Pickup Some Creativity

Glimpses of joy

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:30:00 +0000

Thank you for your encouragement as I vented a bit Monday. I realize how supremely blessed we are to be able to build our own home, and to have so many wonderful cheerleaders. I decided to write a little essay on the reason why we're working so hard and sacrificing so much to build a home.

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Stairs and Trusses

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:21:00 +0000

I thought I'd show off my great skills at putting in stairs.

Ok, not really. I did help our contractor put the stairs in, and I was so glad all I had to do was hold things, add some glue, and then nail things in. He did all the calculations and cutting.
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Wrapped Fabric Flower Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:12:00 +0000

It's about time I shared a new tutorial, don't you think? Last month we had a family wedding to attend, with the groom's family asked to wear something yellow. I found some really pretty voile floral fabric (at WalMart of all places!), and thought it would make a fun accessory. The result are these flowers, which make a great hair clip or brooch.

They are really simple to make...you don't even have to use a sewing machine, although it makes things quicker. Ready to play along? Grab your supplies...
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Eleven.

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:32:00 +0000

Eleven years and one week ago, I became a mother to a tiny little boy who looked just like his daddy. It was love at first sight, all over again.

Time has passed so quickly. This kid's hand and feet are almost the same size as mine, and we'll soon be looking eye to eye, even when we don't agree.
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For my nieces

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:44:00 +0000

My brothers and I do a gift exchange each Christmas, and we always give to each other's children. It's easy on my side of the family...I only have two nieces (so far)! My darling sister-in-law gave me a few suggestions: a winter dress for the youngest and a dolly and me outfit for her older girl.

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Main Floor Framing

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:52:00 +0000

We're nearly there! It's been an almost non-stop adventure during the holidays, but we've just about completed the framing of the main floor of our house. Here's how things looked, glowing in a glorious Idaho sunset:

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A Commission from Santa

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:28:00 +0000

And I'm back. We've been SO busy framing our house. I'll share details later this week. I thought I'd kick off the handmade gift parade with a special commission I received from Santa. Dolly received a cute little Calico Critters raccoon family that her mama had as a child. This little family needed a home...and Santa asked me to make it.

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The Joy of Giving

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:51:00 +0000

As I've done previously, I help my kids make Christmas gifts for each other. I want them to enjoy the idea of doing something for someone else...even if it's just a simple idea. This year, we made personal toothbrush holders.

I was inspired by this darling washcloth toothbrush holder from Train to Crazy.

Source: thetraintocrazy.com via Chris on Pinterest

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Peeking above the ground

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:54:00 +0000

It's happened. We've finally got the subfloor on our house! I am so glad that we won't have to shovel snow out of the basement again. We couldn't have done it so quickly without the help of family and friends.

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Framing has begun

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

We've begun framing the basement. It has been a difficult endeavor because we've not framed a basement previously. There's been a rather steep learning curve. After this, framing the main floor should be a piece of cake!
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Faux Chenille Blanket (don't peek, Dad!)

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Just like a kid peeking at Christmas gifts, I can't help myself but show off one of the gifts I've made for Christmas this year. Dad...you can officially close your browser. No peeking!

There have been several excellent tutorials on how to create a faux chenille look. Dana's Chenille Blanket is excellent, as is Jessica's awesome chenille scarf. I've known about this technique for a long time. My mom made Big Sister a chenille blanket for her first Christmas, and another beautiful one when we were expecting Little Boy. The amazing thing...my mother cut all that fabric BY HAND.
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Coming up for a breath

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:14:00 +0000

Hi everyone.
I really didn't mean to drop off the blog for so long. Between the house and getting ready for Christmas, I'm feeling a bit unglued. Hopefully I can pull myself together fairly quickly. Despite two snow storms, we've started framing the house. In between, our school-aged kids all performed at the local Festival of Trees. (I love kindergartners!)

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The cement was poured...now what?

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Well, the business of house building has officially set in. I am sore and tired, and we still don't even have the lumber yet!

The foundation walls were finally poured last Tuesday, and with Thanksgiving last week, the forms were not removed until Monday. Being of the DIY sort, and building our house as inexpensively as possible means we're doing most of the work ourselves. Case in point, adding water resistant emulsion to the foundation.
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Love Where You Live Ornament Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

I'm so excited to share this ornament tutorial as part of Gwen's Haul Out The Holly party.

