Some Alone Time

A day off today has allowed me to have some much needed alone time. Aaron went off to work, I dropped Gabbie off at daycare, and then I had no idea what to do with myself. So I went and got coffee and read some of my book. Then I came home to put the finishing touches on a knitting project I started in June of '07 for my niece (who is now way too big for it), and which is now for Gabbie (who now might also be too big for it).

I also made a run to my favorite yarn store, and bought some materials to finally make a knitting project for myself (lately I've made two hats for my dad, a scarf for my mom, a blanket for Gabbie, and have started on a blanket for my best friend's baby). Since Aaron works right by the yarn store, I went over and took him out to lunch - our first meal out alone since Gabbie arrived. I've been knitting again all afternoon and watching one of my very favorite shows - Cities of the Underworld - on On Demand (one of my favorite inventions ever).

All this fun, and what am I doing? Watching the clock and wishing away the minutes until my self-imposed earliest time I can go get Gabbie. Even though I'm enjoying myself, I miss her more. However, alone time is one of my resolutions for the new year, which include:

• Get in better shape/finally lose the baby weight plus some;
• Have a date night with Aaron at least once a month;
• Plan healthier meals instead of all comfort food all the time;
• Do all the dishes and put away the toys before going to bed every night; and
• Take some time for myself every once in a while. 

I had heard it before I had Gabbie, but never realized how true and how hard it is to pay attention to yourself once you're a mom. I really need to work at it, because I know my daughter will learn from me how important it is to take care of herself from the example I set. It's hard work being a good role model! Now if only I could model how to not curse regularly, I'd be all set.

Weekend Crafting 1.3

Every now and again I stumble across a blog that I could spend days reading, over and over again. Sometimes it's because they're funny, sometimes incredibly interesting, but most often it's because it's a craft or food blog and I start daydreaming about all these wonderful things to make.

Earlier this week, I found a blog that fits that last description: How About Orange. I am absolutely loving this site, and would spend all day browsing her archives if I had the chance.

She features some items on her sidebar, and the one that really caught my attention was a tutorial she put together on making covered thumb tacks. I love little touches like these and they are just so cute and fun! And, it appears, pretty easy to make as well. I might have to head to the fabric store this weekend to pick up the supplies and make myself a batch.

Although, it would probably be a better idea for me to make if I actually had a bulletin board or other use for the tacks.

Weekend Crafting 1.2

More Valentines! Edition

Inspired by both Miss Zoot crafting with her daughter and Alica Paulson at Posie gets Cosy, I decided to make a Valentines Day Bunting out of some scrapbook paper I had sitting around.



Materials:
Paper - in various colors/patterns
Card Stock (I used 8x8, but any size would work)
Glue
String, ribbon, or yarn
Hole Punch

Cut out various sized hearts from the different colored/patterned paper. Cut equal sized triangles from the card stock; here's a drawing of the way I drew triangles to cut out, resulting in 6 identical-sized triangles from each 8x8 inch piece of card stock (check out my mad (ha!) Paint skills:


I glued hearts to each triangle in various patterns, punched holes in two corners of each triangle, and strung the triangles on the matching yarn I had in my stash.

The thing I like about this the most? I'm planning on using them as decorations above our baby's crib in a few months. Girly as it is, even Aaron likes it as a decoration.

This is a totally easy craft that could even be done with kids to practice their cutting skills. Hope you enjoy!

I'm horrible at this

I know I've promised belly shots on Wednesdays, but I'm not doing a very good job at actually taking them in time to post them Wednesday mornings. I was going to have Aaron take my picture this morning, but due to quite a bit of ice on the roads, he had to leave early to get to work on time, and I was still in my pjs.

Instead, I thought I'd post pictures of the craft from last Friday's "Weekend Crafting" post. Here are the crayon hearts that I've been wanting to make for yeas now. They turned out just as cute as I'd hoped and I have four of them hanging in my windows right now.

I used red, orange, and yellow crayons for the colors.


I used red yarn to hang them and threaded it through holes I made using a standard hole punch.


For a little extra something, I tied the yarn into bows, and I really like the way it looks.


Also, just to be a little bit of a tease, here's a preview of my upcoming "Weekend Baking" post:


(I suck at food staging, but am hoping to get a little better with it.)

Also, just as an update for those of you who read yesterday's post: He touched it! And then freaked out a little bit.

Weekend Crafting 1.1

First Edition

Just to be upfront, I have not yet made the craft I am suggesting today, but it's been on my "to-make" list for years, but it seems like it is the perfect time to break out the instructions again and actually make it this time.

I love holidays, and typically do quite a bit of decorating for each one. I like to make as many of my decorations as I can that way they're just the way I want them. Valentines day is one of my favorites, despite the fact that we don't really celebrate this particular holiday (never have because it's my brother's birthday and my parents didn't want him to lose his special day like the rest of us had).

The craft for this weekend is from the Queen of Crafting-and-everything-else, Martha Stewart. It seems like it might be fun to do with kids, too, and can be changed to fit any occasion, not just Valentine's day. So here are the instructions for Crayon Hearts. There are probably a few things to buy to make these, but nothing that will break the bank. I'm thinking that dollar store crayons might be the way I go, as they're a little more transparent in general and will therefore be better to hang in the window and let some light through to really glow. If you do make them, let me know, and I'd love to see pictures! I'll try to make them this weekend too and post pictures when I do.