December 2009 Big Island Slide Show

Handmade Home

I made this purse over the last few days. I am pretty proud of myself. I made the rose out of trim. I just kept rolling it and sewing it in the back. Then I hand sewed it onto the purse when I was done.
I used canvas on the bottom from a drop cloth I got for painting. The other fabric is the same fabric I used for the Boppy cover and the nursing cover. I got the directions from the blog Made by Rae. My next sewing adventure is to make some clothes for me. I picked out some very exciting fabric. I hope it turns out okay.

On a side note. I am not happy with my hair. Brian doesn't see that I need a haircut because I am growing it out again. I disagree. I just want to fix it up a bit. So I am excited because in April I am going to my Sister-in-law's place to get my hair done!

Things That Make Me Happy

I went thrifting the other day and picked up this old flour canister. Thrifting makes me happy. I put one of the zoo tools that I have in it. Now I can see it instead of it being hidden in a drawer. The green canister that Jenna made makes me happy too. I am appreciating handmade items a lot more lately. Of course the engagement pic my dad took makes me happy. I like having it near the stove.
My Mom made me this tile. I just put it up behind the stove where I can see it better. I love this little pig timer. I found it at TJ Maxx. It's made by the Joie people.
Mikey makes me happy. He was doing this the other day. Just hanging over the side. He is so funny. I know a couple of Mikes and they are very entertaining. Our Mike is following suit.
The sun has been shining and melted all of our snow. That makes me happy. It has been warmer outside so we went out. There have been a lot of cats around the house. The girls are looking for them. When they work together and are happy, I am happy.

Celebrating the Irish

We celebrated St. Patrick's day with rainbow jell-o (which took me forever), Corned beef and cabbage (courtesy of Brian), and of course...

Green cupcakes. The cupcakes were very addicting. I asked Brian what it was and he said, "The frosting. The frosting. The frosting." It was the Betty Crocker Rainbow chip. Yummm!!!
I set the table with recycled brown paper for our guests to color on. I drew four leaf clovers under the glasses. Oh the small things that get me excited. The girls really liked the Jell-o. I think we have some new traditions.

Contest

I am posting about a new blog, "Women Who Do It All" that has an awesome giveaway. I hope I win. You can go to the blog here.

My Talk

Today I gave a talk in Sacrament. I had heard that the original speaker was ill so I volunteered. I prayed for guidance as to what Heavenly Father would have me say. I kept thinking about a question that someone had asked me. This friend had asked me why other people in other churches seem to be happier.

Here is the talk I gave. Keep in mind that all that I had said in Sacrament is not here because I was prompted to say other things and I did not write them down or remember what I said. I also write my talks more like notes instead of a word for word speech.

I felt the Spirit so strongly when I was speaking. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to speak. I know that some of the members were touched. I am grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that this is the true church and we get to enjoy the blessings of the full gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you Mom and Dad for not giving up on me.

What I have been doing

I have been busy trying new things and developing talents. I made this mac & cheese concoction the other day. I made my own cheese sauce with half sharp cheddar and half Monterrey jack, added sweet turkey sausage, and some diced tomatoes. I served it with corn. Brian and I mixed the corn in and it made it just right. Sounds weird but I was using what I had on hand.

I seem to have an abundance of grocery bags. I use them for garbage bags in the bathroom and in our room. I also use them to dispose of Lexi's diapers. I got tired of not having a place for them so I made two of these holders. I used burlap and cut up woman's stocking. I also used freezer paper to make a stencil and then painted the word on them. I think they are pretty neat. I will be doing more freezer paper stencils in the future.

I forgot to take a before picture of this chair. This was a little metal folding chair that we saw at a thrift store. Ellie was taken with it and it was only two dollars. So I picked it up and then spray painted it and then mod podged a piece of scrapbook paper on the seat. Ellie loves it and I like it too.

I made this boppy cover all by myself. I took a cover that I had and used that for a pattern. I sewed my first zipper. It took me awhile to figure that out, but I did it and I was so proud. I gave this to a friend who blessed their son last Sunday. He is so beautiful!

I made this two days later. Another friend of mine had her first baby last Saturday. She really wants to work on breastfeeding. So in supporting that decision I made her a cover. I really like mine. I got the directions from this website.

I have a bunch of other things that I am working on. I will share them when I am done. Mikey is growing and just started clicking his tongue. Ellie might be on the verge of potty training. Alexis continues to love her grandmas and all the activities. We miss our family very much and we love you.

OOOh Weee!!!

I was doing my regular blog reading and my name was on a blog that I love, Prudent Baby. I get a lot of my inspiration from them. Anyways, I got all excited. I didn't win the drawing but it was still cool. I made someone laugh on the west coast and I am not related to them.

On another note I won another contest. I entered over at Spors in the Desert for an art easel. I posted about it here. I got the email today. I am so excited!