well…i did it!
at first the kids were bummed to be torn away from the tv and computer.
but on wednesday morning while getting dressed out of her jammies annie asked excitedly
"what's our craft today mama?"
that made me so happy.
it was very low key…very laid back…small crafts….took very little time.
and they really did like it.
and i did too.
scott informed me he "wasn't into crafting" so he would not be participating…at all.
bummer….that time has come. i missed him.
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monday:
popsicle stick christmas trees
we made them into ornaments.
i let them use the glue gun…i thought they would like that…turns out they don't….HA.
at one point i looked over and sean was playing in the glitter making it like snow.
UGH.
***edited to add…we used green craft sticks that come pre-colored and i cut them with big scissors to get the different sizes. don't use good scissors for this…and watch out…the pieces fly everywhere!
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tuesday:
pompom ornament
cottage cheese break.
it's simple as can be.
push stick pins through pom poms and stick them into the Styrofoam.
and even a big kid sat down and made two ornaments herself…
these were easy and fun.
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wednesday:
felt gingerbread men
i googled "gingerbread man shape" and printed out an image to make a pattern.
we cut them out, picked out buttons, strung our (huge blunt) needles,
sewed the face and belly buttons first…then sewed the back and front together with a big stitch.
just before we closed up the last few stitches (10-15 of them….)
we stuffed it with just a few cotton balls for plumpness.
this was a hard craft.
but rewarding.
annie was tired and playing barbies ALONE-DON"T-BOTHER-ME-GO-AWAY so we let her be.
lauren was studying.
scott was playing ball.
so the just three of us sat on the couch and sewed gingerbread men.
talby said many times "this is fun…i didn't know i could sew!"
made me feel a little guilty.
but now she knows.
and sean liked it too…he made one for his friend with his initials on the back…sweet.
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thursday:
sugar cookies (used this recipe from REAL SIMPLE)
i almost gave up.
i was tired and they were spastic.
but i just plowed through…and i only yelled twice.
****edited to add: in case you weren't aware…you need TONS of flour on your counter, rolling pin
and hands when working with sugar cookie dough. it's very sticky. i don't want you to give up because
you thought you were doing it wrong. the flour was why i was yelling…SO MESSY!!!****
we only baked them…the frosting part was way more than i could handle.
i was on my own with kids all night.
i was tired.
did i tell you that already?
because i had already been baking all day…
yes…i made the peppermint swirled cupcakes.
so good.
i think i will have another one right now!
i also made the chocolate mint brownies that IS christmas tradition for me. (left sidebar for recipe)
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friday:
gingerbread house.
it deserves it's own post…when (and IF) i do it!
i have paid my friend to bake it the past two years but this year on my 35 things list (right sidebar)
i said i wanted to make one myself…what was i thinking?
i have all day today to figure out how to bake one.
yuck…i get weird about having to learn something new. change is hard.
are you feeling crafty now?
here is a collage of the arts and crafts i was inspired by and wishing i could make all of them.
maybe i could still…over winter break.
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1. cafe mom 2. clover lane 3. nini makes 4. 5. parents 6. sarah's art house 7. the joy of today
8. no time for flash cards 9. just for fun 10. parents 11. zakka life 12. elise blaha 13. sara's art house
14. martha stewart 15. crafty crow 16. oh so happy together
although i linked everyone individually i found almost all of them through THE CRAFTY CROW.
i love that site. i check it all the time!
are YOU going to craft with your kids this week?
no pressure from me.
but tell me if you do…..i want to know.
i hope my kids still want to do it next week also.
Trysha - Love the snow! I am not ready for Spring. I want more snow and hot chocolate days.
(I’ve been reading your blog for a while and it’s the first one I put out there when someone asks but I’ve never commented. I’m weird like that.)
danielle - love the snow, LOVE the pin your wearing and your pretty face!!
Andrea - Oh – good idea about the heater by your feet! My feet get cold in my craft room too. (pleasures of an old house) They probably are on sale by now too…..
crystal beutler - I’m dying to know what you are making with all that cute fabric!!! Man, we would have so much fun if we lived near each other. I looooove to sew.
Melanie - You are wearing Lisa Leonard necklaces! I love her stuff. 😉
Danielle Albini - I love the flower on your shirt Meg! Did you make that? If so, how?!:)
elisa - I am so over winter- but I am snuggling with the pillow you made for me- with white snowball pom pom trim 🙂
BeckyB - I just loved this peek into your day! Loved it. And I smiled as I thought of you thinking about capturing it for your blog. You did an amazing job – I felt like I was in your house with a chair pulled right up to your sewing machine, cocoa in hand. Thanks so much!
