{InstaFriday}

Things have been super quiet around here. I decide to take a little break as summer winds down to soak up the last of the quiet do nothing days. I'll be back to regularly posting lots of fun things in the next week or two after we settle into the school year. I love fall :)

We've been busy...

eating blue lollipops. 

picking things up with our toes

painting our toes...Blue By! by Sally Hansen InstaDry

eating really well. I go back to my Weight Wacthers mtg next week! I've lost 10 lbs since May and somehow managed to keep it off over the summer! Only 4 more to go!

working on custom orders with pretty vintage inspired fabrics

doing my best to live by this verse as I navigate the ins and outs of being a handmade shop owner and blogger. My heart gets ugly when I try to compete with other people or gravitate towards that "look at me! look what I made!" attitude. So much of what I do is about self promotion, but I'm trying to learn how to do that in a kind and humble way.

 promoting awesome shops like Poofy Cheeks! My friend Kelsey is quitting her day job to go full-time with her adorable handmade shop! You should check it out because she's rad and I heart her.

Well that's what we've been up to. The blog has been quiet, but I'm still posting little things here and there on Instagram so you can follow along if you'd like. I'm @sewchatty.

Have a happy day friends!

I'm linking up with Jeannette

{InstaFriday...life lately}

Hi friends! Happy Friday to you! It's officially summer break and I couldn't be happier! We're headed to Disneyland today to check out Cars Land. Carter is PUMPED about it! I am too :)

I've been able to blog much lately so I love that Instagram is a way for me to check in with you all and let you know what we've been up to! Come follow along @sewchatty. Today I'm linking up with Jeannette with a recap of my favorite little life moments over the past few weeks.

This is my favorite thing I've made EVER!

 I adore this bag. It was such a fun project! Very satisfying. One of those "wow, I can't believe I made that" kind of projects. Love it! I have two more it the works for my boys so stay tuned for finished pics of those too! Check out my full pattern review and tips HERE.

1. Beach pouch to match my beach bag. Tutorial for the beach bag HERE.

2. Carter loves his scooter. I love that I can take him with me when I go running!

3. Thrifted chambray shirt makeover! The doilies fixed the Mickey!

4. DIY mint jeans. LOVE how this pair turned out! The first pair were a MAJOR fail!

5. My boy got student of the month!!!! This is a big huge deal. He struggled so much at the beginning of the year so to end first grade as student of the month, made us over the moon happy!

6. White Chicken Enchiladas for a family in our church who just had their 5th child. These are AMAZING.

7. Handmade by me baby gift.

8. Sunday nap with my favorite quilt. 

9. Crochet Bun Bow!

10. The Bun Bow in action! These will be in the shop soon!

11. Went to the cheap theater to see Mirror Mirror. This Dr. Pepper was fifty cents more than the movie ticket. Ugh. I'm smuggling in my own next time!!!

12. My summer makeup routine. With 55 SPF as well :)

13. Started to feel a cold coming on, but kicked it thanks to these three miracle workers!

14. My Anthro mug died a sad and tragic death. I am so bummed.

15. Maybe I should learn how to count better when I make collages so that pics don't show up twice??? Newbie.

We had an awesome first grade teacher this year. She let the kids with summer birthdays bring in treats for their friends. We brought these AWESOME Cake Batter Rice Crispy Treats.

Lastly...

I bought a bikini. I've been working SO hard for it and even though I have 6 lbs to go, there are tons of people at the beach in bikinis that look way worse than me so I figured I go for it! I managed to find one that actually fits well and doesn't pinch in at the sides. I'm ready to hit the beach this Sunday for Father's Day!

Have a great weekend everyone!

{InstaFriday}

Hey there! I'm linking up with Jeannette for InstaFriday today! Let's share our little life moments :) Follow along @sewchatty.

 I discovered another fabulous use of washi tape!!! A seam marker. Brillz. The dress I made had very nice seams. Thank you washi!!!

 Ok, this kid LOVES Dancing With The Stars! Check out that hip action! Too cute.

 Jury duty notice. Right as summer is approaching. This is my luck people!

 Loved the note in my Bible for this verse that said "enough time for what must be done, but no time for waste." Perfect motivation for a productive day!

This is me waiting for Zumba! I just started taking the class this week and I LOVE it! So fun it almost doesn't feel like hard work...but then I leave all kinds of sweaty and tired so it must be doing something! I'm running 3 days a week and doing Zumba 3 days a week. I feel good :)

Well that's a peek at my week! Carter is off from school today so we're enjoying a four day weekend! Woot. Have a happy day!

{InstaFriday...my week in phone pics}

Happy Friday to you all! I hope you had a lovely week!  

Here is a recap of the little happenings around here via cell phone pics I posted to Instagram. Are you on IG? You can follow me @sewchatty. I'm linking up with Jeannette for InstaFriday. Come on over and join the fun!

