Where Have the Years Gone....

It's hard to believe that eighteen years ago my baby boy was born. Yesterday we joyously celebrated Brandon's eighteenth birthday. I can't believe how quickly time flies. I think all moms say this. We anxiously await their first smile, first step, first word and then before we know it they are a young adult. I am so proud of him. He is a wonderful young man and I know that God has great plans for him. I can hardly wait to see. We celebrated his birthday with his grandparents. My husband took this photo. I wanted a picture of him and I. I was the first one to take a photo with him eighteen years ago as the doctor placed him in my arms. My heart swells just thinking of that moment years ago.

Here is that first photo. A moment that is forever ingraved in my heart.

I couldn't let the day pass by without some HOOPLA for his birthday. Doesn't every high school senior want their mom showing up during lunch with a birthday cake? It's funny but Brandon never minds when I come to school. He attends a small Christian school and everybody knows everybody there. So I arranged to bring the cake into school during his lunch period. I made the cake, it served 100 people. I came up with the idea of the "king/golfer" because he was the king of the school for homecoming , and he is the captain of the varsity golf team.

He was laughing at me as I took this photo... I always have a camera in my hand, not wanting to miss that special moment in time. I wanted it to be a day to remember. I want to make memories for my children. Memories that they will cherish and hold dear to their hearts. I think it's our responsibility as moms to always let them know how much we love them. It's little things like this, that let our children know how much they are loved, and how special they are to us.

I am so greatful that God has filled my life with the blessing of being a mom. Heaven sends special gifts For parents to adore Tiny hands and bright eyes, Ready to explore Making their way With protection and love From parents on earth And angels above.

Planning for a Christmas to remember....

This morning I clicked on Blissful Home only to see that my last two articles had be published. You can check them out. They are titled, Dress up your entry table and Decorate your mantel. I am also going to be contributing to Creative Bliss. I will be able to share some of my crafting ideas on this site. I'm excited about that. Although I love to decorate my home, I love to craft just as much. With the holidays fast approaching I can't wait to share some of my ideas.

Soon the Christmas boxes will be down from the attic and the decorating will begin. WHIPPIE!!! It's my FAVORITE time of year. This is just a sneak peak from last years decorations. I can't wait to share some of my ideas with you.

Here's what I have in store to share with you.... Decorating mantels, themed Christmas trees, front door wreaths, outside topiaries, table scapes. and much more. Oh... my head is twirling with ideas... Make sure you come back and visit. Start your holiday decorating early this year, and you too can have a home for the holidays that is a

"Creations From Your Heart"!

"Warm holiday memories are

Cherished treasures for the heart...."

Craft Show Extranvaganza....

Well last week was exhausting! I had the my son's high school craft show on Saturday. Even though I am a "crafter", I have not done a craft show in about 15 years. Needless to say I had no displays, and no stock built up of my craft items. Last week had many long nights staying up to wee hours in the morning, working feverishly to complete enough items to fill the booth. I wouldn't have been so concerned, but it was my son's school and I knew a lot of people there. I know you shouldn't be concerned with what others think, but.... I did not want to disappoint the ladies who invited me to do the show. Here's a few photos from the show. I wore my favorite crafting apron, "Dick and Jane, see mama sew".

The night before I scrambled to figure out how to display my wares. I had an idea at 3:00 a.m. while I was still working to get things together. I would dismantle the two baker's racks in my home and use them for a display. It worked out great. All the items I made, came with a matching gift bag. That was a big hit! I think I could have sold more of the bags than anything else. The baker's rack allowed me to hang all the bags and display them nicely.

I even displayed my latest apron from the swap for special orders.

I had forgotten how tiring it can be, setting up and taking down. At least there was a lot less to to carry out than there was to bring in!!! I'll post tomorrow some photos of my craft show creations. What is left from the show will be on my Etsy store which is being designed this week. I'm excited about this. Many of you have asked if I sell my items, so keep your eyes open. I would love to have you visit.

The best thing about the craft show was that everything I made was

"A Creaion From My Heart".

"JOY is yours today...Just take it".

Creating a FAVORITE Apron....

A few months ago I signed up for an apron exchange titled "HOT MAMA" swap. No it's isn't what you are thinking...it was all about your favorite "HOT" drink! My partner's favorite drink was hot chocolate. As the dead line approached my creative ideas were running on empty. I could not figure out what type of fabric to use. The fabric store carries all types of fabric with coffee and cappuccino printed on it, but nothing with hot chocolate. Then I came up with an idea. I scanned the internet and found a painting of a cup of hot chocolate with some knitting needles. Next step, off I went to my partner's blog. I wanted to find out a bit more about her. BINGO... She had three beautiful daughters!

The idea for my apron.

