gettin' my craft on

Jenna and her bridesmaids

My sister's Sara and Jennifer are doing a craft show this summer in their town. Hearing (or reading, rather) their excitement is motivating me to get my own craft on! I have been so frustrated with myself for procrastinating with my Etsy shop and I seriously felt like something was holding me back yet, I couldn't figure out what.

Pretty cupcakes decorated by my mom-in-law and me

I'm trying to get rid of some of my scrapbook supplies--I'm keeping the ones I can still use for packaging and most of my tools--but I'm not having luck. I'd like to sell them because, as anyone who has ever scrapbooked knows, they are expensive! I'm too cheap to drop them off at the nearest thrift shop. I have them on craigslist right now but I realize that isn't the best option for that sort of thing. A garage sale would be best but uh, that's kind of hard when we live in an apartment!

Anyways, the point is, I'm using a desk for my sewing machine that I don't like anymore, it's full of things I don't use, and it's in my bedroom which isn't my favorite place to sew. Other than that, I've been trying to make items that are very size specific and frustrating when I'm still kind of a beginner. Yesterday, I started working on a knit top restyle and I am all excited again! I realize that I should stick to something I can actually do pretty quickly and easily right now. I'm having fun again and hopefully I'll have a few items for my shop soon so it can actually open.

Dave received a gun from the groomsmen.
BTW, look how handsome my husband is, I love that smile! :)

 Until then, I'm trying not to stress about the fact that I already created it and therefore, that date is shown even though I haven't actually started listing yet. (I really wish they would change that.) I'm not setting a date for the 'grand opening' because I'm pretty sure that just makes me procrastinate more. It will happen when it happens. Right now, I'm going to have fun making things that I know how to make!

Pictures are the very few that I remembered to take at the rehearsal dinner.

Keeks and Dan the Man

I cannot believe I forgot to post this! On Thursday afternoon, I was chillin' in my room (we have been keeping our computer in there as a way to cut back on our internet time...not working btw), the windows were open and I heard a very distinct voice yell "Heid!" from the parking lot. There was no mistaking that voice! It was Dan! Keeks had been up north job hunting and Dan was able to tag along. They stopped by for a visit on their way back home.

I love when my sibs stop by!

Just Something I Made

I restyled this dress for the wedding:

I didn't have much time to resize it so I did a few simple changes for the time being. I added a few inches of elastic to the back to bring it in. I would have taken it in the 'right way' but there is a zipper on the side and I didn't want to mess with that just a couple days before leaving town. I rolled the sleeves under to shorten them and added a green sash that I've had since standing in my friend Cindy's wedding--the 'sash' was used to wrap around the stem of my bouquet. I wanted to dress the skirt up a little and shorten it so I tucked the hem under and threw in a few stitches to give it a bubble look. It didn't turn out quite right, I had at least 2 people ask if my skirt was tucked up...embarrassing right? I ripped the stitches out as soon as I got home. This is the only picture I have of the finished (for now) dress.

The Wedding

Photo Credit: Julie Laakso

Out of the 11 days we spent downstate, Saturday the 7th was the "Big Day." Dave and Jenna's wedding was beautiful! She reminded me of Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Really. It took me a while to figure that out but as I look back at pictures, that's all I see!
I cried. I knew I would, I cry at every wedding. I'm so happy for these two and I'm so happy to have another married couple in Jeff's family!
Congratulations again Dave and Jenna!

See more pictures from this amazing photographer here.

Gardening with Grandma L.

Whew! We're finally back home after visiting with our families for a week and a half! Usually by the time we get back from a trip I'm itching to get back into sewing projects but this time I didn't want to come home! I think I'm having house-envy. As in, I-wish-I-had-a-house-envy! It was so wonderful to be outside in the yard every day! Adrian had so much fun and it sure beat the playground for me. It's nice to give him a little freedom that he never gets any other time!
Jeff's parents hosted the rehearsal dinner so we spent several days getting the yard spruced up for that event.
 Adrian helped too!

We made it home last night around 5:30 after stopping at the grocery store to pick something up for supper. I broiled BBQ chicken (3rd time in a week that we've had that, good thing we love it!) and made some quinoa. Not the best supper but I had to run out the door to my friend Heidi's baby shower at 7. Most people would just pick up pizza but Adrian complicates things a little with his wheat intolerance. Oh well! I do what I gotta do!
Now it's back to reality, I'm just glad the sun is making an appearance after last night's thunderstorms!

My Current Wishlist

I would love to try barefoot running. Especially after seeing my brother Wade and his Five Fingers. I bought a pair of Merrell shoes several years ago (if I had to guess, it's probably been 5-6) and I wear them almost every day in cooler weather. You would never know by looking at the soles, they are just starting to show wear. I got them at a steal of a deal and I'm so glad, I might never have tried this brand otherwise. When my current running shoes wear out I definitely plan to buy some barefoot running shoes like this pair.

I really love the fabric print on this simple Anthropologie shirt. I need short sleeves shirts in the worst way! I'm planning to stop by (haha, that's a joke) Salvation Army while we are downstate so wish me luck on finding something for myself! Of course, as you probably already know, I won't be able to buy something and wear 'as-is.' If I could afford to buy all of my clothes at Anthro, I could probably just wear them without changing them! ;)

I had a pair of shorts with a belt like this that could be tied in a bow. I loved them. So much. They are too small, I actually held onto them to make a pattern because I just love everything about the cut. Until I get around to that project, I can drool over this pair from H&M.

I can't remember the last time I bought heels...oh wait, yes I can. I have a pair from Amanda's wedding that I still wear. In fact, I wear them every single week to church. I think it's time for another pair. I can't stop thinking about this pair from Ruche.