More DIY!

 We are in Christmas planning mode around here.
Y'all, it's only one month away!

In preparation for Countdown to Christmas {starting in SIX days!},
I thought I'd make the little girls somethin' festive to wear:

 

These little tees are super easy to make.

You just need a few different fabric patterns, fusible webbing, a shirt, and iron.

 

 

I cut my pieces the size I wanted the tree to be for each shirt,
then attached my fusible webbing.
I can't recall the brand I used, but that's okay, because I wouldn't recommend it anyway.
The brand I USUALLY use, I couldn't find at JoAnn's the last time I was there.
It's easy peasy to use, and it's called "Steam-A-Seam".
Go buy some!

 

 

I set the iron to cotton/steam, and placed it on top of the fabric and shirt for about 30-40 seconds.
 

 

Attach a bow to the top, and voila!
 

 

I also stitched around it because it finishes it off nicely.

Then I found my model:
 

 

 

 Pretty cute, right?

And the whole thing, from start to finish, took less than 30 minutes!

 

 What kinds of crafty have you been up to?

 

  

 

 

A DIY Christmas

It's holiday baking season, y'all.
{And gift-giving season as well, don'tchaknow}.
And if you're anything like me, you LOVE to be in the kitchen.

What I don't love? Spending a small fortune on ingredients.
So *sometimes* I make my own :)

It's super easy-peasy.

You should make some too.
And gift some.
Your friends will love you!
 

 

 

 

 All you need is:

* Vanilla Beans {I use Madagascar from Beanilla }
* Glass Bottles from Amazon
* Vodka
{I use the cheapie kind, and I make Jeremy buy it for me}

Just slice the beans down the middle, throw 'em in the bottle, and fill with Vodka.
You'll want to let them sit for a few weeks, and then give 'em to your bestest besties.
{and keep a few for yourself!}


Talk to me about your favorite homemade gifts! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Countdown to Christmas is coming!

 

 

 

 

 Oh my goodness, I can't believe we're creeping toward the end of November!

It's almost time for Countdown to Christmas, y'all!

If you're new here, and not familiar with our Countdown Festivities,  don't fear! 
I'll fill ya in!

Years ago I made an Advent Calendar

And now, each December, I plan out 24 activities, outings, crafts, etc.
for the girls to enjoy each day before Christmas. 
I write them out on slips of paper:

 

 

 

 Number them, and fill them out. 
And each day they take turns pulling the slip from the pocket in the calendar. 
The last couple of years I've also added in Scripture to read each day.
The girls LOVE it.  It's something they look forward to for months.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to start a similar tradition with your littles.
It makes for the best memories, and doesn't have to be extravagant at all! 

Over the next couple of weeks I'll be sharing some of our favorite Countdown activities here on the blog, on my Instagram, and over on my Facebook Page.
I would love it if you'd follow along, and share your own plans!

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Bazaar Crafting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple Cider

Our Apple Cider Day has come and gone, and we had such fun! 

 

 

 

 

 

 We had family come from out of town
 

 

 

And it didn't matter the age, everyone from the tiniest to the biggest helped out!
 

 

 

 My favorite boy <3 each="" happen="" hard="" he="" make="" nbsp="" p="" so="" this="" to="" works="" year.=""> 

 

And all of our efforts paid off . . .
 

 

 

 We ended the evening with gallons and gallons of CIDER!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Go, Go, Go!

Good Heavens, it's NOVEMBER??

 

My goodness it's been busy around here!!

 

Fall is my busy season with photography

{and, yeah, life too, pretty much}

So, finding a spare moment is nearly impossible.

 

And every day I am asked {by Kam} "how many more days until Christmas??!!"

I am SO excited for the holiday season {my MOST favorite time of the year!}, but a little nervous too, because the countdown is on, y'all, and I am nowhere near ready!

 

So. Anyway. Last month we were able to get away for a couple days.

 

We took a little trip to Central Oregon for some R&R at Eagle Crest Resort

The colors were GORGEOUS.  Gorgeous.  I'm sure I just stared, open-mouthed at the beautiful scenery the entire time.

 

We made a stop in Sisters {appropriate, yes?} for some shopping.
 

And some eats.
 

Story:  We ate at a little restaurant that had the best food.  We don't typically eat at sit-down restaurants, so this was a special treat.  We noticed a sweet gentleman sitting behind us, casting some smiles our way.  There is never a dull moment for us when we're out and about with the four girlies, so I figured he was getting some giggles out of our lively lunch. Eventually he left, and we were ready for our bill.  The waitress came over to tell us that the gentleman had paid for our entire lunch.  And it was a LARGE lunch!  I, of course, teared up.  I couldn't believe the generosity we had witnessed.  What a heart-warming Pay-It-Forward we received!
 

After lunch we explored the area awhile longer,
 

And then we were on our way.
 

We got to spend a couple of nights in the CUTEST cabin at the resort, just relaxing, and gearing up for a busy month ahead.
 

 

 

 Then, just like that, it was time to say goodbye to vacation!