Happy Easter!!

Hi!  I hope that all of you had a wonderful Easter with your family and friends today.  Ours was very quiet today as we spend time with our older kids and grandbabies yesterday.  We didn't have anything planned but a quiet little ham dinner with just the two of us and then we got a call from Carissa and she asked what we were doing and she said her and her hubby Brandon were coming over to visit.  We said OK then :)  Well in the door they came and was it just them?  No it was their dog Red, and Roger their rabbit lol.

This is the first time the Easter bunny actually physically stopped by our house lol.  It was a beautiful day here in the PNW and got up to 76 degrees so we were enjoying it and so was Roger.  He just roamed in the yard eating any of the long grass he could find.

I started a new job 3 weeks ago and have been working 12+ hours every day so haven't had much time for crafting and that makes me sad so I'm readjusting my schedules to get back to my "ME" time.  I am working on a few small things.  Want to see?

So that is all for me tonight.  Going to wind down and get to bed early as it will be a busy week.  Have a wonderful week and happy crafting!!

xo ~ Laura

Spring has sprung?????

Well hello!!!  I know it's been a few weeks and I sit and wonder where on earth the time is going and what exactly I've been accomplishing.  It sure feels like not much that's for sure lol.  I hope that all of you have been enjoying some beautiful weather and crafting away!!  I know change is good but sometimes change is hard to get used to or is it just me??? 

We have been adjusting to the change without our beloved Bandit.  It is always so hard to lose our furry family members and we miss him so. 

On the 16th, Cody (he's now our oldest at 9 yrs old) got sick and stopped eating so I had gotten home from work early and went to see how he was doing and only to find a lump on this throat area and it was very swollen so back down to the vet we went.  Mind you it had only been 3 weeks since I was down dropping Bandit off and that was the last time I saw him so the emotions were running high.  To make a long story shorter, the vet knew something wasn't right so he wanted to check him into the hospital to observe and start an aggressive IV medications immediately.  Now mind you, we got put in the same room as with Bandit and when they took him out of the room to take him back, he had the same look and it broke my heart.  I just prayed that he would be OK and we'd be able to bring him back home.  Well the good news it..... we got to bring him back home.  You can see where they had to shave his neck and also his booboo from the IV but a small price to pay to have him still with us :)

Did it end there?  Oh no...he was doing better and then on Friday morning (the 23rd) his swelling started coming back so you guessed it, back down we went.  The vet sedated him and looked down his throat but still couldn't see what is causing this as it isn't anything obvious.  Another fluid biopsy was taken and new medications.  Well this is our sweet Cody after 24 hours of being on the new stuff.  Definitely perking up again :)

His swelling has gone down but it still isn't 100% down and the hard part is, it is a mystery as all the tests are coming back normal so now we're on a wait and see game and hoping the steriods and antibiotics totally kick whatever infection is in his body.  Now is that enough change to have to deal with???  Oh no lol.  For those of you that have been following me for awhile, my life never seems to be boring hahahaha.  On Monday I started a new job and so going a mile a minute trying to figure everything out and get things running smooth.  Yes, I'm back in management again and there are some changes coming.......

I have been waiting for Spring to come around but it appears that the weather here in the PNW hasn't figured out exactly what it wants to do.  On Thursday I woke up to more snow!!  Our poor flowers don't know which way to go I tell ya!!  So I figured since it is officially Spring, I'll start bringing some cheer inside and start decorating a little for Easter :)

My little wreath at the inside of the front door.  It's missing something so definitely going to have to re-do this one.... maybe a cute bow????

 My cute $2 Spring arrangement.  Foam sparklies from the Dollar store and a $1 bucket from Target and extra flowers and TaDa!! :)  Now this makes me smile!!

Then of course the easter bunnies have to come out right?  So they are currently watching over our Mr. B :)

I am really starting to get the Spring cleaning bug and got a lot done around the house today and think it will be an ongoing thing around here for the next few weeks lol.

