I'm officially half-way through my graduate program! Praise the Lord! I am only here because of Him.

I have a two week break before classes begin again so I plan to cram in as much creativity as possible.

Here's the ambitious list:

• Finish planting the garden!
• Read The Hunger Games trilogy. {What's reading for pleasure like? I've forgotten.}
• Vogue 1183, in a gorgeous plum shantung.

• Vogue 1152, in a springy peacock print in the Amy Butler Soul Blossoms line.

• Simplicity 2305, in a purple polished cotton/silk.

• Window treatments for my guest room.
• Window treatments for the playroom.
• Hemming all of my pants in need {thus doubling my wardrobe}.
• Skirt refashion.
• Pants refashion.
• Complete my oilcloth iPad cover.

AND, I'm hosting a "crafter-noon" party for some of my favorite girls.

Don't worry. I'm not disillusioned about actually completing these lofty goals - but I like having a working list.

**smile**

I wanted to hop on to give a quick update. I have been so negligent!

I am in the throws of reading for my classes in Research {that's reh-search, not ree-search} and Leadership Theory. I also had to complete an enormous set of online modules for research certification.

Talk about a creative suck.

However... I am working on a number of projects that I will be sharing with you shortly. More skirts, a skirt do-over, window treatments, and floor/bench pillows! They are all cut and strewn about in my studio.

Much to my husband's dismay. {He's a bit of a neat-freak.}

Having said all of that, I did manage to have a bit of fun this weekend. Lots of opportunities for creative photography!

We went to the annual Thriller Dance on Friday.

My friend, Chris, danced as Lord Voldemort among a crowd of Muggles. So funny! And this photo could not have turned out more perfect.

Saturday was full of fall fun as we took the kids to eat at the Whistle Stop Cafe - the one from Fried Green Tomatoes...

Followed by an oxen cart hayride at the pumpkin patch. What an awesome experience!

And, finally, Sunday saw a photography session with my boys in the middle of a huge hay field. 

What a perfect fall weekend {minus all of the homework}!

I'm eager to find time to finish my outstanding projects to share with you. I also have another super-exciting personal announcement coming later in the week.

Stay tuned my friends!! I'm not going away... just learning to balance it all!

I knew this would happen! I know myself too well...

I'm having a very hard time with life balance this month. And probably next month. **sigh**

I'm getting into the swing of things with my school responsibilities. Homework is so time consuming! It was so much easier when I was a carefree undergrad. I'm in class until 9 p.m. on Monday night, but then the rest of the week is spent getting ready for the next class. Reading, research, writing... repeat.

Soccer is also back in season. So, two nights each week I run straight from work to daycare to the soccer field. Which also means, I don't get dinner going until close to 8 p.m.

Good Lawd! I am so tired. My day starts at 6 a.m. and ends around 11 p.m. {if I'm lucky}.

Somehow, between work, school, soccer, kids, and an assortment of other responsibilities, I have managed to finish a couple of projects:

First, I've given the site a new look. I loved the "borrowed" elements, but I felt that I needed to incorporate my own design. What do you think? Any suggestions?

Second, I completed a shirt that I started this summer {McCalls M5977}. And, it's beautiful.

And I can't wait to wear it... next summer.

Third, I've also completed my next DIY Fall Wardrobe piece - a chic chevron pencil skirt! It was such a simple pattern {McCalls M6038}.

I'd love to model it for you.

But I can't get in it.

The size I measured and cut wound up being too small.

Do you think I have room to add "Diet" to my current weekly schedule?

Hmmmm...

I haven’t missed my long hair for one minute since chopping it all off. I feel like I can finally do fun things with what’s there!

I’ve wanted to make some fun headbands for a while now, but just haven’t gotten around to it until this weekend.

And I love creating multipurpose accessories so I put some thought into how I might create a “slide” that could transfer from headband to barrette to brooch.

I dug through my scrap bag to get the supplies that I needed, grabbed my glue gun and got to work.

I used this tutorial, via Cherry Street Cottage, to make my flowers. I made one large and two small flowers. I also made a little ruffle with a fabric scrap. I used a basting stitch to gather the ruffle.

Once I had my components created, I cut 2 small circles out of felt – large enough to accommodate the pieces that I planned to glue in place, but small enough to be hidden from view.

I cut two small slits in one circle to serve as my slide.

                

I believe a better technique would be to make two small buttonholes, side-by-side, to reinforce the fabric. I will be doing this on subsequent pieces.

I glued the ruffle and flowers to the circle without the slits. It’s important to do this first so that you know how to line up your slide piece on the backside.

I then glued the slide circle to the back around the circumference. You could stitch around the edges if you prefer.

That’s it! It’s super simple, but think of all of the fun possibilities.

Here’s how the piece would fit on a barrette or a pin.

But here is how I plan to wear it.

{I would recommend a headband with teeth. They secure the felt in place.}

I love the rough, frayed edges!

Here’s another that I whipped up with yo-yos.

I would love to make a bunch of these to give as gifts. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I am always so touched when someone makes something for me. It’s a gesture that really says, “I was thinking about you.”

Do you think that most people feel the same way? Or is it just kindred spirits like us who enjoy expressions of creativity?

Hope your week is off to a good start, my friends! Thank you for stopping by!