Thursday, July 30, 2009

Bobby Bear


Meet Bobby, I made him for a friend who just had a baby boy. I bought these great plastic eyes that are so much fun and help bring him to life. It looks like his 60's belt is a bit tight because of his fur so I gave him a tiny but crack on his backside. He's a fun little guy!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Get off the phone!


The other day we were at the Forest Park pkwy & Big Bend intersection, it is a long light, but I counted 11 people driving through the intersection talking on their cell phone. I was shocked that I got up to 11! Really, is the phone call so important it can't wait until you get home? I'll bet 10 out of those 11 of those calls were stupid, what do you want for dinner, how was your day, or gossip calls. Ugggh, this is so dangerous and so annoying to me.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Surrounded by Friends

Here is Anna and Amelia sleeping at night surrounded by all their friends. Every night they line them all up in a row and fall asleep with all eyes on them watching throughout the night.

I took this photo at about 11:00 pm with a flash and it surprises me that neither girl made one move. I am a such a light sleeper that I would wake up if you walk into my room much less try and take a photo of me!

Friday, July 24, 2009

A whale of a tale


I made this new guy yesterday for my biggest plushy fan, she requested a whale that she will give as a gift. I have been wanting to do a whale, I made the pattern and he turned out pretty cute on the first try, I love when that happens! I already made another one for a family member and I think I will list one on etsy.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

I don't need a nap.

It's hard when you are 3 1/2 and you have been swimming, boating and playing with friends all day, you REALLY need a nap but don't want to miss out on any fun.
Then you sit down for just a few minutes and crash, oh yes, you did need a nap...

Then something wakes you, but how nice to climb up and curl into Pop's lap and fall right back asleep. Naps are nice!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Remember Me?


We just got back from the Lake of the Ozarks for our yearly family weekend with all my aunts, uncles and cousins. This year we had 19 adults and 6 kids, sadly were missing several family members who could not make it this year. It's a fun weekend, everyone plans a game to play, this year we did a timed noodle water gun game where you had to knock over empty bottles. Shannon did a "where did you go to high school" game, we all had to guess who went where. There is lots of swimming, boating, water skiing and card playing.

The photo is from this weekend... my grand parents, Jeannine and John. Grandma will be 80 this September and Grandpa will be 84 in two days. They started this family tradition at the lake years ago and sadly Grandpa can not remember the past years or many of us. He has Alzheimer's and can't remember me, my mother and some days he is even confused about his own wife. Grandma takes very good care of him as she always has but it's getting harder. He needs to be looked after all day and night and can't be left alone for fear of him walking off and getting lost or hurt.

I feel for Grandpa, lost in a world he doesn't remember and I really feel for Grandma who stands by and watch her husband of 60 years slowly forget the life and family they had together. It must be scary, it must break her heart and it must be lonely.

I hope they both realize the wonderful family memories that they made for so many of us and we will remember... we will remember for him.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Upcycle - Goodie Bags


Another upcycle project: I made these goodie bags for Amelia's 5th party. They are made out of gently used, clean and spot free white t-shirts. The bottom hem of the shirt became the top of the bags. So all I had to do was cut to size, sew the three sides and because the hem made the pocket for the cord all I had to do was cut two small holes and insert the cording. Then I decorated the bags with iron-on Hello Kitty images I made on the computer and filled with goodies. 

It really was quick and easy, plus upcycling three old t-shirts is good for the planet and my pocket book. I can't take the credit for thinking of this great idea, I saw these on etsy.

Upcycling is a component of sustainability in which waste materials are used to provide new products. It is generally a reinvestment in the environment. "Upcycling is the practice of taking something that is disposable or downcycled and transforming it into something of greater use and value." This process allows for the reduction of waste and virgin material use.

The term upcycling was coined by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, authors of Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Reading: Me talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

My neighbor and I swapped books, I gave her "Pillars of the Earth" and she gave me this... Me talk pretty one day by David Seders. I got the easy quick read and she got the 900 page epic novel. These books are on different ends of the spectrum but both are a nice way to wind down your day with a little reading before bed.

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Saturday, July 11, 2009

Upcycle Art - Harvard Darling


I did not go to Harvard but I did have this neat harvard t-shirt while I was in college (SEMO, far from Harvard). I saved it knowing someday I would do something fun with it. So here it is, a soft sculpture grouping of the football men from Harvard 1990. I love them, they are a bit quirky, having only half bodies and mounted on sticks, but fun all the same. I have the backside of the shirt to make another set, I might sell on etsy.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

A hat a day!


Last year we gave Amelia's friend a knitting machine for her 5th birthday and Amelia really wanted one for herself, I told her when she turned 5. So here it is... I did go ahead and buy the adult version, it just looked sturdier than the toy version. 

We got right to work! Once it was all set up all you do is crank the handle and it makes a tube or you can make a flat panel. Amelia cranked, I cranked and very quickly we had a tube. I took it off the machine and then knitted the top closed and presto a hat in one day. So easy, we bought more yarn to make scarfs next! If you are on our Christmas list you might expect a new hat or scarf from the Dorsey girls!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Movie Review: The Tale of Despereaux


Isn't this the sweetest mouse... his big ears reminded me of dumbo.
I took the girls to see "The Tale Of Despereaux" today, a cute kids move about bravery, sadness, and triumph. The animation of the mice and rats was nicely done but I did feel the princess was a bit stiff looking, especially her hair. The kids enjoyed the movie and we give it a B.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Happy 4th of July


Yes, we braved the rain (which was really only a drizzle then it stopped) to support community parade, we love our neighborhood small parade, it has so much small town charm to it. We sat with family, visited with one of  Anna's schoolmates and filled a large bag of candy. So much candy at one point Amelia said "no more candy"!

This year the Budweiser Clydesdale's kicked off the parade, so cool, my favorite part! Brian and I always love the marching bands, but the girls sat with their ears covered, too loud for them. Anna loved the Johnny Brock's rolling monster and Amelia love the band flag girls, saying, "I want to do that when I'm older".

The girls look grumpy in the top photo, but they were waiting patently since the parade did start a bit late... rain delay. I am so glad we did not let the rain hold us home, it was the fun nostalgic event we always love to attend!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Scrabble Pillow


I made this pillow for my cousin who just go married. I like how it turned out so I listed it on my etsy site and two weeks later it got featured in a etsy article. Overnight I had 7 orders for the pillows and then 4 more orders days later. What a fun little boom for my side business/hobby.  See more of my pillows here.