Changing The World...One Yard Of Burlap At A Time!

Attentions ALL packrats, family, friends and those who just want to be part of our day!!! I am collecting coffee sleeves. You know, the ones that you get with your to-go coffees. If you'd like to donate to a good cause please save yours for me. I need 150 of them!

When I heard how much it was to rent candle holders for our reception, I flat out refused it! I won't tell you how much that is because I don't care to be the source of massive strokes and severe heart attacks all across blogland, but it's RIDICULOUS!! And you have NOTHING to show for your money in the end, as the key word here is "RENT"! Forget it!

As I mentioned yesterday, my Mom is always looking out for me. Last summer she picked up six bushel baskets of telephone insulators for me at a yard sale for $20. (You all know how I love my junk!) I was very excited about it, but had no idea what I was going to do with so many insulators. There were literally hundreds of them sitting in our driveway waiting to be used in a project. Until now I was fresh out insulator ideas. But then my candle holder problem appeared and I remembered a project I had seen via Ki and Sue from Junk Market. It is just the thing for my candle holders. And I can do it all for hundreds of dollars less than what I would have paid to rent the cheesey ones at the country club! Oh yeah, and what would a wedding project be without a little burlap? Check it out...

I started out with an insulator and a coffee sleeve. I can't forget to send a big shout out to Nicky, my junquin buddy, for my first stack of sleeves. Thanks, Nicky! You're the best!!

I simply opened a sleeve and placed the insulator upside down inside the sleeve. It's a perfectly snug fit. I love when things can be perfect, don't you?

As you can see, the insulators are hollow on the inside. This makes for a cozy little spot to put, what else, a candle of course!

Then there was the decision of whether to fill them with a votive...

...or a tea light. This has yet to be determined, though I am open to your thoughts!!

Next, I got out my trusty "22 calibur, double barreled, sawed off, glue gun". Armed and dangerous, I went to town gluing my burlap to the sleeve and trimming it off as I went. What would I do without burlap and a glue gun??



I tied on a ribbon and, of course, a button and ta-dahhh!!! We've got instant candle holders for about $50. This here folks, works out to be, approximately 33 cents per candle holder. That is several dollars less than those crazy country clubbers were trying to get out of me! Let me know what you think of them.

I LOVE MY MOM!!

My Mom has been enlisted to make these silverware pockets for the wedding. I stole the idea from Country Living, so I won't even begin to try and take credit. Though, I wish I had thought of it first!

We are having a buffet at the wedding and I can't stand the way the silverware sits in a basket at the beginning of a buffet line. All those hands dipping in, touching everyone else's silverware on the way to their own (Yes...I'm just a teeny-tiny bit of a germaphobe!). Not to mention the fumbling and bobbling of the silver while you try to balance it with your dinner plate and your salad plate all at the same time. I just won't have that!! Sooo....it is for these reasons that each place setting at the wedding will have one of these cute little burlap pockets holding the silver tight while it waits to meet it's match. All courtesy of my Mom. Isn't she the best!!

I will not, however, allow her to take any responsibility for that button in the picture that was sewn on totally off center and too far to the right on the flap of the pocket. That was ALL me!!! I'm great with the ideas just not so much with the execution! Trying counts for something, doesn't it?!

This probably seems like an odd choice of project to begin with, but I think it's going to take some serious time to make hundreds of these, soo....a head start is necessary. Then again, is there such a thing as a head start, when the big day is only 167 days away? That number is courtesy of Sue. Thanks Sue!!!

100th Post and A Bunch Of Other Things

Let me first say that this is my 100th Post. So anyone leaving a comment is automatically eligible to win a prize or prizes. I will choose one person at random on Thursday from all the comments on this post. The goodies will be announced later. Share this on your own blog if you'd like...the more, the merrier!!

Secondly, I'd like to warn you ladies who left comments on the last post to be careful. Especially you Connie and you Dona. Josh thinks you're all in love with him and hot on his trail!! He now believes HE CAN HAVE ANY BLOGGER HE WANTS!! He says, "they all love me"!!! Be warned...he's not ALL peaches and cream! I mostly only blog about the good things, just so you know!

