Versatile Blogger Award

Last week I was given my very first Blogger Award! Staci from CraftyStaci was so very kind and passed the award on to me. I just met Staci last week. She was the one I talked about in this post about the Etsy shop for charity. Like I said, this is the very first award I've received and I am super excited about it!

There are two rules for this award. First, I am supposed to tell you seven things about myself. I don't consider myself that interesting, but I'll give it a shot! I decided on a list of things that you probably did not know about me, and never would have guessed. Those are always fun ;-)

1. I am very opinionated. Like super-duper over-the-top stubborn.. When I think someone is doing something wrong/immoral/unethical I get so incredibly pissed off. Usually I don't outwardly react on those feelings though. I just vent on Facebook or something and move on with my life.

2. I love nature, but I am totally NOT a tree-hugger. Yes I recycle, I live in Oregon for goodness sakes. If you throw a pop can away you're likely to be taken down at gunpoint haha. But I do not wear peace signs, protest logging, or shop for organic products. I love to go on hikes, I love to feel the fresh clean air, and I love to photograph the beauty of it all.

3. I drove a big lifted redneck truck in high school. I worked on it with my Dad, and I love that truck to death. It is so very much NOT eco-friendly, politically correct, or practical. But it was fun to drive, loud, and powerful. No one ever cut me off, tailgated me, or brake checked me. No one ever treated me like some 'stupid girl' either when I was driving that.

4. I grew up a HUGE tomboy. My Dad was always working on a car in the garage, and I was always hanging over him, pointing to stuff, asking "What's that? What does it do? Why is it broken?" My oh-so-patient Dad spent the whole evening explaining everything to me, and I soaked it up like a sponge. I now run the front counter of the family auto repair shop with him, and I love it.

5. I went hunting with my Dad every fall. Yes I killed Bambi's mom. Don't hate me. My parents raised me to respect animals of every shape and size, and we were always grateful for the ability to feed ourselves this way. We did everything 100% legally, and we used every inch of the animal that we could. We were not some violent trophy hunters looking for the biggest rack to show off. We were just looking for some healthy meat to feed ourselves.

6. I was also raised very religious. I'm Mormon. It has been a struggle for me growing up. Being in a small town, I was often the only Mormon in my class. We are quite easily one of the most misunderstood religions, and it hurts me to see how harsh people can be. I've been called every name in the book. I've been accused of worshiping Satan. I've been told I'm not a Christian, and I'm going to Hell. I've been asked if I have horns, and believe in an underwater castle. I even had someone throw a bible at me and scream "Devil Worshiper!" I hold no animosity towards any of these people though. And I love to answer any questions anyone has about my religion. I am not trying to convert anyone. I just want people to understand that we're not as weird as you think we are.

7. I am not the crazy over-the-top conservative that you probably think I am. I do not make my opinions based on my parents' opinions or my religion. I do think for myself. I absolutely hate it when someone makes an assumption about me, based on a few simple facts. I love to dress up and do my makeup, even though I drive a big truck. I do love animals, even though I hunt. I do have gay/lesbian friends, even though I am Mormon. I strongly believe that you cannot judge a book by it's cover. And I believe even more strongly that passing judgement on someone is one of the biggest sins you can commit. I choose to believe what I do, and you have the right to do the same.

Now for the second part! I am supposed to pass this award on to 15 other bloggers..

1. Amy @ Lots of Pink Here!
2. Jodi @ Pleasant Home
3. Karen @ Karen Thompson Design Studio
4. Serena @ Farm Chicks
5. Ashley @ After Nine to Five
6. Ashley @ Under Those Neon Lights
7. Angie @ Oh, How Delightful!
8. Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts
9. Vanessa @ V and Co.
10. Adrienne @ Right Here, Right Now!
11. Halsey @ Spunky Junky
12. Ashley @ The Shine Project
13. Stephanie @ Somewhat Simple
14. Maria and Michelle @ From the Same Nest
15. Virginia @ Gingercake

Thanks again to Staci @ Crafty Staci for sharing this award!!!

