Got a little crazy ...

Okay, I realized that I haven't posted for over TWO months.  What can I say ... it's summer and life gets a little crazy.  First, I went on vacation with my hubby in June to Memphis, TN.  I've always wanted to see Graceland and I finally did it.  It was not what I expected -- smaller and totally 70s.  But, I must admit I got a little sad thinking about Elvis' life and how it ended so quickly.  He was a very handsome and talented man! 

We stayed at a lovely Bed & Breakfast in Hernando, Mississippi.  Check out my new profile picture -- that is my husband, Art, and I on the staircase in the Magnolia Grove B&B.  It was truly a wonderful place.  The hosts put out two pieces of homemade cake every evening for us to enjoy.  One night we sat out in the gazebo with our cake and a glass of wine.  It was very romantic except for the mosquitos!!

My second vacation was with my immediate family.  Every year my two granddaughters, Courtney & Megan, come down to the St. Louis area for a visit.  They are 16 and 14 and live in Monroe, Wisconsin.  They came to visit the last week in July.  We had so much fun shopping, swimming and painting our fingernails and toes with the new OPI Shatter polish!  We bought turquoise, purple/pink and, yes, even lime green polish and then painted the black or white "shatter" polish over the top.  Here are what my toes look like:

I'm really like the "shatter" look!!

I then drove back to Wisconsin with them. My daughter, son-in-law and their son (my grandson) (Melissa, Paul and Tyler) and my son, daughter-in-law and their son (my grandson) (Ryan, Leslie and Hunter) -- along with Courtney and Megan (also Ryan's two daughters) -- went to Door County, Wisconsin for our family vacation.  We stayed at the Bridgeport Inn in Sturgeon Bay, WI and had a wonderful time.  I even got to visit a yarn store in Sturgeon Bay.  I'll post about that another time!

When I returned to my daughter Melissa's home for the remainder of my stay, I got my haircut by her best friend, Tanya.  SHE talked me into the "feather."  So ... what do you think?  Everyone at work thinks I'm a little "funky" but I love it.  I also colored my hair to be more of a "black cherry" color.  The contrast of the purple spikes and the chartreuse/black feather are quite WILD!  I must say ... I got a little crazy on vacation!

Gracie & Mylah Bug

I've been enjoying my renewed hobby of knitting. I made many Christmas gifts for the family but I wanted to make some special items for my many grandchildren. Of the 12 grandchildren I have -- 8 of them are girls. It's easy to make cute little sweaters, dresses, hats, etc. for the little girls. I found a pattern for a 5-hour sweater. It looked easy so I gave it a try. I wanted to make it for Easter for my youngest granddaugher, Mylah, who is 20 months old. I actually would have got it done in about 6-7 hours but I found a mistake half-way through and I had to rip out a lot of it. That set me back and it actually took me 5 DAYS to finish the sweater!! Here is what my sweet little Mylah bug looked like wearing it:

Isn't she just the cutest little thing -- check out the little piggy tales!

After I was successful making Mylah's 5-hour sweater, I thought I would try a matching one for her big sister Grace who is 4 years old.  Unfortunately, I got busy with plans for our church's Easter Egg hunt and my monthly card classes so Grace's sweater took a little longer to make.  However, I got it done.  Isn't she a little ham!  She wanted to pose on my porch for her picture.   I think both the sweaters turned out adorable and, of course, so are the girls!

Thanks for stopping in. Leave me a comment if you like -- I always like to hear from my followers. Have a great week.

Linda

Easter Kisses

Look at the cute "kisses" I made my grandchildren for Easter. They are made out of Rice Krispie Treats. I can't remember where I saw the idea but I thought it was so adorable to make "Gram 'n Grampy Kisses for the little ones. They were very easy to make -- use the original Rice Krispie treat recipe, spray a large plastic funnel with cooking spray, either butter or spray your hands and mold the Rice Krispie treats into the funnel -- pressing firmly. I then placed them on waxed paper to cool and set. I wrapped the treats using the "non-stick" aluminum foil (just to be sure the foil didn't stick to the treats -- I didn't want the little ones trying to pick foil off of their delicious treats) and made cute little "banners" that read -- Gram 'n Grampy Kisses.

