Little Lamb Set

There are few things in this world that produce as many ooohs and aaaaahs over powder and blankets like that well deserved first baby shower :) And on Saturday we celebrated. I won't bore you with pictures of a bunch of random people neither you, nor I, really know, but would you like to see what I made for mommy to be? Or maybe it's "baby" to be :)

The ADK, Thanksgiving & Pine Cone Ornaments

We are full into the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season and I couldn't be more excited!

We've had a full four day 'vacation' and it's been absolutely wonderful. 

 

Every year we travel about 3 hrs to see my parents in their

sleepy little town of Homer NY. It's a great trip spending time with family
and enjoying the beginning of the Christmas season.

John 10:10

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may 

have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) 

I am so blessed. I have good health, a good family, a reliable car, a warm place to sleep at night, 

more than enough food to eat (and share!), clothes on my body, a great job, and a bright, bright 

future. If God hadn't done any more than save my soul I would be grateful - but He chose to bless

me with all this much more, and I can't express how grateful I am to Him.

We arrived in Homer around 1:30 and dinner preparations were well on their way. This is my Mom, Andrea. Mom was in the kitchen getting the potatos, sweet potatos and vegetables ready. My mom is a dish queen. If there is a single dish in the house, she will hunt it down and wash it immediately. Even if there are no dishes to be found, she will find a dish, and wash it because some days it seems like her life mission.

 I might be guilty of that as well... 

Kitchen Re-take

Well so you all know that I'm moving sometime SOON. And we've pretty much decided not to take most of our furniture, and well most of everything isn't coming with us. Except, I feel like it's ok to bring the kitchen farm table and chairs. And probably my couch table in the living room.

Funny thing about being a Pinterest junkie (I mean who else do you know has like.. 48, er, um... 49 boards?) is that you get really inspired, and things that were just fine before, suddenly aren't fine anymore. Like my 4, unmatched, hand me down chairs that are with my Kitchen farm table. They are pretty standard chairs - like any you find on Craigslist for like $10 each or whatever... but two are white and light wood, and two are just some sort of oak wood with pretty spindles on them. Either way, they don't match.

And when I get to Colorado, I won't have a garage for storage, or an outside deck for painting projects, or well.. much of anything really. So I know that this is a major project that has to be completed before we go. Along with every OTHER project that has to be done before we go. You know, like actually putting the house on the MARKET?

Motivate Monday # 1

Good Monday morning! Oh I 'm sooo excited to share with you this new 'feature' on my blog - "Motivate Mondays" :)

What is Motivate Monday?

Well it's my opportunity to share with you some FABULOUS sister bloggers and the great things that they are sharing on their sites. You see I subscribe to many blogs, and see so much inspiration.

My Favorite Blogs List

Every morning I grab some coffee, and browse through many of these great sites, and I learn so much, from painting to crochet to cooking to raising kids and encouragement in my faith. I'm so thankful to have all of these great women to learn and grow from.

It occurred to me that perhaps I should share some of it with you! So here we go.

Every Monday I will post links to my 7 favorite blog posts from the last week. I will also post a Motivate Monday Link Party for you, my readers to share your own projects or motivation. Anything goes!

These are the Party Rules. Remember to play fair :) We just want to have a little fun!

a.) Share a maximum of (2) motivate projects for each Link Party
b.) Only share NEW Motivate projects for each Link Party (please do not share the same projects every week)
c.) Only share your own projects, from your own blogs. Please do not link back to someone else's blog. 
d.) Link directly to the post of the new motivate project. Please do not link back to your Blog's home page.
e.) Go back to your Motivate Project link and link back to my Party Link


Ok! On to the Motivation!

My first motivation was actually found on Pinterest.

I love love love the awesome Typography of the chalkboard variety and I am loving the idea that I can do this in PhotoShop, or PhotoBucket, Or Gimp, or any number of other Photo Editors out there. (Confession? Yes I need to learn Photoshop, as evidenced by my severely lacking in quality pictures I continually post here!)

