Auction Display Craft

So October doesn't just bring nice weather and my anniversary (and an impending birth of a certain baby someone) it is breast cancer awareness month.  For a Power of Pink Auction here I, along with some other very talented ladies in Murfreesboro, donated a kids party.  It is a fall fest party that can be cowboy themed held at Dreamcatchers, a children's rehab center here in town that is on a farm.  Gigi's is in on it and the kids will get to make an adorable stuffed animal from Noah's Ark Workshop.  I am doing decor, so that is my contribution.  We all decided that our display for the auction should be enticing and make everyone want to bid on this awesome party! 

 I didn't get actually go to the auction but I made a board (using my brand new cricut) and a little candy topiary.

Please excuse the dirty vent next to the sign, haha

 I covered a thick poster board with some burlap.  I made the banner with cardstock and scrapbook paper and the cut out the shapes from my cricut and glued them together.  With previous banners I have made I have cut the letters by hand, let me tell you how much easier this made life!  I made a simple page with a description of the party and cut some leaf shapes with the cricut as well.

This guy had one too many tootsie roll pops, he couldn't stand up straight

Ah, the candy topiary.  These things seem to be the bane of my existence.  I have made three of them now and can't seem to get them supported correctly.  They are always top heavy!  This is a photo before I corrected the problem this time. (Yep, this blogger didn't take her camera to shoot a photo of the finished set up).  I put thick floral foam down in a pot and stuck a dowel rod wrapped in ribbon down in it.  This is not sturdy enough to hold up a styrofoam ball stuffed with mini  tootsie roll pops.  I fixed the problem by putting marbles down in the pot beside the styrofoam.

The auction set up was cute complete withe board and topiary, four Gigi's cupcakes and a stuffed hope bear from Noah's Ark.  I am not sure how it went but hopefully whoever bid on it will enjoy their party!!

Halloween Mummy!

It is October, time for crisp fall weather, bonfires, jeans and jackets and Halloween!  I love being able to dress up and get free candy, I mean who wouldn't??  I was working on some Halloween decorations for an article and again came across something I wanted to do on Pinterest.  If you haven't noticed I spend entirely too much time looking at this site. 

 My starting tools were:

• 4 different size mason jars
• sheer fabric (like chiffon)
• googly eyes (yep, that is the technical term)
• glue gun

I already had the small mason jars and was able to get some huge ones that I really ended up liking.  My original intent was to use gauze to wrap them with but when I went to buy it and saw how expensive it was I decided on a sheer fabric.

 I started by cutting the fabric into long, thin strips.  My next step was to glue a piece of the fabric to what I wanted to be the back of the mason jars starting at the top.  I wrapped the fabric around the jar until I had it looking the way I wanted it and glued it to the bottom of the jar.  I glued a little in the middle on the ones where my fabric strips weren't long enough. I tried to cut the strips so they were long enough to cover the entire jar.  After finishing all the jars I wanted I hot glued the googly eyes onto each one.  I should say that there was one casualty, I knocked one of the eyes I had already put hot glue on off the couch and it landed on the back of my leg.  This didn't really hurt, it was the ripping it from the skin part that left a mark.

After I hot glued the eyes on I had my finished product!  I stuck candles in the bottom and now they are a cute Halloween decoration and candle holder! Yay for fall.

Craft Time

I haven't just been lounging around the house propping my feet up. I have been busy getting things ready for shoots, crafting for Isla's room and for events!  I love to craft.  Sometimes the things turn our great and other times not at much. I am dubbing this week craft week on the blog. (Hey sharks get one). So I will post a different craft or fun thing each day!!


Canvas for Isla's Wall:

 I got the idea for this one from Pinterest.  I thought it would be relatively easy to replicate. (Disclaimer: mine are not nearly as neat as the ones shown on pinterest and I didn't love it as much as I thought I would but it was a first attempt).  I bought four 10x10 canvases, wooden letter, spray paint and some fabric and I was ready to start crafting.

 First I gorilla glued the letters to the canvas and let them sit over night. This glue will hold anything, and I mean anything!  The only problem with it is that it tends to run from behind what you are gluing and it left some bubble beside the letters.  I didn't do the Isla letters because I had plans for them to be over some fabric so that canvas would stand out.

