Lula Belle

new skirt for miss k

Well almost new.  These photos were taken after she slept in it and while she was planting trees.

bubbles and blooms

It seems that every time we get a jar of bubbles around here, they spill in minutes.  I am not a big fan of running to the store for more so we just made our own.

We mixed 1/4 cup dish liquid with 3/4 cup water and a dash of glycerin.  They work pretty good and since we have all of these ingredients on hand we will not be running out of bubbles again!

Charlie has kept very busy chasing them singing "pop pop pop" interjecting an "oh man" when one pops before it gets off of the stick.

And look at what is blooming in the yard!!!

So lovely!

Valentininess

I'm gettin all ready for the 1st grade Valentine's Day party tomorrow.  Yes, I know that Valentine's Day was yesterday!  It seems that our school likes to have their parties on the last day of the school week.  Since we have Friday off our party is slated for tomorrow.  

I have been trying to decide on a craft.  The problem is that I just can't choose one.  So....I am doing three!!!!  Yes 3.  They are all pretty quick and simple so why not?  Right?

First up........The modge podge candle.

These are addictively fun.  All you need is....

A Candle (I got mine at Big Lots for .50 each)

Modge Podge (I don't know why I have paper modge podge.  Any kind will do.)

Tissue paper cut into bits

A Paint brush

First you cover your candle holder in Modge Podge.

Next you stick your tissue paper on.

Then more Modge Podge.  Then more paper.  Etc.  (I like to layer my paper.)

Finally cover the whole shabang in Modge Podge and let dry!

Next up.......

Heart Sun Catchers!

You will need.....

2 hearts cut from card stock

2 hearts cut from clear contact paper to fit inside

and embellishments

Once you get your hearts cut out, peel the back off of one piece of contact paper.  Embellish.  Carefully place the other piece of contact paper(sticky sides together) on top.  This can be fiddly.  Be careful not to get any lumps in it like I did.  Glue contact paper sandwich in between your card stock hearts.  Punch a hole and put a string through to hand in the window.

Lastly they have to make cards for mom right?  Just the usual suspects.  Card stock, stickers, glittery stuff, and pictures of their cute little faces.  No pics yet as they haven't yet made them.  

And since they can't give candies with their Valentine cards this year I thought that a goody bad was definitely in order!  I used the insides that I cut out of the sun catcher craft to decorate the bags.

On another note......

Matt and I don't usually do much for Valentine's Day as a couple, but this year he surprised me.  The neighbors offered to watch the kiddos so we went out for sushi.  I had a nip too much saki and am feeling it this morning.  That and the fact that C fell asleep on grandma at 7:30 so he thought the day had started at 3:45 am!!!  Ouch!

Also, there was a delivery.....

Flowers and Candy(yes I ate some for breakfast today!!)   The frivolousness of flowers usually makes me feel guilty.  But sometimes it feels good to be spoiled.  I guess he knew I needed it!  He is such a sweetheart.  I am a very lucky girl!

bustin' out

of the new molds today!  Aren't they pretty?

tangerine + calendula

bergamot + lemongrass + poppyseed

fresh earth + french green clay ( my favorite scent)

Next I am thinking of experamenting with coffee and goats milk.  And some bug soap for the summer.

Curtains

Finaly got around to making Katie's curtains.  She picked the fabric herself.

I learned how to use the blind stitch on my machine.  I must say, it makes better looking currtains.  Now for the rest of the house!!  

 

Complete!

I finished my first quillt last night!!!  It the class project for our school auction.  I have made small quilted items, but never an actual bed quilt.  It took lots of time and planning, but it was really fun to do.  I debated on weather to just do ties or to machine quilt it.  I was worried that I would mess it up and have nothing to turn in for our class.  Just a little pressure.  After tying it and not liking the results, I decided to quilt it.  I am so glad that I did.  It feels so much nicer now.  Three things that I found to be helpful.  A walking foot on my machine, One of those magnetic thingies that keep you straight, and cotton batting.  The cotton batting made all of the difference in the feel of the quilt.  It is a touch more expensive, but well worth it.

I decided to go with Amy Butler's soul blossom line because it is bright and cheery.  With the kids drawings being so bold, I wanted something that would blend.  When it was all together I was worried about it being a little too pink, so I did a more neutral back.  I used kona cotton solid with a couple stripes of the blues and greens for intrest.

Over all I am very happy with the end result and am already planning my next quilt.  That I will keep!

almost

reinventing

I have a few strands of pearls that have been sitting in my jewelry box for years.  Untouched.  I do like pearls, but putting on a strand seems too fancy for everyday and too boring for dress up.  So I decided to play with them.  The fun part is I can change the ribbon whenever I want.  Bow no bow, depends on my mood.  Reinventing is so fun:)

out of doors

It has been unseasonably warm around here lately.  Though we are anxious for snow, we are enjoying working outside in sweaters too.  We have been doing a lot of clearing, cleaning, collecting and exploring.  When we moved in in May all of the foliage was in and we couldn't get past the thick brush.  Now we can and my is there work to do.  It is a delicate balance though.  We don't want to upset too much, but at the same time we want to be able to use our land.  Most of the Box elders are dead and need to come down.  There is so much wild grape hanging on everything velcroing it together and there is more thorny bramble and honeysuckle than you have ever seen.  This is not going to be a quick job.  Oh no.  It is going to take years.  But there is something very satisfying about tending to just one spot small as it may be.  If you didn't know you might not be able to tell that anything happened at all.  But it did and when toady's little bit and yesterdays little bit are put together it looks like progress!

All of that progress led to two things......

a full moon fire,

and grape vine wreaths!  While I twisted those pesky vines together Katie and Matt each made their very own fires.  They were both lovely!  Now for wreath embellishments.  Hmmm.

makin' stuff

Hexnut bracelets.  They are quick and pretty easy.  A little frustrating, but worth it.

Candles!  I had a bunch of old candle jars that I had saved.  I just popped them in the crockpot to melt the old wax out and cleaned them up.  Then I put them back in said crockpot and melted beeswax in them, popped in a wick and let them set.  When they were cooled down I took some modge podge and fabric scraps and went to town.  Voila!  Fun candles!

I got this idea from Megan.  She is so talented!  Pipe cleaner and felt ball flowers!