memorable minutes (the blog)

Are YOU waiting for Superman?

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:36:00 +0000

Yes, it's been a while...but at this time of year there is no time like the present than to pick back up with a story like this, and this my friends is exactly what I have been doing in my blogging absence - Happy Holidays!

This past October my long-awaited wish had become a reality. After years of searching due to the turn in the economy I had been given a wonderful opportunity to teach in a first-grade classroom at Hopkins Elementary School.

Hopkins is a Title I school and the largest elementary school in its county with approximately 1800 students. I would become one of 16 first-grade teachers. I was up for the task, though beginning in the middle of the school year was a bit daunting. I gave it my all. I spent between $500-$1000 of my own money before I ever saw a paycheck, and not to mention the other teachers donating supplies from their own classrooms to help mine. They could not have been more helpful. If I needed a superman then I had indeed just found 15 of them. However, to no fault of theirs, or mine, it still was not enough.

As luck would have it just two weeks ago I was getting a haircut from a friend of mine, K (for my own good deed, to donate it to Locks of Love) when she asked me how school was going. Naturally, I said it was going really well. Though as I watched her daughters, who happen to love art I did mention that at times I alter the homework I send home because not all of my students have crayons at home, or they cannot do cut and paste because there is not scissors or glue.

The next morning I received a text message from K asking how many students were in my class because her daughters were going to pool their money together to buy each student their own pack of crayons for Christmas. Before I knew it, K had sent out an email to several families asking if they wanted to get their children involved. By that afternoon there were over 13 families willing to participate. The kids went shopping with their parents for the supplies, or donated their own money, and then had a get together to put it all together for my students.

As we dismissed for the holiday break each of my students went home with their very own pencil box complete with their own pack of crayons, markers, scissors, glue, a ruler, and colored pencils. Plus, many other supplies such as paint sets, construction paper, ice cube trays (for sorting and pouring paint into), notebooks, and hundreds of dollars in gift cards have been donated to my classroom.

A result like this is beyond anything I ever could have imagined. Our story does not end here. It is just the beginning. It began as just a conversation between friends and has grown into so much more – it has grown into people helping people, and children helping children, if for no other reason than it is the right thing to do.

I’ll never forget the faces on my students as K entered my room with her hands full of gift bags, let alone when they were each handed their own. Never shall I forget the voices of excitement over items we so often take for granted. Yes it’s true, in some places and in some schools we may be waiting on a Superman. Yet, I’d like to think that one lives in each of us, and I am pretty certain there are many circling over my classroom.

what's your motto?

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 05:47:00 +0000

For quite a while now I have been admiring all kind of these canvases all over blog world.

I had been wanting to create one but I didn't have a place to put it, not only because I do not have a home of my own (I feel like Virginia Woolf - longing for a room of my own!) but also because I do not yet have my own family to have "family rules" for. Then this past week I was setting up my classroom. I thought I would share one of of the projects I completed with you. These are my class rules, if you will, though I have titled it "Our Motto." I like to keep them simple, brief, easy to remember. Even though I am teaching 1st grade I don't think children need to be dumbed down. I expect them to act like people, and treat others like people. So my rules for my class are exactly what a day-to-day life motto should be. Don't you think the world would be a little better if we all followed these rules?

check out the old school, literally, paper and stickers in the background!

go see where I have linked this post:

revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 15:13:00 +0000

some wonderful finds at the Norcross Art Festival yesterday from my friend Jenni Horne - the necklace (sorry for the bad picture) reads "love the way you make a living" and the bracelets say "take flight" and "enjoy the journey"

For those of you who have followed my blog for a while you may know that memorable minutes began as a side business - a side business out of need. It was a need for a creative outlet. It was also for ay type of employment. I was always cautiously and fully aware that it would not provide me what I needed it to - a home, insurance, ya know, a full living. However, in many ways for for a year and a half to two years it did provide me a life - a creative life. I couldn't be more grateful for it. I love where it has taken me. I often wish I was truly at a point where I could take off and see where this path would lead me full-time. But last week, reality hit, and in a good way. A principal called me for an interview.

