A day in the workroom

At the start of this week I set myself the task of cleaning out my room - drawers, attic, shelves......all of it! In the course of my "new-year" cleaning spree I realized that my craft/mending/refashion pile was almost as tall as me!--granted that's not that tall, but still! I had been accumulating clothes that I liked but that didn't fit right....or  just needed fixing and I kept telling myself "I'll get around to it." Well to start the new year with a clean slate I got around to it today and spent all day in my workroom. 

Project #1: The green striped dress

Problem: Too short 

Solution: Add a ruffle 

Project #2: The sequined top with bolero jacket

Problem: Those sleeves looked like wings!

Solution: Take the sleeves in under the arm.

Project #3: The pink blouse

Problem: Sleeves were way too big under the arm.

Solution: Take the sleeves in under the arm.

Project #4: The striped top

Problem: A dress that was too short and too tight.

Solution: Chop off the bottom and make it an asymmetrical top.

Project #5: The white blouse.

Problem: Way too long

Solution: chop off some of the bottom and re-hem.

Project #6: The maxi dress

Problem: Un-flattering and somewhat dated

Solution: Chop off the top and make it a maxi skirt.

Project #7: The blue skirt

Problem: Cute but just not quite my style.

Solution: cut off the top and add elastic to make a shorter "cowgirl" skirt.

Project #8: The plaid skirt.

Problem: Waist was too big.

Solution: Add a couple darts in the waist.

Project #9: The OBX shirt

Problem: It was HUGE!

Solution: Take in about 3 inches in the back then gather it and wrap a band around the seam to form a bow in the back (and simultaneously hide the seam) 

There were a few other items which ended up in the trash bin because I either didn't like the way they turned out or I didn't love them enough to put that much work into them.  I also fixed up a few jean skirts and a skirt for Havi. So that was my day in the workroom, just remember "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" before pitching clothes! 

A Special Project

I have been wanting a trunk/chest to keep my special treasures in for some time but just haven't really gotten around to getting it. So when Havi asked me what I would like for Christmas I didn't really think much of it and said "oh a trunk that I can personalize." Little did I know that Havi was in cahoots with Aaron to find out something I would like for Christmas and lo and behold his gift to me was a wooden trunk full of goodies! I've made a couple personalized wooden boxes before so I was excited to try and personalize my new trunk.

So here is the trunk.....I measured the sides and mentally planned what I wanted it to look like and then set to work cutting tracing paper to size, experimenting with fonts and designs, and then putting it all together.

And here is the finished product!!! We had a few wrinkles (pun definitely intended lol) but all in all I am very happy with how it turned out!

"Trust in the Lord with all you heart...In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight" 

The side has a flowering vine with a sun rising in the back. 

I had so much fun with this project and can't wait to fill up this trunk with special trinkets and special memories! :) 

Christmas - Cuban style

Although I consider myself a Southern gal there's no denying that my Hispanic roots show strong - especially at holiday time. We celebrate Christmas on the 24th with all my extended family with lots of authentic Cuban food, music, laughter and fun.

The festivities began at 1:00 and once everyone had arrived we spent time reading scriptures and considering the Incarnation of Christ as seen through scriptures and after prayer the feast began!

Typical Cuban food: Cuban pork, Black Beans, White Rice, Congris, Yuca, Salad and rolls

Aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

All the "littles" 

Aaron and Liz were able to join us which was lots of fun ;) 

The clan: Havi, Adri, Jared, Victoria, Hailey, Hayden, Aaron and I

We also had a Spanish "Flamenco Dancer" in our midst lol

Rachel - Love her!

After the extended family headed home my immediate family and I got together to sing and spend time together 

An intense Chess match

Liz and Caleb - I just love these 2, they are so adorable together! 

Camilo 

Opening the beautiful gifts Aaron got me!

Aaron and I

Franky and Gavin

 Victoria and Ethan

Daddy

Mother

Havi and the GORGEOUS dress she received!

 Jess and the smaller that Hailey stitched for her

Hayden opening his gifts

Jared and Franky

Gavin and Brayden after the opening lol

All in all we spent a wonderful time as a family worshipping and celebrating the birth of our Savior! I'm so blessed to have wonderful family to be with....God is so good to us! 

A little bit of everything.....

Hey y'all! Well originally at the beginning of December I had planned to post all our Christmas preparations in small posts so that you all could get a glimpse of our doings here in SC. But things don't always go according to plan and several unexpected events delayed my posts.......We have had times of sorrow and times of joy and all kinds of times in between but the recurring theme of the month has been that God works all things together for good.  On the 5th of this month my step-grandmother stepped into eternity.

It was a difficult time but also a time for us to draw closer together as a family and to step up and show love and honor to my grandfather who is now adjusting to life without his wife. On the 8th we had her funeral service and the gospel was clearly proclaimed and we grandchildren had the unique privilege of singing at the service.  Though the video quality is poor I hope you enjoy hearing these hymns.

Be Thou My Vision

Come, Let Us Return to the Lord

As we get closer and closer to celebrating Christmas we have been cleaning, cooking, baking and decorating. We had the Gardner's over to help us decorate our Christmas trees and we had a wonderful time.

Putting on lights

Adding pearls

I just love Havi's expression ;)

Sydnie and Havi

Aaron and I 

Victoria and Hannah

Homemade ornaments

After the decorating we sat back and watched "Holiday Inn" while sipping hot cocoa which was the perfect end to a fun day.

Last week we began our christmas baking and goodie-making. Liz, Sydnie and Hannah came over to help us girls out and we had a wonderful time together.

All our baking supplies

Melting chocolate

Love these two girls lol

Havi and Sydnie spreading out Peppermint Bark

Liz......Ok, so let me introduce y'all to Liz (And I really wish I had a better picture to show y'all) but Liz is Caleb's girlfriend and just about one of the sweetest, funnest, most down-to-earth people I know. Even though I haven't know her for very long I already love her and we have had so many good times together. I can't wait to see where God leads her and Caleb.

Peppermint Bark

Samoa Balls!!!

Pecan Turtles

By the end we had Sugared Pecans, Peppermint Bark, Cracker Candy, Samoa Balls, Chocolate Truffles, Pecan Turtles, Holiday cookies and Oreo Truffles which we packed in decorative tins to give away. 

And last but definitely not least in our busy month was the wedding of my dear friend Ellie!!! 

We headed up to Sprucepine, NC on Thursday and helped out with the prep work.

Ellie's vision was to transform the church gym into a winter wonderland.......so after lots or work we hoisted up streamers of tulle and snowflake ornaments.

Then they decorated everything in silver, white and sparkles.....it truly looked beautiful!

Havi, Victoria and Aaron

The bride and her parents

Close your eyes everyone! *wink, wink* 

Mr. and Mrs. Cory Wilson Spiers

 Flower girls and boys

Walking out 

Ellie paid me the great honor of asking me to be one of her bridesmaids.....I had so much fun being part of her special day and getting to know all these girls! L to R: Me, Melissa, Hannah, Jodi and Sarah.

Ellie, Havi and I 

And like the good friends that we are, we made sure to let everyone in Sprucepine know that they were married by decorating their car lol ;) 

And for the important information that you may be wondering about at this point. The Lord has brought a very, VERY special person into my life as of 2 months ago! I can truly say it was the Lord and that I could never have planned something quite like this. Aaron has been such a blessing, encouragement, and a true example of Christ-likeness to me and I am so happy that he is part of my life.  I covet your prayers as we seek the Lord's will for our lives and His guidance as we go through the "getting-to-know-each-other/courting/dating" time.

Aaron and I at the wedding. 

So I hope that gives you a glimpse into my December. Hope y'all are surrounded by God's rich blessings as we take time to Celebrate the birth of our Savior.