BRRR. Ok. I am totally over the cold weather. Single digit tempertures do not thrill me. Guess on the plus side it keeps me at home where I am managing to get some projects done. I am trying to work on things for my spring sale. Every year I say that I am not going to wait until a month before. And OMG....I am actually doing it this time! I love working on mixed media things. Canvas, books, etc. So, I am trying to work on something every day. Today I have actually been felting all morning. I will be doing a class here in a couple of weeks. We are making felt rosette pins. I have been buying up old wool sweaters at thrift stores and getting them ready. Should be fun!

Waiting for this necklace to be picked up by a client. It was made using an earring that belonged to her grandmother and I added a vintage crystal on one side. This is the same girl that I did the rings for her cousins for Christmas. I love this piece. She wanted to keep it simple. Hope she likes it.

This necklace was made using a vintage butterfly. My husband's cousin Betsy loves butterflies so I wanted to surprise her with an early birthday gift.

I made several camera straps as gifts for Christmas. My son is sporting a Chicago Cubs strap.

I know that I said NEVER EVER was I going to attempt a slip-cover again. But I decided to bite the bullet and try again. Using a couple of painter's drop cloths I went to work.

alot of pinning and cutting.....

getting there......

Sadie thinks that the drop cloth is for her...guess she wanted a jump on leaving dog hair on the furniture.

DA DA.....finished! Ok. So maybe I will do it again. But, I am going on record as saying that I will NEVER EVER do another t-cushion. How do you sew a t shape and then get the cushion back into it?? I am not a seamstress. Just the last part of that word....stress. Above the chair you can see the corner of a sub-way style board that I did. I put on it all the towns that Rich and I have lived in. 16!!

this is an adorable little vintage table and chair that I did for a client who is expecting her first little princess February 14. Her nursery is done all in pink, so she wanted to bring in some vintage looking green to match a quilt she had.

The chairs are so unusual...love them. I think I should start looking for Maryn a little set. Tea parties are in that girls future!!

another subway style sign in our bedroom

oh I wish that this were all I had to do......................................

Some more things that I have been making for my spring sale. Little notebooks

decorative little wooden boxes

small mirror

did I already post this????

Did you really think I could post without adding a few pictures of the most beautiful little girl in the world??

On January 16 we had the privledge of attending baby dedication services at the Chapel. I am so proud of Missy and Tyler for this decision to raise that precious little girl in a christian home. And knowing they have a church family that will stand behind them and support them. It was a special morning with all the grandparents there. Followed by lunch at Biaggi's.
What a handsome family!

Love this picture of Maryn holding onto her grandpa Rich's thumb.

Just looking at this face makes me smile.

THINKING SPRING!

I know it is only January 3.....is it too early to start thinking spring? After the tree and all the trimmings are put away I am ready to move on. I decided to work on the living room and dining room. Moving things around...moving things out....moving things in .....
I brought this dresser in from my shop. I did one a couple of years ago for my daughter's office and always loved the look of the numbers. This is in the corner of my living room. I am already finding it is great for storage of games, candles. I am sure it will not take me long to fill the drawers! I am also thinking ahead to my spring sale. This is a gift box. I always think the packaging should be a gift in itself!

Some more rings using vintage earrings and an old watch face.

Inspire Good in Others.....wouldn't those be great words to take to heart....

Dining room looking in from the living room.

I love the look of "chippy" wood.............

Sara gave me this pink bowl for Christmas.....I just had to leave out some of my vintage Christmas ornaments....the colors were just too perfect.

I painted my mother and grandma's silverware boxes.....love them so much better then the dark wood.

have you guessed that I love old watch/clock faces??

I am still having fun playing around with my new camera.....

I am trying very hard to remember these humble words of Corrie Ten Boom

WRAPPING UP DECEMBER 2010

It is so hard to believe that we are about to enter 2011. Is it just me or does that sound so strange? It is that time of year that we begin to reflect on the past, looking forward to the future and what it holds. I know I have so much to be thankful for. The arrival of Maryn Rae Romine on November 11th. tops the list. So hard to believe that last Christmas Missy and Tyler told us that they felt that God was shutting the door on having a baby and after much prayer they had made the decision to adopt. They had begun the process of adopting from Ethiopia. Their home studies had already been completed but God had other plans for them. We all feel so blessed with this amazing gift! I am so grateful . Tyler and Missy are both amazing parents. I know that I will never, ever forget the day Maryn was born . The faces of Missy and Tyler are forever in my memory.