 My next step was to spray paint the canvases.  I took them outside (yep, pregnant lady with some paint--watch out) and sprayed them a bright raspberry color.  I did a couple coats and let them dry in between.

After those were dry it was time to finish the Isla canvas.  I simply took a remnant piece of fabric and wrapped it around the canvas then hot glued it to the back. I pained the Isla letters bright yellow and glued them to the top of the fabric and voila--we are finished.

There are definitely some imperfections if you look closely, for instance the spray paint is not totally even everywhere and the yellow paint I had wouldn't cover the wood grain on some of the letters but there are imperfections in my life if you look closely as well, hehe.

Enjoy, and I will see you here tomorrow for another day of craft week!

I Come From...

Photo by Chris and Adrienne Scott Photographers

so years ago I promised I would post the writing exercise from the Hallmark event.  Without further adieu...

I Come From...

• barefoot summers
• porch swings and hymns
• sneaking up creaky stairs to "surprise" my grandmother
• dancing in the living room
• ice cream on the way home from school
• listening to my mom sing lullabies
• long summer days on a bike
• quilts and coke bottles
• early morning cold water
• lazy days at the beach
• radio shows and skits
• giggling into the night
• being tickled by the jabberywocky
• Christmas eve with my brother
• outdoor concerts
• fried okra and cornbread
• passing notes
• driving to college
• young love
• love that endures
• laughter throughout the house
• tickling little tiny feet
• forgiveness and grace

Photo by Chris and Adrienne Scott Photographers

Showers

So I realized I haven't blogged in almost a month. Yep, I have been slacking for a month!  I have lots of stuff stockpiled to write about so here is the first of what I hope will catch me up on what has been going on in the George house!

  I completely didn't expect anyone to throw me a shower since this is our second kid.  (I also didn't want to seem like a greedy brat asking for more stuff when we already have baby stuff).  My friends insisted and it was fun since everything we have is for boys and getting girl stuff is fun too!

I actually had a diaper and wipe shower at work and then a shower in Chattanooga on the same weekend!  My camera conveniently broke the day before the showers so I didn't get any photos of the one in Murfreesboro.  Luckily my mom came to the rescue in Chattanooga and let me have her photos.  I work with a great bunch of people and they got me all stocked with diapers.  I also got two incredible diaper cakes, it was so fun to get one!  I should interject that it is sad to take it apart, they are so cute I hated to dismantle it!!

My best friends are wonderful and I am thankful for all the hard work they put into my shower. They made a bunch of adorable owl decorations, which are in Isla's room right now.  (Another post coming soon).  They had cute ideas on games and we had a great time!

Cian got to enjoy the shower too

Baby game: you had to pick which baby was which person at the shower (Thank God they didn't play the game where you measure how large the pregnant woman is...)

Isla wreath!

Onesie decorating!!

Cian was a big helper when opening gifts

The girls

Jessie, me and Laine.  I love my girls!!

A few weeks ago I had brunch with Karen and Bill (my in-laws), Amanda (my crafty sister-in-law) and Rachel, (my cousin in law) to celebrate little Isla.  I also have an incredible group of girls I exercise with.  They threw me a "shower"or dinner at Carabas.  We drank wine, ok they drank wine, ate cake and had a really fun evening.  I am so thankful for all the women God has put in my life!!

Cute little basket for baby girl!

The girls

Megan, Becca and Lauren

Joanna, Becca and Carla

Adorable cake made by my friend Jill

 I feel so blessed to have all the friends we have and for everything we were give for little Isla.  This chick already has a better wardrobe than I do!  I can't wait for her to get here to meet all her friends and family!!

Tummy...Wednesday??

34 Weeks

 So I guess I missed Tummy Tuesday.  (I also missed Mommy Monday but who's counting).  While Steve was painting Isla's ceiling tonight I decided to test our new camera and take some belly photos.  I should point out that at this point, and I can only tell by the photo, we had Cian's room painted and his furniture put together.  At least we started on the ceiling so I guess we are getting closer...

