Today I was browsing K-Mart when I saw this:

In case you forget how to iron… you can just look at your ironing board for instructions!

I think this is great for a newlywed couple or college student! It made me chuckle and Denver laugh his head off. (He is much better at ironing than me.) You see, my dad is the ironer in my family. (I know… ironer is not a word… but oh well.) Everytime we needed something ironed he would do it. So, the only practice I got was on fabric when sewing. Anyway, I think this would have been great to have had 8 months ago! Or wait… maybe I still need it!

Who’s the ironer in your family? (Right now the dryer is ours lol)

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Goodbye 2010 and Hello 2011!

Wow! 2011 already? I can’t believe it! I have to agree with the saying that the older you get the faster time flies  by.

2010 was a great year for us. I would title it as “The Year of Firsts”. We definitely learned a lot… mainly how NOT to do things. We did  a lot of things the hard way but we learned SO much. This year we got hitched, bought our first house and car, combined our cell phone plans (yuck), got our first child… I mean cat, and oh yea… I set my first fire lol

We have been so blessed. I would say this year God has really taught me patience. I still struggle with it, but I think I’m getting better (I think?… Denver, don’t answer that.) God has also taught me that if I put everything in his hands and trust him… I have nothing to worry about.

He really does think hes a person... we came home to the chocolate chip cookies knocked off the counter and all but one were gone... and I'm pretty sure Goldilocks did not visit our house that day.

So, since 2011 is almost here… I guess I should be making some New Years resolutions…I’ve have actually never made a New Years Resolution. This is all new experience to me… but I am excited to give it a shot!

1st resolution is to enhance my cooking skills… I’ve become rusty and yes, I did stick the cardboard in the oven with the frozen pizza for the second time in my life tonight… (Thank God I didn’t cause my second fire… and Denver don’t worry, you won’t starve! We have frozen chicken pot pies in the freezer )

Hello my best friend... AKA crockpot

Oh yea and I did get the cookbook I’ve been dying for and I LOVE it! The pictures are great!  (and the food isn’t on fire! like mine sometimes is wohoo!)

2nd resolution is to do atleast 3 blog posts a week and 1 sewing project or craft a month. I think with the mandatory overtime at work I can at-least handle that. Hopefully, I can get even more done! (Learning how to knit or crochet is at the top of my list )

3rd resolution is to get my house organized and to KEEP it organized… You see I have a dream… Yes, a dream… of an organized house. However, I am a messy person and I function best when I have stuff all over the place. I don’t know why but it just works for me! lol My mom on the other hand is normally ready to kill me! (Sorry mom!) She is much more organized than me and always made sure we cleaned our rooms. Maybe I’m rebelling?

I will be using this page to help me out. Thanks HGTV!

4th resolution is to strengthen my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without him I am nothing and I look forward to spending more time in his word and with my church family. Denver and I are attempting to read through the Bible in a year together. I know it is going to be a challenge but I really think we can do it. I invite you to take on this challenge with us! We will be using the Denver’s forum, Christianity Board, to document and discuss our journey! We would love for  you to join in on this discussion starting in January!

So here is a question for you!

What are some of your New Years Resolutions? I would love to hear about your plans for the New Year! Maybe we can help keep each other accountable! I know I could REALLY use it! Leave a comment with your resolution or leave a link to your blog. (I love reading new blogs!)

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I hope you and your family have a wonderful New Years! and Oh yea! Don’t forget the Gamecocks are playing tomorrow! Go Cocks!! (and go check out Patrick’s other music here)

I was reading different sewing blogs tonight and stumbled upon this blog by whipstitch. (Which I really enjoyed reading.)  The blog talks about why we should care that the cotton crop failed in China this year… Well, I guess we should REALLY care since they make basically everything we buy… in this case our clothing. And of course! since the cotton crop died prices for clothing and fabric will go up… along with gas.

Which stinks like my sister and Kayla’s volleyball knee pads… (to put into perspective… you roll down the windows and still gag… I suggest a gas mask).

Whew!

