Jane Not So Plain

As I mentioned in the first post in this series, I really do enjoy giving gifts and sharing my love of making with others. Keep reading for a little gift giving inspiration!

Gifts for Friends and Family

Personalized mixing spoons

Open wide pouch with a gift card tucked inside

Hand bound notebook

Framed printable

Special occasion ornaments (wedding, newborn)

A bottle of wine in a handmade wine bag

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In the next post of the DIY Gift Guide, I will be sharing a few DIY gift ideas for kids!

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DIY Gift Guide: Gifts for Coworkers

2015-11-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

I absolutely LOVE giving gifts, and I try to incorporate at least one DIY element into every gift I give. To share a little inspiration for the upcoming holiday season, I'm doing a mini DIY Gift Guide series.

I have made and given all of the ideas I'm sharing, and the tutorials linked to are what I've used as a guide for each gift. If I can do it, so can you!

Today, I'm sharing some really fun and easy DIY gift ideas for coworkers.

Gifts for Coworkers

Bath bombs

Homemade vanilla extract

Savory herb rub

Dip mix ornaments

White chocolate covered Oreos

Hot cocoa ornaments

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What are your go-to coworker gifts? Let me know in the comments! I'll be sharing DIY Gifts for Friends and Family for the next post in the DIY Gift Guide series, so stay tuned :)

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Easy Swaddle Blanket DIY

2015-10-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

*This post originally appeared on Totally Stitchin'*

It has been baby girl central in my world lately, and I couldn't be happier and more excited to sew all of the cute pink things! I've been working on bow holders, and now I'm onto swaddle blankets. Keep reading for a super easy, beginner-friendly DIY swaddle blanket tutorial!

For one swaddle blanket, you'll need:

1 yard flannel or double gauze/swaddle cloth
Serger
3 cones serger thread
Embroidery machine, design, thread, and stabilizer (optional)
General sewing supplies

ONE: Prep your fabric for sewing.

Pre-wash your fabric, preferably with fragrance- and dye-free detergent. Once washed and dried, cut your flannel or double gauze to 36" square. This will be a decent sized swaddle blanket, but if you want a bigger square, purchase 1 1/3 yard of fabric and cut to 44" square.

TWO (OPTIONAL): Add embroidery to your blanket.

So far, I've made two sets of swaddle blankets and used different types of embroidery for each. For the first set, I added a monogram that I created in EmbroideryWorks.

For the second set, I used this sweet embroidery design. I used my go-to Ultra Soft Fusible Stabilizer from Baby Lock for both the monogram and embroidery design.

THREE: Get your serger ready for sewing.

For a rolled hem finish, set your serger up for a 3-thread narrow rolled edge with a length of 0.75-1 and a width of 3.5. Thread your serger with the thread color of your choice.

Each set of swaddle blankets featured slightly different colors in each set. Because of this, I used white thread for one set and light pink for the other. If you haven't experienced the awesome-ness that is Jet-Air or ExtraordinAir threading on Baby Lock sergers, I highly recommend taking one for a test drive! Since it's so easy to thread a Baby Lock serger, it wasn't an issue at all switching thread colors.

To finish the swaddle blanket, simply run each side through your serger, encasing the raw edge within the rolled hem.

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Now that you've made one swaddle blanket, it won't take you any time at all to make a couple more. For gift giving, roll each one up to create a little bundle and tie with twine or ribbon. With just a little bit of effort, you've created a special, handmade gift that will be treasured for years to come!

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11 Must-Have Sewing Supplies

2015-10-15T13:38:00.000-05:00

*This post originally appeared on Totally Stitchin'.*

New to sewing and unsure what you need to stock your sewing space with? Well, keep reading for a list of my must-have sewing supplies that will get you going on your sewing journey. Every sew-er has their specific preferences when it comes to sewing necessities, but today I'm sharing my oft-used and favorite sewing supplies!

Keeping all of these things on hand makes it easy for me to work on whatever project happens to be on my sewing table. Not only does this prevent me from having to run to the store before every project, it also ensures that I'm using the appropriate tools when I'm sewing. Using the appropriate tools prevents accidents and increases the chance for a successful sewing outcome!

