A Christmas book gift

I made this book for my mom for Christmas from me and my brother and the 4 grandkids. Needless to say she cried and loved it.  It is called My Book of Loves.

 It is a little mini..so addicted to making these 

The tag on the left is removable for journaling
 

more pics of the kiddos 

love these pages..and more tags for journaling 

just love this book 

This is the back cover..see all the fibers on the spine? 

I plan to make everyone one of these for Christmas next year..

shhh dont tell

Someone's having a WONDERFUL giveaway

A wonderful lady is having a giveaway! 

You have to go see her blog...

Maureen at Sweet Meadows Farm is giving away one of her patterns every month for the next year..SWEET!!

You have to go enter before December 27th...hurry hurry! 

Once you get there..I know you will become a follower..her blog is great!

CLICK BELOW  http://sweetmeadowsfarm.blogspot.com/ 

I can finally share

I have a friend..MJ who I met about 10 years ago where i work. She is my ONE and ONLY crafting friend!!

This year I made her some goodies for her tree..I gave her them today so I can finally post.

I LOVE handmade gifts!!! 

This is called a Polish Star Ornament I see me making ALOT in the future.

Here is the Youtube video I followed  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JXWXG3hsRg 

This is a star ornament. With a botton in the middle..sew simple 

This is a little bag I stamped and stitched together. There are 4 tarts for burning inside 

This is a tag that I was inspired to make by Tim Holtz. I almost kept this myself lol 

What have you been up to???

Thanksgiving..I know its a little late!

For some reason..the Holidays are getting way ahead of my blog posting :) 

I come from a LARGE family. Wouldn't have it any other way! So this year Thanksgiving was at my house. My aunt and uncle live right behind us, so that made things alot easier. Thanksgiving was always at my grandmas where I grew up and there was LOTS of family. So..I think she would be pleased with us this year.

 I had family over and everyone behaved :) 

This year..I know I am very blessed!

even Molly our pooch posed 

me and hubby..I just love this guy 

the family playing football 

Thank goodness my back porch is long enough to hold everyone :)

Christmas house swap

I have joined a great  group..Altered without limits (AWOL) 

We are doing a Christmas House swap.  

Here are a few of mine I created..I can't wait to see what everyone else has done.

The pics dont do them justice but they are cute I think 

They were so much fun to work on 

We did a total of ten. Once I get the whole book back I will post the whole book.  

What are you working on???

Turning 40 and 20

This month my hubby turned 40 and our oldest turned 20. 

Hubby wasn't happy and our son was thrilled :) 

Funny how that goes huh??

Hubby opening gifts

Our oldest..always making silly faces

Because of them...

Because of them...

I get to sew anytime I want 

Watch any TV I want

Spend hours on the internet

Take a walk through my neighborhood

Go to work everyday 

Hang a wonderful flag on my porch 

Spend time at the park with my kids 

Cuddle with my hubby on the couch 

Take pictures of my niece and nephew 

Listen to family and friends

Vote 

Go to the library 

Honestly as a Kid..this day was just a day that we didnt have to go to school..

As I got older I have realized what being a Veteran means..

Men and Woman who have paid a HUGE price, 

sometimes with their life, So I could have all these things I take for granted.

Remember...it is because of them :) 

From my family to all those that service this GREAT Nation

PLEASE vote for Operation Write Home

As you all know..I make cards for Operation Write Home! This cause is so wonderful. It helps the soldiers over seas keep in touch with their loved ones by sending the cards we make back home. We get such positive feed back from the soldiers! Alot of people entered Joanns Craft for a Cause and Operation is one of the 3 finalists!!! If they win the persons who made the finalist cards wins $1500 and Operation Write Home wins $50,000!! This would be such a blessing when shipping all the boxes over seas.

PLEASE PLEASE GO VOTE FOR THEM! You can vote once a day til December 4th. 

