The Coolest . . .

You know, when I have a piece of advice that I think others may benefit from I like to share that information. Please note, that most advice comes from personal experience . . . this advice is no exception. When you are a recreational therapist with students who want to go to the gym to play basketball don't try to play in your dansko shoes (they are mighty comfortable but not the best on a slippery gym floor). You might be right in the middle of a great "one on one game" and your feet might slip out from under you. You might go down on both of your knees and then proceed to slide across the gym floor (imagine sliding into home base. . . you know Pete Rose style - if only we had been playing baseball!) You might be laughing really hard while trying not to cry because 7 5th graders just don't know quite what to say. You might realize that you have bruises on both of your knees the size of baseballs and the color of a plum. At this moment you might think you hate your job and can't believe you could be so clumsy. You might still be sitting on the floor trying to decide on whether you should try to get up or watch the game from the seated position and then you might hear, out of nowhere, a student yell . . .

"MRS. BROWN YOU ARE THE COOLEST TEACHER EVER!"

. . . and you might just realize how much you really do love your job!

A Corner Makeover . . .

I love to be organized - however it is something that I struggle with. Because . . . well, I like stuff - lots of stuff. And I like crafts - lots of crafts. And I like to make new stuff - lots of new stuff. All those "likes" add up to, well . . . lots of stuff! So, I am determined that I am going to have all of my crafting stuff organized. This is just the beginning. One end of the laundry room is e.v.e.n.t.u.a.l.l.y going to be my crafting area. For the time being, lots of my stuff has been stashed in the spare bedroom. I had a large computer armoire that housed my computer and lots of random stuff. It was pretty and all, but rather large. I decided that I wanted a small desk but couldn't find what I wanted. So what's a girl to do, build it herself (with the help of her awesome father-in-law and her superb husband). However, now that I've seen it completed I could do it myself. I don't have a lot of pictures and no "really before" photos but these two show the "kinda before" and the "after".

A simple piece of scrap plywood cut and attached to the wall using a few supports:



After adding trim moulding, simple large dowel legs, and a bed sheet folded in half and stapled underneath:




I now have a great little desk that fits perfectly in the corner and is wonderful. I love having a small work station!

I'm linking up to Between Naps On the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Check out the other contributors!

Baskets . . .

Actually, these are Easter Baskets. But I figured titling (is that a word - is is spelled correctly?) a post "Easter baskets" during the 3rd week of January just sounded funny. I have been in the sewing mood lately and found a pattern that I used for Easter Baskets several years ago. I don't think I made any last year but enjoy making them so thought I would get an "early start". That's a first for me! I've already made 4 but have only photographed (if you call my feeble attempts photography) 2 so far.





Hope you've had a great week
and have a fun-filled, restful weekend planned!

An Easy Gift . . .

I don't think I've mentioned on here that I got a Cricut from my hubby for Christmas. I have been talking about wanting one f.o.r.e.v.e.r. It was a nice surprise. I have had the best time playing with it. It will do so many things and I know I haven't even done a fourth of them! This is my latest . . . and I think they would make the cutest gifts. (In my opinion, just about anything personalized makes a cute gift!)

Know what this is?


Yep, you're correct . . . it is hand sanitizer in a decorated pump. These are so easy to make. I used my cricut to cut my vinyl letter and dots (but you could use rub-ons or stickers) and then added a bit of ribbon tied around the top. When empty, refill. This is going on my desk at school - I use this stuff quite often!

A new year, a new redo . . .

Happy 2010! I know it's late . . . I feel like that is the story of my life sometimes! Just a little late but here's to hoping that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and has had a great start to 2010. We have had both! I've feel like I have finally gotten back into the swing of returning to school and getting back into a routine. I enjoyed my time off but am glad to have a routine back.

You know I love to go to thrift stores, etc. and over break that was no different. My mom, myself and about 5 others wandered around all day visiting "discount" stores. It was so much fun and we all found some great deals. I have bought several things to redo (imagine - more stuff to add to my to do pile) and have gotten one of them done. I love how it turned out. I have no idea where it will go but I can't wait to put it out and use it.
I bought this not so lovely and wooden candle holder ($2.99). It was painted with an off white paint and had 4 "arms".


I also bought 4 small basic pyrex bowls ($.49 each) and a larger glass jar ($1.00).



I pulled out the nail in the top (I have no idea what it was originally there for) and then I spray painted the base black (free - I already had the spray paint) and used Gorilla Glue Epoxy (my new favorite glue - stinks but works great!) to attach the glass pieces. Tada . . . a very pretty glossy black candleholder! (For about $6.00 total).




I hope to get some more things completed soon. Enjoy 2010 and make it your best year yet!



*Updated - I'm linking to Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Check it out (click the graphic button below) to see some really neat blogs and creations!

A few more . . .

I have really enjoyed making dresses. It sure has been a nice break from purses. These are a few more dresses that I have made lately.

These two Christmas dresses were custom orders. (They are actually a bright pink cordorouy fabric with a bright green liner - my photo skills are not very good!)


This dress with ballet slippers was also a custom order.

The snowflake dress was one that I made to list on Etsy.
I am definitely enjoying my time off from school. It's hard to believe Christmas is in 2 days!!

Last Minute Christmas Gifts . . .

If you know me at all you know that I am the Queen of Procrastination. Tomorrow is my last day of work until the new year and I had 4 more presents that needed to be made. Yep - made, not bought. I decided to make "sticky note" holders for the desks of some of my coworkers. I have been wanting to make some and this was the perfect excuse to try them out. For my first attempt(s) I think they turned out rather cute.