Gocco Printer

I just realized that the link to the How-To-Gocco blog I had posted earlier is the wrong link! In case you were curious about it, here is the REAL link to the Gocco Tutorial (: Sorry 'bout that!

I love getting mail!

I came home at lunch on Friday to find two packages waiting for me! One full of this great fabric I found on Ebay and the other MY GOCCO!!!!!! All the way from Japan, little Japanese candies, paper bags and clothes-pins included! I have yet to use my Gocco since I didn't have the PERFECT picture to start with, but I'll be experimenting tonight, so hopefully it goes well and I can post pictures soon.

Also, the Ebay seller that I bought the fabric from has an Etsy shop! Check it out!

I'll be making a Kiki bag out of the fabric and I can't wait to get started...now if only I had some free time....

Murray just posted a comment on my Kiddies post (below) and got me thinking about being an aunt. I love it. Ki loves me so much, it's super adorable.

The other day her mom and her came over in the morning and I was showering. Ki ran around the house calling me "Keke! Keke!" (that's her name for me because she can't say Katie yet. But I hope it's always Aunty Keke). That was the same day she got mad because "uncle" wasn't home.

That afternoon I kissed her on the cheek, she tilted her head and sighed "I love you Kee". Talk about melting my heart!

Kiddies

My sister in law is pregnant. Again. This will be their second child and unfortunately, it leads everyone to believe that her brother and I will be getting in the baby mood too. We won't. They can stop asking now. Her stomach churns, they tilt their head and say "Oh, mmm, because you're pregnant" and then turn to me "Katie, when will you guys start having kids?" Yeah. Because seeing a sick pregnant woman really makes me want to pop a kid out.

I love kids. I'm almost forced into loving them, really. I'm the oldest of eight kids, the youngest are 20 years younger than me and just turned 4. My parents have the cutest babies! I can't help but love them to pieces. And my first niece, she's soooo cute! Kids are all around me and I love them! But that certainly doesn't mean I'm ready to have children myself.

Like I said, I'm the oldest of eight, so I think that has a large part in why I'm not ready to have my own. Not only because I had to half-raise the younger ones, but also because I've seen the reality of having kids. I have a "too-realistic view" of child raising. At least that's what I call it. All my friends oooo and aaaaah over having babies. For me, instead of seeing cute perfect babies (although I do see that too, that's just not ALL I see) I see the crying all night (all my mom's kids woke up every two hours until they were at least two, no matter what she tried), the constant attention, the thrush, the emotions etc.

I know I'm going to have moments where my kids are perfect and googoo'ing and smiling and so adorable I just want to bite their chubby little hands, but I also know it's hard work.

So no, we're not going to start having kids anytime soon...maybe in a few years...but not now. Like my mom in law said in the family Christmas card "Katie and Brett are busy having puppies" (: And I'm happy with that for now!

Ooo, more later! I received some items in the mail on Friday so I have pictures to post!! YAY!

Art

I meant to post this picture in my last post but couldn't find it. This piece is my favorite so far, it's awesome. There are no words to describe it other than awesome! (:

Confusion!

Last night when I checked my views on this blog, they had mysteriously jumped 200-and-some since the afternoon! I'm thinking that I was blogged about or featured on a site and am not aware of it...either that or Blogger is messing up. But I like the first option better.

I've been checking my favorite blog and haven't seen anything...if anyone knows something, fill me in!

Graffiti

I have a weird interest in graffiti. Well, I think it's completely normal, but my husband thinks it's strange (: I don't know what it is, but something about it just catches my attention. I love it! It's true art work...too bad someone had to vandalize a piece of property to make it (most of the time), but it's still art.

Every summer I go out to the train depot and walk up and down the tracks, finding pieces that I like. If we go on a trip, I'm constantly scanning the trains and making my hubby stop so I can take some pictures. I love building to my photo collection.

Last summer I was taking my dog for a walk along the tracks. I didn't feel like walking down to the end of the train but Piper needed a better walk so I dragged myself down there. I was so glad I did! The second picture here is of the graffiti I found. Amazing!!





Ps: You can see more pictures on my Flickr page!

Invitations and Snow

I decided to use Tricia's engagement (the new sister-in-law-to-be) as an excuse to buy some new colorful paper, a stamp and ribbon, to design some wedding invitations. They're simple enough, nothing too fancy, and so much fun to make! I made some while I watched A Midsummer Night's Dream last night. Maybe we'll make one of these options for Tricia's wedding, maybe not, either way it doesn't matter, I just love working with paper!









