Lusting

I love farmhouse tables. I have one. Kind of :). It is actually a beat up old table that I painted the legs black. I did this to get me by until I find "the one". I painted the chairs black also. I then distressed them to give the well loved look. I like how they turned out but now I am ready for something new. Something really distressed or just out of the backyard feel to it. I like the legs of my current table.

They look something like this.

I guess I am just lusting for a different top! It's the top that bothers me on mine. Too modern? Probably. I think I like these a little better.

THIS one I found on Knock Off Wood. I know a certain handyman that may be able to make a new top for me....out of stuff we have in the garage already!!!!



I wonder when I can talk him into making me one? Maybe after the kitchen flooring is done, the crown moulding in the entire house is up and the spring plantings are in :) Love you My Handyman.

Your Go To People

Wow. What an emotional week it has been for me, and it is only Tuesday. I have witnessed so much in my life this week. I had the bittersweet experience of participating in an adoption and the agony of watching a mother lose her child in a senseless accident. How do you prepare for losing something so precious? How do you let something so loved go?

I was reminded of this again tonight when I stumbled across something posted on Facebook by friends. It led me to the story of Layla Grace. How do parents prepare for the inevitable? What kind of faith do you have to have in order not to go crazy? Who will be there to help you work through your emotions and take on some of your grief? Who are your "go to" people.

I am so glad I get to experience the things I do. It is one of the reasons I am a social worker. Is it hard? Of course it is! Do I cry? Of course I do! There are days I want to chuck it all out the window. Those are the days my pals at work pat me on the back and remind me that I can continue and I should continue. They have their days also.

We are specialists in taking on others emotions. People vent their frustrations, anger, sadness, joy, pain and love to me all day. I would like to say that I spend most of my day wrapped in joy and love......but I work in a hospital. They are not known as being places of great joy.

The range of emotions that I encounter on a daily basis can be draining. But then seeing a transformation in a person through their acceptance, change or relief brings great reward to my heart. I know that I am doing what God wants me to do. To comfort and teach others.

I would like to say that these emotions are left at work and that I don't bring them home. I'd be lying! But when I walk in the door there are always two pairs of arms waiting for me and a good hug will help release those emotions. I am blessed. They are my reward for doing what I do. They are the gifts from God and my faith in him that carry me through. Along with God they are my "go to" people.

Career Aspirations

No not for me. I am not embarking upon a 3rd career. It's the little man of the house. He is fascinated with all things creepy, crawly and just plain gross.

He is obsessed with the show Verminators. He can name the top exterminators like I can name my All My Children characters (really Greenleigh---David---come on!). He has high hopes of moving somewhere where there are "more rodents and bugs". I kid you not!

We had a mouse this winter. He became our number one trap setter and checker. The mouse was caught and has been gone for months. He will still make the weekly rounds to check the traps. This one is is favorite. He gives it two thumbs up (just as long as you don't get your fingers caught in there). I wonder if we should throw him an Isotech themed 7th birthday party? Because he wants one!

Last night we were discussing what he would need to study in school in order to become a Isotech exterminator. I figured you would need a good biology /chemistry background. People and business skills couldn't hurt either. Of course psychology and math would be very helpful. He informed me that they "already talked about math at school". Good he is set! Kindergarten was successful!

Weekday Stress Relief!

Nothing beats coming home and being able to scrap. I step into my "office" and the stress just melts away. I decided to work on some blog challenges last night. Here are the results.

First I came across Design Dollies blog. They look like they have some rocking challenges! I love all the different challenges from sketch, to color, to theme. They will spark my creativity!

Design Dollies - Sketch Challenge
Supplies: MM, SC, CC, OA (alphas), PTI (buttons), AG (journal spot), ribbon from a RAK

Then Design Dollies had a color challenge. This one really pushed me- I never use lavender! I also used this challenge and combined it with Scrap and Stamp sketch challenge. They used a great Page Maps sketch. One of my favorites. I used a circle flower stamp and combined it with some embellies. That's me in the purple dress btw :)

Supplies: Crate, Kaiser, MFT stamps, MS ink, CC (I do), lace from a RAK

This next layout is for Sketchy Thursdays: A Second Chance Challenge.
Very cool sketch. I thought I would give it a whirl.

Supplies: Magic Mesh, BG, WRMK, CC

Sketchy Thursdays 2/11 Sketch. I didn't have 5 smaller photos so I did 3 large. I like how this turned out. The circles and the alphas have a feeling of movement. Perfect for a 6 year old playing soccer! I also achieved my goal of using mostly scraps! I am making way for the new releases starting to pour in.
I made this one tonight. I will probably only have time for one layout. I am getting rather sleepy!

Supplies: Scribble Scrabble, SR, SEI, Crate (alphas)

Monday Finds in the Clear!

Once again my friend and I were chatting on FB and browsing Etsy. We love challenging each other to come up with pretty or funky finds. Last week we were on a beige kick. This week we were on a clear kick. Here are some pretty etsy finds that I would love to own. All clear! Just click on the pic and it will take you to the artists store on Etsy

Regularly Scheduled Programming

Now that my company has left (I wish they could have stayed longer) we will get back to our regularly scheduled programming.

