A New Year...with 12 big goals!

Resolutions to me are forgotten by January 31.  Goals are something that you really want to accomplish.  This year I'm making my list of 12 goals for 2012. Hopefully each month I'll be able to cross something off my list.

1.  Try my hand at wood working.

Source: Ana White Homemaker

Once I stumbled across Ana White's site, I fell in love with the idea of building my own furniture.  I basically grew up in my grandfather's workshop. I can still hear him kicking me out to get my shoes on before I start working.  (Such a great rule by the way!)  Hubby and I have been looking for some end tables for the guest bedroom and a console table for near the entry door and I've already scoped out which plans I might tackle.  Hopefully, I'll be able to kick hubby out of his garage long enough for me to complete something.

2.  Lean how to free-motion quilt.

Source: The Free Motion Quilting Project

I began quilting this year and have fully completed two baby quilts and currently have two more in progress and one more waiting to get cut out.  I enjoy piecing everything together but I've only been using the stitch-in-the-ditch method. I really want to venture out and try something else.  My mindset of everything has to be even and lined up really must get pushed to the side on this one.  It might be hard but I did run across a website called The Free-Motion Quilting Project that has totally inspired me.

3.  Design a new layout for our Master closet.

It's the new year and all the adds are showing and everyone is talking about organization.  Don't get me wrong, I love our walk-in closet, but I just think we could fancy it up without spending too much money.  I proposed this idea to my husband and being the engineer he is, he want's me to draw it out and compare the current configuration to whatever configuration I design in terms of added linear footage of hanging area and how much space will be available for storage of shoes and our laundry baskets.

4.  Make my Laundry Room a happier place.

I tried to plan this out the summer of 2011, but time ran out, as time usually does.  This year I am setting my sights on making it a happier place.

5.  Take more time for just myself.
We have a jetted bath tub in our master bath.  We've lived in our house for 2.5 years and I've only used it 3 times, literally. For Christmas I got a  bath caddy thing that I can prop my book on and read while soaking (and a slot for a glass of wine, which I will also be using...).  I'm really looking forward to this.

6.  Use home-made cleaners and cleaning products.

Dish detergent and probably laundry detergent are excluded for now, but pretty much everything else we'll try some sort of DIY version.  I saw this great idea for DIY reusable swiffer pads on Pinterest and I hope I can incorporate them into our cleaning routine. Also, I really want our future children to live in an environment without harsh chemicals. Hopefully we enjoy these new products when we run out of what we have now.

7.  Make things in my kitchen gadget drawer easier to find.

I never got dividers from my gadget drawer and I'm kinda glad I didn't, even though I've been suffering for the last 2 years.  My collection of Kitchen gadgets has grown immensely over the last 2 years and I saw a great idea on Pinterest to solve my problem: Homemade Drawer Dividers!  The idea showed balsa wood dividers made to fit exactly how you want.  I just can't wait to get started!

8.  Learn how to grill.
Grilling is definitely my husband's job, but this year I hope to take over and become an expert...especially on steaks.  Hubby always gripes about doing it so I figure, why not just do it myself.  Are there classes on grilling?

9.  Make our Home more Energy Friendly!

I'd like to get some energy saving gadgets to help cut our yearly costs.  I might also get some caulking going, we'll see.  I will be doing some research and learning what to do and what not to do.

10. Incorporate Ergonomics into my work and home life.

I don't sit right at work.  I slouch and stick my legs out and my keyboard height is definitely wrong, but so is my monitor height.  Hopefully this year I can fix that.  I'd like to make myself healthier. Maybe this is your goal also?

11. Work Hard and Play Harder!
This year my work life is going to be CRAZY! Typically I'm on one or two projects at a time.  This year I'm already on 4!  That means I'll need to reward myself!  I'm thinking Vegas AND Disney World.  Let's see how hard I get to play this year!

12. Take Lessons from FLYlady.net

I love the idea of getting into a routine for cleaning and getting things put away.  If you haven't heard of her check it out.  A friend of mine used her method and really recommended it!


So there it is: 12 goals for 2012!  What are some of the goals you have for this year?

Top 10: Fall Decor Wish List

I love Fall!

I love the textures, colors and scents.  My favorite thing about fall is really the leaves.  The colors are just so warm and wonderful.  I'm just glad we don't have big trees at our house yet.  Raking leaves are not my favorit thing.  Hopefully you don't have too many leaves to rake up this year.

I also love decorating my home with the warm colors and wonderful scents of fall.  Here's a few things I just can't wait to get my hands on! I see home decor shopping in my near future!