a necklace from Soup Studios in Athens, GA also found yesterday

I never discussed it too much on here, but I truly had kind of given up. After trying for over 2 years, in this economy, you reach that point. Then when I received the phone call I had a feeling. Well low and behold I got the teaching job! 1st grade here I come. I felt comfortable with the grade. I had experience with it. Now to set up my room - er, I mean trailer (which I think I will like because no one really bothers you out there)!

another find yesterday from Delias Thompson, the ring is titled Revolution

I can't say I kept my patience and my 'cool' all of the time. I shed my tears and I had my moments. But I do believe things work out for a reason. My new school is two miles from where I student taught and long-term subbed. Had I not done that I would not have a wonderful group of friends helping and supporting me that I do right now, who just also happen to spend some of our Friday afternoons right in the streets of Norcross, GA. I guess sometimes things really do come full circle. :) I'll still be doing my clocks too. Not to worry!

stay tuned for parts 1 and 2 of my classroom (the organization and the creativity). and Norcross is still going on today if you want to check it out. Tell Mattie's Social Circle (Jenni), Linwood Avenue (Tiffin), Joya Jewelry, Delias, Kim Quinn, and R Design (Rachel) I all said hi!

time moves pretty fast...

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 13:40:00 +0000

I haven't been neglecting my blog friends, there is just a lot that has been happening. I will give a better update later, but for now I want to head out to the Norcross Art Festival. If you are in the area you should definitely check it out, it is a great one. In the meantime, here are some clocks I have done recently. Enjoy and have a great Saturday! Happy October. :)

1st birthday invitation

wedding invitation

got to be real

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:30:00 +0000

So last week when I linked up with Lindsey I mentioned that maybe sometimes its not always all about looking cute. Well this past week I actually made a concerted effort to take pictures even on my crappiest of clothing days. Here's what I've learned from doing this:

1. my mother is correct - I need to stand up straight.

2. I have a lot of black clothing - no matter how much I think I am branching out.

3. maybe it IS a little bit about looking cute?

4. but it IS hard to look cute when it is 95 degrees in the middle of September.

5. it still holds true that you should suck it in in pictures

Without further ado...

1. dress - anthropologie

shoes, cute little leopard print - boutique in nyc

necklace - jenni adkins horne

2. top - ann taylor loft (they love teachers ;)

skirt - limited (old)

shoes - nordstrom

3. i'm all NIKE'd here - sports authority

headband - old navy, and old

4. top/dress - boutique in athens, ga

cropped capri leggings - theory from loehmann's

So you can learn a lot from this. This is the real me. Hope we're still friends. Ha!

Plan B

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:18:00 +0000

I'm linking up with Lindsey again. I love that she does this little weekly link up, even if I don't get to do it each week. At first I thought to myself, well it's kind of hard to look cute all the time. Then, the tricky part is actually remembering to take the picture once you're dressed before you dash out the door! That would be why there are only two outfits here. I had a super duper one on and totally forgot the pic -- and of course when I get home the first thing I want to do is change into comfy clothes. So here you have it:

dress - gap, years ago

pins - pleated poppy

boots - frye

clutch - sewn by me, ok by my mom, but I sat there and chose the fabric etc.

love this suit, isn't it awesome?!

I will say, of course I don't get dressed like this every day. It was a holiday for me. I was with my family.

suit - nordstrom, their brand halogen

t-shirt - nordstrom, their brand halogen

shoes - kate spade (okay, so obviously I splurge on shoes, but I've had these now 2 years and that are great)

Then of course I realized, sometimes it's not always about looking cute - because let's face it, life is not always cute. Life's hard. Life throws us some punches from time to time and sometimes all we really want to do is pull on the sweats and comfy t's.

But as luck would have it this past weekend I went to The Yellow Daisy Festival.

I've gone the past three years with my friend 'L.' She and I get there right when it opens and we "book it" the whole day. Of course, when we got to this booth I had to take a little break to wander around inside to find this:

I love this saying. I am very much in Plan B right now. The problem is, I don't know what Plan B is. So maybe it's okay if I am in pjs a day or so. But at least I am going to try and look cute, because maybe I can handle myself a little better if I do.

good things

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:07:00 +0000

Have you ever searched around blogland? There really are some incredible things waiting out there for you. But I have learned that you truly have to be in it for the right reasons.

