It's a...

GIRL!

She is coming in June. I can't wait to meet this little girl that has already stolen everyone's hearts. 

The gender reveal party was a blast. The night before the party I kept begging my sister to tell me.  Of course she refused.  Then she started to tell me a story about how a lady at work was confused about the cake.  Maranda (my sister) said "she was like well if your having a girl why would you need a cake?" My eyes got huge and I just started screaming/laughing.  We laughed for probably 5 minutes until she swore me to secrecy. I had to go the whole party pretending I didn't know.

But here's the thing, I am glad she accidentally told me.  I will always hold that memory close to my heart.  Just us sisters, sharing chinese food in my kitchen, anticipating something so huge and so unbelievably exciting.  

I wouldn't want it any other way.

Love Notes

I've been finding these sweet notes around the house since Evan left for tour yesterday.  That boy! He will be gone around 2 months this time, so I plan on leaving these babies up for a while.  It makes me happy when I come downstairs and see those little pink post its.

On a side note, the oil can on my window has a funny story.  When I was little my mom had one in the exact same spot.  She told me the Tin Man stopped by her window every so often for oil.  She gave me one just like hers for Christmas last year and it is still my favorite present ever.  I can't wait to tell our children that story someday. 

Hope everyone has a happy Friday!  I am ready to fast forward to Saturday because we have my sister's gender reveal party.  I am beyond excited to be an aunt!!!

Arrow Patch DIY

I love the elbow patches that have been popping up everywhere lately and have been wanting to stitch some on my own cardigans.  Instead of a circle patch I thought that arrows would look cute.  I've been digging arrows lately.  Maybe because it is almost Valentine's Day?

Supplies: Felt, scissors, pins, paper, and a cardigan.

First, sketch an arrow onto the paper and cut it out for your template.  You could look up an arrow image on google if you don't want to draw it out.

Pin your arrow template onto the felt and then cut it out.  

Choose the spot where you want your arrow to be and then pin it on.  I tried on my cardigan and looked at the placement in the mirror.  I just stuck a piece of washi tape in the location and then pinned the arrow in that spot.

Then you just sew your arrows on! Super easy! 

I love that it gives an unexpected touch to a typical striped cardigan. I'm off to find things I can sew arrows onto! 

Back to School

Break is over and it's back to the grind.  Spring semester is always harder because that's when winter really starts and Monday was no exception! It was 19 degrees when I went to my first studio class.  No thanks. 

But with those cold Missouri weathers comes impromptu snow days.  Days to cut class and throw caution to the wind.  Fingers crossed!

Guest Bedroom

Our guest bedroom/my craft room has been boring for a really long time.  We painted last February and then I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with the space.  Decor limbo.

Then one day I was checking Simply Grove (a favorite!) and saw these triangles that Kristen Grove had collaborated on and knew that they would be perfect! I went with gold and then waited for them in the mail. They are perfect!

I've always liked the idea of a word or phrase above the bed. I decided on Bonne Nuit (which means goodnight in french) since our last name is french. 

I just bought cardboard letters at Michaels and painted them a pale pink.  The white bedding is from Target.

These owls are from an old Avon box that I cut up and framed a long time ago.  It was just too pretty to throw away.  I didn't even notice the colors until I showed my mom the room and she pointed them out.  Subconscious strikes again!

I just love how everything came together! It's really feminine but not over the top.  I also love how clean and bright it is.  The whole craft area on the other side needs some tlc and I need window treatments in a bad way, but I couldn't wait to share this portion! 

Now we need some guests!

Bits and Pieces

New fox pillow on a messy sofa.

My favorite painting, Evan's least favorite painting.

Mark Twain and our anniversary date.

Today is for getting caught up on housework and breaking out the Valentine's decor.  It's also for homemade chicken pot pie and enjoying the last week before school starts up again.  I guess it's called the calm before the storm...

Happy Wednesday! 

Homemade Dog Treats

My sister recently gave Elton (our pup) a bone cookie cutter with a treat recipe attached to it.  We've been paying more attention to the kind of treats we give him because he's been getting um kinda...fat.

He likes his treats, that dog.

So I thought I'd whip these up and see how Sir Elton liked them.  

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

1/2 cups of water

1/2 cup of oil

2 eggs

3 tablespoons peanut butter ( I used light pb)

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups of flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup oats

Just mix everything together, roll out and cut. Then bake for 15 minutes on 400 degrees.

This recipe makes about 3 dozen dog treats.  Another thing it does is make your house smell so good! My sister actually came over while they were baking and told me the house smelled delicious. ha!

Elton seems to like them just as much as his other treats, but I feel a little better about giving these to him because I know what goes in them.  I also packaged up some treats for Elton's friends to enjoy.

Have you made your own treats before? How did it turn out? And if you have another recipe please share!

Felt Valentine Garland DIY

Valentine's day is quickly becoming my favorite holiday.  Mainly because of all the crafting! So many possibilities! 

For these felt hearts I followed my own tutorial on wool roving.  The only difference is instead of rolling the roving into a ball you shape it into a heart.  I made all the hearts while I was watching Vampire Diaries.

Yes. Vampire Diaries, I'm not ashamed...

I then threaded it with a needle and some bakers twine.

These little hearts would be cute loose too.  Throw em in a bowl or a jar. Or sprinkle them on a table like confetti for a Valentine breakfast!

The garland would be a sweet gift for a friend or family member too.  Have fun!

2013 or Bust

image via pinterest

Hope everyone had a great New Year! We spent the first day of 2013 eating a good luck brunch with close friends and lounging around the house.  Pretty good start!