JenTastic

Crafty Update

2010-04-19T20:47:00.002-05:00

Ok, I am the most sporadic craft blogger ever... but life is busy! Here is a little photo collection of my latest craft endeavors:

Two of my 3 (maybe 4) Teacher's Gift Quilts

For Katey's Teacher

And For Jeremy's -

Ryan's Teacher's Quilt is on tomorrows to do list.

The wall hanging I made for St Pats Day:

An afghan for my recently married brother in law, that I need to get shipped.

ok, lame i know, but for now that is all the time i have! I have 2 more quilt tops to do, all of them to quilt and bind, packages to ship, car tags to renew, military ids to renew, a house to prep for moving, and that doesn't even begin to list it all...did i mention i am crocheting ALL of my kitchen dish rags for the new house? and embroidering ALL of the dish towels? I am crafty-crazy!

oh I almost forgot, I made some pj pants to go on the kids i already made! (lol...)

Shiny New Toy!

2010-02-21T11:08:00.000-06:00

I know I have been very remiss in my posting. Please forgive. The husband is home on R&R and so blogging has been replaced by family activities! Lots of fun, and many memories. I do have some projects to post, but until I get to that, I want too introduce my fabulous new tool/toy.

As many of you know, my beloved iPod touch has apparently turned State's Evidence against me (my crime = filling it with terribly bad 80s music against it's will). It is now in the Witness Protection Program under deep cover. Or it could be in the bowels of my couch, a random crate of stuff, a cupboard, the trash...any number of places. Suffice it to say, it is so lost that I have nearly abandoned hope. Perhaps moving in a few months will unearth it. I find that moves often reunite me with lost items, sliverware, cat toys, used q-tips, the plastic circles from milk jugs and bug carcasses (in this case, those damn japanese beetles that look like harmless lady bugs).

Anyway, I needed (?) something to get me by until that is all resolved. Something to listen to my itunes, check the email, blog, etc while on the go! My laptop is fully functioning but getting pretty beat up. I don't want to push it over the edge, since it is the main pc for banking, home organization and info storage. I don't want to have to expensively replace it any time soon. I also didn't want to get a new iPod, because if the other one shows up, I don't need two. The kids already have small ones, and Rick has no interest. Weirdo.

So, my low (relatively) budget compromise? This little cutie:

isn't it adorable????

He doesn't have a name yet. The only thing that would have made it better is if it were blue, but hey, that isn't really important. Especially for someone as crafty as me! I feel an idea brewing!

Finished Projects!

2010-02-09T18:58:00.001-06:00

It's a happy quilting day! I finished my purple quilt for Lisa. This is the first quilt I have done independently start to finish. All things considered, it came out pretty well:

A closer look:

Today I made this wall hanging for Valentines Day. It is from a charm pack I grabbed on a quilt store recon last week. I saw a version of this hanging in same store, and just recreated it at home, simplified. The hearts are appliqued (using the term very loosely) with raw edges.

The back, using some scraps:

A close up of my first attempt at free motion quilting. In some areas it is falling apart. It is uneven and messy, but this was a learning project. As long as no one looks closely or touches it, it'll be fine :)

New Quilt

2010-01-27T18:38:00.001-06:00

Here is a quilt top I put together today. It is an Amy Butler pattern - "Amy's Lotus Brick Path" and I used my fat eighth sampler of Aqua Terra from Connecting Threads. The pattern doesn't call for borders, but I might do a small border in the binding fabric (I am thinking a chocolate brown) just so I don't lose so much of the outside rows. We shall see.

What the Craft?

2010-01-25T08:13:00.001-06:00

Here are the promised pics of some of my craftiness for the holidays. I did a few things that aren't on here - monogrammed hankies, holiday and floral embroidered towels, millions more scarves. Little stuffed birds that adorned gifts and could be used as ornaments.

Scarves!

a felted handbag!

quilted heart potholders!

new school bag for the Ryan.

More to come soon...including a new quilt project.

Should I be concerned?

