Tuesday, May 29, 2012


Praise The Lord!!  We finally got some rain!!



It has been so hot and dry here in Arkansas.  Finally early this morning the storms rolled through and blessed us  with the sweet smelling rain we have been praying and longing for.  I personally love a rainy day.  I could sit for hours  with the windows open and just watch and listen and breath in the clean fresh smells.  We all went out on the porch this morning and enjoyed the fresh air.  It has been so layered with dust that it literally felt heavy when you breathed it in before.  Now it was light and clean and fresh again.  The dust has me and Boo both hacking and our throats irritated from it.  But after the rain came through it was not so bad.

This is what my kids like to do during the summer when it rains.

Boo is always in the puddles and Sis loves to get out her umbrella.  Sometimes we just put on our bathing suits and play in it that way too. And now I am off to work on a few things before I have to run and get my blood work done for Thursday.  I will leave you with a few more rainy day images.











Monday, May 28, 2012

Hello and Happy Memorial Day

First, in honor of my family members, and all of the others out there, who have served to protect us and risked their lives doing so...

I know it has been a little quiet around here lately. 
Did you hear that pin drop?

I have been trying to get some things done around the house.  My surgery (hysterectomy) is coming up on Thursday and I will be down for at least a week if all goes as planned. Cartoon: surgery for dummies (medium) by toons tagged surgery,hospitals,doctors,nurses,patients,dummies
 I do have some reviews and at least one or two giveaways planned for all of you this coming month.  I have also finally got out of my crochet rut.  I have decided the problem is if I am not making it for others it is not as fun.  I have been working on goodies for my swap sister for the 

It has been fun trying to find little things I think she would like.  I am almost finished with the main item for the July mailing.  This year you can do a stocking or a sack.  Can't tell you yet what I am doing as I want it to be a surprise.  I promise to post pictures after she receives the first package.  Then there will only be monthly teasers of the gifts up until she opens them in December.  Then I will reveal all of the goodies for you.  If you would like to follow along on all the happenings you can click on the image above and it will take you to the blog. Cheryll has posted some links to some extra lovely ornament patterns and tutorials.
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Click on the image and it will take you to the website to find them.  I am in love with the Pomander.  I may have to make a few of those for my tree and some for friends and family as well.  Check back often on her blog for more updates and lots of fun.  I can't wait to see all of the goodies the ladies make and send.


We are spending a lazy day at the house today.

My brother in law is in for a week from Texas and the kids love to see him.  Boo has a bit of an allergy issue going on right now.  It is so dry and dusty here.  We have all been praying for rain.  We do have a chance a few days this week so Lord willing we will see some.  It looks like August here.  Our yard is dry and turning brown already and it isn't even June.  At least we did get the pool patched and have been enjoying it.  It was in the 90s here yesterday and the day before.  Today is only supposed to be in the 80s  and Thursday and Friday  it is supposed to only be in the lower 70s.  Gotta love the weather this year.  It can't decided what it wants to do.  Okay I have waffled on enough!!

Hope you all have a lazy Memorial Day and a great week.


Saturday, May 19, 2012

Santa Sack Swap 2012




I'm so excited!!  I watched all of the lovely photos last year wishing I had found the swap in time to join.  I thought I had missed it this year also, but I left a comment on Cheryll's blog about being sad to have missed it again.  Turns out she had a few spots after all and I GOT IN!!!  I haven't received my swap partner info yet but I already have lots of great ideas about what to make for her and give to her.  You can keep up with all of the swap goodies over on the Santa Swap Blog.  Have a great weekend all!  I am off to find more goodies to crochet.  I think the urge is coming back.






Friday, May 18, 2012

Pool Problems

I'm sad to report the pool had a hole and will not be repaired for about a week.  Had to order a patch kit and it could be 3-10 days before it will ship. UGH!!  Will have to try to call around tomorrow and see if I can find one locally.  A pin size hole can dump a lot of water in a hurry!!

Melissa

Pool Day

This is what I have been doing all day. Now if it was just full of water. It's 89 degrees here in Arkansas. Maybe tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Ally B Is In A Pikle

The winner for the In A Pikle Giveaway is ......


