Fallling into Fall...

Yes...that sums it up for this girl. Like when you stand with your arms wide open, slowly letting your breath out, simply closing your eyes and falling backwards into someones arms that you care about, that's how I think about fall. Falling into it...wondering where it's going to take us for the next year. Cool, early morning frost, with the sun peeking through the trees...stretching into shady afternoons, with the beautiful leaves changing every second of the day...ending with stunning sunsets when the weather is at it's best! Doesn't it just give you goose bumps! Oh it does me...best of all...the 2 greatest holidays are right around the corner! Thanksgiving and Christmas! What more could a girl want? O.K...maybe some extra $$$ for Christmas, but that's another post. For right now it's time for delicious soups, hot chocolate, warm fires, lots of book reading, pumpkin patches, baking, costume making, party planning (we have 3, yes 3 birthdays in Oct.), and decorating! How about you girls...what are your plans for the Fall?

My Sweet "J" 6

When my kids are in trouble, I get 4 very different reactions. I'm sure you all have received the infamous apology letter...yesterday the WHOLE family received such a letter from the youngest "J". My heart swelled with love and pride as she walked through the house reading it aloud to each of us. For some unknown reason...it has now disappeared from my memory...she threw a hum-dinger of a fit! Screaming, yelling, stomping (In her mind, I'm sure she had good reason) but for the rest of the Watts crew, it was unacceptable. Finally, we all decided to tell her exactly how we felt. Simply put, she was being a BRAT ! We were done...and we let her know. Of course she was sent to her room, to think about her attitude, to settle down. Eventually she emerged with this little scrap of paper...

If I may, I will interpret...

Top line: From Jaycee

2nd line: Im S (I'm sorry)

3rd line: I B AO B (I be bad)

4th line: To CAJJJ (To Charity, Andy, Jacob, Jackson, & Jillian)

My girl, my sweet little girl is not much of a speller yet, but she got her point across :) She was very sorry for her temper-tantrum...and we all forgave her, of course! I had to kiss her all over and squeeze her tight for that sweet little note! Lord, I'm not ready for her to grow up...can you please keep her little forever?

Lazy Summer Days...What?

I did not have many lazy summer days. It would have been lovely, yet it wasn't written in the stars I suppose. Lots of trips, lots of decisions to make, and many projects to tackle (few involved sewing). As I sit here now, I ponder where did my summer go? Did anyone see it? I think it rushed by without visiting me. How about any of you? Were you granted a lazy summer or were you so rudely skipped? I need to face the cold-hearted facts...it's gone and it won't be back until next year, right? I'm still a little out of sorts, but the Fall will bring me out of it, I'm positive! Considering it's my favorite time of year! Yes...I'm an Autumn girl at heart. The cool, crisp mornings and beautiful ever-changing colors get me every single time. I love the new beginnings of school days, the excitement in the air...the kids wondering whose class they will be in, new faces, pumpkins casting their orange glow, picking out fun costumes to create, preparing for the Holiday season and visits from family. It makes me giddy inside just writing it all down! Sorry if I'm losing you here, I don't mean to shove it in your face, but I seriously can't help myself...please forgive me if you don't feel the same way. I know it can be hectic too...full of uncertainty, but I like to focus on the newness of it all...

On another note, with the "J" crew all back in school this year, I found a little free time. Yes, my dear ladies I had some crafty business to attend to. I found this Alexander Henry Sew Now, Sew Wow fabric over the summer, and it was love at first sight! I had to have it. Finally decided today was the day to create something with it. I whipped up this cute little sewing machine cover in about an hour...very easy...it normally would only take maybe 30 min. but I was up & down, up & down...you know how it is, always have a zillion things going at once. I used this little tutorial on CraftBlog.com.ua. What can I get myself into now?

