Halloween Is Creeping Up On Us

Hi bloggy friends!  Well, it's only Tuesday, but it's already been a crazy week.  I've been busy working at the school and sewing some cute fall things.  One of my customers, and a very good friend of mine, wanted something fallish (is that a word?) for her daughter to wear Halloween night.  She's too young to take trick or treating, so she's skipping the costume for this year.  We discussed fabric choices and she decided on this:

Isn't that damask pumpkin adorable?  I love me some damask!!!  The best thing is that she can wear it after Halloween, into fall. 

Sadly, I haven't had time to work on a new Halloween outfit for E.  She's still wearing her witchy feet tee from last year.

I better get busy if I'm going to make her something new for Halloween this year.  I've still got some of this cute fabric:

and a teeny bit of this:

Now, if I only had a little bit of time to get something done.  After all, October is just a few days away. 

Getting To Know You, Celebrity BFF

So, have you ever found yourself watching your favorite television show or caught an interview with a celebrity and thought, "He/she is so cool.  I know we would totally be friends in real life"?  Don't worry.  I'm not some creepy celebrity stalker or something.  I have met a few celebrities in my day.  I was fortunate enough to meet Kirstie Alley, Patrick Swayze and a few others (you can read about that here), but I'm talking about someone you could hang out with and be friends with. 

I can't believe I'm admitting to this, but one of my favorite reality TV shows is Keeping Up With the Kardashians. 

I know those Kardashian girls are a little wild and sometimes have severe cases of potty mouth, but there is just something about them.  I love how they are running all over God's green earth and stepdad, Bruce Jenner, is home holding down the fort and trying to keep everyone grounded.  Underneath all the crazy, they actually seem like a normal family.  Okay, somewhat normal.  But would I want to hang out with them?  Hmmm.  I think I might for a day or so, but I would get tired of picking my jaw up off the floor constantly.  They are an outlandish group after all.  Not to mention that I can't fathom spending the money they do on a daily basis.  I mean, any girl who wears her $75,000 diamond earrings swimming in the ocean is probably not in the same league with the girl who usually forgets to even put on earrings, ya know?

My next favorite reality star would be, Giuiliana Rancic.  For those of you who don't know her, she is a reporter for E! News..  She is married to former The Apprentice winner Bill Rancic.  Their show is called Giuliana and Bill. 

Giuiliana seems to be very down to earth and has a great sense of humor.  She's a little sarcastic, which I love and she doesn't take herself to seriously.  I enjoy watching Bill and Giuiliana on TV.  Their couple antics are very entertaining, but would we ge along in person?  Probably.  Giuiliana loves to shop.  I, too, love to shop.  The problem is, I don't have tons of $$ to spend.  Shopping isn't nearly as much fun when you have no $$ to spend, ya know?

So, wanna hear my absolute top pick for the star I would want to be friends with?  Well, here are a few hints.  She was on a hit TV drama in the early 90's.  She grew up in a huge mansion in Holmby Hills, California.  She and her husband have had three seperate reality shows and I have loved them all.  Any guesses? 

That's right!   I love Tori Spelling!  She is so normal and friendly to everyone, and I do mean everyone.  She was even friendly to the semi-stalkery guy that showed up at her booksigning.  She is accepting and generous to those around her.  She is adorable, slightly klutzy (kind of like me) and funny.  She spends real time with her kids and is a hands on mom, just like the rest of us.  What else do we have in common?  Well, Tori is crafty.  I saw a show about ten years ago that was about several celebrities that were auctioning off their handmade artwork and or crafts for charity.  If I remember correctly, Tori's contribution was a collection of wooden boxes she had handpainted.  Love that!  Also, did you know Tori has her own craft blog?  That's right!  Find it here.  Also, on her style blog, she did a little Emmy fashion highlight and we even picked the same dresses.  Tori is now expecting her third child.  She just needs one more to be caught up with me.  We have so much in common.  So, Tori and I, we're BFF's, in my imagination anyway. 

