Silent Sunday

Have a sensational Sunday!!!!

Oops!

I can't believe I deleted the code for my blog background.  I was trying to add something and instead deleted something else that had nothing to do with the addition.  Had I not been thinking about changing the look of my blog anyway, I would be much more upset than I am.  So for the next few days I'll be playing around until I find what I like.  Please excuse the 'mess' in the meantime!

Speaking of a mess, I came home yesterday and found this

It seems I left the bathroom door open and Annie just couldn't help herself from the temptation of a whole roll of toilet paper.  I found her under the dining room table looking guilty!

I'm babysitting my sweet pea this weekend.  I haven't seen her in 6 weeks and I think that's the longest I've gone without seeing her.  I am truly sorry for all the long distance grandmas out there.  My heart aches for all of you who aren't able to visit with your precious 'babies' on a regular basis.

Have you had an oops moment lately?  I'd love to hear about it so I don't feel alone!!!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Perseverence

Have you been watching the Olympics?  Have you heard the incredible stories of some of the Olympians?  Have you thought about what it takes to even make it to the Olympics?  I've been watching and hearing the stories and have been so inspired by the athletes.

There's not a single athletic bone in my body, but that's okay because a gold medal isn't one of my goals!  My goal is to have a thriving business doing what I love....sewing.  The athlete and I will go about reaching our goals in completely different ways, but I've learned from them what is needed most to get there.  We need commitment, determination, focus, motivation, self-discipline and perseverence among other things.

I've been surprised at the number of athletes who have been critically injured during training and yet came to the Olympics, competed and won a medal.  Many of them competing despite not being completely healed and still in pain.  There are athletes who have lost loved ones not only last year but during this past week.  Yet they went on to compete.  Like I said, I am so inspired by them.  They didn't give up.  Despite the life changing circumstances, they kept going, they persevered.

I was discouraged this past week but I haven't given up on my dream.  I may get sidetracked along the way sometimes but I know where I'm going and where I want to end up.  Today's words of wisdom are about perseverence.

The rewards for those who persevere far exceed the pain that must precede the victory.  
 ~Ted W. Engstrom

 What or who inspires you?  What will it take for you to reach your goals?

Mish Mash Monday

I have the best blogosphere buddies that a blogger could have!  Your comments on my last post were encouraging and so appreciated.  I came to the realization that I'm feeling discouraged with my Etsy shop and my blog.  I spend hours promoting both on the Etsy forums and see little in return for my time.  Having said that, I realize what I need to do...spend less time online and more time sewing.  It's as simple as that.  So I hope you will see more posts of things I've actually made and listed on Etsy!

I won this cute hedgehog pincushion in a giveaway by Sew Kim a couple of weeks ago.  Right after Kim notified me that I won, we had the back to back snow storms and I waited and waited, not so patiently I might add, for the little guy to arrive.  We were without mail for 10 days and he was in the first delivery when we finally dug out the mailbox!  I just love him!!!  Kim's Etsy shop is closed until the fall but you can read her blog here.

I started this quilt 2 years ago.  I made it to give to my daughter at her baby shower and this is how she received it.  Shylee will be 2 in April and I'm determined to finish it by then!  I finally started the quilting last week at craft night with my friend.  I'll be working on it in the evenings instead of being on the computer!  Right now I'm hand quilting but may end up finishing it with the machine.  I forgot how much I enjoy quilting!

 

This is the newest listing in the shop.  My favorite part is the buttons on this one.  I love the buttery yellow color and the texture.

Many thanks to Audrey at Audrey's Country Crafts for sponsoring Mish Mash Monday!  Head on over there and see what she is up to!

I hope you have a magnificent Monday!!!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Not Today!

After spending over two hours reading through hundreds of motivational, inspiring, funny, touching, famous, obscure and down right ridiculous quotes, I have no words of wisdom for today.  Nothing spoke to me.  I was not inspired or motivated. 

Do you ever wake up in the morning in a funk?  I'm not down or depressed, in a bad mood, unhappy, angry or feeling sorry for myself.  I just feel bleh.  I don't feel like doing anything but I want to do everything.  I want to go to the bookstore but I don't want to go anywhere.  Do you ever feel like this or am I alone here?
What do you do when you feel this way?

I may not have words to inspire you today but I will leave you with some awe inspiring photos!

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!!!! 

