Thursday, December 9, 2010

What's on your list?

My Christmas list this year is quite long... I have alot of family and friends that I want to give gifts to. The problem... $$$$... always... so I had to get creative. I am sorry if I am ruining the surprise for a few of you, but I thought it might be nice to give people ideas for inexpensive gifts that are pretty cool... in my opinion at least. =)
Chantel and I spent all day walking around downtown St. George finding "letters" She is 5 and therefore is very aware of the alphabet. I think we came up with some pretty cool abstract letters to make name pictures out of. This particular gift set me back $2.99 for each print.

I happen to LOVE nativity sets. I think they are simply adorable. When we were at the Dicken's festival last week I saw an adorable snowman nativity... I had to have it! $45... I think not. I went to the store and bought about $6 worth of polymer clay... add a lazy afternoon of playing with said clay, a few beads, and a few scraps of fabric, and voila... a $6 snowman nativity. (characters are about 2" tall)

This next one is actually a stolen idea. My friend Shay gave me a very similar "car kit" last year. I loved the idea and found it very useful, so I decided to make my own. The one she gave me was made from a pot holder, and it was so cute! I was unsuccessful in finding pot holders that were cute and cheap, so I decided to make my own... I cut 2 pieces of fabric (about the same size as a pot holder) and sewed around the edge. I frayed it a little and called it good. I used 8 ziplock bags. I lined them up, 4 going each direction, with the zipper edge lined up with the outside of the fabric. I pinned it (it is really slippery to sew, so pin it like you mean it!) and did a simple zigzag stitch down the middle. I cut off the excess bag from the bottom and voila... it is ready to fill full of whatever you want. I put in disposable toothbrushes, gum, flossers, a sewing kit, tissue, nail clippers, a nail file, lotion, bandaids, a lighter, and a $5 bill. These cost about $11 each to make.


so cute when it is all closed up! and it fits perfectly in your glove box.

This last one is actually a baby shower gift, and not a Christmas gift, but the idea is still applicable. It is an applique towel. This picture is really hard to see it properly, but I used my Cricut machine to cut the baby's name out of wonder under. (wonder under is a FABULOUS invention... it is basically an iron on fabric bonder... it is so cheap... and my new best friend.) I then ironed the letters onto fabric. Cut the letters out of the fabric and ironed them onto the towel. I stitched around them just to make sure it would last through all the washing I am sure it is going to endure, but the wonder under is supposed to be pretty durable all by itself. I think it turned out adorable! it looks very professional if I don't say so myself... ;) This is a hooded towel, and it only cost $8 to make. I got the basket at DI for $1... seriously one of my favorite finds EVER! Throw in a teddy bear and a sweet little bow... and well, I think it is super cute~!


I hope this helps give some of you ideas for people on your Christmas list! What are you planning on giving family and friends this year?

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

lets get this over with!

