2011 in review

This time last year I made a '2011 to-do list' - I didnt complete everything on it, and honestly I didnt really want to finish some of the things by the end of the year. It's funny how things change like that. Let me show you what I did finish....

1. Knit a full sized blanket

Well, I kinda did this. I knitted a full-size baby blanket! Close enough right?? Actually no, its not the same  BUT I'm adding this to next years list. 

5. Make Jam

OKAY - I was totally going to do this...but....every single recipe that I found used pectin which comes from apples, which I'm allergic to. So I wasnt so sure it was safe for me to try and therefore I did not complete. boo!

6. Learn to make underwear

I don't really know why I put this on here last year...

...I saw an online shop that sold the sweetest undies and thought it would be a lot of fun to make them myself. well, it was kind-of fun - and they're really comfy!

7. Make Craig's bowtie for the wedding 

...and I did one better! I made all of the ties 

for the groomsmen too! 

Gooo Ashleigh!

8. Learn to make fabric flowers

this was my first attempt at making these...

....one of those things I lost interest in.

9. Sew a dress

oh this one was fun!

I just so happened to find a jersey knit fabric with a really complicated pattern that I loved for my new dress. Can you say most difficult fabric to work with ever - especially for a 1st time dress maker! (please note that you can barely tell that there are pocket on the side there because I lined up the pattern oh-so-well) Ive got an idea for my second dress, I just need to find a pattern that is similar to the shape to work off of.

10. Sign up for Twitter

okay - that one was easy. Click on the button on the right hand side to follow :)

11. Sign up for graphic design classes

As you can tell - these are not pictures from a graphic design class....Its like I was saying at the beginning of this post - sometimes what you want changes by the time you get to it. Instead of graphic design classes I started Upholstery classes - and I am looovviinng it!

13. Run a 5K

If I had to pick one of my goals this year that I wouldnt complete it would definitely be this one! But thats why its so nice to have best friends to push you to do things you didnt think you could do.

aaanndd then I did one better! I ran a 10K! I'm not going to lie..I almost died and my time was horrible BUT I did it, and I have to say that I'm really proud of myself for it.

Thanks for pushing me Rach - love you xox

15. Learn to use Craig's Jigsaw

I feel like I look a little scary holding that in this picture - haha!

my adorable teacher and I built the sign for my very first craft show this year! 

16. Limber up

Don't pay attention to how horrible I look in this picture...the important part is that I am touching my toes. This was actually taken a few months ago - I can do it a lot better now!

It was such a fun year - I think 2011 has been my favorite out of all 23 that I've had! 

I really really cant wait for 2012! 

zooey fever

I love this so. much.

What are you doing New Years Eve?? 

xox 

Badminton Heart

 I found this adorable tutorial on bloesem kids today! I'm trying to bring more DIY-ness to our home and I think this would look sooo cute in our living room!

aaannnddd I found this racket on etsy for only $10!

Do you guys have any projects that you're working on??

I'll keep you updated on this project!

xox

Video Stream

I saw this video on YouTube today and totally fell in love. It kind of seems like its not real...just tiny little pieces being moved along. 

Its all about perspective. 

1. Frocktober Dress

...and when you purchase this dress 20% of the proceeds go towards the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation of Australia! Can't beat that!

2.  Red, Red, Red!

I dyed my hair red several weeks ago, but it didnt hold for too long - EVEN when I tried washing my hair in freeezzzing cold water! I'm ready to give it another try!

3. This really cute tutorial from honestlywtf

such a cute idea - I can't wait to start my new 2012 planner!

4. sarahkdesigns

well, remember this bathroom that I just fell in loove with?? Ever since finding this I've been on a search to find some sweet butterfly prints to recreate this.....and for only $15/each I think these might be a great option!

5.  new blog make over!

Its not drastically different but I am really excited about starting some new features in the new year! I've added some new buttons - they aren't up and running yet but I'm excited to explain all the details to you soon!

xox

Chevron

Did I mention how awesome my husband is?? Did I also mention how many super amazing power tools he got for Christmas?? I think it's only fair that he builds me this.... 

pinterest

Thanks babe, you're the best. 

xox

Merry Christmas

M e r r y  C h r i s t m a s  f r o m  t h e  F l y n n ' s ! 

.....

I hope Santa was as good to you as he was to us this year.

Everyone else has left the house...even the pups are so sleepy.

What a nice rainy Christmas 

xoxo

Pinterest Love

check out all of these images on my Pinterest

I've been taking a little break from the blogging world. Actually I've kinda been taking a break from the real world in general. We've had a lot happen in the past few months since the wedding and it got a little difficult to come back to reality.

The new year is coming and its my FAVORITE time of year!! There is nothing better to me than thinking of all of the possibilities and reflecting on all of the awesome things that happended in the previous year. 2011 was pretty amazing and I've been sooo looking forward to making a whole new list of goals for 2012 - and yes, many of them will be dedicated to this little space.

On another note: CHRISTMAS IS ONLY 2 DAYS AWAY!

Craig and I have decided to handmake gifts again this year and I cant wait to see what hes been working on. I'll pop in again to say hello before I show you more about...

Project 2012! 

#13 - Run a 5K

I did it!!

To be perfectly honest with you guys, I really did not think a month ago that I would have crossed this off my list...

I ran my very first 5K!

It may not seem like a lot to most of you but it was a goal that I would have never completed with out a new years resolution. 

I made some pretty poor choices during this race - let me break it down for you:

1. I did not work out one single day for 2 months before the run

2. I did not stretch (baaaaddddd decision!)

3. I did not drink water before running

why..why?!!

well, I was running a bit late for the race and should have taken a few extra minutes to AT LEAST stretch. seriously. 

but I did make one great decision....

I took this girl with me :)

we really had a blast and I finished in 40:01 minutes.

not great but not too bad - at least I have a goal to beat next time!

Go out there and make some goals - even if you think you'll never accomplish them, you just might surprise yourself!

xox

Thankful

((if this isnt a ''thankful'' picture....i dont know what is))

This year I find that I have so much to be thankful for!!! Of course I'm thankful for my lovely house and having the most rock-star husband around, but there are so many other little daily things that I'm thankful for too...

sleeping in on Saturdays

snuggling with Kennedy Buttons

vanilla Tootsie Rolls

Dad's caffine-free sweet tea

starting new projects

writing for GMan

kisses

playing tug-o-war with Norah Bones

girl's nights

the wedding

my sewing machine

talking to Mom on the phone

the pictures in our stairwell 

Craig's t-shirts

my little blue mini cooper

my job

upholstery classes

icecream

75 degrees in November

taking pictures

dancing with Craig in the kitchen

singing really loud in the car

hot water

cow boy boots

that grunt that K makes when she's exhausted

frozen mango from panera

antique shopping

watching tv with Craigy

I could probably go on and on and on...

but I have dressing to make :)

I hope that you all have a fun and safe holiday spent with loving friends and family.

xox

GMan

This past week I've been feverishly trying to get my final holiday articles to my editor, and I have to say: I'm pretty freaking pumped about our next issue! 

If you havent checked out our fall issue yet you can see it here

and yes, my article is featured right at the top under the logo. 

BAM.

I'm so lucky to be part of such a talented group of writers! Thanks Chris making me a part of something so amazing. 

xox

It's all in the details...

G e t t i n g  R e a d y

N o  L o o k i n g

d e c o r