Scrap Me With Style

Winter Project #1 Jewerly

2011-10-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

It's been months since I've written on my blog...and lots has been going on...Now with winter on it's way......My canning coming to an end (still have chicken to put up next week, my first time using a pressure cooker!. I'll have do another posting when I get done)...anyway back to my winter projects...I was trying to be supportive of my daughter-in-law...she has some old necklaces that belonged to her mother, and she wanted to turn them into new ones! We have a friend that offered to teach us how to make jewerly...WELL, OMG, that's all I needed...An invitation to learn how to make jewerly...and I'm off and running...now the problem I have is: Jewerly -vs -quilting...hummmm!! Both are so much fun and use my creative juices...So okay, here are a few of my jewerly pieces I've made in the last week...
This necklace is dark raspberry....I'm wearing it today with a black top...

Next I completed a pink and kindof yellow necklace...don't know what I'll wear it with...oh wait, I have a pretty jacket it will go with...there you go....I knew I had something.

This is my favorite set...Necklace, bracelet, and earrings. I love the color, I have another jacket that this set will go with...

This is a little brown piece I put together in a hurry...still need to make the earrings to go with it...

This necklace is in browns and golds...very pretty and nice looking for the fall...yes, I have something to wear it with too...(brown skirt and jacket). Need earrings for this one too...

This is my last piece...black...I have plenty to wear it with...this has been so much fun....can't wait to get started on my next project...Fun project for winter!!! Ok, now to be fair to my other projects...I guess I need to go work on my quilt I have ready to sew together....catch ya later!!!

Just Thinking!

2011-05-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry I haven't had much to post for awhile...but about 6 weeks ago I had hand surgery
and all my crafts (quilts etc) had to be put on hold for awhile...I have pressed my fabric and hope to start cutting out some squares for my next fat quarter quilt...So please continue to visit
me and watch for the uncoming pictures of my next project....Til then, keep your chin up and remember 'It isn't the impression you make when you enter a room or meet someone, it's the impression you leave behind that matters"

The Finished Quilt

2011-04-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

Can you guess what I was able to put into this 12x12x6" priority Mail box? Love these boxes!! Can you say queen size quilt!! Yep, you got it right!! A Queen size quilt!!! Pretty good huh?? These are my new 2 best friends! Let me introduce them to you...Simplicity Rotary Cutting Machine and a Simplicity Bias Tape Maker...love, love, love these little machines...They too, could be yours..just hurry down to Jo-Ann Fabric between April 3 and 23. They are on sale!! (Just a note, the Rotary Cutting Machine can also be used with scrap booking! Sweet!! Another plus as to why to buy it. Never have too many tools)

In my last post I shared with you the Rotary Cutting Machine so this post I will explain the Bias Tape Maker.

This is what the machine looks like when you first open it...comes in a nice little case...packs away easily...

My bias tape is ready to go into the machine and be folder...that's what the Bias tape machine does..it presses the fabric in half...ready for you to sew to your quilt or place mat or what every you're making that needs the bias tape. Mine will be on the quilt I'm making..

Here's the first picture of my finished quilt...I really need to learn how to display my projects..these pictures really don't do it justice...(not to brag...just fact!!! If I do say so myself)

Okay, so I moved into the dining room and tried there...not so sure it is any better! however, you can see the squares better. this quilt is called 'turning twenty' using 'fat quarters pre-cut fabric' love, love, love the fat quarters....it makes the quilt go together so quickly...Back to my quilt, I quilted a flower in square. I used crochet thread #10 rather than quilting thread.

Here I am holding my finished project...Zach and Lizzy's wedding gift! (I'm only 2 months late with it) sorry not real good lighting...or maybe too much light!! Anyway this was a fun project and I see in the next ad from Jo-Ann Fabric they have some fun color fabric that I'm going to have to go buy so I can make more of these quilts....I figure if I keep working on the tops and getting them together...then when the next grandchild gets married I'll be ahead of the game...going to have to do some spring cleaning and make room for my quilts...I'm hooked on making quilts...it was so much fun...and like I said before I love, love, love the fat quarter fabric!!! Guess now it's time to make my list and check it twice for projects I've not completed and get myself busy and add a new word to my vocabulary. Can you guess what the word is??? 'COMPLETION' (of projects). So until I find the time to get back to you...have fun and I'll be as busy as a bee, working hard to complete these outstanding projects so I can make room for my quilts!!! TaTa!!until we meet again!!

Turning Twenty

2011-03-02T12:18:00.001-08:00

Have to start at the very beginning and say "excuse the mess under my sewing table!" What I want you to look at are the colors I've picked for a new quilt top. My grandson, Zach, got married on the 9th of February to a very sweet girl, Lizzy. I've decided that as each of my grandkids get married I'll make a quilt for them. So saying this, I have now started on Zach and Lizzy's quilt. These are the colors I've chosen for their quilt. (Just a note: The title of the book I got my pattern from is called 'Turning Twenty' that's why the title of this post is Turning Twenty!!)

I layed all the colors on my queen bed and it was kind of funny cause each time I showed one of my friends, they would move one of my squares around...then I'd take a picture and send it to my daughter, Margo, and she also made her change. So 2 friends and 1 daughter later this is the layout we came up with...

This quilt is using fat qarters, and takes 20 squares. Each square measures to be 16x16". 4 squares across the top and 5 squares down, then a 3 inch border and then another 1 inch border and last is a 6 inch border. This quilt measures 90x102. (queen size).

Oh I have to share my new littl maching I just bought and boy, is it fun to operate!!! It's by Simplicity. It's called the 'Rotary Cutting Machine'. It can be used for scrapbooking, quilting, rug hooking, and more!!! It's suitable for cutting paper, felt, oilcloth, fleece, cotton, lightweight, wools and more!! the adjustable guide will cut strips from 3/8" to 2 3/4". The blades cut by pressure, not by sharpness and it has 2 blades; straight and a pinking blade. I bought it at Joann Fabric when it was on sale for half price..I believe the full price is $89.99. Anyway, I've done my commerical!! love, love, love, this little machine.(just call me Teresa) It is so easy to operate...

