comfy and cozy

I spent the day yesterday pulling out our few Fall decorations, which, now that I look at it, is really more about Halloween these days. I think the girls and I need to go on a little nature walk and search for more buckeyes and mini pinecones to add to our collection.

Halloween and Fall Home Decor | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

I took the lazy way out and took all my photos with my iPhone 5s because I didn't have to go through downloading the photos from my 40D because my phone photos go directly to our Photo Stream. Nice. Therefore, no detail shots or close-ups. And these were in the early evening, so the lighting is low, but I think it give a nice homey, comfy feel to the shots.

On Instagram, I shared this photo for a photo challenge with the theme of Colorful. I was revamping a wooden candle stand and am finally happy with the results.

Halloween and Fall Home Decor | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

And here it is in action, with a collection of styrofoam balls I covered in jute and display in a 20 year old outdoor planter with peeling paint that I adore. You can find the Fall subway art, the Home Sweet Home and the Grateful Family art print in my shop, I Love It All. Use the coupon code BEHAPPY for a 20% discount on your purchases.

Halloween and Fall Home Decor | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com
Halloween and Fall Home Decor | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

The kids made the salsa and spaghetti sauce jar Mod Podge jack-o-lanterns back in 2009. I only know this because I had the forethought to date them on the bottom. I don't always have my act together like I did on that particular day. Or on this day, when I made this.

Halloween and Fall Home Decor | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

I did not date this masterpiece of spooky handprint ghosts. I made three of them and my hand was in major cramp mode when finished hand cutting all those felt letters. So glad to have captured their handprints, though. When I pull out projects like this, I always get emotional and weepy thinking about my kids and all our memories and laughs and giggles. For some reason, I only have one of Victoria's handprints. Hmmm?

The cutest, little Super Heroes ever. Ever. EVER!

Halloween and Fall Home Decor | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

In the madness of all of our mud porch addition, concrete pouring project, house painting, new dishwasher, new day bed and mattress for Victoria expenses, the landscaping of our back {front} yard is definitely not going to happen until Spring! 

So when I asked Gordon to pick up one bag of mini pine bark nuggets, which is my preferred mulch concoction, I didn't think he would. Not because it's expensive, but because when I bought a 9-pack tray of pansies from Tractor Supply the other day to fancy up our side yard a bit, he laughed at me. He looked at my lonely one tray of pansies, saying, "You really think that's going to make a difference?"

Yard Work | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com
Yard Work | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

To which I replied, "No, but it will make me happy." 

So, if you are going to take my side and say that these two photos look nice, go ahead. But, if you saw the rest of the yard, which I'm not sure I'm brave enough to show you after the concrete truck, Papa's tractor and backhoe and tons of gravel, you would laugh right along with my Sweetie and shake your head that I even tried to make this spot next to our outdoor dining table a little nice.

Because...those weeds over in the other 3 flower beds sure do like growing in that horse manure Papa so kindly filled them with so that our plantings would get a good start. Yep, the weeds love aged horse manure.

If you haven't downloaded your Halloween Countdown Calendar, you should! 

Halloween Countdown Calendar Printable | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Isabella gave me a great big hug when she saw the calendar yesterday morning and told me I was the best Mommy. Definitely worth the time it took to design and print out!

As I told a friend, who would have that something so small would be so appreciated? It made me pause and realize that I do it all for them. All three of them. And I hope that my now almost 21-year old son can look back on all those crazy craft times with Mommy and smile. I do.

halloween countdown calendar

Halloween cannot get here early enough for me!

Halloween Countdown Calendar Download | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Why you wonder? In my effort to be super efficient and ahead of the game, I've purchased numerous bags of sweet Halloween candy treats. And those two bags of the Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids combination I bought last week may not even make it through this week, let alone make it to October 31st. That's the last pack of Sour Patch Kids. Ahem.

Who's ready to countdown to Halloween with me? Download your countdown calendar and let the kiddos take turns marking off how long it is until they get to dress up and scare the Boo out of everyone. It's sized to print on an 8.50" x 11" and you can leave as is or trim down to 8" x 10" and pop it behind a frame to use with a dry erase marker on the glass. Here are the girls crossing the days off and here's how to hack the letter size calendar to use in  your Filofax planner.