Kimberly Dial - I loved this post. Made me feel warm inside … which is great because it’s anything but warm here in WV. You inspire me to get my machine fixed and then LEARN how to do something wonderful with it 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Kimberly Dial - I loved this post. Made me feel warm inside … which is great because it’s anything but warm here in WV. You inspire me to get my machine fixed and then LEARN how to do something wonderful with it 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Tara - i just love this post Meg.
classic.
my sewing machine is in the shop…it was my mother’s and she got it when she was married…so it is old. but I love it on so many levels. when I get it back I am going to make stuff just like you. I might even use the snow ball trim if that is OK:)
Nicole - I got that same sewing machine for Christmas! Now I have hope that I can create some beautiful things with it like yours 🙂 I am still learning, but I have high hopes!
bobbie - I’ve never seen snow like that in my life! I’ve only seen snow enough times to count on one hand it it was all under a few inches. The joys of living in TX. We had ice today and we all thought the few icicles were miraculous!
Now I’m going to burrow under covers until it’s back into the 70’s on saturday.
Jessie - Just wanted to say THANKS for leaving up all your Happy Things. I LoVE them and peeking through them for inspiration!
imoomie - I always say if your going to be surrounded by snow…make sure you have enough snowball trim on hand :)…Enjoy!
Rach - Amidst the boring 75 degree sunny weather we are having out here in LA, it was a wonderful sight to see your picture of snow. Ahhhhhhhh how I envy the snow bound states.
becky - my hubby had to run to the fabric store FOR me last week when we were snowed in. i’m too chicken with the littles in tow!! happy sewing!!
Emily Zimmerman - I just love you!!! You had me laughing out loud!!! Then I had to explain to the husband why I was laughing and your little grocery/fabric run even got a chuckle out of him. Pretty impressive if you can get the husbands laughing 🙂 Love you and keep the great stories coming!!!
No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane - I’m jealous of your snow day….
and I can’t wait to see what hits the shop!
Amy R. - A girl after my own heart! I would do the same if I was going to be stuck inside all day. You do bring a smile to my face and your blog is such a blessing to read!
Thanks for sharing your days…
april - Have you seen these? Thought of you!!! 🙂
Yay or nay?
http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/02/rainbow-roses-a-bad-valentines-day-gift-idea-from-the-view.html
Tonya - I heard your area got pounded w/snow…crazy!!!
eliz. - found out today that our walmart is no longer carrying any sewing products/ fabric. The worker told me that they are enlarging electronics. Guess they are going where the $$ is. I am so sad to see it go. It was so nice to be able to pick something up there as I was grocery shopping. She thought it was going to happen at all walmarts across the country. I am in ohio
Sharley McMullen - OOOHHH COLD and SNOWY!! I’m here is warm sunny So.Cal and was looking for you “Mom’s Margarita” recipe?? It wasn’t in your sidebar – could you share please:)
ps I’m Don Beverlin’s cousin
sue - Your post made me giggle.We never have snow like that here in the Mohave desert.I would like one day of it though.Ha Ha.You say your house is cold.Do you have a working fireplace that you could light up with wood and keep warm.?
Meredith Salmon - Reading your post just reminded me that I need white thread tonight too to finish my boys Valentine’s Day shirts. I may even do one for myself this year. Enjoy the snow!!!
sarah - self-portrait=adorable.
we’re so sunny out here on the west coast, it is hard to imagine the blizzard! enjoy being cozy and warm.
Lindsay - I love reading your blog! It is super sweet! Thanks. And your love of color is so inspiring! Where do you find such amazing fabric?
Taryn Smith - Loved Annie’s red cheeks and cute picture of you!
Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - You are so fun…I wish I had a snow day. I’m here in Southern California where it’s 73 degrees today. I’m wearing flip flops and the sun is shining. I love that, but I would love to experience what a snow day would be like when I would HAVE to stay in and have hot cocoa and marshmallows. Although I could miss out on the hitting the curb and taking 50 minutes to pick up kids…not fun.
Courtney Walsh - Seriously the best way to spend a blizzardy day!! And I’ve been known to spend more than one day in a row doing artsy things so I say go for it! 🙂
debbie - Love your necklaces and that pin is AWESOME! Your craft room looks so cozy! Love that it isn’t all magazine perfect and that you actually use it!
Amy - Do tell….what are the snowball for??
