What can a negative or positive attitude do for you?

I LOVE Hillary Weeks!  

I own every album she has produced and I have 

personally talked with her and given her a hug! 

(BYU Women's Conference) 

Along long with about a bajillion other ladies :)

This morning I was checking Face Book, 

 and yes she is one of my friends, 

when I saw this clip she had posted.

What a great message! 

Hope you take the time to listen.

Showing gratitude for all our Heavenly Father

has given us can make all the difference.

By small and simple things, we have amazing power

to make our lives and those around us better! 

A patchwork apron for Addie

 Our oldest daughter, Addie turned 33 in April and she 

has been bugging me for a loooooong time to make her an apron. 

 I decided it was about time to get this project done for her.  

These are her kitchen colors.  

Fun fabrics, huh?

I chose this pattern because I had such a fun time making it 

for my quilting guild's Ugly Fabric Challenge.

(Take a peek here to see that apron)

Loved how it turned out the first time and to be honest

 I could make a million of these...that's how fun it is to make.  

You should try it yourself!!

I loved how it turned out.  It looks like Addie!!

Fun bright colors - do you think it will make her want

 to cook outrageous dishes??  

Maybe!

Megan was home for a few days and she graciously agreed to 

modeled it for you to see :)

(It was a windy Spring day in Western Colorado)

As Megan would say ... 

"Hope ya like it Addie!"

- Happy Birthday -

3x3 gift card for a wedding!

A friend of ours is getting married soon so I headed to my craftroom

today, to make a card and gift bag.

(Oh how I love any excuse to play in that room)

 3x3 cards are my favorite cards to make because they are quick 

and they usually turn out really cute!  And who doesn't like cute?!?

Stampin' Up carries wonderful little packages of envelopes that fit 

the 3x3 cards & I like keep several packages on hand.

Here's what I came up up with;

 Such easy touches that turned out A-OK.

 

I need to play in that craft room more often!

Moments That Matter Most

As families, we face so many challenges.  Some are big, some are 
small.  How we choose to react to those challenges is in our hands.  
I love the message here and I hope you do too.

I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ 
and the direction it helps me to follow.

A country pillow for my grandfather's chair.

It all started with my grandfather's chair.
My grandfather, unbeknownst to me, kept two chairs like the one
 below, in storage for his life time.
They belonged to his mother or his grandmother.
(not quite sure of the story)

He came from very humble beginnings.  

He worked and sacrificed for his education and made a good life for

his family.

Here he is with my grandmother probably in the 1930's or 40's 

When he passed away, my mother inherited the two chairs,
and when she passed away I became the privileged care taker.
I loved both chairs because my grandfather loved them. It pleased
me to know he was just as sentimental about family "things" as I am.
 Unfortunately they were both in disrepair.  Spindles were missing,
the legs where loose and old supports for the chair were weak.
One year my sweet husband took the chairs to his shop,
made new spindles, fixed the supports and legs, and lovingly
rubbed them with tongue oil. One sits in our living room next to a
 desk that belonged to my grandparents..
(the first piece of furniture they bought).
The other chair was tucked away in a spare room until this
Thanks Giving when I found a place for it in our hallway.
But it looked so lonely there..something was missing.
I needed to make a pillow!
The adventure began....
First a pattern was chosen.

 Then fabrics picked out from my scrap tub.

The fun of stitching ...

cutting 2" strips and arranging them just so...

 making the pillow form...

 constructing the back of the pillow with flaps...

 and it was done!

 I love the message and I think my grandparents would too!

 Now my grandfather's chair is a warm welcome to those who may
stay in our home.

How grateful I am to have a piece of my grandfather's heritage.

Wahoo! I was nominated for the Liebster Blog award!

Today I was checking my blog to see if I had any new comments 

and low and behold Cyndie from Artful Haven nominated me 

for the Liebster Blog award!  

THANK-YOU Cyndie!!

Originally I created this blog so our family in Oregon and 

other out-reaching states could check in and see what we 

were up too.  I never imagined anyone else would be 

peeking in orhanding out an award!  

