Memoirs of a Moorings

Back To School Teacher Goodies

Making crafts makes me happy! So I'll find just about any reason to create something. School starts tomorrow. Been brainstorming for weeks what to do for a first day of school teacher gift for my little first-grader. I was going to do a survival kit with Airborne, hand sanitizer, aspirin, mints, etc..until I ran across this idea. The cutest thing ever. So I swapped my idea for this. The originals were clear boxes, but I opted for the kraft box instead (didn't want the kids to get distracted by seeing the goodies) and added a label on the back with my son's name. I created one for my little guy too to take to his daycare teacher/"mommy" so he won't feel left out.

Inside are individually wrapped fortune cookies I picked up at Ralph's (our local grocery store) along with some Hershey's kisses. You can't go wrong with chocolate right?

Last week, my son's new 1st grade teacher sent him a postcard saying: welcome to first grade and see you soon. So very thoughtful! I'm sure she'll appreciate this sweet gesture.

Beautiful Birthdays

"Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live." ~Unknown

I was so excited when my cousin called me out of the blue and asked me to do the invitations for her sweet little girl's first birthday. I jumped at the chance to make some girly invitations--seeing that I have a rough and tumble little boy.

Speaking of birthdays, my little guy is well aware that he is turning four on November 16. And he's already requested a Spongebob party. I've just booked a place today and am hoping it's a party he'll actually remember!

Craft Crazy

"Crafts make us feel rooted, give us a sense of belonging and connect us with our history. Our ancestors used to create these crafts out of necessity, and now we do them for fun, to make money and to express ourselves."
~Phyllis George

I'm a sucker for anything hand-made--jewelery, clothing, pottery. I've been browsing Etsy--it's like EBay for the crafting world--and drooling over all the yummy handmade goods! And my oh my....I had to constrain myself. I "walked" away only buying this one piece of lovely jewelery. Talk about self-control! We'll see how long it lasts! If you love unique items head on over and try them out. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Purging and Productivity

"Sometimes you've got to let everything go - purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.” ~ Tina Turner

My TV fast came to an end last night when my hubby asked me to find a show that we both could watch. Now that was worth breaking the fast! My time without TV has been thoroughly productive! ALL of Rhyan's clothes are washed and put neatly away. His clothes for the week are ironed and laid out and I'm feeling way more at peace!  And I went through and deleted a bunch of shows from TiVo that I know I'm not going to watch.

I'm going to declare Friday my day of creativity! I also got to make a card for my aunt who will be giving it to a fellow church member who is moving. And I whipped up some yummy and sinfully delicious banana pudding which was my contribution to Easter dinner!

The Pursuit of Craftiness

Sometimes work simply gets in the way of life. More specifically life gets in the way of me doing the things I love: reading magazines, devouring books, spending time with my two favorites guys, decorating the house and making crafts.

As a former stay-at-home mom with just one year of working under my belt, I'm finding it hard to get in the groove with my creative outlets. So I've been putting it all on hold........but I can't just let work put everything else on the back burner. So I'm dipping a toe in, doing what I can. I recently finished up invites for my cousin's baby shower. Not exactly the way I envisioned them in my head, but it's a creative outlet and I LOVE that.

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin -- real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way. Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
-- Fr. Alfred D'Souza

Christmas Cheer

I've always loved a good homemade, heartfelt gift. I decided it would be my goal this year to try my hand at something crafty for a few co-workers and Rhyan's preschool teachers. I found quick and easy recipes for classic hot chocolate and peppermint stick cocoa and bundled them up as cute as possible. I only wish I'd thought to make one for myself!