123 lavender lollipop lane

haPPY...

2012-02-29T07:33:00.010-06:00

LEAP DAY!!!

Seems like only last leap year...

and now it's almost....MARCH...
I have discovered that my blogging abilities are sorely lacking... oh where did the days go that i could blog every day? Of late..the hours have been locked into the creation of Maddysen's 5th grade yearbook.... Her class voted on having a MILITARY theme...for the overall feel...

wait........M-I-L-I-T-A-R-Y???!!! (cover design was voted on by the 5th grade classes)I do pink...i do glittery...i do...lots of even BOY pages...but Military? I may be redesigning camoflague by the time this project is over..lol...

We don't actually have a military base, post etc...here in wisconsin... Kevin did serve in Iraq....but other than National guard..little recruiting offices...NADA...

We got to thinking how this was going to pan out...then Shannon brought up that this fifth grade class...are actually 911 babies....Maddysen was just over 3 weeks old when it happened...and oh how it changed the world...

It's taken quite a bit of thinking..but I think I have come up with designs...where each child will have a unique page...

I will rearrange each page...using military elements. I have asked the principal to write a "letter to the troops" with good wishes... We have asked each parent to submit photos to showcase the kids elementary school 'career'. Hmmm...been getting somewhat of a response...but if they don't send the after three reminders...the child will get a bigger 5th grade photo on their page. Now just how to fit 10,000 photos of Maddysen on HER page...lolol...

Maxx and I came home from shopping and I was carrying in the groceries and he perched himself on the toybox in the backyard. I asked him if he was tired or his leg was hurting..and he replied, "no, nonnie, i'm waiting for you to take my PICTURE!!"

NOW HOW COULD I REFUSE!! afterall...the boy has his OWN MONEY AND ALL...

Maxx had his muscle biopsy this month...and we are waiting on the results...won't hear anything until March 24th...... but since we have been waiting for over a year and a half now...a couple more weeks...(while we are anxious) will be tolerable..

Xander came over the other nite...and I got to take a new photo of him with Maddy..

We also paid a visit to the Milwaukee County Domes on Monday.

We took some new pictures of Logan and Lavender...

logan is a bundle of energy...well, heck...he's almost 3! And Lavender is a cutee patootee...and rocks those outfits...lol

Speaking of outfits...I did get some sewing time in...and finished up this sweet
'bapron' (it's a bib apron combo!) And it's a FREE TUTORIAL HERE..

And I also did a pattern test for Brynnberlee Designs.

I used a vintage button for the center of the snap off flower.

and a little outfit for a sweet new baby...

The weather has been so strange this winter...we did manage to get 4" of snow last week..but out totals are way way way...(did i say way?) below average. Today it is forcasted to be in the UPPER 40'S LOW 50'S! oh goodness....break out the bikini's...

Gotta go play MILITARY..now...I have it planned out to create a new page a day...although perhaps I will do the side by sides in a day..that way i know they will coordinate...

Blog soon...(sure...yeah RIGHT...LOLOLOL)

HUGZ til later!

happy monday evening!!!

2012-01-30T18:59:00.003-06:00

First and formost....

Check out the sweet vintage jewelry on ebay right now that my Brother in law has listed!! Auctions close tomorrow...so hurry and scoop up some lovelies!!!

How has my blog world been doing? Me? busy busy busy....between the kids schedules...and sewing...and that PINTEREST thing....doesn't seem to leave many blogging hours....

Just checking in to make sure everyone is doing well....

hugz til next time!!!

where has the time gone?

2012-01-19T12:10:00.003-06:00

I can TELL YOU.....

PINTEREST! The ideas, the inspiration...the OH EM GEE...if i spent the amount of time that I spend on PINTEREST....on creating...I'D GET A TON MORE of these things done!!!!

How many of you...go onto pinterest and find that the clock has swung around the dial...way to many times...? How many of you actually MAKE the stuff you find? I have made some things...but tend to find myself...sitting by the computer...drooling...over all the glorious art...and ideas that HAVE BEEN OUT THERE....but just not known!

...and that's all I have to say about THAT! (well except...anyone need an invite? i mean...WHY should i go it alone? see you all on the boards! good thing those pins don't stick!!)

on the seventh...............eighth...............ninth.....

2011-12-15T13:57:00.000-06:00

tenth AND ELEVENTH! WHERE HAVE THE LAST FIVE DAYS GONE?? (you'd think it was Christmas or something!)My apologies to these WONDERFUL ARTISTS!!! i DORTLED....The seventh day gift was lovingly created by one of the sweetest ladies on the planet!!!Vivian (although sometimes known as Veronica...which brings visions of Scooby to mind...hee hee)created this sweet lil snowguy....! So stinkin adorable! (did you all know she is gonna be a grandma again but this time to a lil baby GIRL!!!? (TORRIE...her adorable grandson just turned one!)

and on the eighth day of holiday fun...Corrine created this spectacular banner...(if you remember back from a couple of posts..THIS IS THE GIFT that wanted to be opened FOURTH!!! Well what a beauty!! ...and it now graces my front window curtain!!!

on the ninth day of the 13 days swap....Hope made this lovely girlie pin that actually MATCHES a new scarf I got!!! She will grace it long after the holidays are packed up!!! Just look at the detail in that sweet face!!!

the TENTH DAY Terrie Lightfoot made this sparkly spool of MAGNIFICIENCE!!! The lights from the room and tree catch the tiny prisms of glitter!!!

and on the ELEVENTH DAY...Linda Morgan made this little steampunk baby!!! (and it's LAVENDER!!!) HOW APPROPRIATE!!! (FOR ME ANYWAY...LOL) I gasped when i saw her!!!

made this little steampunk baby!!! (and it's LAVENDER!!!) HOW APPROPRIATE!!! (FOR ME ANYWAY...LOL) I gasped when i saw her!!! THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! This swap has been just a delight!!! Still got two more days to go and the anticipation of opening a little piece of each of your hearts makes mine sing!!!and to convey...what i'm feeling...

I DOUBLE LOVE EACH OF YOU!!! (thanks, maxx for helping!)

on the SIXTH day of Christmas...

2011-12-10T07:16:00.001-06:00

What more can anyone ask for...

WISHING JOYWISHING PEACEWISHING LOVEday SIX...

AND MORE JOY ON THE FLIPSIDE!!! Martha this sweet glass heart is so beautiful!!!THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!! It dangles with so much sentiment for the season!!!The time is rushing thru my fingers...with yet SO MUCH to do... Now we KNOW it's coming...why don't I prorate the work..and get it done sooner..lol....ahhh...tis the season...HUGZ...til tomorrow..(goodness...i have blogged more this week...than i have ALL YEAR!!! (it CAN be done...and i'm taking note of it!)

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS...

2011-12-09T08:12:00.003-06:00

As I mentioned on the group....the pause in the song...made the fifth day so special! Made you take notice...well heck...it's about GOLDEN RINGS!!! But on THIS fifth day...our gift was created by Patti Gramza!

It's so hard to tell from my photo but the cone was lovingly constructed using layer of fabrics with sweet treasures buried within!!!! It is sooo beautiful!!! In the package was a package of clear stamps...and some shiny rhinestone stickers!! AND A CANDY CANE!!! YUMMMMM...

I've met Patti once...(did you know she lives just the other side of town from me??)

Patti's gift was wrapped in a piece of muslin..that will have to become another one of these....babies!!!!

a girl could get addicted to having a lovely package to open everyday, ya know!!!

hmm...wonder what splendor awaits us TOMORROW!!!?? It's getting so that I want to stay up til midnight to make it LEGAL TO OPEN A NEW ONE!!!

HUGZ TIL THEN!

On the fourth day of anticipated loveliness...

2011-12-08T10:26:00.001-06:00

well it began with an...

OOPS....the number four sticker...plopped itself on the number EIGHT package!!!! Guess it doesn't want to wait, eh?? lol

HERE IS THE CORRECT package!!! Created by Leslie Brier!

...it's sooo beautiful!! THANK YOU, LESLIE!!!

Here is Leslie's sweet ornament in it's home!!! (and the snowman just below is one my son, robbie, made in kindergarten!)

Maddy's Concert was quite wonderful...(not that i'm prejudice or anything! lol) Good thing she wore that big white flower so she is easy to pick out!!!

...AND maddy had quite the "fan" in the audience! Maxx's performance is the week before Christmas!

each day that we meet, brings new surprizes and moments of wonder...CHERISHING THEM....AS they too will pass oh ever too quick...

HUGZ TIL TOMORROW!!!

on the third day of Christmas...

2011-12-07T11:59:00.001-06:00

sweet Elizabeth made for us...

I pause this announcement to give a
HUGE
THANK YOU
to our fearless wonderful lovely hostess, Elizabeth, who IS the mostest!!!

...back to our regularly scheduled blog post...(which HAVEN'T BEEN REGULAR!)
Elizabeth created a magnificient work of art using materials she already had! She created some amazing sun tatooed fabrics and used vintage fabrics and lovely antique buttons to create...

day number 3's work of ART

THANK YOU AGAIN!!
now on to day 4!!!

HUGZ til then!

on the first day (and second day)...

2011-12-06T14:16:00.001-06:00

of Christmas...my true loves gave to me....

Back a couple of months, sweet Elizabeth, posted if anyone was interested in participating in a 12 days of Christmas swap. Time has flown by and we are now in day 2 of our 13 days of Christmas! 13 because we were blessed with an extra participant..and who can say no to one more sweet giftie!!! Besides...13 makes us UNIQUE!

Here are all the gifties under the tree, waiting patiently to RIP into them!!!

The pressure was on....I WAS DAY 1!!! So I wrapped my gifties (because I couldn't stop at one...lol)

Inside my little box package was:

a glass snowman globe...

and...

a snowflake fabric cuff! (they also fit around a starbucks cup...lol)

day 2 (which I got to open on the same day as 1 because I was watching Lavender and Logan when the whistle blew signaling the opening to commence!)

Day 2 was lovingly created by Mary Zimany! I actually got to meet Mary IN PERSON for REAL in October at Art-is-You!!!

She created this LOVELY ornament...so many details...(my photo does not do this justice!!! It's a little tin embellished with inks, images and so much sweetness...filled with sparkly goodness it IS peace on earth!!!

here is the ornament on the tree!!! (all the ornaments on this tree are handcrafted...over the years!

I made this Christmas greeting for Maddy and Maxx

...and here are Logan and Lavender...on a Christmas card I created for them! They are getting so big!

and here are Kaleigh's boyfriends three little ones

..this is Kaya

this is Lydia...

...and this is Mason

...and of course Xander, Maxx and Maddy!

Hoping everyone is taking time from the rush and stress of the season...to enjoy the moments!

HUGZ til next time!

GET THYSELF OVER TO....

2011-10-15T07:21:00.000-05:00

JENNY AND AARON'S

A.S.A.P.!!!!
They are giving away....yep FREE....a cuttlebug!!! (now since I REALLY WANT TO WIN IT....) you don't actually HAVE to sign up...but I GUESS in the spirit of all's fair in love and cuttling...go ahead...(you can just send it to me...if you win) Muhahahaha.....I'm in a really evil mood today...lol...must be the season...and LOOK...LOOK LOOOK...I'M actually creating a blog post just for this!!! (hmmm....only after TWO MONTHS OF ABSENCE!!!)

HEAD on over...there....(casting that MOM GLANCE that throws FEAR INTO THE HEARTS AND MINDS...of my kiddos...)

MWAH..AND HUGZ TIL LATER...

ALMOST TIME!!!