Now for the fun stuff.... My great friend Nicky surprised me with this wonderful save the date card for our wedding and some hilarious (inside joke, really) place cards. You must go to her blog and check them out. She did a great job. Too bad we already planned on using pumpkins as placecards or I'd hire her to make them (for $free.99 of course)! I'm hoping she will be willing to make table numbers for us, though! (Nicky???? Don't you love how I slip these things into my blog and put you on the spot?! Now if you turn me down, I've got the world as my witness!)

Here is the kicker... We ended up having to change the date of the wedding due to some conflicts (which has only lead to more conflicts, but that's another post altogether!). Our new date is October 11th, 2008. We are going to have the ceremony at the Genesee Country Village and Museum and we are VERY excited about it. We both love it there!! And the best part is our wedding package includes admission for the day, for all of the guests. So while we're off doing photos before and after, everyone else will have something fun to do! Yeahhh. Sorry Nick!

Tomorrow stop by to see the first real wedding project we've embarked on!!

Josh! The Man Of My Dreams!!

How can you not love a man who does this...


In an attempt to organize my life last week while I was on vacation, I made a list of posts that I wanted to accomplish. The fact that some of them never happened is only a minor detail. The fact that Josh came in and added to my list with this, I guess, is major. For some reason, it made my day!! When I finally noticed that he had written it, I couldn't stop smiling! I love you "man of my dreams"!!

Needing...again...or is it wanting?

...probably more like wanting. Why would I NEED these?


Wait...I am a teacher. That would be a reason, right?! But I want these for home - not work!

Tomorrow I am taking my 50% off Joanns coupon - to Michaels and scooping up a package of these babies!!!- I'm not partial, they both have their pros and cons - but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to get her 50% off.


I've gone mad!
Look what I bought, at none other than "Wally's", while we were there for groceries. Terrible!! But for $13 I couldn't help it. Josh thinks I'm crazy buying any type of clothing there. But I'm shameless (reminds me of a song...you must all know the one I'm thinking of...but I can't remember what the name of it it.)!! Unfortunately, my chubby legs will beg to be covered when I actually dare to wear the thing.



Another grocery shopping trip, at "Weggies", found me coming home with these:

I think they were a steal for just under $4 a box and since Josh buys groceries, they were really a treat from him!!

I NEED YOUR HELP!!

I made this cool (or at least I think so) Paris plate today. I think I'll put it on ETSY, as my shop is empty right now, unless someone comments that they want it before I can list it.

I wasted most of the afternoon searching and searching and searching and searching and searching blogs because I know I saw a tutorial somewhere on how to rubber stamp a plate. No, I'm not a fool! I know that you put the stamp in ink and press it on the plate. But....then...how do you seal it up? That is the part I want to be sure I get right? I plan to go out on Friday and investigate sealers for ceramic and porcelain. I'm an instant gratification kind of girl, though; so the waiting will drive me mad! It's terrible how I get stuck on things and can't let them go!! I once bought a necklace and before I could even wear it, it became tangled in a terrible knot. I put it by my bed and would work on it at night before going to sleep. A year later (maybe more!!), I got that knot out. Josh's mother now thinks I'm crazy for not giving up or returning it, but I don't mind. Persistence is a good trait to have, right...most of the time anyway. Except, of course, when you spend 3 hours looking for something you "think" you saw on who knows who's blog!! That's why I need your help. If any of you have a suggestion for me or know where I may have seen this, please send me the link or info. It will eat me up until I figure it out!

I also made these two necklaces. They are for the Pay It Forward that I entered. One is for Lindsay and the other is for Lindsey! (Don't worry Nancy, I didn't forget you!) Ladies, I know you may have preferred a surprise, but I want to be sure you'll wear these so I thought I would give you a choice of which one you'd prefer. One has a ribbon chain and the other a silver chain. Don't worry...I have more of both and they can easily be changed out to your preference. If you don't think you'll wear the necklace at all...still not a problem...I'll put it in the ETSY shop and send you one of these instead! (I definitely borrowed this idea, but mine are different than all that I've seen - for many reasons.)They were just too cute not to make a few of. I've seen the idea several times before in different variations. We even made them one year with our kindergarteners for Mother's Day!

They are filled with soil, grass seeds and a variety of spring flower seeds. I don't really intend to put any of these in the shop because someone else already sells them on ETSY. But, as I said before, these are a bit different and if you are interested in getting your hands on one, do let me know.

I put together a couple of memory frames for my Aunt. The pieces to these have been lying in my work room for months just waiting to be tended to and finally...

