Frumpy Frames turned Fun & Fancy

I love pictures and I love picture frames. But if you came to my house before last week you would be like, "really Amy?"

Here is my problem, we have been in transition for over 3 years in this house, we are finally to a point where I feel like I can "move in" and so I have been planning and pulling out all my old frames from our first apartment, and even college years. And guess what? I hate them. They are boring and plain, just like our couches and our walls. (also a work in progress)

Last winter a neighbor came over and when I was complaining about the way our family room looked, she agreed and said it does have a "Bachelor Pad" feel. So I started working on some new ideas, my friend suggested this blog a while ago, and I fell in love, just with everything, I love her style and her talent, and I think I could get away with some of the things on here with Kory. (He is surprisingly very opinionated about home decor). Luckily because of our bathroom remodel we did ages ago, he has put a little more trust in me when it comes design and our home, and now that I am the one here 24 hours a day with our son, I think he understands I need to feel at peace...or at least I like to pretend he understands that.

So what I did was, I adapted two of her wreath ideas to make these two frames, and LOVED how they turned out, and the best part they were super duper cheap! I bought 1/4 yard of fabric for each frame and still had AMPLE amount of fabric left over for future projects. And since the frames where ones I already had, even better! (Actually they were cheap dollar store frames I bought ages ago) I just bulked them up a bit with cardboard and covered them with fabric! Easy-peasy-fabric-pleasy!

Before:One was white one was black

After:
Ruffle Frame

Super soft "Nona Wreath" inspired Frame

I just loved how they turned out. They are not as sturdy as say a wood frame, but way cheaper, and I wont be heart broken or breaking the bank when I decide its time to toss them.

But the frame I am most proud of is this one.

I just wish I would have taken pictures of it for the steps. But you know me, not so good at taking pictures along the way... But if you want to do something similar here is a quick tutorial!

Here is the before picture:Here is the After!

Some simple steps...
1. MEASURE- I measured the frame I was fitting it to.

2. DRAW IT OUT - I created this design in Adobe Illustrator, and then cut it out on to cardboard. But really you could just draw it out on the cardboard, then cut it out with with scissors or a knife. You can print my design here if you like this look.

3. CUT IT OUT - I have a program that cuts cardboard from my designs so it did the work for me for this one, but the other frames it kept messing up, so I ended up doing those by hand. Sometimes I think that is the best method because you use less materials from machine mishaps. .

4. REPEAT - Cut out same design with a piece of Scrapbook Paper. (or if you are super clever, glue before you cut then you only have to cut once?!)

6. GLUE - Then I glued the paper to cardboard with a good spray glue, I use Scotch brand.

5. ANTIQUE - Then I "Antiqued" the edge, you could do this a billion ways, but I used the stamp pad and stamp sponge method, so simple and great results every time. For this particular frame I did both black and white ink.

6. MODGE-PODGE - Once I had that the way I wanted, I added a very light layer of Modge-Podge.

7. GLUE AGAIN - Glue that baby to your frame and TADA! You have a unique frame that fits you and your family perfectly.

Our new Family room Collage (still a work in progress)

I had a lot of fun with this project and I love how it made our home more us, I am not 100 percent finished with the wall collage, I still have the two big frames to re-finish, but I just can't decide what color to paint them until we paint the wall behind them, so this is how they will be.

The Gold frame was actually Kory's grandmothers, isn't it just stunning?! I really love it... Which is why I think I am having a hard time refinishing it. But when I do I will make sure I post about it! I am not a huge gold fan, but even that frame is growing on me. But since our family room is blues, grey and black, I don't think it goes very well.

And I plan on refinishing that brown one in the corner. We got it for our wedding, and my husband has been wanting to ditch it for a long time, (we all know how he feels about the color Brown) I just need to buckle down and make a decision. It may be white, if I paint the wall light blue, or they may be light blue, if I paint the wall Grey.

Happy framing!

I also posted this project on this great Blog that I started reading today "the Shabby Nest" she as well as many others have some really great ideas on projects its a pretty good resource. So check it out!

Downward spiral

This post is going to be of a more serious matter. And really I just need someone to talk to, so if you read this, I am talking to you...

I have been pretty down lately.

