Sweating Glitter!

Recently I've been feeling very crafty! Not sure where this bought of creativity came from, but it's been a long time since I've put time and energy into making things.  Years ago (years and years, to be exact), I used to craft all the time - painting, stitching, sewing, whatever - but times change.  Well, I guess they change back, too!

A few days ago I posted about the Bridal Shopping Survival Bags, which I loved...and they were a hit with the ladies when we went shopping.  That might have been what got me started.  It just feels so good to create something.  So I just kept going!

My friend Kelly makes these great embroidered t-shirts for all the kids.  Well since they grow like weeds, they don't stay in the stuff very long, it's tough to hand-me-down clothes with names on them...and they are just so darn cute...I'm sure you can appreciate my need to hold onto it for a little longer.  After a quick Pinterest search, a quick trip to Hobby Lobby for a zipper - behold, a crayon (or whatever!) pouch.

The Mayor loved it!  My sewing skills are a little rusty, but it turned out cute...and I have another zipper and another t-shirt to get some more practice on.

Drawers | Before

I went from playing with glitter glue to sewing...and then this past weekend I moved on to larger pursuits - and chalkboard paint! I took a dresser that was in our spare room and gave it a kid-fun-face-lift and moved it into The Mayor's room.  I have to say that my first endeavor with chalkboard paint may have consequences; with 3/4 of a can left, there is not a surface in my house that is safe.

Of course I totally forgot to take a before picture of the dresser, but I remembered to get a shot of the Drawers after we got them to the garage.

Drawers | During

I was surprised how easy the paint was to work with.  I already have a few creative projects up my sleeve to do with some of the leftover paint.  Stay tuned for more sharing of my craftiness.

I am really happy with how the dresser came out.  The Mayor added his touch by picking out the hardware, and Hubby was my drill master...so we all had a hand in it, which really makes me smile!  Oh, and in three days when he can get busy with the chalk, he'll surely be smiling, too.

I hope this bought of craftiness lasts because I have quite a few other projects that I would like to take on.

What kind of crafty projects do you have planned?

The Finished Project

Cheers!

Happiness in the Air!

Most people looked outside last Saturday and saw major snow, not me, I got to see happiness!

Last Saturday was a special day, and a blizzard rolling through Colorado was not going to stop that. Out in the snow we ventured to shop for bridal attire for one of my girls. Oh, and I got to try on a few fabulous dresses myself.

Well, since I just love weddings, I had to have a little fun along the way. Plus, I've been feeling a bit "crafty" this week, so I put that to work making "Dress Shopping Survival Bags."

These goodie bags were complete with tissues, gum, mints, candy and, well, a bit of fodder for the shopping. Each bag contained a little sign to rate the dresses...all positive, of course...with thumbs up, and two thumbs up! Oh, and of course we had to have champagne.

It turned out to be a successful day! With two amazing contenders for the Bride, one beautiful contender for the Mother-of-the-Bride, and a narrowing of styles for us Maids, we couldn't have asked for more.

After, I got to stay home and enjoy a snowy night curled up with The Mayor while he watched a movie. Like I said...Happiness!

Cheers.

The Gratitude Continues - 12 - 18!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving is just such a great holiday.  It's always good to take time to look at the things in your life that you are grateful for.  No matter how hectic things are, no matter how down I may feel, when I think about things in my life that are good...I feel blessed.  I am grateful for that.

So my November gratitude continues.

Day 12 - Music

Monkey at the Denver Zoo

I could not figure out how to capture Music in a photo.  While I am grateful for beautiful tunes, the love of music in our home - I used day 12 to express my gratitude for the Monkey's at Denver Zoo.  Entertaining and full of life and energy.

Day 13 - Time

Time to Relax

Having time to relax and enjoy life is something to be truly grateful for.  We are blessed to have a lot of time to do things we love and also time to chill.

Day 14 - Creativity

Self Portrait - Corbin, Age 5

Creativity through the eyes of a child!  Enough said!

Day 15 - Family

Every day I am grateful for my family...far and near. I am also grateful for the "family" that we choose for ourselves - our Friend Family.  Being away from both our families, Hubby and I are lucky to have a great group of people that support us, love us and are always here for us.

Day 16 - Inspiration

This little man, affectionately known as "The Mayor" inspires me every day to be the best that I can be.  Grateful for everything he has brought to my life - to our family.