2010-01-24T13:51:00.000-06:00

I have recently started watching Dexter via Netflix. I LOVE it. I like crime thriller police procedural serial killer type books, tv and movies. And Dexter is definitely all that and then some. But I really don't want to get into that. What I want to share is this:

These giant rolls of plastic wrap are sitting outside my front door. Either I put them there, and am unaware of it, or my intentions with them, OR someone else did and plans to use it... hoping it isn't Dexter. I swear, I haven't done anything to deserve it!!!

A JenTastic Start to 2010

2010-01-21T22:21:00.002-06:00

Hi blogosphere. Or blogiverse. Or whatever the world of bloginess is called. It's 2010, which is kinda weird to type and say. But here we are. I have been slow in kicking off the new year of blogging because I have been so busy gathering my thoughts and plans for the year. But now I think I am ready to unveil the deep musings of my crafty little mind.

First off, I apologize for not posting much in the pre-Christmas timeframe. I realized that nearly everything I was crafting was soon to be given as gifts, and many to readers of my blog. So in order to keep some element of surprise in the holiday cheer, I refrained from posting pictures or chat about my holiday crafting.

But now, the year begins, and new craft endeavors abound. So I hereby promise to post some pics of my handiwork soon. I have been crocheting, sewing, and generally crafting up a storm.

My other life tasks for the year 2010 will include house hunting and relocating mid year, which, as orderly and organized as I am (and lets be honest, slightly compulsive) is a huge undertaking. So my time will also be spent on that big project, but hopefully not to the detriment of my hobbies.

I try each year, since turning 30, to learn one new thing. I have learned to knit, quilt (a skill I am still defining, learning and finding my style at), began guitar lessons, and...this year...facing a major life fear - SWIM! I have a wonderful instructor at out on post pool who hasn't let me drown, and is so encouraging. I am not quite competent or confident, but I am at least not terrified. I actually like how I feel after lessons - my body feels great, my mind is calm, and my spirit is exhilarated. It is so deeply gratifying to (PTP) "dive in" and face fears and overcome them. I hope to become a life long swimmer.

I have been under the sewing tutelage of my friend, the Tia, who has unlocked new worlds of fabric, style and creativity to me. I am going to ask her permission to link her blog/shop on this site so I can share her brilliance with you. She is amazing in every crafty way, her quilts, her bags...she is just fabulous. I will show you some of the things I have attempted under her wise sewing guidance in upcoming posts.

I am trying to crochet an afghan a month this year. I have started on one that will be a wedding gift this spring.

I want to read 100 books this year. Now, to be fair, as my list shows already, these will be from all genres. I read craft books, kids books, cookbooks, book club books, thriller series', poetry collections, and they ALL get to count in the list! I have recently been accused of book snobbery, so I am looking to broaden my horizons. Many of my Facebook friendsd have suggested title out of my element, and they are all listed now on my GoodReads list. I am branching out!

It's not like me to write a ton without pics or anything exciting to share, so I will close for now. Suffice it to say, I miss writing and may become a bit more philosophical in my blogging this year. Consider yourself warned. Once my fingers get moving, there is no telling what inner ramblings may escape. After all, my mind is a playground for the absurd!

Reminders of my Grandparents

2009-12-04T17:10:00.000-06:00

This was a banner Jen junk finding day. But first, a find from a while ago that I held off on posting until the holiday season. I found this beauty for 10 bucks without a nick or chip on it!!! My Grandma Laffrey had one, I believe it was green, but regardless, this reminds me of her:

And now today's find. This is a hanging version of a a table lamp my Granny Richardson had when I was growing up. I adored this lamp, and now I can watch my very own "raining" lamp.

My Much Older Man!!!!

2009-11-29T18:44:00.000-06:00

Today I hung out with a very special man in my life. He is the happiest, jolliest, most loving man in all the world. Though he is much older than I, we have a lot in common and always have a lot of fun together. I wish I could see him more often, but his work keeps him far away most of the year. Did I mention he is adorably handsome? When I was cuddling up next to him, he was soft, and warm, and made me feel full of happiness. Here is a picture of the two of us together!

Happy Autumn!

2009-09-23T14:46:00.000-05:00

Fall is here! And I love the rich colors and bricks evenings of this season. Here are some of my fall decor ideas. All very simple.

First, my favorite one:

Next some fall adorned candle displays.

