Skipping Spring
Since Spring has obviously decided to come a little later, rather than sooner, to Wisconsin...we have decided to just skip it all together and jump right to summer!
Zane and Ian decided we needed to make some flip flops and all I had at the moment was some cardboard from a wonderful box sent by our dear friends from Guam. So, we repurposed the box and made sandals! The boys wore them most of the morning until we had to go out in the rain and cold to make a quick jaunt to JoAnns for some supplies for the next round of projects. Spring had better hurry up around here or we really might just skip it!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Seafood Platter
For the Corners of My Home group on Flickr, here is my recent submission...the mongo (how many gallons of water is that?) fishtank in our basement. It totally makes the room look like a Red Lobster, or maybe a dentist office. The 20 or so koi in the tank really are meditative to watch, but its just so darned HUGE! I would love to paint the dark wood, or mosaic it or something, but we're just not going to be in this house long enough to really tackle a project like taht. I hope the next owners of this house like seafood!
Friday, March 24, 2006
We're Making Our Own Spring
After doing our "Goodby Winter" dance and still now sign of Spring, I decided we would plant a few lettuce seeds like my Grandmother Hays used to do...in egg shells. Once the seedlings are big enough to go into the garden, you just plant the whole egg shell and all. It works great and will look so nice for Easter! (And no Mom, that isnt my good salad plate from my Williams & Sonoma set...nope) We also planted some in egg cartons. Here is the progress of our planting. 
They're starting to sprout, can you see them!!! 
And the little seedlings stretching toward the sun. I have to turn them a couple ot times a day to keep them straight. We're really enjoying watching them and its been a really great teaching tool. We've talked about the seasons, what seeds need to grow, and about what would happen if we forgot to water them. FUN!!! Thursday, March 23, 2006
Monster Shirts All Around!
After seeing the great monster shirts that xxxx is doing on DishyDuds, we decided to create our own shirts for this summer. We even made one for Wyatt and I have a feeling we will be sending many of these out to the many friends and family who are having birthdays this summer. How cool are these!!! I just need to finish them with a little stitching around the perimiter of each shape, but as my sewing machine's timing needs to be repaired, looks like I will be hand stiching them one of these nights while watching a little late night Bravo.
and Wyatt's "Goofy Gus" Monster
Tote Bag Patterns on the Shelf
Ive had these tote bag patterns for a few months now. But having designated this week as "finish it!" week, I have vowed not to start any new projects until my to do list has been significantly whittled down. So, they may have to stay on the craft room shelf a little while longer. But I feel like Ive got a $20 bill in my pocket and Im walking around the dollar store. I just cant wait to dig into them.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Y is for Yellow
I just ordered this little gem from the Farm Chicks site....they have several more, but I just seem to be drawn to the color yellow. I was on Etsy browsing around and spent way too much time searching by the different colors of yellow. Ive always loved yellow walls, but have never liked it for much else as far as clothing or jewelry. But I just saw this pendant with vintage wallpaper enclosed under glass and HAD...I mean HAD...to have it. Luckily they take paypal, he, he. Maybe Im sort of drawn to it because Im just so darned desperate to see some sun these days. Isnt it amazing how when the sun hits a corner of your house just right, you just want to put a comfy chair directly in that spot and curl up. Reggie the cat does it all the time, why shouldnt I?!?! So, here's to the color yellow...the color of the sun. Oh, and here are a few more yellow pics that I found on Flickr. Hope they bring little rays of sunshine to you today! 
Monday, March 13, 2006
Recipe Cards for the Shop
Just finished some recipe cards for the shop. They come in sets of 8 cards. One has a vintage senorita in the corner...how great would they be to share your guacamole or sangria recipe.
And then one with a cowgirl...I can see this one with a brisket recipe on it or how about a recipe for your Dad's bbq sauce...mmmm...Im getting hungry just thinking about those good ol' Southern recipes Im missing living up here in WI.
