Singing Three Little Birds

Inspire Me Monday: Lazy Sunday

2012-01-29T19:09:00.000-05:00

Well, it was gonna be. Then we decided to go ice skating. I have been ice skating a handful of times in my life. The last time was probably 10 years ago but my kids love going ice skating. Dashiell loves hockey and has been taking skating lessons. When I saw that my soon to be 3 year old was getting better at ice skating than me, I decided I should try to get on the ice. Our adventure didn't last too long. I never let go of the wall but I didn't fall. My kids must be made of tougher stuff than me because they fall tons but bounce back up and kept going.

What did you do today? I sewed today too but that's another post.

Here are some great things linked up last week.

I love salt dough and I have seen some pretty amazing stuff made with it. Great for kids too! Lady with the Red Rocker linked this great salt heart necklace. Lovely!

I've been wanting to try some printing projects and this one from Garden Therapy turned out great. Love it!

2012 Challenge: Project Three and Four

2012-01-26T11:11:00.000-05:00

I made this sweet little heart pillow. It was very easy to make. I folded my fabric and drew a half of heart like you learn to do in elementary school. I cut the fabric and cut my finger as well. I haven't seen that much blood since my son fell and bit through his lip. Wow! Those scissors are sharp! I have to remember to keep them in a safe place.

Anyway, I pinned to hearts together and sewed around it until I had about an inch left. I then stuffed it and sewed it up. I added a little rosette (of course).

This is my project for week 4.

What's that? It looks like just a piece of fabric?

Well, in fact it is just a piece of fabric. I washed it and it has been sitting on my ironing board ever since. I know what I am going to do with it. I want to make a cute ruffle skirt for my daughter but the idea of cutting and sewing all those strips of fabric seems so incredibly daunting that I just haven't started. I hope to start it soon. Like today. I will start today. Really. I will. I promise.

We'll see. I might just stare at it for another week.

Mommy School: Hibernation

2012-01-25T09:07:00.000-05:00

Last week in Mommy School, we talked about hibernation. First we read two great books about hibernation.

Next, we made polar bear caves with the bottom of a paper bag and cotton balls. This is one of those great open-ended crafts that is great for all ages. My 4 year old had a different take on it than my 2 year old. Annabelle created a whole family of polar bears all huddled up with the cotton balls and Dashiell enjoyed playing with the glue and cotton balls.

Sponsor Spotlight on Crafty Colleen & Cohort

2012-01-23T15:05:00.000-05:00

Visit Crafty Colleen for Washi paper and Comics notebooks and pencils. Lots of great stuff to chose from.

I love the idea of changing all of my lightswitches with fun ones from awesome Etsy shops like Crafty Colleen and Cohort. Go visit today!

Find out how to be a sponsor here.

Inspire Me Monday: Good Morning?

2012-01-23T09:29:00.000-05:00

Ugh. I need more coffee.

I have been meaning to feature this blogger for a long time. She is a long time linker and I can always expect a sweet comment from her every Monday! Go visit Nifty Thrifty Things and check out her amazing photography.

We just bought the kids bean bags and I wish I saw this post from Walnut Acre before I bought them. What a great idea to fill them up with plastic bags! Great way to reuse!

That's all I have time for today! Got to get the kids to gymnastics! Have a great day. I hope you know how much I appreciate you stopping by and linking up and that I do visit ALL of your blogs every week even if I don't leave a comment. I really am going to try to comment more! I love you all!!!

Crayon Hearts

2012-01-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

My daughter woke up the other morning and declined the invitation to visit the Science Center. She wanted to stay home and make crafts! She is definitely my daughter! I have wanted to make these crayon hearts for awhile. Inspired by Martha Stewart, they were a bit more complicated than they appear. (Isn't that always the way with Martha Stewart crafts?) I did love how they turned out. Not loving the crayon wax on my ironing board though! I might do this again. I think Annabelle enjoyed it and the effect really is stunning!

Sponsor Spotlight on Ideology

2012-01-18T06:00:00.002-05:00

Visit Ideology for beautiful handcrafted jewelry.

I love these Evil Eye earrings! My grandmother gave me an evil eye necklace a long time ago and I actually believe it keeps evil away. And they look really cool too!

Go visit Ideology today!

Find out how to become a sponsor here.

New at Belle Rose Designs: Valentine's Day!!

2012-01-16T12:59:00.000-05:00

I've added a few new items in the shop for Valentine's Day!

Inspire Me Monday! Good Morning!

2012-01-16T08:42:00.000-05:00

Welcome all! Let's get right to the features!

Love this art from the Crafty Scientist! Great idea to use paint chips!

Squeezing a Minute shared a tutorial for a Fabric storage container. I need a bunch of these for all the junk in my house!

Lovely dress from Organized Living Solutions. Check it out!

Thanks for sharing! Also, I have a giveaway going on this week here. Go enter! Thanks!