Variety of machine needles

It's important to change your needle regularly and use the appropriate type for the project you're working, i.e. an embroidery needle when doing embroidery, etc.

Pins

I personally like to use flower head pins because they're cute, but as long as you have plenty of pins that's all that matters in my book. I like keeping two cushions full of pins, so if I have one project all pinned up, I can work on other projects too and still have plenty of pins to use.

Wonder Clips

Similar to pins, I like having plenty of Wonder Clips around to use. These are great for using in place of pins on bulkier or tricky fabrics.

Fabric scissors

I personally prefer Gingher shears in my sewing room. Find what you prefer and ONLY use them for fabric. This will help them stay sharper longer!

Rotary cutter and mat

Yes, if you want to take up sewing as a hobby, then you'll probably want to have both fabric scissors AND a rotary cutter. I use my rotary cutter and mat for cutting larger amounts of fabric. This method will save time and increase accuracy!

Clear Quilting Ruler

Now that you have your rotary cutter and mat, you'll also need a clear quilting ruler. There are all kinds of sizes of these rulers available, but I prefer the 6"x24" ruler.

Steam iron

Ironing fabric and pressing seams make a huge difference in the look of the final product when you're done working on a project. Because of this, it's always a good idea to have a decent steam iron in your sewing space. I use an inexpensive iron that I picked up from Wal Mart awhile back, but when that one dies, I definitely plan on upgrading to an Oliso or Rowenta!

Clover Hot Hemmer

I use this thing almost every time I sew. It makes folding and pressing seam allowances so much easier and definitely more accurate. It was a random find that I no longer can live without!

Variety of Thread

If you're just starting out, you may only want to buy thread as you need it. But, when you sew more regularly, you'll probably want to have a stash of thread on hand to use for different projects. Start with all purpose machine thread, then add quilting, embroidery, and serger thread as needed.

Extra bobbins

Save thread and time by having extra (empty) bobbins around. If you only keep a handful of bobbins, then you'll most likely finding yourself emptying a bobbin (wasting time and thread) to change it to another color.

Seam Ripper

I love this particular seam ripper because it does double duty. First you use the seam ripper part (hidden under the cap in the photo) to undo the stitches, then you use the rubber-like end to grab and remove the threads.

Other fun stuff that comes in handy

Basting Spray Ultra Soft Fusible Stabilizer Canned air (for cleaning your machine) Fabric marking pen Extra rotary blades Fray check Sewing Machine Screwdriver Set Pinking Shears

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Pet Update

2015-10-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

When we first brought JoJo home, I did regular posts on how things were going. Now that he's out of his puppy stage (THANK GOODNESS...so much pee and so many chewed on things), there's just not as much to share. But, since it's been awhile since I've shared about both JoJo and Shanny, I figured it'd be a good time to give a little update.

Shanny

My sweet Shanny Mae. 💜
A photo posted by Tori Thompson (@tori_m_thompson) on May 22, 2015 at 4:28pm PDT

Where do I even begin with my sweet girl? I've had her for a little over 5 years, and she's around 8 or 9 years old. She weighs about 17 pounds, so she's on the bigger side of the Miniature Schnauzer spectrum. She loves sitting in the window in our living room, watching over the neighborhood. I swear she was a cat in a previous life!

This girl. She's been my constant the past five years, and I am so thankful for that. #whorescuedwho #dogsofinstagram #dailyshanny
A photo posted by Tori Thompson (@tori_m_thompson) on Aug 2, 2015 at 12:42am PDT

I'm starting to see some subtle differences in her that let me know that she's getting to be an older gal which of course makes me a little sad. But, she still holds her own with her bubba of a brother, so I know she's still in good health and will be around for awhile.

JoJo

This is his "Mom, I'm not ready to get out of bed" look. #dailyjojo #dogsofinstagram #pitbullsofinstagram @dogsofthelou @pitbullsofinstagram
A photo posted by Tori Thompson (@tori_m_thompson) on May 1, 2015 at 9:27am PDT

He is the funniest, sweetest, craziest dog I've ever met. He has more energy than any of us know what to do with, but he is also the cuddliest, sweetest baby there ever was. JoJo is a mama's boy and my little protector. He will be 2 in January and is 60 pounds of love.