My DIL is wanting me to do up a few vinyl sayings as they just repainted their house so that is on my project list for this week and I'm trying to start looking around on things to start building now that the weather is "supposed" to start getting nice again :)

So that's really all I've been up to and just wanted to let you know I'm still alive and have missed all of you and your wonderful and creative ideas :)

Have a fabulous week and happy crafting!!

xo ~ Laura

Happy New Year!!

I've so missed doing my posts on what I've been accomplishing this past year but guess this was a time where I had to go through many things to grow as a person.  A lot of personal issues and struggles with family and some very close friends this past year and at times I sit and wonder when it will stop.  I have found that to be the wrong way to approach things lol.  Life will continue to happen but it is all how you handle it that is important.  So with that being said, I'm ready to learn from what I've had to deal with in 2011 and am focusing on even the smallest things in 2012!!

I will be focusing on doing more what I love and that is my crafting and concentrating on my family.  I am working towards refining my skills and creating new and exciting items as my passion is to start my own business :)  So there is no better time to start right?  :)

My New Year's wish to all of you in 2012 is love, health and happiness!  Have a wonderful New Years eve and enjoy and be safe!

Hugs,

Laura

Thankful

I would like to wish all of you a very special Thanksgiving.  May you all gain precious memories that will fill your hearts, cherish them and also enjoy and live in the moment.  Life is short.

It has been exactly 1 year tonight that my Dad collasped and was on his last few days on this earth.  I have been able to reflect throughout this past year on so many things.   I am able to look at life so differently now and to cherish even the smallest things.

So enjoy each and every moment tomorrow with your friends and family.  Cherish them and have a thankful heart for all that you have in your lives.  I know I am very thankful for all of you.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

xoxo Laura

The last of the inside decorating for the 4th of July

Hope you are having a fantastic weekend so far!!

OK so I think I'm done with the decorating the inside for the 4th of July.  I do enjoy decorating though and want to change some things around decor wise but we'll see.

So I made this USA plaque last year and put up a USA TY Bear that I found when cleaning out my craft room on Sunday.  I thought yup, keeping this one lol.  I have a thing for teddy bears anyway :)  I also had picked up these two tea light candle holders at the Dollar Store and decided to put some star garland around them to dress it up a little more.  Perfect little addition don't you think?

I have also updated my shadow display box.  Trust me it was time.  I still had my Valentine's stuff in it!!  Opps!!!

And this is one of my favs :)

I still am thinking about the outside but nothing has come to mind quiet yet but you know me, some inspiration will get to me lol.

Have a wonderful day and hope you are all having a fabulous time with all your projects.

xo ~ Laura

Ready????

Happy Friday!!

OK so I left you with a tease the other day on what on earth I was doing with those pinecones.  I wanted to display them and in a festive manner with the red, white and blue so I got out my sparkle glue and started decorating.  Unfortunately the pictures don't do them justice but they are so darn cute in person!!

I then wanted to display then in a doiley bowl that I made.  So simple to make these and so darn cute!!  First off find a few doiles, get some fabric stiffner and soak them until saturated.

Pour it in a container.  I did just a shallow pan I had from the Dollar Store.  I wasn't sure if it would take off the finish but it didn't :)  It cleans up easy too so no worries.

The place your doiley in the mixture and start getting it very saturated until it is very wet.  Once that is completed you can get ready for the molding part.

I took two different size bowls and put plastic wrap over them so that when they were finished drying they don't stick to the bowl itself and the plastic is easy to take off.  Just a nice hint ;-)  Lay them gently over the bowls and mold them how you'd like them to be.  I gave one of them a scalloped edge as I thought that would be cute.

Let them totally dry and then when you peel them off the bowl you have this!!  I should have let mine dry overnight just to be sure they were totally hardened but got impatient so they flattened out :(  Well I can redue them but at least you can see what my idea was lol.

Have a great day and happy crafting!!

xo ~ Laura



4th of July Decorating

Howdy!!

