Bored with the Moving Whining

So I am moving in the summer.  For those of you who have been reading, you know I move a lot.  And that I HATE it.  But this one, is the final move, finally.

It is scary, as I don't know if I will even like it, and I am choosing to settle and grow roots there.  I am moving closer to my family, but I haven't lived there in 20 years.

For this reason, I am feeling a resistance to craft, resistance to do projects, etc.  I am showing the house for the owners, so there is the mess of doing these things, but it is beyond that, and since I have moved a lot, I know what it is.  I need to nest in my nest, and I am preparing to change nests.

Do you feel like this during transition?  Any things that help you when you are in between things?  Any things that have helped you during a move?  How do you keep your crafty and creative spirit going?  I'd love to hear:)

And with that, I am going to go down and trash the dining room with this craft.

More Kid Boxes

This weekend, we went to the LONGEST work luncheon ever...  Thankfully, I had my kid box ready to go. It was so helpful, that as soon as I got home, I refilled it.  When there are "surprises" (as Soleil calls them), it is so much more exciting to my kiddos, even though most of this crap was lying around the house anyway!

Here is this round.  If you have any other ideas, please share!!

Completely random, I am inspired by this table. I was going through my photos and I saved this at some point.  I'm totally violating copyright issues, because I don't even remember where it is from to give credit!! (I totally would, if I did, by the way.)  Anyway, I love the beautiful presentation, the use of more than 2 colors, the balance.  

Soleil is asking for a "pink tea party" for her Bday.... we'll see what happens, since we are moving around the same time.  Who am I kidding, though... I love putting together parties!!

Random Spring Craftiness & Inspiration

Working on a few new face paint designs.  Thanks, internet, for ideas!

Inspired but his chalk work at CHOW, a local eatery.

Outfit Inspiration from a magazine.  I cannot wait for shorts, because if you can believe it, in southern VA, we are STILL wearing winter coats.

 I own this dress, and love that I can jazz it up a bit!

 And my latest chalk work from a bridal shower.  I love playing with chalk!!

Toddler Crafting

I am sooo lucky!  I have kids who LOVE to craft.  (What would I do if they didn't?? LOL)  Soleil asks regularly if I have a craft for her.  Sometimes, Mama is a little tired, so I have started to plan crafts ahead for her.  They are lifesavers when I need a moment to do something, and of course, I don't want her watching TV.  

This craft was easy... I drew a rainbow on dark paper with white crayon, gave her tissue and a little bowl of glue.  She knew exactly what to do with it!! She has made several creations using the scrunch-up-the-tissuepaper-and-glue method.  

The way I plan ahead is to store each craft in one of these cool stackable containers.  Snapware brand is great, but this one is a joann's version.

The top has pony beads and pipe cleaners, the second has play mais, and the last one is decorative scissors and all different types of paper and a small container of playdoh.  (I make long snakes for her to cut into little pieces).

 If you have to go somewhere and wait a long time (like the auto tune up place!), this is great to bring with you.

One of Soleil's finished creations.  

Couponing!!

My friend, Roxanne, has me hooked.
I walked into her house, and she had a whole shelf of (healthy) snacks that she told me she bought for under $1. I always thought couponing was for those folks that buy a lot of processed, prepackaged food.  Roxanne has all healthy stuff, and I wanted to be know how she saved $$.   It was then, that I rethought the whole coupon thing.

The whole process has made me look at shopping in a different way.  I read the ads (there are websites that list them out for you, and even allow you to print out a list!) and planned ahead.  It makes you eat more seasonally, which is better for everyone.

To sum up, this is what I do:
1.  Collect coupons.  Organize them.  (Only keep ones that you will use!)
2.  Check ads online and print list.
3.  Match up with coupon.
4.  Shop on Wednesdays when coupons double at Farm Fresh.
5.  Keep lists and coupons in car in case I have a free moment while I am out to hit the other stores.

I will only go to a different store that week if I they really have a good deal.  I have tried a different store each week (Kroger, Commissary, Harris Teeter, and Farm Fresh) and then picked my favorite (Farm Fresh).

I have saved a ton of $$, folks!! I'd love to hear tips if you have them:)

I love my Library

Better than any reality show... 

And before you think I read just hoity toity stuff, this is what I read right beforehand.  (And I am waiting for the sequel at the library.

On Certain Fridays, the library has LEGO CLUB.  It is like Happy Hour for kids.  Afterschool, they dump out this giant container of legos in their meeting room, and the kids play until 5pm.  The parents can actually visit a bit as well, as our library isn't exactly one of those silent types.  I love quiet, but when everyone else is in that "Friday Festive Mood", I don't mind the chatter.

I also was able to teach a little face painting class to the children's librarian and several other volunteers.  It was so fun!! I practiced the night before to think of how to teach best.  Paul came up to find me with full face paint at 10pm. 

And this is my library friend, D'jon painted as a leopard.  The best part is that she happened to wear a leopard colored yellow scarf that day, and wore her paint home, while riding her bike!