A tiny little blogging tip...

Hi friends!

I hope you all are enjoying this lovely Monday. My kids are napping [at the same time!!! Yay!} and I'm just catching up on some emails while cookies are baking in the oven.

So, I have a little request/tip for you. I love reading each and every one of the comments you leave for me, and I do my best to respond to them all. All of the comments left on my blog get emailed to me, and I'm able to respond to you personally through email, which is such a fun way to get to know you better and to thank you for stopping by! Sadly, I'm unable to respond to you if your account is set up to be 'no-reply'. If you'd like to hear back from me {or from any other bloggers you leave comments for}, follow these simple steps...

1. Go to blogger.com
2. Click Edit Profile
3. Under Privacy, check the box next to 'Show my email address'
4. If you don't have an email address displayed, just enter your email under Identity where it says 'Email address'
5. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select 'Save Profile'

Simple, right?

Happy Monday!

October Gift Guide

{for a baby}

source

{for a little boy}

source

{for a little girl}

source

{for a gentleman}

source

{for a lady}

source

{for a friend}

source

{for the newlyweds}

source

Happy shopping!

Pin-Did!

I love Pinterest. It's like having the most amazing craft, decorating, diy, style, and food magazine ever...all on your computer. And it's never-ending. Seriously, so much fun. If you're not familiar with Pinterest, it basically acts as a virtual bulletin board where you can 'pin' just about anything you'd like...decorating ideas, diy project ideas, style inspiration, funny sayings, recipes, etc.

Naturally, you can understand my excitement when I read about Amanda's little Pinterest Challenge. I admit to having a multitude of projects I'd love to try, but have not yet found the time to get around to them. Amanda's challenge is to actually attempt something you've 'pinned'. It could be a recipe, a craft, a decorating project, anything! I'm thrilled to have found some motivation to actually execute one of the many ideas I've collected over the past several months.

If you've been bitten by the Pinterest bug, join Amanda {and me!} in checking some of those projects off your 'to do' list. I'll be sharing my project next Tuesday!

Nine weeks later...

It has been nine weeks since Truett had his big surgery. I cannot believe how quickly time passes, especially when children are involved. I know I will blink again and we'll be celebrating my little man's first birthday. For now, I'm treasuring each snuggle and giggle that comes from this boy. I love being his mom so much, and wouldn't change anything about the first 4 months of his life. Obviously, I could have done without the whole heart surgery situation, but I have learned to rejoice even in the difficult things God allows into our lives. I learned so much about prayer, trust in God, love, and the body of Christ through that ordeal. And really, looking back, I wouldn't trade those lessons for anything. They are part of Truett's story and part of our family's story, and we have all grown closer to each other and closer to the Lord as a result.

We've had about half a day of autumn-like weather here, and I am so ready for the crisp, cooler days! Hopefully they will arrive soon so I can dress Truett up in more hats like this...

Yesterday, the kids and I took a little trip to the Pediatric Cardiologist. Truett received rave reviews on the condition of his heart, and we were told to discontinue his final heart medication. In the doctor's words, he's a 'perfect baby'. I couldn't agree more! Here's my little wiggle-worm smiling and squirming for the tech.

Truett had his blood pressure checked for the final time in 2011. {Lord willing!} We don't have to return to the cardiologist until January. Woohoo!
Once again, thank you so much for the kind comments and emails you've shared during this journey. I will forever remember the love and encouragement that's been showered on us during these early months of Truett's life.

Revisiting some old favorites

Good morning!

This week Gussy's Inspiration Workshop prompt is Favorite DIY. I've had a great time looking back through my archives at previous projects. I decided to share a few of my all-time favorites with you today.

{Fruity Art}

{Maren's Kitchen}

{J.Crew Pin}

{Chain Headband}

{Sunshine Canvas}

What I've been up to lately...

I've been having a great time constructing some new items for the shop. Working on these projects is such a delight for me. With two young children underfoot, it is often challenging to find time and energy to pursue my creative endeavors. But I've recently had a bit of an epiphany. You see, I believe creativity is a gift from God. He has, after all, demonstrated the most amazing creative works in His magnificent creation.

For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Colossians 1:16

For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Psalm 95:3-5

I love thinking of the Lord as our Great Creator. I can't help but praise him when I think of how he's formed and planned out my life and the lives of my husband and children. I can't help but give glory to his name when I drive around town and see the immensity of the Rocky Mountains spread across the horizon. So, I consider it a great privilege and an act of praise to spread my creative wings, so to speak. It is a gift to create interesting things, and it is a joy to have this be an opportunity for me to contribute something financially to our family.

Now, for the big reveal! These little collages are each so special and unique. I create the original designs, hand-cut all the paper, and stitch each piece together to form a whimsical piece of art. I hope you like them!

{Birdie, Birdie}

{Merry}

{Sweet Home}

{Five Flowers}

{Small Houses}

Friday hi!

I just wanted to stop by to say 'hello' on this lovely Friday! My aunt and uncle are visiting from Minneapolis, so we're enjoying company at our house this weekend. Maren is keeping them quite busy with all of her creative antics. I took these pictures of Truett last week [a little late!] to document him at 3 months old. I did the same with Maren, and it's been great fun to compare their pictures each month. Here are a few favorites of my sweet, smiley boy.





Maren wanted to get in on the action, so we goofed around and took a few self-portraits.
I love my days with these two littles...they are such a joy!