Glitter Time

This week at OCC Challenge they have chosen the theme 'old is new again'. You are to use something that you've had for a long time but never used. Well, it is shameful how much I had to choose from. I had this box of chipboard shapes from DCWV that I got on sale when the Joanne's here was going out of business--probably four years ago.

They were a little outdated, but I have been itching to glitter something, anything standing still...so I grabbed several out of the box and hit them with the Prisma...

I then spent no less than five hours making this card. Now to be fair my mind has been elsewhere. BUT it took forever to finish this! And that white frame image I stamped about 50 times. Different inks, different sentiments...blah blah blah. The moral of the story: when I'm using different product lines it takes me lots of time to coordinate!

The good news? I'm happy with the results. That may be just because I have glitter stuck in my eye...

Details: all CTMH unless noted

Paper: white daisy cs, kraft card base (HL)

Ink: bubblegum, versamark

Stamps: Party Invitation, Frame of Mind, Dot Flourishes (Inkadinkado)

Other: chipboard (DCWV), white ep, bonding memories glue, prisma glitter

The Name Game

ETA: I've edited the names out of this post, since I don't want my kiddos names up for world wide veiwing anymore. :) If you reading this post and just can't stand the suspense, email me and I'll let you know the names....maybe HA!

Naming someone is a huge responsibility. It shouldn't be left to amateurs. I mean remember the whackjobs that named their kid Adolf Hitler? So I take that responsibility seriously. Very seriously.

And I've been thinking about what I would name my kids for as long as I can remember. As a small child I loved the name Linda. Surely if I didn't change my name to Linda when I grew up I would name my daughter that. Of course I love my name too, Meredith. But as a second grader everyone else had a nick name and I didn't. Until I watched the movie "Where the Boys Are." Then I chose Merit for my nickname. Stuck all the way through high school. I still have FB friends that use it...the first time I saw it I thought 'oh yeah, that was my nickname.' Now close friends and family call me Mere. Or meremere. But enough about my name.

When Little d was born it was easy. I read a book in HS titled "When Calls the Heart", a Christian 'romance' western that Memaw gave me. The male main character's name was Wynn D*. Loved it. Loved the book, loved the name, loved everything about it. I then and there decided that my daughter or son would be named D*.

I've always had a thing for unusual enough names. Unusual enough to not be one of two in a class, but not unusual enough to elicit stares of 'huh?' Does that make sense?

So while preggo with Little d I had to convince my husband. We didn't know what we were having that time around, so after I told him that 'yes, you can learn to spell D*' he gave in to that for a girl's name. When it came to a boy name we settled on Ellis. It was weird because we thought of it independently of one another on nearly the same day.

Moving on to Little m. I heard the name M* on Oprah. It was some French author...and probably the last time I've watched Oprah too... Anyway. Again, D was on board pretty quickly after he learned to spell it.

On a side note, I am a stickler for having a middle name to flow with the first. Little d's middle name is R* (after her maternal grandmothers Ray Beth and Anna.) See? D* R*. And Little m's middle name is L* after her Aunt Lindsay. M* L*. So as far as I'm concerned, two home runs.

Sigh, but now...

Now we are at an impasse. My husband and I.

I have chosen a name. He doesn't like it. He says it's too feminine, not masculine enough. I say it's absolutely perfect. And for the record it only appears in the BOY section of the baby name book. Also for the record, D* appears in both the boy and girl sections.

He's thrown out a list of names too. Here they are in no particular order...

Bryce (along with 400 other boys in this area)
George (really? Curious George, George of the Jungle, Georgie Porgie)
Robert (he has a grandfather, uncle AND brother named this....nope!)
Ronald (as in McDonald?)
James (he has an uncle named this)
Kristopher (do you really want the boy to go his entire life saying "no, Kris with a K"?)
Hrodebert (no explanation needed...and I can't spell it let alone pronounce it)

Do you want to know mine? Are you just waiting on pins and needles to find out the horrible, no good, very bad name I want to stick this kid with? Are you ready? Are you sure you can handle the name my husband refuses to consider? I mean especially after you just saw his selections.