It's snowing again. When will this winter end?!

Guest Blogger

I just blogged another guest blog on TransCanada Etsy Team blog. Take a look and leave your comments!

Books

We're sitting in the office listening to to Lonestar, No News (us country hicks!), and watching the sun shine outside. Hopefully it means the snow is leaving us and beautiful Spring is joining us.

Last time the Hubby and I were in Edmonton, we made our usual trip to Chapters. I could spend all day in that store but Hubby isn't so eager. He loves books and reading, but he gets antsy in any store (I tried bringing him to IKEA and we walked in the store, rode the escalator to the second floor and he slumped into chair "I'm exhausted!"). I, on the other hand, could spend all day looking at books, checking out new authors and drinking Starbucks.

I finished my latest book yesterday. Ruth Richards, writing as Barbara Vine (and it says this on the cover. I don't understand why they do that! if you're going to have a pen name, why announce it?), writes about a family where the husband, a famous author, dies. The daughter is asked by his publisher if she will write a memoir of her life with the famous author. In doing so, she discovers he isn't who he said he was.

At first, the book was super slow. It seemed to go at the pace of real life. It could have been that I set it aside too often. I was tempted to put it aside and read another of my books but I'm stubborn and couldn't abandon it. It got better and more interesting the more I read. By the end, I was dying to see what would happen but surprised at the ending. It was "interesting" but not in the way I expected...at all.

I'm not sure if I'm going to read another of this authors books. It was thought provoking, which is always good, but it was really different and I'm still not sure if that was a good thing.

At the same time, I don't count the purchase of this book as negative.

I'm so indecisive aren't I? (:

There was a blog post on one of my favorite blogs, This Eclectic Life, about Blog Rolls and who really reads them.

I am one of those bloggers who reads my Roll frequently, always updating myself on who's posted and what's new with my blogger friends. I love commenting on their blogs since I find it such a joy (simple things make me happy!) to receive comments. I'm always surprised at how fast my Blog Roll is growing. Just a few weeks ago, Make It was at the top of my list and now it's closer to the bottom.

I don't put blogs on the Roll lightly. They are always blogs that I love and read constantly and comment on. I will need to clean it out every now and then as there are always bloggers that quit or I will (maybe!) lose interest in. But for now, they are all, honestly, blogs I read daily.

Lately I've been on a wedding blog kick. Since I've been asked to do a couple weddings for the summer and fall, I've been trying to find inspiration and unique ideas. Take a look at Snippet & Ink, Enjoy, An Excited Bride and i heart peonies.

Another Wedding!

My new sister-in-law-to-be has asked me to be in charge of her wedding decorations (Yay! Another one!) and I've been brainstorming for ideas. Her colors are Chocolate Brown and Voilet. I have yet to find out if this is a deep color or light so mostly I've been concentrating on the brown and coming up with original favor ideas. Here's what I've come up with for the favors:

Personalized Jones Bottles
Personalized M&M's


I know, I know, it's not that original. But I'm just getting started (:

Then for table centerpieces I'd like to go with the picture below as well as walnuts and t-lights. The table itself would be mostly browns and then I'd like the chair covers to be white or ivory with a violet bow.



We'll have ivory tooling from the ceiling to make a tent-like atmosphere, perhaps some violet colored Chinese lanterns here and there to bring in the color more.

More ideas to come!

Taking It a Step Further

Just a short one for now. I'm pooped. But I'll try to write again this afternoon.

I was just reading through the J Caroline blog which lead me to How About Orange which lead me to decor8. I officially have no life. But beyond that bleak and miserable fact (not really, I just felt like being melodramatic), decor8 has inspired me...like every single blog I look at daily (which just happens to be the majority of my Blog roll). Take a look at the entry I linked to and the comments below it to learn more on how to take your items a step further and begin to hit the big-times. Have you ever wanted to turn your art work into fabric?? Take a look at the link!

How was everyones Easter? Mine was great, filled with family and two feasts (the joys of living in the same town as both our families): one of chicken, one of ham. Y.U.M! Do you have any Easter traditions? I'd love to hear them!

We worked for six hours yesterday and finished another 23 boxes for Krystal's wedding! Here's what the finished product looks like! I can't wait to see them on all the tables with t-lights all around and rose petals. It's going to look so good! (Proud mama!)

Only 60 or so to make!