The Blog is Foolish Fire and the project can be found here - so have a lot of fun with this and don't forget to share what you've learned in next weeks link party!

Holiday Dough via Heart and Soul Scrappers

Yes, Yes I know it's way too early to be thinking  Christmas. Especially since I am not ready at all to say goodbye to my non-existent summer. I keep thinking there will be time to redeem myself and get to the beach, or the river, or an amusement park or a picnic, or well, anything, to remind myself that it is, indeed summer.

I might be behind the 8 ball on this one.

I'll get back to you and let you know.

In the meantime - while on Pinterest this morning, I found a fantastic little idea for Christmas! How FUN is this idea from Heart and Soul Scrappers? Holiday Dough. (ok I also admit, as a former CTMH consultant, I am not surprised at all at her creativity level!) 

Anyway - hop on over to her blog for the "rest of the story" and you betcha I'll be having a little fun with this come this Christmas for my (4) nephews who never want anything BUT money! LOL

Enjoy and let her know I sent ya!

Heart and Soul Scrappers: Holiday Dough!!!: I got this cute little gift idea from a fellow CTMH consultant ( Terrie Dodd ).  I typed the poem on my computer, inserted a gingerbread man...

Got a little something in the works...

but it might actually be a while before I get it posted. So sit tight and wait a spell - this is gonna be GOOD! :) I promise. Its pretty big actually. My first major re-do/overhaul in a long while. I blame pinterest because it's sooo easy to convince myself I can do anything after spending any time there, which quite frankly, I spend way TOO much time there! LOL

Anyway  - haven't forgotten you all, I just have a ton of catching up to do between MB's wedding last week and my 20yr Highschool reunion! Yikes we had a busy busy weekend. Tonight is Church rehearsal and hopefully working more on my secret project.

I simply CANNOT wait to share it with all of you! :)

Crazy Owl Hat :)

New Project :Crazy Owl hat. Isn't she cute? This is an infant size, but I can make them in a variety of sizes all the way up to adult :) Custom Colors available!

I'm having way too much fun with this crocheting :) I spend hours on line looking at patterns and video's for inspiration and ideas. I've got lots coming in the next few weeks!

Infant/Todder size Owl Hat - $9
3-7yrs size Owl Hat - $11
Teen/Adult size Owl hat - $13

Crochet Seashell Shoulder bag :)

And today, we have on display a lovely shoulder bag which I've just completed. I have to admit I'm absolutely in love with this project. The colors work so well together, and the size of it makes it perfect for toting all those misc. things around that you often find need of. Books, other craft projects,  toys for the kids, whatever! The dimensions are 19" wide, by 16" high, by 4 1/2" deep, so it's very roomy and spacious.

I'm selling this for $40 USD, plus shipping, and $20 of the purchase price will be donated directly to Restore Haiti, the mission organization I volunteer with in Jacmel, Haiti. If you'd like to see some of the work we do down there, you can click on the Restore Haiti label at the bottom of this post, and that will bring you to all my posts about the organization.

Thanks for looking, and I hope you'll consider purchasing this beautiful bag!

i forgot

how much work it is to set up a new blog and make it look great...lol trying to get the banner and the columns and the colors right... yeah, definitely a challenge.

but I figured rather than clutter up this blog with all of my crochet projects, I should have a place specifically for them, so that I can showcase, and sell them. Right now I just post them on Facebook because I'm just not good enough at photography to put them on Etsy :) Its so obvious those ladies are not only great at their crafting but they must be professional photographers also! LOL

In the meantime - isn't this the cutest little hat? It's a newborn size, and I'm selling it for $16. Email for shipping information. $8 of the purchase price will be donated directly to Restore Haiti's general donation funds.

