Christmas Ornaments

Last year I got a box of Christmas ornaments from my Mother In Law. 

I finally pulled them out and started painting them, Im hoping to finish them this week! 

The detail in them is pretty small, so it's not something I think would be great to do with kids. The paint dries fairly quick, and the ornaments seem to be well made - although I do recommend a different paint brush, a fine detail one of better quality to get in all the little spots. 

here' what the box looks like:

 here's the paints that come with it:

I'm not sure where you buy it from - but if you stumble across it, I would suggest you pick it up!!

I have a post to put up tomorrow about my grinch quilt - super excited about it! It's the first snow today, I'm for sure into the winter spirit now! Time for some peppermint hot chocolate!

{Wendy Wendy, lounging in the sun}

Clearance Deals

i l-o-v-e love discount and clearance sales.

I recently made the dinosaur pillow case for my son and did a post about it.

I also have started a part time job (on top of my photography business), and grabbed these deals from the bargain & clearance bins!

the best part? they were only $1 each!

you read that right - ONE DOLLAR. O-N-E!!

I feel guilty buying myself items sometimes, but for $1 - I couldn't pass it up! and I totally don't feel guilty for these! 

Lest We Forget

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields

"...Cpl Pinksen bravely served with his comrades to help build a stable environment to support a better and brighter future for Afghans. This tragic passing illustrates some of the many risks that the men and women of the Canadian Forces face every day in carrying out their duties..." R.I.P 08/2010

Thank you to all of you brave soul's past present and future that protect the values we hold so dear.

I wear no uniforms, no blues or greens.
But, I am in the military, in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
But in the military world is where I live.
I am not in the chain of command, orders I do not give or get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget.
I am not the one who fires a weapon, Who puts his life on the line.
But my job is just as tough, I’m the one who is always left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and pride filled man.
And the call to serve his country not all can understand.
Behind the lines, I see things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do my kids and me.
This is the man I love. The military is his life.
So I pledge to support my hero and stand among the silent ranks known as THE MILITARY WIFE!

Bargain Fabric

In between packing to move to a new location (hello bigger yard!), working two jobs (part time retail - and I run my own photography business), plus being a mama and a wife and my own self - I got in some time to raid Fabricvilles bargain bin: $1 for any piece of fabric, at whatever size it is! I whipped up a dinosaur pillowcase for my son with the bargain fabric and an old basket liner that had broken. 

LittleMan is now asking me over and over to make him a dinosaur blanket! I plan on making him a plaid one that goes with the dinosaur theme done by pottery barn once we get into our new house. and the best part? I still have some dinosaur fabric left over to make into something else for him :) 

Have you checked out your fabric stores bargain bin? What did you purchase and make?

Ruffled Streamers

streamers are a quick and easy "must-have" to really turn the house into party mode for kids. 

But they've been done before and I'm always looking for that extra little easy detail to kick it up a notch!

I made these for my sons halloween party...

(but really - any color combination would make this great for any party!)

totally cute right? two colors and ruffells! and they were so easy! It took quite a bit of thread, and this was about a whole roll of streamers - but considering streamers are from the dollar store, you can't beat it! here's the link to the tutorial for them: { Dana Made It }