Where we live... {Photography}

Two years ago we decided to purchase a home in the outskirts of town... near cow fields to be exact. We are surrounded by cow pastures. This was something new to me. Growing up I lived in apartments and town-homes, and had never lived near live stock. I would only see farm animals when I would drive down to Florida on vacation with my family. However, Mr. Woodsy grew up surrounded by live stock and other wild animals. Well, that is after Mr. Woodsy moved from New York City at age 6! He went from city slicker to country boy.


Each spring I look forward to the births of calfs in the pastures. In the months leading up (February-March) I constantly stare into the cow fields on our drives to and from work. Searching to see if any calfs have been born yet. I would say the first calfs this year were born toward the end of March, and each day there after on our way  home from work I would comment to Mr. Woodsy that I needed to bring my camera with me one day and take some photographs of the cows. 


Last week, I took my camera to work to photograph our Co-Ed Craft Lunch, and as we were driving home and we passed the first of many cow pastures I remembered I had my camera on me. I screamed (and {I think} startled Mr. Woodsy) asking to pull over so I could take some pictures of the baby cows (as I like to call them). 

This picture was taken at the second cow pasture we pass on our way home from work. This was my only successful photo at pasture number 2. I hopped back in the truck and we drove towards home hoping to stop at pasture number 3. 

This picture was the first photo taken at the third cow pasture. I photographed the "baby" cows across the street since I was afraid I would startle them... sure enough I did as I walked closer to the fence (across a some-what busy road). 

After I started approaching the baby cows they swiftly walked to their parents (or other adult cows) for comfort and protection.  

This hay caught my eye and I had to photograph it. I absolutely LOVE this photo! 

This auburn cow was my favorite of the day. It would not stop staring at me and wouldn't stop "mooing"... alerting all the other cows that something was nearby. 

So, what do you live near? Cow fields, the city, beach, etc? 

Co-Ed Craft Lunch: Comic Book Keychain/Necklace Pendants

This past Wednesday I conducted our first ever co-ed craft lunch at work. Yes, that's right, you read it correctly; co-ed. The men always make fun of us women for our craft lunches, but we all know that deep down inside they are jealous of our craft projects. When I ran across these comic book necklace pendants at Punk Projects I knew this would be our first co-ed craft project at lunch. I immediately sent the invite via entourage and just as I suspected I got quite a bit of positive feedback. 

Since the pendants are small I went to the store prior to our lunch and bought the chip board (we used a matte board since Michael's did not have chipboard), contact paper, and I brought the jump rings and necklace rope from home. All I asked is that everyone contributed one dollar towards to cost of supplies and that everyone either a.) bring their own comic book to cut up b.) print off comic book pages from the internet. Everyone went with option "b" and a few of the ladies decided to opt out of comic books and pull from the pages of there favorite magazines! 

This is a super simple 10 minutes project. First, you will want to cut out your chip board. Then you'll want to cut out your comic (about 1/4-1/2 inch longer/wider than your chip board). Next, you will cut out contact paper that is about 1/4-1/2 inch longer/wider than your comic. Remove the paper off the contact paper and place your comic strip face down on sticky side (make sure its well centered). Then you'll want to cut slits in the corners with a pair of scissors, and start folding over your comic/contact paper on the chip board. Take a thumb tack and poke a hole in the pendant, with pliers attach one to two jump rings, add necklace or key ring if desired. You could skip the hole and jump rings and make this a magnet!

Sarah, from While They Snooze and Karen were concentrating as they constructed their pendants. 

I love how Karen's pendant turned out (and this photo)! 

Here is a picture of what Sarah's (non comic book) pendant looked like. 

Here is a picture of my pendant (sans the jump rings and necklace string). 

Kristi, from The "Unknown" Florida opted for the non-comic pendant as well. 

Thomas cutting out the contact paper for his first "keychain". 

Here is Thomas with his second "keychain"! He even grabbed materials to make a third!

Derek was hard at work making a necklace pendant for his daughter. 

Time to cut the corners and start folding the paper! 

Isn't this darling? What five year old wouldn't love this!?!? 