2011-08-16T09:20:00.000-05:00

funny....when i typed in the title above...and began....ALMOST....it popped up a finishing word to the line...and it read..."ALMOST SUMMER" where the heck did it go? summer that is...how do i let time slip away....and trying to remember is not as easy as it was....say....yesterday...lol...

heck...STATE FAIR IS HISTORY (that was always the signal for the new school year for me)

The kids are readying themselves for school...Maddy will be in FIFTH GRADE!!! and Sirr Maxx will begin...4K...and Xander will be in FOURTH!!! wow... I know many of you have watched them grow up on here...such technological kids... This begins the ONLY YEAR they will be together in school....for their school career... Guess that means no little brother "bothering" her...lol...or creating havoc drooling over her friends...

or perhaps...

how could he BOTHER..her...look at that "innocent smile" HA!

Maddy is coming down from a summer where her team won the West Allis championship fastpitch softball league! The got to play at the Brewers Miller park in a little league stadium where the original county stadium was.

and robbie was a volunteer assistant coach for her team..thinking he ENJOYED the championship dousing...lol

This friday is Maddy's 10th birthday...TEN YEARS...she wasn't even a month old when 9-11 happened....seems like forever...and then again...seems like a blink....

She keeps climbing to new heights..

...and maxx keeps racing along...

with his medical issues....heading in for an EMG/NCV test..on Sept 8th...it involves ALOT of "shocks" (shots) so they are sedating him...prayers needed.

Maddy and Xander will be starting a new bowling league..in september..so we went to practice a bit..

"big buddy" and fav uncle, Robbie has volunteered at the bowling center to coach the younger teams! So he came along to get a jumpstart on coaching...he is AMAZING with teaching kids...

Just over a MONTH til I head to ART-is-YOU in Connecticut!!!

..and with THIS post...THE NEXT POST WILL BE 400...and someone who has posted from the last post til the next will win a OOAK halloween art doll!!! So leave me some love...

BIG HUGZ til next time...

just not..feeling it today...

2011-08-02T14:03:00.000-05:00

..but this does count as another post...moving toward that 400th...and the giveaway...
i try to be upbeat on here....and a happy camper...(NO THAT DOES NOT MEAN I'M LIKING CAMPING...for the record...lol)
but....
just when you gather a bit of wind beneath your wings....a truck goes by..and sucks the air...right out from under them....and CRASH....down ya go....

life isn't playing fair right now....at all....

hugz til next time....

ta! da!!!! (and a giveaway..)

2011-07-30T08:16:00.002-05:00

sounding the trumpets...carrying on like a school girl...yep...WAY UNDERESTIMATED my bloggability...this summer... I thought for sure...this easy-going-got-NOTHING...(i snicker here) to do summer...i could prepare a long tall glass of lavender (is there ANY OTHER KIND??)ice tea...and bloggy for hours.... Well best laid plans quickly get whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooshed to the side...don't they?

Even as the saying goes...corn kneehigh by the fourth of july...didn't quite make it..but if you'd throw in there...AUGUST...we MADE IT!!!

My bits of time quickly were compacted and filled the hours...bits of time to do sewing...firefly catching...

bits of time to have babies come to play....

bits of time to watch the early nighttime hours thru the wired links in fences....

...AND Maddy's team is going to the championships in a game played at the Brewers Miller Park little League stadium! GO SLUGGERS!!!

Bits of time that if we pause too long...the dust will cover our feet..

bits of time to hold tiny Lavender babies as they slept...

...because as we all know babies have that magical way to grow ever so quickly and soon we witness them zipping by...unable to stop...them...from growing again and again...

and soon they are about to turn TEN...TEN!!!???? Where did those moments go??

just know that even with the tiniest fingers...learning..growing...exploring...with each and every gesture...they are saying

I LOVE YOU....just read into it!

can't promise...a post soon....could happen at any time...because we have to grab hold of those bits of time...and use them....as best we can! HUGZ...til next time!

BUT....THOSE THAT LEAVE A COMMENT...WILL BE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING...FOR A SPOOKYLICIOUS...halloween ART DOLLIE....between NOW and my impending 400TH POST!!! (and that's only 3 away!!)

i lost it.....

2011-07-03T10:26:00.001-05:00

i was on such a roll, too...thought for sure i'd post more.....if i challenged myself...just didn't happen....last post was june 8...here it is JULY 1!!!! GEEZ...

Today is Shannon and Kevin's 11th anniversary...seems like yesterday!

It also would have been my sister, Pat's 69th birthday...miss her sooo much!

Today Danielle called me...and gushed..."i'm so proud of Xander!" before she could get anything else out of her mouth...seems he came running into the house...to grab his bucket of fishing worms...and dani asked him what was going on....he said he had found a little pink bird....and it must be hungry....(very tiny bird...baby) when he got back downstairs...the teenage neighbor boys..were messing with it...in NOT a good way.....and xander stood up to them....and said they had to leave it alone...he would take care of it...they got the worms away from him and dumped them out..."let your birdie get it's OWN worms..." well he ran back into the house and grabbed a box to put it into...and told dad...dad came out with him and upon the teens seeing damien...they gave xander the bird...and told him.."here's your bird..." damien and xander rushed it to the wildlife perserve building...and they took the birdie in and said they'd keep xander posted...SO PROUD OF YOU XANDER...FOR HELPING THE HELPLESS...

I did a bit of sewing also...for Brynberlee Designs...testing one of her latest patterns...

kaya loves it!!! i'm gonna make up a couple more...for some sweet girls i know...school will be here before we know it!!! thinking a bit of a heavier weight fabric!

rummaging...finds...found this wilton caddy...retails for 65.00 at joann's...for 5.00 and it had decorating tips in it!!!

and then from under the table at the same sale...came a plea...take me home too!!! xander will LOVE ME!

score!!! $3.00 and the machine was RIGHT...he loves it!!!

Well blogland...sorry for the long expanse of time...i can promise to come back sooner...and i will try...

big hugz til next time...

june fun...and frolic...

2011-06-08T14:00:00.001-05:00

not to mention heat and humidity!

It's Wisconsin...we went from brisk fall like temps...to 90 degree + temps...

It's the last week of school...and Maddy is now a full fledged Safety Crossing Cadet! (That means moving into FIFTH grade!)...OK..SO HOW MANY OF YOU OUT THERE REMEMBER HER AS A B-A-B-Y???? and now we have only one more year at the school she is in...(the ONLY in her whole school life...she will be with Maxx)
(she was TRYING to hide from her ~~CRAZY-CAMERA-PACKIN~~

..AH I MEAN proud nonnie...as she carried her sign out to her post)

First day of duty done...and she gets in the car and goes, "nonnie, my belts too big..(gotta be a fashion thing) and it's HOT...MY POST IS IN THE OPEN SUN!!!

She does wear that belt well....and could very well be an ad campaign for SAFETY PATROL! LOL

Gonna make another sister or brother bear...like this oldie but goodie...from a few years back....who resides in California...

This last weekend...we went to the Milwaukee County Zoo...this season they have a new feature...A butterfly experience...
The Zoo crew was so helpful with making sure each person got to hold a butterfly..especially the kids!!
The Crew showed each person how to approach a butterfly to get it to sit on your hand...

...we were so suprized that maxx held not one but several he WILL NOT HOLD A WORM...but he will fish...perhaps thats why his imaginary buddy, BOB...the ladybug..is just that IMAGINARY...

Little Miss Lavender....she is getting more and more sweet every day!
...the BIGGER THE BOW....the better the NONNIE!

AND Logan is settling in as being the BIG BROTHER...well trying to...he stands on his front porch calling me to come get him...(they live across the street)

Maxx is so ready to play baseball...still waiting on his Gait lab results...they said it would take six weeks...it's been three...

we've been practicing...

...and practicing

and practicing...

He may not be able to run well..but the boy can sure WHACK 'EM!

with summer comes the carnivals..this one was at Xander's school...
Maddy transformed into a butterfly...

Working on this Jewel Sparkles dress for a sweet little one I know...who adores her Jewel Sparkles Lalaloopsy!
Here is Jewel...

...and here is what i made...

I had to adapt it from several patterns....and a bit of ingenuity...

and then...we went to an estate sale...and usually estate sales are run by antique dealers in this area..and we avoid them because the prices are well...HIGH...but this one was in a block rummage..and run by the kids of a mom that had passed....i selected a couple of lace doilies...and she asked what I had planned for them...she was sooo excited her mom's things she had made were going to be remade into other things..that she gave me the rest of the pile!
and the runner will be PERFECT on my kitchen table! (sorry, shan) lol

..i can cross off the bird cage from my rummage list!!! SCORE!

I think Lolli is thinking that that pale yellow dotted swiss fabric will be turned into something frothy for her...so she's keeping a close eye on it...

Lady had all these sweet vintage pieces and she has baggies more!!!

Found these baking pan delights...(the set of Wilton graduated pans were only $3.00!)
the other ones were priced from .10 to a dollar!

Maxx gave me a great idea for a father's day card...he put this little squinkie car onto of it's matching counterpart..and says, "look, nonnie..it's me and dad!"

PERFECT!!!! Gotta get to work on it!

Leaving you with...this...close your eyes real tight...

make a wish....

...and BLOW!!! hoping all your wishes come true!

BIG HUGZ til next time!

ok...i'm lacking in

2011-06-01T10:23:00.000-05:00

blogging drive....not much time between maxx's therapy....and various other things goin on....

to say life is busy is an understatement...

Weather has warmed up nicely...yesterday in the 90's..today 80's tomorrow forcasted to be 75...then 65 on thursday...oh geez....that is NOT going in the right direction...as we COULD have snow by the weekend...

ON FRIDAY WE WELCOMED THIS SWEET ANGEL INTO OUR WORLD

MAY I INTRODUCE LAVENDER PAMELA!!! Weighing in at 7lbs 15oz, 20 1/2" long arriving at 6:22 am!

the flea markets and rummages were very good to me this weekend...
found these beauties at a rummage right around the corner from our house...
this one has a broken pin back...but thinking it will be so pretty on a cuff!

Sunday morning...BEEEE U TEE FUL MORNING...papa and I set out for Cedarburg...to fireman's park...for the first fleamarket of the season there!

found these two sweeties...

..and also THIS SWEETIE! None other that Chippy Shabby, Jeanine Burkhardt HERSELF!!!

Papa made several trips to the car for me..with the treasures we found...well what I FOUND...

my finds will be so happy in their new home, don't ya think? Here is the birdie cage

..and this picnic basket and trellis!

...then leaving the flea market...we drove by this!!!
My head did a snap...and made papa turn the car around...

..yep right into the car it went
got it home and took out the drawers...

...took off the back...going to use that stenciled part..for some kind of art..

papa got a new back on the dresser...

and i have it all primed and ready to go!
Now need to pick up a color of paint...it's going into my art playroom...so something vintage toy color...and with POLKA DOTS!

WHAT FUN!!!

made up these totes this week....the first one is a beachy theme..with mermaid graphics

i took strips of textured fabrics...and scrunched them all up and stitched them down to create a sandy beach water...feel...

then some sweet friends and family sent me coffee bags and i stitched them in to a panel for this bag...
side one....

and side two...

well that's it for now, folks...

BIG HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME! (Which will be sooner than last!)

happy thursday!!

2011-04-21T10:24:00.006-05:00

WAIT...IS THAT...NAH...CAN'T BE....OH-EM-GEE...IT IS!!!

THE SUN!!!

And lookie at the shadows of those baby leaves! (I love baby leaves...drives David crazy when we go someplace and I have to point them out..)

So tomorrow is Earth day...
last year Maddy was a poster girl for Earth day...

this year she was so excited getting into the car from school, that school had given each student a tree to plant in honor of earth day 2011! "nonnie, look what school gave us!!! AN OAK TREE!!! HEE HEE...DIDN'T HAVE THE HEART to tell her...it wasn't an oak... Funny thing was is that it was snowing and the smell from her tree made it feel like a whole different season!

