Guess WHERE I am going!

It is full of design from another country?

It has really good prices?

I think now they host parties?

It seems like everyone in Blogland has been there but little old me?

Well, did you make a guess yet?

                                                                   

Now, I have to admit this IKEA has been here for a long time, I have wanted to go for a very, very long time. However when we moved over 10 years ago, it has been a 2 and half hour drive, it is close to Baltimore, MD. Since we have had no reason or time to go this direction I have never been able to go. BUT since my teens are going snowboarding this weekend close to York, PA, my husband ask me if there was anything I would like to do.  I said "YOU BETCHA!" and believe it or not he said," Okay, let go look up the directions :) Can you see the BIG SMILE on my face and the skip in my step?

Well, I better go now, I don't want to be late.

Have an awesome weekend! 

An Easy Doggie Sweater!

My first creative post, upcycling a sweater that was going to Goodwill. This sweater was very comfortable, but seriously not my color? I hated to give it away, so I thought about Isabella having a new sweater.

Isabella did not want to take it off or have her photo taken ?

                   This version was no sew, but it should be sewn around the bottom and leg edges?

The sweater is from Fashion Bug and is a blend of 72% Acrylic, 23% Nylon and 3% Spandex. I suppose the spandex is what is helping keep the shape?

First, I laid out the sweater on my cutting mat and made sure the design that was on the arm (cable look), was center for her back. In this case the arm seam matched up perfectly, just by laying the arm seam directly in the middle under the design.

 I forgot to take a photo of the piece that I cut off, but I measured from her neck down to where I wanted it to fall on her back, approx. 13 inches. I lined up 13 on mat and cut it off with rotary cutter.  Then, I put it on her, laid her on her back to see her leg hole place, but I also then measured from  below her chin to the leg. I cut a smaller hole than I wanted, figuring it would stretch out, plus if it was a little off  I had some room to adjust the hole. If you have another doggie sweater you can use that as a pattern also?

                                                                         TAH-DAH
Instant sweater, this project took less than a half hour to finish, but Isabella really cooperated :) Didn't she do a great job walking right onto the sweater. I couldn't have made her do that in a million years. In case you don't know it, Isabella has her own mind  and attitude :)

Well, this was my first project and tutorial (if you call it that?). I hope I didn't make it seem too complicated?
I joining in the parties at :

Savvy Southern Style for the Boring to Better Party,with Kim as our gracious hostess click here http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/01/color-change-to-chest-and-boring-to.html

Not Just A Housewife for Show Me What You Got, please visit her and the other party goers. at http://happyhappyhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/01/show-me-what-ya-got-8.html

Thanks for visiting and come back again.
Chrissy

A Yorkie with an attitude

First Pet Party by Debbie at  http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/, please attend the party, because Isabella does like to make new friends, really she does :)

Well, my mom decided to make me a sweater this weekend. What do you think?

 You see I am also quite shy or as my mom would say "snooty", hey I just have not warmed up to the camera yet. My mom even gave  me a chewy, isn't she nice, no not really she just wanted my photo.

  

She finally succeeded, but it is not a very becoming pic, but she insisted that it was getting posted ! What is a girl to do but.........

Drop the chewy of course! Oh what we won't do for a good profile shot.

Okay one last shot mom and that is it! However, I am not paying anymore attention to her or that delightful chewy. Which I now realize was a bribe, along with the sweater, hmmm...., next time I am looking at all the clues before I get suckered into this again.

Oh and by the way, she also made me this cute cushion, by upcycling some items from her closety you probably notice the robe in a heap at the top of the photos. Can you tell much of hurry she was in to get these photos. Sooo I guess she really does love me :) She will share how she made these items in future blog posts, boy I hope I don't have to be part of that too.  Whew....You know something this blogging thing is really quite stressful, just knowing what photos show my best side, was enough to make me want to take a nap.

Thanks for stopping by for this Pet Party Post and don't forget to go visit Debbie at her  blog http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/  for the rest of the party goers.

Well (yawn), going for a nap now,
Isabella

Okay, Enough is Enough!

Have you ever been really sick? I mean sick of anything ie. clutter, recleaning everything, reorganizing things over and over?  You know what I mean, right? I guess it is the redundancy of  life.

Well, here is one project that I did get done, while not feeling well.

I know it is a small pantry, but start with small things right :)  I am proud to show you the outcome.

