.

A year ago I took on a challenge to start a blog and post often.
There was no way I could have predicted loving it.
Rachelle of tinkerlab suggested the blog challenge to make 2012 more creative.
Starting the blog pushed me in ways I would have never thought.

Can't believe it will be 2013 but the new year is already looking to hold more.

stockings

They are finally hung by the chimney with care.

I had a vision for them, but as with most things this year, it took awhile for the vision to become a reality. Now that they are done and hung up, I am loving the outcome.

Mae is so into Christmas this year and was stoked.

I scoured the local Goodwill for thrifted sweaters and then cut two layers and serged them together, adding a hanger at the end. I added letters for each of us, instead of adding entire names. I love that they are huge and knit, making them easy for Santa to fill.

advent- keeping it real

Two years later....and this advent calendar is complete and functional.

Seriously, it was two years ago when Jill over at Homemade by Jill did an advent sew along and made this calendar. I started sewing along and then Christmas 2010 came and went and mine wasn't complete. I had great intentions to get it done last year as well, but once again this didn't happen. (I wish I could say not finishing a project is a rare occasion but that would be a blatant lie. I actually have an entire bucket dedicated to 'finish me' projects. )

I switched mine up a bit, in that I used magnets to hang the ornaments, so they can easily be moved. This has also come in handy for Case, whose sole purpose in life is to destroy all things in his path. He can just swipe them all to the ground, without breaking buttons and thread.

I also decided on a bit of a different layout and am loving the rectangle tree. I am kicking myself that I didn't add some sort of built in hanger. Our walls are impossible to get anything into so was planning on using 3M strips but they aren't super sticky on fabric, especially with two little boys pulling on it.

So maybe by next year it will have a legit hanger. Or let's be realistic, 2014?

echo

As I get set to return to school tomorrow morning, I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a pit in my stomach.

After the attack in Connecticut on Friday my mind is in so many places.

It feels safe to say the entire United States has felt the ripples of one young man's actions.

I have gone to bed each night since, with these words in my mind:

     "I lift up my eyes to the mountains--
      where does my help come from?
      My help comes from the LORD, 
      the Maker of heaven and earth."
                                 Psalm 121 

As I continue to pray this prayer tonight, I hope it will echo.

leggings

Hi!

So I took a math position back in the elementary school and am absolutely loving it.
I have been sewing some, but mostly thinking lots about math.

This little boy is growing like a weed!
And growing out of all of his clothes so quickly.
I decided he needed some new pants and when I ran across this tutorial over at ISLY I knew it was perfect. They sewed up super quick and there is nothing better than a boy in leggings, I think!

I added mismatched striped cuffs, simply to add some detail.
I am now on the hunt for thrifted jersey to make some more.

Hoping to share a few Christmas project next week. Can't believe it's already mid-December.
Happy Friday!

thankful

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It is raining here. A lot.

It woke me at two this morning as it beat on the windows.

It also woke Mae. As I sat with him and listened to the storm, my heart was full of thanks.

We are so very blessed, in more ways than I can explain.