Our Morning

Waking up in our monkey jammies...

pushing Piggie around in her tennis shoes...

with only one sock on...

As long as the rest of our day is this good, we're set!  Hope you all are having a great day!

Success!!

My first sewing project is complete and a success.  There was a moment of wanting to chuck my machine out the window but after a little guidance and practice I have my first finished piece.  Ava will even be able to wear it.  I thought my first project would have to be something that I wouldn't use but it turned out pretty good.  I have to say that it was easier than I thought.  The dress took about 2 1/2 hours to complete from start to finish.  This is coming from a girl who hasn't touched a sewing machine since high school 10 years ago.   Now that I know what I'm doing or at least on the right track, I know I could make one in less time.  I think I'm going to make another one using the same pattern just to practice my sewing skills a little more but then on to more patterns.  I already have a few picked out that I'm itching to try.  Oh and one of the best parts of sewing is the fabric shopping.  Even Ava was getting into it!  She was not into the whole modeling thing though.  The puzzles were much more interesting at that time.

Snow Day Activities

We got a couple inches of snow here in the Lou, so that means we're staying in.  I know, I know...it's not the end of the world to get a couple inches and we could get out if we really wanted to but there really is no reason to.  I'd rather stay in and be warm and cozy.  We might get bundled up and head out to play in the snow for a while though.  Although, Ava's cough is still hanging on like a champ.  Poor kiddo :o( 

This morning during my daily blog cruising, I found these adorable Valentine print outs from Vale Design (images are hers too).  These are definitely on our agenda for the day. Along with some cleaning, reading, baking, and of course dancing.   Should be a busy snow day for us.  Hope you are all staying warm!

And Sew It Begins...

I know...goofy play on words but what can I say, I'm a little goofy.  My dad gave me a sewing machine for Christmas (thanks Dad!) that has been sitting in the box until 2 nights ago.  I finally got it out to figure out how to use it.  Things started to come back to me from the small amount of sewing I did in a high school class but not much.  Colleen, who is a great seamstress, was having a sewing night at her house with a couple girls and I needed to at least know how to thread my machine.  I learn so much better from watching rather than reading the instruction book.  Therefore, the sewing night was a must for me!  I had my pretty fabric all washed and pressed, my machine threaded correctly (thank goodness) and my pattern from Frog Legs and Ponytails (the Caroline dress) ready for action.  I loaded up the car and headed over to Colleen's. 

I learned so much!!  I am so grateful to Colleen for all the guidance with my first project.  The dress isn't done but I've got a good start and hope to finish it this evening.  I just need to practice.  The unfortunate thing about my personality is I want it to be perfect the first time.  I don't want to waste my time if it's not going to be good.  This first dress is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but it's a start and a decent one.  I think I'm going to make a few of this same dress for Ava so I can get more practice before I venture on to other patterns.  It felt good to spend a few hours cutting, measuring, and sewing fabric and then have a pretty dress at the end.  It was a rewarding night for me and a good start on a new hobby. I think Ava is into this hobby as well.

Valentine Goodies

I'm going to gush again about an Etsy shop but what can I say...I addicted.  I stumbled upon Monkey Moo Moo a few months ago and just adore her work.  She is so sweet and her designs match!  All of the items pictured above you simply buy and print out as many as you want or need on your own computer.  All of the items above are $3 or less!!  If you want to add a little note to your hubby's lunch or print out unique Valentine's for your little one to take to preschool or school then check out her shop.  She also makes cupcake toppers, cards, birthday crowns, etc.  I bought her 2010 printable calendar to give to a few of my girlfriends, mom and grandma.  They calendars were a hit!  I love her little note cards too.

Heartstrings

During Ava's nap last week, I cut out a few felt hearts from white and pink felt.  They are all different sizes.  Some are tiny, some are fat but all are definitely far from perfect.  When she woke up from her nap I had her hand me hearts to string on some embroidry floss.  We hung them from the mantel to spread a little Valentine's cheer in our house.  I cut out way to many hearts so I put the rest in a baggie and those little hearts have provided hours of entertainment for Ava.  She discovered they stick to anything else cloth so she sticks them to me, the couch, her blanket and anything else she can think of.  She then "counts" them in a way that only she understands but is so stinkin' cute. 

*Idea for this project came from A Pocket Full of Posies blog.  I will readily admit that hers is more chic than mine.  I just used what I had on hand during nap time.  Check her out...she's Christian too! 

Our Sweet Pea

Our darling bunny, Sweet Pea, passed away on Saturaday rather unexpectedly.  In memory of her, I thought I would tell you a little about her. 

I bought Sweet Pea almost 7 years ago while I was doing my student teaching.  I was still living at home and finishing up grad school so of course I needed a bunny too.  I was in a pet store and she stole my heart.  She was supposed to be a mini lop-earred bunny but for those of you who knew her would laugh at using the word mini in the same sentence as Sweet Pea.  She was actually larger than my dad's chihuahua.  What drew me to her in the store was her ears.  She had one ear up and one down when I bought her and they stayed that way for the longest time.  I thought it gave her character.  Eventually her ear fell and she became a true lop-earred bunny.  She ruled the roost at my dad's house keeping all 3 dogs in check.  That included the chihuahua, black lab and the pit bull.  She had spunk and I truly think she thought she was a dog too.

Once Steve and I married, I waited a few months and then moved her here.  Steve was not too excited and didn't quite understand what there was to love about a bunny.  Eventually that changed and he loved her too.  She was free to roam the house for hours each night and would always stay in the room with us.  If I was on the computer, she was my foot warmer.  If I was reading a book, she would snuggle up next to my leg.  She was like my baby until Ava came along.

Once Ava came, Sweet Pea took the back seat and never complained.  Ava pulled her ears, pet her way too hard, and chased her through the house all the while never biting or thumping at her.  They were actually best buds.  Ava and Sweet Pea grew to become friends and playmates.  They had their own games they would play and Ava would just laugh and laugh at her.  Just last week, I couldn't find Ava or Sweet Pea and was frantically searching the house.  I finally heard, "Momma" and looked to find both Sweet Pea and Ava laying together under the dining room table happy as could be. 

Sweet Pea had so much personality and character.  She was the 4th member of our family.  She passed away quickly on Saturday of what I think was either kidney or liver failure.  I held her as she left us and cried for all the good times she had with us and all the laughs she gave us.  She was a great pet and will never leave our hearts.