A NEW LOOK!

I mentioned that there would be some changes on the blog and well, here they are.  I hope you like love them as much as I do!

A huge thanks to Caroline from Leelou Blogs for making this transformation better than I imagined!  She was a joy to work with!

Would love to hear what you think about the new look.

Smiles
~Beth

ONE THING ONE WEEK CHALLENGE : 7

It's late, I am tired, I am covered in string but I finished the 2 blocks (for the Block~a~palooza) I committed to in Amy's One Thing One Week Challenge.  And, with only 30 minutes left to link up...whew!!!

I am keeping this post short.  You can read all about the challenge here at Amy's Creative Side.  

Here are my blocks...

Block design by Tacha Bruecher at Fat Quarterly

Block design by Jennifer Davis at Sugar Stitches

 Thanks to Amy for helping me get caught up on my blocks.  Thanks to Jennifer and Tacha for the great blocks!

Smiles
~Beth

A ONE-OF-A-KIND SHIRT FOR A SPECIAL LITTLE GUY

One of my nephews really loves to draw penguins.  I thought it would be fun to put one his many penguin drawings onto a shirt for him.  I started off with this adorable drawing.

And I ended up with this one-of-a-kind shirt.

I used my Silhouette (of course!) to create a vinyl heat transfer of the drawing and then I ironed it onto a scrap of an old white t-shirt.  If you don't have a Silhouette you could also use this freezer paper method over on the Make It and Love It blog.  Last, I simply stitched it to the tee.  If you don't have a sewing machine you could use this tutorial to put the scrap of t-shirt onto your new tee.  Or, your could iron your vinyl directly to the tee. 

I think it was a hit!

If you are interested in making your own I am thinking of posting a tutorial on how I made this one.  Let me know what you think.

Smiles
~Beth

SOMETHING THAT MADE ME SMILE

I had a hard time falling asleep last night.  It was around 2:30 the last time I looked at the clock.  Once I was asleep though I was sound asleep.  So sound that I woke up only 10 minutes before my littlest monster needed to be at soccer pictures.  As you can imagine, I was in panic mode..."Everyone get dressed, Adam has pictures and we have to leave in 10 minutes!".  This caused lots of commotion in our house.  The 2 older boys jumped up at the same time and somehow instead of getting dressed and brushing their teeth they began fighting.  And not just the "leave me alone", "he touched me", "I was in here first" fighting.  They were actually hitting eachother and somehow a dresser was knocked over.  All while I was trying to find Adam's soccer shorts!  Something about someone's DSi and someone kicking someone else is what ultimately started it.  Honestly, I didn't want to hear about the details.  All I could think was "What on earth were they thinking?!  We have to leave like NOW! and this is what they are doing?!  I know boys will be boys but seriously!".  I got them settled down and they got dressed (hmmm, I wonder if they brushed their teeth yet).  Anywho, they are now grounded from all things fun (ya know, like video games & T.V) and I am officially the meanest Mom on the planet.  The good news is that we made it to soccer pictures just in time.  Adam's team was half way done with their individual shots when we arrived...whew!  We received a "I was worried you wouldn't make it" from Coach and all I could do was smile and say "Sorry, we had a rough morning".  HA!  If only he knew what had been going on in the last 30 minutes!

You are probably wondering how any of this could make me smile (because it didn't!).  Well, after we got home I opened up an e-mail with this picture attached.

My newest nephew wearing the little tie shirt I made him.  Isn't he just adorable!  Thanks to my sis for sending this to me.  I really needed a smile :)

Hope everyone else is having a better day than I am so far!

Smiles
~Beth

A SWEET LITTLE TEACHER'S GIFT

We really love our boys' teachers and appreciate how hard they work each day.  I mean, let's face it, they spend more waking hours with our children during the week than we do.  My oldest son's teacher had a birthday this week so we got her a little something to celebrate HER.  Noone's birthday is complete without a special treat.  We picked up this scrumptious cupcake from Smallcakes...chocolate with classic vanilla icing...yummy!

It came in it's very own little brown box.  Great for delivering but a little plain.

With help from my trusty Silhouette, I gave the little brown box some life...not bad in just over 5 minutes!

I was having so much fun playing creating with my Silhouette that I made a cute little pouch (pillow box) for her gift card.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Tindall!  Thanks for all you do!!!

Smiles

~Beth

P.S.  My blog will be getting a new look soon!  I am so excited!  Hope you will come visit again soon :)

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Oops, I meant to get this post out this morning! 

To assure none of my little monsters get got pinched (ouch!) today they will all be wearing wore a little green (and so will did I!).  A couple of them are even sporting a Mommy~made shirt :) 

The grey tee was actually made last year but it still fits so less work for me this year, hooray!  I never got around to satin stitching the shamarock and letters.  Oh well, there is always next year!  I used my Silhouette to create the "moms lucky charm" shirt.  It hardly took any time at all and it looks like I bought it.  I sure do love that thing!!  The green tee was a hand~me~down (store bought) from my nephew.  Even though I feel very lucky to have ALL of my boys I think it is pretty darn funny cute.  Don't worry, he knows I love him very much!