All the blogs seem to be in full gear for decorating for the 4th of July so figured I would join the bandwagon.  I showed you a few things I had gotten at JoAnn Fabrics.  Are you curious what I've been up too?  You might be asking.....what is she doing with pinecones????  Well just wait and see what I've come up with.  Now you may ask.......seriously Laura???  For the 4th of July????  Do I have your curiosity up yet?  lol

Well you're going to have to wait just a little longer to see what is up my sleeve :)  I know, don't you just hate that.  I promise, it will be worth it :)

So what else have I been up to decorating wise?  Well I was excited as I got to pull my Dad's Veteran Flag and display case out.  How appropriate is this for the 4th!!  Thanks Dad :)

Then of course I had to add a little to the fireplace mantel to tie it all in so thanks to a pack of 4 minature flags, done!!  :)  Simple and easy!!

One last thing, some very dear friends of mine had their baby a week ago and he was diagnosed with HLHS Hypoplastic left heart syndrome when Shannon was 20 weeks along.  He is healthy except for this issue.  He has gone into his first of 3 surgeries today and we are waiting for an update on how he is doing.  If this procedure doesn't work they will try another more evasive procedure.  If that doesn't work he will have to be put on the heart donor list.  He is so precious and is a true miracle.  Please keep Gavin in your prayers that he comes through surgery fine and starts to heal properly to be a normal functioning little one.

Well that's all I have for today.  I hope you are having a fabulous week so far and happy crafting!!

xo ~ Laura

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Good morning!!

I just wanted to wish all of you a wonderful Valentine's Day today.  May you have special memories created today with your sweet loved ones.

The hubs and I went out for a wonderful dinner last night as we both have to work today so I have my leftovers for lunch :)  I spent a few hours yesterday watching 2 of my grandbabies and my treat for them was this!!

They were so excited as they were able to help dip the treats and wow did I laugh so hard as they loved the chocolate so much I had to keep telling them to stop dipping their fingers in it lol.

Have a fabulous day and happy crafting!!

xo ~ Laura

Valentine's Wreath

Happy Tuesday!

The weather is taking a turn for the worse and we are supposed to get snow later on today so we'll see how long I stay at work.  Thank goodness it isn't supposed to stick around too long ;)

Don't you love easy projects that you can get instant gratification?  I know I do :)  I just posted that I was gussying up my front door and looking at it, it still wasn't enough for me.  So.... I took a wreath I had done up for Fall decor which looked like this.....

And now it looks like this :)  I just love re-do's don't you???  :)

So that's it for me, as it's another busy week for me at work.  Guess that it makes the days go by fast huh.

Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!!

Today's Quote:  "Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not something to be waited for; but, rather something to be achieved."

xo ~ Laura

Valentine's Shadow Box

Happy Sunday!

I hope that you've all had a wonderful and relaxing weekend so far and having lots of fun.  I know I definitely am :)  The weather has been kind of icky outside so wanted to get some little projects finished that I've been putting off.

I love my shadow box as I am able to change it out with the season or holiday which is always fun!!  So all the Christmas items were removed and very simple changes were made and Ta-Da!!

A close up of my heart..... hand painted even :)

So fun to do it and look forward to what I come up with.  I'm almost thinking I may paint the outside but not sure quiet yet so we'll see :)  I have bigger fish to fry right now anyway lol.

I also put together this cute little decoration together.... yup another little Valentine's item and yes, from the Dollar Store.  Love that place :)

Hope you are having fun crafting and have a fabulous day!!

Today's quote:  Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.

xo ~ Laura

Love.........