And finally my tree:

When it is dark in the room, the lights bounce off the leaves and make a lovely orange glow.

Beeeeeyuoooootifulllllll!

Great Book - The Time Traveler's Wife

2009-09-10T08:03:00.000-05:00

So I gave in to the pressure and finally read The Time Traveler's Wife . My book club chose it this month, on my recommendation, and I finished it last night. Well, I loved it. It was beautifully written. I was afraid that the time travel would pose a "premise problem" for me. But it was not an issue at all. I was afraid it would be too sappy, but it wan not. The characters were flawed enough to be real. I highly recommend this book to all readers, but as one reader, the Erin, said - -it is a good Army Wife read, all the waiting, wondering and worrying made the plot relative.

On another note, the author is very anti-Kindle, so you have to actually buy or borrow this book. No download. Bummer. Also, I have heard the movie makes some changes that can frustrate readers. Haven't seen it yet. Don't know if I will.

And one more note - interestingly, this book takes place in Michigan and Chicago - two of my favorite places. The street references and the sights made the book a mini vacay to the Windy City for me. They even Eat at Ed's!

Enjoy - I did.

Blue-tiful NEW Baby

2009-08-31T18:24:00.000-05:00

Behold, the bluest, beautifullest guitar:

Isn't it gorgeous?!?!?!?! My teacher, the Lisa, collects all sorts of guitars, and has a friend who fixes them up. This is one she has in her collection but she is willing to trade me up from my beloved first guitar. I feel sad letting go of the guitar that got it all going, but then I look at the beautiful blue baby and I just melt. There was a boy in grade school (who I am so not naming) that had eyes this blue, inspiring a poem that I wrote and still remember. Kind of like the blue eyes of my TV boyfriend, Eddie Cahill:

Maybe I should name my new blue baby Eddie? Here is a close up look:

Recycling - Jen Style

2009-08-27T16:06:00.000-05:00

For those of you here in Infantry Barracks, Ft Leavenworth, you know that recycling is a hot topic. No one can say why some areas of post have curbside pickup and others do not. It's an ongoing mystery. I'll be honest. If it were curbside, I'd completely comply with recycling. But if I have to put my nasty trash in my car and drive it somewhere, well... not quite so motivated. So I reduce as much as possible - no bottled water, no newspaper subscription, reusable grocery bags. But I do have a collection of plastic bags, nonetheless. Some I reuse - as trash can liners, packing material, cat litter duty and such. But still, they seem to multiply. So I got crafty on those bad, non biodegradable, landfill prone monsters!

Here is my new back door welcome mat:

Like that? It even has a stripe!!!!

Up close you can see that it is crocheted from Plarn - plastic yarn - formerly my stash of shopping bags.

You have to use a big ol hook, like the red one below.

Here it is in its actual location. Now I know it looks silly but let me explain. You come up my fire escape, I mean terrace, to face the door from the left. But the door will open toward you. So you have to step to the right to enter. The rug is in the exact spot you must stand so as not to whack yourself with the door. Sometimes we need a reminder, or else we might send ourselves or careening backward down the steep stairs of doom.

So what have you recycled in an interesting way? Not repurposed, actually recycled - turned it into something new entirely??? Consider yourself challenged!

My Guitar

2009-08-20T07:56:00.000-05:00

This is my guitar:

I love my guitar. I didn't always. For a long time, I resented my guitar. Let me tell you why. I bought this guitar way back at Fort Hood. That is 10 years ago. I had some birthday money, and I went to the local pawn shop/musical instrument distributor and scooped up the best thing I could afford. For months, held it, strummed it, caressed it. Then I put it back in its box. Not case, box. It lived there for some time. It moved to new and exciting posts. One year, it even got a nice new case - the multiple moves had done much damage to its box. Every time I dared to dig into my closet I would see my guitar and think...ugh! one more thing I own that I don't use. But I couldn't let it go.

So, finally, this year I have started lessons. My teacher, the Lisa, is fabulous. Every Monday morning, I go to my lesson and leave feeling like I have taken on the world!! I love to practice. Amazing how Twinkle Twinkle Little Star just never gets old. And scales... love 'em. Chords...let's not talk about those just yet. I am praying for my left hand to be flexible and less wimpy!

