Mariannes Motifs

Owl Stuffie

Here's my latest work of art. I made this with the embroidery machine. I got the in the hoop design from an Etsy seller - at digitizedcreations.etsy.com. So far I've made two of these - one for each kid.

Looking for a raleigh nc cpa firm?

They come out so cute - Ben's is even cuter but I don't have a picture yet.

First Attempt at Machine Embroidery Applique

Isn't this just the cutest? I used some French Provencal fabrics and the teal with the big flower is an Amy Butler fabric.

This is on upcycled jeans material. I am practicing for a jeans purse I am planning to make with the top of these jeans. I want to line the bag in the Amy Butler print.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Freestanding Lace Machine Embroidered Coaster

I made this with the embroidery machine. Wow - it took a long time to stitch out. Very pretty result, though.

Next, I think I am going to try an applique technique with the machine. I also have a set of quilted placemats in mind.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Music

I want to get the kids playing musical intruments again.  They took piano lessons for a while in preschool.  Ben had recorder in 3rd grade and really liked it.  I think he's pretty decent.  I am thinking clarinet might be a good choice for him.  Portable, and you can play in the orchestra and band both. Adam had a great touch on the piano but he has asked me about drums.  Oh boy!  Always the bad boys in the percussion section, right?!?

I wish I could play guitar.  I think piano and guitar are great for singers because you can accompany yourself.  Guitar is great because its portable, too.  I played bass for a bit in high school and that was fun.  My bass was a red one I called Ethelred the Unready.  LOL.  It'd be cool to play something fancy like a ernie ball music man steve morse guitar but really I think acoustic guitar is awesome.  My Dad plays and I used to love listening to him sing to us.

Pictures!

Here are some pics from our trip to Ohio.

Adam and Alisa:

Cheap Fun in the Hose:

Grandma and Ben and Cake and Present:

Silly Uncle Joon:

Fireworks (with sign at no extra charge):

Saving Money

I saved money this month by dying my own hair and giving myself a half-a$$ed pedicure.  The hair turned out great but the pedicure needs to be done professionally!  I must have foot rubs!  Now!  Rub the bunions!

LOL.  I am planning on cooking up some nice cheapo chicken drumstick for dinner tomorrow.  I will put them in the crock pot in the morning before I got to work and just make rice and veggies when I come home.  I am thinking of a soy chicken or bourbon chicken style.

 

First Tomato Crop of 2012

Lest you think I have forgotten the joys of posting incessant pictures of my cherry tomato haul - here you go!  The first crop of 2012.  Some are the size of litle coins and some are big.  I didn't have to water these very much but they are sure dry today.  And they need plant food.  But they are hanging in there.  I also have a contaner of onions which I have been thinnging out and eating as scallions.  Yum!

Life with Really Little Kids is Hard

As one who had essentially two babies (17 months apart) I can remember the double stroller days.  That darn thing was so big and what a pain!  One of my favorite ages was when the kids got old enough to walk on their own and not need strollers anymore. 

They have some fancy ones - Britax B-Ready double stroller but really it's just a pain to have anything that big.  For a while we had two umbrella strollers with clips to keep them together.  That was ok.

I love babies - so cute and cuddly.  But every age my kids get to opens up more opportunities and fun activities we can do.  From playing dots and boxes, doing math puzzles, going places without worrying about extra clothes and diapers...  I love that my kids can play independently and not need me for everything. 

Keeping Cool!

It's just too darn hot out all over the place.  Somebody call Al Gore and apologise cause he was obviously right about the global warming.

The best thing we have going for us is the new windows we had put in.  (Thanks, Mom!)  That and the replacement A/C have us nice and cool in the burbs.  Also, I have big trees all over my yard.  The shade helps.  My grass is not the greatest, but my house is shady. Looking for replacement windows in VA?  Here ya go - replacement windows richmond va. They are a big investment but they will bring down your electric bill like nobody's business.