Anther post! I love Christmas break! Alright, so my my first installment of novice sewing tutorials was pretty popular so I thought I would do a part II with some more projects that I have taken on recently. First of all I would like to share some sew-in labels that I made with my Silhouette Portrait. Some time ago I made these iron on labels. I decided that I needed some sew-in labels for things like scarves and smaller items. I used the sketch feature and the same font on the sew-in labels and then put a simple dashed border around the words. I then reflected the image so that when I folded the labels the words would be printed on both sides. Here they are on some of my burp clothes. I have been kind of crazy with the burp clothes lately but I want to have a supply on hand for when I find out that someone is having a baby I have found that pretty much every fabric looks cute as a burp cloth! The first tutorial that I tried was a king crown. I teach music at a Christian school and a Nativity pageant is a part of my big Christmas program every year. A few years ago, one of my students stepped on the plastic crowns for the wise men and broke them. I decided to replace them with felt crowns. I used this tutorial from the blog Small Things. The tutorial tells how to insert elastic into the crowns but I wanted to make them really adjustable since I will have different kids playing the wise men each year. I decided to put velcro on the backs. I then added some glittery gold trim along the bottom and some plastic gems. They looked so cute on my wise men this year! I am looking forward to using them for many years to come. Next up is actually a sewing project that I created sans tutorial. My classroom gets super dusty and my xylophones would be covered in dust no matter how many times I dusted. My cooperating teacher for my student teaching had some adorable dust covers for her xylophones and I wanted to create some for mine. I couldn't find a tutorial online so I decided to make it up. I looked at a few tutorials for ironing board covers since the idea is basically the same. I did have process pictures but since this project was actually completed this summer, they were lost with my old mac book. Basically, I measured the tops of my xylophones with the bars on, added about 2 inches on each side to the dimensions and then made a casing for elastic. Super simple and super cute. Oh and I suppose I should share some pics of my classroom while I am on this subject. The color scheme in my classroom is orange, blue, and brown. Also, I am obsessed with owls so you can find them throughout my classroom. The only thing you can't see from these pictures is the front of the room where I have my two white boards (one lined and one not) and my piano. The third sewing project that I want to share is a tutorial for napkins. This is my kind of project because it involves straight lines which I am good at sewing most of the time. The only tricky part was the mitered corners but I found a couple of tutorials that made it super simple. The first method that I tried was from the blog No Big Dil found here. The second one that I tried and the one that was easier for me was from a blog that has an expired domain name but it involved pressing and then trimming the corners and pressing the corners and then the edges to create the mitered corner. I included the first tutorial because you might find that one easier. I made two sets of napkins from some fabric that I found. So easy and so classy. I may actually get one more post in before this break is up. My husband and I are hosting our third NYE party so I hope to write a post with some decorating and food ideas. We'll see what happens.

Summer is almost over! How did that happen? Where did the last 2 months go? With a little under 2 weeks left until we go back to school my mind has been increasingly drawn to planning for the ne…

Wow, it has been a long time since I posted on this blog! My entire life has been consumed by studying for my written comprehensive exam. I was kind of a zombie for a while but little house projects did get completed when my brain couldn't take anymore. The following picture shows how I have felt the past 6 weeks. My biggest project lately was one that was started the day after the exam. I have been having trouble finding fabric for the window treatment in the kitchen so I decided to make my own. My inspiration was poppies which are some of my favorite flowers. The supplies I used were Tulip soft fabric paint in several shades for mixing, cups and water, fabric markers, white cotton fabric, and a spray bottle full of water. The process was pretty simple. I mixed the paints until I came up with an orangish reddish color. Then I sprayed the fabric with the spray bottle so it was damp. I also mixed a fair amount of water in to the paint. This allowed the paint to bleed just like watercolor paint on paper. I covered the entire length of the fabric with flowers of random sizes. Once the fabric dried I went in and added details with fabric markers. Then I took the fabric and went through similar steps that I used in the making of the living room curtains. I tore apart the roman shade that was originally there so that I could use the wood piece and brackets to mount this fabric. I used safety pins to create the gathered effect. I also sewed velcro onto the fabric and glued stapled velcro to the wood piece. I think it turned out nicely. Now on to a smattering of small projects that have been my brain restorers over the past month and a half. First of all I finally got around to painting the door in the kitchen. Goodbye mauve, hello tangerine cream! I also purchased some curtain rods that I have had my eye on at my beloved Target for the dining room. There was some frustration putting up the brackets, however so one window has one bracket only so far. Plaster walls can be tricky sometimes but I still love old houses. I am pretty awesome at wall repair though so you can't even tell anything happened and once I buy some more anchors I will attempt to mount the other bracket again. I'm also excited because the fabric for the dining room curtains arrived yesterday so I can get started on that soon. This sad little curtain rod wants a home;) I also hosted Easter dinner for my family and it was a success. I forgot to take a picture of most of the lovely food but here is the delicious dessert. Next up, I will be posting about a starting seeds indoors in hopes that spring will soon come to North Dakota!

