red, white, and blue...

just in time for the fourth.

Inspired by different handmade wreaths, I decided to make my own.
I used a grapevine wreath (already on hand) and strips of leftover fabric.
I cut strips of fabric and tied bows all over the wreath and
I "separated" the blue area from the red area with some found fake carnation flowers.

I really like the way it turned out.
:)

On to the kitchen.
I have been wanting to try making my own homemade strawberry freezer jam.
Ava got busy mashing all the berries.... and adding (and tasting) the sugar.
(yes, ava has crazy hair, some days we just don't fight over it...)

Very quickly we made our own jars of beautiful strawberry jam!
mmmmm...

Gotta show of the fruits of my man's labor...
loads of tomatoes and crazy cucumbers.

I also stitched up some red and white striped cloth napkins.
I just love using cloth napkins.

RED, WHITE, & BLUE.

-Shannon

What we've been up to...

growing.
My children are growing and so is our garden.
Ava and her grandpa planted this sunflower that has grown to about 10 foot tall.
It is wonderful!

I have been wanting to make growth charts for my kids for a long time.
I finally got around to doing so.
My brother and wonderful sister in law sent the kids name plaques for Christmas.
I decided that they would work great as toppers for our growth charts.

I used wood boards (mdf boards already primed) and secured the toppers.
I printed baby pics and birth day stats.
I used my laminator (with the adhesive back) to attach the photos and info.

I attached the boards to the wall with screws.
I bought two cheap metal tape measures and after the boards were attached
to the wall I marked the proper length (at the bottom of the board) and
cut through the metal tape measure.
I used my dremel to drill holes in the tape measure and
was able to use thumbtacks to secure to side of boards.
And yes....my boy is taller than Ava at 2 1/2 than she was at 3....he is a boy :)


Ava posing....she is in her bathing suit most of the summer.

Speaking of summer (which I can't believe is already here and underway...
We decided to make a summer to do/idea list.
I found inspiration for this on another blog.
Fun times!
Hope we are all enjoying the sun!

recent photos

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

TGIF!

Handmade teacher appreciation gifts

Wow....this school year has gone by so quickly!

I can hardly believe that my little girl is done with kindergarten.

She had a great year and we were blessed with amazing teachers.

I decided to make our teacher's gifts this year.

They definately deserve the time spent and I love creating.

I was inspired by this tutorial and found some great fabric to work with.

The inside is lined with a matching ruffle at the top and drawstrings.

I filled the bags with some yummy chocolate.

Used these labels from a free template found online.

I also included a little button bookmark too.
I wrote a special note to each teacher on the back.

Here is my happy girl! ((not sure about that crazy expression of hers.. :)

Ready for first grade! (next year)