Heather Ann Melzer

Chippin' away

I'm still working on the girls' surprise room redecorating project. I have a huge to-do list for it and have been chipping away at it as much as I can each week. I finished their bed pillows last week and I'm really happy with how they turned out. Their room is going to be so much more colorful when we're done - much more "them". It would be so much easier to visualize the room if I put things in as I finished them, but that would take away from the shock and awe, and I'm not willing to do sacrifice that just yet. I'm going to keep plugging away at the list and hopefully we'll be ready to make it over in the next couple of weeks. Tom's been working on projects here and there for it, too - it's definitely been a team effort.

I also had an aha moment last night, too. My son has recently become completely obsessed with all things Spider-Man, and I remembered the cool Spider-Man room goodies that Pottery Barn was selling not too long ago. It looks like I missed the boat on most of it, although I did find this totally awesome mural on Ebay. That in itself really does the room, I think. I'm going to wait until he moves into his big boy bed to redo anything, and I'm in no hurry for that to happen, so I have plenty of time to mull it over. He might move on to something completely different by then anyway. Although, I hope not. I've always been a huge fan of Spidey and there are some really inspiring room designs out there. I might have to move in myself - lol.

I've been busy working on more Halloween banners, too, and should have them ready to ship by mid-week. If you emailed me or left a comment that you'd like one, I've got your name on a list and will put up a reserved listing/email you when they're ready. I'm so glad you guys like them - they certainly are getting me in the Halloween spirit!

Back to work I go, and getting ready for Kenzie's first day of school tomorrow. I think I'm more nervous than she is! At least I convinced her to let me drive her the first day since she has so many supplies to bring in.

All Hallows' Eve Banner

 

I had SO much fun putting these together. I love the classic, vintage look of flag banners and when I saw that gorgeous orange damask fabric, I knew I had to put together a Halloween bunting that I could use for years to come. Of course then I couldn't stop at just one, so I have a few available for purchase in my shop.

The banners measure 9' long and would be so fun across a porch (think trick-or-treaters) or on a mantel (like mine below), or in a child's room, or across a room for a Halloween party, or in strewn across a family room table. Each banner has about 18.5" of tie on either side so you can tie it in place or tack it up to secure.

The kids have been Halloween crazed ever since I hung ours up, and I had so much fun pulling out my decorations. That crow was the smartest purchase I ever made, I think. Halloween makes me happy.

Change for the better

I've been so excited about some changes I've made to my blog and keep forgetting to mention them, so while it's on my mind...

First, I've added some categories to the left there, based on my blog post topics.  I haven't sorted all of my past posts by category yet, but I've done a fair amount. I plan to go back all the way and sort the posts to make topics easier to find. It's also helped give me some direction, in terms of the things I blog about.  The list reflects my current obsessions and will evolve as my obsessions do. (Although, I think my current obsessions could keep me more than busy for the remainder of my days on this earth!)

The second change is the addition of Typepad Connect, which I'm loving. I can reply to your comments and they'll appear directly below yours.  YOU can also reply to other reader's comments, so, we can have discussions - so exciting!

If you create a free Typepad profile and upload a photo, it will appear when you leave comments (which I love!).  I love seeing your faces!  So create your profile and leave a comment to say hello so I can "see" you! Or if there's anything you'd like to chat about or ask today, feel free to post and me/others can answer. 

I know I have SO much on my mind this week. Kenzie had her last day of school last Friday (the school she's been at since she was 6 weeks old - sigh). She's spending this week with my parents (having the time of her life) before she starts real school next week - the plunge into 1st grade. So, we're busy getting ready for that, and finishing up some huge projects I have at work, and crafting, crafting, crafting. I sent in my first craft show application today and I'm SO excited about it. It isn't until November 7th, so I have plenty of time to get ready, but it's occupying a large portion of my thoughts this week. I have so many things I want to create for it - can't wait to find time to play.

Hair cuteness

 

I had a busy, busy work weekend and it feels great to have some pretty new things up in my shop this morning because of it. My girls love wearing these fun ponytail holders. They're made using pretty designer fabrics on 7/8" buttons with attached ouchless ponytail holders. And they arrive in personalized gift tins, which make them great for gift-giving.  Just let me know the recipient first initial at checkout, and I'll customize a tin just for them - free of charge :)

I hope you like them!

Little helpers

I was surfing around the internet the other day and happened upon an adorable chore chart kit, made by the very talented Kate Hadfield and Jacque Larsen. I've been wanting to make something like this forever, but never got around to it and the kit made it too easy to pass up.

