Friday giveaway....Jeanne Winters! (and a winner!)

First of all...let me welcome you to Slackerville.
This is where I COMPLETELY forget to announce the winner of the Meeup carrier...
It is YOU!
Contact Shelly to let her know! :)

I tell ya...having kids has totally negated my college degree.
Sorry about that.
To make up for it I have another great giveaway for you...

Say Hello to Jeanne!

I started blogging after I sold my business - an online store selling Christian gifts and home decor. On that store site, I also had a 'Creative Ideas' spot where I offered ideas of things people could make or do for themselves. So when that outlet was gone, I needed a new one to share all these ideas I had! :-)

My blog - Inspiring Ideas - is where I show my ideas of incorporating positive and uplifting words and scripture into our homes, gift-giving and entertaining ... which is also the focus of my book "Inspirational Home." I also do inspirational product design and I've started to get back into painting - and I sell prints of that art on Etsy.

What she didn't mention...is that she has a display of her super cute items at Hallmark!!
And is a published author! :) Very cool.
She is offering up your choice of one of her prints OR a signed copy of her book!

How can you be the lucky winner?

1-Visit her shop--Jeanne Winters Tell me your favorite design.
2-Make a purchase...tell me about it.
3-Visit her blog-Learn more about her-Inspiring Ideas-and say Hi!
4. Follow my blog. :)
5. Blog about it-tell me you did.
6. Facebook about it.
7. Tell me one thing on your Christmas list! :)

We'll choose a winner for this on Wednesday!!!
(promise!)

xo

highlights of lowkey

We had two sick boys and my husband is a Target exec.
So our Thanksgiving was very low key.
Very.
Moses started the morning by waking up at 4:30 am.
I woke up to him going
"psst...pssst...pssst..."standing at the top of the stairs.
Completely nude he was.
I put him back to bed. Doug was already at work.

I did make a full Thanksgiving dinner...complete with perfect rolls.

We tried to wear Moses out by playing wii...

Only Doug ended up more tired.

Stinkface showed up...

And turned nine months old. :)

Moses and I made a "crap" as he calls it.

I made some cakes for Doug to take to his team at work on Thanksgiving.

And worked on some new "crap" myself. :)

Overall...a good day.
Low key and laid back was just what we needed.

We have so much to be thankful for...truly.

Today I hope to decorate for Christmas...and NOT leave the house.
I was not made to shop on Black Friday...definitely not alone with two kids. :)

Did you?

xo

THE cutest advent...made from cute baby things.

So there is THIS sock advent...made by Martha.
It's cute and all...but my baby's socks are not that cute on their own.
They are cute mind you...but not "looks like they were just made to be an advent" cute.
You know?
So I one upped Martha.

Here is what you need:
24 baby socks
24 tiny clothes pins
about 3/4 yard of various fabrics
(I bought 2 fat quarters then used scraps I had)
tulle (if and whatever color you desire)

ribbon long enough to go where you will be hanging this. :)
safety pins
numbers 1-24...printed on card stock
(search on etsy for "number tags")

Cut your fabric and tulle into strips that are 1-2in by 8-10in.
You really can't go wrong...you can even rip them if you like that look.

I also had a couple of favorite outfits that were my boys...and color appropriate. :)
So I cut those up too...same size strips...some with snaps...just cause.

Then hang up your ribbon...it is easier to work with if it is hanging.
Don't worry...your husband LOVES it when you put holes in the mantle.

Then...just start tying the strips on...use a simple knot.

Keep going and going, until it makes your heart happy.
I was going for obnoxiously full...but you might like a little full.
There is no wrong.

Then...add your little tiny socks...evenly spaced...using the tiny clothes pins.

Add your number tags...using your safety pins.

After I took this photo I added some snowflake ornaments too...
I'll take a photo of that when we see the sun again.

And you are done!
A super cute keepsake advent...
made from sweet little socks and clothes I couldn't part with.
I made one for each of the boys and plan on
filling the socks with little treats to
count down the days until Christmas!

Take that Martha!

xo

new and sweet.

sorry for the absence...two days is a long time for me.
but I am working on lots.
above is my new nativity in the shop.
lot's of how to's coming too...to help you buy less and make more. :)

soon!
xo