Creative Handmade

Baby info!

katiejessen — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 01:38:11 +0000

Hey there,

We’ll have baby pics and info on Chris’ blog, so make sure to keep up with the following link:

http://chrisjessen.wordpress.com/

Love you all!

Big Weekend

katiejessen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:59:08 +0000

Friday night our church had their second annual Fall Family Frenzy. Thousands showed up to trunk-or-treat, climb a climbing wall, play games, eat free food, win prizes and much more. Chris was the “MC” and I helped pass out fliers and free cookies for MOPS, so Oliver enjoyed most of the evening in the stroller. It was fun for him to see his cousins, aunts and uncles and Mamaw and Papaw there. I loved him in his little frog costume that I borrowed from a friend.

The next day we drove to Ohio for my sisters wedding shower but first Oliver had his first trick or treating experience. I took him in a wagon to three houses in his soon to be uncle’s neighborhood. The adults dressed up too for the big night.

The next day Susan was showered at an amazing luncheon hosted by our family friends. It was great to be able to celebrate her and anticipate the big day in less than 3 weeks. My sister is so BEAUTIFUL and photogenic so I can’t wait to see pictures taken on her wedding day.

Susan & Jose’s daughter, Gabby

Bridesmaids

Circus Circus

katiejessen — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:35:02 +0000

The circus came to Knoxville

A friend gave us tickets

So we went

Enjoying Fall

katiejessen — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:37:08 +0000

Fridays are our family day so this past Friday, we drove to the mountains to see all the beautiful foliage. Unfortunately it was rainy and windy so we didn’t get to hike. We did, however, get to drive a short loop around Cades Cove and took some fun pictures.

The wind started blowing

The crawling stage doesn’t last forever so I want to remember it!

Happy 87th Birthday Grandpa Great

katiejessen — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:51:24 +0000

Happy Birthday Shorty

WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU VERY MUCH. HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Love,

Chris, Katie, Oliver and Baby J {no name yet but soon}

Burlap & Canvas Curtains

katiejessen — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:59:06 +0000

I finally finished my family room curtains and curtain rods. I feel like I’ve spent months trying to figure out what I was going to do, then how I was going to it and then doing it! The four windows attached by a corner was the biggest challenge on a tight budget so I decided to make my own rods too.

Here is how I did it:

Rods- Home Depot sells 1 1/4 inch dowel rods by the foot. So, I had 4 rods cut by the staff at HD and spent approx. $1.40/ foot. I bought the corner attachment from the JC Penny Catalog for $9 and had it shipped to the store. When I went to pick that up, I found 3 sets of finials for $6 each (originally $24). My biggest problem was finding inexpensive brackets that would hold 1 1/4 inch rods. So, I found 3 sets of sconces at Ross for $4 each that would hold the rods. Then everything was painted white. When it came time to hang the rods up on Saturday, my husband and I realized that the sconces wouldn’t hang the rod far out enough from the wall because of the finial. So, I headed to Lowes and spent $30 on 8 white wooden brackets. This was more than I wanted to spend but it actually looks a lot better. Now I need to find places to use the sconces.

Curtains: I bought all my fabric at Jo Ann’s. I love this store because you NEVER have to pay full prices with all the sales and coupons. I had to make 9 panels so I bought 1 bolt plus approx. 3 yards of burlap. The burlap was very difficult to work with so I ended up trimming it with canvas. To make the tabs I bought 3 rolls of Jute ribbon that matched the burlap perfectly. This was much easier than trying to sew tabs out of the burlap or canvas (both difficult fabrics to work with). Making your own rods and curtains saves at TON of money but it doesn’t save time but I know it was still worth it.

So, the curtains are now hung and our room looks different. It smells a lot different too….but I’m hoping that will go away. Burlap is a perfect casual and comfortable look for our house and it fits our budget too.

A Day In A Patch (Pumpkin that is)

katiejessen — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:46:51 +0000

Yesterday some of the ladies from our MOPS (Mother’s of Preschoolers) group headed to Maple Lane Farms to pick pumpkins with our kiddos. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and a fun time to spend with friends, new and old. We took a hayride to the field, picked pumpkins and then rode the hayride back to the farm and ate lunch together. Oliver loved riding in the backpack until we got to the pumpkins. I think everyone left that day muddy and tired but it was very fun.

Oh and I cut my hair and LOVE it!

Digging in the dirt!

I LOVE these curls

In Memory of Pam

katiejessen — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:14 +0000

A week ago today I got sad news that my supervisor at my last job, Pam, passed away suddenly the night before. She was such a wonderful person who loved others really well but more importantly she LOVED THE LORD like crazy. I’m so thankful to know that I will see her in heaven one day.

