A Valentine's Day Craft

As much as I wish I was, I truly am not a crafty person. I'm pretty good at home decorating but lack creativity in the crafting department. I think it would be a whole different ball game if I had someone to craft with but unfortunately I don't. When we move later this year, my goal is to find some crafting friends...and also to join a book club!

Every now and then however, something will hit me and I get the urge to drag out the glue gun. One night last week was one of those times. I decided to make this for Valentine's Day...


It was easy, fun, and I think it turned out cute!

I bought one sheet of the red checkered scrapbook paper, cut it the size of my glass, sprayed it with adhesive then stuck it right on top of the glass. I had previously bought a package of the hearts at Michael's so I just picked out the 3 I wanted to use, sprayed them with adhesive also then placed them where I wanted them. There were about 12 hearts in the package. Red, red glitter, pink, and pink glitter. The only time consuming part was making the bow. I used 4 different ribbons, tied them all together, then hot glued the bow to the frame. That's it!

I'd like to make another one this week using pinks. One single pink heart in a 5x7 frame. This was an inexpensive craft to make and would be fun for kids and adults. If you decide to make one, let me know. I'd love to see your creations!

This post linked to:
DIY Day @ A Soft Place To Land
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

Thanksgiving Weekend Recap - Part 2

We didn't buy much at the Craft Fair but I'm always able to find a few new ornaments each year to add to my collection. I was thrilled to find just the right ornament for an ornament swap that I'm in and some ornaments for a small Christmas tree that I want to put in my kitchen. I think a kitchen ornament themed tree is a cute idea and I plan on doing it this year. Here are the ornaments I picked up to put on the kitchen tree...


I'll be putting this cute one on there too...


After the craft fair, we girls went thrifting. Thrift shopping is new to Courtney and I but Debbie and Bette Jo are seasoned experts. It was fun to watch them in action. As soon as we'd enter a store, they'd disappear, each having areas that they hit first. We went to one thrift store that was having a 1/2 off sale on all Christmas items that day. Courtney sat on a chair and guarded the "piles" while we bigger girls shopped...and the piles just kept getting bigger and bigger. Our seasoned thrifters took it seriously as the back of our car demonstrated. It was packed! Oh I wish I would have taken pictures of this fun outing, especially the jam packed car!

Nights were very relaxing. We did crafts, talked, watched tv, snacked, played on the computer, and just generally enjoyed each others company. It's nice because the dining room table and the family room are right next to each other so even though each person may be doing something different, you're all right there together. Debbie and Steve's vacation home is cozy, warm, and has the feel of being tucked far away in the mountains although it actually isn't. The house is located in a "neighborhood" so to speak but take a look at the backyard. It's open, beautiful, and one never tires of listening to the sounds of the creek that's located at the base of the yard...


Debbie and Steve are the ultimate hosts. They make each guest feel welcomed, cared for, and they spoil you rotten. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and we owe it all to them!

The drive home was long but we didn't hit much holiday traffic which was a hugh relief. We were tired and didn't get the mail until Monday but I RECEIVED SOME GOOD MAIL...my first Christmas gift of the season...and I love it!

I'll share my good mail with you tomorrow and also show you what my hubby's been up to while I was busy at work on Monday and Tuesday. Until then, have a great day!

Thanksgiving Weekend Recap - Part I

Why is it that all good things must come to an end!?! Our Thanksgiving trips to Northern California are always so enjoyable that it's a little depressing to come home to reality at the end of the weekend. Who would want to leave a weekend that's filled with lots of good food, laughter, tv, game playing, crafting, picture taking, thrifting, and just plain fun! We all had an incredible time.

My sister's brother-in-law and his wife Bette Jo joined in on the weekend festivities also. We'd all spent Thanksgiving together before so I was anxious to see them again. Come to find out, Bette Jo has a blog of her own so we spent time one night talking about our blogs and sprucing hers up a bit. We even tried talking my sister Debbie into a blog of her own but she said no go. We'll keep working on her! Here's a picture of Debbie, Bette Jo, Courtney, and myself on Thanksgiving day.


Friday morning we were up bright and early for the infamous craft fair...but not before breakfast first at Humpty Dumpty, the local diner.


If you want a scrumptious breakfast, Humpty Dumpty's the place to be. I'd already eaten a good portion of my breakfast before I remembered to take a picture, sorry!


Even though they have the same old crap at the craft fair each year, it's a tradition. Another tradition is standing in front of this planter for pictures every year.




Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow!

Birthday Greetings!

Saturday was my good friend Kathy's birthday so I thought we'd help her celebrate at work today. I brought in some treats to share, and if you know me, it won't be hard to guess what I had in mind...


My motto is that you can never go wrong with cupcakes. Cupcakes make everybody happy. I also made Kathy her own special cupcake cake. This is about the 4th one of these that I've made and the recipients always seem to love them because really, what's better than getting your own giant cupcake!?!


I have known Kathy for almost 6 years and I have never known her to decorate her home for any holiday, ever. She doesn't even decorate her Christmas tree, she leaves that to her husband and kids to do. I'm at the point now that I'm determined to get her into the spirit of decorating, so guess what I gave her for her birthday. Yes, I sure did...I gave her Halloween gifts. I made her one of the Fall/Halloween swags that I've made this year and I also gave her one of my Boo plaques. She seemed to enjoy them and made the comment that her daughter will be thrilled because now they'll have some decorations for Halloween. Mission accomplished!