I'm sorry to say I had no other place to lay this quilt top out but on my living room floor...and it doesn't do it justice. Okay, so ends the first part of this post...I now need to finish putting it together and then I'll be quilting a design in each of the squares (all 20 of the squares)...So I'll come back later with more pictures...stay tuned and keep checking. Til then, I've rested long enough...back to work!!!

What the heck, where has the time gone!!

2011-02-17T08:32:00.000-08:00

I can't believe we are already into the second half of the second month of 2011!! And even more surprising I've only posted one time in January!! What the heck!! I know I've been working on projects..but I just forget to take pictures...and sit down and get them onto my blog...soooo here's what I've done so far in 2011...(keep in mind, these are just the projects I remembered to take pictures of)...These pictures are in no special order...point being, I just stuck them in so you can see a little about my life. Two of these projects have been things I've never done before!! so lets get moving and do my show and tell!! #1 This is my first Apple Tart I've ever made and I used my home canned apple pie filling (first time to have ever canned apple for pie filling) Boy, all I can say is they were/are sure good...After serving this tart to my friends I have had a couple of requests to make it again..so guess you could say it was a hit....

#2 Double weddng ring quilt...First time to make a quilt and use my sewing maching to quilt it....now if you look closely you will see I have crochet thread..well, here's the story behind that...I was going to quilt by hand and use the crochet thread it's a little heavier thread..however, my hand freezes up making it hard to work the needle as I'm quilting making my stitches uneven...so I decided it was taking too long and I took out all my stitching (call that reverse sewing) and went to my sewing maching...Now I'm working hard to keep the circles looking like circles as I sew this quilt...

It's a challenge to sew...but it's coming along...I'll keep this quilt for myself as I have too many 'mistakes' (I'm naming it 'MY Pucker Quilt') It's good practice for me...but (and there is always a 'BUT') maybe I shouldn't have taken on a queen size quilt for my first machine quilt project....will I ever learn...it's good to practice on something smaller to get the experience first...Next time it will be better!!!

"My Van" Now this isn't my first...but just thought I'd show you how my 2011 started out...January 3, we had some icy roads and we were on the way to the doctors and stopped at a stop sign..the guy behind us forgot that he needed to apply his brakes long before he stopped when there are icy roads...Our van ended with a owie!!! I was surprised as to the amount of damage our van ended up with. They had to replace our complete tailgate door and bumper...what looks like a little owie...was expenive!!! no cost to us however, and no one was hurt...the young man felt so bad..and just kept thanking us for not yelling at him...Kindness goes

a long ways!!!

Okay, you have now been brought up to date with the happenings in the last 45 days of my life.. I sure hope to do better in the future...and keep up to date with my postings. take care and check back in maybe a week or so, I'll have more to post...I will try to do better..I promise!!!

I love themes, so my new theme for 2011 ~ 'A project is just a project until it's completed'

New Year, New Look

2011-01-04T16:10:00.000-08:00

Phase 1: A New Year, A New Look!! Got all my Christmas decorations down. Now I've been looking at my blank walls/shelves........I decided I needed to recycle some of my decorations...So come take a walk with me as I show you the change I made on my Entry hall wall...This is where I started...I've always loved this picture I've had of Christ but I've never cared for the frame...I thought what a good time to change it....so here's where I started....

The picture I had on my wall in my kitchen/dining area was of a pretty flower arrangement, and I really loved the frame, picture not so much...so I spent the morning trying to get the picture out of the frame (and it was a task, I tell ya!!). This frame was much bigger and looked better on the entry wall...at least that was what I thought in my minds eye...Okay this is the new mat I placed over the old one...adding to the look....So far I like the look....continuing on.....

this is the finished product on my wall... What do you think?? The table I've always had in my entry...however, I changed what was on top of it...I think it looks much better and fresher...Love the picture on the wall...I think this frame is so much prettier...Now I have to rethink the kitchen/dining area wall and get rid of the floral arrangement that has been on that wall way too long!! that is still in progress..tomorrow I'll try and work on my living room shelves but I need to sit back and think about it...don't know just yet what the look is I want...but I'm sure I can once again recycle some of my decorations...I'm trying two new things this year...reminding myself to: 1. take pictures BEFORE I start my projects and 2. not spend money but instead recycle my decorations....So hang in there more pictures will be coming when phase 2 is completed.....I'll go right now and get some pictures of my living room and shelves while their empty... promise!!!! Til then...keep smiling and come back and visit anytime...

Winter Snow Storm

2010-12-29T16:39:00.000-08:00

The weatherman said last night, we would be waking up to some white stuff....And he was sure right...all day long!! Love it!!

If you have never seen or been inside looking out at the winter wonderland and feeling the peace and quietness of a Winter Snow Storm, then you don't know what you are missing! The untouched snow..no footprints, no snowblowers clearing the snow off the driveway...just soft white flakes coming down and piling up in my yard!! It will never stay this white..as the days pass it will turn brown...and dirty...so it's important to enjoy beauty while it last...

On a snowy day when I was growing up my mother would bake bread (in fact she did that regardless of the weather). So on this snowy day I did the same...Honey Wheat Bread...Only one loaf as there is only two of us and I like to keep my bread as fresh as I can..so one loaf a time until gone before another one gets baked.

Lunch time always brought homemade soups or beans. I can still smell the bread baking and the soup/beans cooking...It is such a loving smell...I could not help myself... I had to make hot baked potato soup and had to finish up the fresh roll..this was our lunch. baked potatoes, cheese and bacon soup. My kind of love!!

This is the late afternoon still the driveway hasn't been touched...no prints, no sound, the winter snow storm still at it's best...and another memory for 2010. One of the best!

A Tile For Sydney

2010-12-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

My granddaughter, Sydney, turned 12 in June and is now in the Young Women's Program. I thought it would be fun for her to have a tile with the Yound Women values in her room. This is what I came up with. A way for her to remember each of the values.

Guess What?

2010-11-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

I've been featured over at Cottage instincts. If you have a chance go take a look!!!