Who would your celebrity BFF be?  Not a fan of realiy TV?  What about a favorite TV character that you see yourself being friends with?

Bring On The Pumpkins!

So, fall is upon us and I'm so excited.  I'm ready for the cooler air.  I am ready for haybales, the soup and chili, falling leaves and.....pumpkins.  My kids are asking for pumpkins every single time we hit Wal-Mart.  My two youngest kiddos both have field trips to the pumpkin patch in October.  So, I've been thinking about doing something different than the usual pumpkin carving.  Last year I wanted to do a monogram pumpkin, but never got around to it.  I'm definitely doing a polka dot pumpkin this year, since dots are my thang, y'all.  Here are a few other ideas that I thought were super cute:

Better Homes and Garden

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Photo Credit

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Pinterest

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I love the Silhouette dog, but mine would have to be a boxer.  Cute ideas, right?  So, how about you?  Will you be doing the typical carving?  Just decorating with natural pumpkins?  Or do you have something just a little different up your sleeve?

Emmy Fashion 2011

Okay, last night was one of my favorite nights on TV.  That's right.  It was Emmy night.  I loooove Emmy night.  I really like all the award show, but the Emmys is always the best because it's so much more relaxed that the Oscars, but not so relaxed that half of the folks have their buzz on, like the Golden Globes.  The Emmys ae never dull, but my favorite moment had to be the Best Actress in a Comedy award. 

Okay, on to the Emmy fashions.  Red proved to be "the" color this year. 

I looove Kate Wislet. This is by Elie Saab.  There is a short train in the back.  Gorgeous!!!!

This is Lea Michele from Glee.  Her dress is by Marquesa.  I am not crazy about the sleeves, but it's okay.  The back, however, is STUNNING!

Isn't that fabulous?  I love it!  The back is totally worth the boring sleeve. 

Nancy O'Dell (not sure of the designer)

and check out her earrings.  Aren't the fabulous?

Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan

I hate to tell you that I didn't have many favorites that weren't red.  There were a few that were okay.  I did have two to share that I did not love.

Gwyneth Paltrow in a two piece Pucci gown.  Okay, first of all, I looooove Gwyneth.  She is beautiful and has some of the best legs in Hollywood.  But, this dress cuts her in half.  Maybe if it were sheer black in the middle instead of being two pieces?  The other thing is the top part that looks like an upside down heart....well, it's as if she's saying, "Hi.  I'm Gwyneth and these are my boobs".  Um, no thanks.  A little cleavage would've been fine.  I can do without the sheer over the boobs.  Let's leave a little something to the imagination, shall we?

Orange/red velvet jeans by Jean Paul Gaultier

I don't even have words for Alan Cummings outfit above.  I'm at a loss.  I'm speechless.  UGH! 

So, did y'all watch?  What were your favorite moments? 

Speaking of TV, the fall premiere of the new shows starts tonight.  Woo hoo! 

Chef's Apron Tutorial

So, a long time ago, aprons were something you would find in every woman's kitchen.  I remember my great grandmother wearing one when she cooked.  I have never worn an apron, but boy do I need one.  Last week I went to school to pick up the kids and I was covered in flour.  I had been making chicken and dumplins.  I had white powder covering my black shirt.  How embarassing!  I really should make myself a cute little apron so I don't walk around like that and embarass my kids. 

Anyway, my cousin emailed me about making a Dr. Suess chef's apron for a teacher friend whose classroom has a Dr. Suess theme.  So, I did and I thought I'd show you how I did it. 

I made a pattern a long time ago so I used that one.  I found a great pattern HERE if you need one.  Or, you could trace around an existing apron.  Whatever works.

Turn down 1/2" all around the perimeter of the apron and iron.  Turn down another 1/2" and pin.

To make the strap around the neck, cut a piece of fabric 4 x 25.  For the straps that tie, cut two pieces 4 x 21.  Take these pieces and iron in half lengthwise.

