Just Swinging: Wordless Wednesday with Linky

These are the really beautiful moments of life.  I feel very blessed!

Thank you for stopping by to share you Wednesdays with me.

Clean Floors for a Little Mover with Eureka #AirspeedONE #cbias

We are just about to get moving around my house...meaning my little baby girl, who is now 7 months old, is on the verge of crawling.  Yikes, already?!?  So, with a baby on the move, I need to make sure my floors are super clean.  It's not like I let my floors get dirty, but I didn't have a good vacuum, so when the opportunity came to purchase a new Eureka Airspeed ONE vacuum, I jumped at it!

Shopping for the Eureka Airspeed ONE was totally convienent.  I was headed to Walmart anyway, with a long list of things to get (why is there always a list?).  The vacuum was lime green (awesome) and nice and light.  And, what is even more exciting, is that it was under $60!  

Want to see more about my shopping trip (without kids, YAY!) check out my google+ album!  

So, I got the vacuum home, and my handy husband helped me put it together.  Really easy, just a click, click, click!  

And then, I got to work cleaning.  Now, I wasn't like I was waiting for the vacuum to arrive, I had cleaned just a few days before, but I thought I would give it a go and vacuum again (nothing like having a new toy, right?)  Okay, I am hesitating posting this photo.  Really, I keep a clean house!  But, I vacuumed for just about twenty minutes, including the stairs...and here is what I had:

Ahh!  So much dirt and dust and junk!  Let me tell you, this baby can suck!  It literally pulls my area rugs up off the floor as I vacuum.  And it's just in time because, this girl will be crawling any day!  So happy to have my new AirSpeed ONE.  Plus, it is super light and the attachment hose made cleaning my stairs really easy.

To celebrate her moving soon, and our fun new lime-green toy, I made her a "Little Movers" Onesie!  This is a super easy project and it is no-sew.  

Supplies:

Scrap Fabric

Heat Bond Transfer

Iron

Onesie

It's simple.  Just iron on the heat bond to the scrap fabric.  Then cut out the shapes, peal the backing off of the fabric and iron down.  Done!

This is the perfect onesie for a little girl with a big brother who is obsessed with wheels.  Suddenly she has a brumm brumm on her shirt!  How cool!  My ever my little 2 year old boy sees this onesie on his sister he has to declare "truck, truck!" And, she because she is adores her brother, who adores wheels, she has a love for wheels too--even if they are wheels on a vacuum cleaner!

I really loved this vacuum, and I'm totally sold on it after one use.  Wanna see how easy it is assemble?

 

Also, don't miss a thing from Eureka!  Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.  

Scribble Flowers

Hello, and thanks for stopping by today!  This is a post that I shared over at Sugar Bee Crafts a few weeks ago.  I thought that by now I would have come up with a clever way to use these little scribble flowers I stitched up...but I haven't yet.  So, if you have any cute or clever ideas, I'd love to hear them.  Just leave your thoughts in the comments!  Thanks--and here is the how-to!

We are all friends here, right?  Okay, I have something to share.

I feel like I should join a support group.  I am suffering from a very strong addiction.  I think about it all the time.  I find myself craving it, dreaming about it.

I, Nancy, am addicted to free-motion sewing.

There, now everyone knows!  And be careful--if you try this project there is a good chance that you could acquire this affliction too!

Kidding aside, if you haven't tried free-motion sewing yet, it's time.  There is a special foot for this type of sewing, but you don't need it for a project like this.  Simply stated, free-motion sewing is just going wild with the sewing machine, or, as in this project, drawing or scribbling with the sewing machine.  Once you get into it you realize that the possibilities are endless.  I really love this sort of "graffiti" textile art.  I hope you like it too.  And I should note, since I struggle with both sewing in a straight line and coloring inside the lines, this type of sewing fits my personality perfectly!

So, in order to whip up some of your own "scribble flowers" here's what you'll need:
Scrap Fabric
Fusible Interfacing
Scrap Felt
Sewing Machine with black thread

 First of all, take your fabric and iron on your interfacing to the back.  Then, cut out a flower shape.  I just free hand this.  Also cut out a felt circle for the center and felt/fabric leaf shapes.

 Next, head to the sewing machine and free-motion sew your circle into the center of the flower shape, and the smaller fabric leaves into the center of each felt leaf.  A note here--this is a time when you are REQUIRED to sew messy.  If your lines are all perfect and straight then it isn't going to look good.  SO GO NUTS!

Then, cut another flower shape out of felt for a backing.  Pin the flower and leaves in place as shown above.  Head back to the sewing machine and free-motion sew all around the edges.  Just make sure that you HAVE FUN!

Here are the two flowers that I came up with.

Now, what to do with them?  I'd love to hear any thoughts that you have.  I'm thinking a wreath?  Hummmmm...

Thank you for being here

DIY Souvenirs: Wire Wrapped Stone Pendants

Hello and welcome back!  I have one more DIY souvenir from my European travels to share with you today.  I already shared this project to remember my trip to Prague.  After Prague we went to Vienna, but were only there briefly.  After that we headed to Edinburgh for a friend's wedding.  This souvenir is from that leg of the trip.

