Locks of Love

A few weeks ago Maddie decided to cut her hair and was happy to find out that she could send her hair to Locks of Love.  So, 11 inches later, Maddie had 2 ponytails ready to be mailed.  I finally got around to taking her picture with her donation and we are mailing her hair to be made into a wig for a child today!

Celebrating with “the girls”

This morning I had the pleasure of having brunch with my mom, my sisters, my aunts, my grandmother, my mother-in-law, my daughters and my nieces.  It was quite the girl fest!

We were celebrating our baby girl that should arrive sometime before the end of August.

We all gathered at my sister Melody’s house, had a wonderful feast and then had a ball laughing at stories from the past.  The stories were supposed to be about a funny event as a parent.. but like many stories they evolve into sister stories.  When you are one of four girls and your mom is one of four girls, that makes for a lot of special memories.  Grandmother can get a story started and it all goes down hill from there :)

One days like this, I am reminded how truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful family. The bond of sisterhood that my mom and aunts have has now been passed down to me and my sisters.  How exciting to know that I am passing down the sisterhood tradition with my girls.  However, I must say, please God… just 3 girls.  Let my youngest sister Katy have the 4 girls!!

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Thankful Thursday: 5 year anniversary in our house

Five years ago today we packed up the house in Azle and moved back home to Stephenville.  I can not believe how quickly five years have passed.  We went from moving around a lot (6 houses in 5 years) to stability.  It’s no wonder that this house feels like home.

We have also done a lot of work to the house over the last five years.  In fact, we have changed almost everything.  Here are a few before pictures.  You will notice that I was pregnant then too!

   

And here are some after shots.  Funny thing is, I started painting Lexi’s room today.  This will be the third color in five years :)

 

I look forward to what the next five years holds for us and am interested to see where we will be living.  We could very possibly be in this same house.  No telling how many more paint colors could come our way!

A Book for Baby

Over Lexi’s first year, I made her a Monday book.  It was an idea that I saw from a fellow scrapper and loved.  Every Monday, I took a picture of her and chronicled in pictures her first year.  We love looking at this book and in fact, it’s the only scrapbook Lexi currently has, so I am very glad I made it.

Here are a few pictures from Lexi’s book.

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Knowing that life is going to be even MORE CRAZY with baby #3, I decided to create the “monday book” ahead of time.  NO, I haven’t put dates in it!! However, I have already put in the weeks as those are a given :)

Here are few pictures from this baby’s book.  I can’t wait (well, yes I can..) to add all of the details!

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Happy crafting!

Technique Tuesday: Embossed Handprint Watercolors

I love handprints. All handprints, but especially of my children. I can’t believe how quickly time passes. Yesterday I saw a fun post at my friend Megan’s blog, and thought I’d give it a whirl, but with my kiddo’s handprints instead of an initial.

Here are the finished results:

This is a fun project that my kids age 4 and 9 were able to do almost entirely on their own!

To make this project you need..

1. VersaMark inkpad
2. Embossing powder. The first handprint we tried using Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, but it was too think I think. See Maddie’s clear handprint. The embossed handprint doesn’t have enough texture with the UTEE. So next up we used silver and then just fine clear for Lexi’s second handprint. These powders worked much better and allowed for the lines in the hand to show even when the powder was set.
3. Craft heater
4. Watercolor paper
5. Watercolors and paintbrushes.

To begin, have your child ink their hand (or do it for them) then smoosh the hand really well onto watercolor paper and completely cover with embossing powder. Use the craft heater to set the powder.

Now the kids can start painting. Personally, I think you get better results if you have the kids dampen the entire page with plain water and the brush first and then start with the colors. This allows for much more uniform blending. Once the pictures are complete, don’t forget to have them signed and dated. Finally, allow to completely dry and frame.
And there you have it! Another edition of Technique Tuesday…