Yesterday, maxx hopped out of school looking quite the appropriate season though...

he so rocks those ears!
In keeping with the earth day, reuse, recycle festivities I found these oldie but goodie art piece photos I made using old envelopes turned into row houses!

and also found this spring birdie art I painted and poem'd

so close your eyes...and look beyond the physical contraints of yourself and others..and learn to SEE beneath the surface the strengths and positives that over abundantly fill your world...

Today is the first day of spring break for the kids...so I'm sure we will be out and about doing some fun things....and with promises of temps in the 50's for the weekend....perhaps the park!!!

take care!

big hugz til next time!

Rummages Rummages..where for art thou...

2011-04-12T08:08:00.006-05:00

RUMMAGES!!!??? Oh i so have that spring fever bug...and have started making my list and checking it twice...(oh wait..that's a whole different season isn't it???LOL) NOPE..i'm still making that list..but each time i look at it..it GROWS...(and that statement, too, could alude to that other season as well, couldn't it..)

It amazes me how things listed on this list changes from year to year...and how something are ever present... Anyone have anything so wanting on their list?

This year I have on my list...
is a desk chair like this...

and I'd LOVE to find a variety of these...to use in my dining room.

In our bedroom, we have an old wooden headboard...nonspecific...and I think I picked it up at a rummage many moons ago...well it just doesn't quite fit in with our beachy theme...so i'd love to come across some of these...shutters to make a headboard..

Yes, this is the time when I am going to get things done that I have had planned for quite awhile!

Come on up to our little second floor garden cottage!

Coming up the stairs you will be greeted by my revamped garden cart...(made a bag for a liner this week and got some pretty new blooms to fill the interior!)

And anyone visiting is greeted by one of my favorite sayings...for inspiration..coming or going!

I've had this birdie fabric for a bit...(it was actually a remnant...lucky me to find it...)
but it wasn't quite enough to cover these pillows entirely...

Kinda FUGLY...pillows...I picked up last summer...still new with tags...but the bullion fringe was raveling..so I clipped off the fringe...

and covered them with this birdie fabric!!!

...gonna make a birdie like the nested one below..in the medium purple and gold colors..to sit on my antique child's desk!

Our living room is sooo tiny that we use a weathered picnic table bench for a table...next up gonna paint that out and distress it...looking more and more like a garden!!!

The bit of 80 degree weather we had on this past Sunday has plunged me into SPRINGDOM...

Just look at these sweet little spring felted works of art... (CLICK ON 'LITTLE SPRING FELTED WORKS OF ART") oh goodness they are sooo cute aren't they?? VIVIAN DOES SUCH A BEAUTIFUL JOB!!!

I have a had a bit of time...to do a bit of art/crafting myself...I drafted this pattern for this cute little birdie....and the nest she is looking over...is done in the same fashion of the previous nest I had made for Danielle's swap. I just love the uniqueness...of each of them!

...and this little doggie is in heaven holding this more-than-adequate bone!

Couple more things crossed off my proverbial TO DO LIST!

On to the next project(s)!!! AND HOPEFULLY RUMMAGES COMING SOON!!!

as always...BIG HUGZ til next time!

Morning and happy FINALLY...

2011-04-10T08:24:00.003-05:00

SPRING!

Supposed to be in the EIGHTIES here in Milwaukee today....I moved my herb planters out to the back porch... I saw that some of the plants we had transplanted last year...on the side of the house have begun to come up...for the new season!!! (happy dance here..as I don't have the greenest thumb on the planet...lol)
Yesterday we celebrated Xander, Logan and Kaya's birthdays...since they are all so close within a week time stretch...
Maxx had another round of therapy..with his sweet therapists, Rebecca and Tanya....last friday...and they have recommended that he see a rheumatoid specialist...(HERE WE GO AGAIN...) ...they saw him stiffening up after only 15 min of treatment..so they are thinking that he be evaluated for arthritis... (this involves more SHOCKS...(shots)....)

He will be pulled from his water therapy and Occupational therapy...(insert sadness here) as he LOVES it...

Tuesday the touch screen on my cell phone went out...I lost a bunch of numbers...and all my website addresses that I had saved...Yesterday...the modem went out on the computer...so no connection...Robbie's gaming systems are connected to ours..so he got a new modem last nite...and kevin got it all up and running again....and my new phone arrived in the mail~!

all is well...in the electronic world here...(knock on this table that hopefully is wood...lol)

This morning we are off to see the movie, HOP! So we will see you on the flip side of the afternoon!

BIG WARM HUGZ til later!

Saturday Mar 26

2011-03-26T17:12:00.009-05:00

...can't believe it's saturday...and the day is over half over....

oh the power of bloggie photo suggestion....and may I say...Natalea's post DID IT FOR ME!

heck I even entitled the photo in my files...NATALEAS FAULT! Went right into the kitchen and prepared this sweet treat for ME! LOL (love ya, Natalea!)

How come everyone is getting to enjoy flowers bursting from the earth...warm temps...etc...(okay so maybe not EVERYONE...)perhaps I should label those blogs residing in warm temps with a WARNING sign... BUT I just so want to go play in the garden...and wearing hats, gloves, boots and three layers of winter clothing...is not my idea of FUN....I think this guy...

looks so plump for the very same reason! (THREE LAYERS OF FLUFF...KEEPING HIM WARM)
The morning, white fluff surprize, painted the back patio with a very patterned look. Last summer we expanded the patio double in size...and switched out some of the blocks from the original one to make it look a bit more unified...and it's like the snow was ratting us out...and segregating the new and the old...

it did LOOK COOL..from our perspective... You can tell the kids DID enjoy that day of warm...by evidence of those hula hoopies left out...and NOT put away!

This morning Miss Maddysen took her first cake decorating class...which left her quite exhausted...for the trip home!

Here is her finished project...(I'm thinking this will be shared this evening..at her sleepover! (Rylee's big sister, Madilyn,yep another MADDY!) is spending the nite..and by the sounds eminating from the downstairs..i do think the party has begun!)or they've started eatting that cake...
ZING!!!!

She has another class (the infamous FONDANT class) at the end of April.

Last weekend we went to the Jelly Belly jelly bean factory with

and

those pics are from the train ride thru the jelly bean factory...I took them BEFORE the train tour...(NO PHOTOS DURING THE RIDE...) guess there are
family secrets
THAT can't be photo'd...lol
After the tram tour there was a bit of shopping to do....(stocking up for that bunny visit!)
Tom found a 10lb box of candy corn for 2.50!

and sweet Kaya found LOTS OF eyeCANDY! (she's ALWAYS ready with a smile for me!)

Sorry...maxx...made him pose for a pic...and FORCED that smile...can ya tell?

Maddy had her basket ready to go...and filling fast...although the kids LOVED the tasting bar..where all the products could be sampled...
(HOLD THAT THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT)
(pose for me, Maddy)
OKAY (unhold that above thought) SOME OF THE PRODUCTS, DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT need to be sampled...

...and NOT pictured were the BOOGER AND MOLDY CHEESE flavors!
EEWWWWWW...and as I checked out...(ok blame me for falling for the OMG it's on sale TACTICS..) but they had those funky flavored jelly beans for TWENTY FIVE CENTS FOR A 1/2 POUND BAGGIE!!! so as I checked out...the sweet little lady behind the counter gave me a WARNING that these SPECIAL beans TASTED JUST LIKE THE NAME they had been given...
muhahahahaha...but I have a couple people in mind...muhahahahahaha

and with that...
I give thee HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME!

...actually Thursday...MAR 24

2011-03-19T17:06:00.009-05:00

pay no attention to that date..above...it's taken me several days..to get this post DONE!
Our little Maxx is still struggling with his hip, leg pain...so after months and months and doctors and doctors...they did three MRI'S (hip, spine and brain) and found he has a large amount of inflamation on his pelvis...So next on the list of TO DO'S is a biopsy of his pelvis...

Had to be to the hospital by 6:30 am...so give papa a big hug....

and stop by the fish tank at the hospital...to say, "good morning, fishies"

Maxx got all tucked into his bed...WITH OUR HANDY MANNY SNUGGLE BLANKET...

..AND SOME distractive cartoons on TV..

and before you knew it...the procedure was over...(well it was ALOT LONGER FOR US TO WAIT...)

WAIT...DID I GET A SHOCK!!!??? (Maxx HATES, DESPISES AND PROTESTS...ANY 'SHOCKS' (SHOTS) heck WHO DOESN'T!)

nothing that a sweet orange popsicle...AND A POWER RANGER PHONE...

and a VERY MUCH DESERVED.....BRAVERY award...

can't fix...at least for NOW...

A BIG HUG...from Nurse Mary...

and we are HEADING HOME!

The biopsy showed that Maxx has a fractured pelvis!!!! No infection...His pelvis has healed...but not in the correct position, go figure, so a calcium deposit is irritating the muscle on his pelvis...hence...the continued pain...what they DON'T KNOW is why it hasn't healed...given the duration of time...so they are going to do SIX WEEKS of INTENSIVE THERAPY...ASKING FOR PRAYERS...TO BE CONTINUED....

Therapy office that they were referred to ...DOESN'T TAKE THEIR INSURANCE..so still searching for one that DOES...UGH....

Even with everything going on...I needed a bit of 'scheduled' art time..for me...so when Sweet Danielle..posted she was doing a NEST & birdie collage SWAP...I knew i saw it just in time....to get a chance to be in it...So I went off to the garden center for inspiration...and found a package of NESTING MATERIAL! It's all sterilized but natural! There were bits of:Feathers, string, cotton batting, hemp and aspen fibers! So i arranged the materials in a bowl and formed a nest with my fingers...then stitched and bound them all together in a nest fashion! I also added some vintage bits of lace...and some antique music...a couple of paper flowers...and a vintage locket collaged with an 1845 dictionary definition of SING!

And the companion piece is this birdie collage...created from all vintage original materials!
(old greeting cards, vintage music and an old nature print! and old lace)

well it's been a whirlwind of a week....hope the weather begins to turn soon...my chives, rosemary, basil, and lavender...and maddy's marigolds...are begging to PLAY SPRING...OUTSIDE!

BIG HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME!

guest blogger...

2011-03-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

nonnie is busy for a bit...working on her collage and eggs...(nest finished yesterday) so while nonnie..."plays" in her studio...today we have a GUEST BLOGGER!

enjoy the message!

truly a mystery who this could BE!

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...and without even mentioning anyone in particular..

just in case...you haven't figured it out...it's
(p.s. he typed his OWN name below)
MAXX

SURPRIZE!!!!!!!!

HUGZ TIL LATER! (nest pics later!)

p.s.the basil is already growing as are the chives! still waiting for the rosemary to peek!!!

Here it is...

2011-03-15T07:52:00.003-05:00

Tuesday...

It's going to be a busy week...Maddy was sick yesterday...and she went to the dr. Luckily it's NOT strep...just "something viral". Doctors...."something viral" could mean a plethora of things...eh? Kind of like Maxx's last dr. (his 7th this year) He had Maxx run down the hall. Of course Maxx was only too happy to oblige...and scampered off in his run walk limp kind of gait...His diagnosis? "HMMMM...there is something definitely WRONG...but i don't know what" So they did three MRI's. That showed

a large amount of inflammation on his pelvic bone and around the muscle...(shown by all that extra white area...on the right side of the picture)

So yesterday they called so say that a biopsy has been scheduled for this Thursday at 8:10. They will be checking for infection...THEN they can put him on antibiotics...then physical therapy.

This has been going on since August...so perhaps...we will finally get some answers...

Everybody have a wonderful day....keeping you all in my happy thoughts to have a terrific time today! Don't forget to take some me time...just for YOU!

HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME!

IT'S COMING!!!!!

