Sunday, July 11, 2010

It isn't in my nature...

Don't forget my giveaway here!

I just can't leave well enough alone.

I just can't.

It is a curse sometimes.

I found this picture frame for $1!!!


You can kind of see in the picture, but this is why it was a dollar.


But it isn't anything a little wood putty can't fix.

Well not a little a LOT of woody putty.



Then for the center of the frame I used some leftover green fabric from the tabs of my no sew projects in the laundry room.



Then got my handy dandy glue gun.


I just glued the fabric right on the board.

Don't worry about making it pretty, cuz really who is going to be looking at the back of your picture frames.

If they do... then you have some weirdo friends.  Or they are just incredible nosy.

Where was I?

Oh yeah how I can't leave well enough alone.

So I put fabric on the board and painted the frame that I puttied to death.

Oh and I almost forgot!

Remember my giveaway and review of the Cutting Edge Stencil from last week?

They sent me the Allium Gladiator stencil.


Notice there are two butterflies on the wall with the flowers.

The allium gladiator stencil came with the flower stencil and two butterfly stencils.

At the last minute I thought I would use one of the butterfly stencils.


I liked it.

I liked the stencil and the green fabric in the background, but I just wasn't in love with the big white frame.

I don't know why, just thought it was too plain or something.

Here is where I went on and I could have just left it alone.

I taped up the frame.


And then painted part of it blue.




I think I like it better.

But I can't decide.

Who knows, I may paint it all over tomorrow.

Oh well, come back tomorrow for another great giveaway worth $40... and maybe a whole new picture frame.

Don't forget my giveaway here!

I am posting to these parties.


This post was sponsored by:



Saturday, July 10, 2010

Giveaway Winner

It is time to announce the winner of the Cutting Edge Stencil Wall Stencil Giveaway!



Random.org picked comment number 36.

Which is Liz from A belle a bean and a chicago dog.

Congrats Liz!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

The post was sponsored by:



Friday, July 9, 2010

Sumo's Sweet Stuff



Hello everyone!

I'm so excited to be guest posting over here today!

I'm Sumo, from Sumo's Sweet Stuff!



Sumo's Sweet Stuff

My real name is Summer, but my husband nicknamed me Sumo when we were dating. (Should I be offended?) Now he's got all of my family, as well as lots of our friends, calling me Sumo. I think Aunt Sumo sounds pretty great, don't you? I live in Utah with my husband, and our two beautiful daughters - Reece & Remi!



Growing up, I never used to be all that domestic or crafty, so I think no one is more surprised than my mom at how I've ended up where I am today! I started Sumo's Sweet Stuff last May as a place to keep some of my crafting projects so that my personal blog wasn't overrun with them. Somehow, that developed into a place to host giveaways, share tutorials, share recipes, and feature fellow bloggers' ideas and blogs! I also use my blog to promote my etsy shop, so if you're ever in the market for some baby girl accessories, come on over! Every Monday is Market Yourself Monday, where you can link up your latest projects, and visit other blogs to get some inspiration!
Sumo Sweet Stuff


Here's a little peek at some of the things you can find on my blog:















Three Tiered Shirts


T-Shirt Dress


Fabric/Elastic Headbands


You can find something every day of the week at Sumo's Sweet Stuff:

Market Yourself Monday
Tutorial Tuesday
Mouth-Watering Wednesday
Things to Try Thursday
Feature Friday
Showcase Saturday
Sponsor Sunday

I also am involved in a joint blogging venture - Win, Lose or Blog. If you aren't following already, you should get on over there and do so! We have a lot of great sponsors, and not all of the prizes donated are going to the contestants - they are also going to people who comment! Plus it's just nice to cheer for those lovely ladies. We're also starting to do some giveaways, so what's not to love? We'll be doing more seasons as well, so if you think you want to participate, you may get that chance in the future!

Thanks again for having me! I hope to see you all over at Sumo's Sweet Stuff soon!

The post was sponsored by:



Wednesday, July 7, 2010

My mom's house the finale

Don't worry I didn't forget to finish the tour of my mom's house.

If you missed the first of the tour, you can see my mom's house here, here, and here

The problem was the we had 1, 2, 3, and 4 year old all staying in the upstairs of my mom's house. And two mom's who were not at home so therefore not as neat and tidy.

We were also a little lazy, ok I was just the lazy one and didn't feel like cleaning the chaos. All that makes for a not clean upstairs.

So lazy me asked mom to send pictures after we left and took the chaotic kids with us.

With no further ado, here is the upstairs to mom's house.

When you go up the stairs this table is what you will see.


The black and white silhouettes on the bottom center are actually me and my brother, Andrew, when we were 6 and 3...I think. Our youngest brother, Reid, wasn't born yet.

To the right is the guest room that my brother Andrew and his wife Kat usually stay in.


