Happy Halloween

The boys took my Haunted Mansion from inside to the OUTSIDE.

As I was working on Halloween pillows this weekend (which still aren't finished as of now...figures, right?)

The outside was getting completely covered with spider webs.

 Not a single bush along the sidewalk was spared.

Even the lights got some special treatment!! 

We really couldn't hold back the giggles on this one.

No, this was NOT on purpose. 

Let us just say there was a little accident involving Mr. Boss*, light bulbs, a ladder, and the globe that made "friends" with the sidewalk.  

Apparently, glass and concrete don't mix?  Poor hubby....we often get a good laugh at his expense....

Even the front door received a bit of spider web love. 

  I had one contribution...the wreath!  I spray painted (surprised?) two brown twig wreaths black.  I went really wispy for a more ethereal "look" with a black tulle bow.

A little hot glue, peat moss stolen from a planter inside, and plastic spiders and we were happy.  There are a lot of amazing wreath ideas in blog land, but I was going for simple, easy, and CHEAP!

The little spiders were placed EVERYWHERE!  Amazing how one bag of spiders for $1.99 could keep the boys busy for a long while.  

They strategically placed two of these hairy spiders (about the size of a softball) on the columns as you approach the door.

But my favorite?

The pumpkins!

And this really made me smile......

I am going offline to finish those Halloween pillow covers I have in the works...not to mention some costume embellishments for Button....

The finish and tutorials for the pillows will just have to be shared next year!!

*NOTE:   We have decided to start calling "dear hubby"  Mr. Boss or Boss for the blog.  The boys and I spent some time coming up with one.  Some were just too inappropriate...what is the first "B" word that comes to YOUR mind when you think like a bunch of pre-teen and adolescent boys?

We finally agreed on Boss.  Some tongue in cheek with this one.  Because we all know who is the REAL boss around here, right?

Sunday Projects

 My Sundays usually consist of Mass, Sunday dinner, family time, and LAUNDRY.

THIS SUNDAY'S PROJECT:  FABRIC COVERED BALLS

  

I have tried many different days, many different ways, but the last 7 years of the 15 that I have been married, Sunday has become LAUNDRY day.  It is just easier for me if the boys are around to collect it from their baskets, closets, game room, sports bags, backpacks, and under beds????

And about every 3-4th Sunday, I actually get it all washed, folded and ironed by the evening.  Which is a great boon!   My very own personal pack mules can carry their fresh clothes and hang them/put away themselves!

The problem, you say?  

This means that I just can't get overly involved in any project that day, be it sewing, crafting, or blogging.  It is too difficult to start and stop.  I usually try to keep hand stitching of quilt bindings, or ongoing cross stitch/needlepoint projects ready and waiting.

But this weekend was a bit different...I saw this picture below while I was hunting for something COMPLETELY different.  

FROM : Knitty Gritty Thoughts

The thing is, I kept running into it every time I was searching for images of something else.  They even remind me of my most favorite vegetable...the artichoke!

I knew it was a must!

Supplies

 Have you wondered what to do with those Fat quarters that never get used out of the bundle?

This is a perfect project.

All you need is a Fat Quarter, Styrofoam ball (all I had was this almost 4 inch ball on hand) and flathead straight pins.

Go to Knitty Gritty Thoughts for the full tutorial!

 It was so simple to just set aside whenever my dryer buzzed.

2 x 2 inch squares

A few folds and pin.

All finished!!!

A Newer Acquisition

I finally have something interesting for this piece for my powder bath.

 Maybe some Christmas ornaments?

  A large one to hang somewhere?

A forlorn bowl begging for companions?

I don't exactly know quite yet...but I couldn't pass these up today.....

Could you??

Mine. Mine. Mine.

First off, I would like to say...when I am unable to sew...I can really can be up to no good.  

This project is a direct result of of me using up idle time!

We have a problem in our house. 

 

We have two measuring tapes.  

Both dear hubby and I use the tape measures for our various projects.  

After I realized I couldn't find "mine" the other day, I went on a hunt.  Yup.  I love a hunt!

This time, I found both of them up in Button's bedroom.  We are in the midst of decorating it.  I think he might have grabbed mine from my studio thinking it was his.

Now, I don't think we will have a problem! 

I just can't see him using the pink one.

Want to claim something in your house as yours?

Here is a real quick tutorial!

..............................................................................

