Some of my recent stars

If you use Google reader to follow blogs, you know that you can star things you like. My star list is pretty long. I will never be able to make all of the things on my list, so I thought I'd share some with you today.

Here is the final idea that we did for our teachers, school secretary, and principal. My Mix of Six has some great ideas for activities and crafts for kids. We are all using lots of hand sanitizer and this makes it a little pretty.

Is this not the most beautiful thing you have seen in awhile? I LOVE this idea from Holidash. I actually have bought all of the things needed to make this. Now I just need the time.


This Mother's Day idea came from BellaDia. Very easy and a beautiful commemorative item to give to mom.I love to make pillows. I have a couple in the works right now. One of the things I struggle with is the invisible zip. Here is a great tutorial from Sew Katie Did.Claire is very excited about planting a garden this year. I think that this would be a great idea for their bedroom. Just a mist of water once a week or so and you are all set. Thanks Curious Bird for the idea!

Last but certainly not least, The Gathered Clutch from Noodle via Dana Made it.
These are super cute! I love the combination of color and texture. Now, just mastering the zipper!

Birthday Party!

When we got home from work, Lilly was ready to start the party. She began by opening the gifts that had come in the mail.She got a Spongebob camera and gardening tools from Uncle Jason, Aunt Leah and Jack. I am sure we will see many photos from her in the near future.Next came a box from Papa and Mimi. Their gift was "5" themed. 5 color books, 5 sticker sheets, 5 flower seed packets, 5 veggie seed packets, 5 pencils, a 5 candle, 5 nickles, 5 $1 bills, and gardening gloves (5 fingers on each glove)! She had a blast pulling each thing out of the box and counting to 5.
She got a $5 bill from GG and she said "Look Claire, I am rich!"Then we hopped in the car and went to Red Robin for supper with the Settergren clan. That is the place she always picks. We had a nice dinner and Lilly opened more gifts. Books from Aunt Barb, Uncle Chuck and Jenny and a great pencil case filled with goodies from Karen. Papi gave her money to buy whatever she wants. She got a LIV doll and a Slip and Slide from us and gardening boots from Coco.I think she had a good birthday. By the time we got home both girls were beat. They fell into bed and we didn't hear a peep until morning.
I still can't believe my baby is 5!

No Pictures

So, I told you that I'd update you on the whole 5's morning activities. Well, they never happened. Jim, Claire and I went upstairs and sang Happy Birthday to wake her up, she came downstairs for her birthday breakfast and slid off of the bar stool and hit her head on the tile floor. Nice way to start your birthday, huh?
Needless to say, there was no picture taking and no fun stuff this morning. The time I allotted for the fun was quickly filled by the tears and cuddling.
By the time we left the house she was fine. Looking forward to bringing her cupcakes to school for her birthday treat. I will for sure have pictures from the Red Robin festivities tonight!

Happy Birthday, Lilly Grace!

Today is Lilly's Golden Birthday. She was born on 5-5-05 and this year she turns 5. We are doing a lot of 5 things today. I will fill you in on all of them tomorrow when I have pictures.
Tonight we will be going to Red Robin (her choice) with Uncle Chuck, Aunt Barb, Karen , Jenny and Papi. She is very excited! She loves that they give her a balloon, ice cream sundae and sing to her.

Lilly,
What a girl you are! You love to dress up in princess clothes, dance and sing. Yet, you are the first to jump in mud puddles and get messy. You are strong willed and test us every day. We love you very much. Happy Birthday!

Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?

You all know by now that I have a bit of an unhealthy love for all things Amy Butler. She has beautiful fabric, great patterns, rugs I'd sell my children to own (ok, maybe not), books, you name it - I love it.
Imagine my reaction when I saw this. The gasp, the "holy crap, what has she done now?" Apartment Therapy spilled the beans today.

She has really done it now. I have to figure out how to use this in my house. I know it will be WAY out of my price range, so maybe one roll and frame many pieces on one wall. I am in awe of the patterns and colors.
Once again - "Well done, Amy. Well done."

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is Teacher Appreciation week at school. I looked online for ideas and loved the ideas from Rachel at Made with Love and Glue. I went to the dollar store and they had most of the things I needed. This makes me happy because it means they were cheap as well as cute! Claire has two teachers this year and so does Lilly. However, Lilly only goes to school 3 days and one day she will be bringing her birthday treat.A&W Root Beer 2/$3
Candy $1
Paper, ribbon and bag - on hand

Sweedish Fish $1
Paper, Ribbon and bag - on hand

Chocolate Bar $1
Paper - on hand

Smarties $1
Paper, ribbon and bag - on hand

100 Grand Candy $1 (there are 10 in the bag to = 1Million)
Paper, ribbon and bag - on hand

I hope the teachers like them and that they understand how much we really do appreciate them!
Thanks, Rachel for all of the last minute ideas!

Scrap Bag Winners

Since I have 3 bags ready to go and only 4 of you commented, I am going to come up with another bag and each of you will win. See it pays off to comment on my blog. Sometimes I feel generous.
Email me with your contact info.
Thanks