We're making progress in JoJo's training! #dailyjojo
A video posted by Tori Thompson (@tori_m_thompson) on May 23, 2015 at 8:16am PDT

JoJo LOVES his Shanny Mae, and she does a good job of tolerating him. He helps keep her young and active, but she lets him know when she's had enough of his shenanigans. Another point of note about JoJo...he can jump SO HIGH, like a solid three feet straight up. He could jump up and head butt me if he wanted to...don't worry he doesn't :)

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Dogs (and cats too) are awesome, and I thoroughly believe that having a pet makes the world a brighter, happier place. I'm also a firm believer in adopting from a shelter and NOT going to a breeder. There are too many lovable pups that need homes that currently live in a shelter and not with a family.

So tell me, do you have a pet? What kind?

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Quilted Hair Bow Holder

2015-10-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

I mentioned in my last post that I wanted to share a couple project finishes with you, and this is the first one I had in mind. This one I'm pretty proud of, too. A little back story...

So, I've mentioned it before, but I work for a sewing machine company as a Digital Marketing Specialist. And, since I am also a sew-er, I get to contribute sewing projects here and there for use in different promotions, etc. A couple of my past projects can be seen here, here, and here.

My latest project was created as part of a blog hop featuring Amy Barickman's new fabric line, Vintage Made Modern. I designed and made a Quilted Hair Bow Holder with a few of the fabrics in the line, and I LOVE how it turned out.

Since I'm still not overly experienced when it comes to creating projects from scratch, I was a little nervous to submit the project. I crossed my fingers and hoped it would suffice and go over well. So far, the feedback has been great, and I am SO thankful for the opportunity to share my creativity and love for sewing with kindred spirits.

If you'd like to make your own Quilted Hair Bow Holder, find the p roject instructions here on the Indygo Junction blog.

Happy sewing!

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7 Healthy Snack Ideas

2015-09-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hello? Is anyone there? A lot has happened since we last spoke! I graduated with MBA, I visited my Dad in Florida (where my phone went swimming in the ocean...), stayed busy at work, and just enjoyed life in general.

There are a few things I will be sharing over the next few weeks, mainly sewing/DIY projects, but today I want to share a few healthy, Weight Watcher-friendly snack ideas.

1. One apple, sliced, and a sugar-free pudding pack (1 PointsPlus)

I like to get the chocolate/vanilla swirl kind and dip the apple slices in it. I will sometimes swap a banana for the apple and it's just as yummy. Good for dessert!

2. A peach and a cheese stick (2 PointsPlus)

I eat the Sargento Mozzarella/Cheddar blend cheese sticks.

3. One ounce roast beef and a slice of ultra thin cheddar cheese (2 PointsPlus)

Layer and roll for a quick and filling snack.

4. Slice of hearty whole grain bread, toasted and topped with a couple sprays of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and 1 T of all fruit blackberry spread (3 PointsPlus)

I'll eat this for breakfast, too.

5. Two tablespoons Hummus and carrots/celery (1 PointsPlus)

Easy peasy on-the-go snack!

6. Unsweetened applesauce cup and a Jennie-O turkey hot dog (2 PointsPlus)

Weird combination, but I like the sweet and savory. It appeases my sweet tooth AND my craving for something salty.

7. One tablespoon peanut butter and a banana (2 PointsPlus)

Classic and delicious.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

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I tend to want to keep my snacks under 3 points or so. But, I also like to have a few low-point ideas for the end of the day to use up any points I have left. So, these have been my go-to Weight Watchers snacks lately.

What about you? What are your favorite healthy snacks?

Take a Break Tuesday: Craft Stores on Instagram

2015-05-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love any and all craft stores...Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Jo-Ann, etc. Their respective Instagram accounts are equally as awesome. Here are a few of my favorites from their feeds:

via

Need more of a break from the crazy? See more Take a Break Tuesday posts here.

