A Bore Am I!!!

I never, well almost never, go out on New Years Eve.  You see I'm a bit of a bore.  I really hate New Year's Eve because you have to stay up so late!  and, I go to sleep early so I can wake up REALLY early! I like to usher in the New Year in the comfort of my own bed.

So, this year we are going to keep the g-babies so that J and E can have some friend time in Atlanta for the Chick Filet Bowl.  I jumped at the chance to keep them! Whew!  I don't have to go out and stay up until 12:00.

What's sad is the Ritz at the lake does a spectacular fireworks display every year, and we can see it right off our deck.  It's amazing.  Maybe I'll go to sleep early, set the alarm for 11:55, get up to see the fireworks, try to take pics of fireworks (which I'm terrible at btw), kiss W, and go on back to sleep.  Lucky me, no hangover tomorrow morning!!!

yes that's a plan

In the meantime, I found some fabulous firework displays for you to enjoy!

Have a wonderful New Year y'all

and PLEASE be safe.  If you plan to drink, PLEASE don't drive.

xo

kb

Things I'm Thankful For

I can't tell you how many times this year I have said "I just want this year to go away"!  Do you ever have a year like that?  Just go! Get outta here and lets start over.  Well I have felt that way since mother passed away.  Having said that, I have so many things to be thankful for in my life.  And that is what has sustained me from the difficulties this last year has brought.  I never post anything about my life having "issues" but I have issues like everyone else does.  I just don't care to air my dirty laundry on my blog.  I realize I am being totally transparent here and I guess that's a good thing.  Poor "W" has had to put up with a crazy woman this whole year.  But, I have so many things to be thankful for, and believe me, I don't take anything for granted.

So, things I'm thankful for:

1) W bought and redesigned a company that through his hard work and determination is now thriving.  I am so proud of his hard work.  And I mean hard y'all. Like 12 -14 hour days and stuff.

2)  I have a wonderful family that loves me like none other.  We added a daughter-in-law that I dearly love.   And I don't have to remind you how much I love those two little g-babies of mine.

3)  Through a lot of prayer and determination, my youngest has turned the tragedy of loosing the "love of her life" into a wonderful blessing and is healing day by day realizing that God has other plans for her. (She is honestly my hero)

4)  I have such wonderful friends that I feel would do anything for me and be there for me at the drop of a  hat.

5)  I have sold over 50 pieces of art this year alone and am so grateful for that and to the ones who have chosen to grace their walls with something I painted.  It is so gratifying.

Yesterday was a special day.  I realize I'm going to sound a little monetary here but, hey, it's my blog right?  It was one of those "pick me up" days.  I had received two gift cards from "W".  One from Niemans and one from Tiffany's.  So, I decided to do some power shopping.

One thing that is on my bucket list for next year is to take better care of myself, starting with my skin and inching down to the rest of my body.  Yep, I've let myself go in every way and I'm SO ashamed of it.

So, the Niemans card went to some Sisley products.  Mainly their night cream.  Doesn't that sound like a glamourous purchase?  OH but it's oh so yummy......

next I hoped over to Tiffany to find whatever would fit on the gift card and found the PERFECT purchase

these aren't exactly like the ones I got.  Mine are black and have the Tiffany blue inside.  They are just so cute!

Then I met my friend "E" and her sweet daughter Isabella for lunch.

We exchanged gifts and do you know what that sweet girl gave me????

A Tiffany make-up bag AND she made me go pick out all new make-up to go inside.

How fun is that?  I mean, seriously folks, I wish you could see my old make-up bag.  It is TArash.

This is going to help with the "NEW" me!

Thank you to my sweet friend "E"!!!

Now, I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.  I mean the very bottom for reading. I realize I don't have a lot of comments but based on my little sitereader I have about 400 people reading a day.  That makes me happy!  So you, you guys reading, believe it or not have sustained me this year.  Writing is a wonderful healer.  Writing a blog for all to read is my therapy, so you guys have helped in my therapy this year! :))  Thank you!

Have a wonderful day y'all and a Fantastic New Year.

What am I doing New Year's Eve?