I just saw this movie in Etsy, in the Storque's Wedding Series and thought it was hilarious!!! So true though!

I was looking through Style Me Pretty, an amazing blog with great wedding ideas (my husband has to keep reminding me that I'm already married) and found this link to a really cool stationary store.

I'm addicted to stationary. It's my dream to open up my own brick and mortar shop one day, filled with creative and unique paper, writing utensils, journals, etc. At one point I had even designed my own business card, drawn the floor plan and decided on a name. I just don't think that my little home town of cowboys would be able to support a fancy store like I have in mind. It might be worth looking into one day though.

In the meantime I'll stick to buying multiple journals and paper, just because I love the color.

Easter!

Did you know the statues on Easter Island was discovered on Easter Sunday in 1722?



My mom has always been "anti-traditional". She loves anything that helps set her aside from the cookie-cutter image of being a wife and homemaker. Thus, she has never been great with keeping up the traditional holidays and celebrations. I'm sure we had more Easter memories than this, but the one Easter that stands out is the one we spent living in logging camp.

I was 13 (I remember this clearly because I was horrified when my Grandma sent me a birthday card saying "Happy 12th Birthday!") and we had made the move to logging camp so my Dad could finish his time at this job before we moved to our farm. Why, I don't know, he has nothing good to say about the boss, but yet he still worked there for another 8 months.

The camp was located off the north end of Vancouver Island and only accessed by float planes. We had named every plane that landed there and were able to recognize them, even before they landed, by the sound of their engine. Root Beer, Bumble Bee, and Goose. The six of us lived in a small two bedroom cabin, surrounded by old Atco trailers, broken down trucks and heavy machinery, several float houses, a dock and miles and miles of forest. One other couple lived in a bigger house beside us, but they had no kids and were our only company. The camp itself was up the gravel road a bit. Us kids were also able to tell who was driving towards our house because all the loggers had their own trucks, some with lights out, some running more rough. For the most part, all the trucks had their own sound which we came to distinguish between.

Knowing that Easter was coming mom sent some money into town with Marci, the lady that lived beside us, for candy. Marci would take the float plane into town, stay a few days and bring us treats back for our hunt.

Easter day finally came and Marci's plane landed, ferrying in from the inlet into our bay.

I can't remember if we were told to stay in the house or not, but somehow they hid the candy outside for us and we were set free to find it. At first we found the usual candy, Eggies, marshmallow chicks...then we started to find more! Soon several large chocolate bunnies were found (four each!), huge rainbow lolly-pops and jawbreakers, licorice and Nerds. Marci had had pity on us kids and had spent another $80.00 on candy without my mom knowing. Thinking about that now, I don't know how mom reacted, but we were blown away.

I'll have to write more about the logging camp later...

The biggest reason mom doesn't stick to the traditional celebrations and ways, is that she wants us to remember the real reason those celebrations happen. It's hard to keep that in mind while you're chowing down on chocolate or opening a ton of gifts. I don't blame her, but I think I'm going to do it a bit differently when I'm a parent.

Cruising through the net, as usual, I found this great link for a How-To on reupholstering. Did I mention before that I'm trying to wrangle some vintage chairs off of my boss? They're 30 years old. He's a lawyer. He should be able to afford new ones. So this link was super helpful because I really want to reupholster these old chairs and I don't know where to start! I'll be studying this site for hints.

Today my sister is coming home from Australia. It's been a whole year since I've seen her and being that we're best friends, that's been hard. At first phone calls seem to be enough, but then you realize if it's not a chat over Tim Hortons coffee, it's not a chat.

I used to hate her when we were little. She'd ignore me when I wanted to play with her and her friends. It'd get so bad that I'd finally scream "I must be adopted because I real sister wouldn't treat me this way!". I hated her. She always tried to be like me, she stole my friends, she flirted (and I rolled my eyes), and she was "Miss Perfect" to my parents.

Dad used to work in logging camp and when he came home he would bring us packages of baseball gum (made to look like chewing tobacco). I knew S (we'll call her S) would hide hers under her mattress so I would sneak in there to steal bits of hers when mine was done. One of my ways in getting back at her. (Don't judge me! We were, like, seven!)

Somehow during the years we started to get along. We would stay up all night chatting about boys or our parents. Now, our friends all stare at us strangely because S and I have this weird connection and can make each other laugh just by a look. We know exactly what the other is thinking, we finish each others sentences and we can imitate our mom to a T. S and I are tight. We know each other well. It's a bond that doesn't come by you every day and I feel so blessed to have a sister, a part of my family, that I can share it with.