But first--Scottland was...rainy, but very good!  It rained everyday, almost all day, EXCEPT the day of our friend's wedding.  They had a perfect perfect day!  The wedding itself was wonderful.  They rented a red double decker bus and we all rode to Colton Hill in style for the wedding.  My trendy husband had on these super reflective sunglasses, so I took this picture of the two of us!  Yup, I know I'm silly.

 See what I mean about it being a super sunny day?

 AND, the wedding was moustache themed! 

 After the wedding everyone went their own way, and we headed off to explore Scotland, in the rain!  We tromped around Edinburgh one day and hopped on a bus to explore the Scottish Highlands the next.  Included in the highlands tour was Loch Ness!

If you look really really really close, you can see Nessy peaking up way off in the distance...do you see it?  Do ya???

 I even put my hands in the water!  AHHHH!  But it's okay, I walked away with all of my fingers!

 And this brings we to my DIY souvenir.  I snatched up a few of those stones, threw them in my bag and carried them back with me for some crafting fun!

Want to make your own wire-wrapped stone pendants?  Here's what you'll need:
Stones (from somewhere memorable)
Jewelry Wire
Needle-Nosed Pliers
Flat Nosed Pliers
Wire Cutters

First, select your stone and cut a length of wire.

Then, find the center of the wire and make a loop with the needle nosed pliers.  Then, wrap the wire around itself a few times.

Next, move to the ends of the wire, and make a tiny loop.

Using the flat nosed pliers, wrap the wire around and around the loop on the end until you reach the desired size circle.  Repeat so you have one of these swirling loops on each side of the wire.

Next, place the center over the top of the stone, with a piece of wire coming down each side of the rock.  Wrap the wire around the stone, attempting to get the twisted circles to be on what will be the front of the pendant.

And you're done!  Grab a chain and wear a unique souvenir...

Unless you live with a little boy...who loves rocks...and likes to steal you wire-wrapped stone pendants!

Thanks for sharing in my European fun!

Happy Hour Friday with Nancy and Adrianne: 6-13

Hello! Hello!  I'm excited to be embarking on a new venture today with a bloggy buddy of mine, Adrianne from Happy Hour Projects.  She is allowing me to join her and co-host her awesome link party.  Together we will be hosting a weekend happy hour link party, because after the weeks I often have, I am ready for a happy hour!  I know, I know!  I have tried a few other link parties before that have gone the way of the dodo bird, but this one is different.  This link party is here to stay, so grab a cocktail and stick around.

That's right--link up anything that is wedding related: gifts, food, accessories, etc!

DIY Souvenirs: Chandelier Earrings

Hello and welcome!  I am finally getting my act together and blogging about something I have been meaning to blog about for a few weeks now: my trip to Europe!  I have been putting it off because I just didn't know where to start!  Well, I found a place to start, and that place is with crafts.  surprise surprise!

While traveling it is natural to want a souvenir, but I hate buying something that I know was manufactured in China, and something that is sold at a thousand junky souvenir stores.  I want something genuine, unique and clearly from where I am!  Therefore, I decided to make my own souvenirs! 

First stop on our European Adventure--Prague, Czech Republic. 

My husband and I flew into Prague and spent several days in that beautiful city.  I convinced my husband to travel my way this time--meaning we went for quality, and not quantity.  If my husband had his way, we would have been in a different city everyday, but I would have been miserable.  When I travel I like to go somewhere, and really get to know that place by staying there fore several days and exploring.  Because after a while every city looks exactly the same, at least on the surface.  You need time to dig in and get to know it!

This is exactly what we did in Prague.  We hit all the touristy places like the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, but we also spent lots of time wandering...and eating!  It was just so wonderful, being with my husband, strolling through the streets holding hands, sitting at a sidewalk café and sipping cappuccino. I love love love my children, but, ahhhh, I enjoyed tasting my food!  With a messy toddler and a baby just starting in on solids, it had been awhile since I was able to even think about feeding myself!

 We took lots of pictures, I got a few blisters on my feet, we drank lots of CHEAP beer and, after a while, we started to feel comfortable in that foreign city.  We climbed a few church towers, paid our respects to the Infant Child of Prague and went to mass in Czech a few times (my husband claims he started to understand the language a little, but I don't believe it!).  When it was time to leave Prague, we both were a little sad.

And so, the souvenirs.  While we were in Prague, my sweet husband allowed me to drag him to a bead store, you know, so I could buy some Czech beads!  We found a great store with so so so many beads and settings (I should have taken a picture)!  And, the prices were great!  I bought a lot of beads, and I put some of them together to make these flashy earrings!

Want to make your own?  You might have to do with beads and settings not from Prague, but here's what you'll need:

Yellow Shell Beads

Jump Rings

Small Yellow Beads

Head Pens

Earring Settings

Needle-Nosed Pliers



Okay, I'm no jewelry making expert, so here is the simple version for making these earrings. 
First, attach the shell beads to the setting with jump rings.
Then, take a head pin and two small yellow beads.  Attach these to the empty hoops at the bottom and the one in the center.  Finally, attach the top of the earring.