Embellishing a Tool Tutorial

(and please note the tongue-in-cheek humor I have)

Supplies:

  E-6000 glue

Magic Glos by Lisa Pavelka

Scrapbook paper

Gemstones

Flowers

Computer, Printer

I forgot to take a picture of the Magic Glos....you will see it later in the tutorial

  

I first pulled out a scrap piece of scrapbook paper from my stash.  You know me and my scrap hoarding problem!

I then went to my computer and made a circle shape and placed my name inside the circle.  I played around with the font and settled on "Zapfino" and played with the line styles.  

I then placed the paper into my printer.  I pulled out my circle cutter (luckily had was able to cut the circle to the exact same size as the label of the tape measure).  

When you choose your paper, hold it up to the light to see how transparent it is. I realized that I had a problem when I added the dimensional gloss.  I could see through to the label.

What a FAIL!!!!

Not good!  So I quickly reprinted my design on the paper and glued a piece of solid pink to the back. 

I then glued the new label onto the tape measure using the E-6000 glue.  Can I tell you that I never knew about this stuff until recently.  Feel like a duh! 

I guess this is what happens when I can't watch Carol Duvall anymore.  Remember her?  She moved from HGTV to DIY, but the show ended in 2009.  She always was up and up on the craft world.  I truly miss it!

Anyway, focus Heidi......

I started to add the gemstones.  I pulled them from my scrapbook stash.  They are a continuous line of gems with a sticky back and were really easy to work with on the curves.

You can also easily trim them by simply cutting between the gems with scissors.

I decided to add a flower, but realized that it was made of paper and didn't want it to bleed.  I added a few drops of the Dimensional Glos to keep the "bleeding" down.

 

Then I glued it to the paper with E-6000 glue.

I covered the whole thing with the dimensional gloss.

I couldn't take a picture of the process of poring....because I wanted to do it carefully.  And I think you get the idea.  It just takes a light squeeze.  But look how it makes a layer of hard covering.  It is almost like a piece of molded plastic.

Let me tell you how much I love this stuff!  There is no mixing of catalysts or powders.  And cure time?  Fast.  Like 5-15 minutes fast.  Of course, it really is for jewelry like this.

   And I swear I have a tutorial in the works for it.  Just haven't put my mind to it!

You simply place it out in the sun.  The gloss cures under UV light.  

And if you work at night, like I do most of the time....there is an easy answer to fix this problem.  A UV light! 
 I have this one:

 I swear, this project only took me 15 minutes from start to finish!  I left it out to cure for longer only because Button was hungry.

My only complaint?

I wish the actual "tape" was pink!

I think I just might do this again on some other items that wander out of my studio............

My "Dirty" Little Secret

Even though my family and friends know that I love to decorate, they DON'T know that I am a hoarder of decorative items.

Okay, that isn't TOTALLY true. 

Anyone who has stayed in our guest room, might have used the closet. 

Okay, they have ATTEMPTED to use the closet.

  They couldn't because it is my little storage closet.

Unfortunately, dear hubby discovered this secret storage room last month when we were moving our oldest son from what is now the nursery to what was formerly the guest room.  He was absolutely stunned of the amount of drapery rods, frames, tchotchkes (you know that fancy word that the designers always use on HGTV for gewgaws, buables, etc), old textbooks, my American dolls, my scrapbooking carts and bags, artificial flowers, old drapes.  Frankly, you name it...it is in there!

It all had to be moved to make way for oldest son.

I realized that it was time to get rid of my stockpile when it took 4 hours (with the boys help) to haul it all out of the closet, down to the garage.  Then it took another 2 hours to sort it all into boxes.

I kept a few items, but realized it was time to get rid of the outdated ones.

The real question?  Why did I hoard all these items?

  Because we have moved about 5 major times, with 4 small moves in between the past 15 years of marriage. 

With each move, there is the need to freshen things up a bit.

I learned to reuse drapes and rods in new and different ways in each house.  I learned to shuffle the tchotckes.  I learned to mat my own pictures, posters, and prints to keep costs down.

So now, my items sit in my husband's section of the garage.  Most of it was picked up by Salvation Army two weekends ago.  A few boxes made their way to Goodwill.

So, all in all, not only have I benefitted from my hoarding.  So has someone else that might need those things.  
You should have seen the driver's face when he saw what I was getting rid of.  He kept asking me if I was "sure" that I wanted to donate them.

 
But I persevered, stayed on the straight and narrow and gave it away.



Now I no longer have a place to hoard because it is all out in the open.  I am pretty sure that was dear hubbies plan.  He can keep reminding me to get rid of things.  

Even now, I am shocked to look at this pile. It is so small!
 
