Fabric Flower

Isn't this sweet? I made about 8 of them for Christmas presents this year. I used old t-shirts again and loved how they turned out! After assembling them, I glued a pin on the back. My family told me I should sell them on Etsy. Hmmm...since it took me 6 hours to make 8 pins, I'm not sure it would be worth it. Maybe I would get faster by flower #257!

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas!

T-shirt Upcycle

Is it "Upcycle" or "Recycle"? I'm not sure. All I know is that I took an old t-shirt and made a scarf out of it! Pinterest was my inspiration.

So, I cut off the lower 9" of this purple t-shirt. I left the top and bottom edges raw, so they will curl up a little. Then, I stretched it out--giving it a pretty good tug.

Then, just wrap it around several times. Ta-da!

My new favorite...

This song is the latest addition to my ipod and I just can't get enough.

Tricky...

I've never been a big fan of Halloween. I'm just not into all things "spooky". But with a last name like mine, I just had to make this Halloween decoration.

Football!

So, I'm a football fan, as the title of my blog suggests. But it occurred to me that I really don't blog much about football. Actually, I don't blog much.

But this weekend, I actually sat down and watched several football games. Heaven. On Saturday, the kids were at a birthday party, so I was home. A rare thing on a Saturday. I forgot how much I love college football. I watched the Air Force/Navy game. Wow. Now, I have to go for the men in blue because of my Uncle John. It was quite the game and the Falcons pulled off a win.

Later that night, we watched the Nebraska/Wisconsin game. Ouch. Due to the fact that my parents are from Nebraska, I'm a Husker fan. I think it's on my birth certificate somewhere. It was our first game in the Big 10 and we stunk. Well, Wisconsin wasn't bad. Their offensive line is, pound for pound, bigger than the Packer's offensive line. Again, I say ouch.

Then on Sunday, I watched the Bronco game. We played the Packers. Pound for pound, we are waaaay worse than the Packers. It was ugly and I was almost sorry that I watched it. Almost. I hate to gripe and jump on the "grumpy fan" band wagon, but, really...would it hurt to put Tebow in? Why have the guy if he's just going to stand on the sideline? Seems like Tim could have done something. Anything. Like a first down? Yeah, that would have been good.

Anyway, I'm just a Bronco/Husker/Rams/Falcons fan. What do I know?

A Chair Re-do

I've had this chair for quite a while. It was my great-grandmother's and it was in our home growing up. It was covered in a really faded, salmon colored, floral fabric. Not my style.


So when we moved into our new house in 2002 and I set up a classroom, I recovered the chair in a red and blue patriotic fabric. Yeah, that's my style! It looked great in the classroom. As our needs have changed and rooms have been repurposed, the chair ended up in my room at my computer desk. The stars and stripes didn't fit in so well. In addition, the chair springs were getting old. And tired. And breaking.

It was on my to-do list for months to re-cover the chair. I finally found some fabric at Jo-Ann's (for $6!) and got to it. Here's the before and after:

Now it sits at my craft desk and makes me happy.

Gettin' Crafty

I just got my order from Stampin' Up! I haven't ordered in a while and I didn't really need any paper or stamps. So...

What should I make?

My view from here...

So, I was sitting in my chair, having just read a history lesson to the kiddos. I looked over and this is what I saw. Man, that's a lot of shoes.

Use it up!

When I was young, my grandparents were a huge part of my life. We lived with them several times, lived close to them at other times and were always in touch with letters and phone calls when we were apart.



My grandpa was the best. I could write a whole post about him, and maybe I will. But I was thinking about him today and the specific phrase that he taught my mom and then she passed on to me. "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." I'm sure most Americans who lived through the Depression and WWII knew this phrase and lived by it.



And I'm also not sure we have any idea how to live by it today. Something breaks, we just get a new one. We get tired of something, we give it away. A newer version of what we have hits the market and we just have to have it.



But I do something that my mom taught me and I think my Grandpa would approve: when my face lotion runs low, I take out the pump and turn it upside-down in my palm and shake another 10 uses out of it. When my body lotion gets low, I cut the top off and reach in with my fingers to get the last little bit. Lotion is not cheap and I am going to use it up, by golly!



I suppose I could calculate how much time it takes me verses how much money I'm actually saving, but doing these little things makes me think of my Grandpa and it makes me happy!



What little things do you do that save a few pennies?

She's 17, a beauty queen

Morgan Leigh. Beauty. Grace. Creativity. Laughter. Love. 17.

Luke is 11? No way!

Luke, my little beach bum, spent his birthday at Laguna Beach.

Man, I love that kid.

My Big Brother

Things I have learned from my brother:
1. Work hard, play hard
When it comes to work, no one puts in more effort than Sterling. He is the first to show up and the last to leave. But when it's time to play, he goes full throttle. Work or play, he's all in!

