Welcome Home, WILDCATS!!

Our last game :( senior year

My bff & I

Even after a brief chat with my best friend yesterday (who lives on the other side of the world) RIGHT after the game, I am still so excited!!! We just couldn't get over it :)

I love this picture! 

So many amazing 3 pointers

President Todd & Coach Calipari with the team

            

This video seriously makes me wish I was in Lexington!!! After 13 years, I cannot tell you how desperately I hope/wish/dream/pray for another national title!!

AND with the stars aligned (NONE of our usual rivals in the tournament)

.........On to the FINAL FOUR!!!!

GO WILDCATS!!!!!

Simple Fabric Headband

Kentucky has made it to the Sweet Sixteen! Hooray!! They play tonight for the Elite 8- GO CATS!

SO......While trying to break up the monotony of making little cosmetic bags and clutches (all that I am practicing my sewing on), I decided to try my hand at a fabric headband!

My best friend owns 2 or 3 of these,  and I thought they would be a cute change to the hair clip, bobby pin, or regular headband. You can buy them OR you can make them :)

Now, this is the first headband I've ever made, so it's not perfect.....

But I'll give you the basics..........

Supplies

Cute Fabric

Scissors/fabric cutter

Cutting mat

Ruler

Sewing machine

Elastic hair band (you'll need 1/2 of it)

1. Cut your fabric 13" lengthwise and with a 4" width

2. Sew the ends first. Fold the end corners of your fabric into triangles 2" up leaving a 1" gap in between. Then, fold up the center 1/2" and sew (see picture).

3. Fold the fabric in half with the right sides facing each other. Sew on the outer edge with a 1/2" inseam. Trim the edges.

4. Turn the now "tube" inside out and place the seam in the middle. (You can lightly press with iron if you want- I didn't).

5. Cut the hair band perfectly in half. Taking one side, sew the elastic onto the fabric end (do one end at a time) about 1/2" into the hole. (Try not to sew all the way across the fabric, you just want to secure the elastic to the fabric - did that make any sense?) Repeat on the other side making sure it's not twisted.

6. Finally, while still working at the underside of the headband, fold the corners up around the elastic

and sew (they should make a triangle again) to completely enclose the elastic.

7. It's ready to wear!!

* Apologies for the VERY orange looking photos and the quality since they're from my phone!!! Sorry! 

The fabric is really a light peach with aqua flowers.

* Thanks for bearing with me on my first sewing tutorial! I'm not sure I know the exact lingo :)


Linking this to:

       
       
 



ps- And a very Happy Birthday to my sister (in law) Lauren!!!!

Happy 24th! Love you!

Forever Family

[I wish I had been able to be there in person, but..... ]


i am in LOVE with this video

{You HAVE to watch it!!! Warning: tears may follow}

[photo courtesy of Danielle]

Congratulations to Ryan and Lesli !!!!

Yesterday they came home from Ethiopia with their new son!!!
.......What a beautiful example of faith you have shown!
Through listening to His call, there is One Less orphan
without a family tree.....

Welcome Greer Nathanel to your forever family!!!!




{So thankful for adoption into God's family

  .....His love is great} 

"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you" 

John 14:18

EA love {#1}

I love East Asia. It is rustic, unique, interesting, and beautiful all at the same time.
               (I'm sorry this post didn't come sooner- please forgive me!)
I hope these pictures display all that I love and enjoy. Photos truly don't do it justice, but I think these give a good glimpse of the wonderful country:

*Please feel free to check out my Facebook albums from THIS year and LAST year...........

Also, my best friend has posted some of her favorites from EA. Check her blog out here and these favorites:
1.  Food
2.  No Words Necessary
3.  Amusement

Catching Up

(Shabby Blogs)

I am finally home (safe and sound)!!!

It's so nice to be back in my own bed. Although, my sleeping schedule has been really out of whack.....I drove an hour home from the airport after coming off a 2 hour flight from Chicago and before that a 12.5 hour flight from Beijing (ALL on the same night of Daylight Savings- you would think that would help). I truly went back in time :)

& needless to say, it was a long day of traveling. Whew.

BUT,

it was wonderful......

I am so fortunate to have been able to go on this amazing trip!!! Talking to my mom on the phone before I left, she said, "how awesome that you can say you have been to China, and not just once in your life, but twice and in a row!!" I truly can't explain how much fun I had. I was able to spend a lot of time with my best friend, her mom, her husband, a few friends I had met last time, and some new friends. I especially enjoyed spending time with my best friend whom I hadn't seen since my wedding. I loved catching an even bigger glimpse into her everyday life. Go and read her blog to get an even better explanation of the.....Joys of Life with Lucy)

Since I have SO many pictures to share....
I'm going to split my adventure into 3 posts:


1. I love the country
2. I love the people. 
3. and I love the food. 


I have to purchase more space, so I'll start on the awesome adventure posts tomorrow! :)
If you want to check out 200 (out of my 500) pictures, here is a link to my facebook album. 
**Make sure you come back though if you want stories or explanations behind the photos!!!**

An Adventure Begins

I love all of his books. Especially:

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Right now I am taking a break- one of many.

There is so much laundry to be done, cleaning, packing, wrapping, and last minute shopping.

It's a little bit overwhelming, but so worthwhile.

All of this is because................

I am going on a semi-vacation for 8 days. 

My Etsy shop is on vacation as well (that is why nothing is visible).

Since it's hard to say where I am going, you'll just have to wait until I get back to see a post about my fun adventure. 

I'll give you one hint:

I will miss my husband dearly.
I know that he is jealous. I will have to bring him back a little something :)