I think 15 people must have asked Kathy to open up her gift today so that they could see what she had received. I'm not quite sure if our co-workers wanted to see her cute gifts or if they actually just wanted to "see what Linda made!" I'll admit it, I'm not known for my crafting abilities and their curosity was getting the best of them. I'm happy to report that everyone loved Kathy's gifts, especially the ribbon swag. I hope Michael's has their Christmas ribbon on hand because tonight many of my co-workers were making a pit stop at Michael's on their way home. They all want a Christmas swag!

Ribbon Project Reveal and a Giveaway

We had plans for Camping Club Weekend this past weekend and our son Brandon decided he wanted to join us. It's not often that Brandon is able to get away for 4 consecutive days with his work schedule so we were thrilled that he was able to go.

Hubby drove the RV and I drove with Brandon in his truck. Brandon wanted to take his truck, I'm sure, in case it got to boring for him and he could go home. I'm glad to say that he stuck it out from Thurs-Sun, only leaving a few hours before us on Sunday. Even though there was no one there his age, I think he really had a good time. He needed to get away too.

It was great to spend some mother-son time with Brandon while driving down to Newport Beach. It takes us about 3 hours to get there so it gave us time to talk. Brandon is by no means a big talker but we were able to have some meaningful conversation.

I also took along my ribbon project and was able to finish it on the drive. Do you remember these ribbon pieces...


Well they now look like this. Isn't it cute!?! I wanted to make a fall ribbon swag/garland like this one here, but mine turned out more Halloweenish. It's ok tho, I still love it.



I bought and cut up so much ribbon that I was able to make another one on the way home yesterday. So guess what, I think it's time for a fall GIVEAWAY!! The second ribbon swag that I made would look beautiful draped on the mirror in my living room but I'd rather share it with you! Just leave a comment from now until midnight Friday and you'll be entered in this giveaway. I'll pick the winner Saturday morning. It's that easy...and I know you'll love it too!

Happy Wednesday

I haven't posted for a couple of days so I feel the need to update you on what's been going on around here this week.

I worked Monday and Tuesday so now I'm off for the rest of the week. Working part-time is perfect. It gets me out of the house a few days each week, I'm able to help others yet I feel blessed myself because I enjoy my job so much, and it provides an extra source of income. I definitely have the best of both worlds.

Today will be a busy one. This weekend is our Camping Club weekend so we'll be getting the RV ready to head out of town tomorrow. We'll be going "down south" to Orange County for this trip so I'll also get to spend some time with my sister on this visit. We always have so much fun together. I can't wait to see what fun this weekend holds in store!

Last week I mentioned a couple of craft projects I wanted to start. I've started both but haven't finished either...but almost!

Remember the ribbon project? I've prepared all of the ribbon and I have plans of finishing it up either tonight or just taking it with me this weekend and working on it then. Either way, I'll have it done by the end of the weekend. Look at all of this beautiful ribbon ready to go...


I only have a teeny bit to go on my second project. What do you think this spells?


I just have to put one more splash of paint on my double O's and then I'm done. This was a fun little project and so easy to do. It would be cute to do this same technique on square wood blocks but with the wording TRICK OR TREAT...stacking the word TRICK on top of the blocks that say OR TREAT. How about HAPPY HALLOWEEN, HAPPY FALL, or BOO! I think I'll be looking for wood blocks soon!

** I also wanted to say that none of the crafts I do are my original idea...I'm just not that creative! When I post my finished pictures, I'll be sure and post links to where the ideas came from.

Fall Nesting

I've got the urge...the urge to bring out my fall decorating goodies. It's just hard to do when it's still so HOT outside. Cooler weather won't hit my part of the country for at least 3-4 more weeks.

But in the meantime, how can you not get the urge to decorate for fall when you look at all of the lovely things going on over at Melissa's The Inspired Room. Melissa is hosting "Fall Nesting Week." You won't want to miss it.

Although I haven't unloaded my fall goodies yet, I did manage to do a few things around the house yesterday.



I thought this little birdie in her nest looked so sweet under this cloche. In the first picture you can also see that I've put some gourds in the jar on the counter. I'll add in some mini pumpkins too.

I have an affection for wreaths. I think I have a wreath for every holiday. I like to display them on doors, wreath hangers, and mirrors. I've put out 2 so far.



Did I mention that I love dish towels too? I always have a seasonal dish towel or two hanging from my oven door.


I've also got a few projects under my belt that I'm enjoying. Earlier in the week I bought a memory board and hung it near the kitchen. We've always had a bulletin board hanging there but I wanted an updated version. I hung the memory board but it just looked bare, it looked lonely. So I dressed it up with a black frame.


Finding the right frame was no easy task. They don't make frames in 18x20. After multiple trips to Michael's, I finally just bought a kit that I assembled myself. I like how it looks. It just added that extra little touch.

I have 2 projects that I'll do today. Here is a sneak peak at what is needed.

Project #1...lots and lots of ribbon


Project #2...6 pieces of wood, stencils, and black and white paint.


So...have you got the fall nesting urge yet!?! As for me, I'm off to do my fun fall ribbon project...and then I'll unload my goodies!