Amy's Monkeys

S-A-L-E

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 12:27:00 +0000

Everyone loves a good sale!

All of my bags have been marked down 40% to make room for new products!

Take advantage, have fun, support a maker!

Love ya!

Elevate 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Wed, 25 May 2016 11:39:00 +0000

I guess it's official now!

I am a real blogger because I went to a blogging conference!

I don't know how true that statement really is,

but I will tell you I had the most amazing time at Elevate 2016!

I got to be in a beautiful place full of amazing women!

There was a perfect line up of activities and speakers for this creative soul!

Liv and Hope

I got to hear speakers that made me laugh and cry and think!

The Crafted Sparrow

These ladies shared their hearts and their stories fearlessly!

Persnickety Prints

I got to meet lady bosses that shared their products with us.

Me and My Big Ideas

Having time to create during the conference was one of the best parts!

O'verlays decorative fretwork

I got to talk with blogging friends that I had only known from my screen face to face.

Belong Magazine
Diary of an Addict

It was a gift!

A gift to recharge.

A gift to be inspired.

A gift to learn more about blogging!

A gift to make connections with so many mamas!

I was blown away by Jen and Summer's attention to all the details,

the way they love their tribe,

the community that they have created!

I am beyond grateful to be included into such a great circle!

I am still processing everything I learned,

but I already have plans to attend next year too!

Elevate 2016, you ROCKED!

*All photos are by the AMAZINGLY talented Chrissy Delacy of
Let Me See You Sparkle Photography

On Being a Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Sat, 07 May 2016 13:26:00 +0000

At eighteen years old I would have told you I'm not going to have a family

because I'm going to be a doctor and that lifestyle is not fair to a family.

Fast forward four years and I became a mom to an amazing tiny little man.

What in the world was my eighteen year old self thinking?

A lot of buzz around the internet talks about

being a mama as this super hard exhausting task.
Here's the thing...
it absolutely can be hard and exhausting, but that is not all.

I look back and think how in the world did I have 3 little boys 4 and under,

work full time, finish my teaching credential, and my master's degree?

It really comes down to one thing.

I finished and survived all of that because I was a mama.

I wanted time with my boys,

I wanted better for my boys,

and I wanted to set an example for my boys.

I did the hard things because I was always thinking about my life with my boys.
Was I tired?
You bet.
Was I frustrated at times?
Most assuredly.
Was it totally worth the early mornings and late nights?
Absolutely.

Now I am stubborn by nature and a hard worker,
so this might just be how things work for me,
but I know in my heart doing all of the hard things comes back to my boys.
Making a good life for them was the push to get things done.

So on this Mother's Day I look back and think
how in the world could I do life without my men?
The short answer...
I couldn't.
Being a mama brings me such joy.
This life is exactly what I was meant to do.

Mama is by far my favorite title.

Open Hands

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 11:50:00 +0000

When I read a story about parenting with open hands my heart hurt, but I knew it was exactly right.

On Sunday I did the hardest thing I have done as a mama...

I left my eighteen year old 1,550.2 miles away from home to begin his journey.

Austin, Texas is his new home.

Let me tell you I was a hot mess.

The tears would not stop and when he had tears too it pushed me over the top.

It was everything I had not to pack him back up and bring him home with me.

Some how through the tears I drove away.

We had an amazing five days of getting him set up to live on his own.

We figured out routes to get to his school.

We shopped and stocked up on essentials and groceries.

We explored his new city.

I knew he was ready, but I wasn't so sure my heart was ready.

Then Monday evening came and the texts started flowing in.

His cohort was great. He liked his instructors.

The facilities were awesome and the perks were going to be wonderful.

I felt the heaviness lift as we knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

We had chosen wisely and his future looks so bright.

Austin and Texas in general blew me away.

What a great place for Zack to begin the next part of his life!

Parenting with open hands is not for sissies,

but when you see your kid thrive it's totally worth the hurting mama heart!

