That we should be called children of God!

Hey everyone! I have been busy, although you wouldn't know it here by the lack of activity on my part hah! But I have been busy doing stuff on my computer creating printable art, and templates for my "so called etsy shop". Anywhoo, I've made these free printables to share here. Print one out, put it in a frame, and you have an easy fast baby shower gift. These are 8 1/2 x 11 size, so you might need a document sized frame. I havent tried to put one in an 8x10 frame. So... Here you go!! Enjoy!!!



And the boy version!

Just click on the image, once the new window opens up, right click, and save to your computer. :)

My baby boy

My baby boy. 3 months old today. He surprised with the news of his arrival, and blessed us when he finally did arrive.... Late.... Let's hope that's not a characteristic of his. Haha. Here is the announcement I came up with for my little guy. My matt... I love you.

For the teachers

Woah... so much has happened since my last post. Ha. Found out I was pregnant, had the baby, and now I'm getting around to another post!! Yeah... I've never really been a once a week poster, but you'd think I'd do better than once a year!! Yikes. Well, I'm finally feeling somewhat normal, and got a small chance to sew a little today. Not much time since the new baby let me know he wasn't happy with my free time. But I made this zippered pouch for my oldest sons teacher. I like the way it came out, and am happy with it!

Free Printable Love Scripture Bag

Hey there! Just stopping in to put up a freebie for my friends!! I use every opportunity I can to teach my children about the Lord, and when valentines comes up, I don't teach them anything about Saint Valentine. Instead, I use the LOVE atmosphere to teach them about the Love of God. I also use this time as an opportunity to spread the word out to their classmates! I usually make their cards or treats, the kids have fun with it. They're finally old enough to cut paper decently, and use the glue sticks without eating any!! Haha. So, for all you other moms on the same page, here's a "Love" goodie bag, equipped with a scripture and all!!

Enjoy!!

To save to your computer, just click on the image above. Once the new window opens with ONLY THE IMAGE right click on the image, and click save as into your computer. Easy right?!

I really wanna win one!!!!

Hoping I win one of these babies! Check out this blog to see what i'm talking about!!!

http://www.colieskitchen.com/2010/11/silhouette-sd-craft-cutter-review.html

Wedding shots

Been working my bootay off on about a bazillion wedding photos! Here's one for tonight. I know. I didn't post at all in Aug. I'm sorry. Crazy Month. And Sept is looking the same too. On another note, Next week I'm going to be participating in the sew-a-long with fromanigloo.blogspot.com



A woo hoo!
Okay, so here's the sneak peek of the wedding pics!

Baby Visor Tutorial is HERE!!

Okay, So maybe this is more like a toddler visor, but you could really make this for any age child. My 8 year old wants one next, and he's gonna get it. I've already tried one for him,a nd it looks great. So anywhoo, here's the tute. i'm almost embarassed to call it a tutorial because it's SOOOO easy. If you don't like tutorials with pics, then don't try to follow this tute. I took a bunch of pics. It's always easier for me to follow by seeing, so yeah.... there's lotsa pics. I don't have a pattern for this, but maybe next week I'll scan my template, and post it here. I just traced a baseball cap bill for mine. Okay, here we go!...
1.) You will need some scrap fabric for the bill, and a strip of fabric at least 4 inches wide, and 16 inches long. Some scrap interfacing, and elastic. (oh yeah, and thread to match)

Cut 2 pieces out of the bill fabric. (it's always helpful if you iron your fabric first) I of course do things the hard way, and tried to cut straight with wrinkled fabric. Not so easy.

And now we should have 2 pieces of our visor.

Iron on interfacing to both of the pieces. I just used what I had, which was lightweight interfacing, and I think It made the bill stiff enough for my little girl. For my big guy though, i might have to use a heavier interfacing.

Cut a strip of fabric measuring 16" long, and folded halfways, measures 1 3/4 '' Fold each end out.

See here, it's folded in half, and is 16" long (minus what I folded) and is 1 and 3/4 wide.
Once you're done ironing this strip, place a pin, or mark on your fabric 3" from each end. This will be the gap where the bill fits in.

Start sewing from one end to the pin, then stop and back stitch, and start again from the pin to the other end. (are you getting it? Am I totally bad at explaining myself here? )

Stop at the pin, or where you marked, and backstitch.

Then start at the next point, all the way to the end.

Now onto the bill, put your 2 pieces front sides together, and sew around the front of the bill.

Flip your bill right side out, then press.

Here's how our strip looks with the gap in the middle for the bill.

Turn this baby right side out too.

I ironed the strip flat too. Then I top stitched the bill around the front.

Now start pinning your bill inside the top. Make sure only about half an inch is going in before you pin. Go with the curve.

Once you've pinned, start sewing as close to the edge as you can. (please ignore my wobbly stitching)

This is what it should look like now.

Lookin good! Almost done!