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Tooth Fairy Pillow Project

2015-05-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned it in passing here and there, especially on Instagram, but I am diligently working behind the scenes on a few projects that I am able to talk more about around these parts.

The most exciting project is that I had another sewing tutorial published! My Tooth Fairy Patchwork Pillow project is a free tutorial on the Baby Lock website and was featured in their most recent enews. This particularly special because I came up with this cute project in honor of my niece losing her first tooth! This is the Tooth Fairy Pillow that I made for LJ...

A photo posted by Tori Thompson (@tori_m_thompson) on Mar 26, 2015 at 6:50pm PDT

I actually added a little bow after I took this picture before I gave it to my niece. I love the feminine touch of the eyelashes...it's all about the details for me.

Here's the Tooth Fairy Pillow featured in the tutorial for Baby Lock:

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A few other projects I'm working on...

I am SO close to getting my craft studio finished! I've tweaked the layout of the space and am finally happy with how it looks and functions. The last few things I'm working on are going through boxes and getting rid of stuff, organizing the items that don't have a home, and decorating the space. I love my craft studio so much it's ridiculous. Sometimes, I just go in there and sit. It just makes me happy.

A photo posted by Tori Thompson (@tori_m_thompson) on May 6, 2015 at 7:33pm PDT

Also, I bought a tabletop photo tent that came with an iPhone tripod, lights, and interchangeable backdrops. I've only used it once so far, but I love it and think it will come in very handy!

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Take a Break Tuesday: Google Feud

2015-03-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

If you use Google and love trivia as much as I do, then you'll LOVE Google Feud!

Google Feud is a game from Justin Hook that is based on Family Feud but pulls the answers directly from Google's autocomplete. It's a giant time-suck so beware, but it is SO fun!

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For more Take a Break Tuesday goodness, click here.

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Oh Hey Friday: Totally Tech

2015-03-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday! Sorry it's been quiet around here the last two weeks. I have been super busy with school, work, and life, so there hasn't been much time left for blogging. But, I'm back today to share some of tech-related sites, updates, etc.

Wallpapers

There are currently two main sites where I find some really cute and creative laptop, tablet, and phone wallpapers.

Source

Creative: Design Love Fest
Monthly: Wild Olive

Hardware

I am definitely in the Mac camp when it comes to computers. For some reason or another, I didn't download Yosemite right away when it was released last summer. In the process of downloading the new operating system, I discovered two things: my computer had almost no space left on the hard drive and that it's best to do a "clean install" when downloading a new operating system.

I purchased additional memory and installed it myself (!!!), so that solved one problem. However, I wasn't quite prepared to do a "clean install" of Yosemite. Doing a clean install means you wipe your computer and install an operating system that hasn't been integrated with any data yet. This helps ensure that any bits left by previous operating systems get wiped away.

To do a clean install, you first need to ensure that you back up your computer which I hadn't been doing. I purchased an external hard drive and a padded case to protect it to use as a back up.

Source

I read some reviews and decided on going with the Seagate Backup Plus Slim. After a few days of being on the computer struggle bus, I was back up and running with a faster, better-performing computer!

Domains

If you came to my blog via Bloglovin' then you probably didn't notice, but I finally purchased my own domain for Jane Not So Plain!

JNSP is now living at www.JaneNotSoPlainBlog.com. Don't worry, the Blogspot URL still works and redirects. It may not be a big deal to most, but it makes me proud to have my very own URL for Jane Not So Plain!

Music

Lately, I've been using two platforms for listening to music, especially throughout the workday. I mainly use Spotify because it's so easy to use with access to most of the music I enjoy.

However, I also listen to videos on YouTube every once in awhile. I've come across a few songs/videos that I really like but can't find anywhere else. I only have a handful of songs on that playlist, but I'm always looking for new music to add!

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What are your favorite gadgety, tech-type things?

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Take a Break Tuesday: Big Hair Don't Care

2015-03-10T11:07:00.000-06:00

Source

For more fun to fill your break, check out the other posts in the Take a Break Tuesday series.

