A Fun Craft

My husband and I have always had very distinct sides of the bed.

We aren't the kind of couple to switch it up every other year.

I'm always by the door for when the kids get up

He's always by the alarm.

I have a mold of my body on my side -

I like to sleep alot!

He is hardly in the bed

sleeping about 5 hours a night (if that!)

So when I found these awesome pillows in the Ballard Catalog -

I knew we had to have them!

I'm a huge fan of Ballards and it doesn't help that I live

just miles from the outlet store!

But these weren't in the outlet store and

I already had square khaki pillows on my bed....

Even though I like the burlap better, they were $60 to purchase

...so I attempted to make my own!

They definitely are not perfect so don't look too closely!

But I did them and they are mine.....

Check out the finished product!!!!

Happy New Year!

I'm not a huge New Years Eve person....

I don't care to get dressed up and

I really don't care to be out on the roads.

I'm good at home under covers ringing it in with Dick Clark.(or Ryan)

But I do always feel a sense to re-evaluate

Not so much make new resolutions

but just re-evaluate where I'm at in life.

Am I organized? Am I doing what I need to be doing?

This year brings with it a new endeavor

that I would love to share with you -

Some of you have seen my personalized buckets

but I wanted you to see this precious baby gift!

First of all, baby bedding has come a long way!
I have always been drawn to fabrics that don't look

like they are for a baby. So when my friend came to me

and asked if I could do a bucket for this baby's room

I was so excited!

How fun is this baby bedding?


Here is the info on it:

Manufacturer: Westminster / Free Spirit (VAH12Blush)
Designer: Anna Maria Horner
Collection: Innocent Crush Voile
Print Name: First Impression in Blush

I just feel so honored to make this gift.

This bucket - which may seem small to some -

will be received by a soon-to-be "new" mom

who lost her mother "Melanie" way too early.

I personally know how special that is after having

named my daughter after my grandmother.

Seeing her name is a constant reminder of her...

And I hope that's what it does for this new mom as well.

There is just something so special about family names......

Christmas cards

I'm really big on Christmas cards -

I like to send unique ones with the whole family

yes...mom and dad too!

but this year - I was feeling a little bah humbug...

I didn't want the expense that came with sending Christmas cards

and it just seemed so fakey fakey to me (is that a word?)

to all stand there all smiley when we have three kids at HARD ages.

We decided to still do a card but drastically cut our list.

We have a LARGE list but with trying to cut costs this year, that made the most sense.

I thought let's at least get the picture first and we'll go from there.

Who even knew if we'd get a good picture?

Well I'm sad that we cut the list because I think it turned out being our best card yet!

Not only did we get a good picture...we got the PERFECT picture!

(Thanks Uncle Scott!)

And I think we perfectly depicted what life is like at the Stargels!

And for those who aren't okay with the non traditional picture- There is the back side!

Which my 6 yr. old was very concerned people wouldn't see....

So like the card says:

May all your wishes....cooperate!

We hope you all have a Merry Merry Christmas!!!!

Happy Birthday baby girl!

"Happy Birthday to you!

You were born at 4:02

Happy Birthday Annie Lou Who

Happy Birthday to you!"

Have you missed me?

Let's get caught up!

Let me first apologize for being MIA!

I can't believe I haven't posted since September 5th!

Time is flying by and life is CRAZY!

Numero Uno turned Six!

And I got my first "mom you are so uncool" look when

I decided to get in the spirit and dress up like Princess Lea!

That girl had some LONG hair to pull those buns off!

I turned 35! and tried to dismiss the day as quickly as it arrived.....hence the no pictures!

We've been playing alot of Flag Football

Our first year!!!! AND first organized sport....

I can only imagine how busy it will be

when all three are in sports.

We are the Sugar Bowl champs!!!

(and can you tell we like Star Wars?)

We definitely had the best coach in the league! Daddy!

Who was COMPLETELY in his element as a coach

so patient and encouraging with the kids...

He did AWESOME!

I went to McBeach with my girls

And I was definitely on Cloud Nine



The Sunsets were UNBELIEVABLE

and we toasted them each night with a glass of wine.

Then I decided I didn't want to come home!

So I didn't!!! The girls left me on Sunday.....

And these cuties arrived Sunday afternoon!!!!

Ever since then, I swear I've had the hardest time getting back in the swing of things!

But.....I think I'm finally back!

I've been making some fun buckets!

I added a new tab on the blog!

Check them out and let me know what you think!

Oh and it's good to be back!

No pics just GIVEAWAYS!!!

Did you get excited that I'm doing a giveaway?

Sorry if I a disappoint...

BUT I am going to steer you in the right direction
and share with you two super cool giveaways!

I have selfish intentions

but at least I'm honest!
By sharing this first giveaway,

I get entered another time in the drawing!
(please pick me oh please!)

The first giveaway is from my new favorite blog!

"Pure & Lovely" was founded by an extraordinary

design team made up of college sweethearts!

This incredibly talented couple offers a long list

of design services, and have a great blog and etsy shop!

I LOVE THIS BLOG -

so go check out the giveaway and if you win...

please give it to me! Ha!

giveaway will end at 10:00 pm. CST, Wednesday September 8th

The next giveaway is from yours truly!
Yep, ME! Just not on my blog!
I have the honor of sponsoring Centsational Girl

and together we are giving away

two $75 shop credits to Noteworthy!

There are tons of new things on the website

and as Centsational Girls says,

more gorgeous selections than ever!

This giveaway ends Monday September 6, 2010 at 8 p.m. PST

so head on over and get your entries in!!!

Pray for Ella Website!

I have been meaning to post this for awhile because I think it's so cool! If you've been around for awhile, you know the story behind sweet Ella. If not, you can read her story here.

One of Sheli's sweet friends set up a blog to lift Ella and her family up by surprising them with a name gallery. It has been so cool to see where the pictures come from! The sky is the limit on creativity. I am AMAZED when I go on to Ella's caring bridge and read where all of the comments come from. This picture blog is so great because since Ella can't read, she can enjoy this by seeing all of the pictures with her name spelled out!

I know you all don't know her but her mom is one of my closest friends and I just encourage you to get your family together and take an "ella" picture. It's just one small gesture that can make a 2 year old very happy!

You can check out the blog here and it has instructions on how to submit your photo! Something fun to do this Labor Day weekend that will brighten up a 2 year old girl!!!!