Guest Post: Michele from The Scrap Shoppe

Hello, A Glimpse Inside friends! 

I'm Michele, and I create at The Scrap Shoppe. 

 

I'm so happy to be able to be here today to not only share a fun project with you, but to let Allison have some much needed time off to love on that precious new little girl of hers! Allison was sweet enough to guest post for me last year during my bloggy maternity leave, and I so pleased I can returned the favor! 

So, let's get crafty shall we?

With Memorial Day just behind us and July 4th quickly approaching, my crafts lately seem to revolve around red, white, & blue. I love decorating my house for these patriotic holidays! 

Last year I made a fun ruffled patriotic wreath for the front door, and I thought it would be fun to make something similar in a smaller version for me to carry around with me! 

So I came up with the 

Mini Patriotic Wreath Pin!

I went with the same materials as my previous wreath: Cream burlap, red burlap (spray painted), and denim.

Cut 2.5" wide strips of the fabrics, then cut the strips into squares then each square into a circle approximately 2 inches in diameter. 

Catch a Glimpse Party #82

It's time to party!

 

What fabulous ideas do you have to share this week?

Guest Post: Amber from Crazy Little Projects

 

Hello A Glimpse Inside Readers! I'm Amber from Crazy Little Projects and I am very happy to here posting today while Allison is off on maternity leave. My blog is all about crazy little projects from sewing to baking to things to do with the kids and beyond.

This is a project that I wanted to do for a while but I was a little bit chicken to start because I wasn't sure if it was going to work. I am happy to say that it worked, I love it and I can tell you how to do it. And it isn't even very hard at all!

It's a fabric covered bulletin board for my office area:

Guest Post: Rebecca from B. Life

 Hi A Glimpse Inside Readers...  I'm Rebecca!

I'm obsessed with a few things in life.  My camera.  My Jesus.  My kids.  And a good book married with a bag of chocolate.  Milk - not dark.

My blog, B. Life is a combination of those things - the things I love about life.  The things that allow me to BE LIFE to others and enjoy life myself.  Things like...

Capturing moments of bliss from behind a lens (and learning to shoot in manual).

here, here, and here

Reliving painful memories from my past to encourage people in my present.

Healing Rain, Superheroes, Miscarriage, Peace

And spreading hope and life to those in need through my business: Better Life Bags.  

For every bag that YOU design at Better Life Bags, I loan 10% of it to low income entrepreneurs in developing countries through Kiva.  

We've been able to loan over $2,000 over the past 3 years to the people you see here!

Guest Post: Aimee from Shugary Sweets

 

Happy Memorial Day everyone! I'm so happy to be sharing a fun recipe with all of you here at A Glimpse Inside. I know we are all sending Allison good wishes for this maternity leave!

My name is Aimee and I blog over at Shugary Sweets. I love to share my obsession passion for baking delicious dishes. The majority of my recipes are sweets (with a last name of Shugarman, I have a role to fill), however I do share the occasional savory dish. With four kids in the house slow cooker meals are a must have, and I've got some wonderful recipes on my blog!

Today though, in honor of Memorial Day, I thought it only fitting to share a tasty red, white and blue dessert! I used a silicone brownie bite pan to make these cute treats, but you can certainly make these in a 13x9 pan as well. As a lover of the corners and crispy edges, these guys are perfect though and I only make brownies in my silicone bites pan now (which you can find on Amazon or at Michael's Craft stores)! 

Making the swirled frosting is easier than it looks too, you can change up the colors for any holiday. Or, if you want to add in blue, you can do that too! Just fill two disposable decorator bags (12inch) with your frosting (don't snip the corners yet), drop them into a large (I used a 16inch) decorate bag with the coupler inside. 

Baby M Update: Week 39

This is the last Baby M update post because Baby M is HERE!!!! 

Yep- she arrived Thursday morning.

I will be sure to give her a formal introduction here once I finish going through all the pictures.

