Crafting by Candlelight

Kicking Off the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:48:00 +0000

We just had a lovely visit from my friend Gary who came to visit us all the way from Denver. Noodlebug and I took him to the Academy of Sciences on Friday. Here we are looking at the large aquarium. Noodlebug likes to walk around sucking on one index finger with the other index finger in his belly button. It is charming right now but I hope he will give it up before he is a teenager.

Then we headed to the coast on Saturday where Noodlebug proceeded to drag large pieces of kelp around the beach. He didn't seem to mind the cold!

We then headed downtown for the big treelighting. Noodlebug was picked out of the crowd and won a gift certificate to the movie theater and local candy store. He didn't know quite what to make of it.

Here is a photo of me and Noodlebug and Grandma in front of the tree. (sorry---didn't have time to fix Noodlebug's red eyes) We had a great time and it felt like a good kickoff to the holiday season.

I am taking Wednesday off so I will have a nice break to be home with my family. It will just be the four of us. (me, hubby, Noodlebug and Grandma) By the way, Noodlebug calls Grandma "Tutu" which is Hawaiian for "Grandmother." My parents lived in Hawaii in the '60s and my mother still has a fondness for it.

I am so looking forward to uninterrupted time with my family. I am determined to finish my sewing projects and maybe we'll go see a movie or two. Noodlebug has a free ticket!!!

I may not post during the holiday so I wanted to take a moment to send many blessings to you and your loved ones. There is so much to be thankful for. I want to thank you all for your blogs and comments and how much they enrich my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Baby Food Jar Candles

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:07:00 +0000

You know I love a good tutorial and I just found this one for candles made out of baby food jars. I still have a bag full of baby food jars and I have been wondering what to do with them. This could be a good holiday activity for me when I have my job furlough. (I will be off from December 21-January 3.) The other good part of finding this tutorial is that it introduced me to a new blog! Prudent Baby looks like it is going to be a new favorite!!!

(photo borrowed from and owned by Prudent Baby)

Look What I Got!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:31:00 +0000

I have been a fan of Beth Quinn's jewelry for awhile and I own several pieces. Lately, she has been creating these lovely cuffs. They keep selling out before I can get one, though. Well, I finally managed to get one!!! If you like it, you'll have to try and snag the peach one because I already grabbed the brown one. I think it will add the perfect amount of bling to my Thanksgiving attire!

By the way, the song you are listening to is the lullaby I sing to Noodlebug every night.

(photo borrowed from and owned by Beth Quinn Designs)

Making a List, Checking it Twice

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:48:00 +0000

My husband has been bugging me for holiday gift ideas so I have been updating my Amazon and Wishpot lists. Truthfully, I don't care much about getting gifts. Although I LOVE handmade gifts and surprises. I would much rather have an unexpected treat on a non-holiday rather than a bunch of gifts at Christmas. Since I had to make a list, I added this gem to it. I love and collect children's books and Rosemary Wells is one of my favorites. This giclee print reminds me of my little family.

My favorite part of Christmas? Giving gifts. I absolutely LOVE shopping for other people. Sometimes, I secretly wish I could be a professional gift shopper. My hallway closet is currently filled with Christmas gifts. It is getting to the point where I am afraid to open the closet door because everything will pop out!!!

So here is my current Wishpot list. I keep finding Etsy items to add to it.

What is on your list for Santa?

I'd love to hear all about it!

(photo borrowed from and owned by Picture Book Originals)

Baby's First Haircut

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:28:00 +0000

Well, there were not tears at the big haircut last Friday. Noodlebug was his usual happy self and I was too distracted to shed any tears. It was really just a trim. We're keeping it long. I asked for a shag. No mullet!!! I think it turned out pretty well. I think Noodlebug was most excited about the Elmo sticker they gave him after it was all over.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Even though we only took off a little bit, he seems like such a big boy now! Noodlebug turns 18 months on Wednesday.