Click the link below, click VOTE NOW in the blue box, choose Operation Write Home, enter your email address. Leave me a comment here that you voted!!! Thanks again!!! 

http://www.joann.com/joann/common/content_noleftnav.jsp?catName=craftForaCause

Girls ONLY Weekend 2010

I am 37 years old and have NEVER had a girls ONLY weekend until last weekend. Us girls talked and talked about having one for a long time and Finally did it!!!  We rented a cabin in Strawberry Arizona. Took off Friday after work and headed up north to the cool pines. 

 ( WARNING..MASSIVE PIC OVERLOAD)

Here we are leaving Heidi,Amy,MaryJo,Me,Danielle my sister

 Here is the car loaded up! Hubby was laughing saying Your only going for the weekend right? 

This was the deck out back. We spent ALOT of time here talking and enjoying the cool weather

This is my sister Danielle and me. We are 10 years apart and I LOVE her so much!

Snacks anyone! I swear we took way too much food!

This is my friend MaryJo and I enjoying the rockers..it was so relaxing

We played lots of games while there. This was "the board" haha

Amy had a cake make with all our pictures on it..she is so amazing!!

We even got to feed Javalena in the morning..they came out of the woods and stared up at the deck til we gave them left over biscuts lol

I had such a blast! I can not wait til next year to do this all over again!!!!

She passed away WAY too young...

I have a childhood friend that I have been searching for online now for a few years. We had lost touch about 5 years ago. I got an email a few weeks ago from her daughter.

On September 22nd...my life long childghood friend passed away at the age of 37 from Breast Cancer! I was told she fought for a little over a year!

I was and am so numb. How can this be.She has 2 daughters that are 16 and 18. She has 2 grandbabies. 

I have NEVER known anyone who has died of Breast Cancer. 

Crystal you will be missed..love you so much! 

This pink Ribbon is for you Crystal!

Christmas card time

It is time to get my Christmas cards out and sent to Operation Write Home.

I believe the deadline is October 31st YIKES!

This year I am making SIMPLE cards. 

Meaning I am not loading them up with decorations. 

SIMPLE..lots of room for them to write!

If you make cards...or have the gift of gab..make some for our soldiers! 

Visit  www.Operationwritehome.org

Making cards

I made some new cards for Operation Write Home this weekend! Sending out some fall and Halloween ones. There is something wonderful about making these cards for our Heros! Love Love it!  

The colors on my cell phone camera do not do these cards justice. They are so cute in person 

Lovin all the pumpkin cards I made :)

BOO!!  That is what it has been like here....What have you been up to?

BEARIZONA!!

Hubby and I and our youngest son took a trip to Northern Arizona to visit Bearizona!!  It is a drive through wild life park. No fences..except between the animal exhibits.  The black bears were so amazing. One actually went past our car and put his paw on the bumper :) If you are ever in Arizona..please visit! It is new and growing!!

 This is a baby DALL SHEEP. They put their food near the road so we get to see them. 

Here is the bear that walked up to our car! So beautiful!  

 Our son Justin and me with my favorite tree! The Blue Spruse! 

One of the baby bears 

  These baby bears were so cute.  Could watch them all day. 

There is something wonderful about a barn

I really do not know why..but I LOVE barns. Out here in Arizona we do not have many soo I spend time searching the internet for barns..I use them as screen savers..wallpaper on my computer..and it makes me so happy!  Here are  a few of my favorites...

Amazingly beautiful!

WOW...look at that view

Seriously..I could get lost with a good book next to that pond 

 So vintage... 

 Where I live..I don't get to see trees like this...magical! 

This just speaks Sunday love to me 

I can just see myself walking along that road 

I am kinda in LOVE with the red barns..But this one is a beauty! 

I hope you loved the stroll through the Barns....To me they are so wonderful!

Samanthas Having a give a way

Have you heard of Samantha???

NO???

Well hop on over to her blog and check out her great give a way!

She makes these wonderful apron bag holders

  She is so talented!!  Can you imagine having this hanging in your kitchen?

  Click Here http://samanthasaccessories.blogspot.com