Background:
I think it all started when my car started to make a funny noise when you pushed in the clutch, so we took it in, turns out it will cost us $800 dollars to replace. I took the news pretty hard, we just don't have that kind of money right now. And I was ultra worried we would put tons of money into it and then have it die like Kory's car did last summer. But we had them check out the engine as well (it also has an oil leak) but it turns out that is pretty cheap to fix and something we could do ourselves. So we opted to get it fixed because I need a car. I know that sounds selfish, and not very true, but I do.

Here is proof:
So that day Kory and I shared a car, and well it was TERRIBLE. I spent most of the day in the car shuttling him to and from work, and then taking my sisters kids to school. We did get a small break to play at the park and eat some lunch, but by the time Axel and I got home I was absolutely beat, and that was when the contractions started, and the back pain. So I stayed down that day, and picked up Kory that night, and cried the whole way home because I was stressed and worried I was going into labor.

That night I couldn't sleep at all I was in pain, so in the morning I called my Dr. and they put me on bed rest for that day to see if that would help the pain to stop, and since I had an appointment the next morning they decided to just wait it out to see. Luckily, the rest worked, and the pain subsided by that evening, and I didn't have a contraction every time I stood up.
My Dr. however told me because of my history, we can not take any risks, we are not in a safe place right now and that I need to take it easy the rest of my pregnancy. What does that even mean really? Everyone I talk to tells me something different, and my Dr. was VERY vague about that. So I have taken it down a notch, and for whatever reason that seems to be affecting my mood.

I am feeling pretty lonely, maybe even getting a little bit of cabin fever, especially at night after Axel goes to bed, before this all happened, I would just work on a craft or two until bed time, but now I feel like I don't have the energy to do that by the end of the day, and I don't want to chance it, so I just have to wait until I get to go to bed. It's really boring, and I am really bored.

I am not saying this because I expect people to come visit me, or anything, I just haven't had the best week, I am trying to stay positive but it seems like every time I feel like things are going good for me with this pregnancy, I am slammed with something like this. It is overwhelming to me to think about all that I can't do but need to do before this baby arrives. I feel hopeless because now I can't do any of it, and I feel like if I do, and something were to happen I would feel awful. Even taking care of Axel seems like something that I shouldn't be doing sometimes. I feel like I am putting her at risk every time I have to pick him up which I really really try hard not to do, but sometimes I have to. I have to get him out of his crib after nap time. I have to help him up and down stairs and scary things. I need to change his diapers and read him books, and help him on our couch. I just hate that I have this guilt inside. I can't stop taking care of him because it might harm her. Do I neglect the one, to take care of the other? They are both my kids and they both need me for survival. I am just torn now.

Anyway this is where I am right now. I just needed to vent and clear my head, I am sure things will start to balance out once I have my car back.

Valentines day

I better post about Our Valentines Day.

It started out good, then bad, then good, and it just got better from there.

I won't really get into the bad of my day, because I don't want anyone to be offended that they ruined my what could have been a better than spectacular Valentines Day. Because while at the time, it did put quite a rain cloud over my head for part of the day, it was still amazing and great and I got to spend it with the people I love, so I am not complaining. (If you know the full story and some of you do, please keep it to yourself...I don't want any hurt feelings)

This year I wanted to do something really special for Axel, and I thought what better way then to have a couple of his favorite cousins over for a Valentines Day Tea Party. So I went to work planning and working on stuff for the event. I also admit that this was for me as well, it's always nice to have other moms over to visit with...

So I set up a table for the kids and put up a few decorations that I made.

I made each guest a mailbox for them to decorate and to put valentines in later.
Here are the kids hard at work decorating their boxes.
After we decorated the boxes the moms and grandma helped the kids make a special Valentines involving finger paints, Axel made one for Kory :) No pictures here because I was busy washing hands and making sure we didn't get red and pink paint anywhere else in the house.

After that we had the kids sit down for story time where we read a few of my favorite books on Love. And I could have sworn I took a picture of this but I didn't.

Then we had our very special Valentines day Tea Party....these were our healthy valentines day snacks, complete with PBJ heart sandwhiches, fresh fruit, and a juice box. Who said valentines day is only about chocolate :)
The boys eventually decided that the party needed a little more testosterone, and it turned into a sword fight instead.

