Total Clearance Score!

This:

was the ultimate Clearance Section score today.  I've been pining away for a leather topped bench with storage inside for a year or two now.  It's the perfect place to plop down and put on shoes while hiding laundry or random crap that is lying around my house before unexpected company appears toys.

The kids and I were winding up a trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond, aka "The Sheet Store" to Sesame, when I spotted a random clearance section.  And there it sat, calling forth with blissful angelic sounds, "the leather bench" (said with the SNL Sean Connery accent.*)

The bright yellow clearance tag read "retail price 149.99 clearance price 20.98"  I looked over my shoulder thinking I was on candid camera.  Nope.  No cameras.  Upon further inspection I found the purpose of the drastically reduced price.

A broken hinge.  No big deal.  Even I could fix that.

Two scuffs and a slight puncture.  

On the back.  

The part that faces the wall. 

The part that will not be seen by anyone.

I whipped out my cell phone, thankful A) I had it with me and B) it was charged for once.  Husband agreed this would be a wise purchase.  I mean, seriously, you can't even buy plastic storage tubs for 20.98!?

So.  There I am.  My cart is full with a 2.5 year old Shirley Temple look alike, a Care Bear and a floral print purse in the front; and, a large infant carrier, complete with 9 week old slumbering babe, in the back.  I already squeezed the 10 tray/organizers under the carseat in an effort to not carry them in my hand.  So.  Out of necessity, I scooted the brown leather bench across the entire front of the store, with my feet, whilst dragging a cart full of children behind me.  I wasn't about to leave the bench just sitting there.  Hello!?  Someone could snatch it up!

Also, watching my mild TV obsession, American Pickers, paid off.  I chose a line with a young male cashier and politely asked, "There are a few other damages that aren't mentioned on the sticker," points to the small puncture (on the back!) and scuff marks on the front, "Would you take 15 for it?"  And what does he do?!  GRANT MY REQUEST!!  AND I had a 20 % off coupon?!  Jigga what?!  Take that!  

Leather bench total cost: 16.00

Score.

Another project I've been working to conquer before we house family for a week:

Sesame's Big Big Girl Room.

Theme: Polka Dots.  :)  Love

Progress is slow but looks better everyday.

 

I'll keep you posted as I paint.  I saved a ton of money by purchasing paint samples in all the colors.  The circles don't take up too much space and thusly, saved money.  Sweet.  Money that I can buy more sweet, cheap leather benches with!?  Just kidding.

If you've made it this far in this post you deserve a cookie.  Thank you for putting up with my overflowing joy at saving a few dollars.  :)  Have a great day!


*If you get that reference then we can be friends.  If not, we need to talk more.  Note: This does not apply to family members.  I love you always and anyway.)

My Best George.

 My bestest buddy George is pregnant and expecting her first baby in August.  I threw a small baby shower for her last week.  It ended up being too much fun!  :)

Her sister practicing her Auntie duty of book reading.  Note: She is practicing her story telling abilities on a stuffed lamb, which, for whatever reason, makes me giggle.  :)

Mmmm...Yogurt Parfait Bar...Mmmm

It's the three of us!  Yay!

It's the three of us in Superstar mode.  :)  YAY!

Our next fun task was freezer paper stenciling onesies for Carlos (George's unborn baby's in-utero name) and maybe one or two for Squirt.  Sesame woke up from her nap and painted a onesie for Squirt...She also might have painted her mouth when I was taking photos.

This stripey onesie was Sesame's creation.  Not too bad for a 2-year-old!  :)  Good times had by all!

Remember when trophies were cool...

Well, I do.  I also remember not having many of them because, I don't have an athletic bone in my body.  I did, however, receive a trophy in late high school for a Speech Team, dynamic duo performance.  5th place baby.  Oh yeah.

So.  Trophies.  Didn't have many as a kid - but today - or rather a few days ago - I was gifted the equivalent of a blogging trophy!  YAY! [cue much rejoicing]  Allie, from Guten Strudel, which is a most fantabulous and  hilarious blog you should all be reading, tagged me for the Stylish Blogger Award.  I feel so loved.  :)  As a thank you, I am going to play along with the rules.