Me, I blog for the love of writing, and connecting with others, and of course to share creativity at times, and also in part to share pieces of my business. Every now and then there are also some amazing giveaways. I mean, if you truly look around, there is a giveaway every.single.day.

I just choose the ones that truly mean something to me, or the ones where I could really use that item, but not necessarily afford it myself. Every now and then I have my moments of oh darn, I wanted that. Lately, I have realized, that if I stick with "my plan" I just mentioned, it does just come around. Earlier this summer I won an address stamp, which I love, from Tip Junkie and Chaotic Creations by Kristen.

That same week I won a t-shirt from Shey B, who I can only hope to have a camera strap from when I get the "macdaddy" camera I have been longing.

And just last night, I received the e-mail from Kim at Today's Creative Blog that will probably continue to make me giddy for the rest of the week - I won a custom 12x12 piece from Modern Bird Studios. I mean seriously, these people are amazing. Kim contacted me last night, I emailed her my info and boom, Megan at Modern Bird and I have already been emailing. I LOVE it!

Today is no exception. I forever try to win gorgeous pieces of Lisa Leonard's, it's something I have yet to conquer. She has a new necklace out and she is giving two away. This necklace is titled, 'through the lens' - this is what I wrote as my entry:

oh my goodness what an amazingly super fun and adorable giveaway. through my lens i see pieces of life i long to capture and hold in an instant. i see moments i want to hold onto forever. i see instances i wish i knew how to capture better with one simple click. and of course, sometimes through my lens i wish i could see more clearly….

now go find yourself some goodies....

the greatest gift

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:21:00 +0000

As I was cleaning up tonight I came across a card that came with a gift card I got from my brother and favorite J last Chanukah. They know me well, and they got me a gift card to Lululemon. But why on earth did I save the enclosure you ask? Well yes, I am a pack rat? I think lots of creative types are, always thinking , "oh wait, I can use that for something!" But in a STRONG desire to break that habit, I thought maybe if I typed the words I liked so much maybe I could throw the paper out and move on with my life, and at least it would always be here. (and yes, the gift card really was the greatest!). Click on the image to get closer up and have a good read, it's worth it!

look at all the pretty colors

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:09:00 +0000

So this summer I was "supposed" to be participating in Louise's Creative Color Challenge. But as with any thing, I would see the weekly color get selected, get super excited about it, ponder it, contemplate it, even think of wonderful things that could be done with it, sometimes even actually have it come to life and photograph it, and then before I knew it it was Saturday evening and I was reading Louise's recap of that week and I hadn't even posted. Did anyone else's summer fly by...

Week 1 was Sunflower Yellow. I posted here.

Week 2 Raspberry Red. I actually did a great collage here. But here is the perfect picture from that week when I was in Charleston.

whoops, forgive me ;)

Week 3 was Turquoise Blue, this piece is still in progress but it has a lot of shiny which was the twist that week and is majority turquoise.

Week 4 was Sea Green.

Week 5, this week, the FINAL week, was Lavender.

And here is a collage of all the pretty colors - hope you enjoy!

full of sCRAPs!

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:34:00 +0000

I can't believe September is here! I guess I really did take the end of August off. But now I'm back (I even have "welcome back, welcome back, welcome back" - to the tune of Welcome Back Kotter playing constantly in my head). I've had a lot of projects building in my head and I am finally getting some of them all into fruition. Deadlines are looming, if for no other reason than pure time.

My niece will be ONE. One year old. NEXT month. Seriously, where does the time go? I remember this time last year. I was so excited to get to design a fun invite for the baby shower and bake some fun desserts. I don't know if there will be a big party for her. Well it won't be big, we're low key people. But we are FULL of love. I started this book for her when she was born. I did a scrapbook for her parents (and her) of the whole pregnancy and introducing my niece to her family. It's truly a masterpiece. This book I wanted to be of her first year with me and her. These are days she won't remember unless someone documents them and I want her to always know how much I love being her aunt. It's truly a special gift. I contemplated whether or not to make it so 3-dimensional since digital scrapbooking is the thing these days, but I still like my layering process. I am just hoping I can scan the pages well enough to make my own copy at the end. I've never done that before. Enjoy the sneak peek.

too much on my plate

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:06:00 +0000

I haven't posted in over a week! Yikes. There's been a lot going on outside of blogworld that has taken my mind off of things over here and likewise off of actual creating. Now, I'm left with that feeling of "too much on my plate."