But anyways, the blog goes on to talk about how it will affect small fabric stores in 2011. First, on the topic of small fabric stores… I love’em! They always have the prettiest and softest fabric! Problem, they are hard to find… Why? Because they are so expensive to keep in business. The cost to keep them open keeps getting higher and higher. I had found one quilt shop in the Capital City but was able to go only once before they closed down. On my honeymoon I found the BEST little quilt store ever with the best fabric! It was called the Cherry Pit. (And the husband even enjoyed it! )

Isn't it soooo cute?! I love it!

(You can see the fabric I bought at the Cherry Pit for Hannah’s dress and the fabric I bought in the capital city for Kayla’s dress in this blog.)   I loved the Cherry Pit! They have so many different types of fabrics… I was in heaven… And wished we had one back home. Not that I’m bashing any of the large chain fabric stores, but there’s just something about  a small quilt store… maybe its the atmosphere… or the sweet ladies who you can discuss sewing techniques with… I dunno… ( If you know what it is that makes the small quilt stores so special leave a comment and let me know..)

But to get to the point, as the prices of cotton goes up the small fabric stores are who will hurt! And if we don’t watch out they are going to be non-existent. Well in general, all of our small businesses are going to close if we don’t watch out. So… as the new year begins I ask that you join me in making a New Years resolution to buy from small businesses so that when our grandchildren grow up they can have the experience of walking into places like a small quilt shop. Its an experience you can’t get anywhere else

As you all know I did not sew this Christmas. However, I did receive a great gift that has to do with sewing. I figured I’d share.

The gift I received was from my Aunt Trish. I’ve talked about my Aunt Trish on here a few times. She is a one of a kind woman and someone who I really admire. She is also my sewing mentor. We have spent countless hours in her sewing room telling stories and simply talking about life. She has made me numerous things that I will treasure forever. (You may remember my little blue pouch that held my lucky penny from my wedding post)

Anyway, this Christmas she hand embroidered me some pillow cases.

Who needs a embroidery machine with her around!?They are gorgeous and I love them! I know they took so much time and talent. Maybe one day I’ll get the hang of it! Shes also been crocheting some beautiful scarfs! I’ll have to get some pictures to share

On another note, Gilly has just about destroyed our tree… I walked into the living room tonight to find a big hole in the top of the tree, one of the birds hanging off, and the tree leaning. In fact… as I type this Denver is running to the living room with a squirt bottle because all we can hear are Christmas tree ornaments shaking…. and yep… I just heard one fall. lol

This is what we’ve seen on a few occasions. lol

We have had numerous victims this year from Gilly but hey… hes still a kitten Maybe next year will be a little better.

Coming soon to a computer monitor near you…

Le Stache… You may see her here… there…. and everywhere…

Her job title… Secret Detective…

She is fighting all types of crime…dog snatching, litter bugging, bad fashion…

Her mentor… The Pink Panther…

Yes, I am a slacker. I’ve not posted in forever! Sorry! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Mine was great! I got to take some time off from work and relax with family and friends.

The day after Christmas we had snow! In the south its pretty rare… So, of course everyone was so excited!

Denver’s mom actually gave us a snowman kit! It is so cute and came in handy!

Denver is our weather man and when there’s even a slight chance of snow, he updates us every 5 minutes. My dad normally tells him “Son, you’re wasting your time. It’s not going to snow!” Well, this time he was wrong and Denver was pretty excited when we woke up to a white yard.

Good Boy wanted to be in the picture with us. He is one husky who does NOT like snow… lol

He would rather try to fit under the Christmas tree. Key word… TRY

We hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!!

I love Christmas movies. I realized the other day that I had not watched one single Christmas movie. Usually by now I’ve watched tons! We would always sit in the living room as a family and watch Christmas movies growing up. So, here are a few of my favorite movies to watch at Christmas time.

#1 all time favorite… Christmas Vacation!

Best movie ever! So much so that  this year when we plugged in our outdoor Christmas lights I drum rolled and sang Joy to the World! lol

Bethany: Is your house on fire, Clark?
Clark : No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights.