Alright, so Im a little behind in posting. But as you know, Im raising three kids who have been sick off and on all winter, trying to get this little business off the ground, do mounds of laundry and cook a little in there somewhere. Im still learning to to balance the priorities of it all. I get swamped in one area and then the others seem to mount up.
But on the "watch for Spring 2006" we saw hyacinths yesterday!!! We were all taking a walk to the park and there were bulbs, all kinds of bulbs, peeking their little heads up from the soil. I stopped to explain to Ian that they meant that Spring was on its way. He immediately responded with "Does that mean we can wear shorts yet?". I told him no, and he gave me a look like...let me know when its shorts weather and Ill show you some excitement Mom.
We went to the library this weekend and I found some wonderful 1960's and 70's craft books. I just might have to renew them a few times. There is so much wonderfulness to see, it might take me a few weeks to absorb it all. Also, the boys found more fire fighter books. I think the library has secretly detected Z and I's obsession and has started adding more firetruck books to their collection. Everytime I think we have read every fire related book they own...more seem to appear.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Truly Scrumptious...
my recipe box...recipe posted below Today was a better day...the sun was shining and it was 52 degrees outside. Z and I went to pre-school (without asking to stay home), I put Wyatt down for a nap, closed his door and opened up the house. Wooohooo! It was so, so great to actually see those little sicky germs fly right out the opened doors and windows. I did some major cleaning...things like wiping the phones, doorknobs and lightswitches down with chlorox wipes. Hopefully we will all be feeling much better when we can be outside again. Come on spring!!! After the monkeys got home from school we made Omah's banana bread...mmmm....some pics of the process.
the mashing of the bananas
batter covered beaters...I love Ian peeking from behind the bowl
And of course...the finale...licking the beaters
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Here's the recipe for: Omah's Banana Bread 1/2 c. butter 1 c. sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1 1/2 c. flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 c. nuts 1 c. mashed banana (or about 3-4 medium sized bananas) 1/2 c. milk 1/2 tsp. vinegar
Mix well and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees... Eat with real butter immediately. Enjoy!
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Oh, and the title of this post is from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The boys have been watching it at least once a day (usually for rest time) since we borrowed it from the library. Truly Scrumptious has been floating around in my head all week. But I guess there could be worse things floating around in my head.
And lastly, Maurrie received the Sisters on the Fly goodie box I sent with some samples. She loved them all!!! She wants to do some notecards, quilt squares, magnets, bracelets and maybe a few other things. Yeah for me...my first original designs are coming soon!
Monday, March 06, 2006
A Totally Unproductive Day...But Was It?!?!
This morning the monkeys (a.k.a. Zane and Ian) woke up with a slight cough. And when I say slight I mean like the kind of cough you wake up with and then dont think about again after you have some juice...that kind of cough. And it was snowing like crazy. And they have not really been wanting to go to pre-school these days. So, when they asked if they could stay home today, I thought about it and decided that everyone needs a snow day now and then. I had grand plans of staying in pjs and watching movies and getting out in the snow when it stopped and hot chocolate. Then a nap for them and finishing these looming projects for me. Yeah right! They argued and fought over every little thing today. How many cheerios each one of them had, which movie they were watching, who was going to wear the "warmie, warmie" pants with the flannel lining. I mean everything was a battle today. However, last night I finished the boys embroidered self-portraits and got a pic of them today. That's something accomplished, however little it was.
Here is Zane and Ian's original self-portraits from pre-school
And here is my first embroidery project based on their artwork
And while I was finishing two chalkboards and matching erasers for Mom's shop, the boys (including Wyatt in this group) got into the fabric scraps. Here is what they came up with. They wanted to put together a firetruck with a building on fire and a fireman. Here is how they each interpreted that theme.
Zane's firetruck with the fireman on the ladder spraying water on the fire. Can you see it?
And a few shots of their creative process in action. Making their placemats was actually the bright spot of the day. After that, it was back to the arguing....argh! Oh well, Im savoring the good times.