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Take a Break Tuesday: Taylor Swift Mash Up

2015-03-03T09:50:00.000-06:00

If you haven't seen this yet, please take a minute to watch this cover mashup of Taylor Swift's Blank Space & Style. Not only are these artists super talented, I totally love their take on these songs. Super cool!

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Need more to fill your break? Check out the other posts in the Take a Break Tuesday series.

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Favorite Dog Products

2015-03-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

one

We feed JoJo with the PetSafe Tug-a-Jug, and it's a miracle accessory to have. It provides more of a challenge for JoJo to get his food, so it takes longer for him to eat. It's also an easy way to get in extra mental stimulation for him.

two

JoJo and Shanny both take a supplement over their food, as well as a vitamin chew. Shanny had a stone in her bladder in the fall, so I give her Potassium Citrate with Cranberry Granules to help prevent stones from forming again. JoJo had some hotspots underneath his armpits, so I give him an herbal multi-vitamin to help with skin and flea/tick issues. Lastly, they both get a Fatty Acid chew to provide support for skin and coat health, as well as immune system and joint health.

three

I have found a couple good deals on Groupon for the dogs. First, I found a bag of assorted antler pieces. I really like having these around for both Shanny and JoJo for a couple reasons. First, they aren't super rich, so they don't upset the dogs' stomachs. Also, they don't make much of a mess at all. Antlers can get pretty expensive at the pet store, but I feel like I got a pretty good deal on these.

Then, I found a water-resistant crate pad for JoJo for a little extra comfort during the day when he's in there. This is kind of a test for JoJo...he has only had one pet bed before when we first got him, and it didn't last long. I'm hoping now that he's older that he won't chew it up, so we'll see!

four

I feed Shanny and JoJo both Fromm Family dog food. Shanny gets the Reduced Activity & Senior Dry Dog Food, since she's an older gal with an extra bit of weight. And, JoJo gets Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food since he's a big boy. I have their food set up on auto-delivery from Chewy.com, so it's easy peasy!

five

JoJo is a challenge on a regular leash and even a regular harness where the leash hooks onto the back. He just pulls and pulls and more or less chokes himself, then his eyes and ears get pink because of it. We had a different kind of harness recommended to us, and it makes so much of a difference! The Easy Walk Harness connects to the leash on the front of the dog. Because the leash is connected at JoJo's chest, when he pulls, he more or less pulls himself back around toward us. This type of harness doesn't really allow him to pull forward, so he's easier to control and work with.

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What are your favorite pet products? I'd love to hear your recommendations!

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Take a Break Tuesday: Maya Angelou

2015-02-24T11:10:00.000-06:00

Source

Find more inspiration and nuggets of awesomeness by checking out the other posts in the Take a Break Tuesday series!

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Oh Hey Friday: Current Favorites

2015-02-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

One: Berry UpBEET Smoothie from Jamba Juice

Source

I have been OB-sessed with this smoothie lately. It's so yummily delicious! I've mentioned it before, but I don't love veggies and certainly don't get enough in my diet. I like that this smoothie provides a little help in that department. I also like to add a caffeine and soy protein add-ons to give it a little more oomph.

Plus, I tweeted about it and tagged Jamba Juice, and they tweeted me back in a really clever way! I love when brands are smart on social media.

@tori_m_thompson Can you hear the BEET Tor?!
— Jamba Juice (@JambaJuice) February 5, 2015

Two: Taylor Swift

Source

T. Swift has seriously been rocking it lately. I haven't always been a huge fan of hers, but I've totally been turning into a Swiftie lately!

Three: Online Ethics & Small Business Owners

Source

This article from Oh My! Handmade Goodness about ethics and the internet. It's a long read, but intriguing and informative. If you have an online business, I highly recommend reading it.

Four: Saved by the Bell Reunion

It may be semi-old news now, but this sketch from Jimmy Fallon is genius. It makes my inner-90s kid SO happy!