These are the charts I created for Katie and Kenzie by selecting the pictures that correspond with the chores I've chosen for them. The charts almost identical, except Kenzie's responsible for emptying the dishwasher every morning and Katie has to feed Sebastian breakfast and dinner (since I'm on lunch duty). When they complete a task, we put a star in the box for that day. If they have stars in all of the boxes at week's end, they'll get a cash allowance (we're debating $5, although I'm not sure yet).

So far it's been amazing. Clothes are in the hamper, beds are made, and I have NO dishes in my sink (it's actually really easy to fill the dishwasher when it's empty all day long!)  They've also been great about picking up their toys this week, so the house is much more pleasant to be in (except for the fabric, thread, and pattern pieces that have taken over the dining room table (yikes).

I'm going to work hard to keep up with it and keep them excited about it. The $ incentive is even more enticing to them since they received a mystery package in the mail from Tom's Aunt and Uncle in Florida. They were very generous and got the girls something they've been pining for...

And now they're dying to get extra clothes and accessories for them, so they're willing to do whatever it takes to make the money to get them. It might take them awhile, but learning the value of a dollar is a valuable lesson. Let's hope they stay motivated long enough to see the reward!

Winners!

 

Here's a screen shot of the random #'s selected to determine our winners:

If you're one of our lucky winners, please email me to claim your prize!  Thanks for playing, everyone! :)

Photo Book Giveaway

Our friends at Shutterfly have just come out with some very cool Soft Cover Photo Books and have donated some for me to giveaway - thanks, Shutterfly! 

The new photo books come in a variety of sizes and are priced starting at just $12.99 for a 20 page book (and only $10.39 with their current 20% off promotion!).  I think these would make great gifts or fun little event albums for kids.  They've also come out with a new hard cover option for their 8x11 hard cover books.

Up for grabs are codes for the following:

(2) 5x7 soft cover photo books

(2) 7x9 soft cover photo books

(2) 8x8 soft cover photo books

(2) 8x11 hard cover photo books

Just leave a comment on this post by 8am tomorrow (Thursday) morning to enter!  One comment per person - winners will be verified.  I'll do a random drawing tomorrow morning and post the winners soon after.

Good luck! :)

Matilda Movie Night

 

 

We picked up this movie for $5 at Target last week and as soon as I saw the bow in her hair I had a nice, quick idea for a movie night treat. Jack has been sick with a stomach bug he caught at school, so the doctor has him off dairy for awhile and is encouraging a loose BRAT diet, so we had banana nut muffins with vanilla frosting and big red bows. I don't think the kids touched the muffins, but they sure did enjoy the frosting (surprise surprise).

The movie was very cute and not at all what I expected. The kids were entranced and said that we should dress up as their family for Halloween next year. (Of course, I have to be the mean principal. No credit, I tell ya). The kids decided on their Halloween theme months ago and I've been researching their costumes ever since. Kenzie's will most likely be purchased and then I'll sew Katie and Jack's. I have a super cool vision in my head of them coming together - I just hope they work out as well as last year's.

I've actually had Halloween, in general, on the brain for weeks. I've been making all kinds of Halloween goodies and just need to find time to put them in my shop. My sewing machine's been running 'round the clock making accents for the girls' room redo, a skirt for myself, fun goodies to put up on Etsy, and this morning I started a jumper for Kenzie (1st grade starts 2 weeks from today!). The reviews weren't so great, so I'm thinking of altering the pattern a bit. That should certainly add some excitement to my day - lol.

Little star

I think he exploded the cuteness meter with this one...

Twirly skirts

 

These were a lot of fun to make and even more fun for the girls to wear. At first I thought they were a little too flouncy, but when I saw the bounce it added to their step, it all became clear to me - little girls and twirly skirts are apparently made for each other.

There are tons of tutorials online on how to make these - this is one of my favorites. It involves a little bit of algebra, so have your calculator handy. I used fabric that was on mega clearance at Joann's for these and have tons more fabric lined up to go skirt crazy for the fall. I think they'll be so easy paired with leggings and t-shirts, and the girls always prefer wearing skirts to anything else.

The girls wore these to school on Wednesday while Tom, Jack and I attended a memorial service for my nephew, Mason, who my sister was 5 months pregnant with. They lost his heartbeat last week and she delivered him last weekend. I can't imagine a more difficult thing for anyone to have to go through and my heart has been aching for her this week. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers - I can't tell you how much they were appreciated.