Spare Time?!?

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

Until recently I would not have had an answer to this question-it would simply be, "What spare time!?"  But after our wedding, and things slowing down at work, I have regained my spare time.  :)  I couldn't be more excited to start a hobby (or 12 as my husband would say).  I rearranged our upstairs open area to store my craft items and could spend hours up there (and I do alot of the time).  You can read about my crafty hobby here.  Another hobby that I have tried to pick up is crochet.  I think the baby hats that you see everywhere are SO cute.  I know lots of people that have had or will have babies and I think it is a great gift for them. 

I am a researcher by nature and a learner by doing.  I started by googling How to Crochet and found myself watching every YouTube video that I could on the subject.  I had my yarn and hook in hand while watching the instructor very closely.  I also have a friend who had agreed to teach me, we met a few times but it seems to be more of a hang out time then a real learning experience.  I don't mind that at all, and I think I  learn better by watching the videos because I can pause and repeat.  Once I got the basics down, I searched for a pattern that I wanted to follow and started up.  If I came across wording or a stitch that I didn't know how to do, I went back to YouTube and watched someone else do it. 

I started with a simple baby hat.  The first go around didn't work out so well and I ended up with a potholder...No hat about it. :)  I had no problem tearing the stictches out and starting all over.  Which is exactly what I did.  I am not sure where my problem was on the first attempt, but the second try went much better.  At the end, it was a hat!  I'm still waiting to finish it competely and will post a picture of the final product.  Remember it was my FIRST EVER try-So be nice. :)

The second project I started was a scarf.  I found a pattern online and bought some yarn at Hobby Lobby (on Sale) and crocheted away.  This scarf ended up being a lot longer than I expected and I didn't get to finish one entire row, so I just shortened it and attached the ends to make an infinity scarf.  I also added a small white flower to it for a girly touch.  My husband said it looked a little military, so I am going to give it to my mom. 


Scarf for my Mom-I like how it turned out :)

 I hope to continue to get better and make lots of cute little baby things for all of my friends.  So next time I'm asked what I do in my spare time, I will have a very cute response.

Wreaths

This weekend I wanted to be a little crafty.  David and I will be attending our friends' little girls' birthday party on Friday and I wanted to make her something as her gift.  She has a little sister as well, so I thought I would make her one too :).  I spent 6 hours upstairs in my new "Crafty Room" while David watched TV. Seems like a good trade off to me.

These wreaths are made with scrap fabric pieces, ribbon, wooden letters, scrapbook paper, Mod Podge and some embellishments to add sparkle. 



Wreath made for Birthday Girl




Wreath for the little sister

 **If you are interested in purchasing one of these wreaths, please see the contact tab and send me an email.



Fall Table

There is nothing I like better than to decorate a room for the holidays.  I know that I will accumulate more things over the years, but for our first year together in the house this is our Fall Table.  I was so proud of it and can't wait to finish up on the Christmas table.  I will post pictures as soon as I am done. 



Fall table







Napkin with Gold Glitter Sticks

 



Artifical Pumpkin carved by my amazing Husband. 
Spray painted with gold glitter and added orange glitter bow.
In background, candle holder has peas, red beans and popcorn kernel in layers with pumpkin spice candles.
I have two of these on the table.





I'm Thankful

Each morning, after I leave for work, I look at my Facebook page to see if anything interesting has happened with my friends over the past 8 hours.  Most of the time you see the posts about the weather, posts about the boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife doing something nice or occasionally the person that is upset at someone and wishes to voice that for everyone to see.  I rarely update my Facebook status, because I don't see the point.  My friends don't want to know what I am doing every minute of everyday. 

I do, however like to see the new trend of posting something that you are thankful for each day, beginning November 1 through Thanksgiving.  I believe that Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays, but also one of the most overlooked.  Store windows begin decorating for Christmas before Halloween, our city began decorating the the bridges the beginning of October and when people mention Thanksgiving we often think about the "amazing" sales that will occur on the infamous Black Friday. 

The world around us is moving at rapid speed and we often forget to stop and think about what in our lives we are thankful for.  I know I'm guilty of this.

I decided that I needed to stop, take a step back and enjoy the life that I have been blessed to have.  I will be partaking in the "I'm Thankful For..." postings each day on Facebook, and will be updating the blog with my posts.  This will give me the opportunity to take time out of my busy day and really thinking about what I am thankful for.  I want to challenge each of you to spend 5 minutes of your day to think about what you are thankful for and write those on your Facebook wall, or simply take some time to reflect.  These do not have to be things that you think about for a long time, just what you have on your mind at the moment.  This Thanksgiving, try to spend a little extra time with your family and really celebrate all that is Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 1:  I am thankful for my husband's love and support.
Day 2:  I am thankful for our health and happiness.
Day 3:  I am thankful for Zyrtec D when the weather changes so drastically.
Day 4:  I am thankful for half day Fridays at work :).
Day 5:  I am thankful for every situation I have encountered and overcome.  It has made me the person I am today.
Day 6:  I am thankful for Sunday mornings with my husband and dog.  Everyone needs a day to relax and Sunday is ours :)
Day 7:  I am thankful for 70 degree days in November.
Day 8:  I am thankful for an understanding of health insurance and the ability to educate our employees.  Seeing the confused looks turn to understanding looks is why I love what I do.
Day 9:  I am thankful for girls' night out and a husband that encourages it. :)
Day 10:  I am thankful for amazing friends that I have met over the years.  Each one is very special to me in their own way!
Day 11:  I am thankful for all Veterans who have fought for our freedom.
Day 12:  I am thankful for flavored rice cakes.  Apple cinnamon are my favorite!
Day 13:  I am thankful for ESPN.  If we didn't receive that channel our TV wouldn't know what to do. :)
Day 14:  I am thankful for Kayla, Alyssa and Logan.  Every time I see their picture or a piece of art work they made, it makes me smile.  I miss those little guys! 
Day 15:  I am thankful for music.  It makes the day go by so much faster.
Day 16:  I am thankful for healthcare providers who take an interest in their patients. 
Day 17:  I am thankful for my cousin Elise Voss.  Her positive attitude is amazing and I thank God for her in my life. 
Day 18:  I am thankful for camera phones.  There is always a camera available for an unexpected photo op. 
Day 19:  I am thankful for Twix Ice Cream Bars.  Only 90 calories of goodness. :)
Day 20:  I am thankful for Sunday catch up calls with my dad.
Day 21:  I am thankful for rain. 
Day 22:  I am thankful for Vitamin C and I will be overdosing myself with this on the road trip to Nebraska.  I can't let the cute little kiddos get me sick. :)
Day 23:  I am thankful for the nice weather for us on our holiday travel.   
Day 24:  I am thankful for Family, far and near.