2011 November

Whatcha Been Up To {Wednesday}

November 30, 2011 5 Comments

Ok, so we all know that pretty much EVERYONE on this planet is OBSESSED with Pinterest.

Me included.

I wanted to share with you some fun DIY gift ideas that I have recently pinned and will be making for Christmas Gifts this year!

Here goes:

Sock Fish Game:

Silhouette Necklace Tutorial:

(ok, ok this one may end up in MY stocking…)

Scrap Fabric Tutu:

Scrap Key Chains:

Chalk Paint Wine Glasses:

Socktopuses:

Picture Canvas:

(ok, ok this one MAY be for me too…)

Now you have some fun DIY gift ideas!

Oh yea

Just in case you need someone to help fuel your Pinterest Addiction,

you can find me on here!

Happy Pinning…

errrr I mean Holidays!

Filed Under: Featuring YOU, Whatcha Been Up To

Ruffled Collared Cape Pattern {by Seamingly Smitten}

November 29, 2011 3 Comments

One of my best bloggy friends, Jenny, from Seamingly Smitten, gave me the honor of testing the brand new Ruffled Collared Cape Pattern!

Would you believe me if I told you it took only 35 minutes to make from start to finish?!

This is the PERFECT cape for little girls!

(I am wishing I had one for myself)

Seriously, when Harper wears this, people go crazy asking me where I got it!

Every little princess HAS to have a cape!

Head on over to Smitten Designs and get the pattern for your little girl today!

The best part, all of the patterns are now INSTANT download!

Wahooo!

Happy Sewing!

Filed Under: Sewing, Sponsors

Christmas Wreath {flashback}

November 28, 2011 20 Comments

Our Christmas decorations are up and Christmas music is taking over our house!

My Christmas Wreath is on the door and just in case you missed it last year…

… here is the tutorial!

Take a plain grapevine wreath:

Start tying ribbons into knots onto the wreath.

Then add more sizes and lengths (Look familiar? I used the left over ribbon from my Christmas Ribbon Garland!) until you get the “look” you want!

For the “P”, I got a plain wooden letter from Hobby Lobby and spray painted it red. It was a little plain for me, so I decided to get some lime green paint and put polka dots on it!

The eraser of a pencil makes the perfect dots (a little trick I have used for years!)!

…keep “dotting!”

Then I decided it needed a little “sparkle,” so I put green glitter onto the “P!” (make sure your “dot” paint is still wet so the glitter will stick!)

And then…

A cute “P” for my Christmas Wreath!

It got late and I got tired so I don’t have picture for the next part, but I think you can handle it! I added red and green ornaments on the wreath to fill in the gaps that the ribbon didn’t quite cover. I tied the ornaments into the wreath and then put a tiny dot of hot glue where the ornament touched the wreath to hold it into place. This is what it ended up looking like:

Yay!

That was easy, right?!

Now hang that super cute Christmas Wreath on your door!

Merry Christmas!

Filed Under: Christmas, Seasons, Tutorial

Black Friday!

November 25, 2011 2 Comments

I LOVE black Friday!
(crazy, I know…)
Ross and I have a standing “date” each year!
My sister comes over to keep the littles and we tackle to crowds,
with Starbucks in hand of course.
We never have any specific item we need to buy…
so, thinking about it I am not too sure WHY we torture ourselves
but we do…
…and we always have so much fun!
An entire day,
just me and Ross (and a million crazy people).

For those of you who are smart and stay at home on Black Friday, I thought I would share some
fun deals and giveaways going on today!

FUN group of giveaways (and yes, there is one from The Shop too!)!

Use the code 50OFFNOWONLY and receive 50% on current listed items!

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE over at Little Miss Missy!

Use the code THANKFUL to receive 20% off your entire purchase in The Shop!

Sew up something extra special this holiday season for the little ones on your list with the help of Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop

***All patterns are instant download so you can get started right away- no wait!***
Sizes run Newborn- Size 8

And we’re having our biggest sale EVER!

75% OFF! 1st five customers to purchase five or more patterns in one transaction (code: “DOORBUSTER”)
50% OFF! All orders all day long on Black Friday (code: “BLACKFRIDAY”)
30% OFF! All orders Saturday-Monday (code: “TURKEY”)

Happy shopping and happy sewing!

Use the code CHRISTMAS at checkout and receive FREE shipping!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

(…And just in case you are wondering, we DO NOT go out at like 5am…
we mosey on out about 8 or 9ish! So maybe we aren’t THAT crazy after all!)

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Uncategorized

{Happy} Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2011 1 Comment

Today,

we will be surrounded by family

and if we are really lucky, maybe even a few close friends!

We will eat WAY too much food

then take naps on the couch.

