Say it with me y'all ... "Let It Goooo!"

One of my favorite blogs to read lately {well, for some time actually} is We Are THAT Family . I'll be honest it was the name that caught my eye. Because often we are "THAT" Family too ... Kristen is open & brutally honest. I appreciate that. I also fully appreciate the values that her family holds dear. Of course after "Black Friday on Thanksgiving" and now CyberMonday, this little post couldn't have come at a better time. 

http://wearethatfamily.com/2015/11/10-things-our-kids-dont-need-this-christmas/

What really hit home for me ...

#2 ... I've always felt guilty about not doing ANY kind of advent calendar. But we {seriously} do discuss the TRUE MEANING of Christmas on a daily basis!️ 

#4 ... We have NEVER {in 10 years of Christmases} invited our Littles to write a Christmas list {honestly it just never occurred to us}. And they are always OverTheMoon excited for their special cups {a yearly tradition starting with bottles or pacifiers}, organic applesauce/veggie pouches, 50¢ LED fingertip lights, colorful socks, etc. Gifts are about KNOWING your Children & what they will truly appreciate! 

You don't need to set {& then BLOW} a huge budget for Christmas presents. Of course, some years we aren't as strict & structured ... as a matter of fact this year we kinda did blow the budget {albeit not much though!}. Our Littles want to learn to sew "on their own" so badly and after being advised of a great sale {plus coupon} on a Janome portable, I bit the bullet and purchased ONE for them to share. We also picked up tablets for them during BlackFriday sales ... seriously though, the tablets are for SCHOOL {fun fun}. 


What do YOU do to stay in budget? Or do you have one ... ???  ♥

SergerPepper Everyday Tank: My 1st Pattern REVIEW

Merry Christmas! I do hope that your year has been Blessed and stuffed FULL of Laughter & Love. 2014 has been kRaZy {to say the least} for my HappyLittleFamily {HLF}. And with Ruffles’ 5th {FIFTH!} Birthday taking place in the midst of the Holiday Season -simultaneously with our trip to WDW {!•Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party•!} , a Family Christmas Party and our church's Christmas Concert -and this was all in ONE  weekend!- on top of HLF's regularly PACKED schedule, this Mommy is one busy Lady... and that brings me to the subject at hand. {GEEZ. Can you say “Longest run-on sentence EVER”?}

Recently I signed on with Denise of DIY Crush to be a pattern reviewer. I have discovered that in my busy life it is helpful to have a reason {or deadline!} to make me sit down & sew. Besides that, I love testing patterns {and sharing my results & opinion with others} so why not try something new? Granted I was supposed to have finished and turned in my review a few weeks ago...but who's counting right? I’m only joking - if you know me then you know how I despise being late. Being late makes me gRuMpY {FYI, I stay gRuMpY a LOT lately!}.

The 1st pattern I have been asked to review was the Everyday Tank: Top & Dresses by SergerPepper. I just knew we had to do it because living in NE Fla means Shorts, FlipFlops & {YES} TankTops year round!  The Everyday Tank, Top & Dress {heretofore referred to as The ET} looked like something we could have fun with & when I saw the "BEGINNER" level I was sold, HaHa! This pattern was published in PDF form {my personal -and absolute - favorite}. The ET comes in 3 lengths {Top, Dress & Maxi}, has some very cute side detailing and optional pockets {something I have recommended in almost EVERY pattern I've tested, HaHa!}.

How CUTE is this?¿?

This was my 1st 'foreign' pattern {written using the metric system} but this tutorial also includes the imperial system...& I learned that Americans use the "Imperial" system. I never knew that until I read this pattern! Irene of SergerPepper did a fantastic job using both measurements while keeping the tutorial pretty clear & concise. She also made sure to repeat important tips and crucial steps. I am a huge fan of up-cycling and  Irene gave excellent instructions on how to make your ET using an existing garment.  I did up-cycle but due to the largeness of the existing garments & the smallness of my Ruffles, was unable to use the tips. Bummer. Next time though...

The ET tutorial offers SO MANY different tips & tricks! Choosing a style, picking your fabrics, cutting your fabrics, choosing measurements, sewing with knits, using your seger or just sewing machine, binding techniques, hemming {& more!} but the tutorial was laid out in a way that isn't overwhelming. Sometimes too much is just that - TOO MUCH. In this instance it isn't excessive because all the information is helpful & easy to find. The ET is listed {classified?} as a BEGINNER level & I would agree. I recommend reading the ENTIRE tutorial at least once through before starting though!