Hi there!!  Wow was I ever glad to know it was the end of the week yesterday as I have been busier than a cat on a hot tin roof at work and really needed a little down time this weekend!!  Got to sleep in a little this morning and have felt refreshed all day long :)

We are expected to get a little snow this weekend here in the PNW, yes again..... so we have a 94 Corolla that is now our Winter vehicle as my hubby got a 2009 Scion when we got our youngest daughter a 4Runner so she could get to work and not have to worry about her being stranded.  Yes, I guess it's a hand-me-down but he is thrilled as he hasn't ever had the "newest" vehicle in the family lol.  Bless his heart :)  So we decided to go get some good snow tires as the little tanker (that's what we call the Corolla lol) hasn't had new tires in quiet a few years.  I was cringing about the cost of tires but off we went.  Well when we got there they said it was going to be $500!!  Are you kidding me.... smaller tires with no studs even??  Well we were blessed as one of the guys working there said well we do have slightly used tires and that pair was purchased by some parents for their daughters car, drove it East of the mountains and what did she do a day after, yup totalled the vehicle so they asked if they could sell them back.  Well it was great for us as total bill only $269!!  Much better huh :)  We figured they are just going to really be used for the Winter so Yay!!!  Anywho..... got that handled and ran and did my weekly errands then came back home to play with some mini projects.

I don't really decorate to much for Valentines Day but wanted to do a few things so I made this very simple adoreable candle.

What do you think????  Yup.... Dollar Store items!!  I'm working on more but they aren't done yet so you'll have to wait a little for that lol.

I also wanted to keep my In Loving Memory ornament that my precious friend Deb had sent me after Dad passed away in December so I already had this hanger so now he sits up on my shelf along with my little piece I have of him :) 

Well just wanted to say Hi and now I'm off to work on a few more projects this evening.  Yup.... I'm in a real mood for fun tonight :)

Today's quote:

The strength of the heart comes from the soundness of the faith.

xo ~ Laura

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.

xo ~ Laura

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

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

Christmas wall hangings - hanging in there.

Was able to just take a little time tonight to read some of my favorite blogs and just relax.  Larry and I have spent the past 2 days straight packing up Mom and Dad's apartment to move everything back down to the house where they lived for 56 years.  That was Dad's pride and joy and Mom is enjoying being down there although she is in denial and is not going through the grieving process.  I will be having Hospice come in 1x a week to help with that.  I know it takes time.  One step at a time.

I hope you are having a wonderful day and having lots of fun decorating and working on fun projects.  I was able to finish my wall arrangement hangings and love how they turned out.  It blends in very nicely with my mantle decor.

Although all this has happened during this holiday time, Daddy knew how much I loved the holiday's and he wouldn't want me to stop because he has passed to be with the Lord.  So this year, not only will we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we will now and each year after also celebrate my Dad's life.  Absolutely beautiful.

Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!!

Today's quote:  Into the house where joy lives, happiness will gladly come.

xo ~ Laura

Fireplace decorations

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed special time with your friends and family.  I had a wonderful time and was able to have 2 out of my 3 children show up with 4 out of my 6 grandchildren.  We had a great time and had some good laughs and fun.  It was a very nice time, especially since we are in the mist of a difficult time with my Dad.

My youngest daughter, me and her Dad

Carissa with my youngest granddaughter, Sydney

Nana with my 2 oldest granddaughters, Donyell and Bailey

Me and my hubs :)

My one and only son Josh

Me and my baby girl, Carissa

 Carissa and my grandson Braeden.  He doesn't like his picture taken so we had to bribe him with a piece of candy lol

I was finally able to get out and about and get my Mom to take her to the hospital to see my Dad for the first time since he was transported on Monday night to the ER.  It has been a very rough week and he is not doing very well but he is hanging in there.  Today my heart was so happy as when I told Dad I brought him a visitor and he saw Mom, he instantly perked up some (more than he has been awake in 5 days) and he instantly gave her 2 kisses.  It was so precious and in January, they will have been married for 60 years and their love is as strong as ever.

I have been able to do a little decorating in between making trips to check on Mom and also going to the hospital.  I have my fireplace decorated now with a few of my projects and love it :)

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and happy crafting!!

Todays quote:  "It is possible at any age to discover a lifelong desire you never knew you had."

xo ~ Laura