And I don't mean in the literal sense. I can handle the yummy stuff.

Like this delicious end of summer pasta. Really, that's it's name, and it was so yummy.

Or some homemade banana pudding- mmm.

And of course, some more cupcakes - The Atlanta Cupcake Factory, The Highlands

(yep, there was a 4th one, sorry it didn't make the pic)

I know, I know, this isn't a food blog. But a girl has to eat, right? I mean, we all eat, so what's the harm. And well, when stepping out into the world after some rough days, what's also the harm in looking cute?!

Excuse the messy bathroom. I am linking this to Lindsey's wiww (what I wore Wednesday)

(sorry I only have one day instead of a week)

shirt - target

flowers on shirt - petal pushers from the pleated poppy

pants - old (not old navy, just old)

shoes - nine west, dsw

ring - awesome, a friend makes them

Hopefully now I can get back to creating...thanks for staying tuned through this brief interruption. :)

one word

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 22:00:00 +0000

Earlier this summer I mentioned I had been reading Eat Pray Love. When I posted that my friend Carrie commented as to whether or not I had gotten to the part where she had to choose a word for herself. Low and behold that was the part I read that very night. I'd been wanting to write about it since and share with Carrie, but she beat me to it.

Over at my friend Carrie's blog she wrote a specific post just about this. She asks what one word we might choose for ourselves right now and why.

It's funny that her post popped up because I had already been pondering the answer to her question just when she commented on it over at my original post. It didn't take me too long to think of a word - CRAVE.

redesign of cover artwork I found online that speaks to the food aspect of the book

I know, I know, crave - it sounds like a food craving. Then it just seemed even more appropriate to me since the section of the book this was in was Eat. Many of us have all been seeing the previews for the movie recently. Many of us have been hearing Julia Roberts utter the words "this is my no carb left behind experiment!"

As luck would have it, this summer has been my "no sweets left behind experiment!"

cupcakes from Gigi's - Atlanta

clockwise from top right: french toast; peanut butter cup; peanut butter banana; turtle

make your own doughnut - Flamingo Doughnut Cafe, Hilton Head, SC

from top clockwise; honey glaze w/p'nut butter chips and m&ms; snickers; s'mores

Sweet Carolina Cupcakes - Hilton Head, SC

back: blueberry muffin; front from left: vanilla w/choc. frosting; red velvet; carrot cake
(and there were only 4, I didn't eat 2 without sharing with you!)

Village Bakery Cafe - Charleston, SC (Mt. Pleasant)

red velvet cake

s'mores on a stick - created by me!

And other hobbies - like decorating or working.

I haven't given up on this calling one day

a definite reminder of craving time to slow down!

Of course sometimes it's more than just about food and hobbies - it's about craving moments.

the kind that memories are made of

the moments that let you know you're making a difference

all the little moments that are too fast and fleeting

I CRAVE it all - to live it all cause we never know when it shall pass this way again.

procrastinator

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 01:19:00 +0000

Yep, that's me! I procrastinate. I try not to. But who am I kidding?! I think it is in my blood. It drives my parents crazy!!! But the truth is, they can't fault me. It bothers my mom but not nearly as much as it does my dad. My mom doesn't say much about it. My dad doesn't either really but you can tell it irks him. It's gotten to the point though where he just shakes his head and laughs. In fact, it is kind of a joke now. When I was a freshman in college, he even gave me a sign that read: "Don't rush me! I'm waiting for the last minute!"

It is SO me! Somehow that sign got lost between here and Ann Arbor and by my second week of school a new one arrived at my mailbox! I've never lost it since. It's hanging right where I can see it. I imagine one day this skill I have perfected will bite me in the butt. However, for now I seem to work better under pressure. Like tonight.

