Why I've been MIA

Hey everyone! I am truly sorry that I have been absent for a month (give or take). I promise I have a good reason but I'll get to that in a bit. I will be posting some really cool stuff in the coming days and weeks, so please don't get frustrated with me, and think that I abandoned you. 
You may recall that I went on a cruise a few weeks ago. Well, when I got home, you know you have way more laundry than you expected, the house is a total mess, even though you left it spotless. And how in the world can there be that many dishes in the sink? After the cruise-aftermath got cleaned up, I got some wonderful news. I am pregnant! We have been trying for 6 months, {which I know isn't long, but we have been wanting to get pregnant for about a year before that, but we had a few things that needed to be fixed before- I have depression, and I had to get those hormones fixed before I could add baby hormones to the mix}. So, here I am just as happy as could be, running around trying to figure out things like, where would we put the new baby? Is it a boy or a girl? If it's a girl, that means I'll have to clean out my craft room... That may be a problem. How will we be able to afford this baby? What if something went wrong? Etc etc etc. All kinds of things go through your mind when your family is going to get bigger.
All the while, I was thinking to myself, I have to get back to my blog, and just relax and de-stress with some crafting/homemaking and whatever else I post. Then, 4 days ago, I started spotting. Nothing to worry about, my friends said it happened to them, and everything turned out fine. I called the doctor and they wanted me to come in just for a routine check, to make sure that everything really is fine.
I met my husband at the dr's office, he just got done with his first job, and we were excited to get the first look at our new baby (2 weeks earlier than we thought!). When we got back to the exam room, and the dr. started the ultra sound. I looked at his face, he looked worried, and concerned. Then, he pointed to line and said, "This is where we look for the baby. I don't see a baby there. I am going to try to see if there is a tubal pregnancy {aka ectopic pregnancy}." He couldn't find any definite sign of a tubal pregnancy, so he said I had to go to the hospital to get blood work, and another ultrasound. Then he left us in the exam room. I started to get dressed, my husband said, "Are you okay?" And then I lost it. We weren't going to have a baby after all. The baby was gone, or it is where it shouldn't be, and I'd have to lose the baby anyway. My husband had to go to his other job on an emergency, so I went to the hospital with my 2 year old. Trying to hold it together, and being brave is a hard thing to do by yourself. So, they did the first round of blood work, and said they couldn't do the ultrasound until later that day. So, back to my house I went (which is a half hour away). That drive home was the hardest drive ever. I felt such sadness, but yet a very peaceful feeling as well.
The ultrasound at the hospital came back inconclusive as to whether I had an ectopic pregnancy or not, so I would have to come back to the hospital in two days to get the second half of my blood work done. 
The day before I was getting the blood work done, was a seriously hard day. I don't think I have cried harder in my life. I was aching for the child we lost. I kept thinking to myself, I will never be able to hold this child, hear it's laugh or cry, see if it would have brown or blue eyes, or if it's hair would be as red as my son's. My only consolation is my faith, the belief that I will be able to have an answer to all of these questions, and many, many more in the next life, Heaven. 
When I got the results of my blood work, I had lost 800 points of hCG, the hormone that the baby puts out. That means I did indeed lose the pregnancy, but they asked me to come in for another ultrasound. This time to see if there was still tissue, or if there were better clues as to where the pregnancy was. This one also came back inconclusive. Very frustrating to say the least. But, as I said before I felt peace, along with sadness, feeling of intense loss, and some guilt. 
I know that I will be able to see my child again one day, though not on this Earth. I know that my Heavenly Father is there, that He listens to my prayers, and answers them. I know that one day, I'll have answers as to why this happened. I know for now, I will have to content myself with knowing that this child just needed to have a body for a short time, and that it was a very choice soul, who was needed in Heaven to help spread the Gospel to people who have gone on before. I know that is why I have felt such peace, because my child is doing what our Heavenly Father wanted it to do. I will never forget my child, I will think of it daily. I will mourn the loss of it, and pray for it multiple times during the day, and be thankful for the wonderful son that we have with us here on Earth. 
To my child in Heaven: Mommy, Daddy and your brother miss you deeply, I am so sad that we won't be able to meet for a time, but I know you are where you should be. I can't wait for the day where I can hold you in my arms, and talk with you, and get to know you, not just as my child, but as a child of God. I love you, with all my heart, and I will never forget you. You'll forever be in my heart, and be a part of our lives. We love you! Until we meet, in Heaven!
Love, Mommy, Daddy, and Jude