Todd: Well, something had to come through the window! Something had to break the stereo!
Margo : And why is the carpet all wet, *Todd*?
Todd : I don’t *know*, Margo!

Clark: Since this is Aunt Bethany’s 80th Christmas, I think she should lead us in the saying of Grace.
Aunt Bethany : [turns to Lewis] What, dear?
Nora Griswold : Grace!
Aunt Bethany : Grace? She passed away thirty years ago.
Uncle Lewis : They want you to say Grace.
[Bethany shakes her head in confusion]
Uncle Lewis : The BLESSING!
Aunt Bethany : [they all pose for prayer] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands/ One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Clark : Amen.

There are ones way better… but I didn’t feel that they were appropriate. This is a must watch!

#2 All of the Santa Clause movies

These are the best movies!

#3 The Polar Express

Yes, I was like 17 when this movie came out but I love it! It’s so magical and The Polar Express has always been one of my favorite books! When I was teaching school we would have all the kids wear their PJ’s to school and drink hot chocolate! It was so much fun! I wish we would have done that when I was in school… so jealous.

Whats your favorite Christmas movie? I need some new ones to watch so let me know!

I have tried to and just can’t get the hang of… knitting!

I have had people try to teach me, you tube has tried to teach me, and well… I’ve tried to teach myself.  So, if you can knit I really admire you. It’s such a beautiful and practical art. People make beautiful things with yarn… hats, stuffed animals, mittens, scarfs, sweaters… I could go on and on. My favorite things are the little hats they make for babies… SO CUTE!

I mean is that not the cutest thing you have ever seen? It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I find myself looking through etsy at all the cute babies in their cute little hats and booties. I figure I have atleast 4 or 5 years to get the hang of knitting before I need it. But, it is on the top of my list!

If you know how to knit then how’d you learn? I could use some pointers as well

So, I realized I never shared the dresses I made for my sister and Kayla’s graduation. I put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into these dresses… well maybe not tears. Anyway, it took a week of working after work to  get these done… and by the end I was about to die. But, I think they turned out pretty good and it was tons of fun!

Kayla, Josey, and Hannah

Lauren, Hannah, and Kayla (Hannah's bow should be on the side but after hugging everyone it got shifted.)

Here is a couple of pictures of the girls in their dresses. I made Hannah and Kayla’s dresses (I did not make Kayla’s sash). The bottoms of the dresses are cotton and the tops are raw silk. We found the cotton for Kayla’s dress at a quilt store in Columbia. It has since closed . I found Hannah’s skirt fabric while on my honeymoon. (Yep, I did go fabric shopping on my honeymoon… we found the jackpot of fabric stores!) When I saw this fabric I knew I had to have it for something! It turned out being perfect for Hannah.

Anyway, I love all four of these girls. I have watched them grow from sweet little girls to beautiful young ladies ( and they are still sweet). I know they will have a lot of success in life and I am so proud of them! As their first semester of college wraps up I want to say… Good luck on exams and enjoy that month long break! (I guess I miss college a little )

Yes, I hate to admit it but I am a blog stalker…. I love reading peoples’ blogs! I especially love to read blogs about sewing, crafting, photography, cooking,…. well… anything you create. Recently, I found The Pioneer Woman’s blog and started reading.

This lady is pretty darn cool. She lives a very creative, interesting, and fun life! She is very talented and seems like a Jack of all trades… which I really admire. You may have seen her yesterday on the Today Show… which I missed… darn! But, I did catch her a while back on Bobby Flay’s throwdown and I must say… any cook who can beat Bobby Flay is pretty darn good!

She has a new cookbook out… which is a great Christmas gift for cooking lovers.

AND she just finished a love story about her and her husband called Black Heels to Tractor Wheels (which I can’t wait to get)

I love her cookbook because it is full of pictures! When I am cooking I NEED pictures… Of course I’m a visual person but to me cookbook pictures are a must! I mean they give me a good indication of if the food is burnt or not lol (which the flames coming from out of the pan and Denver yelling do too… but I’m getting better).  Anyways, you guys should check out her blog and I bet with one look… you will be hooked too!