Ferrys and Freeways

This weekend was crazy. Travis was in Dallas on business on Thursday and Friday. I actually realized on Wednesday that I had the next Monday off work. So, I decided to drive to Rockwall to see my family and then just drive back with Travis. I say "drive to Rockwall" like it takes 20 minutes...ha! It's actually 6 hours each way.

I got to spend time with my SIL and MIL working on wedding invitations for my SIL's wedding in May. I helped design the invite and coordinate the papers, etc. I helped with the maps, and I may have a tutorial on how those are done in the future. They turned out really cute!

She has a very creative eye and designed her own response cards, labels, and programs! 

In other news: I'm always skeptical about new shoe styles. I've always been this way. Last summer when "top-siders" came back I could not fathom spending $75 on one pair of shoes. Especially since I wasn't sure if I'd actually wear them much. 

The solution? "Ferrys" 

Shoe Carnival :: Solstice-leather

The term "Ferrys" comes from a combination of the words "faux" and "Sperrys." Turns out...I loved them! Wore them just about to death. 

Today, I decided it was time for some new ones. I made my way to Shoe Carnival (I'll explain this later). Browsing through the Ferrys it struck me. Why not just buy Sperrys? $75...that's why. 

Shoe Carnival :: Bluefish-leather

But wait! I'm at Shoe Carnival. Quick price check, and they actually sell for $59.99. Hold up. What's that I just heard over the loudspeaker? "Take $10 off any pair of shoes over $49.99 purchased in the next 10 minutes." 

Yes, please, and thank you. I've never made a faster decision when purchasing shoes. Done and done. Final purchase with tax was $54.11. Ferrys would have cost me $43.28. So...for true-to-life name brand Sperrys, I paid $10.83 more. Worth it? Time will tell. 

Flower Pins

So, it's been a while since I've posted on here. Here are some projects I've been working on.

There are literally hundreds of tutorials for and DIYers out there making fabric flower hair/accessory clips. For some reason I always thought, "Yeah, those are cute, but I don't think I can really wear them." So...in true me-fashion, I decided to make one for someone else. My lovely sister-in-law is getting married in May, and I wanted to send her some sweet gifts in the next few weeks in preparation for the wedding.

After making them I realized they're actually really cute. I tried a few on, and I think I'm going to give them a shot this coming work-week.

Here was my first attempt at a cute one. This one actually went to a co-worker for her birthday!

Perhaps I'll wear this one to a game... Wreck 'Em Tech!

 My khaki and black pin for work.

 It's really not that bright. I think I'll wear it with red shirt and brown pants...

 Some fun white flowers.

Fabulous Family

Travis and I have been thoroughly blessed with a great family. Both of our families are so close, and we definitely make tons of memories!

First Christmas this year was with the Morton/Lincoln/Wells Christmas Eve Extravaganza!

The whole gang! 

 Pops with daughter and granddaughters!

 Nonnie with daughter and granddaughters!

 Sisters!

College hand signals. 

(I do believe I have the best one!)

Next up was the Wells/Harbison Christmas Morning Magic!

Love how the boys couldn't stand to put their food down...even for pictures!

Another Diaper Cake!

Over the Christmas holidays I was blessed with spending some time with my sister-in-law and mother-in-law. We put together a diaper cake for my SIL's best friend. Her little boy Kolby is already so loved!

We went with a blue and brown polka-dot theme, and I think it turned out wonderfully! I am so fortunate to have married into such a wonderful family. We had a blast over Christmas!

Christmas Decorations

So I know I'm a little late posting about my Christmas decorations, but I still love them. Here they are!

Front Door
This is a new bow wreath I made this year. I really like the overall look, but I want to make another one with ribbon that better matches my style.

