purging, packing, and pinterest.

Last week, I wrote about my call to motherhood, and how I declined a free week stay in Jamaica due to my pregnancy and the sheer fact I wasn't ready to leave my other two babies for six days. I was suppose to be at the beach all last week. God gave me such peace about my decision and all week, I had no regrets. [It probably helped that we had such amazingly warm weather as well.] In fact, I think I appreciated making those flower peanut butter and honey sandwiches just a tad more and dancing on the whim in the living room happened freely because I was here and really wanted to be. It was like the idea of absence made my heart grow fonder.

Little did I know, that God actually had other exciting plans for me {and my family} instead of listening to the ocean roar. This last week, we sold our house. Fo real. And it all happened in an unplanned flash. There is no doubt that it was part of God's plan though and in His perfect timing. It all started the weekend when I was suppose to be leaving for Jamaica--we had a showing without even our house officially being on the market. We quickly put it on the market on Tuesday and had an offer by late that evening. I'm not even kidding. Skip ahead two days and we had another showing and by that evening we had two awesome offers on the table. Not to mention another showing that night. We have accepted an offer and having a closing date in March.

So, now I am slowly starting to pack. I figured a should do a box or two a day while my belly isn't totally ginormous yet (just about three months till Lincoln's arrival!), and take advantage of my "nesting" period I'm in right now. [I may have randomly went through all my spices and transferred them to cute glass jars just so they can match. Because you know, that's important before moving. Ha.] I'm going through closets and purging. I love it. And Pinterest. Don't get me started on this slight obsession. I'm getting crazy home ideas on there.

I'm trying not to think too far ahead, being that we haven't actually closed yet. But it is so exciting and stressful and fun all at the same time. In the next three months we will have sold our third home, bought a new one (that we plan to be in for a very long time), and have our third baby in three and a half years. Are we nuts? Why, yes, yes we are. Thankfully, I can give my worries to My King, because there is no way that I could have controlled how this is all working out. If you think about, I would love some prayers about finding our next home and that between now and mid-March the house selling process will go smoothly.

{easy} toddler tshirt dress.

I have been meaning to make Audrey a couple of dresses out of some old tshirts of mine that definitely don't fit me anymore. [The ones I wear to bed that I would be embarrassed if anyone caught me in, especially with a large pregnant belly hanging out the bottom half.] Last night I mustered up enough energy to do one and I am super excited with the results. It hardly took anytime at all. [Due to the fact that I don't measure or iron or you know, act like a real seamstress.]

This is what I started with. A tshirt from Old Navy. I love the material because it is slightly stretchy and doesn't unravel when cut.

And walaah, a toddler tshirt dress...

I pinned on a dress that Audrey already had and basically cut around it for my pattern. I sewed in the sides and cut the bottom off- I didn't even hem up the bottom, because I'm lazy, I think it goes with the look. I used an old pink shirt to cut up and use it on the sleeves and just sewed it on with a zig-zag stitch. Then I made a ruffle using this tutorial. [I will warn you know, ruffles are so addicting, I love to use them on everything because of how easy and cute they look.] I wrapped the ruffle into a circle to make a flower and hand-stitched it on the dress, along with felt leaves.

Then I got the idea to make two hairclips out of the scraps sitting around. I made a yellow ruffle and pink ruffle then hot glued it on the clips.

It helps that I have an adorable model to show it all off. And soon, two little models with be prancing around.

diaper and wipe clutch.

I'm still nesting. But I can feel myself slow down a tad. I'm trying to get all these crazy projects done that are in my head before I just want to crash before the baby comes. Have I mentioned I only have about three months left? I'm wondering how much bigger I am going to get, because the belly is so there.

Anyway, back to nesting. I got out my sewing machine the other night. And made a diaper and wipe clutch. I was inspired by my own diaper clutch that I received as a gift when Audrey was born (thanks, Sooze!). It is basically a small bag that holds a couple of diapers and travel-size wipe case. It is perfect for your purse/diaper bag to help you stay organized. Well, I wanted to make one of these handy things for my friend who is about to have a baby any day now.

So out of some vintage fabric napkins (three to be exact) I made this bag:

[Side note: In case you are wondering, I consider myself a novice sewer. I don't use patterns or make templates. I may have had my sewing machine for say, 8 years or so, but sadly, I am still a beginner. Whew. I'm glad to admit that.]