Another Bedroom Done

2010-10-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

The seasons have changed, fall is in the air, all the vegetables are off their vines and canned or frozen and winter is not far off! the frost is on the pumpkins. My projects are put on hold for a little while. I had to have foot surgery and yes, my foot surgery has laid up for a few weeks, can't be on my foot at all. So I sit in my chair in the living room and think of all the projects I still want to do. I still have my master bedroom to tackle, I would have liked to have it done before our daughter, Margo and her family come for Thanksgiving. But, I know that project is going to have to wait for another season, like spring! No one is going to be allowed in that room until I get it done. Anyway, so much for being laid up and back to one of my last projects before my surgery....Another bedroom I did get finished...Here goes...take a tour with me and let me know that you think. I visited Hobby Lobby with a friend, a brand new Hobby Lobby no less...love, love, love it!!!!anyway I found this really cute lamp, which I knew I had to have!! (the start of re-creating my bedroom)

My pretty lamp!!

Next I found this sign...(of course still Hobby Lobby)don't know why I like this sign so much, but I had just the spot for it, above the mirror on one of the walls!

See what I mean! just the perfect spot for the sign!! looking at this picture I think I need to get some kind of dresser or something better to go under the mirror...I have my cedar chest under it now! any suggestions?

Next I took a bunch of old frames I had, all different shapes and sizes (my daughters' idea) painted them and hung them over the bed!! I really like the look!

So now this bedroom is all cleaned up the trim is all pretty and white! and the room is pale yellow! very refreshing and welcoming! I love this room!

Now that I'm laid up I'm going to go through all my favorite recipes and put them on my computer and clean up my recipes cupboard..it really really needs it!!!!

A smile on a grandson's face is worth it's weight in gold!

2010-07-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Ben!!! Your wish is my command!!!

Hi, it's been awhile since I've been on my blog...the last time I was putting my new work station together. Well, it's all done and love it...now on to other projects....This is my grandson Ben, with his new quilt. A few weeks ago he came to me and was telling me he had seen the 'coolest' quilt made with teeshirts. He wanted to know if I could make one for him. I had see a teeshirt quilt when we lived in Iowa. I thought it was really 'neat' (can you tell the age difference? cool vs neat) anyway, I said 'sure I can do it'. See I've alway believed and have a motto: 'there is nothing I can't do' somethings better than others...I'm alway willing to try, this shouldn't be too hard...so he gathered his teeshirts and I started cutting them up, getting them ready for the quilt. I went to Joann fabric (had to come back home for the coupon) and found the cutes material for the front of the quilt. It is black with little blue stars....of course our Joanns didn't have enough material so the sales girl called other stores and found 6 yards in Montana. I asked them to send it to our store....(I had to pay for the shipping which ate up most of my coupon savings) anyway, a week later I got the material..(not a full 6 yards of course)..after looking at the material I decided that it was too busy to be both front and back so I made a change and did the back in black. I really like the change. I started with the teeshirts that Ben decided he wanted for his quilt. Logos and saying were on both sides of some of the shirts, and even on some of the sleeves. I used them all. I ended up with 25 different shapes and sizes. Bulit them up to the size of 15"x 15" square after sewn together. I always lay my quilts out on the floor so I can see what they will look like...the top was sewn together.. I like to had stitch the edging. I use a blind stitch, I just like the look. I tied it in black. This quilt is 6'x6' (Ben is, I think 6'4")

Footnote:Ben's friend, Colin, had seen the quilt on Facebook and now he wants me to make him a quilt too...and yes, I'm going to...he's getting all his teeshirts together and over to me...Both these boys will be off to college in a month...It's the least I can do...they're great guys!!!

Clutter sneaks in

2010-06-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

How and when does clutter sneak into a room?? I asked myself that question when I cleared out my "work area" where I am serving a service mission with the LDS church in newfamilysearch.org. Somehow, my scrapbooking supplies, got into my small area of 59"x30". WOW! what a mess! I just don't understand how scrapbooking supplies and machines can take over!!! (yeah right) So here's what happened, I needed a new computer...so went and bought one..must say it's so much faster...love, love, love it...and it will hold 497,000 pictures, yes, you read that correctly 497,000 (according to the manual) and of course this new computer needed a new home bigger than 59"X30" desk...Out we went to get some computer tables! Yes, more than one...
this room is my show case for my mess! Room 1 this is my craft area that is now a catch all. Notice in the back is my cutting table for my fabric. now this room is just holding part of the stuff from my little mission work area (59"x 30")keep going there's more!!

Same room different angle!! Just wanted to make sure you understand my clutter!! all I can say is WOW I have a lot of stuff!!

this is my sewing room (I can get to my sewing machine if need be and my ironing board)...right now the overflow of still more craft stuff....I'm not going to bore you with all I went through cause I also had to clear out part of my family room to redo my missionary work area!! So in fairness some of the stuff in these 2 rooms are part of the family room stuff not just scrapbooking.

Put my man to work...it was a rainy day and he had nothing better to do than to hold the dogs...so he was happy to help me...this is the corner unit which will hold my monitor and key board for my new computer... where did he go?? don't know what happened to the other picture it was of Paul working hard...anyway the desk is put together...

we're ready to set the desk up in the corner of the room...

How does that look?? I like it!!

Next came the other computer desk...we bought 2 of them...one for each side of the corner desk. I have so many machines and I really really need the room...looking good!!

So what do you think?? The room (corner) is finished...have my machines all set up and working to my surprise I didn't need help to set up my computer, thank you very much!!! Which has not been the case in the past....now all I need to do is go through all the clutter in the other 2 rooms and get rid of a bunch of stuff, We set up my old desk in the craft area..which means I can take my other craft table down and have a very nice working area for my 'scrapbooking' I just need to remember it's for 'scrapbooking' and my desk is for my 'missionary work' and computer work....(note I do have my cricut in my missionary work area...that's because I have Sure Cuts A lot and I need to hook it up to my computer now and then when working on a project...check out all my room!!! Looking at my other 2 areas I have managed to clean them up a bit...lot is going to recycle...and who knows I may be having a garage sale and get rid of some of my stuff...it's a thought!!!! I now have a 153"x 21" for my missionary work area! Love, Love, Love it!!!!