2012 Challenge: Project Two

2012-01-14T14:43:00.001-05:00

2012 Challenge: Sew something every week

I have challenge myself to sew something every week. For my second project I decided we needed some Valentine's decorations. I whipped a felt heart garland in a little under an hour.

I wanted a variety of colors and sizes for a fun look. I suppose I could have cut them using a heart pattern but I decided to do it free hand. I liked how they aren't perfect and a little rough.

Then too the sewing machine. Just feed the hearts through so there is one long straight line of stitches through all the hearts.

That's it! Pretty easy!

Now, it's hanging above the mirror on our mantle.

Giveaway Time!

2012-01-12T17:16:00.000-05:00

I was contacted by the lovely Marsha from JeanPatch by MK to host a giveaway of her new line of products. Marsha creates darling items from vintage handkerchiefs, books, fabrics and more. I love her altered books.

These books have been altered into Weekly Planners! How clever!

She has created a line of note cards using vintage handkerchiefs. You can read more about her design process here.

Marsha has graciously offered a giveaway of this vintage hankie tissue holder/vintage hankie pinkep for your purse and a gluten free recipe!

How to enter:

Open to US Residents only!

Please visit JeanPatch by MK's blog and become a follower come back here and leave me a comment telling me you did!

Good Luck!

2012 Challenge: Project One

2012-01-09T14:40:00.000-05:00

2012 Challenge

Sew something every week!

The beginning of a new year always makes me introspective. I start to make lists. Think about things I need to work on. This year my list was getting longer and longer. I decided I wanted to be MORE at everything. More organized. More healthy. More creative. More of everything. But this left me feeling totally uninspired. I started thinking back to when I began this blog two years ago. I began this blog to share my experiences as a new sewer and I can't remember the last time I really sewed something!

So for 2012 I gave myself a challenge.

Sew something (anything) once a week.

Here is my first project. Annabelle got a guitar for Christmas and was having a hard time holding it properly. I set to work!

I love being able to solve a problem with my sewing machine.

I even made it adjustable so the little guy can strap it on too!

I also sewed a little bit of elastic on the ends so it would attach the guitar.

I finished it in an afternoon and I have to say I am pretty impressed with it! Who knew I could sew an adjustable strap!? It was actually pretty easy!

Inspire Me Monday Linky Party: Pinterest!!!!!

2012-01-09T09:28:00.000-05:00

Pinterest has taken over my life!!!

Anyone else completely addicted? Every time I log on to my computer to blog or work I just hop on Pinterest to "check". The next thing I know a half hour has past and I have done nothing. NOTHING. But Pin! Oh my I have a problem! So sorry I have been scarce. I really have a lot to blog about but I have been so distracted with pinning that I haven't done any of it!!!! AAAAHHHH!!!

Anyway, thanks for linking up. Here are a few that caught my eye. A ton of great "best of" posts that I had a lot of fun browsing! Thanks for inspiring me.

Domestic Imperfection linked up her Top posts of 2011 and this was #1. It's fantastic!

I love decorating for Valentine's Day almost as much as Christmas or Halloween! These Love Birds from Marvelously Messy are darling.

I love wine cork projects! This bracelet from A Creative Princess is fantastic. I think I remember pinning it on Pinterest. :)

Mommy School: The Human Body

2012-01-05T13:35:00.000-05:00

Since I quit my job in August, my kids and I have been learning at what we call "Mommy School." My daughter loved learning at her preschool but we made the decision to take her out and I would teach her and my son at home.

This week we have been learning about The Human Body. You can find a lot of the activities I did with them on my Pinterest board, Mommy School.

One of them was this activity. We spent most of the morning tracing our bodies, coloring and labeling body parts. We read several books about the Human Body as well.

Inspire Me Monday! Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T15:42:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. I had a great time spending time with my family and relaxing. Now back to work

I am so glad you are all here! You all made my 2011 blogging journey wonderful. I look forward to spending all of 2012 with you.

Here are the features from a few weeks back!

I wanted to feature this in the 25 Days of Christmas ornaments but I just got too busy. Remind me next year not to plan a blogging event the 25 days before Christmas. I saw these on Artsy-Fartsy Mama's blog and loved them.

I actually ended up making one of my own from buttons I found in my Grandma's sewing stash! Thanks for inspiring me!

While you are taking down your tree, take a look at these tree creations that will inspire you for next year! Never too soon to start creating for next, Christmas right?

Christmas tree button headband from Loopy Loop Creations.

This is a great idea for the kids from Babblings and More for next year! Ice cream cones and frosting! Yummy!

Feel free to link up your FAVORITE craft or post you made this year! Or if you have an inspiring New Year's post I would love to see it too!