Cookies and Fabric

Last week when we were snowed in, I found a a recipe for cake cookies at Heaven Baked Sweets.  I couldn't resist trying them since the recipe was very easy.  All you need is a cake mix, 2 eggs and some oil.  It doesn't get much easier than that!  The first batch I made was with a lemon cake mix and were just beyond yummy!  Yesterday I tried them with a chocolate cake mix and I added peppermint extract....so so good!

Cake cookies

1 box cake mix (any flavor)

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1 tsp flavor extract (optional)

1 cup nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, etc (optional)

1 can frosting (optional)

Combine cake mix, eggs, oil and optionals (except frosting) in a large bowl;  mix well.  Spoon onto greased or lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Let cool and frost if desired.  Enjoy!

 

Not only did I bake cookies yesterday, I went to JoAnn's and got my fabric fix!  Between recovering from a tooth extraction and two snow storms back to back, I had the worse case of cabin fever and going to the fabric store was just the cure!!  I was like a kid in a candy shop!  Everything looked so tempting and I wanted a little bit of it all!  I finally settled on these gorgeous fabrics to make a dish towel dress, place mats, coasters , maybe napkins and maybe a fabric box to hold the coasters.  It's so exciting to have new fabric to work with....I just don't know what to make first!

When you've been cooped up inside for a longer than normal amount of time, what's the first thing you want to do? 

Love and What Kids Have to Say

Today is the day.  The one day of the year that is set aside for love.  The day we're supposed to tell the person or persons we love, just how much we love them.  For some, it's the day they wonder nervously if  the guy or girl they like will like them back....will they get flowers, a card, chocolates?  For others, it's the day they have been dreading because they know there will be none of those things. 

As a blogger friend said, 'there will be lots of crying today'.  I feel sad for the ones who believe romantic love is the only kind that matters.  Yet, I used to be one of them.  With time, comes the knowledge that love from friends and family matters just as much as love from a significant other.  I wish Valentine's Day was more about love in general so that everyone could be happy on this day.

Here is what kids have to say about love.....
♥ "If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." -- Glenn, age 7
♥ "Love is like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." -- John, age 9  
♥ "Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." -- Greg, age 8
♥ "Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife." -- Tom, age 5
♥ "It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." -- Kenny, age 7
♥ "One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." -- Ava, age 8
♥ "Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." -- Dave, age 8
♥ "When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
- Rebecca - age 8
♥ "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
- Billy - age 4

I hope today you know you are loved!  Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Friday's Fabulous Finds

Today's fabulous finds are two shops from Etsy!  With all the snow, cold, gloominess and cabin fever, the items in these shops can brighten your day!  They are colorful, bright and will bring a smile to your face!   

Gotmojo features 'silly, sassy signs and stuff'.  The handpainted signs covers everything from work to family to pets.  Other items in the shop include colorful art pins.  The tropical ones will remind you that there really is life beyond the snow!  Here is what you will find at gotmojo.

Getmojo is the newest shop and offers tile magnets, jewelry and other fun stuff!  This is what you will find at getmojo

Paula is the artist behind these shops and is also my friend.  We met through work and although we have both left the job, we continue to stay in touch.  Her personality really comes through in each of her creations.  Here is what Paula has to say:  

                         My love of crafts probably began with winning a ribbon in Washington state at the Walla Walla county fair at an early age for my Winnie-the-Pooh painting. I enjoy trying new crafts and the ability to let my imagination be the guide on different projects.

I believe in incorporating color and fun into my crafts and I hope they will brighten your day!

And I hope you have a fabulous Friday!!!!!!

Cabin Fever and Snapdragons

I have cabin fever and am going stir crazy!  My crazy friend and her daughter have finally snapped!!!!!

 

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

It's blizzarding here again today.  I was looking for a quote about snow but I wanted to find something about love since Valenitne's is Sunday.  Imagine my surprise to find one about both! 

“The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them: there ought to be as many for love.”  ~Margaret Atwood

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Mish Mash Monday...Blizzard, Dish Towel Dress and More

The blizzard is over and we're still digging out.  I think we should invest in a snow blower because we would never need it if we actually had one!  This is what it looks like in my little part of the world.

I was thrilled to find a tutorial for making a dish towel dress that showed a much easier and faster way of making it than I was doing.  So for the first time I made this one in about an hour!  I'll be listing it in the shop today after taking better pictures!

The winners of the Felt Smack Down were chosen and you can see them here.  If you scroll down from there you will see all the entries.  There were some amazing and fun projects submitted.  I'm so glad I didn't have to choose a winner!

