Quick Project

This is one of the projects I made yesterday. It was so quick and easy. I have seen cute, embellished clipboards around for quite some time....but I've never needed one. Until now. I am going to use it to hang pictures and inspirational quotes in my "Project Room". I like the way that sounds.....Project Room....Anyway....You don't really need a tutorial for this one.

It was way easier than pie. You just take paper, some ribbon and some sort of semi-flat embellishment, grab your Mod Poge and get to work. The key is to work backward. I put the cute stuff on the bottom side of the clear clipboard so if I ever needed to use it for it's intended purpose....no sweat....

I put the paper flowers down, then the ribbon and then the paper. I followed it up with several light layers of Mod Poge and let it dry over night.


I did a project similar to this using 12x12 (not clear) clipboards. My dream is to find clear 12x12 clipboards. My life would be complete. Yes, my needs are few.

I am linking to the Strut Your Stuff link party. Check out the fun we are having!!

Wordless Wednesday

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?

I have a jar in my craft room. It is special to me. It is filled with old buttons that my Grandma has collected over the years. Some are big and some are small. Some are old and obviously used, others look brand new and shiny. I have pulled out a button here and there for a craft project so it isn't as full as it once was. Waste not, want not...right? I was in a fabric store the other day and I saw a magazine with the cutest "softies" on the cover. (A softie is a doll or animal or whatever that is made from fabric and filled with soft stuffing.) I fell in love with them and decided to try to make them (the magazine was $15 and there were no patterns in it!) at home. The picture had the cutest buttons on the "softies" for one of the eyes and for the nose.
Well, what a perfect project for some stray buttons. But as soon as I started to sort through the buttons I was lost in nostalgia. I was a little girl again sitting in my Grandmother's blue sewing room. The warm sun was coming through the window and I was listening to the whir of her old sewing machine as she whipped up a dress for me from some fabric from her stash. I started to wonder where the buttons had come from. She had obviously cut some from clothing. Was it a shirt she had worn and when it out lived it's usefulness as a shirt.....did she cut it into squares for a crazy quilt. Did some of the tiny buttons come from clothing she made for my Mom, Aunts and Uncle when they were small?
Did she scan her pile of useful things and create something using only what she had in that magic sewing room? I like to think so. I like to think that I am a lot like her. I know my fabric stash will never be as varied as hers and the seams I sew are never as straight.....but I can go into my craft room and make something using the supplies on hand. As I use my imagination and stretch my creative muscles to create a pattern for these "softies" I can picture my nieces loving on them and I smile. If they get even half of the joy I get from a hand made gift from my Grandma, then it will be worth the effort.
I am still working on the finished product....there have been some "firsts" completed. When I get the final draft ready to go....I'll show you. Until then, do you have a stash? Do you love to feel that rush of creativity when you see a stack of fabric and a pile of old buttons? Maybe it's just me. I'm crazy that way.

Birthday Time

My baby girl....Happiest of Birthdays to you as you turn 18 today. I just wanted the world to know how very proud I am of you. You are one of the most amazing people I know. You are smart and brave, kind and strong, you look out for your friends and you are truly the best daughter in the whole world.
(with her Great Grandma)


When you were born I was so over-the-moon excited. My family was complete because of you. You have been the laughter and joy on many a dark day. I love that you collected old people where ever we went. You were so funny that way. Grandma Eva, Grandma Mangum and Joan have loved you like their own.

You had a rough time finding your way in your tween years. I hope I was a light for you to follow. You made it through, better than ever.
You've always been so loyal to your friends and family. No one is allowed to mess with us (except you). I love that your heart is so tender. It makes it rough because it is easy to break, but you never give up on those you love.
Your smile, your laugh......your freckles......My hearts melts when I hear you giggling with your friends. When you smile, I smile. I love you so.
So, my darling daughter, as you jump into this new adventure (because that is what being 18 is all about, right....)I just want to give you a few last pieces of advice (HA! Who I am kidding....I'll be lecturing and badgering and nagging you for the next 40 years!) Never give up on love. Always make time for family. Be kind. Stick to your standards.

