Christmas in June?.....

Some people think it is crazy to already be thinking about Christmas... I think it is crazy to wait until the last minute or pay full price.  December is a very busy month with Ethan's birthday, Christmas and all the holiday hub bub that goes on.  I try to shop for birthdays and holidays throughout the entire year.  If I see an awesome deal, I take advantage of it rather than waiting and paying full price.  I was so excited earlier this morning when I went to one of my favorite sites http://www.kidsteals.com/ and saw what their "steal" of the day was. 

This gorgeous guy is Patch the Pinto.  He is a Zoobie Slumber Pet.  He is part pillow, part sleeping bag and part super cute stuffed animal :)  I had been thinking of getting Calvin and Ethan each one of these for Christmas 2011 since almost January!  I couldn't believe my awesome luck when they were on kidsteals for over 1/2 the normal price! Yay! This is going to be on of their big gifts :) I think this will be perfect when we "camp" inside or visit my husbands family out of town. I am so happy I didn't order them a few weeks ago :)  Now I just have to make sure to hide them right away when I get them so the boys don't convince me that they need their new friends right away :) 

My newest craft makes me smile....

As some of you may notice, I list certain crafts I would like to try or need to complete.  My newest is shaped crayons.  They are so fun to make!  When I saw these mustache molds, I knew I HAD to make them into crayons. 

I love how they turned out :) I can't wait to try out more color combinations too.  I plan on selling some, giving them away as favors and heck keeping a few for myself and the boys :)  I used one for a photo prop, but I couldn't get a pic of Calvin holding his up to his face yet (it was so cute!) but I will sooner or later :)  What can I say? These funny crayons make me smile :)

Ahoy There Matey....

A long time ago in a crafting galaxy far far away in Nebraska lived a crafty mom with 2 busy young boys and a mile (10 mile) long craft to do list.....(sorry for such a long absence :( I've missed blogging and have forgotten to write down all the fun little things the boys have said the last few months.  I promise to post sporadically (sounds better than all the time when I know I might not be able to) but...anywho :)

This has been on my craft to do list for a long long time.  I have always thought peg dolls were super cute but ehh.. what do you do?  After being inspired by all of the creative spins that crafters on the internet put on these little guys I was ready to finally try them out. 


Calvin (the cutest pirate I've ever seen,sorry Johnny ;) is totally into pirates right now, especially Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  I had been unsuccessful finding any toys to do with the show so I thought.. Peg Dolls!!  I couldn't believe how gorgeous they turned out! 


They are a bit time consuming but very easy and cheap :)  The whole crew is here :
Izzy

 Jake

Cubby

Smee

and of course
Captain Hook


I loved putting all the small details that made them, well them :)  I've started making other peg dolls too.  They are like chips, you can't just have one ;)

Follow the felt road...

Back in February I decided to make something homemade for my two nephews for Valentines day ( I did make my two boys a few things but will have to look and see if I can find the pics).  Quite a while ago I had made my son a felt road mat inspired by ones I had seen on different blogs and my two newphews loved it.  I couldn't wait to start on this fun project.  The thing I love most about these mats is how portable they are,  whether it is bringing it from room to room or even bringing them out at a restaurant to keep my son entertained until his food arrives :)  This is an awesome project to use up lots of felt scraps. 

I wanted two that were similar so there wasn't too much fighting but different so if they laid them side by side it would be like a small neighborhood.  I even made little drawstring bags with car ribbon (how cute, I know!)  so it would be easily stored/toted :)

I forgot to get a close up of the football field, but remembered to get one of the golf course.  This was definetly the most detail I have done with the pieces of felt being so small. 

I  decided to add a small "garage" on the back of the mat for a small car to be stored in.  My nephews loved these mats and I can't wait to make more for gifts :)

It shouldn't be a surprise to me....

There are times when I wonder :  " How in the heck can my two boys be so darn messy?"  Today I was looking at some old photos I had scanned into my computer and one in particular caught my eye.

Hmmm... something looks oddly familar... Cute kiddo (if I don't say so myself) and a HUGE mess!  Aha.... So that's where they get their natural talent for messes with food :) (I'm hoping they inherited some of my better traits too)

Happy New Year!!!

