Flower Pens

During the school year, we never seem to be able to find a pen when we need one, like when I need to sign permission slips, write out a check, initial daily planners, etc. (so basically all the time.) SO, in anticipation for much pen usage during the school year that is fast upon us, I made some flower pens. 

They are a hit with the little girls, and I know when they go when I find them discarded on the floor. :) We have a pot of pens in the kitchen and also in the study by the computer. 

 A place for everything and everything in its place. 

"W" on the Bookshelf

I made this framed W picture seven months ago. It's been looking for a home ever since. It's made it on the wall a few times, only to be removed as I wait for inspiration. This past week she found her home on the wall at the top of the bookshelf and I love it. With our Valentine candy on display. Those are some "sours" gummy candy from Zurchers.

(Mel trying to photo bomb my photo.)

I like these bookshelves. We had them when we were renting our other house, then they spent time at my brother in laws home when we moved out of the country for a few months. After we returned, he said he could give them back or he'd post them on the classifieds. I wasn't planning on getting them back, since they are big and it's kinda a hassle, but I thought I'd rather get them back over selling them. Anyway, we had to saw off the two metal bases they were on to make them fit in the front room, and after fitting them in I was very glad we took them back. They are on either side of the north wall in our front room. I like the slightly color coordinated books too, thanks to Design Mom for introducing that idea to me. (I couldn't find the post about it on her blog, here's another post though.)

Decor Balls

Giving these decor balls a go again... Turning out kinda cute?

Some made with raffia and jute twine, others with fabric that is left over from pillows I made and from the window drapery panels. I'm wrapping whatever I feel like around some balls that I got from the dollar store, which are slightly less expensive than the styrofoam ones at the craft store.

...and an old shirt of Corey's, I apparently like making it "ours". :)

Jewelry Board

I thought this project over at Whippy Cake was so pretty!

I'm underway with brainstorming and mentally designing how mine might look, mostly with supplies I already have on hand. Gonna make a few sketches of different options for myself today.

I think this will be my board ~ I've been saving it for almost 3 years now for some unknown project, it was in the basement when we moved in.

This is the wall by my closet where I think I shall place my board.

Pretty little tea cup I found at the thrift store, to hold small stud earrings.

Dollar store glass that can hold bracelets

And here's my drawer where all these pretty things are hid most of the time. Won't it be so much better to have them all displayed? To add color to the room while also being very functional! I'll update later with the finished product.

Laundry Done

I am feeling so on top of things, I'm not sure what's made the difference these past two weeks but I hope it doesn't stop. Main floor has been looking AWESOME this whole week (glad I made the kids take their forts down). Even vacuumed the stairs, on my way to the upper floor now.

I folded absolutely ALL of the laundry and even threw out half of the unmatched socks that were waiting for their partners. I'm keeping 10 stray socks, that's it. No more of this whole basket full of socks. So it was a pretty good feeling, I've been working hard and have found much satisfaction in being a homemaker and it's easy as I sing my little "Do It For Jesus" song. I've even been wearing a little apron (GREAT for picking up all the stray legos everywhere!) I think I'm going to make myself a few more aprons of different styles to add some color to my black/gray exercise clothes that I wear everyday. :) And just for fun, I LOVE THIS LITTLE FACE!!!!!

Stick Decoration Thing

I had an idea a few months ago... the kids and I were talking about how slow and long the cold winter months of January and February and March seem to be. There's no real big holiday to get excited over and look forward to... just not enough going on. And on top of that  and with the cold weather, just makes it seem even longer and slower. So, we've decided that each month we're gonna have a party for ourselves, and January is our New Year Winter Party. I got some decorating inspiration from the Pointe Party that Mel had last month.

They just had a big stick thing in a pot on one of the tables that looked pretty with paint, lights, and ornaments, you can barely see a little of it in the picture above in the top left corner. Anyway, I decided we'd tried to do the same thing for our party ~ I found this stick just out in our neighborhood which looked like a nice long shape...

...which I screwed to a board from a bed that I have had in my stash of potential crafty things down in the basement...

Then painted it, put on some ornaments ~

Then add a bit more with lights and garland, and wa-la! We had some decor for our party!

Housework for Jesus Song

As I folded laundry this past weekend, I was crying a little with feelings of being overwhelmed and "I'm just so in over my head when it comes to trying to run this home", and so I started to sing to myself "I'm folding the clothes for Jesus" and thus this song was born. This is to help me REMEMBER that when I work and clean in my home, I'm doing it for God... The tune is a Primary Song called "I'm trying to be like Jesus" and the Mommy Lyrics go as follows: (verse 1 is about chores, verse two about cooking):

I'm cleaning the house for Jesus (or "folding the clothes," "sweeping the floor," etc)
I'm following in His way
I'm trying to serve as He did
In all that I do each day
At times I am tempted to wait for some help
But instead I'll keep working and will give of myself, Singing
Serve one another as Jesus serves you
Try to be helpful in all that you do
These small things will fill my heart and home with love
And lay up a treasure above.

I'm cooking a meal for Jesus
I'm doing this all for Him
I know that he feels so happy 
When I'm taking care of them
I'll try to remember all He's done for me
Then it won't be hard to give my time selflessly, Thinking
Serve one another as Jesus serves you
Try to be helpful in all that you do
These small things will fill my heart and home with love
And lay up a treasure above.

I think this will help me remember Him and that when I serve the least of these, I've done it unto Him. Matthew 25:40