Basic Grey’s: Herbs & Honey Home Decor

May 16, 2014May 23, 2014Leave a comment

One of the things I look for when I go treasure hunting are picture frames. Square ones in particular. I am just drawn to square frames. Doesn’t matter how ugly the picture is inside.

I gave the gold frame a white wash look with Tim Holtz Distress Paint in Antique Linen. (frame cost .50)

I made a simple 3″ pinwheel using two different pinks from the “Herbs & Honey” Collection. The middle of the pinwheel was made using “bottle cap” stickers from the same collection.

What do you look for when you go treasure hunting? (I think that sounds better than garage sales)

Throw Back Thursday: Class of ’79

May 15, 2014May 23, 20144 Comments

This time of year it’s Graduation Time. Time for all those “know it all Seniors” to Graduate. I remember it like it was yesterday.

A month or so ago, I received an invitation for my 35th Class Reunion. Has it really been that long?

My son came up to me while I was looking at my old High School Year book and said to me “I’m glad I didn’t have to live during that time, everyone looks so weird.”

I said, “What do you mean weird, we weren’t weird.”

I had my signature look, the old man’s vest “borrowed” from the Drama Club Prop closet, my long knotted scarf hanging loose around my neck. I was cool!

I remember 1979, rolled up “Chic” jeans, Disco, Bee Jees, Saturday Night Fever (my first “R” rated movie), sleep-overs, Steak and Shake on Main Street, my first plane ride (to Hawaii!!!) and a few other things I probably shouldn’t mention.

Anyway back to my reunion…

At first, I couldn’t decide if I wanted to go.

I was afraid that if I didn’t go I’d regret it, but, not sure how I’d feel if I did go. All the old insecurities came racing back. I do not look anything like that freckled face, skinny 100 lb. girl with the long dark hair (and signature look). But of course, I’m sure no one else looks like they did either.

So… I did what any gal would do, I messaged my girlfriends.

After much discussion and procrastination, It was decided that we’d all meet and drive together. It was also decided to ditch the hubbys and go stag. Just like old times. (Girlfriend code, of course!)

In a few weeks, we’ll meet at the old High School for a tour and then later in the evening we will all meet in the country for our reunion to be held in a barn. We’ll dance to the music played by an old classmates band and probably have a night we’ll be talking about for years to come. It’ll be fun seeing the old gang to talk, laugh and catch up. (and I’m sure we’ll all have an extra pound or two)

I wish I knew where that old vest was, I really should have returned it by now.

Sowing seeds of Love

May 14, 2014May 23, 2014Leave a comment

There’s nothing better than spending quality time with someone you love.

I knew as soon as I saw the pictures from “Nick and Grandma’s Mini Garden”, our special project, they would make wonderful scrapbook pages. (see the original post here) Lucky for me, my design team packet for The Paper Forest was the garden themed collection “Herbs & Honey” from Basic Grey.

I choose to keep the layouts simple with a focus on the story and the pictures.

It’s that time of year again.

May 13, 2014May 23, 2014Leave a comment

Mothers Day week-end for me is the start of my gardening season.

My lilacs are blooming and everything smells wonderful! (which makes me very happy)

One of my Mothers Day gifts every year is a day filled with labor. (kind of fitting don’t you think?)

My guys spent all day on Saturday helping me move bushes, plant shrubs and put in my flowers.

We went to three different places to get everything we needed. (and I still need more)

I think my youngest is a budding landscape architect.

He worked so hard and was so motivated. He loves working in the yard and takes great pride in it.

For the past three years, he’s had a wiffle ball field in the yard. He keeps it extremely manicured.

On Mothers Day, we usually go to the park, pick up chicken and have a picnic with the whole family.

This year, the weather called for a chance of rain all day. So, I decided to have it at my house.

Would you believe just a couple sprinkles? Didn’t even move us inside.

I had a wonderful and productive Mothers Day week-end.

New Class: By The Sea Mini Album

May 12, 2014May 23, 2014Leave a comment

Here’s my new class for May that I’m teaching at The Paper Forest in Washington, IL. You can sign up for the class by calling the store at 309-745-3440. I’d love it if you joined us.

By the Sea Mini Album Class:

Saturday, May 24th

10:30-1:00 p.m.

Create a Fun travel themed chipboard book using an album kit from Clear Scraps and paper & embellishments from Graphic 45’s “By the Sea” collection! This class is intermediate skill level and requires use of craft knives, paints and other items.

Please bring: exact-o knife, sanding block, paintbrush (ex. 1/2″ flat), scissors, tape runner, Crop-a-dile (optional) all other materials will be provided.

Cost: $35.00

A little Nostalgia

May 11, 2014May 23, 2014Leave a comment

So… I thought for Mother’s Day, I would write one of those sappy posts on how much I love being a Mother and how much my kids mean to me. One that would stand as a tribute to how special I think my kids are. (Sounds kind of corny, doesn’t it?)

I’d like to say that having kids is easy and that my kids were perfect and that I never made a mistake. But…that would be far from the truth. Some days it was hard, really hard. But those good days, those average days, those lazy days, those small victories days they are what makes everything worthwhile.

