I need to service my machine. The part that holds the bobbin in keeps coming out and it's hit or miss if I'm going to get good stitches out of it, no matter how many times I try at the same settings.

This is just one of the results I was getting. Finally, I got it going though.

We had it going well enough for Lissy to sew part of it. :)

Here is the finished shape. We raided my craft stashes to find the perfect accessories for President Clinton. Felt, buttons, paper, brads and some hot glue.

May I present President Bill Clinton. It's hard to tell by President Clinton is holding a saxophone. The puppet had to be holding an object related to the paper and presentation Lissy had to prepare. The puppet ended up being the easy part. The paper and presentation were very tough on her.

Next on my craft to do list is a felt book for my nephew and some projects for the baby's room. Hopefully I will have some good stuff to post soon.

Birthdays (long and pic heavy)

This post is way over due. My birthday was Feb. 10, and it was one to remember. I decided to use the gift card my wonderful hubby got me to my favorite spa/salon for a pedicure. I don't see my feet well these days but just love getting pedicures. I stopped at my favorite, Chic-fil-A, for lunch on the way, it was my special day after all. I was feeling good and everything was fine and then in an instant I was dizzy. Oh the poor spa gals....they jumped into action, got my feet out of the hot water, ran to get me an orange juice thinking it was my sugar level. By the time they handed me the juice I could barely hear anything and was getting tunnel like vision. I sipped the juice hoping it would help. Well it helped alright, helped me puke in the foot tub. I was so embarrassed. The ladies at Robert's Salon were the best, they cleaned me up and made me sit with them until I felt better. I never felt it coming, it was so strange all I can say is it was just a pregnant thing. Once I felt it was safe I drove home and hurried to get in my jammies to get comfy and nap it off, we had dinner plans. By the time my family was home I felt better and my clothes were clean again. My hubby walked in the door with a white box!!! He got me a cake from my favorite cake lady. Oh YUM!!!

I love IndyCakes. Can't wait to get our anniverary cake in April.
The rest of the day was so much better. Dinner and cake with family.
My birthday was on Thursday and Lissy's party was on Saturday. I had so many projects I intended to complete...I hope my energy level returns after baby arrives. This was Lissy's first Slumber Party. She had 3 guests and lots of plans for the evening. We made aprons for each guests' doll. Wish I had pics of those. I just use felt, ribbon and hot glue. I had purchased the girls' aprons.

Now we are ready to decorate cupcakes and mini cupcakes to take home.

Here's the birthday girl working on her masterpiece. The girls really were creative in applying the frosting and decorations to their cupcakes.
After the girls finished the cupcakes they all headed to the party room (empty baby's room) to play with the dolls. They were told later in the evening we would be having a fashion show so they were busy trading clothing and putting together outfits. The birthday girl insisted on pizza so we dinned on wonderful pizza and such. (I forgot to prepare the mini-pizza's-for the dolls) Then it was time for all the sweets (what was I thinking to have so many sweets and a slumber party???)

I can't believe she is 9!!! So I don't have a good shot of the sweet buffet. I was so excited about it and it turned out really cute. All reds and purples. We had these super cute cupcakes, cotton candy, jello squares, star shaped rice krispie treats, pretzel rods with white chocolate and sprinkles and candy.

Present time. She is so in love with PEACE everything all of a sudden. The pillow is from bubby ;).

Finally fashion show time. The girls were so much fun to watch. Not only did they coordinate outfits but pets too. LOL!!!

Cousin Emma's turn on the runway, her doll is fashionable in a Colt's cheerleading outfit.

Even silly Grandma got into the fashion show. She was sorta like half-time entertainment.

After all of those festivities the girls wanted to get in their jammies. Our next project was to make Valentine's cards for our families. I had red cards and envelopes for each girl and sat out supplies and let them create. The cards were awesome, but better were the messages they added inside.

Next was an American Girl movie and pillow making.

After the pillows were done and some popcorn for the end of the movie I ran out of ideas and energy to keep up with the girls. They found other movies to put on while they were silly talking. I think they were asleep by midnight, I know I was. We had donuts for breakfast, played some games and painted our nails the next morning, All were gone by 10 and we made it to the second service at church. Whew. I think it took me a week to recover. LOL!!! Happy Birthday Melissa!!!

Learning...

Happy Monday!!! I'm trying to stay in a positive mood because there is so much to be done this week. Lissy's birthday slumber party is Saturday evening!!! I hope I get it all done. Oh and that means I either try to recooperate from the party quickly to make an Valentine cards or gifts or I try adding that to my to do list. Next week is also Finals week for me. What else can we add this week? How about my own birthday is Thursday. LOL. I love February.
I was able to get a few projects done and started a few more this weekend. And I am registered for the baby shower coming up in March. (I have to mention any progress and accomplishments I've made.)
I started the blog at the beginning of the year because and had no idea what I was doing. I still am clueless. I have been blog stalking and hopping around a lot. I have to say there are some very talented people out there. I am inspired to create by so many. There is lots to learn about blogging and I am thankful for those who are sharing tips and secrets. Hopefully before the baby comes I will have a better direction for my blog.
I'm not sharing any photos for this post. I've decided to share all of my recent projects together when I post after the big party. My goal is to get a few Valentine's projects done too and post them later this week.

