A baby's infectious laughter!

I have to say, there is nothing that will brighten my day; make me smile in a split second; and make me laugh so hard with sheer joy, like a baby's laugh will.



Yesterday night we were having dinner at our friend's house, and they have a huge husky dog named Rocky. He's a super sweetie pie. Anyway, after we finished eating we were all sitting at the table chatting and Bethany was holding Rowan. All the sudden Rowan lets out this big giggle! We all turn and stare at her, wondering what provoked this reaction. Turns out it was Rocky, their big dog! He was the first dog she'd ever seen. And he wasn't even really doing anything really special, just following Bob around and wagging his tail. As you can see she just kept going and going, as Rocky proceeded to bark, wag his tail, and lick a plate (remember, we were done eating). I thought when he was growling she'd get upset, but she just kept on laughing! So precious! She has never, ever laughed like that before. So funny!

Of course now that we know she can laugh like that, Ben and I are always trying to make her laugh, but I guess we're just not as funny as we thought ;)
It's amazing how my life has changed since I've had her. I love her so much! She is my life; her and my Ben.

You know what's funny? Now that I can see her and hold her, I feel like I've always had her. Like she's always been with me, even though I couldn't see her and I wasn't taking care of her, it's like she's been in the family the whole time. I like that feeling. :)
And I love my baby girl.

Crafty Mamacita!

Hey guys! I wanted to let you all know that my new crafty blog Crafty Mamacita is now up and running! I just posted my first tutorial on how I made my new cuffs and collar accessories. So easy! Love them!

Here's a teaser pic:

Click HERE to check it out!

My First Fabric Flower

Confession: I've been stealing accessories from my 4 month old baby.

Hey, I'm sure I'm not the only one! It's quite the temptation, their stuff is so cute! Well, some of her clips and things I've been wearing myself. I guess 'closet sharing' starts quite earlier between Mothers and Daughters than I thought. Anyway, so I decided to make my very first fabric flower

for 'us' to wear ;)

(I'm a very visual person, so sorry for all the pictures.)

I started with some light blue lining that I had from ages ago.

And a silver button that I recently bought.

First I cut off a test piece and tested the burn method on it to make

sure that it would work properly...and it did :)

Then I cut out 6 circles...not perfect circles, but they don't have to be 'cause the burn method will alter them anyway, and it gives them character, right?

I believe the sizes were:

1- 4"; 2- 3 1/2"; 1- 2 3/4"; 1- 1 1/2"; 1- 1"

(in diameter)

Then I took the lighter (or I've seen people use a candle), and held it close to the edges all the way around the circle. Just close enough for it to melt and curl up just barely,

but not enough for it to catch on fire.

Then stack the 'pedals', and I adjusted them how I wanted them.

Just right so every piece could be seen well.

Then I added the button on top. And stitched it through all the layers.

Then I stitched on a pin piece, or whatever you call 'em.

Usually I think people add a piece of felt to the bottom to reinforce it,

but I didn't have any and couldn't go to the store, so this works for now. :)

Tada! A cute flower for Little Angel's headband.

Or for a pin on a shirt, or a necklace!

Love it! And yes, I will share. ;)

From blogland to real life

My addiction to blogland has just gotten worse and worse. Which I think is a good thing in some ways. It can't be all that bad to be learning how to be thrifty and creative, right? Except that I'm on my laptop all day at least 1/2 the day...eek!
Here's where I get stumped though. I see all these fab ideas, but I have a hard time actually applying it to my own home/wardrobe. Check out these super cute ideas:

Just add a ruffle to the sweater! From The Idea Room.

Or add a little burlap, ribbon and buttons to an old lampshade! From Thrifty Decor Chick.

Look at this adorable little dress! Made from some extra fabric, lace, and an old baby tee! From The Rubber Punkin.

This is one of my favorites!!! It's Basically the same idea as the little girl's dress above, from My Mama Made It. Just an old shirt that she added some fabric for a skirt, and ruffles on the front, and voila! A new dress! I soooo need to do this one, 'cause I hardly have ANY dresses that fit me since little baby came.

But here's my problem, I don't see any of my own shirts and think "Hey I could refashion that!" I need to work on that. Maybe I'll just try using one that I think wouldn't work at all, and "Make it work!" As Tim Gunn says...hehe. Love that man! "Designers....make it work." (as he shakes his little fist in the air) Haha! Love it!

What do you think? Have you tried any refashioning lately? Is it easy or hard for you?

Love, Actually

You have to check out this site! They have awesome ideas for romance on a budget, and even if you're lucky enough to not have a small budget, they're still awesome ideas to bring you and your loved one closer together.
We tried their 'Sleepover idea' and it was a blast! After Rowan went to bed Ben and I laid out blankets on the floor with LOTS of pillows and watched a movie while we snacked out on popcorn and cheese and crackers! Then we snuggled in all the cuddly blanket/pillow mess :D Loved it!!!
Check them out, they're awesome!

Unexpected Christmas Gift

While we were in Utah with my parents for Christmas I recieved the most awesome unexpected gift! FABRIC!!!
My Mom and I had been walking through WalMart, and I stopped to look at fabic, 'cause their WalMarts have way more and for way better prices than in AZ. But I didn't want to get any right then.
When we got back to the house my Mom pulled out a huge tub of old fabric and scraps that she'd been keeping. Actually almost all of it we bought because though my teen and even pre-teen years I was planning on making stuff with it, but never ended up doing it. So, she told me that I would most likely use it now so I should take what I wanted!!! Yipee!
Look at all this goodness! :D

How cute it this?! They are cut-out fleece teddy bears!

You just sew the two pieces together and stuff it, like a pillow. Fun!

And Check out all the patterns she gave me too. Some of them I used when I was younger.

Check out these two on the right. My Mom got these for my siblings back in like the late 70's or 80's.

I love look'n back at these oldy styles.

And here's my favorite, the one in the middle, so cute! I can't wait to make this for Rowan when she gets a little bigger. But of course I'll put my own little fashion twist on it ;)

Oh and that cute sun and moon denim that was underneath all the

rest of the fabric...yeah I've got great plans for that! Can't wait to show you!

Another giveaway notification

Alexis from My Mama Made It is having a New Year's giveaway. I totally want this cape that she created. It's the giveaway item. Check it out! She's got incredible style, and I love following her blog. Take a look!