Olivia Jane

Thinking about my wonderful friend's little Olivia today.  She is turning six this year.  Happy Birthday in heaven Olivia Jane...and Happy "Birth" day to you Momma. :)

Way Back Wednesday-03

It's Wednesday again. :)  Here's looking back to Halloween 2005, when #1 was a little guy!

On This Day

On this day, 26 years ago, my sweet sister-in-law, Kayla, was born.  I don't know when or where, but I sure am glad she was!  She is a blessing to our family and I'm so glad she chose my brother to be her husband.  Not only is she an amazing woman, she's going to make an amazing mother.  I found out a couple days ago that I'm going to be an Aunt again!!!  YEA!!  So excited to have another little one in the family!  Love you sis!  Happy Birthday!

I'm A Dream Girl!

Last night I got some great news!  I've been accepted to another Creative Team.  I've wanted to be on this particular team since I first found out there was such a thing as a "Creative Team."  I love this designer's work!  Her papers are amazing, as are her brushes and other elements.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!  Can you tell I'm a bit excited?  Hehe...like a kid at Christmas!  I was so excited I had to do a layout or two right away!  So here we go...my first two layouts for Michelle Coleman of Little Dreamer Designs.

Created using "Vintage Spring" by Michelle Coleman

Created using "Timeless" by Michelle Coleman

Both kits are available at www.littledreamerdesigns.com

On A Roll

I'm on a roll people!  Scrapin' is happnin'!  I've completed two more layouts for my creative team.  This time I had the chance to work with a lovely kit from heavenDreams.  It's called "Summer Breath," and it really does have a wonderful summery feel to it.  I also loved it because it's something out of the pink box I've been working in lately.  I took that as a sign that I needed to do some boy layouts with it!  Here's a couple of Cody from May of 2010...

The kit is in the Scrap Wishes store!  Check it out!  Here's the link:

http://scrap-wishes.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_102&products_id=2762



On a Creative Team!

In other news...I've been selected by www.scrap-wishes.com to be a part of their store Creative Team!!!   I'll be creating layouts for them using products by their wonderful designers.  I'm so excited and honored to be a part of their amazing team!!  I'm looking forward to all the products I'll get to showcase here as well.  I completed my first two layouts this week using V-Design's beautiful, "Colors of Autumn" kit.  It's available here at the scrap-wishes store:
http://scrap-wishes.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_194&products_id=6802

These are my first layouts for the team!

Way Back Wednesday-02

Time again for another look back.  Here's some layouts I've done this past week using photos and memories from at least two years ago.  Enjoy!

  

The Last Two Years

Yesterday my baby boy turned two.  Where has the time gone?  Being my last little miracle, I had high ideals as to what kind of baby he was going to be and how our early years would go.  Things would be simple.  Number three, I had it down!  Not so, I quickly discovered after he arrived.  But even with all that we've been through in the last two years, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

                                                                             
Joshua, my sweet little boy, you are a blessing.  I love your sense of humor, and the way you crack yourself and all of us up.  Your laugh is contagious.  Your facial expressions are priceless, and something I'm always trying to capture on film.  Your blue eyes light up when you're getting into trouble, which you do often.  You are truly a two year old!  Your little voice and your quips keep all of us smiling.  You are dearly loved my little man.  Always know that.  Love, Mommy

Is It Bedtime Yet?

Ever have days when you just want to pull out your hair and scream?!?  I'm having one of those days.  Every time I turn around my youngest (2) is into something he's not supposed to be into...My middle (5) is crying about something...and my oldest (7) is tattling or whining.  Days like today make me outrageously glad when bedtime comes!  Big sigh.  But then I remember the sweet smiles, hugs and kisses I've been blessed with today, and it makes it a bit easier to rejoice...although I'm still looking forward to bedtime. :)

Way Back Wednesday-01

While backing up my photos and albums today,  I came across these.  Hard to believe how much my kiddos have grown, and how many album pages I already have to catch up on!  In an effort to do just that, I'd like to make Wednesday my day for posting layouts using photos from at least 2 years ago.  I can't say that it will happen every Wednesday, but at least I'll have the goal to strive for!  So without further adieu, my first "Way Back Wednesday" layouts...

I Remember::

The smell of violets and lilacs blooming:: The feel of cool grass under bare feet:: The color of warm sun on cheery daffodils:: The sight of dewdrops sparkling in the morning light:: I remember:: Spring

Progress Has Been Made...

Even though it hasn't shown on blogland.  Yes, it's true.  I have made progress in the last...oh...only month and a half since I posted last.  It seems that I have a terrible time posting without having pictures to back everything up.  The truth of the matter is I'm a perfectionist...a recovering perfectionist, but a perfectionist nevertheless.  I take pictures of what I've been doing, but then they don't end up on my computer for ages.  Who wants to read a post without any pictures.  Not me.  And who's the one reading this.  ME.  There's my problem.
The reality is, that I have made some progress though.  That's what I need to be focusing on.  The beds in the kid's rooms have been switched.  I not only decided how to do #3's quilt, but have it mostly done.  I have decided to give #1 the room he dreams of...Star Wars...tastefully done, of course ;) and have begun work on that.  He doesn't know it, but that's going to be a Birthday present.  I have the bunk bed quilts purchased.  I have made Star Wars pillow cases and now just need to decide on paint color, order artwork from www.etsy.com  and make pillows like these http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/star-wars-decorative-shams/.  I think it will come together nicely by April 20th :)
Pictures will be posted...someday...when they make their way on to my computer...and I'm OK with that.