Day 17 - Weather

Beautiful weather in Colorado is definitely something to be grateful for.

Day 18 - Change

Gratitude for things that never change!! I have so many pictures of me and Hubby that we take ourselves.  I still love spending time with him, love him, and are grateful that he came into my life.

I'm still a little behind...but I will be caught up, and will have captured something to be grateful for each day this November.

Cheers and enjoy Turkey today!

Gratitude Catch-up! Day's 8, 9, 10 & 11

Yeah, the days just keep getting away from me!  Between work (Open Enrollment, woo hoo!!), and taking on a new adventure (Thirty-one consultant, baby!!), it's been busy.  Good busy though!!

I have been trying to remember to express and enjoy my gratitude.  So here's a catch up from the past few days.

Day 8 - Sleep

Sleeping Maxie

Maxie is our rescue dog.  The poor thing has such anxiety issues that sometimes he really only finds peace when he is relaxing or sleeping on his huge doggie bed.  I am very thankful for this loving, protective doggie...even with all his craziness.

Day 9 - Holidays

The Most Thankful of Holidays

I am grateful for Thanksgiving!! Not necessarily because I love to eat, or that my birthday is close by, but it really is my favorite holiday.

Day 10 - Kindness

Gratitude for kindness!

Yes, it's a Cream Filled Devil's Food Cake, but I can't get there here in Colorado.  It was amazing of my mom to mail me these two big boxes when I really needed both kindness and chocolate.  I'm thankful for my Mom because she knows exactly when Mom is needed most.

Day 11 - Friendship

Friendship!

Maybe it's not the most appropriate pictures to show friendship...but it was sure nice to share that pile with friends.  I am incredibly grateful for the friends in my life.  They offer support, strength, guidance and love - and they want nothing in return except for support, strength, guidance and love.

Everyday is not going to be sunshine and roses, but taking time to stop and be grateful goes a long way.  My blessings are plentiful...and I don't take them for granted.

Cheers!

Gratitude Challenge - Day 6 & 7

I'm going to be honest...I'm struggling a little with gratitude today! Not that I'm not grateful, I know the blessings that are around me.  I'm just not feeling creatively grateful today.

Memories

Day 6 - Memories
I am grateful for all of the fabulous times we have had together as a family.

Innovation - Nope!

Day 7 - Innovation
Well, I just could not connect grateful with innovation. So...I'm being innovative and breaking out of the cycle. I'm grateful for Alpacas. Yes, Alpacas.

Cheers!

Gratitude Challenge - Day 3, 4 & 5

We had such a great weekend with friends!  I didn't have a chance to post individually, so here is the Gratitude report for the last three days:

Nature

Day 3 - Nature
Since we were in Colorado Springs, we went to see one of the areas that was hardest hit by the fires this past summer.  It was heartbreaking to see the loss...but hopeful to see new growth coming up in the midst of burned nature.  It made me feel hopeful that my hometown and the surrounding areas in NJ are going to be okay after the devastation they have suffered.

Clothes

Day 4 - Clothes
Thankful for clothes?  Yes, I am very thankful since I know so many people who have lost so much.   I had this pile of clothes in The Mayor's outgrown pile.  I am thankful for a pile of clothes for donation because it reminds me that he is growing and thriving.

Knowledge

Day 5 - Knowledge
Grateful for the knowledge I gain from my love of reading!

My 30 days of gratitude continues...and you can follow along, or join in.  Check it out at http://www.positivelypresent.com/2012/11/30day-gratitude-photo.html.

Cheers!

Fill in the Blank Friday

A twofer on posts for today!! I posted on my gratitude challenge and then could not help but to Fill in the Blanks when I saw this theme.

1. Something I swore I'd never do, but have ended up doing anyway is giving in too easily to The Mayor. I try (for both our good), but sometimes his cuteness just wins over.

2. Something I've always wanted to do is travel to Europe. Someday!

3. Something I have absolutely no desire to ever do is go in a hot air balloon. Nope, not going, not happening.

4. The best thing I ever did was trust my instincts when I left my hometown with Hubby. It was risky, scary, out of my comfort zone and exciting. It changed my life and it changed me. It's why I am the person I am today.

5. When it comes to trying new things, I am hesitant. I get nervous when it's time to do something new. So much so that I will even talk myself out of things sometimes.

6. One thing I've never done is traveled outside of North America.  Again, someday!

7. My favorite thing do do is cook!