My Funny Valentines

These pictures are from our Valentine's day breakfast last year. I love this tradition we have. I made this page in response to challenge #50 over at the ScrapYourCrap blog. The challenge was to use glitter and hearts and of course it needed to be all stuff from your stash. It is hard to see but there are some heidi swapp acrylic hearts with pink stickles on them as well as some Making Memories glittery heart brads. I added in some Love elsie stickers and a plastic ribbon slide with a heart - I do not know who made it. I am so pleased with this page. Really captured the sense of quirky fun I wanted it to.

A valentine gift box

The All Things Crafty and Delicious blog has another cute free box svg file to use with your cricut! She issued a design challenge using it and this is what I came up with. I got a Cricut Expression this week so I was able to make it a larger size. Mine is 8 X 2 3/4 X 2 inch tall. I am going to fill this box with heart shape butter cookies for our neighbor.

I used the cover from an old Cricut mat to cut the clear window piece from.
The roses are based on this tutorial by Tim Holtz. I used ranger distress ink in lipstick pink on the edges and added distress pink Stickles as well. The centers are Doodlebug bling and the leaves are from silk flowers - I used glitter embossing powder on them. The ribbon is from Stampin Up.

Be sure to check out the other examples on her blog.

Chocolate Box with your Cricut

Head on over to the "All things crafty and delicious blog" to get your adorable free cut file for an adorable treat box file to use with your SCAL software and Cricut.

Here is the little box I made. I used some double sided Scenic Route paper to cut the box using my Cricut. I have the small Cricut so my box measures - 4 1/2 X 1 3/4 and 3/8th of an inch thick.

I think they would hold thin chocolates or even loose candies well.

I used a heavy page protector cut to size to fill the window. And then added Twill ribbon and a Fancy pants heart pin. I am not sure who makes the thank you sticker. The label inside is for writing a message and I am not sure who it is by either. Just something from my stash.

I think made in Halloween colors they could make cute favors or even place cards for Thanksgiving with after dinner mints inside. Have fun!

A Slice of Summer

These photos are from a few years ago but I just recently made this little album of them. I am so happy with how it turned out. The journaling is about how we always have a watermelon for 4th of July and how I don't eat it cause well watermelon is yucky. But the children sure do enjoy it.

Picnic at Conoco

This is our family's verses for today -

Psalm 9:1-2

¹ I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; 
       I will tell of all your wonders.

 ² I will be glad and rejoice in you; 
       I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

 Today did not go as we had planned. We got up a little late, got everyone dressed and made a picnic lunch. We told the kids little hints about where we were going but did not give it away. Got in the car and stopped at the gas station. After filling up and putting ice in the cooler bag we got ready to set out.  But the car only clicked when we put in the Key - oh no - try again - OH NO.  SO we call for a tow. This click sound sounded bad.  The tow truck was going to take a bit so we all piled out of the car and decided to eat our picnic right there in the grass under a tree at the Conoco gas station!  Dwight and I were pretty downcast. Making plans for getting everyone home and trying to think of who could take over our duties at Church Tomorrow. We also had to let the kids know the special outing (which was the Zoo) was off.  But then well the mood changed - Thanks to Sammi, our 10 year old daughter.  She said lets think of our blessings and count them, that might help.  What a smart girl ;)   

Here was some of the list-

 - We have road side assistance with our insurance so the tow would be free

 - There was a shady place for us to wait

 - there was a nice breeze

 - we had a picnic lunch to enjoy

 -  we were together

 - We had cold drinks

 - We were close enough to home the kids and I could walk home.

 and more

  this little exercise in remembering all God had blessed us with even in a rough time changed our whole families attitudes. We joked and played as we waited. When the road side assistance arrived he discovered one of our battery posts had corroded on the inside and it snapped off as he was looking at it. But he jumped started us and we where able to go to Auto Zone where they helped us install a new one. It was now too late to go to the Zoo as our oldest had to babysit later. So we went to Dairy Queen and got Dilly bars then spent about an hour at the library.  In the car Josephine our 7 yr old said - "This was the best day ever!"  and you know Dwight and I felt like it was a pretty great day.  Even with all the car issues and worries - taking those few minutes to adjust our attitudes and listening to Sammi's wonderful idea lifted our hearts and  minds to the things that matter.  We thank God that Sammi's heart was soft towards Him and that He gave us the wisdom to listen.  Thanks to God that our car repairs were minor and he gaves us this wonderful day and Picnic at Conoco.

Miss Molly has a new dress

I have been in a sewing mood lately. This week I created this set for Sammi's Molly. A little 40's dress and and Apron.  The Apron pattern came from www.youcanmakethis.com I altered it slightly to have button holes and buttons under the arms rather than tacking them together. The lining of the apron is white with small blue paisley. You can reverse the apron so the paisley side is out - but it does not have the pockets.

When I was creating Sammi's Easter dress for Molly I thought of this idea with the 2 color bodice and white piping.  I think it really turned out pretty. It looks like the military inspired fashioned popular in Molly's historical time - 1944.  The little cupcake she is holding is made from sculpey - My boys, Tim and Seth made a set of 6 of them for the girls for Christmas. in person they have glittery sprinkles on them.

Up next is a new dress for Jo's doll Kirsten.

Just a quick post to share some dresses I made for my girls dolls for Easter.

For Molly I made a cute 1940's dress with a sweet feedsack reproduction print. She had just returned from the doll hospital with a new wig and refreshed face paint.

