Ready for Harry Potter's final chapter!

I had been wanting to try freezer paper stenciling for a long time. I had seen so many great projects and tutorials online I knew this was something I wanted to attempt. Currently, I'm visiting the good ol' USA I can actually FIND freezer paper, so now is as good a time as any!

Over the past few days my little cousin, Rhyder, and I have been consumed with playing wizards due to his new found love for Harry Potter. I couldn't be more excited to finally have someone to share my love with. And with the opening of the final movie just around the corner I found a great subject for my first foray into this new craft.

I began by reading lots of tutorials in particular these on the basics, and on using more compelx images.

Then I searched the internet for the perfect images and fonts to create my shirts. I wanted to stick with a more graphic, simple, look. I think the images are picked were unmistakeably Harry Potter without being cheesy. I even chose to omit some of the details in the original images. Finally, I found the "Harry Potter" font and used it to add some text and a little "P" to the sleeves"

All in all I love the outcome. Excuse the poor photos, its late and all I have is an iPhone.



For my other cousin who is not a huge Harry Potter fan I made a shirt about her love, running! I wasn't thrilled with this one at first, but added a zebra print to the hart and touched up the shoe by hand to fix what I didn't like.I will definitely be trying this again soon!

Let's Get Organized!

So it has been a very long time since I've posted on this blog but I just had to share what I've made for my Dad for Father's Day!

Following the trend of Subway art, I used a this tutorial from I Am Momma, Picnik, and funny sayings from my dad to create the ultimate personalized father's day gift.

The best part is that I was able to include my siblings and step-mom in on the fun as well. I contacted them and asked them to send me their most memorable Dad phrases.

I also added little stickers that fit the sayings. My favorite is the little duck. My dad has always called us mallards, I have no idea why.

The next step will be to print it out and put it in a frame! However, since I'm still in Guatemala I'll wait until I get back to the good ol' USA for that part. I'll post a final picture with when its all done.

Long overdue....

I know that this post is long overdue, but on a lazy Saturday afternoon I have finally found the time to blog.

A quick update on life. Luis and I are enjoying our fourth month of marriage. I'm still teaching 3rd/4th grade. My class has grown to 8 students and I now have three girls. We just finished learning our multiplication tables, and it is one of the few times that I felt like I have actually really taught them something. I really like teaching, but I am reminded daily that it is not in my own strength that I'm doing this for sure!

In December Luis was promoted! He is now in regulation at Union Fenosa. Its been a great new challenge and he really likes his work

We got to go back to California for Christmas. It was really nice to see family and friends and just relax for a couple of weeks.

Well, the real reason for my post is that I finally got to do some crafting today. I would love to eventually make a small business out of sewing and embroidery so I thought I better take a shot at it.

Now this is not some secret code that we are expecting or that I even have baby fever :P! So what do you think? And it only took me a couple of hours! I've got to find a better way to transfer patterns though. Anyone have any tips?

How Much Fabric? Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

I want this!

How Much Fabric? Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Hello Brittney, I'm the real world. Welcome.

The past few weeks have been filled with more changes than I have probably experienced in the last few years combined.

First, on September 12, 2009 I married my best friend :D! You may remember that we had a civil ceremony in Guatemala in June, but this was the real deal. We were married in my home church in Bakersfield, CA. It was a wonderful weekend that allowed us wonderful sweet time with friends and family. It was beautiful. My only regret....I didn't eat cake.

From there we went to Mexico where I am convinced we had the most incredible honeymoon anyone has ever had. When we arrived at the hotel they were doing a little bit of construction. To make up for this "bother" they sent us on two days of free tours. During this week I conquered two of my biggest fears. Well maybe not conquered but...


And this was the view from our room...

So after two weeks of bliss in Fantasyland during the wedding and honeymoon the real world came rudely knocking at my door.

The day after we got back from the honeymoon I began working at Colegio Han Al Americano. I teach 3rd/4th grade. I have 6 students, 5 of which are boys. Most of the students at Han Al are Korean, so this makes for an interesting classroom dynamic. It is a struggle, and I often question whether or not I am a good teacher, but I really do enjoy it.

The best moments are when I see those eyes light up with understanding when they finally get what a run-on sentence is or remember who fought who at the Alamo. I have learned that 8-9 year old boys think anything is fun if you put crazy motions to it.

The funniest moments are when I get questions like, "If water floats in space, what do they do when they have to go to the bathroom?"

These kids really do bring joy to my heart everyday, even if they are getting on my last nerve. They are already gone for today, but I will post a pic of their smiling faces soon.

Life outside of school has been good. Luis and I have enjoyed putting our apartment together. Its about halfway there now, and still lacking furniture, but its on its way.

We got a another blow from Mr. Real World again last night. On our way home our little car decided to start having problems. We knew the car would have to go sooner or later, but we were hoping for a little later. Thankfully our great friend, neighbor and my coworker Linda lives in the same building and was able to give us a ride today. This weekend we'll look for a new car. This has its own set of challenges in Guatemala, but we are trusting that God is going to lead us to the right car.

I'm hoping that once life gets settled I'll be able to get back to the things I love, like sewing, baking, and crafting. I know it would be such a great stress release, but right now there just aren't enough hours in the day.

Please pray for us. We are doing well. God is good and has provided us with many blessings. But, there are always challenges and we just need to wisdome from above as to what to do.

Another great giveaway....

So I have been following tons of craft/sewing blogs in the last few weeks. One of my favorites is Little Blue Boo. Today she is doing a giveaway from an adorable fabric store called This and That from Japan. These fabrics are so cute and retro, but also so expensive :P. So hopefully this extra blog post entry might win me some. I will also have a post soon showcasing all my sewing exploits and my new baby :P. Check back soon!

More totes!

So I know that I promised pictures of curtains next....well with all the running around for the wedding I haven't gotten to them yet. However, I did sit down tonight and whip up two more totes. I'm particularly happy with these because I adjusted the pattern a little bit. Messing with a recipe that had worked felt a little risky, but I'm glad I did it. They came out so cute!
I think they will make the perfect gift for two little flower girls, don't you?