A Belated Happy New Year

Happy New Year!  I hope you were able to spend the holidays with those you love and that 2015 brings you lots of joy, happiness, laughter, and love.

We decided to go to Arkansas to spend Christmas with my family.  My mother asks me every year if we're coming and I felt like I needed to say yes this time.  One sister lives there and one sister lives in North Dakota and she was going to fly in.  I really wanted to give my mother a Christmas with all of us together since the last time was 1986!  It would have been great, but most everyone was sick and we never had the whole family together at once.  My sisters and I managed to be together long enough to take pictures the day after Christmas.

We still haven't had Christmas with Erin and Shylee.  But the tree and presents will be here when they are able to come.  It was just the strangest Christmas, but so glad to see my family!

Happy New Year!

xo Annette xo

Sewing Room Window Idea

*****The post for Where Bloggers Create 2013 is here*****

I'm thinking of using this fabric for a valance over lace panels for my sewing room window.  I get the late afternoon sun and I don't want blinds or shades to block out the sun or the view.  I'm thinking the lace panels will filter the light more than block it out.  The valance would add the pizzazz needed for a finished look.  What do you think?

I haven't been able to work in the sewing room this week.  I'm getting ready for a road trip to Arkansas on Friday.  I had to close the door to the room so I wouldn't be distracted from the things that HAVE to get done before I can leave!  Erin and Shylee are joining me and I'm so looking forward to a visit with my family.  Shylee is the only great granddaughter amongst five great grandsons, so it should be fun to see how that goes!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Life Happens....

 You know that saying, "while we're busy making plans, life happens".  My daughter Erin, Shylee and I were supposed to leave yesterday on a road trip to Arkansas.  Instead, Erin went to NY for a funeral and I've had Shylee since Saturday.  She was home all of 4 days before she came back to me!!

Remember last week when I had her?  You can read about it here.  This week has been so much better.  The tantrums have been only 2-3 times a day and I even ventured out with her on Tuesday because it was her birthday!  We went shopping for some new outfits and a booster seat for meal times since she doesn't like the high chair.  She will be leaving me tomorrow night which is a good thing because my husband gave me his cold and it's going to get worse before it gets better.

We celebrated Shylee's second birthday on Saturday.  She was the center of attention and loved every minute of it!!! 

If we go to Arkansas, we won't make it in time for the Bon Jovi concert.  I guess I can console myself with memories of the concert my sister and I went to almost 4 years ago!  Oh well.....there will be other concerts and other trips and I had a good time with my sweet pea this week!  Life happens and we refocus and go on.

Have a wonderful Thursday!!!

Mish Mash Monday

Here it is Monday again already!  I've been busy with Shylee all week while her parents went to a gaming convention and I'm on the verge of exhaustion!  She is busy, busy, busy doing the things toddlers do including throwing temper tantrums!  I'm talking screams that come close to shattering the windows, banging the head on the wall, floor, table or Grandma's leg, throwing herself on the floor and writhing, kicking, and thrashing about, throwing whatever her little hand can get hold of.  So we found a nice little corner for time out and she spends a good amount of time there!  These tantrums go on all day long.    Her mama is picking her up tomorrow!!!!!

Before Shylee came, I started on a pair of placemats and got one of them done.  I hope to finish the other one and list it in the Etsy shop by the end of the week.  This set coordinates with one of the dish towel dresses I made a while back.

If you have an Etsy shop, you should visit the blog All Things Tangled.  The Friday Feature features Etsy items that were submitted on Thursday when the theme for Friday is announced.   A couple of my things have been featured and it increased views in my shop!  It's also just a great blog!  

I hope it's not too late to tell you about a giveaway over at cabin + cub.  It ends today so hurry over and check out the cutest peel and stick, repositionable,  Dick and Jane bookplates.   These would be so cute in kids' books or even your own!!  And they can be personalized! 

After Shylee leaves, I will be getting ready for a road trip to Arkansas next week to visit family and go to a Bon Jovi concert!  I'm soooo excited!!!!!!!!!     

I hope you have a happy Monday!!!!

Blogtoberfest Day Twenty Three: Friday's Fabulous Finds

In honor of my mother and sister visiting this week from Arkansas, I found some fabulous finds from that great state.

State of Arkansas Earrings by FlutterByJewelryShop

Swinging Bridge at Beaver, Arkansas by kitkat92469

Arkansas Santa Ornament by designsbyangie

Stoneware Bowl by mountainhomepottery

Razorback Camo Crib, Toddler, Throw Quilt by AROE

Penetrated, Naturally Etched Arkansas Blue Phantoms by montgomerycrystalco2

I hope y'all have a fabulous Friday!