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Friday, September 30, 2011

Fall Decor

I finally got some time to bust out my favorite decorations of the year!! I even made Kurt move a shelf and put if over the TV so that I would have a fake "mantle"to decorate!! Most of my stuff has been gifted, or thrifted, or just found along the way over the last few years, but I love it! One of my favorite things to do is to go to the stores after a holiday and sift through thr decorations that are left over for 75% off or whatever :)








New baby Avery project!

Just thought that baby Avery needed a Halloween shirt so I made her this:

I used the same concept that the boys and I used in our bleach t shirts a few months back in this post, here...only I had to add an itsy bitsy spider to go along with it :)
Seriously go try it with your kids!!!

I've linked this project up to SO many great blogs! Please follow me to see more great projects! 20 followers and we will have an AWESOME giveaway!

*But, if you don't have timeto make this, it's for sale in the shop

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Insomnia is good for one thing...

...working on new stuff for the shop!

Check out Whem's Works later this week to see :)

Ever wonder where "Whem's works" comes from? I would if I were you! My sister, Erin, sometimes talks in these weird voices. It's quite hilarious. I mentioned it before, here, that she can make me laugh until my stomach hurts, and one of the things that she does is talk in these "voices."

Well ones of the "voices," was of an old beagle dog that we had, Ringer. She was SO old and deaf and possibly blind that she barely knew which way was up, but she was a happy old thing.

Erin gave her the funniest voice and used to yell for me throughout the house, "Wheeeeeeeeem!" (Instead of my usual nickname, Em.) and Whem just sort of stuck, so my parents and sister still call me Whem.

Anyway, its late and I have an early morning and a long day ahead of me! Have a good night!!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Weiner Dogs on Wednesday

OMG




I have no idea who this dog belongs to. Kyle and I were walking around at the Midwest Dachshund Festival a few weeks back and saw this dog just laying in the middle of the place showing off it's belly. I'll be the first to admit that my Oscar gets a few too many treats but holy fat dog, Batman!!

Kyle could NOT stop giggling and pointing!

Monday, September 26, 2011

What I wore.

OK so I just don't do "outfit" posts. Why? because I am in no way stylish. I am also overweight and I don't look good in my clothes for the most part. If you want to see some KICK ass outfit posts go on over and see
Kristen @ projectbabyblog.com  or
Chelsea @ thepapermama.com or
Mandy @ harpershappenings.com

These girls are extremely fashionable, and beautiful too. Me? not so much. But today I put together an outfit that I was not so sure about, and we don't have a full length mirror in the house (I know, what the heck?) so I asked Kurt to take a picture of me in the church parking lot so that I could see what I looked like, because it seemed like a logical way to see what I looked like.

I know its not the best pic, because I wasn't ready, and he refused to take any more. But you get the idea right? I thought it was on OK outfit for a rainy day of going to church and teaching Sunday school. While I AM a deacon's wife, I choose not to get too fancy, because I teach 5 and 6 year olds and I usually end up sitting on the floor. So here goes nothing...I'm nervous!!!

SHEW...I'm totally interested in what all you Bloggy Mcbloggersons have to say! My boots are WAY more gray in real life, so they look mis-matched here.

*hair-Frizz galore courtesy of the Chicago humidity and my blow dryer blowing the fuse in the bathroom FOUR times this morning!!!

*yellow sundress-found it on the Kohl's clearance rack for $3.20, and then I had a 30% off coupon, so yeah

*cardigan-Kohl's, but thrifted

*leggings-Walmart

*boots-TJ Maxx (really, they're gray and not brown, ugh, now you think I can't match!)

*necklace 1- the short one, from Miss Monkey's Boutique as recommended from Rachael @ letterstoames.com. Its Amber. She puts their Amber teething necklaces on her kids to help sooth their teething pain. I did some research on Amber and saw that it could help chronic pain, so I decided to try it to help with some of the back and hip pain that I have from the bulging discs in my spine. So far so good.

*necklace 2-the long one, I found that in the Jewel parking lot, Kurt teases me that some old lady is looking for it. Its a cheap plastic necklace, but it has yellow in it, so I wore it today.