You may remember that room when I showed my cruelty by displaying our Elf on the Shelf on top of the picture.


Why would this be so cruel? Well that is because my Sister in Law Kat has a strong fear of dolls.

People...do not tell me your fears because then I will have to play tricks on you.

It is in my nature. I can't help it.

You have now been forewarned.

Next up is the playroom.


Isn't it just so cute?

I just love the Ballard design shelves above the cabinets.

Here is the other side of the room.


The day bed is where Wild Man sleeps. Eventually... when we are brave enough, all the grand boys will sleep in here. The day bed is from Ikea and pulls out to make a king bed. I am pretty sure that there will be less sleeping in that room and more giggling and wrestling, when all 4 grandsons sleep together. Which will call for less sleep throughout the whole house.

But imagine the memories that will be made. :)

Here is the room that Mr. Genius and I usually sleep in when we visit.


The bed came with the house and even though it is very pretty, My mom calls it pointless, due to the fact that the side bars go all the way to the floor. So then she can't store anything underneath it. No storage = pointless to mom.

Remember that you may be tested on that later. ;)

Mom also sent me a picture of her bed.


Part of her bedroom.


By the way for the family that reads this blog...I claim the desk and the turquoise table.

Although I am pretty sure my brothers didn't even notice that she had a desk or turquoise table in her room. So I think I am safe.

Also here is part of mom's bath.



Hope you all enjoyed mom's house tour.

I can guarantee that every time I go visit, there will be new decor throughout that I can show you.

This post was sponsored by:





Don't forget Little Lesiw big sale right now to help pay for her adoption!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Time Machines

Here is a quick fact for you.

In the movie 'Back to the Future', Doc sets the clock in the DeLorean to a day 25 years in the future...Today is that day.

How crazy is that?!

Now we don't have flying cars and clothes that instantly blow up and dry on their own, or hoover boards.

But we can surf the Internet and write a blog post while driving down the interstate!!!

Thank you Sprint MiFi card and thank you Mr. Genius' job for giving him one!

But I would really love to have a time machine right now.

You now what time I would go back to?

Well that would be Yesterday around noon.

I know that yesterday on the 4th of July at lunch time was not a significant time to where I can solve world peace, or find the perfect jeans that would make every woman look sexy.

Instead it would have been a time that me and my family could have had our perfect revenge.

Please understand one thing though. My family is not one to seek out revenge of any sort normally.

But apparently when you speak badly of our children... we will want to hunt you down.

So let me share the scenario with you and see if you wouldn't do the same thing.

Yesterday my mom, both brothers, their families and my little pose decided to eat at Mimi's cafe.

I personally consider Mimi's as a child friendly restaurant.

They have booster seats, a special kids menu in which include crayons for the kids to color on, and they usually have a complementary kids snack plate that they bring out as soon as you sit down so the kids are occupied while you can look over the menu.

To me...that equals kid friendliness.

We sat at our table, enjoyed our meal also knowing that this is one of the last times we will be spending together before we all leave to go our separate ways the next day.

Towards the end of the meal, little 22 months old Griffin was getting a little antsy. Like every 22 month old in the entire world after sitting for an hour.

He got down from his seat and walked over to Romeo and started talking to him in his own little Griffin language to which Romeo acted as though he understood then started gently honking Griffin's nose. The boys giggled and then Griffin walked to Wild man and did the same thing. It was really cute.

Then a woman walked up to Mr. Genius that I refer to as the devil woman, and tapped on his shoulder and said.

"Back in my day we were taught to control our children and to be quiet and well-behaved in restaurants."

Holy Cow!

I do not think my blood has gone from cool and calm to completely boiling in a matter of seconds.

Mind you even though we are in the south this was not said in a sweet southern accent more of the devils tongue in human form.

As she was walking off she also stated that she would like to enjoy her meal.

Any other time you meet me please know that I am a kind person. I love the Lord and do my best to please Him.

That is until I met a devil woman that is talking bad about my kids and my nephew.

Then...well...that spirit leaves me.

So I whipped around and said "well thanks but we are enjoying our meal just fine as we are."

She replied" Well I am not"

I then stated "You should have gone to another restaurant then."

She sat down and smiled the most evil smile I have ever seen.

I was so mad I was shaking.

We were all just in shock we didn't know what to say.

As we left my sweet mom walk over and I that she was sorry that we disturbed her but the family is stretch out all over the nation and do not get to see each other much so we were enjoying watching the cousins interact with each other.

As mom walked away, the devil woman made a rude face then looked at me and gave me a look of " I won, so whatcha going to do about it."

And this is when I had an out of body experience.

I walked over got right in her face and said in my best southern passive aggressive draw.

Well back in my day, really old lady's like yourself were actually nice which is quite unlike yourself.  Maybe you should learn from them."

I admit, not is my best comeback but I couldn't even think straight.

