A New Springtime

Vintage Sheet Girly Skirts

 My new sewing area is working out great. Since I don't have to drag my machine out and put it away, I am able to start a project by the flick of the on switch on my sewing machine. Sewing can be bliss, I definitely feel some endorphin activity going on while pushin' the treadle peddle. I think I could actually sew all day long.

 On one of my thrift store excursions, I came across a pretty floral twin size sheet. The fabric was so pretty and soft and it was a bargain at a mere four bucks.  It reminded me so much of my precious girls. I bought it knowing I would make something for them.

 I do not like patterns. I make up my own patterns by taking something the girls already have and tracing it. I make sure I leave room for the seems when I am cutting things out. I started out making country dolls and clothes for them. This gave me the experience I needed for sewing basic pants and skirts. Later, I began to sew my kiddos All Saint's Day costumes. At first I did more gluing with the hot glue gun and my friends gave me the nickname the Glue Gun Queen.

  With each doll, costume, and homemade Christmas gifts I've gotten a bit better. I have just finished some cute outfits for the girls from that vintage sheet. Here is my Rosebud, modeling her new vintage outfit. The pockets are also from a vintage tablecloth I got at a tag sale.

 She wanted the pockets on the sides of the skirt and she requested one in the middle of the top as well. As soon as she tried it on, she put something in one of them. I guess having brothers, who always have their pockets full of stuff, has rubbed off.

 Abba Do's are a bit different and since she is in bed I am going to take the pictures of the clothes on hangers.  I have been wanting to make a pillowcase dress but since I have already made her a skirt and capris, I made a matching pillowcase top instead.

This is this the top and the skirt with side pockets.

 

This is the same top with capris.

 

 I can't wait to see them flutter about in their vintage sheet girly skirts. I have another sheet I picked up at a tag sale,too. Maybe after school tomorrow I will get to produce some more endorphins and sew.

We Love History Pockets

 This year we have been using History Pockets along with the Draw, Write, Now , Magic Tree House and other living books to go along with the particular time period I read the living books out loud. Sometimes, I will choose a coloring activity from the history pockets for them to do while I read.I love having the reproducible activities at hand. The books are planned chronologically making it easy to follow and involving almost no planning except for a few supplemental resources and art supplies,mostly crayons,scissors,glue and construction paper.

 Our last History Pocket for the year, which we are currently working on, is called Moving West. In this one book there are easily twenty projects to do. We don't do them all but I pick and choose the ones I like the best . This book is supposed to be 4th to 6th grade but the younger kids can do most of the activities with out any problems. If there is writing involved I adjust it accordingly for the younger ones. Here are some of the kiddos and what they've done so far.

The Moving West Time Line

                                 

Animals of the West Mobiles

                                   

Daniel Boone, Frontiersman, Reading and Coloring Page

                                 

Log Cabin page from Draw, Write, Now

                                   

 This program has worked great for the varying grade levels. Abbey is K, Hannah is 2nd, Max is 3rd, and  Raphael is 5th. Each child does the same activities and at the end of the unit we staple them together ina book form instead of the pockets. I will show some of the completed ones soon.

 We have read a scholastic book about Lewis and Clark and tomorrow we will read about Sacajawea.  We have enjoyed doing history this year. 

A Primitive Welcome, Making A House A Home

 This is my front door with my newly decorated wreath. I usually try to change the flowers to coincide with the seasons. I got the flowers and the bird house at my favorite thrift store. I enjoyed doing this simple project and it is the simple things like this that make life enjoyable to me.                        

                                     

  Lately,I have been looking at some primitive decor blogs. I used to get a subscription to Country Sampler Magazine for my birthday every year. For a while  I looked forward to getting my eye candy in the mail each month. It would give me inspiration to decorate my home and make it warm and welcoming for family and friends. With school and the pregnancy last year, I sort of got out of the decorating mode. To everything there is a season, especially energy levels and time constraints. I was actually given much grace to accept the time off from my wants and my worldly desires.

  Now that Baby Eliana is a year old and bedtime is spent in her own bed, and less nursing is going on I have a tad bit more energy to put into some mommy culture type activities. I like to go to thrift stores as you all know if you've read any of my blog. Tag sales are another one of my favorite past times. I like to find country primitive style items to make my house into a home. Ever since I was a little girl I would spend time arranging the treasures I had. I would make vignettes with my girlie knick- knacks on my hand painted bookshelves. My mother was a wonderful sewer  and still is. She would make our 100 year old home a special place for my brother and I. She always encouraged creativity in me and inspired me to make my room a special place that reflected who I was.

                                       

  Today, I have carried that encouragement with me as mother and wife. I hope to pass this on tosame with my children. I have picked up a few stone-wear pieces to decorate my dresser. They are not collector's items, just some simple sweet pottery with a prim look. The picture on the stand is of a Eucharistic miracle. My mother and several others were privileged enough to witness this miracle at a  Mass at Audrey Santos's  home about 11 years ago.