Makers Gonna Make

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 12:12:00 +0000

If there is one thing that is predictable about me it is that I must be busy.

I have to make things or be doing something all. the. time.

Can't help it...

Spring break was here and I was so ready for it!

Did I sleep in...a little.

Did I rest...you bet.

Did I work on a huge project...of course!

I have the privilege of being a part of the Elevate Conference in May

and I wanted to send a little something for the swag bags.

Seventy-five little somethings to be exact.

There were points where I thought I was surely out of my EVER. LOVING. MIND.

for agreeing to provide seventy-five mini zipper pouches for all the ladies.

But I stuck it out and got them all finished with loads of time to spare!

I love all the fabrics.

The combinations that I hope will bring on smiles and all the heart eyes.

Since I actually had time to spare I decided I wanted to do a couple of projects

for the house and even something for me!

One new pillow for the family room and one new zipper pouch for my bag.

If there is one thing I have learned in trying to have a little business

it is that you have to get back to the root of how all this sewing began.

I started sewing for our home and my hubby and my boys.

Giving myself permission to make something for fun is the key to not getting burned out.

I want to always have the feeling of wanting to sew.

If it turns into something that is a chore I have defeated the whole purpose of my little shop.

Sewing is my therapy, sewing is my joy.

Who Needs a Basket?

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 13:08:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but having clutter around the house makes me a little crazy.

Add in holidays and things can get out of control.

Easter baskets and I have a love hate relationship.

I love making baskets for my boys,

but I hate that there is this basket lying around when the treats are long gone.

I came up with a solution that is quick and cheap!

Two of my favorite words when I'm crafting!

First, gather all your materials.

Seriously, I bet you have everything you need without a trip to Michaels!

1 Kraft Medium Bag

1 Piece of Scrapbook Paper

1 Piece of Felt

1 Pair of Scissors

1 Bunny Template

Pencil

Glue

Print out your bunny template and cut it out.

Trace it on the back side of the scrapbook paper.

Cut out the bunny and cut a circle from the felt.

Glue the bunny onto the kraft bag.

Glue the felt circle onto the bunny.

That's it!

See, I told you it was quick!

Have fun filling it up with Easter treats!

Just fold it away for next year when the kiddos are done!

I have been using the ones I made for my boys for a few years now.

I love how easy it is to pull them out of the cupboard!

So simple and no clutter to added to the house!

Simple Tips for Rearing Amazing Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 12:59:00 +0000

When a teacher asks your husband and you if you're going to have more kids

you might get a weird look on your face.

When she goes on to explain that your boys are amazing,

you understand, she wants more kids in her class like yours.

How did we rear such awesome kiddos?

Here it goes in a nutshell...

1. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Our boys know that when we tell them something

we will do our best to follow through, good or bad.

Idol threats or unkept promises are not how we do things around here.

2. Set boundaries.

Kids need to know what is and is not okay in your family.

If we told them something was not okay we surely followed through if they crossed the line.

If kids know the expectations they will meet them.

3. Have routines.

From the time our boys were little we did things with them a certain way.

They always knew what to expect because we had a routine.

Not always flying by the seat of your pants gives kiddos security

and it helps everyone have a better day.

4. Listen to their stories.

Our kids come to us and talk about everything.

One thing their dad and I do almost without thinking is stop what we're doing and listen.

All the little stuff they shared as munchkins has opened the door,

so sharing teenager issues is totally normal and common.

People have been surprised when the boys tell us about things

that they did that were not great choices.

They know they can share anything with us

because we're not going to start screaming.

5. Hang out together.

Giving your kids your time is so simple, yet it can be totally overlooked.

Dinner is a great time to all be together.

The middle of a Sunday afternoon is a great time to be silly, watch a movie, or just talk.

Reading to my boys every night before bedtime

will always be one of my favorite memories.

6. Let them be kids.

Our boys were mud loving, dirt digging, play fighting, paper creating little guys.