Money Saver

Good morning to you! I hope you are enjoying your week. I am currently out of the country, sailing around Mexico in style, and enjoying wonderfully warm weather, sandy beaches, and plenty of food, and maybe even a spa treatment or two. Jealous? Do you want to go on a cruist too? Well, here's an idea to help you save for it! Homemade laundry soap. Okay before you say, "Uh, Erin... I am a clean-freak, and HAVE to use Tide {or whatever soap you love} or else my clothes will not get clean, smell nice, or put my OCD to rest." Well, never fear! I was that person too. Then, I had an epiphany one day; I needed to save money ANY way I could. I am lucky enough that I don't HAVE to work, but of course the extra money would be helpful. 

I used to coupon- epic fail. I would spend hours and hours and hours on the internet trying to find out what sales were going on, if I had coupons to match the sales, and yada yada yada... I would end up with an enormous anxiety attack. I kid you not; I would have anxiety attacks at the register. I could literally feel my blood pressure rise, my cheeks get hot and flushed, and leave the store with gigantic sweat rings under my pits, and start bawling in the car, because I didn't save as much as the Krazy Coupon Lady or something. Or just because I forgot to get something and I just didn't have the mental stamina to go all the way to the back of the store.

I do hair-sometimes. I am a licensed cosmetologist, I can do pretty much anything with hair, nails, waxing etc etc. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE doing that stuff. I miss working in the salon, in fact. But being a mommy is priority numero uno right now. And I don't do hair all that often. So those few times when I actually do have a client, I think it's great. My son, however, doesn't. He throws tantrums like nobody's business. Throws toys at whoever I am working on and their kids. And there is even the occasional streaking down the hall.

Well, I tried to save/earn some extra money, but those options just haven't worked out as well as I had hoped they would have. So I came up with a few ideas that wouldn't wreak me as a person, wouldn't leave clients with a severe aversion to coming to my home. I would make my own surface cleaner, laundry soap, and cook meals as often as possible and freeze the left overs, among other things. So the tip I wanted to share with you today is laundry soap. 

The great thing about this soap is, it smells fresh, it's cheap, and most importantly, it WORKS! I've been using it for some time now, and have not noticed any difference in my clothes' clean-ness. It received the OCD Approval award for actually getting my clothes clean. I actually use LESS soap than I was using with Tide, it's a really concentrated soap, and low suds formula so you can use it in a high efficiency washer. So, why not give it a shot?

Recipe for Homemade Laundry Soap

1 bar Ivory soap

1/2 c Washing Soda- NOT Baking Soda

1/2 c Borax

Grate the bar of Ivory, and mix all ingredients together. Place in an air-tight container.

I put the amount you use lower in the post... keep reading!

That's it. Easy huh?

You can see that there is a spoon here. I use that spoon to measure
my soap. Two spoonfuls for a large load, one spoonful for a small
load. I made this dryer "tablecloth" because my dryer would get so
dirty. Like almost black. The lint catcher thing is inside the dryer,
and I was putting all of that messy lint in a box above the dryer to
take out to the trash, so I wouldn't have to go to the trash all the time.
I know I am lazy. But I can admit it.

Close-up of the soap. It's got great texture. I tripled the recipe too.

Isn't that cute? It was $7 at TJ Maxx.

 Well, I hope that you can use this, I definitely enjoy not having to spend $19 on a box that I will have to re-buy in 4-5 weeks. I'd much rather spend the $3.50 it costs for this soap {on average-if you triple it like me} every 9-10 weeks.
Squeezes!