Each year we give our children Christmas ornaments, just as my parents did for me. Because of this tradition, after we were married, Mr. Pickup and I had a box of ornaments to decorate our tree with. I wanted to give our children the same gift. I don't always make the ornaments, but I try to if possible.

With all the moving we did this year, and some darling state related ideas I'd seen by KoJo Designs (via Little Miss Momma) and in this Sew Mama Sew post, I wanted to do something to commemorate the two places we lived in Idaho this year.
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Ruffled Christmas Pillow Cover Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

This is the project I didn't need to do...but really wanted to!

Since February, I've been making little decorative pillow covers that fit an 11" square pillow form. I think I've now covered every season and some holidays, too. Here they are in no particular order:

Ruffled Christmas Pillow
Easter Pillow
Winter Chenille (not blogged yet, sorry!)
Red, White and Blue Pillow
Valentines Pillow
Spring into Summer Pillow
Fall Pillow

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Thanks for Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:14:00 +0000

A few years ago, my mom purchased this book for our family. It has beautiful illustrations, and I love the poem inside even more.

Thanks for Thanksgiving was written by Julie Markes, and illustrated by Doris Barrette. It's filled with all the fun things that make life worth living, and expresses gratitude for each. Geared towards younger children, it is a wonderful reminder of why I love Thanksgiving.

I have so very much to be thankful for. I have been truly blessed by God. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for the opportunity to build a new home. I am grateful that we've been able to do so much in just one year. When you take the time to count your blessings, it is wonderful to see all that God has done. I've loved this little quote floating around Pinterest:

Source: restoredstyle.com via Chris on Pinterest

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. Thank you for reading, for your encouragement and kindness.
My treat to you, if you enter "THANKS2011" at check out in my Etsy shop, you'll get 20% off.
Valid through Monday November 28.

p.s. I have a Christmas Pillow Tutorial for you on Saturday!

Making Snowmen out of Snow

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:46:00 +0000

Sheesh. Where did the week go? I must confess, it's been a rough one for me. Several problems crept up as the foundation work continued on our house, and then the snow flew Friday. I may or may not have wept some hot tears. Our window for good weather has passed.

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Funny neighbors

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:00:00 +0000

We live in a small town, very close to lots of farms and agriculture. But we're in town, right? Nevertheless, we had some temporary neighbors I had to show you.

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Animal report and a biome

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 04:42:00 +0000

Why is it that when your child gets a big assignment in school, mom does too? My oldest boy was assigned a one page report on an animal of his choice, and also had to create a "biome" (fancy word for habitat). He decided he wanted to write a report on grey wolves. I was pretty impressed with the biome we put together, and thought you might like to see it too.

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Pajamas are coming...

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:51:00 +0000

I'm slowly getting thing finished up for Christmas. I've been hurrying to get things done before my time is taken up with framing the new house. We give our children new pajamas to open up on Christmas Eve.
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Sewing 101 with me...Patching pants

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

How many of you have loved the Sewing 101 series? {Both my hands are raised!!} I am so grateful to the amazing contributors and the many things I have learned.

I am a little sad to announce that Sewing 101 is going on a bit of a hiatus. With the building of our house looming, and barely keeping up with blogging as it is, I am going to take a break from Sewing 101. Not to worry, I'll still be sharing what I make and house updates...I just need to slow down a bit. So, to celebrate the break, I thought I would share some fun techniques I've developed for patching holes in pants, especially jeans.

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Autumn views and news

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

A couple weeks ago, we took our family on a little excursion to the mountains south of where we live. There was a planned power outtage for our little town. So rather than stare at each other twiddling our thumbs, Mr. Pickup thought a change in perspective would be good for everyone.
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Our Gryffindors for Halloween 2011

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:22:00 +0000

Just a quick hello and thanks for all the fun comments on our Halloween projects this year. My kids are sound asleep, and had a fabulous day today between school and church parties. We learned, if you actually trick or treat in the country, you find some wonderful treats!

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Gryffindor Fleece Scarves + Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:27:00 +0000

To wrap up my costume making this year, we made Gryffindor inspired scarves. I say "we" because my older children both helped to stitch them together.

They are pretty simple to make. I'm sure there's a better way out there, but this is what my frazzled brain came up with.
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Shutterfly Winner and what I picked.

noreply@blogger.com (chris) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:43:00 +0000

So, I spent way too much time chosing a Christmas card. This is what I finally picked:

It's the Rainbow Greetings Christmas flat 5x7 card. My favorite part? You could choose whatever you wanted for the back:
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