Picked up a new book

At the yarn store - it has over 250 patterns for crocheting and is sooo cool! Actually that yarn store - The Elmwood Yarn Shop - is like a yarn heaven. I swear there must have been 300 different yarns on display - not cheap, but beautiful! Chunky and silky and shiney and sparkly, and furry and smooth... everything you could ever dream of. Loved every minute I was in there. Probably could have spent hours, and a small fortune there.

But in the meantime, I did pick up a new book and it is pretty awesome. I've already started a new patter which is alternating bobbles and clusters and makes this pretty puffy design which is very cool on the varigated yarn I'm working with. It's Alpaca and a friend gave me this HUGE skein of it. I'll probably get several scarves out of it - I'm sure of it.

Well - just figured I'd share- off to a friend's house to watch football. Yay - not. I hate football but it is the playoffs and well... it's Buffalo so what do you do in the winter when its snowing outside, and football on TV? You do what everyone else does I guess!

Have a great day!

Kisha

Completely in love

with a new website I found called www.ravelry.com - which is a place for knitters and crocheters! Wow I never knew such heaven existed and I am having a blast looking through all the new patterns for scarves. Buyers beware - I have entered a whole new world of crochet glamour! :)

In the meantime, the garden is completely put up for the winter, I've started two new leave composts, and I'm starting the process to get ready for my annual Christmas party which is just 4 weeks away. The girls arrived home from Colonial Williamsburg last night safe and sound, and life returns to semi-normalcy as we know it again this morning. For now, I'm enjoying the hush of the early morning as everyone still sleeps and I am off to get ready for work.

Work.

Where I now have 8 days to move our offices, get electrical in, and figure out which bills to pay and what furniture we need. what a great day... lol

Deep breath - here we go! :)

less than 24hrs

Well in 24hrs I will be well on my way to Port au Prince, Haiti! I have my 2 bins that i'm taking mostly packed, and I am still working on my suitcase because I thought I could bring 2 small ones, but it appears I can only take 1, and 1 personal bag (i.e. purse, laptop bag, or other small bag). My adventure will take me to Chicago, Miami and then finally Haiti. I have lots of supplies to take, though not as much as I would have liked :) Mostly, extra computer components is what I'm taking, some stuffed animals, and a bin full of school supplies. I can pack 50lbs each, and each extra bag/bin I take will cost another $100 - or I can overpack them up to 70lbs for $50. So many rules! Attached are a couple of pictures of some cards I made as thankyou's for my friends and family who helped me get to Haiti. I can't say it enough - you guys ROCK. God is going to do amazing things in my heart, and the hearts of others :)

Cards are mostly The Paper loft paper, Prima Flowers, CTMH ink's and stamps, and misc brads/stickers... :)

Girls! Wow! I am sooo excited! I am just 85 views away from 4000 visitors to my blog and I get to post some BLOG CANDY! YAY! So tomorrow I'm going scrapbooking with my friends and I will put together the most awesome-est blog candy and then I will take a picture and post and everyone who leaves a comment for me will be entered to win!

Random things in no particular order....

Ok so it's been a busy 5 days since my last post. I've gotten a lot done, but I'm beat. So here is a photo recap of what I've been up to - in absolutely NO particular order. First - a pic of my lovely friends Marsha and Judy - who are not only beautiful Godly women - but happen to be my very bestest customers! LOL I'm in the orange. Marsha took the picture of me at the CKC crop - notice I'm not working on anything. That's because I worked all day. I used my $30 voucher to get into the crop- got a free goodie bag - worth about $40 - AND won a great book - although right now I can't remember the name of it -BUT! Didn't do anything but 1 card, which you'll see later in this post. I just needed to veg and visit with my friends. There were lots more friends there also - but I didn't get pictures of them. I know - BAD me!


Ok next up - a picture of my wonderful friends Rhonda and Bernie - who are having a baby in July - this was at Rhonda's baby shower Saturday. Aren't they wonderful? Rhonda is amazing - and Bernie is just FABULOUS - and has been a major blessing to me in my new house - (remember that vanity I had to have put it? Yeap you're looking at the handyman who did it for me!)