It was a gorgeous day, so not only did I have lots of energy to get things done, but I also was able to take most of these pictures in decent lighting. Thank God!!


Since it was so nice, we met Nicky and Lucy (Danny's girlfriend) at the park after dinner for some Chuck-It. They had a ball playing. Well, Lucy had a ball...both balls really. Don't you just love her new collar?? Danny just rolled in the mud and came up looking like a wet duck. Gotta love him!

Postal Love and Good News!!

Yes you heard right, folks...finally some GOOD news coming from Aged Essence. It's been a while hasn't it?! We found this place for the wedding reception and set the date for October 4th, 2008. It is not my first choice...or my 2nd or 3rd, but I'm ready to get moving and the price is right!! When you've got 250 guests your choices are limited in our parts. I am now on a mission. I'm sure that some of you think I'm nuts for wanting to plan a wedding in six months, but I'm okay with it. I work BEST under pressure! Besides, we want to start our family and we're attempting a timeline, which I'm sure several of you also think is a bad idea. That is why I am not asking opinions here - just sharing!

In other news, the mailwoman has been treating me well! I was the lucky duck who signed up for sweetjessie's Pay It Forward and just look at the goodness that arrived here yesterday. Again, I feel terrible that these pictures are not doing it much justice, but my computer is on a complete boycott :(! I know you're all feeling jealous and that's ok... I don't mind - it's fun stuff!! I love how it all color-coordinates, but that is no surprise if you know what Jessie is all about. There's a pin cushion, a travel tissue carrier case, a hand stitched journal (I'll probably use this as a scrapbook), and sweet miniature note cards with post cards from places like New York and Chicago (both dear to my heart!!) attached to them that have been glitterized, 2 of her sweet business cards with calendars on the back - great idea- and...all this handmade! I'm loving it and I needed this pick-me-up!

The mailwoman also brought me this CD (which, to no surprise, I struggled to get a decent shot of) on Saturday, from Lindsey. She did Pay It Forward from my post and I commented, because I try to always comment. So she paid it backward to me, which has me thinking I'll just repay it to some unsuspecting victim of my creations!!

Thanks to both of you, Jessie and Lindsey, for the wonderful goodies and for bringing smiles to my face! I'll try to share what I am working on for my Pay It Forward folks a little later this week. How did my vacation get so busy?!

Baby Kendall

When God Calls Little Children

When God calls little childrento dwell with him above,
We mortals sometime question the wisdom of his love.
For no heartache compares, with the death of one small child,
Who does so much to make our world, seem wonderful and mild.
Perhaps God tires of calling the aged to his fold,
So He picks a rosebud, before he can grow old.
God knows how much we need them, and so he takes but a few,
To make the land of Heaven, more beautiful to view.
Believing this is difficult, still somehow we must try.
The saddest word mankind knows, will always be "Goodbye."
So when a little child departs, we who are left behind,
Must realize God loves children. Angels are hard to find.
~~ Author Unknown ~~

We found out this week that Kendall was (IS) a girl. We also found out that she had (HAS) down syndrome and that is most likely the reason that my body rejected the pregnancy. (Also, I believe, why the good Lord wanted her back. She's a very special little person!) It is all a lot to take in and I have mixed emotions about it. I am happy to have some closure to all of it, but at the same time, I am nervous about the increased risk that it presents for the future. I also need to understand better why some babies with downs survive and some don't. SIL - maybe you can ask one of your doctors to answer that!? No matter what - I know this - I love her all the same!! Someday....and until then...

Fun baby planters that I bought this weekend while junking with Nicky! Sorry about the terrible pictures. The computer is not allowing me to fix pictures anymore. Josh says it's a memory thing. Who knows?? I guess it's time to transfer photos from computer to disk. I'm also going to hand over this camera to my Mom and get a new one. Back to the Cybershot...that never gave me problems!

A Vintage Apron Swap

I've joined a vintage apron swap at The Misadventures of Mama & Jack.

Go sign up FAST...you only have until Sunday, 4/13!!

Spring Has Sprung

spring

There is no other season that has the affect, much like a burst of energy, on the world at large more so than spring. Whether one lives in the North or the South, it is thanks to this season for the renewal of life that it brings. Birds, children and adults have a new pep to their step, and once again start to sing. The foliage awakens and blossoms, giving way to a wondrous new playground, all thanks to the welcomed arrival of our Spring.