I cut a 4'' piece of elastic. And pinned it inside of one of the ends (here's where you can make it smaller if you want.)

Sew it nicely and neatly.

Then do the other side the same way.

and...

You're DONE!!!!

Other options:

embellish or embroider fabric strip before sewing.

Instead of elastic, use a ribbon, and tie it on.

Make the strip really long with pointed ends, and you can tie that too!

Pin a flower on it! (always cute)

Top stitch the whole bill like a real cap.

And on, and on....

I hope it was understandable. I really tried hard. I know it's pretty easy, and almost self explanitory, but when I looked for a tutorial, I couldn't find one, so I thought I'd share my version! Please comment, and let me know if I should keep on trying this kind of stuff, or if I should never again try to share a tutorial! :)

Thanks again!!

Baby Visor Tutorial Coming Soon!

So my blog here is neglected. I am so sorry. (as if anyone reads it anywhoo), but I thought I'd share something since I am so often inspired by the 2.5 million blogs I read EVERY CHANCE I GET. This morning, 2 of my friends from church were going to come by to take a quick lesson in learning how to sew, so you know that meant I woke up early, and cleaned up the mess that was supposed to be my living room. Then, I finished with time to spare, so of course, on to blogger I went, and while surfing the internet for school clothes deals, I saw a visor, and I thought the classic "I bet I could make that", so I sat back in my hubby's chair, and imagined a pattern, and the process. Then I got up, and made one. I was careful to use fabric I wouldn't mind failing on, but was good enough that if it didn't come out horrendous, H could still use. It's rare that a project without a lot of planning, or patern that I try actually comes out right, but this one.... I love. And I'm not trying to brag (because really, who am I), BUT I'm super duper ooper shmooper impressed with myself! It actually worked! Woo Hoo! so, I'm going to work on a tutorial this weekend, and I will try to have it up next week. Ive never done one of these before, so I hope it comes out well.
J

Fathers....

Yesterday was fathers day. I know this post is a day late, but as I said, yesterday was fathers day, and we were kinda busy. But I did want to write a bit about the two most important fathers in my life. first of all, my husband. My love who is a wonderful father, and husband is never short of ideas, or jokes (or sometimes lies:) He's always ready to toss the football, or up for a wresteling match! My boys mimic EVERYTHING he does. If daddy does it, then the boys wanna do it. Daddy's a rams fan, and the boys are rams fans. Daddy's a preacher, and the boys wanna preach too! (can't complain about that one) Any boy would be lucky to have him for a father, and I'm glad my boys have him. He is a treasure.
(Slip n sliding in the front yard with the kids)

then ofursemy own dad. This year is the fourth year without him. He passed away in 2006, january. I miss him so much i'm amazed I can breath. There's never a day, or a moment that he's not on my mind. Tears still pour. My heart still aches. Whoever said that time heals all was wrong on this one. Because the longer I go without seeing him, the more I miss him. Everyday that passes without me seeing him, the more I realize that I won't see him the next day either. My kids won't have their papa at their graduation. Hannah never got to meet him. Gabriel still remembers him a lot. He still cries sometimes. Gabe and papa were best friends. Gabriel was papa's wing man.
My dad was awesome. He loved us like crazy. I never went to sleep feeling like he didn't love me. Sometimes we didn't have a place to live, and sometimes we barely had any food, but we ALWAYS knew we were loved. And he would feed us before he fed himself. He'd buy us toys, and candy instead of clothes for himself even though he needed them.

(this is my dad here when my brother and I were 3 and 4 years old. notice his shirt? It's a picture of my brother and I.)

Here we all are. The sanchez family. My dad was a super rams fan. His head stone actually has a rams helmet on it! We knew what he would want.

Here is my dad and my brother when my dad was in the hospital. I took my dad to the hospital in november, mid november i think. We waited for 3 hours in the oncology room. I didn't even know what oncology was. Then we saw a young man with no hair or eyebrows, and that's when I got nervous. My dad too. When we went in to the exam room, the doctor didnt have a hopeful look. Then he said that my dad had acute leukemia. It was agressive. I looked at my dad, and smiled and said "well, let's make lemonade" He smiled at me, then cried. Then I tried to call my brother from the hospital bathroom, and then my hubby. It only took 2 months for the cancer to take him.

Here's a pic of me gabe, and my dad. He came to church that night. This was way before cancer.

My dad and Gabe. They got off to a rough start, but they loved eachother for sure. My dad knew that Gabe was gonna take care of his daughter. I don't think a father could have asked for a better son in law. So many rememberies.

And here they are again. The two buds. He's got primer all over his hands in this pic. My dad left his el camino (it's a cruck) to little gabe. He's also left us with tons of memories. Not enough pictures, and heavy hearts in his absense. I'm forever a daddy's girl.

My Pastor's Family...

I'm bad at consistently posting! Here is a portrait of my Pastor, and his family. They are all so close to my heart.