My husband says he looks like a blonde version of the lead singer of Herman's Hermits:

I think he looks more like a blonde Beatle!!!

First haircut.....mission accomplished!

Little Bit Funky Giveaway---Week Two

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:02:00 +0000

I dearly love the musician Keb' Mo'. If you haven't heard of him, he is a blues artist whose music is filled with spirituality. One of my favorite songs of his that always makes me smile is "God Tryin' to Get Your Attention." After seeing this giveaway today, I think I'm getting the message loud and clear. Look at this wonderful piece:

It is a piece from the faith-inspired art collection by Red Letter Words. I can just see it in Noodlebug's room. It is Hannah's prayer from 1 Samuel 1:20. There are so many other wonderful things in this Etsy shop that I am on the verge of breaking my Etsy hiatus vow right now. But I will wait and see if I win Little Bit Funky's giveaway first.

By the way, my personal favorite scripture verse? John 1:5.

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."

(photo borrowed from and owned by Red Letter Words)

Sewing and the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:50:00 +0000

Well, I got three pillows done yesterday. I haven't sewed in so long that it took me awhile to find my rhythm. And then I made lots of mistakes. But I think I have it down now. Three more pillows to go and I may even make a few more! Photos forthcoming.

I am looking forward to the holidays this year because I will have a lot of uninterrupted time with my family due to furloughs at work. (this is the silver lining of furloughs) I am so looking forward to it! Some of you long-time readers know that I am an only child and I am adopted. I was adopted when I was three months old. I cannot remember a time when I didn't know I was adopted and I have never had any issues with it nor have I ever had any real desire to find my birth parents. I am curious about what they look like but that is about it. I already have parents. There have been many times in my life, however, that I have longed for a big family. My mother is also an only child so I grew up with only five cousins on my dad's side. I have always longed for the large rambunctious families gathering for the holidays that I see in movies and Folgers commercials. I had hoped to find that when I married. Well.....my husband has three brothers and I have learned that any children in this family will have to come from my womb. So, Noodlebug will have no cousins. And he has only one living grandparent. It looks like I won't ever fufill my dream of having a large family Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have never longed for wealth or fame or anything like that. But I have really longed for family. I have spent my whole life gathering close friends who have become my extended family. But most of them are far away. I hope someday to fill my house with loved ones at the holidays. I become wistful when I read others' blogs about holiday plans involving noisy crowded houses. But I am grateful for what I have. It looks like Noodlebug may be the only baby I ever get. But God sure blessed me with a good one!!!

Gulp!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:49:00 +0000

Here is a photo of Noodlebug's Halloween costume. He wasn't really in the mood to get his picture taken bu you get the idea. I have scheduled his first haircut for this Friday afternoon. Gulp! I have been putting it off as long as I could but his hair is getting really long. I figure I'll let them take off just enough to clean it up a bit but try to keep it long-ish. I just don't want to cut off those baby curls!!!

When I was pregnant, I stocked up on all sorts of baby scrapbooking materials (that I STILL haven't used!) such as stickers that say "Baby's First Bath" and "Baby's First Steps." It was so hard to imagine there would ever be a time when those events would happen. I even have a personalized sign in his room that says "Dreamland Tours Every Night at 8:00pm" and I can remember looking at it during those long nights of nursing and think, "Do people really have kids that go to bed at 8pm?" It seemed as if we would never get to that point. Now, my baby will be turning 18 months on November 18. I feel my chest tightening up as I write that. I will try not to have a panic attack while blogging! The haircut that I thought would never occur will actually happen and I don't think I will be able to leave a single lock of hair behind. But maybe I will finally get to use those "Baby's First Haircut" stickers.

Little Bit Funky Favorite Things Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:31:00 +0000

The ever-fabulous Little Bit Funky is hosting a weekly Favorite Things Giveaway! Today is the first giveaway and boy is it a good one!!! Free holiday card design with 100 printed cards! I could really use this! To join in the fun, go to Little Bit Funky every Friday to find the latest giveaway. And cross your fingers!!!