...MY FAVORITE THINGS....

I copied the photos directly onto some pre-washed muslin. I had been buying printable fabric in the quilting section at Joann Fabrics, until I saw Dawn's post at the FEATHERED NEST. It's easier to do and not as expensive. I printed up the words"Favorite Things" on my computer and copied the photo of her girls off her blog. PRESTO here's what came through the printer. Aren't the girls adorable!

Next I re sized the painting of the cup of hot chocolate and printed it out. I attached both photos with fuse able web and then appliqued lost of pink ribbon to the front of the apron. Oh by the way, did I mention that my partner's "Favorite Color" was pink?

My apron would not have been complete without a pair of matching dishwashing gloves. I know washing dishes does not qualify as a "Favorite Thing", but at least she'll be stylish while doing it!

I think that I filled all the requirements for the swap. Not your everyday type of apron, but when I create something I want it be special and a "Creation From My Heart"!

I've been busy this week getting ready for a craft show at my son's high school. I haven't done a show in years. Come back a visit, I 'll show you some of the items I made. If the show is slow, I may have a lot of items for my Etsy shop that I am going to be opening! "The sunshine that comes from your heart, is warmer than any that comes from the sky"...

Take a Chance...

Last week I finally put my fear aside and sent in my first two articles for BlissFul Home. I have been quite intimidated by all the writers, and put off submitting anything. I'm fairly new to blogging, and to top it off they do all their drafts in Word Press. Well last week I thought I would give it a try. Both articles are on Fall decorating. Well to my amazement they were published this weekend. I'd love for you to check them out and let me know what you think. Just click HERE and HERE to read them. I'm still a bit apprehensive, but I did submit two more articles. If you haven't checked out the Blissful website take a look. I have it listed under "Lovely Links" on the side bar. Just click on it and you will be amazed at all there is to read. If you crafts, "Creative Bliss" has some wonderful creative ideas.

Life affords us many opportunities. Sometimes we just need to take a chance and see where it leads us. No matter how scary it may seem. May your day today be filled with wonderful opportunities!

Give Thanks for Friends....

I got a wonderful gift from a friend yesterday. I had a craft class that Shannon attended. She brought me the holiday banner for my fireplace. I had commented on the banner I had seen in a photo of her house. What a Sweetie!!! She went and got me one, just like hers. I couldn't wait to come home and add it to my mantel decor.

I just love the colors and the saying... GIVE THANKS!! I added a few gold buttons on each letter of the banner. I don't know what it is, I always have to embellish everything.

The world of blogging can be so much fun. I met Shannon from my Apron group, "Apronista". We were partners in an apron swap which consisted of people all over the country. As God would have it, we were paired up. She only lives about 45 minutes from me! Instead of having my apron arrive via U.S. Postal service, Shannon hand delivered it to my house. Imagine my surprise! Since then we have gotten to know each other and that is something that I will

"GIVE THANKS" for. How beautiful A day can be when FRIENDSHIP touches it.

Fifty Years of Blissful Love....

Today I got to create a one of a kind gift for a dear friend's parents. It is their Golden Anniversary. Fifty Years of wedded bliss. My husband and I know the "Newlyweds". They are a wonderful couple who we have been blessed, to get to know. So it was my pleasure to create a keepsake that would capture a treasured moment in time. I was given a single photograph of the blissful day Fifty years ago, and asked to use this as part of my creation. What a sweet picture. Time passing by quickly... having children who are now grown....Grandchildren who will soon be having little ones of their own... where has the time flown....What abundant blessings that God has given them over the last fifty years.

What would I make???

Well, I started off with copying the photo. I crinkled it and distressed it. Then added my favorite Venetian Gold paint. Once done, I mounted it to some cardboard that I covered in a printed scrap booking paper. A little more gold paint and I had the beginning of the creation.

With the picture in hand, I headed off to Michaels Crafts. I was in search for the perfect frame. I saw it on the shelf. It was exactly what I was looking for. It was a "beefy" frame, not petite. I also liked that is was deep. My plan was to remove the glass and the cardboard behind the glass. Once I did it, it gave me an inset of about 1" deep so I could use it like a shadow box.

Once home, I got out the old buttons, some wonderful ribbon I had saved for something special and an antique key I had just purchased as the flee market last weekend! I mounted some printed paper on black matte board and added a few more gold highlights. The picture of the anniversary couple was then mounted and embellished with all the little treasures.

The word "Forever" was added. What a perfect word for fifty years of wedded bliss. I loved making this for my friend. It's wonderful to have the opportuntiy to share your creativity with others and be able to give them something that will become a treasure.

This project was truly was "A Creation From My Heart"... "You don’t marry Someone you Can live with. You marry The person Who you cannot Live without".