For Kirsten I made a spring prarie dress perfect for a pioneer girl in Minnesota. Soft pink rose buds on a cream background, a light muslin wrap and a new bonnet.  She is ready for school or church.

Great Depression Cooking....

 This evening I stumbled across an amazing video on youtube. In it you are introduced to Clara - a woman who is sharing her recipes for wonderful simple hearty and inexpensive meals she learned as a teen during the Great Depression. Her stories and recipes all are very interesting and I plan on trying several of them.  There is also a link to her website and looks like she has a dvd coming out soon and perhaps a cook book! 

 My 7 yr old Josephine came up and snuggled with me and we watched her youtube videos together. Jo kept saying - "lets watch the next one" and saying how sad some of the comments made her as well as asked lots of questions about the Great Depression. As a history lover I can not think of a better way to spend a friday evening than that.  Of all my children Josephine seems to have the keenest interest in History. I am glad I can share that love with her.

Go here to see the videos - Great Depression Cooking on youtube

Your Daisies Say You're Very Resilient

You have a spirt of pure optimism. Your view of the world is eternally cheerful. You are bold and vibrant. Incredibly striking, you always stand out in a crowd. You are adaptable and flexible. You can thrive in almost any situation. You are often under estimated. Your critics and enemies are in for a surprise.

What Do The Flowers You Pick Say About You?

Birthday Bonks - 

Did you know that in Ireland....

The birthday child is lifted by hands and feet, and "bumped" on the floor for good luck. The number of bumps given is the age of the child, plus one for luck!

WE DO!! the layout is  SarahAnn getting her bonks a few years ago!

Birthday Memories

My youngest Daughter has a birthday coming up next week - she will be 7 yrs old! Where did the time go? So this already had me thinking of birthdays then the Sweet shoppe blog gave a challenge to post about a birthday memory on your blog. Perfect timing! So a birthday that really stands out in my mind is one form my early childhood I was 5 yrs old and we had a huge party in our backyard. All the relatives came and I remember being hot in my long polyester dress. But that year I got soo many gifts and most of them revolved around baby dolls and house keeping play. I got a highchair and a cradle, a dustpan and broom set, some toy dishes. I was in heaven! I know we played on the big wood teeter totter we had in our yard and that I stayed up past dark - which in June can be pretty late for a 5 yr old. I also remember clearly that my Dad was there. Something that rarely happened. It is such a lovely memory. I feel blessed to have it!.

Updated my slide show to the right with some new and some older layouts that Iove. hope you enjoy them!

Are you ready for some football?

SuperBowl Sunday is just a few days away. Will you be watching the game? My family treats it like a holiday, but it is the only sports we watch all year!

Here are some layouts from past years of my family and I.

Cupcakes - YUM

DO you like cupcakes? I love them. they are just the right size to give you a nice sugar rush and they are so darn cute as well.
My very favorite cupcakes are Vanilla with white vanilla frosting - not buttercream but the really white shortening frosting. With fine colored sugar crystals sprinkled over the top. MMMMM yummy What is your favorite?

Poetry Friday - For Erica

 My friend Erica is a wonderful writer and can inspire you with her words. On fridays on her blog - These Three Remain - she does poetry friday.  So in honor of her I have written a poem.

2 things you should know

 1. I do not enjoy writing (but reading is great)

 2. I am not good at writing anything other than non fiction papers.

For Erica 

A seam was sewn

Betwixt the two

Connecting thoughts

Deepening understanding

Encouraging sorority

 I wrote my poem using a form called an ABC poem. basically it is a 5 line poem expressing an idea or image. And every line begins with the next letter alphabetically from the first letter of the first line. You do not have to start with A - but I did :D  this took me a long time to write. I tried hard to choose the right words. Alas it is not very good. 

Free table runner pattern!

Please head on over to the Threads of Conversation blog and get a free pattern for an adorable table runner pattern! Leave her a comment and let her know you would like the pattern.

Handmade Gifts Part 1:

Josephine and I began her gift making today.  She is making snowman pillowcases for her siblings and Mommy and Daddy (yes I realize I am helping make my own gift).  We used a flannel top sheet to cut them from. This way we only need to make the wide hem at the opening on some of them. She did a great Job sewing and even did some of the seams all on her own. We will do the rest of them over the next few weeks.

The finished project and the proud seamstress!

close up of the name tag.  She used staz-on ink and stamped the names on seam tape then zigzagged them on and sewed on a button.  Yeah Jo!

Handmade Ornaments

every year I make ornaments for my Nieces and Nephews and Great Nieces and Nephews. This year that meant 17!  I made 14 stars and 3 birds (for those who got stars last year) scroll down for info on the patterns for them.

Peppermint stars! they are so cute!  I will be wrapping them in white tissue paper and putting little white tags with star mints on them and the recipients name. I got the pattern from the Allsorts blog. You have plenty of time to make some of these cuties while watching Christmas movies!

and I made 3 adorable little birdies.  I am in love with them.  I got the pattern in the book

"Last Minute Patchwork + quilted gifts" by Joelle Hoverson.   Check out the authors blog as well  - The Purl Bee

See Jo Read

I wait

Today I am waiting. Waiting for the foretold snow. For the crisp beauty. I awoke and the light through the window was not quite right, not that glow that comes when the ground has a blanket of white.  I was sad. disappointed.  I am too sad and disappointed right now from other things and I need to have the little joy of this snow.  So I wait for this gift and I try not to cry and I remember - You are good, and what you do is good .... Psalm 119:68a.