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview

The interview went awesome. Hope to hear some good news soon!! I will post the winner of the Pikle giveaway later today.

Melissa

Monday, May 14, 2012

A New Week




Happy Monday everyone!!  I hope all of you here in the US had a wonderful Mother's Day.  My little man came in and crawled in bed with me then snuggled for awhile.  We then had a rousing game of tickle bugs until daddy rolled over and said SHHHHHHH!!!  Then I was informed I could not leave my room because he was going to make a Mother's Day treasure hunt for me.  So he made up clues and then sister came along and helped him make a map also. 


 I got a lovely card and some beautiful flowers that Kendra bought me at school.


The lovely crochet daisy chain in the back was a gift from my dear friend Susan from http://crochetaddictcfs.blogspot.co.uk

She won one of my giveaways around her birthday so I sent her a couple goodies with the prize.  She in turn made me some wonderful goodies and sent them to me.  That's one thing about these blogs.  You can make some of the best friends from all over the world.  

I am going to be busy this week cleaning house like a mad woman.  I usually start out like this...





and then end up like this...





I found out last week that I am going to have to have a hysterectomy on May 31.  I have what the doctor's like to call Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB).  In other words Who Knows What The Heck Is Causing It.  I had other options which included hormones (not an option as they make me EVIL!!), an IUD (no thank you), Endometrial Ablation (I THINK NOT), or the permanent solution... A Hysterectomy.  I won't bore you with all the details.  Just wanted to let you know that if it gets a little quite around here for a few weeks this is why.  


  This is the last day to enter the Thirty-One Giveaway, and tomorrow is the last day for the In A Pikle Giveaway.  Now I am off to snuggle with my little man and watch Umizoomi before bed.  Have a great night all!

Friday, May 11, 2012

Spring Dishcloth Fever


April Showers!Whether you're taking a road trip, meeting friends at a picnic, or simply sitting on your porch and enjoying the sun, dishcloths are the perfect project! These small, ultra-portable free patterns will add springtime cheer to anyone's day when knit or crocheted in Lily Sugar'n Cream.
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These lovelies came in an email from Lily Sugar & Cream and I thought I would share them with all of you.  Don't forget to enter my great giveaways while you are here.  Win Mom a Thirty-one Organizer bag set or An In A Pikle bag.


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Long Ago



Long ago, in a far away time, I was a cross stitcher.  Then one sad day five years ago my Mom died because of a horrible car accident.  At the time I was working on something for her.  I had made the picture before but as she moved around a lot she had lost it along the way.  I have had a hard time picking it back up.  My daughter was very upset when I stop because it was something that we both loved to do. And I had taught her how to cross stitch when she was very little. I did start something last year but never finished it.  Maybe I need to work on it instead of trying to figure out what to crochet next as I am in a rut right now.

Today would have been my Mom's 64th birthday.  I honor of that I thought I would show you a few of the things I have made over the years. Sorry some of the images are a little grainy because I had to turn the flash off on the camera so it wouldn't glare on the glass.  There are also a few more things hiding in closets that I didn't dig out.  Both of them haven't been finished anyway.

This is the one I am currently working on.  It is for a travel mug for Boo.  He has always loved Blue and sunflowers.  I designed this pattern myself.  I had it for sale in my Etsy shop at one time.  If anyone is interested in purchasing it let me know and I will re-list it or add it to the patterns here on my blog.

This is a Lady Bug Bear I did for my daughter in 2005.

This is her Bumble Bee Bear I did in 2007.

This one is in Boo's room.  I did it in 2005.  Looks like I need to fix the water.  It is running down hill.


This one hangs in our living room. I did it in 1997.
 
This one hangs above the other one in the living room.  It was also done in 1997.  This is the only one I have had professionally framed.  All the rest I have done myself.  I must say it was a log cheaper to do it myself.


This is one of the first large things I ever made.  It was probably done around 1994-1996.  It hangs in our bedroom.  I also have the figurine that matches it.  My Mom bought it for us not too long after we were married.