                                       

  I got the idea for this display from some of the great prim blogs that are out there. The ones I have seen are set up on old fashion dough boards and are decorated with cute kitchen items. I found this wooden tray at the Goodwill for 50 cents. It works for me and it is perfect for making a modern stove more country. I also picked up this great American Flag Cabinet for $5. It is in my bedroom across from were I change baby girl. It holds all of her necessary extras, diapers, wipes, lotion etc.It goes perfect with the rest of my decor and it's so functional, too.

                                      

 Well, I hope sharing some of my home has made you feel comfy or has inspired you to be creative in your home. I feel blessed to be able to have a home to take care of and this is a fun way to show my family I care. I also enjoy the time I spend to make this our special place.

 The girls and I have been finding pretty frames to display some pictures of themselves in their room. That will probably be the next home decor project I will share.

Needin' A Bit Of TLC and Prayers

 

  Today the weather was gorgeous, the temperatures reached the 90's and the flower beds needed a little tlc. Sad to say the kiddos and I lost one of our egg crates full of zinnia sprouts. I didn't realize how delicate they were. Too much heat was the culprit, they were sizzled. I felt awful, but we will try again. This time I will just put them directly into the ground.

  It is amazing how fast the different perennials come and go. It is so exciting to see last years plants come and visit once again bringing their beauty and awe!

 

  These Columbine remind me so much of something out of a fairy tale. This one has reseeded itself all over the place. It is not invasive though. The plants seem to come up in just the right spots adding to the delightful garden scene.

 

  Baby Eliana was enjoying herself, too. She is in need of a bit more tlc and prayer, also. She had to have a blood test two days ago for Renal Tubular Acidosis(RTA). Our two other children have had this kidney problem also. One has out grown it but the other still needs medication. WE got the results back today fo baby girl and she most likely has it, too. All of the tests and her small stature point to it. It can be well managed with bi-carbonate but the kiddos have to get frequent blood tests. The beginning testing can be quite scary for them. Please keep her in your prayers especially on June 1ST. She will be going in for more testing on that day.

 Thank God for His grace and the peace that He gives that surpasses all understanding!

Two Down , One To Go

                                      

In May, three of  our seven kid's birthdays are exactly six days apart. Abba Do is May 13, Eliana's is on the 18th and Max is on the 24th. I am pretty  sick of cake at this point. I will have to be a bit more creative for Max's special day, any ideas? I once heard of a watermelon with candles stuck in it and I am actually considering it.

                                     

  Everyone got a lil' something on Eliana's birthday. I took the kids to the A 2 Z Science and Learning store ,in the next town over, and they all got a little something in honor of baby girl. If you need any gift giving ideas here are the items  each kiddo picked out.

Eliana,age 1, got this wonderful over-sized, water and glitter-filled bouncy ball.

 

Abigail,age 6, picked out a ring making kit:

 

Hannah,age 7, got this badge making kit:

 

Max,age 8, decided to go with Professor Noggins: Reptiles and Amphibians.

 

Raphael, wanted very simple modeling clay, and a small hot wheels car, Urban Agent.

 

 

 Needless to say, everyone was thrilled with their treats! It was a fun way to share in a special day! Life is such a gift especially when you are surrounded by many little ones.

Backyard Nature

                                      

 Today, we began our day by reading, Spiders by Gail Gibbons. After we finished reading, each of the  kids picked a particular spider to write about.The ones chosen were the Wolf Spider, Tarantula, Daddy Long Legs (we found out it's not a spider) and the Black Widow. I drew a web and had the kids write facts and draw pictures of their spider on it.

                                      

We decided to take a nature walk to see if we could find any spiders.  We did see a couple but didn't get any good pictures of them.We did however get some other great nature shots.

                                       

                                       

This was  a good hands on lesson in camouflage.

                                      

This is a broken robin's egg, we didn't see a nest or any other eggs around.

                                      

Here are more blossoms, I am not sure what they are but they are dainty and delicate.

                                      

I just enjoy seeing these teeny, tiny pine cones. This was taken by my 10 year old son.

                                    

These Lillies of the Valley are so fragrant. Last year, I read that they are called Our Ladies Tears.

What a great day God blessed us with, full of nature and learning. 

A Primitive Mother's Day

 Anyone who knows me  knows I love to decorate in the country/primitive style, especially my family. I like my home to look warm and inviting. I enjoy finding things at tag sales and thrift stores that I can incorporate into my home decor. On Mother's Day I got to pick out a few new (used) items. 

 My grandmother was a crafty women who had a creative gift. She would always get me involved in projects when I would visit her. My mother would always paint our dressers and make us new curtains in coordinating colors. I am so grateful for both of them passing on their gifts to me. I never thought I had any talents in high school. I never realized that being able to arrange,coordinate, sew etc. was worth anything. I thought everyone knew how to do those things.

