Checkin' In

I've felt buried this month under all the things I'd committed myself to. It's been a crazy month and I'll be glad to see April... even more than I was glad to see March. Don't get me wrong there was some great stuff that happened this month, but I don't plan on being that busy again for some time. Here's our general rundown:

• David and I along with another couple facilitated another Love and Respect DVD seminar at our church. That was every Tuesday for five weeks. We had an average attendance of 13 and I think it was a great time.
• Planning, planning and more planning for the weekend's Ladies Retreat! Phew! I'm glad that I didn't have to plan it alone, but it sure was a busy month with meetings and computer administrating.

• By the way, the fundraiser went extremely well. My product didn't sell as well as I would've hoped, but there were (I think) about 7 women who needed financial support and in the end we helped 10! My friend Donna is a bake sale queen!!!!
• I did sell a total of 5 notebook covers and I bartered for one more and even arranged a custom sewing project which will also be done in barter. I've already received my payment (a whole mess load of rice krispie squares- my request) and all I can say is that it better be some awesome sewing!
• This month has also played host to relational issues which I think are finally on the mend - this alone was such an exhausting experience that this month felt like three months long.
• Add to all this my weekly commitments of Bible study, mom's group, sewing with the lovely Sophia and two weeks in the church nursery.
• Ladies Retreat is THIS WEEKEND! I can hardly wait. I am soooo looking forward to this! I am almost finished my assigned tasks and I'm feeling ready. Packing will begin soon as there are extras that I need to bring this year.
• I've been completely dissatisfied with baby books this season. I usually have one purchased and partially filled out by now, but haven't found one I liked. I decided to go a different route this time. I purchased one of these memory boxes as a starting point to do my own baby book. It was inspired by the scrapbooking trend "project life". I don't scrapbook anymore, but I've taken the inspiration of this along with the memory box and have a plan that I'm pretty happy with. I'll show you as I go along. I've started an inspiration board on Pinterest if you're curious.
• I've designed a few cards to fill out. They're 4x6 and I will print them on cardstock to insert in Micah's album. Here's a couple to give you an idea:

• I sewed a new diaper bag/going away bag. I need to get some pics, but I'll try to post soon. 
• We've had incredible weather this month. At the beginning of the month we had days and days of snow and by now it's completely gone and we've swung in temperatures all over the place. I'll be glad for spring to truly come!

Things I Love

I've had a little bit of crafty time this week, but no pics yet... stay tuned for that. In the meantime, do you Pinterest? Aaak! So addictive. By that definition, it's time to exercise my spirit of self control... no more this week.

Seriously though, I get asked a lot about where I get ideas for parties, projects, sewing etc. Well, it all began when we first got our iMac in 2006. I'm not even sure of how I came across it, but I found my first sewing tutorial. Up until that point, I had never heard of a blog let alone the vast community of artists online. Well, thanks to Melissa (Tiny Happy), I have never looked back. In the comments from the post on her shoulder bag tutorial, I found links to other blogs and was happily introduced to blogdom. I have benefited from sooooo many free tutorials from lovely domestic bloggers. I have tried my hand at things that I never would have tried without the guidance of someone and I'm so glad that I did.

I constantly have ideas in my bookmarks and now on Pinterest that I'm itching to try or wishing for an occasion to try it. I've researched theme ideas for parties, dreamed of do-it-yourself projects just from seeing someone else's creativity. I think though, that I probably spend too much time "being inspired" and not enough time "doing inspired" things. So, I think that, unless researching for a specific event, I will probably limit my inspiration searches to once a week. This should help to insure that I spend more time working on my own projects and less time drooling over other people's.

If you do check out Pinterest... don't I say I didn't warn you. This is me warning you... highly addictive!!! There have been some questionable pins that I've come across also ones I disagree with, but that's the internet for you. I choose not to throw out the baby with the bath water. Also, you can browse without an account, but you need to be invited to join and post on your own boards. If you want to join, leave me a comment and I'll send you an invite.

(I cut the bars in half as soon as I get them)

Oh, and for real life things I love. You know, ones I've actually touched, bought and used... Pumpkin soap from Rocky Mountain Soap Company. Aaaak! Best soap ever! It's specifically designed for Eczema, which I don't have, but it's deep moisturizing qualities make it great for anyone. When I was pregnant with Abigail, I had such terribly itchy skin. I could barely stand it. Well, I remembered the recommendation for Pumpkin soap from someone and bought a bar. I haven't looked back. Our whole family uses it  and I won't use anything else. Love it.

Inspiration

I often hear myself tell people that I "saw it on a blog that I read". You have no idea how inspiring it is to follow other people's blogs. There are soooo many great ideas that my bookmarks are constantly full of tutorials, ideas or just plain pretty things. I thought I'd share some inspiration with you today. Mostly because I don't have the physical energy to do anything creative right now, so I'll show you someone else's creativity.

(source - what inspired me to try my hand at my own)

• Design Mom, has great posts that she titles "A Few Things". These posts are links to some great things she's found throughout the week.
• It's no secret how much I love red doors!
• Browsing here has almost become an obsession with me... we're definately making one for our children for Christmas this year!
• One of MANY children's sewing projects that I've been itching to do and have actually even started (stay tuned for the finished product).
• I did make some of these and haven't taken the time to take pictures to show you yet. I used them at my birthday party and still use one for jewelry.
• I might have to get over my fear of sewing clothing to make one of these in black jersey. Check out how many ways you can wear one!
• I'm pretty sure that I'll make one of these for Malachi's first birthday party - one decoration with a huge effect.
• I don't even like cake, but am itching to make one of these!
• Drooling over these amazing custom bunks. Makes me want to have a bunch of children to justify have one or two rooms setup like this.
• Why doesn't my small space ever look this cute and functional?
• Would love to go on a getaway with my David and stay here - so cool!

Hope you enjoyed dreaming with me. *sigh*