Crocheted Baby Gifts from Mom

I've mentioned that I inherited my sewing capabilities from my Mom. Well what I didn't get from her is the ability to crochet. I've tried to learn a couple times, and it's just not my cup of tea. My mom, however, has this amazing natural talent. It's like she was born with a crochet hook or something. She is always working on a crocheted baby blanket for someone we know. Usually someone from church. There is always someone pregnant there ;-)

So when she found out that she was going to be a Grandma, she got right to work making all sorts of gifts. This little one is going to be spoiled rotten! I thought I would share some of them with you gals. She amazes me every day at the things she is able to whip up.

This first one is an adorable set of booties and the tiniest little crocheted hat. I love the little flower! It's the perfect touch, don't you think? She also made a matching set of black booties in a slightly larger size. I can't wait to see what they look like with a pair of tiny white socks.

Today she surprised me at work with this adorable little sweater. I absolutely love it! She must have been listening when I talked about how we didn't have any newborn size jackets.. The detail in the pattern is so cute and feminine, I love it!

She also made some super cute beanies. I found a pattern on Etsy for this incredibly adorable owl beanie. They are all over on Etsy, and so stinkin' cute! I knew I absolutely had to have one for her newborn pictures. I bought the pattern and asked (aka begged) my Mom to make one for me. The whipped up this purple one that same night as a 'sizing sample.' And she finished the actual owl hat the very next day. It's so cute I can't stand it!!!!

And of course, she made a couple blankets as well. This first one was one of my baby shower gifts. It's nice and heavy. I love it. Our little girl is going to be so toasty warm in this!! I can't wait to wrap her up in it. The second one is very special. It's her blessing (aka Christening) blanket. This one will definitely be a special heirloom piece. It's much more delicate, and absolutely stunning. I love the pattern she chose.

So there you have it! I little peak into the kind of talent I was raised with. ;-) Love ya Mom!!! You're going to be one of the best Grandmas ever!!

Birthday Gift

I made this gift for my MIL's cousin last week. Now that she finally has it, I can share it with you. Her daughter is part of a cheerleading team and she is one of the most supportive parents that I have ever seen. I made this keyfob and zipper pouch to help her show her team spirit.

Etsy Shop for Charity

Hey Ladies (and 'Gents.. if I have any.. haha) check out this Etsy Shop!! She makes some really cool accessories for photographers. I just discovered her this morning.

There is a local police officer in our town that has terminal cancer. The community has really come together to help this officer and his family. They are currently trying to help him with one of his greatest wishes, to go camping one last time with his family.

This wonderful woman has come out and announced that 100% of the profit from all sales in her store will go to this officer and his family.

If I had an SLR, I would be snatching up one of these cap holders in an instant! Aren't they adorable??

You can also read a little bit more at her blog here: http://craftystaci.com/2011/04/14/mike-and-holly-kellogg/.

PS ~ All photos in this post are property of CraftyStaci.

My Craft Closet

I've had a couple people ask me how I store my craft supplies. I used to have a fabulous craft room. I loved that room. These are some old pictures, before I was completely finished organizing it.

Unfortunately, I don't have my craft room anymore. :( It has now become my little girl's nursery. Obviously, I wasn't going to give up sewing completely. So I turned the downstairs pantry into my craft closet. I had to get rid of a LOT of stuff, but I made it work =D

There are scrapbooks on top, along with photos, gift bags, and tissue paper. The second shelf has drawers with all my patterns, and tubs with different supplies, ric rac, velcro and elastic, etc. The third shelf has my batting and finished products in the fabric tubs. The fourth shelf has my sewing machine, sewing box, thread, iron, zippers, markers, pincushion, ribbon, and such. The fifth shelf has sewing books and tubs with all my fabric. The bottom shelf has some more random supplies as well. My cutting mats and rulers are along the sides of the bookshelf, and there is an ironing board hanging on the door.

Overall, it has worked pretty well for being such a small space. Don't get me wrong though, I desperately want my old craft room back some day.

WHW: Clean/Organized Rooms

I love a good clean organized room.  It feels so refreshing. Now if only I could find the energy to actually get my rooms in that condition, and keep them that way!