Give me some feedback. Am I a total freak? Do those loser boots ruin everything? Help a girl out!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Thank you!! and a giveaway!

Well well well...look at my little blog! It's all grown up!

One of my projects has SIX comments on it!! And no, they're not all from my mom! AND I have 1056 views as of a few minutes ago, and those all can't possibly be from my mom (or my sisters, or my girlfriends! ha)

So anyway, I smell a giveaway coming on! So FOLLOW me and I will be giving away something really soon!!

Diaper cakes from my former life...

So as I said before, I used to make diaper cakes and give them as gifts and sell them as a little side gig. I was talking about them in some earlier posts (here and here) as I walked my friend, Mel through making one for her baby shower.(It's today...good luck, girl! I can't wait to see pics!!)

I wanted to get on my OLD computer and show you guys a few of my older cakes to gives you a few ideas on how you could use other supplies to make the cakes unique to whoever you were giving it to, and how you could even use towels or other items to make a "cake" for a bridal shower or housewarming party! Enjoy!

1. This was a simple, 2 tiered cake with red ribbon, primary colored baby spoons, and a teether sticking out of the top for a neutral shower.

2. This was a 2 tiered cake for a NASCAR loving family done with black and white checkered flag ribbon and car accessories, including a bib and teething rings.

3. Three tiered jungle themed cake with zebra ribbon, jungle bath accessories, Johnson and Johnson baby bath and some booties.

4. Three tiered cake with spoons, socks, teddy bear and blue wash cloth bows.

5. Two tiered cake for a set of winter twins! Pink and green socks, eating utensils and stuffed animals.
 6. Housewarming "cake" made out of a cake pan, dish towel, spoon, pasta fork, measuring cups, measuring spoons and timer.
 7. Easy to mail, one tier diaper cake! I got these containers at the party store and made the diaper cake to fit inside! So cute!!
 8. Wedding "cake" with 2 towels, 2 hand towels, and 2 wash cloths. You can find beautiful and very reasonably priced towels at places like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, etc

**Please use this for your own use, do not sell or distribute items created using this.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Friday...already?

Ugh, where did this week go?

No weiner dogs on Wednesday or anything. What a blog-slacker!!

I promise to get better next week. I was in the hospital last Friday and Saturday after passing out and hitting my head and this whole week was just a blur!

Tonight I am sitting on the couch, relaxing with the pups and enjoying the 60 degree, fall weather. It must be Rolling Meadows High School's Homecoming game, because we can hear the band playing and fireworks going off!

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Coupon Organization

If you are like me, you clip coupons and then put them all over the place, which defeats the purpose. If you don't have the right coupon at the right time, then you aren't saving any money at all.

I found this oval shaped metal bucket on 90% clearance at Hobby Lobby a while back. I liked the shape, but the ugly chickens on it had to go. So, I spray painted it turquoise and added a ruffled black and white damask ribbon.

After that, I used modge podge to add the word "coupons," which my mother-in-law cut out for me on her Cricut. I added a little fabric flower too, just because.

Now when I cute coupons, I throw them all in there, and then put them in my little organizer that goes with me in my purse.




Monday, September 19, 2011

Up in the sky

Nothing sweeter than a six year old on his very first Ferris wheel ride!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Stress is a dangerous thing...

trust me. Please take the time for yourself to breathe deep, chill out, and relax!

I've had migraines for years, but in the last 6 months, they have really taken a turn for the worst. I have been in the Emergency Room more times than I have in my entire life in just these short few months, and have been admitted 3 times, including Friday night. Its scary and although there are many other causes of migraines, I feel that mine have a lot to do with the insane amount of stress that I have been under lately.

Anyway, just a gentle reminder to take time for yourself! I'm feeling better now, just very tired, as they don't let you sleep much when you are in the hospital.

Have a great week!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Diaper cake steps

OK, so now that you have everything you need...lets make this thing!

1. First things first, I roll up the entire box of diapers. For a 4 tiered cake, I used about 100 diapers. Roll the diaper design to the INSIDE if you don't want it to show, and secure with a rubber band.