Keeping the grandkids and lovin every minute of it!

See ya next year!

kb

How to Make a Ruffled Pillow Sham

Woke up bright and early this morning to start sewing!  I decided that Baby Cate's bedroom needed peachy pink pillow shams instead of ivory linen.  So, after visiting my new favorite (cheap) fabric store in Covington, Georgia (called Ocho) to get my fabric (2.99) a yard, I had to get busy on these this a.m.

Now,,,,for one thing, ruffled shams are pretty labor intensive.  The other thing is that you can't just "whip em up".  And, they aren't really all that easy to make.  Hopefully these instructions will help you when and IF you decide to make some.  Personally, I'd just pay someone if I didn't already know how to sew.  

So, let's get started...

First lay your fabric out flat.  I bought 6 yards for 3 24" pillow shams

I cut mine 25" square and also lined mine because the fabric is a lightweight pima cotton

I cut six pieces  duh, you need a front and a back

find something to write on to measure what you will need for a ruffle

I messed up.  After cutting one piece of the ruffle 6" wide, I decided I needed 8".  Cut your ruffle pieces on the bias like this

this is how you sew the seams together for the ruffle.  I ended up with 4 pieces that needed sewing together

follow the pin lines and sew as shown

trim the seam and press open

it should look like this.  If it doesn't you've messed up....oops

now the ruffle should be a circle.  Fold the piece in half and press. And the ruffle should be 4" wide.  Stitch the folded piece completely around the circle (the edge) to keep the ruffle flat when you ruffle the fabric.

Now, if you are lucky enough to have this contraption, (a ruffler) use it.  If not, sew two lines of gathering stitches to be pulled up to make the ruffle

this is what the ruffler does!

now pin the edges to the right side of the front side of the pillow and pin completely around

After stitching, pin the corners like sew (no pun intended) to keep the corner ruffle from getting caught when you sew the back side of the pillow on

place the back side (right sides together) and turn it over

pin all the way around leaving about an 18" area that you won't stitch

that 18" area will be where you stuff the pillow form.  Following the stitch from the ruffle, stitch all the way around the pillow leaving the opening free 

there it is!

trim all seams and clip corners.  Turn and press

there's the opening for the pillow form.  Stuff that pillow right in there.  This will be quite cumbersome, but you can do it!

see! now either stitch it closed with the sewing machine or by hand.  I choose the sewing machine but it can be tricky!

enjoy a beautiful sunrise!

One down and two to go.  I will say the first one is more fun than the other two......

Gotta get back to the sewing machine!!!

Have a great day y'all!

kb

oh wait, here is another piece of fabric I found at Ocho.  Isn't this adorable?  3.99 a yard. (it was however a 2 and 7/8" remanent.  Perfect for a pleated balloon shade. If I get the go ahead from J, I'll start on it for her bathroom.

Rainy Days and Mondays....oh wait! it's Tuesday

Woke up bright and early this morning ready to take down the VERY few Christmas items that I have hanging in my home.  This consist on a poinsettia, Stockings that were hung and a simple little wreath.

Jealous yet?

SO happy I don't have to deal with taking down a tree.

I'm getting awful in my old age huh?

Anyway, it's pouring buckets outside. 

So....what's a girl to wear on a rainy day?

I found a few cute selections for you to ponder....

so many umbrellas, hum.....  Think I'll take the red one

have I ever mentioned how much I love Hunter Boots?

I particularly like this style

Be still my Burberry lovin heart

be even stiller

Thought J would love this

and the back

Anthro, skinny jeans are a definite in this type of weather

love

is this not the cutest thing EVER???

did I mention my love for Hunter boots

and the socks make them REALLY special

now for some rainy day outfits

isn't this the cutest?

okey, dokey, made for two...nota bad idea actually!

darling

everyone needs an umbrella stand!

and a set of sword umbrellas.  I could SO see my dad lovin this

wish I was there

there's the Hunter socks.  Cutey huh?

the original rain boot

Hope it is or isn't raining wherever you are. Depending on what you want or need!

I'm going to go renovate myself with a trip to the spa today

Have a wonderful day y'all!

kb