I have to say, Cyndie, you  have made my day!

I've been enjoying Cyndie's blog for several months

Be sure to take a peek --- http://artfulhaven.blogspot.com/

From what I understand, this award is intended to encourage 

and showcase bloggers with less than 200 followers.

Here are suggestions that come with the Liebster Blot award:

*Thank the blogger who presented your award on your blog, 

and link back to them.

*Show the Liebster Blog badge on your blog 

(copy and paste from the presenter's blog).

*Present the Liebster Blog award to 5 blogs that have less 

than 200 followers.

*Let them know they have been chosen 

by leaving a comment on their blog.

*Here are the ladies I have nominated*

Connie - http://connietumm1.typepad.com/blog/ 

I have admired the creative work Connie has showcased on her

 blog for over a year.  She has been a leader in her framed collage

 art.  Many a stamper has been inspired by her pieces and when

 ever I see her name on entries, I take the time to look and learn!

Laura - http://creativitywithstamps.typepad.com/my_weblog/ 

Laura is another stamper that I have admired.  She has wonderful 

cards and ideas posted on her blog.  She is always an inspiration to

 me.  I can get my creative juices flowing when I see what she has 

been up too!

Kara - http://kandrdesigns.blogspot.com/ 

This is one lady that I check almost every day! If you take a look 

at her blog, you will see she is one stamping artist!  I love her new

 ideas and color combinations.  Her work always pleases the eye!

Jen - http://ladybugstamper-jen.blogspot.com/ 

Jen is a Stampin' Up demonstrator that I love.  When I view at 

her work the first thing that pops into my head is, 

"Someone is going to really love opening their mail box today!"

Her use of color and textures is always a winner!

Kay - http://www.stampingtoshare.com/ 

I recently discovered Kay's blog and I love it! 

Her creative work is classy!  When you visit her blog, you will

 know what I mean.  Beautiful composition, lovely colors, textures... 

"practically perfect in every way".  

Her site is another place I go to for inspiration.

For those ladies I have nominated, know that you don't have 

to tag anyone if you choose not too.  Enjoy the nomination 

and hopefully more folks will be visiting your

blog in the future!  

Looking for some great crafty ideas?

This is the greatest blog for finding some wonderful

crafty ideas for any time of the year!

Check it out!

http://www.everythingetsy.com/

A no sew tutu for Alissa

For Alissa's birthday this year, I wanted to make her a tutu. I had 

seen them in craft shows for $25.00 and I knew I could make one 

for less.  So I did what any woman of the 2000's would do..

I YouTubed it and found a video that explained how to make one!

The cost for this tutu was a little over $5.00!!  I had so much fun

making it that I want to make more.

Sara took these shots - because I forgot to take pictures 

while she was here...sigh...what kind of Granny am I??

 This shot shows her wings.  Got them from the Fairy Lady 

at our local Olathe Sweet Corn Festival last August.

 I hope she will have hours of fun pretending she is 

a princess or a Tinker Bell!

Here is the YouTube video that I got all my information from

- Quinn turns 2 -

Our grandson Quinn turns 2 today!

How blessed we are to have this little boy

join our family.  He had such a hard time getting

here but how thankful we are that this 

bundle of fun is with us!

Happy Birthday to the Quinnster! 

Ugly fabric challenge 2012

The Ugly Fabric Challenge for 2012 was held
at our local quilter's guild this month.
Here is what I made and this sweet lady
submitted the ugly fabric that I incorporated
into this apron! 
(It was the floral pattern on the top triangle)

I had so much fun making this apron..
I plan to make more :)
No ugly fabric...only cute!


And this is what I received!
I submitted the lime green fabric with yellow circles.
I absolutely LOVE this bag!

It has so many pockets. Won't it be great for traveling
or for transporting fabric and tools to and from quilting 
classes?   There were so many wonderful quilts and 
other objects made.  The whole evening was fun!