(Yes, I took all of these pics in my bed. Its the easiest place for me to prop myself up so that my back doesn't hurt, and also keep the dogs from stealing diapers!)


1. Lets start stacking. I start with the bottom layer. I use one of those athletic headbands to hold the bottom layer together, it works well for me...but if you have larger rubber bands around your house then go for it! Make the bottom layer a little smaller than your base (cardboard or cheap metal pan)

3. Make the 2nd layer the same way that you did the first, but a little smaller obviously.




4. Add the 3rd and 4th layers.


5. Everything looks a little crooked right now, that's OK. At this point, put the cake on its base. Put the wooden dowel next to the cake and decide how tall you want it to be. If you don't want it to show, then cut it about 1/4 inch below the top of the cake. For this cake I wanted to glue the butterfly to the dowel, so I had it sticking up about 1/2 inch.

6. Straighten all your diapers up and add ribbons. The more the merrier. Make sure to cover all of your rubber bands because, lets face it...they're ugly! I cut the cheap headband once the bottom layer is secured with ribbon and throw it away.

7. Add all of your little baby extras. Use your imagination. Tuck them into the ribbons, tie them onto the top, etc.

8. Step back and look it over. I like to sit mine somewhere where I can see it and look at it for a good 24 hours before the baby shower. That way I can see if there are any little things that need to be adjusted or changed.


**Please use this tutorial for your own use, and do not sell or distribute items created by using this.

Diaper cake supplies


So once upon a time, I used to make diaper cakes and sell them. I was working as a nanny at the time, and this was a pretty good little side job. I also made them for every friend and family member who had a baby for YEARS.

Unfortunately, when you move 800 miles away, something that is 3 feet tall and not-so-durable is kind of hard to sell and give as gifts. Shipping diaper cakes is not very cost efficient.

Anyway, a friend and former co-worker is due in November and REALLY wants a diaper cake at her shower. I would LOVE to make it for her and baby Gabby, but it would be easier for me to teach her how to do it. So here it goes!

Supplies:
1. Diapers, I usually use size 2 or 3, so that mommy-to-be doesn't have to take it apart right away. Also remember that different diaper brands have different designs on them, so be careful. If you are doing a pretty pink pastel cake, don't buy diapers with annoyingly bright cartoon characters on them. For this cake I chose Luvs, because they have simple, purple lines on them. The monkey can be rolled into the inside so it can't be seen.

2. Rubber bands. You could go to Walmart and buy a "variety" pack of rubber bands, but you won't be able to use half of them. I find it a lot easier to pay $1 or 2 extra and get a whole pack of the same size at Staples or Office Max.

3. Wooden dowel. 1/4 inch. Usually about 70 cents or less at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc.

4. Cake "base." Sometimes I use cardboard cake circles that can be found at party stores for less than $1. Unfortunately, I haven't found anywhere local here in Chicago that sells them individually...only in packs of 5. This time I went with a cheap, metal pizza pan from Walmart for $3. You can also find a smaller version at some dollar stores. I needed a BIG base, and I didn't feel like driving all over creation to find one, so I just got the Walmart one.

5. Ribbon. Lots of ribbon. I like to use at least 5 different ribbons of different widths. I chose the ribbons for this cake based off of this one cool, striped ribbon and the butterfly that I wanted to use for the top.


6. Washcloths, pacifiers, sunglasses, baby lotion, baby shampoo, infant tylenol, socks, blankets, etc etc etc For this cake I didn't use a lot, just washcloths to make the bows, but I have made some that are just STUFFED with cute stuff for mommy and baby.

9/11/2001


My heart is very heavy today. I remember. In fact, I'm not sure I ever really got over it.

I was 17. I had just started my senior year of high school, as well as my Fire and Rescue career. I was cleaning a closet in the EMT classroom because I was the teacher's aide during my 2nd block that year. The students were taking a test which I would later grade and hand back.