So, am I a Rock Star yet? Maybe not. But give me some time...

Back to School Bouquet - and CONTEST!

2009-08-11T08:04:00.000-05:00

Here is my back to School gift for the teachers. Simply a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils! (Hey that's from a movie... want a prize? Identify the movie!!! First comment with correct answer wins a back to school themed prize!) I used a picture frame cube and some ribbon from the stash. To bulk up the inside I put a cube of that green foamy stuff you find in the floral department. I just squished the shredded paper all around it.

I am enjoying the first day of school. Hope you do too!!

Food Network @ the Dembowski Howski

2009-08-09T16:58:00.000-05:00

Every Sunday, my delightful friends the Tom & Debi, have my family over supper. They cook delicious entrees and desserts, usually experiments from Tom's online and tv recipe hunting. Yum! While we eat, we have been watching The Next Food Network Star. I was inspired to try the 4 Step Chicken that Melissa D'Arabian says will adapt to hundreds of different chickeny combinations! I also made her Potato Gratin. Check out the recipes HERE and THERE .

I altered things a bit, with what I had in the pantry, but the basic flavors were there and the technique was followed exactly. Here is my result:

In the pan and
on the plate

My review - The chicken was fast, easy and tasty. You really could adapt it to many flavors to fit almost any menu. I will definitely make it again, using the same technique. Because you make it quick and with a sauce, it is very moist. The potatoes were good, but the 5 minutes is the prep time, they take a while to cook. If you have a mandolin slicer, it is fairly simple to prep. They were good, but you have to plan ahead for the cook time. Overall - a realistic, usable recipe that everyone enjoyed!

Cool Finds at the Antique Mall

2009-07-27T18:27:00.001-05:00

Although this day started out kinda in upheaval after a long night with a coughing Ryan, it became one f those days where at the end, it was totally awesome. Let me explain. No, it is too much, let me sum up. (another movie quote...lol)

Ok, I awoke to a call from the Debi. She was coming by in mere moments to scoop up my big kids. Seems that Jeremy DID get into theater camp after all, despite the wait list. Whoo Hoo. Katey did too, but let's just say, she declined. But she was going to hang out with the Debi and Sarah leaving my with just the slightly ill Ryan. So what to do? I tried a few errands and from trains to not having items I wanted, to being closed early...things just were not going my way. But then, like a ray of sunshine, ahead of me was the always curious Parkville Antique Mall. A place I had oft seen but never investigated.

Now for my finds! First a couple mugs for my collection of speckly blue stuff. I don't know the official name for this stuff, I just like it, especially the darker blue in the pic. They are metal dishes.

Next some wrought iron candlesticks. They are really heavy and cleanly shaped. I have wrought iron details in my living room. So the fit right in. And they fit all kinds of candles, so they are very versatile. Pay no attention to that little cutie and his Legos on the couch. This is a NO KIDS blog area!!

Next is a really cool thing that appealed to the crafty Jen, the mom of prolific artist Jen, the teacher Jen and the gadget lover Jen. Check it out:

Oh yeah, baby, that is an old school (literally) book binder. With lots of plastic coils. No more stapled together "comic books", or "stories" for my kids. Calendars, recipes, Oh, the possibilities. Even those darn stapled handbooks you get from organizations, or their directories...not in my house! It is bound for the ages with plastic coily thing!

And finally, the pinnacle of my scavenger hunting success. Two antique school desks. Hey would sit in a classroom one behind the other, making the seat for one facing the desk of the next. But for my purposes, they are together in my entryway as a bench. Now, I know I need some decor on the desk part, and a new rug. But these desks are just adorable. And in future houses, I see great potential for use in the living room since they have the wrought iron as well. Maybe a divider behind a couch, making that much needed "wall" between the Army's favorite housing feature: living room/dining room combo!

Left, seats up.

Right, seat down.

I am thinking some seasonal craftiness on the desk parts. Hmm.

All this was very reasonable and in great shape. Plus, if you are in the area, the store is clean, easy to navigate and staffed with helpful people. They even called the owner of the desks so I could work a bargain! Thanks for reading!!

And we have a winner!!!