H*.

Yep. That's it. And I love it. I love it so much that I can't envision anything else at this point. I love it so much that I am very afraid to put it out in blogosphere for someone else to grab.

I have thought of this name in different scenarios. Childlike care as he draws it in Kindergarten. High school girls scribbling in on their textbooks with little hearts. Paging Dr. Steves, Dr. H* Steves. And now, best selling author, H* D* Steves--the crowd roars. H* Steves Attorney at Law.

So give me your thoughts. Am I crazy or is this the very best name ever for my son? Although all the people around me in real life (including Little d) love it and that's hasn't changed D's mind. I hear the hospital takes mom's word over dad's in filling out the birth certificate...

March CTMH Workshop

Well I forced myself to sit at my scrap table and work on my next workshop project. I have decided that from now on (however long or short that is) my workshops will be one project. This is the old favorite whiteboard project. I found the plain frames from Dollar Tree Direct. It's a case of 24 for $24. They are 8.5x11 inches.

I spent way longer than I thought I would making this project, but I am pretty satisfied with the end result. Did it lessen any stress? No. Do I get to cross one more thing off of my to-do list? Yes.




Here's a picture of the board in action...



Thanks for stopping by!
Details: all CTMH unless noted
Paper: Veranda Creative Basics, Veranda Level II
Ink: Garden Green, Cocoa, Creme Brulee marker
Stamps: Adorning Corners
Other: Creme Brulee ribbon, edge distresser, sponge dauber

A brighter note

Yesterday morning Memaw was more alert and actually said she was hungry. Still her speaking is hard to understand and much of it is nonsensical. They started her on a nutritional IV and an appetite stimulant. She has also been completely taken off narcotic pain relief and has been switched to liquid Tylenol.

Things go up and down, but it seems more up than down, or at least more in a holding pattern of 'a little better'.

I really appreciate the kind comments. It always makes me smile to think someone who doesn't even "know" me is saying a little prayer in their neck of the woods.

I should force myself to craft something, because chances are it would make me feel a little more relaxed and upbeat. So today I may sit for a minute at the craft table again and see if this time I don't just shake my head and get up after a few minutes.

I don't know what to post.

Should I talk about my grandmother's worsening condition? She's no longer really eating anything. My mother used to be able to wake her and feed a few bites, but since yesterday evening, she won't wake up. I sat with mom a couple of hours last night. I may be able to tonight also. I can only go when D is home since there is no way I will take the girls up there to the hospital.

There's been a discussion of a feeding tube, but her kidneys are not functioning, so we all know where this is heading. A sad, depressing weekend. D and the girls have been our bright spots.

I could lighten things up by telling you that my wonderful husband sent me a sweet Valentine email from work this morning, so it was the first thing I saw when I woke up.

Or I could tell you how thankful I am that the dreadful heartburn that plagued me early last week seems to have let up a little. It's not making my eyes bleed fire anymore.

And what I may be most grateful for this week: No call from the doctor's office so far, saying I need to come in for the three hour glucose test. Thank God for little miracles.

But mostly I am thinking of Memaw. And doing lots of remembering.

Update on Memaw

I got to spend some time at the hospital yesterday. Memaw had a rough first night at the hospital. We didn't know if she was going to make it. Her blood pressure "bottomed out" and she had no urine output. She still has very low blood pressure and very little urine output. Blood work shows that her kidneys are functioning.

I guess the consensus is that she is dehydrated. Mom is very upset about this as she spent all day Monday in the ER without an IV. Or anything by mouth. We understand that she couldn't have anything by mouth until they determined if she needed surgery, but no one understands why she couldn't have an IV. But what is done is done and now we just wait to see if she will get better on her own.

