Happy 2014!

Happy New Years!! 

I hope you met the new year with loved ones! Do you feel hopefulness and joy for the new beginning that you have been given?! I hope you do! I hope you have also set New Year Resolutions. I was working on them little by little trying to think of ways to improve on all areas of my life, including this blog! I believe if you don't set goals and plans for improvement, than you won't strive and aim to achieve them. 

I didn't write any down last year but had the same usual ones in my head.. To be a better mom and wife. To read more, pray more, and use my phone less.. I think that a lot of you had/have the same resolutions. They aren't bad but since they are so vague, I don't know if I achieved them in any way at all. Am I a better wife? A better mother? I resolve to be more specific in my resolutions. :) This year I wrote them down. Where will my phone be off-limits? What will I change in my attitude towards my husband? How will I aim to spend more purposeful time with my kiddos? Than we will be able to see how far (or how little) we have grown.. 


2013 was a blur. Am I being cliche in saying time flies?? I have to say I don't remember much of it. I worry that means I didn't cherish the time.. But I will always remember 2013 for one reason. It gave us an incredible gift from above: our third child. God has blessed us and continues to bless us regardless of our inadequacy. We are the most undeserving to receive them. I look at our baby girl's face and feel God's presence. His utmost LOVE for us through this sweet precious child. Where else can she have come from?? 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights... (James 1:17)

From God alone... 

There aren't words to describe our joy. I think if you are a mother you understand! 

We rarely get professional pictures done (said with great sadness) so I thought I would share these wonderful pictures taken of baby girl in the hospital. Instead of taking the usual traditional baby photo, the hospital had a photographer come in and professionally take pictures. She was there with us for like 10 minutes and produced these wonderful photos of our day old baby girl! How wonderful it would be to be a photographer! Sigh. It doesn't take much time to snap the photo but it takes skill to do it right, and you forever have created a beautiful image. 

Welcome baby girl. You are greatly loved and adored! 

 

 

 

 

The last one is my favorite and the one we used on our birth announcements. :)

Isn't she the most beautiful baby girl you have ever seen?? I may be biased.. Or maybe not ;)

Here's to a new year! New adventures in parenting, new memories and reasons to laugh and cry and create and the joy in the gift of life!

Have lots to share and can't wait! Two Christmas parties and a Parisian Garden Baby Shower! (Which happens to be the one my sisters threw for me!) Not to mention more DIYs and refashions! 
 

Simple Jewelry Making : An Animal Pendant

You guys! We had so so much fun this weekend! Thanks to all that came out and supported us and the great events that were going on. We sold lots of cookies and heard great feedback! We are thrilled. :) I mean, we knew the Oreshki Cookies are amazingly delicious but to hear it said back to us really made our day! We also heard a great response to our flavors (especially the Nutella and Pumpkin Spice!) I can't wait to share pictures! Anyways, we are super excited over here and already brainstorming new winter flavors. (Also, hoping to open up shop in Etsy soon for all those that are reading from a distance!)

Today I wanted to share a simple satisfying little DIY. Satisfying because it only takes a few minutes, and you have a new piece to brighten up your wardrobe. On one of my many stops to Micheal's, preparing for the festival sale and barn sale, I spotted this cool (GOLD) lion pendant. I mean, he spoke to me (roared to me??) and I knew just what I was going to do with him. Come on, it was a GOLD LION HEAD. Did I mention he's gold??! :-D

All you need is 
Lion Pendant (Michael's also had a silver owl, a bird, and other fun pieces!)
Matching Chain
End clasp
Jewelry pliers (to attach the clasp)

Measure the length you want the necklace to be. (I made the necklace long enough to slip on and off without having to undo the clasp)

 

  Loop through the pendent. Attach the end clasps by prying open the last connections and re-closing onto the clasps ends.

Done! 

Despite my sister making fun of this necklace (I guess she doesn't speak Lion OR feel a certain attraction to gold), I LOVE it! :) 

Go rock it too.

On another note, how perfect for fall is this pleated plum color dress I thrifted?!? 

Hope you are enjoying the season change and are as excited as I am for sweaters and jackets! Thanks for reading!! 

(BTW, Michaels.com has coupons avaliable via your phone. They almost always have the 40% off a regular priced item (if not more!) Just show the coupon at the registry and you can get this cool pendant for $3!) 



 

Hand Sewn Heart Elbow Patches out of Leather!

Happy Monday!!

As most of you know, Instagram is addiciting. Not only do you get to see beautiful imagery along with photography of people's travels and food, it is also very inspiring!! A fashion blogger I adore posted this picture a few weeks ago of this ASOS top and that is where this idea was born. Although the original isn't a bad price, I didn't think it was worth purchasing right now with my growing belly. But I easily recreated it!! You don't need a sewing machine for this one, you guys!

