{Bump} 33 Weeks

Yep. Here it is!

The {bump} at 33 weeks.

Don't let the cheesy grin fool you...I am in some PAIN!

Backache, burning sensation on my ribs and BH contractions that take my breath away all throughout the day. If the practice ones hurt this bad I am TERRIFIED of what real labor is going to be like with this one;) I have heard from several friends that it is a 3rd pregnancy thing. Explains why there are so many families with only 3 children, huh?

I have gained exactly 15 pounds so far and all of that has gone straight to my belly.

I think this boy is going to be about 12 pounds.

Oh. My. YIKES!

Yep. I went there. Bare belly for your enjoyment.

I have had people tell me my belly looked fake to them.

It is, in fact, quite real. 

I am seriously wondering if they got my date wrong or if there is a secret agent twin in there who can copy his brother so well that the ultrasounds can only pick the one kid up.

Cuz, I mean, dang. Just look at me!

I don't see how I can make it another 7 weeks. Pray for me! ;)

My husband will look at my belly and then start busting up laughing.

It's a good thing I like him.

{Tutorial} "Name" Beanbags

I decided to make my son Travis some beanbags to help him to learn the letters of his name.

Uppercase letters on one side and lowercase letters on the other.

I went through my felt stash (yep, I have a whole bin FULL of felt) and realized that I could get almost all the colors of the rainbow to spell out his name!

First, cut your fabric into 5"x5" squares. 2 of each color.
Then arrange them into a rainbow and take a picture.Very important step! Unless your fabrics are not, in fact, a rainbow of colors because that just would not make sense.


#1. Trace the REVERSED Letter onto the shiny side of Heat N Bond, iron it onto the fabric you are using for your letters and then cut it out. Remove paper backing and iron to the center of your 5"x5" square.

#2. Using a zigzag or straight stitch, sew the applique to the fabric square.

#3. Here is my first one all stitched down. I used a straight stitch as close to the edge as I could. GO SLOW as there are lots of turns and curves.

#4. Here is what the back looks like...as you can see it looks just like the letter because of how carefully I sewed. My thread matches, so it's probably not that big of a deal, but I am a firstborn(read:Type A) so I kept it as neat as I could. I eased up a bit after the first one.

#5. Repeat with the lowercase letter on the other 5"x5" square of the same color.

#6. Pin the two squares "T" to "t" like they are smooching. Maybe even make the sound when you do this step. Pin the crap out of it, or don't. Not really necessary to use that many pins, but whatever.

#7. Sew around the outside of the squares leaving a 2"-3" opening. Back stitch at the beginning and at the end so that it is nice and strong when you turn the bag.

#8. "Clip" the corners. This removes some of the bulk once you turn the bag right side out. Make sure you don't cut through the thread.

#9. Turn the bag right side out and poke out the corners with something pointy (pencil, chopstick, actual apparatus meant for poking out corners).

#10. Fill bag with beans. I used about 3/4 cup in mine.

#11. Top stitch all the way around the bag to seal it closed and to add strength.

Let your toddler play with the beans on the floor so that he will leave you alone

long enough to get these finished!

Just FYI:

Making these assembly line fashion is the way to go!

Do each step with all the beanbags at the same time so you save time

and are not going back and forth.

Let the LEARNING FUN begin!

You may find me linking up with some of these blogs:
Fingerprints on the Fridge, Making The World Cuter, Dittle Dattle, Mad Skills Monday, Skip to my Lou, Craft O Maniac, Delicate Construction, Ask Anna, New Nostalgia, House of Grace, Sassy Sites, Not Just a Housewife, Today's Creative Blog, My Craftie Life, Sew Much Ado, Seven Thirty-Three, Someday Crafts, A Diamond in the Stuff, My Girlish Whims, Somewhat Simple, Momnivores Dilemma, Paisley Passions, Fun to Craft, Make it, Wear it, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths, What Allie's Making Now, Finding Fabulous, A Little Knick Knack, Mommas Kinda Crafty, Its a Hodgepodge Life, Inspiring Creations, Be Different Act Normal, Wildflowers and Whimsy, Tatertots and Jello, The Idea Room, My Repurposed Life, Sew Many Ways, I Heart Naptime, Thirty Handmade Days, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Itch, Oops I Craft My Pants, Addicted 2 Decorating

Favorite Posts of 2011

Okay, so time for a little 2011 recap!

Here are 10 of my favorite posts from the past year:

How to Paint Wood Paneling

This post is one of my biggest Google Search posts.

