Come on over!!

For the past several years, I've enjoyed sharing our daily life and my crafts on this
little blog.  I'm so glad for all of you that stop in and take a look...and for those of you that leave comments.  It's always so nice to see who's been checking in with us.  It is, however, time for a change.  Just a small one!  I'm busy working on a new endeavor for this next Fall once Emma is in full-day first grade (how can it be that my baby is almost done with Kindergarten?!).  My first step is starting a new blog where I'll post most of the things I make.  You might still see the occasional craft here if it happens to be for the kids, but most of them will be found at
Crafted by KatieB
 The new blog is listed under my "friends" on this blog, so you can easily tell when there's a new post.  If you become a "follower," it's even easier to see the new posts.  The first follower that pops  up on the new blog might just receive a little treat from me.
Come on over!!

Crafty Kids

Ryan is doing a report on the American Badger.  He has discovered that he LOVES
to do research.  One night, I had to force him to stop at 10 so he could go to bed.  His diorama needed an American Badger, so he made one out of clay.  I think he did a pretty good job!

I was making cards last night, and Emma wanted to also.
I had a pile of embossed papers on the table, and she asked if she could have one.
She then proceeded to color in the whole thing.  It made a really pretty
(and colorful) card!

A sweet little girl turns four!

This sweet little girl turns four this week.
We traveled out to the country to help celebrate.
Her momma made a beautiful Barbie cake (and a delicious poppy
seed cake).  I'm thinking that the time spent was worth it...look at that
sweet little face!

These two...they are so special to each other.

Not just another trip to the mailbox

So I headed to the mailbox yesterday afternoon, expecting the normal bills and junk mail.
When I opened the box, I saw a yellow envelope inside.  I haven't ordered anything...wasn't sure what it could be.  Then I saw the return address and knew it was going to be something beautiful from a very talented friend.

I'm hoping that this beautiful mini-quilt was meant for Emma
because she's claimed it as her own!  :)

Someday.  I will have perfect stitches like these.  Someday.

This is a hotpad in my favorite color.  But I think
it might just be too pretty to use!  I can't imagine getting it dirty!
~~~
Lisa, thank you so much for being so kind.
We've never met, but I'm blessed to call you friend.

Summer Dress

I bought this fabric at Hobby Lobby sometime last summer, and I wasn't sure what I'd use it for.
When I came across this dress with tutorial, I immediately thought of this fabric.
I didn't include the tie on the top part of dress; Emma tends to like her dresses simple.
{And it made it so I didn't have to make button holes!}

Matching barrette

This was my first time making three separate casings for 1/4" elastic.
It was surprisingly easy!

~~~

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Mother's Day Weekend

Mom came over on Saturday, and we ran around a bit.
Just around the corner from our house is an awesome greenhouse.
We spent a bit of time there.  I could have taken a seat under the tree and stayed awhile
it was so beautiful!

Here's Mom picking out tomatoes for their garden...

...and me keeping an eye on the cart.

For Mother's Day, I got lots of wonderful cards from Bob, the kids, and my parents.

{Just between us, I love all of them, but my favorites are the handmade ones.}

I was supposed to visit Emma's classroom on Friday for a Mother's Day Tea.
Sadly, her stomach was still in turmoil, so both of us stayed home on Friday.
They made all kinds of sweet things for the moms....





My sweet little ones.

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week was teacher appreciation week,
and do we ever have some great teachers to appreciate!  Both of the kids have
thoroughly enjoyed their teachers this year, while learning something new each day.
On Monday, we gave the teachers this card (except it said "Thanks a Latte" instead) with a small Starbucks gift card.  On Tuesday, they received one of these card packets.  On Wednesday, they received an M & M flower vase.  These are super easy (and inexpensive to make).  All you need is the vase (these are $1.99 at Micheals and just the perfect size), I used the Fresh Flowers set from Stampin' Up!, ribbon, Kabob sticks, M&Ms and adhesive.

On Thursday, they received a little tin with four magnets.
The glass beads can be found at the dollar store, scrapbooking paper is used along with ModgePodge, and the magnets are attached with whatever super strong glue you have on hand.

And the week ended with a wooden apple clothespin...this can be used on their desk
for notes or a photo...and a tin of Snickerdoodle Bars.  Yum!

We just might have the best PTA anywhere.  They have outfitted each and every classroom with document readers, smart boards, and just about every other tool to help the teachers.  Our school is partially underground and has grass growing on the slanted sides.  When the teachers drove up on Monday, this is the scene they saw.  The sign says, "Because of you, we are STARS."  And, poked into the ground, was a star with the name of every student in the school.  It was pretty neat
to see.

Can you I-Spy my kids' names?
~~~
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