December Daily – Day 7

I ran out of ink on Monday so I couldn’t print any of my pictures and now I’m playing catch up with my pages. 

We had fun tonight watching movies and making Sidney laugh. 

We tried a new honey lime enchilada recipe and it just might be the best thing I’ve ever made.  And I don’t think it was the three glasses of wine talking.  Even Mike loved them.  You should definitely try them right away.  They are that good.

December Daily–Day 4

Just a typical Sunday for us today.  Didn’t really do anything Christmas-y.  I didn’t take many pictures either.  But I did manage to catch this picture of Sidney mid jump with my phone when she was playing hopscotch in her room. 

December Daily - Day 3

We had quite an adventure yesterday.  We planned on going to the park, having a picnic, taking a nice long walk and then playing around in the leaves for a bit.  We sat down to eat our sandwiches and were immediately swarmed by ducks.  Sidney started screaming and was scared so we  moved everything into our van and ate in there. 

We finished eating, got out the stroller and tried to pack our bags in the storage area but I decided the bag was too big so I threw it back into the van and shut the door.  Then I realized my keys and my phone were in the bag.  Oops.  First time I’ve ever locked my keys in the car. 

We walked to a dry cleaners thinking we could get a metal hanger and jimmie the lock.  It didn’t work.  While we were all standing around the van a couple came over to help us.  I think they felt really bad that both of the girls were outside getting cold.  They called AAA and waited with us while the tow truck came to open the door.   They were so nice sitting in the cold with us.  There really are amazing people willing to give a little help even when it’s an inconvenience.  I don’t think I was able to express how much I appreciated it.

So, we still got to eat, walked a different path, met some new people and eventually played in the leaves.

December Daily–Day 2

We started our Elf tradition yesterday and the girls are going crazy!  They love him so much already and he’s only been around for a day.  We named him Scout and Madison kept trying to trick him into moving.  It was a good story for day two.

December Daily – Day 1

I haven't done much scrapbooking since starting Project Life, so it took me a while to get day one finished.  I had to re-learn how to use photoshop elements, re-learn how to work my sewing machine and re-learn how to use the scanner.  Finally it's done and I can move on to day two.

Madison and Sidney got to watch a Christmas movie last night before bed.  They picked Shrek the Halls and they were glued to the TV.   After Sidney went to bed, we had a dance party with Madison.  She is so funny with her rules.  I was not allowed to wear an apron and everyone had to wear boots.

November

November usually goes by in a blur and this year was no exception.  With my annual boutique the weekend before Thanksgiving, I  spend most of the month rushing to get more done.   This year I did a lot!  I ended up with almost 60 baby hats, lots of ornaments, a whole forest of cork trees and a few other items.



Now that the boutique is done it feels like I’ve got all sorts of free time on my hands.  I spent the weekend working on my December Daily album for this year.  I ordered the Studio Calico kit and I love it.  I’m following pretty close to what Ali is doing with her album.  I am using a 3”x8.5” separator sheet and then my daily page.  The hardest part for me is keeping it simple.  I always feel like I should add more.  Here are a few of my favorites:











And finally I made a scrapbook page using my Studio Calico Field Guide Kit.

Scrapbox Giveaway - NEW Winner

I didn't hear back from Sheeka so I picked a new winner - Carley C!  You have 24 hours to contact me with your full name, address, and phone number so I can get the ribbon box shipped to you.  If I don't hear from you in that time, a new winner will be selected.

Scrapbox Giveaway Winner

Sheeka G. you are my winner! You have 24 hours to contact me with your full name, address, and phone number so I can get the ribbon box shipped to you.  If I don't hear from you in that time, a new winner will be selected.

Original Scrapbox Holiday Blog Hop

Welcome to The Original Scrapbox Holiday Blog Hop

The Original Scrapbox company has an incredible line of products for organization, scrapbooking storage, sewing--any kind of craft you can dream up would love a home in one of their phenomenal pieces of furniture. Check out The Workbox, that's one of my favorites. And there is Free shipping anywhere in the continental USA!