(image borrowed from and owned by Little Bit Funky)

Veterans Day = Sewing Day!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:43:00 +0000

I get Veterans' Day off this year but it falls in the middle of the week on a Wednesday. While I am tempted to run off with Noodlebug somewhere, I think I'm going to let him go to daycare and spend the day with my mom making Christmas gifts on the sewing machine. I would love love love to give ONLY handmade gifts but time is against me. So, some of my handmade gifts will be coming from Etsy. On Veterans' Day, I will be making these. I already have the fabric bought and I'm hoping I won't make too much of a mess of it. I'm making them for all the kids I know. If it goes well, I may even make them for a few adults as well!

In other news, I received my first package from the Art Exchange swap. Many of you may be taking part in this chain e-mail swap. I am running late as usual but I'm sure my swapee will understand since she has a toddler of her own. I will post photos and details on the booty I received soon. It's pretty great!!!

Etsy Find of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:56:00 +0000

I swore up and down that I would go on an Etsy hiatus before my holiday spending got out of control but....

I just cannot resist Crystal's adorable creations. Plus, I am supporting a creative stay-at-home mom so it's a win-win, right? Not only does Crystal have a great blog but her Etsy shop is filled with the cutest stuff!!! Can't wait to put this on Noodlebug!

Hope you all had a fun-filled Halloween! (can you believe that it is already November?!!!)

(photo borrowed from and owned by Little Bit Funky)

Halloween Elf Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:19:00 +0000

So, my friend Kim (who STILL doesn't have a blog!) sent me the most wonderful box of goodies!!!

I wish I was more patient because I would show you the wonderful way she packaged each and every treat. And look at these handmade cards and tags!!!!

And she even included some fun creepy goodies for Noodlebug:

Getting unexpected treats in the mail is just one of the most wonderful things. Thank you, Kim, for bringing such happiness into my day and into my house!!!

Halloween Elf

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:56:00 +0000

Here is a sneak peek at Noodlebug's costume. His little friend is hugging him in excitement as they look at a real live baby calf! They have been buddies since they were little bitty and now Noodlebug is 17 months old and Girlfriend is almost 2. It's hard to get a photo of Noodlebug's costume since he is always on the go now!

Last night we carved a pumpkin and then went to see a great Halloween light display. Tonight, I am going to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" with Noodlebug and I can't wait! (especially since he is going as Charlie Brown for Halloween)

The best part of yesterday? A Halloween Elf sent me a fantastic box of goodies! I will take photos tonight and post more about it tomorrow. I'm a lucky lady!

Thanksgiving Placemat Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:43:00 +0000

Another great tutorial!!! Wish I had time to sit down and make these. They remind me of all of the Thanksgiving hand turkeys I made over the years as a child. Find this Raw Edge Applique Tutorial for making a set of special Thanksgiving placemats at Dark Horse Farm Designs.

(photo borrowed from and owned by Dark Horse Farm Designs)

Weekend Update

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Friends---

It was a difficult weekend. My family stood in line for three hours to get the H1N1 shot on Saturday. We are all vaccinated now but it was a long and difficult morning. There is a lot of stress and strife in my family right now that we are trying to work through. I'm desperately fighting off depression and trying to focus on all the good things around me like the beautiful fall weather and the fact that we are entering the holiday season which I always look forward to.

I felt really low on Saturday so after Noodlebug went to bed, I went by myself to see WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. To be honest, I can't tell if you if I like it or not. It is definitely NOT a children's movie. It is much more a movie about what it is like to be a child. Yesterday, I went into the garage and found the missing box of Halloween decorations. It was filled with lovely things from former swap partners as well as some Etsy finds. I smiled as I hung my CariKraft Halloween decorations and set out my CariKraft caged fairy on the piano. And then there was my Jennifer Conway beeswax crow with the witch hat. So many delightful things that lifted my spirits.