Here I am modeling my new comic book necklace. 

A close up. 

Hope you will give this easy project a try!

What's Up Wednesday's {Link Party} & Features

Well, I think it's just about officially summer here in Florida. One of my goals this summer is to not spend all of our free time indoors working on house projects. Subsequently, that means not a lot of crafting. Although during the week nights after work I plan to get my fill of craft projects! Needless to say, the chair was not worked on this past weekend, but tracing around the fabric, a few cuts, and two straight hems were accomplished last night! 

I must admit, I'm a proud mama of this blog! Not only were we featured on Craft Gossip last week, we had over 70 amazing crafts linked! Here are a few of my favorites from last week. If you were featured, please grab a button and display it proudly on your blog!

A Little Princess Hairdo Hat from Sew Can Do

She's at it again with what I'd like to call the cutest hat to date! How adorable is this princess hairdo hat??? 

Foot Stool Transformation from Casa de Elliott

If your looking to recover an old foot stool or even make one, this is a great tutorial to follow! 

A Meandering Quilt from While They Snooze

Although, many of you know that this is a dear friend of mine I couldn't resist not showing off her AMAZING quilt she made for her third nephew! Honestly, one would think that she has been making quilts all her life! AMAZING work, Sarah!!!

Upcycle t-shirt from Easypeasy Grandma

I always love the upclyced shirt, and have yet to make one. I love the flower rosettes she added to this plain jane shirt! 

Diagonal Sweater Handbag from Show Tell Share

I love the idea of taking an old sweater and turning it into a handbag! 

I only typically feature 5 projects, but I couldn't leave out this carseat makeover! 

Carseat Makeover from Morning by Morning Productions 

I can't even imagine recovering a carseat... the patience's you have is golden! I'm not sure if I could ever do a recover like this! Great job!!! 

Rules for the link party:

-Please make sure you're following us (we'll follow you back as long as you leave us a comment telling us that you're a new follower)!

-PLEASE display our party button either on your home page or on your post. 

-Make sure your link is to your specific post and not your main URL & add a short description.

-Please try to view and/or follow at least two other participants. 

-You can enter as many craft projects as you'd like. (No recipes!)

-No advertising please (that means etsy). 

-Entering into this party gives us the rights to blog about and feature your blog post. 

iPhone Sleeve {Mini Tutorial}

A few week's ago I wanted to make my mom a new iPhone sleeve for her birthday. Last year, upon request from her, I put together this pathetic looking sleeve. Last month,  when she pulled that pathetic looking sleeve out of her purse I desperately wanted her to put it back in her purse... actually, I wanted to throw it directly in the trash. Not only was it super dirty (*note to self never make a sleeve out of white fabric), it was to small for the phone, and poorly constructed. That's when I knew that I needed to make a new iPhone sleeve for her. Before I just slapped one together, I decided to search the internet to see if there were any tutorials that may be able to guide me a bit better than my first attempt. Sure enough, I stumbled upon Erin's Blog (Dog Under My Desk), who just so happens to be a fellow Yorkie lover. She has an awesome downloadable PDF that really lays everything out in detail! However, I did a few steps/techniques differently.

The basic supplies you will need are (2) pieces of fabric 10-3/4" x 4", Fusible interfacing (cut smaller than fabric), scrap of batting (I didn't have any of this--so I omitted), coordinating smaller piece of fabric (2-1/2" tall x 2"), split ring (didn't have this on hand, so I removed it off of the beer bottle opener), thread, chalk line, pins, scissors, ruler, iron, etc...  *I happened to have all the supplies on hand, so this project cost me very little; however, if I was to add it all up I would probably say it would cost the average person around $5 (rough estimate).

This was the first time I sewed with fusible interfacing. I read the directions, I used the damp cloth, and it didn't adhere. That's when I decided to take a risk and iron it right on... that seemed to do the trick; however, I had to be a bit careful that it wouldn't come undone. Anyone have tricks for using this finicky material? I also only had lightweight... and didn't understand why Erin had 3 pieces pictured (now after looking at her PDF and reading the directions AGAIN, I realize she was also using batting).