You are set to conquer the world. This IS your year. Go out and set the world on fire.....I know you want to.

Pumpkin Obsession

I have a bit of an obsession with pumpkins. It's probably bordering on hoarding. Maybe. I pulled them all out the other day. I was feeling Fall-ish. The kids are in school, the days are shorter and a little cooler....so why not. I put them all on my table and then decided what I wanted to go where.
On the bookcase.....
These were a gift from a friend.....I love them.
The mantle.....no more summer time fun here.
On my favorite little bookcase I kept it simple.
I put most of my favorite pieces here in the entry. Honestly....I put this buffet here so I'd have a flat surface to decorate. But don't tell Jim. I told him it was strictly for extra storage.
Have you decorated for Fall? What is your favorite?

Summer Update

So much has happened in the last 20 days. My sisters and brother and Dad and Zeffie came to visit. My normal sized house got very small....but we loved it! There are a lot of pics in this post...don't say I didn't warn you.
My sisters and I like to get matching pajama pants when we go on a trip together. And this trip was no exception. Thanks Kim!!
The kids (especially the little ones) love, love, love their Grandpa. Here is Cooper walking with his Papa and the fabulous Ms. Zeffie.
My baby started her senior year while all the family was here. I can't believe she is that old!!
The little kids love their Uncle Travis (a.k.a. Buddy) too. They love to follow him around. It is the sweetest thing to watch.
The gibbons were making quite the racket while we were at the zoo. I've never seen such a display of loud, swinging monkeys. Cooper thought it was too loud. He is such a funny guy.
I was making pie crust and Cylie (my little shadow) wanted to help.....and whatever Cylie is doing Cooper wants to try too. So we all made pie crust. And I must say...it was the best pie crust I've ever made.
Oh, the movies we watched! I think I can quote Rio from memory. Good thing that is a cute movie. We also watched The Goofy Movie and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (with Jim Carey).
We played at the park near my house. It was a pretty warm day. But the shaded sand was fun.
Even Kevin had fun. It was nice seeing him with our family again. He is such a sweet guy.
And of course the race. Last year when I first moved to Omaha, I ran a 5k for colon cancer research. I thought of my Mom the whole time and hoped to one day run it with my sisters. Well, I got my wish....we participated (maybe not ran so much) in this years Boxer 500, a 5k for colon cancer research. It was fun to do something together for such a good cause.
This is us walking home from the park (or the block, as Cylie called it). I am so grateful that they all made the ridiculously long drive to come see me. Family is such an important part of my life. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people to call my own.
I promise I will show you what projects we've been up to. It's been fun.

Older Kids

So, it's Monday again. If you are anything like me....your house looks like this. My sweet hubby works long hours during the week so when the weekend comes I don't like to spend my time cleaning. I'd rather spend the time hanging out with him. Of course when our kids were small I would dread Monday....digging out from under all that mess with two little ones following behind messing everything back up was so frustrating. I have a simple solution now that they are older. I send them each a very simple text message. "Hey. I need the kitchen clean before lunch." Easy.....No yelling. No begging. No excuses.
Much better. Now I can focus on my bathroom, the vacuuming and the other chores that don't tend to be so overwhelming. They can work on their laundry and sending in job applications and being busy little bees for the rest of their day while being so sweet and kind to each other.
hahahahahahaha.....Now that you've picked yourself up off the floor and suppressed the laughter...yes, wipe the tears....For real, they cleaned at the kitchen for about 15 minutes before the yelling and rudeness began. I threw a fit and yelled right back. Now the kitchen is clean and the kids are who knows where (and who really cares at this point). As long as they aren't bickering at each other.....I'm sure the house will look great by this evening when Hubby comes home.....But will I be sane???