2011-03-14T13:44:00.006-05:00

I can feel it in the air! but I can also see it too!!! Look at this FAT ROBIN! It was perched, singing a here comes spring song!!! This bird was the size of a PIGEON!!! WOW...SOOO READY FOR SPRING TO BE HERE.......YESTERDAY!!!

Made this little quiltie for a sweet friend of mine...but then found out I had mixed up the date...(geez..and we even lived in Germany...so i SHOULD HAVE KNOWN the dates are posted differently) So we will say this ia a LOVE suprize...hee hee...

got these sweet blossoms from a vintage sale...

BIG news this month...is that Maddy won SECOND PLACE for her science experiment!!!
Here she is by her display...and may I mention that 5 other people did pretty much the same experiment...and she WON!

Here she is receiving her ribbon from her principal...and her teacher.

Look at the pride!

I said spring is here...here are the remnants of our snowman that the kids built just last month...I had purchased a colorful scarf from the thrift store to keep the snowman's neck warm...and hmmmmm....couple of days ago we noticed that it was GONE!

Yesterday David called from the yard...to say he had FOUND the scarf!!! We went out to see...and...YES..THERE IT WAS!

UP ON THE NEIGHBORS ROOF!!!! A squirrel had hauled it up there for his nest!!! Oh how I wish i could have watched him/her drag that up there!!! Now is appears to be hung up on a nail or something...as it hasn't moved...

Just a moment of reminiscing...something we won't see again...

This was taken in 1979...that's my mom...and just LOOK AT THAT PRICE OF GAS..WOW...

how much is it by you!??? Here it's hovering at 3.39...

big HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME! THANKS FOR STOPPING BY....I'd love a comment!

Happy Monday Morning! which.....

2011-03-07T09:40:00.006-06:00

bled into TUESDAY...UGH...blogger has been blogging down..and WOULD NOT LET ME UPLOAD PHOTOS... BUT
The sun is shining and it's supposed to be in the 40's!

We've been so busy taking Maxx back and forth from dr. to dr. and FINALLY we may ahve an answer to his limping...he underwent three MRI's last week and was tested for LYME disease...well the Lyme test came back negative...the MRI's revealed he has significant inflamation on his left pelvic bone around his muscle....we go back to the dr. this thursday for a more detailed report...and what may be giving him so much trouble SINCE AUGUST!

I've been sewing and swapping up a storm...I finished this little lady for a special friend...who asked...

...and you see that "flower power" patch??? twas mine...from the days of old...

I was in a little matchbox swap...with two sweet girls...
and these are the boxes I created for them...

...this one was for Heidi my retro gal...

...and this one was for Tammie my shabby chic gal....

I filled the little boxes with all kinds of goodies and made them a couple things as well!!!

And here are the goodies I received from them!

from Heidi...

and from Tammie!

EVERYTHING WAS SOOOO HEARTFELT AND PERFECT!!!! THANK YOU GIRLS!!!

AND THANK YOU SWEET HEATHER FOR PUTTING THIS ALL TOGETHER!

(pssst...is the science fair ALMOST HERE?????) please PLEASE say it is....Maddysen grew marigolds and fed them with alternative liquids....and also water...to see if seeds need water to grow....YES THEY DO....lol...the water fed plants were the only ones that grew...the milk plants got moldy and sour milk smelling...the vinegar PEEEW...AND THE JUICE WELLL THOSE LITTLE TSEE TSEE FLIES...HAVE MOVED IN....set up camp...and are having a neighborhood get together...or could be a family reunion...

...NEXT time we will find a different project??? lol....

big hugz til next time!

WHAT???!!!! MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY ALREADY???

2011-02-16T13:47:00.007-06:00

NO WAY!!!

WEll no matter...Happy mid-week!

Can it be??? Is it over half way thru FEBRUARY ALREADY??? Was it not just Christmas...??? Today...I packed away..the Valentines...so it must be true!!!

I use vintage candy boxes to store my handmade valentines that I have received in swaps over the years...

and keep my valentine pins securely pinned to a fabric topped box...

yes...Valentines is done for the year...2011...

Been doing a bit of spring cleaning and just plain rearranging...probably in that mode..due to the outside temps in the upper 40's and even cracked LOW 50'S!!! (YOU GO GROUNDHOG!!!) To be truthful...I don't care what it takes...just SPRING GET HERE NOW...!!!

Redid some of my built in cabinet in the dining room...

And I think this little bear belongs perched upon this GRANDMA little dish since Vivian, who made this sweetie, IS a Grandma now! whatcha think, viv?

some of you "long timers" on my blog may remember that cup under the glass dome from a "swimming adventure" maddy took several years back...

Been sifting thru some local antique shops....(darn winter...no rummages...) for some bits and baubles to fill my "flea market" boxes for my partners! (Got the boxes done...just need the fillings!

Found these sweet silk bloomies...for FIFTY CENTS!!! Even the shop lady on duty was amazed they were only that price...

They look so pretty attached to my vintage lace panel on my computer door!

The big snow we had couple weeks back...hindered registering Maxx for 4K. But we DID get it done!!!
The sign in front of school posted that it was time...(well just a couple days later...

...so mommy and maxx...made that CLIMB...toward the front doors to school! Maddy only has one more year at Madison...then she heads off to....to....to....to...
(IT CAN'T BE...JUST CAN'T...) MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!

..almost looks like mommy is RUNNING to the office to get him signed up, eh?

...we were met by the "always cheerful..and oh so sweet, ms. Lenore!

we always remember to take in a giftie for the various celebrations during the year... for ms. lenore...she is many times forgotten...

Well enough time...here...

HUGZ til next time!

MONDAY FEB 14!!!!

2011-02-14T08:35:00.003-06:00

I just love Valentines!!!

Doesn't matter if you "have" a valentine or not...just be YOUR OWN!!! Be nice to YOU...because what you are feeling...spills out to the world!

that's it for now!!!

BIG VALENTINE HUGZ!

Sunday...feb 13....

2011-02-13T07:37:00.004-06:00

..the day promises to be on the warm side...(without getting all excited...) i'm speaking of temps in the 40's....compared to the below zero temps of last week with bitter windchills...BRRRRrrrrrr

Yesterday...Maddysen started the physical part of her science fair project...She has planted seeds into 5 different containers...

Each of the seeds were planted at the same depth...same quantity of seeds were planted into each container...

Here she is tending the nursery...

She is going to water each pot with a different liquid: Milk, Blue Mountain Dew, Apple juice, Vinegar...and Water as a constant.

Since I have the sunny window...the plant nursery is residing in my dining room on the cedar chest.

One thing that IS growing nicely...(albeit a bit dangerous...) are the icicles...on the side of the house...we live in the upstairs and the ice has grown into daggars stretching like stalagtytes from upstairs to the middle of downstairs...

Yesterday we decided that with the warm temps they have become a danger...(those babies could fall and literally smush someone...so Robbie took it upon himself to knock them down...the one weighed over 50 pounds!!!! (would not be pretty to have that tumble on your person eh?)

He graciously held them for picture purposes...ain't he sweet???? (either that or he's SHOWING OFF...lol)

I added to my lalaloopsy outfits...

here is one of the first ones...

then i made a couple of valentine treats for a couple of sweet girls...

Heading out this morning to go see Gnomeo and Juliet! I just love the previews!!! And I prepurchased tickets...to get in for the bargain price showing...($5.00) so Kaleigh and Maddy will accompany me!!!

Big hugz til next time! (anyone know where i plopped my camera??? wish the darn thing had a clapper alarm on it...lol)

Feeling the LOVE!

2011-02-10T14:18:00.006-06:00

Valentines is soooo close...i can feel the LOVE!

Got some new dollies in the works...oh the anticipation of it all!!! AND SOME NEW HANDBAGS!!!

Did a photoshoot of Maddy and Maxx.....

with that last pic...Maddy is entered into a Model search competition...if you'd care to vote for her...she would GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!!!

(just click on this link...and then "like" the business DRESS ME UP BOUTIQUE...then click on Maddy's picture and LIKE it!!!

...also got a sweet shot of little, soon to be big brother, Logan!

...and here is baby sister due the end of May!!!

.....fun news...they are moving right across the street from us the end of THIS MONTH!!!

Happy Valentines from Maxx...

and Xander...

...and Maddysen

and ME!!!! (nothing funky...lol...kids cards took a bit more time than I had time for!...aka..sorry excuse)

Hugz til next time!

Good morning world!

2011-01-31T08:25:00.002-06:00

Happy Monday!

Doctor visit over...for Maxx..for now...just waiting to hear from the Neurologists office for his next appointment... This new doctor SEES what we are seeing...his struggles..etc...Only took 5 months...

love you little guy!!! SMOOOCH!

Had a bit of time to create this little sweetie...

She has a heart of chic and shabby!

Lots of the white fluffy, blowing and drifting coming our way with what if forcasted to be 5-10 foot drifts...going to put the shovels INSIDE just in case we have to shovel out of the house..lol....or perhaps we could snowboard off the back upper porch?? lol...

Have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz til next time!

FROGS and lemonade...

2011-01-24T08:00:00.007-06:00

started this new year...with all good intentions of posting more often...and here is it half way thru the first month...with only ONE STINKIN POST! BUT...i will not say..i have failed...i will simply make some lemonade with those lemons..and carry on!

Speaking of making lemonade with the lemons...this is what happens when a wool sweater gets...washed and dried......

well not quite lemonade...but

we all know about kissing frogs...

My sweet little grandbaby..maxx...celebrated his fourth birthday on 1/11/11!!!
took some pictures...

(did i mention this nonnie got a new photo altering program???)

and did a little "painting" of the photo and got this...

We sent out invites to family and friends..

and made treats for the kids in his preschool class...

problem with this was..that he HAD 12 kids in his class at the end of last session..so I made 15 thinking with three teachers...that would cover everyone...but NOOOO....now he had 18 plus the three teachers...so after we dropped him off..I went home and made six more treats so noone would get left out!

and we had this delicious cake decorated by his mommy!!! (what a cake decorator she is becoming!!!)

...maxx thoroughly enjoyed that cake..can you tell???

beginning to work on valentines...and have these pics to work with so far!

THANKS for stopping by to see our little corner of the world!

until a "very soon" next time

HUGZ!

1/1/11

2011-01-01T22:42:00.003-06:00

Here we are in this new year...starting fresh. It's always a good feeling after the holidays...the pressure valve on stress...has been released. I don't know about you...but right after Christmas I want to begin spring cleaning. I want all the Christmas decor to be packed away for next year.

I put on the new years calendar just what I picked up at those after holiday sales...jot it down on the month of November so I know what is tucked away for next year.

Maxx will be turning FOUR....in just a few short weeks...on 1/11/11...so there we have those ONES again!

I'm in the midst of DESTASHING...I packed up 6 boxes of fabric and art supplies that I've been hoarding...what was I thinking???? This will be the year of living with less...clutter...and MORE LIFE...

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

and til next time...

...................................HUGZ

can't believe...

2010-10-27T09:26:00.005-05:00

it's been so long since I last posted... Just haven't been able to work it in to the schedule...

sit back...I just made a loaf of pumpkin cream cheese layered bread...help yourself to a piece..this post is a bit LONG..LOL

....took a little trip out east...
leavin on a jet plane.....to Art-is-You...in Danbury, CT!

to meet up with some sweet peeps that I've only known online..and texts...seems like FOREVER...

love this pic of this sweet little lonely floating wisp of white...and it's little shadow...

I've been to New York only once before. When we deployed to Germany I flew in with my girls, Shannon and Kaleigh and Dani (in tummy) way back in 1984. (i don't travel much or well..lol) and at that time New York was so fogged in we couldn't see anything...This time I got to see the statue of Liberty!

...and New York City!

