Life, Lately

Howdy, all!

Sorry I don't update this nearly as much as I used to. I really need to get better at that.

So, I'm going to cram the last month or so down your throats all at once. Enjoy. :]

First off, today is March 1st. It's Self-Injury Awareness Day.

Source

 I know it's late in the day, or else I would remind everyone to wear something orange or to draw a butterfly on their hand/wrist, but please be aware that self-injury is a terrible thing. You may not self-injure, but there are so many who do. They need hope, they need help. Be there to listen. Reach out.

That being said, let's get into life. :]

About a month ago, I moved! I'm moved in a bigger house on base. It is absolutely beautiful and so much roomier. I actually feel like I can spread out here. It's an awesome thing.

We found out that L.B. is a boy! His name is Jasper Gregory. We can't wait to meet him. For more on our little guy, visit my pregnancy blog.

Husband is doing well overseas. We hear from him anywhere from one to three times a week. I'm extremely grateful for that, as I know that there are some Marines who are not able to call home as often.

Bear is doing well. He has his 18 month check up tomorrow! I'm excited to tell the doctor that he knows a zillion words. :] My Little Bear is so polite. He shakes hands, says please and thank you, says hello and goodbye, and so many more words and phrases. Other than the occasional tantrum, he's an absolute angel. I'm so blessed.

In May, there is a craft fair that I'm 98% sure I'm going to be participating in. I have about two months to get everything made. I'm a bit nervous, but I know that if I just put my mind to it, I can do it. :]

The plan is to start blogging at least once a week now. We'll see how that goes.

I still have a tutorial to photograph and post. Sorry, Miss Bee! I promise that will be up soon.

Thank you all for sticking with me through my long absences. Y'all rock!

Til next time!

[If I Had...] A Sewing Machine

Or talent to use one. Either way, really.

This is what I would do:

Source: jaynsarah.blogspot.com via aarin on Pinterest

Source: sewingin-nomansland.blogspot.com via Elise on Pinterest

Source: alisaburke.blogspot.com via Elise on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Sher on Pinterest

Eventually...Sigh...

What would do you if you had a sewing machine? Already have one? What would you do if you had more time to use it?

A Granny Square A Day [While Husband's Away]-Day 4 (Plus A Baby Hat)

Yeah. I'm totally keeping up with my project. Ha.

Day 4. Needs to be blocked and weaved. 6"x6" textured square.

 I used a size G/4.25 mm hook.

Don't you just love the deep, rich blue? The square ended up textured a bit (which makes me think I must have skipped a few stitches somewhere, but it was usually the middle of the night when I was working on this, so I'm not surprised). I like it though. Just enforces the "each one has to be different" rule I'm going with. 

Day 3 block pattern: Square 1 from 99 Granny Squares To Crochet.

Last night, I also took a much needed break from all things [While Husband's Away] and made a baby shower gift for an old elementary/junior/high school friend and fellow Marine wife.

Pattern via Oodles 4 Noodles.

I'm thinking of adding a big white bow, attached to a clip of course so it can be removed and put on a headband, etc.

This isn't the only thing she's getting from us, of course, but it is the only thing I'm going to show until after her baby shower in August.

That's about it! Tell me what you think!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

You could win a custom-made granny square pillow.

Go here to enter! 

A Granny Square A Day [While Husband's Away]-Day 3

Falling a bit behind (I should have been finished with my 7th square on July 16th), but I will catch up.

For now, here's Day 3.

Day 3. Needs to be blocked and weaved. 12"x12" circle-in-square.

 I used a size H/5.00 mm hook.

Day 3 block pattern: SmoothFox via Ravelry. 

I've been rolling some thoughts and ideas around in my head, but until I talk to someone in Husband's unit, I can't say anything and get myself all worked up.

I'm getting excited. I just bought some more yarn today (yesterday?) in some fun colors. This afghan is gonna look AWESOME.

See Days 1 + 2 here.

Ciao!

