Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!!

Wishing all of my new blogland friends a very blessed and memorable New Year in 2011!!  I am so thankful for so many things throughout 2010 and much of that is all the wonderful new talented friends I have made.  May you all be blessed with health, happiness and so many precious memories this New Year.




Happy New Year 2011.
xo ~ Laura

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

A special gift for my Mom

Hi!!  Well this morning turned out to be an interesting way to start my day.  We ended up getting a weather front in very early this morning and when I got up this morning at 5:00 a.m., I let the dogs out and saw some snow but thought no big deal as it didn't look all that bad.  So out the door I went at 5:50 a.m., only to find out 5 minutes into my drive it was whiteout conditions and I couldn't even see the road.  I made it to the next exit, called my boss and said I can't see anything and it's dumping snow and she said turn around and go home now, so I did.  So it is a personal day for me today which was fine as I was able to do some crafting :)  What a better way to spend a snow day by doing something I love!!

My Mom and Dad would have been hitting their 60th wedding anniversary on the 3rd of January and I know how bad she wanted Dad to hang on until then SOOOOOOO I decided to do something very special up for her and made her this adoreable picture frame.

And what else???  Well Dad and I had talked before he passed away about their anniversary and told me some very special things which no one else knew about so I put together this letter for my Dad and put it in the card I made for her.  I know she is going to cry but it will mean so much to her :)

Here is the letter to Mom via me from my Dad :)

To my wonderful wife on what would have been 60 years of marriage

January 3rd, 1951 – January 3rd, 2011

Although I am not physically here on what would have been our 60th wedding anniversary, I would have wanted to let you know how much you meant to me and all the memories that we had shared over this time. I was a very fortunate man and married the love of my life and wouldn’t have changed a thing.

You are such a wonderful and caring woman who was always there with me, all the way to the end. Just know that you fulfilled your wedding vows to me with such strong beliefs and dedication……..

For better or worse

Through sickness and health

For richer or poorer

Til death do us part
 
You are an amazing human being, loving Mother and were my best friend and wife. The love that you have for life definitely shows and I knew that you would be just fine without me. You are full of life and will move forward and live the remaining part of your life with joy and laughter, which is what I would want.


So remember our memories, and know in your heart that I loved you so very much and will be forever in your heart.

Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary Lola

Love always,

Tom
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So have a a wonderful day and happy crafting!!

Today's quote:  "Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day"

xo ~ Laura






















Linking up to:
Beyond The Picket Fence

Someday Crafts

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!!!

Wishing all of my dear blogland friends a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and blessed Happy New Year from my family to yours. 


We had a wonderful Christmas last night on Christmas Eve with my children and grandbabies and gained so many new precious memories.  I am truly blessed!! Yes even Dad was here with us, watching down and smiling.   It has always been one of our traditions to have Christmas Jammies on for this night :)

My oldest and youngest

My oldest daughter and her hubby
My 6 grandbabies
My son and me
Carissa and her Dad....he got her the cowboy boots she's wanted and will be wearing these under her wedding dress in May :)
One of my grand dogs, yes even she had her jammies on lol


 Brandon and Carissa - the engaged couple..... :)
My handsome hubby who is the best ever!

My beautiful daughter-in-law
and last but not least, my other granddog :)




May you gain many precious memories throughout this New Year and be blessed beyond your dreams.

xo ~ Laura

Friday, December 24, 2010

Finished!!!!

Happy Christmas Eve!!

Well I finished my last and final project yesterday and am now 100% completed and ready for a special Christmas Eve tonight with my family :)  I had a lot of little things to finish yesterday but the last project to finish was just one more wall plaque.  Whew!!!

I am looking forward to having a full house later today with my 3 children, their spouses and my 6 grandbabies :)  We even have my ex coming to share in this special day.  I have to admit that this month has been a tough one for me and after Dad passed, I was having a hard time just getting into it and enjoying the season as I always have.  Something just kept nawing at me, ENJOY this time as it has always been your favorite time of the year.  So I did the best I could and it all started coming back in leeps and bounds.  I know it was my Dad nudging me :)  "Thank you Daddy"  :DDD

So have a wonderful day today and if you are spending time with your friends and family today, enjoy those very special moments that will last a life time and remember to celebrate life.  Thank you Jesus for for your birth and all that you've done for us and continue to do.

xo ~ Laura

Today's quote:  It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Big project completed :)

Happy Wednesday!!

I did it!!  I was really worried about getting this project done in time for Christmas and I really had to do it.  I worked on it for 3 hours tonight and got it done :)  I did have a little set back as I accidently popped one of the panes of glass out so had to reset and reglue it.  Fortunately I didn't break it :)

I made this up for my ex husband for Christmas.  We always have him over for Christmas eve so we can all spend time with our kids and our grandbabies.  My hubby is awesome and said he wouldn't have it any other way. 

