Magic Soap

So...I was on Pinterest today (big shock...I know) and I came across this Pin. I am really not a fan of homemade cleaners. I usually end up disappointed and cleaning the tub (or toilet or counter) over again. But I was curious. I love Dawn for my dishes and I know the hard water cleaning wonders of vinegar. I had an empty spray bottle....so I figured WHY NOT.
I only made a little so as not to waste it when it didn't work very well. Boy. Was. I. Wrong. Loved it. I used it on my shower and it made it sparkle. Then I used it on my dogs. Don't laugh....I had run out of doggie shampoo and they needed a bath so bad. It was perfect. Not too foamy...cut through the oily top coat and rinsed like a dream. After that chore I cleaned the tub I had just bathed them in and it looks (and smells) terrific. I am a believer and thought you might want to try this. I love Pinterest. I love clean bathrooms. I love sweet smelling dogs and sunshine....Hope your weekend is fabulous!!!

A Springy Welcome

It's been a while since I've made a wreath. Shocking, I know. Seems like for a while there I was averaging two a week! I did a tulle wreath this week...I needed something springy....spring-like....springish....Anyway...I bought some tulle at Hobby Lobby because it was half off.
I tied it around a straw wreath base I had in the project room....(you know if Hoarder's ever comes by I am SO in trouble!!) I bought these flowers from Pick Your Plum. They offer deals on craft supplies in a daily email. They came unpainted....so I colored them up!!
Now my door looks as springy as the weather here!! Hooray for 80* for all the month of March!!!
Are you enjoying the weather in your neck of the woods??

Excuses

My New Year's Word (you know...to work on) this year is WHY NOT. I will admit to slipping in my resolve here and there. That dang inner critic has gotten in the way time and time again. I have prayed, I have cried....I have tried again. After all....WHY NOT. Just about the time I am going to give up, my loving Father in Heaven gives me a little perspective.....a little guidance. Today it was in the form of a blog post someone posted on Facebook (please read it). It was the push I needed to keep trying. I hope you get what you need today, my friends.....today and every day.

"It's not our circumstances that keep us from reaching our dreams. It's our excuses that keep us from reaching our dreams."

The Ugly Duck

I found this little guy while I was standing in the check-outline at Good Will. I asked Jo if she thought I was crazy to like him. She said that he would be cute with some paint. So he came home with me.
She was right. He looks so much better with some paint!!
I put him here for a minute....but it just wasn't right.
Here we go. The perfect spot for my no-so-ugly friend.
I do love him now. He makes me smile.

Avoidance

It all started in Idaho. On the last day of my visit, Kim and I stopped at a craft store on our way to the airport. They had some kits made up for the cutest little table runners. It came with the fabric, buttons and instructions. The lady gave me a quick tutorial and I was on my way. Shortly after I got home my fabulous sister chicks from MN came for a visit. Together we sewed up these 15 minute table runners. They really were that easy.
As you know, I do like to do three of a project. It gives me a chance to work out the kinks. Well, this project was so fun to do (combining my love for fabric with my love of an easy project) that I did a few more than three. Thirteen to be exact...The first two and a couple weeks later eleven over two days. Sometimes when my life gets a little chaotic I tend to shift my focus to something that I can control.
A nice fabric project, for example, can be just the distraction one needs. Did it help me finish my daughter's graduation quilt? No. Did it give me any ideas for her graduation party? No. Did it help at all with the plans for my son's wedding? Not in the slightest. Or did it get any planning or list making done for our over-night church activity? Nope. So why did I chose now to obsess over table runners?
Avoidance. Pure and simple. I can't get a handle on any of those other things....but table runners....cake. No worries there. And it kept my mind so busy I didn't have time to think about (or worry about) anything else.
As for a tutorial....I don't have pictures, but I can explain it to you. Take 1/2 yard and 1/3 yard of some pretty fabric. Put the right sides and sew a seam down the long sides of the fabric to form a tube. Turn your tube right side out and will have a long rectangle. Arrange it so there is equal fabric on both sides and press with a hot iron.
Now take it and fold it in half the long way so the dominant fabric (the fabric that is bigger...you know the fabric on the back) is folded together. Sew a seam along the top and the bottom of the runner. Fold it down to a point so it forms a pocket. Press it flat. Then you can add a button to hold it down or some ric rac or even pretty ribbon. The choice is yours.
Here are the 13 first attempts. I am certain there will be more. Most likely during another really busy time in my life.....like next week!!!