Written by: Joanne Ramirez

I chose this poem to share with you because not only do we LOVE spring and all the hope it brings, here at our house, but we are desperately in search of a renewal of hope and faith and life!

This is going to be a random post with sweet flowers, yummy food, and fun buys. I will start off with the yummy food! Doesn't spring just make you want to eat healthy? It does me and thankfully Josh agrees to that. Fresh, fresh and fresher.

Josh made this halibut last night - DEE-Lish!! He is a much better cook than I, so when we are cooking something that we actually WANT to eat...he's in charge. Not to mention that at $13 a steak, we weren't about to put it in my hands!

With that said, I did have to be a bit unhealthy with the dessert....cookies. We had originally planned strawberry shortcake - and believe it or not - my version is pretty healthy. But Wegmans was out of angel food cake in the bakery and I forgot to pick up a box mix.

We've been sick for a week and cooped up resting and recovering. After I cleaned the house this weekend and washed away the sickness around us, I wanted to bake something. Cookies it was. I tried a new recipe for chocolate peanut butter chip. I didn't like it at all - too dry. I will make a note to go back to using my dear Mother's recipe.

This, however, happens to be the perfect segway into the fun buys. These buys are not my usual junking fun, though. (Sorry to disappoint all you junkers!) They are more of the Walmart, Steinmart and XTS type of deals. For example, that cloched cake server was a "I MUST have this, but don't at ALL agree with the price" purchase from Steinmart. I even came home without it my first trip there. And then worried for the next 24 hours that it may go home with someone else. So I rushed back over there and brought to its [obvious] intended home. You know it was made to live with Me!!

Then there are these placemats from Walmart. Thanks to Nicky, who spotted them and scooped up some of her own. I made her show me just where they were and we tore apart the clearance rack to find 8 more for me. At 50 cents each, how could I not? You know, Wally's surprises me every now and then with some fun, very Me, sorts of things. Like this little guy...

Tough to get good pictures, but you get the gist. While in the fabric section of Wally's I spotted this little tin container. It reminds me of a lunch box from my childhood, but dares me to carry it as a purse. Ha! I love the little scene on the side with the children and the dog playing. And the beady, blue handle that you probably can't see. I guess it is meant for holding your needles and thread, but that won't be necessary since I have a sewing box and furthermore, because I really can't sew! (I know right now you're all wondering what I was doing in the fabric section then, but I love looking at AND buying fabric. I can't help it!!)

I got these placemats for Easter at The Christmas Tree Shoppes store for $1 each. I just liked the colors, which the picture does not do justice. After I bought them, Nicky told me she had just gotten the same ones the week before. What can I say? Great minds think alike!

Yesterday I got some fun robin eggs at Wegmans, but you'll have to wait for those pics. because I was having trouble with the computer formatting them. I'm beginning to think I should get a therapist. It would just be soo much cheaper than the retail therapy I indulge in! Right?!

Now onto the flowers. People like me. I don't mean to go all Stuart Smally on you ("and doggone it, people like me") or anything, but it's true. Maybe they even love me? Or maybe they just think I've lost my marbles and feel sorry for me? Who knows? Who cares? I've been getting beautiful flowers, left and right, as I'm sure you've noticed from recent posts and I'm LOVING it! I've mentioned before that flowers make me happy. Happy is good! (No I'm not on any new medication either.) It's just that they really do make me happy - looking at them, smelling them, thinking of the people who gave them to me hoping that I'd enjoy them half as much as I do...

First we have these beauties that Josh bought me yesterday while we were shopping for groceries. I think he secretly likes to have fresh flowers around the house, as well, but he'd never admit it because it's not manly!

Then there are the fabulous daffodils that Leslie, a friend from work bought for me. She bought them on Friday, but I wasn't there, so she gave them to me today feeling bad that they are no longer as perky as they started out. I don't mind, though. The smell alone makes me smile. And how cute is the little pitcher vase?
My Aunt Linda sent these to us. I don't know what they are, but they're gorgeous. They've been around for almost two and a half weeks, so they lose a few petals each day, but I love 'em all the same.
Then, this is a very special silk flower from one of my students. He gave it to me this morning when I got to school. It's nice to know that some of them really do appreciate me and miss me when I'm gone. Another student wrote in his journal how he is happy that I'm well and glad to have me back. If these little things aren't smile worthy, I don't know what is!

Happy spring to all!