Hello Everyone! :)  I know it has been quite a while since I've posted.  I'll admit I bit off more than I could chew.  The last few months have been wonderful and crazy busy. Many messes and omg moments from the kiddos, I participated in a craft show.  Ethan, my youngest, celebrated his 1st Birthday in mid December.  We  enjoyed the holidays and were very lucky to have my sister and her husband visit.  I  completed the felt playhouse!!! Whoohoo!!  Too many things to catch up on play by play, but I am going to be posting more in 2011.  As part of my (many) New Years resolutions, I will be posting hopefully atleast once a week :)  I promise to post pics of the felt playhouse and other crafts from the last few months.  Cheers to 2011 and post 1 of the year :)

Ethan says good morning :)

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Trying something new. Updating my blog from my phone. Hopefully this works.

I'm still here...

Hello everyone! :) Things have been crazy busy around the house lately.  The computer had to be fixed, Halloween and everyday adventures.  Just wanted to let you guys know that I will be posting more very very soon :)

Hurricane Calvin.....

Oh goodness...My oldest (2yrs old) has a nickname, "Hurricane Calvin".  He can be the sweetest boy but very very busy.  Today was definetly one of those days.....

Exhibit A:

This is when "Hurricane Calvin" doesn't want to take a nap.  (I thought he was quietly playing in his room) Notice how innocent he looks...don't be fooled ;)

Exhibit B:

This is one of his regular "games".  Calvin loves covering up our dog Kenya with toys, clothes or whatever is handy.  He will look up and say "I yuv you Keka" :)  Perhaps he is trying to put her to bed.  My silly boy :)

Tonight, he was moving on the ground all funny.  To be honest, I had no clue what he was doing at first.  Then he started saying bibbit (ribbit) bibbit (ribbit).  He was pretending to be a frog!   Calvin had never done anything like this before.  It absolutly made my day.  He is such a clever boy.

On a side note, I made my first roast today.  (This is something my hubby cooks)  For my first try it was pretty dang good.

Also, today Ethan turned 10 months old.  I can't believe how fast time has gone since he was born.  We take a picture everyday, and it is crazy how much he has changed.  He fell asleep very early tonight (6:00pm), so after this I will need to sneak into his room and take his daily picture.  It will be interesting to see what adventure awaits our house tomorrow :)

A new adventure....

Ever since I was little, I have always thought that it would be fun to run a business.  I have made and sold things out of duct tape, sewn items, made customs buttons,etc.  Yesterday, I started another new adventure....selling Scentsy! :) I had went to a party not very long ago and was immediatly intrigued.  Everything smelled so good and was very reasonable.  The best part was no wicks!!  I am notorious for leaving (unknowingly) a candle burning.  I do not have to worry about that anymore :) Scentsy is awesome because the system warms and melts the wax releasing wonderful fragrances..no wicks no flames..and they also have tons of other super yummy smelling items :) I can't wait to show these awesome products to everyone.....   https://jennifercustard.scentsy.us/Home

On a roll...

I could literally post thousands of pics of my kids ( I just can't resist they are just so dang cute! Plus I take photos every day)  Here is one of Mr. Ethan.  I was getting ready the other morning and he followed me into the bathroom.  Ethan was being so quiet and cooperative, I didn't even mind when I saw what he was doing.  I was actually able to put on makeup for the 1st time in a looong time.   

I can't believe how fascinated and entertained he was by the toilet paper!  Hopefully he will always be this easy to entertain :)

A little bit of love.....

When I had my boys, some of  my favorite gifts were the ones that were homemade.  I've had several baby showers lately and really wanted to make something special for them.  I loved the idea of a homemade baby gift because I know how much they meant to me.  For one, I made small "taggie" lovie, a pair of baby shoes & a felt bee (theme of her shower).  You could tell by the look on her face that she absolutly loved them. 

Felt bee that I used as a package topper :)

Itty bitty fleece shoes

My 1st "taggie" lovie

(Had to show you my Halloween ones that turned out super cute.)