Always & Forever

A while back I bought these plaques at Hobby Lobby. I paid $2 each for the big ones and $1.20 for the rooster one in the top right corner. I saw these free downloads on Pinterest (that I thought I pinned...but can no longer find) and I knew I needed them. Not sure what I was going to do with them....but I really liked them. I haven't done anything crafty for a while. I felt a little rusty....but I looked around the mess in my craft room and inspiration hit.
I took the little hooofies off the tops of the big boards and sanded everything down a bit.
I painted the big boards and Mod Podged some cute paper (from the stash) onto the small board.
Then I put the hooofies back on and sanded the big boards. I used the Mod Podge again on the little one. This time to affix the ampersand. Cute!
I dusted off my Silhouette....been a while old friend.....and cut some always and forever....
I put a layer of Mod Podge over it all and let it dry over night.
I added some ink to the edges of this one....I like it a little shabby.
Obviously this one is a little blurry is the second attempt....the vinyl is a little wonky.
I like the way they all turned out. I hope my Valentine's will like them too!!

I am linked with Metamorphosis Monday....come find me.

Days Five and Six: The Voyage Home

Day five was our day at sea moving towards home....well Miami....but then home. This day at sea (compared to our first) was more relaxed. It wasn't charged with the anticipation of things to come, but more with gratitude of things we'd seen and done.
We relaxed more (if that's possible) this day that we did on any other. We even sat in on the towel folding class. Funny stuff. Jim can now successfully fold two towels into the shape of an elephant.
And almost successfully fold two towels into the shape of a rabbit.......
Anyway, they had fun and that is all that matters. We lounged in the sun and just took a more leisurely pace to the day. We ate lunch in the dining room for a change and then napped (not much change there).
Then we ate at the buffet so we could hit two shows. But then we decided we missed our waiter so much (and maybe the Molten Chocolate Cake) that we should stop in and see if we could snag some cake see him.
Our waiter got a concerned look on his face and told us he would see what he could do about getting us some food (as it was closing time at the dining room). We told him not to worry about the food. We just wanted cake!! He was happy to oblige and we were happy to eat cake!!
This vacation has been amazing. It was fun to hang out with The Walkers and spend some time away with my sweetheart. We came home so relaxed and recharged.
Here is a quick recap (in photos) in case you forgot how much fun we really had. :)
In a few years maybe we can bring our kids (and spouses, if any) on a fun vacation like this and make some fun memories with them.
It will be hard to top this trip. But I am up to the challenge of trying.
Day six really is more of a side note. We were herded like cattle into the big theater to wait for our turn to exit the ship....which we did without too much hassle.
We made it to the airport and through security with plenty of time to spare. Of course the airline had neglected to assign us seats on the plane. A fact that we failed to notice until about five minutes before we were to board the plane. Luckily we did get seats. Sadly they were on opposite ends of the plane.
But we made it to Chicago in one piece where we enjoyed our four hour lay over. It was nice to not be rushed and we used the time to check in with our friends and family via text messaging.
We made it home safe and sound and found our dogs had missed us very much. Seems the teenager didn't give them all the attention they thought they needed. Jo did a great job holding down the fort and was a little glad to see us as well.
Someday we will do this all again....but I will make sure to have my camera on me at ALL times. I did miss a couple funny moments.....but I think I got most of the action. Thanks for hanging in there through this extra long post. I know who my true friends are ;)