String Art (With Tutorial)

There are tons of string art pins going around Pinterest these days. I remember doing something similar in grade school. We used construction paper, but the idea is the same.

The pins I have really liked are the states with a heart over where you live. I was inspired to do four, one for each state Russ and I have lived in (I know! We've lived in 4 different states and have only been married 8 years...ah, the life of a preacher's family).

I really liked the way they turned out, but I can't seem to find a good place to put them. I thought I would hang them in the craft/guest room but didn't end up liking it like I thought I would. I'll figure it out sometime!

My state string art consists of Arkansas, Missouri, South Carolina and Oklahoma.

So, for this project you will need:

Backboard (I picked mine up at Hobby Lobby in the unfinished wood section. I'm sure you can get these at any craft store or you can cut your own if you have the tools)

Spray paint (primer and whatever color you want the backboard to be)

Sandpaper

State and heart outlines (or whatever your string art is going to be. I'm planning on doing one for Christmas with a football team logo)

double sided tape

nails with heads on them (otherwise the string will slip off and it will be very frustrating for you)

hammer

string (I used crochet thread)

The first thing I did was give the backboards a good sanding.

Then I gave them two coats of primer. I'm sure one would have been sufficient, but I went ahead and used the whole can of spray paint.

I chose to paint my backboards yellow. I did two coats of the paint, too.

Before I started the project, I googled "state outlines" and printed off the states that I wanted. I used the double sided tape to tape the heart on the state right over where I live. I then taped the state to the backboard.

I started by nailing around the heart. Because the heart is small, the nails had to be very close together. After finishing the heart I started on the outside edge of the state. Unfortunately, the Oklahoma board split around the nails. It doesn't show up as much in person, but I tried to take a close-up where you guys could see. I don't have the knowledge to know how to fix that. I'm thinking that it was the fact that I bought cheap wood.

I then pulled the paper out.

After pulling the paper out, I started winding the string. I did the heart last. I liked this pattern, but you could do it many different ways. I saw one that was random that turned out great.

I nailed a picture hook to the back and then I was ready to hang them up.

And what do you think Miss Jo was doing while I was crafting?

Bowling of course!

Pumpkin Patch!

Last week I worked on a lot of sewing projects that have been on my list for a while. I had bought a few shirts to applique on in the summer and just hadn't gotten to the last one, yet.

I decided to make it a fall outfit so I printed off a pumpkin picture, traced it onto orange check gingham fabric and made a pumpkin applique out of it. I also had bought two pairs of jeans that were on clearance for $3.00 each. I decided to add a ruffle out of the same material the pumpkin was made out of. I am pretty happy with the outfit. I do need to work on my ruffle skills, though!

On Wednesday Russ and I took Chloe Jo to the pumpkin patch! We met Aunt Chelle and cousins Brianna and Brenson there. We sure had a lot of fun!

The girls loved this spider tunnel!

There were a lot of different activities for the children. Brianna loved the petting zoo. Chloe Jo...eh, not so much.

This is a hay bale maze. We tried to get the girls to hold hands and smile for the camera at the exit. This is the best we could do.

Chloe Jo enjoyed the obstacle course. Erm, let me rephrase. Chloe Jo skipped everything else and just played on the hay bale part of the obstacle course.

My sweet girl!

I think the best part (if you ask Chloe Jo) was the train. Our group was the only one there at the time so everyone, adults included, rode the train.

I'm kind of surprised we all were able to get out. You can just see the top of Miss Stinker's head in the red car.

And, of course, what is a day at the pumpkin patch without a family picture. This one turned out pretty good!

I am so loving this time of year!

P.S. This is my 1000th post!!!

Kiev, Ukraine journal - 11-13-94 and 11-14-94

*Disclaimer: Please remember that I wrote these when I was 12! I could be a snarky brat! I also am typing these journals exactly as I wrote them, bad spelling and all, except I have abbreviated names to protect the innocent or not-so-innocent.

11-13-94

Today we went to Centre Church. Dad preached and a guy named Andre transulated into Russian. Also RC transulated into Chinese for a man who was baptized yesterday. We rode the metro to a place and went shopping and the keoses. Mom & Michelle bought a few Metrouskas. The metrouskas are real pretty. Then we rode the metro home and we actually got the bus to ride home. Around 7:00 p.m. F and J L invited us over to have popcorn. I though it was real good.

*keoses = kiosks

11-14-94

Today went shopping at the bizzare. We got some bread and apples. F taged along behind. Then we went home and ate some tuna, ritz crackers, peanut butter, & bread. It was very good. I did most of my homework. I did social studies, science, math, and a drew a picture for art. Mom said the picture was good but I did not think so. I drew a chuch with a bunch of little crosses on it. It had gold peaks on it too. I thought it was a pretty church.

*I love how everything is "real good."

Happy October!

Meant to get this up on the 1st. Whoops!