Ok this was totally random - but when I stopped home after CKC on Saturday before the baby shower - there was this Dove sitting in my yard. I mean it was like 6' away from me- and totally didn't care that I was standing there taking pics. Too funny.

Talk about a Milestone - Jay has underarm hair. He is so NOT like Tyler. When Tyler got underarm hair? I was NOT allowed to know about it - Jay on the other hand? Relishes the attention....rofl.. he's so funny!

Ok this wasn't from THIS weekend - this was from LAST weekend. This is my friend Jen enjoying a s'more - and the puppies? Her precious Ralphie and Ellie that she rescued from the dog pound. Would you believe they aren't quite a year yet? they are the most docile, loving, precious pooches I've ever met... so they get a "Shout" out here on my blog - and Jen gets a WAY TO GO for being such a good puppy mommy!

Ah - Tracy - the hostess with the mostest. What a blessing she is! Thanks Tracy for getting me out of the house, and out of my work routine and out hanging with friends! Love you girl!


Of course I saved the best for last. I Figured if you can hang THIS long, you deserve the grand prize... lol This is the card I made for Rhonda's baby shower. I was REALLY proud of it. I think Rhonda liked it too - hope so!

Gosh, what else - well Sat night (5/31) I had a couple friends over to play Settlers of Cataan and also Dominoes - so Crystle, Brad and Jim :) We had a nice time. Sunday was busy. Went to church, had a 'sit down' with my teenager and his girlfriend and her dad.... (FUN - NOT) and then went shopping so I could make dinner for my very good friend Lisa and her daughter Samantha. Then we watched 27 dresses which is funny and cute, but has a lot of cussing in it :(

So did you recap? In one weekend I worked, volunteered and cropped (Friday), Went to a scrapbook convention, a babyshower AND entertained at my house (Saturday), went to church, went grocery shopping and then went to visit friends, cooked dinner and watched a movie (sunday) - as that country song goes - WHAT was I thinking? No wonder my life is a whirlwind that I feel like I never slow down! LOL

That's a lot to catch up on. Otherwise - life is back to normal - working....working...working. Say a prayer for me ok? We go back to court AGAIN next monday for my nephew. Pray that I know what to say, what to do, what to agree to, and when to say he should go home...

((HUGS))
Kisha

And the winner is...

Nicole!

I just came home from my 6pm meeting, and logged on, sure that Tyler was going to be picking a winner and viola - there it is! The simple answer - I bought them all on sale at Blockbuster the other night - for $20!

Congratulations my dear - send me your email and I will get it in the mail by this weekend for you!

Also, forgive my tardiness - my meeting went waaaay longer than I expected.

Kisha

maybe a little enticing will help?

After noon hint - Lisa you are so close you can almost TASTE the candy! LOL
Good luck all - I'm looking forward to awarding the candy tonight! If you are the first to post the right guess you automatically win - BUT if NO ONE guesses - then I will have Tyler draw a name annonomously and announce the winner around 9:30 tonight.

This is FUN!

Kisha



Hey my pics don't look too bad do they? ROFL I'm getting better at this. Anyway - you asked for what the blog candy is, and here we go!

• Heidi Swap flowers (4) in 2 different sizes.
• 18" of (3) different ribbons (red, white, blue grosgrain)
• Bella Images! Prezzy Bella, Mommabella, and Bikababeabella (2 each, or more if I have time to stamp them)
• CTMH Blender pen (not pictured)
• (6) 4" square coasters
• (2) CD Folders
• a little hardware thrown in just for fun!

Now, for another hint. I Loved Enchanted, Shrek was ok and I just saw it the other night, but I have not seen Hairspray yet. Even though it's sitting next to the TV waiting to be watched. Are you getting close? Your guesses have been great :) This is a lot of fun for me, I will post one more hint this afternoon and then tonight around 9:30 or so I will have Tyler pull a winner :)

Have a great day ladies!

