Fresh Starts

The New Year is right around the corner...literally. It's time for fresh starts, setting new goals and becoming a better me! Here are a few of my resolutions for the New Year:

Get healthy
Set a budget
Update my blog at least once a week
Finish 1 furniture project a month
Take a sewing class
Work on my degree

What are some of your resolutions?

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."

~Luke 2:8-16

~~Wishing you all peace and happiness this Christmas Day!~~

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I made the TOP 5!!!!

EEEEEK!!!! I can hardly believe it! I made the Top 5 for the Iron Crafter over at Fireflies and Jellybeans for my Christmas Advent calendar/garland!!!


I'm so very, VERY excited! So, if you liked my project please head over to Fireflies and Jellybeans and vote for me please! I would really appreciate it! :)
In case you missed it before, vote here.

Thanks to all my lovely readers! ~~~~

Sunday Reflections

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."
Matthew 2:2-3

Win, Lose or Blog

After much hesitation on my part and "weighing" (I'm so punny!) the pros and cons... I have decided to enter at "Win, Lose or Blog" as a contestant. There's something about going public about my weight that makes me recoil in fear. But, it's time...

For those of you who don't know me, I have had 4 pregnancies in 7 years, and for the first time in those 7 years I'm not. Through the course of those years, I gained 80 lbs. OUCH! I recently lost 20 of those pounds, but would really like to lose the last 60. I feel that being accountable to other women, will really help me with the process. The Hubs and I would like to add 1 more to our family of 5, but I know in order to do that, I need to be at a healthier weight.

So, here's to hoping they pick me! Cross your fingers and wish me luck!

Iron Crafter---Burlap Stocking Advent Calendar

I am entering the Iron Crafter linky over at Fireflies and Jellybeans, so if you've already read about this, my apologies...OR you can read it again and just enjoy the happiness! :)

Something I have always wanted was an advent calendar for Christmas. I have seen a lot, and I was having trouble finding just the right one to make. That was, until I saw this one over at Making the World Cuter.

So stinkin' cute! I loved the burlap, and since I'm making new burlap stockings for the fam, I thought this would look great with them.

First I made a pattern for the stockings and cut out my burlap.
(Hobby Lobby sale $2.99 a yard)

Oodles of little stockings!

And sewed them up.

Then I went to work embellishing them (stuff I had on hand).

I found these little alphabet tags at Michael's for $1.99

I had this paper in my stash
And made some uber cute number tags.

I had some clothespins (also from my stash)
and distressed them and the tags.

I glued the tags to the clothes pins.

And hung it all on long piece of jute.

Isn't just darling??? ***squeal!*** I'm super excited about how it turned out! I think the Hubs thought I was going loony. I kept giggling like mad with each stocking I hung on the line. I'm putting little pieces of candy (like Kisses) and a scripture about Christ/Christmas in each stocking for our family to share each night until Christmas. I'm positively giddy about this new Christmas tradition!

Breakdown of cost:

1 1/2 yards (roughly) of burlap..... $4.50
Embellishments & ribbon............... had on hand
Hot glue............................................. had on hand
Mod Podge........................................ had on hand
Paper................................................. had on hand
Alphabet tags................................... $1.99
Clothespins....................................... had on hand (but $2.33 at Hobby Lobby)
Jute.................................................... had on hand

Total.................................................. $6.49

A ton cheaper than purchasing one! If you had to buy most of the supplies, I think you can do this for about $10-15.

Mind if I toot my own horn again?
Oh the GLEE!


Also linking up here:

Sunday Reflections

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, Thee Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 6:9

~Remember the Reason for the Season~

Much love to all~

The Stockings Were Hung....

Something I have always wanted was an advent calendar for Christmas. I have seen a lot, and I was having trouble finding just the right one to make. That was, until I saw this one over at Making the World Cuter.

So stinkin' cute! I loved the burlap, and since I'm making new burlap stockings for the fam, I thought this would look great with them.

First I made a pattern for the stockings and cut out my burlap.
(Hobby Lobby sale $2.99 a yard)

Oodles of little stockings!

And sewed them up.

Then I went to work embellishing them (stuff I had on hand).

I found these little alphabet tags at Michael's for $1.99

I had this paper in my stash
And made some uber cute number tags.

I had some clothespins (also from my stash)
and distressed them and the tags.

I glued the tags to the clothes pins.

And hung it all on long piece of jute.

Isn't just darling??? ***squeal!*** I'm super excited about how it turned out! I think the Hubs thought I was going loony. I kept giggling like mad with each stocking I hung on the line. I'm putting little pieces of candy (like Kisses) and a scripture about Christ/Christmas in each stocking for our family to share each night until Christmas. I'm positively giddy about this new Christmas tradition!

Breakdown of cost:

1 1/2 yards (roughly) of burlap..... $4.50
Embellishments & ribbon............... had on hand
Hot glue............................................. had on hand
Mod Podge........................................ had on hand
Paper................................................. had on hand
Alphabet tags................................... $1.99
Clothespins....................................... had on hand (but $2.33 at Hobby Lobby)
Jute.................................................... had on hand

Total.................................................. $6.49

A ton cheaper than purchasing one! If you had to buy most of the supplies, I think you can do this for about $10-15.

Mind if I toot my own horn again?
Oh the GLEE!