Two years ago Pam taught me how to crotchet but since having Oliver, I haven’t done any new projects. So, a few nights ago I started again. I can’t help but to think of her every time I pick up the needle and yarn. Pam, you will be missed!

Our BIG trip to TEXAS (Part II)

katiejessen — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:57:47 +0000

Oliver and I left the farm and headed to Dallas to visit my best friend, Katie and her family. We packed a lot into 5 days….all very fun stuff.

The night we arrived, our good friend from middle school, Shelly, drove up from Austin to have dinner with us. There was a lot to catch up on after 12 years of not seeing each other.

Shelly, Me & Katie G

The next night we had Katie’s brothers and their girlfriends over for dinner. It was so much fun to see them so grown up! We all enjoyed reminiscing about all the times Katie and I harassed them as little boys. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures that night though.

Wednesday afternoon we drove to Denton to have lunch with my Aunt Marilyn in her home. She was at the farm with us for one night but I wanted to take Katie to see her house and new art studio she had built. James stayed with his Grandma so we just took the babies. It was a short visit because her home is not “kid proof” and full of very breakable one of a kind pieces of art from around the world. Growing up my sister and I used to spend time with her in the summers and she always made it interesting. In fact, I give my Aunt credit for giving me some of my creativity. She taught us how to make soap, paint, can jelly, fix anything and drive her stick shift Peugeot on the farm. Yes even at 10 years old I was driving.

Wednesday night was $1 admission with 3 can goods to the Texas State Fair. I timed this trip so perfectly, two fairs in two weeks….life can’t get any better. This fair is the “Biggest Fair in America” and is UNBELIEVABLY HUGE. Katie’s parents came with us and I told them I felt more comfortable having our parents with us because it was a little intimidating.

Every kid got an arm band with contact information if lost.

Notice the 212 foot Ferris Wheel and all the games stretched for at least a 1/2 mile

Big Tex is a 52 ft. cowboy that talks. Mexico played Columbia in soccer at the Cotton Bowl that night.

Newest food addition...FRIED BUTTER. Everything is fried at the fair

Katie, her Dad & James getting ready for a parade

Watching pig races. They raced to oreo cookies.

Our last BIG thing was Canton Markets, “First Monday.” This is a flea market that takes place once a month on the weekend of the first Monday (Fri-Mon.). I actually planned my whole trip around this because I’ve heard about it since I’ve lived in Kansas. This was also HUGE and very fun. We started out in the outside “old/antique” area to get the best bargains. I had luck finding things for Oliver’s big boy room and baby J’s nursery. I wish I could have taken an areal picture of this place because it does go on for miles. In fact, it’s so big that they rent motorized scooters (like at the grocery store). We ate lunch in a food court but before we left I bought some delicious kettle corn!

Katie headed up a hill to some more shops

Standing in line for candied pecans

Our trip ended with a very enjoyable breakfast on Saturday with no kids. Clay was very kind to keep all the kids for us. The Garden Cafe was only a few blocks away so we enjoyed a nice walk and delicious breakfast on a back patio overlooking their gardens. The place filled up soon after we arrived.

Clay took some pictures of us together before my Dad, Oliver and I got the car to travel 13 hours home. I’ll post those once I get them. Thank you ALL so much for making this an amazing trip. Gaspard’s, thank you for enduring our wild boy and being great hosts! Dad, you were brave to agree to drive us that far so thank you. Hopefully you’ve recovered by now.

Our BIG trip to TEXAS (Part I)

katiejessen — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:05:45 +0000

Oliver, my Dad and I went on a very long adventure to Texas to visit our family farm, my aunt and my best friend and her family. I say long because we were gone for 10 days but 3 of those days were spent driving. Driving? Yes, we drove the 14 hour trip with a 14 month old BUT he did amazingly great.

The trip started at our family farm house in Marlin, TX outside of Waco. It was here that Oliver got to experience Texas BBQ (beef brisket & sausage), a 4 wheeler ride, fishing, being up close and personal with cows, close calls with fire ants, I’m sure close calls with rat poison (we just crossed our fingers there weren’t any traces left on the floor), meeting more family and the enjoyment of one of my Dad’s old toys.

Using the solar dryer

This is my Dad, Oliver and Great Aunt Ruby (my Granddaddy’s sister). Oliver is wearing my Dads old outfit which Aunt Ruby remembered sewing in Home Economics class in High School approximately 67 years ago! How cool is that?

This is one of the many man made “tanks” on the property for the cows. It was a beautiful morning for fishing.

My BIG catch. We threw both back of course.