I know it's dorky...

But I am totally excited about this.

My little Matryoshka Ornament pattern appears in this years issue of Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts. My copy arrived in the mail today, and there she was right on page 69.



It's on newstands now (although a little tricky to find). I saw it at Joanne's the other day and when I found my design I wanted to like turn to the person next to me and say, "That's mine! I made that!" But I didn't. I put it back and went on my way.

So I am telling you instead.

There are quite a few cute things I'd love to make in the magazine.



Maybe this garland, or a sweet little horse for Ollie?

The nice thing about this issue of the magazine is that it comes with full sized patterns in a separate tear-out section.

Funny thing about this pattern...I didn't even submit it to them...I just posted it here on my blog and someone from the magazine contacted me about putting it in. It was right before Ollie was born and I had made it especially for Avery so I wasn't sure if I wanted to send it in to them (or would have time) but when they promised to return it when they were done, I scrambled to get it in (like right after he was born). I am glad I did. It's so fun. And you just never know what is going to happen when you send your ideas out into the internet!

Thanks for letting me be excited.

Not a Total Loss

Isn't this a darling bride!





She sent me a cute note last year when I entered my dress design for the shabby apple contest and asked if it would be OK if she used the design as the inspiration for her wedding dress. Of course I said YES!

And then this year when I re-entered the dress, she sent me photos of her in the actual dress inspired by mine, and the big day. I was tickled to say the least.



Aren't they just adorable?




The funny thing is that I have no idea where she is from (she speaks English but I have no clue what language is on the photos...which makes me feel fairly ignorant...$1 to anyone who can tell me!) or even her name! But I am just thrilled that I got to contribute just a tiny bit to her special day.

And you know... Newly-wed blissful love looks the same in any language.





And even if Shabby Apple doesn't love my dress...somebody did.





Don't you want to put on your wedding dress and twirl around for photos now?

I do...

because why not?

So Kate mentioned that I sort of forget to post pictures of some of my crafty endeavors...which is true. There happens to be a lot of crafting going on around here that never gets blogged about. I guess its partly because I feel like I am being braggy and that no one really cares about silly crafts, or the 27th onesie I made (which I am pretty sure is true...no one could possibly care about that).

The other reason is because I think I don't want to feel like I am doing things just for the sake of blogging. You know what I am talking about. Its funny though...sometimes I feel like people are just so used to catching up with each other through blogs that if we don't blog about something, people just assume it never happened...or are surprised when there are things going on in our lives that weren't (blogged about). But that's a post for a different day.

However, I have to say that some of my favorite blogs are about crafts...sewing, painting, redoing...those inspire me. And really--really is mostly the reason I bother with all of this anyway (blogging). Well that, and barraging you with photos of our child.

Crafts and babies. What else could you need?

So here you go. A craft project that I did. Maybe it will inspire you. I firmly believe that you can paint anything (well except for upholstery...what's up with that Trading Spaces?) In fact I have a collection of frames from junk shops (I know you are shocked) waiting to be painted. But instead I bought this one from IKEA that I have been eyeing for months.

It used to be black...and now it's pink. It took about 15 minutes. And the fabric is just for the sake of the picture (see what I mean about doing things just for blogging sake?) I would really love to figure out a way to put a mirror in it. I know there are ways...I mean a dirt cheap way.

I really kind of love it. Do you think one in every room of my house would be overkill?

We're calling it an early Valentine's gift

So we got a new (to us) car today.Because we thought that we didn't have enough to do this weekend...what with the moving and all.
On Thursday night Trav got to thinking about the fact that he would have a longer commute now, and that our truck really wouldn't accommodate a car seat (OK we have been talking about it for several months).
So by Saturday morning (in between picking up the moving van, and loading it) he was at the Audi dealership test driving cars with his brother Doug.

Mid-Saturday, while loading boxes with cell-phone to ear, he was engaged in some heavy and mean negotiating with Mike the car guy.

And by tonight (Monday) this shiny car was sitting in our driveway. This, from people who took a year and a half to move out of their one bedroom apartment. When it rains it pours I guess.

And besides... Trav assures me--It was all about the car seat.

I love you Honey