Pinterest, pillows & printing

22 Wednesday Aug 2012

Posted by The Lab Mom in Arts and Crafts, Pinterest Ideas, Tips & Tools

Ok, the idea of printing on fabric is not a new concept for me, but sometimes I’m just a little slow on the uptake and I just didn’t transfer this concept. I kept it in a box. But I am in LOVE! Sometimes it just doesn’t take a lot to make me happy and this made me happy.

I found some great vintage graphics at The Graphics Fairy. More than I think I will ever use. I also used a quote from Hans Christian Anderson about music that I happen to love and if you’re old, you’ll recognize where I got the other one from.

Then I followed the tutorial that I found at Domestically Speaking for printing on burlap using freezer paper. It’s a great tutorial. I did have to watch my printer. She’s a little old and cranky. I found that I really needed to make sure the leading edge needed to be securely ironed or she (hmmm… He… It?) wanted to lift it up and deposit ink on that edge or smear ink as it began because of that. If I made sure it was ironed well it didn’t do that. I will also add even if it did get a little ink on it, that added a bit to the “aged” look of the printing.

Once I had them printed it was just a matter of making the pillows. Since they print 8.5″ x 11.5″ in order to go through your printer I made the “Happiness is…” pillow a little larger by adding a border of brown burlap. The others I actually left their actual size because I had made large 18″ square pillows out of the brown burlap. So they became the accent pillows.

It’s a great way to get a popular look with a personal twist. Oh, and how much to make 6 pillows complete with designing, stopping for lunch and letting the dogs out who knows how many times (that is my primary job dontcha know?) One day and about $15 ( have I mentioned I’m horrible at coupons? If I had remembered one it might have been cheaper). I will take that!

CS Lewis Was A Smart Man

07 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by The Lab Mom in Analyzing Infinity, Church, People I'd Like To Meet

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Something I try to always keep in mind.

Wake-up a Sleepy Sandwich

23 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by The Lab Mom in Food Wonderful Food

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I don’t know about you but sometimes I get stuck in a rut. As I’ve tried to eat healthier, sandwiches and lunch seemed the most difficult. I LIKE FOOD. All sorts of food (and psst… I’m a carboholic). I do like whole wheat bread actually but I don’t like light bread. I wanted to reduce my carbs at lunch but I didn’t want to eat a salad everyday either.

One day I’m walking through the store and I see the flat bread section and I think, “Hmmm…. less carbs…” and they have different flavors. So I grabbed a couple.

OH MY GOODNESS!! I picked up the Rosemary & Olive Oil Fold It Flat Bread and I am SO hooked. I haven’t had a bad sandwich on it yet. My favorite is a little turkey, Cabot reduced fat Cheddar Cheese (LOVE this, too – I’ll have to tell you why I can’t survive without it another time), baby portabella mushrooms, lettuce and avocado. But everything tastes good.

So if you’re looking to get out of a rut and to just wake-up your lunch time routine try the Rosemary & Olive Oil Fold It Flat Bread. You won’t be sorry.

(Just for information sake and to be clear, I really was just walking through the store. Flat out didn’t send me anything to review and they have absolutely NO idea who I am or that I like their product.)

Hmm… Is your Roll Ugly??

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by The Lab Mom in Arts and Crafts, Quilting

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Does your TP hang out on the back of your toilet? Is it hiding lonely and unseen under the sink in the cabinet (Ahem)? Are you just dying for a way to make your toilet paper pretty?

Well then here’s the perfect contest for you.

It starts on January on 9th, and there are great prizes involved (both for those of us who are international and Australians). Besides, it’s a chance to exercise your creative muscles and keep them fit and trim.

And wasn’t that one of your goals for the New Year?

Does Anyone Have a Magic Wand?!?

03 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by The Lab Mom in Family

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What I wouldn’t give for a magic wand at the moment. Ok, ok. Maybe I wouldn’t give up my children or even pay a whole lot of money, but it sure would make some things easier. And I’m pretty sure I want them easier.

Have I mentioned that we’re moving ? No? Yep. We’re headed to the DC area. It was a surprise to us, too. It’s a good thing and we’re excited about it. But there is A LOT to do!! Hence the reason I’d like a magic wand at the moment.

If I had a magic wand I could wave it and *poof* boxes packed! A flick of the wrist and *presto* House sold! Swwwish and *TAAAda* we’ve moved into our new house – with everything unpacked of course.

Of course, knowing me, I’d end up with something much closer to the Sorcerer’s Apprentice with the first wave of the wand. Brooms and Mops everywhere with my dishes landing in a broken heap!

