Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Homemade Birthday Banner


It seems like banners are the thing these days. I thought it would be fun to make a banner that could be our "family birthday banner" to hang for every birthday, every year as a family tradition.

Here's how I made it...

Materials:
1/4 yard fabric for letters
1/4 yard each of 3-4 different fabrics (amount depends on size of triangles)
Interfacing
Heat and Bond iron on adhesive
Double fold bias tape
Thread to match

1. Make a pattern. I just used my computer to print a template. I played around with different size triangles and fonts till I found what I liked. For the font I used the outline of the letter to save ink.
{Triangles....}
2. Cut out triangles

3. Then sew edges (I only did the sides, not the top)
4. Cut edges with pinking scissors to help with fraying

{Now for the letters...}
5. Iron interfacing on to fabric for letters
6. Cut letters out of fabric with interfacing (make sure to cut them out so they read the right way)
7. Place letters on triangles
 8. Attach the letters to the triangle with Heat and Bond (measure the top of the triangle to the top to the letter so all the letters end up at the same height)
9. Hand stitch or sew the edge of the letters on to the triangle (I hand stitched them)
10. After all letters are on the triangles, lay them out (I used the floor since my table wasn't big enough) and pin the bias tape to them (sorry I didn't get any pictures of this, kind of hard to explain!) 
11. Then sew or hand stitch the bias tape to the top of the triangles
12. Find somewhere to hang and enjoy!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Good Chili

Since it felt more like October 12th today instead of July 12th (with a high of 64, ugh) I decided to make Chili for dinner tonight (not something I usually make during the summer months). I thought I would share this recipe because it is supper easy, pretty much can't be messed up and it is pretty yummy if I do say so myself!

Good Chili
Ingredients:
1 can pinto beans
1lb can of tomatoes (or 2 of the normal size ones)
1 can Rol-Tels (unless you like your chili pretty hot make sure to get mild Rol-Tels)
1 8oz can of tomato sauce
2lb(ish) of ground beef
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tbs chili powder
1tsp pepper
1tsp cumin

Instructions:
Brown beef; add green bell pepper, onion and garlic cook on medium till tender (10ish minutes).

Add seasonings, tomatoes, Rol-Tels and tomato sauce, cook for 30ish minutes.


About 10 minutes before we eat I add the beans so they don't get mushy.
We like to top it with cheese and some Fritos :) Enjoy!



First Steps!!

Blake has been trying to take steps now for a few days and tonight he finally did more than one step and we caught it on camera! And he did it several other times tonight too! I can't believe my baby is learning how to walk. He is growing up way too fast.







Monday, July 11, 2011

Mini-vacation!

This weekend we took a break from the painting and went on a mini-vacation to Bend! We love Bend, it is a beautiful town and there is always something to do and fun restaurants to eat at. Our friends are from Bend and sill have parents who live there and they graciously hosted us for the weekend.
{source}

It was a great weekend of relaxing, (the girls even got massages!) eating great food and spending time with great friends. The weekend ended to quickly!
 And we even got out without the babies (twice!)!
It was a great weekend!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Five Years Ago...

On July 8, 2006
Five years ago, I became a Mrs. 
I can't believe it's been five years. 
I would love to relive our wedding day. 
It was perfect.
And went by way too fast.
{as most perfect days do}




Russell,
Thank you for choosing me to be your wife.
I love you more and more with everyday!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

4 Day Weekend for the 4th of July!

This morning was supper hard to send Russell off to work since we had just had a 4 day weekend with him at home. We rarely have 4 days were we are just home, just the 3 of us. It was so nice! We got lots of house painting done (we are painting the outside of our house... pictures to come soon) and had some fun as well!
 
On Saturday we took Blake swimming for the first time this summer. Our friends live in a neighborhood that has a pool so we joined them for a short swim. Blake wasn't really sure what to think of the water. He didn't splash like he does in the bath tub. I think he might have been a little overwhelmed, there were quite a few people there. I can't wait to take him again, I think the more we go swimming the more he will begin to like it. I really need to get him signed up for a mommy and me swim class!

Sunday we enjoyed church in the amphitheater for the first time this summer. I love church outside. There's just something about worshiping God in his creation. I love how in the summer there are baptisms after the service, I love watching them. I love the going to the church bbq. 
[this picture doesn't do the amphitheater it justice]

At the bbq after church, Blake had his first taste of Cheeto. He loved it. 
[disclaimer: they were baked Cheetos, that makes them better for you right?] [sorry the picture is so weird looking, it was taken with a phone]

The afternoon of the 4th we went to the Red White and Blue Riverfront Festival in Corvallis. After living here for almost 10 years I have never experienced a 4the of July here. We always seem to be traveling for the 4th. It was a nice change to be here but the Riverfront Festival wasn't what I was expecting. There weren't very many people there (which was actually really nice) and there just wasn't much to it. But we still had fun! 



We met up with our friends The Hammagren's and walked around the festival. None of the dinner options there sounded good and were quite pricey so we decided to walk over to McMenamins for happy hour. 



Blake had his first taste of lemon. Yes, that is a lemon in his mouth. We kept waiting for a funny face or reaction but he never made one! I guess he likes tart things.
After dinner we headed back through the festival and stopped to check out the water fountain!


All wet! 

Sadly we left before the fireworks started. I don't think Blake would have made it till 10pm. Hopefully next year he will get to see some fireworks. Russ and I didn't really get to see any fireworks either. Which felt strange. I can't recall a 4th of July were I didn't see fireworks! We tried watching some from our front yard but they weren't very easy to see although we could sure hear them. Actually, I take that back we did see some fireworks but they were on TV. I had no idea that they showed fireworks (I think it was from somewhere in NY and DC) on TV! It definitely was not the same as seeing them in person haha! Hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Commenting Challenge

Ok I'm trying something new. I came across Jenna's Journey through another fellow blogger and friend. Jenna's is holding her 2nd Annual Commenting Challenge. I thought I would join the challenge and give it a try! I'm hoping it motivates me to blog a little more and comment a little more :)

So hop on over to Jenna's Journey and link up!

Happy 4th of July!



Today I am so thankful for all the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our country and its freedom.  
LET FREEDOM RING!!! 

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