Crafty Tuesday - Baby Karlee

Several months ago there was someone on a forum that I am a member of who was clearing out some of her stock of bags. I thought that they were super cute, so I snatched them up, completely unsure of what I was going to do with them.

They sat in my closet for quite a while, until one of my former coworkers had a baby girl. And, coupled with a set of burp cloths, it makes a nice gift!











See what else is being shared at Carrie's!


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Crafty Tuesday - Polka Dot Tote

It's Crafty Tuesday again. And so I have...more totes to show!

I might have a small obsession with bags.





This one is not from Dollar Tree. And yes, those are my initials. I liked this one so much that I wanted to keep it for myself.

See what other crafty goodness is being shared at Carrie's!


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Crafty Tuesday - Totes

I have a new love in my life...

Dollar Tree.

And, wouldn't you know, everything in the entire store is $1.00 - and that's it! Including these bags:

Fifteen minutes with my machine and these Dollar Tree bags aren't too shabby, if I do say so myself. Which is a not a bad thing, since I have thirty more stored in the closet.

Just in case I need a last minute gift...

See what other crafty goodness there is to be had at Carrie's!

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Crafty Tuesday: Burp Cloths

Now I realize that it's actually Wednesday.  But I didn't have time to upload photos yesterday, so crafty wednesday this week it is!

I took a break from sewing...not on purpose, but just because January and February were really hard months for me school/schedule wise.  I hardly had time to remember my own name, let alone get motivated to do anything else. 

But motivated or not, there were a few things that I just had to get finished for gifts.  And burp cloths are an absolutely PERFECT use for my new serger.  Which I picked because I remembered the lovely and amazing Carrie talking about how much she loved hers.  And anything that's good enough for Carrie is MORE than good enough for me...especially when it comes to crafting! 

So these are a few of the first burp cloths that I did with my new serger.  She is a great little machine...or at least she is once I figured out how to thread her -- which I will admit took me almost two hours, many attempts and even more four letter words.  But it was well worth the effort, because having a serger made these SO EASY!

These are so easy and quick to make....a perfect last-minute baby gift!

Addictions

Hi, I'm Maggie, and I am an addict. 

Addicted to what, you ask?  Lots of things!  But here are a few of my latest addictions:

Pinterest.  At first I didn't understand what it was.  But one night when I couldn't sleep, I poked around a bit.  And I haven't stopped since.  There are so many things to look at!  And pin!  And...well, you get the picture.  But seriously...I love it!

Applique Forum.  I have made no secret about the love I have of my embroidery machine.  It's probably one of my favorite things I've gotten over the last year or so.  I find sewing relaxing, and I just love the finished products.  I read about a new forum for applique on Applique Cafe, so I decided to check it out.  It's been, hands down, one of my favorite things about the internet.  The ladies are so crafty and wise.  And the free designs available each month are amazing!

Diet Coke.  Okay, so that's not really new.  But I still love it. 

Presets Heaven.  Which, as the name implies, is heaven.  I am not all that great at using lightroom yet -- I will use it to sort my photos, but most of my editing is still done in photoshop.  But I just discovered this website, FULL of presets for lightroom.  Which are awesome.  And will hopefully make editing go faster, especially as it gets closer to fall, which is by far the time I do the most photoshoots. 

So tell me, what addictions have you been feeding lately?  Please, tell me I'm not the only one...

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!

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!

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Things I've Been Reading

First, let me say that I never realized how much I would love using an e-reader. I have read more books since getting my iPad six month ago than I had in the two years before that. I have always liked to read, but it is so much more convenient when I always have the book with me!

Here are some of the books I have been reading lately:

The Midwife's Confession

Look Again





Save Me (See all Thrillers Books)






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Bouncy

When I was little, I always thought it would be SO FUN to have a trampoline.

My parents did not really agree. Or maybe they did, but they still wouldn't let me have one.

The beauty of being a grown up is that now I can make my own decisions. That's right, I got myself a trampoline.

SO FUN!

I figured it was mostly just fabric stretched out with springs on a metal frame....how hard is that to assemble?

Answer?

Holy hell Harder than you think.

It took two of us almost six hours. In nearly 90 degree heat.

Of course the fact that a three month old and a six year old were "helping" might have made it a tad bit harder...

But still...it's so much fun, and totally worth it!