Mama's Little Treasures is giving away a free ebook for a crazy patch journal cover during the month of February.  This would be great for any kind of book, photo album or scrap book you might want to cover or personalize.  Just leave a comment on her blog letting her know you would like to have one!                                                            

Whatever you're doing today, I hope you have a Marvelous Monday!

I'm Honored

Last week I was given this wonderful award by T. over at Poppy Place PDX.  Her blog is on my daily must read list because she is always postive and inspiring.  I'm honored that she would choose my blog to receive this award.  Thank you so much T.!!!

As a recipient I am to share 7 things about myself that you may not already know!  Here goes:

1.  I love driving and taking road trips.  This started when I was a young child and hasn't become old yet!  However, my body has gotten older and I get stiff so I have to stop and stretch more often!

2.  I am terrified of flying (see #1).  I haven't flown since 1991 when we flew back to the states after living in Germany for over 3 years.

3.  I can't swim.  If the water is over my head I panic and sink.  I discovered this in 7th grade gym class!

4.  I was born on Mother's Day. 

5.  I believe in fate and everything happens for a reason. 

6.  I have entered the Pillsbury Bake-Off twice.  I'm determined to win before I die!

7.  If I could change 1 thing about myself, I would be fearless.  I'm afraid of too many things and it gets in the way of living sometimes.

The next thing I have to do is pass this award on to 7 other blogs.  I can't do that!  Over on the right is a list of my favorites  and I can't won't choose just 7.  They're all my favorites for different reasons, so I pass this award on to all of them!  Feel free to copy, follow the instructions and pass it on!

I hope you all have a super Sunday!  We'll be digging out from the blizzard and watching the game tonight...Go Saints!!!!  What are you doing today?

 

Friday's Fabulous Finds and Mystery Project Revealed

It's snowing....again!  I live in Maryland and this is the beginning of what is supposed to be 1-2 feet of snow!  Since we're going to be stuck inside, I thought I would find something on Etsy that would make staying indoors fun!  Here's what I found.

You can play games

Naturalchess-Walnut from Naturalchess

You can try a new craft

Sheep Needle Felting Kit from Bear Creek Designs

You can drink steaming mugs of hot chocolate

1 lb. Original Hot Chocolate Mix from Teton Cocoa Company

You can put on an apron and cook up something warm and wonderful

Green Toile Hostess Apron from The Empty Nest

You could write your friends a note on tropical note cards

Island Style Tiki Hut Note Cards from lisabongzee

So it looks like I'll be snowed in but busy!!

And here is the mystery project with the beautiful fabric.  If I was giving out prizes, Audrey would win for her guess of placemats!

Whether it's snowing where you are or not, I hope you have a fabulous Friday!!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom and a Grilled Grandma

I'm so honored to be this week's featured 'Grilled Grandma' over at Grandma's Briefs.  This is a weekly feature on Lisa's blog and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.  Grandma's Briefs is on my daily read list and I hope you will go over there and see why!

Today's quote isn't so much words of wisdom but more of a revelation!  It's something you can't possibly

know and understand until it happens to you!  All you grandmas out there know what I'm talking about!

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild. ~Welsh Proverb

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!!!

Sneak Peek...What Will It Be?

This is what I'm working on but I can't tell you yet what it is!  I've been kicking around ideas for different items to sew up for the Etsy shop but nothing was really exciting me until I saw this fabric.  I had to have it and I knew exactly what I was going to make with it!  The finished item will be revealed by the end of the week!

Does anyone want to guess what it is???

Mish Mash Monday

It's Mish Mash Monday again!  Here's what was going on this past week.

                

I made this dish towel dress for my Etsy shop and decided to keep it for myself!  I actually had quite a few problems with it and the end result just wasn't something I felt I could sell.  So now I have my very own dish towel dress!! 

I had a tooth pulled on Thursday and I hope I never have to do that again!  What an ordeal just to keep me calm enough to numb my mouth!!!!  I am a baby when it comes to the dentist and this visit was no exception.  You can read about my last visit here

.

I think these bookends are just awesome!  I got them from the Etsy shop Adirondack Metal.  They make the coolest signs, bookends, hooks and other fun items.  Now I'll be able to keep my reference books within reach of my sewing machine!

I've added a new feature over to the right.  "The recipe file"  is a list of recipes I've shared in past posts and I've included a link to each one.  Let me know if you try one of the recipes and how you like it....or not like it!

There's a giveaway over at Devon's Quiet Corner!  If you love pink, you'll love this giveaway!!  Head on over there to see how to win and what the fabulous prize is!

That's all for this edition of MMM.  Have a marvelous Monday!!!