September Blessings

Is it just me, or did September fly by?  It seems like summer never really got here before the temperature started cooling down, and before I knew it, it was October!  Before I think about everything going on this month, I wanted to take some time to think about all the ways Dave and I were blessed in September.

• Dave is officially a Big Blue employee!  Even though he was eligible for benefits right away, he has to work six months to earn vacation time.  Boo...
• I am working again!  A part-time job at a law firm in Buckhead fell into my lap at just the right time.  I enjoy the work because I'm getting paid to organize files, and it's only through the end of the year when their office moves.
• We had an awesome housewarming with lots of friends and family stopping by!  The new place is definitely better for entertaining (even if it is only temporary lodging till we're ready to buy a house out here).
• My sister's bachelorette party was a smashing success.  If you want to know more about it, Mary and Sarah both posted on their blogs.
• I had a successful first tasting party for Tastefully Simple!  Now that I've gotten the first one done to know how it goes, I can work on refining my presentation for future parties.  It's a challenge keep up with TS, the chores at home, and the PT job, but I'm enjoying it so far.

Never thought I'd work at a big building in Atlanta...

Week 3: Bears Win Again

Another win for the Chicago Bears this week, but since it was a Sunday night game on a busy weekend, I didn't get too far on the latest burp cloth.  I made it to the halfway point, and once this Tie Die Stripes one is done, hopefully my last skein of Lime Stripes will be here so I can finish the other burp cloth in progress.  I had no luck finding that last skein I needed in-store, but I was able to locate it on Ebay for less than shipping alone at JoAnn.com!  Woo hoo!

Bridal Helper

The big day is October 12! Less than three weeks to go, Mary! 

In the beginning, there were many homemade invitations to tie with a purple bow...

Then I converted dollar store invitations into snazzy bridal shower invitations with a new printer and lots of rubber cement.  Of course, we tied in the favors and prizes to the purple color scheme, too!

And finally, I made a fantastic Pin Win with this bachelorette party bag I found months ago on Pinterest!  She'll have to live with no purple on this one...

Week 2: Bears Win (Barely)

Da Bears won again (but let's not talk about how ugly that game was), and I had three finishes this week!  I completed the "Pretty Pastels" burp cloth and the "Lime Stripes" bib as anticipated, and just for fun I stitched up a dishcloth from the remaining "Pretty Pastels" striped with the remnants of "Strawberry" from an old project.  While I did start the "Lime Stripes" burp cloth, I ran out of yarn halfway through (and will probably have to order it online because I've had no luck finding one more skein at two of the three big craft stores so far...).  This week's project is the matching "Tie Die Stripes" burp cloth to go with the bib I finished before pre-season was over.

Week 1: Bears Win!

We just finished the first weekend of football season, and here are the two projects I've been working on while my husband watches non-stop NFL.  The burp cloth is in girly Sugar'n Cream "Pretty Pastels," and I'll probably finish it up tonight during Monday Night Football .  The bib is in gender-neutral Sugar'n Cream "Lime Stripes," and once I finish the second strap, I'll start on the matching burp cloth.

Window Win!

Our new home has a couple of awkward (but cute) square windows in random places. The most obnoxious one is in the living room, and previous tenants covered it with some sort of ugly white plastic thing.  Since I don't want to go through the hassle of blinds, and a tension rod with a small curtain didn't really make me happy, either, I decided to get crafty.

Step 1) Cut foam core board to size (easier said than done...)
Step 2) Pick fun fabric and cut it with enough excess to wrap the board
Step 3) Use leftover packing tape from moving to secure fabric to the board
Step 4) Wiggle stepladder in between audio/visual set-up and awkwardly hammer in small nails to hold the board over the window
Step 5) Wait to see how long it takes Dave to notice...

I may go purchase one or two square canvases and cover them in the same or similar print fabric to make it into an art wall, rather than a random fabric aquarium floating above the TV.  Anyone want to join me for a trip to Hobby Lobby?

July-August Blessings

I realize I've been negligent in posting my blessings the past two months, and some of our summer blessings are the very causes of my tardiness!

• In July and August, we celebrated Dave's birthday, his dad's birthday, my mom's birthday, my dad's birthday, and the birth of our fourth niece (and soon-to-be Goddaughter), Elizabeth Amelia.  Lots of family time!
• Sarah and I planned an awesome bridal shower for our middle sister, Mary.  I'd blog about it here, but Sarah already did an awesome job on her blog.
• Our rental was available on August 1st, and we were closing on the townhouse on August 2nd, so we had a very short time frame to move.  A month later, we have no more mortgage (nor Homeowners Association, woo hoo!), and I'm finally unpacked enough to be willing to invite people to our home.
• I joined Tastefully Simple as an independent consultant in the midst of all this craziness and now have my own little business to organize.  I have my own Facebook page and consultant website, plus I'm having fun setting up a home office in our loft!
• After five years as a contractor for Big Blue Wireless Company, Dave was offered a position as an actual employee!  We're looking forward to a bit more job security and hopefully a good benefits package.

My workspace (and Dave's playspace)

Tastefully Simple Central

I can't argue with sharing an office...