Child's Apron

My daughter has been invited to a plethora of birthday parties recently. I've decided, to make life easy, that every girl this year will receive one of these beautiful aprons made using Craftiness Is Not Optional's tutorial. 

Week of Nov. 27th

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
L: Leftovers D: w/ Emma & Jill @ Home (Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, & Merry Berry Salad)	L: Spaghetti Leftovers D: Appetizer Night: Bruschetta,  Spinach Bites, Potato Skins	L: Make lunch: Frozen Chkn Pot Pie D: Out - Rockwall County Christmas @ the Square	L: Leftovers D: Kelly’s Overnight Chicken, Brussel Sprouts w/ Walnuts & Bacon,  & Smashed Potatoes	L: Leftovers D: Crockpot Lasagna & Salad	L: Eat @ Arboretum D: Leftover Night	L: Out - Christmas Parade  D: Polar Express Party
Activities:	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Snacks
	AM: Hot Chocolate Play Date PM: Handprint Christmas Trees	P @ Pre-School - Dance Class AM: Practicum PM: Last Video for Practicum	P @ Pre-School AM: Finish Video #3 PM: Make Advent Calendar	P @ Pre-School AM: START ADVENT W/ P & Make wreath (Inspiration here, here, & here) PM: Class - Video Due	AM: Arboretum  PM: Window Decor (here & here) & Fuzzy Pinecones Make something for Polar Party	Reindeer Sandwich Cuties Yogurt Smoothies

To Make: Advent Calendar, Wreath, Window Decor, Finish Christmas Cards, & Handprint Christmas Trees

To Blog: Christmas Banner, Aprons, all the stuff above

Life: Get on track w/ quiet times & prayer journal, finish school assignment

French Memo Board {To Be Used as a Jewelry Holder}

It's a sad thing to admit, but my own mother does not read my blog. But that's why I feel okay sharing the Christmas present I just finished for her. 

She called a month or so ago and asked if I would make a board that she could store her necklaces on. I immediately thought of this one, this one, and this one. But after talking to her for a bit and even sending her those links, she was pretty sold on the fact that she just wanted a simple memo board so it could be used as something else in the future if she wanted. I still think a framed anything looks better, but she preferred the non-framed. So this is what she's getting.

I didn't use any one particular tutorial but utilized several to make sure I was getting it right. Essentially, I just wrapped batting and designer duck canvas around a bulletin board, pulled tight, and staple gunned the two to the back of the bulletin board frame. Then I cut off the excess in the back.

For the crossed ribbons, I layer them out first to get the spacing, leaving about 3 inches hanging off the edge of the board, and then carefully hot glued all of the intersections to both the canvas

Next I hot glued these cute glitter dome stickers I found in the scrapbook aisle at Hobby Lobby at all the intersections. They're subtle but glamorous. Then I staple gunned the edges of the ribbon to the back of the board to make sure they stayed tight. You could probably hot glue it too. In fact, it might be possible to use hot glue for the entire project verses the staple gun. 

Finally, I took jumbo push pins (large enough to hold a necklace or two) and hot glued these flowers to the tops.

I think I'll be making one for myself one of these days. They're so much prettier than the ones in the store, took less than an hour to make, and only cost roughly $20. I'm sure it could be less if I spaced out my 40% off coupon, but I was eager to begin. Hope she loves it!

Linked to:

Christmas Card 2011

Whew! I finally finished my Christmas card for this year at Shutterfly.com. (We recently hosted a Shutterfly House Party that I'll blog about later this week.) I actually look forward to and love address all 85ish, so I can't wait for them to get here. This is the finished product:

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

AND I saved $173 using the code CARD40 for 40% off all holiday cards (last day to use it is TODAY). Plus I used RetailMeNot.com for some other codes for a few free cards and free shipping.

Linked to:

Feathery Fall Wreath

I'm in love with my new wreath! 

Week of Nov 6

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
L: Leftovers D: Biscuits, Sausage Gravy, Fruit Salad in Yogurt	L: Sandwiches D: Crockpot Minestrone (double for Gaines family)	L: Leftovers D: Tomato Basil & Spinach Soup w/ Grilled Cheese	L: Leftovers D: Mushroom Bourguignon & Fast and Easy Spinach	L: Leftovers D: Out	L: Leftovers D: Pizza for P	L: Out D: Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Mac n Cauliflower n Cheese
Activities:	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Snacks
	P @ Pre-School AM: OBGYN appt., Make minestrone & cream pies PM: Make Thanksgiving Advent Tree Evening: Yoga	P @ Learning Center (Dance Class) AM: Practicum @ High School PM: Practicum @ High School Evening: Amy Meeting	AM: Mom’s Bible Study PM: Park Play Date - Bring oatmeal cream pies Evening: Yoga	P @ Learning Center AM: Yoga, Bloodwork, Make play date bread, prep for Sunday’s Shuttefly party PM: Supervision & Class	AM: Play date - Pull Apart Cinnamon Pumpkin Bread PM: Candy Corn Craft & Buy bday gifts Evening: Date Night	Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies Yogurt

To Craft: Thanksgiving Advent Tree, Shutterfly House Party backdrop, 

To Blog: Feathery Fall Wreath, Thanksgiving Advent Tree

To Buy: 3rd bday gift for a boy (any ideas?), fabric for backdrop, frames (to spray paint...check thrift store)

Linked to Meal Plan Monday

Pumpkins Family Project

Our family hit up the pumpkin patch at the beautiful Dallas Arboretum. The entry fee and parking was steep, but their pumpkins are pretty cheap.

The Lil' Fam

Mr & Mrs Bedroom Sign

Very loosely inspired by this Pinterest photo, I made these:

I took the Mr. & Mrs. at the head of the bed idea but used canvas instead of pillow cases.