My New Friend: The Pincushion

My sister made me a new super cute pincushion for Christmas. She lives very far away. Much too far away, if you ask me.  She spends much of her time away from us, and I'm always sad to see her leave. I was thinking about her today and then began to chat with her, ("don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day." Name that movie and you get a bazillion lollipops)  in hopes of reminding her that I am hilarious and she can have a reminder of that anytime.
Here is what happened next; featuring The Pincushion.
(A million dollars goes to whoever can guess what I'm doing in each photo).

She laughed alot. Made me happy. I love you, sis.

My boy singing with Uncle Ryan

My Creative Space

Prior to Christmas, I was a sewing, crafting freakazoid.  I took on way too many custom orders for the shop, and committed (to myself) to make every single person on my side of the family a handmade gift. Yeah, with 4 young kiddos, that was an "interesting" few weeks. But I did it. With a lot of Veggie Tales, many a pricked finger and some fabric glue messes, I did it.  And here are a few photos of the fruits of my labor (I forgot to take photos of most of the gifts. Note to self: Duh.) :

And here's a couple of bags that made it into the shop right before Christmas. These are the ones I made with my yummilicious fabric.  

BAG #1

(this bag is reversible!)

BAG #2

(this one is reversible too!!)

I have to admit. When I made these bags, I wanted to keep them. Still do. They're so incredibly pretty, and you get two bags in one. Just a little push for my lil' ol' shop. And dont forget: for December and January, 30% of my shop proceeds go towards the adoption of Baby Kate from Ethiopia into the Thompson family.

And now, some photos from our Christmas vacation! I stole all of these from other people because 1) I never remember my camera and 2) People take better photos than me.
Christmas #1 at the Greuts:

Grandma, Bell, Aunt Ames and Banana

our yummy dinner table being prepared

Christmas #2 at Blakefield

Santa

Aunt Kris snuggles with the Bell

Gerber baby

I like her.

wrestling with an unsuspecting aunt Bets

And there you have it. The longest blog post ever seen.  Hope you enjoyed. :)

Wordless Wednesday

merry christmas to you

Hi blog friends!  I hope you're all as jazzed about Christmas as I am. I have been sewing and creating like crazy this past few weeks, and haven't posted about it much, because most of the crafts are gifts. I was a bozo and didn't take any pictures before I wrapped them, too. Duh. I'll tell you about them later on. I know you are dying to know.  There are a bunch of new Buttercup bags up in the shop though. You should really go see.  But right now, I have something really important to tell you.  Are you sitting down?

It's about Jesus. Now, I know that most of you are probably aware that the reason we even have a Christmas is because of this Man's birth.  What you may have forgotten, as I sometimes do, is this:

He did it all for YOU.

God became flesh. 

Born in a stinky old manger, most likely not far from where animals lived,  and although I don't like to speculate, I think probably not far from where said animals did their bathroom business. What?! Yeah, I said it. Jesus was born into the humblest of circumstances. The KING, born in a stable, or possibly a cave, I've seen the nativity scenes both ways.  And my guess is, although He was Emmanuel, GOD WITH US, he cried, peed, pooped and maybe even spit up during his infancy.  Really, people. If you can imagine how hard life is here on this earth for us, beings who have never seen or even had the eensy-weensiest taste of heaven, remember this: Jesus can identify and HAS identified with you in every possible way. Not just his being born as a human, but during his life, the pain he suffered, and the relationships he gained and lost.

Emmanuel was born so that you could live, and live knowing His love. Whatever you've been through, and whether this holiday season finds you surrounded by loved ones, or alone in your home remembering better years, Jesus came as a baby and later died on the cross so that you would know that He indeed gave it all for you.   He has known your coming and your going, and He sees you even now, in this very moment, and is loving you with all of his huge heart. I'm crying as I write this. Sometimes I'm kind of a sap. But I'm thinking about some of you who may be reading this, and I'm praying that God would kiss your heart with this truth:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

(photo courtesy of JoysHope)

I pray that Christmas finds you finding Him, and knowing His intense, passionate, sacrificial love for you, friends. Bless you so much, and I will see you after Christmas!

