Traffic Jams

The other day the kids and I were in a traffic jam stuck behind a huge semi on the way to basketball practice. Joffre Jr. asked, "Mom is this a traffic jam?" I replied, "Yep." I thought that would be the end of that.

Then a the next day we were on the interstate again and Ward kept saying, "Traffic jam, Mom. Traffic jam." We all kept trying to correct him but he persisted to keep saying it even though the traffic was moving smoothly. It happened again the next day and I finally realized Ward was saying it every time we passed a semi truck. He thought semis were "traffic jams". So cute I had to share.

What Else I Have Been Making

 hair barrettes out of felt

 camera case

Finished art bags. I think Ward's cowboy one is my favorite.I found all these tutorials to make these online for free! Sew Mama Sew's blog is posting tutorials all through November and I love checking them out.

What I'm Making

 So I think I can get away with showing some of the Christmas gifts and other things I am making and not let  the kids see them. First I have some doll clothes for Renata. I haven't finished the coat and probably should have waited to show till after I had but oh well.

This is an art bag I am making for all the kids to take when we travel down to Florida for Christmas.The tutorial is here. (Sew Mama Sew's blog has great listings for tutorials all this month and great giveaways. FYI.)This one is Georgie's.

 These last two are for me.Here is another necklace I have made that I don't usually wear with turquoise but with brown. I'm into the chunkier beads right now. I have a really neat one I am still working on. And lastly I made myself a fall purse that actually looks like a fall purse. Love me some brown argyle!

Halloween

My mom sent me pictures of her dog dressed for Halloween so I thought I should reciprocate and show her the kids. We go to my 93 year old neighbor's Trunk or Treat at her church. She likes introducing us to al her friends.

Renata wanted to be an artist ("like her mom") so she had fun making her costume. Ward was in awe of the whole process and really enjoyed his candy. Georgie changed his costume idea every 5 minutes till we left and ended up with his old favorite, Batman. Joffre went as a soldier the day before at our church's Reformation Celebration but wanted to be a cowboy for Halloween. He tried to include as many accessories /weapons as possible to each costume.

It was lots of fun.

The Death of a Chipmunk

My cat is killing the chipmunks that populate our yard. I suppose most homeowners would be thrilled to be rid of them because of the holes and uneven ground they make in the yard. I think it is super sad. I think chipmunks are adorable. Squirrels, moles, mice and definitely rats I would be fine with but not my cute little chipmunks. We have a ton of these guys in our yard and I love looking out the window of the kitchen while making breakfast and seeing them running about their business.

Anyway, the other day we found this little dead one lying so peacefully on the ground. I decided to draw it and paint it. It isn't often you get to draw an animal from life that is still so I took the opportunity. Joffre thought it was funny (especially because I am bummed the cat is killing them) so he took some pictures.
I had to fend off the cat so he wouldn't play with it, yuck!

My New Hobby

While my cousin Bonni was here she did something dreadful....she got me into a new hobby. I have too many hobbies and she got me addicted to a new one. Bad Bonni! She has started making jewelry and taught me how to while she was here. She also made me some lovely earrings I have been wearing constantly.

Here are some of the necklaces I have made so far.I am working on matching earrings.

I have another 2 strand one that I think is going to be really awesome. I loosely based it on this necklace I saw on Anthropologie's site. I have to buy more beads for it though. I love the knots in that one but I am using beads and different colors. I just got the idea of how they used color and size.

I have been making things like crazy especially since Christmas is coming up. Unfortunately I can't show them because I don't want the recipients to see their presents. You'll just get to see the 101 necklaces I make for myself. One fun thing is Renata also got into the beading and is making necklaces. I taught her to do a pattern and stick to certain color schemes. It is a fun thing for us to do together.

Cousin Bonni

Sorry to neglect the blog for so long but we had some internet changes and we were without it for about 2-3 weeks. It felt so very long.

We had a fun visit from my California cousin Bonni. It is so very awesome that her company has a warehouse here and they send her here every so often. The kids love cousin Bonni. One of the many great things about Bonni is she is a picture taker. So we got some nice pictures while she was here. I love the one of her and Renata.