My Sincere Apologies

I really owe you all an apology. My blogging of late has been non-existant. I've had a lot of things on my plate lately, and frankly the blog just wasn't my number one priority.  My husband is doing finals this week, and my son and I have been very sick. I had family stay over the weekend, it was Easter yesterday, and on Saturday we are leaving for a week-long cruise! So needless to say, I have been running around like a chicken without a head. {Is that imagery disgusting or what?} 

The weekend before last, we went up the canyon to do a photo shoot for my husband's class. While we were there, I snuck away with the camera to capture the wonder of God's beautiful Earth.

Anyway, I hope you can forgive my not-blogging-as-much-as-normal for the next little while, as we will be out of the country, I will try to get a post scheduled to be posted while I am gone. I will be posting a really cool recipe for making your own laundry soap and cleaner that has seriously saved my family tons of money, {and it's green, too!}  I hope that you loved these pictures as much as I do, and can find inspiration in your world as well.
Much love! 
Linking to: Whatever You Want Wednesdsay

Vintage-Inspired Pennant Banner

Hello, Lovlies! I hope you are all doing well this morning. I was awoken this morning at 5:30 to the sound of birds chirping! The first time this year! So, this post is very appropriate, because it is all about Spring! Spring is my favorite time of year, the trees are just now starting to bud, the grass is getting more and more green every day!

This is what this tutorial is for, isn't it stunning!?
I think so!

Step 1: Make your template. I just used a plain piece
of paper, folded in one inch on both sides, and cut out
a triangle on the bottom. Place your template over your
fabric, and make the cut (cut two if your fabric is thin)!
{FYI, I used the cheapest white muslin available}

Sew, sew, sew! This is an EXTREMELY easy sewing
project, it is all straight lines. I wanted the vintage-y look
so I didn't particularly care if the seams were not straight.
If your fabric is thick enough to not use two pieces, you
don't have to sew (obviously) but, you may want to,
it adds a little somethin' somethin' to it, ya know?



{I tea dyed my fabric in between these steps, and I was
too excited to even remember to take pictures. I used an
herbal tea, the flavor was Wild Berry, it gave the muslin
a slightly pink tint. Which at first I didn't like, but in the end
I thought it was great, and went well with my Spring theme}

I tried printing right onto my fabric, but it didn't work.
At all. I was very disappointed, but I found another
thing to use instead. Enter Iron-On T-Shirt Paper! {Tip:
I suggest printing it out on regular paper so you don't
waste your iron on paper. That way you can make sure
your text is the right size, and the right font for you.}
Use your paper according to manufacturer's directions.
They probably all ask for you to mirror your image though.
I used an Exacto knife to cut it out. {If you just cut
around the image, you'll end up with a clear/shiny
border that looks kinda mega tacky.}

Just another check to make sure
this is really what I wanted...

IRON IT ON, BABY!

Take a step back, and admire your labor of love.

I added another element to the pennants. I singed the edges
with a lighter, just enough to give it a faux patina.

I do this a lot. I love to look at what I've done so far, so
here's another pic of me admiring my awesomeness.

LAST STEP: Hot glue your string on to the backs of
your pennants, in your desired spacing. I chose hot glue
because if I should ever desire to move it, I may need to
re-do the spacing, and a dab of hot glue wouldn't be too
hard to remove.

And... hang it up! I am so in love with this project.
This is the one time that it turned out EXACTLY how I
wanted! I am so proud of myself. :}

My wonderful Dad made this shelf for me, he's the greatest.

And, I just love the hardware on it too!

Well, there you have it! Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. This is the one area in my house that I am completely happy with. So, let me know what you think!

What projects have you done to help you remember/celebrate Spring or Easter?

I do apologize for the red in the pictures, lighting in a condo isn't always the greatest... I would also LOVE it if you would follow my blog, it makes me so happy to get new friends, and establish new relationships!




Linking to: Anything You Want Wednesday at Free Pretty Things For You
Thrifty Thursdays 
Under $100 Party 
No Minimalist Here
White Wednesday 
Vintage Inspiration Fridays 
Air Your Laundry at Freckled Laundry
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring 
Show and Tell Friday 
Decor to Adore 
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello

Still To Come...