Hope you enjoyed my pretties.  I love the way the cross stitch turns out but it takes so long to finish the big ones.  

While you are here, go enter my In A Pikle Bag Giveaway and the Thirty-One Mother's Day Giveaway. Have a  great day!!

Thirty-One Gifts Review and Mother's Day Giveaway


The Story Behind Thirty-One
Nine years ago I (Cindy Monroe-Founder and CEO) was working full-time in corporate America, trying to live life with my husband and our two children, managing work, home, church, kids' activities and still trying to find time for myself. On top of all that, I am a girl, and girls must shop, right? My busy lifestyle made it so difficult to find time to visit all of those cute little gift boutiques where the really great products are. I decided it was time for working moms and women everywhere to get a chance to shop on their terms. I prayed to find a way to offer something that would help women like me contribute to their lives financially by owning their own business. It is from this passionate resolve that Thirty-One was born. I began sewing purses with one machine in the basement of my home in Chattanooga, Tenn., and I'm awestruck when I see how far we have come with the support and dedication of so many people. Today, our Thirty-One family has grown to more than 60,000 Consultants nationwide!
The name Thirty-One comes from the verses of Proverbs 31. These words may be thousands of years old, but I am constantly amazed by how today's modern woman can relate to them. The Proverbs 31 woman is dearly loved and respected by her family, yet she is an individual in her own right. She manages the home and property with kindness and integrity. Her savvy business skills are partly brought about by her desire to serve others, to do good deeds and prosper. I knew women just like this, and I wanted to find a way for every woman to be recognized for who they are and for their hard work!

What is the mission of Thirty-One Gives?

We believe in Her – women and girls. We embrace Her inner beauty and celebrate Her natural gifts. It is our mission to celebrate and empower Her, helping to strengthen Her belief in herself, strengthen Her family, and to lead a purposeful, thriving life. You can find out more about their Thirty-One Gives Program at http://www.thirtyonegives.org/.





































Plus you will also receive 10% off any order place, under the "Lazy Daisy" event, during the week of this giveaway. Please note that the 10% discount will be applied after the event closes, so you won't see it until then.To find out more go HERE.





















Review

After contacting Kirstin Tracy - A Thirty-One Consultant - I was blessed with the opportunity to review three of their awesome products.  She even had them personalized for me. The first one is the Organizing Utility Tote ($25 + $7 personalization = $32 value). It has a very roomy interior plus 7 outer pockets. 
The second one is the All-in-One organizer bag.  For every $31 you spend during the month of May,  you can get this bag for $5. Plus you will also receive 10% off any order place, under the "Lazy Daisy" event, during the week of this giveaway. To find out more go HERE. I plan on taking advantage of this and getting me a new lunch tote.

As you can see they hold quite a bit of yarn and would also hold your patterns, hook/needles, and other goodies you need for your projects.  They are made of a heavy and durable laminated nylon that will stand up to heavy use.  I have quite a few ideas for this bag but I haven't decided for sure yet.  I am hoping for news on a  new job for the upcoming school year and I am saving it until I know for sure one way or the other.  Fingers crossed!!

This smaller one would be great to take along for small projects on the go. It has two outer pockets.  I think ours will be used for library books.  We have been making quite a few trips to the library lately and this will come in handy.

But that's not all they are good for. The possible uses for these bags are endless.



You can view their online catalog for even more wonderful products and ideas. All of their products come in a wide range of colors for every taste or occasion.
The last product I received was one of their cute Wristlet Key Fobs in Aqua Circle Spirals. (Forgot to get a picture before using it.)

 I love all of the products Thirty-One makes and plan to order a few more things from my self soon. 

Giveaway

And now for your part.  Just in time for Mother's Day.  Win Mom, or yourself, some great gifts. Fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below and you could win your own Organizing Utility Tote as well as an All-in-One Organizer in your choice of color. This giveaway is US only due to shipping rates and conditions, and will run from 5/8/2012 - 5/15/2012. That only gives you one week so enter quick. Disclosure: I was provided with the product(s) mentioned for review purposes. All opinions are my own. I can not be held responsible for sponsor not shipping products.
a Rafflecopter giveaway