1. Sphere Table Lamp (west elm, $99)

2. Acorn Vase Filler (Pottern Barn, $14.50)

3. Large Square Farmer's Market Basket (Anthropologie, $20)

4. Metallic Leaf Votive Holders (Pier 1, $7.95)

5. Zambales Tray (Crate&Barrel, $42.95)

6. Rattan Wall Decor (Pier 1, $59.95)

7. Talin Wall Clock (Crate&Barrel, $169.00)

8. Rona Amber Placemat (Crate&Barrel, $9.95)

9. Embroidered Square Pillow (Pier 1, $34.95)

10. Shaded Spruce Chenille Throw (Pier 1, $39.95)

What are some of your favorite things for fall?

Another 25 update!

With only 3.5 months until my birthday, here's an update of my "list" (original post here):

- Lose 15 pounds
        Working on it....I'm down 2 pounds so far.

- Have a date with Joe that includes a picnic

- Bake a pie

        Lemon Meringue Pie from Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke – Made it at my mom’s the weekend I forgot my camera…oops. I’d never made one of these before and everyone who came to the bbq said it was wonderful! Yay me!

- Make homemade spaghetti sauce

- Find a fantastic recipe for salsa and making it with veggies from my garden

        I made salsa just by throwing a bunch of stuff together.  I had about 2 cups peeled fresh tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped onion, 1 chopped jalapeno, 1 clove minced garlic, a little salt, and some fresh chopped cilantro.  It turned out fantastic!!  I can’t wait for more tomatoes to be ready!

- Bake a loaf of bread

- Visit a new city

         Only 30 days until the trip. I just bought tickets to Louisville and Lexington in October to visit my bestie, Danielle.  Even though I’ve been there before to see family, I’ve never explored as a tourist.

- Go to a concert

         Steel Magnolia – June 23

         The Band Perry – June 30

         Gloriana – July 7

         Randy Rogers Band with Reckless Kelly – July 14

         Corey Smith – July 28

         Kenny Chesney – July 30
         Sunny Sweeney - August 4
         Craig Campbell - August 18

- Run a 5K (and train for it first)

         Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – August 14

- Make a menu for the week using my cookbooks, or at least Monday through Wednesday for the whole summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day)

         I definately could have done better here, but I'm not going to complain. I did prepare for Mon-Wed   
         every week.  Sometimes I even prepared for the rest of the week too.  I'm going to keep doing this 
         one.I’m doing a good job prepping for part of the week

- Write notes to friends
         I wrote a couple of notes recently and sent them off.  I am going to do this again soon.

- Make homemade salad Dressing

- Blog at least 1x per week!
         Yeah, not so much.  I tired, but not hard enough.  Definitely need to work harder at this one!

- Volunteer with an organization

         Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Shirt Pick-Ups - August 9 & 12

- Go to church more
         Haven't gone once yet.  Oops.

- Go to a Sporting KC Soccer game at their new stadium (I'm not sure when construction is going to be completed though – Opened June 9)

         Hubby and I went July 23 with some friends from work.  It was crazy hot, like 100 degrees. We were trying not to move and photos slipped my mind, but the stadium was really awesome.  I hope we can go again this season.

- Attend a Play, Symphony, or Orchestra Concert

- Make a little "Welcome" spot for visitors to our house

- Host a dinner party (or a BBQ?)

- Read 2 books a month (any suggestions?)

         June:  The Help, Decision Points

         July: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie…and ? (oops only 1 book!)
         August: Committed and.....? Oops only 1 book again.

- Plan a trip for "just the girls"

         Labor Day Weekend Trip with my Mom and Sister

- Get a pedicure with my mom

         Planning to do on the Girls Weekend Trip (didn't end up getting one on that trip)

- Make a fancy tiered cake (a reason isn't necessary)

- Tailgate at 6 Royals Games

         June 6 vs Toronto Blue Jays

         July 8 vs Detroit Tigers

         We better pick up the pace, season ends in September!

- Ride a motorcycle

Update: While I'm 25...

With only 4.5 months until my birthday, here's an update of my "list" (original post here):

- Lose 15 pounds

- Have a date with Joe that includes a picnic

- Bake a pie

        Lemon Meringue Pie from Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke – Made it at my mom’s the weekend I forgot my camera…oops. I’d never made one of these before and everyone who came to the bbq said it was wonderful! Yay me!

- Make homemade spaghetti sauce

- Find a fantastic recipe for salsa and making it with veggies from my garden

        I made salsa just by throwing a bunch of stuff together.  I had about 2 cups peeled fresh tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped onion, 1 chopped jalapeno, 1 clove minced garlic, a little salt, and some fresh chopped cilantro.  It turned out fantastic!!  I can’t wait for more tomatoes to be ready!

- Bake a loaf of bread

- Visit a new city

         I just bought tickets to Louisville and Lexington in October to visit my bestie, Danielle.  Even though I’ve been there before to see family, I’ve never explored as a tourist.