Simple and flashy, if I do say so myself!!

Now, whenever I wear them I will think of that wonderful time I had with my husband in Prague!

Thanks for being here,

Playdate: Wordless Wednesday with Linky

I shared some of these photos on my family blog yesterday, but I just couldn't resist sharing them here today.  Monday morning we hosted a little play date, and even though it wasn't very sunny, our pool still got some use!

It was a cute (and very wet) crew of characters!

Thanks for stopping by to share your Wordless Wednesdays!

Dad's Helper Apron: Grilling Up Some Father's Day Buffalo Style Chicken Wings

Hello!  I am so excited that you are here today because I have something fun to share with you.  My little family grilled up some fun the other night, and I whipped up a simple apron for my little guy--all so that we could celebrate my husband, who is a terrific dad.  We got a lot of help with this summer grilling celebration from Tyson's Buffalo Style Chicken Wings!

Before we get to the meal, here is some the prep we did before hand.  First of all, we went shopping at Sam's Club.  This is what we were after, Tyson's Buffalo Style Hot Wings.  Since we were making a meal to celebrate my husband, a terrific father, we were after something he would love, and hot wings fit that category. Along with this, I wanted something easy, and something that we could grill.  We see, I live in Minnesota, and although we are still waiting for summer to make an appearance, it is grill season, and any meal we can throw on the grill will be thrown on the grill!  Plus, what's better than hot wings on the grill? 

 We had fun shopping together, the 3 of us.  I was glad to capture this mid-shopping kiss.  We also enjoyed sampling the wings at the store at the demo.  Don't you just love love love in-store samples?  I certainly do.  In fact (confession time), when it is a good sample like these good wings, I take a sample, do a lap around the store, and then come back for another helping.  Anyone else do that?

For more on this shopping trip, check out my google+ album. 

With the shopping taken care of, we headed home, but before the meal, I one more thing to do, create an apron for my little guy.  This is a super simple project.  I decided to make a special apron for my toddler as opposed to making one for my husband.  My husband isn't really into wearing my crafty creations, but my son is still too little to fight me!

Want to make your own dad's helper apron?  Here's what you'll need:
Kids' Art Apron (I got mine from CreativeProjectIdeas)
Freezer Paper
Cutting Mat
Tape
Xacto Knife
Iron
Fabric Paint and Brush

1. Gather Supplies
2. Print out your words and designs.  Arrange and tape to the cutting mat so that it stays in place.
3. Lay a piece of freezer paper over the design and tape in place.
4. Take the Xacto knife and carefully cut out the design.  Make sure to keep the center pieces from letters like "D" and "e".
5. Center the freezer paper over the apron and iron down. 
6. Use fabric paint to cover the stencil.  Peal off the freezer paper while the paint is still wet.

Allow to dry and that's it!  A simple craft that makes a big impact and a very touched daddy!

Okay, so the groceries are bought, the apron is done--it's time to fire up the grill and start this party!

My husband manned the grill (with the help of Gus) and look at how beautiful they are!  Don't you wish that you had been invited?

 We did have a few (lucky) family members over to share in the wings.  My husband's Aunt Barbie was celebrating her birthday, so it was a double celebration!  To go with the meal I made some warm potato salad, green beans and we opened a jar of applesauce I canned in the fall.

Okay, now, a word about the wings.  I have to be honest, I am not very well schools on wings.  I grew up on a beef farm, so I was raised on meat (beef or pork) and potatoes.  But, my husband's Aunt and Uncle are wing lovers, or wing snobs.  And, based on the happy noises they made during the meal, and the number of wings consumed, I think these wings passed the test.

I also really liked them--and I especially liked how easy they were for me to make!  Less time in the kitchen meals more time out enjoying the beautiful evening.

And, I can't forget, we did have our Margaritas with our meal as well! 

And then, for dessert, we broke open that watermelon.  And, it was a good one!

All and all, it was a great time, one of those really SUMMER sort of nights: great food off the grill, eating outside, watermelon, margaritas, and, after the meal, a bon fire.  Ahhh...  I hope we have lots of these sort of nights this summer!

I hope that you have a terrific dad worth celebrating this Father's Day.  If you do, consider heading to Tyson's Facebook Page for their Great Dads Earn Their Wings with Tyson promotion where you can get your dad a lapel pin and make him an amazing card. 

And then, while my husband was putting the kids to bed, I started in on the dishes.  Might sound funny, but doing the dishes, alone after a busy day, is sometimes my favorite part of the day.  I love the quiet...and I love the sense of accomplishment when it is all done.

Ahhhh...  After an evening like this you head to bed exhausted, but the good kind of exhausted, knowing that you have a delightfully full belly, a clean kitchen, some fun memories newly made, and a house more full of blessings than you could have imagined.

Thanks for being here, and God Bless,