These adorable lovies have become a favorite craft of mine lately and are my go to gift for new babies.  (I've made so many lately with all different designs, ribbons etc., that I plan on selling them this fall at a craft bazaar)  I have another shower this Saturday and made her a big"taggie" lovie.  I can't wait to see her open it!



Some doggone cute things....

The hubby is home and is playing with both boys upstairs :) Yea! Me time!!! :)

Heads up big sis!! Spoiler alert!!

I wanted to post some pics of a couple things I made for my big sisters' dogs.
First up is a doggie waste bag holder.  This was my first attempt at ever making something like this and I actually think it turned out pretty good.  I used some pink felt and cute ribbon that coordinated.  I can't wait to try and make some more :)

Front

Back

I also wanted to give a treat to her dogs for Halloween
 (She had sent my dog a super cute bandana)

Kenya modeling her bandana

(Doesn't she look cute?)

I decided something simple but fun.  I LOVE making treat bags for Halloween so why not some for her dogs?  I hand stamped/embossed the header cards (is this the right term even? close enough) and filled the craft ziploc bags with cute doggie treats. 

I'm not going to lie they smell really good! I can't wait for her to get them in the mail.  (Plan on sending the package later today or tomorrow) I need to practice more with my embossing because I loved this idea.  So many possibilities...dog treats, candy, small toys, some of my felt food.........:)

Breaking news!!!!

 I come to you with breaking news!!!! Just a few minutes ago my lil man Ethan (9 months 3 weeks 1 day..this part is important) just tried to take a step!!!! His 1st step!!! He was holding onto the couch let go and put one foot forward!!!  I'm so excited & so proud of my lil man!!!

He makes me smile....

I promise to post some pics of projects very soon, but had to share something funny. 

Tonight I was watching videos on youtube with Calvin.  It was the Katy Perry/ Elmo video that was a paraody of Hot N' Cold.  He was dancing on my lap and he loved it!!! So I thought ok, let's see if he likes "I Kissed a Girl" also by Katy Perry... I started the video but decided he is a little young for this particular video so I closed the screen and immediately, without even a pause, Calvin said " ah Darn!"... I haven't laughed that hard in a really long time. 

Just when you thought it was safe...

So I decided to check a few things on the computer this afternoon. Calvin and Ethan were being good...well quiet so I thought good (but should have known better).  I look up & Calvin is smiling holding my pompom inkpen...not so bad right?  well he had proceded to draw all over his face.  (future artist?)

Now I have a rule....if I take a pic you don't get in trouble for what you did. Come on look at those puppy dog eyes! How could I be mad when he looks so dang cute?  ...back to my work...wait...what's that sound?

 It must have been snack time and I just wasn't invited

At least cleanup was a group effort

Huh? Oh just enjoying a snack :)

Lil' man looking coy

Oh my boys....what can I say?  They keep me on my toes and give the vacuum a terrific workout.

Love you double trouble!!!

Gone Felt Fishing....

I have been inspired by so many awesome blogs I have found on the net.  I saw a felt fishing set on http://zitzmanfam.blogspot.com/2010/07/felt-fishing-set.html (this blog is sooo awesome and full of tons of cool ideas!)and oh my goodness.. I knew I had to make one right away! 

Any excuse to buy more felt or go to the craft store makes a project top priority ;)  I didn't take any pic during the process (this was before I started my blog)...but I was able to capture many awesome pics of my 2 little boys enjoying their fishing set :)  Calvin (who is 2 and my oldest) found this set awesome!  He was instantly entertained and proceeded to play with it on and off all day. Calvin was so proud whenever he caught a fish. He had to show me and say " I fish" :) 

He plays with it every day!  Even Ethan (my 9 month old) thought fishing was pretty fun! 

This was actually a pretty fast project to complete.  For me that was great because with 2 busy lil boys actually completing any  project is hard.  I didn't use the templates that were on the blog but rather cut shapes out by my own template or just winged it.  This is a great and fun toy to make!!! I'm even thinking of making a small felt pond to put the fish on :)



Back of Fish w/Velcro...
The hook will still "catch" the fish even if the 2 pieces of Velco don't match up!