We did not push them to be academic all-stars until it was time for them to go to school.

Their job was to learn and grow and explore.

We tried sports here and there, but we never pushed a busy schedule of activities.

We firmly believe they need time to just figure things out.

We do not need to fill every moment of their day with something.

7. Be encouragers.

If your kid loves drawing make sure they have paper, pencils, and crayons to bring their heart to life.

If your kid wants to make video games get them into programming.

If your kid is a reader take them to the library or thrift store.

If your kid is a builder make sure they have things to build with everyday.

If they are excited about something, be excited with them!

8. Laugh with them.

When guests stay in our home they almost always comment on the laughter heard here.

We love to laugh and some things that kids say or do are just hilarious.

Teaching them to enjoy life is an awesome gift.

It is not hard or expensive to guide your kids into growing up to be amazing.

The most important thing we have given our boys is our heart.

We love them.

We show it by setting boundaries, following through, listening, encouraging, and giving them our time.

I'm sure there are a million other little things we have done,

but it all comes down to the most simple and valuable thing a parent can do...

Love your kiddos fiercely.

twenty-one days

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:00:00 +0000

source

In twenty-one days I am taking a quarter of my heart

to Texas to begin his big adventure.

The kid that made me a mama has grown into

an amazing man.

He's ready to start chasing his dreams.

He's ready to work hard and be focused.

He's ready to be on his own and find his place in the world.

And I'm okay with that because I know what kind of person

we're setting loose on the world.

Twenty-two years ago I was in the same place.

I remember the excitement, nervousness, and joy

I felt exploring new places and figuring out who I wanted to be.

In twenty-one days we begin the next chapter of his life together.

We'll get him settled into his new home, city, and school.

I'll head back to California

and he'll begin his schooling.

I'm sure I'll be a hot mess when I leave him,

but I am also sure I am beyond proud of my kid.

Holding my kids with open hands is a hard lesson,

but one that I appreciate every day as I watch them grow up.

Art in the Classroom

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:01:00 +0000

image

Letting littles paint is not for the faint of heart.

Multiply that by 23 and you get a huge mess in the classroom,

but you also get 23 kids exposed to paint, brushes, color, texture, and fun.

Twenty three sets of hands that get to experience something new.
Paint on a brush for the first time!

Most of all you get to see creativity and pride swell up as you hang

their creations upon the wall for all who enter our room to see.

Kid art projects are not always easy to manage,

but they are always worth a couple of afternoons of chaos.

Following My Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 07:31:00 +0000

Here's a little disclaimer...I have a pretty amazing life just as it is.
My boys are my joy, my husband is the best, my job is secure.
As good as things have been, I know I need to move forward
to make a better life and a happier me.

Learning to find my way has been quite a journey.

All my life I have been the good girl
with a side of stubborn and competitiveness.

I was one of the smart girls in school, so sciences and math were pushed.
I wanted to be the top kid, so I worked hard to see my name as high score.

There was the ability to succeed, but a true love of the academic world was never there.

I loved the art projects and the creative presentations assigned.
Those things made my heart full!

No one ever encouraged me to pursue something that fed my creative soul as a career,
nor did it ever cross my mind to head in a creative direction.

Doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher...those jobs are what academic achievers do.

Just now as I turn 40 am I realizing that my heart yearns to create and make beautiful things.

I love seeing the potential in homes,

in a yard of fabric,

in a slab of wood,
or an old piece of furniture.

I have been in a classroom or on a retail floor doing the right thing
to make sure the bills were paid and food was on the table.
Now I long to shift into creating all the time.
I worked on a project all of Sunday and I didn't even realize how much time had passed.
That shows me following my heart is the right choice.

It wasn't work and I was smiling all day.

I long to create beautiful spaces.

I just realized this week I have always been wired to decorate and create.

The tree house in my grandparents' backyard needed curtains,
my homes needed cozy, warm touches, my classroom must be calm and nurturing.