Sandee GRACIOUSLY offered to allow us to stay with her in her home for the extended weekend!!!!
I was to meet up with Tanya at the airport...(texted her from the plane that she would know me...because I was wearing BLACK shoes...and with that in mind..we found each other almost immediately..)

One of Sandee's handsome sons, David, picked us up from the airport...

look at that SMILE!!! WHAT A GREETING!

He drove us to meet up with SANDEE!!! look at these waiting arms!!!

almost to sandee's house! here is her exit!

ARRIVED!!!

Gary, Sandee's hubby...fixed up a most delicious meal...actually several meals!!!

and PETEE was the perfect furry host as well...

on friday...i took a class with the infamous Jenny and Aaron!

They are just as adorable in person as I imagined they would be!!!!!!!
My practice piece from their class...

and here is Taryn Reece from Naval Jelly studios...our instructor for our art dolls

and lots of silliness for fun...

Unfortunately my dollie did not travel well..and broke on the way home...

The leisure lunches and times with friends..known through round robins and their lucious art...but not face to face...
Got to meet Kimberly Moore!

...and TRISTAN! (It was like a meet and greet of CELEBRITIES!)

(I was in awe...can you tell? What a doofus face I was making! sheesh...)

there was lots of dancing....

and hugging....

in between!

On Sunday we traveled to the Elephant's Trunk Flea Market...the weather cooperated so nicely!

They even had giant elephant sized carts to transport shoppers FINDS!

...AND JUST LOOK!!! MEGAN!!! AND SWEET PIPPA AND HANDSOME CORBIN! What a wonderful time to meet up and meet them!

Sweet Danielle (she's one of my birthday twin's you know!) was also at the trunk and we got to meet for but a brief moment...and I got a bit sick...and had to abruptly leave...to sit for a moment...I didn't get pics of her..or get to talk much...ugh...

We were off to Megan's home...for a GOURMET lunch...

and ADORABLE PIPPA!

GROUP SHOT!!!

the weekend went so fast...that soon..in the early of a.m. I was heading home...

and look at my welcome home committee!

We've spent some time gathering leaves..they look so pretty in little vases...and each one looks handpainted don't they?!!!

as promised...here is my 2010 rendition for the halloween ornament swap...

Just before I left...I received this sweet laundry raggedy ann...that I had won when sweet maureen's hubby drew my name from a hat!!! Here she is all perched in her new home...on top of a vintage child's ironing board...ready to greet visitors to my studio!

And got some time to do a bit of creating...as well
...a couple of totes I made...

and a bracelet with matching earrings...

well...blogspot is saying that I may have trouble PUBLISHING this post...and as you can see from the date above..and seeing that today is actually FRIDAY THE 29TH...it has taken me a bit to get this all uploaded and written...so the next SCREAM you hear...round the world...could be that it DIDN'T PUBLISH...and in case it does...consider that scream...to be JOYFUL!

HUGZ til next time...

it's beginning to look alot....like....

2010-09-16T12:10:00.002-05:00

Halloween 2010 swap time! Just finished my ornaments for this year...and they are "under wraps" and "watchful eyes"!
They are all ready to go to the post office...

Can't show you what's inside...and my sweet little helper is holding onto the secret real tight!

Stay tuned for the REVEAL...(after everyone gets theirs)

In previous years...I've done these...

I went out this year and stumbled upon a black velboa tree. Had to get it because my white feather tree is FULL!!! So as they begin to roll in...we will be taking pics of the trees...full of spooky splendor!!!

Hugz til next time!!!

Wednesday!!!

2010-09-15T17:43:00.008-05:00

and just when I was thinking to myself...while standing in front of a sink of steaming dirty dishes...where do these things come from????? Then I looked down..and saw these little streams of water tumbling over the side of a bowl that had reached it's limit of liquid holdage (is that a word?)...It was kind of pretty..and calming...as as I was snapping that picture....

...hubby walked in and said.."WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TAKING A PICTURE OF NOW???" lol...LOL...COMMIT ME NOW...

Middle of the week! Hope this post finds everyone doing well!

Yesterday was Maxx's first day of preschool..what a milestone...
Before Maxx went to school for the first day...he and his Big Buddy got in a bit of fishing (perfecting the craft I guess...even though they were just legos)

They did have a couple of KEEPERS..

Before they could get too involved...

...it was TIME TO GO!

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL!!!!

We got to school and he was calling out thru the door..."hey, here I am!!!"

Such a cute group of kiddies...and this is just part of the class!

..(remember this little girl sitting next to maxx...til later)

The teachers told everyone to head down to the class...

and find our names on the coat hook and hang up our backpacks..(can you pick out maxx's?)

in the class the kids had to find their names and flip their little nest over to show that their nest is full and they are in class today!

Maxx seems to be the only January baby...in the class

Posing with mommy for a moment before we have to leave him there...on his own...
(insert the rising tears here)

pausing for a last peek before we are forced to leave him there A-L-O-N-E...in this big new classroom...by himself...sniff...

He came out unscathed...and so happy to see us...holding his little worksheet...so it didn't get "squished" in his backpack and a little paper towel filled with his snack to share with us...and his big news was that "a girl TALKED to him" (remember girl from above here)

he was so proud of his day...or maybe he was proud because WE survived without him

he was soooooooooo tired...

til next time...hugz

bits of brisk...

2010-09-11T16:40:00.005-05:00

breezes blowing by...autumn is on it's way....

Had to change up the banner for the fall season. Pumpkins are showing up in the fields...and you can almost smell the apple cider in the air.

We finally had a season that we could CALL summer! We had hot temps for a good part of the three months just past. People complained..."it's sooooooooooooo hot"...I loved it! Finally a summer like I remember. But then again...give us 3 months and it will be "TOO COLD!!!"

I'm getting ready to fly to Connecticut for Art-is-you! Will be leaving in less than a month!!! I'm so excited! It will be my first away art event. (well mall-of-america scrapbook convention..really doesn't count, does it?) I'll be staying with Sandee...and will get to meet Peggy and Tanya!!! And who knows who else will be there!!! If you are reading this and are going to be there LET ME KNOW!!!!

Maxx has decided he kind of likes this game...

...not that he knows HOW to play..just that he gets to pose with these paddles...ahhh...my little Forrest Gump...eh?

Maddy started dance again today. On monday's she will do: Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Performing..then on Saturdays she will do competiton Poms.

Last week started the season of birthdays around here...Damien celebrated his 29 (or as he put it his last year in the 20's) on Labor day.

and these two will be turning the big THREE-OHHHHHH! On the fifth and sixth of October!

(they ARE looking a bit OLD aren't they?)

Well that's it for now...

Hugz til next time!

Got the urge and i just want to SHARPEN...

2010-09-03T17:00:00.009-05:00

...a couple of pencils and bite into a big juicy apple!!! (whooops that was for the teacher!) It's definitely back to school time!!! we went from temps in the 90's to highs in the 60's thus far this week!!!!

...and a rainy start to the school year as
Maddy begins grade 4.....

...and Xander begins 3rd!

Maxx will be in a preschool beginning in a couple of weeks...

Right now he is battling a sore leg...today we went to see a pediatric bone specialist...and was diagnosed with Transient Sinovitis. Poor baby has to take it easy..for a bit...(just trying to keep a three year old down...seems like an undaunting task....) but he has been just sitting around....asking to ride in the cart...NOT NORMAL...but while we battle our own little "storm" with Maxx...we need to

Keep those on the east coast in our thoughts...with the impending visit from big bag of wind UNCLE EARL....and now hearing about an earthquake in New Zealand!!!! BE SAFE MY FRIENDS!!! BE SAFE!!!...

My robbie called from work today to say he had to redirect his route..because there was police tape blocking the area...and found out there was a shooting at a local school....people at his next stop (in the same area) heard a machine gun sound...coming from that area....

Offering lots of extra prayers to all those out there...in the world...that may need an extra one...or two...help yourself...

Got to go to one of my FAVORITE places for fabric today...PATCHED WORKS I went in looking for ONE KIND OF FABRIC....AND YES!!!! They had more in!!!! SOCK MONKEY FABRIC!!! It was the brown knit looking fabric I was looking for...and decided to pick up EXTRA...lol..I have a couple of outfits in the works...and that sock monkey fabric will look fabulous with this little hat (also doing BIG hats too...lol)

I've been making little girlie outfits...but this sock monkey fabric will also work for boys...oh yes...project in the works!!! Stay tuned!

This little gold fishie dress boasts a giant fishbowl pocket!

And this little back to school dress is quite appropriate for the season!!!

and with OWLS being so in fashion right now...

and finishing with a bit of a little lady...

Hope you all enjoyed your visit..thanks for stopping...and come back again real soon!!!

Hugz til next time!

happy tHURSdaY!!!

2010-08-12T08:45:00.005-05:00

Before I get to rambling...you MUST go check out this MEGA...GIVEAWAY...

wow...what loveliness!!!!

We are getting ready for Miss Maddysen's birthday next week...Can't believe she is ALMOST 9...Can't say where the heck did the time go...because I've been a part of her day to day...and It's been such a wonderful ride!!! WHEEEEEEEE!!!!

I still remember when Shan and Kev found out she was coming...We found out on Elvis' birthday and we called her Elvis before we knew she was a SHE...(for the record...Maxx was "twinkle")

I created a card for miss maddy's birthday...digitally in a 4 x 6 format. I sent them over to walmart to print and when i picked them up..they wanted a copywrite release signed....then they BELIEVED me when I said that I created the card..on my computer....took a bit. (and I can't show you all the card just yet...her birthday is the 19th...)
Did a few photos this week...and Saturday I'm "assisting" at a wedding.

There are lots more on my facebook...

Sending out a rainbow to fill your day with splashes of color

Hugz til later!

Heat wave...

2010-07-07T08:21:00.006-05:00

Morning all! What a wonderful summer we are having! The heat index has been soaring...here are some fun summer pics of two of the babies...(baby number 3 is spending the summer upnorth with is mom...(i heard he woke her up SUDDENLY by taking her picture with his camera...oh TOO BAD...there was NO film in the camera..as what a pic that would make..lol

pour yourself a cup of tea...

put up your feet under a big umbrella under a bright blue sky...(sponge painted with touches of white fluff)

and come along!

picked up these sweet two chairs for a dollar each...thinking garden bench for the yard!!!!

Went to pick up some boards for the seat for the bench..sunday morning..on the fourth...and maddy, dressed for the occasion....even made the lumber place look FESTIVE!

bubble bubble....

Maxx just couldn't figure out why maddy's bubbles were floating away...and HIS popped him in the face...(lol...downwind, baby, downwind...

Been sewing up a big bunch of fun things...swaps...primitive dollie art...and I CAN'T SHOW YOU ANYTHING...yet...soon I promise!

BIG GIANT SMOOOCHES...

and hugz til next time!

to have and to hold...

2010-07-01T06:51:00.008-05:00

on this day in 1997 ...shannon got her drivers license!!!! (and YOU ALL thought it was a wedding anniversary..didn't you...(warning primitive scrapbook pages coming)

well those that THOUGHT wedding anniversary were RIGHT!... Two years after the momentous driver's license occasion......these two...

got MARRIED! ...ten years today, Shannon and Kevin took their vows in a little park surrounded by family and friends...HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! Today would have also been my sister, Pat's birthday as well...She was Shannon's Godmother and as they got married they had a red rose in Pat's honor right there with them...

They had met between 6th and 7th grade so by the time they had gotten married...they had a track record together!!!

but then again..perhaps today is NOT their anniversary....to clarify, today's date...how many times have you wished for that extra day to get done everything on your list...or just plain have that extra relax day??? well TODAY IS YOUR DAY...(according to my calendar...) today is June 31!!!

need help seeing this? here ya go...ZOOOOOM FACTOR...

So with this extra day... take a journey...with your favorite buddy...

or just take that well deserved nap...