On November 18, 2011 The Original Scrapbox will give away one of these beautiful WorkTops!

The Original Scrapbox.com  is giving away one limited edition WorkTop (value $150.00 U.S. Dollars).
You can enter to win your very own WorkTop from Thursday November 10^th - Monday Nov 14^th, 2011.

Here’s a blog post about this limited edition item http://scrapboxusa.blogspot.com/2011/06/work-top.html

There will be 10 preliminary giveaways with a chance to win an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing for one WorkTop.

Enter here to win one of the preliminary giveaways of one Ribbon Box (value $19.95) and One entry into the Grand Prize Drawing for a WorkTop in your choice of color. Visit the blogs listed below for additional entries.

If you are selected as a preliminary winner of the Ribbon Box, you will then be entered into the grand prize drawing held on The Original Scrapbox Blog on November 18, 2011. On that date, a random drawing will select a winner from all of the finalists to receive one WorkTop (value $150.00 U.S. Dollars) in their choice of black or white.

*The contest is open to addresses in the contiguous United States only.

Giveaway open from Thursday November 10- Monday November 14^th at 11:59pm.

Giveaway Rules:
*You can only enter under one name
* It is possible to win more than one preliminary prize, which means it’s possible to be entered into the grand prize drawing more than once.
*All winner’s addresses must be U.S. (48 contiguous state) addresses
*You must complete the required entry to be eligible to win


Here's how to enter: Leave a separate comment with your email address for each entry.  I'll put all entries into a spreadsheet and use Random.org to select the winner. Visit all 10 blogs for extra entries into this fabulous giveaway!

*Required entry: You must watch the following 3 videos on YouTube, (they’re short and sweet!) to find and unscramble the secret message. Then come back to my blog, and enter the secret message in the form below.*Do NOT leave the secret message in the comments, please!
Here's the links to the 3 videos, or scroll down to watch them here

The WorkBox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICGpfiFjjhs 

The CraftBox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olI5BBJUplk 

The EZ View Desk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGvXmJQZ8U8

Extra Entries:

• Like the Facebook page for The Original Scrapbox

• Follow the ScrapboxUSA blog
• Become a follower of I'm a Yarner
• Leave me a comment letting me know how you would use the WorkTop.

Remember to leave a separate comment for each additional entry.



Remember to leave a comment about each additional entry.





Hop on over to each of the participating bloggers for your chance to win a fantastic prize and ONE entry into the grand prize giveaway of the WorkTop from The Original Scrapbox:
Crafty Sprouts
Dukes & Duchesses
Two Classy Chics
Just Jingle
Craftiness is not Optional
Paper or Fabric
Family Volley
Live.Teach.Create.
RachelleWrites

*Disclosure: I received free product from The Original Scrapbox to host this giveaway. All rules must be followed and correct United States address given for prize to be awarded.

Glitter Ornament Tutorial

Have you seen all the glitter ornaments around blogland lately?  I have and I’ve fallen in love with them. 



As soon as I figured out how to make them, I ran to Michaels for all my supplies and got to work.  I made two dozen the first night.  They are so easy, so fast and they’ll make excellent hostess gifts for all my Christmas parties this year.

Here is what you’ll need:

Pledge Floor Care with Future Shine (this stuff will last forever)
Clear glass ornaments
Envelope – to use as a funnel.  Cut in half and then snip off one corner
Extra Fine Glitter
Two small containers – one for the extra glitter and one for the extra Pledge



1.  Pop out all the metal hooks from the ornaments



2.  Squirt a little bit of the Pledge into the ornament and swirl it around.  Try not to shake it so there won’t be a lot of bubbles.