- Go to a concert

         Steel Magnolia – June 23

         The Band Perry – June 30

         Gloriana – July 7

         Randy Rogers Band with Reckless Kelly – July 14

         Corey Smith – July 28

         Kenny Chesney – July 30

- Run a 5K (and train for it first)

         Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – August 14

- Make a menu for the week using my cookbooks, or at least Monday through Wednesday for the whole summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day)

         I’m doing a good job prepping for part of the week

- Write notes to friends

- Make homemade salad Dressing

- Blog at least 1x per week!

- Volunteer with an organization

         Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Shirt Pick-Ups - August 9 & 12

- Go to church more

- Go to a Sporting KC Soccer game at their new stadium (I'm not sure when construction is going to be completed though – Opened June 9)

         Hubby and I went July 23 with some friends from work.  It was crazy hot, like 100 degrees. We were trying not to move and photos slipped my mind, but the stadium was really awesome.  I hope we can go again this season.

- Attend a Play, Symphony, or Orchestra Concert

- Make a little "Welcome" spot for visitors to our house

- Host a dinner party (or a BBQ?)

- Read 2 books a month (any suggestions?)

         June:  The Help, Decision Points

         July: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie…and ? (oops only 1 book!)

- Plan a trip for "just the girls"

         Labor Day Weekend Trip with my Mom and Sister

- Get a pedicure with my mom

         Planning to do on the Girls Weekend Trip

- Make a fancy tiered cake (a reason isn't necessary)

- Tailgate at 6 Royals Games

         June 6 vs Toronto Blue Jays

         July 8 vs Detroit Tigers

         We better pick up the pace, season ends in September!

- Ride a motorcycle

State {of the} Art

Did you hear about the Pinterest Challenge that Katie over at Bower Power and a few others are doing? You MUST check out their video!  It made me laugh out loud for about 5 minutes. It's hilarious!

I decided to take it on because currently, I have 196 pins! Check out my Pinterest.

It was pretty easy to pick my project and I had everything I needed for it. (Thanks to finding Meredith's comment about her tutorial here)

I was wondering around Pinterest the a while back, saw this and was totally inspired. Joe and I have been looking for something to hang in our master bedroom above our nightstands for about 6 months now.

I fell in love with this beautiful (and genius) art!

I knew it'll be perfect for our bedroom and we already have the paint to complete it. Meredith over at "Welcome to Heardmont" posted her tutorial and it's pretty awesome.

I made two State {of the} Art paintings, Illinois and Missouri. We both grew up in the same area back in Illinois and we also wanted to mark where our home is right now, in Missouri. I used the leftover paint from when we painted our recessed ceiling.  The color matches perfect with our bedspread.  I could really use some work on the curtains in this room, but that's for later.

Here's our room Before:

The art turned out awesome! Meredith's tutorial was so helpful and great to follow, and it only took me about 30 minutes to do both of them! Here's our version:

We opted not to not put any hearts on ours for now.  This might change in the future, but we'll see.  I love them so much as they are.  Here's a picture of them hung up.

and then there were 9....(see my summer top 10 to-do list here.)

Linked at Bower Power's Pinterest Challenge Summer Edition and Hookin Up with HOH #60.

Summer's Top 10 To-Do List

I can't believe it's already halfway through July!  What happened!?!  I've not completed as much as I wanted to off my "House To-Do List".  Things seem to be getting added faster than things are being taken off.  That's just how it is, isn't it?

Almost a month ago, our city (more specifically, our neighborhood) was hit with tennis ball size hail.  Yeah, I said tennis balls.  As I stood in our dining room listening to the hail pelt our house, the only thing I could think was "We just have to sit here and take it. We can't make it stop."  So we now need a new roof, again.   We've lived in our house for 2 years and this will be the 2nd roof we've bought.  Not ideal.  I'd rather be spending that money on things inside such as new counters, new light fixtures, or new carpet.  Oh well, there's always next year.  

I have pretty high hopes for the rest of this year so here's my Summer's 2011 To-Do List:

1. Hanging Stemware Rack

Source

I've always wanted one of these and I think I've got the perfect place to put one in our kitchen.  I'm gonna look for the perfect one, otherwise I might try to build one.  Can you really call it building though, since it's so small?  Hmmm....

2. Blinds for the Bathroom

I really like these bamboo ones in the picture below. I hope I can find some similar for cheap.

Source

3. Re-Do the Laundry Room.

I've got this wonderful paint color from Glidden: Teal Lake for the walls.

I really wanna do a fun pattern, but might end up with some vertical stripes of another shade. I also discovered over at Pinterest that teal is a very popular laundry room color. That makes me happy since I love the color! I'd really love something adorable like this wall decor. I might have to some up with something along these lines since they're so freakin' cute!