I feel like a broken record but I can't believe I only have six weeks left!  The sad thing is that I am worrying about all the things I need to get done around the house and for work that I really don't want her to come early.  (Ok, maybe a week or so would be acceptable).  I think I should prepare myself for an early arrival simply because I am banking on her being late.  Cian was still cooking past his due date so I think Isla will be too, but we all know she isn't coming on my timeline.

As more and  more girly stuff shows up around the house it is becomes more apparent that our lives are changing and we are getting ready to accept a new member into our family.  One that will change the dynamic forever.  I know it will be for the good and I can't wait to see how our family changes and grows with the tiny life that will come into it.  I am cherishing my last few weeks with just my little boy and hugging him tighter knowing that things are changing for him as well.  It will never just be the two of us hanging out all day or watching a movie with pizza in bed while daddy is working late.  It will be better because we will have another little one to share in the fun with us.  I am not sure how excited he will be about the sharing part at first but I am sure she will grow on him.  They will be ganging up on me in no time.  Isla will not take away any love for Cian, I am sure my heart will grow two sizes when she is born to make room for her.

Our outings as a family of three are becoming fewer and though it is said that three is a magic number, I think four might be even more magical.  We can't wait to meet you baby Isla.

Growing Baby!

34 Weeks with Cian

Sometimes When it Rains it Pours...

Today was literally one of those days.  Not only was it rainy (although rainy and 65 not rainy and 100 like it has been) but my life rained on me today.  It was one of those days when you are so happy to see these faces:

My Love

My sweet Cian

So I am his mom but who wouldn't love this face?

It isn't like today was the worst day in history but I did receive an official award today---worst driver in history.  The day started with a trip to work for a few hours and then a trip home to play.  Well Cian and I ventured back out to run some errands (i.e. get a bunch of stuff I need to get done for a photo shoot and have very limited time to do).  We were pretty close to destination one while driving in my trusty old mustang when I felt my tires begin to hydroplane.  Driving a rear wheel drive car this happens kinda frequently in the rain.  I was probably two car lentgths behind the car in front of me and going about 25 so I pumped my breaks to try to stop.  The did not oblige.  I was pumping and they were not stopping in time.  Well, I think they were trying but the tires were skidding.  Guess what happens when you hydroplane and there is a car in front of you, cars in the lane beside you keeping you from swerving and a sidewalk on the other side of you?  Yep, you guessed it--you hit the car in front of you.  If you know me and my driving record (and if you don't I am not going to to tell you so you won't be afraid to get out on the road) you know the last thing I needed was ANOTHER accident.  Well I had gotten myself into one.

It all happened pretty fast actually and when we hit the car in front of us it was just hard enough to cause the airbags to deploy.  When air bags deploy they let out the most noxious and funky smoke and smell.  I immediately jumped out of the car and ran to grab Cian who was sleeping in the back seat.  I think I scared him because I said we had to get out of the car and pulled him into the rain.  I didn't think the airbag hit my stomach but my arm was swelling from where I must have had it in front of the bag. I also bit my lip and it was bleeding.  I think my appearance freaked out not only my son but the unsuspecting guy that I rear-ended.  I felt doubly bad when the guy told me he was on his way to court.  (Driver of the year goes to...).

I called the police and when I did Cian was crying in the background so they sent a firetruck, police car and ambulance.  This was kinda cool for Cian. (silver lining)?  They checked us out a bit and I told them I was fine and while we were in the ambulance Steve pulled up.  (Knight in shining armor and chauffeur).  When we got out the poor guy I hit had left to go to court.  This turned out to be some saving grace for me. The police officer finished the report and only gave me a warning for following too closely.  (Can you say hallelujah???).  They called a tow truck but when the driver got there he said the car was driveable, a fact that Steve had already figured out.  The driver cut off the driver's side airbag and didn't charge us anything for coming out.  (Again, thank you Lord)!  I would recommend Radford's wrecker anytime!  We made it home and in the meantime I talked to my doctor's office and they wanted me to go in to monitor Isla for a bit.  By a bit they meant four hours.  I only ended up having to stay for two and everything looked good with my little chick.  (Third thank you Jesus for the day).

The sad part is that I was upset I couldn't make it to the gym and stressed over the work I need to get finished. Someone might need to get their priorities straight?  Thankfully all the George's made it home safe tonight and are accounted for.  I have to remember that sometimes His blessings come through raindrops...