Making Christmas

A Christmas without crafting is like drinking coffee without creamer- I can do it but won't enjoy it near as much. This Christmas I have been limited on time and even inspiration because well,the smell of a fresh baby tops the smell of Christmas hands-down! So I kept it simple this time around.

Winter Wonderland Yarn Wreath: While mine is no where near as cute and hip as this Etsy seller, I was inspired by this creative crafter KnockKnocking (I have to do one for the Spring!)


Every time I open my ribbon cabinet I glance at the 200 yards(rolled)of silver and white satin ribbon and wonder what it's purpose could be. Finally, a project worthy of such pretty ribbon. Simple. I took cardstock and made a cone for the base. I then cut 4in strips of ribbon and hot-glued them in layers onto the cone, starting from the bottom up. When I reached the peak of the tree I had no idea what to place on top and couldn't find anything in my house so with the leftover 4in strips I made a star. Last step, and my favorite, I embellished the tree with some little sparkle jewels. "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree..la la la ..." (These are the only words to song I know, and I love to sing it over and over.)





I think it looks great as a table topper placed on the plate, but I didn't go this route. I changed out the turquoise color in the dining room and replaced with red this Christmas as you can see in the first photo posted. Turquoise Christmas decorations are hard to find and well, red is easy.

I had a baby since the last time we talked.

Rhys was born early Thursday morning, Oct.28. I started having what I thought were heavy contractions Tuesday morning 5-7 minutes apart. We took Carsten to Mother's Day Out and went on to the hospital sure but not real sure I was going to have a baby that day. After staying there for four hours and walking circular miles in a 30ft radius, they affirmed I was in labor but said I was not progressing so..."go home". At that moment I felt like my childhood self. I thought about putting up a fight- kicking and screaming but Tim was in the room. I thought about throwing myself on the ground (belly side up)and crying myself to sleep but the floors were too cold. So with my breezy backside, I mustered up enough humility and control to get out of the bed and go home. Before I went home though, I wanted one last indulgence..mmm...McDonald's value meal #2 please.

Climbed back into the same hospital bed Wednesday afternoon and was sure THIS time was GO time. After two hours a gruff nurse came in to affirm that I was indeed in labor but not progressing so..."go home". NOOOO! Tim chimes in, "No, check her one more time." Thank you Tim. Thank you. Without all the in between details I get a "Let's have this baby!" So yes, I received drugs along with an epidural, and it was heavenly. I was in need of some relief after two days of strong contractions. All in all, I guess I was in labor for 48hrs.
Rhys Holland Byers born Oct.28th @6:50am weighing 6lbs 14oz. He is super! I love him!





One finished product in Rhys' room that I've been meaning to post. I got these 5x7 letter cards from this Etsy seller http://www.etsy.com/people/InkTreePress?ref=ls_profile. I placed the cards on top of some coordinating scrapbook paper and the barnwood frames I found at Hobby Lobby.

DIY Baby Mobile (Woodland Friends)

Today while Carsten was at Mother's Day Out, I finished Rhys' momma-made mobile. At first I wasn't thrilled about the way my little creatures turned out, but I can say now that they hang over Rhys' bed awaiting his arrival, I love each of them and their quirkiness. These little guys reminded me today of just how soon he will be here.

Due date reminder: November 4th

Leave the Umbrella at home

Yesterday we had some unexpected rain. Well, unexpected to a girl who never watches the forecast, but this rain came with the sun and that is always a surprise to me. Anyway, Carsten and I were out running fun errands and the bottom suddenly fell out. I saw women scrambling for their umbrellas and a few that already had their plastic hair protectors securely tied on. I looked down at Carsten in the parking lot, and he was smiling ear to ear with his hands raised high to the sky; I had someone to share the rain with, someone who enjoyed these unexpected drops. So we stood outside with our mouths open wide -ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah. Soaked and giggling we waddled into the store ready to do some shopping. -----One of the many lessons Carsten has taught me about life: leave the umbrella at home.

A boy or a dragon? Which would a princess pick?

Julia's princess birthday party was sweet as the little girls came dressed in their finest satins, lace, and beads. It was a great turnout with many many princesses and even a few fine princes. I think I might have brought the dragon though. The untamable, wild creature that wants to eat the crowns rather than wear them and roam the castle looking for unconquered feats. Or I could have just brought a BOY. Which of the two is more pleasant for a princess?





(Photos taken by Barb Raney)

My Little Bird

For awhile now I've been casually looking for a backpack for Carsten, but couldn't find one fit for his size. Finally I found one in a little boutique the other day but couldn't, of course, make myself pay the price they were asking so I went home and decided to make my own. While searching through patterns and fabric options, I realized it was doable so after putting Carsten to bed I went to work. At 12am that night or the next day, however you wanna look at it, I finished. The next day with Carsten's new backpack strapped on we went back to the fabric store to make one for his little friend Julia. (Her princess birthday party is this weekend.) I thought it would be an adjustment for him to carry around, but he took to it and loved that he got to carry his toys and stuffed monkey with him into the store. Hoorah!





(The object he's carrying around in the photos is his golf bag minus the golf clubs...this is his favorite toy.)

A Caterpillar's Dream

I couldn't help myself last night; I had to make this. I was reading a newfound blog that I love (http://thelovelylittlethings.blogspot.com)and saw where she had put these flappy wings on the back of her little girl's shirt so I wanted to put my own spin on it and this is what I came up with. If I had a little girl she would be running through the house with her own set of wings. I'll have to make Carsten a cape. Is this equivalent for a boy? I'll ask Tim. (Knowing Tim and his love for fantasy novels he'll tell me to make Carsten a pair of dragon wings. haha. Dragon boy, no thanks.) I'm selling this on Etsy and starting the FlutterBugCollection so stay tuned. (Have you noticed that I end almost every post with another high hope. Hmm...might be a problem I have.)