I sure love this time of year and dressing Chloe Jo up in holiday clothes!

A Shabby Chic Baby Shower

My sister's bestie, Kendall, is due to have twin girls in November. My sister and her other besties all decided to throw Kendall a baby shower. Kendall loves shabby chic decor so they decided to do a shabby chic tea party for the shower theme.

My sister is very busy so she recruited me to help her with the decorations. We got together a few times and I helped with what I could. In the process I learned how to make several different kinds of fabric flowers! I'm always up for learning a new craft!

I have to admit that shabby chic is not my favorite, but the more I made flowers and helped with other party decor, the more I liked it!

These are some of the fabric flowers we made. I have no idea what the final tally of flowers was, but it was a ton! These flowers were made for corsages for the mom-to-be and her family.

I also helped with this wreath. I. LOVE. IT.

I have been thinking that I need to make one for me. Except without the "baby love." Maybe "Welcome" or our last name.

I don't have any more pictures from the actual shower, but it turned out beautiful and the shabby chic tea party theme was lovely and terrific!

FB Launch!

For the past several months I have been thinking about reopening my Etsy Shop.

Today I made the decision to open the shop back up, but on Facebook instead!

I want to mainly sell hair bows and blankets, but there are other products on the page as well.

I am so excited to start my store back up and I am hoping to help my family out in the process.

If you would like to "like" my page or purchase anything, go here.

I do everything custom so the products I have on the page are just to show my work. If you would like anything specific, just message me and I can work with you so you get exactly what you want.

Here are a few of the blankets I have made in the past.

And here are a few of my bows.

I just made this one on Monday.

Please go "like" my page and share it with your friends!

The Children's Orchard

I have to admit: I'm kind of a clothes snob.

Not in an expense way.

In a "I don't really want used or hand-me-down clothing unless I know who and where it came from" way.

Until a couple of weeks ago when I discovered the wonders of The Children's Orchard.

If you are anything like we are and are on a strict budget, The Children's Orchard is great! They are super duper picky about what they buy (at least the one close to me is) and everything is in good shape. Also, they usually have strollers and infant swings. When I went in, they even had an electric kid car priced at $65.00. It was in great condition and they usually retail around $200 and up.

Also, Chloe Jo grows so fast that I can't get clothing for her before the season because I never can predict what size she is going to be in. That puts a strain on the wallet because I have to get everything around the same time.

Okay, I know you guys are probably tired of my babbling on about the store so here are the clothes I have purchased for Chloe Jo so far!

2 jumpers in excellent condition. The shirts I did get at the wall-to-wall mart. I love the jumper on the left. It looks very much like a line Gymboree had last fall with the buttons that I loved.

 3 complete outfits. The one on the left was priced at $10, but the ruffles on the pants had snagged so the lady gave it to me for $5. I fixed it right up in about 2 seconds! The other two outfits are size 6 for the winter.

I was thrilled to find this set in a size 6 for the winter! It was priced at $6 and is in near perfect condition. The only thing I could find wrong with it is the snowman have started pilling, but you can remove the pills very easily.

These two dresses aren't anything special. Chloe Jo loves to wear them, though. Again, they are in excellent condition! When I put the purple one on Chloe Jo for the first time she said, "OH! I love it! It's like jammies!" Bahahaha! Love kids!

This is the piece de resistance. I bought this for $10! It looks brand new! Chloe Jo was soooo excited about this dress. I let her put it on to show Daddy and she wore it for 20 minutes and never stopped twirling. Such a priss!

And here she is on Sunday morning looking like a beautiful princess!

Love The Children's Orchard! They are all over so if you are looking for fall clothes and don't mind used, go check it out!

Kansas City

Sorry for the brief hiatus, ya'll.

Our internet has been up and down for the last week.

So frustrating.

When it was up, I was on Pinterest looking for a few patterns.

And then I would get distracted by all the other things I wasn't looking for. Oh, Pinterest, you evil devil, you.

A couple of weeks ago, Russ, Chloe Jo and I packed up our car and headed to Kansas City for a few days. We attended a couple of days of a lectureship. We had a great time and we heard some excellent lessons.

It was nostalgic being there because my family lived in the Kansas City area for 13 years when I was young. I was able to see many of my friends from that time in my life. I is so fun to catch up with old friends!

Chloe Jo did GREAT while we were there! There were 7 lessons each day so we all had very sore rumps by the end of the day. It was so worth it, though!

Chloe Jo even found a little friend that she played with in between lessons. It was so fun to watch them play because I played with the friends' momma when we were their age! Second generation playmates!

My Dad was also at this lectureship and he spoke twice. He did an excellent job!

My awesome brother and his son were also there. My brother also did a couple of lectures. My family and my brother and his son all stayed with a couple that live there. It was fun to be able to stay up late visiting!

Russ and I are already looking forward to next year!