Notes to myself for Christmas 2009...

I am tired of running around the month of December trying to finish up all the fun little traditions/crafts/things that I want to do. So, I have made a decision- this year is going to be different. I am going to enjoy Christmas time by preplanning- ALOT. I am talking crafts in July, cards in August & gift buying in October (Jason will be thrilled!)

This is my list, so in a few months, I can look at it & think about what I need to do.

1. Teachers gifts-- early fall
2. Matching PJ's for the family--maybe I should start that in August!
3. Making gifts from the grandkids to the grandparents
4. Helping the kids make presents for each other
5. Christmas card & letter-- to be sent out in early December. Maybe I should try & make a few this year.
6. baking, I should do it.

Well, that's all I can think of for now....any other thoughts?

wine lights & Thanksgiving...

These are the wine bottle lights we got together to make this weekend. The one in the middle (the one that is actually lit) I didn't make, but bought last year. Then decided I could make more on my own.

The other two are teachers gifts for Christmas (I think I am going to add a gift card too.)

They are really fun to make (with the exception of hot glue gun injuries!) and don't really take much time.

And since we are reusing wine bottles- its good for the environment too! (Ok- that may be a little stretch).

And these were my Thanksgiving craft this year. I thought the kids could help me make them, which they did- a little. But I ended up finishing them. Which Jason laughed at me for. They are little placecards for the table. We made them for everyone that came to our house for dinner. The girl bonnets are supposed to have white bows, but I can't find (or ran out of) my white ribbon- so I made due. Karen wasn't so sure the Puritans would have been that flashy with colored ribbon! :)

I actually have another project to post- I used reverse applique on E's jeans & it turned out pretty cute. But the little one is sleeping right now (in the room with the jeans) & you NEVER wake a sleeping baby!!

So, I will post later!

-jenni

Star Wars rag quilt...

Finally, its done!! This one was much bigger than the other 2 I had done, so it took me awhile.

But its warm & fuzzy & Colin loves it, so that's all that matters.

I have enough to make another one, I am just not sure what to do with it. Maybe I will donate it.

Next one is my Christmas one for the couch.

Have a good week!

Jenni

Blog link requests...

I have had a few people (ok 2 people) ask me where I got the idea for the rag quilt. Here they are:

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/photos/den.html#rag

If you scroll down on her page, there are 2 links she included & that's where I got the details from.

I saw the above one first & thought it was cute....but when I saw this one she made...I fell in love!

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/photos/rag-quilts/

Hope this helps...but if you make one, you have to post a picture!!!

Can't wait to work on the Star Wars one...

-Jenni

Oh I forgot!

My pumpkin carving reached a new level this year!! I shaded....


Jason carved the pirate & I did the other 2.

























This one is the one I am most proud of...Its Max & Ruby, which Addi loves, so she was pretty excited about it!

I know, I know- No posts in awhile...

Honestly, I just haven't been that creative in awhile. But I saw these rag quilts on a blog & thought I could handle that! I have always wanted a Christmas quilt, so I thought that I would start there. I ended up buying too much fabric (actually, I had the right amount, but can't always visualize measurements in my head, so when I started cutting squares & then laying the out, and it covered half the basement floor, I decided it was too big!) so, I am making 2 smaller quilts, one for my new niece (which is the quilt pictured below) and one for a friends baby, who has yet to make an appearance.
















I haven't made the big one yet & then after that I have a Star Wars quilt to make. I am pretty excited, I bought the fabrics yesterday & they are pretty cool. Plus, its hard for me to make things for Colin (since boys arent' really into altered jeans like girls! :) so, I think he is happy that there is something for me to make for him,

Have a good week!

Jenni

In honor of my 31st birthday tomorrow...

A list of 31 random facts about me:

1. I am ridiculously addicted to One Tree Hill & Friday Night Lights-- 2 shows that I think I am just too old to watch-- but I do anyway.
2. I am relieved/sad to be done with the new baby/pregnancy part of my life.
3. I like working out much more than I thought I would. Scary.
4. I have a tattoo. And I would like another one.
5. I am TIRED of having to choose which presidential candidate sucks less. I would love to have an actual choice & be able to enthusiatically endorse a candidate.
6. I love fun, different purses.
7. I wish I was brave in high school & college and tried different things.
8. I think living overseas would be fantastic- scary- but fantastic.
9. I question the theory behind public school education on a regular basis.
10. I love my chocolate brown velour pants. I would wear them everywhere if it was appropriate.
11. I love to read. I wish I had more time to do it.
12. My kids have never had lima beans or brussel sprouts. I think they are disgusting & in good conscience can not make my children eat them.
13. I love gobstoppers.
14. I get that not everyone shares my beliefs (and thats fine), but I get really annoyed when I am mocked because of them. I don't have a bumper sticker that says "Turn or Burn", why should I be ridiculed?
15. Fall is my favorite season. I love sweaters & pretty leaves & good football weather.
16. I wish I was taller.
17. My favorite shows when I was a kid were: Knight Rider, A-Team & The Cosby Show.
18. Trader Joe's has great ice cream sandwiches (and other good snacks as well).
19. I like the color blue.
20. I love Squirt & Dt. Dr. Pepper.
21. The best scrapbooking snack is peanut m & m's.
22. Lately, I feel as if I have lost my creative mojo. It concerns me.
23. I love office supplies. I don't have an office.
24. I would love to study photography.
25. The thought of raising teenagers scare the bejeebers out of me. I know I have awhile until I have one, but the way my 5 yr old rolls her eyes at me makes me think it is sooner than I think.
26. I listen to Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Pink & Finger Eleven when I work out.
27. I share my ipod with my daughters, so besides what's listed in #26, it also has the soundtracks to High School Musical (1&2), The Wiggles & Backyardigans.
28. I IM my husband from across the living room.
29. I love skim lattes from Dunkin Donuts.
30. I hate all chores relating to clothes: laundry, seasonal changing of the wardrobe, putting away clothes, cleaning out closets & drawers.
31. I love my laptop.

Whew. That was harder than I thought it would be!

Have a good weekend!
Jenni