Sunday Sermon - October 31

We saw this shirt on a scarecrow at Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, Georgia. It was so great to see this expression of faith in a public place. What a great shirt!!

little hint

Any guesses?

Treats, treats, and more treats

Oh, yummy! If you want a quick and fast treat to take to your co-workers the white chocolate dipped pretzels are the thing. Add a pretty tag using Stampin' Up!'s Batty For You stamp set, scallop circle punch, and 1 and 3/8" circle punch. Finish it off with raffia for the perfect presentation!

Here are the treat bags I made using a pattern from a Better Homes and Gardens Quick Quilts Magazine I picked up!! They are super cute and easy to make. The best part is you can use fat quarters to make them.

Today is the Halloween Costume contest at work so I'll post my costume pics in a day or so! Dynamo and I have been working diligently on my costume! I so love Halloween!!!! Happy Friday!

Be a star!

What do you give someone who has everything?

Answer: A handmade star!

I was struggling with what to give someone recently for her birthday. A lightbulb went off and I thought about giving her a birthday wand! Who doesn't like to feel like a star on her birthday?!?!

Here's a closeup of the tag...

I made the star using a cereal box, vintage sheet music, mod podge, and glitter! The ribbons and sparkly stars were from my box of random stuff. I think it turned out nicely. She really loved it!!

And, of course I had the perfect card to go with it!

I love Alice in Wonderland and these stamps from TJ Designs! I also used elegant eggplant and pink piroutte cardstock and ink along with Artistic Etchings Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!

2nd Leg

After a wonderful five days at the Chieppas, we packed the 4Runner and ventured off to visit Dynamo's brother, Craig, and sister-in-law, Amy, in Marietta, Georgia. Our good-byes to the Chieppas were very hard...as they ALWAYS are! I cried like a baby. I so hate to leave Dynamo's parents. It was so hard to pull out of the driveway and see them in the rearview mirror waving and then walking hand in hand into the house as we drove off into the distance. Sometimes I think it's easier to leave via plane.

Mr. and Mrs. C were so gracious and welcoming to us and my parents. They are so very generous and loving. I hate that we don't see them more! They are wonderful people who raised a wonderful son in Dynamo.

So, after a while I stopped crying and got myself together for our 8 hour trip to our next destination. Amy and Craig would be waiting for us!! We were looking forward to our stop-over in Marietta for two nights. Marietta is home to the world famous BIG CHICKEN. Did you know that? Here it is...

Read about the BIG CHICKEN here. No lie...the thing is huge! The beak and eyes move constantly!

Amy and Craig were waiting for us when we arrived! Here's a pic of the crew...

We didn't realize that Marietta/Atlanta area was so mountainous. It was really pretty, but LOTS of traffic!

On Friday we ventured off to Stone Mountain to the Country Living Fair. It was a nice time strolling through the trees looking at the beautiful antiques, vintage goodies, and handmade items. After the Fair we checked out Stone Mountain. Yes, it really is the largest exposed stone. Here's a pic...

You can't really tell in this pic, but there is a carving on the stone in the background. All of the construction behind us was them getting ready for a snow mountain for tubing, etc. They were making snow and will make snow until March 7, 2011. I couldn't believe more wasn't melting. After all, it was pretty warm that day.

Here's a pic of Mom and Dad...

And, of us with this really cool giant pumpkin...

After the visit to the Mountain we did some shopping in the Square at Marietta. Here we are goofing off. Notice that Craigie Baby was not there! We were playing while he was off working!

Amy cooked us a most delicious dinner of pot roast, potatoes, carrots, and salad. It was sooooo good!!!!

On our last day we ventured to the Georgia Aquarium, the world's largest. Dynamo and I had been before, but wanted Mom and Dad to experience it! It's so awesome. You really should go if you ever are in Atlanta and get a chance!

We also visited Olympic Park, which was right across the road from the Aquarium. It was beautiful, with lots of sculptures and water features. Remember the 1996 Olympics? Well, Dynamo just had to check out the water feature. I did too, but I got a little wet. I didn't quite time it right.

But, before we left for the Aquarium we ate dinner at the Marietta Diner and said good-bye to Craigie Baby!

Here's a pic of the brothers together...

I think they are related...don't you?