The simple fact that I thought I could blog every day for 30 days is laughable... so we are going to get this over with... it will be long, and I don't know if it will be worth reading, but I always finish what I start.... so here it goes... =)
Day 7: Someone who has made your life worth living for.
I must say this is my children. There are simple no words to describe the bond that happens between a mom and her kids. I wake up in the middle of the night worrying about them, I go lay by them when I can't sleep, I think of them 24 hours a day. My life certainly revolves around my kids.
Day 8: Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Oh there are plenty of people who have tried. But ya know what, I DIDN"T LET THEM! my life is MY life and I believe the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt... "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." There have been plenty of people who didn't treat me nicely, but I figure it is their loss.
Day 9: Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Thanks to facebook I get to keep up with alot of friends that would have fit into this category. I guess if I had to name someone it would be my ex- boyfriend. Not that I still want to be his best friend, it would just be nice to know how he was doing.
Day 10: Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
I tend to have very few actual friends. I am a super busy person and my husband and kids are more important to me than friends, so what little time I do have to spend with people is usually spent with them. I really don't have anyone in my life that fits into this category.
Day 11: Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
I am not sure if it is necessarily a compliment, but people say I'm funny. I think that is a compliment, because I enjoy laughing and having a good time. =)
Day 12: Something you never get compliments on.
My rock hard abs and my nice tight butt... I don't understand it...! lol ;)
Day 13: A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days.
I must say that Creed... especially the song "arms wide open" hits me like a bullet every single time. I have NEVER listened to that song without crying. That and the primary song "families can be together forever"... mostly because I believe it with all my heart and it puts my soul at ease to know that there is more than this cruel world waiting for me.
Day 14: A hero that has let you down.
Hero is a very bold word, I have never been let down by my hero, because Christ is my hero, and well, I am pretty sure he will never let me down.
Day 15: Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
I could not live without sugar. I know it is horrible for me. I feel like poo every time I eat it, but try as I might, I simple cannot kick the habit!! if anyone knows of a patch, or a ten step program or something I would be very interested in hearing about it~!
Day 16: Someone or something you definitely could live without.
I could live without cups full of chunky milk, the phrase "mom, I wet my bed", the smell of pig poo, dandruff, thieves, and child molesters, flat tires, dead batteries, *sigh* the list goes on and on and on...
Day 17: A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Schindlers List. I couldn't believe the horrors that those people endured. It made me want to be more kind to every single person, nomatter their race, or religion... humans are all children of god. And that is all that matters.
Day 18: Your views on gay marriage.
Here's the thing folks, I am not in any position to judge another person. Here is what I know. I know several people who are openly gay. I love these people. I want nothing but joy and happiness for them. I also believe in the bible. "Marriage is between a man and a woman"... a touchy subject certainly... I believe that God the all knowing and almighty will work everything out in the end. Whether the law allows gay people to marry or not is possibly irrelevant... Some people say that allowing gays to marry is going to break down society as we know it. I say... take a look around people... it is crumbling anyway... all we can do is follow our hearts and our instincts. Love one another, and god will take care of the rest.
Day 19: What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
whew... some deep holes I'm probably digging... I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know it to be true. I respect ALL other religions, or lack of for that matter. I simply want to be left to worship as I please. and I think that every other person on the planet deserves the same right. If I am wrong, well, I guess I will burn in hell, but I feel like if a person is trying their best to do what they believe to be true and right and good, God will be merciful. There are alot of convincing arguments out there when it comes to religion, all I know is that I follow my heart. Politics are a load of poo anymore. I don't think there is such a thing as an "honest" politician... they all have an agenda. amen.
Day 20: Your views on drugs and alcohol.
I tell my kids every single day... "DRUGS ARE BAD" honestly... have you checked your local arrest section lately? At least 80% of the charges are drug, or alcohol related. So my motto is... don't do drugs or alcohol... you will have alot more money and your life will be much happier.
Day 21: (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
race to the hospital immediately... (she probably has head injuries and won't remember the fight anyway)
Day 22: Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Get pregnant and then get married... in that order... it would have made alot more sense the other way around. =)
Day 23: Something you wish you had done in your life.
Well I wish I would have finished my associate degree... I was only 12 credits away when I dropped out. I still plan on finishing... it is simply a matter of when.
Day 24: Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs.
lol... I stink at this type of thing... I don't remember names of songs... much less who sings them... so I am gonna pass... =)
Day 25: The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Because God doesn't want me back yet. I have unfinished business.
Day 26: Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
HELL NO~ suicide is for quitters~ That and I have an annoyingly upbeat personality... it takes alot to get me doBoldwn.
Day 27: What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Well... I Have a husband who loves me, Smart, healthy kids, a house to live in, a truck to drive, food in the cupboards... I think I have ALOT going for me~!
28: What if you were pregnant, or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Weeellllll....considering I am currently 36 weeks pregnant I can honestly say... I would give the baby up for adoption. lol... joking... babies are wonderful things. I love my kids so much. I think that even though this particular baby was VERY unplanned... we will love her just the same.
Day 29: Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
My procrastinating... seriously somethings gotta give. I have WAY too much to do to be putting things off. I must change... again, if anyone has a patch, or a 10 step program... I am all ears. ;}
Day 30: A letter to yourself: tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself.
whew really... well I love that I was blessed with a sense of humor. I love that I am crafty. I am very much a people person. I have alot of ability. I have a good sense of right and wrong. I have an amazing family. I have long hair... which is like a miracle... I am nice... most of the time.
Have a happy day ! I hope I didn't bore you to death~
Nettie