Wordless Wedensday

for today...

Outside my window... it is a beautiful winter morning. My town really is pretty in the winter.  We are right on Lake Ontario, and the land is very hilly (it's a word if i say it is.), and so even though that makes it hard to drive in the winter, it's so pretty to look at that it makes it ok.  Joel shoveled our whole driveway yesturday so I am currently looking at a clear path out to the road. Thank you, Joel. You're a good man.

I am thinking... I would do pretty much anything for a Klondike bar right now.

I am thankful for... God's grace and renewed strength. These past few days have been particularly difficult with Ro, and since I enlisted the prayers of a few friends, I felt more grace today to be the mom I'm called to be. It's intense though.

From the learning rooms...Ro is on break from ABA with the lovely Val and the wonderful Holly, but the speech dude Dave still comes til Thursday.  He's been a bit cranky because when he doesn't have therapy as much, he gets bored. Real bored. Like, crazy, cranky, irritable bored. Anybody wanna babysit for like a week so I can go to the beach? Sweet.

From the kitchen.. Nothing. As usual. :) Although Joel did make some U.S. Senate soup today.

I am wearing...  jammies and my Gramps' old sweater that my mom crocheted him forever ago

I am creating... I just finished ALL of my Christmas presents! I made everyone in my family a handmade gift of some kind. So excited for them to all get their presents. Not to toot my own horn, but I haven't even thought about what I'm getting as gifts. And, I made this really cute bag! It's up in the shop.

I am going... to bed early tonite. After I finish wrapping all the aforementioned gifts.

I am reading... the Facecrack.

I am hoping... that I feel His new mercies tomorrow.

I am hearing...Joels' wierd sci-fi show.

Around the house... I have almost NO Christmas decor up. I bought a tiny 12 inch tall tree at Goodwill and I put next to my nativity scene up on top of our TV cabinet. I am all about keeping things out of my kids' reach. Not interested in fighting any new battles right now, thank you very much.

One of my favorite things... is listening to Bell and Ash play and laugh in their room before bed.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  try to relax a little, take a break from sewing, have Christmas at Mark and Laurens on Christmas Eve and then head to my parents for a couple days. REALLY looking forward to that! Haven't seen a few of my siblings in what feels like an eternity. Yeah Rob, I'm talking to you.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... This is the newest trend on Etsy right now. Awesomesauce.

The WINNER!

**THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

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Congratulaions to #22, Karen P,  who random.org chose to be the winner of the bag and wristlet!

"I like the birdy minkee blanket!"

Karen, I will be contacting you soon about sending it out! Thanks to all for playing, I had fun reading all of your comments and your sweet words!  It seems that the minky blanket and the Buttercup bags are the winners for your favorite things. And to all of you Michelle's, Jessica's and Jennifer's, I feel your pain. :)

My husband thinks I'm a freak...

**Only a few hours left in the giveaway!! click HERE or scroll down!**

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I am ridiculously giddy. Again. Does it have anything to do with fabric? Why yes, it does.  Some amazing fat quarters arrived in the mail, and my mouth literally watered as I gazed upon the glory.  That is why my husband thinks I'm a freak. 

Here are photos of the treats that my new best friend, The Mail Guy, dropped off today.

 Can you even handle it?! I knew it - you are all freaking out too.  It's THAT great. I will be making lots of Buttercup Bags and Kristina Clutches with this stuff. Some of the Buttercup bags are going to be reversible. Do you know what means? Yeah, two bags in one, baby!!

Ok. Time to calm down. The kids are starting to think Mommy might have a problem.

**Scroll down or click HERE for the Giveaway!**

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Happy Froopsday! (I will give a million dollars to the person who can name that movie).  I'm sitting here drinking a scalding cup of coffee for probably the only 5 minutes I will sit down all day.  Last night, baby H woke up twice, which was ok. In fact, I kind of like nursing in the night. I sit on the couch with my laptop and cruise around Etsy, pray, or watch a short show on Hulu til he falls back asleep. It's really a good time for me.  If you think that's wierd, live a day in my shoes. Or slippers. Because thats what I wear, since I never leave my house. (Not complaining, just sayin.)

