It's been a long time

Wow, It's sure been a while since I posted. I'd blame it on my 5 kids, or our recent move, or working on our business, or any other excuse that I'm sure would get some sympathy from my readers (like anyone is reading me at this point!), but the truth is, I HATE the internet. It sucks all my time. Even now, while I take 2 minutes to write this, I'm sure my children are tearing up something they're not supposed to. Besides, It only took 2 minutes to write this, but I've actually been on-line for 30...I feel the life getting sucked out of me. So, I gotta run, and can't promise when I'll remember to add another post (I actually have lots of cool crafts and party's already done, with photos and everything, just too lazy to upload them!), but it will be sometime before the end of the world. Of that I AM certain! Have a great day surfin' the web, and I hope you can find time for the truly important things (like me, I have to rescue my 10 month old from playing in the toilet).

Happy Father's Day

I get to pay tribute to 2 great men in my life today! First, the Father of my kids, who does so much for me and our family! I really don't know what, or how, to say all of the things he does for us. This picture pretty much wraps it up! Actually, he's got it easy in this picture....usually he's corralling all the 4 big kids, and all their stuff, while I get to hold the baby (notice, he's even smiling!). He puts the kids and myself first every day, every minute, in everything. I wish there was more I could do for this wonderful man, and wonderful father. I'm so grateful. I thought I knew what a wonderful man he was when I married him, but every year I grow to appreciate him more and more!
And, of course, a tribute to my own father! Shown here with my youngest, and his youngest grandchild out of 11! I would have put a better picture in, but he has a goofy camera smile! (sorry dad, but you do!) I can't say enough good things about my own dad, who I gain more and more appreciation for now that I am a parent! All my childhood memories are full of love and happiness. My dad always put his children first, and he always had time to play with us. I'm grateful for his patience and wisdom that have guided me, and helped me become the person I am today. Hopefully, as I continue to grow up, I can become more like him. I don't know if you're reading my blog today or not, but I love you, daddy.

I hope all my readers are having an equally awesome Fathers Day, and hopefully you all have wonderful men in your life to celebrate as well.

June Calendar

Here's My Calendar for June! The picture didn't work out as well as the actual calendar, it's a blue swirl background filled with sand and seashells. I wish I had some more sea shells to put in....next year! My favorite Calendar page is actually my July Page, so check back next month!
And here's the one for May...I forgot to put it in last month. I used 4" Daisy's from Twigglebox.com. Only .99 each, or $8.99 per dozen, these are on a clip, so when your done with your calendar page, you can use them for your hair!

For a Calendar tutorial, see how I made mine Here!

Have a great day!

Book Purse

Level: Medium Time: 1 hour

I LOVE this! I couldn't decide which book cover I liked best, so I made lots! I can't claim this idea, because I saw it on another blog, but I can't remember the name...Panda something, so if this was you, let me know and I'll link this post up with yours.

Anyway, if you know how to sew, this is pretty easy.

Supplies:

A hard back book (I bought mine at the thrift store for .50 each)

About 1/2 yard of fabric (I'm not sure, I just used scraps)

E600 craft glue

1. First, tear all the pages out of the book. This is painful, I know, but there are plenty of book pages crafts you can use these for!

2. Lay the book out on your fabric and measure it. I just traced it with a disappearing fabric pen. I forgot to take a picture of this. Then make sure you ADD 1/2" TO EACH SIDE for a seam allowance. I cut out 4 pieces for the book cover (2 for the front, 2 for the back), 2 for the spine, and then 2 triangle pieces for the purse sides. You measure the width of the spine, go up at a 90 angle the width of the cover, and then decide how far you want to purse to open and make the "top" of the triangle that wide. Then cut a straight line from the top to the spine (don't forget to add 1/2 inch to each side for a seam allowance.).

3. Sew the pieces together. Your actually making 2 'purses,' and then you'll sew those together at the end to make sure all seams are enclosed. I sewed the spine to the 2 triangle sides, then sewed the book cover pieces (front and back) to these...the corners can get a little tricky, but just do your best! Now you should have 2 'purses.'

4. Make the handles by sewing 2 strips of fabric, 2 1/2" wide, by as long as you want your handles to be. Fold the strip in half long ways, then fold the rough edges under 1/4 inch, and topstitch near the edge.

5. Place your 2 purses right sides together, one inside of the other. Pin the handles INSIDE the two purses and on opposite sides of the purse.

6. Add velcro or a snap to the top center of the purse to keep it closed.

7. Sew around the top, leaving a 2-3" space along one of the sides to turn the purse right side out. Trim the corners, then turn the purse. Top stitch or slip stitch the hole closed. Now you have a completed purse, and an empty book...we just have to get them together! Get out your E600 craft glue, and apply to 1 surface of the book at a time. I started with the spine. Apply glue to the edges, then fill in the middle, then press the 'purse' into the spine and allow to dry. leave overnight, or for a couple hours, then glue the book cover to the purse the same way. Allow to dry. Once dry it's pretty hard to get this glue off! Now, enjoy your purse!

I ended up making several, and picked my favorite then gave the rest to friends. I recommend starting with your least favorite, figuring out what mistakes you made, then go for it! I enjoyed making these, and plan on keeping my open for cool old books to use in the future!

I'm linking up to THESE parties!

New Hair Cut for Summer

Here's my new haircut for the summer! I always like to get a fresh look after I have a baby and loose a few pounds of the baby fat. I love it because it takes about 10 minutes to do! My Hubby's just glad I got rid of the "Fullet" (this is his term for a really bad hairstyle...a mullet that goes all the way around!). Don't mind the dark circles under my eyes, after all I haven't slept for 7 weeks! Don't worry, more real posts coming soon.