The Rules:

Uno. Link back and thank the person [Thank you Allison!!!]  who gave you the award. [check-done]

B. Share 7 things about yourself.

3.14 Award 5 recently discovered blogs.

Lastly. Contact them and tell them about their award.

On to "B" then, shall we.  :)

1.  I am a piler.  Like, the tv show Hoarders kind of piler.  No, really.  I have trouble parting with items that might some day, at some point, come in handy.  I have two boxes of empty, glass baby food jars in boxes, in the attic.  Why?  Because some day I might have a cool project that will necessitate them.  When husband says, "Hey where's the water bill?" I generally respond with, "It's in the second pile to the left of the dresser, halfway down, under the yellow folder."  Now, it may seem unorganized, but, darn it all, the water bill is right where I tell him.  If I organize the piles, everything falls apart and I can't find anything.  Thus, I will continue to hoard and pile.  :)  Sorry family.  :)

2.  I enjoy changing my hair style frequently--much to the chagrin of my husband.  :)  Here, let's look at the past 4 years:

Aw... Wedding... Skinny... Looooooong hair = husband's fav.

This is how I surprised husband when picking him up from work after 2 months of marriage.  SURPRISE!  I cut all my hair off.

He was surprised.
He was not elated.

I, however, think this is one of my all time favorite hair cuts.  :)

If I could rotate this for you, I would, but I'm lazy, so I'm leaving it.  :)

This is the "in-between" stage.

Here we are back to looong locks again.  [sigh] Ah.  I do like very long hairs.

 

Then, this cut came to us this year.  ADORE.  I'm sporting a longer version now, because I'm growing it out again!  Shock.  Dismay.  :)  There were a couple other styles between Sesame age of 0 and 18 months - but photos of myself stopped occurring during those years.  I was like a ninja.  Never seen, but always there.  :)

3.  I am a C.  I am a C-H.  I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N.  :)  I love the Lord.  Like, hard core, Praise Jesus, love the Lord.  Husband and I are trying to live a life that glorifies Him daily.  It ain't easy, but we do our best.  We were both blessed to be raised in strong Christian homes that taught us what it means to be a follower and what Ephesians 2:8, 9 really mean.  I am beyond grateful that our parents laid a foundation in us that is unmoving--and hope we can instill that same love of Christ in Sesame and Squirt. [Stops, wipes tear] Moving on...

4.  I cannot stand: slow drivers in the left lane, ants in or out of my house (now I'm itchy) or people who talk/text on their cell phone in line at any store.  I mean, really, what is so important that you can't put down your phone for 5 minutes to check out.  Honestly.

5.  I randomly start singing and dancing at various points during the day.  Like, no-one's-watching-sing-at-the-top-of-my-lungs kind of singing.  Generally oldies or Broadway.  What is the most awesome part of this???  My daughter has decided it's cool and now joins in.  :)  I heart her.

6. I am a ginormously huge pregnant woman.  I increased to a rather large size whilst pregnant with Sesame:

Approximately 29 weeks with Sesame.

And that trend seems to have only been magnified during my pregnancy with Squirt:

Yeah...this is only 27 weeks with Squirt.

It's all good though.  I'm a fan of birthing large, robust children that I don't feel I can break.  At our 24 week ultrasound, Squirt was weighing in at an estimated 2 pounds.  I might give birth to a whale.

