I {heart} yarn wreaths

When it comes to crafting sometimes I want something that is mindless, yet yields a fantastic project. Wrapping Styrofoam wreath forms in yarn fits that bill to a tee! There are so many pictures out there for inspiration. Googling yarn wreath brings thousands of images to choose from.

A few tips to make it easier on you.

1. Start with a basic plan of what you want your finished product to look like. I can't tell you how many forms I've wrapped in a pretty color of yarn thinking I could make something of nothing only to unwrap the whole thing because I couldn't figure out how to finish the darn thing! which leads to #2...

2. Don't be afraid to unwrap your wreath if you don't like how it looks!

3. Wrap that yarn TIGHT. I always do a nice tight layer and then go over it with a "sloppy" layer to give it a more textured look. This ensures that the form is nice and covered, and it gives the finished look a little character.

 4. Have fun and experiment. I saw a picture of this fourth of July wreath and I just went for it. No tutorial to guide me. I'm thrilled with how it turned out. (I wrapped 3/4 in white, 1/4 in blue, and did the red stripes on top, finishing off with buttons). With my ombre style wreath I knew what I wanted it to look like and I just tried different ways to create a fading effect that I was happy with. Next time I will do a few more single strands to symbolize the blending of the colors.

 5. Don't be afraid to accessorize! Hot glue is your friend (as well as how I start and stop my yarn wraps), it can help you put all sorts of baubles and trinkets, banners and flowers, whatever your heart desires on your wreath. The possibilities are seriously endless. Again google or pinterest are great for finding ideas!

6. Different textures create visual interest. I've found that using different thicknesses of yarn, and different fibers for my embellishments helps create depth and makes it fun!

7. Make something that makes you happy! Wreaths are pretty much only there for decoration, and why hang up something unless you love how it looks! Everyones tastes are different, so don't be afraid to make a custom wreath just for you. I love seeing a happy little wreath on my door every time I come home. Makes me smile!

Go bold, or go home!

I don't consider myself to be a tutorial crafter. I find that I create best when I see a picture for inspiration and then I go forth and try to recreate the basic idea, along the way infusing the project with my own spin and tastes. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not!

In the case of my giant chalkboard I had to use others expertise, and a bit of my own trial and error to make a finished product that I adore! It all started with a HUGE, I mean HUGE empty white picture frame that I found for a steal at a garage sale. I'm talking $2.00 for this bad boy! (I know! I couldn't believe my luck!) I immediately knew it had to come home with me and become some sort of family sign.

After a lot of work, mess ups, and a little heartache, that white frame turned into one of my favorite pieces of art in our home. I don't have any step by step instructions on how to create a chalkboard, but if you google chalkboard tutorials you get a ton of hits: here. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. First I painted and glazed my frame. I wanted a nice bold teal, with a dark grey glaze. Well, dark grey glaze translated into a dirty brown glaze, which ended up being a good antique look. Not what I was hoping for, but it has grown on me. So, word of advice, if you are going to glaze something, just use black. Lots of tips on how to glaze things here.

The first wood I chose for the chalkboard ended up being too lumpy. I painted the wood and tried to put chalk on it, and it ate my chalk right up. I couldn't get any of my words to look smooth and it was just a giant mess. So I removed the board and went back to square one. A friend of mine happened to be remaking an empty frame at the same time, and she had some spare wood that worked well, and created a nice smooth finish for her girls to draw on, and she just so happened to have enough extra that she was willing to donate to me! And it turned out fabulously. For those of you wanting to make a chalkboard my advice would be to go to your local hardware store and find the smoothest, thinnest wood for your base. If you have measured your frame (twice to make sure it's accurate!) most places will cut your wood right down to your perfect size! Slap your paint on there (according to the package directions), and you are good to go!

After I was finished I promptly leaned it up against the wall, and left it there for months because I was too scared to draw on it! But hello? The best part about a chalkboard is that nothing is permanent! I don't know what I was so scared of, because I finally worked up the courage and wrote on my board and I love it! To get this look I hopped on the computer and typed up what I wanted to say, messed around with the fonts until I was happy with how it looked, and printed it out as a basic template for my final board. Through more trial and error, doing the best I could to "copy" the look of the specific font (and plenty of erasing) I ended up with a finished product that looks great on the wall, and is a piece the whole family can enjoy! After summer I plan on putting a family quote or some other inspirational saying that we can see every day. I love the idea of easily interchangeable art, and a giant chalkboard gives me just that!

I hope this rambling post can inspire you to be bold! Find an idea that you love and try to make it work for you. Don't be afraid to mess up, because in the crafting world I've found not many things are permanent, and  most mistakes can be fixed (or painted over!).

Pictures

1) My parents like to give king sized gifts. 2) Worst. Tchotchke. Ever. 3) Natalie is obsessed with these 3D glasses with the lenses popped out. She's so hip. 4) Nat in her solo dress. She's amazing. 5) All gussied up for church. 6) Went out on the town with Nat and Erin and we enjoyed some fine dining. 7) I saw this dress online and hunted it down at the store. I adore it. And I adore it on her even more! 8) Started hanging things on my newly painted dining room walls. It's gonna look so, me, when I am done!