Axel thought that was pretty great, and thought his cousins were all super fantastic.
Maddy of course was the only one who really appreciated the tea party, she was the perfect tea party guest. Poor girl, has only boy cousins her age, our little girl will be the first girl cousin after 6 boys in a row. After all our guests went home, we went on a little stroll around the neighborhood and when I got back I put Axel on my bed while I put some stuff away and when I turned around he was out! He then slept for 3.5 hours! During that time I got a great hour and a half nap, lunch with my hubby, and a shower.
After, we visited Baby gauge in the hospital again to deliver the Valentine I had Story make early that week for Kassie, Jerome and Baby Gauge.
Then we picked up Dad at work, and some Arbys and went to see the animals and fish at Cabella's. My friend Ashley and s-in-law Kassie both suggested it, and I am so glad we went. Axel had the time of his life! He pointed to all the fun animals and could not get enough of them all. I have never seen him run around faster than he was that night.

He couldn't get enough of the fishes, he went through the cave 3 times! when we would get to the end he would turn around and go back and show us more. He was ultra excited about it. As we were leaving, there was a hunting video on and there was a fox or wolf I am not sure which, and we stopped to watch it and we were like "look Axel it's a Fox!" and he was pointing at the screen and going "Ah Ah Ah" and then BAM they shot it, and Kory jumped, and Axel jumped and everyone was just in shock. We then quickly walked away hoping we didn't scar him for life, but as we walked away we could here the fox whimpering all the way to the doors. So sad. What a great note to end on. :)

After that we went to the reception of one of my old Young Women and that was great, and Kory thinks its genius to mush Valentines day with your anniversary. We then came home and put boy to bed, and found out that the movie we got from Netflix "Dinner for Schmucks" was broken in two! So instead we watched a really dumb movie that gave me nightmares all night that Kory had a new wife, and I was telling her all about Kory and ways to be a good wife to him. AH I hate pregnancy dreams! Really they are so terrible, and vivid. I keep having dreams about this Horse head my friend Jessica bought in Seattle on a trip that she has been taking photos of in various places. It's super creepy.

But it was a fun night, we had fun as a family, and I am so glad I have these two boys in my life.

A little bit of this and a little bit of that....

It's been awhile since I posted an "Everything Axel" post. I think it's because basically MOST of the pictures I have of him are like this...

Or this

By the time I get the camera out to take a picture the moment is gone. So this week I made it my goal to be better, and document more of this very fun stage that he is in, because... in a moment it will be gone... I know poetic right?

Axel LOVES booksThis little blue chair was Kory's grandma's, and it is our FAVORITE chair in the house. I had to beg Kory to let me keep it, when they were giving it away. I still get sad the other one went to DI. At the time I thought it was absolutely adorable, and exactly what I wanted for Axel's nursery, but also it is unbelievably comfortable, even Kory will agree it is the favorite in our house. This is also the only seat that is low enough to the ground that Axel can climb up on, so we find him sitting here daily going through book after book. The picture above I found him reading to Nicolas, and the picture below with Zoe soaking in the sun.

If you want to be a pirate, just ask Axel what to do

Axel LOVES pirates. Something he picked up from his cousin Story, that we happily enforced. He even says ARRGH instead of yes most of the times. I made him this pirate patch because he is always putting things like caps over his eye, or pot holders on his head and will walk around our house saying ARRRGH! I took him and Story to Story time at the library on Thursday, and their letter for the day was R, the whole time Axel and Story beamed with harty pirate voices ARRRGH! ARRRGH! ARRRGH!

He still is a big fan of wearing sun glasses... but not shirts apparently

And wearing Grandpa's hat
And watching Backyardigans and Super Why! (His new favorite)
Kory and I always joke about what TV zombies these two are. I don't think they even noticed me taking pictures of them.

And Bubbles
This kid loves bubbles, (what kid doesn't right?) but we have this book that goes "Bubbles bubbles on my nose," This book was Axel very first FAVORITE BOOK. He had to read it every night from like 9 months on. He loved the "Ba", which later turned into Bath, and "bu" which later became "bubbles." But what is exciting about it this week, is when you say "Bubbles Bubbles on my...." He will shout "NOSE!" and finish it for you. We have been getting a big kick out of it this week. Speaking of Nose, Axel can say nose, eyes, ears and....
Pie hole. (which used to be mouth but Kory taught him to say that instead.) I am so proud....


