Amy Butler + Grey Chevron = :-)

Two of my favorite things:

Amy Butler Bag Patterns

 

AND

Grey Chevron

 

 

Naturally, combining the two of the makes me smile!

 

 

I tried out Amy Butler's Field Bag

 

 

Super cute.

A little larger than I thought it would be but still very cute.

 

I did not use the piping because I just don't like it.

I also chose the "tote" version which does not include a zipper.

 

I made it in my current fave, Chevron.

I LOVE it.



 

I will definately be making this again and adding the zipper.

 

It is a LARGE bag though.

I was hoping it would be more of an "everyday" bag but it's just too big.

I think I could easily size it down a bit.

 

I used it thanksgiving day to put all of our "stuff" in and take to Mom's house.

I had :

Preston's diapers

 nap things,

 extra clothes

 a box of crackers

 a container of batter for our fried cheese curds

and a cheese ball in there with room to spare!

 

This one's a keeper!

CHEVRON tree skirt!

I've been meaning to make a tree skirt for about the last TEN years.

I bought a cheap one our very first christmas.

Each time I've pulled it out the past few years I have thought to myself how much I needed a better one!

 

I finally took the time to get it done.

 

I had pinned Amy Butler's version on Pinterest and I think that's what finally inspired me to do it.

 

 

I did download it and read through it.

But that's about as far as I got.

I decided to just start cutting and do it my own way- I figured it couldn't be THAT hard, right!?!

 

And hers had felt for part of it....I didn't want felt.

I used a cream colored duck cloth.

 

 

I was right, this was such a super easy project!

 

And I used my most favorite thing....green Chevron!

 

 

 

I think it turned out pretty cute.

 

 

It is a LARGE improvement from what we had before!

And it was easy too!

 

Follow Amy's directions if you want to make your own...or just start cutting circles like I did!
Either way, it's a fun project that made a big difference under our tree.



Hello Kitty Christmas!

Peighton in the fabric store usually costs me money.

She likes to pick things out.

A LOT of things.

 

I don't usually do much (other than pajamas) with character fabric.

I just don't love it.

I often tell Peighton that there "just isn't enough for a dress."

 

But when she saw this Hello Kitty fabric she asked me with very hopeful eyes if "there was enough for a dress."

 

I told her "maybe" knowing that I was probably going to have to do it...

 

So, I did.

And I don't mind it too much.

 

 

 

I cut off a t-shirt and added a very full skirt to it-her favorite kind. ;-)

 

And I thought a little flower with a peppermint button in the middle would be pretty cute too.

 

Preston was "dozing" the dress while I was trying to take a picture.

Boys...

 



She's FINALLY 6!!!!

Friday, the 16th, Peighton finally turned six years old.

 

I think the day after she turned five she "couldn't WAIT to be six."

She told me this at least once a week.

 

She had very specific things she wanted to happen for her birthday this year:

 

1. Bacon for her birthday breakfast.

(I convinced her to add waffles to the menu too.)

2. Pizza Ranch for dinner on Friday night.

3. A Princess Tiana birthday party so she could wear her dress from Disney again.

 

Her birthday breakfast-the bacon was cooking while we blew out candles!

 

 

 

Our traditional "bear picture."

 

 

We have been doing the bear picture since she was tiny and it is so fun to look at all of them!

This one is at 2 months old.

I have put them into a book on Shutterfly and Peighton loves to look at them and hear stories about herself!

 

Nellie got a new ice skating outfit!

 

She was so excited for her birthday party!

She asked me if she "could pose" for this picture.

It must be a princess pose.

 

It was a bit of a "crock-pot-palooza" that night!

 

Every party requires a pinata!

 

I think her most favorite present was a pair of roller skates.

She has worn them almost nonstop!

 

These crazy hair clips were in the pinata....and she wore every single one of them!!!!!

 

 

 



A Farewell to Fall....and Halloween a little bit late...

It's cold.

To me, that means Fall is almost over and Winter is about to set in.

I really like Fall but it can't last forever!

 

We have enjoyed the past few weeks of "warm-ish" weather by playing in the leaves one last time, carving pumpkins, making fun Halloween food and of course Trick or Treating!

(If you ask Preston though it's "Licky-Leat.")

 

 

He was "sleeping" in the leaves.

 



 

Mummy Dogs!

We wrapped breadsticks around cocktail weinies-the kids thought these were fantastic.

 

No Fall is complete without a few Jack-O-Lanterns!

 

Trick or Treat time!

My Princess and the Frog duo were adorable.

 

We went trick or treating with Spiderman too but I think he was off saving the world and was too busy for a picture.

Or he was just being stubborn...one of the two.

 

Tiana and Spiderman thought they had to race each other to the door because they wanted to be the first to ring the doorbell.

 

Preston tried to keep up...but his legs are kinda short.

 

 

 

Another wonderful Fall for the Fords.

Can't wait to see what fun Winter brings!

 



Chewy Granola Energy Bars

The kids LOVE granola bars.

 

I pinned a recipe that looked pretty yummy.

We tried it out and they are quite good!

 

 

 

 

Chewy Granola Energy Bars

 

The original recipe came from HERE.

 

Chewy Granola Energy Bars

 

2 1/2 cups quick rolled oats

1/2 cup Rice Krispies

1/4 cup coconut

1/2 cup mini M & M candies

1/2 cup chopped peanuts ( left these out)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp ground flax ( left this out-didn't have any!)

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup honey

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

 

 

Preheat oven to 350.

Spray a 9x9 pan with Pam.

Combine all ingredients and press into prepared pan.

 

Bake for 18-20 minutes.

 

Let cool for 5 minutes and score the bars.

Cool completely and then cut the bars.

 

 

The kids LOVED these!!!!!!

I have a request to make these again for "Deer Camp."
You know, for when they force themselves to be out in the cold waiting for "the big one" to come by.
At least they'll have something yummy to eat!