Like I wrote above, we didn't have a key ring on hand, so I just found one that wouldn't be (that much) missed to use for this project. I happened to have a piece of coordinating pink fabric to pair with the sleeve. 

I folded thie 2.5 x 2" piece in fourths and stitched around the edge. 

Once the edges were sewn, I folded this in half (placing the key ring in the middle), and pinned it to the fabric. I pinned the right sides of the fabric together, and placed the key ring facing down. 

I carefully sewed around the edges (leaving a 3 inch space on one side). 

This is what it looked like when it was sewed around the edges (you'll noticed I left a few inch gap in the middle to be able to flip the right sides of the fabric out). 

Turn it rightside out. Fold the sleeve in half, pin, and sew around the edge (leaving an opening for iPhone to slide in). After I did a basic straight-stitch around the edge I added the decorative stitch to each side. 

Here is a view of the decorative stitch I used. 

Here is a side view to show it's thickness. 

Headphones are plugged in and music is on! 

Here is an aerial view of the iPhone sleeve.

This is what the inside of it looks like! 

I realize that there are some imperfections to this sleeve; however, it's 100 times better than my first attempt. Plus, no one's perfect--that's what makes us all unique! 

Don't be intimidated to try this beginners sewing project out.

{Winner} SINGER® Sewing Prize Pack

Wow, first off, thank you to all 60 entries! This is the most participation we've had by far which means that more contest are in your future! Last week I told you that I'd be giving away free sewing patterns, thread, and coupons to one lucky reader.  Because we had so much participation and I'm feeling very giving I am going to give away a second set of patterns, thread, and coupons!!!

The first winner is: 

Kelli from Living in a Monsters World

AND the second winner is... 

Jamie from Walkin' in High Cotton

Please email us with your full name and address and we will send out your patterns, thread, and coupons! The coupons expire by the end of the month, so the sooner you email me the sooner your packages will arrive! 

*Remember that you have until Friday at midnight to link up your awesome craft projects for the week! 

What's Up Wednesday's {Link Party} & Features

Wow, another Wednesday has arrived! Mr. Woodsy got crafty over the weekend. He started taking a part the plain cream chair in our craft room, so we can begin to start recovering it with the new fabric. I'm kind of glad he jump started this project. It's only been sitting in our office for a good 6 months now. If you follow us on Facebook you will see the progress of the chair! We are currently in the cutting fabric and pining stage! Hope to have it finished by the end of this weekend. Once it's finished--if I have any remaining fabric I'd like to make a sewing machine cover and if at all possible a cricut cover as well!


*Just a reminder we are giving away a Singer Sewing Prize Pack! Please make sure you enter by Wednesday, May 18th at 11:59 EST!*We've extended the contest a few days because blogger was down** 


Here are a few of my favorites from last week. If you were featured, please grab a button and display it proudly on your blog!

Mini Quilt from SewHappiness

Great job on your mini quilt! The crafter can always pick out the flaws, but the receiver sees nothing wrong in it! great job, again! A good friend of mine recently finished her quilt and I'm still in awe by the skill and technique of her quilt and others out in blogland! 

Our Little Old Lady Table from Dream Home DIY

It always amazes me what a little spray paint can do to an unattractive piece of furniture! I love the color and the wood accent you gave the top of the table! 

Drumroll Please from A Little Birdy Told Me

I've yet to make anything with burlap and I don't know why! I love this lamp revamp! 

Little Shoes from Anne's Antics

How adorable are these shoes? I love them and can't wait to sew some for some of my friends babies!

 Tutorial: The Going-On-a-Walk Bag from Thar She Sews! 

Love this "patch work" bag! This is a great way to use up scraps! 

Rules for the link party:

-Please make sure you're following us (we'll follow you back as long as you leave us a comment telling us that you're a new follower)!

-PLEASE display our party button either on your home page or on your post. 

-Make sure your link is to your specific post and not your main URL & add a short description.

-Please try to view and/or follow at least two other participants. 

-You can enter as many craft projects as you'd like. (No recipes!)

-No advertising please (that means etsy). 

-Entering into this party gives us the rights to blog about and feature your blog post.