Five: Blacklist

Source

Oh my dear, ever-loving Netflix heart, Blacklist is SUCH a good show. I had heard great things about it, but I hadn't watched an episode until this past weekend. I watched the entire first season and got caught up to current so I could be prepared to watch last night's new episode.

If you are into suspense, spy-type shows, you'll LOVE Blacklist.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

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What I Wore Wednesday 2.18.15

2015-02-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

I went to a baby shower on Sunday, and I wore an outfit similar to this. I love that it's casual with a touch of glam!

This outfit totally encapsulates my style: lots of basic pieces with a touch of flair thrown in. Sometimes it's leopard print, and sometimes it's simply just a pop of color. Another plus of dressing like this? I can invest in some really good basics that will last for awhile. By using accessories or makeup to add some drama, you don't have to spend near as much on the trends when you pair them with staples.

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Take a Break Tuesday: Boom Clap Cover

2015-02-17T09:42:00.000-06:00

I lo.v.e this cover of Charlie XCX's Boom Clap! These girls are SO talented!

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Still need a break? Check out the other posts in the Take a Break Tuesday series.

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Love is...

2015-02-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Love is certainly in the air, and I just can't help but feel a little extra mushy.

Even for the anti-romantics, there are still so many ways to show love...it's not always flowers, diamonds, and fancy dinners. There's so much beauty in the little things, too.

Love is...

Your partner separating out the leftover pizza, so the mushroom smell doesn't seep into the pepperoni-only pieces.

A text message letting you know to be careful driving home because the roads may be icy.

Having your niece grab your hand, look up at you, and say, "I missed you."

Being excited when your partner changes a lightbulb in the backstairs hallway that's been out for a little too long.

Getting a text message from your mom, wishing you good luck on an exam.

Getting home from running errands and turning right back around to go to Walgreen's because your partner is sick and they need medicine.

When your partner cleans up the dog vomit because you can't do it without gagging.

Waiting to watch a TV show until you can watch it together.

Whatever you need it to be. Just because your love doesn't look like someone else's doesn't mean it's any better or worse. This Valentine's Day, whether you have a significant other or not, take a minute to do something kind for someone you care about. You never know, it might be just what they need to turn their day around.

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And because I haven't shared this with you yet....

I made this video for Kyra for Christmas. It's one of my favorite things I've made.

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Happy Valentine's Day, love bugs!

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Take a Break Tuesday: Love Quote

2015-02-10T10:18:00.000-06:00

I've been coming across some little nuggets of inspiration on social media lately. Enter Take a Break Tuesday! Every Tuesday, I'll be sharing quotes, songs, and more that I think are worth sharing.

Today's Take a Break Tuesday fits very nicely with Valentine's Day, so take a minute to soak up some love :)

Source

If you find awesome stuff on the interwebz, please share either in the comments or drop me an email!

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Fun Things to Do for Your Partner's Birthday

2015-02-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Kyra's birthday was on Saturday, January 31st, and we had SO much fun celebrating ALL weekend! We kicked the weekend off with takeout and a movie for a quiet night in.

On Saturday, we pretty much celebrated all day long, and it was an awesome day. We started the day with breakfast in bed, then went to Fast Eddie's, a semi-famous St. Louis hangout, and ended the night going tubing at Hidden Valley Ski Resort.

Fast Eddie's

I also planned a few surprises for Kyra throughout the day that were easy to execute and pretty inexpensive. Here's what I did:

Candy Birthday Card

I'm sure you've seen these types of cards before, but I still wanted to share my version. It was kind of hard getting started with writing the copy that incorporated candy names. But, once you get started, the ideas start flowing.

Front

Back

I used Hot Tamales, Riesen's, Twix, 100 Grand, Hershey's Hugs & Kisses, Mounds, Snickers, Reese's Pieces, and Goobers. Feel free to use what I came up with as inspiration!

Fun Decorations

Whether you want to do streamers and balloons or a banner of some sort, it's always so fun to put up special birthday decorations to help add to the magic of the day.

I picked up a chalkboard birthday banner from Target for $5 and decorated it. I searched for chalkboard lettering examples on Pinterest to use as a guide, and I think it turned out really cute.

