Starbucks Yarn Wreath- the start of crafting!

So last year, starbucks had these beautiful wreaths at Christmas time that were made out of ornaments and yarn balls. Yes, you read that correctly! It was a YARN BALL WREATH!

So this year, I wanted one too! I posted to my local parenting group (a great group of ladies that I hang with often!) and asked if they wanted to do a craft along. Instead, I was asked to do a show and tell at our monthly saturday get together! *gulp* so I decided I needed to make another one ahead of time so I could make a materials list and learn how to do it so I could show everyone else.

I headed off to the store and saw they had the Christmas stuff out! So I walked through the aisle and found these GORGEOUS Christmas ornaments! I had to have them - and then inspired me to make an Autumn version that I could hang now.

Wrapping the balls:



Attaching them:



the finished product!




I really love how it turned out. You can't see as well from the photo-(well you might be able to if you click on it to make it larger!) but I have some glitter balls in there too and I just love it!

Now, I had to admit my first thought was: I have to make another one? LOL

November 1st

Brings a thrill coursing through me. November 1st means this month is Thanksgiving. November 1st means that next month is Christmas. Next to fall, this is my favorite time of year. The feelings, the scents, the ambiance, the family and friends and crafting. This celebration is a wonderful time of year.

Halloween was last night and the kids had a blast. I was a bit slow on making costumes as I had been sick 2 days previously so I was crafting right up until 7pm when we left

kaitlyn saw this bird mask..inspired by carneval on martha stewarts website and we thought it would be perfect!

I forgot the blue paint to paint underneath so there is a bit of white showing-but this sucker took over an hour to do!






and harrison...a tree of course!



I am currently working on a new shawl by Sweet Mama Small Sugar It is turning out so gorgeous! Her patterns are really nicely written and easy to follow.

This is it so far:




I am getting ready to start being really busy. yarn co-ops, school, crafting, swaps. looking forward to a whole lot of fun!

Happy November!

Meal Plan Monday - a day early!

Ok, I have to get back into the scheme of things. We've had a lot going on here including a breast cancer scare (pathology is negative-I am ok!) so I have to get posting again.

Here is the meal plan for the week. A few new ones that we haven't done before, so I will review those after we have them.

Breakfast:

• Oatmeal
• Cereal
• yogurt with fruit
• oatmeal
  
• overnight breakfast casserole
• poptarts-yes, even I give in once in awhile!
  

Lunch:

• Cheese nachos
• bean and cheese burritos
• baked macaroni and cheese with a steamed veggie
• mock chicken sandwiches with apples
• some sort of squash soup-will update with more specifics
• oven fried potatoes and onions with fruit
  

Dinner:

• Curried Potatoes (with peas, raisins and cashews) with basmati rice and East Indian Banana Yogurt salad
• Crockpot corn chowder with pumpkin muffins
• Vegetable fried rice
• Honey baked lentils with green salad
• vegan chili and sweet maple vegan cornbread (chili feed at the church)
• halloween
  

The weather is cooling and fall is coming

and I could not be a happier woman right now.
This is my favorite time of year. The colors, the smells, the harvest, the atmosphere. I am in my element this time of year.
The weather is starting to cool. I realized last night that even though Harrison is potty training that with his sensory issues (among other things) that I probably need to make him a few pairs of longies for the winter.
Today- it is so nice out right now that it definitely makes me think of babies wrapped in warm wool-I need to get knitting. I love longies.



My new baby:



an Arrow of Light



Football games and an awesome son



first hair cuts



and best friends




LIFE.IS.GOOD

school has started with a bang!

this has been a crazy time! Conner, Noah, Hannah, Lexi and Bella all started back to school on August 19th-my birthday! I started class again the following week and Kaitlyn started homeschool today. Definitely a busy time!

Conner is doing football again-he made special team this year (kick off/return team) and that is quite the honor. Kaitlyn is competing cross country again and is loving it!

I have just been taking time to slow down. I have been knitting, visiting with friends, reconnecting with some old friends and looking at things to come in the future. It is amazing what some clarity does for your life vision-if that makes sense!

I have almost narrowed down which spinning wheel I am going to buy. I am so excited, this has been a long process but I am almost there.


I have gotten a lot done in the last few weeks knitting wise. I did a sweater for Harrison, a sweater/shirt for bella and a sweet little baby pinafore for my gift box. Now I am going to do a few things all for ME!

The sweater is from fawn pea called the Mossy Jacket. It was a great easy knit! I am so glad that Harrison is so tiny that he could wear the largest 18 month size. I wish the pattern went larger for the other kids!

not much else to report-just going to end with some pictures!