New Wall in the Hall

First of all I wanted to let you know, because so many people have asked, that I will be posting a tutorial on the cupcake pincushion as soon as I can get my act together. I will also get the recipe for the fudge and mints and post them as well. I didn't even bring the recipe home with me because I was afraid I would make a batch. And then eat most of it. But I will sacrifice myself for all of you. I suppose it is my blogging duty.
This is what we've been doing this week. Our son in law has had a little off time from his job and so we put him to work beautifying our hall. It's gonna be so great.

Enriched

The women's organization in our church meets every so often to have an "Enrichment" night. Last night was the first of 2009. Sometimes we have speakers that teach us first aide and CPR, or how to make a 72 hour kit for emergencies. Sometimes they teach us about breast cancer or what's new in children's literature. Sometimes we have a craft night. I like to call craft night "group therapy".

We had some refreshments.

We made pincushions from felted wool.

This is the one I made.

We made Valentines cards and tags.

There was a candy making demonstration. This is rocky road fudge. Delicious.

We covered these little boxes to put the yummy candy in. There was layered mints, coconut creme, and peanut butter filled chocolate, and of course the fudge.

We made some fun things and chatted. We laughed and got to know each other a little better. We truly were enriched.

WAY Better Than a Rubber Plant

I don't know if you've heard or not but I won a giveaway!! I am so excited because I never win anything. Well, that's not entirely true. When I was in 4th grade I won a rubber plant. In a raffle. Woo hoo. Not that exciting when you're in the 4th grade. But last week Anne, well really her bird Alabaster, picked my name and I won her giveaway.
Look what came in the mail today!!

All wrapped up so pretty in pink.

An adorable little handmade card.

TAGS!! Very beautiful glittery roses.

And last, but not least, a mosaic heart in pinks and greens, two of my favorite colors. Thank you, thank you Anne. I love everything so much.

And thank you Alabaster.

Sunday Sayings

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are". Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Travel Journal

OK, so you already know I haven't had an original idea since 1994. The great thing about blogging is you really don't need original ideas. Wonderful, creative, cute projects are everywhere you look. A while back I was over at Suzanne Duda's blog, Pink Roses and found this great idea. A travel journal... I bought a black art notebook, a white marker and a glue stick.

Every evening, when we're on vacation, we empty our pockets and bags and I start gluing. Receipts, brochures, and postcards get stuck in the book. I like to write a little about what we did that day. It doesn't take very long and it's best if you do it that night so all the things you want to remember are fresh in your mind.

I've been adding programs and receipts if we go to a concert or museum locally. It really cuts down on the little bits and pieces I used to stick in a junk drawer and then throw away a year later.

It's really fun looking back on the fun trips we've taken.

I found a new blog the other day, The Stone House. Lewaina has a similar journal. Only her journal is her life's journey. Go check it out.

Sixth Folder Sixth Picture

Lallee, from Lallee's Cottage asked me to show her my 6th picture in my 6th folder. Here it is.
Hoover Dam. Last April the mister and I drove to Arizona to see a Nascar race. We're not really fanatic Nascar fans but the mister thought it would be a good idea to see one before we kicked the bucket. You know, the list. We'd just seen the movie and all. Anyway, I'm glad we went, I don't ever have to go again. I heard the F word more times in that 3 hour race than I have in my entire 50 some years. EVERYONE around us was drunk. I realize I'm pretty sheltered but hey, I grew up in the 60's. In California. I've been around. I do love road trips though. We stopped at Lake Mead and then toured Hoover Dam. Of course you had to go through metal detectors like at the airport. On the way home we stopped at the Grand Canyon. That canyon is indeed grand. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time.

Ironing Out the Nation's Future

Sunday Sayings

Doing My Part

I want you to know I am a patriotic American and am single handedly keeping the economy going in my part of this great country. Yesterday my friend Emily called me and told me to go take a look at a vintage patio set at one of our favorite antique stores. I totally trust her taste and good judgement so I knew I'd love it. I think it's probably from the 50's or 60's, but I don't really know or care. I'm not crazy about the fabric on the cushions but it'll do for now. I bought the love seat.... Two of these rocky chairs, a side table and coffee table. They also had a chaise lounge and a dining table with four chairs, which I left behind for someone else.

The set came with a total of 10 cushions. I stuffed the cushions, one chair and both tables (including the glass tops) in my little car. It fit together like a puzzle. Emily went back to pick up some things she purchased and brought the rest of my stuff home in her truck.

Just doing my American duty.

Notecards

I got another delightful package in the mail today. A while ago I ordered some beautiful notecards from the oh so very talented Donna. These caught my eye as a gift for a dear friend and neighbor. She lived in Missouri for a couple of years and while she was there fell in love with cardinals. Since we don't have these beautiful birds in Utah, these notecards are the next best thing.

So beautiful. Thank you Donna. Go check out her lovely blog, etsy shop, and home.

Cheap Love

Have you been to Target lately? Go directly to the dollar section and get you some glittery Valentine fun.... ***LOVE***
And fancy, glittery heart. One dollar.

Wisteria

Don't you just love it when the UPS guy rings your doorbell and throws a package under your welcome mat? I know I do. I uncovered the package, brought it in and opened it up. Inside were these beautiful things from a company called Wisteria. They were having 75% off all Christmas left overs and I picked up a couple of things. Well, I didn't actually pick them up, they sent them to me.

Another blurry picture. But they're red crystally hanging things.

I'm going to stop buying Christmas stuff now. I mean it this time.

Tai Pan

We have a wonderful store here in Utah called Tai Pan. It's the size of Home Depot. Think of Home Depot, then think the exact opposite and that is Tai Pan. A warehouse full of cuteness instead of practicalness. Not one single toilet plunger to be found. After lunch with the girls the other day we decided to stroll through the cuteness and found some stuff to take home with us. Apparently I'm looking forward to spring.

The thing about Tai Pan is it's inexpensive. 91 cents for the little heart shaped plate. $2.50 for the resin bird.

It's called Tai Pan, (what does it mean in English??) because almost everything in that store comes from China. Cute and cheap. From China. I don't know if that's good or bad. Another guilty pleasure. I seem to have so many of them.

They've opened a new Tai Pan in Southern California. In Rancho Cucamonga. Maybe someday they'll be all over the place right next to Home Depot.

Sunday Sayings

"I am still determined to be happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances." Martha Washington

Quiet Book

I was doing a little after Christmas shopping at our local craft store the other day (Ben Franklin for you local girls) and I saw this cute fabric panel. Usually I don't like panel projects but this one caught my eye. I love the illustrations, they remind me of my childhood picture books. I love the colors, almost a jewel tone feeling. So I cleared off the table in the crap room and went to work.

It was fun, it was easy, and it's finished. I'm going to make another one tomorrow. A little something for the sweetpeas

Summer Dreams

I had a lovely day today. Went out to lunch with some friends and then did a little shopping. We started at Barnes and Noble bookstore since one of the girls wanted to pick up a book she'd ordered. While I was there I strolled over to the clearance table and found a fabulous book called 'Relaxing on the Porch'. Since it had warmed up to 48 degrees today I thought this was appropriate. Can you see the price? $4.98. I'll be gazing at these beautiful pictures while sitting in front of the fire in my long underwear and fuzzy slippers.

I also bought this beautiful magazine. Full of beautiful photography, unlike this blog.