I already gave my friend the bag. I was going to wait and give it to her as a "hospital" gift, but I was tempted to keep it for myself so I had to get rid of it fast too excited about it.

I also ended up making a couple of more. Some I'm going to sell at the Art Fair in November and some I'm going to give away as gifts for all my lovely friends having babies soon.

oh, so pretty. ruffle necklaces.

I like pink. And ruffles. And to wear dresses. So when I came across this tutorial for a ruffle necklace, I had to try it for myself. It was super easy (doesn't even require a sewing machine) and quick.

Using supplies I had on hand, I added my own twist to the lovely necklace.

I used a vintage white-square beaded necklace, scraps from a pink vintage slip, cut up a vintage hankie for the white flower, and used a vintage button to sew on top.

Here is my number two version of the ruffle necklace:

I used a sterling silver chain, a vintage white lace collar for the ruffle, and a vintage turquoise button. I like how the collar ruffle almost floats in space.

I plan on selling both of these pieces at an Art Show I am apart of in November. I'm trying to get some items created now since you know, come early October and I will have a newborn attached to me. Newsflash to myself, which is only about 14 weeks away. Eeeek! [That's a happy "eeek," but also, an "oh my gosh my life is about to change, drastically, eek."]

P.S. Can you tell I'm nesting? June has been my best month for blogging. And eating. But that's another story.

homemade laundry detergent.

I ran out of laundry detergent on Monday. I think it was All or something like that. I would buy whatever was on sale. But  instead of running to the store to pick up whatever type of detergent, I decided it was time to make my own. I have wanted to do it for awhile now, but just didn't. Finally a pretty container of homemade laundry detergent sits on my washer.

Here is the recipe I used (that was recommended by my friend, April):

1 bar of Fels Naptha Soap grated (which equals about 2 cups)

1 c. of Borax

1 c. of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

By the way, ALL of these ingredients were found at our Kroger in the "laundry aisle." I kept reading online that washing soda was difficult to find and a lot of people end up ordering it online, so I am happy to report it is at the grocery store.

Optional: 1 tsp. of tea tree oil (I added this to the load separately for a lovely scent. Tea tree oil can be rather expensive, so I'm not sure how often I will do it, but I found my oil on clearance at Kroger for only $1.99, regular $8.99)

Directions: Grate the Fels Naptha Soap. I used a cheese grater and did it over wax paper. (This was the most tedious part, it took quite a bit of time and elbow grease with my handheld grater- from Dollar Tree I might add. I would recommend putting the soap in a food processor if you are so lucky to have one.) Then mix the soap, Borax, and washing soda all together and place in air tight container. I used whatever container I had on hand, which was a tall noodle container.

You only need to put 2 TBSP per a load. I add it when the water starts so that it can dissolve and then place my clothes in the washer. I think I spent around $9 ($2 extra for tea tree oil) and I have a feeling it is going to last me a really, really long time. (Note: What I made only required a very small amount of Borax and washing soda, I have so much left to make a lot more. I also bought extra Fels Naptha Soap so I could have it on hand.)

Now if only I had a cute laundry room instead of a dark, cold basement to use...

nesting.

I'm there. 25 weeks pregnant and fully nesting. For some reason it hits between 9-10pm every night. I'm so exhausted by that point, but my mind tells me I have to do something.

So here are a couple of projects I have been working on...

Vintage coat rack/hanger (Made from a piece of trim from our home that we saved when we were demo-ing and white vintage door knobs that I found for around $2 each an antique store. We have a coat closest- but I wanted a place where I could quickly hang stuff.)

Wallpapering Naomi's room (Aren't you lucky? You are getting a sneek peak of her room. Actually, there really isn't much to see except this, because, ahem, I haven't gotten too far in her room.)

Spray painting frames to use in Naomi's room (The pink and green frame are the ones I spray painted and found at a garage sale for $1 each, the other frames I already had, some of them will be filled with real pictures when Naomi arrives. The pink plate came from my mom- it's German. And I'm German, so that's kind of cool, right?)

About a week or two ago I painted our front porch. But I will share that on another post so I can show before and after shots.

Also, last night I made homemade laundry detergent. Post coming up tomorrow on that.

Now I'm off to eat yet another rice krispie treat or a piece of sugar cream pie. Or both.