All right, I wrote everyone's name on little sheets of paper, (two papers for those who got multiple entries!), put all those little papers into a gift bag (it happened to be close) and drew out a winner. And the winner is....
Rhonda
Congrats! Email me and we can figure out getting the skirt to you! This was so fun, I think I might do it again soon! Now I just have to find some time to sew something!
So, WAY back in April I was taking a course at the college. (Truth be told, I'm actually still taking it, I'm just on a baby hiatus. Sadly, I'm only able to fit in one course a semester, but you do what you have to!) I was taking a basic sewing class. Lets just say it was not super challenging. At all. But its a requirement that you can't test out of. The "big project" for the class is to sew a skirt. I know, tough right! Please don't think that I'm making fun of any non sewers, but for me, a skirt is REALLY basic!) It is a little more difficult that just buying a pattern and sewing it. We had to design the skirt, draft (draw) the pattern and sew the skirt. Most people in the class were doing relatively simple skirts. I mean, it was the first time most of them had touched a sewing machine, so that makes sense. I, however, decided I didn't want to do simple. Simple was too, well, simple! This was not my first rodeo! So, I came up with an idea to do some fabric oragami. The execution of the skirt (cutting and sewing) was easy enough. The problem was in pattern drafting! I stumped my profs a few times, but we got it figured out eventually and I love the finished product. What do you think?
Like I said, I LOVE how it turned out, but there is a downside (for me anyway!) Because I had to make this for a class, it had to be a standard size ten. While I am working at becoming a size 10, I've got a LONG way to go. With closet space being at a major premium at our house, I can't justify having this beauty hanging in my closet any longer! So, I'm giving it away! Even if you're like me and not a size 10, think of how much you would be loved if you gave this as a gift! Here's how to enter:
1. Leave a comment saying what you like best about the skirt or photos (By the way, a MAJOR thanks to Camille for modelling!)
2. Put a post with a link on your blog. Leave your blog address in your comment here so I can check it out!
You have until February 15, so why are you still reading! Get busy and comment!
Wouldn't this be fantastic! Amy from Mod Podge Rocks went and did a bunch of posts about it! I'm SO jealous! Anyone want to help me start something similar around here? Let me know!
A few big things have happened around here lately. In order to avoid another ginormously long post like the last one, I'll keep the details as brief as possible!
Our cute little boy.
Showing his attitude already.
Just after being born.
Meeting big brother TJ for the first time the next day.
Our little family.
TJ admiring all the "presinents"
One of his many presents from Papa.
Enjoying his new tools.
He got a few games and he LOVES to play them. I think I played Candyland and Cooties about a hundred times on boxing day!
Enjoying Daddy's big present. Let me pause here to say, in a temporary moment of insanity, I got James a puppy for Christmas. Not a dog, a puppy. A black lab/border collie cross puppy. His name is Zeus. He's cute and relatively well behaved, but I'm sure I should be committed. I was adamant we would not get any kind of pet until we were in our own house and that when we did, it would be a small, adult, already trained dog. Apparantly, I lied on all accounts! 
Playing games at Manda's
TJ carrying a tradition of "cheese wax lips"
Adi modelling our fantastic hats from our crackers on New Year's Day.
TJ enjoying chocolate fondue!
So, onto something a little more serious (I know, its hard to think of me being serious!) This past year was hard. In fact, that's an understatment. It was awful. There were many times when I was sure there was no way through it. I often wondered if and how we were going to make it. Like I said before, I was not looking forward to Christmas at all. And then it happened and we made it though rather easily. I have learned so much about myself and my family through this last year.
1. I have learned that I know what I believe. This may sound a little odd, so let me explain. For quite some time now, I have felt kind of blase about the Gospel. This doesn't mean I didn't believe it was true, I just didn't put any effort into and consequently, didn't really feel the effect of the Gospel in my life. However, I now know without a shadow of a doubt how important the Gospel is. More importantly, I know how vital it is not to get lazy about living the Gospel.
2. James and I have grown closer together through the whole mess with my Mom. I've learned to take him for granted and to voice concerns I have before they blow into huge issues.
3. One of the biggest things I've learned is how true it is the Heavenly Father will never give us more than we can handle. I've prayed for strength and understanding more this past year than I have since my divorce, and I have felt the strength and peace only He can give.
4. I have learned how important an eternal perspective is. Right now, Mom is making some really stupid choices, but I have no control over it. I can only control my choices and how I react to her choices. I can (and do) pray daily for her to see what she is doing and how misguided she is, but I also have to realize that, as much as I may want it to happen tomorrow, it probably won't and I have to have patience. This is true with all the things in life.
5. Maybe most important of all, I have learned that we have to learn to be happy no matter the circumstances we are given. I truly believe the scriptures when they say "Men are that they might have joy." Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, but that doesn't mean He can take away any hardships or challenges in our life. Its up to us to figure out how to be happy, even in the worst of circumstances.
This New Year is full of promise and opportunity. I'm looking forward to the chance I have to improve myself and my situation and to make the most of the time I'm given!
Happy New Year!
Ok, so you know how some people have a little secret like the don't make their famous "Grandma's Apple Pie" from scratch, its actually from a box and a can.... Well, my secret is not nearly as dreadful as that. But it is a juicy one. Ready...
I rarely have my own creative ideas. Really, its true. Sad, but true. I can take someone else's idea and tweak it, but to come up with something completely my own is not something that happens often! I am actually super jealous of people who are able to create the things their brains come up with. I acknowledge that I have been blessed with many creative talents, but actually coming up with something unique is not one of them.
Well, there it is, now you know. On a side note, I'm going Black Friday shopping this weekend and I'm SO excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bring on the deals!
I've got so many thoughts rolling around in my head right now, but for this post I'm just going to focus on Halloween. I'll get my thoughts together and write more later!
Then Friday night, James and I went to a murder mystery party at our friends place. It was SO fun, but there were tons of people and it got SO hot and I got pretty sick. I didn't get to do nearly as much as I wanted because I was outside cooling down a lot, but it was still fun! It was called an "Immortal Murder" because it dealt with a bunch of immortal beings from around the King Aurthur story. James was a "watcher" who is a mortal that protects the secrets of the immortals. I was the lake fairy. There were also vampires, werewolves, and wizards.
Saturday, we took TJ trick or treating at the mall and to his Grandma & Grandpa Gilbert's house. That evening, our ward did a trunk or treat and we took him there. Amanda brought Adi out and helped "guard" our trunk! Ok, blogger won't accept the rotated version of this, but Manda had Adi propped up in a chip box in the back of the truck!