I can't wait to see her! I've put on waterproof mascara for this special occasion...we're all going to be a mess when we see her at the airport. I get all teary eyed just thinking about it!

Sorry, I'll quit being such a sap (:

I've posted another blog (it's weekly!) on FMB. Remember to leave a comment when you visit! I'd love to have your input!

I have a job interview today. I'm nervous. I usually don't get nervous, I'm usually more confidant than this but this job sounds perfect and I want to make a good impression.

Mostly, I think I'm afraid that this interview will be 'official'. I hate official interviews. I'd rather a more casual one without the "what are your weeknesses?" questions. I would open up much more if I was asked normal "let's have a chat" questions. If it gets to official or stoic, I close up, draw blanks and look stupid.

Two slow hours go to.

I finally ordered my Gocco Printer yesterday. I was trying to find a good deal on ebay but in the end, they all turned out to be the same price, give or take a few pennies. So instead of buying off of ebay, I (of course!) opted for Etsy where the same seller was offering a new Gocco and cheaper ink.

I've been nervous about the printing process and have been researching how to do it exactly. I discovered this great, super detailed, how-to article. Check it out for a great explanation of how the Gocco actually works (:

Thinking about starting yet another job and the stress of the interview is really making me appreciate those people who are self-employed. You never have to worry about being fired or switching bosses or stressful interviews. Yes, it's harder work because you're always promoting your business, but at least you know it's going to benefit you, not just the boss man.

I come from a self-employment-loving family. My dad and mom have always encouraged us to pursue this employment aspect and have worked towards it themselves.

I'm hoping that one day my Etsy store will suddenly take off and local stores will be selling my bags. I'm crossing all my fingers for self-employment to grab me by the hand one of these days.

Living in Victoria gave me a huge appreciation for the sea. There's something about it that is so overwhelming and incredibly beautiful. This is one of the pictures I took by the breakwater in Victoria, near my Papa's tug. A great memory that was captured exactly in this photo.

If you've been visiting this blog, this creative vent, you'll have noticed that it's been evolving. It's grown from an ever changing ad for my favorite Etsy stores, to one of quick blips on life and tiny things I found interesting, to this, a (hopefully) deeper place filled with longer posts with deeper meaning (with some humor mixed in).

My Note Book will always be changing, hopefully for the better, but I like the place it's becoming now. I like writing longer posts, challenging my writing skills and sharing a bit more about me. I'll still be posting the odd link to my favorite Etsy store or YouTube clip, but I'm going to try to make this space something meaningful.

By the way, check out my Scared Silly story down below! It's an entry in the writing contest by Shelly at This Eclectic Life. Post your own entry to this contest and let Shelly know!

Also, remember to check out the DYI Wedding Series in the Storque on Etsy. This is just one of the articles they've posted, but it's great! Oh, and then come to my Etsy store, purchase of one of my Wedding Planning Packages and I'll help you make your wedding a unique and affordable event. What, I have a slick sales-man smile on my face? Nooooo...

Yesterday Krystal and Brandi came over and we worked on more wedding plans (!!). We finished 10 of the 90 boxes we need to do for the center pieces. The hard work is going to be worth it though, we were all so impressed with how they turned out. Krystal is buying purple ribbon (with wired edges) to tie around the three boxes, so the picture here isn't of the fully finished product, but it's as close as it's going to get until the wedding day.

Krystal was able to get the roll of paper free from the newspaper printers and the boxes cost $1 - $3 each, depending on the size. Her guest list just jumped from 200 - 320 so we'll be making way more boxes than we thought. With everything included though, we can keep the cost of the center pieces within $200.

Each table is going to have three of these boxes, ribbon around them with a bow at the top, t-lights and sprigs of artificial sage scattered around them. I wish we could get enough dishes, like the one in the last picture, to put several on the tables as well, but I think it would get to expensive. We'll have those t-light holders (modge-podged with cream tissue paper) on the main table and guest book table.

I have blisters from stamping so many times (: Blood sweat and tears baby!

It's different doing this wedding. The bride I helped right before this one didn't have much money to spend. Krystal has a bit more money set aside for these things so we're able to spend more money on things she wants. It's a different frame of mind.

I Think He Loves Me

Aren't I the luckiest girl in the world? Seriously! More flowers for "no reason". And to make it even better the note said "To the best wife. Go ahead and order the Gocco Printer." So guess what I'm doing now (:

Fuel My Blog!