Spanning 3,500 years of art, science, culture, and history, 'Tree' surveys the awe-inspiring beauty and romance of trees.

A hilarious adventure for readers aged 9+ from the author of Escape from Camp Boring. When Things Went Wild is also a timely call to protect our environment. When Kit’s family move to a crumbling house in the Scottish Highlands, he’s got a lot to deal with – terrible Wi-Fi, a new school in the middle of nowhere, and, as always, his annoying little brother, Jack. But it’s not until the brothers find a strange object on the moors that Kit’s problems really begin. A policewoman comes knocking, and the boys learn that they have found a tracker that has been removed from the leg of a golden eagle. The illegal killing of these majestic birds is all too common, and now a pair of nesting eagles are under threat. Kit and Jack start to investigate, soon joined by Tamora – the most popular girl in school – and her younger sister, Bea. Who is trying to harm the eagles, and why? Chief suspects are landowner Lord Cavendish, local farmer McNab and sinister game keeper Mosby . . . Can the city kids cope with the country – and catch the culprit?

Raised garden beds are form and function at its finest. I am in love with stone raised beds, though may never have them myself. Wooden beds are easiest to make and are pretty, but there

Four couples, best friends for decades, wanted to live in the same neighborhood. So they built a magical tiny-house community you have to see.

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! I am coming to you from our fabulous new house! The kids are playing {so sweetly} in the playroom, hubs is working on the thermostat that we can't figure out ;) and I finally have a little time to sit down and blog! Whew! I thought it might never happen. We've been working on patterns this week in math. Did you know with our new Texas standards patterning is taken out!? Like, good 'ol AB, ABC, AAB etc.... instead, they're supposed to create patterns IN NUMBERS! But...to get there, we have to teach the basics first. First I get the good 'ol rhythm sticks out and we rat-a-tat-tap different combinations of patterns. Then I build patterns with my students {boy boy girl..} and finally we get to play! I found THESE unifix cube pattern sheets for free from Heidi Songs! To check for understanding after the first day of introducing patterns, I did a quick formative assessment of my students learning. The only directions I gave were to draw a patten- I gave them free reign on which type and what they wanted to draw for their pattern. I cut all the names out so no one knew who drew what. Almost all of my students could create their own pattern! And the ones who didn't... were off by JUST a teeny bit. I love sorting examples and non-examples like this to post while we're working on the topic. This week in stations we're going to be adding some more pattern cards to our rotations. This time, I want my students to create their own of a specific type of pattern. Snag these freebie cards up HERE. Happy patterning!

Learn all about the Viking and the Middle Ages in our Viking Homeschool Unit! Find books, projects, and activities for your K-3rd students!

Beach cottage decor and burlap accents for the home. These DIY burlap cabinet covers hide the contents of glass-front cabinets for a clean, minimal look.

This great four season chalet is derived from our plan 21553DR which we've added 2' in width and a walkout basement. You'll appreciate the outdoor storage adjacent to the basement entrance for equipment and gear storage. Step inside on the lower level and you'll find a large storage area, easy access to the laundry room and a three-sided fireplace in the middle of the family room. On the main floor, the master bedroom includes private access to a 5-fixture bathroom with a 60" x 48" shower, a double vanity and privacy toilet cabin. The living room, kitchen with island and dining area all enjoy the warmth of another three-sided fireplace and the grand feeling of a 21' cathedral ceiling. A full-width deck is ideal for taking in the views. Upstairs, two bedrooms share a bath and the loft area is big enough to fit a sofa-bed for extra guests or serve as a reading nook. Related Plans: Downsize 2' feet in width and get an unfinished basement with house plan 21553DR and an alternate version with house plan 22442DR. Get a matching detached garage with plan 21199DR.