We are now moving into my favorite time of year and I want to be happy and make this time magical and fun for my little one. I'm trying to make this happen. If I am sporadic in my posting over the next few days, please know that I am reading and will be posting reviews soon. And I'm reading all of your blogs and comments!!!!

Pumpkin Head Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:55:00 +0000

I found this wonderful tutorial through the Joli Paquet blog. This tutorial is by the Vintage Dresser and it is fantastic! Aren't these pumpkin heads just adorable?!

Find it here.

(photo owned by and borrowed from the Vintage Dresser)

Great Tutorial from LITTLE BIT FUNKY

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:52:00 +0000

Just found this great tutorial from one of my very favorite blogs, Little Bit Funky. It is about how to make reverse appliques on shirts. I'm thinking these could be quick and easy Christmas gifts. This lady comes up with the cutest stuff! I just ordered some of her messy fabric flower pins to give my local girlfriends for Christmas. (hope they aren't looking at my blog!)

(photo borrowed from and owned by Little Bit Funky)

Weekend Update

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:15:00 +0000

Well, Noodlebug and I are fighting off illness again. Probably because we stuff our weekends as full as we can get them! On Saturday, we took advantage of the lovely weather and hosted a garage sale. Didn't make a lot of money but we have fewer THINGS which is a good thing. After that, Noodlebug and I took Grandma to a local pumpkin patch. Those pumpkins were expensive!!! Our porch looks a lot more festive, though. On Sunday, we went to church where we heard the New Life Band from Tanzania. So wonderful! Makes me wish we had African music EVERY Sunday! Then, it was Noodlebug's Jesus n' Me Playgroup. Everytime the group applauds after a song, he is convinced they are applauding for him. After that, I put him in his Charlie Brown Halloween costume for a local Mother's club festival. At that point, he had had enough. During the costume contest, he lay down on the stage and kicked his feet. I picked up him and Snoopy and carried them off the stage. Not sure I got any good photos out of THAT fiasco. A good long nap was in order and I think that helped everyone. Now, it is a rainy day and I am fighting sleep at work. I have a few projects in the works to share with you so keep checking in!!!

Pumpkin Patch

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:14:00 +0000

I had four blissful days with Noodlebug this weekend. We went to one of our local pumpkin patches so he could pick out a pumpkin. He ended up with three mini-pumpkins and carried one around all day on Saturday. It is hard to believe that last year at this time he was just beginning to sit up. At Thanksgiving last year, he began eating solid foods. Between Christmas and New Year's, he started crawling. So many milestones over the last holiday season. And now he is so big!!! He'll be 17 months old on the 18th. Sigh.

I'm still working on getting Halloween decorations up but I should have some photos to share with you soon. Right now, I'm off to work where I will sit in office with the rain beating against my window.

Just Because

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:15:00 +0000

I'm off with Mr. Big.

Feel free to check out my current post and book reviews in my personal blog until I get back.

Be back soon!!!

Etsy Find of the Day and the Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:05:00 +0000

My talented friend Ellen has added some new fun items to her Etsy shop. Although Ellen closed up her popular blog, THE REIGN OF ELLEN, awhile back, she continues to charm with her whimsical creations on Etsy. I bought this sheep for Noodlebug's room.

And this just really tickles my funny bone....

We had a nice weekend although it always seems so short! Every week, we get a box of produce from a local farm here in town called the Bounty Farm. This farm not only grows local, organic, sustainable fruits, vegetables and flowers but also provides these items at cost to low-income families in the area. Since my family doesn't need this program, we pay a higher fee for our produce in order to support the farm's charitable mission. Bounty Farm threw a party on Friday evening as a thank-you to the community. There was local food, a free produce stand, face painting, music by the wonderful Green String Farm Band and tractor rides. We had a terrific time! Truly a Fall evening full of fun.

