I have started swimming lessons with the girls and while it’s great to see them gaining confidence and knowledge in the water, it’s a bit stressful trying to get everyone there, everyone to behave and listen and then everyone out of the pool and home without any meltdowns (2 lessons so far and this has yet to run smoothly).

Adorable Wet Bag from monkeyfootdesigns

All the other mom’s would be jealous if my kids had these Brobee inspired towel with stripes from rachelsandbox

LOVE this pin from Gnipmac. If only I wasn’t in the shallow end with Capri – I would be a much happier momma in a bathing suit…

This Teeny Weeny Bikini Top and Lil' Swim Snapper from turtlesoupkids would be perfect for Capri. I hate those swim diapers but she’s still not quite potty trained enough to leave them off in public.

This Pool Pal from remnantsandsuch looks like a great solution to uncomfortable beach chairs…

Would love to hear if you have any trips or tricks that make a trip to the pool with a 2 & 3 year old run smoothly!

For other 'swimming' inspired items from etsy check out my Treasury East: Swimming Lessons

I’m 99% sure that I’m going to be getting a barn quilt on my ‘barn’ before apple season starts – we just have to get it made! Here are the possible options for blocks…

We just have to decide, get the materials and get painting. I would love to hear which block you like the best (top ones are shoofly’s, next one is Country Farm with an appliquéd apple and the lower one is the Constellation. I’m crazy excited about this opportunity and because of this I’m going to dedicate this ‘Themed Thursday’ Barns.

Barn – 8 x 10 Fine Art Photograph from farmchicked

Quilt Square Barn by sknights

Set of 2 RED BARN and FARM ANIMALS Pot Holders from HoosierQuilter

Interactive Quilted Barnyard on the Go from KimsCraftyApple

Blazing Star 2x2 Barn Quilt from PrairiePatchworks

Quilt Barn Collage from imagesetc

How could I forget!? Don't forget to VOTE and Comment here: http://kimscraftyapple.blogspot.com/2010/05/time-to-vote-for-project-quilting-road.html for your chance to win $20 to www.theapple.etsy.com! OPEN until tomorrow at 7pm, CDT.

Since I’ll be spending Friday planting apple trees (and my family will finish the planting on Saturday while I’m at the Springfling Craftacular) it seemed only fitting that I do a ‘Spring Planting’ Themed Thursday.

Garden Stampings vintage spoon herb collection from JLynnCreations

Leafy Birch Forest Wall Decals from walldecors

Spring Sprout Pendant from iacua

Enchanted Fairy Grove Moss Terrarium from brandylinn18

Blue Willow Scoop from circularaccessories

Happy Planting!

I just realized that I almost forgot that it was the day for Themed Thursday! We’ve been having bedtime battles for the last few nights with our youngest daughter (2). When it’s time to go upstairs for bed its our older daughter that whines (3) but is fine when it’s time to get in bed and go to sleep. Now the youngest, runs right up the stairs, is fine through stories, but has an absolute meltdown when we’re leaving the rooms. Any suggestions? Advice?

Here are some things that make me ready for bed! Maybe they’d help my kiddo?

MATTRESS PROTECTOR Organic Cotton and Bamboo Fitted CRIB Sheet from SweetMemoriesQuilt – these just look so amazing even though my kids are in beds…maybe I can get them for twin beds?

Put a lavender Sachet, from veronicasun, by your bed to help calm down for a good nights rest.

If nightmares are the reason for Capri’s “hesitation” to go to bed I could writer her nightmare’s down in this blue (her favorite color) Nightmare Snatcher Journal from SpiderBite.

Of course you can’t go to bed without a cozy quilt to cuddle under – Refreshing Kaffe Fasset Tumbler Lap Quilt from none other than, myself… KimsCraftyApple!

This cozy and bright pillow, Spring to Life, from Zillow would be perfect for bedtime.

Seriously now, if you have any bedtime advice for a beyond stubborn 2 year old I would LOVE to hear it!

I think this would be so fun to do with the kids! Get you Felt Peppermint Garland Craft Pattern PDF from StudioCherie. How festive is this!?

I also just love the look of this Christmas Paper Garland from wrenhandmade. I just think it’s so elegant, festive, and fun!

This Colorful Recycled Hymnal Garland from KristinaMarie is also just beautiful!

SarEi has some absolutely gorgeous hand-drawn ornaments like this Two Giraffes – Custom and personalized one.