We usually spend Valentines Day as a family working on crafts or projects. Steve and Cole spent several minutes (about 20m which is not bad for his 6 year old attention span) this morning working on drawing lessons. I baked and started working on scrap projects. I also hope to start a new embroidery project later (after a nap that is).

This card was made for Card Positioning Systems Sketch #154. I know I say it everytime....but I really do love their sketches!

Supplies: Leftovers from A Million Memories Feb Kit (I heart their kits)
Brads: Doodlebug,
Flowers: ? not sure - Prima
Alphas: AC Thickers (I heart Thickers also)

This layout was done for 2 blog/sketch sites. First the sketch itself came from Sassy Lil' Sketches Feb 7th challenge. Nice sketch. For my subject matter I was inspired by Dirty Scraps Challenge #3 keyword: Broken. Sometimes it is not all about scrapping the pretty :)

Supplies: WRMK, CC, BG, AC Thickers, ?ribbon


This card was also done for Sassy Lil Sketches: February 14 Card Challenge Sketch.
Nice sketch with lots of fun variations made by the design team.

Supplies: Crate PP, ? pearl bling, ? ribbon, SU stamp, TH ink.



I then saw this post and became obsessed with making these this morning. The goal was to make them for my company.....but I slept in until 6:30am. I made them after they left. Sorry guys they were good (even the 3 with the burnt edges). Cole licked all his cinnamon and sugar off and "HAD" to have more put on :). I love to bake.....I get that from my Daddy :)

Crafts, Basketballs and Zoos. Oh My!

What a wonderful weekend it has been around here. I had Friday off and had lots of running around to get done before my company got here. Cole had a martial arts birthday to go to. He had a blast and now wants to sign up. We have to think about this. He is involved in a lot already.

Friday I started on a banner for this. I get the monthly kit from A Million Memories. Let me tell you it is always packed full of wonderful goodies. The letters I picked up from Hobby Lobby. Everything but the felt flowers and paper rosebuds are from the most recent kit. Although I probably got them from another kit in the past!!! Who knows.


covered the letters in paper and then sanded.


Saturday was basketball at the YMCA. He loves it but still really doesn't understand it. He did make a basket in the game! Yay Cole!

We then took a winter trip to the zoo with our company. It warmed up to a balmy 30 degrees and sunny. It was perfect. Not crowded and free. Who can beat that!







Lucas was very upset that his Mommy wouldn't "touch" the lion. Gotta love the mind of a 2 year old!

Lovey Dovey Day

It is almost "that" day. A day that we don't really celebrate around here. Sure a card may be exchanged but we don't really go all out. If we were to go all out I may like something like this. I heart these Etsy finds. I am sure I could find a spot for them in my house.






I just had to post on what really makes my heart go pitter patter! Look at this proud little man with his first missing tooth! His grin says it all doesn't it?

Beige can be Cool!

A friend challenged me to "like" beige. Those of you that know me know that I am not really a beige kind of gal. We spent hours between Etsy and Facebook posting things in the beige family. All the pics are clickable and should take you right to where I found the goodies.

Whoooo wouldn't love to snuggle him!

The caption on the page I found this on said "beige universe sometimes occurs around 4 o'clock"

what a fun way to use scraps!

found my next bag!

hysterical - window shoppers! -----snort!

I could get lots of memories in here!

Grandma Lily's carpet bag---love the big arse bow!

framed vintage feedsacks---way cool and way out of my price range!

Tuesday Night Projects

I got home from work just fine tonight. Despite the 6 inches of snow. The roads weren't too bad. Just have to watch out for the big trucks! Dinner was "serve yourself" tonight. I had cereal. Nothing sounded good.....cereal works for me! I helped the little man with his readers and then we took a 15min catnap in the chair. After waking up I felt like creating something. I headed on over to Card Positioning Systems to check out their latest sketch. Cute sketch as usual!

CPS # 153
Supplies: BG, KI felt flower stickers (layered), Studio G, MS ink, ? trim, HS bling


Here is a layout for the Mission to Create blog. Those gals over there really push you to use many different elements into your projects. Sorry the pic is kind of dark. When you work all day and don't see the sun you get to take pics at night of your projects!

Mission 0010
used all 5 elements (lace trim, corrugated cardboard, 5 hearts, glimmer mist, turquoise).

Journaling reads: What a grand adventure you two are getting ready to go on. Baby #2! Some days I think you are so lucky. Other days I think you are crazy!

Supplies: MM, BG, DD, MR, Kaiser, AC Thickers, JB, ?buttons, lace and pearl pin,

Things I may need :)

I love surfing the web. There are so many interesting things that try to steal my paycheck. Ebay and Etsy call my name on a daily basis. Here are a few things I am trying to talk myself out of buying! If you click on the image it should take you to the site it came from.

Cool Bredbox

Awesome chairs

Very cool piece of art

another cool piece of art

cupcake stands. how cute and little!

cute paper tape. I could do a lot with these!