I'm Dreaming of a Handmade Christmas

I am in full-on crafting mode since I got my groove back! I'm still baking up some play cookies for the Etsy shop, and my brain is filled with ideas of other fun Christmas goodies to try. I've also been perusing all the wonderful tutorials that other bloggers have been kind enough to share, and I'm so inspired and ready to craft for my own Christmas at home! I've got to get in the shower already, so I'll be back later to post links. You won't be disappointed.

Grocery Bag Dispenser!

This project turned out great - and it didn't take a lot of time or materials to make since save for the batting, everything from fabric to elastic was from my stash! I got to try my hand at quilting and have decided that I need a stippling foot before trying that mess again (unless I'm quilting in straight lines). But the best part? Now, I've got this great little way to store my plastic grocery bags. (So much better than the previous overflowing basket at the bottom of the pantry...)

What's that? You need a plastic bag? Why, I just happen to have one right here...

Thanks Moda Bake Shop for a great tutorial!

Feeling Domestic

It's a dreary, gloomy day today that is forcing the fam inside and me to get in touch with my inner domestic goddess. Big sis and I have two chocolate cakes cooling, just waiting to be slathered in chocolate icing and Heath bar bits. The grocery bag dispenser is about to head to the dryer and then to my pantry for pics and grocery bag dispensing action. And... I'm whipping up a batch of cookies for the lollipop kids Etsy shop.

Life is good.

I've got my groove back

I've been having a rough time lately, feeling very disconnected from myself as my job slowly took over my life. Tonight I sat at my kitchen table, my hands becoming reacquainted with some old friends...

It was so calming and empowering making those tiny little felt cookies that all of a sudden, I felt it. I had my groove back. For the first night in many, I wasn't ready to fall asleep at 8:30 pm. I was excited with every blanket stitch...
Who knew this was what I needed all along?
And I didn't stop there - I started working on a cute little project that I spotted in the Moda Bake Shop some time ago - the grocery bag dispenser. How cute is that thing?! It's way better than the overflowing pile of plastic bags at the bottom of my pantry. One charm pack later, I had this:

I still have to sew the lining and batting and *gasp* do my first quilting ever. (Can I even stipple with a normal old Singer? Ack!) I think it'll turn out pretty cute... we'll see!
Oh - and if you're in the mood for some felt play cookies, check out my Etsy shop! I'll be cranking out the sweets for the holidays...

Trick or Treat!

What a fun Halloween. It's much more fun now that both of the girls are old enough to enjoy dressing up and raking in the candy! G was an adorable little kitty cat and I dressed up as Lucille Ball - mainly because it was the only costume in the Halloween store that didn't look like it should be worn behind closed bedroom doors. Seriously.
I actually saw young teenage girls shopping the "Dreamgirl" costumes with their mothers. Not that they aren't cute little get-ups... but when you have to decide if your costume is "too slutty" versus simply being slutty at all, that should be a universal sign for all mothers everywhere to get out of that section!
I digress. Dh was his trusty standby, the rodeo clown - a last minute costume shopped at Goodwill, none the less. And K was a bobby sox dancer, but ditched her cateye glasses and added a cowgirl hat once she saw her daddy. *sigh* Whatever makes her happy, right?

Here's to many more Happy Halloweens with my little "ghouls"!

Happy Halloween!!

So sorry for the photobucket interruption! I had no idea my images would be yanked from my blog if I hadn't logged in to photobucket in 90 days!

So, MNATO is back in its usual state, sans pictures that I need to take today of my girlies in their costumes. Oh, and me too. Yup. I'm wearing a costume for the first time in a long while after making a last minute run to the costume store last night.

Now... I've just got to figure out this wig.

Bare

Man, this blog is in some serious need of pictures! I've been a bad mama and keep forgetting the camera at home every time there is a potential for a Kodak moment. I know... pathetic, right?!
I've got nothing to show as far as craftiness either - everything's been on hold for a while. No sewing, no knitting... yikes. I've been waiting for another International Scarf Exchange and it looks like that might be unleashed soon, so maybe that'll give me the mojo I need to get my knit on again.
I'll do better - promise!