This month I am participating in The Creative Color Challenge over at my friend Louise's blog. I've been looking forward to this challenge, but this week just got away from me. Plus, it was another one of those, oh my everyone created such masterpiece's. And a while ago I kind of decided I didn't really want to "compete" and feel like my creations were inadequate. That wasn't doing much good for my soul. But this challenge just seemed fun, so it seemed okay that I took my time with it, and I hope the group will be okay that I am an hour or so late in posting. I had a hard time deciding what to do with the color given this week - sunflower yellow. You are only allowed to use that color, and then white or black. I am pretty pleased with my creation. I die cut flowers using all different shades of paint chips. Used some acrylic paint and gel, and a few beads, buttons, and ribbon, a little paper, stamps, and its all on canvas. Hope it makes you smile!

my very colored tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:39:00 +0000

at the mt. pleasant farmer's market...

makes you maybe want to go home and cook dinner?

or eat sweet fruit and decorate with beautiful flowers

but who needs anything healthy when you can have candy and cake?!

classic and retro - red velvet with a side of gobstroppers, lemonheads, red hots,

atomic fire balls, big league chew, cry babies, nik-l-nip

literally - a kid in a candy store!

mix in a few unique things and materials to look at and my day was pretty complete

that is, of course, in between hopping in and out of dress shoes and flip-flops and a jacket

in 90 degree weather heat to drop off resumes!

monday morning musings

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 03:13:00 +0000

...and now they have turned into Monday night musings as I sit here in a hotel room. Alone. Did I hear a faint "aww?" I hope not. I love a good hotel! I could be so content in a hotel room for days. I don't know what it is about it, but just being in one makes me feel as though I am on instant vacation. And this hotel, just a Marriott Courtyard is BRAND NEW. You should have seen me when I walked in. I was like a kid in a candy store. You might be thinking wasn't she just at the beach? Well yes, yes I was. I spent last week on vacation in Hilton Head, South Carolina with family.

This week is different. Even though the hotel helps break the mood a tad, the trip is far from vacation. This trip is for work - not my art, but as my dad would say, "real world."

In case anyone has forgotten, I have a Master's Degree in education. I've worked with children forever. In fact, I was a Kindergarten assistant for a while. I left the school system to complete my degree. Though I found my way back in through substituting, never did I find my way into my own classroom. Shelves of labeled and organized books - by author and theme, mind you - have now taken up storage space in my parents basement for over a year and a half.

I think sometimes a situation just becomes so stagnant that we forget how to see a way out. My oldest brother (yes, I have two - one lives in Atlanta, the oldest in Alaska) every time I would talk on the phone to him he would ask about the job search and I would say "there is literally nothing here!" And his response was always "it's time to move!" Just like that, those words could roll off his tongue.

I guess they are easy to utter for someone who doesn't live within the contiguous United States. Both of my brothers have always been far more brave than I. Whether I tell them or not, I admire it greatly. I try to be like them. But the truth is, there are parts of them that I think I have learned to just accept that they have far greater capabilities.

Yet, I guess there comes a time when we have to accept that sometimes things don't always turn out the way we plan. I thought when I came back to Atlanta from New York that would be it. Now who knows. I got in the car this morning and headed to Charleston, South Carolina. Why? I'm not entirely sure. The trip was fun though. Some very good friends of mine were headed here to visit family, so we did a little caravan and the 11 year-old rode with me. We had so much fun. The song lyrics above came on and I had forgotten how much I love the song until I was blaring it to tune out her Sponge Bob skit. We drove straight to the County School District office where I walked right in and handed the lady in HR a pile (resume, reference letters, transcripts, and tests scores). I couldn't believe I did that. I had on a skirt, but not a suit. I looked hellish after that drive, but she sat and talked with me and the last thing she said after "you need to just go call and talk to some principals" was "you just need an offer!" That's been the tricky part all along...so here's hoping. But at least I got out the map I guess.

say YES to the dress, atlanta!