I made big ones for my grandchildren and little ones for our nieces and nephews that said "Grames Family Kiss."  Everyone loved the special Easter treats. 

I hope you all had a very Blessed Easter!

Linda

Goodbye October ... Hello November

It's hard to believe it is November already. Where did this year go?

I had a VERY busy Halloween weekend. I wanted to get pumpkin pictures up on October 31 with a blog title of HAPPY HALLOWEEN ... but I never even carved my pumpkins until Sunday afternoon! I say busy weekend because the town I live in usually has trick or treating two nights so I had one set of grand kids over on Saturday and another set on Sunday.

Here is the Saturday night crew (Cowardly Lion (Mylah 14 mons), Dorothy (Grace, almost 4), the Princess from Princess and the Frog (Amber, 4), Tinker Bell (Guinevere, 5) and the only boy, Superman (Ben, almost 3, being held by his Mom, Lauren, our daughter).

Sunday night Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion were still with us along with a Black Cat (Shannon, holding the Cowardly Lion), Leah and John (our children), a Fairy Princess (Ella, almost 5) and a Race Car Driver (a.k.a trash man -- Bubby, almost 4). We all had a fun time.

Each evening I made dinner for all kids and adults. Of course, I can't just throw hot dogs and chips on the table -- no -- I have to make special "Mummy Dogs" for the kids, a cauldron of Chili for the adults, "Bloody Worm Sandwiches" and lastly "Spider Bread" to go with the chili.

After all that the grand kids insisted that Grammy go with them trick or treating while Grampy stayed home and handed out candy. Needless to say after two nights of walking the neighborhood and cooking for a houseful, I'M TIRED!

Doesn't that look like an easy job?

Well, check out the pumpkins I carved with my little granddaughter, Grace. She didn't help much but her Dad did. This was my first "white" pumpkin (there's also a black/gray pumpkin underneath him) and I just love him -- don't you?


While I was out trick or treating, here is what my little "Lukey" was doing. The picture isn't that great and he looks like he is possessed but after all it is Halloween, LOL!!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all had a very HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Linda

Where's my Mama?

Okay, I went away last weekend for Mother's Day. Here is a picture of one of my dogs, Luke, that I found when I was going through some old pictures. Even though I took this picture last fall (see the leaves), this is what he does when I'm not home. He just waits for me at the door. Isn't he the cutest? It's so nice to come home to my dogs -- they are the best welcoming group!!!

Any way, my daughter, Missy, lives near Madison, WI and since I live in St. Louis, MO one of us has to travel on Mother's Day. Many times we try to meet in the middle for a "girls weekend." Bloomington, IL is half way between Madison and St. Louis. We had a great time last weekend. Bloomington has a nice mall and great restaurants so we did a little shopping and a LOT of eating. Missy treated me most of the weekend but Sunday we went to a fantastic Mother's Day brunch at the Parke Hotel. Check out the desserts!!!

I think we sampled all of them!!! Here we are before eating -- afterwards they just rolled us out of the hotel, lol!!!


I hope all of you mothers out there had a wonderful Mother's Day.

Linda

More of My First Design Studio Album

Here are the next four pages of my album. It was so easy and I love the way it turned out.

Added the word together to the layout. "Happy Together" reminds me of the old Turtles song -- that's not what they were playing on Rock Band!

I added the three brads and put layers behind the photos to bring out the red in the pictures. I think it pops!

More to come - stay tuned.

Linda

Remembering Summers' Past - Part 2

This is Courtney and Megan in August 2006. They loved the City Museum -- so many places to explore. Unfortunately, August in St. Louis is very hot so the activities outside were a little to hot to enjoy.

Something every girl enjoys is SHOPPING! We spent hours at St. Louis Mills -- it helped to keep us cool.


Scrapbooking is something I wanted to share it with Courtney & Megan. We decided that each year they visit we would take pictures of our time together and make a scrapbook. Each of them made their own mini album.

Check them out -- Courtney is a "butterfly and bling" sort of girl.

Megan is a sports nut. Two totally different personalities!

Here we are in Wisconsin when we took the girls home. I always hate the good-byes!!