 I had a perfectly lovely Mother's Day. Mom came down to visit and we enjoyed a simple weekend with yummy dinners on our freshly cleaned patio.

 and we fired up the fire pit! S'more time!!!

 These were my Mother's Day prezzie! Aren't they fabulous?! Handpainted TOM's are quite possibly the world's most perfect Mother's Day gift.

 A few crocheted washcloths I made for my mom. Happy colors for her kitchen!

 My mom and I at church on Mother's Day. I love her oodles.

I ran at the park this week. I am so close to being done with C25K! 28 minute runs this week which for me is just over 2 miles. Next week is my last week! Upon finishing, I'll be running for 30 minutes. Theoretically that's supposed to be 3 miles, but since I rock a 13 minute mile, I'll have more training to do to get me there. I have NEVER in my life been a runner so this is a big fat huge deal for me! I'm pretty pumped! Between the running and the super clean eating, I should be back to my Weight Watchers goal weight soon-ish! 11 lbs to go...

Yummy strawberry and goat cheese salad I made for the Strawberry Social on Tuesday! Our ladies bible study takes a break over summer so we always end with a big potluck we call the Strawberry Social. Everyone brings something strawberry and it's so fun! Some people bring chicken so we have a little protein...!

 Our first tomato of the season! Tiny, but yay for homegrown food!

Have you tried these yet? SO GOOD people. Fabulous little treat! 2pts each if you do WW. Go to Target and get them!

Happy weekend friends! Enjoy!

{InstaFriday!}

It's been a fabulous week in super sunny Orange County! Here is peek at my week via Intagram pics! Are you on Instagram? Follow me @sewchatty!

 The Husband and I got to go on a date night last Friday and we had so much fun! The food trucks are always fantastic! It was kind of my last hooray before...

 The Green Monster Smoothie. I'm determined to lose 12 lbs and these are going to help. SO YUMMY! Here is the recipe I've been making with a few of my tweaks too:

1/2 cup FF yogurt (I use one of the Greek Vanilla ones from Trader Joe's)

1/2 cup FF milk (you could sub for almond or soy whatever you like)

6 almonds (I used 1TBSP of PB instead and it was YUM)

1 banana (I also used 1/2 a banana and 1/2 a mango one day. Any light colored fruit is fine)

1 pkt Splenda 

a handful of baby spinach (about a cup)

Throw everything into the blender (you don't need a fancy one either) and enjoy!

***I promise you don't taste the spinach at all and when you add PB...seriously amazing***

The little man got a haircut. He picked it out his own cut from the book at the salon. So big. || I have been drinking buckets of iced tea this week. If you don't have an iced tea maker, go to Target and get one! My favorite iced tea is the mango black tea from TJ's. || Greek yogurt. Delish. Even better with my Hello Kitty spoon. || Got my new Living and Everyday Food magazines! Martha is inspiring as always! || I made a super cute knotted crochet headband that I've been wearing almost everyday! || We went for a walk after dinner the other night because it was so beautiful! Great night for scootering! || This rose is in the garden. Lovely.

Have a great weekend everyone! Have you entered my Favorite Things giveaway yet? Lots of fun summer goodies!

Enter HERE.

{InstaFriday...my week in phone pics}

Hi friends! Did you have a great week? Hope so :) I'm linking up with Jeannett for InstaFriday. 

Lots of pretty and yummy things got made this week which always makes me happy! Come have a peek at my week via pics from my phone :) You can follow along on Instagram @sewchatty.

 I FINALLY mastered the Granny Square thanks to my new best friend Melanie's awesome video tutorial. Check it out HERE!

 Practicing my new skill :) I am just finishing up my last one and then I'm going to stitch them all together and make a fabulous pillow for the bed in my sewing room {guest bedroom}! I should have a pic of that to show you  next week so stay tuned!

I few of our friends joined us for a delish Mongolian BBQ lunch after church last Sunday and this was in my cookie. Isn't this the greatest fortune? So true!

 This is the first 10 of 50 key fobs I am making for Mother's Day at our church. I'm finishing up the last batch today. These come together very quickly when you watch hours of How I Met Your Mother on Netflix. Learn to make this key fob HERE.

 YUMMY DINNER. Pinterest is so delicious. Here are the recipe links. Baked Salmon. Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Best Broccoli Ever.

My favorite new nail color. Blogged HERE.

 Taught myself the Broomstick Lace stitch and made this fabulous cuff! I've been wearing it everyday this week! I'll be taking custom orders for these soon so stay tuned for details!

These are the best cookies in the world. You need to make them! Blogged HERE.

 My bloggy friend Caroline from Sew Caroline blogged a great tutorial for a maxi skirt this week. Did you see it? My fabric store has LOADS of knit for $2.98 a yard so I bought 3 yards to make some fun skirts for summer!

Here is the first one! Cute right?! {there's the cuff again too...obsessed I tell you!} The maxi was super easy to make! You can follow Caroline's tutorial HERE.

My new maxi skirt and I are going on a date with the hubs tonight. What are you up to this weekend?