Confessions

Sometimes I read mommy blogs and I think few things:
one- "she sure is a super hero of a mom..." and two- "does she ever sleep?" and three- "how does she do all that?" and four- "she makes the rest of us look lazy..." and "holy cow she is like amazing!"

Well I don't ever want anyone to think that about me...and this little blog here.... because I am just a normal mom.....so here are a few confessions:
1. I have a craft room that is now just one big mess and I dread walking into that room.
2. I probably have enough projects to last for 3 years... and I wouldn't have to buy anything...and I'm not exaggerating.
3. Sometimes I forget to eat dinner....like tonight I forgot, but I remembered to eat dessert...oops.
4. I feel guilty about the funds I spend at JoAnn's and other various craft places.
5. I really hate clutter, but I seem to have a lot of it.
6. My sink and my counter all covered in dirty dishes right now. But I'm too tired to do them. Instead I am doing this.
7. I really don't like the colors in my house, but I am too frugal and tired to change them. I keep things the same for a long long time.
8. I watch way too much T.V. and I watch a lot of talk shows. And I get a lot of magazines but I never take time to read them. What a waste.
9. I drink too much diet D.P. and diet Coke. My teeth will probably turn brown and fall out.
10. I went 3 days last week with no shower and I never really got dressed. eewww grose. disgusting.
11. I feel guilty all the time about not being a better mother and wife. (don't we all)
12. I always always have a huge pile of laundry to fold, and another huge pile to wash.
13. My best ideas come to me late at night. Which is why I don't sleep much..but I am always, always tired.
14. I don't have much of a social life- except for my husband, and kids, and this one friend I talk to about 30 times a month on the phone.
15. I have way too many interests- so I am no expert in anything- just like to do lots of things but none of them really well....
16. I really love to exercise and work-out but I don't make enough time for it lately.
17. I love jewerly, and make-up and cute shoes, but I never hardly wear any of that stuff anymore.
18. I feel overwhelmed... a lot. Probably because I am so disorganized, but I love to organize.
19. I have really mixed feelings about the whole internet world, blogging, Facebook, all the stuff.
20. I get excited when I see a really cute idea or think of a really cute idea, and I can't sleep or eat until I have the thing made or have all the supplies to make the thing, (but no time) and it is really a bad habit.
 21.  I really want to see New Moon.
22. And in case I forgot... I really really love my kids and husband but I don't think I show them enough.
See... I 'm just as normal as you are...or maybe now you think I am not so normal. Oh well.
So inquiring minds want to know...what are your mommy confessions? ☻

Pudding No-Bake Cookies

My sister-in-law Jill, shared this pudding no-bake-cookie recipe in our family cookbook, and it was an immediate hit at our house. I love butterscotch and chocolate flavors, and oatmeal, and sweets with less calories. So this was a winner! It is a great party cookie for the holidays too. PLUS... I stuck some in my freezer so I wouldn't eat them all...and they froze really well- in a freezer ziplock baggie of course. ☻

Pudding No Bake Cookies

2 1/4 cups sugar

2 TBSP butter (or margarine) yes only 2

6 oz. evaporated milk

4 oz. butterscotch instant pudding (the small box)

3 1/2 cups oats

Chocolate version: use peanut butter instead of butter, and use chocolate pudding instead of butterscotch.

LOW-CAL (ha ha) version: use sugar free-fat-free pudding and fat-free evaporated milk.

Combine sugar, butter, milk, and pudding mix in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in oats. Cool for 15 minutes. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper.

I put them in the fridge for a few minutes or let them sit on the counter for several minutes until hardened in cookie form.

Enjoy!

Make your own Baby Wrap/Carrier

I meant to post this months ago...the photo is the day before we were in the hospital for 2 weeks...little did I know how awful this little one was feeling at the time.
My friend Lindsay, told me quite a while ago, that I really should make my own baby wrap, as I was looking into buying a Moby wrap. Well, I'm so glad I made my own. I wish I had this style of baby carrier with all my kids. I LOVE it! And it is so comfortable to wear. It is a definite must have for every mommy. There are so many ways you can wear it. Baby loves it. I think it is pretty cute (especially since it hides all the baby rolls that are left on me-don't worry- that is my big project I am working on-losing the weight...☻)
You can also wear it in the car- without the baby in it of course, and put your seat belt on, and then when you get to where you are going, just take the baby out of his/her car seat, and put the baby in the carrier. You can also nurse your baby while wearing this (I don't do that but you can), and your baby can sleep in it, etc. etc.  One thing I don't like about other styles of baby carriers, is the fact that you have to take it off, and put it back on, etc. etc. This one you could really where all day - and take the baby out, and put the baby back in as needed.

