Craftiness

I found this idea on Pinterest and it looked like this:

Pretty, right?  But I never thought in a million years that I'd find an awesome frame like this. So I began brainstorming about taking a regular frame and padding it and upholstering it and what not. Anyway, it started getting more complex than I wanted so I just waited. 

Fast forward a few weeks to say, two days ago.  Madre and I took a girls trip to JoAnn fabric in Williamsburg and swung by the DAV thrift store on our way home.  I found this awesome black frame that I should've taken a picture of before I fixed it all up. I was just too excited to spray paint though and forgot.

Anyway, Black wire framed mirror($4.98) + gold-ish spray paint($3.47) + lace trim(1.10) + Tacky Glue(0.59)= New Awesome Jewelry holder.

I probably should've taken a picture with it a little less crowded with my jewelry but, again, I was so excited to get it out of the shoe box that it's been in since we moved to VA.

I love Crafty, DIY projects. Thank you, Pinterest.

Stitch, Quilt, Sew

 So I started this announcement for Keith months before he was born and there is really NO excuse why it took me so long to finish but a couple weeks ago I finally finished it. I like it a lot and REALLY like the frame with it....especially since Michael's gave me a really really good price on it :)

$35 on sale for 50% off takes it to $17.50 then another 25% off of that with a coupon = $13.13 = Win for me!










This is another project that I started months ago and should've finished....although it wasn't entirely my fault that it was unfinished as I was waiting for the PERFECT border and binding fabric to be purchased and shipped to me....as this is a quilt I made for a friend's son, using his outgrown T-shirts.  I think it came out pretty fantastic for my first t-shirt quilt. Especially since I had no idea what I was doing at first.

I learned a lot with it and she's asked me to do two more for her other kids so I guess she liked it too :)
 







And here is my little Keithie-Cheeks modeling my latest completion from the craft room.

I bought the monkey fabric originally with the intention of making them all matching shorts but when I found a banana print to go with it, I wanted to do something else.  This McCall's pattern was the perfect fit. So for a fraction of the cost of buying one of these covers, I made my own. And had fun doing it too!

It's not perfect but no one will notice the blips but me. And it serves it's purpose completely.

I have lots more projects lined up so I better get going.

We're doing well, here in VA and with this beautiful 66 degree day on December 5, 2011, I'm so glad I'm here and not freezing my bum off out west.  Love ya'll!

Big RULER!

So I found this idea on Pinterest which was apparently taken from a discontinued Pottery Barn Kids item.  I made this life sized ruler to measure my kids on.  We had a height measurement wall in our house growing up and my kids are getting to that point when I'd like to do this. But as a military family we are pretty much nomadic so I wanted something we can take with us. This completely fits the bill. And, although the stain turned out a bit darker than I anticipated, I'm really happy with my larger than life ruler.

Sam put the big hole in the top of it, which I thought was pretty clever since every ruler has one!  I think we are going to try and make the hanging mechanism look like a giant nail head too.  I can't wait to get my little monkeys measured on here.

Washington DC Temple Trip

This past Saturday we had the opportunity to take a bus trip up to Washington DC with a bunch of soldiers and the senior missionaries. It was a really long day but very well worth the trip.  We stopped first at the DC Temple.

 

Next we stopped at Arlington National Cemetery and witnessed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  What a special place!! I love cemeteries.   Sam commented on how all of the fallen soldiers' tombstones look like they are standing at attention.

 

Our final destination for the day was the National Mall.  We made several stops there. First, The Lincoln Memorial.

 Look at these handsome boys!!!

 As we walked through the Mall we made sure to visit our fallen comrades of the Vietnam War.  I just love this shot of Connor walking along the wall.

 And here is my handsome hubby and I reflected in the wall.

 Oh Look! It's mommy and the boys! A rare opportunity these days to get to be in the pictures with my monkeys.

 These pictures are dedicated to my dad.  They are all taken in the Air and Space Museum touching the Moonrock right at the entrance of the museum.  See following picture, taken June 1994.  Don't laugh. Then the next one, taken June 2004. And in continuing the tradition....All of my boys are touching the moonrock in November 2011.

And then, right before we got back on the bus we got to have our picture taken on the steps of the Capitol building.Notice how we're the only ones on the steps? Only those in uniform(and families) are allowed on the steps at the moment. Pretty nifty.

So in a nutshell, this was our trip.  We had a really good time and even though we were all feeling a bit under the weather, I'm glad we went.

5 months old

So Keith turned five months old about a week ago and I haven't taken a picture of him until today.  But here it is.  I love his "deer in headlights" look while watching The Lion King with big brother, Bear. Hehehehe!!

Other updates on Keith...
-he's rolling over both ways
-he's starting to make raspberries (So cute!)
-he's starting to eat solid foods...doesn't love them yet but it's progress.
-he's very ticklish. Especially his ribs and neck.
-he's found his voice and loves talking/yelling at his toys.
-his eyes have turned blue...officially blue, not baby gray/blue.
-he can get up on all fours when he's on his belly and I give him about another month or so before he's crawling.  Now to find a gate for the stairs...

I just love this little monkey.