Attempting to: make money, clean house, and have fun (And Annabeth's chorechart too!)

So, as most of my friends know, I received an embroidery machine from Matt & his parents.  I absolutely love it!  It's actually a combo machine (sewing and embroidery) but I already have a Brother 6000i to sew with, and I'll save the Brother SE 400 as the specialty machine. 

I've always loved color matching and choosing fabrics, so making the gifts and kids clothes has been really fun.  Appliqueing is a time consuming process, if you don't already know that.  For the basic letter it takes roughly 30 mins, if you have everything ready (fabric prepped, etc).  For the more intricate designs (i.e. the monkey) ... it takes about an hour.  I did two monkey's in the set (pictured to the side) and each took roughly an hour.  It's a simple process, but one you can't leave unattended.  The most time consuming part has to be the cutting of the fabric.  Once you make the first "stitch patterns" of the design,  you lay the fabric down, it does another stitch pattern, and then you have to cut out the excess fabric. 

At any rate -- the basket above took roughly 9 hours total to complete.  (I had a few accidents along the way: i.e. 3 onesies...).  I really enjoy doing the work, and I feel so accomplished at the end of the day. I feel like I'm offering something more than the china made items in leading super stores, it's something made from the heart.  I take my time picking out fabrics, threads, and designs; and then my time to make the items. 

Another item I started to craft was the t -shirts.  I made these for a dear friend of mine back in Alabama for her two girls.  I wanted the shirts to be similar, yet different: same color, same design, different shirt type (turtleneck vs. crew), and obviously the letters are different.   Shirts are pretty tough to applique because of their stretchy fabric -- but in the end I think these turned out well.  I tihnk they will be a nice addition to the girls valentines outfit, and they are also re-sellable (b/c they don't have any names on them!).

On another note, I have been continuing my cleaning schedule.  My headaches make things shift, but the best part is not having to "deep clean" anything.  After two or three weeks everything is pretty much clean, it's just the maintenance part of cleaning.  The best reward has been clean bathrooms.  It's amazing what 20 mins each Monday can do to a bathroom.  Dusting is my least favorite thing to do, right next to laundry, but it all gets done.  I've also been cleaning out a few things each day -- and yesterday i tackled a pet peeve: coffee table. 

The coffee table is one of the first things you see when you step in the house.  It's also the catch all for all things: laundry, magazines, books, remotes, wii controller, and laundry.  So yesterday I decided to take back the coffee table. I cleared everything off, threw away old junk, and separated the "clutter" into two piles: magazines & bills.  I have room for two baskets -- so thus the two baskets are labeled Magazines and Bills... I know this sounds silly -- but it really does make me feel better. Now there is a place to put the bills that need to be paid, and current magazines.  Everything else gets filed, tossed, or dropped off at the library (magazines :) ).

Alrighty, so, I know I titled this make money (new machine...), cleaning house (loving the always spotless bathrooms!), but now for the fun:  spending time with Annabeth.  She truly is the most wonderful person I know.  We do one big activity everyday -- and sometimes it's two.  Today it was going and getting daddy's Valentines gift, and when she wakes up we are going to make cookies.  Doing things with her brings me so much joy.  Lately she's been going through a demanding phase (I have to have dessert after every meal, MOM!), so we started taking things away from her.  i.e. Nintendo DS is now only for special days (when she finishes her chore chart for two days straight & long trips), no more candy (unless it's a super special occasion) and desserts consist of celery sticks, yogurt, or applesauce (that I made myself!).

Now, you may ask "A 5 year old? A chore chart? say WHAT?!"

Yes, Annabeth has a chore chart.  It's quite similar to the one pictured.  I bought hers from target when we first moved to Bozeman, and it was around $10 at Target. Her chores have changed over the past few months (according to her ability) but the concept remains the same: accountability.  She has several things that she must accomplish everyday in order to receive a pre-determined treat (typically it's minutes on the DS...but she has other options as well).  Her chores consist of: getting dressed, feeding her fish (and helping with Lucy), cleaning her room (and making her bed!!!)Doing her school work (only M-F), set the table, brush teeth, get ready for bed, and the big one: NO WHINING.  This last one she hasn't accomplished three days in a row, yet, but she's working on it.  She's done a great job with this, and I highly recommend it to anyone with a young child. 

Ok, wow -- lots of babbling -- but I covered a lot of bases today...

Off to make cookies with my little bff!!

:)