Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Inspiration!

I LOVE this picture!  This little store was spotted in Boston on my trip this summer.  I didn't shop there, just did a quick drive-by photo on a Duck Tour...which happened to be a fun little tour!

DO SOMETHING CREATIVE EVERYDAY!

Happy Birthday TO...GARRISON!

Nine years ago today, we received a precious gift!  Happy Birthday to the GREATEST little guy a Mom could ever LOVE!  What an honor to know you and to know that God entrusted us with You!  We are so proud of you and excited to see the wonderful plans God has for your life!

(This is actually Nov. 9.  The night before his birthday.  Ha ha!)

A part of me is a little sad.  It's rather bittersweet for a mother to see her little boy grow up as the years fly by.  I'm so thankful for you!  There is no one like you!  I LOVE who you are!  I LOVE YOU!!!

(Last day he can HONESTLY wear this shirt!  Ha ha!)

Our precious baby boy is 9 today!

Yippee!!!
More pictures to come...the party's Saturday!

A few Fall photos!

#1
Pumpkin Pickin' @ Eckerts!

This year I decided to be a rebel... 

I strayed from the traditional fall colors a bit...

and decided to do a fun little outfit! 

Forget diamonds...

RUFFLES are a girl's best friend!  

(Unless you're like over 8 yrs old...then it depends on how you wear them! Ha!)

We actually rode in the tractor (wagon) out to the pumpkin patch, but I missed those pictures...forgot to charge the battery! So sad! :(  The 3 youngest were SO delighted!  I would've taken TONS of pictures...I promise!

#2

Costumes!
She really liked being the RED QUEEN this year!

It's been fun, but I've come to the conclusion that Halloween is overrated!  The Hubs and I are seriously re-thinking what to do next year.  WAY TOO MUCH CANDY too!  Oh, I have more pictures...the battery was still dead on my good camera, so I had to use the funky one...long story!

#3

(Should have been) Prize Winning Pumpkins!
We had fun decorating pumpkins for the contest at school this year!  Last year, Abri's pumpkin won 2nd place in the carved category.  The kids were so sure they would take home the gold this year!  They were really proud!

Garrison's Pumkin!  Notice all the Mario costumes...thought it was pretty appropriate for the season!

Not so "Mario"-looking when it's not lit up

Ahh...but wait!

Wow!  Look at it now!

Eh...eh?  Pretty flippin' AWESOME!

 Check this one out!

A little spider with GOOGLY EYES...AND...a PINK TUTU?  Seriously cute!
Are you ready for this?  It gets better....

Here it is all lit up!

...and up close!

Cutest little spider!  I forgot about the bow, and did I mention the tutu?  Hello?!!  It's PINK!

Neither of our little pumpkins won this year, but we had tons of fun decorating them! 

Havah!

"And I know that God made the heart the most fragile and resilient of organs, that a lifetime of joy and pain might be encased in one mortal chamber." ~"Havah the story of Eve" by Tosca Lee

I borrowed this book from a dear friend who highly recommended it.  It was AWESOME!  If you're looking for a good read, here's my suggestion.  I seriously couldn't put it down.
Check it out HERE at http://www.christianbook.com/! You can actually read an excerpt from the book too!

One down...3 more to go!

I tackled the impossible and...

 I WON! 

Well...it wasn't exactly impossible, just rather challenging.  I do love a good challenge!  

So...

when this SWEET little 4 year old gave me a request for a certain costume... 

 

I had to oblige her!  

I mean c'mon...look at this face!

It took a little time and planning, but it was certainly worth it!

I first began making the accessories for this certain costume.

This called for a pair of Turquoise flower earrings, and a Turquoise and Ruby bejeweled crown.

A little stiff felt, jewels, clip-on earring backs, poster board scraps, and gold fabric (which she actually picked out) did the trick!

 

Now on to the sewing!

I was hoping it would turn out okay.  I didn't have a specific pattern for this costume...had to tweak an old funky one a bit and just wing it on some parts.  Oh, I forgot to mention that I used a great tutorial for the little orange side flaps.  Right before I began the project (in the planning stages), I came across THIS tutorial on THIS blog {make it and love it}.  That happens a lot by the way!  I just happen to stumble across something right when I need it!  So appreciative of this tutorial!  Go and check out the AMAZING Cinderella dress she made for her daughter!  So precious!
Okay...I started this project on Saturday morning and finished up on Sunday night while she slept.  I couldn't wait for her to see the finished product!

  My helper, Angel, decided to test it out for her!  She thought it could use something else.  Hmmm...ah, yes! White princess gloves!

Here's the final result!

Princess Daisy!

She wasn't too thrilled about trying it on for some reason, but hopefully my fickle little 4 year old will actually wear this!  In case you're wondering why she chose this costume, let's just say her video-gaming brother has quite the little cheerleader!  She loves him!  He's a big Mario Bros. fan, so she knows all the characters!

That's one down...3 more to go!

I'm linking to these Halloween parties!
Tons of creative ideas!
(Click on each button to check 'em all out!)

(I think there might have been a few others...sorry, but I may have lost some and can't remember which ones while editing...oops!  If I linked up to your party and you don't see your button here, I'm so sorry.  Please LMK! :)

 

Super Awesomeness!

Google is pretty awesome!  I've been trying to help a friend with her blog.  As I was googling what I thought her problem might be, I stumbled on a SUPER AWESOME blog post: HERE from http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/ .  If you're looking to spruce up your blog with fonts, check it out!  I'm sure I'm light years behind in the blogging world (I'm kind of new), but so glad when people share what they know with others!  Uh oh, I was supposed to be helping my friend.  I think I got a little sidetracked and started helping myself!  Ha!

PLEASE VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!

I'm hosting a Ladies Craft Night soon.  I'd love for you to come!  Even if you can't make it, you can still vote!  I need your help now to pick the craft for the event.  Please pick your favorite and either comment here or on Facebook!  Thanks in advance!  :)  

Here are the choices:

(We'll be doing a variation of one of these examples!)

1. FABRIC NECKLACE   

(Moda Bake shop)

 

2. SHOE RUFFLES

(A Lemon Squeezy Home)

3. FABRIC OR RIBBON BOOKMARKS 

 (7 Layer Studio)

 (All Things Heart & Home)

4. FABRIC FLOWER

(Little Miss Momma)

 

(Mrs Priss)