 
How far along? 39 weeks and 1 day
Total weight gain: 25 lbs. 
Maternity clothes? Yep, I've pretty much been wearing all maternity clothes but I do have some regular tank tops that I can still fit in.
Stretch marks? Unfortunately, in the last week, I have gotten quite a few. She is definitely pushing out more now causing them to pop up by the day. I'm not very pleased! lol
Sleep: Been sleeping well.

Best moment this week: Well... Her arrival of course! :)

Miss Anything? Still Travis! Being pain free. Being able to function like a normal person.
Movement: Yep! She's still moving quite a bit but I have noticed in the past couple of days that she isn't moving as much as she has been in past weeks. She must be getting quite smooshed now!
Food cravings: I didn't really crave anything this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing food wise but I had a few days of just not feeling well.
Gender: GIRL!!
Labor Signs: At my 39 wk appointment I was dilated to 3cm and still at 50% effaced. She stripped my membranes at that appointment to help things along. And well... Wednesday afternoon things started and Baby M arrived Thursday morning.
Belly Button (in or out): I guess we'll call it out. It is ever so slightly in but has been like this for weeks now so I don't see it getting any more flat.
Wedding Rings (on or off): On
Symptoms: The usual back and round ligament pain, and shortness of breath.Unfortunately, my swollen gums are back as well.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I was happy this week. Yeah! :)
Looking forward to: Seeing what is in store with a new little one. And of course now, we are both looking forward to Travis coming home to officially meet his baby girl.

Like I mentioned above, I will give Baby M an official formal introduction on here soon. 

And perhaps share a little of her birth story as well.

Guest Post: Meredith from Wait Til Your Father Gets Home

Hi everyone! I'm Meredith from Wait Til Your Father Gets Home, a crafty and diy blog that I recently started since becoming a stay at home mom to my little guy, Jackson.

I'm a former teacher, addicted to Pinterest , and love to read crafty & diy blogs as often as possible! Allison has been sweet enough to invite me to guest post for her while she's on maternity leave, and I couldn't be more thrilled! 

For those of you that follow my blog, I'm sure you're aware that my little guy's 1st birthday is coming up! He was originally due on July 16th but decided to surprise us early on July 3rd, just shy of Independence Day! So this year we're going with a baseball/red, white, and blue theme. Who am I kidding? This kid's birthday will probably always have some sort of red, white, and blue decor...and fireworks, lots of fireworks! 

 A while back I was inspired by Pinterest and Nicole at Reaves, Party of Four to make this adorable 20 Questions Birthday Memory Book for my niece. 

Here's her version...  

{Source}

And here's mine...

Catch a Glimpse Party #81

It's time to party!

 

What fabulous ideas do you have to share this week?

Tasty Tuesday: My Family's Meatballs & Gravy Recipe

One of my all time favorite meals is my family's meatball and gravy recipe. 

 

Every time I go home or for the holidays, I hope my mom makes it. 

Having my parents in town now, my mom made this meal one night for dinner last week and I decided to photograph it all so I could share the recipe with all of you.

Here's how to make it:

-Prep Time: 30 mins
-Total Time: 1 hr and 30 mins.

Ingredients:

For Meatballs:

-1 lb. ground pork

-1 lb. ground beef

-2 small garlic gloves

-1/2 of a medium onion

-3 eggs

-1/3 cups bread crumbs

-1/3 cup or 1 pkg of onion soup mix

-1/4 teaspoon pepper

-Crisco

-Flour

Baby M Update: Week 38

Pretty sure Baby M POPPED once again! 

If she doesn't come soon, I think my stomach may fall off my body! lol 

 

How far along? 38 weeks
Total weight gain: 25 lbs. 
Maternity clothes? Yep, I've pretty much been wearing all maternity clothes but I do have some regular tank tops that I can still fit in.
Stretch marks? Unfortunately, in the last week, I have gotten quite a few. She is definitely pushing out more now causing them to pop up by the day. I'm not very pleased! lol
Sleep: Been sleeping well. Thanks goodness!