What you will need:

A long sleeve tee, preferably striped!
I found my long sleeve (striped) tee at Old Navy. You won't regret purchasing one because it's a classic look (at a great price!) that will never go out of style. Or maybe you have one you don't mind upgrading. 

Scrap pieces of leather (or pleather.)
I purchased an old outdated "leather" coat from a local thrift. It will provide material for lots more leather detailing for the future- which believe me, there will be. :) (A cotton would also do the trick!)

Heart Template
I used this one because I liked a longer sort of heart. You can download the template here: http://www.whiffofjoy.ch/media/digitalFreebies/HeartHangerTemplate_byKatharinaFrei.jpg

Needle, matching string

1. Try on your top and mark the placement of your elbow. I used a piece of tape to remember the placement. 
(Tip: make it a natural placement, without pulling down on the sleeve too much.)

2. Trace and cut out your hearts.

3. Place the heart where you want it and pin around. I used a small box lid to place in between the sleeve so that the hand sewing would be MUCH easier and makes the stitches much straighter and not bunch up. Find something to use, because it really makes a difference. (I wonder if there is something that sells specifically for this purpose? Seems there would be...) 

4. I used the backstitch method because it is the strongest. It was very easy and I used this video to refresh my memory. If you have never done it before, you could practice on a piece of fabric. 

5. That's it! Make sure you secure the last stitch and repeat steps for other elbow!

I love it! And it's a super comfy option that you can dress up or down! (One day I will wear it with my leather skirt! Until than, prego mama jeans it is. Haha) 

Have a wonderful week everyone! Thanks for reading.

Stamp Print a Simple Dress Tutorial

These posts are getting less and less glamorous as my belly gets bigger and bigger! I hope it doesn't throw you off and make you think this is a "pregnancy" DIY and not for you non-preggers out there. :)

I was pretty desperate a few weeks ago. I was in search of something (anything) that fit. We live in a smaller town and cute pregnancy clothes are a rare find. I found this simple linen dress at the thrift store and loved how it tied right above the belly and although it doesn't look like much, I'll repeat: I was desperate. 

After some time of it hanging out in my closet, I realized it was too plain. It was fine but since it was a thrift store find, I felt more at ease with trying to spruce it up a bit. 

I have been wanting to stamp a print for a while now and haven't got around to it. The HARDEST thing about this DIY is deciding which print you want to do! :) Anchors or birds or triangles??! So many adorable choices! (and stamps galore in craft stores to choose from!) But I went with another print I will always adore: polka dots. And you don't even need to purchase a stamp. 

All you need is:
Fabric Paint (of your choice)
a Bottle Cap 
Cardboard to layer in between the clothing...

1. First try out your bottle cap stamp on a different fabric to get the right size and play with the stamping technique. (Hint: try to find a fabric the same as the one you want to redo. I practiced on a cotton and since my dress was linen, it turned out a bit different.)

2. Lay the cardboard in between the clothing to keep the paint from seeping through.

3. Work your way down, spreading the print out as much or as little as you want. You can also choose to go from very sparse to more condensed on the bottom. That could create a very cute look!

4. Do one side at a time. Let it dry (the paint bottle says at least 4 hours- more if the paint is very thick) before you flip to the other side.

5. At the end, do the sides on the seams as well (if you want) to make it look like a continuous pattern. 

6. Let dry and ready to wear!

Have fun with it! Think outside the dress: I have a scarf I want to print stamp and I've seen people do this on pants and tee's as well! :)

Have a beautiful day and enjoy the weekend. For us, this is the last weekend before our eldest goes to Kindergarten. We are very choked up about it and I was almost to tears twice yesterday when I met his teacher! (Who seems like an amazing teacher and I am so happy that she will be ours!) To say the least, I will have major separation anxiety. I am sure lots of you are feeling the same way if you will be sending your kids to school the first time (or even if not the first!) I will be praying for you as well! I have faith that God will not remove His wing of protection.

Thank you for reading!

T-Shirt into Stretchy Comfy Bodycon Skirt

Hi :)

I know the title was a bit long but this skirt is oh. so. comfy.

It was in my closet all this time and I didn't even know it. Well, mostly because it was disguised in the form of a tee that I rarely wore! I kept it because of the classic black and white stripes and I'm SO GLAD I did!

It's obvious why I need this type of skirt  - my growing belly! (YES, we are EXPECTING!!!! :) but you need this skirt too. It is the perfect go-to skirt when you want comfort yet its 100 degrees outside.
All you need is:

A stretchy tee
Scissors 
Elastic for the waist
Sewing machine and pins

This is my teeshirt before:

One major plus about my tee is the elastic gathering on the side. It was automatically "fitted".

1. First, try on the shirt through the neckline hole and find out where you want to cut it (how short you want it) If your neckline is too small or not stretchy to try it on, I recommend cutting off the neck line (at the top of sleeves) to be able to try it on and find a good length for you. 