ENJOY THIS DAY...cause it's not coming back... HUGZ til next time

p.s. we've had lots of storms the last couple weeks...and it's been so warm that sitting outside in the breezes...has become a staple...no matter what the weather... It's amazing to see the expression changes on the innocent...the look of fear..the giddiness of being three...Maxx and the storm...

has it really been this long???

2010-06-17T13:55:00.007-05:00

since my last post??? Oh goodness...where has the time gone....

LOL...LOL....LOL (and that's all i have to say about that time thing)

Been hitting upon some AWESOME RUMMAGES...of late!!!

Went to a sale today and there were these two vintage baby dresses...and silk dollie coat...also a handpieced dollie quilt...no prices...I hesitated to ask as it was later in the day..and if they were to be a good price...they would be gone already..

but i asked...lady said she actually wore the white one when she was a baby! (why do people sell these memories?) well anyway.."how much"...she goes...how about a DOLLAR...good deal!!! i began gathering them up...she meant a dollar FOR ALL OF THEM...! She had a vintage white chenille spread also that will grace my sofa quite nicely! has a tiny tear in it...no problem...will fix that right up...or maybe i'll make some new pillows from it!!!

found some sweet little babies all tucked into the ballet box in the background...babies were cradled in a mound of old dollie clothes...inside the box!!!
metal dollie baby scale...too!!!!
and lookie at the duckie fabric! BEACH DUCKIES!!! I think i may know some little ones that will look adorable in a bubble romper or top from it! And there is a big piece of the slightest rose chiffon embroidered in roses!

HAVE I MENTIONED I LOVE RUMMAGE SEASON HERE????~!!!!!

Found this piece of water washed wood...at a sale...for a quarter...and turned it into this sign for our beachy bedroom!

also going to take down my antique chandelier...and put it into another room...I've been collecting these lanterns...and I think they will be quite scrumptious hanging at different levels in the bedroom...just got to clean them up...a bit..but for the price i paid...that's NOT a problem!!!

TOMORROW is a huge sale listed day...can't wait!!! can't wait!!!!! wonder what treasures are lurking!!!

FOR ALL YOU "INNER JUNKIN GIRLS..." CHECK OUT THIS over at junk bonanza SWEET GIVEAWAY!

Beth Quinn is sooo fabulous to have given one of her art treasures there for the giveaway!!! (fingers are crossed in this camp!) i'm soooo lovin that!

Got a couple of orders for some custom bracelets...one for mom's day...

...and this one is for a lady who has beaten cancer...

So much rain around here....and little things are poppin up like crazy....
guess the grass cutters around our house need to be wary of tiny visitors that may be lurking around the mushrooms that have sprung up on the lawn, eh?

...and I leave you with a little image of sweet dreams...went in to check on Maddy and found her fast asleep...she had been writing in her MATH journal..(don't we ALL have math journals?) she was all tucked in under her grandma grandma (that's what she called my mom instead of great grandma...) blanket that she made...and under her head is her baby blanket that she never sleeps without it close by her side...looks like she was ready to jot down anything that may skip thru her dreams...pencil in hand...that morning light....thru her window...seems to erase the journey she's taken during the darkened hours...

big hugz til next time!

Lazy Sunday afternoon

2010-06-06T06:49:00.006-05:00

Starting off by venting...went to the store on Wednesday...in a HUGE hurry...and got a couple things...$40.29..girl folded up my receipt..and handed it to me....I stuck it into my purse...and left...

Went home to check the bank transactions..etc..to balance everything...(david being on the road...likes to use the debit card..easier than carrying cash... so i have to make it all good...and just in case i find that special something something..ya know..lol) well i couldn't figure out where i had spent 80.29...at...hmmmm...that amount didn't ring a bell...so i pulled out all my receipts..and there it was...my grocery receipt...WITH A 40.00 TIP ON IT...AS CASH BACK!!!!! I called the store..and they are going to "review the security tapes..." that are at each register...but the guy that does it...won't be in til tomorrow...then they have to go back...all i know is that I DIDN'T GET 40.00.....okay..breathe 2,3,4....UGH...

Wonder if YOU have as many photos just waiting for altering like i do....well probably not...i am a pathological picture taker...like the sidebar states...well if you do...

Check out Peggy's new challenge website!!!

Clicky HERE

Looks like GREAT FUN!!!!

Rummages netted some great lovelies!!! Vintage compact with pink roses..and a swing out double mirror! Large white chippy picture frame...full baggie of new embroidery floss...and birdie nest with 12 little afirmation eggs...a sweet dream angel...some rusty old keys...some vintage dotted swiss (white with pink dots) and some soft soft rose colored rosey fabric.....lots of little goodies!!!

Got some cute pics of Maxx...(well when AREN'T they cute..lol) modeling his new Baby Legs!

This is how Shannon let Kevin know he was getting a new bat for father's day! (He's getting it early because they only have a couple weeks of baseball left....)

I got to do a page for Maxx and our visit to the wild animal display...at Bass Pro shop...

Just wish i could have caught his expression when he saw what was lurking behind him!!

Found out my name is in the new Somerset Gallery...for the coordinator of the black and white book collaborative that I submitted TWO YEARS AGO...can't wait to see it!!! (even if it is just my name..lol)
Hope everyone is having a great finish to the weekend....the guys just cranked up the grill...so food can't be long off!

Robbie, first car, update...
1991 firebird...big rust hole in backseat floorboard BIG...ESCAPE HOLE SIZE...under carpet...SCRATCH THAT ONE
1994 Ford Probe....white smoke..blown head gasket...SCRATCH
next?
heard that a 1988 Bonneville is in the looking stages..now...(since Robbie was born in 1988...I'm thinking they can grow up together!!!) whatcha think?

HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME!

...happy wednesday!

2010-06-02T18:08:00.004-05:00

before i get to ramblin...everyone should go check out this sweet lady's website! (just clicky on "sweet lady") Her dollies and patterns are just so scrumptious!!! She is in a bad spot right now...and could use a hand...so go check out her things..every little bit would help her.....thanks from the bottom of my heart!!!

now how can you resist that sweet face!!!!

Weather here is stormy....the dish tv went out...just a few moments ago....there is talk that there is golf ball size hail just west of us....and the guys HAD to go to baseball...lol....well perhaps they will be using the hail for practice....

Maddy did her big FIRST TIME EVER speech today for school....She did her theme on dance....and she got a great score!!! She even VOLUNTEERED to go first!!!!

That's it for now...as the weather just swung into lightning...gotta run...

hugz til later!!!

hOLIdAY weeKeNDS!!!

2010-06-01T17:44:00.008-05:00

Yesterday was so much fun!!! The parade was awesome!!! LOve LOVE LOVE THAT picture above of maxx wavin his flag...he did it with his whole heart...

Most of the kids showed up for the festivities

Robbie and Xander...

sweets at the parade...

and even bettie joined us, too...although with the gunfire we were a bit concerned how she would react..but she was fine!!!
Katie and Jason were there with baby Logan!!! too

Each and every year...Shannon, Kevin and the kid(s) pose by the West Allis sign...
it has become a tradition to see how the kids have grown...and actually they started when Maddy was a baby...then Maxx was added...but daddy was gone to Iraq...and this year daddy had to work...

Some of the groups fired off rounds and the noise got a bit much for maxx...

He started by covering his ears...

Then realized Robbie could cover them for him..so he could still wave at the passing celebration...

But the noise was still too much..so doubled up the noise buffers!

It's a very short parade...maybe at best 1/2 hour...although we arrive early for our usual seats...

The party continued when we got home...with eats and treats...
...even Maddy's doll Meegan went to the parade...(as you can see they coordinated their outfits...)

...and Maxx planted his little flag into the garden right by Elliot...the cat...

Here's hoping that everyone remembered those that are serving and have served...this great country that we live in...

HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME...

just added....

few more rummage goodies at an early week, out of the norm sale!!!

some blingity bling....(black velvet elvis box..for a special project and brooches)

sweet little felted gnomes!!!

house update...new tiled bathroom floor...

...and self explanatory....

summer fun....on a holiday weekend!

2010-05-30T13:10:00.008-05:00

Up at 4:30 this morning....by the light of the silvery moon...(insert... "what the heck are you taking pictures of NOW????",.... moon picture here)

and before long...the blazing sun burned a hole on the horizon so it could peek in on what kind of day we would have...
(these pictures do NOT do the sunrise justice..it was just a glimpse into the new day starting!!! and the car was moving..."Uhhhh, i CANNOT wait for you to take a BETTER picture...there are CARS behind us waiting to go!!" gosh...impatience!!!

Here is my "ironman..." He took two trips back to the car for us...so we didn't have to carry everything...
SMOOOOOOOOCHES TO HIM!!!

Day started with a big sign saying the fleamarket opened at SEVEN!!!! for years and years as long as I can remember....it has opened at 6!!! UGH...so we waited...
PATIENTLY...see i COULD have gotten a better picture...!!!
Well onto my list of goodies i'm looking for....that basically didn't find...but did find so much other stuff...that I'M A HAPPY CAMPER...

found: these rusty spikes that will look wonderful...

when i pound them into this sweet piece of driftwood for a jewelry holder...
I'm going to paint BEACH with an arrow on it...for our BEACHY bedroom....

I also got some antique fishneting...for a valance for the same said beachy place!!!
...no pictures because it was a bit FISHY..LOL...but after a good wash, wash, wash, wash, wash, and rinse..it is smellin great!!! (and drying on the back porch...)

and these GREAT OARS for a corner (CORRECTION...THEY WILL BE ON MY SIDE OF THE BED...AS THEY WOULD MOST CERTAINLY FALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ON "HIS" SIDE..RIGHT ON TOP OF HIM...LOL) in our beachy retreat!!!

Lady had a shoebox full of vintage buttons...glass ones too!!! all for one price...
Over 100 cards...(like i REALLY needed more buttons...) but she wouldn't take less...for just a couple...it was ALL or none...so ALL it is...

One of my favorite sweet ladies was there...I always worry when one of the older ladies don't show up for a sale...after a long winter...but she was THERE IN HER GLORY!!! she has boxes of junque jewelry...quarter a piece...but you ALWAYS end up with more than you pay for..."oh i'm just gonna toss this old thing in" then she blushes when you tip her...lol

Some sweet sheer flocked flower fabric and about 4 yards of vintage never been used strawberry shortcake fabric!

Some glass door knobs for bases for halloween dolls...

Picked this weathered chair up...for Fifty cents..for the garden

...got these sweet pickets..to reconstruct a little fence in the middle of the new gardens for accents...got enough to do 4 sections...

and here is a fence section to use to break up the "newness" of the garage wall....

I met a lovely lady (CLICK ON "BEAUTIFUL BLOG") who has a BEAUTIFUL BLOG...WOWSERS...I've bought many sweet things from her for a bit now!!! I look back on her pictures from prior years and see things i now own!!!! and a funny thing is her name is Jeanine Burkhardt!!! how close to my last name!!! And now i find her BLOG!!!!

IT WAS A FANTASTIC DAY AT THE FLEAMARKET!!!

Yesterday...the

Babies got spoiled...from afar....Auntie Dawn sent them some very special gifties...

Maddy has her very first speech to give...she has her 3 x 5 cards rough drafted...
ready to do....we are going to be practicing all week for her Thursday presentation...
Now she has this very special outfit to wear as well!!! COMPLETE WITH SWINGY TEENAGER earrings....and necklace...!!! actually the swingy earrings will have to be worn after school...as they don't allow anything dangly for safety purposes.

OH SOOOO WONDERFUL!!!!

AND MAXX...(the collector of license plates...for his room) now has a WHOLE FLEET of British plates!!! WOW!!!

The collection INCLUDED...A CUSTOMIZED PLATE TOO!!!