Best moment this week: Getting to Skype with Travis for the first time!! :) It was awesome seeing and hearing him at the same time. Also, we got our lawn completely resodded and it looks beautiful!

Miss Anything? Still Travis! Being pain free. Being able to function like a normal person.
Movement: Yep! She's still moving quite a bit but I have noticed in the past couple of days that she isn't moving as much as she has been in past weeks. She must be getting quite smooshed now!
Food cravings: I didn't really crave anything this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing food wise but I had a few days of just not feeling well.
Gender: GIRL!!
Labor Signs: Found out at my appt. on Tuesday, that I am dilated to 2 cm and was already 50% effaced which surprised both me and my midwife. I have been having contractions but nothing terrible.
I go back tomorrow to find out if I've progressed anymore!
Belly Button (in or out): I guess we'll call it out. It is ever so slightly in but has been like this for weeks now so I don't see it getting any more flat.
Wedding Rings (on or off): On
Symptoms: The usual back and round ligament pain, and shortness of breath.Unfortunately, my swollen gums are back as well.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I was happy this week. Yeah! :)
Looking forward to: My next appointment to see what progress has been made this week. Of course, being so close to my due date now, I'm getting anxious for Baby M's arrival! Can't believe it can happen any day now! CRAZY!! I can't wait to see her little face and see what she looks like!

{Feature Friday} #72

Welcome to another Feature Friday! 

I feel like this week flew by! 

Are you ready for today's features? 

Here ya go! 

Old fence to Greenhouse Benches from The Buzy Bug

 

 Make your own Rain Barrels shared by House Made Home

Babblings and More shared her Bathroom redo

Catch a Glimpse Party #80

It's time to party!

 

What fabulous ideas do you have to share this week?

So is the Life....

...of a military wife. 

As you all know, Travis deployed at the beginning of April.

I haven't really mentioned much about it since he has left. Just trying to focus on getting things done before Baby M arrives. 

You may recall my post back in January about finding out he was going to be deploying and possibly not be around for Baby M's birth. It was a bit of a venting session for me and explaining how I felt about everything. 

Well, we found out last week that Travis will NOT be able to come home for Baby M's birth. 

We knew the chances were slim but I was trying to stay positive and it SUCKED to officially get the word that he was not coming home.

So now I get to join in the ranks of giving birth without her husband by her side. 

I know MANY woman do this alone but I REALLY didn't want to do this by myself. Well, I guess it is what it is and I am keeping my head held high and moving on like I have done in the past. I shed my tears and now I'm focusing on the last few weeks/days I have left of this pregnancy.

Tasty Tuesday: SNAP Swag Goodness!

By attending SNAP, I received SO MANY AWESOME goodies in a swag bag at registration.

I actually forgot to take a picture of the bag itself but it is a large reusable bag (think grocery bag) that was given to us by Scentsy and this bag was literally filled to the brim!

Are you curious to what I received? 

Here ya go. 

I shared this in my main SNAP post but wanted to show it again. 

We also received this at registration and it was also sponsored by Xyron.

It definitely came in handy!

Super cute printable from Rhonna Designs

Chalkboard paint from DecoArt

Baby M Update: Week 37

I'm considered Full Term!! 

YEAH! 

How far along? 37 weeks
Total weight gain: 23 lbs. as of my last appointment two weeks ago. Have another check up tomorrow.
Maternity clothes? Yep, I've pretty much been wearing all maternity clothes but I do have some regular tops that I can still fit in.
Stretch marks? I think I may have one or two on the lower half of my belly but I can't really tell if they are stretch marks or my veins.
Sleep: Been sleeping well. Thanks goodness!

Best moment this week: Talking to Travis a couple times on the phone this week. :) So awesome!
Also, my parents arrived so I finally got to see the nursery bedding.