Fuel My Blog has now posted my first blog entry for them! Check it out and leave your comments!!

Scared Silly

* This blog entry is in response to the "Scared Silly" blogging contests that Shelly Tucker, from This Eclectic Life, is hosting. Kudos to Damien from Postcards From the Funny Farm for blogging about it!

When I was seven years old my parents moved our family from a small British Columbia logging town to the big city of Victoria, BC.

I loved our new house, our new friends and our new school. My sister and I used to walk to school from our house with our matching backpacks and braided brunette pigtails. (At one point I decided my five year old sister needed to grow up so I ran home while she walked by herself. I wasn't trying to be mean, I just thought she was old enough to do it on her own!).

Our walk to and from school consisted of several blocks, one hill, passing my crushes house...and then the corner. This particular corner was only a block from my house, I could see it across the two lane highway. This is what made the corner seem even worse. My house was so close, but yet so.....faaaaaar.....away!

My friend Christina had told me about the witch that lived on this corner. "That corner?" I asked, pointing. The house had old brown ivy crawling up the outside walls, chipping green paint and a deep front porch where the old witch sat and watched me as I walked home from school. I couldn't see her, but I knew she was watching. "She's got a wart," Christina said. "It's on her nose."

Every time I walked by that old house...well, I wouldn't walk. I'd run. I'd run as fast as i could until I reached the highway and then I'd take the first space in traffic and run the rest of the way home.

One terrible day I was walking home and I decided to be brave. I would walk past the ol' witches house. I would taunt her. So I walked slowly past, trying to stop shaking, and trying to look tough. Suddenly I heard a vehicle behind me. Right behind me. It pulled up beside me and drove slowly at the same pace I was walking. I didn't look over. I knew it was the witch. I walked faster. The vehicle sped up to the same pace. I broke into a run, whimpering, I knew she was going to get me. It honked. I didn't look back and ran as fast as I could across the empty highway and into my yard. I finally let go of the breathe I was holding as I slammed the gate behind me. That stupid witch.

A vehicle rolled into the driveway on the other side of the gate. "Katie," my moms friend Barb called, "why were you running away from me?"

Another Blog Another Day

More news!!

I've also volunteered to be a blogger for the Trans-Canada Etsy Team blog (: I posted my first entry tonight, so make sure you check it out and leave your comments!

-katelyn

(before the mess)

Today I was reading through Murray Adams blog (she's one of my new faves) and saw that she had posted pictures of her work space. I decided that was a cool idea and in response to her call for pictures of other's work spaces, here's mine!


(after the mess)

I just have to keep telling myself that mess happens to everyone, especially crafters! It's just naaaatural!

So last night Hubby and I went to the gym. We go several times a week. If it's a "good week", I go about four or five times, if it's a "bad week" it's more like two or three.

I went for my usual run, about half hour and then on the bike until Hubby was done (10 minutesish?). He decided to go and look at this quad he's wanting to buy and I drove home.

Cobie needed a walk so I let her on the road and we started to go our normal route. I still had energy from the gym (you know, that adrenalin rush) and so I started jogging. Before I knew it, we had passed our normal route, gone a couple blocks further and then looped back home. I ran the whole way!! WOOOOOO!!

I've always loved running. I tried to run outside last year and it was so different than running on a treadmill that it really discouraged me. This time I paced myself and ran the entire way and I'm SO pumped! I'm definitely starting to run outside this spring and summer (:

Sorry, there were multiple subjects in this post (:

~Big News~

So, like promised yesterday, I have BIG NEWS!

I contacted Fuel My Blog the other day to see if they would be interested in me doing a weekly article for their blog. I had submitted one before and they had published it, so I thought "why not?". They liked the idea and my first blog entry will be posted today! I'll have one blog a week so make sure you check it out! Who knows, I might be featuring your blog or Etsy store (:

* Change of plans! The FMB site is having some technical difficulties so my post will be blogged tomorrow! Keep and eye out! YAY!

Big News Tomorrow!

That's all I'm going to say (: Stay tuned...

Corney?

Every time my husband and I go out to the movies or to rent a movie, we always end up picking an action flick, something about war, or something dramatic (but not sappy). The movies always lean more towards his taste rather than mine. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind those types of movies otherwise I wouldn't allow this to happen so frequently. I love The Gladiator, I am Legend...I can't think of any more guy'ish ones, but I do like them. But a girlie movie with my hubby right there to hold me when it gets sad or sappy, would be nice!