Did you see my new Halloween Canvas Treat Bag tutorial? Boo!

you're sew fine chalenge | the twinery

I'm just an old-school Prepster and love anything monogrammed, don't you?  Have you ever thought about sewing with The Twinery baker's twine? I've done it many times and it works beautifully. If you're wondering about how to get the twine through the eye of your needle, you could always try out this little threading trick of mine.

Although the challenge ends this evening, for the last ten days our designers have presented their fun and creative projects and we invite you to play along for a chance to win.

The Twinery You're Sew Fine Challenge | Monika Wright

Because it's just such a great combination, I paired Solid Strawberry and Solid Caribbean baker's twine together for my project.

THE STEPS

The Twinery You're Sew Fine Challenge | Monika Wright

  • Go through your stash and find one of those cute little notebooks you bought from the daily deal site you get an e-mail from every day. Yep, that's where this little cutie came from!
  • Lightly pencil your desired monogram on the front cover, my daughter's name begins with an I.
  • Choose your two favorite colors of baker's twine from The Twinery. I know it's hard to narrow it down to two, but just do it.
  • Use the smallest hole option on your Crop-o-Dile and punch holes along your penciled in letter shape.
  • Begin sewing. Here's a threading trick for baker's twine.
  • Get creative when topping letters that require a dot...here I used a chipboard button from my scrapbooking supplies. I even used a bit of washi tape along the notebook spine and to cover the pen that was included.

The Twinery You're Sew Fine Challenge | Monika Wright


THE PRIZE




LINK UP YOUR PROJECTS


Find all the details for linking up your own Sewing projects featuring baker's twine here.

filofax finsbury | planner addicts photo challenge


I'm still playing along with the Planner Addicts Photo Challenge. I loved the photo challenge concept  when Lisa and I did 52Photos, I have played along with the Fat Mum Slim photo challenges on IG and now this.  I'll share my Yellow Filofax Pocket Finsbury and the prompts for Days 10 - 23, you can find Days 1 - 22 here.

Day 10  |  Lists
After trimming down a small notepad, I use my Crop-o-Dile to punch holes to insert lists that can be moved from week to week, if needed.

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 11  |  Sections
Who says you can't use your scrapbooking supplies in your Filofax planner? I used double-sided cardstock from My Mind's Eye and traced the tab dividers that came with my planner, placing the tabs at the top as well as along the sides.

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 12  |  Month at a Glance
I forgot to order my monthly calendar pages when I purchased the planner, so I downloaded some free {and cute} monthly pages from Lime Tree Fruits.

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 13  |  Selfie with Planner
Not a huge fan of selfies and especially not on this day as I didn't wash my hair. So, here you go...cute new shoes, my reading glasses {because I can't read a thing without them} and my gorgeous planner, love that color!

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 14  |  Stuffed Full
As planners go, mine is not stuffed full. I use the top loading pocket to corral my coupons. A little washi tape doesn't hurt, either.

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com


Day 15  |  Leaning Tower of Planners
Just my Pocket planner to keep my company, but she makes me happy.

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 16  |  Creative
If I'm going to make a list, it might as well be cute...just add washi tape!

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 17  |  Supplies
Just using supply stuff I have on hand and have had for ages. This photo has 85 likes on Instagram, I don't think I've ever had that many likes on any photo. In case you're wondering, most of that washi tape is from when I was on the My Mind's Eye Design Team.

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 18  |  By Your Drink
My daily routine always includes a cup of coffee while I check on orders for the shop and return e-mails.

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 19  |  Planner Caddy
Yep, all my supplies fit inside this vintage Coach makeup tote.

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 20  |  Handwriting

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 21  |  Color Coded
My attempt at color coding, but instead it's just notes written in colored ink. Hmph.


Day 22  |  Post Its + Flags
My very small collection of Post It notes. Actually, the Staples brand small yellow notes get the most use from me.

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Day 23  |  To Do
Oh yeah, my Filofax {To Do} Wish List!

Filofax Finsbury + Planner Addicts Photo Challenge | iloveitallwithmonikawright.com

Be sure to stop in again at the end of the month when I share Days 24 - 30.
You can find days 1 - 9 here.