WIP Wednesday

I'm slooooooooooowly making progress on my Mario Granny Square blanket. Slowly pecking away at it. Getting there!

Hope to finish him soon, work on some of the granny stripe blankets and start a Yoshi blanket for my other son :) This pesky day job is kinda slowing me down :)

~~Amy

Summer Sun and Birthday Party Fun

Today we went to my great niece's combo birthday party. (They're a few days apart, both turning three.) H had a blast on the water slide, and although E was a bit grumpy, he did enjoy the day. Even the hubs got on the water slide...

And a beautiful sunset to end the day...

I hope y'all had a fabulous Sunday, we did! :)
~Amy

Finish It Friday

Finished up the buttermint cowl!!

I also finished up a little jar cozy for pens/pencils for my temporary work desk :)

Have you finished up anything fun lately??

~~Amy

WIP Wednesday

I finally picked back up this Mario blanket. I started it a year ago, and am finally picking it back up, as much as I now dislike Red Heart yarn, that's what I started it with.

This is what 142 granny squares looks like. Only blue and yellow is left. Hopefully I can actually finish it before winter....

as Mario says... "here we go!"

WIP Wednesday and Back to School

TODAY IS BACK TO SCHOOL DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE BACK TO SCHOOL!! No, not just because I get the awesomeness of peace and quiet for several hours each day to do my work, clean, cook and just frolic through my home without being followed by "Hey, Mom!" But I love the newness of back to school. The possibility of learning, meeting new friends, their stinking cute back to school picture with their little backpack. New hair cuts, new shoes, the predictable routine of school. I love it. Thankfully, my boys love school and their elementary is awesome. I try to stay active in the school and PTA, because I believe you cannot complain about your child's school if you don't bother to get involved. But yes, I love the ME time. I get to focus on my work, keeping home and solitude. As much of a people person that I am, I relish my alone time. I choose what's on TV. Crank up my music. Eat lunch without interruptions... USE THE BATHROOM ALONE!!! It's a beautiful thing. So I hope to have a LOT of WIP's to show you now!! :) But honestly, my best, BEST works in progress are these two little boys. They are my most important work, and even though they can drive me nuts, have their issues, I feel they're not too shabby for  my first times :)

Well, when I originally pre-wrote this post I was all ready to enjoy the peace and quiet of back to school. Then I got a phone call asking me to fill in a temporary position at the preschool my little one just got into! (I have worked there on and off since 2001). I said yes, and will start work on the same day my oldest starts school!!! So no relaxing morning coffee for me! I shall enjoy it driving to work! There will be a lot of organizing, daycare shuffling, lunch making, etc that I'm not used to but I'll find my stride.

If it's one thing I've learned, life is always changing and you have to be ready for it! Wake up, do what you need to do, smile, laugh, enjoy and repeat!

~~Amy

Year Without Walmart Update

Sooooooo, I was doing so good. From January to about May I didn't go to Walmart but I think one time? Well, I have gone about three times over the summer. Twice because my father (who I drive on errands because of his vision) insisted on going. But at least once I went on my own volition. I admit, I was lured by the back to school prices. I happened to be in Mississippi where the state tax is lower and had an opportunity to be child free during back to school shopping. I was weak, I caved. But I did save...

Overall, it's not been hard to avoid it. I use Target, grocery stores, Amazon (GREAT prices on  Gluten Free foods if you need them! Organic too.) Wal-Mart is fairly easy to avoid.

Will I go back to shopping there when this experiment is over? Probably. But probably not at the frequency I was before. I buy less STUFF by not going there because I focus on locally owned grocery stores. I'd rather put my money in a family owned local business than a huge conglomerate. I'm blessed with a variety of stores to choose from, I realize not everyone has that choice. I appreciate the deals WM affords people, I just wanted to see if I COULD do it. Admittedly, it's not easy and I've not gone COMPLETELY without shopping at WM, but I've done pretty good.

Thanks for following my journey! I'll do a final update at the end of the year.

~~Amy

Getting Crafty With It...Chalkboard Bill Center

A few weeks ago my sister and I were perusing around antique shops (if you recall from my Beyonce' meeting post.) And I found this awesome shutter set for six bucks! Right away I knew I had to give it a go at upcycling it.

I got a can of chalkboard spray paint, sanded the shutters down and got to spraying. After a few coats on each side and some dry time, it was ready!

I set it atop the small rolltop desk my husband uses to pay bills at. When we move, I plan to hang it on the wall. I'll also write something more witty on it later when my brain cells have recouped from the spray paint.

I also got chalky with my vinyl and this frame I found at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. Again, when we move, I'll spray paint the frame a pretty color to fit the new kitchen (I'm hoping blue!) but for now, I'll leave it white. Every night I write the dinner menu on it for the kids to read.

 

Psst, want to hear my secret? I just stuck the chalkboard vinyl on the wall and hung the frame up over it :)

Have you done any fun upcycles lately?

~~Amy

WIP Wednesday

This week's WIP is another version of the cowl from Frayed Knot...I loved it and had to try it in my favorite yarn EVER...Chroma by Knit Picks. I had some of this one left and am giving it a go :)

Isn't that yarn yummy??? I seriously could just fondle Chroma all day long....