Gotta go work on the website now. Talked to Jaime and she said some links were broken, so gotta go do some html'ing tonight. Tomorrow is SPT, so maybe Ill get some guts and feel like participating.Ian's firetruck with ladder and hose and the fireman next to the burning building smiling. I asked Ian if the fireman was going to put out the fire and he said, not yet. He was waiting for "back-up". Weekend Paint-a-thon and a Bus. Update!
Friday I had gotten some new paints and large pads of paper, 
so on Saturday we painted up a storm!!! The boys wanted to wear their new art aprons, which I was thrilled about. They are officially broken in judging by all of the paint on them. Here are a few pics of the boys handywork.
so on Saturday we painted up a storm!!! The boys wanted to wear their new art aprons, which I was thrilled about. They are officially broken in judging by all of the paint on them. Here are a few pics of the boys handywork. I got my first custom orders this weekend for napkins with a cowgirl image on them and some more notecards. Yeah for me! Maybe this little business thing is going to work afterall. Also on Friday, Mom sold $120 of the Will James books I bought on ebay. So, that will be a nice check to look forward to.
Ive really got to get busy on some projects around here. I need to finish the embroidery of Ian and Zane's self-portraits. I also have so many things 1/2 finished for my mom's shop that need to get out and SOLD! I need to make some more money before I buy anything else. I finally made a list of all of the projects running around in my head. Now, I just need to work on one at a time and focus on finishing things...my weakness. FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS I did some cowgirl dishtowels that Im pretty proud of. Maybe I can get some pics later today and get them posted. Also got some more magnets done and some buttons.
Also on the list is looking into an Etsy account. It is such a great site for
handcrafted goodies. The Ebay crowd just doesnt seem to be drawn to handmade items. So, maybe Etsy would be a better route.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Corners Of My House
I would really love to start posting pics to the Corners of My House project on Flickr started by Soulemama. I love her stuff. But Im just not happy with my photography yet. I need to read the book that came with my camera and see what I need to change. Everything just seems so dark. But actually they reflect my mood lately, so maybe they are quite appropriate. Winter is wearing on me in a big way. I cant wait for Spring. Papaw sent me a pic of a Robin spotted in Ohio, so maybe it is on its way. I guess Ill go get my Burpee seed catalog and start ordering some things to put in the garden this year. That otta' cheer me up!
Kids with Cameras...Ian
Ian got ahold of the camera today after we got home from school and took these pics of Wyatt eating lunch. I thought I would post them. I love the fact that the camera angle shows you the pics must have been taken by a wee one...either that or by Regie (the cat). Enjoy!
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
Ian and Zane celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss (actually Theodore Geisel born March 2, 1904) today by wearing their pajamas to pre-school. We got to school 20 minutes earlier (which is really on-time) because no one got dressed. Well, I did, but I kinda thought the teachers would look at me funny if I went in my PJs too! So, last night the boys and I gathered up all of their favorite Dr. Seuss books and did a little display on the kitchen counter.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Getting Into Thrifting Shape
Wyatt and I went to work out this morning while Zand and Ian were in pre-school...a little exercise of a different kind. We went to the brand new Goodwill here in Kenosha. One word for you -- awesome! Look at all of the great little items we picked up. I didnt get a chance to go through all of the linens I wanted to. Mr. Wyatt's little hands were way to busy grabbing every little item made of glass or paper. So, maybe next week!
Ianand Zane will love this one...they continue on their firetruck obsession.
A Tiny Tales book of Cowboy Bill. I plan on using this one to scan images to use for other projects.
An awesome kid's art book titled Emphasis: Art, A Qualitative Art Program for the Elementary School. I leafed through it and it has amazing pics and ideas. I cant wait to read through it tonight in the bathtub.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
THRIFTCRAFT
Just found the awesome new blog byHillary of Wee Wonderfuls fame about thrifting and repurposing called THRIFTCRAFT. Cant wait until spring now so that this darned cold will go away and I can get out thrifting and garage saling!