Footnote: I still need to fix the electrical cords under the desk.

Time to say goodbye

2010-06-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Well, Zach ended his R&R last Tuesday and headed back to Afghanstin...sure enjoyed having him home for a short time....now I'm busy setting up my new computer and work area...well let me restate that...my hubby is setting up my work area I move all my stuff out...I'll have enough room now to hook up most if not all my scrapbooking stuff like my cricut, scanner, printer, computer, phone and still have penty of work area....so looking forward to it....then I'll go through all my stuff and thin things out...So until I find the time to get back on my blog...I'll have to say bye for now....I'll check out the other blogs just not time to update mine...take care all and have a good 4th of July....

Welcome Home Soldier

2010-05-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

Today let Freedom Ring!!!! Tomorrow we will be celebrating Memorial Day and will be honoring the veterans of past wars, those men and women that chose to give their service and their lives in some cases so that we here in this great country of the United States of America may enjoy this great gift called FREEDOM!!! This is our grandson, Zach, he just stepped off the plane in Dallas Texas and was welcomed and thanked by a group of people that visit the air port every time soldiers fly in just to thank them and welcome them home to their native country. I've shown his picture before in my blog after he had been injured from an IED in Afghanistan where he has been serving for the past 9 months. Now this is the happy part of the story coming up...Zach will be home today for some very needed R&R....we will be going over to the Spokane airport to greet him later this afternoon...
Zach's mom made a 'welcome home' sign when we went to meet him the first time he came home for a visit, that was after his training and before his deployment. Each time he comes home more is added to this sign. Last night the girls got together and with my very BFF in the world (my cricut expression and the Stand and Salute cartridge)we went to work. We cut, placed, laughed and visit and with excitement we added to the sign.Ah, the sign is completed. Now you're probably wondering what the 'Batman Logo' is doing on this
sign. Well, it's another of Zach's stories...while in Afghanistan he was bitten by a bat and had to go through the series of shots which was very painful. Zach is now called 'Batman' by friends, and family.
So now you know the rest of the story! Zachary/Batman will be home today to open arms of welcome. Welcome home Zach, you are our Shining Star!Tomorrow Zach will be honored along with other veterans who have served and given their lives for freedom. He along with his father, Erik and his grandfather, Paul will have a their names places in honor in front of our city hall to be remembered in the present and in future generations.

My new guest room

2010-05-17T13:50:00.001-07:00

Step 3: If you've been following my blog the last entry...I'm remodeling my guess bedroom, this is quite the undertaking for me. I ponder and ponder and stress out about change. I want it but was afraid to change it! So here goes...here's what I've done!

This ugly shelf was placed on the wall by the previous owners of the house...they had this room as their computer room...using this desk top for their computer. Needless to say I did not like the look and wanted it removed off the wall. So after 6 years and much begging and pleading....

My hubby ever so carefully pulled the shelf/desk off the wall, trying not to damage the wall..(and I must say he did a very good job) now for the clean up (that's where I come in) I sanded the wall and then painted primed it and painted it..Then I sprayed texture on the wall and repainted it...

Wha-la my wall looks pretty darn good if I do say so myself...

Found this little treasure at Ross's Department Store...I like the black but have to change the red inside, not my cup of tea...don't know just yet what vision I have for the inside... So I'm still thinking and while I'm doing that I'm moving on to my next project for my room, the lamp. Now I've had this lamp for probably 10 years or so and I'm really tired of its plainness.Talking to my daughter she suggested I find some ribbon to go on the lamp shade...so off to Joann's I went and found this pretty (what I call dusty sage green) fringe, it's so pretty. I got my glue gun out and glued the fringe around the top and the bottom. Oh, I really like the look...

Here's the lamp completed, the little dish I found at the dollar store (with the stand) it says 'Faith, Family, Friends' really cute and just the right color. The table had a brown top (good sale at Ross's department store) and I painted it the 'dust sage green' I took the pillow into Home Depot and had them match the color to the pillow...and it's a perfect match!

Now this is what the bed looked like when I first started this project....The wood was more red than brown. so apart came the bed and out to the garage with it...Still struggled with painting it white!

Referring back to my other blog you read how I was really stressed out because I was afraid to paint this bed white. But look at it now, I love, love, love the white head board!

My finished project.

For some people they say why bother to make the change no one is going to see this room...but for me I love to walk passed the door way and look in and see something so pretty. It puts a smile on my face and a welcome to anyone that comes to visit me and chooses to use this room as my guest. Now I just have a couple more walls to finish...but even if I don't get to them they're okay, they go well in the room as it is now. Project is 95% completed! I love, love, love the changes...

Guest bedroom in the making

2010-05-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

STEP 2: Bed is done...all painted and made up...now for the accessories....
STEP 1: Well, guys....I bit the project...this bed frame I've been wanting to paint for a long time and I'm finally getting to it....back and forth and forth and back...from leaving the wood the color it is now and just changing the bedding...to changing the wood to white...I stayed up all night stressing out as to whether I should paint it at all...and I know I shouldn't let something like this get me down...but I was just having a really hard time deciding if I should go white...well, I finally said the heck with it....and started painting it...WHITE! of course...so far so good...I've taken a few pictures but my camera is upstairs I'll have to put them on later...I really want to wait until it's all done...and hopefully that will be in the next few days...another step closer to getting my guest room done....what a project...and tonight I plan on sleeping through the night....

New Digital Scrapbook Pages

2010-05-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

Let me take the time to introduce you to our new gr-granddaughter, this is Emmeline Louise Bray. She is a little doll! Now I could really brag about her but I think the picture of her says it all. Last Sunday we were in Florida for her blessing, what a joy and a honor to be there along with the rest of her family. The blessing dress Emmeline has on was made from my wedding dress. Emmeline's mom and aunts were also blessed in it.

This is the grandpa and the gr-grandpa, both very proud of the new addition to the family.