Just shows you that you can get over the past and move forward.  I know that my ex would still do anything for any of us which is a nice feeling.

Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!!

Today's quote:  Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.

- Benjamin Disraeli

xo ~ Laura

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Week is flying by!!!

Happy Tuesday!!

I can't believe how fast this entire month has gone by and now the week is moving quickly too.  Why is it when you have so much to get done, there doesn't seem like enough time to do it all. 

Met Carissa tonight after working all day and went to get the last few items I needed to finish a project so am hoping to get the biggest one done tomorrow and then finish my other 2 on Thursday, right under the wire.     Well exactly 5 months from today, Carissa is getting married so this is what we're also up to?

Yup, addressing these postcards we did up.  Never ends huh :)

Have a wonderful rest of the week and happy crafting!!

xo ~ Laura

Monday, December 20, 2010

Magnets

Happy Monday!!

Well I'm in a rush mode to finish the final few projects that I'm doing as gifts and I am right on task.  I'm glad I have Thursday off so that I can finish anything else I don't get done during the week nights when I get home from work.  Keeping my fingers crossed lol.

My girls were over at the house the other day and they really loved my magnet that I have on my dishwasher and said "Where did you get that?"  I of course said "well I made it why?"  lol.  Did they really think I bought it?  Hahahaha.  They all said they wanted one as they are tired of their significant others always asking if the dishes were clean or dirty so what did I do???  Yup you guessed it!  I made each of them one :)  Now my Mod Podge is still semi wet so there is a reflection as I'm impatient when it comes to pictures.

Each is custom to something they enjoy, either color wise, decor or what they absolutely love.  Leah's is the Pink one, her favorite color,  Krissy's is the one with grapes on it as that is her kitchen decor and Carissa loves her dog very very much so her's in the one with the bone :)

Then I had another piece of magnet so decided to make one in memory of Dad.  Hmmmm maybe having it on the refridgerator will make me think twice about grabbing something I shouldn't lol.  Why you ask?  Well Dad had a nickname for me when I was a very little girl as I was quiet the pudgy one and it was Tubbalubs lol.  Yes it stuck like glue!!  When I got older and had my kids, I put on a few pounds and he shortened it to Tubby.  I just laughed and loved it as he so meant it with love and man did that make Mom mad when he said it and we would both just grin ear to ear.  So now I will giggle when I see it on my fridge :)

Have a wonderful evening and happy crafting!!

Today's quote:  Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece, by thought, choice, courage, and determination.


xo ~ Laura

Friday, December 17, 2010

MoM Blocks

Wahoo it's Friday!!!  I made it through a very long and busy week and I'm SO glad it's the weekend now :)  Have a lot to finish up for Christmas presents.  Can you believe it is next week already???  Yikes!!  lol

So I wanted to do something very special for Larry's Mom.  She is the sweetest woman and I love my MIL so much so I wanted her to know how much she means to us and all she's done.



This saying is so true for Mom.  Unconditional love ~  A true blessing in my life.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

xo ~ Laura

Today's Quote:  "Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today"

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Fit for a princess :)

While some of my other projects are drying so I can finish them, I decided to make a few things for my sweet little princess granddaughter for Christmas as I also have gotten her some tutu's.  She loves dressing up so I figured a princess needs a wand and a crown right?  I might even make her a few more in different colors :)

The glitter glue is still wet but it will be nice and shiney for her when she opens them :)  So fun!!

I also got in a baking mode tonight and decided to start making some cookies for Christmas.  Tonight is peanut butter chocolate chips with white chocolate chips too :)  Yummmmmm!!!  Guess I'll be going back on my diet but after Christmas lol.

Have a wonderful evening and happy crafting!!

Today's quote:  "All of life is a journey; which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to is up to us. We determine our destination, what kind of road we will take to get there, and how happy we are when we get there"

xo ~ Laura

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Name Plaques

Have I told you how good it feels to be able to craft again??!!!!  lol  I'm loving coming home and working on some of my projects :)

I am making name plaques for Christmas for my kids.  I just finished Brandon and Carissa's tonight and love how it turned out.  This so fits their house decor!!

One down, 2 more to go along with a bigger project that I have to get done before the 24th!!  I think I know what I'll be doing this weekend lol.

Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!!

Today's quote:  "Have patience with all things, but chiefly,. have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them and every day begin the task anew."

Linking to
Get your craft on Thurs.

xo ~ Laura

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Peace on Earth

Howdy!!

Well here it is a Tuesday night in the PNW and wow has it been a rainy and windy week!!  It is crazy around here.  Dodging tree limbs into work, being detoured due to trees down and water over the roads.  I'm ready for Summer now :)

I did up something so simple but so very precious to me tonight.  I had gotten some Christmas cards 2 years ago at Costco and never sent them out as I forgot I had them, go figure lol.  Well this year I got them out and went through them and hand picked which ones to send to whom.  Each one had a meaning behind it.  Well I had this very special one that has 2 doves on it.  As most of you already know, doves are very special to me and this Christmas they are even more special do to the honoring and celebrating of my Dad's life whom I just lost 2 weeks ago.  It is absolutely beautiful and what a better saying.......  "Peace on earth".