A Granny Square A Day [While Husband's Away]-Days 1 + 2

Another project for the [While Husband's Away] stack.

Granny squares. :]

I've been thinking of doing an afghan for the living room, and this is the perfect opportunity. I'm also working on a deployment pillow for Husband to take to Afghanistan.

Day 1:

Day 1. Will block, weave and join at a later date.

Simple and easy granny square pattern. I'm also using that same pattern for the pillow.

Day 2. Needs to be blocked and weaved. 11"x11" desert cammie yarn. 9 squares joined.

I used a size G/4.00 mm hook for both of these.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do for the back of the pillow. I might use authentic desert cammies for it. Or brown minky dots. Something comfy for Husband. :]

I think this is such a fun idea. Crochet is such a therapeutic activity.

Day 1 + 2 block pattern: Things To Make And Do
Pillow square joining pattern: Carina's Craft Blog

Ciao!

What’s That? New Stuff?!

Hello lovelies.

Just popping in to let you know that the shop is up and running again, with a lot more stuff!

Like these:

And I’ve started a little section in my shop where you can donate to the Wounded Warrior Project with your purchase of the following items:

And, of course, more of everything coming every week.

Like what you see so far? Go browse the rest.

I also do custom orders, so if you like the idea of something, let me know! Just email me at sempergumbyshoppe [at] live [dot] com.

Ciao for now!

Military Housing…

The good thing: I can paint. There’s lots of natural light. Fun, oddly angled walls.

The bad thing(s): The carpets are brown. The linoleum is brown. The walls are textured.

Sigh.

Let’s begin the tour, shall we?

First stop: The full bathroom upstairs.

That’s all the counter space I have. I may go crazy. I don’t even have a drawer. :[

Close up on Husband’s razor, ‘cause I bought it for him.

My little shadow, Brigand, was ever so curious of what I was doing.

Now, the view down the stairs.

That’s a lot less than the 32 I was used to climbing when I lived in South Carolina.

My key hook, next to the hall closet and front door. Very first thing I hung up in here.

Now for some views from the entryway into the ground floor:

Here is the living room, with a peek into the kitchen and dining room.

Notice our lack of furniture? Yeah. It sucks.

Now down our “hallway”…

A quick look at the “hall wall"…

Our “dining” table (which I have taken over).

And a quick peek at what I’m working on…

Our neat little bar area. Thing.

And another view…

And last, but not least, our kitchen. Well…my kitchen.

Well…what do you think? What would you do to make this seem more like…I dunno…Home? Yeah. Home.

Ciao for now!

<3

Skillz…

I’m getting them. :]

This was my very very FIRST attempt at crocheting anything other than a straight line. As soon as I get my buttons out of my box of craft stuff that STILL ISN’T HERE, I’m going to turn it into a neat headband.

What do y’all think?

Ciao for now!

<3

Quick Opinion

Okay, just like the title says, I need a quick opinion.

I decided to make my own pot holders, place mats and throw pillows for our new place.

But, before I get too far ahead of myself and start sewing up a storm, I need help.

If you walked into my house and sat down at my table, what would you think when you looked at this place mat?

Fun and quirky?

Vomitous?

I don’t want to have ugly things in my house (I’m shallow and care what it all looks like from the outside).

Thanks!

Ciao for now!

<3

Look What I Dabbled In!

I made this for my Mom for her wedding…

I don’t quite know what I think of it…

But, she likes it. That’s all that should matter, right?

(Of course, I have to like it enough for her to say “Oh, this? My daughter made it.” I don’t want anyone thinking “That hideous thing?” I know. I’m weird.)

It’s a fascinator…hair comb…thing. It’s got lilies. It’s got pearls. It’s got feathers.

Is it tacky?

Ciao for now!

<3

Sheet Music Candle Tutorial

Okay. So, I’m totally a sappy romantic.

My husband and I have two songs.

“Come What May” from the movie Moulin Rouge! and “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica.

Yeah, I know. Very diverse.

