The Stuff I Live For

Music You AND Your Kids Can Rock Out To June 30, 2008

If you've never heard of Kidz Bop CD's, they're albums of current pop songs redone by adults with kids as background singers. We have a few of them, but some of the songs are inappropriate for my girls. With phrases like:

• If you ain't got no money, take your broke self home
• Hey, you, I don't like your girlfriend - and
• Never again will I kiss you, never again will I want to, never again will I love you,

I have to skip through plenty of the CD. Ayla knows now by the first note of the song if she can't listen to it and will run to push that right arrow on the stereo to switch past those 'bad songs!'

Eric recently grabbed Kidz Bop 80's Gold at Walmart for about $10, and we love it. The album includes:

1. Mickey
2. Footloose
3. Karma Chameleon
4. Funkytown
5. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
6. Holiday
7. We're Not Gonna Take It
8. Kokomo
9. I Want Candy
10. Our House
11. Girls Just Want To Have Fun
12. Livin' On a Prayer
13. Vacation
14. Kids In America

The girls and I totally rock out to Footloose and (our favorite) Livin' On a Prayer. I just noticed on the Kidz Bop website that Kidz Bop Gold is available also, with "14 classic feel-good songs" like Dancing in the Street and You've Got a Friend. It sounds like a fun album too that maybe we'll grab on our next trip out.

So sad, but it seems pop music used to be actually popular without sounding hateful. What happened?

It’s Real Life Thursday June 26, 2008

The adorably pregnant mom Jessica at Farm Fresh hosts It's Real Life. Click to get to her fest and click the Mr. Linky banner at the end of her post for more bloggers and their Real Lives.

This week calls for:  curb appeal, junk drawer, from whence you blog, favorite jewelry, and your best feature.

Curb Appeal:  Notice my two little spies coming out the door to see what I'm doing. Nope can't get a second alone!

Our junk drawer: Eeek!

My bloggin spot: The end of our movie theater-style sectional.

My favorite jewelry:  I'm not much of a jewelry wearer so there's not much to choose from, but I'm sure my engagement and wedding rings would be my faves anyway.

My best feature: Uh, this one wasn't fun. I chose my waist area. I have never dieted and never exercise. I'm just blessed with a tiny little waist. Hope the hubby doesn't think this pic is too provocative! But, this is the most of my skin you'll ever see on the internet so here goes.

Wordless Wednesday - Eat Here, Get Gas June 25, 2008

For more Wordless Wednesday go here or here.  

Real Love, as it Sounds Through a Baby Monitor June 24, 2008

Last night, Eric and I were listening to Ayla and Shay through the monitor in our room well after we put them to bed. They were chattering about this and that, most of which I couldn't understand. Ayla told Shay she's 'so cute' and told her they would dance together in the morning. After a few more minutes of giggles and silliness came:

 Ayla:  Shay, do you wanna marry me when I grow up?

 Shay:  What?

 Ayla:  Do you wanna marry me when I grow up?

 Shay:  Yes.

Then, silence till sleep - as if that was all it took to make them content enough to finally rest. I explained to Ayla in the morning that someday she'll find a man she loves enough to marry and she surely won't be marrying her sister! But I was so happy. The girls realize that marriage is about true love, and Eric and I have been good examples to them.

And how overwhelmingly amazing it was to hear that special moment between two best friends who are also sisters.

The Sweetest Little Fabric Birdies June 23, 2008

Oooohhh, these are SO cute and fun to make I just had to share. You can get the free pattern on Spool. They made a bird mobile out of their little birdies, but I'm just going to put these few around my house separately. They'd be great on top of a gift, or Spool suggests using them in baby's room. 

These really take not much more than minutes to make and can be completely hand-sewn (though I did machine stitch them partly). A perfect project for your summer travels. I really honestly wish I had a reason to make more!

Felt Cupcakes - De-Lish! June 20, 2008

I made these 6 little sweeties over the past couple of days. Vanilla, chocolate and even red velvet. I can't take credit for the design, though. I copied most of the look from another Etsy shop! These are going sit on a shelf of the dining room cabinet I got a few months ago, which is just holding kiddy art right now. I have big plans for it and hope to get started this weekend.

If I'm going to keep sharing my craftiness I really need to get a camera that's a little better than crap the one I have. Any affordable suggestions?

Wordless Wednesday - One Snazzy Getup June 18, 2008

For more Wordless Wednesday go here or here. 

Complete with upside down crown plus a halo, upside down sunglasses (as always), belly sticking out of the too-small vest and two different sized shoes (one's Ayla's and one is Shay's). Love the maraca accessory. It totally completes the outfit.

Still Being Crafty- Sick of Hearing About it Yet? June 17, 2008

Here's what I've been up to. Trying to add some stuff to my neglected Etsy shop. I've been making these addictive little clutches and wallets.

And this one just for me cause it's my favorite Amy Butler print right now.

If you are sick of hearing about my craftiness, here's another bit of info you might enjoy. I was bird-pooped on today. And I really don't want to hear that it's good luck, thank you.

She’s Crafty, She Gets Around June 11, 2008

…She's Crafty, She's Always Down - That's the Beastie Boys in case you don't share my taste in music.

I ask your forgiveness in advance, for I need a moment to gloat. I've been beside myself with excitement these past few days. I've been drooling over this project table from Pottery Barn for at least a year now. Right now, it's priced at $1,099.00 plus a $120.00 surcharge, plus regular delivery charges!

So I had a family friend/carpenter (Joe) make me this for less than 20% of PB's cost:

I had to paint it, but what a deal! I am soooo happy with it. It's perfect and even has a little shelf on the bottom to put my sewing machine's presser foot on. Over the last week, I took apart the guest bed and got to work on making the spare room my craft room. Here's some more of it:

 cutting table

  fabric shelving (which Joe made too, last year)

  more shelving (Joe made this too)

  sitting area

I did all the outlet covers and light switch covers in different Amy Butler prints.

I've already been getting plenty crafty in there and Eric is all but admitting his jealousy of the room. Not because he wants one. Because it's keeping me from him slightly. I've got a craft room and a guy who always wants me close, if even just to watch the Mets lose with him. Aren't I a lucky gal?

Like Giveaways? June 5, 2008

UPDATE - THE WINNER:  Mattie, Comment #8 Congrats!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

                 8

Timestamp: 2008-06-13 02:08:34 UTC

I do. Gina at An UnPink Life's got an awesome one. Check it out here. All you have to do is comment with a great idea of something fun for her and her kids to do this summer. Enter as many times as you have ideas! She's once again promoting my Good Pails, as well as other WAHM's products. She's simply one of the coolest people I've never met in real life.

Gina commented on my blog today to let me know a few Good Pails are part of her giveaway at the exact same time I was watching Judge Judy (another awesome lady) and making my giveaway.

I'm fabric-obsessed and found more things to spend money on make. Fabric magnets and thumbtacks. Fun, fun, fun.

So here you have it - 6 magnets (the larger ones shown) and 6 thumbtacks. Just leave a comment. Winner will be drawn at random on June 12th!

 6 magnets and 6 thumbtacks

 they'll come in a cute little tin