Erin McCall - Wow!! That is crazy! My kiddos are off too, but for ice. No pretty snow! Stay warm.
Courtney - can not wait to see what you are making!!! Stay warm!
Renee - Isn’t a beautiful life, isn’t it??
Beth - your day sounds wonderful. and I love that pom pom trim….i’m so bummed our walmart got rid of their fabric dept. Now they only have a handful of really generic craft things. enjoy your snow day!
Ryanne - Love the picture of the snow falling down on the trees and road.
Susan - Staying in the craft room sounds like a good idea to me. I schlepped out this morning in -3 degree temps to take the kiddos to school, not fun, accidents all over the place, idiots on the road. I say we just shut it all down and wait for spring.
Leslie - you are so cute!!! I want your messy, crazy, colorful craftroom. 🙂 Love your blog, keep it up! It makes me smile a lot!
Leah - I love seeing that beautiful photo of the snow. I want snow! Of course, this is easy for me to say because it’s sunny and in the 70s here in San Diego. Just think, you’ll be here in a few weeks. I’ll keep the sun for you!
Jennifer - What an adorable picture of you! I can’t wait to see what you are making. We had the snow in CO yesterday too, but it wasn’t that pretty, didn’t amount to much. And this morning when I took the girls to school it was -6. 🙁
crystal - Funny your kids are still going to school in the snow…..here in Oklahoma they will have been out for 2 full weeks if they miss thurs & fri this week, which with the foot of snow we’re getting again today, looks very likely. I should have used my time off to catch up on some scrapbooking but I didn’t. I didn’t do anything. Now I wish I had. Oh well, maybe by the time we have another Oklahoma Blizzard I will be more prepared & organized to scrap. For now, I’ll just read your blog & call it a day! I’m fine with that!
Heather - that photo of you is so stinking cute.
ca-ute!
Stacia - I loved this post! I am looking forward to snow days like that someday…my babies are not in school yet. I really, really loved how messy you craft. Is that insulting? I don’t mean it that way at ALL. My craft room looks exactly like that when I am working on stuff. Enjoy having your kids home, hope they let you get something done:)
Anne @ Baking Me - What a wonderful way to spend a snow day!
Sarah - Your blizzard just hit us here in Tulsa. Cold weather and harsh winds do not make for good “go to work” weather. Looks like I might be pulling out my sewing machine also!
Heather - I’m a little east of you in Olathe. Hubby came home last night and announced we could get as much as 6 inches…on top of the 11 we had last week. I was quite relieved to find only 2 inches on the driveway this morning!
Staci - Myyyy bets arrrre….if they can find you out in the bedroom….they will find you out in your craft room….just sayin’???!!! heeeheee 🙂 Good luck though! My boys are off of school too today….I think we will be making days up until July 🙁 ah well! They are STILL asleep! I love it! and I also love that picture of Annie!!!!!!!! Hope you can get some crafting in!!!! Stay warm!
Lisa - Love Annie’s sweet, red rosy cheeks!! 🙂
AshleyAnn - love the pic of you. I bet your kids won’t notice you missing…mine never do on snow days!
Julie Weaver - I love waking up and seeing that you have posted. It makes me so happy. Your honesty and happiness make me appreciate my life even more.
Thank you.
And btw I bought that school days writing fabric because i love it up in your blog banner. I searched and your post about it was the first thing to pop up. Yay!
Drea - Your sewing area looks cozy! I went to walmart yesterday just to find wipe cases so I could make some custom wipe case covers for friends having babies… ended up spending like $100 some how on food and such.. how weird… oh and the wipe cases were SOLD OUT – how is that possible?
O well 🙂
monica - I love reading your blog every day. You are such a positive, fun person, with such a nice family. Monica
Edie Steinmann - The idea of pushing a cart through the Wal-Mart parking lot in the snow is so foreign to me that I had to giggle while imagining it! I’ve seen snow flurries here in south Georgia twice this winter and that’s unusual! Sounds like an awesome day!
Michelle - I wished it snowed here! I am embarrassed to say I have never seen snow in my life! I live in California and the coldest it has gotten here is maybe in the low 20’s, guess we shouldn’t complain!
Meredith - Nice post! Makes me long for a snow day, hot cocoa, no children, and a list of fun projects.