Last night we decided it was about time we saw a chick flick. "We" as in "the girls". 27 Dresses was finally showing at our one screen theater (yep, gotta love small towns!) and three of us had the night off.

I don't know if it's me just getting used to the guy type movies, if I'm just getting too old for girlie movies or if it just wasn't that great...but it just wasn't great! It had it's moments, it's laughs, it's awww's, but over all, it was just a corney movie where the two couples end up together in the end and life's just perfect.

Am I getting cynical in my old age?

I'll try not to ruin it for you but: Wouldn't it be funny if movies showed how it would REALLY end up? I mean, if the girl said "I think I'm falling in love with you" and the guy, instead of swooning, says "good grief, it's been a week and we only slept together once...you're already falling in love with me??"

Like I'm one to talk, my husband and I fell in love with each other the first week we knew each other, were engaged within nine months and married three months after that. But I sure had my fair share of dud guys before that and I realize that the situation I had with my now-husband is very rare.

Am I being a hypocrite by rolling my eyes at this movie? Huh. Maybe I am. Crap.

Promotion and Store Exposure

Do you ever get into that mood where you want to write something profound? I get like that every now and then. Now is one of those times. But there's nothing amazing to write, not yet anyways. Maybe something will come to me in a bit.

Ok, while there's nothing profound to write about there IS something exciting!!

After I posted about the Poppytalk Market the other day, I mentioned it to my husband. The cost of it was a bit of an issue. In the long run, it's a great deal, but at the moment, it's a bit too much for us. I decided to wait for a few months to sign up for the market, to help our bank account out a bit.

We didn't have to coach ball hockey last night (spring break for the kids) so I was cruising on the net and noticed I had received a convo on Etsy. Christy, this amazing artist, had written me asking if I had booked my table for Popptalk yet. She went on to say that we could split the costs and book one together. Brilliant!!

So that's what we're doing. Half the money, double the exposure. I'm so excited!!

Organize!

I knew I'd find it!! Remember other other day, when I mentioned I had stumbled across this great site for classy office organization thingys? I found the site! Finally. I must have been blind. Anyways, here it is!! Be prepared to want to organize (and spend lots of money!).

I was reading in one of my daily blogs (Make It) that the author was being featured in the Poppy Talk Handmade Market. I was looking at it this morning (at work...shhhh! Don't tell!) and there's a lot of great artists from Etsy. Check it out. Here's a link with more information on how to get your own items on there, what the costs are and what it all entails. Looks like a good investment!

Some days it's good to just sit and relax. I love my reading nook. I bought this old chair from a friend who hated it. I just fell in love with the crushed green velvet and the chubby engraved wooden legs are so worn, they must have a story.

In the winter I used to wake up early with the puppy. I'd take my book, pull the big chair in front of the fire place and read for a few hours or until the hubby woke up.

We actually brought this chair to our wedding shoot as well...it was pretty 'vogue'.

I found out yesterday that one of my friends had passed away. He had been suffering with a brain tumor for some time and had been in the Edmonton hospital for the past couple of months. I'm so sad that he passed on but at the same time I realize that he's in a better place now, not suffering and experiencing a life beyond my comprehension.

Kevin was an amazing guy, always laughing and joking. He had just gotten married six months ago to an amazingly strong woman. Even though she has a huge burden, she is an amazing encouragement and support to his family.

Kevin and I went to College and Career group together several years back. He had a cabin a ways out of town that we would visit and had built a huge Tarzan swing over the gully. The cable of the swing was attached to the tops of two huge fir trees so the swing would carry you way out before you came back to land on the platform. Kevin would laugh so hard when us girls would swing out, screaming. I'm pretty sure that's the only reason he actually built the swing.

We had a great group of friends back then and it was always great to get together with them on Thursday nights for dinner. One time Kevin walked in and we all looked at him, knowing there was something wrong. His nephew (who was his age) was laughing behind him. I suddenly noticed what was different. "Kevin, did you shave off your eye brows??" He started laughing and said that Davey had dared him too. We asked what he got out of the deal and he said "nothing" (:

His funeral is on Friday, his body is donated to science so it's going to take a bit longer for the funeral to happen. It's going to be so sad to see all our friends again. So hard.

But he's happy. And that's what we have to focus on.

I was listening to Lucie Silvas on the way home from work today, the windows open as I was driving...the spring air is so amazing!!