How I feel when I enter a space is beyond important to me!

The bottom line is this...
smart and creative can go together.
I'm not quite sure how to be my own boss just yet
or if all these plans floating around in my head will work,
but I do know I have to focus on making it happen.
Being creative and making beautiful things is
just too important to my heart to just be a hobby anymore.

Reminded to Rest

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:19:00 +0000

source

Oh boy guys! This mama has been one sick lady!

Once upon a time I got bronchitis every February and then it just stopped happening.

I was not sure why, but let me tell you I was not complaining either.

Fast forward to this year and wham!

Chest feels like a body builder is standing on it...so not good.

I didn't/don't have time for this nonsense,

but it was exactly what I needed to be

reminded to rest.

What good are we mamas if we push ourselves so hard and so long

that we get completely knocked on our backsides?!?

Today I am thankful I feel a million times better,

but it came only by me slowing down and investing some time

into self care.

Why is that so hard?

Once I took the time to get my oils on me and got myself to bed early

miracles of miracles my body began to fight the junk.

It's okay to stop and rest mamas.

We need to fill our cups before we can do good for any of our people.

It's not selfish or mean to put yourself first every now and then.

dream chaser

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 12:02:00 +0000

I've been dreaming about changes in our lives for a long time.

New and different and exciting mixed with scary and unknown.

It all seems to be coming together.

I'm finding myself more and more.

Realizing things I have daydreamed about could become reality.

Now it's time to get to work and work the plan.

If you know anything about me you know I'm not afraid of work,

but I am afraid of not being secure.

This year is going to be all about trust in our dreams, my dreams.

Knowing that everything we have set out to do we have accomplished.

Every time I turn around I keep seeing the words "dream chaser".

I love the little nods that I am heading in the right direction!

Pictures all courtesy of my crazy boys...

payback for being on the other side of the camera!

Not So Little Monkeys

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 00:59:00 +0000

Once upon a time I had three little stair step boys.

My hands were busy, my house was noisy,

and my heart burst for my little men.

Time has flown as my little guys have grown into amazing men.

My heart still bursts, but the noise and busy-ness is passing.

I miss them being little and being able to pick them up,

but this stage, three teenagers, has been pretty fabulous.

Setting rules, expectations, guidelines when they were little

has paid off more than I could have imagined.

Kenny and I get to enjoy these guys rather than worry.

We get to joke and plan and just be.

What a gift this mama gig has been!

Hang in there mamas of littles!

It gets better and different and more amazing.

Now they just have to lean over so I can still kiss the top of their heads.

Marketplace

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:20:00 +0000

For the last three years I have been able to participate

in the Holiday Marketplace Boutique held at the convention center!

In all honesty it is a lot work to prepare inventory for the event,

help fulfill my obligations with the women's group that puts it on,

and get my classroom ready for parent conferences.

Just typing that makes me tired!

But here's the thing...I have a ball every year!

This year was even more special because I had customers come looking for me!

Isn't that too cool?!?

It really is fun to interact with so many neat people

and to share my story about how Amy's Monkeys came to be.

I love setting up my booth. Kenny has helped me make it amazing.

The backdrop he created this year really is the icing on the cake!

My sweet husband even wrote out a parts list for the hubby of another vendor,

so they could make one too!

For us it's like a date weekend!

We get to hang out and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Enjoy a small peek at my space for the weekend.

I totally forget my big camera, but my phone captured everything pretty well.

Seeing all the little details come together to make a space

that invites people in is pretty fabulous!

Projects finished and my creations displayed is such a wonderful feeling!

Leading up to the event I am usually overwhelmed,

but once we're set up it is just time to visit and enjoy my hubby and girlfriends.

This community of little business owners and creative souls is food for my soul.

I get recharged and ready to tackle next year

with even more ideas for my little shop!

I updated the website so if something catches your eye

head on over to see if it's still available!