He is remembering his LOVE for Watermelon

We visited Grandma and Grandpa Anderson this week and they sent us home with a big slice of watermelon, and we let Axel have a go at it before we cut it up for dinner. And he ATE and ATE and ATE. Which is funny because Axel's namesake (Kory's great uncle) grew watermelons in his yard, his dad recalls that his entire front lawn was a huge watermelon patch! I was sold on the name the minute I heard that story. Kory's parents are also big watermelon fans and I always feel like they are the two people who (besides my own family who also could eat watermelon at every meal) understand my craziness about watermelon. I am so glad this trait runs thick in Axel's blood :)

He also Loves walking to and from church now that it is warming up and pointing to all the things around him!

This Sunday we left church early because my brother in law Brian was getting the Melchizedek priesthood. It was such a wonderful day for their family and we were so happy to be a part of it.

He's been really into Babies lately...
This one (my very first cabbage patch)

This doll was my very first cabbage patch, I took great care of it and have been saving it for one of my daughters one day. Well the other day when going through my stuff I came across it and another rainbow bright doll, and decided I could put them in the play room for our baby girl. The next day, Axel was throwing a monster fit, I can't remember about what, and I was trying to clean up lunch, I left him in the kitchen for a minute while I took the trash out. All the while thinking he would be furious with me for 1.) not giving him what he wanted and 2.)For going outside with out him. But when I walked through our front door it was silent. I thought maybe Kory had heard him and came upstairs to his rescue, but when I walked in the kitchen I saw him sitting on the floor with the rainbow bright doll, playing with her hair, he looked up at me, showed her to me, and then gave her a big hug and kiss.
And this one. Kassie had her baby boy on Sunday, and we have visited her a few times in the hospital and Axel loves looking at him and saying "BABY". He will also point to my belly, his belly and Kory's belly and say "Baby" and sometimes he will give my baby a big hug. :)

He also LOVES this girl
Today was our last day watching this little girl for 3 months, which makes me sad for us, but happy for her and her mommy. We have loved having her over at our house to play, she is always such a delight and has taught Axel many many things about how to be awesome. As you can tell from the picture above, it just comes natural to her. When I put these on her she said "So Pretty, Cheese!" and then she waited like this until I got my camera out to take a picture. She also said "baby Gauge" a bunch of times on our way to visit her new little brother, and when I asked her what her baby's name was she yelled "Gauge!"

Axel had to be in a picture once he saw Story pose for one as well.

Hey Mr...

So this post is dedicated to my very fabulous friend and sister in-law Kassie, and her soon to be born, baby boy, Mr. Gauge Miles.

A few weeks ago I put together a "Girl's Night Out" in honor of her little mister.

The Theme: Mr. Gauge Miles
Some Background:
Kassie is always in the know on all the craft/home decor trends, as that is her job, but also because she just has a knack for it. She always knows what is about to hit the craft buzz before anyone else, and before it becomes too popular and over done, I always hear about it from her first. She is my authority on what is up and coming. She is always teaching me stuff, and I am very grateful for that.

I remember when Axel was a wee little one maybe even in Utero, she said to me via text: "You should make Axel a shirt with a mustache on it!!"

I remember being like huh? That sounds weird, we're not really mustache folks? (No offense Kass)
But then it was like BAM mustaches everywhere on everything, and yeah I grew to find them adorable, and I can see why she liked them way back then, she had a vision, but it took me a while.

Anyway, I share this story because not only do I look to Kassie for inspiration and help in the craft/design world, but also in the mommy world as well. She has been my "counselor" over the past couple of years, both when I was pregnant with Axel and became a first time mom, and now with this pregnancy. She is the person I complain/chat to about all my ailments of pregnancy, because I know she can totally relate, and she always has really good advice to help me through. I really appreciate having her in my life as a friend and sister.

So when I convinced her to let me do this for her (this took lots of convincing) I used the idea of making it a Mister Theme, (because I remembered how much she loved mustaches) and we could just make it simple with a few center pieces and such. Well she was sold! And I had so much fun making the stuff for her little shindig.

So here are some photos not a whole lot because I am TERRIBLE about taking pictures at events. This is why I should ALWAYS have someone there to do that for me.

