OMG!!!!!!

I WON, I WON!!!! I can't believe I actually won something! I entered a giveaway at reprodepot for their fabulous new books and stationary and I actually won!!! I can't wait to get the disks and start printing some fun new projects. To see the fabulousness that will soon be headed my way look here. Thank you ReproDepot!!!

I will be back very soon with this months diva posts :o)

Still here.....

Yes I'm still here and still trying to catch up with my life! School is back in full swing as are all the extra curricular activities and birthdays and store events..... it's just crazy! I have been doing some creating - you can see the monthly challenge group stuff over at the diva blog and some cards I've made over at the Store.
Speaking of birthday's we have had 2 in the family this month (3 if you count my dad's - miss you dad!) My older DD requested an iceskating party for her birthday so here was the invite


And here is the party in full swing.

She is also the one with the pig addiction so while in Seattle this summer I made sure to take lots of photos of Rachel - the Pike St Market mascot. So for her birthday I made her a mini book to remember our trip

It sits on her bedside table for a nightly viewing before bed :o)
My niece turned 1 this week and for her birthday I made her a rag doll which was SO much fun and I already have requests for several more. It hasn't made it through the mail across the ocean to her yet so I am crossing my fingers hoping when she gets it she loves it as much as I do


You can see behind her a matching quilt still in progress. I hope to have that completed before Christmas - or sooner even!
My older DD auditioned for and was accepted into the Tennessee Children's Dance Ensemble so that now takes up a lot of our free time but it is a dream come true for her. It's still an adjustment for me.....

My younger DD's birthday is coming up next month so I need to begin planning for that.... and then before you know it, it will be Christmas! Ugh! Hopefully I'll be back here before then :o) Thanks for checking in on me!

What happened to summer?

I know, I know - it's been much longer than a week since I updated. Summer used to be endless hours at the pool or at home just hanging out and relaxing - this summer though it seems I'm never home! Feels like I spend all day dropping off and picking up the kids from one activity or another. I guess it's just the age they are at - they seem to be enjoying it though. My mum is here for a visit and I don't think she's enjoying it quite so much. It's been a few years since she's had this much activity in her house.
I have managed to get a few things done. Made some more present pillows for a birthday party for twins (with my DH as the reluctant prop guy)



and also another bag made to order



I never would have chosen these fabrics to go together but it came together surprisingly well - a little brighter than I would have picked, but she loved it and that's what counts.

For Father's Day we went up the mountains to our favorite picnic spot. I love how every time we go there is something new to discover and this time was no different.

In all the years we have been going there I can't ever remember seeing so many mushrooms!!

They were in every color and shape and size and the more you look the more you found

So my oldest DD and I went on a mushroom hunt - hoping to catch a glimpse of a fairy or two along the way. We never did see a fairy but I'm sure they were just to fast for us :o)

Away

My older DD is right this minute in DC with 1200 other East TN 5th graders on the Safety Patrol trip. She's having a blast! Me? My heart hurts.... but I'm glad she's having a great time and I am EXTREMELY grateful to Don Lindsey of AAA who has been twittering the whole trip which makes me worry a little less - just a little.....
On the flip side with older DD in DC and younger at a sleepover DH and I actually had a night alone together!!!! First night in literally years! And I am proud to say we actually took advantage of it and went to dinner and then went and saw Star Trek. If you are a trekkie in the least way you will LOVE this movie. All the old lines you know and love come up and it's so fun to see the younger versions of all the old characters. Highly recommended!
The girls got new shoes this week



and they pretty much haven't taken them off since - but really who would blame them! They are just too cute!!
Me? I whipped up another of these bags per request - she picked the fabrics - I just put it together.



I think turned out pretty cute. (Carla - it's at the store waiting for you.......)
And tonight? Another bag in progress - same story - she picked the fabrics, I just sew it together.

Phew!

Wow that last week or two of school really wiped me out! It was crazy busy with work thrown in there too but the good news is I made a lot of gifts this week so I have lots to show you.
Firstly the pencil roll I was telling you about returned from the abyss (at least momentarily) so here's a photo of it



And you know it really works! Seems it's much more fun to put your pencils away when they have a special color co-ordinated home to go to.


Then I made a bunch of cards and such for the teachers - this one for our only male teacher and it included a resturant gift card

then 6 of each of these as gifts




and then another thank you with a gift card

and finally a clipboard (for the teacher who complained her's always went missing) with matching card



Then my oldest DD had not one but TWO birthday parties this week as well!!!! She is at the age where gift cards are the most wanted gifts but I hate to just give a gift card - luckily I stumbled upon Leslie's package pillows and I am in love with them!





So you know what all her friends will be getting from now on....

Then there were belated thank you gifts for the girl scout leaders. A tote bag (that had been requested)



(LOVE that fabric - and there is still enough left for some more projects.....)
and a note card wrap (can you tell she's an owl lover??)

I got the idea from soulemama's Gratitude Wrap but I didn't like the way she did the pockets and it seemed more complicated than it needed to be so I made my own version which is much simpler and works just fine. These would be great to have on hand for last minute gifts.... but then again last minute is all I ever do!

Then last but not least was out diva group challenge for the month. We met at the store this month so we could do a little shopping too :o) I have to say that I think out of all the pieces that I have made for the challenges, this is the one I am most pleased with

I have it proudly hanging above my piano now which is by the door to the garage so every time I walk into the house I see it and smile :o) You can see all the other pieces and what we had to use over on the blog.
Now school's out for the summer so we'll see how much gets done with the kids around. Hope you are enjoying your Memorial weekend!