Source

5. Dining Room Chair Pillows.

I'm convinced that the two lonely chairs that sit aside our buffet in the dining room need a little something to keep them company, like a pillow.  I'm not really sure how it's gonna work out, but I think it'll look good. We'll see. Here's something similar to what I'm looking for.  I'll probably go with rectangles though. 

Source

6. Organize Master Closet

I dream of it looking similar to this: (chandelier and all!) {btw, I just LOVE this blog}

Source

7. Fabric Storage

I've been looking for a great way to store my fabric so I can still see what I have.  I'd never thought of using shoe organizers.  I'm heading out this weekend to buy some and do this! (Did I mention I love Meredith's blog?).

Source

8. Ironing Board Makeover.

I'd love to give our ironing board a makeover.  Honestly it looks terrible and hideous.  Every time I use it I cringe, which has been happening a lot due to the hours I've been logging in my Sewing Studio. It's so bad I can't even put a picture up!

9. Bench in Bedroom

This in in progress, but I can't wait for there to be a place to sit in our bedroom as well as a place to store blankets, towels, etc.  This one is similar in style to the one hubby is working on.  It's stained to match our bedroom set. I'm trying to decide if I want a cushion on top or not.  

Source

10. State {of the} Art

This is the perfect project for above the nightstands in our bedroom.  I can't wait to get some painting action on.  I even found a tutorial over at Welcome to Heardmont {again, awesome blog}. Here's the link to her tutorial.

Source

Top 10: My Christmas & Birthday List

Well, it's that time of year again.  Time to make wish lists for the 'rents, in-laws and siblings.  Every year this list game becomes more challenging.  It makes me think about things I wouldn't normally buy myself but I would like.  Things on my list typically include sewing or baking items.  These are things I enjoy doing and wish I had more time for.  Since my birthday falls on Christmas, I typically need to begin writing things down in October in order to have enough options to split the list for Birthday AND Christmas. 

This year, I've come up with the Top 10 things I'd love to get.

1. Baby Lock: Sophia2
My poor little Brother machine that I got for Christmas a few years ago just isn't quite cutting it anymore.  After making all those aprons for my "bride-to-be" friends, it's not sounding so great anymore.  Poor thing.  I'd love to start dabbling in embroidery so this little machine would be the perfect starter.

2. Sonia Kashuk Make-up Brushes
In college I bought a set of Sonia Kashuk brushes and LOVE them.  However, I have pretty much warn them out.  Lately, I've noticed a lot of bristles coming out and I just think that the past 6 years has finally taken a toll on them. 

3. Wine Decanter and Journal
My BFF Kelly and I got into wine when we lived together that summer.  We'd go to the store and just pick the bottles that had great labels.  I know, so juvenile of us.  These days I forget which wines I've had and which I should get.  A journal would really help out in this department.  I was visiting Crate & Barrel a few months ago and saw they used a wine decanter to store their wine corks.  I love the look and can't wait to replicate it to decorate the bar cabinet Joe just refinished.

4. Cookie Press
Because I love the spritz cookies my mom makes at the holidays and I'd love to have my own press to make some that are just as delicious.

5. Indoor Weather Station
I'm not quite sure that I would have survived college with out one of these.  Mine happened to die after about 4 years.  I really would love to know the outside temperature before I leave the house in the morning so standing at the bus stop isn't as shocking.

6. Pampered Chef Double Boiler
I have this slight obsession with Pampered Chef products.  Just about everything in my kitchen is from Pampered Chef.  I'm pretty much a walking sales woman for them (even though I'm not a Consultant).  I just LOVE their products.  I have the pot & pans set that this will be perfect for.  I do lots of baking that would be much easier if I had this around.  Yes, there are probably some double boilers out there that aren't as expensive but I'm very much a minimalist and this would take up less storage since I've already got the bottom half.

7. Fiskars Easy Action Pinking Shears
I have a set of scissors in the Easy Action series.  I love the set.  They work so well and are easy on my hands.  They also lock closed so I don't have to to worry too much about them.  Pinking shears would be the perfect addition to my set.

8. Electric Tooth Brush
Well, lets just say I really need one.  I have always taken care of my teeth, so I thought.  Honestly, I try.  Probably even harder than others and still I have too many problems to count.  I just can't seem to get my teeth healthy again.  It all started with a bike ride turned disastrous when I was 6.  Lets just say that one should never face plant into concrete especially one with bad jeans to begin with.  I'm not quite 25 and I've gotten 2 root canals, 1 crown, and 1 crown on the books for next year.  Yikes!

9. Crock Pot Carrier
I saw this when searching for an inexpensive 1.5-3 quart crock pot to add to my appliances.  It just seems so genius.  They're pretty inexpensive and definitely a must if you go to a lot of pot-lucks or parties. 

10. Barefoot Contessa Cookbooks
Can someone really have too many cookbooks?  I think not! Especially if they are ones that have delicious concoctions in them.