I dearly love TOY STORY and I have been plotting to take Noodlebug to see it ever since I heard it was being re-released in 3D. I thought it would be the perfect first movie. I knew it was ambitious to try and take a 16-month-old to a 3D movie. Or any movie for that matter. I was fully prepared to have to leave after 15 minutes. Well, my sweet little Noodlebug sat in my lap for the entire film. Quiet as a mouse with those giant 3D glasses perched precariously on his little nose. I thought he might be asleep but he would occasionally point at something on the movie screen. I couldn't believe how good he was! It was fantastic!!! We didn't stay for the double-feature but we sure enjoyed TOY STORY. What a fun time!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Halloween!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:22:00 +0000

Well, I finally finished something! I bought one of Beth's corsage kits and here is the finished product:

I used to love seeing the ladies in my grandparents' church wear big gaudy corsages on special holidays. I'm going to see if I can bring back the tradition at my church!

And this is the fun little wand I bought at Halloween and Vine:

I am home from work today with my sick little Noodlebug but he is on the mend. I have to say I'm not misisng work. Noodlebug and I are getting lots of things done. I fold laundry and then he jumps in the laundry basket and pitches everything out again. I love it.

Now, I will have to go to the garage and start pulling out all of our Halloween decorations. I can hardly wait!!!

Catching Up

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:53:00 +0000

Hello Friends!!!
I'm writing from Flu Central here. My husband got it first. Noodlebug has it. Grandma is fighting it and I am using my entire arsenal of remedies to avoid getting it. Not much rest for the wicked! However, we managed to get have a few nice moments this past weekend. I did make it to Halloween and Vine and saw so many wonderful things. I couldn't afford any big ticket items but I bought a cute bat wand that I will post a photo of later. We also made it to the Walt Disney Family Museum preview event. It has the feel of a presidential museum as it provides a chronological view of Walt Disney's life and the evolution of his animation. There are so many wonderful items and pieces of memoribilia including the famous Oscar and seven mini-Oscars from SNOW WHITE and the earliest known drawings of Mickey Mouse.

I'm getting ready to pull out my Halloween decorations. I am attending a Good Witch/Bad Witch party at the Woman's Club in a few weeks and I have decided to go as Samantha from BEWITCHED. I'm going to wear a black shirtwaist dress with this apron that I found on Etsy:

It was made by FlapperGirl and is so cute!!! I'm still working on Noodlebug's Halloween costume. He is going as Charlie Brown. I just need some black shorts and I'm thinking of making a small sheet with "holes" all over it to go with it. I'm so excited that it is starting to feel like Fall around here!!! Now, if the stores would just let me enjoy it and not start forcing Christmas on us already!!!

Etsy Find of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:48:00 +0000

Still a bit under the weather but I had to share this with you. You all know how much I love Etsy. Well, I found a handmade nap mat for Noodlebug at Allie's Nap Mats shop and I just love it!!! Allison provides a very high quality handmade product. The pillow and blanket are attached and the cover can be easily removed for cleaning. The whole thing rolls up and velcros shut with two tabs. Allison even includes a carrying handle. It is just so adorable!!! Head over to her Etsy shop to see more patterns. Being a Texas girl, I had to get Noodlebug a cowboy print!

(photo borrowed from and owned by Allie's Nap Mats)

Under the Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:46:00 +0000

Hello Friends!

I am a bit under the weather so posting will be sporadic this week. I have to rest up to be prepared for the big weekend ahead. My husband's birthday is on Saturday and we'll be stopping by the Halloween and Vine show to check out the marvelous creations. Then, it's off to the Walt Disney Family Museum on Sunday for a sneak preview. I have a three-day weekend this coming weekend so I will have to plan something good to do with Noodlebug. I'm still working on his Christmas present and I am now finished with Mary, Joseph, the shepherd and the manger. I figure I'll do Baby Jesus next because that way, if I don't finish, it will still be a semi-complete Nativity scene.

Hope you are all well!!!