These were my main focus. I wanted to make her something she could actually use.
My inspiration: Right after I had Axel a darling friend of mine (who also has a very cute blog if you want to be wowed) made Axel a cute little skinny tie, out of nowhere mind you, she just showed up with it, because she is that kind of girl. THEN because she is so great she put instructions on her blog so others could do the same! So I made a tie for each sucker holder from her pattern, and it really is a simple simple tutorial (I know because then I made Axel 3 more this weekend because we love the one she gave us so so much) I also Google'd boy bow ties and came across this gem of a blog site, for very easy bow ties.
I also made these advice card for each guest, in case they had some really good advice to give her about how to take care of boys. I don't think she got too many of them, but I think they turned out cute and I had fun making them.
The event took place at Bajio's because Kass likes that place. So I didn't have to worry about the food or really doing much.

I have a thing for table settings. Napkin rings are something I HAVE to have when hosting a party. I don't know why, I just always have to have a napkin ring of some sort. But I used the extra fabric from the ties and designed some cute little labels to tie on these brown napkins, which we just threw on the table to make it more festive.
These are the tags I created in Adobe Illustrator then I cut out and put them on creme tags and used Brown ink to antique the edges.
And then of course the mustache suckers, which I saw a while back on a bunch of different blogs, and the mold was a cinch to track down, I made them with extra long sucker sticks so the would fit nicely in the centerpieces. As you can see they were a hit! (Apparently Rainey was the only person worth photographing that night, but wouldn't you agree she makes a smashingly sophisticated MR? ) And what would be a blog post with out a picture of my own mister?
And because we didn't get a picture of us together AT the party, we took one this weekend of us together and our "Baby Bumps". I am 23 weeks and she is 38! We also thought it was funny that she was wearing green (for her boy) and I was wearing pink (for my girl)
Anyway Kass, thanks for letting me spoil you for a second. We wish you the very best of luck this weekend! And CAN NOT wait to meet your little mister!

Teeny Tiny Toddler Back Pack

Did you know?

That I won 2nd place in my High Schools Art Show in sewing, for a dress I made in my beginning sewing class? I am pretty proud of this small tidbit/accomplishment in my life. I didn't win very many individual awards in high school, so this was sort of a big deal to me, and something completely unexpected.

I remember my teacher told us we would be bumped up a letter grade if we entered any of our projects from this class, so I did. I mean that is an A- to an A folks, I would have been a fool to not.

THEN I got 2nd against all these crazy talented advanced students, who made some pretty spectacular things, I was so surprised! At the time I never thought sewing would be such a big part of my life, but it is, from there I worked on small projects here and there. I sewed pillows for my bedroom as a college student and made other small things.

But it really wasn't until I became a mommy that I really got into it. There is something about being a mom and creating things for your little ones that just seems natural and almost instinctual. I remember when my maternal clock started screaming it was almost as if my sewing one did too. Suddenly I had all this energy to make things for my friends who were having babies, and I would just day dream about all the things I would make for my own babies. Fast forward three years, and I am living my dream, and it wasn't at all what I had gone to school for 25 years to do.

I have always loved sewing. I loved going with my mom to the fabric store to pick out fabric for outfits, and dresses for me and my sisters. I loved watching the clerks measure and cut the fabric, to this day its probably one of my most favorite sounds. One day when I am an old lady maybe I will cut fabric for a living. :)

I also always loved hearing the sound of my moms sewing machine humming away as she worked on projects in her bedroom, while we played, and tore her house a part. And I am sure she was thinking just this one last piece and then I will go check on them... Right?

I find it interesting that of all the things I did in my high school and college career it was that beginning sewing elective that I took to "relax" that I use mostly in my day to day life now.
(When I work on projects I can still hear my teachers instructions on pressing our seams flat, and having 5/8" seam allowance.)

But what really has brought me to this post was an article I stumbled across earlier this week. Anyway, some feminist writer had gotten caught up in what she calls "Mormon Mommy blogs" and while she tries to be objective on the subject, she really isn't. I tried to pin point what it was that bothered me so much about it, and I think it was her attitude that no one could be THAT happy doing crafts and taking care of small children all day, and that she, a wise and studious PHD, should be ashamed that she is so fascinated with this type of life style, and that mormons have everyone fooled into believing that this type of lifestyle could bring so much joy, and that we're faking it.