Oh well…. Nice thought while it lasted. I guess I’ll stick with the old fashioned method and be patient. *UHn* I’m NOT GOOD at being patient!!!!

New Year, New Word… Just One Word… Any Word..

28 Wednesday Dec 2011

Posted by The Lab Mom in Family

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Instead of picking one or two (or twenty – I need lots of work) goals to focus on for the year a few years ago I started choosing one word. It worked pretty well. Every now and then the word would pop into my head (or sometimes I would get smacked with it or beaten with it) as a gentle reminder of what I was trying to achieve. It never affected just one area. One little word managed to wind itself into many aspects of my life. It kept me on my toes looking for opportunities of improvement, until by the end of the year I am a little sad to see that one little word go when it’s time to choose the next one.

But it is time. Last years word won’t disappear. It just fades a bit into the background. It was a great word. I’m really looking forward to next year’s word now. It’s going to be a great year.

What about you? Do you set goals or is one word more your style?

What a Crazy Roller Coaster

16 Sunday Aug 2009

Posted by The Lab Mom in Church, Family, Topic Hopping

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…. or sometimes I’d like to know what the Lord is up to…. (but I’ll get to that in a moment)

When I last left you the week began on a sad note. That week only got worse. I really do try not to be too attached to things. I promise. But when I was rear-ended by an E250 van I was SO happy I was driving a truck. You’ll never, NEVER get me to drive a small car. EVER. Sorry. And I do love my truck (her name is Maid Marian -crazy I know) and she is now back to being beautiful again – new hitch, bumper fixed, frame straight again (yes it bent the frame). And I was able to drive her to Girls Camp.

We had an amazing time at Girls Camp this year. Our theme was “Experience the Change” from Alma 5: 13-14 and we used butterflies as our “Mascot” for the week. The great part about it was the girls worked hard to do what needed to be done. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to go next year because my brother is getting married and I think it will be the same week, but I’ll be there the year after. I love camp!

Back from camp and we jumped in to adopting a dog. We found a fabulous rescue organization. Can I just say if you’re looking at getting a pet, please search your area for a local group that is doing animal rescue. You may find you get more information than you would adopting from the SPCA about the pet and it has been a great experience for our family.

Maggie is an absolutely wonderful 2 year old chocolate lab and we just love her already. She has so much personality. She makes us laugh all the time. She fits right in with our family – she’s just as crazy as the rest of us!

So what’s with the roller coaster? All of that is up right? The truck is fixed, Girls Camp was fantastic, fabulous new family member – where’s the loop -d- loops?

I got a new calling. Let me tell you having your husband as the Stake President Executive secretary gets interesting when he walks into the living room and tells you “We need to be at church a little early to meet with….” and I KNEW it was for me! I got cold and clammy. He asked if it would help if he listed all of the callings that currently needed to be filled? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! NO!

But of all of the callings that went through my head in the time I had to think about it I never once thought of the words that were uttered.

Early Morning Seminary Teacher. I blinked. Really.

See. I don’t think about the fact that I’ve been driving my children for Ohhh…. 6 years now. So it’s habit to be up at that time whether I drive them or not. I went to seminary when I was High School. Sure.

But Seminary Teachers know stuff. I don’t. What is the Lord thinking? What is he up to. Sometimes I just don’t know. I do love that we’re teaching the Book of Mormon this year – and the Doctrine and Covenants will be next year. And while there are times I get frustrated with the “kids” (they’re not kids) – They are amazing. I’ve known most of them since they were Primary age and I’m So proud to see the Men and Women they are growing up to be.

Talk about feeling humbled…..

And sometimes, Old Dogs get tired….

08 Wednesday Jul 2009

Posted by The Lab Mom in Family

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Sometimes, when an old dog gets tired there are many things they still want to do and just can’t. You can see it in their eyes. Sometimes they try. They get a little beside themselves with excitement and forget for a moment that they’re old. It hurts. Because you remember when they could.

Sometimes, even though the mind is willing, the body says, “I’m done.” Our Old Dog was still happy, her tail wagging when we came down to her to pet her, but her body (at 15 years old) was simply tired and it was time to say good-bye.

I would like to think someone was already there throwing a tennis ball for her to catch – or maybe she finally caught that rabbit she was constantly chasing in her sleep.

She was loved and we know she always knew it.

The Sparkle of Simple Things

05 Sunday Jul 2009

Posted by The Lab Mom in Family, Photography

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Sometimes, it just the simple things that matter. Hamburgers, hotdogs, grilled corn-on-the-cob with watermelon to top it off. The whole family home for dinner. And Fireworks to top off the day.