Spring cookies and climbing a tree (retold)

Nope, not crazy - just WAY behind on blogging and hate to overwhelm you in one layout with like 50 pics. Here are some I didn't post about when Taylor spend the night during Spring Break. We made cookies (well I made and then they decorated) I was so happy to have had bunny rabbits and some gel and sprinkles. Taylor was very clear on her color palette. I will save you the play-by-play but here are Abbi's finished bunnies.

They enjoyed themselves and for the most part they still resembled bunnies when it was all over.

Here they enjoyed a "pushie ride" (Braden's term from when he was small) Involves big kids pulling the little ones on the hard wood. LOTS of laughs!

Followed by a fun game of hide and seek. I don't usually recommend this in the house but the kids did great with it. I loved that Taylor didn't peek and was just so patient with her counting.

Here is one of Daddy helping her up the tree. He was so careful and was worried she would fall. Scraped his foot pretty bad trying to get down before she made her way down.

Sweet, Sweet, Sweet!

Dear Family - hope you enjoyed these!

Quick Sympathy Card

Just a quick card for today. This went to one of our teachers at school. Basic but I used a grey background and then some older GCD Studios papers. Love reversible paper because it usually coordinates so well with the opposing side. I did one thing here that I am not normally into - I cut out a "flower" and then layered it (basically matted it) and then for a extra touch used the bezeled jewel brad. (FYI - these cause higher postage cost but in this case it was totally worth it!) So if you're thinking of someone today - tell them! Happy Weekend:)

Half-a-Dress!!!

Yeah - two days in a row (but don't get used to it!) Just kidding - I am however getting into a groove again after the ridiculousness that last Saturday was - more on that in another post! About a month or so ago, I decided I was finally gonna do a fashion remake on one of Abbi's dresses. Now please imagine that I took this picture prior to actually cutting the dress. I measured how much length I needed based on her height. She is tall and it is super hard to find things that are long enough without being ridiculously big all over (must be liking the word ridiculous about now) So I measured that length and added a couple inches for the waist seam/elastic, etc. Folded it over, made a pocket, inserted elastic and..... Wala! A new skirt for Sunday. She got a new white cardigan and tank to go with it and it took this originally fallish dress and made it a skirt! I have to say she was excited and I was pretty proud as well. I hate wasting things! Even used the original tie-backs to make this cute hair rosette!

Sorry the pics are not the best - gonna start a class the next three Mondays to learn how to use MY camera! Woo Hoo - early Mother's Day or Birthday gift for me:)

Showers of Love - hee he!

I know CHEEZY title - couldn't resist! I won't bore you with what caused it to take FOREVER to blog these (or any other) pictures. I will just shut-up and let you enjoy them. My lovely sister was married on March 19th and these are photos from her bridal shower. It was sweet and intimate with a real focus on what really makes marriages work which was very refreshing. She's joining a father with his three children and we know there will be some tough days ahead ... but the cleaning products around her home will remind her just how to handle her man! Here she is with her cake.

Purple was the color!

A real show of love from her friends.

The mother-in-law and daugher to be (well already are now!)

The bride and Mrs. Holly - the "Jill of all Trades!"

Teresa - hope you enjoyed these and sorry I am soooo far behind!

New Endeavors (and an easy card!) and a sneak peek!

So, this won't surprise most of you, but I am NOT a fry-girl! I have never event attempted fried chicken, the closest thing is a pan saute. But lately I'm trying to be a big girl and take on things that I normally would say "ehh, that's too much work" and try it. So because my dear boy loves fried shrimp I thought I would try this Rachel Ray recipe. Cast iron skillet and all!


They were dusted with poppy and sesame seeds as well as garlic salt and pepper.


Kinda tasted like a kicked-up version of Captain D's. Cornbread wasn't too great - no flavor even with added cheese - neede some jalapenos. But the rest was a huge hit and they can't wait to do it again.


And an easy card - white base, three varying sizes of circles, and a sentiment. This went to my niece who had a sweet boy in January - Eli.

WARNING: Total Cuteness Alert - if you can't handle cute - close this out now!

Taylor got to spend the night since it is Spring Break (for my kiddos at least!) and poor Tori had to stay home cause she had "diarina" (diahrrea for the rest of us) and vomitting -poor thing!

When Daddy came to pick Taylor up, it took Tori a bit to warm up and she still kept saying "i don't want a picture!" but Aunt Stacey snuck a couple in anyway. Here is my fav - LOVE that face!

Taylor just couldn't stand being a by-stander as Braden climbed the tree - before you know it there were three monkey's in the tree at once - I'll make you wait til next post to see which ones those were!

Moral - don't be afraid to try something new - you just might like it! Happy Tuesday:)

Where in the Sam Hill's Have you Been?

That's what my mother used to say when she hadn't been able to locate me - that's what you might be saying since it's been so long since I've posted. Several, several things keeping me busy and here are a few.....

Wonderworks field trip. That's us in the picture - he loved changing the screen.


A birthday party with Sweet Bella - you can't get a better face!

Except for maybe this sweet one!!! (I might, just might, be a little partial?!?)

Here is my latest sold project - camera strap cover with zebra fabric and a ruffle. My first ruffle and it too had it's learning curves but it was cute in the end.

Close up - of course the camera never gets the colors exact - ugh!!!

In the midst of all this is church, bridal showers (pics posted later), work, volunteering, etc. The big day is in just 9 days (if I'm counting right) and 10 days til my vacay. Spring Break, who needs Spring Break - Teresa and I are both going on Honeymoons (to separate places of course) so we won't mind working through Spring Break to get to that magical day!

Happy Friday (early!)

$8 - SERIOUSLY!!!

So, I make cards because I love to do it! It's a quick, creative burst that let's my friends know "She really cares enough!" Whatever enough is? Anyway, So this one was for the kid's friends birthday a few weeks back. Cute, with layers, and some rub-ons and Thickers (who doesn't love thickers?) and if I love ya enough to use them on your card - then I love ya! Ha Ha!



This however is a very distant secondary reason for making cards - $8.04! REALLY?!?! YES!!! I meant to make a card, time got away (very seriously away from me!) and so on the way to a party on Saturday I asked David to pick up the card I almost bought Friday night and decided I would make one. So I sent him in after it - when he came out he said "You really should make your own cards! I had no idea it was $8 or I never would've told him to get that one! Anywho - hope you are inspired to save $ and use "old" stash to make your next card.


Happy Tuesday!