Today

I went grocery shopping with a complete list and meal plan for the week all laid out for the third week in a row. We are eating so much better and I don't have to make multiple trips to the store all week. I love it when I can keep this up!

Wyatt never slowed down. That kid is all over the place. And it's impossible to take his picture! As soon as he sees the camera (or phone) out he crawls over to investigate. So I have to settle for flipping the view so he can see me in the picture, he loves that! I can't believe he is 11 months. He's amazing and is really starting to act like a budding toddler.

I had to go on the hunt for some new work shirts for Keith. His office moved buildings so now the dress code is a bit more formal. Anywho, I ended up at Kohl's, and due to extensive clearance that was an extra 25% off the reduced prices, I spent $96 on six button down dress shirts and 3 pieces of workout clothes for me. The kicker? Unsaved $256.00!! Insane. Too bad I didn't have an extra 20% off coupon. I would have died of happiness. I love a bargain!

I ate a ton ton of fruits and veggies. I am trying to be better about what I eat. I started going back to weight watchers and I realized that I must go to meetings to keep me pumped up. I love my leader and she gets me feeling like I can do anything!

*capturing a smile as long as he can see Mama too*even Wyatt likes the veggies (learning that celery makes a big mess!)*our veggie tray, gonna keep this stocked up for after school snacking*constantly moving these days*

I am a housewife

My life consists of doing endless piles of laundry. Folding itty bitty baby socks and ballet tights riddled with holes and runs and hundreds of pairs of tiny undies. I pick up soggy towels, stray crayons and Legos. I carefully craft meal plans and grocery lists. I dust and vacuum. I make beds and change sheets and sweep floors and wash dishes and cook meals. And sometimes I take a moment for myself and make a craft or watch some TV, or maybe even fall blissfully into a nap. And I do it every day. Day in and day out. And I love it.

Because I also get to kiss ouchies and put band aids on invisible cuts. I get to receive the most amazing bear hugs from the tiniest arms. I get to see the joy on my sons face when he wakes up on his birthday morning to cards full of well wishes and declarations of love. I get to watch my daughter dance in a way I never had the chance to do. I get to snuggle a squishy baby in a freshly laundered onesie and kiss his soft skin. I read bedtime stories and sing just one more song and pack special treats in school lunches. I foster the love of reading and creating masterpieces out of blocks or crayons. And so much more. So many small, but incredible things that I get to do each day. Day in and day out. And I love it.

Makes me happy

I am trying to participate in a fun little photo-a-day challenge on one of my favorite app called Instagram. Today I was supposed to take a picture of something that "makes me happy". If I could take a picture of today, I would. I had so much fun today I took 3 pictures total.

This morning Keith took the baby after his morning nurse (6:15) and let me sleep till 8 am, when he came in and told me he had made me breakfast! Sweet! Then Erin asked if I wanted to go garaging to hunt for a new dresser (does a bear poop in the woods?), of course I did! After a mild "incident" with Natalie resulting in her staying home to clean her room instead of coming with, Erin and I packed up the baby and headed out to search for treasures. All while Keith stayed home to rip out the bathroom (that's a whole different can of worms). Basically he's awesome.

Garaging was a bust, we only found one gaudy frame begging for spray paint, but it was freezing cold fun nonetheless. We then headed home to regroup, get Natalie off to dance, pick up a big burger and fries for the hard working Mr. Fix it, and nurse the baby. After all that we decided to hit the thrifts! Keith and Brady had moved on to some quality male bonding over Legos and electronics, so we were safe to scoot.

Of course, another bust. We came home with a few adorable Clinique free gift makeup bags and a few vintage kitchen things. But the thrill of the hunt is still fun! And Wyatt was making the happiest little companion. He is such a little ball of sunshine now that he is feeling better. (He is recovering from a fever and on antibiotics for and ear infection)

We then headed home to get Natalie all dolled up for her big date with daddy! Her school is throwing a Daddy Daughter dinner and dance tonight. And she couldn't be more excited! After they got out the door Brady and I sat down to enjoy some chinese take out. Yum! Today was full of things that make me happy. Life is so good, and I am grateful for days like this that help me remember that!

*ready for the daddy/daughter date*catching some zzz's at thrift town*tearing down the wall*

Today I...

...did stay home with the congested boy, until he woke from one of his many naps burning up. After discovering a 103.1 fever we darted to the pediatrician to discover an ear infection and a pretty nasty cold. Nothing a little bubblegum medicine and Tylenol and lots of rocking and cuddling can't cure.

...got almost all the laundry washed, most of it folded and some of it put away. Ah well, it'll be there tomorrow.

...sat on the couch, but nixed the TV. The baby wanted to be held, and he was a little loopy and delirious, which made for awesome entertainment. He is so silly!

