DIY Fabric Pumpkin

I've been seeing these adorable pumpkins all over the blogosphere and instagram, so of course I had to attempt to make one myself. It was a spur of the moment, I'm bored on a Sunday, kind of craft that I enjoyed creating. I already had the fabric thanks to my eight year old daughter's size 6x leggings, with adorable glittery silver polka-dot print, that no longer fit her anymore. I simply made a cut just above the leg area to separate the fabric into three sections. I used the wider top section as the cutout for my "large" pumpkin. I plan on using the other two sections for several smaller pumpkins once they are cut and divided. I pretty much "winged it" and didn't measure anything or even use a ruler. I am one of those people who rather "eye" something than take the time to strategically pinpoint measurements before making cuts or sewing. It usually works out in some shape or form;) So I used the second to biggest sewing needle that I could find with simple white thread to sew the "top" of my pumpkin together. (I always work backwards.) I really wish I found thicker thread because it took several attempts to get this to work correctly with my simple white thread... With that, I sewed wide sections bunching them together through the needle until I ended up all the way around and pulled the  thread to close the opening. (It's now about that time that I really wish I took pictures of each step...) I then stuffed the pumpkin with a small amount of pillow stuffing I had laying around and continued to sew shut the opposite side the same way as the top, just a bit more carefully. That's when I realized that I couldn't get the bottom to match the top.. there was still an opening that was too wide to leave without some kind of covering because I am pretty sure I over stuffed the little guy. I found some burlap, cut a circular shape to cover the hole and hot glued that baby on. I then figured I needed a "stumpy thing" so I found a stick and cut it down to size for my pumpkin. I decided it would just look cuter with some twine wrapped around it so I glued that on and attached it to the top of the pumpkin with hot glue. I made the leaf cut from burlap and outlined and defined with twine. The little "pumpkin chord" was made from a cute green chevron ribbon I had left over from another project. I just used scissors to coil and glued it on to the twine wrapped stick, I mean pumpkin stump thingy. Ta-Da! My kids loved it, and apparently I am in the works of making a bunch more...

For a much better description and instructions on how to create your own fabric pumpkin, visit the link below:)

DIY Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial

Surprise, Surprise! The adventures of Baby #4.

Our fourth baby was definitely a surprise! We really wanted another, but just didn't expect it. Especially so soon! When we found out, my husband and I hoped and prayed for a girl. At 16 weeks, 3 days, I had an unexpected ultrasound to check in and make sure the baby was ok because I had a terrible stomach virus, was extremely dehydrated and contracting. The ultrasound technician, bless her heart, accidentally informed me that we were having a girl! I was ecstatic because its exactly what my husband was hoping for. I of course did too because I have an 8 year old daughter, 4 year old son and a 2 year old son at home. Having another girl would be the perfect ending of my pregnancy ventures. I was "done". I wanted to get my tubes tied after the delivery. I also wanted to "re-do" the whole baby girl experience since I was so young and financially unable to really enjoy my first born. I missed out on so much because I was too busy working and with college. I regret it, but I had to survive and try to give us a better life since the father of my first two wasn't "on-board" with life goals. My now husband and I have our two year old son together and having another little girl to add to our growing family would be ideal. We told our family and friends the news, bought a few outfits to make it feel official and started dreaming up her gorgeous vintage nursery. We even picked out her name. A name that I always wanted for my baby girl and was unable to use the first time around because my ex hated it. Lillian Grace was to be this little girl's name, a name I honestly had in my mind since I was seven years old! I named all my babydolls' Lilly. We were on cloud nine. Even though we told close family and a select few of friends, something inside me told me to wait to announce it. Well, turns out my intuition didn't steer me wrong. Unfortunately, we found out that Lilly was in fact a little boy at the anatomy and gender ultrasound at 21 weeks. We were crushed. My husband put his head down, and I will admit it, I cried. My heart sank and all those ideas I had in my mind about her pink and gray vintage nursery went right out the window with the name I had picked out since I was a little girl. I know it may seem horrible, but finding out it was a boy hurt. Boys are hard work and the two we already have are a handful. I love all my children more than air, but truth is the truth. I do have everything I would need for a boy since my youngest just turned 2. And I do enjoy all the little mischievous games boys play, the sports, the giggles. After thinking about it and letting the fact we are having another boy really sink in, I am kind of grateful that we are having another boy to add to our team. After a few days, the heartache faded away. We jokingly said we would name this one after my husband since we didn't with our first, but we still honestly don't have a name picked out just yet. There is still time. My husband still wants a baby girl, so the idea of getting my tubes tied seemed to fade away just as quick as the heartache of "losing Lilly." We can try again. God may have different plans for us, and we will find out in due time, but sure does ease my mind because I was honestly terrified of "closing up shop". Everything happens for a reason and God has big plans for this little boy kicking away as I type this. His due date just so happens to be around Christmas, so he is nothing but a gift from above. I can't wait to meet our little guy!

With Love, 

Ashley

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New Beginnings.

I've had this blog since 2014 and only have two posts. (That I kept anyway.) That's a problem. I always wanted a blog. I wanted to be a blogger. One of those moms that put their life out there, not to be judged (which I am sure happens), but to share ideas, experiences, projects, happiness, love, and just living the best life she can live in this crazy world. To share the life I live, with my husband and growing family, (probably stopping after baby number four, but you get the picture.) I admire the brave women, (because it really is brave in my eyes to put your whole life out there for the world to see and read about online) that blog their little hearts out and in essence become a community all in its own that I yearn to be a part of. From an outsider looking in, it looks welcoming and warm with compassion for the ideas, experiences, and even problems that the moms of today face. I absolutely am in love with all the home decor bloggers, their ideas inspired me to get my home in order. I feel connected to the funny mom bloggers who make parenting and marriage seem at all times wonderfully humorous. I am so obsessed with all the DIY bloggers in the blogosphere that make a pottery barn and restoration hardware catalog look like an arts and crafts book for dummies. I am head over heels in love with all of the creative women who wake up every morning, pour their hot cup of coffee in their cute trendy mugs, turn on their tablets and laptops, and then open up their hearts and homes up to the world. I want that.

With Love,
Ashley

Pattern. Addiction. Anonymous. (PAA)

Hello. 

My name is Ashley and I am addicted to this pattern. 

I have become obsessed. 

I knew I had a problem the first time I picked up that pillow. 

It just got out of hand from there..

p.s. There's my Max.

He doesn't care for my patterns.

I put a frame on it.

Here is a few of my favorite "things". 

Happiness on a shelf, in a frame ;)