A story of a counter

So when I walked into the kitchen yesterday the sun was streaming onto the counter and I was struck by the items there. The round s/p shakers, antiques from a friend. The photo of me and my brothers licking beaters and bowl in grandma's kitchen. The bowl and colander the hold fruit and veges-I need to go to the store. The little coffee pot that makes just enough coffee for Gary to have a cup in the morning. And that lone "Cutie" that is just waiting for my breakfast. I loved all the colors and the play of circles and squares.
I had a happy, smiley heart looking at all these things and thinking of the people and times they represented.
I really did have all those things go through my mind as I looked upon it. They didn't come later as I looked at the photo. Wow, I must have had a really good nights sleep!

Thankful Thursday

1. Visits with friends
2. Lovely pedicures
3. My very hard working husband
4. Homemade chocolate chip cookies
5. Snow and sun in the same day
6. Learning new things
7. Not being depressed
8. Hope
9. Pretty scrapping papers
10. Money to pay the bills

A test...

This is sort of a test, for my husband you see. Just to see how often he checks in on what I have to say here. So if you are in contact with him...don't tip him off. I'll let you know when he mentions it to me!

For those of you who know my DH-you know of his particular dislike of a mole hill. Granted if they are in someone else's yard it is not so bad. But have one show an ugly little hill of dirt in our little patches of grass and war is declared!

I saw this yard yesterday and just had to take pictures of all the little hills, there were more hills than grass I swear!

Just had to laugh at the thought of this happening here ;)

As promised...

Here is a photo of the project I made for Amy. I used a canvas, paint, an old book, scrabble tiles, charcoal and a few other things.
It was so much fun to make I just may make some to sell on my etsy account.
Oh you may want to stop in there, I will be posting some things Amy made.

Happy Birthday Amy!!

25 years ago-my life changed forever...we had this little treasure join us...

it has been a fun ride so far and I look forward to what the next few years hold for us!

to see more great photos of Amy see her blog...

Make a Smilebox greeting

The sixth (6th)

So my DD has tagged me with this interesting exercise. (the only kind of exercise I like :0)
I followed the instructions fairly closely. I had to add an extra step because I have my photos so organized. So I did the sixth, 6th, sixth...see instructions below for more of an explanation.

This is the photo that came up-it is one my DH took of a building in Portland (I think). I love how the graphic detail of the building pop against the dark sky.





And now to tag 6 more people...
1. DH-Gary
2. Teri
3. Michelle
4. Heidi
5. Analise
6. Karla
So what you are supposed to do is:
Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.
1. Pick the 6th Folder, then select the the 6th picture in that folder.
2. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.
3. Tag 6 other people that you know or don’t know, to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.

Hope they'll all play, you should visit their sites and see why I love them and their creativity!

Inspired!

I have been reading the newest issue of this magazine. Interviews with bloggers about how they go about setting up their blogs, content they add and other sharing information. I hope that what I do is interesting to my readers. Really though, I do this as a means to record my life. If others read it and are interested-then great.

All this visual stimulation got the juices going and I have been out in the craft cottage producing fun stuff...like this "pocketbook" purse-

An album for our builder- sort of a portfolio-

and another amazingly cute project that I can't show you until after Sunday when it is given to DD for her birthday....

well maybe a peek-just to tease her, since I know she checks in here once in awhile!

And I started an album of photos of our house. I am tearing apart two I already had to get all the images in one place. I need to take some more photos of the house like it looks now though.

Told you...busy, busy,busy.

Then...

Then I spent Sunday and Monday camped out on the couch. Guess I got a touch of whatever DD had last week. At least there wasn't any work that "had" to be done.
I did have a gal respond to my post talking about my "craft cottage". Wondered what it is...
we purchased a garden shed at a local lumber yard along with a regular door and windows. Then paid one of their employees to assemble it for us. Gary then (with help) insulated and finished the walls and floors. We painted it a bright yellow and purple but have sinced toned it down and gone "shabby chic." I put all my little things that make me smile out here so that I am constantly inspired.

This is the view when you first walk in-

This is what I see from my crafting chair-

Some of my supply storage and the counter. Right outside that window is a little water feature and a climbing hydrangea that in spring covers the windows with it's branches.

My glitter, pens and pencils and some other fun stuff. The cake topper of the birds is from my wedding cake-28 years next month.

Family photos and lovilies-

Fun times!

On Friday I made cup-a-cakes to take to a class on Saturday.On Saturday I took a Valentine making class at my dear friend's store.

Here are some of the gals hard at work. You just have to spread everything out to be really creative!Here are some of the cards made. The two on the top left and three on the bottom left are the ones I made.

Then DD and husband made us a steak dinner. They said it was in celebration of the completion of the kitchen and for me coming over and helping Amy out last week. There was even a present of a beautiful water pitcher I had my eye on.

All in all, a grand day!

Organizing and Crafting

I got out to my craft cottage for awhile today. Did some organizing and then made this card up for an online challenge...

Finished...

The scrapbooks like their new home...
My reading corner...

The kitchen through the fancy camera's fisheye lens...

I've been working on my 365 album and then I need to start on one for Randy showcasing all his hard work and then one of my house through the years.

I'm on a roll!