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:35:00 +0000

It's time. It's been about 8 months in the making for my favorite J, and the mother of my niece. She's the best TV producer I know ;) And she has worked her buns off on this spinoff for TLC. I've seen the commercials, the promos, and even an episode as she watched it while she was at the beach with me. Let me tell you, in my opinion, Southerners are hilarious when it comes to shopping for a wedding gown. Y'all are in for a treat. The premiere party even is in Atlanta tonight and tomorrow night on TLC at 9:30pm est is a sneak preview for America. Then the regular season begins on August 6th, every Friday at 9pm est. Hope you'll be watching.

it's a hot, hot summer

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:33:00 +0000

This week has been my week of R & R at the beach. Though it's sad but true, I've spent more time indoors than out. It is literally just TOO hot! The heat index has been over 100 degrees each day! Plus my 9 month old niece was here for the first two and a half days. We went to the beach and the pool, and even on bike rides, but then we'd spend a couple of hours inside resting. I dare say the heat is more tiring than the activities. I mean, the pools are not even cool - not that I am complaining. I love to get away and I thoroughly enjoyed my walk on the beach midmorning even though I didn't find any starfish. I think they all left the shore because they knew J had left town and wasn't here to save them anymore. She found two the other day while I was napping with my niece and she put them back in the ocean. I couldn't believe it! Oh well, it gives me a challenge for the rest of the time I am here.

Another challenge of late has been creating for me. I am so thankful for the group of "flyers" I have from my summer e-course. Obviously I have my computer with me so I can keep reading all their wonderful accomplishments. I also brought all of my supplies with me in case I felt so inspired by the scenery here to attempt my first mixed media. Well I did.

It's not complete yet.

But I think I still have those fears - ya know, it's amateur. It's not good enough in comparison to what I've seen. How could I ever sell something like that? Guess I better keep working. It is fun playing though! Seems I'll have some time in this heat.

eat. pray. love.

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:04:00 +0000

I've been absorbed in this book all week. I had jury duty on Monday, so I was provided LOTS of reading time. I can't believe I hadn't read this book back when it was "all the phenomenon." But I was determined to read it before the movie comes out in August. Elizabeth Gilbert's definitely onto something!

In other news, some of you may have noticed a new look around here. Hope you like it as much as I do. It's cohesive with my main site memorable minutes. I've got a button on the left hand side, feel free to grab the code. There are also some pages - places to go, things to see (that has all the crafty blogs that are updated almost daily); inspirational people (these blogs are my friends' blogs from the wonderful e-course I participated in, Flying Lessons. These blogs are full of artful and creative inspiration whenever you need a lift!). Enjoy wandering around over here.

beach towel bonanza

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:07:00 +0000

Thought I would go ahead and share what I guess posted at Tatertots and Jello on Friday.

I'm getting ready to take a small trip to the beach so how about something to use...How about a towel that has a little pocket across the top to hook across the top of the beach/lounge chair? That way you don't have to constantly keep readjusting your towel throughout the day and pulling it up? I'm talking something like this:

Personally, I had never seen this until a friend of ours was at our pool on Father's day and had one. I scoffed and was like, I can make that!

Now, for all of you sewers out there, you will immediately see how this project can be improved upon. For all you non-sewers - WELCOME my friends! I didn't sew a single stitch. There I said it. For those of you who want to click to another page I understand. Still with me? Wow. Ok well, I'll go ahead and let it out that I didn't measure either. Go ahead, I can't watch.

Wow, okay so some of you are still reading, be still my heart. Well, then here we go.

Here's what you need:

a beach towel, or 2

scissors

iron

ironing board (that's right people that's a counter top one and it's the very first one I've owned, have you lost all respect?! - I'm a big fan of take it out of the dryer and shake shake shake!)

Steam-A-Seam

Velcro (optional)

*sunglasses (totally optional, but they get you in the mood)

I did take my towel outside to the lounge chair. I put it on it, an I sat on it making sure I had enough pulled up over the top of the chair. I had this to look at, so it wasn't bad inspiration.

I didn't even have any pins or safety pins with me because I'll confess, it's not my pool. I'm staying at a friend's housesitting. Fortunately, I had just received a package from the Pleated Poppy and there were a few safety pins in there. Literally, I am talking three. So I used one on each side (the two sides and the top) to pin the towel, just so I did have some type of marking. Then I came inside and got to work with my Steam-A-Seam. I just followed the directions for that (and yes, I'm even ashamed to admit that it was my first time working with it).

And TA-DA! I'll be honest, I was impressed with myself, even though it's like a very simple thing!

And even after this, I questioned its adequacy for Tatertots & Jello - so just for you I took another towel and folded it in half. I took the pieces across each top and created a hem (again with the Steam-A-Seam) leaving room to wiggle a rope cord through. I then also closed up the sides almost like a pillowcase. Thus, we have a drawstring bag made out of a towel.

