sewing & craftin

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Gretta stuck in her shirt

Only thing we found Metal Detecting....

Matt got a metal detector for Christmas. All sorts of weird - the metal detecting sport. Especially in public, it's just strange to see people doing that (and being the people doing it). Super dorky. BUT, what makes it really fun is the thought of finding something 1) fabulous and 2) historic! We went onto the Huntington Trail. It's in Bend, and was used by prehistoric people, late American Indians, many people traveling to Hood River in the 1800's and 1900's militants. The ground was wet and we didn't have a whole lotta luck. But the area is really pretty. The junipers (tree) aren't very large but they are really old. Walking on the historic trails was exciting. The rainbow - and double rainbow was our treat once we got back to the car, just as it was starting to sprinkle.

Doll house Renovation

Dollhouse was purchased at Goodwill for $9.99. It had a lot of ugly wallpaper and missing flooring/carpets. Course I don't have good pictures of the house pre-renovation. To renovate it I used lots of contact paper. Much to my surprise I found cork contact paper - which is oh-so modern. For the "blue carpet" I used fabric and glued it down with Elmer's. Worked good. Most of the artwork is Jeni Lee's -made mini-. Right now I am still working on placing the items that'll be glued down. I'll take more pictures once it's furnished. It will be hard to let Gretta just have at this dollhouse after all the work done to it. But, she noticed and promptly got out some dolls to use in it - so she'll enjoy it. That's the point right?


Attic


Bedroom with blue carpet


Living room


Family room





Bathroom


Kitchen

Modern Dog House

Finally, we finished the Modern Dog house. Originally we made it for Lily thinking she'd be spending time outside.. we didn't realize she'd act just like Ella (Mini Rat Terrier) and prefer sleeping in blankets 90% of the time. Lily actually spends her time by the wood stove if it's alive, as it seems laying behind it or leaning on it is way better than blankets. We made this dog house with lots of items we already had. The base is a plastic pallet that keeps the house up off the ground so it'll be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It's insulated with rigid insulation (foam board). Once we place it outside I'll take some more pictures. :)


Ella


Lily


Ella and Lily

Hi-Core Glitter Letters

So, I LOVE, love, love all things Martha Stewart. My goal is to get on the "Martha Stewart Show" one day, some day. Hubby uses Hi-Core at work and after watching another *glorious* episode of Martha with her glittering away I thought "Hi-Core would make amazing letters if they were glittered!" Since it was the holiday season I wanted a sparkily Lee sign for outside - by the front door. I sneaked some hi-core from the work truck (just a few scraps) and used some metal letters I already had and traced "Lee." And then had an amazing idea, of doing "Martha" and sending them to her (only I did a smaller version from the "Lee").
note: the Martha Stewart craft glitter in the picture!!!! <3
. Getting the "thank you" email from the Martha Stewart Crafts team was the best. Although it was most likely very common email, not specific to me in a way I had hoped..... it was still nice to see that they got it. My husband said Martha has it hanging in her office. Ahhhh, I can only *hope*.

Life Sized Ballerina Barbie

My daughter (who's 2 3/4) got a life-sized Barbie for Christmas. To be exact a life sized "Ballerina Barbie." My mom got it for her. I must say this thing is freakin' HUGE. Barbie is actually a little taller than my daughter (Gretta.) The Barb is kinda freaky, kinda cute and I was thinking it's a good thing they *downsized* the usually huge boobs on Barbie. They are more Skipper sized, which for a 3ft Barbie is good enough. The funniest thing is to see Gretta dragging this xxl sized doll around the house. Just waiting for her to ask if she can take it into town. The thought of putting her in the 2-Seater Costco cart makes me cringe and smile. How weird (and hilarious) would that be to see a toddler sitting in the cart with a life sized Barbie at Costco. Gretta had to have help getting it down to her room, although it's a long hall (haul!). Mom said she paid $35 for the thing so I hope Gretta gets her use out of it. G wanted to take it into the bath with her.. so.. we might need to keep the huge-Barbie out of harms way. I'm sure she'd just chug up a gallon or two of water with those plastic-y limbs and head. Gretta being her mother's daughter promptly took off the pretty ballerina outfit. So luckily for Barbie she has a pained on swim-suit.. rather lingerie on under the sparkily tutu and dress. My husband and I find the doll to have a really long neck. Maybe that's the normal "barbie proportions" but on a 3ft doll it's almost weird looking. As you can see the dog(s) really wonder what the thing is. Also, the makers of this oddity didn't *skimp* once-so-ever on the make-up.