But I digress.

Because of all this Giveaway business, my wheels are turning and I got an idea! I want to do a swap! Any crafters out there interested in trading with me? I can make a bag, nursing cover, wipes case, or whatever is somewhat equal in value to what YOU want to trade. I did this one before with someone on Etsy and it was fun! I gave her a bag, she made my little girl a cute little dress. Loved it. Who's in?!

In family news, we had a really good time last week with some close friends! We had a small little get-together for dinner and some white elephant gifting.  I know we all had fun, and I think the kids really had a blast.  I do believe we've found an annual tradition!

Have a  good day, and don't forget to go over and check out all the great giveaways at SewMamaSew!

Could it be?! Another giveaway!?

 

Yes folks, it's true!  One of my favorite crafting websites, sewmamasew, is hosting a Giveaway Day!!  Tomorrow morning at 9 AM, they are posting a gigantic list of hundreds of blogs that will be having giveaways of handmade items and crafting supplies! Very exciting... And all you have to do is leave a comment on those blogs to enter to win! How could you not do this?!

But I must warn you: You will spend hours glued to your screen admiring all of the amazing crafty blogs out there. Fair warning. 

You can also leave a comment on mine to win the bag pictured below plus this little wristlet from  my shop!  

Now, the moment you've all been waiting for...the instructions!  Three easy peasy ways to enter.

1. Go to my etsy shop and take a peek. Then come back here and comment on this post about what you think is totally awesome and what your favorite color was when you were seven and how many different ways you spelled your name in middle school because you had five other Jenny's in your class.  

Kidding. Just tell me what you think is cute in my shop.

2. If you want a second entry, post about this giveaway on your own blog and link to my blog.  Leave another comment to let me know you did!

3.  Become a follower on my blog and leave a comment telling me you did.

Now go on, grab your cup of coffee and enjoy the amazing handmade goodness in blogland.

(oh, and make sure you leave your email address on your comment so i can reach you if you win! And  sorry that I can't ship internationally but I still love my overseas friends. )

I am going to pick a winner at random on December 17th sometime around 6 PM and announce the winner here on my blog, as well as sending an email to the lucky person!  Have fun and thanks for participating!

Poop.

I know I've not been good at keeping my blog updated like I had been doing for a while. Things are just getting super busy! I  think I agreed to too many custom orders before Christmas. But alas, such is life when you are a self-proclaimed overly-zealous people pleaser. (not always a good thing, my friends.) It's a good thing I personally know all of these people who are torturing me. :)

Today, since I don't have anything fun, intelligent or witty to say, I would like you to direct your attention to this blog:

Poop In A Candle

Yes, you read that right. Poop.  In a candle. Really funny story, especially if you are mom, but even if you're not. Go over there and read every single post. I promise you will not regret it!

And because I hate posting without any pictures, here's a my mother in-law's old slippers:

And here are the ones that I bought her for her birthday. Forgive the picture, it was dark.

Much better. Hopefully these ones wont need masking tape for a while.

Wordless Wedensday

I love this.

The sight of beautiful, bright fabric and the million ideas that go wizzing around in my head.   So many ideas, so little time.  'Tis the life of a stay at home mommy of four kiddos, eh? In the mean time, I will spend my day loving the Lord, loving my kids, and praying for the grace to keep everyone in my household changed, fed, and in one piece.  And maybe squeeze a little sewing in the quiet moments.

Baby H gave me a 7 hour stretch of sleep last night.  What a blessing! And boy did I need it.  Looks like he's starting to kick this cold. And not a moment too soon, I'll tell ya.  The other kiddos slept well too, overall. Ash may or may not keep peeing in his bed though.   And sometimes, we may or may not put a towel over the wet sheet and tell him to go back to bed.  Hey, we change his pants. Thats gotta be worth somethin.

For Christmas cards this year for a few of my friends, I went a little less traditional and skipped the red, green and white theme. Check out this cute card! So easy too: just some card stock, buttons and thread. The stems were a free printable I found somewhere on the intranets, but you could easily just draw those on!

And for your viewing pleasure, I present to you, Ash in a bag.