WIP Wednesday 2

My second week joining in WIP Wednesday and I am excited!  Last week I got to see many peoples projects that they had going on ........all of which were amazing! I started following some new favorite pages and even received some return follows.  I love to do all crafts.....but crocheting I must say is my favorite and this linkup has let me connect with so many people that share the same passion for the needle arts.

Last week I shared the baby blanket that I started for my niece who recently found out that she is expecting her first child.  You can see the beginnings of the blanket HERE.  There is also a link to the free pattern in the first post if you like what you see here and wanna try it yourself.

 

This week, I managed to get the whole tree pattern completed.  It is looking great!  The original pattern is called the Tree of Life but I am making a whole different play on it.  I see two trees combining as one.....and since this is for a baby......I am considering this two "family trees" combing together (the baby). 

 

This is my heirloom gift to the new to be mother.  I plan on embroidering some leaves on the trees and writing a sweet poem to put in a card to go along with the blanket explaining the idea behind it.

 

I am definitely not a writer, so I am going to need some luck writing this poem, lol.

Im Co-Hosting!!! Friend Connect Blog Hop!!

I am so thrilled this week to be co-hosting the Friend Connect Blog Hop!  This is my first time co-hosting anything and cant wait to see how many of you join us this week!  Special thanks to The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife for letting me join in on the fun!

 





It's Tuesday again which means it's time for the Friend Connect Blog Hop!

It's the time to meet new friends and find new blogs. You can choose to follow the cohosts in whatever way is best for YOU! Here are some of my favorite ways: GFC, BlogLovin', HelloCotton, RSS, Twitter, Facebook.

Ok, so let's get to the party, shall we?

RULES are simple:

1. Follow your host 

The First link below

2. Follow your co-hosts 

The Next 6 links below

3. Link up below using your main blog url not a specific post.

4. Make sure to visit some of the blogs in the link up and follow them 

and if you want to leave them a comment, I'm sure they'd appreciate that as well.

5. Tweet about this blog hop

Tweet

6. Share about this blog hop by grabbing a button and putting it on your sidebar!

<a href="http://www.thelifeofanotsoordinarywife.com/search/label/gfcbloghop"> <img src="http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z237/melissaenault/fcbloghop_zps81aaa394.gif" border="0" /></a>

I have cohost spots available! Email me if you're interested at melissa@thelifeofanotsoordinarywife.com

All Things Baby Linky Party 3

Whoooaa........things were so crazy this weekend that I did not have time to post my feature from the All Things Baby Linky Party 2 yesterday! 

 

 

 We had our American Girl Crafts House Party, and our family grill out.......things went amazingly great and I had such a wonderful time!!  I will share more on all this later this week....but for now lets get on to my feature from last weeks All Things Baby Linky Party....

 

 

Are these not the most adorable things you have ever seen!!!!!  Ok, quit google eying over thos cute little tooties and check out the hand crafted Gladiator Sandals.  These were linked up by Whistle and Ivy and I just adore these!  You can check out her whole post HERE where you can even download the pattern.  She also sells on Etsy, so if your not needle savvy then maybe you can sweet talk her into making some for you!

 

Ok, we are now on week 3 of the linky party!!  I have seen some great things so far, and excited that you are all so willing to share.  The only rule that I have is that you link up to something that petains to infants and toddlers.........and if you want to grab a button that would be great too! 

 

Lets party!!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Raining On My Parade

Ugh!  Seriously.....I wake up this morning and it is pouring down raining!  And it needs to stop asap!

 

First up today is the American Girl crafts party that I am hosting through HouseParty.com.   My daughter and I have been planning this for a month.  Invitations are out, rsvps are in, table is prepped, loot bags packed and goodies are made! 

 

I got to spend some amazing quality time with my little chicklet going through all the photo albums helping her pick out which ones she wanted to include in her My Life American Girl Scrapbook.  This was great, we spent hours talking about past memories and good times.  Made me realize just how precious little moments like that are.  I am so glad that I got the opportunity to host this party.

 

Next up for the day we have grill out planned........and this is why I desperately need it to stop raining......like right now would be great!

 

A few weeks ago, thanks to Facebook, I reconnected with some family friends from my childhood.  I haven't seen this family in 20 years!!!!  Our parents were really close friends when we were younger and when they moved out of state, we all just kind of lost contact.  People get busy and life just kind of happens, ya know.

 

This family was very important to us as children.  We had lots of good times together, and they even helped us through some of the bad ones.  They were like our second family back then.  I was so excited when I found the first sibling that I immediately started contacting the others through facebook as well. 

 

I got together with the family and invited them all to come over today for a grill out so we could all reconnect again. My sister is driving my mom up from out of state and my mother has no idea that they will be here!!!  This is going to bee a huge surprise for her..........and if I know my mom.....she will for sure be crying when she sees everyone!

 

Some of my inlaws will also be coming in from out of state today......this will be there first visit to our new house. 

 

There is alot of memories to be made today...........and day full of family and old friends........it is going to be such an amazing time!  My camera is charged and ready to go!!!!