2009-07-26T07:32:00.000-05:00

Congrats to Emily Happell. We went to grade school together, can you believe that! And high school. The movie is So I Married an Axemurderer.

A Book Collection via EBAY

2009-07-25T17:26:00.000-05:00

At last, I have achieved my dream of owning certain series' of books, all in hardcover, to both keep forever and look cool on my shelves! I have 3 series' that I plan to keep and reread or pass to the kids. Let me show you!

Here are my Twilight books. Yes, I admit it, I have been bitten by the Vampire Saga. The thing is, they are actually really good. And clean, so I have no qualms passing them to Katey one day. I had the first 3 in paperback, but the 4th was only available in hardcover when I had to have it. After a while, with coupons and through frugalreader.com (which I also used to trade my old softcovers) I assembled the set!

Next up are my Harry Potters. Aren't they colorful!!
These I have had for a while. I quickly realized there was something to the HP phenomena and started buying them in hardcover as soon as I read the first book. Again, good, clean reads that I will share with the kids. And as a public policy announcement (you are the public, mine is the policy) - I am aware that many of my friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, do not favor these books. I have given this much thought and prayer and I respect that stance. Here is my view: As a Christian, I find the whimsical content far removed from any objectionable or real evil. As an educator, I am encouraged that any series of books can inspire the amount of reading this series has among kids who might have never picked up a book willingly, let alone an 800 page novel! And as a parent, I think there is much to learn and share with my kids about friendship, loyalty, choices and more through these books, when read in the context of our Christian worldview home. This officially ends my public policy announcement.

Finally, my beloved Outlander books. This is the collection that brings me the most joy at assembling, because it was hard fought for on EBAY. Bidding wars, messed up mailing addresses, paypal confusion, but in the end, the satisfaction of having gotten a whole collection, used and reasonably priced (I LOVE used books, btw). This series, which I would have never read unless given to me by my friend Chris, has become a sentimental yearly reread (of the first book, Outlander). It was even the first novel I downloaded on my Kindle. It defies my longstanding "Premise" issue - that being, if in the first few pages/moments for movies the premise is so ridiculous so as to annoy me for the entire story (think While You Were Sleeping - just tell them who you are!!!!) I can not and will not like the book/movie. Or even finish it for that matter. Despite the time travel premise of the Outlander series, I dug in and let myself fall through the stones into a great tale of historical fiction. Also there is mushy romance of which I am not a fan. But I think the fascination with all things Scottish (if it's not Scottish it's CRAP!) made the romance somehow more romantical.

Oh, for those of you who made it to the end of this post -be the first to correctly identify the movie from whence came the CRAP! quote hails and I'll personally send you a softcover copy of whichever of the first novel in these series you would like!! Hey - that's like a contest for free stuff...one of my favorite things!

Two Great Books

2009-07-18T08:55:00.000-05:00

Happy Saturday! Today I am going to review two books I have read from my summer reading list. The first is a young adult novel, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It was one of the best books I have read, in...well, ever. Don't be put off by the category of young adult novel. It is perfect for a book club, too. You can look up the reviews and summaries online, but let me tell you what I loved about it. The book dealt with one of the most horrific periods of history and human shame - Hitler's WWII Germany. But the story told against this backdrop is one of childhood reality, friendship, love, hope and even adventure. A story that endears while also breaking your heart with its sudden bursts of foreshadowed reality. I recommend it to anyone!

The second book is The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. Completely different tone, but still an historical fiction that is truly absorbing. This novel combines the true tale (though fictionalized) of Brigham Young's 19th wife and her apostasy and crusade against polygamy with a modern day murder mystery about a 19th wife of a fundamentalist sect not unlike those in recent headlines. The stories are both fascinating because they reveal a life so different from my own. Read it!!

Repurposing

2009-07-12T10:51:00.001-05:00

Next to Organizing, my favorite household task is Repurposing. Basically this is taking stuff (or junk, or whatever...) that is not working for you in its current state and turning it into something fabulous and useful.

For example, my old entertainment center. It has been used in the TV room (original use), entryway, dining room, and probably a few other places holding various items along the way. but, it is old, huge and doesn't match anything else. But it was FREE, we have had it forever, and its SOLID WOOD. So it is staying around. Some day I might get brave enough to paint it...