(auntie angie, cousin jackie, auntie peggy, uncle ian...wow...i hope i didn't leave anyone out!!!!)
Everyone has been soooo wonderful sending out plates and car caps....even autographed hats!!! His room is VARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOMING right along!!!

wow wOW WOW!!!

THANKS EVERYONE!!!

and i leave you with this very special pic...the guys got the airconditioners...put in!!!!

now isn't THAT special????!!! (maybe that photo should have come with a WARNING...)

BIG HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME!!!

a bit more recital and fun in the...

2010-05-24T18:38:00.006-05:00

SUN!!!!

Yesterday was Maddy's last performance for this season...so here are the parting photos from the AWESOME RECITAL yesterday...

After the dancers went back stage we waited for them to come out to greet their fans! Here is maddy with mom and dad as they emerged from the dressing rooms!

...and some special guests showed up...Sunday

Baby Logan came to see Maddy dance with his mommy and daddy!

They brought her BEAUTIFUL ROSES!

Steve came to see her dance too!!! (or did he come to see KEVIN dance???!!! lol they work together and Steve is cousin Annie's, boyfriend)

Another recital done...on to our FIFTH year in dance in September!

We didn't make it out of the parking lot from the recital and.......

She was OUT!!!

Papa filled up the water table for some wet fun in the almost 90 degree heat!

...we put together a quick little picnic in the yard (on the new patio!!!) as a treat for such great work the weekend!

ketchup smoooches for mommy:

Robbie kickin it back...

Sirr Maxx...enjoying the food!

Princess Maddysen looking ever so tired from all that dancing!

As a suprize for my birthday and mommy's day the kids got together and did a photo shoot for me!!! David was in kahoots with them as he took me out for dinner so they could sneak off...

Here are my four babies:

...and then the BABIES... (Maddy was soooo scared in the tree can you tell?)

And group them all together and what a MOTLEY CREW!!!

In family groupings...

Shannon, Kevin and the kids

Here is Kaleigh and Bettie:

Here are Danielle, Damien and Xander:

and my baby, who towers over me...
ROBBIE

...and the kids know i have this thing when i take shots that the feet have to be in the pictures...lol...well they did this shot just for me...then I altered it a tiny bit.

Bettie with that worried look on her face...like WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO!!!

...and some may ask..where was Bettie at the picnic??? You KNOW she wouldn't be left out! She enjoyed a burger just for herself...and as you can see it was documented (good thing i have fast fingers to snap pics...quickly..)

WATCH OUT EAST COAST!!! I'M HEADING HERE IN OCTOBER!!!
The east coast will NEVER EVER BE THE SAME!!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
as always....HUGZ til next time!!!

half a weekend...

2010-05-23T06:50:00.004-05:00

is done...over...gone... Poof the time has slipped away...
The bathroom floor has been removed and replaced with a subfloor...David put the "facility" back in place so it could still be used...lol...(good thing we know the downstairs peeps...eh?) Tile flooring is the first to be done...

We have one more recital to do today...

She did an AWESOME job...in rehearsal and yesterdays performance... I haven't seen it yet as today is my turn to go!!!

Kevin and Maddy in their costumes for their father daughter dance... They are doing a hip hop version of ICE, ICE BABY...

Maddy's teacher does a book club for ten students thruout the year...he stays an extra hour three days a week...

Book club ended, as the year is winding down..and I put together this project for him to honor all his hard work and the first year of the club...

Just think...next month and HALF THE YEAR IS GONE...wow....

I'm off to the flea market shortly...I wonder what treasures I'll find?
This last couple days have been a treasure trove..

Sweet vintage pics for the new bathroom...

two perfect condition twin size chenille spreads...

This table i found a bit back..but going to repaint it in white...for the bathroom for towel storage...

and i think my favorite find is this antique farm table...for the kitchen!!!
(and now i have a place to put my rooster that I bought last season..that was too tall for anyplace else!!!

I also got a bunch of glass jewelry for a quarter a piece...haven't had time to photo as yet...but it will be great fun to recreate!!!

Hugz til next time!!!

Woo hooo!!! Summer time is..

2010-05-20T07:43:00.006-05:00

...UPON US!!! Temps have been soaring...(well perhaps just a slow climb...into the 70's and forcast of 80's! I've been switching the linens to lighter weight ones...

Jenny (where EVERYDAY IS A HOLIDAY) is having a VINTAGE VACATION SWAP

vacation....days filled with icy fingers of water sprayed from the sprinkler

vacation...days celebrating this great country we live in...

(robbie in the center with his drum)

and the FANS trying to catch the attention of the parade stream

vacation....bountiful treats from the farmers markets...

and the sweetness of watermelon smiles as they drip down your chin...

vacation...where the air is sometimes so humid the melt-in-your-mouth cotton candy SOMETIMES melts BEFORE it gets there

vacation...usually means a trip to MINOQUA in the great northern woods of wisconsin!

to drop a line in a cool lake

vacation...roasting marshmellows by the campfire...

vacation...where the fun in the sun sometimes lets us forget...times like this...

vacation....even if it's in your own back yard...

it's ready to be ENJOYED!!!

SO GET A MOVE ON...

HERE IT COMES!!!!

SUMMERTIME HUGZ.....til next time!!!

giveaway link!

2010-05-06T07:54:00.001-05:00

hop on over to see this sweet giveaway!!!

What a sweet face!!! omgosh!!!

prom...

2010-04-28T07:17:00.007-05:00

My niece went to prom last saturday...so i thought i'd put together some scrapbook pages for her...

SIBLINGS....a "before" the prom pic

and then there are the nails and hair pics...

definite signs of a secure relationship!!!

a kiss from daddy...(my brother-in-law...and quite the wonderful ACTOR!!! WOW!!)

You can tell Sam's mom is a scrapbooker...the kids get the idea of taking pics of EVERYTHING...FROM LITTLE ON...LOL

THE prom PROGRAM...

the date...

the next two are a matching spread...left side...

and the right side...

....and reliving the CRAZINESS OF BEING 16..

and thus will be printing these up...because today Sammy turns 16! and dropping them off at her house...

HUGZZ til next time!!!

a bit of art...

2010-04-15T20:43:00.004-05:00

i'm in a swap and the challenge was to create a mystical room based on a children's book, poetry etc...so here is what i came up with..it is a reading room!

I drafted a pattern for the little birdie and stitched him from onasburg fabric then covered him in tiny pieces of book pages.

The back of the "room" is a book cover from the late 1800's....the pages were falling out and this book was the perfect size...

We had two birthdays this last week...

Xander turned 8!

...and Logan turned ONE!!!

The weather is getting warmer...has been in the 80's for the last couple days...with a forcast of 60's for the weekend...and we can tell it's getting warmer...as the buggies are coming out of hiding...this little lady was on our back hall window...

Goodness...two posts in one day....wow...that's alot for me! Danielle's surgery went quite well yesterday...thanks for all that have emailed to ask...

Have a wonderful evening! and....

HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME!

taking orders...

2010-04-15T09:52:00.004-05:00

for mom, grandma, sister, friend, daughter bracelets....sterling letters...can be multiple strands...birthstones in crystals enhance the strands...(mother's day is coming!!! and EVERYONE has a birthday!!!)

Here is a bracelet i just finished for a new mom....

Just send me an email!!! burkardbbrc@sbcglobal.net

I can customize your bracelet just the way you want it for that special gift...

HAVE A LOVELY DAY! HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME!

It's easter hunting..time...

2010-03-27T09:33:00.001-05:00

Heading off to an Easter Egg Hunt..this morning...but in the meantime...

had a couple minutes to do a scrapbook page...for Maddy's book...

Will be back with more post later!!!

HUGZ

Happy naptime....

2010-03-25T16:01:00.008-05:00

and you have to love the bed head boy hair when he wakes up! (and he is sooo stinkin cuddly too!)

I get sooo much done during naptime...

... I finished a new fresh water pearl and pressed flower pendant necklace to match one of my new summer tops!!!

and made this snappy little apron number, too!

modeled by the lovely, Shannon...

Went out this morning and sent off my candy cup to my partner, Lorraine! Make sure you click on her name to scoot over to her DIVINE BLOG...OMGOODNESS WHAT LOVLINESS!!!

Last weekend we took a little trip to the chicago area to Gurnee Mills outlet mall...

Maxx got to pose with this CATCH OF THE DAY!

...and of course the REASON his catch made CATCH OF THE DAY...MUST be due to the Brand NAME on the pole!

Speaking of Maxx...this last weekend I took him for a program that is sponsored thru the school district...called THREE TO GET READY...

omg...can it be that the baby...is almost ready for (GASP) SCHOOL? He was sooo excited...and had a hard time sitting still until it was his turn..

Here is the start of my MONSTER atc's (at this point you are suppose to COWER in fear..well maybe not...they are monsters of the CUTE kind..)

just have to add the green slime...to the edges...and that is about as scary as THESE monsters get! (unless one should fall on the floor wet paint side down..then THIS PERSON...will get REAL UGLY!

Finished a cowboy theme curtain for sweet Logan's room...and still have lots to do...
and my poor INCHIES have been sorely neglected...

Saturday is DATE nite..for David and I...don't know where we will go...yet..hmmm...

Well as usual...

HUGZ til next time!

happy tuesday everyone!

2010-03-16T12:58:00.004-05:00

Getting ready for the promise of warmer weather! In the 50's today...with a PROMISE of 60's on thursday!!! (lalalalala..not listening to the snow prediction for sunday...)

Here in wisconsin...when the summer weather clothing hits the stores...it's time to buy...(just try to find a swim suit in july..lol...there may be a few between the winter clothing racks...lol)
Maddy got a pair of summer sandals and had to model them for the camera...(she asked that you don't notice her chipped polish...lol)

And upon seeing maddy going toe to toe with the camera...(no pun)Maxx had to plop on daddy's brewer baseball cap..for a mug shot...

WE'VE BEEN COUNTED...HAVE YOU?

Had a Challenge to create an easter bunny for Cloth doll artistry this week...Here is what i came up with...(we all used the same pattern...)
Her name is Spring...

I created her from onsaburg fabric...and painted her face...Her clothes i made of voile and vintage laces...her little bunny dollie, eggberta..is made from a vintage pre-loved baby blanket.

and i made these bird in the nest charms for a swap on amusing muses...

working on my inchies...

Hope this post finds everyone well...and ready for spring....(depending on where each of you is in the world...) Sending out my love to all...and as always...

hugz til next time!!!

shhh....it's a secret...

2010-03-06T22:26:00.004-06:00

....but from the looks of it...it looks like a message of LOVE in this bottle...wonder who it's for?

my 6th little inchie square I call Message in a Bottle...

Had some fun today...the kids wanted to paint...so i prepared a palate for each of them and let them go....

while maddy's looked like the beginning of a spring garden....

maxx said his looked like CHOCOLATE MILK...

Went out car shopping today...had a handful of car possibles in hand...will report in soon...

TOMMORROW BRINGS A FLEA MARKET BRIGHT AND EARLY...AND THEN....

ALICE!!!!!

Hugz til next time...

Wishing on stars?

2010-03-05T07:58:00.005-06:00

But of course!!! Especially when they are STARFISH!!!

My new addition to my stitchin sampler!

I totally had a different idea of what my fifth little inchie square would be...but my muse took me in a whole different direction! (perhaps it was because i was watching american idol...and seeing the STARS being born...)

This weekend is....GASP....

Have tickets in hand...prebought because many of the shows are sold out already...i'm NOT a crowd of people fan...so we will be going Sunday morning...(saved 4.50 a ticket by going to the early IMAX 3-d performance! and heck that savings pays for the popcorn!!!)

had some jewelry time...

Finished a couple of t-shirts for a sweet friend's little angels too! Just have to add a few bows...(as soon as the ribbon gets here!!!)