Thanks for visiting my blog -- check out August 2007 tomorrow.

Remembering Summers' Past

I can't believe August is almost here. I'm looking forward to my two grand-
daughter's annual visit. It's a time that is very special to me and I get very excited the closer it comes. Courtney (14) and Megan (12) live in Wisconsin. I go back home about 4-5 times a year to visit all of my family who live in or near Madison. I have 4 grandchildren up there: Courtney, Megan, Hunter (4) and Tyler (13).

I was looking through pictures from the last few years and I wanted to share them. I noticed how quickly they have grown! This picture is from August 2005 when we went to the Magic House.

Here they are swimming at my daughter Leah's house. Her pool is always a big hit with the girls.

Thanks for stopping by. . . check back tomorrow for more pictures from other summers.

Happy 4th of July

I hope you all had a "sparkling" 4th of July. Unfortunately, here in St. Louis it poured rain most of the day. However, it stopped late in the afternoon and we were able to set off a few of our fireworks. It wouldn't be a 4th of July without little ones blowing bubbles and showing their excitement over the fireworks. We spent the afternoon at my step-daughter Leah and her husband Mike's home. It was supposed to be a "pool party" but the weather did not cooperate. Friends came over with their daughter Mia to play with my grandchildren Ella and Michael "Bubby."

Ella, Bubby and Mia playing with bubbles.

Mia and Bubby watching the fireworks.

My son-in-law Mike and his friend John are really just big kids.
Check out the fireworks they had for the evening!!

I tried to capture the "sparkling" event. Mike set up a "firework" launching area on the far side of the pool. It was perfect. The reflection of the fireworks in the pool was beautiful.

The evening ended with a downpour of rain just AFTER we had put everything away and went into the house!! We had a great 4th of July.

Crop the Night Away - Christmas

Tomorrow night is my monthly Crop the Night Away crop. I'm a little late putting up the layout -- just a little busy with all the holiday rush. These are pictures from Christmas 2006 (the only ones I could find that I printed). I was inspired by Julie's Blog. She has some awesome scrapbook layouts -- be sure to check out her blog. I think my version turned out cute.

It's a "Holly Jolly Christmas"

Still eating turkey and thankful

What a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a houseful of adults, teens and little ones. It was very noisy and crazy but I was so thankful for a loving family (and friends) to share a special day.

There were 26 people at our Thanksgiving tables. We had all the usual holiday dishes -- turkey, stuffing (3 kinds), mashed potatoes & gravy, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie (along with 4 other desserts). We were stuffed and a little sleepy after eating all the delicious food.

Just as we were enjoying the blissful L-tryptophan coma, our three teen niece and nephews plugged in the PS2 Rock Band. Now the noise level rose even higher, however, my grandchildren loved it and began to dance. Little Grace's (in the brown dress) nickname is "Rock Star" and she definitely lived up to it. She was twirling, dancing and screaming to the music.

After everyone left and the house was once again quiet, I reflected on my blessings. I'm thankful for my children, my 11 grandchildren, my home, my job that allows me to put food on our table, my husband and three dogs (yes, dear, I list you before the dogs!), our good health and leftover turkey. I'm thankful that Jesus Christ is my Lord and savior and continues to bless my life. All is good!

Reindeer and Little Girls

Have you ever heard a song on the radio and a memory comes flashing back? Well, that happened to me the other day. I've been listening to a local radio station that is playing all Christmas music 24/7. I know it's a little early but I LOVE Christmas music.

The song was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I hear that song by all different artists about 20 times a day. This particular version was by John Denver and the words go like this:

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)

Had a very shiny nose (like a light bulb)

And if you ever saw it (saw it)

You would even say it glows (like a glow worm)

All of the other reindeer (reindeer)

Used to laugh and call him names (like Pinochio)

They never let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)

Join in any reindeer games (like Monopoly)

Back in December 2004, my granddaughters, Courtney (then 9) and Megan (then 7) and I were decorating our Christmas cookies. Megan began singing that song. Well, I had never heard that version and I thought it was the cutest song. I kept telling them, "Sing it again." I quickly learned the extra words and we sang it together over and over. Each time we stopped we would giggle. It was such a special moment with my two granddaughters. Even with all the giggling and singing we still managed to decorate some cookies.

