Handmade Pumpkins / Fall craft | I sewed something!

I first saw these adorable pumpkins over at Danielle’s adorable blog.  I thought they were so cute and she promised that they were easy and could be done without a sewing machine.  So, I begged her to make a step by step tutorial for someone who’s sewing level was about that of a 3 year old and she delivered! 

She made a step by step tutorial and included links to basic knots and stitches (all of which I used).  I honestly didn’t even know what a backstitch was.  I had heard the term before but had no idea what it was.  Not only that I had none of the materials on hand, not even a pin to hold the fabric still.

You can find her GREAT tutorial on her blog here.  I didn’t have any scraps of fabric so I just picked up some from the scrap pile at the store and 1 fat quarter (which apparently has something to do with quilting).  My first one came apart on both ends and took me HOURS to finish.  My second one wasn’t stuffed enough, but it’s ok because I did not have a long plastic knitting needle to pull the yarn through and I never would have gotten the yarn to go around if I had stuffed it more.  My last one (the little one) turned out pretty well.  Although now I understand why you try to find floss the color of the fabric you’re using oops!

I’m pretty proud of my cute little fall decorations and I’ll definitely be sewing again.  Maybe someday I’ll take a class to try and learn the sewing machine.  One thing I do want to know though - how do you know how long a piece of floss/thread to cut?  Mine were either too short or waaaaay too long and took me forever to pull through.  Is there some sort of secret equation?

Anyway, here they are!

Ice cream man

I love that in AZ we still have the ice cream man coming around in late November AND its warm enough to stand outside barefoot in t-shirts and shorts and enjoy our ice cream!  I think November is my favorite month.  Thanksgiving should be around 77 degrees (F) and we can fully enjoy being outside without being cold (I hate being cold).  

I actually sewed something this weekend!   I’m so proud of myself, I’ll share pics tomorrow.  I took pictures of some friends this morning for their Christmas cards.  It was fun to be able to do so many in such a short amount of time and I’m glad I was able to fit them in.

I don’t think little man was feeling good today.  He was really cranky and fell asleep at 9 which is early for him on a Saturday!  Hopefully tomorrow he’ll be feeling more like himself.  I think I’m planning to do our Christmas card pics next weekend if everyone is on board.  I can’t wait although they usually don’t turn out the way they are in my head.

Let's talk shopping | Christmas lists

So, I LOVE Christmas.  It’s my favorite holiday ever!  Beautiful celebration, time with family, and fun traditions.  I always hate talking about presents because it seems so selfish or commercial or something, but the truth is I love getting my kids gifts for Christmas and if I didn’t have a budget or a husband who disagreed I’d buy them every darn thing they ever saw that they ever wanted.  However, I don’t want them to turn into spoiled brats so there goes that plan (well, that and the budget and husband).  Anyway, the boys have chosen to give up some of their presents this year to send presents with our church to some kids in Mexico.  They are VERY excited about that and still want to buy every angel on the tree at the mall - so please go and pick an angel off the tree at the mall so I don’t have to feel guilty telling my kids no every time!

Anyway, I wanted to share some of the boys’ picks for Christmas gifts this year.  I am so proud of them for not really getting too commercialized yet.  I had to beg them to write me a list so I had something to go off of (and something to fight for on Black Friday).

First up is the 7 year old.  He wants this remote control car that goes on walls and ceilings following the laser.  Amazon.com for $27.99 no tax and free shipping!  (I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find this in store since my Toys R Us, Target, and Walmart were already out of stock).

Rockband 2 for the Wii - I think I’m going to order this on ebay.  Last year bing.com did a 30% cashback through ebay when I got a Nintendo Ds and I can get it for $109 and get $33 back.

The Crayola Glo Dome - will be $18.99 on Thanksgiving day at Kmart plus rumor is I can sign up online to get $5 or $10 Kmart coupon

Legos!  It’s all about the Legos this year.  Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Agent it doesn’t matter.  Actually, he didn’t even know that you could buy them without one of the sets.

And for my 5 year old boy (keep in mind they are polar opposites!)

A sock monkey!  Yes, he wants a sock monkey.  He actually sat on a bored looking Santa’s lap on the mall last week and asked for a sock monkey.  I’m not sure that Santa’s ever gotten that request before.

Club Penguin stuffed animal - specifically a blue puffle - already bought for $4.79 at Toys R Us last week

Some skateboards and a ramp - from Costco (the small Tech Deck ones)

And the dreaded Zhu Zhu pets!  I’ll get one if I can without having to clobber through a bunch of other soccer moms because I know I’ll love seeing his face light up on Christmas because he got one, but if I can’t get one without waiting in line for more than oh, 10 minutes, or spending more than $10,  guess what - his face will still light up on Christmas morning ;)

And yesterday he said he was going to ask Santa for a quad but, I sadly had to tell him that Santa has been unable to get lead free parts from China and was going to be unable to fill that request this year.  He was fine with that and asked for a new skateboard instead since Dad broke his.  Fair enough.

Another thing I’m excited for is getting Melvin out again this year!  He’s the little elf that checks in on us during Christmas time.  We never know where that Melvin will show up each morning!

Annual photos | Scottsdale AZ Photographer

I’ve taken their photos for the past couple of years and I look forward to it every year.  This year there is a new addition isn’t he so stinkin cute?!  Of course they are a stunning family so he was a perfect addition to their little family.  

Field Trip! | AZ photographer

I went on a field trip today with the kindergarten class to a bear factory.  The kids got to make their own teddy bear, take a tour of the factory, and learn all about the first teddy bear.  It was his first time riding on the bus so he was double excited!  I was so glad to spend the day with him and his friends.  He’s sounds asleep with his new teddy bear “Michael”.  Soon they will go into hibernation in their classroom.