Kisha

This N That Chatter

Hey girls! aren't ya'll lucky? 3 posts in one day - one of them is BOUND to have pictures! LOL

First and foremost we have lovely "Cakeabella" a card I made for my friend Crystal who has been featured on my blog before (check out Easter pics). Her birthday was Wednesday and this is for her. The Brown/Blue combo matches the wrapping paper/bag I got her - oh and the COOLEST ribbon made ribbon. Does that make sense? Well you know gift bows are usually made out of some sort of plasticy material. I found a great brown one at hallmark that was actually made out of Ribbon, was about 1" thick and had blue stitching thru it! Total CATCH!

Anyway - CakeAbella is on a chocolate card base with a scrap lazy days polka dot paper (CTMH) which I distressed the edges and inked with chocolate ink. The ribbon came from Target $1 spot, and I colored her with CTMH markers. One day I will get COPIC!

Ok - this is my scrapmess. yeah. I know before you even say it. Kisha you should be glad you HAVE a space like that. Yeah. I know. So help me organize it!

The whole room is about 11x21. However, 3 large windows on one wall- and doorway right in the middle of other long wall. Half the room is mine - for scrapbooking. The other half belongs to the family computer, my filing cabinet for bills and family stuff, and the small TV that the boys watch hockey on. Above is my half. 2 tables to make an L Shape. A closet which is so horrible I'm not showing you it's contents, OR the abuse it has seen with stuff being thrown in there. But eventually that will be a project for me too. Can you see that area where my Pink AMM tote is? In the corner? yeah - should I put shelves there? And the shelves I have up already? How can I make them more functional?

This neat little cubby I found for $10 at the Habitat for Humanity RE-store. I'm thinking of painting it white. Until I figure out what the heck color the walls will be, I'm not painting it anything. Yes, that is a Scrapbook bear from Build a Bear. My mom bought me that several years ago. A lot of magazines, albums and scrapbooks are here. Also - my jars of ribbon, because even though I have racks for ribbon on my pegboard, that ribbon never gets used. Only the stuff behind my desk. I don't know why though!

Ah my desk. This is clean. I wasn't taking pics of it before hand. I'm just not that brave... Do you see all the brown boxes underneath the table? My legs rest against those and one I use as a footrest. Why? Because I don't have any place to put the albums/books that are in them! UGH




This is my pegboard wall. I hung it myself - it's even straight and just about level. Aren't you proud of me? Yeap. Only I think I hung it in the wrong place. I don't like it there. I had to find a studd. But the studd wasn't close enough to teh wall and so there is this 12" wall space between where the pegboard starts and the corner of the wall. I feel like it's wasted space. What do I do with it?
Back to my desk area. See where my tote is now? yeah. I should put shelves there to go to the ceiling. I THINK it would maximize the space... but I'm just not sure. Oh help me HGTV! LOL

Sooo if anyone has ideas and wants to help me out - I'm more than ready to hear them. I wish money were no object...but it is! LOL

Oh - instead of shelves where my AMM Tote is - should I put a Making memories Embelly center? Maybe that would be awesome there. Then my inks would be OFF my desk anyway!

Another card -

I have a few weddings going on this time of year - seems to be the way - so I made this card also for another friend who's shower is next weekend :) The paper/cardstock is CTMH, the dress stamp is one I bought about 4 yrs ago at AC Moore, and the congratulations is a CTMH stamp from the "For Every Occasion" set.

enjoy!

Kisha

My firsta-bella

ok so it's been a while since I've posted any pics, but it's quiet around here and I can do a bit of creating. Tyler is gone to play basketball at his dad's, and Jay is gone swimming with a friend!

New Blingabella card for my friend's fiancee - they are getting married in April!

Enjoy!