Penny Kelley, my EMT teacher and role model, came in to tell me that the 1st world trade center had been hit. I thought it was an accident. Then she came in to tell me that the 2nd one was hit, and at that point I knew we were under attack. We told the students to stop taking their exam and turned on the radio. I listened in horror as the smoke billowed from the towers and the papers and bodies flew out of the windows.

Then the pentagon was hit. That was it, too close to home.

I called my mom. After 6 tries, I finally got her on the cell phone. Because of all of the cell traffic, it was very difficult to make calls that day. Remember that I grew up only an hour outside of DC, so you can imagine how many people were calling in the area.

I walked through the halls of my high school hearing nothing but TVs blaring the information which I had just seen. Not one kid was in the hallway. Not one teacher was teaching. No one was talking. I went to my sister, Erin's class. I knocked and her teacher opened the door. I saw Erin sitting there, wide eyed and watching the TV. I didn't say a word, she picked up her books and came with me.

Together we walked out of school. No one asked where we were going, or for our hall passes, or anything like that. We were going home to our family.

Two of my friends who did not drive were waiting for us at my car, there were leaving too.  A lot of kids left. We all piled into my 1991 Isuzu trooper and went to our house. My mom was waiting with pizza. My mom rocks by the way. All through out high school whenever my friends and I needed a place to hang out, she was always there...with a pizza.

We all sat on the floor watching the footage and eating pizza. I begged my mom to let me go to the firehouse. I had been a member there for a little over a year. I was an EMT, and was in Firefighter I class. I wanted to be there in case something else happened, in case I could help.

After much convincing, she let me go. My friend Patrick, who was also an EMT at the same department, and I loaded up my car with everything we thought we might need for the night, or however long it might be. Sleeping bag, extra clothes, and mom gave us a whole stack of...pizzas. She said at least we wouldn't be hungry.

I sat at the firehouse that night for 12 or more house and we did not turn a wheel. The radio was quiet. Eerily quiet. No one went anywhere. No one was calling 911. We just watched the little TV in the day room and waited. And we had pizza.

The next day, school was cancelled. Suddenly everyone was patriotic. Everyone was more aware. We searched the house for all things Red, White and Blue to wear. Wal*mart was sold out of those little 50 cent flags that you buy to put in the yard or on your car. I tied ribbons to my car's antennae, I put a 4th of July table cloth over my back seats, I sat on the floor of my bedroom that night cutting the letters "FDNY" out of a plaid shirt, and gluing them to a plain grey t shirt to show my respect.

I still think about it sometimes. I wonder how on earth this happened to our great nation? I think about the families who were changed forever that day. I play Alan Jackson's "Remember When?" over in my head. As a firefighter/EMT I think it pulled at my heart a little stronger that day, but for some reason, 10 years later, it still does.

So that's my story. Whats yours? Where were you? Do you still think about it?

Friday, September 9, 2011

Midwest Dachshund Festival

Kurt, Kyle, Oscar, Lyla and I will be going to our 2nd Midwest Dachshund festival soon. There are hundreds of weiner dogs running around there, and some really great people too :)
Last year was our first year and we had a little booth where we sold Kurt's homemade BBQ sauces and spices, as well as handmade doxie harnesses and some treats, cards, etc. It didn't really go well and it was a real pain in the butt to drag all that stuff down there. Apparently there was some unspoken rule that you could not sell harnesses because it was competition with one of the sponsors of the event, and Kurt's mom was NOT happy since she had spent so much time and money on her harnesses!

So this year we are going just for fun :) We decided to take Kyle because he doesn't ever get to do things "first," since he is the youngest, plus he has been doing really well in school...and he LOVES our weiner dogs.
Oh, and lets face it, he is six, and he thinks its hilarious  to say weiner dog :)

Here are a few pics from last year.





Thursday, September 8, 2011

Avery's loot

As I had said before, Miss Avery was going to be SPOILED by her Auntie Emily when I visited last month. I could have gotten away with just carry on luggage if it hadn't been for all of the baby stuff I had to cram inside!




Lucky baby! I have literally been collecting things since the minute I found out that Katie was pregnant! I made the purple peacock onesie, and the tie dye onesie with a swallow on it. The other onesies were purchased from awesome sellers on etsy.com