3.  After the inside of the ornament is completely coated in Pledge pour it into one of your containers.



4.  Pour your glitter into the ornament.



5.  Cover the opening of the ornament with your finger and shake the glitter so that everything is covered.



6.  Pour excess glitter into the 2nd container.



7.  Pop your hooks back on and you’re done!

,

Linking to:
Fingerprints on the Fridge, Kojo Designs, My Romantic Home, Sassy Sites
Tatertots and Jello, Tidy Mom, Whipperberry, A Vision to Remember
Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, I Heart Naptime, C.R.A.F.T.,
The DIY Showoff, Created By Cori, Dittle Dattle, Between Naps on the Porch
The Girl Creative, Skip to my Lou, Keeping it Simple, Embellishing Life
Sugar Bee Crafts, Serenity You

Dining Room Table Redo

I bought a dining table and chairs off Craigslist several months ago and it sat in my dining room taking up space, collecting junk.  I had towels on the chairs because the fabric was dirty, and it was just a mess.  I started working on the chairs a few weeks ago and kept dragging my feet, not really getting it done.  I didn’t really know what I was doing and I was scared to mess it up.

Today we had a housewarming party and I really wanted the table and the chairs to be done so everything would look nice.  So I was outside in the garage every night last week stripping the old stain, sanding, painting, more sanding, more paining and then I put a top coat on the table.  I can’t believe how different everything looks with a little bit of paint and new stain.  I love how it turned out and it was much easier than I expected it to be.

Before:



After:





I’m totally hooked on redoing furniture.  I have a buffet for our TV that’s next on my list of things to do.   Hopefully it won’t sit in my garage until Christmas!

Linking to:
I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Funky Junk Interiors Tatertots & Jello, Dittle Dattle, Between Naps on the Porch, The Girl Creative The DIY Showoff, Skip to my Lou, Keeping It Simple, CRAFT
Making the World Cuter, Sew Can Do, Embellishing Life

First Soccer Game

Watching four and five year olds play soccer is the most frustrating thing ever!  Yesterday was Madison’s first official soccer game.  We went over everything before the game:  run after the ball even if no one else is, they’ll follow you; try to get the ball into the goal; the goal what the net is called;  try to keep the ball away from the other team; the other team is wearing a different color than your team, etc. 

She seemed to get everything we told her.  Then the game started.  She kind of remembered what to do so she was having fun.  Then at the end of the game she was standing right in front of the goal with the ball all by herself.  She looked down and then looked at us like she didn’t know what to do!  Everyone was screaming for her to kick it in the goal.  By the time she realized what she was supposed to do, the other team had caught up and kicked the ball out of the way.  She didn’t score a goal yesterday, but her team did win. 

I’m also trying to finish up some old projects and get caught up on my scrapbook pages.  I’m really trying to clear out some of the clutter in my craft room so I can figure out what I want to do with it.

Labor Day Weekend

How is your weekend going?  Ours is pretty quiet.  The extra day off just means more time for running errands, cleaning and having a BBQ on Monday instead of Sunday.  Even though we’re not doing a lot, I am getting a lot done and sometimes that’s all I want.

After I ordered my project life album for 2011, I loved it so much I ordered a second album for all my 2010 photos.  I finally finished it last night.  A few of my favorite pages:

Since starting project life I hadn’t done a single traditional scrapbook page until last week.  I forgot how much fun it was to just play around with all the paper and embellishments I have laying around.

I am also working on my first furniture project.  I found a dining table on Craigslist a few weeks after we moved into  our house and it’s been sitting in the garage.  It’s really not a hard project, but just the fear of screwing it up makes me put it off.  Finally I couldn’t stand it any longer.  I had to keep telling myself that the worst that could happen is I mess it up and have to find another one.  Here is a before and after of the chairs:

The chairs are done now and I only have the table to do.  I’m hoping by next weekend everything will be finished.

Update

How about an update on what we’ve been doing lately.  If you remember what our backyard looked like a few months ago, you know it wasn’t pretty.

April:

In June we rented two giant dumpsters and a jackhammer to get rid of all the concrete:

We hired someone to pour new stamped concrete and build a wall around the area where we will be laying sod.  We will bring in dirt so that the grass will be even with the top of the wall:

And the front of the wall:

We still have a lot more work to do but I can finally envision how everything will turn out.  I can’t wait to get some color back there.

When we’re not working in the yard we are going to soccer games:

Playing at the beach:

And taking silly pictures: