Easter, how I love thee

I think Easter is my favorite holiday. Yes, I get all into Christmas and Thanksgiving and certainly other special days like birthdays but Easter is my absolute favorite. I think it is the combination of so many things that makes it a favorite.

 

I love that it is always close to my birthday. The spring in Texas is generally perfect (although it feels like summer this year). Flowers are blooming and I love the excuse to get dressed in new clothes. Easter baskets are fun to fill and eggs are fun to dye. Little chicks and bunnies are precious. Most importantly Easter represents the most important message there is. That our saviour Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and most importantly rose from the dead to ascend into heaven. To be with God, his Father. Prooving his divinity. And opening the door to Grace for us. How can you not want to celebrate that?

 

We don't have big plans this Easter. Church, easter egg hunting, baskets and dinner with familiy and friends. Not much but wonderful all the same.

 

This year my children's baskets will be filled with books (and one movie). In years past there have been trinkets and toys, but I was really convicted about toys-and-easter this year. Now, I don't think there is anything wrong with giving toys for Easter. Nothing at all. We will probably go back to it next year. It was just that about a month ago my daughter started talking about "what she wanted from the Easter bunny".

 

At first I was thinking, "okay-make mental notes". Then I stopped myself and thought that Christmas and birthday's are bad enough. The wants and wish lists get long. Fast. I could not handle what was happening to Easter too. So, one morning at breakfast when my daughter was telling me what she wanted again, I stopped her. I told her that while the Easter bunny might bring her something but that he was not like Santa. She could not ask him for things. I gently reminded her what Easter was all about.

(I never get good bounce house pictures but this one turned out pretty cute!)

Since our discussion, my daughter has not mentioned anything about what Mr. Bunny will bring. She has however made sure to tell me what she wants for her birthday and Christmas though. One thing at a time I guess.

 

So, what do you do to keep the focus for Easter? Any tips for little ones?

 

PS- I will likely not be posting until Tuesday or Wednesday. Have a truly blessed Easter holiday.

My birthday wishlist

Birthdays are a big deal in my family. Mine is one week from today. In honor of my 31st (!) I thought I would share what is on my wishlist this year.

In no particular order...

Canon 24-70mm lens

Jo Jo Totes- Rose camera bag in teal

Personal Trainer

Sleep

Anything from Laura Mercier

These earrings from Designs by Jocelyn

This necklace from Luluka

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3

Someone to design a photography website for me

A tropical vacation

A pedicure

New running shoes- maybe that would inspire me to work out more

A smartphone...not necessarily an Iphone

More patience with my children. With my husband. With myself.

This dining sideboard from House of Hargrove

Chocolate birthday cake.

In all honesty, I have already gotten most of my gifts for this year. They are all very special and came early for one reason or another. So, all I am really expecting is some chocolate cake. And time with friends and family.

Green Today

Happy St. Patricks Day to you all. I have tried to incoporate green into our otherwise boring day. This is mainly for my 3 year-olds benefit. Everything is more fun as a holiday. It is not much but here is our green from today...

 

 Emerson and I made green chocolate chip cookies with green sprinkles.

 I wore my dirty green flip flops. (I didn't realize how yucky they looked until I took the picture).

 The little man is wearing green. He is obviously very happy about it.

 My daughter in her green dress. Although her arms are covering a lot of the green-ness.

 A big green hug.

 Look at how she just adores him!

And these came in the mail today. New fabric from my friend Daryl at Exclusively Quilters. This is from their Green with Envy line. I don't know what I am going to make with it yet, but Emerson has requested a new skirt.

I am also contemplating having breakfast for dinner tonight and making green pancakes. I think Emy would get a kick out of that! What did you do today?

Ruffled Heart Shirt- A tutorial

Finally! A Valentine's Day tutorial. Sorry this is so delayed. I know many of you won't have time to make this before Monday, but just keep in mind that you could do it in any color and even applique something on top of the heart to make it for another ocassion. It truly is so simple and just takes a few minutes from start to finish. Lets get started:

  

Materials Needed:

-Blank tshirt (I got mine from Target)

-Heart template- download here (I made a 3t with this size. You may want to adjust the size up or down depending on the size you make or the look you are going for)

-Appx 13" off pre-made ruffle (found in the ribbon section of your craft store)

-Lighter or fray block

-Fabric pencil

-Felt

-Scissors
 

 1. Cut ruffle and use lighter or fray block to treat the edges.

2. Pin heart template onto the felt and cut out .

3. Use heart cut out and fabric pencil and trace a heart onto shirt at desired location. 

4. Starting at the tip of the heart, pin ribbon so that the seam of the ribbon aligns with the pencil line of the heart.

5. When you get around to the other side, flip the ribbon back onto itself and pin the two ends together at the tip. (see image below)

6. Sew the ribbon into place. Your stitch does not have to be pretty because the felt will cover it up. The ribbon is kind of thick so make sure you go slowly. I used a walking foot on my machine to help with the thickness.

7. Place your felt heart over the ribbon heart and pin in place. Stitch the felt heart in place. Since felt does not fray, you do not need to use a zig zag to go over the edges. For interest, I widened my stitch length and used a contrasting thread color.

 Voila! So easy! 

Fun Etsy Finds: Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day. Seriously, I love it. I know, I know...it is an over-commercialized excuse for a holiday, but I still love it. I mean, it is all about chocolate, flowers, pink, red and love! Why wouldn't you adore this holiday? Another reason I love it is because February 14th happens to be my sweet grandmother's birthday. More reason to celebrate!

If you are as into celebrating this ridiculously commercial day as I am, here are some fun things that I found on etsy to honor Saint Valentine's holiday.

 Beach House Living: Adorable His and Hers spoons.

 Bear and the Honeybee: Heart on a string necklace. This would be perfect for the office or out with your honey.

 Brookie Cookies Bows: Look at this adorable headband! The entire shop is filled with cuteness!

 Bugaboo Gifts: Cute polka dot garland to decorate your home for Valentine's day. 

 Chic Couture Boutique: Don't forget your little man! 

 Eco Bling Couture: Talk about a statement piece! This entire shop is created from recycling old things into new jewlery. Gorgeous stuff. 

 Crowes Nest: Adorable clippies for your little one.

 Giddy Up and Grow: This headband is absolutely adorable. Seriously. I love it.

 Teddy's Tiny Tutu's: There are not words to describe this cuteness. 

 Happy Family: This robots in love tshirt cracks me up. Perfect for your techie lover! You heard me, I said lover.

 Inspirational Banners: Wouldn't this be great on your mantel or entry way?

 Jewelry Deli: Another piece of jewelry that would be perfect for date night.

 John W Golden: This shop has lots of cool art for all occasions and is currently running a sale- 14% off your entire order! Check out their shop for details and the coupon code.

 KB Originals Etc: This shop has all kinds of gorgeous handmade pottery. I can't get over how pretty the handle is on this mug and how it is the perfect shade of red. 

 Pink 2 Blue: Are you kidding me? Are these not to die for?

 Satin and Birch: These soaps (and the entire shop for that matter) are simply stunning. The details are amazing.

 Shop Gibberish: Cute geeky stuff! I love this card. cracks. me. up.

 Slippin Southern: If you are from the South, this shop is for you. Southern sayings made into wooden signs. So cute. And this shop is brand new, so help them get going! 

 The Career Scrapper: Gorgeous needle work art.

 The Vintage Chain: This love birds necklace would make a sweet gift. I love the font.

 Three Sassy Sisters: Catnip toy for the little kitty in your life.

Two Little Doves: I am enamored with this necklace. Completely smitten. I am seriously having to restrain myself from purchasing it as a gift. for myself.