"Theme"-day Thursday

So, I've decided that the theme for February will be Love Notes. A definite nod to the holiday that encourages amorous expressions to all we hold dear. And even though half the month falls after said holiday- I figure any time is a good time to tell someone you love them- and I hope to give you some ideas that you can use all year round.

The first idea I had was to show you some of the cards I'm making for my kiddos this year- but, sadly, my 2-year-old got hold of my camera yesterday. RIP my little Kodak easy-share- it was good while you lasted. Yes, my camera has gone the way of the dodo and is no longer in existence. So, while I figure out how to take pictures while I scrounge up enough money to purchase a new camera- I thought I'd share some blogging love notes with you all.

My first love note has to be to Martha Stewart. My darling lady- you are definitely a fearsome creature to behold. I would hate to cross swords with you. But, you have re-invented a genre- and encouraged entire generations of creative souls who will forever be in your debt. Through your magazines I have learned to knit, crochet, embroider and have expanded my creative horizons to include hundreds of "good things". Martha- I love you. And even though I had to cancel my magazine subscription because it was making me crazy trying to live up to your expectations- you still hold a special place in my heart.

My next love note goes to Gwen, from Gwenny Penny. Gwen was my first real-life blogging friend. She linked to a couple of my tutorials, commented and I commented back. She is super talented and has a fantastic site. But more than that, she is a true friend- one with whom I can share my concerns and spew my most aggravated blogging angst. She shares more than one brainwave with me and I hope that one day we will be able to meet in person.

Jen from Tatertots and Jello- how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love your generous spirit- you share your hard fought spotlight with countless would-be craft bloggers like me. I love your gorgeous projects- ruffle pillows, trees and everything in between- you have a lovely style all your own and display it with pride (as you should.) I love your weekend wrap-up party- my first foray into linking was at your party. I have found great ideas through your feature posts, and you have sent many, many viewers to my little place on the internet- bless you. I love (well and kinda hate) how absolutely darling you are. Just kidding- I don't hate it- you're too darling to hate. You are kind and sincere and simply awesome.

Suzanne from Just Another Hang Up. I want to be you when I grow up. Seriously, I love your style, your blog and how you come across in your posts. When I am frazzled and feel like there's so much chaos going on in my brain, I go to your blog to calm down. There is a sense of calm and serenity about you that works it's way through the world wide web and seeps into my fingers. You are grace and beauty and I so enjoy spending time in your neck of the web.

Amy from The Idea Room. You had me at hello! j/k Actually it was probably different words, but from the moment I met you at Jen's cookie party you have been so kind to me. You took my card, followed through and have given me so much encouragement. I love you for that! I have needed someone further along in this endeavor than I am to show me the way, and you willingly stepped into that role, just when I needed you. Genuine and sincere plus amazing ideas make you a true powerhouse in this world! :)

There are just too many to keep going: Amy, Leanne, Jonie, Andi, Abby, Samantha- you are all wonderful friends and I have enjoyed getting to know you all. And everyone else who leaves me comments or just stops by to visit- I LOVE you! Seriously, I LOVE YOU! You have been the motivation to keep me going even when I didn't really want to. And I am so excited to see where we go from here. I love new relationships- they are so thrilling and exciting!

This is not all-inclusive by any means. There are so many amazing creative places out there- Lara or Ellie G or ... :), Mandi, Amanda, Kari- I mean, I could {and too often do} get lost in you for hours on end. So if you're not mentioned by name, please don't take that to mean I don't give away all my free time to you as well, but I have to wrap up this post at some point, right?

So, my idea for today- share the love. Write a post, or comment, or e-mail to those out there who inspire you, uplift you, or just make you smile- and share the LOVE!