I have always wanted to be a mother and I was lucky that God blessed me with three wonderful, creative and distinctly different kids. (Ages 30, 25 and 15) Raising these three have been one of the biggest joys of my life. I am thankful everyday.

Since it’s Mother’s Day and I’m feeling a little nostalgic, I thought I’d share.

Here’s a little bit of their stories.

We had only been married not quite a year when we brought home our very first child. Jim had been a Marine and on his own for too long. When we got married, he wanted the whole package, baby and all. (I was happy to oblige.)

Our oldest son was 3 weeks late, according to the Dr.’s estimate, and we we’re scheduled for an early Saturday morning induction. I remember playing cards at my sister’s the night before a little nervous about everything. She said, “There’s nothing to worry about, it’s not like you’re getting a C-section.” Around 5:00 that evening, after the water broke and still no progress we decided on surgery. I remember being totally scared being wheeled into the operating room. The doctor was listening to extremely dramatic classical music. Once Nick was born, everything else didn’t matter. He was perfect. A beautiful 7 lb. 7 oz. bundle of joy. I remember looking at him and thinking just how much his skin looked like velvet.

Once home, life changed dramatically. We lived in a tiny two bedroom house which was shared with other renters downstairs. In the beginning, the only way he would fall asleep for the night was to sit on the end of the bed and bounce. We still laugh at what the downstairs neighbors must have thought. Seriously, again?

My daughter was born 4 1/2 years later during one of the hottest summers on record. The day she was born set a record for the hottest day that June. The record still holds 25 years later. Even though I went into labor with Stephanie, she was born Cesarean also. I remember I kept waking up in the recovery room saying “you said girl, right?”, over and over again. I wanted a little girl so bad. She was beautiful. Dark hair, perfect features. (looking a little more like her daddy) She was a wonderful addition to our family. Nick adored her, that is until she started walking. And…lucky for her, she walked really early. (right before she turned 9 months)

Now, my youngest son was a little bit of a surprise. He’s our bonus baby. He was born on a beautiful fall day right before the busy Holiday Season. Justin was my tiny baby, only 5 lbs. 5 oz. I remember the first time I saw him, I said, “He’s so tiny.” At the time, I was working full-time at our gift store, beanie babies were hot and life was crazy. Having Justin made me slow down and I’m so glad I did. Justin used to ask me “Aren’t you glad you had another kid?” and I’d say “Yes, I didn’t know I needed another baby, but, God did.” (and… he was right)

Happy Mother’s Day. I hope your day is filled with good memories.

Value of a Moment

May 10, 2014December 23, 2014Leave a comment

Mothers Day is one of those days when I miss her the most.

Paying it Forward

May 9, 2014May 23, 2014Leave a comment

Seeing all those pictures from the recent storms and tornado’s in the South, hearing all those stories,

it just breaks my heart all over again. My prayers goes out to those families.

You see, it hits close to home, way to close to home. It’s just all a little too familiar.

It hasn’t been that long since my Hometown was (and still is) picking up pieces

from a devastating F-4 tornado.

It’s been almost 6 months and while there is progress, there is still so much to do.

I drove through a neighborhood the other day, and while looking at one of the destroyed homes,

I saw clothes still hanging in two of the upstairs closets.

In November, after the tornado, the high school gave the kids an opportunity for a service day.

The kids went out and just helped with picking up debris.

Yesterday, the kids were given another opportunity to help.

I’m proud of my son and his willingness to help others.

My Mother’s Hand

May 8, 2014May 23, 20143 Comments

A little Throw Back Thursday

Six years ago, for my Moms 70th birthday, the family made her a special scrapbook.

Everyone in the family made a special page, kids, grandkids, son-in laws, daughter in law, even dad made a page. She loved that book.

Since Mothers Day is in a few days, I thought I share the page I made.

My Mother’s Hand

Look closely at this picture. At first all you see is my worried face.

Look a little closer and you’ll see my Mother’s hand.

My Mother hand has always been there for me, ready to hold, sometimes scold,

to guide me and sometimes to gently be behind me, just to let me know she is there.

Quick and Easy Washi Tape Mother’s Day Card

May 7, 2014May 6, 2020Leave a comment

Mothers Day is just a few days away. Your Mom is expecting a special handmade card.

Here’s a Quick and Easy Mother’s Day card that you can make in minutes.

First, I’m assuming like any good paper crafter, you have washi tape on hand.

If not, there’s still time to run out and get some. (visit your local scrapbook store)

Here’s what you need to do:

Using your computer, print your Mother’s Day greeting on a piece of white cardstock. Make sure it prints approx. half way down the page.
Cut the white cardstock 1/4″ smaller than the size you want your card to be.
Then tear the washi tape into strips and alternate onto the white cardstock.
Adhere it to a cut and folded coordinating colored card that is 1/4″ larger than the white cardstock.

(My finished card is 4 1/2″ x 5″)

Voila! Now run out and get her a bouquet of fresh flowers from the grocery store and your done.

To my kids:

If you are reading this post, the supplies are on my desk.

Help yourself.

Love, Mom

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