I was with Mom (who has medical power of attorney) when she had to make the decision to choose DNR. We both know that CPR would do her more harm than good. (I've seen it done in person, and I know it would crush every one of Memaw's ribs...especially with her osteoporosis.) The doctor assured us that no matter what, she would be comfortable. We are now wrestling with the details of if or how we need to tell my grandfather. He's ninety one with diminished health himself, and we don't know if telling him about the details of the DNR orders is better, or if we should just leave those details out. He already realizes how grave the situation is. And as Mom told him "we have to leave it in God's hands." And he agreed.

It was so heartbreaking to watch yesterday as he sat with her. I got to sit in the room with them when my Mom stepped out for a minute. He sat by her and gently rubbed her arm telling her he missed her and that he wanted her to come back home. She mumbled "when these doctors let me..." in a moment of rare lucidity. Most of the time she just mumbles words or phrases that make no sense. "permeate" "lubricate" "mop your feet"

We mostly try to make sure she's not in pain or nauseated. And for the most part she seems comfortable. My mom has such a way with her (or anyone ill for that matter) and is able to sense what she needs and say the right thing.

I am also trying (along with the rest of my family) to make sure my Mom takes care of herself. She is diabetic, and we have to convince her to rest and eat meals and snacks.

I'm not sure how much blogging I'll be doing until things settle down. I'm just praying she continues to make improvements.

Busy busy

We've been a little busy these last couple of days.

Yesterday my mom's mom fell and after spending the entire day in the ER, they determined she had a fractured femur and other small, but stable fractures in her pelvis. This morning she had surgery to put a rod in her leg to stabilize the break and everything went great. My mom has been at the hospital until just this evening.

This afternoon I had my glucose tolerance test and 3D ultrasound. We got some great pictures of the little toot. He has his dad's feet and nose and also some cute chubby cheeks. I would try to load them tonight but I'm really tired.

Just wanted to do a quick update here. Hopefully things continue to go well with Memaw and she'll be out of the hospital before too long. If you pray, keep her in your prayers. Thanks!

Weekend in Pictures

Here's what the kiddos have been up to the past few days...

Paying bills with Mimi. They like to play with her extra trash mail. Sorry Mimi this wasn't your best picture, but it was the best picture of the girls (wink).

Animal Hospital. Yellow post-it notes are of course bandaids. They also double as fun fashion accessories.

Reading with Dad. On a side note...Is my husband hot or what?!? I love when he gets to grow out a scruffy beard between his shifts.

And what pray tell was I doing while all this was going on? Heartburn. Yeah, mostly heartburn.

House Mouse Valentine's Card (second post today)

I think this may very well the only Valentine's stamp I have. I don't really hold much affection for the holiday anyway. I bought this stamp because it was on clearance at Hobby Lobby and I was trying out for a House Mouse design team.

But it is a cute image, and I thought I'd stretch a little and make a Valentine's card. It even qualifies for Penny's Challenge this week!




And did you see!? I even broke out the sewing machine and did a zig-zag stitch on the ribbon! I hope you all are having a good weekend!

Details: CTMH unless noted

Paper: colonial white cs, desert sand cs, patterned paper (K&Co)

Ink: desert sand

Stamps: House Mouse

Other: ribbon (garage sale) watercolor pencils, water brush, sewing machine (sears hahha)

Yet more framing pictures

If you are bored with all the framing pictures, TOO BAD! Here's some more mwah hahahaha!

Here's the updated picture of the garage...

Here's the view from my brother's garage looking at our house.

This is the start of the stairs that will go up into the attic/storage/future bonus room.

This is a view from the back door into the great room. You can see where the fireplace will be. I chose to have a fireplace that will be open through the great room into the dining room.

It was an absolutely beautiful day today!

Thanks for all the suggestions on what you would want in your scrap rooms. The thing I am most worried about is lack of natural light. Unfortunately, the room is in the middle with no exterior windows. I'll just have to make do with lots of artificial light and photograph my stuff in another area maybe.

Okay I think I need to go work on a card or something...it's been a couple of days since I made one!!