Tree!
My tree is a mixed pine from good old HobLob. This is our first Christmas tree as a family. Last year (our first Christmas married) we didn't have a tree. I saved all my money from my "crafting budget" for November/December (oh yeah...all $50) and went shopping on the day after Christmas with my Mom. We shopped our hearts out and I got a ton of great deals at stores like Target, HobLob, Dollar Tree, Walmart, and Pier 1. Packed it all away after we got back to the LBK. We ended up purchasing our tree for 40% off in October. I was a bit paranoid that they would run out of my favorite tree.
This November, it was like Christmas came early! I got to "unwrap" all my new ornaments and decorations. Of course, I added a few new homemade ornaments and a topper to my tree, but overall it didn't cost me more than $75 to decorate the whole tree and make the rest of my decorations!

Stocking Holder
I wanted a cool stocking holder since we don't have a fire place. I looked and looked for what I wanted but found it nowhere. So....I decided it was just time to give up for this year and make one. I used my silhouette cutter to cut stencils for the wording.
$3 plaque + FREE paint + FREE hooks = $3 Stocking Holder!

Presents
I love using a theme for the wrapping of my presents. My current theme (2 years running) is black, white, & red (Wreck 'Em Tech!). I have used fabric bows for the past two years thanks to the two little munchkins running around (Mr. Baxter & Mr. Winston) who will chew/eat ANYTHING plastic. Simple tied bows are sometimes the most elegant!

More Shoes and some Quilting

So, since my last update about mod podging shoes, I've got a tad crazy. Two pairs (three total) later, I think I'm done for now. I made a cute one-outfit shoe and another good basic pair. Pictures to come later.

My newest adventure has been creating a rag quilt. A few weeks ago I decided I'd be proactive and go get a quilt for football season. You see, when the Wells family goes to a Texas Tech football game (and we go to all of them), you stay.

You    stay    the    whole    time.

Even in rain or snow. So off I went in search of my next football preseason purchase. Holy cow! I found a super cute quilted throw at a bookstore. Guess how much it cost? $119! I was floored. I have to have a cute blanket...but I'm pretty sure Travis would kill me if my cute blanket cost that much. Next option. A very cheaply made "throw." I use the term lightly because it was falling apart and stiff as a board.

Ok. Enough. Time to make my own. I've seen a few rag quilts around blogland--mainly for baby blankets. But what about for a tailgating blanket for a grown woman? There are quite a few 80's reminiscent results if you google rag quilts. There are also a couple that look promising. I figured I'd give it a try. Couldn't be that bad, right?

So    stinkin'    cute.

Here was the first stage. Laying hundreds of pieces all over my kitchen table. To make sure it looks good, of course. I ended up using regular cotton fabric for the front and flannel for the backing. I wanted a heavier/warmer quilt than cotton-only. The flannel also frays quite nicely. I ended up spending maybe $50 which included all the material, thread, a new rotary cutter, and a pair of "rag quilting" scissors.

Then began the sewing. Oh my the sewing. Lots of red thread later I had a quilt that didn't look very rag-like.

After clipping all the edges and washing/drying a couple of times, I ended up with this little lovely.

My only tip in addition to all those out there in blogland is to shake off your quilt outside after washing but before drying. This took off a lot of those little strings that "fray" in the wash. Saved my dryer.

Verb Form of Mod Podge

Well, I've seen a number of super cute shoes out in blog land that were revamped with mod podge. So...I wanted to give it a try! There are a ton of great tutorials out there, but ultimately I sat down with the fabric, mod podge, shoes and a razor and went at it.

I guess the verb form of mod podge would be "mod podging"?

Left: Cute zebra-striped shoe that had a funny rubbery texture. This pair got way too dirty way too fast.
Right: Super-cute new mod podged shoe with fun fabric from HobLob.

See how ugly the zebra shoes got?

Don't judge me.

We'll have to wait and see if they hold up to wear & tear. I'm thinking of putting a clear coat or scotch guard on them to attempt water-proofing.

Tomorrow we're attacking our guest bathroom. Texture is done...ready for paint!