...made that chicken, and it was good! Yum! Super easy, with things I always have. Love adding another staple dish to the repertoire!

*rocking my boy to sleep*aisles and aisles of pretty things at target (that store is so dangerous!)*another sleepy shot, playing with his bink and talking up a storm*

Today I am...

...stuck at home with a congested little baby. I feel so awful for him, but I do very much love that he will snuggle up and fall asleep in my arms when he is sick.

...tackling the Mt. Everest of laundry yet again. Didn't I just do this? Where do all these clothes come from??!

...listening to the birds sing to each other through the skylight. I think when I get older and have more time to kill I will take up bird watching. I would love to know what I am listening too!

...going to make Brady's birthday shirt. Six already! I can hardly believe it. I mean, seriously? How on earth is that guy almost six??!

...hopefully gonna catch up on some serious TV. Lots of good shows waiting on my DVR! TV and diet Dr. Pepper keep this mama sane, and maybe some chocolate for good measure.

...making a new recipe I found via Pinterest. Cream cheese, corn, salsa, black beans, seasonings and chicken thrown in the crock pot. Served over rice with salad on the side. Should be yummy!

What are you doing today?

*Daddy and Wyatt reading together*My smiling sunshine baby*Helping Mama get ready in the morning*Nat and Keith all dressed up for their Daddy-Daughter date at Chick fil-A*

Tongues and stuff

Wyatt's new favorite thing is sticking his tongue out. He does it all the time, and of course I think it's adorable. My favorite is when he sticks his tongue out and closes his mouth, though it's impossible to catch on film! The kid never stops moving!

He also crawls everywhere. He is fast, and tiny, which means I am afraid he will get lost! I picked up this, like new, pack and play to keep him contained every once in awhile when I need to get something accomplished and he would rather be trolling the house! It's worked out great thus far.

Natalie has been doing great at school and is really progressing in her dance skills. She has been working especially hard now that competition season is right around the corner. This year she is even going to have her own jazz solo! She will be competing in the last competition of the season, and also dancing in her spring recital. It makes me so proud that my baby girl will be dancing all by herself up on stage. She is turning into a beautiful and talented young lady!

Brady has been giving me a run for the money at school! He loves to play, problem is he doesn't always know when to stop playing and start listening. This has led to a few meetups with the VP at school. Luckily he is a cute kid, and he changes his behavior when told....most of the time. As far as academics, he is killing it! He started the year out barely being able to read and now he is in the most advanced reading group. He wants to read everything! He is trying to read every chapter book that Natalie reads, I am encouraging him to read all the "easy" books on our shelves before jumping into Harry Potter or something! I love that I have a reader on my hands. Now if only I could get him to work more on his penmanship!

Keith is in his {very} last semester of school. When he graduates in the spring he will have his Masters in tax law, and a few more letters after his name. Show off. But, seriously, I am so proud of all he does. Keith works 45-50 hours a week, plus school, plus helps out at home with whatever I just can't get to. He's the bees knees, and I try not to take him for granted!

Life is moving on, and moving fast. We are making it work every day, and loving it. It's hard work, but the good far outweighs the bad and as long as I get enough sleep I am able to appreciate it!

Testing, 1, 2, 3!

 I found an app (Blogsy) that may let me blog from the iPad, with pictures!! Let's give it a shot...

 

Found these amazing pillows at Costco. So soft and fluffy, and the most amazing colors. Of course they are $13.99, and there is no way I can spend that on a frivolous pillow, but they are so pretty! 

 

Wyatt is growing at a rapid rate. I seriously need it to slow down. In fact my brain has started to view every milestone he hits as a tragedy, so now I cry all. the. time.  Post-partum anyone? Why can't I just have normal baby blues instead of this weird manifestation? It's like my body is mourning Wyatt's newborn-ness and it's very difficult. I need to stop beating myself up for not being able to remember every minute detail of his infancy. He is amazing nonetheless. His smile makes me so happy, and if I could just play/feed/nap with him very day I would be completely satisfied. 

Sometimes I like to pretend that I am cute. Then I see my double chin and spare tire. Ah well, it's a work in progress to be sure. 

 

Texas forgot to have winter. It's been the strangest thing ever. We rode bikes and took walks all month long, and February looks to be more of the same. Either the world is gonna end this year, or we are gonna get slammed with ice and cold in a few weeks. I'm not sure which would suck worse.  

 

Getting it out

I've decided the reason I don't blog anymore is because I hate posting without pictures, but I can't do good pictures unless I am on the computer, but I hate getting on the computer. So I am in a bit of a pickle. I have decided that I need to blog. It's my release. It's how I record my thoughts, and how the kids are doing, and any other mundane things going through my brain.

So I am forcing myself to blog. And I am doing it on my phone, which means random pictures tacked on the end of what are gonna be, quite possibly, very random posts. But, I've got to do it. Lots of things rattling around in this Mama's brain. Time to get some of them out.

And now for pictures.