Projects!

Today, hubby and I started ripping the carpet up in the living room/dining room/great room area. We had no idea what sort of state the hardwood floor underneath would be in. But let me say, it is beautiful!

We will be calling for an estimate this week, though, for some small repairs and sealing to be done. Not much has to be done, but we want it done well, as we need to sell this house when the Army moves us on.

I also have some other projects that are screaming for their turn, so once this is done, it's on to the next thing. Isn't it always?

Got lots of projects lined up!

To start decorating my home, I've been browsing and brainstorming... and I've got some great ideas, if I do say so m'self. All are cross stitch projects, but there is one that is quilted, which means I'm gonna have to learn how to quilt!

MaineMom gave me a quote on joy that was the inspiration for doing "The joy of the Lord is my strength" project. It's framed with cross stitched ivy.

Have you seen word clouds? Well, I'm gonna make my own in cross stitch! I came up with some words that mean home and family to me that will all go into the piece. Thing is... I've gotta design it myself. Eeek! Never done that before, so this will be a creative adventure!

Then I found this beautiful saying online to cross stitch (thank you, Candi!):

Having someone to love is
FAMILY
Having somewhere to go is
HOME
Having both is a
BLESSING

Also to be done:
"Wildflower Trio. " Isn't it wonderful?

This mini quilt - won't it be darling in greens, blues, and yellows?

"Tulip Trio" - another gorgeous picture of flowers

"Peony Blossom" - The peony is my favorite flower in whole world!

And one day, when I've gotten those finished, I hope to do several of these!! Do you think I'll be busy for awhile? LOL!! Not to mention, I've got throw pillows to sew, some curtains to make for the kids' rooms... hmmm, getting rid of the tv is probably wise...

Gals, a bit of creative help?

I'm working on a cross stitch piece to hang in my kitchen. Inside the frame of stitched ivy, there will be some sort of saying - be it scripture, a quote, or a fitting saying. I'd prefer it not be too long, as the space available for the words is roughly 4x6 (inches). Or perhaps just a phrase that conjurs up a feeling in a homey and cozy kitchen?

What would you suggest?

Stop procrastinating, girl, and just DO it.

I've wanted to french braid my little gal's hair for so long, but every time I tried (and months went by between each attempt), it was a mess. So I'd just give up. Try once, then quit.

Well, this past week I decided that it was just ridiculous that I kept quitting. I wouldn't dare let my kids have that sort of attitude, so why was I letting myself get away with it? So I just jumped in one day. Oh my, Sunshine's hair was hilarious! But I didn't quit. The next day I fixed it again, and the next day and the next, and today (after a week of braiding her hair daily), her hair looks like a french braid! I'm so proud of myself.

Now, onto tackle the next thing at which I am no good, but wish I was... hand sewing. There is a cute little set of small quilt samplers you can make that someone sent me the link to. I could use them as pot holders.

And yes, I expect it to look absolutely horrendous. But hey, you gotta start somewhere, right? Besides, no one said you can't try and then burn all the evidence! LOL

Had fun with salt dough ornaments today!

My girls Sunshine and Sugar-n-Spice made salt dough ornaments today with me. They had so much fun! We were rather low on Christmas cookie cutters (could not find any in town!) so we just made do with the two we had, then free handed the rest. We made red and blue ornaments, and then with the remnants of those, we kneaded it together and the rest of the ornaments were swirly! Very cool looking!

In case you would like the recipe, here it is:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
3/4 to 1 cup water
Food coloring (optional)
**You may also add cinnamon to this recipe for a nice smell, which also makes the ornaments brown like a gingerbread man.

Mix flour and salt, then add half the water. Knead a bit, then gradually add the rest of the water and knead again. If the dough is too crumbly, add more water. If it is too sticky, add more flour.

Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch thick. (We did the 1/4 inch.) Use cookie cutters to cut create shapes, and don't forget to use a straw to make the hole for hanging!

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until dry. (Keep checking, depending on your thickness of the dough.) Add a ribbon for hanging, and wala!

Anyway, we had fun. The girls LOVED digging their hands in the dough and smashing it. Mommy actually gave them permission to play in "food" - lol.