1. It's a big bag - it can hold the towel we made plus many others. 2. It matches! 3. and this was truly most important for me - when you open it completely and lay it on the bottom half of the chair it is multifunctional. It served as a bag, coming and going, and while there, it provides a place for your feet (I'm a freckle-faced, redhead so as much as I love the sun, it doesn't love me, and I wind up having to stay covered). Plus it's nice little bonus to tuck your cell phone or whatever else, so it's not in the blaring sun!

Now my live & learn

- yes, it'd be better to sew. or top stitch. or I even wonder about stitch witchery vs. steam-a-seam

-i'd also use bigger cording for the drawstring, and I probably will replace it.

Hope you've been having a great weekend!

where you'll find me

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:42:00 +0000

Today you can find me guest posting over at Tatertots & Jello! Come on over!

things that make me happy...

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:17:00 +0000

Ever have one of those days that makes you kinda happy? Happy in a, this made me feel like a kid again kind of way? Happy in a, 'wow, just this one little thing made me feel special' kind of way? Happy in a, even though I'm not directly surrounded by the ones I love most, I know they're not far away, kind of way?

I had one of those days today.

- emails from one of my favorite J's with some of her favorite finds from the internet. I love when she shares.

-napping in the pool on a float in the afternoon

-ordering in pizza for dinner just like when I was a kid

- eating ice cream right out of the carton

- an e-mail from someone out of the blue because your friend told her your were "great" at something and suggested your help (double smiley) :)

time keeps on ticking

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:57:00 +0000

Does anyone else feel like time just keeps flying by - SO fast? I can't believe July is halfway over. What made me realize that was finishing up a clock and getting it to a client today for a wedding this weekend. I have a lot of "favorites" that I have done, but this clock may be one of my favorite favorites! When I look at it, it truly feels like summer leading into fall with the sunflowers and golds and purples. And well, isn't that where we are right now?

I walked into Hobby Lobby today and gone was the 4th of July and summer decor, and out with the leaves and pumpkins. At the GAP, gone are the tank tops and in are the khaki pants and school uniform colored red, navy, white, pale blue, etc. array of polo shirts.

In the words of Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers - Really?! Really, America?! Is it necessary to end summer in the midst of its pure heat and glory, really? What about the pools and the beaches? (Well truth be told, I think I have some projects this week planned for that because I refuse for summer to end this early). But for now, the fact of the matter is that time does keep on ticking - ticking into the future.

And we don't always know where that time or the future may lead. Maybe down new and unknown roads and maybe down some worn paths we know all too well. Maybe the key is to have patience with the time that's passing. I don't know, but I have to keep thinking there's a reason my time's passing the way it is. I hope it takes me somewhere exciting.

** Just a note about the above clock, the invitation started as just the yellow invitation in the middle. The purple piece with the gold scroll on the left is from inside the envelope. The gold D in the bottom left corner came from another enclosure in the invite. All ribbons used also came from the invitation. I added the glitter to the middle of the sunflowers and chose the frame because I felt it looked like the center color of a sunflower. The wedding is taking place in a Botanical Garden. Every single piece used in making it came from how they wanted to spend their time with others on their special day.

going with it - with a 5 year old

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:11:00 +0000

The twins come home today! I know a 5 year old who is very excited. Its so cute. Yesterday her, my mom, and aunt (the proud grandmother) started decorating the house for the big welcome home. Finally, when I was able I joined the party. I had promised Miss L that she and I could make a banner to hang across the fireplace mantle. Now she's pretty good with her art, I must say. But even I had visions in my head of how I wanted it to be. Would I be able to let my perfectionism go out the window and truly let the Big Sister help? I had no idea. But I knew I needed to. This was a moment she would always remember. So here we went...