WIP Wednesday 1

Today I am joining in on the fun of posting my first WIP Wednesday hosted by Tami's Amis and Other Creations.  Every Wednesday you can linkup your work in progress and show off to the world what you have in the works!

 

 

I found out a couple weeks ago that I am going to be a Great Aunt!  This was very exciting news!  I love babies and love making things for babies even more!  The problem with making things for a new baby is...........you have a deadline.  So, I knew I had to get started right away if I was going to have things finished before the big arrival. 

 

 

I racked my brain trying to figure out what I was going to make.  I had a couple ideas in mind but wanted something special, something that I hadn't done before.  Trying to think outside the box was begining to stress me out, lol.  So I started hosting a weekly All Things Baby linky party looking to all of you for a little help!  There is three days left so be sure to stop over HERE and linkup any post, idea, advice that you have that pertains to babies!  I can use all the help I can get.

 

 

In the meantime, while I waited to see what all of you had in store......I started searching for a pattern.  I always make a blanket in some form, whether it be knitting, crocheting or quilting.  My grandmother made everyone of my children one and I like to keep with the tradition. 

 

While searching online I came across (for the millionth time) the above pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.  It is called Tree of Life Afghan and is a free pattern on their website that you can find HERE.  I actually printed the pattern out back in 2011 but was too intimidated to ever try and make it.

 

 

Until now!!!!!  Ta Da.......my WIP!!!

 

Now,  I didn't follow the pattern quite as layed out.  The full pattern was going to be way to big for a new born baby, so I decided to change things up a bit.  I skipped through the pattern and just started to work on the block that has the trees in it. 

 

I have a whole story line planned out for this new little creation.  It is the cutest thing ever.  I don't want to give away my idea just yet though.  You will have to check back later......this is for sure going to be in the family heirloom box!

 

 

 

 



Linky Party!!!!

I know with the Royal Baby just being born yesterday, everyone is sure to have baby fever going on right now!  So I just wanted to remind everyone to not forget to head over HERE to the All Things Baby linky party going on right now and submit your baby related posts and ideas!  Submissions close in 4 days!

 

Here is one of my royal babies! A whole big 10 minutes old, lol!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



60 Free Photo Prints available now!!

Right now through York Photo you can get 60 free prints! Click the link below!

 

http://yorkphoto.extole.com/a/clk/CnTdF

 

I have used York Photo twice already.  Excellent quality photo and fast shipping!  They also have the cheapest per print that I have yet to find online!

All Things Baby Linky Party 2

Welcome back to All Things Baby Linky Party!  This week is round 2!  But before we start the party I want to thank those that linked up last week.....super big thanks for helping me get the ball rolling on this!

 

 

 

Now time to share the love! Here is my favorite from last weeks party!

 

 

This idea shared by What I Do All Day is amazing!  DIY baby wipes!!  I love anything that will save me money and to top it off......you know exactly what you are putting on your baby.  You even get to reuse an old container and save it from going to the trash.  You can check out her whole post HERE.

 

If you were featured don't forget to stop by HERE and grab a button!  If your new to linking up, you can stop by HERE to grab the party button! Its always nice to share the love!

 

Okay, so if you missed round 1 of the party, heres the scoop:

 

My oldest niece is pregnant with her first child.  I am looking for anything that pertains to infants and toddlers.  Any project, idea, advice.......!  I always make handmade gifts for baby showers and I am looking to you gals to bring some fresh ideas my way.

 

Let's Party!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Upcycled....... an Instant Vase

We are big recyclers here at my house.  I smash any and every box possible, rinse every can and bottle, save old clothes for crafts, etc.  I always try to find a way to reuse an item before it even goes in to the recycling bin.  Waste is not something that we do in my house.  I throw away only the things that I absolutely have to.  

 

 

We have several live plants in our office at work, my boss has the biggest green thumb ever!  One of the plants was getting way to big for its spot so I was asked if I would like to take some of it home.  Yay me!  Free plants!  Only problem was when I got them home, I soon realized, I had nothing to put them in!  So, I headed straight to the recycling bin!  What did I find?  None other than this nice olive oil bottle.

 

It was just the right size for my new vines, and I liked that it had the raised lettering and details.  This baby came pre-decorated!  So the first thing I did was to remove the label.  I peeled off as much as I could, and then soaked it in soapy hot water to remove the sticky stuff.  Wrapped the top with a little ribbon........and voila! Instant vase!

 

Im not sure what type of plant this is but I was told it only needed to be placed in water.  And this is also how we keep them at work, and they seem to thrive.

 

Made a nice little addition to my kitchens window sill, and the bottle was just the right size for the ledge.  It even matches my valance (which Im looking to replace).

 

I even had enough left over to add to the mantle in the living room!

 

Free plant, free vase..........home décor does not get any better than that!

AG party pack has arrived!!!

I am super stoked!!!!!!  I just received my American Girl Crafts  party pack from House Party, and it is amazing!!!!!  If you haven't heard of House Party then you def. need to head to their website and check it out!  They have some awesome opportunites going on!

 

There is so much stuff here that I know these girls are going to have a blast!

