{Favorite Things Friday} - Hand Sewing Rosettes

I started making these rosettes a couple of years ago and I just can't get enough.  I worked on these headbands today since I'm in a boutique next Sat. and it always helps to have a wide variety for my clients to choose from.  They are really fun to make.  I really enjoy sewing them.

{Thankful Thursday} - Visiting Teaching

Today I'm thankful for Visiting Teaching and making new friends.  Went on a new route today with a new companion and got to know several new people. Some of my oldest friends I met visiting teaching many years ago and I'm thankful that we are still good friends and for the continuous opportunity to meet new people and  develop friendships with them.

{Whatever Wednesday} - Scripture Cover

This is a variation of the notebook cover I posted yesterday.  My measurements were a little off so when I topstitched it the flaps ended up being too small.  I ended up unpicking it and hand stitched the flaps in place with a blind stitch so it would fit.  Thinking this would be a good present for outgoing missionaries or 8 year olds when they get their first set of scriptures.

{Tutorial Tuesday} - Fabric Covered Composition Notebook

My nephew's birthdays are coming up and I've been brainstorming things to make for them.  I finally came up with this and sewed a couple of them up Saturday afternoon. I hope they like them!

Instructions:
1.  Measure size height and width of book while it is laying open flat.
2.  Cut two pieces of fabric about 1 1/2" taller than your measurement and about 6" wider.
3.  Sew fabric right sides together leaving an opening for turning.
4.  Turn fabric right side out, press and hand sew opening closed.
5.  Fold over ends of fabric for flaps and pin in place.
6.  Sew around entire outer edge of fabric.
7.  Place on notebook and enjoy!

Optional: Pen/Pencil Pocket
1.  Cut two pieces of fabric 2 1/2" x 5".
2.  Sew right sides together leaving an opening for turning.
3.  Turn fabric right side out, press and hand sew opening closed.
4.  Pin pocket in place and sew around three sides.

I actually have quite a few of these notebooks that I picked up on the cheap at a back to school sale.  I will be making lots more of these as I get the chance.

{Favorite Things Friday} - Rain Boots

Any day I get to wear these rain boots is a good day in my book!  A couple weeks ago it was in the high 80s and now that school is out and everyone wants to go camping this weekend for Memorial Day the high is maybe 50.  At one point today it was snowing, hailing and raining all at the same time.  I'd never seen that before.  Since we were out of milk I made a quick trip to the next town over to pick up some groceries and took advantage of the opportunity to wear these awesome boots.  I even got complimented on them from the grocery bagger who walked me out to my car and loaded my groceries in the trunk.  I bought these in CA a few years ago from Target.  I think they were a return from an online purchase because they were they only ones in stock.  I bought them because I'd just returned from a trip to AZ where I'd gotten caught in some crazy flooding and wanted to be prepared if that happened again.  Of course in the years I lived there we didn't get enough rain to flood but I still wore my boots every chance I got.  I'll wear them this summer too when I work in the community garden since it's pretty muddy.  It's fun to have a cute pair of rain boots and to look forward to opportunities to wear them.  My dream would be to wear them to a rainy day at Disneyland.  What fun that would be!

{Thankful Thursday} - Thank You Cards

Today I've been working on Thank You cards and I'm happy to report that I'm almost done.  I only have a couple more to write.  It's been an almost overwhelming task.  So many people have been so generous.  For a while there we were getting a package nearly daily.  It was better than Christmas.  We've been so blessed to receive so much baby gear.  We've received almost everything we've needed so far.  I'll drop some cards off in the mail tomorrow, finish up the last few and put the rest in the diaper bag to pass out to the locals as I come across them.

{Whatever Wednesday} - Whirlwind Yellowstone Trip

A couple weeks ago we went to Yellowstone for the day.  It sounds so funny to say that.  Growing up, we took lots of vacations to Yellowstone but would always stay about a week and spend a day in each area of the park exploring it as much as possible.  Now since I only live 100 miles from the East Entrance it's possible to visit in a day and see quite a bit actually.  We left at 6 am and didn't return till 10pm that night.  My 2 month old was a trooper and was really good all day long.  We did the lower loop stopping at Fishing Bridge, West Thumb, Old Faithful, Paint Pots, Mud Pots, Upper & Lower Falls as well as several other places along the way.  The highlight of the day was probably seeing 2 bears.  A black bear crossed the road right in front of us on our way to West Thumb and my husband had to slam on the breaks to avoid hitting it and then we saw a grizzly bear on the way out of the park.  Even though it was a whirlwind trip it was a lot of fun and I hope we'll get to visit again soon and spend more time there.  I have so many fond memories camping there when I was young and look forward to making lots more memories there with my family.