What To Do???

So, I've found fabric for Joshua's quilt for his "new" room.  Perfect colors, perfect everything!  Problem is, I now can't figure out what kind of quilt to do for him.  I've thought about several different patterns, by still can't make up my mind.  I often find that committing and making the first cut are the hardest part of quilting.  What if I mess up...or worse....what if I don't like it after I start!!!  Arggg.  Perfectionism rears it's ugly head!  I really wanted to decide today so that I can start cutting tonight.  Hmmmmmmm...What to do???

GG turns 90!

This past weekend Richard and I got to take a trip up to the Portland area for my Grandmother's Birthday.  "GG," as the greats all call her, turns 90 this week!  What an amazing women my Grandmother is.  My desire to create with my sewing machine comes from her.  An avid seamstress in her younger years, she still tries to keep busy creating with fabric.  I spent several summers with her when growing up, and though there's a great distance between us, the bond we share has never wavered.  Every time I'm with her I feel as though we'd never been apart.  I wish we could have spent more time together, but I know we're thinking of each other over the miles.

My Dearest Grandmother,
     Words don't seem to be enough to describe how much I love you.  Even though the distance between us is great, I've always felt a wonderful bond with you that the miles haven't caused to waver.  Spending my summers with you while growing up are some of my happiest memories of that time of my life.  Our trip to the beach and cheese factory for ice cream, Pendleton for wool to make skirts, and sewing with you are all treasured memories.  I knew without a doubt that you and Grandad loved me truly.  Feeling that love even though we rarely got to see each other is something that I treasure to this day, and can't thank you enough for.
     Our conversation when I was about nineteen is another of my favorite memories.  The conversation when I promised you that someday you'd have a granddaughter named after you.  You said no, because you hated your name and didn't want another poor little girl to suffer through with that name, so we compromised and I assured you her name would just be "Hallie," instead of "Halcyon."  I never doubted that the Lord would give me a little Hallie, and now that beautiful baby is five years old.  She is a joyful delight to us all and a sweet girl who happily shares her GG's name.  I know you're proud for her to have your name, and I know she's proud to share it with you.  Wanting to name her after you is my way of showing you how much I love you, which I hope you already know.
     Even though I don't always get to tell you, I love you dearly and know you've always been there for me with thoughts and prayers.  Thank you for blessing me with your love for all these years.  Happy Birthday Grandmother.
All my love,
Elisa

Rooms Without A View...Unless You Count The Mess!

     The current state of the rooms of both of my boys is tragic.  Really REALLY tragic.  As in, enter at your own risk tragic.  When number one was born, he had a perfect little room.  All nicely decorated and ready to welcome him home.  When my daughter was born her room, too, was cute.  Not quite as nicely decorated, as we'd just moved into our new house, but still pretty and welcoming by the time she was in there.  (It has since been re-done in a bigger girl theme perfectly suited to her little five-year-old flavor.)  My oldest was kicked out of his room when number three came along.  Since then both oldest and youngest (boys) have never had a real room.  Their rooms are full of boxes, toys and junk.  No personality or flavor for either of them.  I hate it.  I feel horrible that their spaces are so cluttered and only used for sleeping in. 
     As we get closer to moving #3 into a big bed, I think the time has come to dig in and do something about their rooms.  I think a re-arranging of beds is in order, some major de-cluttering, some paint if I can manage it, some bedding, and for sure some furniture swapping. 
#1 will get the bunk beds, as he'll use them for sleepovers and such before anyone else.  #2, I think will loose the full bed she's been used to, and gain the trundle bed.  And little man (#3), will get the full bed so that he is less likely to roll out of it at night. 
     #1 loves red, and the bunk bed is red, so that works nicely.  He also has a light blue chair in there.  I think we'll either add some more blues or grays and maybe black as accents.  #3 is still too young to care, so he gets what Mommy feels for : right now that's orange.  Yes, you heard me right, ORANGE.  And grey.  And maybe blue...but for sure orange!  Before pictures of both rooms coming soon!

On This Day

On this day five years ago, my world was blessed with a sweetness beyond compare.  My baby girl was born into this world.  My lovely, dark haired, beautiful brown eyed Hallie Alayna.  A soft little bundle of love and joy has transformed into a bubbly, precocious five year old : more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.
      

       Hallie, your beauty and joy come from the amazing heart the Lord has blessed you with.  Your kind thoughtful nature is a reflection of the Lord in you.  You are tough and determined and have a little stubborn streak, but the care and love you show for your family and friends make you a true blessing to us all.  You are so loved my darling girl.  May you always know how treasured you are!

One Day

Think : Feel : Create : Preserve: One day at a time. 
 
            Inspirations : Musings : Life as we know it.

     Taking time to wonder and wander through the days
       
        blessed by the little things that make this life
our own.
       
Thanksgiving in our blessings and our struggles : Joy in simplicity : Grace :: overwhelming.