I did not use my serger on this pattern. In fact I used my "never fails me" Brother 'Project Runway' Limited Edition BlackFriday WalMart Special! It only sews a straight or zig-zag stitch. For knits I will often loosen the tension but that is the only adjustment I made.

Had I thought ahead, I would have tried laying the striped fabric diagonally for a more feminine look. Ruffles LOVES it though, so what more can a Mommy ask for? I would love to try a tank for Robot & I have plans for at least one dress-length version for Ruffles {I'm a sucker for a cute knit dress!}. ♥

GottaRun, ByeBye Y'all! ☺️
Brandyn

P.S.
A "few" more pictures of my Lil'Sweetie {& YES this outfit was totally appropriate for the weather!}

That little belly! ♥♥♥ We had just finished dinner☺️ 

Duggar Family Goodness

I am a HUGE fan of the Duggar Family. I absolute Love watching the show, reading/listening to their interviews and I hope to pick up some of the books & Children's literature that they have worked on as well. My SweetHubbs & I share the same core values as the Duggars ~ from Christianity, Politics, ChildRearing, Modesty {only we aren't quite as orthodox}, Financial Responsibility {though we certainly aren't as disciplined!}, Education {HomeSchool ROCKS!}, among others.

I always feel uplifted, positive & encouraged after watching an episode of 19 Kids & Counting. And my Littles Love watching w/ me! Ruffles now Loves to quote me {quoting Mama Michelle} "Practice makes progress".  ♥ 

Tonight, while on FB {checking notes in a 'testing group' for an upcoming pattern} I saw on the sidebar a link for Duggar Family Blog: A Blog About the Duggars. I clicked on it & was excited to find a site NOT affiliated w/ TLC. This blog is run by two seemingly sweet Ladies & stays pretty up-to-date. {I remember a few of the Duggar 'Children' saying once that they were unable to have FB accounts because they were ALWAYS shut down after being reported as fraudulent/impostors ~ how funny! It's probably in their best interest anyway!}.

Anyhow, I continued on over to the actual blog just to check it out ~ & was pleasantly surprised! Not spammy or idol worshippy. Just a nice uplifting blog that keeps the general public abreast of the IMPORTANT {i.e. we aren't weirdos for wanting to know about it ;) } current events in the lives of all things Duggar-related.

I also came across this !'GIVE•AWAY'! ;) The Original Duggar Family Blog in conjunction with Build A Sign is giving away a $25 GiftCard! You should go check out Build A Sign  & then go enter the giveaway :  http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/giveaway-prize-your-choice.html  ♥ 

Missing Vinnie

Well . . . We made it. I thought for sure that 2013 was going to be better than 2012. Easier maybe ~ more fun, more laughs. I didn't anticipate January 28, 2013. Never would have guessed that you were going to leave us. I needed you. I knew it, you knew it. We had Robot's big surgery coming up. I had {still have} gardening & other homemaking and LIFE questions to ask. There is a 4yr old little SpitFire that NEEDS her Twin SpitFire Vinnie. It kills me daily how much she misses you. My LittleOnes have no closure, their Vinnie was just ~ GONE. And it hurts. Oh how it hurts their little hearts that they couldn't see you. They couldn't say "GoodBye". 

I can't even begin to imagine what they must be going through. To be so young and lose someone so vital to our Family ~ and NOT get to say GoodBye. Due to illness & schedules we made it to the hospital only twice during the 7 week ordeal. On Christmas Day & my Birthday. The four of us drove out to the Hospital together. Then the looks of pain & even betrayal in their eyes when they weren't allowed into the ward . . . I hope I lose those memories someday. 

On the other hand, I have 3 wonderful memories to cling to {painful though they may be}.
1.  After Thanksgiving {maybe 2 weeks before she got sick} the Family & I went out to the Farm and spent some time chatting with Vinnie & Papa. Vinnie & I talked and talked {as we always did} for well over an hour. We talked a lot about my sewing. She had never quite 'gotten the hang of it' & she wanted to know what I was learning and doing & even asked me to make some new curtains for her LivingRoom. I was honored! She passed her Mama's sewing machine down to me and we decided that I would come back 
and pick it up in the new year . . . yeah ~ that hasn't yet happened. Maybe 
someday soon. ♥ We just shared some wonderful fellowship and {as usual} I learned a thing or two.

2.  On my Birthday {2 weeks before Vinnie left us} I got back to Gainesville for a 2nd visit. She was awake this time {unsedated} & lightly restrained {because she wanted to break out ~ hard headed Lady ♥ }. 