All photos from weheartit.com

For those of you who don't know about We Heart Wednesday.. click HERE to go check it out! Every Wednesday, we gather up a bunch of photos from We Heart It and post them on our blogs. Visit Brie at her blog HERE  to link up and check out everyone's posts. It's a great way to increase the traffic on your blog, and an even better way to meet new people!

New Bag

I made a new bag the other day. My purse has been feeling too big, and I know when I'm carrying around a diaper bag, I'm going to want a smaller purse. So I've been on the lookout for the "right one." I thought I found it, but it was $60, and I'm just not spending that much money on something that I will get bored with in a few months.

So I decided it was time to make one. I found this fabric and instantly fell in love. I absolutely LOVE these colors. And the prints? So gorgeous. Then I saw that it was 30% off, and grabbed it. I started searching for patterns when I got home, and I found this freebie at Very Purple Person. Not only was it super easy, and she gave fabulous step-by-step directions.. it was FREE!! Everyone loves free =D Bonus? It's completely reversible. I whipped this bag up in about 2 hours.

Option #1 (My Favorite)

Option #2

The next day, I decided that it was missing something. I made a fabric flower and stitched it on. Perfect! Unfortunately, this makes me lose the "reversible" factor. I guess I could put the flower on a pin, so I could switch it. BUT I like this fabric so much, I doubt I will ever turn it to the other side anyway. Haha.

I was tagged!!!

I was tagged in a fun little post. Check below and see if I tagged you!

10 Things I love

The rules are as follows:

1. State who tagged you.
Amber at One Me, Two Monsters

2. State 10 things you love.
- Sewing
- Taking Pictures
- Decorating My Home
- Baking Goodies for Hubby
- Naps
- Shopping
- Making Stuff
- Pepperoni and Pineapple Pizza
- Mt Dew
- Hanging out with Family

3. Tag ten friends at the end of the post.
1- Adrienne @ Right Here, Right Now
2- Ashley @ After Nine to Five
3- Angie @ Oh, How Delightful!
4- Ashley @ The Shine Project
5- Ashley @ Under Those Neon Lights
6- Amy @ Lots of Pink Here! (What is with all these "A" names?)
7- Maria & Michelle @ From The Same Nest
8- Virginia @ Gingercake
9- Brie @ Brie Marie
10- Victoria @ Crowning Victoria

{Project365} March 28th - April 6th

March 28th - Blueberry Streusel Muffins

March 29th - Cheesy Pasta for Dinner

March 30th - My fancy new iron.. LOVE it!!

March 31st - Finally filled (almost) all the picture frames.

April 1st - Sleepy Kitty

April 2nd - Colorful Thread Collection

April 3rd - A colored pencil drawing by my Grandma before she died.

April 4th - An almost replica of Hubby's truck in Matchbox form.

April 5th - Laundry day.. so much laundry..

April 6th - Cuddling on the couch in my favorite blankey.

WHW: Little Girls

Now that we are putting all the finishing touches on the Nursery, and the due date is getting closer.. I'm starting to get so excited! Sure I am also completely terrified.. mainly of the whole 'labor and delivery' part.. But I'm so excited to finally bring her home. <3

For those of you who don't know about We Heart Wednesday.. click HERE to go check it out! Every Wednesday, we gather up a bunch of photos from We Heart It and post them on our blogs. Visit Brie at her blog HERE  to link up and check out everyone's posts. It's a great way to increase the traffic on your blog, and an even better way to meet new people!

{30 Days of Lists} March 19th - 30th

Remember my 30 Days of Lists project? Well I finished it last week.. I just kept forgetting to take pictures haha. So here we are! One whole week late.. haha.

Lola and Max

Remember these owls I made a while back? Well there is another pattern available from Gingercake, called Max the Owl. Very similar to Lola the Owl, just a different shape. I grabbed this fabric set a while back with these two adorable owls in mind. I thought they would be perfect in my Little Girl's Nursery. The colors are brown, green, and pink, with an owl theme. I started them ages ago, and finally got around to finishing them this afternoon. What do you think??

P.S. Sorry about the bad photo quality. It was late, and I couldn't get any natural lighting. Phooey.