Anywho. I wanted to incorporate everything about my husband and I into our future master bedroom, and I finally figured out how to with one of our songs.

And, I will even share a tutorial of how I did it.

Just because I’m nice like that. :]

 

1. Gather your supplies:

• Paper Mod Podge and brush/sponge
• Scissors
• Flameless candles (I used two because I had two sheets of music; one sheet of music per candle)
• Sheet music printed on transparent paper (I used contact paper)

2. Cut your sheet music into uneven strips, separated by page.

3. Start Mod Podge-ing your strips onto your candle in rather uneven places. Let them overlap a bit. Don’t worry about covering everything up right now.

3 1/4. Make sure not to have your finger over the flash when you take pictures. It makes them look creepy.

3 1/2. Also make sure not to spill your Mod Podge while dancing around to songs from Glee.

4. Once you cover the candle in strips, there most likely will be spots of wax still peeking through.

(Not Pictured) Cut up any left over strips into smaller pieces and cover up those “holes”.

5. Let them dry, then put those beauties on display.

6. Turn on the switch and adore your handiwork.

If any of you decide to make some of these, please send me the link! I would love to see!

Ciao for now!

<3      

Vision Realized

So, I mentioned that I was going to paint a canvas for our future living room/hallway/foyer.

I went from this:

to this:

and finally to this:

It is still blue, but I took the picture with my cell phone, so I apologize for the lack of light.

I love it.

I think I may make some more of these and sell them.

Would anyone buy them, you think?

Ciao for now!

<3

Something Old, Something New…

Here comes the bride…

Some other cheesy wedding sayings…

I am officially commissioned to make a wedding bouquet and matching hair piece.

Sure, it’s for my mom…

But still!

New adventures!

She wants something like this:
 
This is the Ella bouquet from La Plume Ethere. I would just buy this for her, but…I wanna try my hand at feathers, plus I’m going to add some satin flowers and a few more pearls.

I’m also going to make a matching fascinator.

I can’t wait to start!

Ciao for now!

<3

I Nearly Burnt The House Down…

…making this lovely little clippy.

It’s for Miss Bee over at VWB as a thank you for letting me guest post a couple weeks ago.

Let’s just say that next time I play with fire, I won’t let the fabric catch on fire…

Ciao for now!

<3

Apologies, Questions, Confusion & A Project Sneak Peek

First off, I would just like to apologize for that little fit I threw yesterday. I was having a really bad day. I know things like this take time to become cool, but I’m one of those people who like instant gratification.

Thank you all for talking me down from a cliff. It really means SO MUCH. I actually got watery eyes from reading your comments. I know, I’m a sap.

Now.

I have a question for the Marine wives who read this:

Exactly what can I expect from the housing on any base? Like…roughly how big and please please please say I can paint the walls. I know we aren’t going to get into a huge place (the husband is only a PFC), but I would just like to know if I’m gonna have room to stash a tall bookshelf in the “master” bedroom.

Next.

I made an impulse buy last night.

Yup. That gorgeous dress will soon be mine all mine. I CAN’T wait. I definitely think it will be worth all the dough. Doe? D’oh? Cash.

My only problem is how much it cost. I’m thinking I may send it back, and then re-order it after we get our tax return.

But I would love to wear it for my Mom’s wedding in a month.

I dunno what to do. :[

Finally.

I started painting the desk that I hinted at in this post.

Here is the progress so far:

I am so excited. It’s gonna look so super pretty when it’s done.

That’s just the hutch that goes on top of the actual desk. I have been using it as a bookshelf for the last 2 years, but when we finally get into on-base housing (two more months!), I am going to use it to store all my craft stuff in.

Painting it this color is definitely going to brighten it up, especially when I’m glued to my chair, painting my little heart out.

Ciao for now!

<3

Free Printables

I’ve decided to make some Valentine’s Day printables to share. Just click on the picture, then save! Simple and sweet.

Enjoy!

Ciao for now!

<3