Our new Home has been such a blessings. We are still pinching ourselves that this is the place we get to call home! Just a little background on #weepingwillowhome we purchased a foreclosure home back in May 2018. It was a true gamble but after sketching up a design for the home with a local […]

Moving your bed away from the wall can breathe new life into your bedroom.

Since we are in the middle of a full kitchen renovation, we are without a kitchen. Here are our best tips and tricks to live without a kitchen.

Heart pounding, rapid breathing, nightmares...yep, it's that time of year. Back to school...dun dun dun. Okay I actually may be a little dramatic there (ask anyone who knows me, it's not uncommon!). But seriously, every year I feel like this. The anxiety of the unknown plus the excitement of getting back into the classroom and teaching. I think that when I get to the point in my career that I don't feel like this it will be a sign to quit teaching. There are many things that I worry about before the school year starts. Will the dynamic in my room be good, will I be able to meet the needs of all of my students, will I be nice even on my grumpy days, will they like me, will the parents be nice, will I have my materials prepared, what if I mess up? The list goes on and on. It probably explains why I am a little tiny bit type-A about prepping my classroom (if you haven't noticed). What I can control now makes me feel a little better. In reality all of it is out of my control. I try to remember that my students are feeling just as anxious, and that it's okay. My hubs is losing his 'summer wife' and I know the house is going to be kind of a wreck until our first long break, but it's worth it. To add to the unknown I am getting an intern this year (woo hoo!). We start training together tomorrow and I'm really excited. For those of you who are not PA teachers, the preservice teachers had to choose pre k-4 or 4-8 for their certification. Kind of interesting and most likely not going to last, but in the meantime it means that 5th and 6th grade openings will be filled easier for the kids who chose 4-8th for their certification. So, as I count down my last few hours of summer, here are a few pins that I found inspiring as I began planning for this school year, and a fun purchase that I made to use in my room this year. Enjoy! Me By the Numbers - will be doing this on the first day of math with the kids. I think it'll be great for the cover of their binders! I'm going to try to add this in on the first day of school with my homeroom. I'll have them color a larger popsicle stick then put them in a shadow box to display with a team work inspired quote. I love owls, and this is just too cute. And finally, my new purchase! A doc cam! I'm so excited, this little guy has great reviews and was less than $100. Very affordable on a teacher budget. Amazon has it - the IPEVO Point 2 View USB camera.

It’s been a while in the making but it’s finally done! This mini A-frame cabin we built is ready to hang around in and we’re SO excited to share with you how we built it. You can use it as a playhouse, an outdoor lounge space, or even a little dinning area! There’s so much you can do, let your imagination run wild.

Crafted with both pride and patience, these one of a kind tables honor the enduring skills and techniques that existed long before mass production. Using time tested, old furniture making methods our hand-crafted and customizable farm tables feature beautiful yellow pine that is hand planed, painted, distressed and finished. The base legs are hand turned and attached using mortise and tenon joints secured with square oak pegs. The rough cut yellow pine top receives a warm, worn aging process designed to bring out the luster within the wood and is attached to the base using the antique method of shrink blocks allowing it to expand and contract without cracking. Made to order is more than a motto. These are pieces that will abide for generations. We invite you to call or e-mail us with your customization requirements. Table pictured is Wild Honey finish. SPECIFICATIONS Dimensions: 40"wide x 30"high x 6', 7', 7.5', 8', 9' or 10' long Finish: We constantly strive to perfect our techniques to create the most beautiful and authentic reproduction finishes possible. Please view the finish link for our current offerings. We also welcome custom orders. Material: Made from rough cut yellow pine that is hand turned, hand planed, distressed, and hand finished to bring out the natural beauty of the wood while adding the worn, used charm of an old country table. Contains: Top Included Ships: (Blanket Wrap Information) White Glove / Blanket Wrap delivery is included in the price. Hand Made to Order - Here in the USA

Table manners are important for teens and by middle school, they should move beyond the basics. These 20 skills will help tweens become excellent dinner companions. Free checklist to download.