 

 

My little girl was so excited when the package came today she called me at work and was begging to open it!  I love to scrapbook, and so does she, so when the chance to host the party came up, I was quick to apply!

 

 

We have goodies galore!!  The girls are gonna sticker their way into creating a new  wonderful memory, while preserving some old ones!

 

Each girl will be receiving her very own My Life mini scrapbook made by American Girl!  These are too cute! 

 

The party pack was full of just about any American Girl Crafts that you can think of!  Anything and everything these girls are going to need to create their own fabulous book!

 

The party is being held on July 27th......and we still have lots of planning to do! 

 

Also, included n my party pack was these two Sew and Share crafts by American girl.  One for my daughter to keep and one for us to raffle off..............that should def. add to the excitement!!

 

**I am not affiliated with American Girl Crafts in anyway.  Any opinions on products are strictly my own and this is not a paid advertisement.  I received the party pack for free, in exchange for hosting a party using the above products shown.**

 



My Green Thumb! 6

 I have some yumminess growing in the yard.  We didn't realize it, but we have a pear tree! 

 

 

Isnt she a beauty!  Not sure what type of pairs she is growing, but they are starting to really show now!

 

I have never had a pear tree before, so this is going to put my research skills to some use.  I  need to figure what kind they are, how to take care of them, and then start looking into canning!  I am excited!

 

 

We also discovered that the previous owners planted grapes!  These are very young plants, and only the one is producing fruit but with a few more years and some maintenance......I may be able to make some jelly!

 

Since were new in the house this year, we didn't have time to get a garden going.  Next year though we plan on adding a big one!  I want to be able to grow our own food and preserve it for the down seasons. 

 

The house should be overall finished by then and I can get my hands dirty on other things.......and the garden will have great benefits!!

 



Make a House a Home....from Scratch! 9

Two weeks later and we are back in the dining room......trying to make some progress but its moving pretty slowly.  If you missed the beginnings of this room, you can find that HERE. 

 

This room was put off because we use it less then the others and it needed the most work!  It is the ultimate thorn in my side!  We did finally start the process of fixing of the walls and that in itself is challenging.  They are plaster, which makes for a big mess and or lots of work. 

 

 

We contemplated ripping them out and replacing them with drywall.  That was a little over our head and budget.  My husband can do all the work so it was more of a time and budget thing.  We decided to just repair them for now and maybe in a few years take on a complete redo.

 

 

All hard work and no play becomes very tiring and mundane......can also stall the project.  So, today my chicklet and I went to look at wallpaper (we will be doing the bottom of the room in it).  This was fun!  Lots of colors and patterns.....really took the mind off the stressing mess back at the house.  She was not the best help though.....and was a little disappointed when I told her we could not use the pink guitars!!

 

 

These were a few of my choices.  I like the blues.....and it will match well with the rest of my house.  I find blue very calming in the home.......but you will never catch me wearing it, lol.

 

We had a great day though looking through all the books.  Nothing yet ordered, it was so hard to choose just one!  Once we get to the point of actually needing it,  we will finalize our decision....until then.........its white walls!!!

 

 

I Crochet Too! 3

 With the warm weather it has bee too hot to really get any crocheting done, any large items, that is!  So, I have just been fiddling around with some smaller things to keep the hands moving.

 

 

These are hand clothe size and are perfect to keep in the bathroom.  We use them to dry our hands off with, or even in the kitchen as hot pads for the pans.

 

 

I use Peaches and Cream 100% cotton yarn.  It soaks up really well and I like the quality.

 

 

 

 These are made using a simple half double crochet stitch.  Works up pretty quickly while still leaving small gaps in the stitches.

 

 

Nothing fancy, just a quick and easy item that is super handy around the house.  Machine washable and they hold up great!

 

Chain 28

Half-Double Crochet in 3rd chain from hook and all the way across.  You will have 25 hdc.  Ch.2 and turn.

With out skipping the first stitch, hdc across for 25 hdc.

** you need a total of 12 rows**

 

When you have 12 rows, ch 2 and turn.  hDc 3 in same stitch as your turning chain.  hDc in each stitch to next corner.  hDc 3 in each corner, and continue around.

 

When you get to your beginning ch 2 slip stitch.  Ch 2 and repeat the above row two more times.

FO

 

So simple!!

 

 

 

 

Submissions close in 1 day!!!

All Things Baby

Submissions close in one day...........don't forget to come link up!!

My Green Thumb 5

Out in the yard this week we finally had some new color popping up!  The rain beat the glads down pretty good but it did bring out the blooms.  Only one small problem..........my glads are RED!!!  They were supposed to be pink!!  A pretty soft carnation pink....but that obviously is not the case here.

 

 

I know with Hydrangeas you can plant pennys to turn them blue.....anyone have any idea on how to make these pink?  Did something go wrong in the soil?  Maybe its the weeds growing in the beds?  Who knows?  But I want them pink! Lol!

 

Don't get me wrong.......they are still beautiful, and I love them just the same, but pink is my color.  We went ahead and cut some of the ones that the rain knocked down so they didn't go to waste.  Made for a lovely display in the house.