I really wish I had someone taking pictures of this whole process. Its just hard to photograph when you are the one doing it. But I traced circles for L, she cut them, they didn't look like circles when she was done. They looked like rocks. In fact, I'm pretty sure those were her words. And there we have lesson number 1 in letting go. Well if we didn't have perfect circles to work with for the outer portion, why'd we need them for the inner portion? We used any shape that came out, which made this a lot easier for me = no being precise. Hey, I like letting it go! L glued the patterned paper and letters. Lesson 2 in letting things go - things won't be centered. Well if the letters aren't centered, it didn't matter where the holes from the hole puncher fell did it? GREAT! Then I punched those. Yay, I got to use my Crop-A-Dile for the first time! We put eyelets in. L called them eyelids a couple of times and then eyelashes. This totally cracked me up!!! And of course she wanted to try. Well I'm here to tell you that that thing is hard to squeeze so that one wasn't perfect either, but guess what? Neither were mine! How do you get them to do without cracking on the front? I need help with that I guess. Then she left me. She ate and took a bath. I was left with the ribbon and stringing. I ran out of one ribbon after one name. Yep, that seemed about par for the course on this project. So you'll notice one name has gold ribbon and the other blue. I tried to tie it all together by giving them both the same color on the ends. I will say, if you didn't know in my head how it was supposed to look, it looks pretty darn good. We're pretty proud. I still think when the mom wants to take it off the fireplace she can hang it above their individual cribs if she wanted.

And when we were all finished I got asked if there was time to do another art project. Gotta love 'em!

** I should say that this was a compilation of ideas from my earlier banner for my niece
and this post from the lovely paper blog.

and we definitely so we'll share...

you can also go ahead and get some great some great tips over at

brought to you by the letter L

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:45:00 +0000

As some of you know from my previous post, my extended family got bigger this week, times two - twins. How exciting! I mentioned casually that I had never held babies that small but the more I thought about that, that's really pretty neat to have had that first time in my life be with them. Those sweet little girls. It's always amazing to me how much love can fill a room and when babies are born it's definitely a time when you sense it most. These two little girls, both given names starting with the letter L, perfectly matching their big sister who already has an L name, are no exception -- so much love to give them, coming from every single direction.

What do you have a love for this weekend? I'm pretty convinced the Beatles were right.

right on, Target!

noreply@blogger.com (Lessons Learned) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:37:00 +0000

All the way back in March I saw this on the Pleated Poppy. I had long admired Lindsey's product, but in this purse revamp I was finally like, "I can do this! And the bag is from Target - my Mecca!"

So off to Target I went and stocked up on bags. I started playing around with fabrics. Just looking at fabrics is fun enough there are so many pretty ones. Lindsey is absolutely correct when she says you should check out Hawthorne Threads - uh-mazing!

Now with my nice little stash of fabric and embellishments I had made an awesome bag for myself.

Well, as you can imagine, I started getting lots of compliments on this fun bag. And it is fun. I had fun playing with all the different types of materials - I've got a zipper flower on there, ribbon flowers, fabric flowers, and little felt buttons. It is definitely something that took time. I had reached a point where I thought I was done, so I hung it on the back of a chair and kept looking at it for a day. A few things stuck out at me so I pulled them off and readjusted - just like fine tuning or "sleeping on it."

I kind of had in mind that these bags would make excellent diaper bags and my cousin was expecting twins this month. Back in April she said to me, "what if I found some fabric for you, would you maybe make me a bag?" And I said, "what if you just wait and see what people have planned for you!"

Well there went my surprise, but it did take me all the way until now to get it to her. She had those two sweet girls yesterday morning and I got to meet them today. Baby A weighed 4 lbs. 1oz. Baby B weighed 4 lbs. 11ozs. I can officially say those are the smallest babies I have ever held, let alone seen. Here's how her bag turned out:

And well for me, it's all about presentation, so you have to fill a diaper bag with all kind of little goodies!

I made sure to include the Big Sis, with her very cool t-shirt of course. And at Target, of course, they have these awesome marker boxes and notebooks that you can 'make your own.' See how they are black and white and have designs? You just get markers to color in the designs. I thought she would have fun with that. Plus a few new frames for the babies when she is in kindergarten next year. Then, in the diaper bag went two receiving blankets, their Lil Sis t's and two dry erase boards that I made. Again, the frames came from Target. They came in a two-pack (ha, so did the receiving blankets). I used some of the same fabric from the diaper bag, put it inside the glass, as well as a few stickers on the inside, and voila! I think my cousin will be all set, at least for a couple of hours :)

*go see this and lots of other great ideas at

and since this was a gift, go check out for this and more great gift ideas!