Lost

So I've been lost for awhile...so...sooo sorry. Life has taken an uncertain curve that I wasn't expecting. Our family has been mourning the death of my dear uncle, as well as celebrating the life he lived. He was one of the most intelligent, hard-working, teddy-bear of a man I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and I will miss him so much! Death has a way of making you look so hard at life, sometimes the simpler things fall by the wayside. My blog will attest to that :)

My extended family in CA have begun a long, difficult journey and I miss the fact that I won't be there to walk along side of them when they need a hand to hold or shoulder to cry on. I've enjoyed every second of being with them...even the heart-breaking moments. I love them...all of them and I pray God will continue to shelter them with comfort and peace.

Now that we're home (we made 3 trips driving to CA in 5 weeks) I feel behind, and a little overwhelmed. My summer has definitely been different...not what I was planning of course, but it's almost over and I'm sad to see not much accomplished. I have, however been able to sew lots of neat things, but failed to capture them with the camera. You will just have to take my word for it :)

Hopefully the kiddos and I will get to do some fun outings before the dreaded "first" day of school. I am not looking forward to it...I really do like having them with me. It's all going way to fast, my kiddos growing up & all. I'm going to be one of the sad mama birds when all my baby birds leave the nest. I will not know what to do with myself...

For now, I will continue to enjoy them...all the time I have with them. They grow up fast, and fretting over it doesn't stop it...I just lose valuable time with them. So...enjoy your kiddos ladies, don't let time pass you by...we only get one life to live, enjoy them!

Happy Daddy!

Yes, my hunka-burn'n love is a Happy Daddy...and no I did not have another baby! Big Daddy is flashing his new Tatt's and he's ecstatic! He's been wanting them for sooooo long, and finally the day arrived. I know, I know...the permanent thing freaks people out, but it's something you either love or hate, there is no in between. Anyhow...he's mine, for a very long time and I can live with him no matter what he covers his body with. Yes...he probably won't look so cool when he's 70 sport'n nautical stars, but neither will the gray hair or bald head, missing teeth, wrinkles and sag. I'll love him anyway...I'll love him always...that's how it is with Big Daddy!

The Receiving End...

So...here's the Swappy gift I received...it IS SO AWESOME! My partner completely out-did herself! (I'm sooo glad she was my partner...not to rub it in or anything :) I just can't help myself.

First, a b-e-a-utiful bouquet of flowers made out of pattern paper! How cute is that? She's so crafty that La~Te~Da, her brain is always on overdrive :)

Next, a sweet journal with an old tape measure and the phrase "Sew Happy Together"...for all those days I can't stop thinking of Big Daddy, I can journal my little heart away!

Also, a sweet little candle with a pretty little birdie and 2 pieces of GORGEOUS fabric. Believe me, I already have a pattern picked out to create something incredible with it.

A fun little paper sign to hang the door to my sewing room "Sew Busy" or "Not Sew Busy"...bet you wish you came up with this collage of cuteness, I know I do :)

Lastly, and something I'm very partial to...a charm necklace that has a snapshot of trailers on it along with the phrase "Mess with me, you mess with the WHOLE trailer park"! You gotta love that, especially when it's sooo true considering my family back in Cali. I grew up in trailers, we all did. They would be so proud to wear this badge of honor...just like me!

Thanks Trish...you know I love it ALL! So, any of you ladies out there that just happen by my blog, go check out La~Te~Da...she does amazing stuff. Plus she's going to be at three shows this summer, so stay tuned :)

Spring Swap

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED my spring swappy gift! La~Te~Da was my partner and she did an amazing job on all the beautiful things she gave me. Thank you girl...your the bomb! I wanted to share what I made for her...it was a lot of fun making, I think I want to make one for myself now :) I used an old quilt, sheets, and pillow case...plus hankies, cloth napkin, and a hair elastic for the wallet. I followed these cute tutorials for the bag and the wallet. Try them out...they were so easy to make! The Pleated Purse and the Scrappy Loyalty Card Wallet.