My sister, Teri, joined us and she sang with us and helped us decorate cookies. That's when we decided to take this picture of the three reindeer! It was such a fun day -- just being silly.


I hadn't thought about that song in years so when I heard it on the radio that wonderful, heart-warming memory came flooding back. I cranked up the volume on my car stereo and with a big grin on my face I sang along. It took me back for a moment to that day -- that day about reindeer and little girls!

I've Been Busy!!

I can't believe the last time I posted was October 31! I've been very busy getting ready for my Stamp Camp which was this last Saturday. I've also prepared for my "Crop the Night Away" which was the night before my camp. I know -- I'm crazy to schedule to events back to back and work full-time -- but everyone knows I'm crazy!!

I spent the entire week struggling with the "Thankful" theme for my Crop the Night Away (CNA). As you can see, I used the new Autum Vine DSP and the coordinating stamp set
Season of Friendship from the Holiday Mini Catalog. For the title I used my Cricut. However, the sketch I picked didn't use a lot of photo mats so to make it work for the class I needed to find photos to help my participants visualize the layout. Many times I design layouts without having photos. About Tuesday night I began looking through my digital photos but couldn't find any from family Thanksgivings past that would work. I wanted the layout to be about Thanksgiving but if some of my customers didn't have Thanksgiving photos it needed to be flexible enough to change. That's when I came up with my title "Count your Blessings." Blessings can take any form and come at any time. However, it is during Thanksgiving that we set aside time to reflect and thank God for all he gives us. I quicky tried to find pics of all of my six grandchildren that live in Illinois with me. The pictures are from the past year. Little Ben is now close to his first birthday so he has changed a lot!!

Well, it ended up taking the entire week to create -- I hated it at first -- now I think it may be one of my favorites. I've truly been blessed with all the children, step-children and grandchildren in my life.

What do you think?

A Fall Day with Guinevere

A few weeks back, my almost 4 year old granddaughter, Guinevere (Guin), stayed with my husband and I for the weekend. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and we decided to go to the park. Guin was hesitant at first to go done the slides. She seemed a little afraid of heights. But before long she had made a friend, Ella, who helped her go down the slide. However, Guin still didn't want to stand up and walk along the walkway between the slides -- she would crawl on her hands and knees. She was so cute.

Swinging was Guin's favorite. She kept telling me, "Higher, higher, Grammy!!" Apparently heights don't bother her on a swing. She swung with her friend Ella for what seemed like hours. We finally coaxed her off by telling her our next stop would be the pumpkin patch. That worked but she was all tears when she had to leave Ella. Guin told me she loved her and didn't want to leave her. I sure hope we can meet up with Ella again because they became such close friends that afternoon.

Guin enjoyed the pumpkin patch. It is a little farm just up the road from our house. She helped us pick out the perfect pumpkin for our front step and she got a "little spookie" for herself. It was a great day!


I didn't get any stamping done that weekend but it didn't matter. Time spent with my grandchildren is precious and I wouldn't trade it for anything. They grow up too quickly -- every moment with them is special.

Some of my favorite things

Spending time with my beautiful grandchildren. I never imagined how special being a grandparent would be. They keep me young -- from the babies and toddlers to the teens.

Meet Grace (21 mons.) and Michael ("Bubby")(22 mons.)

These beautiful children are from my husband's kids. Michael & Ella are brother and sister. Guin, Amber, Ben & Alyssa are siblings. Grace as of right now is an only child. We really had a baby boom begining in 2005!

Meet Guinevere (3 1/2 yrs.) & Amber (2 1/2 yrs.)

The best part of all is the time they spend with Grammy & Grampy -- especially one-on-one. But you can also imagine how much fun family gatherings are now. We get lots of little hugs & kisses!

Meet Gabriella ("Ella")(almost 3 yrs.) & Ben (10 mons.)



Alyssa is a good big sister to Guin, Amber & Ben. They love to play with her.

These are just some of the blessings God has given me. I love them all.

As you can see, I also love to take pictures of all of them which gives me plenty to scrapbook!!


Meet Alyssa (9 yrs)