Hello again! I've been working feverishly to get this vintage-inspired project done. It's taken me a few days to get done, since I have only been able to devote time to it when the kids are asleep. Hopefully I'll have it up for you Monday or Tuesday. In the mean-time, you should check out Poppies at Play's Parade of Homes click here to be transported over there. There is so much creativity floating around out there. If only I can hone-in on some of that stuff...
Here are a few other linky parties going on that I think are great.
Chic on a Shoestring's Party
Miss Mustard Seed's Party
and
Common Ground's Vintage Inspiration Party

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!


P.s. Stay tuned for a giveaway in the coming days!

The Quiet Activity Book

Hello, friends! I made my son a quiet book a while ago. Actually, about 18 months ago. It has just been sitting in a closet because I didn't have the grommets to finish it and make it into a book, rather than pages of muslin fabric. So here it is, almost 2 years later than previously anticipated... drumroll please!

TA-DA! The quiet book. We really struggle with keeping Jude's attention during church, (we sit in a confined pew for one hour) with a VERY active 2 year old, it's quite an accomplishment if he didn't escape from our bench more than 5 times.

I made this book all from ideas in my head, no pattern, no nothing really to go off of, other than my superbly awesome ideas. I did all of this before I had my cutting machine, so all of the shapes and letters were all cut by hand. The "pages" are muslin (I just used the cheapest kind) that is 12" x 12". All of the shapes and letters and anything on the pages is felt. I did a lot of hand sewing, because I frankly really suck with my machine.

The alphabet, obviously.

Hopefully this can help him learn
how to button his own coat...

I did the sew-on snaps for everything. I did want the
tearing velcro sound in the middle of a very quiet
Sacrament meeting... I think that sound is annoying.

Learn the colors. I had wanted to do a rainbow,
but then I decided to something a bit more
   original. It took me forever to figure out how to cut
the umbrella pieces.

Shapes, don't look to closely at the sewing I did with
the machine, it's a little skeewompus.

I LOVE LOVE these pages, they are for counting. Each
number has it's own abacus made with a shoestring,
and star beads, can he can slide back and forth as
he counts. It goes to 10, I just didn't take a picture of
the other page.

This is probably Jude's favorite page. He is obsessed
with cars, in all their varieties. 

"The Garage"

The seasons pages, Spring's raindrops are snaps.
Summer sun's ray's are snaps as well.

The leaves, the snowman's hat, nose and buttons can
all come off too.

It does keep him quiet.

Mostly...

All of the pages are my ideas, I own them. If you decide to use them, you may only use them for your personal use. Do not sell them. If you have any questions about how to make your own quiet activity book, feel free to email, or leave a question in the comments. I do read and reply to every one that has an email, or I'll just leave the reply in the comments.

My World

All around you is a beautiful world of inspiration. A little photo editing can be really inspiring. These are images from my town. I know it will make it look very quaint and rustic, but I drove a ways to get these photos. I do live in a small town, however, it is mostly residential. Not many businesses. It is a wonderful place to raise a family. We absolutely love it here.

 As I have said before, here in Utah, Spring hasn't quite sprung yet. Just last week, we were playing outside, (I even got a sunburn!) Only to wake up on Sunday morning to a few inches of snow. The tumultuous Utah Spring has me craving for when Spring really does arrive.

And now, the photos... 

A beautiful view of the wheat field a few miles down
the road

Something about this set up of a water tank, a broken-
down building, and a few hod-podge farm items speaks
to me. Especially with this sepia tone. It makes think of
the Pioneers and what the unsettled territory must have
looked like.

Aren't the mountains beautiful?

All of these photos (along with all of the chippy, broken, worn-in items that are so frequently blogged about) have inspired me to take a new direction with my kitchen. I've got a lot of wonderful ideas up my sleeve, and I can't wait to show them to you all. Keep watching, I've even got a give-away coming up!

What items (or pictures, or just ideas) give you inspiration?

You can share them in the comments, or email to me!!