Make It and Love It

It's Christmas Morning at the Johnston Home!

At least for me.  You know when you get that one toy on Christmas morning and you spend the whole day playing with it and your excitement makes you act silly and well, like a child?  I have to admit I feel like I am experiencing this childlike behavior all over again. Tuesday night I got a new (to me) Sewing/Embroidery machine.  I've been wanting an embroidery machine for quite some time now, but the cost of one just did not fit within our budget.  To make a long story short, I have a great-aunt who has an insane amount of sewing equipment to make quilts, bedding, piping, etc...you name it, she can do it.  She's been sewing some pillows for my sister, so while my mom was over there one day she told her I had been doing a lot of sewing and was wanting an embroidery machine.  I guess my aunt decided to part with the machine she hasn't used in quite some time, because now it's sitting on my kitchen table!

I love to sew, create, and design things and with this new machine I can monogram, applique, and embroider.  I am SO excited!!! I probably won't use it as a sewing machine since I already have a sewing machine and am use to it, but I immediately had to make something! One of my best friends from High School is having a little girl in August.  She lives in Winchester, but her shower is in Chattanooga this weekend.  I have been going crazy making sweet baby Elise lots of goodies.  Here is my first official product made with my new machine- I think I'm gonna have to make Kate one too :)

Since my child slobbers (and eats her bibs) like crazy nowadays this is the perfect size for her!

My good friend Abbey Duncan and I decided since we were both making handmade  gifts and outfits for people who either wanted the items for their own children or to give as gifts, we should just work together and offer a line of handmade outfits, baby gifts, and accessories- our own little Etsy shop. LiviKate's Collection is a new line of handmade items for the cute kids in your life :)  Of course we are a little bias to girls, but we are working on some super cute John Johns and other clothing items for little boys- they need to be well dressed too :)  

Click here to view our line

I've really been into crafting these days too.  For Mother's Day, I decided I just didn't want to buy mom something for the sake of buying her something.  Since it's her first Mother's Day as being a "Honey", I wanted it to be special! So Kate and I made her some flowers that will never die :) I've got some super fun ideas for Father's Day too :)

AND Last but not Least- Steven and I celebrated our four year Anniversary on May 20th.  We were going to eat at Red Lobster (we had a gift card) but we didn't drop Kate off with my mom in time.  So we settled for another favorite- Ankar's, YUMMY!!! We were on a strict time schedule because we got to see Riverdance for the last time- It's "retiring" so it's on a Farewell Tour.  We had incredible seats- it helps to know the man who brings all these wonderful shows to Chattanooga (My Dad) :) It was the perfect way to celebrate! 

Look at how young we look!  I had just graduated H.S :) :) :)

And Fast Forward 7 years Later :) Dropping K Off to celebrate 4 years of marriage!

Also, Check out www.Makeit-Loveit.com for some super cute and fun ideas!!! It's becoming one of my favorite Websites!

My Big Sister's a Pug

Warning: you may call me a crazy dog lady at the end of this post

We love Molly Bojangles and I can't wait for Kate to grow up loving her too.  She has already started noticing and watching her.  She even reaches out to touch her when she's close to her. I know they are going to be the best of friends!  I was so excited when I found the cutest onesie for K when I was pregnant.  I got a good laugh out of the crowd when I wrapped it up, signed it "From Molly Bojangles" and put it among the gifts at one of my baby showers :) The real laugh came when everyone who thought my sister was the one responsible for the gift learned I was behind it.  I can't believe Kate's already wearing it! 

Molly Bojangles and "her gift" for Kate :) Nov.2009

Big Sister wasn't cooperating at first so I just snapped some of Kate

I had to jump in and try to make this photo shoot successful

Then I tried to just put Kate where Molly Bo was

I think Kate is saying "just cooperate so mommy will quite taking pictures"

Then Molly Bo scoots away....And that's a wrap :)

Ballerina Girl

Kate was AWESOME at the dance recital this past weekend!!! She sat on my mom's lap and watched the program like such a well behaved little lady! :) She even got to wear her little tutu I bought for her almost immediately after I found out we were having a little girl! I love her so much and had such a wonderful first Mother's Day! God has truly blessed me beyond what I could have ever imagined! Here's some recent pics of my little Ballerina Girl.....

Such a Happy Baby Girl!!!

My Sweet Baby

K's recital outfit :)

Now- Summer Break and everyday home with my girl -Wahoo!

It's THAT week!

My house says it all...

IT'S RECITAL WEEK!!!!

It's that time of the year when housework is neglected, I stop eating, and everyone I love wants to stay clear of me.  HAHA Maybe I'm not that bad, maybe?!?!  Let's just say I've got a lot going on this week and things like cleaning my house and eating become the least of my priorities.  Number one priority that cannot be neglected this semester: My Sweet Baby Girl! 

This semester has actually been a lot less stressful than usual.  Liz and I normally make all the costumes, but this semester we found some great prices and ordered the majority of them.  We also have great moms that help us out so I have not had to sew a single thing this semester! I've still made a million hair bows, but  that is nothing compared to having to sew!

That Sweet Little Baby Girl of mine has also been going through a stage called : I DON'T WANT YOU, I WANT MY MOMMY! I'm pretty sure she's too young for this, but she's started having separation anxiety. 

I'M NOT KIDDING!

Steven and I went out for my birthday on the 24th and left K with my parents- something we've done many times.  She had recently started crying when other people would hold her, but we just thought it was people she wasn't familiar with. Well.....

My dad calls about 9:30 and asks us if we are getting ready to head that way because K has been crying for over an hour and a half and they can't soothe her.  They think she has a tummy ache so we end date night, swing by Publix and get some tummy drops.  We get to my parent's house, I pick up my child who has almost cried herself to sleep, she turns around and smiles at my mom and sister- not even kidding! 

She's fine when she's with daddy, but anyone else she screams her head off.  What to do, What to do? I feel bad for my parents, sister and everyone else my child wants nothing to do with. Hopefully it's just a- I really just love my mommy stage and soon I'll grow out of it and show everyone else I love them too.  I mean I was the one who wouldn't have anything to do with my own dad for the first 6 months of my life and then turned into the biggest daddy's girl -so I do have hope!

I have to have Honey's help this week, so I'm praying K's over this little stage and will be good for her!

I thought after last semester I would lose that front baby bump.....

But, it still may be there for this recital too :)

Please excuse the messy house, my non-showered self, and goofy smile. I was actually trying to get some housework done and sometimes this is the only way that is possible!