SEVEN!

It was a fun day. I believe in making birthdays fun from sunup to sundown. I decorate the house and do special little things all day. I want the kids to have fond memories of their birthdays. Another tradition for my daughter is her yearly birthday dress. This is the same pattern as last year (at her request). It fits her so nicely and is easy to make so I was game for that. The back has elastic so it is and nice comfortable but fitted too.I love that she still likes to wear the things I make for her. Here is a link to the fabric which I so love. The colors are fantastic. I have several more yards and I think I will cover a lampshade with some. I went to school and had lunch with her which is always fun because those first graders are fun and goofy. (Emphasis on the goofy!)

Here is a picture of the flowers her Dad brought her for her birthday. I think he did such a good job picking them out- it is such a nice combination. Tomorrow is her birthday party which will be a nice small affair this year. We agonized over the guest list because I always feel compelled to invite too many people because I hate leaving anyone out. She wanted a small party and I just made sure we kept it quiet so we didn't hurt people's feelings. I am glad we went with the smaller party because it will feel nice to have it a little more intimate where she can spend time with all the kids there. In the long run it felt good to stop and get off the crazy birthday party train. Now I am off to bake some deep chocolate sour cream cupcakes with white chocolate cream cheese frosting from this book. t is my absolute new favorite. The recipes are amazing and I have had (so far) fantastic results.

Look Familiar?

It is actually not Princess Leia. I thought that is who it was when I first pulled it out of my daughter's backpack. Then I read what she had written and found it was William Shakespeare. I shouldn't have been surprised as she has a phenomenal teacher who every year has her first and second grade blended class put on a reading of A Midsummer Nights Dream. My son had this teacher for two years and so it was my third year watching and it is always a charmer. This teacher has ignited quite an interest in The Bard with my daughter. Not only is it William Shakespeare's birthday tomorrow, but my sweet girl's birthday as well. She turns (what seems like a giant) 7 years old tomorrow. I got a little choked up today thinking about it. She is my youngest and somehow 7 doesn't seem so young anymore. I love the funny spirited creative and sweet little girl she is growing into, but it is bittersweet because it all goes way too fast. It really does.Her one request this year where gifts were concerned was a copy of A Midsummer Nights Dream, I found her a beautiful copy here- adapted a little for the younger reader. She was getting her hair cut the other day and her hairdresser asked her what she wanted for her birthday and that was what she told her. I laughed a little because the hairdresser thought it was so odd. The illustrations are lovely too. I also bought the audio set to listen to on long summer days under the big old dogwood in the backyard.

Time for a change

That old banner was looking pretty tired. So here is something fresh for spring. It is going to be 80 today! Yay!

Little bits

I love making jewelry- I have lots of beads and it is a nice way to have something pretty to wear without having to shell out any moola since I already have all the stuff. It is going to be in the low 80's today and I feel so happy about that. I have been chipping away at lots of little things- putting together little bits here and there and I know that in a month's time, things will seem like they are all coming . It seems when you think you have lots of time that you will get tons of things done but it is never as much time as I think it is.

I want to paint the living room, make curtains and slip covers, build raised beds for planting. Lots of things but I have more pressing things to finish first. I guess spending more time at home makes me more aware of the fact that nice fresh paint really is needed! This afternoon though I have a date with some cute kids and a plastic pool!

New shoes!

Sometimes you just need a new pair of slightly impractical shoes.Paula had some cute shoes on her blog the other day and they looked so springy/summery. I had seen these last week and remarked to a friend, but where would I wear them? Then I thought about them and they were still there today so I figured I would just have to find a place to wear them. I do have a significant (40!) birthday coming up so maybe that calls for a night out in my hot orange shoes! You can't see it from the photo, but the wedges are cork and have little gold flecks in them. I also bought some sandals. I mostly buy my shoes at TJ Maxx because I cannot spend retail for shoes. Or for anything. Thankfully my practical side is in line with my budget in that way. The orange shoes were $210 retail but $39.99 at TJ Maxx. You can find them online for $110 so I feel pretty good with my bargain. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Three months later!

It seemed like a good idea at the time- to get a monthly creative challenge started. But that was before all the upheaval! But better late than never and there are some great ideas so here you go!
The first idea is from Nancy over at Dark Horse Farm Designs. She is a big fan of Jennifer Paganelli fabric and so am I. This is her horse on a stick which I love. It is so charming and sweet. I went poking around her blog some more and I am in love with these peek a boo pillows. It is not letting me link to it so go and check it out on her Feb. 15 post. What a great idea! Secondly, Kristin over at The Robert's Gang, made a whole bunch of great things and I needed ideas for babies so these are great. I love the little star shaped baby doll. Here is her post so you can get more photos.
She also has a ton of good ideas (love these finger puppets!) so go and check her out. Lastly, I had to come up with something but I stuck with an oldie but a goodie. I have lots of fabric and these babies are about an hour's worth of work so it is hard to go wrong. Just a little a line with elastic in the back. More Jennifer Paganelli fabric-

I am glad to finally share those. Have a happy wednesday!

Sometimes change only seems scary at first...

This shot is from a wonderful night we spent at the beach last month. We decided to get away for a night, just the four of us, which we need to do more often. The photo is of Haystack Rock- it was so beautiful with the blue skies and menacing clouds that were polite enough to wait to dump until we went back in. Here is the same rock using my low tech trick of putting my sunglasses over my lens. Not bad for a cheap pair of sunglasses. The day after we got back from the beach I was laid off from my job. I was frantically trying to get a high profile last minute project fine tuned and off to the factory and was pulled aside by the VP who then looked at me on the way to the conference room and said "It's not good!". Really? The man has few social filters so I didn't expect more out of him but it made me laugh later. I was the only part timer there so I knew it was possible but wasn't really expecting it as things were looking o.k. just then. There was a momentary oh wow! feeling and then just calm. Honestly the place had become so toxic and I know I would have never chosen to leave on my own given the economy. A week later I was at the Dr. and my blood pressure was 20 points lower! I took that as a good sign that it had to happen. I am nervous about the fact that I am jobless in a horrible economy but I have learned not to freak out too much over the years ( I have done a lot of freelance which is not always stable) so I am hoping to keep my calm and find my way. I am taking advantage of the time to tackle a few projects I have wanted to do for about 5 years that will hopefully lead me to a career out of big corporate design. It is scary, but it can be good.
It also gave me time to tackle some health problems and as a result I had my wisdom teeth out about a week ago. I was having chronic excruciating pain from a bad nerve that the Dr's thought was in my ear. I almost got ear tubes! At 39! That just didn't seem right! Well, it wasn't right and without those teeth I am feeling so much better. Sore, but healing sore and not what the %&%$@!! is that pain from! sore. It has been an interesting month with a lot of upheaval but I feel good. It it wonderful to be able to focus more on my family and the dog is over the moon that he has me home with him. I am finally taking those walks everyday that I have been craving. So I am back and ready to see what happens next.