I know, I know it is just plastic organizing bin, but the baskets were just not working here. As far as the orgainzing goes, I am working on projects one at a time, for now, until I am feeling better.  Well speaking of feeling better.
Have you ever been really sick and than just get "sick and tired" of being "sick and tired"? Well, I have gotten to that point sooooo........
Enough is Enough..... I am going to bite the bullet and go cold turkey from this:

  and these bad boys. Have you ever noticed, when you feel tired  and depressed you want these sugary goodies or how about the following:

Fresh baked bread from the bakery or even homemade (that is if you feel enough to make them). I found it easier to pick it up at the bakery. Don't forget to mention the chips, cookies, and other things left over from the holidays.
So in place of these things, I am replacing them with these goodies :)

These bright red, juicy strawberries, look delicious and don't forget bananas for potassium. Of course I love all fresh fruit, it is just this time of the year you have a hard time finding fresh and good produce. Plus, in the cold of winter, "comfort" foods are what call out to me :0

 How about this luscious green salad, carrots and grape tomatoes? All I need is some balsamic vinger and olive oil and I am set :)

Don't forget the legumes and the fiber? Now, I know the beans are better fresh, but this is what I had to take a photo :) Since, my kidneys are the problem, I am trying to go light on the animal proteins and do a little vegaetarian.

Well, keep praying for me, I am feeling much better :) Just not myself, yet. So I will be fasting first with some fresh juices and going from there. They say there is nothing like a good cleanse???? I will let you know about that one.

Thanks for stopping by and blessings to all of you.
Chrissy

White Wednesday, Maybe....?

Well, everyone I am going to try to link to White Wednesday? I am not sure how it will go, but if I am successful I will try other Linky Parties.  I am going to share a project that my husband finished, since I was sick over his vacation.

   This is obviously a blank wall, that my husband thinks could use a little something?

              
I think he took my "decluttering" and "organizing" speech literally ;0 But than again look at the table?? This is not even all of the ribbon, that I have somewhere in bags, yikes???

  

I am sure I am the only one that ever goes on a ribbon "binge" when they are on clearance, right?  Plus, the bins of paint, that I can never seem to find the color I need at the time, are not even in the photo?

                                                                      TAH-DAH!!!
The finished project turned out great, hubby even helped organize it? Boy, he must really want me to succeed in my projects and blogging.  He is truly my greatest supportter in everything I do :)

Please don't forget to click on address or my sidebar button and go visit our hostess Kathleen at http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/and the other party participants for White Wednesday.

Well, as you can probably tell, none of these photos were retouched.  I have went from a kidney infection to I think the flu??? Everyone asks "How can you get the flu, after being on antibiotic?" Well, because the flu is viral and the antibiotic can kill both good and bad bacteria, which can make you immune system weaker sometimes. Which would be my case at the moment.  I just feel like I am letting myself down by not blogging like I said I would?  Pray for me to have a strong immune system again.

Blessings,

Chrissy

Well, better late than never????

You see we did have Christmas here, it was just lost in Nikon land. That was until the train came by and transported them to here:

Well, since I just received that magnificent little gadget that was previously posted. I figured I better quickly post my Christmas photos. Yes, you read correctly my Christmas photos. At first I did a longer blog and was inserting the photos and well, frankly got bored myself. Of course this probably was because I looked at everything for so long. So I saved you from the blogging sleepy land and just posted a collage.

Do you still have Christmas things floating around your house?

After all, I didn't want you think that I was not creative at all ;0
Chrissy

Top Organizing Tips for Closets

While I was cleaning up (decluttering?) today. I decided to take a break and check on my camera card reader, it is supposed to be delivered today? So I guess I gave myself permission to sit here on the computer and watch the door for the delivery ;) Please tell me I am not the only one that does this??? OKAY it maybe called procrastination (ugh), it does sound much better than lazy, or how about the word contemplating ? Hmmmm......... I think I like that even better. Well enough of that jibberish>>> while I was surfing I found this link at BH&G, hey at least it was talking and showing how to declutter and look pretty.

I thought this was kind of alittle inspiration :)
Top Organizing Tips for Closets

Well, enough of watching the door, I must go do something?!?!
What have you accomplished since the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve?

Happy 1st Monday of 2011!

Well, I was planning on doing a post on decluttering, but do you remember this little baby?

I don't seem to have the reader that can read the card? Isn't it funny how you can everything under the sun for something, but the little thing that really matter is missing?!? So we ordered one last night and hopefully it will be here soon?
How is everyone doing on their resolutions so far? I am one down right now, one of mine was to do a real post by TODAY. Oh, well this to shall pass :) However, I have been eating healthier, step by step, but it has only been 2 days. Again step by step is the way to move forward, even if they are baby steps :)

Learning new things is not always easy, but it can be a challenge that is worth it in the end.

Have a great 1st Monday!
Chrissy