Hello!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 12:25:00 +0000

Oh my goodness it has been way too long since I've been over here!

Life has been full of projects, work, practice, and keeping up with all the things
you're supposed to do to keep a busy family going!

If you follow me on Instagram you've had a peek at the whirlwind of a year we've had!

Here's a little recap since April...can you believe that?!?

Rusty Roots happened in May...what a great event!

The school year ended in June with a whole lot of packing!
Classroom remodels are no joke!
I was one happy lady ready to get summer started!

Summer was full of projects for home and my classroom.
The best part was a few road trips with my favorite guy!

We scored some beautiful vintage beds from Craigslist
and busted it to get Luke's room (mostly) finished.

I think I painted just about anything that would stand still too...

Including my poor feet...ha!

We all started Kendo too! What an amazing martial art! I love it big time!

School started back up and I was a crazy lady that agreed to pilot a new program.
Can anyone say, "feels like my first year teaching again?"
Yikes, it's been a lot of work!

So this school year is FLYING by!
Holiday Marketplace Boutique is eight days away and we're still working on projects!

It will be great, but man what a ride!
Mama has had a few meltdowns,
but when pressure builds up you've got to have a release!

Life is good and busy and messy...just as it should be!

Essential Oil Pouches

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 12:01:00 +0000

Last week we received our much anticipated Young Living Essential Oils.

Can I just say I'm in love so far!

So of course I had to make a holder to protect our investment!

I looked all over the internet to see how

people stored their bottles and saw lots of ideas!

The idea that stuck with me the most was a pouch

that has inserts to make my oils easily transportable and keep them safe!

I wanted something that would hold up to taking the oils in and out without wearing out,

so I decided little padded pockets were my best bet.

Making them into an insert for my zipper pouches fit my needs exactly!

Apparently I did it right because they have become a hit on my website and Pinterest!

I truly love seeing people excited about something I made!

It's so humbling and rewarding seeing your work appreciated by others!

It really is pretty awesome!

Oils are becoming a big part of my life and sewing has always been a major part,

so I'd say there is a happy union coming together!

The essential oils zipper pouches are just the right blend of cuteness and function!

Endeavor

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 11:19:00 +0000

If you know me you know I'm a homebody,

but when your bestie invites you to her home

near Los Angeles you set up a mini family vacation!

Since her home is so close to LA my hubby wanted to go to the

California Science Center to see the space shuttle Endeavor.

A bit of research later and we discovered there would also be a

Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the time of our visit.

Little did we know everything else the center had to offer!

It was an amazing place and I know we didn't get to everything they had on display.

Talk about delivering more than we had hoped!

As we made our way to the Endeavor we got to see so many amazing things,

but nothing compared to walking into the Endeavor hanger and seeing it in person.

Tears filled my eyes more than once as we wondered under and around the Endeavor.

The sheer awe of something that amazing took my breath away!

I think we could have spent the entire day just soaking it all in!

The California Science Center was so much more than we thought.

It had something for all age groups.

I was really impressed! I highly recommend it to any family!

Handmade & Homegrown

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 10:33:00 +0000

Yesterday was the first craft fair sponsored by The Looking Glass!

Handmade & Homegrown was so much fun! We had a great day!

I learned a hard lesson though about outdoor shows

when a gust of wind knocked over my shutter doors!

My neighbor vendor saw it happening,

but there was nothing she could do to stop it from going down.

Fortunately nothing was damaged (except my nerves!).

What a great community I am a part of in the crafting world!

My neighbors helped me pick everything up and zip tie the shutters to the canopy.

I was rattled, but was able to get everything back together pretty quickly.

The rest of the day went great!

I loved the booth set up!

Seeing your vision come to light is pretty amazing!

We even had some people trying to buy our display pieces...

pretty awesome!

Everything tied together so well...

I think we've really found our set up now!

The best part about the display pieces is that,

for the most part, they are decorations from the house!