If you’re looking to trim your tree with some great vintage ornaments like this Vintage Large Pink Shiny Brite Christmas Ornament you have to go to bythewayside’s etsy shop. She has a really amazing selection.

For cute Matryoshka Doll ornaments…make sure to stop by my shop – KimsCraftyApple! I have many sizes, styles, and colors!

You can also find some unique fabric covered ornaments in my KimsCraftyApple shop like this Wild Animals in a Wheat Field Orb.

This large glass Christmas Ornament from BrightDay caught my eye immediately. This would look so beautiful on any tree.

I want to keep going and going with my amazing finds but I have to get to work…so I hope you enjoy these and don’t be afraid to look around etsy for some more great holiday decorations!

My picks for today are going to have to do with what I’m all packing in preparation for the quilt retreat I’m attending this weekend. Papa is keeping the girls and Mama gets to SEW! What fun! Here are some things you’ll find in my suitcase:A cozy pair of slippers like these Earth in Sky Strap Slipper Socks from crochetbybydiana.

Some really cozy pants like these womens low hip stylish chocolate brown sweat pants cozy fluffy polar fleece fitted warm sexy from turtleshellco.

I must have some fabric for my mystery quilt. I plan to use the color scheme of

turquoise blue

Turquoise Tile Mosaic cotton quilting fabric from Lantern Bloom by Laura Gunn from iltec

pink

1 Yard Cotton Fabric...Hot Pink...Lt Pink...White... Batik from loftremnants

and grey.

Amy Butler Martini in Grey Gray Midwest Modern - 1 yd from buttercuppityfabric

I also have lots of other things packed…my sewing machine, thread, other accents, all of my completed crafts for the Holiday Sale, and a good book to wind down with at night. I can’t wait!

Hi everyone! Welcome to this week's edition of ‘Themed Thursday’! I decided to do it on Halloween Costumes since I’m having a hard time envisioning just how I’m going to make my almost three year old daughter a ‘pink snake costume with a long tongue’. I’m currently working on trying to get ‘snake charmer’ into her head instead…I’m sure I’ll get something put together in time though! (Oh, and she wants her sister to be a Christmas snake…she saw some Christmas fabric when we were at JoAnn’s and that’s what she decided I should use for Capri’s ‘snake’…hmmmm…)

The first costume that caught my eye when doing my search for costumes was a Kind of Pale Jewel Tatted Mask from TotusMel.

This Rainbow Lollipop Costume from lilyjillbowtique is absolutely adorable (and super affordable…only $31)! Also, I just found out that if you mention that you saw the lollipop tutu on my blog at checkout, lilyjill will include a FREE flower clip with your order!

My DH would really appreciate if I chose this for my costume: a Pink and Black Burlesque Showgirl Corset Costume with Mini Top Hat from olgaitaly.

How beautiful is this Enchanted Fairy Ware from MeadowLion1120?

I would love to have this Knit Leia Wig made for me from ansleybleu’s pattern.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable Halloween. For even more idea’s for costume’s make sure to check out etsy’s Halloween Costume Gift Guide. Oh…and wish me luck on the ‘pink snake with a long tongue’ costume!

I just finished making mad quantities of caramel apples with my hubby, friend and parents for our apple shop and I sat down to do some etsy work when I realized I had to come up with a theme for Thursday! It seemed only fitting to match it up with the snack I’m enjoying (and frequently enjoy) – POPCORN! Here are some of my finds:

Hot Buttered Popcorn - Lip Balm/Gloss - Moisturizing - Smooths and Protects Your Lips from ABreathofFrenchair sounds soooo yummy to me! I just love buttered popcorn!

Pass the Popcorn – 8x10 Print by marvelousa

Hot Buttered Popcorn Lightswitch Cover from starrscreation

Popcorn and Movie Themed Quilt from stitchit1

Movie Night Popcorn Bowls by belovedbaglady

Since we recently finished celebrating the autumnal equinox I felt it appropriate to find some great etsy finds having to do with this beautiful change in seasons.

Autumnal Equinox – Fine Art Photography by theeye

Equinox Ring - oxidized sterling silver, vintage charm - Custom made to order by twochickstoo

Limited Edition Crow at Dusk Wide Leg WOolies Size Newborn-XXL by thesittingtree

Autumn Equinox by SusanClarkeOriginals

warm autumn bracelet enameled copper beads with raw brass chain by riverpygmy