Now open the piece up and fold one long edge in toward the fold and iron.

Now do the same with the other side.

Now fold these together and iron. 

Now open it up again and iron down one end 1/2" and iron.

Close your folds again and iron and pin.  Starting at the short end of your strip of fabric, sew the short end, down the long open end of the strip.  Be sure to backstitch at both ends.  It is not necessary to sew up and hem the other short end of the strip.

Lay out your apron.  Put the unsewn short end of your strap at the edge of the apron, right under the "u" that goes under your arm.  Unfold the ironed hem and insert the strip piece.

(Yes, I hemmed mine before I realized it wasn't necessary) 

Now flip the fold back over and pin.  Repeat with the other tie strip.

Sorry it's blurry.

Now for the neck strap.  Lay out your apron and tuck under the ends of your neck strap into the top hem, just like you did the tie straps.  Pin.  Make sure your neck strap is not twisted.  It should look like this.

Now hem all the way around your apron.  Now for the optional pocket.  I cut my fabric 12 x 9 for my pocket.  I applied fray check to all of my edges and allowed it to dry.  Next I ironed down 1/2 inch on one long side.  Then another 1/2 inch.  Iron the other edges down 1/2 inch. 

To find the center of your apron, fold it in half lengthwise.  Do the same with your pocket.  Now line up the middle creases.  That cuts way down on all the measuring. 

Now double stitch all the way around the pocket.  ALL DONE!  You ready for this?

I love the apron, but I hate the horizontal stripes on me.  YIKES!  It's especially lovely over my pajamas (yes, I have on pants).  Notice I cut off my head and my scary bed head.  Your welcome for that. 

So, y'all ready to make your own?  I'd love to see them. 

Dr. Suess

So, as you may or may not know, I've been working at the kids' elementary school as a substitute teacher.  So, the first week of school I was subbing a third grade class and per the lesson plan left for me, I had to read Dr. Suess's Happy Birthday To You.  Let me just say that I'm not good at reading Dr. Suess.  I tend to say the words too fast and they all run together.  One of the boys said it sounded like I was rapping.  HA!  Yeah.  You can just call me Master FrouFrouBritches.  So, later when I was in the office talking to two of the "real" third grade teachers, I commented that I was not a big fan of Dr. Suess.  The look of shock on their faces was enough to stop me from talking.  They spent the next five minutes spilling their love of Dr. Suess all over me.  Okay, I get it.  His books are entertaining for kids, but I hate reading things that are just full of nonsense words.  It makes no sense whatsoever.  BUT, that's just my opinion.  My kids, however, LOVE Dr. Suess.  Our school has a big week long celebration for Dr. Suess's birthday in March, so when the Dr. Suess fabric collection was released a few months ago, I knew I had to order some so E would have an outfit to wear in March. 

Cute, right?  I do love that it features all of the characters on it.  Very sweet.  I do love Horton.  That's my favorite Dr. Suess book.  And it coordinates with this:

Don't ya just love those colorful titles.  Only problem is, the blue titles on this fabric faded and ran slightly when I washed it.  Not good.  But, I did use just a little of it with the other to make E a new dress. 

I hate that her white shirt wasn't clean so she could wear it instead of the black shirt underneath, but when you're running late, you do what has to be done.  This picture was taken after school so she looks a little rough and grumpy.  I had to bribe her with computer time to even get this lovely shot.  Yes, I know.  It may not be a good idea to bribe the kid, but I had to get a picture, right? 

So, how do you feel about Dr. Suess? 

Getting To Know You......Kid Advice, Good and Bad

Do you remember what it's like to be a new mom, or even a soon to be new mom?

This is my cousin's new baby.  Isn't he precious? 

 It's been a long time since I was a new mom, almost fourteen years.  Man!  Time flies because it seems like just yesterday.  Have you ever noticed how when you're pregnant, people always feel free to put there hands on your belly and spout advice, whether you ask for it or not?  Your baby could be crying while you're shopping in Wal-Mart and suddenly you are surrounded by women telling you to try everything from stick your finger in his/her mouth to give him/her a drop of honey to make them take a pacifier (and babies aren't even supposed to have honey because of the risk of botulism).  Anyway, new moms are surrounded by advice, good and bad.