This is our 4 generation picture.
This is the family and extended family of Emmeline. She's very lucky to come to this family.

Again another 4 generation picture...fun memories.

The full extended family....both grandmas, grandpa, gr-grandparents, aunts and uncle and of course
mom, dad and Emmeline.
Don't want to forget the aunts (Miranda and Joli) taking turns holding Emmeline and Mom (Anyse)
and then David the uncle. He was so cute holding Emmeline.
Proud grandma (Becky) and gr-grandma (ME). It was such a treasured time we spend there with
Anyse, Damon and Emmeline.

It's only the hallway

2010-04-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

I have been working and working on repainting and redoing the inside of my house...this house is about 30 years old...and I swear hadn't been painted on the inside or the outside for that matter until we bought it 6 years ago...we immediately gave it a new coat of paint and new carpet before we moved in...okay now I think it's time for a new coat of paint and change things around....My kids know how I am about color in my house....NOT!!! I like white...white and more white...and I'll accent with color...well, it's time to move forward with color....I now like color on my walls....all the wood in this house has been the dark wood...and I am having a very hard time with that...I like white trim...and so it's taken a lot of work but I'm getting there....this week I tackled my hall way...a simple hall way...dark...and plain.....(Sorry I forgot to take before pictures...imagine the white walls and dark trim and doors.)
I painted the hall a sand white....which is really pretty (stole the color from my daughters house)...did the trim in white......and changed all the electrical outlets to white...what a difference that made...
Love...Love...Love my closet doors....
painted my brown frames to black....and added a saying....
And at the end of the hall I repainted my mirror black and added the table...my hallway is so pretty
now...I still have a couple of walls I need to add something to but don't know what just yet....so I'll ponder it for a few days....and let you see what I've done....this was my week long project...started on
Monday and finished on Friday....I still have 4 rooms left to update....so you can guess what my summer is going to be like...

Bedroom Make over Part 1

2010-04-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

PART ONE: I look at my bedroom...and what do I see....dark colors that are getting the best of me...oh how could that be!!Okay, that's where my poem ends....Giving some though to what I really want...This room is full of sunshine (when the sun is shining) you would never know it by looking at the picture.. I love bright colors ~ creams, burgundy and green are my favorite....As I thought about these colors it came to me....when I lived in Iowa I visited a shop that sold pre-quilted fabric tops...remembering I had purchased some of this fabric ....I hurried to my sewing room and dug through my totes until I found what I was looking for....
I ran back upstairs and to my room and laid the material out on my bed...Oh, I loved the colors much more than the browns...it brighten up the room with color! Lets see now....I have enough to make a quilt and even some shams...What do I need to do? You guessed it!!

I now am in the middle of hand quilting my quilt for my bed....I quilt while watching my favorite TV programs....I quilt while doing laundry....I quilt while talking on the telephone....and I use my quiet time to quilt...hate to give up quilting time to fix our meals, but I do...My fingers are crippled up from so much quilting....but I'm in a hurry I have a deadline to meet...I want this project to be done before June....so I can display my work proudly when family comes to visit...So the point to this entry for this week is.... I'll not be able to be working on any other project or attending link parties until I get this quilt done...Just thought I'd give an update as to why I gone...I will of course update you from time to time...here's my project on my frame....It's nice to get another quilt top out of my tote....

Birthday Greetings

2010-04-06T18:17:00.000-07:00

I love making cards and have some cute sizzix templates...like the one above which is of the flip flop...I use a pre-printed card and some hot pink scrapbook paper, some printed birthday scrapbook paper, big pink flowers, buttons, and fiber....out of all that I got these cute flip flops to add to my card....thought it turned out pretty cute....
I love using the pre-printed card I get at Michaels..using a 40% off coupon and they cost about $4.50 for 50 cards and envelopes. I add to that close to cocoa (Stampin-up paper) cut in a circle, added lavender ribbon at the top and lavender eyelets, sptamped "It's your special day" and added a strip of the close to cocoa paper, three more lavender eyelets and oh yes, 2 paper flowers one cream and the other brown and the lavender eyelet... another card ready to send out.
All these card are from the same box of cards I got at Michaels...I like variety and these card are great for the background card...I used the left over close to cocoa paper and added pink eyelets and two different pink flowers...simple and fast to make...I am linking up to bobbypinsboardwalk bragfest.

Easter Table Decoration

2010-03-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks to those who participated in helping me choose which center piece to put on my dining table for Easter. Have to say we are all in agreement...with picture #2. no candles this year!!!! Okay, so I have to confess...I did add a couple of rabbits to the center piece too...I was at Michaels and darn it they had the cutest rabbits...about 8" tall...a little boy and a little girl one...so they are also in my decoration....Thanks again everyone...See you next time!!

Grandma's Easter Eggs

2010-03-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

You don't dare eat these eggs!!

Something from the 70's now being used in 2010.

These are special ceramic eggs made in the 70's. What makes them so special is they have no hole in the bottom of them. They really look like a hard boiled egg and are ready to be painted.

Went to my cricut and cut out all my kids, grandkids and new gr-granddaughter (just born on the 18th) names for each of the eggs. Oh yeah, I also put grandma and grandpa in the mix, along with one egg that says "Happy Easter".

I have a total of 20 names and 1 Happy Easter. I also left a few painted eggs blank to add to my arrangement.

Couldn't decide which arrangement I liked the best. So I added both my arrangements to my blog. Needing some help here. Leave a comment and let me know what you think..

I now have updated my eggs...and still have a few more eggs I can add as my gr-grandkids are just starting. How fun!! Thanks for stopping by.

They're done!!

2010-03-21T17:17:00.000-07:00

Here's the 2 jean quilts all finished...now I wonder
what other project I can work on...Feels good to
have them done!!!!

Spring is in the air I have proof of it

2010-03-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

Though spring in not officially here until this coming weekend...My daffodils don't agree....I love seeing my flowers come to life...