Apparently there are lots of people with ugly wood paneling who want to do something about it!

There is hope! :)

Confetti Garland

A really simple, but oh so cute garland for any holiday or party!

{Upcycled} Baby Food Jars to Tealight Holders

Can be made with any fabric for any holiday or event!

So simple, but so lovely.

When Life Gives you LEMONS

Have a lemon tree or know someone who does?

You will love this tip!

Here are a few more posts on what to do with {LEMONS}

Natural Microwave Cleaning Method

Lemony Fresh Home

Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

Very Extra Special Birthday Balloons!

This is something that my family has always done and I almost didn't post about it.

Well, it has topped the charts as my most popular post of all time!

WHAT?!?!?! Check it out:)

{Tutorial} Masking Paper Flower

I love these...they can be made in so many different ways for different looks.

Super Skintastic Sugar Scrub

This stuff is amazing...especially on preggo tummies!

Plus, I'm pretty sure you have the ingredients in your kitchen.

Refinished Garage Sale Mirror

Homemade Laundry Cream

Still LOVING this stuff!

{Tutorial} Simple Applique Onesies

I didn't think I had really done all that much this past year,

but I had a hard time choosing just 10 posts to share!

It was a wonderful 2011 and I am so looking forward to 2012!

Thank you so much for reading!!!

You may find me linking up with some of these blogs:
Fingerprints on the Fridge, Making The World Cuter, Dittle Dattle, Mad Skills Monday, Skip to my Lou, Craft O Maniac, Delicate Construction, Ask Anna, New Nostalgia, House of Grace, Sassy Sites, Not Just a Housewife, Today's Creative Blog, My Craftie Life, Sew Much Ado, Seven Thirty-Three, Someday Crafts, A Diamond in the Stuff, My Girlish Whims, Somewhat Simple, Momnivores Dilemma, Paisley Passions, Fun to Craft, Make it, Wear it, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths, What Allie's Making Now, Finding Fabulous, A Little Knick Knack, Mommas Kinda Crafty, Its a Hodgepodge Life, Inspiring Creations, Be Different Act Normal, Wildflowers and Whimsy, Tatertots and Jello, The Idea Room, My Repurposed Life, Sew Many Ways, I Heart Naptime, Thirty Handmade Days, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Itch, Oops I Craft My Pants, Addicted 2 Decorating

{One Little Word} 2012

This is my fourth year of choosing a "word" to focus on for the upcoming year.

This year I really felt like I needed to work on my procrastination.

I tend to work really well under pressure and that leads me to wait until the last minute to start projects. The problem with that kind of process is that when "life" inevitably happens,
and things come up, I end up stressed out and overwhelmed.

*Sigh* When will I ever learn?

I did a search for "Opposite of procrastination" and was surprised to find "Discipline".

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.
If you are disciplined you will do what needs to be done,
when it needs to be done, instead of THE NIGHT BEFORE it's needed.

Definition of DISCIPLINE
1: punishment
2obsolete : instruction
3: a field of study
4: training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
5a : control gained by enforcing obedience or order b : orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior c : self-control
6: a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity

I thought about making that my "word", but it just felt too harsh. I mean, I need more of it in my life, but I wanted a word that would encompass more of who I am growing into.

I prayed for a word that would help me with my specific procrastination problem,
but would also allow for all around growth and improvement.

The word I was given is:
Fruitful

Definition of FRUITFUL
1a : yielding or producing fruit  b :conducive to an abundant yield

2: abundantly productive

I latched onto "Abundantly Productive" to help me with my anti-procrastination goal,
but then I thought about the Spiritual implications of the word and got so excited!

This word is totally perfect for me!

I have had Galatians 5:22-23 on my heart alot lately:
 "22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" (NLT)

These are all things that God has been leading me to increase in my life:
To be Abundantly Productive in my life.
To be filled with the Fruit of the Spirit.
To sow seeds in the hearts of my children and the people around me.

Matthew 12:33 NLT

“A tree is identified by its fruit.

If a tree is good, its fruit will be good.

If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad."

Fruit is the outward expression of the inward nature.

My One Little Word for 2012 is Fruitful.

Here are my One Little Word posts for 2011, 2010, 2009

Do you have a word for 2012? I would love to hear what it is!

{Sing Holy} A Nativity Video

Okay, so I am now allowed to share this sweet little video with you!

It is a nativity video made by some very talented people at our church.

My daughter Brooklyn is Mary and my son Travis is the Cow with the juice box.

Happy Cows drink juice...true story.

Sing Holy from the Stirring on Vimeo.