Slipcovers for the glider

After: My begining slipcover attempt with my yard sale find. The chair is super comfy and ready now for nursing. Now I just need to actually tackle decorating my bedroom-- must be done this year.



Before: See my constant helpers. Little man and Morgan dog always ready to lend a hand.

It was super simple just to slipcover these cushions. Maybe 1 1/2 hours and 2 yards of fabric- only because I choose a fabric I needed to match the pattern on. The fabric is a super soft chenille and heavy upholstery weight. In hindsight I wish I had gone with a bit funkier fabric but this won't show all the pet hair and kid things as much. There is always next time too!

Long time no blogging

Still not sure blogging is for me but since I have been crafting up a storm lately I thought I might give it another try. Pictures and posts to come. Feel free to skip over the next part, just my rambling thoughts for today.

My head is in a complete fog today. I have a terrible head cold combined with 35+ weeks pregnant can make me grouchy. I didn't sleep much last night (or the last several) since I have an awful sore throat-- but enough whining.

I have been managing to quilt again. For a little while there I forgot how much I love it. Forgot enough even to think maybe I should just ditch it all, the stash, the patterns, the whole thing. I sometimes have these pipe dreams of only buying what I want to work on right at that second and finishing it and putting it away. The cold hard reality is I simply think this will never be me. I always have multiple projects on the machine, on the needles, etc.

Simplify-- this I think I can do. I have managed to clear an awful lot out of our attic and house in the last few weeks, a perk of nesting. Now I need to make sure I don't go back there again. The lure of the recycled and thrifted items I must ignore.

In the next few weeks, God willing, we will have a new life to add to our home and family. I couldn't be more excited and scared. Oddly, I feel so completely unprepared this time. I'm worried about the nursery not being done- yet we co-sleep at least for the first 5 months, and about a million other things. Really non-things if you want to know the truth.

I'm going to go take a bit of a nap and let my mind wander over a few books, plan an upcoming birthday and try to live a bit more in the moment, even if there is thick fog.

BBQ Rules-- Unless you are me.

My SIL sent me this today. Since it is my reality today and tomorrow I LMAO.

BBQ RULES
We are about to enter the summer and BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity, as it's the only type of cooking a 'real' man will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved.
When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:

Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill.

Here comes the important part:

(4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.

More routine....
(5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
(6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with the situation.
Important again:
(7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
More routine....
(8) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
(10) Everyone PRAISES and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.(11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off.' And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women....

We Love our Aprons Here

Our fabulous Apron Swap Partner on Backporch Friends a Yahoo Group- Love ya, go visit her here and try not to drool over the Harley like I have been http://quiltinggirl.blogspot.com/.

They got baptized on doughnuts. They are beautiful and I just love the LMs. So does he, and he especially loves the thought of baking. It does occasionally double as a cape. Sorry.

Ignore the 6am pj's and awful hair.

Using what you have

Or using what I have more accurately. I forgot to post a picture of the Christmas gifts I made for my aunt and cousins this year who we celebrate Christmas day with. They were simple and fairly fast. And best yet, I had all the materials on hand.

Among my hoarding tendencies I tend to collect pine cones. Well I decided that they had to be made into something. Little man painted the fake snow stuff on them and did a great job. A few got glitter which he also is very into. (BTW- love the Martha Stewart glitter.)

I think I need to make some more for different holidays and seasons. No reason they need to be just for Christmas season. Hmmm, ideas.

Sharing some great etsy sellers

I didn't take the hand made resolution for the holidays but I tried very hard to support small local businesses and etsy sellers.

The favorite gift of the holidays came from this etsy seller babypop.etsy.com. My LM and his partner in crime BF both got one and fight crime everyday at the babysitters. The work on these capes was gorgeous. I have no doubt these will be the birthday present for little ones of choice this year. Love them.

For small thoughtful gifts for a bunch of people in our lives I made small totes for a book, magazine and bought bookmarks from boofolobeads.etsy.com. They are wonderful. All got oohs and ahhs.

I even bought a little something for myself this New Year thehermitage.etsy.com. Gorgeous art from a beautiful and creative mind. I can't wait.

Go check them out you will not be disappointed.

(Couldn't resist showing you all where LM was today. Picking out cookie recipes. Doesn't he know I'm not allowed sugar. LOL)

Updates & Such

Well, the Christmas season has come and gone. It was such a wonderful Solstice & Christmas time.
There are a few projects I have been finishing up. I have more to add but there is only so much light available here to get outside and photograph (that and my LM is not always a willing model).

Here are the crayon rolls I made for a ton of little ones in our lives. They are fairly quick and fun to make. They seem to be a hit with all the kids so far. I got the instructions for making them here: http://skiptomylou.wordpress.com/2007/04/25/on-a-roll/

Great instructions! I can see making a ton of these for birthday parties and such.

Go make a few for yourself!