Two New Books

"I'm in LOVE, I'm in LOVE and I don't care who knows it!!!"  --Buddy the Elf ....again...

For whatever reason, I've become obsessed with stitching.  It's SO beautiful and I'm finding that the things I treasure the most are hand-made.  Last year while making my beloved Advent Tree, I fell in love with stitching because it's easy, simple, mess-free, and has the potential to last through the years when done tastefully.  {meaning, it's not a fad like vinyl! haha...}

HENCE my two newest treasures, or should I say eye candy!!!

Claire Youngs and Alicia Paulson have opened the floodgates for me!

Just a peek into Clare's Book.  I am absolutely bewitched with the Scandanavian culture, colors, and handiwork.  This book captured it beautifully and I can't wait to make something from in here.

  

LOVE this...

...and these stockings...

...loook at the reindeer!!!

And Alicia's Book:

...DARLING....

...can you imagine making beautiful pillowcases like that???!!!  Alicia shows you how!!!

...and check out what I saw on her blog...

...oh...my...gosh...I think my 'peppermint tree' might have to  have a facelift this Christmas.  Especially since I have a baby in the  house - she can't break these ornaments.  Absolutely DARLING!!!

WOW.  I have no words.  I got both of my books from Amazon - great prices and they came quickly!  Go snatch yourself one of each!!

Pumpkins!!!

I. must. have. hundreds. of these.

I'm madly crazy and in love with all things Fall and pumpkiny-related, so imagine my utter delight when I saw Sandi's new pattern. {I pretty much had an embarrassing screamy-gasp-fest}  After settling down, I ordered & downloaded it - very easy - and I'm SO EXCITED!!  {I'm not sure if it's obvious or not...}  I've got some Farmer's Market fabric and even some Pop Garden fabric waiting to be turned into precious little gourdes and pumpkins!  Now if I could get Baby Spaz convinced that we don't need to always be *touching*,  I might be able to whip out some of these this weekend....yeah, we'll see about that...

To Do List:

{I love this cartoon! I've posted it before but it deserves a reposting!}

First of all, may I say how blissful, happy, and wonderful it is that school has started and I have some time now to put myself back into shape!  It's *HEAVEN*!!!  Not that I don't love my kids...I do, I really love being with them...but I also love that they're off learning, growing, and expanding their horizons without needing me to entertain them every waking moment.  I think it's just what this old girl needed.

So here's my recent to-do-list in no particular order now that it's physically possible for me to attempt:

1.) Jump on this darn blog!
2.) Make something adorable - fun Halloween project in the works!
3.) Lose 35 pounds - should be easy, right?! {OY}
4.) Finish a bunch of unfinished projects
5.) Feed my family
6.) Pay bills...eek!
7.) Mail some baby gifts
8.) Laundry
9.) Visit a lot of ladies (this is part of my church assignments)
10.) Get my hair cut... for HEAVEN'S SAKE...get my hair cut.
11.) Play with my cute baby
12.) ....I'm sure there's something that could go here, but I'm tired of thinking now...

Well...sleeping baby is now screaming and soaking wet.  FABulous.  Thanks for all of the encouragement & patience!!!  I just love you all!!  {sniff}  I really do have a bunch of fun stuff in the works that I can't wait to show you - until then...check this out!!  I just ordered it from Amazon and I'm so excited I could pee!  Alicia Paulson has one of my favorite blogs out there and I'm excited to see this book! {scream-gasp!}