Crafty Tuesday: Onesie

Not too much to share this week -- work has been crazy and I haven't had much time to photograph some of the other things that I have made. But I do have this onesie that I made -- the name didn't turn out exactly like I had wanted -- but I love the little bird/birdhouse!

To see all the crafty goodness that everyone else has, see what is being shared at Carrie's!

Roller Derby

One of my cousins does (plays?) roller derby. If it weren't for her, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have the first clue about it. Well, mostly I still have no idea about it. But I have been to a roller derby match (game?) to watch her. I went once in St. Louis, and then again in Kansas City when she called to tell me she would be in town for one night to play.

If you haven't ever been to roller derby, I assure you it is QUITE the experience. While I still have absolutely NO idea what the rules are, it was still pretty entertaining to watch. Let me tell you, there are plenty of opportunities to people watch at an event like that!

I also made my friend come with me -- I figured that roller derby is an experience that everyone should have at least once. She agreed -- and brought her kids and husband along for the fun!








I'm pretty sure that any baby that can sleep through roller derby is a keeper...it is a very LOUD event!

Crafty Tuesday: Gifts

Last week a friend of mine asked if I could make a baby gift for her sister-in-law. Up until this point, all but one of the gifts that I have made I have given to people from myself, meaning that even if it didn't turn out all that well, it would still fall under the "it's the thought that counts" heading. So I wasn't totally sure that I was qualified, but I have always liked the baby gifts I make, so I figured why not.

I was pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

It was nice that this gave me a pretty good excuse to try out some of the new fonts that I have gotten...I swear I find a new one that I like just about every day!






This onesie also gave me a chance to use another new font -- it was much easier to use that I thought it would be, and I was pretty happy with the way that it turned out.

It was actually nice to be able to make something for someone else to use as a gift. I am seriously thinking about an etsy shop -- as it turns out, people pay quite a bit for things that are personalized! With something like that, I just might be able to help pay for my habit :)

Crafty Tuesday: Trick or Treat Bags

I know that it's only August, but I have already started thinking about Halloween. Perhaps I am just dreaming of when the weather turns cooler?

In addition to cooler weather, I have been working on my latest craft project...trick or treat bags! I've only done one so far, but I was thrilled with how it turned out:

To see what everyone else has been working on, check out what's being shared at Carrie's!

Trampolines

Ever since I was little, I wanted a trampoline. Although really, what kid doesn't? And like almost every kid, my parents said no. Sad times.

But one of the benefits of being a grown up is that you can get the things you want -- no parental permission required! So I decided that I needed a trampoline for my backyard. And I have to admit -- it is every bit as much fun as I always thought that it would be! Getting a trampoline is something I HIGHLY recommend. Because it's super fun.

It was also NOT EASY to put up. A friend of mine and I went to lunch with her girls, then decided that surely between the two of us we could manage to put up a trampoline without a problem. After all...how hard could it be?!

Answer: HARD.

It took us over five hours. In 90 degree heat. Although in our defense, we did have *help* from a 3 month old and a 6 year old.


But now that it's up, I can say that it was totally worth it.

Baby Kate was screaming unless she was being held. And since trampoline construction requires both hands, into the sling she went. Unfortunately, the sling I have doesn't fit her mother, which meant that I got to wear the baby. In the 90 degree heat. Oy.



We also had help from the dogs. Who were only too happy to make themselves comfortable on baby Kate's blanket. Since she wasn't using it.



After watching her mom and I mess with the trampoline for HOURS, Makayla was only too happy to test out our building abilities. I am pleased to report that the trampoline didn't fall over when she jumped on it :)






Garrett and Bennett are only too happy to come over and jump on the newest toy!

Backyard BBQ

Due to my school schedule, I work just about every weekend. At my hospital we work 12 hour shifts, and the night shift is 7 pm - 7 am the next morning. And, before you ask, yes -- working night shift is hard. And yes, you could do it too -- you get used to it, although it still makes you EXHAUSTED. But I consider myself lucky -- by working Friday and Saturday nights, it means that I only need to work a night or two during the week to keep my full time hours, while giving me most of my weekdays free for school.

But every now and then I am lucky enough to have a weekend night off. It's a rare treat -- other than the weekends that I have taken off for finals, I have only been off three weekend nights this year. I'm not complaining -- this is the scheduled that I have picked, and it's only for a few years. Or at least that is what I keep telling myself...

I was lucky enough to be off the Saturday night before 4th of July. And nothing says "summer fun" quite like having a backyard BBQ. And it was hot and there were lots of bug bites. But there was also s'mores. And laughter. And fabulous company.

And it was totally worth it.

This is what Baby Kate thinks about our conversation topics



Clearly we weren't quite interesting enough



Bennett and Makayla



There was water fun to keep cool.



Garrett



And the hose on the trampoline. Which turned out to be the most entertaining thing ever.



It's official...he can't deny this baby belongs to him -- she has his looks AND his personality!

Crafty Tuesday: T Shirt Edition

I know that I said that I mostly made burp cloths. Which is true -- what can I say, I know an UNBELIEVABLE number of people that are having babies this year. But sometimes I make other things -- usually t-shirts. Which I have to say are harder than the burp cloths. And I might be partial, but I think they turn out almost as cute!

Sibling Shirts. Because poor big brother is having a hard time adjusting to all the attention that the new little one is getting. And because I think it's cute.



Big brother was VERY excited to have a shirt of his very own.



Okay, so this is a onesie and not a shirt. And the dots got all messed up. But it's the same idea as a shirt. And I loved it too much to throw it out when the dots got messed up.



A Fourth of July shirt for the little one of my sweet coworker that came to pick me up for work when I had a flat tire. Which is a story for another time...



I have a sweet, sweet coworker who has an autistic daughter. And she has been having a tough time, because her little girl only wants to wear shirts that are orange. With bugs. And when I saw this blank t-shirt at Target, I was sure that a little bit of girlishness on an orange shirt might go a long way.

To see what everyone else has whipped up this week, check out things at Carrie's!

Things I've Been Reading 2

Some of the non-fiction books I've been reading:



This Won't Hurt A Bit

And if you like the book, her blog can be found here!



Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back






Clutter Rehab: 101 Tips and Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie and Love It!


If you like this book, her blog can be found here!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad've

Time For A Vacation

A week or so ago, I took some vacation time and escaped to the lake for a few days. My parents and sisters do not live in the same place that I do, but the lake makes for a nice meeting point, as it is an equal distance from my parents' house and mine.

We went while pretty much the entire country was immersed in hell in the middle of a heat wave, so we didn't spend too much time outside. I am pale as a ghost on the fair side in terms of skin, so I usually don't go out in the sun too often. But when it feels like 107 outside, the only way to cool off is in a pool, even if it's just for a few minutes...

My mom.



One of the few pictures of me. Proof that I was actually there...



My sisters got these hideous special sunglasses. Nice, no?



My sisters and my dad.



It would probably be better if I had put in the shot of the water splashing, but oh well...it's harder than you think to keep a camera away from splashing water when the person jumping in is a grown up!

Crafty Tuesday: MORE Burp Cloths

I know, I know. It's like I never make ANYTHING else. I do -- although I will admit that I make burp cloths more often than I make anything else. It's quite relaxing actually, and one of my favorite ways to de-stress. Not to mention, I think they are super cute. And they make great baby gifts!

For more crafty goodness, see what everyone has to share at Carrie's!