Pretty bags on a coat rack from my sister

and a fun apron on one of my best yard sale finds ever!

So another show is in the books!

It is so much work...but the fun we have is totally worth it!

If you see something you like head to Amy's Monkeys online shop!

If you're local go check out The Looking Glass!

Busy Bee

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 10:36:00 +0000

Hello!

So life has been crazy busy...

I know everyone is busy...definitely is the season!

My busy has been prepping for the Handmade & Homegrown Craft Fair this Saturday!

The Looking Glass is hosting the event and it looks like it is going to be great!

Amy's Monkeys will be there with lots of new goodies!

Would you like a peek at all the busy-ness

that has become my life for the last few weeks?!?

(If you follow me on Instagram you've seen some of these...)

I decided I needed a visual reminder/helper to get all the aprons I had cut completed.

It totally worked on this visual girl.

18 aprons finished in 12 days...not bad for being in my classroom too!

A sneak peek of all your apron choices!

Since I had time...Crayon rolls are restocked!

My display background is getting a much needed update too...

bye-bye Putty hello Ocean Mist!

I finally got to transform the sheets I had been using for the tables

into beautiful fitted coverings!

So much more professional!

After all the prep work was done I was able to start playing with my displays!

So thankful for a hubby that finds me great treasures from the neighbor's junk pile!

Saturday can't get here soon enough!

I'm so excited to share all the goodies I've been working on the past month!

I'll be adding anything I have left from the fair to the online shop,

so stay tuned if you're not local!

Happy Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 13:13:00 +0000

Believe it or not, sometimes I sew for me!

I know, shocker!

This happy makeover came about because I didn't really want to spend $40 (or more)

on a new basket for the living room afgans. I already had some baskets

that didn't have a job anymore, so I started plotting.

A little spray paint and a new liner and that dark old basket

could fit quite nicely in the living room.

Let me say it took a lot of spray paint to cover that dark stain.

I covered it with white and almond as a base and then layered the yellow.

I went through a few almost empty cans and then bought

one more can of Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch in Sun Yellow (my favorite brand of spray paint)

to finish it off. I still have a bunch left, so more projects will see the yellow!

After I got the paint finished up I used the old liner as a pattern to make the new cheerful liner!

I didn't have quite enough of the main fabric to do the entire liner,

so I used a scrap to make the base.

Happy accident I say!

Rather than making ties I went through my ribbon stash and found this darling gingham.

Just the right touch!

So for maybe $10 I was able to get a "new" basket exactly the color and style I wanted!

Not too shabby!

*Rust-Oleum Spray paint is my favorite, but this is not a sponsored or affiliate post.

However, if Rust-Oleum ever wants to send me paint I would gladly take it! :)

How I Work

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:10:00 +0000

Everyone has a process they use to get things done.

Ever since I really started focusing on Amy's Monkeys I have adjusted

how I go about getting the most out of my limited amount of time.

I don't have all day to get things done, so the time I have must be used efficiently.

I really embrace the Henry Ford assembly line philosophy.

Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.

I have a few steps I use to keep things going smoothly and as organized as possible.

This is how I piece together my zipper pouches.

First, I pair all the fabrics for my creations...seriously the most fun part of creating!

Then, I iron, measure, and cut all the combinations and interfacing.
Next, I iron all the interfacing onto the outside prints.

After that, it's all about the ruffles!

Now, it's time to get the ruffles and tags attached.

Show time...

zipper, iron, top stitch, repeat, stitch all around, add gusset, flip out-side-right,

stitch closed, smile at the new zipper pouch!

Rinse and repeat until your to-do pile is gone and your product pile is overflowing!

Assembly line production has really streamlined how I get things done!

It's all about tackling projects in chunks. Feeling that sense of accomplishment helps

keep you going when you're tired and just want to quit!

Trust me I know that feeling!

I'm not sure my process will help anyone, but it really does make a huge difference!

a thought for the day...