2. Laughter is the best medicine
Sterling has always been the funny one. And his sense of humor is so endearing. He's always got a joke and sees the funny side of things. It's a good way to view life.

3. Buy quality things and take care of them
Sterling has always spent his money on good quality items, from a road bike to a tent to sunglasses. I see him as an example for spending money on the things that matter. I haven't quite learned that lesson yet!

4. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
Sterling is a godly man--he serves his fellow man, loves his wife and kids, and seeks to honor his Father with his life. After 40 years, I'd say he's doing a top-notch job!

Happy 40th Birthday, Sterling!

Which came first...Easter or the Cadbury Creme Egg?

I get so annoyed when I see Christmas decorations out before Halloween. Or Valentine Hearts on sale before the end of December. Please. Let's celebrate one holiday at a time. There's plenty of time for me to buy my shamrock garland and matching tablecloth after Valentine's Day.



But there is one holiday treat I'm always happy to see. The Cadbury Creme Egg. An Easter tradition since 1923. I think. Anyway, it's been around a long time. And it's always been my favorite.

When I was about 13, a boy in my school found out about my love of the creamy confection. He gave me a paper lunch bag full of them. This kid jumped from "I hardly know you" status to "marriage material" pretty fast.

These days, I can't just peel back the foil wrapping and guiltlessly enjoy the gooey goodness like I used to. But I still let myself have one or two. I just can't resist.

So, Easter is here, and the Cadbury Creme Egg will disappear off the shelves. That's ok. Easter isn't just all about eggs and bunnies and flowers. My Savior bled and died, was buried and rose again. Just for me. And that's something worth celebrating year round.

The Pleated Poppy

So, I bought this tiny pouch for myself a few months ago. I just love it! I found it on http://www.thepleatedpoppy.com Makes me want to go to Starbuck's just so I can pull it out and show it off!

It's the perfect size for cards and cash.

Now I just need the matching checkbook cover and zippered pouch. :) So, on The Pleated Poppy, Lindsey is hosting a Show and Tell. My post will be linked up over there. Check it out!

A letter that will never get sent...

Dear Park R-3 School District Athletic Department, Since football season is usually cold, windy and snowy, and since soccer season is usually cold, windy and snowy, I would like to make the following recommendation: tear down the old, metal bleachers and install a covered, heated stadium seating area. All the devoted parents who sit on cold, metal bleachers to watch football and soccer in cold, wind and snow would greatly appreciate it. Sincerely, (and still shivering), Amber Treat

Signs of Spring

Ahhh...this is Spring in Estes Park. The calendar means nothing. The weather means nothing. It's not Spring until you see your first pasque flower. I saw these along the path as I was running. Since I don't carry my phone or my camera when I run, I just had to go back later and snap this photo. Welcome back, Spring. It's good to see you again.

My Dad's New Car

Is this not the cutest car you have ever seen? I snapped this photo with my cell phone while we were on Spring Break in Glenwood Springs.

I love my dad and my dad loves cars. I knew he would love to see this little Fiat. So, I very innocently sent him the picture. He texted right back (yes, my dad can text!) and said, "How much is it? Buy it! Have Morgan drive it home." I thought he was kidding.

He has since called me several times, questioning me about this little car's location. I told him it was in a residential area near the Visitor Center. He has the little old lady that works there on the hunt as well.

I don't think the car is even for sale, but my dad is planning a trip to Glenwood Springs to make a deal. I love my dad.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em

I love blogs. I love reading blogs. It's like looking in the living room window of a house as you pass by. A little peek at the inner workings of someone's life. I discovered blogs several years ago, when I found that one of my facebook friends had one. I was fascinated! And amazed. How in the world do these women have time to 1. do all these things, 2. write about doing all these things, and 3. take pictures of themselves doing all these things? I remember telling my husband that bloggers were insane. The more I read about these women and the lives they lead, the more I found myself identifying with them. "I've had days like that!" "My son used to do that!" "I wish I could be like that!" If I was being inspired and encouraged, then maybe I could do the same for someone else. Not only that, but writing a blog is a journal of sorts. And I've always been horrible about journaling. Maybe now I'll be better. I got the name for my blog while I was out running. I'm not a runner. And I need to think about anything but running when I'm running. So, the name for my blog came to me as I thought about who I am and what I would blog about. I homeschool my kids, I love to scrapbook and papercraft. I cook and like to make my home beautiful. I love to organize and find ways to do all of those things better. But I also love to bike, hike and camp. I love Monday Night Football and March Madness. I don't want to miss the playoffs, tournaments and highlights of any sport. So that's me...book clubs and biking. Cooking and camping. Tulips and touchdowns.