I'm still here...

Yeah, it's been awhile since I posted. Oops!!! I have been sick all week, and very miserable. My schoolwork has kept me busy too. It's hard to write papers when your head is already cloudy. So far school is going good, 2 "A" quizes and 2 "A" papers in one class. I don't have a clue where I'm at in the other class.
It's been a slow week for me but thought I would post the scrapbook pages I completed this weekend. I went to a crop with my sister. I completed 3 pages in one night, that's like a record. LOL Note: I still haven't taken time to play with my camera so the pics aren't that great.

I "Love" this layout.





Another baseball layout...

And a layout for my daughter's Movie birthday party last year.

I am feeling behind on all of the birthday party plans that we have made. Hopefully I will get to crafting this weekend with my party girl. Today, I cut the fleece for the pillows the party girls will be making.

We are sticking to the red and purple theme. When I was cutting the fleece I noticed the edges were rolled a bit so I cut that off, the scraps were inspiring me to make some cute rolled flowers that I have seen on so many of the creative blogs out there. I think there will be a Valentine craft in my future.
Hopefully, I am recovering and will get more creating done so I can share again soon.

Party Decor Part 1

This post is a little late, sorry. We escaped for a night to small indoor waterpark over the weekend and I had to study before classes. Oh and right now I am putting off writing 2 papers that are due tomorrow night and preparing for class tomorrow night.
I'm so bad I don't remember what day last week I made this banner. My daughter's birthday party is coming up and I wanted to get a head start on the decorations. The theme is American Girl Birthday Camp, yep it's her first sleepover party.We are decorating with purple and red stars.
So I made a banner to go on our hutch where the sweet treats will be stationed.

It's not the greatest picture and this is not where it will be hung for the party but you get the idea.

I used my Cricut (that I love so much) and cut 6 red stars and 6 purple stars from cardstock.

Then punched 2 slits for the ribbon on all of the purple stars. I placed the slits so that the red smaller stars would cover them. I cut Red ribbon to length fitting its spot on the hutch and slid all of the purple stars on the ribbon.

Then I adhered the red stars onto the purple stars carefully, I wanted the ribbon to still be able to move so only the tips of the two side points have adhesive and of course the rest of the tips are covered. I cut "Sweets" from the purple cardstock using the Cricut again and added the letters to the front. Can I just tell you much easier the Tweezer Bee is for holding and applying small sticky things like letters. Awesome tool.
Now this banner is put a way in a box of other red and purple party supplies. I have many more decor items we need to make, good thing we have a few weeks.
Time to craft out some A papers and read.

Busy Thursday

Well, I have gotten a lot done today. My goal was to get my craft area cleaned up including the large and always growing pile next to it that included a box that never got unpacked. I did it!!! Oh and had so much fun doing it, I just wanted so bad to get crafty. Hopefully I will find time before Monday.
I also finally finished Chapter 1 for Interpersonal Communication class next week. One chapter to go by Monday and then 2 papers to write by Wednesday night. I started the first paper but really it's only a start. I also have several chapters to read for the Psych class on Wednesday night. Only 5 weeks of 2 classes a week. I hope I make it.
So, while I was cleaning up my craft area I came across some unfinished projects so I finished them...

For Lissy I just added ribbon to one of her shells from our OBX vacation. She loves it and hasn't taken it off since she got home.



For Jackson he had picked out an Aerosmith iron-on months ago so I finally ironed it on. He liked it but not enough to wear to the basketball game tonight. I love how he has developed his own taste in music. He likes such a wide variety.

Well, In an effort to clear out the spare room for the baby I have some items to list for sale. Wish me luck.

Now how do I spice up my blog? I have developed such a blog addiction lately, just lurking mostly but I love all the different layouts or backgrounds and the title banners are so creative too. I will be working on mine as soon as I figure out how.

Snowy day doesn't slow me down...

Well, we got lots of snow today, the driveway had to be shoveled that's how I measure it. It wasn't too bad when my son got on the bus at 7, but by the time my daughter headed out before 9, she had to shovel her way to the end of the driveway to wait for the bus. I expected to see the kids early but no such luck, they both managed to come home on time. My son was a dear and shoveled and salted the entire drive way so I made cookies and hot chocolate for him and his buddies.