Jodi - what I would give for a chance to sew all day… being a newbie sewer, I need all the practice I can get! But… I don’t want the snow… so…
Jaimie - I really needed a post from you this morning and this one was perfect. Gotta love a little pom pom trim. : )
shannon - Happy crafting Meg! I say you stay in your craft room all day! I would do that too except my kiddos are still under the age of 5…they still have to have me! We have snow here and my oldest is in preschool but they cancel school here for even one snowflake! grrrr….I LOVE your blog! I follow you every single day and I look forward to reading it every single morning with my cup o joe! I have a weird question though, the other day you were talking about being in bed b/c it was warm…..and your bible study….my question is what do you study? I find myself stumped if I don’t have study material in front of me. Something to read and study along with my bible. do you buy your own studies? I am part of a bible study but we only meet once a month….kinda hard to study daily about it, I think.
Amanda - Sewing in the craft room sounds like such a nice cozy day. I love the picture of the snow. I can’t get over how much (I’m typing this from Florida)snow!!! I wouldn’t last a week in the snow – I’m a lizard!!!!! Stay warm. BTW….does Waffle go out in the snow?
Jamie - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog. It always makes me SMILE!!
Can I just say I love your necklace…I think you have blogged about it before, but just for simplicity…could you tell me how I can get my own? I think I want one…maybe as a valentiney or anniversary present.
Thanks so much…for being you…and I am so glad that you think God is AWESOME…I DO TOO!!!
Heather - Okay, how cute are you? Love your two necklaces together. Love your sweater and shirt underneath! I’m buried in snow here in Toronto and am just about to shoot holes in my freezer. LOL Perhaps some crafts would melt my soul.
Now…where’d you buy that sweater? And the long sleeved tee? If you say Target I can’t be your friend anymore. 😛
Katie - Of course you need pom poms before the storm:) I ran out once earlier this winter and bought $12 worth of felt…that was a lot of felt! We have below zero temps this week and my husband is on a business trip:( We will survive! Happy Crafting!
Tara - can not stinkin wait to see what you are sewing up with that trim…..saw a glimpse of the fabric and love it.
as long as you’re letting the kids do what they want {within reason}….they could probably care less that you are in that craft room. :))))
Tess S. - looking good, meg! i’m hoping to get my hands on one of those pom-pom trimmed pillows of yours!
ashley jensen - I have only gone to work the 3 out of the last 8 days because of the snow! I am so not complaining though. I would rather be home. From the sounds of how your “romantic evening in the bedroom” went the other night, I doubt they will forget where you are.
Astrid - I think I can one-up-you…during a recent snow storm I went and bought…..
sunscreen.
LOL!
(we’re going on vacation to Hawaii soon and it was on my to-buy list…just picked an interesting day to buy it!)
I NEED to get crafty. Just having motivation/inspiration trouble.
happygirl - You are one dedicated crafter, meg. Good for you and stay safe out there.
Micah - ehhh so what if the dirty dishes reach the ceiling and noone has clean underwear. I say SEW! LOL
Ang - You make it sound like so much fun being cooped up. I’m suffering from cabin fever. I’m adoring your blog, btw!
Janie Fox - We had that last weekend and had to move our daughter in it. It was pretty but inconvenient. I love the pom pom fringe! Our Walmart has no sewing stuff in it….little town. But at least we have a Walmart. It is 0 degrees here today. I don’t want to leave the house. Sadly, I have no pom pom fringe either. And no cocoa pebbles.. now I think I have to leave.
Maegan - I’d say that is a perfectly wonderful way to spend the day.
Hoosier at Heart - Your Target sells sewing stuff? That’s awesome! My days rarely go as planned. I am a list-maker. I am also a Type-A and if I don’t get everything crossed off my list I feel kinda “let down”. Maybe if I only put 3 things on my list I could be happier. That is if my list only said, 1) Eat Peanut M&M’s while watching HGTV, 2) Spend 2 hours searching blogs, and 3) Go to bed early. Hope it warms up there soon. Have a great day!
leonieke - what are you making?
erin - I have days like that a lot. I am very type A too so they drive me nuts! Boo. At least something pretty looks like its coming out of it. You will show us what you made with that trim right?! Love the zebra too!
Wendy - That snowy tree picture is rad!
Kat - Wow that snow is amazing! What a beautiful shot.
I love how you capture little shots of your day. You inspire me with your photos and the little details Meg.
Seem so strange to see snow when we are in summer here in Aus and spent the afternoon at the beach!
~Debra - My vote is that you need to sew until your heart’s content. You deserve it!
Heather - awww, I love Annie’s sweet rosy face. 🙂 Sounds like you had a perfect day after all!
princess lasertron - that snow is so beautiful.