Since I got my dream shelves and put them in my dining room, the need to repurpose the entertainment center took on new urgency. Here are the new shelves:

I LOVE them. Plus they were half off and free delivery!

So the old entertainment center pieces moved to the craft room. Which desperately needed an overhaul and some closed storage. Open storage is pretty and convenient, for like, the first day.

Then, in my house at least, it is messy and annoying. So here is the new and improved craft space.

Luckily the old entertainment center is 2 separate pieces which makes it easier to move and use. See that tall table by the window? That is an old kitchen table that is on bed risers for cutting fabric. But with some old stools I have, i can usee it for anything and see out the window! Yay! Natural light, an eye on the kids, and repurposed (i.e. FREE) craft space! Happy Jen!

Wall Art

2009-07-06T20:36:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time saw a cool catalog with a wall art idea in it that I really liked. Just simple squares of color or designs grouped together. Well I had no idea how to craft this until I saw this website:

http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/05/using-ballard-designs-as-inspiration.html

With new found craft talent, I proceeded to create my own. Since I had a big wall to deal with I deviated from the 9 square, to a longer different shape. I used a bunch of scrapbook paper I already had, some spray adhesive, some sanding blocks, some ink and paint for the edges and Voila! Easy art. I am thinking about using some kid print papers for kids rooms, hanging theme with coordinating ribbon. I'll keep ya posted!

A Magic Pillowcase

2009-07-04T14:16:00.000-05:00

Recently I found some interesting instructions for a Magic Pillowcase. The magic is basically that with one sewn line, you get a three piece pillowcase with all inside finshed edges that you then can sew right up. It is super fast and easy.

So, today I decided, in honor of the Rick for Independence Day, to make one myself to send to him. Here it is:

Pretty cool! Might have to incorporate some embroidery on one of these...

Happy Independence Day! If you know a Soldier, or Soldier's family, say Thank You! If you are a Soldier, or a fellow Military Family - Thank You, and God Bless!

Sunday Craftiness

2009-06-28T16:48:00.000-05:00

Here are some Independence Day crafts I have been up to this Sunday. First up is a tablerunner from some patriotic and coordinating fabrics. I think I am going to make a bag from the 2 printed fabrics later on. The tan one has tiny flag-like images and the other is a muted blue with stars.

Here are my towels:

I like the fire cracker one a lot. It looks great because it has lots of stitches and is well defined.

Here are some items the kids helped on, the holiday tree - which we keep up all year and decorate it seasonally, and they each made a star wreath, but some are still drying. The tree still needs more stars, and it does have red, white and blue lights but they just don't show up in daylight! We are working on a star garland, but it involved glitter (always a mistake), and may never be dry enough to actually hang up.

More Rick and Jen in NYC

2009-06-28T08:12:00.000-05:00

Since today is my 12th anniversary, I think I will show some more pics from our NYC no kids mini vacay!

Here we have Rick pointing out the bust of his ancestors, I guess.

We saw Chicago together. Rick isn't too into musical theater, but he humors me on occasion. It was a great show. I also saw God of Carnage with James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden and Jeff Daniels. It was hilarious.

I wanted to take pictures everywhere, and here is one outside the

little PD right in Times Square. There are NYPD everywhere

in the city, and they are very helpful!

We spent lots of time at Ellis Island which was very interesting. I learned a lot. I especially enjoyed the walk through rooms where you could trace the path of immigrants from arrival to approval. I recommend getting the headphones for the self tour if you ever go. I didn't, and regret it. Its too hard to listen on the little phones with lots of other people wanting to listen as well.

The immigrants brought all sorts of things with them, but my favorites, of course, were handmade crafts and heirlooms. These are examples of needlework, both artistic and for daily use. Amazing, to think, it was all done, stitch by stitch, by hand.

Vacation Memories - Part 2

2009-06-20T11:04:00.000-05:00

NYC!!! What a great place. I LOVED it. The people, the activity, the energy. A highrise apartment in Battery Park would suit me just fine. Post kids, maybe...

One of the first things we did was visit the Statue of Liberty. We took the Staten Island Ferry - cause we stayed on Staten Island. Here is the ferry:

Isn't it cool. Everyday tons of people take it into the city - for free!!! - and the pass right by the Statue. How awesome is that?!

