Color Dash 1-10-2014

Ella and I finished our 4th 5K on Saturday. She did SOOOOOO much better than the first 3.  She actually ran about 2/3 of the race.  Love doing these with her.  Our next one will be coming up in March I think...a UV night color run.   Sounds interesting
.

Girl Scout Christmas Caroling and Party

This past Sunday Ella and I went Christmas caroling with the Girl Scouts.  I am not big on caroling, but Ella loves it.  She had a blast, especially since all of the old people were in love the girls singing to them.  I hid in the background and tried to not be seen.  I did not succeed to well with that!

After the caroling we had the Girl Scout Christmas party.  This was a lot of fun.  There was food and crafts for us all to do.

I am glad we went together.

Turkey Trot 2013

I am always looking for something that Ella and I can do together.  So a couple of months ago I signed us up for the Color Dash here in Havasu.  We had a lot of fun and so I thought I would sign us up for the Turkey Trot.  Ella was super excited about it.

The morning of the run was a bit chilly, but we had our knee high socks on to keep us warm.  Ella took off too fast in the beginning...she needs to remember she doesn't run often.  She told me she did not want to finish last.  It definitely takes her a while to warm up...the first 1 1/2 miles she whined.  I thought she was going to quiet...or I was!  After we passed Kevin she kicked it into gear and finished with a smile on her face.  She was definitely tired, and I think she might actually want to practice before the next race. 

Crafting Challenge

I realized that I don't have as many crafting pins as I thought I did.  So, I didn't exactly stop my challenge...I actually finished it, I guess.  I am searching for a new craft to do. 

Day 10-11-12

Ok, so I am not with posting everyday...or even completing the projects on time.  I am trying and actually get a lot of my projects completed. 

Day 10:  Wine Cork Key Chains.  Amy gave me an entire bag of wine corks from Sarah Brown.  I just haven't done anything with them yet.  I saw this idea of using corks to make key chains and fridge magnets.  I tried cutting the corks in half for magnets...and was not successful.  I did just find a tutorial on how to soak the corks and then cut them...so I guess I will try that on another day.  Since, the magnets didn't exactly workout, I moved on to the key chains.  I found the little hooks at the dollar store, in a container with nails, hooks, and frame hangers.  Those will come in handy for a project I have planned for Rachel's birthday.  Anyway...a bit of super glue and screwing the hooks in and attaching the loop for the keys (which I already had)...Presto!  Project cost less than $1 for the 2.

 

 

Day 11:  Measuring and cutting the fabric to turn an old $5 thrift store ottoman into something awesome!!  I found fabric that matched the pillows I had already bought from Wal-Mart. I used my 40% off coupon to get 2 yards of fabric for $35. 

Day12:  Sewing day!  First I tackled sewing my fabric to complete my ottoman project.  Thankfully, my mom had given me some sewing needles and told me what type of fabric they are used for.  I actually wrote notes on the needle package.  It paid off...I was able to figure out what needle I needed and I didn't have any issues with the tension or fabric slipping.  I started by attaching the sides to the top and then sewed up the side sem. I was sooooo happy when I slipped it on and it fit.  My measurements were a bit bigger than needed, but it works.  I turned the ottoman over and started stapling!  I love it and now I have a new ottoman for $40.

 

My next project was to turn a simple, boring shirt into something a bit more special.  I found this shirt at Ross for $7.  Cute and have found a bunch of outfits on Pintrest that I can create with this top.  I sewed 2 small scraps of fabric to the inside of the shirt, laced the ribbon through, bunched/ruched the fabric, and tied a bow! 

 

AFTER

 

Total expenses for all 3 projects...$48.

Day 8-9 Crafting Challenge...and a little bit of fun!

Day 8 involves my little crockpot and some blackboard spray paint.  Love the idea of being able to transform the ugly looking crockpot into something new and cute.  Added bonus...I can write what is in the crockpot with some chalk!

 

Day 9---Solves the dishwasher problem!  Ella being a kid, does not like to look and/or pay attention to whether the dishes in the dishwasher are clean or dirty.  I would say she puts dirty dishes in with the clean stuff at least twice a week.  I was thinking of scrapbooking a little clean and dirty sign, but then I saw this!  I love the Scrabble tiles.  I actually had them in my scrapbooking letters because they were from a game that was missing letters.  A little bit of hot glue and some magnet strips and I now have a way of helping Ella know if the dishes are clean!

Total amount for each of these projects...$0!  Yes, that is correct.  I didn't spend a sent.  I used items that I already had around the house!  Can't beat that!

And while I was crafting, Ella turned the kitchen table into a fort.  Since it is 110+ outside, she has to find ways to entertain herself inside! 

 

Day 6-7 Crafting Challenge

Yesterday, I did some more artwork for the "playroom".  I found the butterflies at the dollar store and I had the piece of wood next to the shed.  A little leftover paint and about an hour of time.  Not bad and Ella loves it!

I am super excited about today's project.  My friend Teri gave me some bathing suits and the bottoms just were not right...or at least I didn't like the way they fit.  I love the ruc


hed sides of the bottoms and had seen a pin about how to ruche the butt.  I am in love with the way they turned out and the way they now fit!  I will be doing this for a few other on my bottoms now!

BEFORE

AFTER



 

Tomorrow, will involve chalkboard spray paint and my crockpot!