Shopping Tote Makeover

I decided to try to jazz up a new "earth friendly" shopping tote that I picked up for 99 cents this week. My intention was to use it as Malia's soccer bag for toting the ball, water bottle, camera, snacks, etc. We were using one from IKEA, but it was super tall, my arm could barely reach the bottom, and it is made out of tarp-like plastic that is really noisy and crinkly. I felt like everyone could hear me each time I got something out of the bag!
So.......here is the before:























And here is the after:























I had an audience (Alex & Malia) while i was sewing - had a couple of little mishaps, but overall it came out pretty good and was easy (except for when I accidentally sewed the bottom into the side - then tore a little hole in the bag trying to get the super-tight-stitches out).
Here she is with her new bag. She picked out the fabric from some different ones I picked up. I actually bought 2 different ones with her in mind, but she chose this one. I was shocked - there is NO PINK!
Anyway, hope you all have a great weekend!
~Linda

Time to Play

Happy Saturday!

The weather has turned here and today is rainy and gloomy. I'm not ready for Summer to be all the way over...sun, please come back.

I picked up these fun Halloween treats for myself last week. Hopefully I'll get some time over the next couple of days to create some new tags & cards for my Etsy shop. I really don't need new supplies, but I just love seeing all the fun displays and shop ideas. It always makes me want to run home and start creating things. But in reality, I never get to run home and start getting crafty - that has to wait until the 3 kiddos are in bed. Can anyone relate??

So..........I'm off to get something started before I start breakfast. :)
Have a great day.

~Linda

New Fabric - Had to Share

Isn't this the cutest? Not sure what I'm going to use it for.......but thought it was too cute to pass up! :)

Is it Ever Going to Come??

....it seems like the first day of school is NEVER going to get here! :) It's still another week away, and I'm not sure if I'm going to make it. We have had a great Summer up until this past week. I know this sounds awful - but my kids, well 2 out of 3, are starting to drive me nuts!! The fighting and bickering is at an all time high. I think we are all ready for school to start! Anyone else feel this way??

On a crafty note, I did manage to finish a few new cards for my shop. Here are a couple of peeks. The tree one is so much prettier in person. I am tempted to keep it ;) - but I won't.

Well, I have a quiet house, laundry to put away, our picnic bag from our lunch at the park to put away, and some fresh coffee waiting for me. Yes, it's almost 4:30 in the afternoon, but I needs me some energy!

Happy Tuesday~
Linda

This & That

Well, it's Wednesday and only 2 out of 3 kiddos are home tonight. Little Alex is spending the night with Grandma. :) He's my early riser, so I'm hoping for either sleeping in or waking early to a quiet house. Not sure which I will choose if my other 2 actually sleep in! :) I think they will without my "loud talker" here.

I have been trying to get my ETSY shop up and running again. I had to put it on hold for a few months earlier in the year. Baby #3 really took a toll on my productivity! She's now 1 and we are finding our rhythm once again. Yippeee!! I had a little time today to put a few new things in the shop. I have so many things started from over the past months - now it's "what was I doing here?" as I run across them. Hopefully I'll pull it together and get them D-O-N-E! I'm a good project starter. ha ha.

As I was working today, I caught my assistant taking a break:

Of course she assumes when the camera comes out it's for her. She did want to say hi to ya'll.

Well, I just wanted to say hello. Have a good night. I need to make a "money holder" for Alex - we went to the fabric store and picked out some boy fabric (monster trucks -- funny I hadn't stocked up on that one - LOL!), so I really should have it ready and waiting for when he gets home tomorrow.

Bye for now~
Linda

Where Have I Been?

Hello......is anybody out there? I don't blame you if you're not! :)

I had to take a little break from my Etsy shop to focus on life and the kids. My littlest one is now a "free-roamer", so no more sitting in the swing while I craft. Dang!

I have been trying to fit some "play time for mom" into the day, and here is a little of what I've been working on:

I almost feel like starting Halloween and Christmas goodies......so stay tuned for those.

Have a great day.

Linda

Soon I will Be Here.........

Hello!

A quick hello to check in. My poor little Etsy Shop has been neglected these past few months. Life has taken over full force! Sometimes I feel like my life is more out of control than other people with kids.......as if they have it all together and I am constantly spinning. Are my kids more wild than others? I have felt "one step forward, two steps back" for awhile now.

Anyway, my hubby and I are getting ready to take our FIRST VACATION ever WITHOUT KIDS! He won a trip from his work, so we are heading to GRAND CAYMAN! I have always wanted to go there, wanted to for our honeymoon 9 years ago, but it was pretty spendy. I teeter between being excited and being so fearful and sad that we are leaving our kids for what seems like forever. Anyone know what I mean? The preparation to be gone is exhausting!

I remember 10 years ago, getting ready for a vacation meant shopping for cute clothes, tanning, working out and going on a diet. Now, NONE of those things have happened. Funny what a difference kids make. I'll be the one on the beach looking like an out of style M-O-M!! ;)

Okay, I have a million things to do. I'll be back -hopefully!

:)

XO - Linda