7. I heart:  sewing, ironing (it's true...I would iron my pillow cases if I still had the time), pedicures, a large glass of ice water with lime, cinnamon toast, blogging (had one since like 2004...on xanga...it still exists...even though I don't write on it...and no, I'm not linking to it.) digging in freshly tilled dirt, spinning til I'm dizzy, Thanksgiving and Sci Fi.  (That last one is thanks to Husband dearest!)  :)

Okay...now to pass on the love.  If you aren't reading these, you so should be.  :)

1. Naptime in Naptown or Heart Gone Walking - both are a fantastically hilarious read by my real life friend, and former college roomie, Katie.
2.  In Sock Monkey Slippers - the food.  Oh.  The food.  Every recipe I have made from her blog has been scrumptious.  Especially the butternut Squash Mac and Cheese.  Oh baby.
3.  Joy's Hope - Julie is so stinkin' funny and real.  I love her blog.  She is awesome at all things crafty and has some wonderous tales of how Christ has worked in her life - through thick and thin.
4. Lots of Scotts - A grand Momma who loves the Lord and recounts how everyday occurrences are teachable moments.
5.  Vintage Dutch Girl - Amanda is just funny.  :)  She has some mad sewing skills and isn't afraid to be down to earth and honest!  Did I mention she's hilarious???

YAY!  I think I'm done!  It only took me like week to actually finish this post!  :)

Cabin Fever and Sesame's Stitchery!

So.  I broke out the sewing machine this afternoon.  :)  It's been awhile.  I scoured the internet searching for a pattern that could be cut out and completed in one afternoon nap time.  Dana at Made did not disappoint. :)  She has a tutorial for how to make your own pattern from you child's existing clothes which I then used to make Sesame a pair of leggings.  Guess what?!  I made them in an hour and a half!  Moi, me the girl who cuts out fifty billion patterns and never, ever actually completes ANY of them!  Seriously kids, if I can do this, so can you!  :)  AND the cost is AWESOME-TASTIC

Old pale pink Gap Stretch t-shirt from high school:  Free

Elastic from an old pair of sweat pants:  Free

Hearing husband giggle at my comments to myself while doing project:  Free and fun!

See.

Awesome.

Tastic.

And look:

They didn't turn out too badly!  :)  I'm going to try them on her when she wakes from her nap.  I'll let you know if I find any complications then.  :)

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So last Thursday we had a a bit of snow here in the midwest.  Just a tad.  :)  While I heart snow, it does tend to produce a bit of cabin fever in the house. I cried out to facebook asking for ideas to entertain a two year old.  The internet did not disappoint.

Exhibit A:

Out modified version of MckMama's Winter Suncatcher.  Too fun!  The cupcake tray made awesome sun catchers with four small versions of various colors.  We played with water and food coloring to maker ours.  Hence the brownish, purple one.  That was Sesame's creation.  :)

Another favorite (from MckMama again) was rice on a cookie sheet.  :)

We got a good solid hour of play time out of this one!  We even put our alphabet magnets on the tray, covered them with rice and went on a "treasure hunt" for them.  I might have had more fun than Sesame.  I also might have started talking in a pirate voice and scowling whilst on our treasure hunt.  And, I  might have frightened her to saying: "Momma, why you scare me??"  and "No, silly talk.  Scae-wee."

We also played in cabinets.  Because, why not really!  :)  Oh, and at this point in our play time I noticed something.

See that star.  Can you see what's in it???  No??  Let me zoom in a bit.

Blue food coloring.  On her little toe.  Now, I ask you, how does one manage to squish blue food coloring between their little and ring toe???  It's not on top of her toe, just in the crease between them.  My daughter is turning into a smurf.

But a very happy, hobbit like smurf!  :)

My New Distraction

I've always been a person to have 5 bajillion projects going on at one time. Don't ask why, I don't know. Poor husband will come home to a crazy, messy home, complete with Nells running a muck in her skivvies (aka diaper...because she just learned to REMOVE her clothing) and I'm happily painting. Or rearranging furniture. Or hanging photos. Or painting onesies.

That's right. I said it. Painting Onesies.

You see, I've never been a believer in fabric paint. For some reason the phrase conjures up images of neon puffy paint on oversize white, men's t-shirts with glued on rhinestones. But Ashley over at Lil Blue Boo makes it look oh so good. And easy. And easy on the pocket book. And did I mention ADORABLE. Oh, and by the way, if you've never checked out her site, and you like to sew or be a Crafty Mc Crafterson, you totally should. So leave here and go there. Or finish reading and then move on. Speaking of moving on...

