Monday's 10 Things

Here's what I'm most thankful for, right now!
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1. A babysitter for 8 hours on Saturday so we could be VERY productive with projects.
2. My parents for giving us their entire Saturday to help in our productivity.
3. Porch and floor paint, it works miracles.
4. Fall is just around the corner (my favorite season!)
5. Supportive friends.
6. Neighbors who are a lot of fun to be around.
7. The privilege of praying for patience when a certain 1 year old is testing me.
8. A wide open week coming up.
9. My sewing machine and all the fabulous ideas floating around in my head.
10. Having an amazing partner and best friend in my husband, and getting to share this life with him.
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What are you most thankful for today?

Fresh Start Sunday

Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things
I already know
God’s got His hand on You
So don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say
~
Chorus from The Words I Would Say
by Sidewalk Prophets

Writing Utensil Holder

My husband and I are currently working on refinishing a desk that was in my bedroom growing up. The desk chair is going to be upholstered in Amy Butler's Cherry Dots fabric (which I love!) and I wanted to make something to coordinate to put on top of the desk. This adorable little writing utensil holder is what I came up with!

Supplies:

Quart-size paint can ($2.97 @ Home Depot)
Fabric (apx. 15 inches x 5 inches)
Stitch witchery
Spray adhesive
Directions:

1. Cut a strip of fabric to cover the can. Cut an additional 1-2 inches of height and length.

2. Fold the top and bottom (long) edges over to fit the height of the can and iron to create clean edges. I used stitch witchery to hold everything in place real nice.

3. Fold one of the short edges over to create a finished edge. The other edge can be left rough as the finished edge will layer over it when you wrap the fabric around the can.

4. Spray quarter sections of the can at a time. This will allow you time to make sure your fabric is lined up properly. Begin with your raw edge and make your way around the can until your finished edge overlaps the raw edge.

5. For additional cuteness, try adding a rik-rak border or other embellishments.

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Gallon-size cans are also available and the possibilities for what to do with these containers are endless.
Consider using them as:

Flower Pots
Toy Organizers
Gift Wrapping (think, alternative to a gift bag)

Just Added!

A new fabric bead necklace made with
Amy Butler's Garden Maze Red fabric.
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This one may be my most favorite yet!

Jumping In!

A few months back, I watched as several gals from the blogging community tried out making quilts through the help of this quilt-along tutorial at The Old Red Barn Co. I really wanted to try it out as well, and for some reason that I'm not sure, I didn't do it.
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BUT, it's never too late to start, right?!?
SO, last night, I ordered this whole stack of Paula Prass Summer Soiree goodness to try out my first quilt!
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As a side note, I really should NOT have ordered this and then immediately tried to go to bed afterwards. I was up all night (no really, all night) quilting in my head because I was just too excited.
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We're thinking of moving Claire to a "big girl bed" this winter, and so my hope is to make her a cheery and bright quilt to keep her cozy and happy in her new big girl bed.
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I'll keep you posted on the progress, wish me luck!

Monday's 10 Things

Here's what I'm most thankful for, right now!
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1. A family getaway that went amazingly well.
2. Looking forward to some time spent at our family cottage this week.
3. An upcoming cookout with friends and time to get caught up.
4. Ability to just stay home on a Monday to get caught up on life.
5. Fall is just around the corner.
6. Eric's tradition of singing Claire to sleep at night.
7. Diet Coke. Or just caffeine in general, especially today (ugh!)
8. My dad, who amazed me with yet another project that he just completed for us.
9. Two fabric necklaces have sold, and more will be arriving in the shop soon!
10. A whole load of new fabric, heading my way.
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What are you most thankful for today?

Fresh Start Sunday

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
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Romans 5:5 (NIV)

Picture of the Week

We took a trip to Chicago this weekend to visit some friends of ours. While there, we took Claire to the Shedd Aquarium. Her daddy bought her this pink otter from the gift shop, and she has taken quite a liking to it! The otter shares her snacks and sippy, and amazingly enough, it even gets tired and needs to be covered with a blanket when Claire does.
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This picture could make me cry a bit though, she's my baby and this picture makes her look so grown up!

Cora's Playground

Check out the amazing progress on the Cora Paige Playground!
And be sure to click here for updates on the McClenahan family.

Monday's 10 Things

Here's what I'm most thankful for, right now!
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1. Air conditioning when it gets hot, hot, hot outside.
2. A very productive weekend.
3. My dad who continues to be extremely helpful to my husband and myself with our project needs.
4. A resilient little girl, in spite of our loading her in and out of the car and everywhere this weekend.
5. An upcoming girl's night out.
6. An upcoming family getaway to Chicago!
7. A healthy family.
8. Great music in church this week.
9. MOPS will be starting up again soon, I miss it!
10. My husband and his dedication to myself and our daughter.
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What are you most thankful for today?

Fresh Start Sunday

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Text: Henry Van Dyke
Music: Ludwig van Beethoven
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Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!
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All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.
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Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
well-spring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.
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Mortals, join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began;
love divine is reigning o'er us,
binding all within its span.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music leads us sunward,
in the triumph song of life.

Easy Pasta Salad

This morning I made a big batch of pasta salad, yum! I love making this in bulk and keeping it in the fridge so we can enjoy it for lunch a few days in a row. We really don't eat it at all during the winter, but during the summer months it just hits the spot.
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I would say this recipe is so easy that you really can't mess it up, but my last time making it I accidentally forgot about my boiling pasta on the stove for a while and overcooked it...big time. So yes, the recipe can be messed up, but not if you're actually paying attention to what you're doing.
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Ingredients:

Cooked Pasta
Grape Tomatoes, cut lengthwise
Sliced Pepperoni
Diced Green Peppers (or any color for that matter!)
Italian Dressing

Stir all the ingredients together, refrigerate, then enjoy!

And maybe try adding some grilled chicken too, yummy!

Monday's 10 Things

Here's what I'm most thankful for, right now!
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1. We actually had warm, summer-like weather this weekend.
2. Amazing thunderstorms at night.
3. Getting to swim on Sunday to help beat the heat.
4. A little girl who just likes to have fun.
5. Good times with family.
6. Being all caught up on laundry, at least for a nanosecond I'm sure.
7. Lots of neighbor kids in close proximity to us, plus neighbors who look out for each other.
8. My new rotary cutter and self-healing mat...I've been wanting a set forever and finally did it!
9. A whole bunch of yummy, new fabric that was delivered to my door.
10. The blogging community.
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What are you most thankful for today?

Fresh Start Sunday

"If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page."
~
-Mark Houlahan

Picture of the Week

The goggles didn't last long.
I'm pretty sure they were as uncomfortable as they appear to be!

Now in the Shop!

Hurray!
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My Cora Anne take on the fabric bead necklace has arrived!
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So go on now, head on over to the shop!

Monday's 10 Things

Here's what I'm most thankful for, right now!

1. A date night on Friday, even if it didn't go as planned.
2. Having a very reliable, very trustworthy, and just generally on-top-of-things babysitter. I can be completely relaxed knowing Claire is with her.
3. A fun weekend with family at the Coast Guard Festival.
4. My very resilient daughter who was a trooper staying up until the fireworks at 10:00, only to fall asleep as soon as they started!
5. A lazy Sunday afternoon hanging out in the yard.
6. A cool summer which means windows open, and no need for the air conditioning.
7. A new haircut, making me feel marginally put-together.
8. My dad who tackles any project I throw at him.
9. Good neighbors.
10. Our family trip to Chicago is only a few weeks away now!
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What are you most thankful for today?

Fresh Start Sunday

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
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Matthew 18:3-4 (NIV)