OK --HOW TO MAKE A BABYWRAP /CARRIER:

EASY- buy about 5-6 yards of slightly stretchy fabric- I used a jersey knit fabric (runs at about $8) a yard.
You only need about 1/2 the width, so this much fabric will make 2 baby wraps.
Buy about 1/2 a yard of a cotton fabric to coordinate- and sew a piece on right in the very middle. This just helps the fabric not stretch so much where the baby will be,  and helps you easily find the middle which is essential for tying it on and off, plus it looks cute. ☻
NOW FOR THE HARD PART: tying/wearing this thing- which really is not that hard after you learn how to do it. - there are a million YouTube videos on "how to wear or tie a baby wrap" Most are extremely helpful, some you have to watch a few times, and then you just practice tying it with baby. You can wear it several different ways....I just LOVE IT! I have another one just like the one pictured for sale in my shop- since it made two-- anyone want it?I'm selling it very good price...since I don't need two wraps.  I'll give you a list of videos to watch to help you tie it. (wink, wink) I love it- and just love it! Makes life with baby so much better!

Fabric Happy

My son is sick. That makes me sad. I hate it when my kids are sick. But fabric makes me happy! Almost too happy... the problem is I don't have much time to finish anything, unless I don't take a shower and clean my house- which is what has happened....lately.

And now I need some time to finish this- which I bought fabric for LAST YEAR to make....ooops... I'll show you when I'm done-if/when it gets finished...

It has to get finished so I can work on this:

Or maybe I'll just stare at the pretty fabrics all day....aaahhh....Not a chance.
 I better take care of the kids, the house, and me, so I can get sewing.

WINNER of the Christmas Apron

OK people... I know... I really take FoReVeR when I do a give-a-way- sorry about that. Sick kids, sewing, baby crying, husband working, you name it, I have every excuse. ☻ So using random.org, I gave everyone's entries a number and the winner is:

SANDRA NIXON! Number 35, was your number.
Sandra said, "count me in of course!"

Leave a comment with email (won't be published) and I'll contact you and we'll get you a custom-made Christmas apron.

Speaking of Christmas aprons--- every woman needs one. It just puts you in the Christmas mood, and all that. ☻ I have two in my shop - and more car cozies.
THANKS to everyone that entered.. and  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Fieldtrip to Above All Fabric

For months, I have been trying to get to Melanie's house to see her fabric shop, Above All Fabric, that she runs out of her house. She doesn't live too far from me, she is also the mother of 3 children, and loves fabrics and sewing too. I finally made it to visit her and get some yummy fabrics too! It was really fun to meet another blogger/friend in person, and she how she runs her fabric shop. Melanie is as genuine as they come. She is always offering great online deals too. In fact, I got quite a few Michael Miller fabrics, for 20% off last week! This week she is running a special for FREE SHIPPING- code FREE through November 8th! She really does offer the best prices, sales, and service.  She also offers rewards points, so you can get money back next time you shop. So if you haven't checked out Above All Fabric, you must take a look at her beautiful fabrics and great deals.  I will be back Melanie- just as soon as I sew my 562 projects I just bought fabric for. ☻

p.s. Christmas Apron winner will be announced soon...

Make a Magnetic Advent Calendar

Last year I spent a lot of time making these. I still have a few left- if you would like one or the materials/kits to make one- let me know. ☻  I sold and gave a way many an advent calendar last year and it sort of burned me out. This year I have way too many crafts on the brain to make these again. Besides,  this year these are out there in blog land.  (The circle idea actually was seen in a vinyl lettering catalog but it was a bit different and obviously lots of people saw the same thing I did.☻ )
 A friend and I came up with the tree one- using our incredible brain power. ☻  hee hee-not like we haven't seen a tree advent before.... :)   (two brains are always better than one-right?)
Anyway- Here is the lowdown on how to do this on your very own:
You need a cookie sheet, or magnetic board. I'm not going to tell you to spray paint a cookie sheet- as I did, because it can be a pain. in. the. you know what. BUT you can buy magnetic spray paint and use wood, or purchase a magnetic board or material from a hardware store, and there you go.
Next you need vinyl numbers, or stickers, or some way to put on the lovely numbers to count down.
To go with that, you need a cute Christmas magnet.
AND last, you need a way to display it. I just hot-glued ribbon on the back.
OK there is one little advent calendar you can make pretty fast.

What kind of advents are you using this year? 

Is it really Christmas already?