toddler skirt.

Yesterday I got a Misha Lulu skirt in the mail that I ordered for Audrey off of The Mini Social. [I was able to buy it because it was marked down pretty low and they had an extra $10 off promotion.] It is so dag'on cute, I kind of want one in my size. And I love the fact that Audrey AND Naomi will both be wearing it.

The cute skirt inspired me to make one like it. I originally made it for Audrey, but I think it is going to fit Naomi when she is around 12 months. Other than the size, it turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. I plan on making another one tonight. And maybe more for my Etsy shop.

Check it.

Sorry, folks, I don't have a tutorial for it. Because I usually just wing my crafts. But it's pretty basic, none of my sewing skills are advanced. Ha.

It felt good to get my craft on last night. It's like therapy for me.

and so. i'm trying.

I started the New Year with a positive outlook. Like, watch out winter I'm going to kick your butt and actually enjoy it. Low and behold, it's only January 10th, and I'm already over this cold. I have 50 projects on our house that I want to complete, but most of them involve being outside for some reason or another. Or at least the windows open. [I still want to paint my entire house a light storm grey. Oh, and you like how I added the word storm, I thought it made it me sound more like a cool interior designer or something.]

So after faking it for about a week, this dumb winter got the best of me and I started to get all woe is me. I even told my husband that I sometimes I wish I had a full-term job so I could clock in and out. And that I wished I could get away by myself for a day. And right when the words rolled off my tongue, I knew it wasn't true.

Because, oh my, am I ever grateful for my life. But, I'm also human and sometimes think the grass is always greener on the otherside. See, I'm sort of struggling with this whole stay-at-home-mom gig. I know it's the right job for me right now, but there is no monetary rewards for this type of business. [Because the rewards are much, much greater.]  And sometimes I feel like I should be contributing with dollar and cents, you know. Also, who ever coined the term stay-at-home-mom? I think we need to kick that to the curb, and just be work-at-home-moms, whether it's with your kids or on a computer or what not. We all are working, aren't we? Doing the best we can.

And so, after a woe is me weekend, today I'm choosing joy. This morning, while eating breakfast with Audrey, we read from the Bible (Psalms and Proverbs). Audrey kept asking me to read more. I pray that her heart thirsts for His Word as she gets older. Also? When I opened the egg carton there was scripture on the inside. Have you ever noticed that?! [You know you want to check your egg carton now.] It was an awesome way to start my day. I needed that reminder. This is the day which the Lord has made.

Switching gears.

[Apparently I'm horrible with transitions.] I am still consciously working on my goals. I managed to get my cover for my sewing machine finished. Which took a week to complete, even though it should have took like an hour. [It's sort of embarrassing if you knew how I made it.] At least my sewing machine looks pretty sitting on my desk.

I made it from an old pillowcase I had on hand, a vintage doily and a vintage lace collar--stained those with coffee. [My unfinished cup of coffee was sitting out, I had the doily and collar and thought hey I will see what happens if I let it soak in my coffee. And it worked. True story.] And some buttons sewn on to add a little bit of color. 

Oh, to those who are curious, I bought the cross-stitch embroidery pattern, Filled with Love. [See how much I know, I thought it was cross-stitch and it wasn't.] You all encouraged me to try it. So I am. Now it's just the matter of time of me getting the actual supplies I need to complete it.

So, here's to a week of goaling reaching and choosing joy. Happy Monday, friends.

Afternoon Project.

For some reason I decided to wait till the last minute to find something for Audrey to wear to church for "Christmas Sunday." Stores pretty much seem to be out of all the pretty dresses already, swimsuits are even coming out. Geesh. If I was smart and well-prepared I would have found a great dress online like this one. But since it won't ship in time, I settled for shopping at the mall. (Which I am becoming more and more less fond of doing. Especially with my Etsy addiction). I came up with an okay outfit from Old Navy. But the shirt needed a special something to it. And my new found love? Flowers and ruffles made from lovely material like silk and chaffon.

Here is what I came up with...

This was super easy to do and I LOVE how it turned out. Time to do more fun projects like this.