So the next few weeks I am going to show you AND him how invaluable my hoarding has been and show you what I will be doing with it all!!!

Rainbows?

No, not rainbows.  Just fabric in rainbow order! 

I have realized that in the blogging world, there are moments when you either:

•  Can't come up with a good project.
• Forgot to take a picture of a great project.
• Have nothing to say
• The weather doesn't cooperate for a good picture of a great project
• Or your kid gets sick and you can't get anywhere near a computer.

In today's case, I realized that I hadn't even checked emails in three days.  My youngest is sick...once again.  Luckily, this time his strep test came postive.  If it hadn't, I might have had a mental breakdown at the urgent care clinic.  He is doing well and running around today!  Thank you modern medicine!

 

And I might have a bit of time to do something today.  But the Bear v. Seahawk game is still taking priority....GO BEARS!!  

So I am glad that I took pictures a while back for just such days!  I thought I'd show you the simple plastic drawers that hold my "scrap" fabrics.  I stole the color label idea from a scrapbooking friend.  Just print the words using a word document and change the font color to match the name.  I cut them and then used clear packing tape over the label to stick to the plastic.  Too simple, right!

I  can report that we actually pulled down the cradle, crib, highchair, changing table, and pack and play from the attic during halftime.  A bit dusty and rough around the ages...but I think they will work! 

As each item came down....not sugarplums, but ideas danced through my head.  It is starting to get a little exciting.  Still very nervous that Button won't get to use them, but excited that I just might get to decorate a nursery in the near future!!! 

Hello 2011!! Hopes...not goals!

The New Year brings resolutions....but I have never liked that.

The New Year brings goals....I have always liked them, but don't like the feeling when I don't meet them.

So I am going to call these, my hopes!

• Internet hopes:  I hope that I get my website whipped into shape quickly....preferably before the arrival of Baby Button.  I hope that I can use the Internet to connect with more crafter/sewers so I can improve my blog and website. 

• Grief hopes:  I hope that all the mommas that are lost and confused when faced with a poor or fatal prognosis, find the great group of women I have "met" on my online support group.  I hope they find this blog and see that their lives can "go on"...but with a new meaning. 

• Sewing:  I am hoping that I haven't bitten off more than I can chew!!!  I hope that I can make customers happy, balance my own family's sewing needs, and still find a bit of time to do some charity work!  I hope that my repertoire really does expand to more than housewares and quilting.  Kid/baby clothing...here I come! 

• Baby Button:  I hope he/she arrives safe and sound.  It is all that matters.  After that...I hope that I can rein in my worries and be "normal" mom instead of crazy anxiety ridden mom!  And I hope Button keeps inspiring me to make unique things for others!

• Embroidery:  I hope I keep learning more about embroidery and my own machine.  Maybe a more commercial machine in the future....but that might have to be a hope for 2012 or 2013!!

• Quilting:  I hope I finish the pieced quilt top I already have.   I hope I make more!!  I hope to have a quilt for my own home for each season to use/and or display in our family room.  I hope that I get a Quilting longarm machine.  My machine just does not accommodate large quilts as well as I like.  I hope we find room for it!  I also hope that I can try my hand at a t-shirt quilt.  Then I can do so for others.  I also hope that I finish a certain family's memory quilt.  Their dear father's shirts and items are safely tucked in a bin in my closet.  No...I don't hope, I WILL get this done by the end of the year!

• Crafting:  I hope I remember to take photos all year of the different things I have done this year so I can share them with my blogging/online craft friends!  I hope I get all of the Christmas ideas that I never got to are all done before it arrives again next year!

• Scrapbooking:  I hope I finish my 2010 Family Album.  That would make 2 whole years complete (out of the 14 we have been married *insert grimace face*).  I hope I can also complete 2009 and stay on track for 2012!  Other albums I'd like to finish?  Christmas album, CTT mama pages, Josh's School Album, Disney Trips Album, update the other two school albums....and attack at least one of the two little guys' baby books.

• Family: Last on this list...but certainly not least.  I hope that I can meet every (or at least most) needs they have.  I hope that I always remember to put them first, even if I do have a long list of Hopes.  But, I think I already know that because I am calling them hopes...not goals. 

So here's to hoping!!!!!!

Fireworks, Family, Fun, and Fizz....Goodbye 2010!

Totally stole the Fireworks, Family, and Fizz from my hubby's Facebook status today!  

 

We went to the movies, did a little shopping, and plan to have fireworks tonight.

  And I promise, sparkling apple juice for me....which I actually love!!