Here's the view from the Ferry.

One thing about the Statue is that it is very hard to imagine the scope of it until you are inside or up close. She is huge. And glorious. The torch looks awesome, golden and blazing. Here we are in front of the original torch, which is now part of the museum in the base.

Have you ever wondered exactly what her face looks like? There is a cast of it in the museum as well. And there are casts of other parts too - as you see me with the foot.

It was awesome to see something that previously only existed on TV and in books.

Vacation Memories - Part 1

2009-06-19T21:08:00.000-05:00

It's been a while, hasn't it?! Well, I was off on vacation and I was not all that plugged in while I was away. But, I came across many wonderful things to share on my travels.

First off, I went to a hockey game while I was home. Not just any game - Stanley Cup Finals Game 2. Since this blog is only about things that make me happy, I am not going to reflect on later games in the Series. I am very proud of my Wings.

Here are some pics:

Arriving at the Joe.

Look, it's Gordie Howe. Sweet!

My Hockey Boyfriend, Henrik Zetterberg.

Wow...self photos are not flattering. But, just want to show the Rick and I together - this was a big date night!

Zetterberg vs. Crosby faceoff. Classic.

The Wings won this game, and it was a fantastic game. We had a blast.

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!!!

Teacher Gifts 08-09

2009-05-28T07:51:00.000-05:00

Here are this year's teacher gifts! For Katey and Jeremy's teachers: Katey's teacher is a first year teacher, so I made the year much bigger since it is significant.

Jeremy insisted that black is Mrs. Briggs favorite color, so her bag HAD to be black. But the Eisenhower Blue looks good on it, I think.

Finally, Ryan's teacher at Gymboree. Since she is young and fun, I chose a bag for her and initialed it:

I really like this bag, I might have to grab one. I have seen some great bags lately, for under $10 at Family Dollar, WalMart and Target. I have been making my own bags, but at that price, you can't beat it!

Hope the teachers like their totes/bags!

A Simple Craft Statement

2009-05-22T08:14:00.000-05:00

Here is a project I made long ago. The mirror is a cast off from my friend, the Tammy. It didn't suit her needs, but fit in a little area in my former home. When I brought it here to the Leavenworth, I decided to jazz it up a bit. So VOILA! Rub ons. 5 minutes to craftgasm. It's so easy, just place, rub, peel. This particular design was from StampinUp! but rubons are widely available from craft stores. Or, if you are really craftilicious, you can buy the vinyl in sheets and cut it (Cricut, Wishblade, etc) yourself. I think I might try that one day soon.

Have a wonderful Memorial Weekend. Thank a Soldier.

A Gorgeous Gift

2009-05-19T10:43:00.000-05:00

Today I am showcasing this beautiful gift given to me by my friend, the Debi. It was intended as a farewell gift once upon a time when I was heading to Italy (home of the Catholic church, which is kinda ironic). It is made entirely of colored paper, cut and assembled into this gorgeous image of Luther's Seal. This artwork probably has an official name, but I do not know it. It is not flat, it is 3D. Layers and layers of bits of paper. It was made by a delightful PWOC sister, Chong Reynonlds. It hangs in my dining room, but I am looking for a better place to put it and highlight it. So beautiful!

Coffee Crafts

2009-05-18T10:51:00.000-05:00

Here are a few things I have been working on this weekend. I am trying to cute up my kitchen with some colors and accessories.

First off, let me show you my favorite kitchen appliance:

My Keurig coffee machine. Also, my favorite coffee mug. :)

Ok, so on to things I actually crafted. First off, an ode to Laura, I painted this giant mug and used some rub-ons to make it match my kitchen:

My favorite color of blue, a big wooden spoon - more on that later. LOVE IT!!! Thanks for the big cup, which was a birthday gift from the Debi.

So, then I used my new toy and embroidered some towels to match:

So altogether, my little coffee nook:

Isn't it fabulous! Who doesn't want a hot cup of coffee to start the morning after seeing this????