This is one of Lucie's songs that I hadn't heard before until I looked her up on YouTube, but it's now one of my favorites. She's got an amazing voice and mixed with Reamonn, it's even better. The video is a bit weird, but the song is great. Enjoy!

Spring!!

I went out into the yard today to play with Cobes, our pup. She's dying for attention and was so excited to have someone to attack back there.

A bug bit me while I was back there. The gardening bug (: I can't wait to get started on my garden!! My hubby's Grandma gave me a $60 gift certificate for a flower catalog and I'm going to spend every single penny of it one of these days!

I'm not great at gardening, really. I love it and am out there every minute of the day at first, and then it becomes too much work later on and the garden starts failing. Usually it's because of all the weeding. I need to get over that though and I'm making it a goal for this year (maybe it's the second one I forgot before...).

This year I'm going to put a fence up against the green wall. I had a perfect garden last year and then the dogs decided it was the perfect run for them and ruined all of my plants. That was a bit discouraging. But it's not going to happen again this year!

This is my third first day at this job. Confusing? Yes. It is. When I started it was for a family lawyer, then she left and I worked under a litigation lawyer. Then he decided that his other two secretaries (both been there for 30 years) could handle the work load and he's transfered me to do corporate work for another lawyer. I thought this was supposed to be a part-time thing but apparently not. The other assistant that had been in this position previously is now bringing me tons of work that had been her responsibility but was corporate work....does this mean I'll be working FULL time at this corporate stuff?? I really don't know.

You're probably wondering why I'm even staying here after being pulled around so much, but I like this job. I like the girls, I like the desk work (even though the type changes every few months) and I like the fact that it will mean I'll be here for more than 8 months. Switching jobs sucks. And it looks bad on my resume. And I start to question my ability. So hopefully this will mean a long term change for me.

On to lighter things

I have two goals:

1) Organize my sewing room
2) I can't remember what the next one was.

Ok, there's only one.

I was reading another blog this morning and found this great site for classy organizing items. Mag holders, cd boxes, boxes with label fronts...they were pricey, but looked so amazing. It was fun to look through them and see what I would need. Not that I could afford them...I can't remember what blog it was...I'm trying to find it and when I do, I'll post the link here (:

This is Vincent and he's been adopted! Barbara is his new owner, she entered to win him in a contest and I'll be sending him to her today! Lucky Vincent, hopefully he'll have some kidlets to play with.

Has anyone else ever heard of Indie Parade? I hadn't until today. It's a super cool blog featuring...you guessed it!...indie artists. Some of the sellers are from Etsy, some not, and they're all worth checking out!

Remember to check out this link to submit your own items!

A Quick Dinner

Every second night or so I make a good hearty meal. I like inventing dishes, adding herbs and making it look cool.

This dish is one of the easiest dishes I make. It's pork chops (I look 6 for my hubby and I so we can have left overs for lunch the next day) about 1/2 cup of milk and enough salsa to lightly cover the top of the chops. This time I added some fresh tomatoes and sliced up some mushrooms. It cooked for about 45 minutes, but as long as the pork is cooked, it doesn't have to cook for that long.

The acorn squash I cooked first in the microwave (10 minutes. I discovered this is SO much faster than cooking it for 45 minutes in the stove!). I put it in the oven for a little while after it had finished cooking, to crisp it up a bit. I put a table spoon of butter in the center of the squash as well as a dash of oregano.

Then there's rice, and that's pretty straightforward (:

SO delish!

I ordered a new stamp! I love this store, it's filled with great cute little things. I'll have to look at her stamp pads too...

Summer Dresses

We have a wedding to go to this summer and I've been looking for clothes to splurge on for it.



Fifth Avenue South is a super cute Etsy store that I've stumbled across and I'm totally in love with this skirt!!



I do really like this one too by Maisy Brown. I have a cute little grey top that would look great under it...now to find some heels! And to chose between them!

Blogs and Mags

It seems like every day I'm finding new blogs to become addicted to! Check out a few of my new additions on the left:

Oh Happy Day
Elizabeth Dye
{A}
and
Pixie Blossoms

I just noticed that I've added Modish twice...I must love that blog or something (:

Guess what I got in the mail today! My Wish magazine. I can't wait to go home tonight, steep some tea and read it. Maybe have a bath. With the cup of tea and magazine...

I've been loving magazines lately. Decorating on a Budget, Wish, Domino and anything else crafty, gives me puppy dog eyes when I walk past them in the store and I can't help but pick a copy up.