25 Days of Christmas Ornaments Days 20 & 21

2011-12-21T08:51:00.000-05:00

Are you still crafting? My daughter asked me if I was getting her something for Christmas. I told her I would make her something so I have two presents to make. I can't make her something and not my son! Anyway, I still have a few ornaments I wanted to make too and some decorating. Probably won't get it all done but I love crafting this time of year. So much inspiration. Here are two great ornaments linked up! Thanks for sharing!

25 Days of Christmas Ornaments Day 19 Salt Dough Ornaments

2011-12-19T08:00:00.001-05:00

Salt Dough Ornaments are so easy to make. I made some with my kids and they had a great time cutting them out

and then painting

and decorating them.

I think we found a new holiday tradition!

Take a look at what a few of them turned out to be. My daughter LOVES glitter! She decorated these stars and they look beautiful hanging on our mirror on our mantle.

These ornaments from Make it Give it are wonderful. Who knew Salt Dough could be so sophisticated.

Thanks for sharing!

Inspire Me Monday: Merry Christmas!

2011-12-18T16:03:00.000-05:00

This will be our last party for 2011! I'll see you all in the New Year! I will be finishing up the 25 ornaments and a hope to get a couple more posts up and a giveaway! And then taking a week off!:)

Thank you for a great year of Inspire Me Mondays! I look forward to spending time with you all in 2012.

Here's the features:

I love these Glitter Trees from Artsy-Fartsy Mama!

The Moody Fashionista shared these Melting Snowman cookies. So cute! What a fun idea!

Great gift idea from The Quick Journey!

25 Days of Christmas Ornaments Days 16-18

2011-12-17T20:34:00.000-05:00

I love this idea of making ornaments from our vacations this year. These vacation ornaments comes from Turtles and Tails. I have a bunch of seashells from our trips to the beach this year. I would love to do something like this.

This is a super fun ornament from The World of ElleSee. I love the colors!

Shrinky Dinks are really cool and I love the idea of using them for ornaments. They look awesome lit from behind too!

Thanks for sharing Happy Lizard Hill!

25 Days of Christmas Ornaments: Day 15? Giveaway winner!

2011-12-15T15:58:00.001-05:00

Giveaway winner! I am ending the Stamped with Love giveaway because I want to give the winner a chance to maybe get the ornament by Christmas.

So...

The winner is...

jc who said... I like these custom personalized handstamped earrings, so cute and pretty.

Aren't these Crochet heart ornaments from Cast Away Collection sweet?

Thanks for sharing!

25 Days of Christmas Ornaments Day 11, 12 & 13!!! Highlights from Inspire Me Monday

2011-12-13T22:00:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I know. I missed a few days. Deal with it.

Sorry about that... My inner Grinch...Here are a bunch of awesome ornaments. Click through to all the awesome bloggers.

Rosette of the Month Club December Selection

2011-12-12T09:11:00.000-05:00

Before I announce the December selection of the Rosette of the Month club I wanted to let you know that I put everything in my shop is 40% off today only. Today is also the last day to order if you need a gift by Christmas.

On to the Rosette of the Month Club. This month you will receive a selection of 2 3-inch silk rosettes in pink, purple, mustard or tiffany blue. Colors will vary but each is handmade by me.

Join the Rosette of the Month club today for 3, 6 or 12 months for 40% off.

TODAY ONLY!!!!!

Giveaway from Stamped with Love

2011-12-11T09:47:00.001-05:00

I just love the shop, Stamped with Love and all the lovely gift ideas to be found. Jewelry, guitar picks, key chains and more all with a bit of personalization hand made by Erica, the owner and artist of Stamped with Love.

Still looking for ornaments? Take a look at these lovely ones that can be personalized.

And more wonderful holiday ornament ideas.

One winner will receive this ornament from Stamped with Love.

How to Enter:

Open to Everyone Everywhere

Leave a comment for each and you must enter an email address to be contacted if you win!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Stamped with Love and leave a comment here with your favorite item.

Extra Entry:

Like Stamped with Love on Facebook

Giveaway ends December 15th

Inspire Me Monday! Get ready for Christmas!

2011-12-11T08:53:00.000-05:00

Good morning! I hope you are all doing well. Can you believe Christmas is in two weeks? Time to get into elf mode and start wrapping and baking. What are you crafting for the Holidays? Are you making any great handmade gifts? Can't wait to see what you link up!

Here are some great ideas from last week. Thanks for linking up!

Mini Christmas art from Final Clothes-Out

Yummy Oreo Pops from Lady with a Red Rocker

Love this from The Simple Craft Diairies. Toilet paper nativity scene. Great idea for my kids who love to play with our nativity scene. I found Lightning McQueen in it the other day!

25 Days of Christmas Ornament: Day 10

2011-12-10T14:57:00.000-05:00

I was browsing Etsy and found these lovely ornaments to share. Still getting over this cold and busy with the craft room but I have to get some posts and a giveaway for you next week.

Felted Bear Ornament

Bicycle Spoke Christmas Tree Ornament