Yes, so I read her freezer paper stencil/fabric paint tutorial and was hooked. I bought a package of white onesise with my Buy Buy Baby coupon for like $7, hopped down to Joann's with my 50% off one item coupon AND gift card (Thank you Clemencia!) to buy fabric paint, pulled out my freezer paper and exacto knife, and away I went.

Last night I created three, custom made onesies in 15-20 minutes.

Did you see that space. That was so you had time to recover from the shock. Something HOMEMADE and SPECIAL in FIFTEEN MINUTES. NOT an "hour sewing project" that really takes me 5 hours. I AM SO ADDICTED!

My camera is out on loan to some fellow photographers, or I would have photos for you. I'll snap some tonight when I have camera in hand. But I think they're pretty cute. : ) I made a letter stencil and a fishy stencil. Then I put three fishies in waves on one onesie. ADORABLE. : ) So there you have it. I'm behind in work. My house looks like one that should be on the show "Clean Sweep," But I made TWO BABY GIFTS IN 15 MINUTES!?! : ) Maybe tonight I'll try fabric painting a pair of lounge pants I made for Nells. No worries, I didn't sew the leg holes togetherTHIS time. : )

____________________________________________________________________

:::Edit to add:::

____________________________________________________________________

My fabulous Mother-in-law sent me this photo shortly after I posted the above:

#1 This is the type of fabric painting I remember doing on my own...and WEARING PROUDLY...which is why I was so skeptical of "fabric paint." Again, my fishy onesies look NOTHING LIKE THIS. : )

#2 I LOVE so much that my mother-in-law kept these...becuase I will do the same thing with Nells' clothes. : ) Tele-hug to you!!

#3 I actually laughed out loud at the thought of a miniature husband running about in his red Christmas puffy-paint sweatshirt! : ) Awesome.

Do you have any "old school" fabric paint shirts??? : )

The Dress.

Okay. I promised and here it is. That adorable, crazy corduroy dress you see. I made it. :) It's true, I did. AND I didn't have a pattern. AND because it was a jumper I didn't sew the arm holes shut. AND I fixed my two mistakes rather well...at least I think. I EVEN lined it. :)

Mistakes of note in dress: The pretty little flower/white button -- is totally covering up a debauchle of magnanimous proportions. The gathering went a little haywire there. I just learned how to do it and I think I got a wee bit excited. :) Oh well...

The shoulder straps. I didn't cut them long enough. Enter cute ribbon extensions with lining fabric over end. I think it worked out rather well. :)

All said and done I used remnant fabric, spent 4 hours (on a project that could have taken MUCH less), learned how to ruffle/gather. It all cost $1.20. Happiness. :) Okay I'm done now.

OH and the personalized step stool ROCKS (Thank you Miss. Carole) and came from a FABULOUS online store withe ADORABLE items. Nells LOVES her stool :)

It Would Be Awesome...

So I decided to test my mad sewing skills. I successfully made a Christmas present for $1.00 -- and it looks FABULOUS! :) I would totally put photos up...but I'm pretty sure the recipient reads this blog. :) So that will have to wait until after Christmas. This morning I thought it was time to practice sewing on knit fabrics before I made my first Sienna Dress. I don't know why, but I don't want to mess it up...EVEN THOUGH the dress is made from T-shirts I was going to send to Goodwill. ANYWHO - this was my practice run -- a Long-sleeved T for Nells

I traced one of her shirts and used the neckline from the original shirt.

Because I'm a TOTAL sewing novice - I accidentally cut through the sleeve ends. whoops! BUT out of that mistake - these ADORABLE ribboned sleeve cuffs were born! :)

I was so stoked. It was looking really cute. Better than I had envisioned. So I thought I'd try it on Nells.

And then her arms wouldn't go through the sleeves.

I thought she was being difficult so I tried harder.

And then...

I realized I sewed the arm holes shut. Nice.

This shirt would be awesome if it had sleeves an arm could go into.

Score

Sewing machine: 1 Emily: 0