It was fantastic to see Amy and Craig. We don't see them often, but sure do enjoy seeing them when we are able. Thanks for a great visit!

Last week

We went on a week-long trip from Virginia to Florida and back. My mom, dad, Dynamo, the Steed, and I ventured by Toyota 4 Runner to visit Mr. and Mrs. C (Dynamo's parents) in Bradenton, Florida! It was a fun-filled trip that included lots of adventures! I bet you didn't even know we were gone did ya?

On our way down we stopped for a brief time in Jacksonville, Florida, to visit with Dynamo's niece, Stephanie! Dynamo hadn't seen Stephanie in about 10 years or more and I had never met her! She just turned 21! Isn't she beautiful?!?!!

I was so excited to finally meet my niece! Dynamo hadn't seen her since she was about 10 years old. Wow! They do grow up! She is a wonderful and beautiful young lady and I'm so glad to finally have met her!

After our short dinner, we headed onward across the state to the Chieppas. We made it to their house in one very long day! We wanted to be sure to get the most of our time. Why waste it in a hotel! We had lots to do once we got to Bradenton, so we decided to keep driving.

Here's a photo of my parents and Dynamo's parents together on our first day together before we headed to Sarasota to the Farmers' Market/Craft Festival.

It might seem odd to you that my parents and Dynamo's parents are friends, but I think it's pretty cool! Our parents hadn't seen one another in a couple of years, so there was a lot to catch up on! It was really funny because our parents referred to us as "the kids" all week long. It just shows that no matter how old you are you're still your parents' babies!

Our week was so full! We went to a street festival on Anna Maria Island and saw this woman with her pet iguana (sp?) named M.G. She told us that M.G. stood for Mini Godzilla. I couldn't believe she was strolling through the festival with this thing on her head. M.G. was a beautiful thing! I even got to pet her. Notice the man in the background with a confused look on his face!

We also saw this crazy clown in the street. What a costume? He appeared to be riding an elephant! Cool idea!

Of course we did lots of eating...after all...we were on vacation! Here we are at a local restaurant called TooJay's! Yummy brunch!!

Here are the Chieppas on one side of the booth...

Think they look like family?

And, here are the Morrises (I'm a Chieppa now)...

I guess one could say that we look alike too right?

During the week we did lots of shopping and shell hunting. We hunted and hunted and hunted for perfect shells! One could say we were obsessed!

Dynamo and I even got goggles for our last day there, but the water was really choppy and the wind was chilly, so all I found was a mouth full of saltwater! But...I tried!

All in all it was a great week! We had a wonderful time! So did Lexi!

She just loved to look outside and see the Florida weather and the ducks on the pond. She was licking her chops! Mr. and Mrs. C's dog, Tasha, was worn out from all of the playtime she got. Their cat, Kali, was so glad Lexi went home and left her alone...finally. I'm sure Mr. C is really glad to only have one dog to walk now!

Speaking of Mr. C...here we are together...

Oh, and here is a pic of the very famous sculpture/statue in Sarasota. It's quite grand! Read about it here.

More on our second leg of the trip tomorrow. But, I'll leave you with this photo of Dynamo, my love, and I at the beach! Ah....Florida....

Sunday Sermon - October 24

Location: Suffolk, VA
Thank you to Kristi Sutphin for this photo.

Love Birds

Ah, don't you just love Maya Mists? It's oh so shimmery! I recently got some Maya Resist and used it to write the words "Love Birds" on the page. There's a tutorial here on this great stuff! I also used a mix of JBS Mercantile and Stampin' Up products (full heart punch, elegant eggplant cardstock, melon mambo cardstock, and antique brads), along with some thrifted lace.

Here's a closeup...

Birthday queen

My niece turned 21 recently, so this was the card I made for her. This card is actually a little larger than I usually make, which I like. There's more surface to work with. I think it's about 5x7 or so. I wanted it to be sophisticated because 21 is a big year! I used mostly Stampin' Up! goodies including: chocolate chip, very vanilla, and cherry cobbler cardstocks, artistic etchings stamp set, cherry cobbler and chocolate chip classic stampin' pads, and deck the halls designer series paper.

The "happy birthday" sentiment is from Close to My Heart.  The lace and sheet music are thrifted items.