More Framing Pictures

Things are still slowly progressing as far as the framing goes. They can't work in the rain, as my dad points out, "you don't really want to run an electic saw in the rain..."

But here's a few more updated pictures of the framing. This is the second wall in the kitchen that runs alongside the great room. There is a mistake here in that the opening to the great room from the kitchen is to close to the back wall, but I doubt you can tell that from this picture.

This is the two bedrooms/one bathroom/and hallway on the left side of the house.

I know, I know, once again it's really hard to see much of anything from these pictures, but it's exciting to us to see any little progress being made!!

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions on my post about the new scrap room! If you haven't suggested anything yet, I'm still listening! (wink) So suggest away!

A Burning Question

If you stop by here, please please please leave a comment today!

As you may know my husband and I are in the process of building the ol' dream home. And I have the wonderful privilege of building a scrap room from scratch. One of my requirements is plenty of counter top space to work on and of course custom storage. I also want lots of lighting.

My question is this:

What would you want in your scrap room if you could start from scratch?

Now I'm not looking for fantasy rooms here! LOL! None of this "every cartridge made by cricut" or "a full time maid to organize my scrap paper" business. Real world stuff okay?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you have!!

Thank goodness for little girls!

***Miss Lindsay if you are reading this, look away if you want to be surprised***







This week at the Pink Elephant the challenge was "all about pink". Well I immediately think of fresh new baby girls and since my brother and his wife are expecting a baby girl in May, (yes I am totally outing her in blogville!) I had to make a card for when their new baby arrives.

Do you find that when you are making a really really special card for someone that it takes you even longer because it must be just so? That's how it was with this card. I just think the world of my sister in law and am absolutely thrilled for her and my brother. I am so excited to watch them become first time parents--I know they are going to be fantastic at it!

My first step was to go through all my pink patterned paper. Then the lightning bolt hit! The DCWV Nana's Nursery!! I love this paper. Sparkle and pink? Yes please! After much arranging and ink sampling here's what I finished with:

And I had to show a detail of the sparkly paper!

Even my critic gave her approval!

Thanks y'all for stopping by and come back tomorrow when I have a burning question involving a new scrap room I need the answer to!!

Details: CTMH unless noted

Paper: Nana's Nursery (DCWV) bamboo textured cs

Ink: sweet leaf

Stamps: Tea Party

Other: ribbon (HL) edge distresser

Second verse, same as the first...

I know this card is really similar to the one I did the other day, but I couldn't help myself. In fact I even did another watercolor rose in peach for use on a future card. I like the addition of the inked edges on this version too.

I thought briefly of adding some pearls, but if this goes through the mail it just makes it easier if it's really flat.

On the CTMH front: I had one attendee at my clothespin workshop last Friday. And she was my downline. I had three others respond that they wanted to come, but had conflicts on the night. And of course I haven't had anyone order anything in months. I told my husband that I'm not making the purchases to stay active this quarter. If I get enough orders, okay, but if not I'll just drop to junior consultant. And I really think I may stop doing the workshops then too. Depending on what happens. I mean after all I will have a newborn in a few months and then we'll be moving, so I'll probably be on hiatus from workshops during that time anyway.

What's funny is that I'm not even upset about it. My life is so full and fulfilling right now. I have plenty of crafting to keep me busy on my own schedule. And a husband who lets me indulge in such a frivolous hobby! ;)

Let me show you the door...

No, I'm not kicking off my blog!!

Today we placed an order for our doors. Our front door will be three-quarter glass just like the one in this picture...





We won't have sidelights or the arched transom. Our transom will match the door glass, but it will be a rectangle that just goes over the door. I couldn't find a picture of that online.

Here's a picture of what all the interior doors will look.

It is so much fun picking out all the little details. It's not fun having a budget of course, but that's the rub when you haven't won the lottery. Anyway, here's my motto that I'm always repeating to my husband--"You're in charge of function, I'm in charge of pretty." So far it's worked pretty well. Although honestly, we discuss every little detail anyway.

Hope you all are having a good start to your week!