And, next Christmas we will have another little one to welcome into the family. Jason and Leonda are due June 21st. Just in time for Jason's 38th birthday! Can't wait. I love that our family continues to grow!

This was probably one of my favorite projects to work on for someone. I had a call a few weeks before Christmas from a girl that wanted to share her grandmother's vintage earrings with her cousins. I made 10 rings that she gave to them. I loved the whole thought that went into this gift. And the earrings, instead of being packed away in the back of a drawer are now being loved and enjoyed by grand-daughters. What a special gift packed with memories.

nathan and jessa.....will always be close to their mother's heart with this sterling necklace.

This was another fun piece to work on. This client had someone that was very special in her family's life. She asked me to create a necklace with items that represented things she loved.

Family, mermaids, birds, playing dominoes, etc.

Such a fun piece to work on! I hope that she enjoys it.

Grandma found a coupld of hats while in Columbus. I thought they were so sweet...

this is made out of felting and it has a little bird on the side.....

I have LOVED this part of the holidays.....FAMILY...........

This is a piece that I decided to surprise a friend with at the last minute. This hymn was played at her Mother's funeral and holds a special place in her heart.

Christmas was special this year because of this little girl. We celebrate on Christmas Eve morning with our kids with a brunch. I loved the time with them. No rush to get somewhere else. Very layed back.

Miss Molly grabs grandpa's chair when he gets up!

Can never get enough of this face.

Sara....Happy Birthday baby girl!!!!

What a handsome couple! I know women are suppose to glow when they are pregnant...but, I swear, Missy has the afterglow! She radiates!!!!

Maryn and her auntie Sara

And as time is winding down on this year.....we are stilling enjoying those last days of 2010. Sara is here until the 29th. Which means we have been to the movies twice (Little Fockers....ummm you can pass on this one...and True Grit............SO GOOD!)

We are eating, watching old movies, eating and playing games.

Wrapped up watching old movies Christmas day.....Sara checking her text..........lots of birthday wishes!

Looking forward to July when this beautiful couple will marry. My niece Lauren and her guy Kraig. This is an amazing couple. They have been together since high school. They are a neat couple. And our family continues to grow.......

Tonight, will probably be another phase 10 challenge to establish this years "Grand Puba" (this is our title for winner).

maybe watching another old movie. We still have not pulled out "Holiday" or "Christmas Vacation" (did I hear a gasp??)

And there will probably be a little more eating....what is more comforting this a rice krispie treat?

Looking forward to 2011 and what it holds. I have so much to be thankful for this year. God has brought us through another year.....and our blessings are many! Have a very blessed New Year!

MISSING DAD

I miss my dad. December 17, 2002 was THE saddest day of my life and also one of the happiest. My dad left his earthly home and is now enjoying his heavenly home...seeing his mother and father again...brothers and sisters that had gone before him, even a great grandson that he has now probably held for the first time. There are days that I miss him so much that it is like there is a weight on my chest. Other days I think of him and it just brings a smile to my face. It is still so hard to believe that he is gone. I am beginning to forget what his voice sounded like and that scares me. Even though I know I would recognize it instantly if I heard it. My dad was a very strong force in our family. He was the one that we went to in times of trouble and decision making. He was probably the smartest man I ever knew. He only finished school through the 8th grade......but he held a phd in life. He was such a wise planner, kind hearted, fun-loving. He was all about family. He loved when we were all together. He was so proud of his grandchildren. In the time he has been gone, he had 1 great great grand child born, 2 great grandchildren and another on the way, a grandson married and. a grand daughter about to be married. Oh, how he would have loved being a part of all of that! One grandson is working in the very facility that my mom , the love of his life, is now in. He sees her daily. I think so often how proud Dad would be to see Jason finally happy and in a job that clearly God wants him at. He has a granddaughter that travels all over the united states with her job. Dad loved to travel. He would plan the most amazing vacations. He had visited every state. He would love knowing that she is now traveling to new places and seeing new things. He was all about that. He has a grandson that has graduated videoagraphy school and is now has his own business along with his wife shooting weddings and other occasions. One of my Dad's passions was photography. He would have loved that!! We just celebrated our family Christmas with mom last weekend. We still come home for Christmas. We had so much fun together laughing, playing games. Dad would have loved that! Family. He loved it all.
I know this has been a rambling post. But, I woke at 4 this morning and kept thinking about Dad, as yesterday was the anniversary of his death. I miss him. I miss him alot. I am so thankful for the Dad that I had. I am thankful that because of his decision to ask Christ into his heart, that I can live with that hope....knowing that I will seem him again. Merry Christmas Dad. I am missing you alot.....and I love you so much.