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 12:47:00 +0000

Sprucing Things Up

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:12:00 +0000

I spent a little extra time at The Looking Glass last week

and spruced up the Amy's Monkeys space a bit.

The shop owner has such a great eye for merchandising...

I have learned so much!

Anyway, the entire shop has a fresh look for the new year and I love it!

Having a permanent space is so different than the weekend boutiques.

You have time to tweak and fluff and move things around.

It really is a lot of fun!

In the end that's what it is really all about!

On Being Brave

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 12:05:00 +0000

Yesterday I was brave with something that most people would probably think is silly...

yesterday I wore leggings and riding boots together for the first time.

Here's why that was me being brave...

I am scared to death of fitted clothes because this gal has gained wait that just won't come off.

I don't know if it's the going to be 39 body, or a health issue, or life has been crazy, but the weight is there.

I finally decided I'd make it work after a little prodding from a great friend.

I see cute people in all kinds of sizes every day.

What's to say I can't rock it too?!?

Nothing...because I did.

I felt cute and comfortable all day.

Trendy and stylish.

A hot mom.

Yup, that was how I felt.

The weight is bugging me and a doctor's appointment next week will hopefully help me get some answers.

Until then I'm going to enjoy my new super sale boots, my jeans that set in the closet for a year, and my scarf collection because everyone needs to feel cute!

Enjoy your Friday loves!

Makers Gonna Make

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Lynne) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 11:59:00 +0000

I'll let you in on a little secret about me...

I cannot spend money on something I know I can make myself.

It's kind of funny because now my hubby just grins when he sees me dragging supplies into my studio.

No "What are you making now?" No "Why?"

Just the grin and the knowledge that I must have seen
something somewhere that sparked the maker to come out!

That's a bit of what happened this weekend.

I am on a little laundry room spruce up kick after finding these amazing baskets at World Market.
(If you want them, be patient and wait for a sale to come around again!)

I am in the laundry room so much it should be a place that makes me smile!

I wanted to add to the pictures above my folding table.

I found a bunch of cute things online, but when I saw them in person they weren't as cute.

I knew what I had to do. I took a combination of ideas and came up with a design plan.

A 3-foot board for above the other pictures.

wash * dry * fold * repeat

If you want to make your own gather these supplies:

1~ 1"x6"x36" pine board

2-3 ~ acrylic paint colors

1~ printed saying

1 piece ~ carbon paper

2~ sawtooth picture hangers

dull pencil

paint brushes

Step one:

Prep your saying. I printed my saying at 165 point font.

I then trimmed it and taped it together to make sure it would fit the board.

Step two:

Paint your board. I love acrylic paint because it dries so fast.

I did many, many coats to get the coverage I wanted.

Step three:

Paint the back of the board.

I like things I make to have a finished feel, so I always try to make sure the back is painted too!

Step four:

Align your saying on your board and loosely tape the ends with painters tape.

Slide a piece of carbon paper under your saying and begin tracing the outline of each letter.

Slide the carbon paper down until you have traced every letter.

Remove the paper and praise the wonder of carbon paper!

Step five:

Use the paint you chose for your letters and begin filling in the words. Be sure to use a brush with a nice, crisp edge. Add coats of paint until your letters are the shade you want.

Step six:

Add additional colors for depth or distress your board or do both.

I dry brushed aqua and white paint across the surface and then distressed around the edges.

Step seven:

Add your hanging hardware.

Step eight:

Use a level to measure and mark the spots for the nail holes. Seriously, the level is a game changer!

Hang your new sign and smile!

A perfect new addition to my well used space for less than $10 and a couple hours of time.

Not a bad price for something that adds so much cuteness to the laundry room!
Now I need to repaint the embroidery frames...it's a vicious cycle...hehehe

*All the links are for you! I don't get anything from the companies for sharing,
but I would not be above accepting perks from any of them...can I get an amen?!?