Valentine Swap

I had great fun with a Valentines Swap hosted by Parsley at Seasons of My Mind.  We had some guidelines, not to spend over $10.00 and to add something handmade by you.  I ended up making several things that I sent to Mollye, visit her and see what I sent her. 

I received by box from Nikki  at Furry Bottoms and she lives about 20 minutes away from us.  She actually lives in the town my husband and I grew up in.

When I received the package and opened it up my dear friend Lily wanted to check things out as usual.

I think she thought that if she waited long enough I wouldn't notice and she could take a peek.

Look at all of the goodies I found inside the bag

Laura Ashley listpad, notecards, memo pad and clips and some needles that I will be sure to use. 

I told my husband that I would be making good use of this bell.

This sweet box was hand painted by Nikki

She told me to look for the two symbols of God's love on it.

Oh, and she sent chocolate, not all of it is pictured and some has already been eaten. 

Thank You to Nikki and also to Parsley for organizing this fun swap.

Heart Swap

I participated in a "Heart Swap" organized by Debbie at Mosaic Magpie.  We were to create a hanging stuffed heart of a size to fit into a small mailer.  It was fun to see all of the hearts posted on Debbie's blog.  We did not know which heart we would receive.

I am excited to share pictures of the beautiful heart I received from Donna at Brynwood Needleworks.  I have been following Donna's blog for some time and have been inspired by her beautiful handwork.

This is one of Donna's "Heart's Desire" hearts

Ribbon embroidered zinnias

pearl beads

Donna said that she hoped that the flowers and beads on this heart will remind one of spring and summer just around the corner.

An extra little heart from Debbie

You can visit Donna and see the heart she received from me and also take a look at all of her beautiful work.  I used her tutorial to learn to make a mug mat and participated in a swap she organized.  I will be posting about that very soon. 

Our Love Story

This Love Story begins on June 25th 1970

One 16 year old boy and one 16 year old girl meet at a picnic arranged for that purpose by mutual friends.

A few days later the have their first date, they go to the zoo.

 From that day on they are together whenever possible or talking on the phone when they are apart.

He works at the Ranch Drive In and she works at Big Scoop Sundae Palace.  He drives a 58 Chevy and she drives a 57 Pontiac.

She kisses him first!!!

They are in love!

High school football and basketball games, tennis, track, proms, family gatherings and graduations follow.

December 24, 1971 he gives her this ring.

They believe that this was written about them.

This is the true measure of love:  When we believe that we alone can love, that no one could ever have loved so before us, and that no one will ever love in the same way after us."

Johan Wolfgang von Goethe

August 12th 1972 there life together as husband and wife begins.

Four years in the Navy and they spend almost three of those years apart.  Cards and letters are treasured.

Many years have passed.

Five years in bible college, over twenty years in ministry and their love continues to grow.

They have been blessed with six wonderful children who all have wonderful spouses, nine beautiful grandchildren and two more expected soon.

God has brought them through many hard times and trials but those things grow dim and the blessings shine bright because of what Christ has done in their lives.

This is just a glimpse of "Our Love Story"

After 38 years I would choose him all over again.

Happy Valentine's Day

Kitchen's New Look - Step One

We have our new counter tops!

After much thinking and planning we have begun working on our kitchen.

Do you ever second guess yourself after making a rather important decision about something you cannot change your mind about?  We did.  That is over now, we both love the counters.

Here are some before pictures of our kitchen counters all ready for the template to be made for our new "Granite Transformation" counter tops.

Are you ready to see what it looks like now?

I love the new sink and faucet.

The faucet actually stays where it belongs when you move it from one side to the other  Our old faucet liked to pop back to where it wanted to be.

We replaced all of the "needed" items back on the counters and cluttered them up a little.  I think when we have completed the project I will "stage" a few pictures.

 .

What we have learned after this process?

 1) Our cabinets desperately need paint. 

  We have already been to the paint store and gathered a stack of paint chips.

2)  The hardware does not match. 

We have been looking at ideas for changing out the hardware. 

 I would love to tell you that we will get on this right away but I am not sure that is how it will be. 

Step One down and a few more to go.

What do you think?

Linking to Metamorphasis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Shadow Redwork Pillow

I was looking around in my sewing room for a particular piece of fabric and came across an unfinished project.  I think I completed the embroidery about two years ago, at least. 

 My project came from this book  

Shadow Redwork by Alex Anderson.

This book is full of fun projects.

I love redwork embroidery but this has something extra.

The picture below shows what is meant by shadow.

The "shadow" work is white says "True Love is the Joy of Life"

This is the back of the pillow I made with my embroidery.

I now have something to add to my limited Valentine decorations, actually this pillow will stick around long after Valentines Day.

If you look close you can see the shadow work.

I am off to spend a little time in my sewing room, who knows what I might find next.

Linking to Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

and

Air Your Laundry Friday at freckled laundry

Hearts and More Hearts

All of my projects these past few days seem to have something to do with HEARTS.  I am participating in a Valentine swap so I had fun trying out a few ideas.

The first a heart shaped potholder was found on the Martha Stewart website here.

A fairly simple project made with fabric I had here at home.  I am not sure what the original plan for the fabric was but there is plenty more fabric and I hope to make a few more.

Next I made a linen sachet, embroidered with design from The Raspberry Rabbits block of the month design.  I have a link on my sidebar.  I also embroidered a block in blue for my block of the month quilt.

The sachet is filled with dried lavender we grew in our back yard.

My inspiration for the next project came from the January issue of the Romantic Homes Magazine.

My heart does not look much like the one pictured above but the article was my inspiration.

I used vintage lace, buttons, flowers and an old hymnal that is falling apart to create my heart.  I hope to try to make one or two more, this kind of project makes me stretch my creativity a little.

Happy Friday!

Linking to Vintage Thingy Thursday At Colorado Lady

Organize and Balance

I  read several blog posts in January with challenges to get organized.  I was so tempted to join in because I do know that I can accomplish so much more when my things are in order.

I did take the idea to heart and started by organizing a few drawers in my kitchen/dining room area.

Before - three very messy drawers

Now for the after pictures

I realize that looking at my "junk" drawers and desk drawer is not really exciting but these pictures are reminder to me that I have made steps toward organization.  YEAH!

Now my organization plan has come to an abrupt halt.

There too many other things going on, I will share them with you soon, but I will keep at it throughout the year while keeping my balance.

Another thing I have noticed while reading blogs are words chosen as inspiration words for the year.  I have chosen one of the words from Kathleen Ellis'  list

Balance

Of the 16 definitions of the word balance in the dictionary I read I chose this one

"A harmonious arrangement of parts or elements, as in design."

I want to balance every part of my life, work, church, prayer and bible reading, family, service, exercise (dog walking), decorating, sewing, needlework, gardening and of course organizing.   I musn't forge blogging and blog reading, that is often a tough one to balance.  I know that I won't always be able to keep my balance but I will be thinking about it as I make decisions and seek the Lord's guidance in all things. 

 Doesn't harmonious has a nice ring to it?

I have got to do some dog walking before it is dark, I can hear a little whimpering from an impatient dog.

I will be back to share something fun a little later.