It's been a busy week!!! Everyone play nice and as always...

HUGZ til next time!

she's a BATHING BEAUTY!!!!!

2010-03-04T10:24:00.004-06:00

Morning EVERYONE!!!

OFFERING UP FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE...

my 4th inchie!!!

my squares thus far...

happy Thursday!!!

...and as always...HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME!

CAUGHT UP!!!

2010-03-03T12:17:00.004-06:00

YEAH!!! I got all caught up in my daily inchies! I'm so proud of ME!!! My theme is... By the sand & sea

I'm stitching along with lots of other lovely sweeties one inch at a time! Begun by the FABULOUS, AMY POWERS....you can find more info HERE!!!

This is my color palate...

My first inchie is this little mermaid with her irridecent tail.

My second inchie I call Sand Dollar riches.

My third inchie is a weathered fence on the beach held up with wild sea grasses.

I'm ready to go for my next ones...I have them all planned out in my little journal that i keep in my purse just in case an idea hits!!!

Have a lovely day everyone...and as always...

HUGZ til next time!

i'm.......................

2010-03-02T11:35:00.002-06:00

i'm late i'm late to add my first squares...but i shall catch up soon! stay tuned!

drum rolllll please.....and the winner is...

2010-02-16T07:49:00.002-06:00

ANGIE!!!! angiehallhaviland.typepad.com

CONGRATS!!! And thank you everyone for stopping by to visit! I hope you stop by again!

hugz and love til next time!!!

this is IT.......OWOH

2010-01-27T08:23:00.008-06:00

This is IT!!!!

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS....AT HAND..
once again...ONE WORLD ONE HEART...is rolling...and I'm LATE...been one of those weeks..meant to get this up and running...but now is as good a time as ever...

I will create 5 (8x8) custom scrapbook pages for the winner of my OWOH draw! The winner will email me some high resolution photos and I will create custom pages printed on 10.5mil thick photo paper..ready to put into an album!

Here are some of the hundreds of pages i've done...

JUST LEAVE A COMMENT!!!! I will contact the winner and I will get busy creating your pages!!!

JUST EVERY DAY LIFE FOLLOWING...just skip to the bottom to leave a comment for the OWOH drawing...!!!

(insert on-hold elevator music here while you scroll down...lol)

People waking up in my area this morning may think...oh goodness it is sooooo cold out (13 degrees..windchill ZERO) but without those temps...we wouldn't get this...

or this...

Happy Wednesday!

Been a busy week...I worked on Sunday...all day...was a quiet one...
On Monday was called and let go from my job....there is just not enough business to maintain that many people...and I'm not crosstrained to do labs etc...with the animals...if they pick up in the summer they will call me back...until then...we will see where i end up...no sorrows...no sadness...i am where i am...and where i am supposed to be will happen... SMILES!!!

Got several orders for some diaper cakes...this week and a baby shower corsage (actually a wrist corsage!)

Had to say goodbye to our Explorer....

She was a good girl...had her for sooooo many years...took us on many many journeys and watched our kids grow up...but of late so much was going wrong...and when it refused to start at robbie's work...well R.I.P. had her flatbedded...David said he almost shed a tear..when they pulled her up on the truck...

Oh goodness...all over a car...anyone else get attached to vehicles?

My sweet, Logan, has begun to stand ALONE...!!!

He is growing sooo fast!!!

Remember to leave a comment...and THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!

Hugz til next time!

LOOKIE HERE!!!

2010-01-21T14:54:00.004-06:00

SHE IS GOING TO BE A GIVEAWAY TODAY!!! HURRY ON OVER!!!

GEEEEZ I HOPE I'M NOT TOOO LATE!!! HURRY HURRY!!!

GOOD MORNING NEW YEAR!!!

2010-01-01T08:39:00.002-06:00

I woke up this morning...in 2010...having slept the WHOLE year so far! It is 10 degrees out...brrr...

Having lived for 10 years in the 2000's...the new decade will bring about a new peace, happiness and calm....

So much to live for...so much to cherish...new ideas...new goals...each day a learning oppportunity....never to late....

LAST POST....

2009-12-31T23:15:00.003-06:00

...before the clock strikes 12 and we roll over into a new year! 2010 will be glorious...i can feel it...

take a last look back and reflect...

on the little things that were meaningful..and put aside all the harsh...things that were hurtful and things that we had no control over....

my wish for you all for 2010...
be safe, healthy, strong...

smile more...worry less...enjoy each and every moment...banish those that bring you down and make you feel small...rise above...and love life...each day is truly a gift...unwrap it slowly and notice each fold and crease...and wonder what exciting discovery you will find beneath. when something blocks your way...take a detour...and you will find the detour is the right path anyway...

sending out love, hugz and peace to my world of family...(yes you CAN pick your family!!!!) and I'm ever thankful for those that are mine...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

issues with tape...

2009-12-22T14:31:00.005-06:00

Maxx took it upon himself...to wrap his mommy a present...(aren't little boys so special at this age) He gathered scraps of brightly colored paper as they fell to the floor like a little squirrel gathering a winters feast.

He came upstairs and picked up a roll of tape...and i asked what he was going to do with MY tape...

i have to wrap mommy's present!

,came the little reply.

So he went downstairs and went under the tree...(where the present in question was hiding....)

He sat down in the dining room and proceeded to have a tape adventure...

(one can never have too much tape)

(and the darn stuff REALLY sticks...to little fingers...) now i can't for the life of me get the darn stuff to stick on paper...

(i need help nonnie)

hmmm...wonder what's in the package...

VOILA!!! IT'S DONE!

...AND just what is in that package so preciously wrapped? folds and folds of paper..wrapped around lots of love...

O/T
Sitting by the computer...working away....and you know something is MISSING...outside temps hovering at 20.....and YOU CAN'T QUITE PUT A FINGER ON WHAT THAT SOMETHING missing IS...

feet felt a bit cold...and the nonnie cam...caught a SUSPECT...anyone recognize these feet?
kind of smallish in my lavender fluffies...scampering across the floor in a shuffle shuffle....

AHA!!!!!

wishing you all toasty toes...big hugz, Merry Christmas and LOTS OF LOVE!

need i say...

2009-12-10T09:22:00.002-06:00

more?

but then...just when i thought it was cold...

it got....

COLDER!!!!! BRRRRRRR....AND WITH THE WINDCHILL IS -17...

it's beginning to look...

2009-12-08T17:18:00.008-06:00

like Christmas!!! Well certainly outside!!! forcasting 4-8" of heavy, SNOWMAN BUILDING, snow tonite...!!!

(update...we got some snow...but basically it was raining slush! still forcasting an additional 5" for today...) Just west of Milwaukee...though, they got 18" of the white stuff!

out shoveling this morning...

...and we just got a call from school that they have no power for at least a couple hours...so they are taking the whole school over to the recreation dept...building...now THAT sounds like an adventure!!!

Package from TASMANIA arrived by my door! We (maddy and I) had to research where the package came from!
Sweet, Grace and I were partners in Vivian's elf swap! Just look at my sweet little ELFIN!!! And make sure you skip over to her etsy shop for such a delightful array of stuffies!!!!

Thank you, Grace and Viv!!!!

Just a little bit of frost and these little berries were peeking their heads out of the crust just begging for a last pic before they are blanketed for the season...

This month has flown by so fast thus far! Whhhhoooosh and it will be gone! Still so much to do!

Just making supper and I was struggling to open a package (you know the ones...you pull and pull at the seam then POP! ALL GIVES WAY AND YOUR FLOOR IS COVERED WITH THE CONTENTS! Maxx was watching me and goes, "NONNIE, you have to go...UUUHHHH" AND HE GRITTED HIS TEETH, SQUINCHED HIS EYES...UUUHHH!..then he reached up to squeeze my muscle on my arm...(well where there is SUPPOSED to be a muscle...and he goes...use THAT NONNIE...lol...)

Maxx and his little charlie brown tree...hee hee...he is sooo proud of his sprig!

Miss Maddy came home from school yesterday and had some BIG NEWS...she was voted (ONCE AGAIN)

CITIZEN OF THE MONTH!

This award is quite the honor as they only choose one "citizen" each month...and she also won back in OCTOBER!!! Some kids may have all these fluffy things on their Christmas lists...Maddy has books like A CHILDREN'S ATLAS, BOOK ON THE EARTH, ANIMALS AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM...(can you see my grin?)

If you haven't had the chance to see the movie, THE BLINDSIDE. Run out to see it! It is a really wonderful movie...

Danielle, our youngest, has been doing photoshoots for people in local parks to gain attention for her fledgling photo business...(i got to tag along on a couple of shoots...such fun!)

Dani goes to extremes many times to get that perfect shot...the creek bed was sooo slippery...

..and of course some of her favorite clients were those we MAY recognize...lol

Maxx looks like a giant baby by this tree...

HUGZ TIL NEXT TIME!

COOKIES...

2009-12-05T07:34:00.004-06:00

...AND like the movie that will be arriving next spring..."i'm late, i'm late for a very important date!!!" my cookie baking is a bit off key...the best laid plans...often go awry...

You were so kind enough to visit my blog...and i'd like to share a sweet plate of some tea cookies that i purchased at a church sale...made by some sweet little ladies...and were oh so yummy...maddy and i and yes maxx too...had a little tea party...with them...

and i'd also like to share this cute website...that i found...it's all about CUTE FOOD!!! THE PHOTOS ARE TDF!!!

I can't believe I didn't post one thing in NOVEMBER!!! I only work part time..but feel like it's 3 full time positions...ugh...

I did create a sweet "nightmare before xmas" themed elf art dollie...

..and of course we paid homage to the big guy in red...

hugz and promises of more posts for december...

sunny fall day...

2009-10-27T13:47:00.010-05:00

temperature is a bit chilly but no complaints here! Temps this week are hovering in the 50's with promises of 60's thursday and friday!

Maxx and I had a bit of a fall walk...he loves to scoot his feet in the leaves...

mother nature left us a carpet of them to scoot in...

Today after long anticipation...it was time to CUT THE PUMPKIN...

had to think about it for a minute...(i think maxx thinks he has a goatee...lol)

...nonnie, i LOVE this pumpkin! he said, then gave it a hug...
(had to have him recreate the hug as i didn't have the camera ready..lol..oooops...)

nonnie, what is that stuff!!!?

...and look it's a hat too! (my sweet little punkin head!)

he reached in (with a bit of persuasion) and got this teeny tiny piece of pumpkin guts!

(look close for that little piece between his fingers!)
THAT WAS A BIG DEAL!!! I GOT SOME, I GOT SOME!!!

...goin in for seconds...

and pretty soon.....(time elapsed for blogging...)

VOILA!!!

(with a little help...) a MAXX pumpkin!

Maddy will do hers when she is home from school later!

We got our fall school pictures...oh how they grow!!!

Xander (second grade)

Maddy (third grade) her hair looks short but it is actually braided up in the back!

Thanks to everyone who sent us license plates for maxx's room! It is coming along nicely! (If anyone has any we have lots of room for more!!!) and we put the persons names on the backs so we know where they came from...!!

LOST IN COMMUNICATION....

me: honey, can you vacuum the house?

david: sure!

Me: (hears leaf blower going) NOT THAT HOUSE!!!

gotta love him....

So i was on craigslist and have been looking for a pair of swivel rockers for my dining room as a reading area...with a little table between...some comfy little place for quiet...and found these....1960 retro chairs...

they had been listed at the beginning of the month and i was worried that perhaps they would be gone..already and had been forgotten to be removed from the listing..well the gentleman emailed me to say they were still available and he REALLLY NEEDED TO GET RID OF THEM...and WITHOUT ASKING I COULD HAVE THEM FOR HALF PRICE!!!! Going to pick them up thursday!!! woo hoooooo!!!
hugz til next time!!!