I have attached a picture over a part of our city built up with tiny houses of different designs. This type of building in this type of area are called "kolonistuga" and the tiny houses are called "koloniområde."

Drinking Games Bundle! 🍻 Looking to add some excitement to your next event? Whether you’re planning a bar crawl, a pub crawl, or a cozy night in with friends, our Ultimate Drinking Games Bundle is your ticket to a night of unforgettable fun! With 8 unique and thrilling games, you’ll keep the energy high and the laughs flowing, no matter where the night takes you. What’s Inside? Roll the Dice: Add some unpredictability to your evening—every roll brings a new challenge! Charades: Act out hilarious prompts whether you’re in the middle of a pub or at home. Drink If...: The perfect icebreaker—take a sip whenever the statement applies to you! Tic Tac Drink: A fun twist on the classic Tic Tac Toe, with drinks on the line. Tipsy Tug Dice: A competitive dice game that’s easy to take with you on the go—loser drinks! Card Roulette: Shuffle up some excitement as the cards dictate your next move. Left, Right or Drink: Follow the story and pass the drink—don’t be the one caught sipping! Drunk Dice: A quick and engaging dice game that’s perfect for any setting. Why This Bundle is Perfect for Any Occasion: Instant Download: Get your games immediately—no waiting, just instant fun! Easy to Print: Print the game sheets and dice at home or a print shop, and you’re ready to go. Versatile Fun: Ideal for bar crawls, pub crawls, house parties, or any gathering where you want to keep the good times rolling. Suitable for All Groups: Whether it’s a small gathering or a large crew, these games are designed to bring everyone together. How It Works: Buy: Purchase and download your games instantly. Print: Print out the materials and get ready to play. Play: Whether you’re at home or out on the town, bring these games along for a night to remember! Don’t miss out on turning an ordinary night into something extraordinary with our Drinking Games Bundle—perfect for any occasion!

Being the center of Catholicism, it’s no surprise that Italy is home to many of the world’s most beautiful churches. Here, we’ve handpicked our favorite ten Italian churches, from landmarks like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Milan Duomo, to lesser-known beauties in Sicily and Umbria that are worth a pilgrimage.

two roses and a thorn

Table manners are important for teens and by middle school, they should move beyond the basics. These 20 skills will help tweens become excellent dinner companions. Free checklist to download.

A few years ago, I sat in the middle of a pile of photos, CDs containing photo files, thumb drives of photos, and more — and decided it was time to do something about the photo disaster at my house. But more than just organizing my files, I wanted to find a way to archive our photos so that they could be easily enjoyed

Most people hate the IVAR gap and here's how to solve it. If you've ever assembled an IVAR cabinet, you would have faced this problem.

One of the biggest "Phase 1" improvements we made was updating the floors throughout the house. The girls' bedrooms were recarpetted; the din ...

our living room wall is HUGE. and of course, there’s a big fireplace in the middle so there isn’t room for a large credenza or console. just one cute skinny fireplace right smack in the…

With the holidays coming up, I think many of us are trying to get our houses in order...I know we're in the middle of a bathroom remodel right now that I'd love to get done before Christmas. But even if you're not knee deep in construction, you probably are making your to do list of

Our middle school is very close to having a 1:1 iPad program with most of the iPads being Minis. We are very lucky! During Q3, 7th graders e...

Happy Hump Day! I wanted to give y’all an update on our garage. I usually share videos of the progress on my Instagram stories, but if you are not over there, then you haven’t seen them. (If you want to follow me on Instagram, click HERE.) The garage is now covered mostly in siding, but...

Can you have white trim with wood doors? Yes! See examples of stained doors with white frames and read our tips for executing this combination, beautifully! White Trim with Dark Wood, Natural Wood, or Light Wood Doors can be a pretty pairing.

See Cindy's thorough description of her 6th grader's middle ages study that was full of lapbooking, literature, and creative hands-on activities.