Worn Out Jeans equal Jean Quilts

2010-03-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

Warn out jeans make beautiful quilts....a few years back my daughter had a vision, little did I know how much time I would be involved as a participant in her vision. She had all these worn out jeans and she wanted me to make some jean quilts for her boys. Never having made a jean quilt before it took me some time to figure out just what she wanted. Now I had some other grandchildren that saw these quilts and of course they wanted them too, and of course everyone was so nice to provided me with plenty of jeans to use to make these quilts. So now I've done 4 jean quilts. I was able to take a breather but not for long, 2 more little bundles came along, and the kids still worn out their jeans and they started to pile up again. Time to make a couple more quilts.

I wised up this time...and I made 8x8 inch squares I cut 312 squares for 2 quilts....these squares were not all 8x8 I mixed and matched and ended up with 8x8. I did have some squares left over....if you can
believe it. The quilts roughly 60x85.

Jeans....Jeans....everywhere JEANS....

Jordan's jean quilt top and Cameron's jean quilt top
These are the last 2 jean quilt tops I just finished. Within the next few weeks I'll get the backs on and get them tied. They'll be ready so the next time I see my grandchildren they'll have their jean quilts too. Now this family is complete with all their quilts....and I will now start with another family.
It's their turn...
These are the first 2 quilts I made. Nate, Colby and their family were vacationing and we got to their house before they got home so I made up their beds to surprise them. I learned a lot since I started the first jean quilt. One of my grandson's (Tom) calls his quilt his 'pocket' quilt, and he's a cousin to Nate and Colby. I tell you this because he also has a bunk bed and wants me to make him another jean quilt for his top bunk...so they match. Well, it won't be long until his bunk beds will be gone. So he'll just have the one quilt. My sewing room is now cleared out of worn out jeans as is my cutting table. So now you ask me was I able to fill my daughter's vision of jean quilts? I say go to her blog, Bluefamilyscene.blogspot.com and let her tell you her side of the jean quilt story.

Cinnamon Rolls

2010-03-12T20:08:00.000-08:00

Well, you can see I have a real sweet tooth....dang
these cinnamon rolls were good....I ate one, hubby at one, and the rest were sent over to the grandkids...
they were happy campers...they love grandma's treats...pays to live close to grandma

Peanutbutter/Chocolate chip cookies

2010-03-12T18:15:00.000-08:00

Ok, here's the plan....I have a hubby that loves cholocate chip cookies....and I love peanut butter cookies...and they have to be sugar free...or as best they can be....so I combined chocolate chips with my peanut butter cookies and replaced the sugar with splenda...and Whalla, I have the best cookies ever!! Tastes like Reeses peanut butter cups...

2010-03-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

This quilt was pre-printed material. First quilt I
ever completed by hand. It was a learning experience. Will I try it again, guess
you'll have to watch and see....Probably so!!

Cathedral Window

2010-03-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

What a good time to have a broken foot....I was in
the middle of making this cathedral quilt for my daughter and had a lot of hand work to do on it...and
since I was sitting around what the heck might as well work on her quilt. Most times the cathedral quilts are small squares. I did this on in 12x12 squares...and it was made for her king size bed.

SOLDIERS ANGELS BLANKETS OF HOPE ARE NEEDED FOR OUR WOUNDED SOLDIERS

2010-02-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

This past November our grandson, Zachary, who is in the army and stationed in Afghanistan was in a bad explosion. He came out with a concussion, a hurt back, loss of hearing in his left ear and some memory loss. Some of his injuries have healed. His buddy Kevin wasn't as lucky, however, Kevin is healing from his injuries. Zachary was taken to the military hospital where the personnel had to remove his clothes to treat him. They cut them off. Needless to say Zach needed his backpack with his belongings. Thanks to Soldiers Angles (www.soldiersangels.org) they provided him with a backpack full of the necessary items, such as tooth brush, tooth paste, underwear, sweats, and a blanket called "Blanket of Hope". This blanket was made by someone here in America and sent to Soldiers Angels to put in a backpack. This was very touching to me. I wanted to know how I too could make these Blanket of Hope. I emailed soldiers angles and received an email back with all the
instructions.

The blankets can be made in 2 different sizes 45" x 65" or 60" x 80" of fleece. I buy 2 1/3 yards of fleece. one print and one solid. I cut the corners 4" x 4" and then cut strips and tied each strip together. The back side of the blanket is the solid color. I tied the plaid over the solid color and then come back and tied the solid over the plaid thus putting the solid color on top.

I find the best way to work is on my floor. Far more room and makes it go fast. Put on some
music or a video (if you have your TV in the same room) and work away!

I find I have to change position and get on my knees to cut the strips. When I'm doing the
blanket by myself I like to cut a section of strips and tie them and then move on down the row
until each side is completed. It took me 1 hour and 2 potty breaks to make this blanket today.
Now I've had a little experience as I've made many of these blankets for family and friends. They
are a big hit and very popular.

These are my 5 completed 'Blankets of Hope' I need now to roll them up and put a ribbon around
each of them with a note. Then Monday I'll go to the Post Office to find out about mailing them
to Germany to the Soldiers Angels. This is an on going project. The Soldiers Angels have no blankets to add to the backpacks. They are so in need. If you can find the time and would like to make some
of these Blankets of Hope please send me your email address in the comment section and I'll be happy to forward all the information (guild lines) to you. Our soldiers are worth it and when it's a wounded soldier he/she needs to have something around them that is as warm as someone's arms, letting him/her know that we are proud of them and are praying for them!

Valentine Tile

2010-02-01T16:50:00.001-08:00

Plate holder

2010-01-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

I liked the way my black frames and shelf turned out so much I saw my plate holder and thought
hey, this could use some updating....Where's the black spray can?? Found it!!! I love the change!!

Sometimes things don't work out the way you think they should

2010-01-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

Well, ok!! so my 'vision' wasn't quite what I thought it would be....try try again...now
I like this much better!!

My vision!!

My Palette!! (My Wall)

My work area!! Let the project begin!! Black is good!