XOXO,

Amy

A Journey (monday is Mom-day 3)

This is my oldest. She is such a beauty! She has also been one of my greatest challenges, but those challenges have made me the mother I am today.
When she was just 7 days old, she cried non-stop for 7 hours. She would pause for nursing, then go immediately back to crying. My mom was panicked and it worried me a great deal too! Luckily I had an appt with the Dr. the next day for a regular newborn check up and I told him all about her episode. He checked her very carefully, turned to me and said, "I'm sorry, there's nothing wrong with her, sometimes babies are just like that."
While relieved that there was nothing wrong, I wasn't sure I was going to survive. Fast forward 18 months. Her check up was horrible- kicking and screaming (I'm pretty sure she bruised the ribs of the Dr.) he even nick-named her the "hurricane". Great.
Family events and gatherings were very stressful. Any time one of the kids started crying, the first thing anyone said was, "Where's H.?" It's not easy being the mother of the family bully.
I could go on, and on. But I won't. She was Hard with a capital "H". But, because of how difficult she was I learned early on that discipline was going to be the only thing that saved us. I learned to get on my knees and plead for divine help. I learned how to re-set her nurse-maid's elbow. (when she would have a fit and flail her arms, it would sometimes dislocate her elbow- fun stuff)
I learned how to get vaseline out of hair. (corn starch and shampoo, lots of corn starch, lots of shampoo) She taught me a lot! At times I wonder if we're going to survive (both of us), but then I get a glimpse of the person she's becoming and it gives me hope.
This was a homework assignment I found in her backpack, just before Christmas. The assignment was to write a persuasive letter to Santa asking him for a gift for someone else:
Dear Santa,
My parents are having a hard time. My brother has chicken poxs, we are running out of money, and don't have money for bills. All I'm asking for is a gift card. If you're wondering what kind, we don't care. I hope you have time to think about it. Hope my parents get excited on Christmas morning.
Your Friend,
Hannah Chappell
(yes my son had chicken pox, yes he had the immunization, yes it is hard to be poor, to tell your kids you're poor, and to tell the world you're poor, but I think this story is worth it.)
This journey of motherhood has been really hard for me. But I have come to know that parenting isn't just about discipline and teaching the children: parenting is an incubator for ME. It is MY chance to learn lessons that can be gained in no other way. It is my opportunity to follow Heavenly Father's footsteps and learn to be more like Him, as He allows me to privilege of caring for His children- as My children here on Earth. It is a gift and a blessing and one I wouldn't trade for anything- no matter how searing the pain is at times. And one last truth I have come to know, is that because My children are His children, He will not leave me alone to struggle on. He has a real and vested interest in them and me and He will help us all along the way. And that's something I know for sure.

Before and After- faux chenille pillow part 2

When I finished my faux chenille pillow, I was so excited to post about it (and kind of tired of looking at it at the same time :) ) I took pictures after just one wash. I was also kind of worried about how it was going to finish fraying, and I liked it so much the way it was, I didn't want to mess with a good thing. But...then I saw a few stray strings and started pulling, and next thing I knew, I had spent 2 hours pulling strings while I chatted with my husband and the entire pillow was completely frayed. And know what? I LOVE IT EVEN MORE!!

Here's a close up of the before and after. It's just so FLUFFY! (anyone seen Despicable Me?) And, in the mean time, I've also realized that I never shared my inspiration for this pillow so now's my chance. I first got the how-to on making the faux chenille from MADE and I want to thank Kimbo at A Girl and A Gluegun for reminding me of where I saw it (for the life of me- I never remember where I see things, I just file them away in my brain and then when I need to know where it came from- it's gone!)

One last (okay maybe two last) thing(s): The reason I frayed the pillow by hand is that when you use the washing machine and dryer, the cross fibers tend to get pilled and little and it keeps the fabric from fraying all the way. If I were doing a blanket or other larger project, I would just live with that, but since this was relatively small, doing it by hand let me get all the way down to just the fluff!

And, if you want to see all the instructions for how I made this pillow, you can do so here.

That is all.

xoxo,

Amy

linking up to Tatertots and Jello and to Under the Table and Dreaming!