The Bluelines blog is a net-mag (is there even such thing?) of the Blueprint magazine that's another fave of mine.

Remember that vintage stuff I got from my Great Aunt? I finally finished my project with one of the items, an awesome table cloth. Sucky thing is, even though the outside edges of the red stripe matched up, the inside edges didn't...AND there were these stupid puckers...I tried to fix them but it didn't work! Does it add to the quaintness? (:

I was just talking to my brother, a tough 19 year old that works on a road building crew. He asked for prayer for his co-worker, Travis, who's girlfriend is 5 months pregnant and has to go in for surgery. Several of her organs are infected and there is a high risk she may lose the baby or her own life during this operation. My brother was crying, completely torn up, which isn't like him.

I believe in prayer and I believe that it's powerful. I've seen prayer answered in unexplainable ways and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there's a big and loving God listening to my every word, no matter how mumbo-jumbo it may be (:

If you're the praying kind, please send up a quick word for Travis and his beautiful girlfriend.

God can do miracles, all we need to do is ask.

PS: Whenever I talk about God to people I don't know, I'm always afraid they think I'm preaching at them. I'm not like that, I don't like thumping people on the head with my faith. Please don't think I'm here to pump you with religion :)

I think that Blogger must be having some issues...all of a sudden my pictures on my entry about my favorite store wouldn't show up! Hopefully it will resolve soon and I can re-post that entry (:

Does anyone know where I can get funky blogger banners? I think I'll need something with code, not just an image. Do you know of someone who does work like this? Please let me know! I really want something to add some spark to my page!

I've decided I need to take a class, something creative; painting or sketching or design...something to work my creative side a bit more and to build up my strengths. It's hard to find classes like this in a small town, but hopefully the art gallery will have some good ones available.

As usual I've been brainstorming on thinks to create...things that I could sell and make a living with. Not all my ideas are going to help me make a living, but they will hopefully bring in more pocket change invest in my bigger ideas.

Big Things To Buy:

- Gocco Printer
- Heat Transfer thingy
- Items for silk-screening

Small Things To Buy:

- Wedding Decorating Books
- Floral Edging Punch
- Bone Folder
- Carpet pieces for bulletin board (sounds weird, but check out this link!)

I have so many ideas, so many things to do and try, it's hard to know where to start!

Etsy Wedding Planning!

I've plunged. I've jumped and it's nerve racking but at the same time, it's exciting! As most of you know, my job has been teetering on the brink for a little while. Last week I finally had the conclusive decision from my boss (not that it was a good one, but at least I know what's happening now!) that I would be put on a three month term and a job could not be promised at the end of those three months. As disappointing as it was, this news was also refreshing and made me look at the future of my career.

This brought me to the option of pursuing Wedding Planning. I have always been interested in this but the current job situation allowed me to seriously consider it. Which was cool. Very cool!

I decided to take the first steps of this adventure by listing Wedding Packages on Etsy. These packages are in three stages.

Stage 1 is made up of the more basic options: creative ideas, cost cutting options, room filling, center piece and decor ideas.

Stage 2 is a little deeper. I'll send the buyer helpful links to sites, come up with table decoration ideas suited to their style, ideas for favors and how to spice them up, original guest book ideas, easy to make room decorations and I'll provide lists of options including costs for flowers and center pieces.

Stage 3 is the biggest and most fun (for me!) option (so far! I have bigger dreams and goals coming!). I'll include all of the above info from Stage 1 and 2...but on top of that, I'll make examples of invitations and center pieces. I'll require pictures from the bride of the reception hall (and the church if she's wanting ideas for that as well) so I can give advice as to how to set it up. This option will require the shipment of the invitation and possibly the center pieces examples.

With all of these options I'll evaluate the brides style, budget and colors to come up with the best options for her. I'll provide lists and pictures of ideas. I'll answer any questions she has and give her advice on her different options.

I can't wait to get started on these!! I'm so excited for someone to purchase a package so I can start (: Anyone? Anyone?

The Farm

I was out at my parents this afternoon, enjoying the farm and it's distance from civilization. I would say that life is calm out there, but with five kids still at home, it's not calm but it is enjoyable.







I watched Elizabeth: The Golden Age the other night and LOVED it! I love historical movies, the costumes, stories, way of life, everything about them really interest me. Have you watched it? What did you think? Did you know that this is the sequel to Elizabeth? I totally had no idea until last night. No clue.