Here is a closer shot to show the details of the doves even better :)


I am actually working on a few more projects tonight but they aren't done yet so hoping to get them posted in a day or two.  Being back to work fulltime and getting caught up has me tuckered out when I get home but I am so enjoying getting back into my crafting.  It is great therapy for me.  Actually a productive night.  Projects, played a few songs on the organ for Dad and now am going to just sit back and relax and watch some T.V.

Have a wonderful evening and it's great to be back :)  I have missed so many of your blogs and wonderful projects and look forward to reading them all and catching up.

xo ~ Laura

Monday, December 13, 2010

My Sweet Angel Friend

This is a very special post for my very dear sweet angel friend here on earth.  I met Deb here through blogland and have gotten to know her so well through these past few months.  She has been my angel helping me through so much of my feelings with my Dad and she sent me this beautiful treasure that I will never ever forget.

I got home from work today and picked up the mail and there was this little package from Deb.  I opened it and the tag was so sweet and it had 2 pins that were guardian angels. 


I then opened the sweet package, so delicately wrapped and opened the box to find this.  This brought such tears to my eyes, not because of sadness but tears of such joy as I now have this beautiful ornament to add to my tree every year in rememberance of Dad.


Here he hangs between my 2 very special doves that mean so much to me. Perfect place and this is will he will hang for all the rest of my years on earth during Christmas to honor and celebrate his life.
People are put in our lives for a reason.  Some stay around for a short time and others for life.  This wonderful woman was placed in my life and she will be one that will be for life.  Love you Deb so much!!

Have a wonderful day and remember, cherish your time with your loved ones while you can because we don't know how long we'll have them with us physically.

xo ~ Laura

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Whew..... got it done :)

Time to now move onward and get back into a regular routine.  Dad's service was yesterday and I'm so glad that is all done now.  Dad would want me to enjoy myself and all that I love and so Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I love my crafting so I'm back :)

Well it took me a little longer to get up all my decorations but I finally got it done.  Well for what I have done or already had.  Still working on a few more projects ;)

I finished my mantle area and love it.  It is so nice to just come home, turn on the lights and enjoy how pretty it looks.  My kids tell me that my house looks like a Christmas store lol.  Did I tell you I just LOVE Christmas??  lol

I have put up my Christmas blocks I made along with my candles that I did a few weeks ago.  I just love being able to sit and stare at my projects and enjoy them.  Makes me feel good :D

Here is a picture of my table.  Yup was able to use my plate stand to elevate my angel!!  Lovin it!

Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!!

Today's quote:  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.


- Isaiah 40:29-31

xo ~ Laura

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Tree is decorated!!

Things have been very busy with having to have gone back to work after Dad's passing and getting ready for his Memorial Service today but I am making some progress with the decorating around the house.  I was able to get the tree up and decorated and was very excited because Carissa came over and we kept our tradition going and were able to put our porcelin doves on the tree. 



The picture doesn't do the tree justice but it turned out beautiful.  Oh how I love Christmas!!  It makes me so happy.

I'm making progress around my fireplace.  Here is a sneek peek of part of it.  I love my larger nutcracker :)


Here is a picture of my newest addition to my collection.  Carissa found it and brought it over.  I just love him :)



Wishing you a fabulous day and happy crafting!!

Today's quote:  The strength of the heart comes from the soundness of the faith.

xo ~ Laura

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Checking in

Today I went back to work for the first time in a week and a half since Dad got sick and passed away.  It was a very long day and exhausting.  I think now that things are starting to settle down a little, it is starting to hit me a little more.  Saturday will be Dad's Memorial Service so I've been busy getting things ready for that.  Dad has told me for years that when he passes, he wanted his ashes in either a tool box or a fishing tackle box, two of his favorite things in life so what did I do for him? 


He's just smiling down on me that's for sure :)  I never let Dad down, even now.  I pick up his ashes tomorrow and he is going to love this.

I also made a candle for his service.  I will be keeping this after the service is done and it will sit on my organ so when I play for him, he's right there with me.



I updated my shadow box tonight also to reflect Christmas. 

I received this beautiful flower arrangement from one of my cousins sending me a "Hug".  She knows that I love Christmas and knows it is a little harder for me this year with Dad's passing but this cute vase will be a tradition with fresh flowers every Christmas from here on out and will be done up to celebrate Dad's life.


I'm just taking it a day at a time.  Things are getting a little better but still have my times but time will heal my empty spot in my heart but his memories will be with me forever.  A friend also sent me a living tree to plant in honor of Dad.  I will put every bit of love I had for him into nuriousing it also :)



Have a wonderful rest of the week.

xo ~ Laura