Here's another view of the card...

I really like the crown over the sentiment!

Handmade Holiday Promotion

 

Now's the time to get some great "bundles" for 20% off! It's the Handmade Holiday Promotion and it starts today and runs through December 16th.

Click here for the list of bundles.  If you'd like to place an order visit my Stampin' Up! website.

Snack Love

I had taken this pic of Dynamo's snack plate a while back, but didn't know what to do with it. I wanted to remember his choice of snack forever. Crazy, I know...but, I don't ever want to forget the special things he does that I love. Yes, that is a pic of peanut butter and jelly on Ritz crackers. I had never seen this done before and thought it was neat. You learn something new everyday! It also made a pretty pic. Apparently, Mrs. C. eats them this way too. Who would've thought to do that? To be honest...it's a pretty good snack!

I had bought a book a while back with 52 scrap challenges and one was to scrap your favorite food. So, a lightbulb went off and I pulled out the pic and got to work! Most of the items I used are from JBS Mercantile. I used some lace I thrifted and the Stampin' Up! Heart to Heart Punch.

Here's a closeup...

Have you ever scrapped your favorite food?

Sunday Sermon - October 17

Location: Suffolk, VA
Thank you to Kristi Sutphin for this photo.

One Sunday Afternoon

I just loved these three photos of my Dynamo. I wanted to try to preserve them in a special way. I thought they reminded me of a filmstrip/sequential shoot! I wanted them to all be on the same page. So, here was the result...

No, he wasn't posing. I don't think he even knew I took the top and bottom photos. Those are often the best ones...when no one knows you're taking them...

I did add journaling...just a little...to the page. I struggle with my handwriting. I just don't like it very much. Anyone else have that problem?

"Sunday" is from a set of old flashcards. The tree on the background paper was a page from an old children's book. I really do love old stuff!

I used a lego that my co-worker gave me (she snuck it from her son when he wasn't looking) to make the white and yellow dots on the page.

Banner Design

Here's another scrapbook page I completed recently. I love the banners that you can create with your sewing machine and triangles from Sassafrass courtesy of JBS Mercantile!

Notice the background scenery of grass, mountains, and a stoplight. That, along with the "traffic lights" excerpt is from an old children's book I had in my stash!

Again, I love using the sewing machine to add texture to my project.

Scrappin' around

I've decided to try to scrap the real 12 x 12 size like all the rest of the world does. Here is my first attempt...

It's so fun to play with Maya Mists! I also used acrylic paints to create the background colors to match the colors in our shirts! Some of the embellishments are from JBS Mercantile, but the Play Date Designer paper and Kraft cardstock (as the background) are from Stampin' Up!

Here's a closeup of the page...

Another page tomorrow.

Apple Harvest Festival 2010

On Saturday, Mom, Dad, Dynamo, the Steed, and I met up with the Clark family at Graves Mountain Lodge for the Apple Harvest Festival 2010 in Syria, VA.

It was a beautiful day in the mountains of Virginia. It took about 2.5 hours to get up there. We did have to stop at an antique store and a yard sale along the way!!!

Lexi was so excited to be able to go with us. She normally doesn't get to go to more than one soccer game per year because she doesn't do very well with big dogs. But, on Saturday she did great!!!

She even got to wear her Halloween bandana!

Dynamo and Daddy tried to get her to drink water from the creek. Clearly, this farm dog isn't much for creek swimming!

The kids got to meet Lexi for the first time. After a couple of moochies, Lexi was more interested in relaxing and taking in the scenery than playing with the kids.

Dynamo enjoyed the creek, though!

Then, there was crayfish huntin'...

Yuck!

There wasn't much apple pickin'....actually...none at all. Good thing for the creek, crafts, and food!

And, when we stopped in Charlottesville for dinner there were hot air balloons up in the sky.

We hope to make a trip to Carter Mountain Orchard in a couple of weeks to actually pick apples! That's all Dad wanted to do, but didn't get to! There was so much else going on! He had to buy them from a bin!

It was a really fun time! Beautiful bluegrass music in the background all day, sunshine, kids laughing and playing, and lots of families just enjoying time together! Fall in Virginia (especially the mountains) is so beautiful.