And while she is entitled to her opinion on her own forum, I am also entitled to my own as well. Being a stay at home mom is a privilege that I take very seriously. (This is not my upbringing or the pressure to stay at home from my bishop talking) I could be sitting behind a desk right now staring at a computer looking at the clock waiting for it to be 5, and I would be feeling the same way. I am home with my babies, and this is something I choose to do, and I enjoy it. I don't feel like I am less than my husband or that I have given something up to do this. I haven't been brainwashed into thinking this either. This is something I have chosen to do all on my own. When Kory and I started talking about having kids, I told him, I don't want to do if I can't be there. That was just me, I saw too often my mom's pain and both my older sisters for having to be at work when they wanted more than anything to be at home. I didn't want that to be me. Don't get me wrong a career can be very fulfilling and rewarding, but to me, I like being home with my baby, and if I can do that, I choose to do so, and It is happy and rewarding and everything these woman describe on their blogs and MORE.

I don't feel like this is something our church ingrains in woman, I know our leaders see what is happening to families and this is their way of teaching us how to help protect our own children.

Serving in the YW before I had Axel made me realize even more just how important it is for moms to be there. Don't get me wrong, you can be a mom and work, and have happy kids, I know lots of women who do that, my mom was one and she did it well, and I couldn't be more proud of her. Was she happy with it? No not really, but that was her situation and she made it work for our family. I view being a stay at home not as an obligation but a privilege, and I pray every day that I get to keep doing so. My grandmother once told my mother "these are the best days of your life" I couldn't agree more grandma. You can read the article here, but like I said I don't mean to be a hater of her opinion, I just had to get that out of my mind and voice my own opinion on the matter. So please be respectful :)

****

Lately, I have been able to do a lot of sewing, and I am in heaven. Something about sewing that just makes me content. Maybe its the bond with my own mother, or perhaps it is just a therapeutic activity, but either way I am at peace when I sew.

Like many of my projects I was going to make this into a tutorial and I started out really well, photographing each step, but then I got into this mode, and I just started to create and I just got lost in what I was doing and then pretty soon I was finishing it all up! And since I created the pattern all the steps where just in my head, it was one of those lets see if this works type of patterns. I do have the pattern pieces I made tho so if anyone would like to make one I would be happy to pass it on, and I will try to make up some decent instructions :)

So the story behind the back pack.

THIS

is what I drag to church each week. (Not to mention holding the hand of a toddler, and the growing ball of baby girl in my belly, all while juggling boards, making copies and walking around the entire church twice to deliver and pick up rolls)

Needless to say I am one big ball of pregnant exhaustion when we leave. So I decided to do something about it, the thought of having to add to all that a car seat with a new born and somehow throw in two feedings makes me want to just throw in the towel. So, one day my dear friend Ash and I were wandering the outlets in Park City, and we came across some mini back packs (think early 90's folks) and I said THIS is what I need to make my life easier! (How many times do we all say that, I was for real this time) I then looked at the price tag, $20 bucks! (Sheesh!) maybe to some that seems worth it, but to me anything that I feel like I could make for under $5 I can NEVER justify spending the money on, and Kory would kill me if I did so.

So I have been waiting to find time and of course the space to tackle such a project. And such an occasion finally arrived! And not a minute too soon, he goes to nursery this week! So it's perfect timing to downsize his stuff and make my life easier.

It is of course not perfect in anyway, and no way could I be one of those posh mama's that sells it on her Etsy store, but it was quick, easy and most importantly my little guy loves it! Which makes me smile and oh so proud.

So all in all a successful project, that maybe, when baby girl needs one I can perfect it and make her's a little better.

He is going out to meet dad and show him how cool he is. The lunch pail holds all his toys usually. (It's the most coveted item at church, and probably the most germ filled as well, it gets toted around by every toddler)

Trying it out for the first time, he thought he was pretty cool

Greeting dad at lunch today

Applicae on front pocket
The frontThe backThe Pocket inside for all his books
What I was particularly proud of with this project was I made up the pattern myself, and it was my first time using Piping (the gray stuff around the edge) I think it gave it a more professional look, although its lopsidedness counter acted that, but hey I did my best. :)