Upcycling

I was cleaning up around the house and found these....

 The offering envelopes that you get from church but then never remember to use.  Then even if you do use them, most people don't use every one, maybe only one a month, so there are a lot left over.

I decided I needed to find a way up Up-cycle them into something useful or pretty.  However they are not quality envelopes, one side is perforated and they don't have a large flap on top, so all of the projects I could find on Pinterest weren't very feasible.  So I was at a loss, until I opened them up.  And found the security print on the inside.  A very nice thin gray stripe.  So this is what I did.
First, made a thick base with a few layers of cardboard and some duct tape.

 Then use some mod podge and cover that with the envelopes.  (see the pretty gray stripe)

Then take some stencils and paint. And add some words.  A cookie cutter was my tracing shape for the heart.

 I think it turned out great and I gave the first one to a friend who works at church. She made fun of me for reusing these instead of just throwing them in the recycle bin. I had to show her that it turned out pretty cool. 
Then I made a second one for home and this one I sanded and then tinted the finished project for a different look.  I think the tint is too dark, but it is OK for a decoration that will go in the recycling bin after Valentines day. 

Now you know why my house is never clean.. Because this all started when I was picking up the house and it turned into a project.   It also shows why my sewing/craft table looks like this:

I love that I have 4 pairs of scissor, and lots of other stuff in the picture.  Plus my piles of fabric under the table.

Chess

Chess is the name of the game lately in our house.  Daddy is teaching Buddy and Princess, they are learning quickly. Buddy even beat Daddy once already.  Though to his credit, Daddy was playing 2 games of chess and one game of checkers all at the same time. 

Brother Pajama time

Buddy wanted his picture taken when the boys were wearing matching pajama's.  He loves to match his brother. 

Caught Reading again x3

 This makes me laugh because they are sharing a little quilt while a big one is on the back of the couch.

Yes, she is in pajamas, and she has hot chocolate all around her mouth. She also has papers behind her back because they were on the floor and she didn't want Scout to eat them.   I love it.



Missing Munchkin

Some days it seems that Munchkin gets lost in the middle.  She isn't in school full time, and doesn't have homework.  She hasn't started violin and just spends most of her days playing or helping me. She does not demand attention like her brother, so some days she doesn't get as much attention. She is growing a lot and loves to hang around with me while Scout naps.  She is fun to watch and play with all by herself, even if she isn't the focus of as much attention some days. 

All the kids and I went to the Children's museum when school was out for MLK day.  I tried to spend some time and attention to just her and leave Scout on my back and let the big kids have some freedom and not quite as much supervision.  It was a lot of fun.

This is just her in the light shadow room, she was having a blast without any sibling competition.

 Next to her impression, she loves to play with this.

Growing up quickly

Scout is growing very quickly and loves to eat. He will eat just about anything.  This week Pineapple.

 He has also learned how to pull himself up to standing... now all paper must be placed much higher.  Paper is is favorite thing to eat.

Tunnel

Scout is finally able to play with the tunnel.  We bought the tunnel when Princess was a baby and everyone has played in it and loves it.  Scout is joining in the fun. 

Munchkin

Buddy

Princess

It is fun to look at each of the kids pictures at about the same age (9-10 months).  It is strange to think that now they are 8, 6, 4 and 9 months.  The time has gone by very quickly.  These are not little babies anymore. Buddy had the same stand up hair that Scout does.  Scouts is just a little bit darker. Princess still had blue eyes at 10 months... I don't even know when they changed, but now they are hazel/green.

They all look like siblings, but each has their own unique style and personality.

Happy New Year and Mermaids again.

We had fantastic weather on New Years day and decided to take a walk around downtown Norfolk.  It was not busy downtown, so we enjoyed beautiful weather and a no crowds. The family playing on the big anchor.

 The requisite mermaid picture, we have done this one already and despite my efforts this time I still don't have everyone looking at the camera.

 The city has started to add artistic bike racks all around the downtown area.  This one is in front of the mall and the kids decided it was close enough to the other mermaids that they needed to get a picture with it.  This time I actually got all 3 big kids to look at me.  However Scout was on Daddy's back and didn't get in the picture at all.

 

Playmobil

My kids love Playmobil.  Thanks to the grandparents their collection of playmobil stuff is growing.  Now the kids tell me they are going to play "city"  They bring out the school, gym, police station, fire engine, 2 motorcycles, a 4 wheeler, a pirate ship, a power boat, and the RV.  Then they add a doll house to the mix and it all covers the living room floor.

It has lots and lots of little pieces, otherwise known as choking hazards.  So it is a naptime only activity, most of the time I like that except that I have to help them pick it all up when Scout wakes up.  It is fun to watch and listen to them talk to each other. 

Chincoteaque

We took 2 days driving south after Christmas.  The family was finally healthy after a week, so we took the scenic route and spent part of the day checking out Chincoteaque. We had lunch at a great restaurant.  We walked along the beach and checked out the wild horses.  I think it would be a great place to spend a summer vacation, there are great hiking/biking trails and a lot of laid back stuff to do.  Maybe someday.....

Ecotarium

We spent a warm and dry Christmas in Massachusetts, so there was no skiing, and we had some sick kids, so a lot of our plans didn't work out.  We did manage to go to the Ecotarium  one day and the kids loved it.  They got to see the river otter and loved to watch him.  They also loved most of the exhibits, rock climbing, animals, wind tunnel and hurricane simulator, but none of my pictures turned out, so you just get to see the river otter.

Christmas 2011

We celebrated our family Christmas a little bit early this year again.  I didn't take many pictures, but we enjoyed the day and the time spent with each other. Daddy was overwhelmed by the pretty tree once we put all the presents underneath. He took pictures of that.

All the kids got new scooters, including Scout.

I also made the kids a fort kit, basically sheets with ties on the edges put in a cool bag with clothespins, rope, clamps and a flashlight.  The kids all loved it and we had to make a fort in the girls room. 

Vacuum boy

Just like a little girl a few years ago, I have a little boy who loves to follow the vaccuum and have it blow his hair. I can pull him around the house and he will follow it.

Munchkin's Birthday

Munchkin is now 4 years old!
She had a great birthday and is seems that time has gone way to quickly.

 This is the bathrobe I made her, it turned out OK, but not great, next time I will make it with thicker fleece.  She loves it and would wear it all day long if I let her.

 She loved her chocolate cupcake with strawberry frosting.

Her favorite present was the name hooks that Grandma made her.  She made me hang in right away, but since it has her name on it, I won't post a picture.  Thanks Grandma!!

Teacher Gifts

I picked up a few clipboards at a yard sale this year.  they were brand new with tags on them and only $1 each.  I used some cool paper and a little Mod Podge to turn them into these. Great Teacher gifts.

 The backs are nicer than the front, since hopefully the front will be covered with paper.

 Add a legal pad, a pretty bow and some pens, and they are perfect.

 I made music themed coasters for the violin teacher since she always puts her water on the floor because she doesn't have any coasters in her music room.  Of course right after I gave this to her, she got some water and put it on the floor. :)  Habits are hard to break.  (they are padded with insulbright so that a hot cup of coffee will not be an issue)