friendship garland

My daughter has so many cute friends, but unfortunately not many of them live close to us.

I decided to make her something to help her feel closer to her girlfriends that live far away.  I saw a paper doll garland on Pintrest that sparked an idea.

This garland was super simple and cheap to make.  The most expensive part was the fabric stiffener I used to make the dolls stand upright.  I used scraps of fabric for the dresses.  One important thing, as I have said before, is to use good felt. I have a local quilt shop that sells quality felt. Search one out. It will make a lot of difference in your end product.

Top roll:

Charley, Patterson, Ivy

Bottom roll:

Eloise, Amelie, Emerson

button bracelet tutorial

I've been totally slammed in such a happy, happy way with jewelry orders. My bff Jenny is coming to my rescue. She will be over later today with her sewing machine and nimble fingers. I'm putting her to work.

That's the thing I love most about Jenny. She's true blue through and through. She's always there when I'm in a pinch.

I made her this valentine. Andre the Greek and Sugar Daddy have been doing a lot of squid fishing as of late and I had sea creatures on the brain so I drew us as jellies.


And then I had the bright idea to make a bracelet to go along with it because, you know, I have soooo much extra time on my hands. It, of course had to be blue to match the card, with one pink button for quirkiness.

And then I thought I should do a tutorial about these button bracelets because they are a super fun and cheap project that you can do with kids and they make really great Valentine gifts.

So here it is, because I have soooo much extra time on my hands.

Supplies:

For a standard 7 1/2 bracelet you will need fifteen or so buttons, fifteen or so jump rings at least 8mm in diameter, a clasp, flat nose pliers. You can find all these things at your local craft store. Or if you are super lucky, you can snatch some vintage buttons out of your grandma's button jar. (I'm not that lucky)

Step 1:
The golden rule to jump rings is "don't pull- twist". If you pull them apart you won't be able to get them back into shape. Instead hold one side with one hand and then grasp the other side with your pliers and twist.

Thread the jump ring through one of the button holes.

Step 2:

Add two buttons on each jump ring so that you form a chain.

Keep going until you reach your desired length and then add on one more jump ring to one end and a clasp to the other.

Simple simple simple. This is a really great crafts for kids and all you need to do to make your bracelet more mature is to use fancier buttons. It is extra special if you can add a button off a loved ones clothing. Baby buttons are ridiculously cute. Give it a go and let me see your finished projects!

FYI: I will be adding a few more items into my shop later today and into the weekend.

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER TO WIN THE FREE CUSTOM BLOG TEMPLATE ON WEDNESDAY'S POST

a good yarn

The weather is turning "cold". As a Utah girl, I will forever find it necessary to put cold in quotes when I am referring to San Diego weather. It helps me avoid rousing by my family members.


So the weather is turning "cold". In the morning I wrap my big fluffy robe around the baby and we tip toe down stairs to turn on the fireplace and make her a warm bottle. The boy comes flopping, sleepy, down the stairs in his footed jammies. He crawls up on the couch next to us and kisses his sister on the head. She kicks her feet.


It is my favorite time of the day. It is my time of the day to love being a mommy.


I'm starting to think about getting out my crochet. I love to crochet in the wintertime. It's a winter craft.


I've been dying to share all the details of Sugar Daddy's big case, but somehow it feels wrong. It's a story of a prodigal son and a heart broken mother. It's really not my story to share.


Instead, I thought I'd tell you another amazing and true story about Sugar Daddy. Get comfortable. It's a good yarn...


A few years ago Jenny and I went out for dinner with girlfriends. The guys stayed home with the kids.


See? Don't you love this story already?


Jenny's husband and Sugar Daddy's best friend is Andre the Greek. Andre the Greek is a loose cannon. It's a well known fact. Indisputable.


Andre the Greek wanted to go get his boat and get it ready for a fishing trip in the morning. The boys took the kids with them in the Surburban to pick up the boat. They got the boat hooked up and were headed for home. The kids were happily playing together in the back seat. The boys were eagerly discussing the plans for the fishing trip the next day.


About the time Jenny and I were digging into a brownie sunday, Andre the Greek let out a stream of curses that we can only hope the children won't remember. Sugar Daddy, who was sitting in the passenger seat, looked over his right shoulder just in time to see the boat passing the Surburban.


They were on a long stretch of road with a fairly steep gradient. What happened next has been the topic of much discussion. The boat, as if it had a mind all it's own, completely passed the Surburban and continued down the road at a fiery pace, swaying this way and that and generally creating quite a spectacle. There was much cursing from the dads and jumping up and down of children.


After a while, the boat, deciding freedom wasn't all it was cracked up to be, edged up to the curb and slowly leaned into the guardrail, sparks flying, until it came to a complete stop, fairly undamaged.


The rest of the story is history. The cops came. They put down flares and talked to the kids. Andre the Greek laughed heartily over his good fortune. One of Sugar Daddy's friends came to check out the scene and brought some fried chicken. According to the kids, it was a great night.


The night the boat came unhinged and took a joy ride.


True story.

sugar and spice

Hello there.

I'm reporting to you today from the surface of the sun, better known as a little town, a few hours outside of Vegas called, St. George.

What, you may ask, could bring me to such a place when the temperature is such that your underwear feel like Saran Wrap? Only one thing could get me here.

The Hardman Family

You know when you see a photo of a amputee crossing the finish line of a marathon or a blind person graduating law school? You know that look on their face? Well here's my photo.

We did it. After years and years of struggle, the Hardmans and the Meekers finally have our babies. Emmie was born three weeks after Birdie. Jill was also at the birth of her little girl. It is so nice to have a friend that knows exactly what I've been through.

I'm not sure if it is okay to select your kids friends for them. In fact, I'm kind of opposed to it. BUT, there's just no way around it. Emmie and Ellie are two peas in a pod, sugar and spice, Ying and Yang, salt and pepper, and well you get the idea. They really don't have much choice in the matter. They will be best friends.

Thom and Josh decided to be friends all on their own, with no coercion from their parents.

We are spending all our time this weekend, indoors under the air conditioning vents. The children are playing in the basement and we are sitting around talking and laughing. This works for us. Our friendship is based on finding happiness in misery. We met during law school.

I so wish they lived closer.