 2. Turn shirt inside out. Use a straight edge to draw and pin a line to completely close the armhole openings. Sew down that line, reinforce with zigzag and cut off excess (or serge off). 

Tip: Sew a little lower than the armhole. You don't want to create a puck in your skirt!

3. Cut off the top (neckline) at the length you want.

4. Fold over top, pin and sew. Leave an opening for the elastic. Measure your elastic around your waist at the tightness you want it. Pull the elastic through the opening you left in the skirt waist (I like to do this with a safety pin) and sew the ends of elastic closed. Than hand sew the opening you left. 
 

You're done! 

Like I mentioned, my shirt was ruched on the sides so it was fitted and I didnt need to alter anything. If you have a plain teeshirt, you might have to "pencil-fy" your skirt. You can do this by tracing a fitted skirt you already own or trying it on and making alterations.

Just for fun I wanted to share a picture of my neice. She not only looked 100% like a mini me but my sister had just made her a skirt from, guess what? A TEESHIRT! Haha I guess great minds do think a like ;)

 I didn't notice her skirt was curled up on the bottom until later. Oh well.

HOW CUTE IS SHE?!?! It just blows my mind how similar our outfits turned out to be! (I wore my outfit on Saturday and my neice was dressed like this for church on Sunday) 

Fashion Face-off! (I think she won this face-off with her adorable sock bun! What do you guys think?)

I hope you think twice before you trash a tee-shirt next time (especially with a cool print!) and try this! Let me know if you have any questions! I feel like this tutorial wasn't as straight forward as I usually make them but I will try to do better next time.

:) Hope you start the next week with a happy heart and a smile! Thank you for reading!

Photo Booth: How to Vamp Up Any Party and Make it MEMORABLE!

Why, hello there.

It's been forever since I've blogged!

No, I don't have any really good reason. Except that life got in the way.. Time started going faster. Summer started. I hope you find yourself getting lost in the time too, with family and friends and memory-making!

I am very happy to be here now to share this!

Some of our dearest dearest friends moved across country. They also happen to be my husband's brother's family. (His only sibling) Including one of the sweetest sister-in-laws you could ever imagine having - one that would be willing to do anything for you. And their amazing kids that were more like siblings to our kids than cousins. We were close. We saw each other just about every day. To say we miss them is an understatement. But they are off doing amazing things in God's Glorious Name and I know God has planned incredible things for them.

Stay with me: This story has a reason! The girls of our Bible Study wanted to throw them a Surprise Good-Bye Party before they left and although it was simple, it was wonderful! Everyone enjoyed an al fresco dinner consisting of country themed food on a hot summer day and enjoying each other's company for the last time until God brings us all together again.

The clever theme (since they were leaving the country and moving to a big city) was "Ya'll Come Back Now, You Hear?" Everyone had to dress "country". It also consisted of good ole country food, burlap and doilies, candles and wildflowers. I cannot take credit for this adorable party- it was once again a group effort! Girls, you all did awesome. It was the perfect way to send off our brother and his family. . . . . . . . 

There was a whole table full of good food- I just wanted to share part of the menu in case you're are planning a party with this theme too!
Corn on the Cob
Meat Kabobs
Hotdogs (of course)
Green Bean Casserole
... Just to name a few!

The dessert table was loaded too. One of my favorites was the caramel apple dipping station. (To make caramel fondue: Melt caramel squares with some evaporated milk and butter on the stove top and than pour into a fondue pot.) We had different toppings such as Heath, little Reeses Pieces, and sprinkles. You can use anything you love!  I really wish I had a better picture!

This cake was made by one of the girls. It was perfect!! (and so delish too)

But the real reason I wanted to share this get together we had was because of the part that made the whole party: The photo booth!!

It really was a simple thing to plan! Almost everyone brought props and it was the funnest (and funniest) part of the party.

We used a tablecloth for the backdrop and bought a few hay bales to sit on and a country style quilt. This theme was super easy to style! I'll stop talking so you can see!!! 

Bandana's and the kid size cowboy hats were from Michael's!

 My sister borrowed these amazing authentic red boots from her sister in law and they definitely were a hit!

With my adorable sister-in-law and all the wildflower arrangements from the tables. :)

My sister made that WANTED sign out of a cardboard box! A little creativity goes a long way!

 

 Me with two of my best friends: my sisters :)

 

We will miss you so much more than you can ever know! I am so glad we have these pictures and that night as a wonderful memory..

  

I hope you can find some inspiration for your next "rodeo" (lame lame i know) and make it memorable with a photo booth that is literally fun for all ages. (Also blackmailing material for later, if you get the right shot) ;) 

Last picture from my phone: one of the best things about summer? Summer evenings...



Have a great day everyone! I plan to share new DIY projects soon!! Thanks for reading...