A tip...to make it easier to use chalk and write with control, sharpen the chalk with a pencil sharpener (or in my case, an eye pencil sharpener LOL). It makes a HUGE difference!

Special Treats

In Kyra's case, I chose to surprise him with a gourmet cupcake from Jilly's.

I planned to bring the cupcake with us to Fast Eddie's, and I even stuck a birthday candle and matches in my purse. It may seem like a small surprise, but it's all the little things that can make a day magical.

Surprise Adventure

As I mentioned above we ended the night going tubing at a local ski park, and it was such a blast! Although you may not be local to St. Louis or have a similar type of venue near you, finding something unexpected to do is such a fun and memorable way to celebrate a special day.

The best part of going to Hidden Valley was that they were having a special event with discounted tickets which made it a lot more accessible. I'm sure this type of thing translates to many cities and many activities. I recommend keeping up with local radio stations, magazines, and city websites for information in regard to special events and discounted tickets for things.

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We ended the weekend by sleeping in on Sunday and going to a Super Bowl party hosted by friends. I took these super easy-to-make Corn Dog Bites.

Two Jiffy cornbread mixes, a package of hot dogs, and a muffin tin. Bake for 10-15 minutes, depending on your oven. Be sure to generously grease the muffin tin. Done and done!

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Kyra's birthday weekend was one of the best weekends we've had together. It was simply perfect!

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Project Finish: My First Quilt

2015-02-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

It's been a minute since I've shared anything about what's been going on in my sewing space, so I've got a quick update for you.

First up, we have a recent project finish and sort of a milestone project for me. It's been on my sewing bucket list for awhile now to make a quilt, and I'm proud to say that I have now officially done so!

Front

I made this quilt for my roommate and best friend from college who is set to have a sweet baby girl in the next couple weeks. I used flannel for the front and minky for the back, so it's extra snuggly and warm for a new baby.

Paper-pieced heart & monogram

In the process of working on this quilt, I discovered why I love making things to give to others. I was reading someone's blog post (I can't remember who...), and they were talking about their reason for making things to give. After reading the post, I knew why. It isn't so much about the end result. (Let's be honest tough, it feels pretty darn good to have an awesome finished product.) It's more about the time spent making the item. It's about the love and thought that goes into creating something special for someone special.

Back

The whole time I was making this quilt, I thought about and prayed for my friend and her sweet bundle of joy. It's my way of showing those close to me how much I love and care for them.

This quilt definitely isn't perfect, but it was made with love and that's all that matters.

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I also want to share the newest addition to my sewing family...

This is Sally the Singer. She's a vintage treadle turned electric sewing machine. I have no idea if she works, but I am going to try to get her up and running here soon. She's gorgeous, and I am so lucky to have her!

I was thinking about it, and why this thing is so important to me. I compare it to a baseball fan who happens upon a rare, hard-to-find rookie year baseball card of their favorite player. It's a piece of hobby history!

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So, that's my update for today. I've made a ton of progress on my craft studio in the past few months, so once I put a few finishing touches on it, I will share a tour of the space!

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ClassPass hits St. Louis

2015-02-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

You may or may not have noticed that I haven't done a lot of health & wellness posts lately. Thankfully, I'm going to change that. I was contacted by ClassPass to try their service that was literally JUST launched in St. Louis this week.

About ClassPass

It's a service, available in select cities across the country, that allows you to pay one monthly fee to attend workout classes at a variety of studios in the area. Currently, classes in St. Louis include activities like pilates, yoga, spinning, bar method, kickboxing, and so much more.

I am totally guilty of getting into one thing for awhile, then getting burned out and wanting to try something new. Because of this, I absolutely love the ClassPass concept! I am really looking forward to trying out new-to-me classes and getting my sweat on in the process.

But wait...there's more!

Click on any of the ClassPass links in this post, and you'll be able to skip the wait list and join now!

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I will do another update at the end of the month to review my experience with ClassPass, so keep an eye out! In the mean time, follow me on Instagram for daily updates.

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*This is a sponsored post. I was compensated for writing a review, however all opinions are 100% my own.