I have 4 grandsons that play foot ball. They range in age from 7 years old to 17 years old...
I had this vision of putting their pictures in frames and hanging them on my wall...Now that

I have them there I know I need something more...This is where you can help me. I'm not real
sure just what to put on my shelf...it's 12"x24" I could use some ideas please...also, I feel I need something more on my wall~~~~~Maybe vinyl...some sort of saying...I just can't seem to come
up with one! HELP!!!!!!!

Eagle Pictures for our boys in our troop

2010-01-28T15:41:00.000-08:00

It's heck being the wife of the Advancement Chairman in our Boy Scout Troop. My husband came up with the idea that when each of the boys' receive their Eagle Award I should make a picture for each of them. So this is my creation. I have lost count as to how many I have made.

Didn't think to make a list or to keep track...Didn't have a blog at the time...I've been making these for
the past 3 years at least...and yes, I do make these for others out side of our troop as requested. I'll do anything if the price is right!

These 4 Eagle pictures will be given this coming Sunday, the 31st at our Troop Eagle Court of Honor...
Project #2 done today!

Baby Blankets

2010-01-28T09:42:00.001-08:00

Our first great-granddaughter, 'Emmy' is going to be born in a couple of months....So I felt she should have some nice receiving blankets to keep her warm...3 receiving blankets are double sided and then I sewed around them using the hem stitch and then crochet the edges....Then I used my surger and decorative thread and surgered around the little pad again double sided.....

Next I crochet a nice white afghan, and with my loom I made a new born hat...she may
not need the hat down in Florida where it's nice and warm...and then again she just might!!!

Love the flat rate boxes the post office now have...however, prices have gone up....but still worth
it...Package is off to the home awaiting the arrival of 'Emmy'!

All was received...and another project done!!!

The Perfect Chocolate Cake

2010-01-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

2 c. sugar 1 -1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 c. vegetable oil
1-3/4 c. All-purpose flour 1 tsp. salt 2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 c. Hershey's Cocoa 2 eggs 1 c boiling water
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 c. milk

(1) Heat oven to 350 degrees. (2) Grease and flour two 9 inch round baking pans.
(3) Combine dry ingredients in large bowl, add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on med. speed for
2 minutes. (4) stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or
until a tooth pick comes out clean. (5) let stand for 10 minutes. (6) remove from pans to wire and let cool completely. Frost with Chocolate Frosting. Note: cupcakes: fill muffin tins 1/2 full and bake for 20-25 minutes. 9x13 dish bake 30-35 minutes.

Perfect Chocolate Frosting

1 (1/2 c). stick butter 3 c. powder sugar 1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 c. Hershey's Cocoa 1/3 c. milk

(1) Melt butter (2) Alternately add powder sugar and milk, beating on med. speed to
spreading consistency. Add more milk in needed. Stir in vanilla. (About 2 cups of frosting)

You will never taste a better chocolate cake.....it's SO good try it!!! I am linking this to somewhatsimple.com for her Strut your stuff Thursday party go take a look.

Family: A journey into Eternity

2010-01-16T10:30:00.000-08:00

My wall is complete now!

I sat across the room, looking at this wall feeling something was missing. I've now change it a couple of times. Still I've never felt I had the look I was really looking for. Change of sayings, and change of pictures...Still something was missing! Now that I have a new saying "Family" A journey into Eternity instead of " All because two people fall in love" looked a lot better...and this wall is my 'Family' wall....so should it not reflect my family. OK, so what's missing?? First I noticed I didn't have a picture of me and Paul. After all we started this eternal family. Second, I have no grand kids on this wall. I now know where I need to start.

I dug through my pictures (which lucky for me were all on the computer) I tried two different pictures and decided on one of our wedding pictures. Saying this, I still may go back and change it and put the first one back up (the first picture is in this picture). I added my saying "Family" A journey into Eternity above the mirror. Our picture to the left. I have our three kids and their spouses on their wedding day! But again something still missing! This year all three families had their family pictures taken. Yes, that's it~I need to put their family pictures on this wall! So back to my computer I found Becky's 2009 family picture that had been emailed to me~ so I printed it out! Next, I added the blank paper for two reasons. 1. to mark where I wanted the pictures to hang and 2. to show my other two kids I needed their family pictures too.

I called Margo and asked her to please email me her 2009 family picture. She swears she had already sent it. I couldn't find it on my computer, so she was kind enough to email it to me again, now I have two family pictures up on my wall....the picture I had of Erik's family was a vertical picture and I needed a horizon one. So I waited for Erik to get home from work and called him and asked for another 2009 family picture and asked him to send me a horizon family picture. Until I receive the picture I put stick figures on my wall! This could take awhile! I was on face book and noticed Erik was too~ I reminded him about my request for the picture and he immediately emailed the picture.

So today I completed my wall! I now sit across the room and smile as I see our wedding picture, the mirror, and our families! Yes, our 'Family' A journey into Eternity. I so love my wall!

Some of my vinyl projects

2010-01-07T18:22:00.000-08:00

Give me my Cricut Expression, vinyl, and Sure Cuts Alot program and I go to town....pictures, plates and tiles...I love them all!!! Only right that I should made somethings for myself too...
what better than the '12 reasons I love being a grandma'....So I am a happy camper....I have my Cricut Expression, Cartridges, Design Studio, and Sure Cuts Alot program...What more can a girl ask for?? I'll have to give that some thought.

Thanks to another scrapper I met in Michael's, she told me about a program called Sure Cuts Alot. I didn't do anything with this program for a year, until my daughter, Margo downloaded it and told me how wonderful it was... Of course I then needed to get it too...it would let me use all the fonts I had on my computer WOW this could be fun.

My friend and her husband returned home from their mission and it was Christmas...this was a welcome home/Christmas tile gift for them...

I needed a wedding gift for a family member, so I made a Message Plate for them.
using the Tear Drop Cartridge, one of my favorite cartridges.

canning

2009-12-15T18:23:00.001-08:00

October what a good month for canning...Our garden is all through producing now and I've canned or frozen all we want and need for the winter...Love this time of year....and love to look into my pantry and see all we have and then enjoyment our efforts...Another crop canned and ready for use....

Tomatoes again were frozen for tomato soup....