Miss Anything? Still Travis! Being pain free. Being able to function like a normal person.
Movement: Yep! She's still moving quite a bit but I have noticed in the past couple of days that she isn't moving as much as she has been in past weeks. She must be getting quite smooshed now!
Food cravings: I didn't really crave anything this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing food wise but I had a few days of just not feeling well.
Gender: GIRL!!
Labor Signs: Not really. I've had a few Braxton Hicks contractions but nothing crazy at all.
Belly Button (in or out): I guess we'll call it out. It is ever so slightly in but has been like this for weeks now so I don't see it getting any more flat.
Wedding Rings (on or off): On
Symptoms: The usual back and round ligament pain, and shortness of breath.Unfortunately, my swollen gums are back as well.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I was happy this week. Yeah! :)
Looking forward to: Hopefully, finally putting the last few touches on the nursery. Nothing like the last minute! Also, I really hope I will be surprised at my appointment and have made some progress in the dilation area. lol And this isn't pregnancy related but I CAN'T wait to get my lawn done!!! We are getting all new sod starting today and I can't wait to have pretty grass! :)

{Feature Friday} #71

Hello Friday! 

I'm happy you've arrived! 

Here are some awesome ideas shared at this week's party:

 Joyful Homemaking shared this Mother's Day Gift Idea

 White Chocolate Oreo Brownie Parfait from Inside BruCrew Life

Catch a Glimpse Party # 79

Now, it's time to party!

 

What fabulous ideas do you have to share this week?

Tasty Tuesday: Mother's Day Recipe Ideas

Mother's Day is this weekend so I thought I would share two recipes that you could sneak to your loved ones and convince them to make for you! ;) 
One is for breakfast and the other is for dessert. Click on the name of the recipe under the image to view the full recipe on the Kraft Food website. Breakfast: 

Bacon Omelet Roll with Salsa 

 Dessert:

 Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
 ENJOY!!

Baby M Update: Week 36

Do you like the basketball I am hiding under my shirt?! 

How far along? 36weeks
Total weight gain: 23 lbs. as of my appointment on Wednesday. And I believe it... I do feel like I have gained more.
Maternity clothes? Yep, I've pretty much been wearing all maternity clothes but I do have some regular tops that I can still fit in.
Stretch marks? nope :) And I'm thrilled!
Sleep: Sleeping pretty good. Have had some good days of sleeping in, after waking up super early and then falling back to sleep. lol

Best moment this week: Getting to speak with Travis on the phone again. And then hearing Baby M's heart beat at my check up and knowing she is head down and ready to go!

Miss Anything? Still Travis!
Movement: Yep! She's still moving quite a bit but I have noticed in the past couple of days that she isn't moving as much as she has been in past weeks. She must be getting quite smooshed now!
Food cravings: I didn't really crave anything this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, I've been good this week.
Gender: GIRL!!
Labor Signs: No. I've had a few Braxton Hicks contractions but nothing crazy at all.
Belly Button (in or out): Still in but oh so close to popping!
Wedding Rings (on or off): On
Symptoms: The usual back and round ligament pain, and shortness of breath.Unfortunately, my swollen gums are back as well.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I was happy this week. Yeah! :)
Looking forward to: My parents will be arriving this week! :) My mom is bringing the bedding she sewed for the nursery so I can't wait to see it in there!

{Feature Friday} #70

It's Friday! 

Are you happy about that?! 

I'm sure you are! 

Here are some awesome ideas linked up to this week's party.

2 Crafty 4 My Skirt created this Potting Table out of pallets

DIY Farmhouse Table made by Garage Sales R Us

Catch a Glimpse Party #78

Before you jump down to the Party, I just wanted to remind you all that I am searching for some Guest Bloggers while I go on a Blogging "Maternity Leave." 
If you are interested in helping me out, check out my Maternity Leave post and fill out the form.
THANKS! 

Now, it's time to party!

What fabulous ideas do you have to share this week?