Waiting

Can you sit like this?

 

Remember when you could?

 

Becky

Fashion Revue 2013

It's crunch time in the land of 4-H!

 

#2 had two "constructed outfits" (that means she made them) this year for 4-H Fashion Revue.

 

The first, an easy-peasy dress out of the pre-smocked fabric from Hancock's.  Love the length.

 

The second, a beautiful plum "square skirt".  This skirt went together in about and hour.  Check out the makeit-loveit blog for complete instructions (she makes EVERYTHING look easy).  This fabric is a knit that we bought at Wal-Mart for $1/yard.  It has a permanent wrinkle to it and you DON'T HAVE TO HEM IT!  #2 only used one square versus - we made one for #5 with 2 squares - both are fun and twirly.  She also decided to make it maxi-length.

She says she'll wear them again.  I can count on one hand how many of my 4-H outfits I wore after the fair...calico cotton wasn't real hip in the 80's.  How bout you?

 

Becky

The Answer is Fishing

This past weekend was a test. 

 #5 turned the big 0-4 on Sunday. 

It rained so we made a trip to the big city... Famous Dave's, THE MALL, Barnes & Noble, etc to celebrate.  Everyone had a good time seeing all the fun things to buy {they don't get out much}!!!

On Monday, Memorial Day, we took a fishing trip to a quiet little lake. 

 

Dad spent most of his time tending to poles.

The girls worked together...and they baited their OWN hooks.

 This guy caught a few fish {bullheads}.

  

This guy put the fishing plans into motion and was the only one who didn't catch a thing.

He kept a great attitude.

 

 

His sister was there for comfort.

 

So, the test for the children was-

 

"Which day was your favorite?"

 

Bet you already knew the answer.

 

Monday - the most perfect day.

 

Becky

Bling!

The girls needed new work coats.  Dark brown and light brown were their options.  #3 was less than thrilled about her choices.  Taking the "glass half full approach", she chose the light brown one so that she could BEDAZZLE IT!!!!

...and BEDAZZLE she did.

 

Hoping your last day of May is warmer than ours...

 

Becky and the Cattle-Working Crew

Love!

Are your VALENTINES finished?  Here's what each of my five shared witht their friends...

#1 - Boy - age 11

Mom: Hey, buddy, whatta ya want to make for your Valentines this year.

#1:  Really, Mom?{sarcasm}  I'll just hand 'em a package of candy.  {Mom's heart breaking.}

 

We did this on picmonkey and printed them with publisher.  Love these!

{...and yes, that is a wad of gum in his mouth.}

 

#2 - Girl - age 9

Mom: Hey, girlie-girl, I found this great idea online today for your Valentines!

#2 :  Awesome!  Can we do them tonight?  {Mom's heart smiling.}

Check out this oh so talented lady at Grow Creative.  Love her stuff.  Together we made 30 of these darling hearts for #2's classmates. 

 

Risk of frustration is greatly reduced when you use actual

water color paper and a water color brush - just sayin'. 

Oh and we traced around a cookie cutter.

#3 - Girl - age 8

#3: Hey, Mom!  I found a funny idea online for my Valentine's. 

Could you get me 2 bags of tootsie-pops?

Mom:  ABSOLUTELY!  {Mom proud of independent child.}

 

The Frugal Crafter 

{Click on photo for source}

What's up with the mustache craze? 

#4 - Boy - age 6

Mom:  Hey, big buy, what would you like to make for your friends for Valentine's Day?

#4: What time's wrestling practice? {Mom ....no real thoughts here.}

 

#5 - Girl - age 3

#5 - Can I eat these now?

{shopping together and buying small packages of goldfish for her daycare buddies}

Mom: No, honey.  These are for your friends at school.

#5 - I don't have any friends. Can I eat them NOW?  {Mom wondering when to start therapy.}

Share the love-

Becky

Best Friend Pillows

I had these ugly pillows that needed a new look.  I never enjoyed making pillow covers because I don't like to hand sew the opening together...LaZy!!

 

But NOW ... NOW  I've learned to make them envelope-style and every throw pillow in my house is being recovered.  Easy peasy.

 

 Using the custom paper size option with Microsoft Publisher, I came up with just the right size creature I wanted on each pillow.

 

When you print it looks like the "tiles" below.

Then tape the tiles together, transfer to Ultra Heat-n-Bond (I have an unhealthy loving relationship with this stuff), cut out of desired fabric, and iron that baby on to your pillow cover.  I used black duck cloth on blue and white ticking.  I also stitched around my dogs...just because.  Don't really need to stitch with the Ultra stuff.  As a matter of fact, every REAL seamstress out there is saying right now, "Can't believe she sewed through Ultra Heat-n-Bond.  That stuff will gunk up her needle somethin' terrible."  I know and the needle has been replaced.

 

 

 And here we have Tess, our Golden Retreiver, and Woody, our Newfoundland.

  

 

...a great accent to the boys' beds.

 

Becky

Boys Bathroom

This weekend we updated the boys' bathroom (in the basement = bad lighting) from spa like soothing colors to something a bit more masculine.  "Because, ya know Mom, we are guys."

 

 

The paint color is Valspar's Shark Fin.

 

I'm especially proud of the old flag we hung over the shower curtain.

 

Anyone know what this sign means?  I don't. 

Found it in an antique store for ten bucks...had to have it.  The gentleman that sold it to me offered that it was an old railroad sign.  Really?

The old medicine cabinet is home to those manly kinda things an eleven and six year old need...deodorant, Axe, face wash, a razor without a blade, bandaids, rubber snake, a Barbie head (don't ask), and of course, a stick.

 

Boys!

 

Becky