Usually bad weather days just make me even lazier but not today. I got 5 loads of laundry done, folded and put away. 5!!! I thought I was doing good at keeping up with our laundry so whoever dropped of their laundry its clean now, come get it out of my house. LOL I also did some homework and am going to do more after I post this.
The best thing I did today was craft!!! I love being creative so much. I made a card for our nephew who is potty trained!!! I really love that I have a space to scrap but its such a tight space that I don't feel productive. I need to work on my space soon especially if I keep up this routine of crafty almost daily. (I think my husband would say I have plenty of space just too much junk in that space.)

The kids just headed out to play in the snow, I better chase after them with the camera :) Then it's time to hit the books before I start dinner.

Monday Monday...

It was so hard not to post everyday since my last post, I am a MotorMouth!!! Well since the last post...
We went for an ultrasound on Thursday and found out we are having a BOY!!! We are so excited and relieved to finally know what it is. Daddy and I went to Babies "R" Us and purchased a few outfits on the way home from the ultrasound. I also got him to talk about and agree on a nursery theme, we are going with puppies and blues and browns. My sister and I went out and about shopping on Saturday looking for puppy bedding with no luck. Monkeys seem to be popular right now and the puppies have all hidden. It's a good thing I can shop via the computer (and in my pj's).
The kiddos were gone this weekend so we decided it was the perfect time to attend the Welcome Class at Greenwood Christian Church on Sunday morning. This meant we were there for class at 9:30 and for service at 11:00.  I think we found a home church. We have been attending services for the past few months. When we started our church search (haha it rhymes) we thought we would be happy in a small church, GCC is huge, but it doesn't feel that big. Amazing how he works and answers prayers!!!
Sadly, I haven't been crafting since the last post but plans are in the works. I am narrowing down my next card recipient. Snow is coming and it sounds like we will be stuck inside for a day or two. I have plenty of homework to do before next week and crafting is the perfect break from psych and interpersonal communication right?
Lissy's (Melissa) 9th birthday is just around the corner. Since last years awesome movie party she has been talking about having a "craft" party. After chatting it over with my creative sister and putting a good deal of thought into it I think we might do a combo American girl/Craft/Sleepover party. I have a month to get it planned and organized. I don't know who is more excited me or her.
There I go MotorMouthing all over my blog. LOL I needed something to do to brighten up my blah feeling Monday.
Until next time...

Another good day...I got crafty :)

Today has been another good and productive day for me so I just had to jump on and blog about it. I avoided the lazies yet again and got a few chores done around the house. I completed my first blog hop and hope to win the Bo Bunny prize, but if not it was really fun and it inspired me to get crafty today.
For Christmas I asked for and received new craft tools. So today I played with the Martha Stewart Scoring Board I received from my inlaws. Oh was it fun and I see lots of future projects coming from it.

I was determined to make a rosette and I did it. I had too check out a tutorial online to get it right. But oh am I happy that I finally made one.

Another goal I set for myself was to do something with my crafts, give a purpose to my "play time." So, I thought of sending one card a week to someone special. Either for birthdays and special occasions or just because. Today I made a card for an amazing friend. She lives far away so I don't see her very often so I knew she would be just the person to send the 1st (of hopefully many) card to.

Here it is the first card of 2011 to be sent out.

I love the camera my wonderful husband got me for Christmas this year. I need to figure how to take better photos with it since I plan on posting more of my creations.

Tomorrow morning we go for ultrasound #2, hopefully we get to find out what we are having. I am so ready to buy buy buy and decorate that nursery. I posted this Baby Bump picture on Facebook today to see what everyone would guess we were having. Most guessed boy....I hope we find out in the morning.

Happy 2011!!!

I set a goal for 2011 to start a blog and do things to post on my blog so here I go... 2010 was an awesome year, I can't wait to see what 2011 brings.
The kids returned to school today so I am home alone and it feels so odd. I have been taking care of things that I kept putting off. Well at least I am sticking to that goal of not being so lazy this year and to stop putting things off. As it is an hour and a half before my oldest comes home from school it doesn't appear that I will have time to get crafty today. Oh great, that sounds like I am putting off crafting. I need to work on my daily routine. The good news is I have made about a dozen phone calls, waiting for some to be returned, and am doing laundry and other chores so the laziness is gone. I do have a few projects in mind for this week.
My blog goal is to post projects and day 2 day things about 2-3 times a week. Let's see how that goes.
We moved to a small community in 2010 and I am ready to get to know some people here so I am trying find ways of doing that.
I am so excited and can hardly wait for our ultrasound on Thursday morning. It's just driving me nuts to find out what we are having. It might get dangerous once I know as I have been browsing all of the baby departments and know what I want to buy. It has been hard but I have put off planning to decorate and work on the nursery until we know what we are having. Looks like I will have baby decor projects to do and post before May.
I must move on with my day and fight off the lazies. I am so excited that I started this blog :)