We will watch old home movies

and just be together as a family.

We will laugh at stories of the years past.

And miss those who are no longer with us.

But most importantly,

today we will give thanks.

Be thankful for your blessings!

Filed Under: Holidays

Shabby Apple Dress {Winner}

November 24, 2011 Leave a Comment

The winner of The Shabby Apple Kanani Dress is…

….

JESSICA!

Jessica said… 45

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=714037885901&id=71005186

I shared on facebook

Yay!

You have 24 hours to email me and claim your prize!

(johnnyinadress@hotmail.com)

*The winner was randomly selected via Random.org

Filed Under: Giveaway

One Year Ago {Cliff’s SDR Journey}

November 23, 2011 5 Comments

I can not talk about this past year without thanking God first.
He made this possible.
He guides me and Ross to make the best decisions we can for Cliff.
Our wonderful Lord has chosen our little Cliff to be used as His teaching tool.
We are so thankful for our blessings.

Exactly one year ago today,
Cliff’s life was changed forever.
For the better.
Dr. Park performed a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy.
He went into Cliff’s spinal cord and cut the nerves that were transmitting the wrong message to the muscles in his legs.
(The beginning of this story starts here.)

A HUGE thank you to God for placing his healing hands on Cliff,

for blessing Dr. Parks hands and guiding him through countless, successful Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Surgeries, for giving Ross and I comfort in knowing that He is blessing Cliff every step of the way.

A big thank you to Dr Park who is using his God given talent to changes the lives of those who are living with Cerebral Palsy all over the world.

Thank you to all of you who have worked countless hours with Cliff over the past four years.

Thank you to everyone who has devoted their lives to helping all children with special needs.

Ann, Virginia, Leila, Leslie, Tonya, Rebecca, Andy, Krisztina, Erin, Paris, Eszter, Tish, Asher, Lisa

& everyone at The Therapy Place.

Cliff is where he is today because of each and everyone of you taking the time to teach him.

We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people and are so thankful for each and everyone of you.

Thank you to our friends and family.

Those of you who have been there to support us, pray for us, pray with us.

Thank you to all of you who have been right there to cheer for Cliff.

To those of you who tell us to keep going when the times get tough.

Thank you to those who have cried with us – both happy and sad tears.
All of you who have lifted Cliff up in prayer.

Thank you to my JIAD Family for following Cliff’s journey.

For praying for Cliff and our family.

For sharing your own personal stories of trials and triumphs.

For writing the most inspiring emails and leaving the sweetest comments.

(and yes, I read each and every one of them to Cliff)

For being there when I need you to listen.

For accepting my sweet little boy just the way he is.

For embracing my family.

Most of all,

thank you to Cliff for working harder than anyone in this world.

Thank you for never giving up.

Thank you for being YOU.

You are perfect just the way you are and we are so proud of you!

You have come so far in just one year and we can’t wait to see what achievements are just around the corner.

You are amazing, sweet and strong.

We all love you more than words can ever express!

Filed Under: Family, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, The Boy

Cheese Steak Samich!

November 22, 2011 2 Comments

One of our favorite family meals at the moment is a

Cheese Steak Samich…

JIAD style that is!

You will need:

1 onion

1 green bell pepper

1 package of thin steaks

Cavender’s Seasoning

Worcestershire

Soy Sauce

Teriyaki Marinade

Provolone Cheese

Buns

Start out by cutting an onion, a green pepper and some thinly cut steaks into strips.

Over medium heat, add some olive oil in a pan then the steak. After the steak browns a little, add the onion and bell pepper.

Stir occasionally while the meat browns the onions and peppers cook down.

Sprinkle on some Cavender’s Seasoning to your taste!

Yummmy!

Then add a little soy sauce, Worcestershire and some Teriyaki marinade – to your taste!

After letting everything cook down, this is what it should look like:

Once everything is well cooked and the ingredients have thickened turn your oven onto broil. Spoon the meat mixture onto a bun (we use Arnold’s Sandwich Thins) and then top with provolone (or whatever cheese you want)!

Put in the oven and WATCH it.

As soon as the cheese melts, take it out….

…and you have a super yummy Cheese Steak Samich!

Plate with some Baked Broccoli and you have an awesome meal!

Happy eating!

Filed Under: Recipe

Knife Block – Your questions answered!

November 21, 2011 9 Comments

Lately my inbox has been flooded with questions about my Knife Block.

Today,

I will answer your questions!

I spray painted the wooden knife block a few good coats of Krylon Catalina Mist.

Once the first color was dry, I spray painted ONE thin coat of Krylon’s Ivy Leaf.
(The coats of spray paint should be thin and no paint should go down into the holes for the knives)