Seeing my cousin's new bundle of joy got me thinking about all of the advice she must be getting.  It got me to thinking about the best piece of advice I got.  You see, with my first baby, I was a total freak.  I worked in a pediatric clinic for several years.  While it was good for me in some ways, like not FREAKING out about holding the kids down for shots, it freaked me out to see 3 day old babies having to have spinal taps.  Yikes!  So, I was a bit of a germaphobe when my first one was born.  Nobody got to touch her until they used Purell on their handsl.  I was downright FREAKY about it and carried a bottle with me everywhere I went. 

Funny how things change.  By that fourth kid, she could play in the mud, drop her pacifier and put it right back in her mouth, basically eat dirt and it didn't phase me much. 

Seriously, this kid never met a mud puddle she didn't like.

Anyway, the best advice I got was that God was watching over them and babies had been surviving for hundreds of years before mine got here.  It's one thing to be careful and protective.  It's another thing to be a complete crazy lunatic germaphobe mom. 

Like I said, lots of advice, both good and bad.  BUT, what was the one thing NOBODY told you about being a mom?  I read tons of books to prepare me for pregnanacy, delivery and rasing a baby.  I got tons of advice, but nobody EVER told me how HARD it s to deal with feeding your kids.  I'm not talking about breastfeeding/bottle feeding, etc.  That's a whole different issue and don't even get me started on the whole lactation specialist chick.  Every single lactation nurse I had was weird!  Do they got a special class that teaches them to be so hard core that they know how to turn you off of breastfeeding?  Yes, all of mine were breastfed (which is why my boobs look like jersey socks instead of half cantelopes, by the way), but I'm not hardcore and all up in somebody elses's business about it.  Okay, stepping down off my soapbox.  Anyway, nobody ever told me that trying to get a child to eat healthy food was so time consuming - that getting them to eat vegetables and fruits and have a well rounded diet is so HARD!  I guess for some it comes easy.  It's a little better now that I can bribe them (I know, bad mom) to eat their veggies. 

My girls are pretty good eaters.  My boys, not so much.  It's so frustrating!  UGH! 

So, I wonder, what your best piece of advice?  What did NOBODY tell you about being a mom?  If you're not a mom, I want to know what kind of crazy advice you've heard or what you hear moms complains about?  Or if you're a teacher, what about kids surprised you?

Fall Is Coming!!!

After a summer of 100 plus degrees, I was beyond thrilled to wake up to a chilly 51 degrees this morning.  I could hardly contain my excitement as I opened the door for Hubby to load up the kids a few minutes ago.  It is downright chilly out there folks.  It made me want to dance in the streets in my shorty pajamas.  I opted not to, for fear of being kicked out of my neighborhood for public indecency. 

So, anyway, this cool spell has gotten me all excited about fall.  Fall is, after all, my favorite season.  Why?  Well, I have gained a few pounds over the years and I tend to look a little better with some coverage, ya know?  Not even to mention that I love my boots.  Plus, I get to wear my flannel pajamas (not with my boots).  I love my flannel pajamas!  Also, the "real" NFL season starts tomorrow night.  WOO HOO!  Go Cowboys! 

The other thing I love about fall is the decorating.  I dream of a stately front door to decorate.  BUT, those big gorgeous double wood doors would look a little silly on my little bitty house.  Wanna see what is inspring me these days?

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hgtv

Pottery Barn

google

I have seriously GOT to have those lanterns this year.  I've been dying for them for two years now.  I'm hoping to find a good deal on them.  I love all the fall ideas I've been stalking seeing on Pinterest.  UGH!  If only I had lots of $$.  Guess I better get my frugal crafty hat on and get this fall party started. 

So, are you excited about fall???