We all ran out of there to cool off.

As we were cooling off we were going over the situations in our head. Thinking back through the whole lunch. Wondering if the boys were really that bad. In all honesty they really weren't. They acted like a normal 1, 2, 3, and 4 year olds. But they weren't "uncontrollable" and the devil lady was making them out to be.

But don't you just hate it when you have a conversation with someone and it isn't until later you think of the perfect thing to do or say?

That is exactly what happened.

My sister in law Kat has seen just about every movie and can quote any movie scene to fit any occasion.

After cooling off she remembered in 'Dumb and Dummer' where I guess Jim Carey shouts "The nice lady over there wants to pay for all of our meals."

That is totally what we should have done!!!

So I need to find a time machine to take me back to after she comes up to us and then tell the waitress that the nice lady in the stripper looking clothes would love to pay for our meal cuz she has been so delighted in watching our children.

Then as we were walking out we would just walk by thanking her profusely.

How awesome would have that of been?

Is it bad that I have been daydreaming about that?

I guess I am partially evil.



This post was sponsored by:





Don't forget Little Lesiw big sale right now to help pay for her adoption!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

I love me some stencils

To find out how I turned this....


The picture just does not show it true state. It was pretty beat up.




To this beauty....





Go to my giveaway page HERE!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

I have Sponsors

I interrupt this home tour to tell you that I HAVE SPONSORS!!

I am so excited!

You should be too because there will be lots of really good giveaways this month!

So now I would like to introduce you to my sponsors.



First off is Cutting Edge stencils




Cutting Edge Stencils helps you transform your home into a masterpiece simply by using stencils and paint! Use their versatile stencil designs to create beautiful decorative finishes for your walls and ceilings.  Developed by seasoned faux finishers, these wall stencils are tested in the field and are proven winners. Stencil art is actually pretty easy to master.
Next week I have a great project I did with one of their stencils and I LOVE the outcome. Can't wait to show you.



Fantsy Facade
Have you seen all the beautiful framed bathroom mirrors all over blog land only to be complete upset because you have a medicine cabinet. Well I am so excited to show you Fantsy Facade. They do frames for your medicine cabinets! They even have a organizer that can go on the door. To make it not only beautiful but completely usable.



Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Let me tell you a little about Little lesiw. Rachel is having a huge sale this month. Free Shipping and a free flower with orders over $30. Why have such a great sale? Well Rachel is adopting from South Korea and she is needing to make some extra money to pick up her little boy. The really neat thing about this adoption is that Rachel herself was adopted from South Korea. Isn't that awesome. So please go by her site and look at the adorable bows and headbands for us big gals. They are really so cute.





Janey Mac will hook you up with your vinyl decor! I really love the nursery decor. They really have anything you would want and if they don't, they do custom orders!




My first purchase from Etsy was from Nestlings. I purchased one of her family name signs with the scripture Mr. Genius and I had engraved in our rings. I was so excited when Renee agreed to be one of my sponsors. You should check out her items they are lovely.


button for blogger 6.19.10

Curly Q Designs
Custom handmade gifts for all ages! She will personalize your next gift! Please be assured that all of her items for children under the age of 12 are in complete CPSIA compliance! I love the paisley fabric she used for one of the bibs and burp cloths.



Xpresiv Designs
Vinyl Decor is here! For those of you who said that you couldn't do a chandelier in your bedroom because you couldn't let go of the fan. How about a vinyl picture of a chandelier above your bed?! Perfect! Go check it out! All my readers will get 20% off discount use the promo code PATIENCE.









Scentsy is a great idea! Scentsy began in 2003 with the powerfully simple idea of aromatic candles – decorative warmers with wax melted by the heat of a light bulb instead of a traditional wick and flame.I will have a first had review later on this week and I have really enjoy using this product!







Who wouldn't love some luxurious bed sheets? I am so exhausted from the day I am really wanting some for me right now. The Sheet Boutique are proud to offer a fine selection of Fleece Sheets imported from Canada. Commonly known as Healthsheets,their  fleece bedding is luxurious, cozy, and of unmatched quality. In addition to their hard-to-find Health Fleece sheets, they sell a hotel quality line of luxury linens made from 100% Egyptian Cotton . Only the finest long staple Egyptian cotton is used to create this luxury bedding. Along with their Fleece sheets and Egyptian cotton bed sheets, they also carry a wide selection of Egyptian cotton Duvets, Duvet covers , Down comforters , Down Pillows , and Down Alternative Bedding. They now also proudly carry Eco-friendly bamboo sheets, organic wool pillows and much more, all at affordable prices.







Julian and Company makes precious stamped jewelry. The entire JULIAN & Co. line is heirloom quality. You really need to read how she started Julian and Co. You can read it here.


So there you are my sponsors for this month! Please check them out! 

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor contact me at impatientlypraying (at) gmail (dot) com