 Later in life after coming to know the Lord, I was in a prayer group that was talking about gifts and talents. That's when I finally realized what was special in me. People saw what I couldn't see in me and began to compliment me for my artsy crafty skills. I guess I took things in my life for granted.

 I am so glad to be able to bless my family in this way and I want to thank them for putting up with my constant moving things around and changing things. My older boys, ages 20 and 15, are so good to me when I need extra hands and muscles to rearrange furniture,etc. My poor hubby who likes routine and things to stay the same has adapted to my constant impulsive and spontaneous creativity. I love them all for humoring me. Thanks guys your the best! You make me feel like a special mom!

                                   

I found this great quilt stand for $5.99 and this tablecloth for $3.99. It had a stain on it by I didn't care because I wanted to make two dresser scarves and two nightstand scarves out of it. It was perfect, all I had to do was cut it and unravel the ends to get the fringe all the way around.

                                    

 Here is my dresser with one of the finished scarves. I also got this wonderful  wooden carry all a mere $3. I ended up putting it on hubby's dresser for all of his what-nots.The little blue candlestick is actually a pair. One for me and one for hubby.

                                    

 I am a sucker when it comes to baskets. They are so great for organizing and hiding clutter. The small one is for hubby's wallet and change holder. The bigger one is for my books that are on my nightstand. The fabric is actually a Maya Wrap which I got for $5.99. What a gift from God. I used it today and it is awesome!

                                   

 Here is a little re-do on the basket. I took some navy paint and covered up the snowflakes. I liked them but didn't really want to think about winter right now.I hope you all had a peaceful and fun Mother's Day!

Thriftin' Thursday Finds

Thursday night as I have stated before is my night out. I usually take the baby and one of the older kids and we head to my favorite thrift store.Last night, I picked up a great game for the younger kiddos. It is Monopoly Junior. I thought it would be a hit because they are always bugging the older ones to play the regular Monopoly game. It was only $2.99 and I've already gotten my money's worth. Today they already played it twice. The first time I was the banker but the second round they were on there own.

                                 

 It was a great Friday treat.  I seeing them engage in games.

                                 

Baby girl even enjoyed the action!

This Valley of Tears

                                   

  Yesterday, I walked around the yard and there was so much blooming and growing going on. It's so exciting each day to see the growth taking place. Each plant is such a reflection  of the vastness of God. Each unique plant intrigues me, drawing me in to the mystery of Heaven. If these wonderful fauna are so beautiful, I can only imagine what our Father above has in store for us when we go home.

  As the world around us is in so much turmoil, I only have to look as far as the tip of my nose to see a contradictory sight. Each blossom, each flower, is a gift that shows how much we are loved. Why else would these wonderful creations be on this Earth.

                                   

   The Bleeding Heart, reminds me of our Blessed Mother, the white symbolizes her purity and her Immaculate Heart. I am also drawn into her sorrows and how she longs for souls to come to her son.

                                    

 The daffodils look like trumpets waiting to announce the arrival of our King.

                                      

  If I am feeling a little stressed, nature always soothes my soul and lifts my mind out of this place of exile. I am so thankful to have many beautiful sights to feast my eyes upon. My dh and I have been working on these different gardens for about four years now. Year after year we are always changing or transplanting flowers from one area to another.

                                     

  This little corner garden is one of my favorite spots. The bush in the middle is a Pink Fairy Rose Bush. It has the most delicatee, petite flowers on it. It will blossom in late spring all through the rest of the summer.

   In the prayer, Hail Holy Queen, we cry out to our Blessed Mother from this "Valley of Tears". I am sure God knew her prayers for us from the beginning of time and granted us, through her intercession, a special favor of showing us a bit of Heaven on Earth. I only have to take a look around to be hopeful. Even in times of wordly disorder I know that God is in control.

A New Sewing Area and a Pant Leg Purse

 Over the weekend, I decided to change the upstairs hallway area again. It wasn't receiving to much use and I really wanted to start doing some more sewing projects. I don't like to have to take my machine down and put it away every time I use it; It becomes to much of a chore. I had the older boys help me pull up the sewing cabinet from the basement and voila, back in business! I also put a small work table on the side. It will serve a duel purpose, a cutting and laundry folding table.

                                 

 I went rummaging down in the decoration boxes to decorate the area and this is what I came up with:

                                    

 The red, white and blue is classic and it works for me. No fuss, no mess, just a simple re-do.

 Today after school, I was actually able to do a few sewing repair projects that have been neglected for quite some time. I was even able to whip up this cute little retro purse out of a pant leg that I cut off of Hannah's pants that I made into shorts.

                                        

I hope I am able to do more sewing now and share my projects with you!