Sooo....today will be this year in Review.  Tomorrow...goals!

• Internet I have come a long way since last year.  I now moderate four support/grief/loss groups for my Carrying Despite Fatal or Very Poor Prognosis mommas.  (I have met an amazing group of women that have endured one of the worst things that could happen...I must give them a lot of credit for being my biggest cheerleaders!) I returned to Facebook after a long sabbatical.  I started this blog in October.  I opened a Facebook page for my business.  And TODAY...hubby and I bought a URL for my very own website to manage my new business.  We shortened it to http://www.buttonsandbutterflies.com/.

So my new business name is officially Buttons and Butterflies!!  Wow...how far I have come from HATING the computer.

• Grief At the beginning of the year, I was crushed that the year of 2009 was over.  It meant I had to leave Jamie Lynn behind.  As the year has progressed, I have learned that that I didn't have to leave her behind in order to move forward.  I had to take her with me.  Thanks to all of my family and friends who have hung in there with me.  Thanks to my internet friends who completely understand the rollercoaster of emotions!

• Sewing At the beginning of the year, my sewing machines were collecting dust.  I did projects I "had" to do.  I occasionally would do a project for fun.  Then I joined a online sewing group.  Those Crafty Sewing Mamas really got the juice going again and now I even go a day without doing a little something in my studio.  They have been a huge inspiration for wanting to open a store.  They also are the reason I learned to use the internet/computer to my advantage instead of detriment.

• Baby Button Our journey of trying again.  Our RAINBOW baby.  I can't deny that the journey hasn't been tumultuous.  The fears, anxiety, and uncertainty have been real challenging.  Even when we receive "good" news, it is hard to trust.  It is hard to connect and feel like Button is real.  Hard to believe that we might be blessed to bring this baby home.  Today...we bought him/her a stroller and car seat.  It felt pretty real this afternoon!  But....we are still leaving it all in boxes.

• Embroidery  I have really learned alot about my machine, new techniques, and have made a little cash doing it.  I hope I can continue to do it!

• Quilting  Despite my inability to get motivated to sew, I did finish one quilt top this year.  I have stacks of fabric begging to be pieced.

• Crafting I did a little here and there.   Not enough to set off fireworks!

• Scrapbooking  I can honestly say that I have done ALOT this year.  I attended 2 weekend scrapbook retreats, finished Jamie Lynn's album, completed my Army (my ROTC and Active duty days) Album, updated my Family & Friends album, have 6 months done for 2009, and 9 months completed for 2010.  I updated both of the younger two boys' school albums, and have my 2011 calendar pages ready to go.  I think this is the most I have ever done in a year!  It has been truly cathartic.  Not to mention that the loss of Jamie made me realize how important it was to document our lives.  They are too short and who is going to tell those who follow our footsteps what we are like!

So I hope and pray that 2011 brings more exciting things to you and yours!

  Goals are tomorrow!!!

What Day is It?

The NEW and IMPROVED Calendar!

The Family Calendar. 

My lifesaver.  I constructed the original calendar this last year to keep the family on it's toes.  With Baseball, Tennis, Guitar lessons, Doctor/Dental appts, Work schedules, and Hubby's travel schedule....we needed a central place!  Each family member has a color and anything in BLACK is for everyone!

It has been helpful, but the numbers and monthly headings were getting a bit worn:

The worn and tattered calendar!

I had printed out 31 numbers and laminated them.  Then I punched them out with a circle punch.  But after a year's worth of handling, I was missing the number "14" and the lamination was peeling:

So I decided to make Bubble Magnets for my numbers and decouppage the months on some cardboard to make them last longer!

Of course, I also couldn't let them be just plain white.  I decided to make a bunch of colors.

And make coordinating Months in color:

Excuse the drying glue!!! 

And then, of course, I couldn't leave the basket alone for the dry erase markers. 

 The basket "covers"  coordinate with the numbers too!!

Here are the Bubble Magnet Tutorial and the Monthly Headings Tutorial!!!

Vintage Inspiration

My newest inspiration.   An awesome friend gifted this AMAZING book to me.  It really will truly be an inspiration for a year. 

The book is sectioned into 12 months and even has pockets for the four seasons to store recipes, patterns...whatever!

I have already been inspired to do two projects....not going to tell you yet.  You'll have to wait and see!

It was so nice to have because I was a bit under the weather the last couple days, so I curled up on the couch and perused the chapters in between the much needed naps I took...especially yesterday!!!

THANK YOU JULIE!!!!!!!!!!