This year was a lot of firsts for me with my canning...I put up some Anaheim peppers....they will be good with my Mexican dinners....

I preparing my raspberries for the freezer...I picked them, picked out the bad ones...and froze them on a cookie sheet so they won't stick together...

I now take the frozen raspberries and put them into freezer bags and zip them up for later use....I can now make jelly/jam in the winter...
or have them over ice cream...

Pepper Jam again was something new I made this year...boy, does everyone love it...something different and the peppers are out of our garden.

Pickled Beets with onions....can't wait for Thanksgiving...I used little button beets this year...I think I liked canning them better than the big ones...prettier in the jar too...

Nothing like having canned peaches for the winter time...
they are always so good...love them with cottage cheese..

Remodeling of our Bathroom

2009-09-25T14:04:00.001-07:00

The final decorations for
this wall.....

The shower curtain that inspired the color of the bathroom...

Trying to find the right decorations for my wall was hard...

The light and mirror...
The floor finished...
The floor...

This is the color we picked for the upper wall and the bottom is bead board/wainscot...

The starting of our remodeling job....Our front bathroom...
The bathroom that will be used by guests and visitors....As you can
see we have the mirror down and all the wallpaper/splash board taken off and and now to texture the walls...

DVD of Anyse and Damon's Wedding

2009-07-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

Book of Mormon Cruise 2007

2009-07-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

MesoAmerica 2007

2009-07-09T08:09:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Joli's birthday 2004

2009-06-24T11:41:00.000-07:00

We were at Becky's attending Joli's baptism
and her birthday party.

2009-06-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt with my new digital program...
Not too bad if I do say so myself. Had a good subject...
Jordan....

Birthday box

2009-06-09T15:11:00.001-07:00

2009-06-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

April 22, Wednesday, was an exciting day. We got on the air plane in Spokane Washington, at 1 pm (Pacific time) and headed to Orlando Florida. The plane was full, everybody going some place. We were heading to Salt Lake City as our first leg of our trip. Our flight was on time and we rolled into SLC with no problems what so ever. An hour later we were back on a packed plane heading for our final leg of our trip Orlando. No we were not going to Disney World. We were going to the Orlando Temple for our first grandchild, Anyse's, wedding.

We arrived at the Orlando International Airport on time 11:05pm (Eastern Time). We went down to get our luggage and pick up our rental car. Getting the rental car took us about 45 minutes. It's now a little after 12am. I had downloaded direction to our motel before we left. So I thought. The address I had for our hotel was University Blvd...so I thought...So off we go to find University Blvd and The Holiday Inn...We pay our tolls for their wonderful roads... and finally find University...We follow the directions and the Holiday Inn was to be on our left....Guess what!...No Holiday Inn...we then went up and down University Blvd stopping at difference locations asking different people and they had no idea where the Holiday Inn was located...finally at about 1:30am I called the Hotel...and found our we were on the wrong road...they were on Univeral Blvd...which happened to be 45 miles back the other way (back by the air port) so off we go again..and yes, more money out for tolls...Got off on Univeral Blvd and when up and down the street trying again to find the hotel...by 3am we finally pulled into the parking lot of the Hotel...Now we get all of our stuff out of the car and I head up to the room while Paul is tring to find a parking spot...(hard to come by) I go back down stairs to find him and we get on the elevator low and behold the door closes and we are stuck on the elevator. It wouldn't go up and it wouldn't go down..and the door wouldn't open...it was hot and humid (for us) I used the phone in the elevator and called management and they had to get us out...(I recommend they put a fan in the elevator). By now it's about 3:30am...(lucky for us we were still on Pacific time..it felt like midnight)..From there on, the trip was outstanding...We slept in the next morning (Thursday) and then drove around and got our bearings, found the temple, and how to get back to the air port, etc. Everyone else was coming in Friday afternoon, so it gave us a little time to continue looking around. We all met up a little before we needed to be at the temple...

The endowment session was wonderful...Had a slow start because Anyse's other grandparents flight didn't get in until 6pm and the session was at 7 and it took them about an hour to get to the temple..anyway it was a good session.

After the endowment session we took the Laws to dinner to celebrate Anyse's 21st birthday (April 24th)...it's late getting close to midnight...we had a nice time...went to Denney's and we all sang Happy Birthday to Anyse and there was a table behind us that had about 15 many 20 people and they were from Brazil and they sand Happy Birthday in Portuguese. Which was fun to hear...Damon served his mission in Brazil and of course was able to understand the language.

Next day the big day...got up early and off to the temple...It was so special to sit in the sealing room with Becky, Paul, Anyse, Damon, Hal and Carol, Rinnie, Eric, (my) Paul, and me...and listen to the sealing of Anyse and Damon for time and ALL eternity. My heart was so full of happiness...

After the temple we went up and down the street trying to find the restaurant where we were suppose to have lunch..took a little time but we finally got there...food was good...and then we went to the church book store and checked it out...then told Becky and family good-bye as they were leaving to go back to Georgia and finish getting ready for their move from Pensacola to St Marys, Georgia the following Wednesday...

We went back to the Hotel and rested and then packed getting ready to leave for home...(we had to be up at 3am so we could take the car back and check in by 5am)..All started out well...we got to the Air Port and drove around and around trying to get to the correct place to turn in our car...finally found that and got to the elevator got on the elevator...and you guessed it...this elevator won't move...I pushed the button more than once and we just sat there with the door open...finally I told Paul I was getting off and getting onto another elevator and when I stepped off the door shut and off when Paul...I just stood there in shock!! Now what...where did Paul go??? I flagged down a worker and he got on the elevator with me and we got it to work and down we went he got off on a different floor and I went to the bottom and when the door opened there was Paul...waiting for me... Boy if I see another elevator it will be too soon!!

We arrived home about 1pm Pacific Time...with no other mishaps....and all in all we still had a wonderful trip...lots of memories...

Footnote: the other thing that happened while we were there was Hal and Carol were staying with Carol's sister and her companion, and while we at the endowment session their apartment was broken into.

Cards

2009-06-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

4th of July 2008

2009-06-02T10:33:00.000-07:00