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Loving My Sewing Machine

When I got my machine a few months ago, I had no idea how much I would end up loving it. For anyone who things that they might want an embroidery machine, I can't recommend one enough!

My only regret is that I wish I would have gotten a bigger machine!

Here are a few of the things I have been making lately:


A big, fluffy towel. The font can be found here.



The cutest elephant. The design is from Applique Cafe -- she has the CUTEST designs, I want them all!


A girly version of the elephant.



A boyish shirt for the son of one of my coworkers. I am not super crazy about the designs that I picked for the fish, but it's still pretty cute...right? Another Applique Cafe design! And the font is from here...it's one of my favorites!

See what everyone else has been working on this week at Carrie's for Crafty Tuesday!

Favorite

My very favorite thing about Thursdays is my standing lunch date with my favorite baby and her mom.



While I can't wait for her mom to come back to work, a 3 hour lunch once a week sure does wonders to brighten a week! :)

Crafty Tuesday - Siblings

I know that it is probably getting a little old, but I am still totally in LOVE with my embroidery machine! I have finished round one of baby shower gifts, and overall I have to admit that I am pretty happy with the way things turned out...hopefully the receivers of the gifts were too!

In addition to set of burp cloths (which were the last two weeks worth of Crafty Tuesday's), I made some onesies:










And my favorite creations are the big brother/big sister shirts. I scoured etsy the Internet for good ideas to ase my designs off of, and this was what I came up with...not too shabby for a first attempt...right?!









See what everyone has to share at Carrie's....It will be filled with crafty goodness! And speaking of crafty delights, some should tell me more about these taggie blankets...

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Fleece Jackets. I have 15. Think I have a slight problem?



Scented Candles. I almost always have one burning. And I refuse to count them...I don't want to know how many I have. The one is Amber Cream...it smells amazing...



My label maker. LOVE. IT.



My DVR. I'd never get to watch anything without it.


What can't you live without these days?

Friday Favorites

I know, I know, everyone talks about their favorite things on fridays.

So I'm going to too.

And right now? I love this: http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com

Have you seen it? Because if you haven't, you should. It's creative...and more than that, ADORABLE!

*****
In other news, this appears to be my 500th post. Who would have thought that after that many that I could still come up with random and mostly useless things to say?

Yeah, on second thought I'm not that surprised either...

Happy Friday!

Project 365

In 2008 I did Project 365...and I loved it. I have had most of that year put into various coffee table books, and I just love being able to look back over the year and remember things.

I started off doing it in 2009, but couldn't quite seem to keep up. So I quit about halfway through and just forgot about it.

This year Cara has been doing her project 365, and it has reminded me how much I miss doing it. Even if I don't get it all put together right away, I really want to be able to look back and remember what these days are like -- especially since I can hardly remember how the day started once it's over!

So, even though it's March, I'm starting again. A week at a time, so even if I miss a day it shouldn't be too obvious...

Cara -- thank you a million times over for inspiring me to get back into the project 365 game...and for telling me how to do those fantastic collages! You're the best!

Calling All Crazies

I was supposed to work all night, and yet I have found myself at home for the last couple of hours. Yay labor gods, who have clearly smiled upon me! Or at least they have for now - I am on call for five more hours, so keep those fingers crossed!

Given that I have some unexpected time at home, I am clearly using that time wisely. By watching The Bachelor. And I am not even joking...I can't get ENOUGH of this bunch of loonies.

Seriously. Where do they FIND these nut jobs?

I'm sure that the girls are not certifiably insane lovely people once you get to know them. But still. If I hear one more of them talk about how they are here for *true love*, I think I might barf. Or, more likely, slap someone.

But don't be confused, I will totally watch the entire season. I live for this stuff. Other people's drama? That doesn't involve me personally? SIGN ME UP.

I'm not the only one watching The Bachelor this season...right?

Best Shot Monday - Plaza Lights, Take 2

Last week I said that one of my favorite things about the holidays was the plaza lights. And I of course had an accompanying photo. But it really didn't do it justice. So here's take 2...it really is beautiful...

And to be fair, I didn't take all of these shots myself -- someone else was taking some too, who admittedly had a much steadier hand than I do... So I am really not sure who took what, although it probably would be fair to assume that he took more of the good ones than I did...


For more great shots, see what everyone has to share at Tracey's!