Tuesday...Library Day
Well its later than late and the big boys just went down. We had a successful trip to the library today. I thought we had read every fire truck/firefighter book the library had, but no! The librarian found 5 more for us to bring home. We also got Pippi Longstocking, The Drinking Gourd and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the old version). So, they were very occupied with their library treasures today and I got to get caught up on reading some of my favorite blogs. Soulemama continues to inspire me every day, as does Angrychicken and so many of the amazing crafters in that circle. Love, love, love their stuff. Maybe I will one day be able to hang with those gals...until then, only dreams of knitted sweaters, felted flowers and amazing quilts. Oh, and on a strangely happy note...Wednesday is trash day. That means Tuesday is empty the house trash into the big garbage cans outside day. The older boys love pretending they are garbage men helping me empty all of the trash cans in the house into their plastic trash sacks and taking them outside. And I love (read that love, love) getting all of those stinky diapers out of the house even more!! Wooohoo for trash day!
Monday, February 27, 2006
Package Going out to Sisters on the Fly
After talking to Maurrie Sussman of Sisters on the Fly (aka Cowgirl Caravan), I put together a goodie box of vintage inspired goodness. Included in the box was an apron using her trailer on the pocket, a few notecards, 8 marble magnets and a picture frame bracelet. Here are a few pics.
I hope she likes what I sent her...we shall see. The waiting is going to kill me. I want this job!!! Friday, February 24, 2006
Ice Skating 101
Ian and Zane went ice skating with their pre-school today. I showed up at 10:35 with Wyatt to take some pictures of them so that Sergio and the rest of the family could see them in action and when I walked in to the rink, Sergio was on the ice WITH them! He had taken off work early to come see them skate. He even put on skates and skated around with them. It was so great! Nothing like having the Daddy home. They really did well. They fell quite a bit, but that didnt seem to slow them down a bit. They both got right back up and on their skates again. They (and we) had a ball!
(I was also playing with the light features on the camera, so apologies for the "whiteness" of the photos.)
Marble Magnets
I did a few marble magnets this week and I just cant stop...someone, please tell me to drop the silicone glue. They are so fun!!! The boys even got into it and have started collecting pictures of things they want to use for magnets. We had an old enamel table top from a kitchen piece that had lost its legs and had been sitting out by the shed since the fall. I brought it inside this week so that we can display the magnets on it. The boys love it.
These found a home next door with Ms. Dorothy.
I scaled down the boys' artwork on the computer and did a few. I used regular printer paper...duh...need to use photo paper next time.
Here are some we made for the NebelsWe've made more since I took pics of these. Maybe Ill get pics up later. So, so fun! Im loving doing all of these projects with the boys...for the most part. Aunt Grace's kitchen table has a little more paint and glue on it than it did when it was in her kitchen, but I think she would love the idea of its new life in our house.
These are headed to the Houin house one of these days...unless the get used to living here. Shinky-Dink Try-Outs Take 1
Ian concentrated so hard and really drew "things" I could make out...a dinosaur and a firetruck.
Zane is my little abstract artist. He colored the whole shrinky-dink sheet in...every little inch. He's also been wearing that hat EVERYWHERE. Even to bed tonight.
But here is what happened after we put them in the oven!?!?!?! I followed the directions to a "T" and even read them again for the second batch, after the first ones turned out all rolled up.
My butterfly...one of the survivors.
But the boys didnt seem to care they they didnt turn out exactly right. They really enjoyed watching them shrink in the oven. So, we tied them all together with some twine and ran christmas lights around them and hung them in their room over their beds. So, as I am typing, Im listening to them talk about which "shrink-a-dink" is Zane's and which is Ian's and the counting of the different colored lights.
A few of them turned out.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Happy Tuesday!
Well...the munchkins (all 3) are resting (read that napping), so Im catching up on some work around here. It was a very productive morning. Got the kitchen cleaned up, picked up downstairs an made it to the UPS store all before 11 a.m. VICTORY! Two packages off to my Mom for her store, package to Jaime, package to Alicia (breastpump for Tracy) and 2 other orders out the door. Yeah for me! And my lazertran came in the mail today! Another score! Cant wait to try it out tonight after the littles are in bed and S is asleep. 