Hope you all remembered your green!

Smiles
~Beth

MAKE UP YOUR MIND

If you live in the Kansas City area you will totally know what I am talking about...Mother Nature.  She can't seem to make up her mind.  Last week it was near 70 (what a teaser!).  Yesterday it looked like this outside my window.

Today it looks like this.

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about the sunshine today.  I am just merely asking Mother Nature to please make up her mind.   I am SO ready for Spring!!!

What is the weather like where you live?

On a side note, look at these yummy black & white fabrics I picked up today. 

No matter the weather that will always make me happy!

Smiles
~Beth

CUTE LITTLE TIE FOR MY LITTLE GUY

I came across this great tie tutorial over at Very Homemade and just had to make one for Adam.

Eek!  Isn't it adorable?!  I love those polkadots!  It will look even more adorable when Adam wears it to his pre~k graduation in May (sniff, sniff).  I mean, just look at him (yes, he got his hair cut)!

I love it so much that I am going to make a couple more, for Nathan & Sam.   I am taking them for pictures next month and I think these Mommy~made ties will help make a great memory :)

Smiles

~Beth

2 MORE BLOCKS!

I am behind on my blocks for the Blogger's Blocka~a~palooza.  I did manage to complete blocks 9 & 10 today.  You can see my other finished blocks here.

Block 9 by Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios

Block 10 by Amy Ellis of Amy's Creative Side

I changed one of the fabrics in block 9. I am glad I did but now I wish the flower print was on the outside of the block rather than the small stripes.  Thank goodness for seam rippers!

Have you ever done a quiltalong?

Smiles
~Beth

A SNEAK PEAK

I pieced the top to my Grandma's quilt.  Here is a little peak of what it looks like for now.  I think I am going to add an inner and outer border, we'll see.

What are you working on?

Smiles
~Beth

DR. SUESS

If you have children you probably know that March 2 was the birthday of the famous author Dr. Suess.  Yesterday, Adam's class celebrated by trying Green Eggs and Ham at school (he was not pleased!).  In spirit of all things Suess I made this simple little shirt for him to wear to the festivies.  This he loved!!

Now, go read a Dr. Suess book to a little person in your life.  Do you have a favorite?

Smiles
~Beth

THE BASICS

A couple of weeks ago I posted about The Basics Charity Challenge by Cara of Cara Quilts.
After contacting Jackie from Coldwater I learned that not only is Coldwater in need of food for their pantry they are also in need of girls clothing (of all ages).  I immediately wanted to rush down to my basement and pull out clothes that no longer fit my kids.  Then I thought for a second..."you have 3 boys!".  After a few more moments went by I remembered that I had a bunch of NEW short-sleeved girls shirts sitting in a bin downstairs. 

I purchased them on clearance last Fall in hopes to build up some inventory for Monster shirts.  Well, I never got around to utilizing them so off they go to Coldwater.  I have no doubt that they will be put to good use :)  I also picked up some paper towels since they were on the list of  "other" items.   If you haven't already, I hope you take a minute to read Cara's post.  You may just be inspired to help someone in a way you thought was too simple to really effect anyone (like paper towels). 

Are there any local charities that you like to donate to?

Smiles
~Beth

SEWING WITH A FRIEND

My best friend (wow, that just made me sound like I was 12) came in town for a couple days.  We ate great food, enjoyed a couple drinks, talked (alot!), giggled like little girls and stayed up until wee hours of the morning, sewing.  You see, Terra is the one that turned me into the crazed sewer that I am today.  All it took was a few evenings of us sitting at her kitchen table side by side with our matching sewing machines and I was hooked.  For the first time (ever!) she came to visit without any of her 3 (wonderful) children.  My (more than wonderful) hubby took over with the boys as much as he could so us girls could sew together without too many interuptions.  I was happy to take breaks for hugs though :)  In a mere 48 hours Terra completed an entire twin sized quilt top for her youngest daughter. 

She used a pattern by Ellie from Craft Sew Create. 
You can find it on the MBS site here.

She also reconstructed and added onto another quilt that has been sitting around for quite sometime.  I was able to finish all of my Grandma's blocks for her quilt. 

I also completed blocks 5, 6, 7, & 8 of the Blogger's Block~a~palooza.  Only 8 more to go!

Blocks 1~8

This is definately my favorite block so far!

 
I am happy with what we got accomplished.  The time went by way too fast and I already miss her.  Good thing we are all headed to Iowa for a visit in just a few weeks :)

Smiles
~Beth