Vinnie was upset & panicky ~ she absolutely DESPISED for her Grandchildren to see her in less than 'perfect' condition. I was so Thankful that I was able to soothe her and then talk to her. She couldn't speak due to a trache {that drove her bOnKeRs ): }, but I was able to understand a few things that she attempted to tell me. I told her about what the Children were up to {we had just signed Robot up for Piano & Ruffles for Ballet} and I even told her the secret about Hubbs' new job. I figured Vinnie deserved some Happy news - and she had been waiting to hear it! At one point during our visit she looked away from me for a moment. When she turned back, I saw the most heartbreaking expression in her eyes. It was bothering her again ~ that she wasn't perfect, and she so desperately wanted to be HOME. I did something that I would have NEVER in a thousand lifetimes have imagined myself doing to this Strong, Vivacious, Independent Woman. I cupped her face in my hand and shushed, cooed & comforted her as a child. I cried with her and told her how very much she was LOVED and that we were Praying & rooting for her to COME HOME SOON. {The prognosis was positive at that point. We were looking at another month or so to have Vinnie back in her home.} I kissed her goodnight, walked out into the main hallway . . . & cried like a helpless child. 

3. The Last Day. They called us that morning - said Vinnie had developed blood poisoning. She was crashing & had very little time left. I told my Littles & held them while we cried. I called one of my Sisters to tell her and then arranged our drive over to Gainesville. We got dressed and then waited on Hubbs & AuntSister to arrive. At the rehab hospital {ironic right} we only had one chance to visit because there were so many Family members & Friends rushing over to say "GoodBye" {she was Blessed}. But it was a GOOD visit. Our Papa was there, holding her hand and AuntSister & I joined him. Vinnie was awake & aware of her surroundings and visitors. ALWAYS a Blessing. 
AuntSister was 9 months pregnant at this time & we got to tell Vinnie some wonderful updates about BabyB. The nurses lowered her bed waaay down so she could see 'him' & I told Vinnie how much I would miss having him in there because when AuntSister laughed her belly shook like SantaClaus. Then {somehow} I made her laugh and Vinnie got to see the belly bounce ~ & she chuckled! ♥  I Pray that to my dying day I will always see the expression on her face as she 'talked' with us that morning. It was so priceless ~ full of wonder, awe & love at what was happening with the Families that SHE helped to create. 

I fully believe that Grandmothers are one of God's truly GREATEST GIFTS to mankind ~ apart from Jesus & Salvation of course.  (O; I have been extremely Blessed in my lifetime to have been Loved {& Loved WELL} by quite a few of them ~ 6 to be exact {with 2 still on this Earth}!  These past 12 months have been . . . difficult, harsh, lacking, painful, empty . . . to say the least.  I do still need my Vinnie, I was only just beginning to learn from her. At this point we 
still haven't figured out the "how" of getting on with life without her, but I know that by just living our day to day ~ day by day ~ one morning we'll wake up and realize we've done it.  We Love You Vinnie & Miss You ~ Daily.  
♥ ♥ ♥ 

! FabricStash~GIVEAWAY !

Okay, so there is an AH~MAZING GIVEAWAY that I have been trying and trying {and trying . . . } to enter for {what feels like}a week now. Unfortunatley tonight is THE LAST NIGHT & I finally got the darn site to work for me! Oh Well, I may even win anyhow right!?!

I absolutely ADORE the partners of this particular giveaway. 

Whimsy Couture happens to be one of my favorite pattern writers. I do have MOST of her collection in MY collection. She is SUPER Helpful & SUPER Sweet. I have even had the pleasure of testing for her a handful of times {more on that later ~ I promise!}.

I found StitchStashDiva this past Summer while shopping for 'SUPERHERO' fabrics. I {along with a Friend} was planning to surprise Robot with a custom hospital gown to wear during his HeartSurgery {again ~ more on that later . . . I promise!}. SSD was the place for me ~ I found what I liked and they even created a custom bundle pack with EXACTLY what I needed {even though their etsy store listed some items as 'out of stock'!}. 

Anyhoo . . . go check out BOTH WC & SSD NOW. Totally worth your time, I promise. ♥

~SkirtWeekIsComing~!~SkirtWeekIsComing~

~ !~It'sAlmostTime~! ~

{{Quick~ Click me to find out what this KrAzY Lady is 'talking' about!}}

WC Giveaway

Interview & Giveaway ~ Anne Kelle Fabrics