Things I Love : Kindle 2

2009-05-13T18:05:00.000-05:00

I love books. Reading them, buying them, shelving them, the way they transport me to another world, the weight the have in my hands, sharing them with others... So it would seem like an electronic book reader would go against my grain. But, I am also a gadget freak. I have a phone that looks like it belongs to an exec at a big, busy company with lots of responsibility and underlings. (Wait, The Dembowski Howski is big and busy and I do have a business partner and 3 kidlings...) I have a laptop that does it all. I have a sewing machine that practically sews by iteself, a cricut, an ipod, a digital camera and digital video camera, a fancy coffee pot, a car with all the extras. You get my point.

But books - those are different. They are meant to have pages to turn. If they are library books they should have some wear and tear, an occasional drip stain from the previous reader's coffee mug. If they are used or swapped, maybe the cover is loose, there is a smell to the pages. A new book - ahhh pristine spine, first to be cracked by me. A dust cover to immediately trash. The anticipation of being the first to see and touch each page.

Then why do I own and love a Kindle2? Well, economics and convenience won out. Let me explain. It may seem implausible that an item costing over $300 dollars is an economical option for a SAHM Army wife in these trying financial times. But you don't know how many books I buy! The number of free downloads I have made already far surpasses the cost of the machine, and with books available for $9.99 or less - much savings are to be had if you have a book buying habit like I do. I never say NO to buying a book, it seems, if I am even slightly interested. But with the Kindle, I can read a chapter first, then decide. If it isn't Kindle-worthy then I either forget it or library it if available. Or try Frugalreader.com. So I end up with fewer non-read, but paid for books on my shelf.

Obviously the K2 is convenient. Slide it in a bag and go. But I had no idea how much reading I would get done with such an easy book to lug around. Usually I have a hardcover or trade paperback sized book to stuff in my bag, and often because I want to travel light, I forgo the book altogether. But the K2 is easy, and goes everywhere with me. One click and I am right on the page where I left off.

I know that e-readers are not for everyone. And I still trade books and use the library. But the days of buying mediocre books for full price are over. And I am never without a book, now. I have read more of the Old Testament of the Bible in the weeks I have had the Kindle than I was getting through in the months before when I began the endeavor. If you are on the fence, try out someone's Kindle and see it for yourself (Thanks, Melissa!). I was unsure about the screen and if it would be hard to read on - I can't stand reading books on my PC. It's nothing like that, rest assured. Think of the Kindle as an addition to, not a replacement for, all traditional books. Any Kindle questions - ask away!

Lt Dan Band ROCKS!!

2009-05-08T22:00:00.000-05:00

Here he is!!! Lt Dan. Gary Sinise. The real deal!!! And below, proof that I am present -

The Lt Dan Band came to Fort Leavenworth to perform for Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It was a riotous good time. The kids and Rick and I were singing and dancing along.

The cool thing about it all was that there just aren't that many Hollywood types who actually get out and show their support for the soldiers and families. But Gary Sinise consistently does. He works with the USO and performs all over the world. I was already a big fan, especially of CSI:NY, but tonight cemented it - I am a Gary Sinise super fan now! Check out the band for yourself at LT Dan Band's Website.

Wedding Ring Bling

2009-05-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

So, I have a shiny new setting for my beloved wedding/engagement ring. I absolutely love it, and it is exactly what I have always wanted, a sparkly diamond on a wide gold band. Now, I know that the current trend is platinum or white gold, but that is just not me. I am a yellow gold gal. I just looks better on my skin. So...here it is:

A Book that feels LIKE I WROTE IT!!!

2009-05-06T11:00:00.000-05:00

I am reading a new book, which is about one of my favorite topics - Home Organization. It is a week by week guide that gets you through your whole house (& life) in one year. Now I keep the Dembowski Howski pretty organized, but I am always looking for new tips and methods. I figure since I have exactly on year left in this house, this book would be a great way to get move-ready. Here is website for this cool book: http://www.organizethislife.com/ .

I am in the midst of week one and I have done almost all of the tasks! I grabbed this book at JoAnns, but it is available on Amazon as well. Give it a try!

Ok, I am going to give it a GO.

2009-05-01T13:54:00.001-05:00

I have put off really joining the blogging world long enough. I have dabbled and deleted. Lots. But this is it. I am going to be a blogger. For real this time.