Your Unique Story

My Dad is so smart...

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around.  But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.  ~Mark Twain, "Old Times on the Mississippi" Atlantic Monthly, 1874

Isn't that a great quote?   I don't think we stop often enough and thank our Dad's for their influence in our lives.  I remember thinking during my teen years that my dad didn't *really* know what was going on, but later I looked back and realized how much he DID know.  

One day when I was 16 or 17, I was waiting for a guy to come pick me up for a date.  I remember not really wanting my dad to even know about the guy, which should have been red flag # 1.   I briefly mentioned my date about five minutes before the pick up time, so my dad was on the watch out when the truck pulled up in the driveway.   Red flag #2 I don't think the guy honked, but he definitely didn't get out of his truck.  My dad said, "Your not going out with no honk and go."  (I know great grammer, but I still remember how he said it!)  I should've just let him sit out there, but I snuck to the side door and motioned him to come to the front door.  He wasn't planning on it!  I really am surprised that I actually went out with him because he was nothing but problems.  I was quite shocked at my laid back, easy going, dad's response, but later learned he really did know what he was talking about! 


Anyway...I'm not sure where that story came from! 

What do you have planned for Father's Day?  There is a great special with Heritage Makers on two sizes of books.  There is still time to put one together for your Dad.  The special is only available through me, so send me an email and I'll help you get started.  CLICK HERE for the special.

 

Time flies...

Its amazing how one day I am completely caught up on something and the next I am a week behind!  I know that isn't completely true, but sometimes it feels that way! 

This week I played a little disappearing act.  There are times to step back and refocus.  This was one of those times. 

Right before I disappeared, I finished a book for someone else that was the largest one I have ever done.  88 pages full of story, pictures, and digi scrapping. It was incredibly emotionally and physically draining.  A little girl was born with a heart defect and the book told the story of her 41 days on earth.  Her parents kept incredible heartfelt journals through their blog nearly every day of her life.  I came into the picture through a friend of a friend of the family, and you would be right guessing that I have never met the family. 

I usually have a policy that I do not make books to tell other peoples stories, and I am not quite sure why this was different.  I love to guide, teach, proof, and encourage others to tell their stories, and I don't want to deprive others of the satisfaction that comes from making their own books.  I now am even more focused in this direction.  I love helping you tell the stories that only you know best!

As you can imagine, I needed a week away from the computer and went on official technology strike.  As a naturally creative person, I didn't stop creating!  I started crocheting a rug.  I need to make a goodwill stop to get another white sheet so I can finish this one.  It's over 20 inches wide now and oh so cute! 

I made pancakes a few times.  Yes this one's a kitty.

Meet Lemontime specially made for little Mae.  There is also a pictureless bird named bluebell.

 and Gloria the elephant.




Oh and I had a birthday there in the middle.  No pictures of me though, I really need to change that! 

My very favorite thing about creating is the special effect it has on my family.  Never once has any of my kids store bought, stuffed animals been named, whether or not they have been loved. (Sorry, China!) Everything I make them is loved and appreciated beyond any of their other toys.  This includes the books they have.  Below you would have thought my kids were choosing the name of a child!  LOVE IT!

I'll be back soon...Julie     

ABC blocks

Yesterday I saw this technique on Miss Pots and pans blog, and my mind started spinning.  She has a great tutorial for taking digitally designed squares and then decoupage the papers onto little wooden blocks.  I've been a decoupaging fool for the last few months, so this is my kind of project! 

For her they were storytelling blocks for her kids.  *Oh if I set a few of those on the dinner table there would be more stories than I could listen to.  BUT I think I'll still make some anyway... :)

For me, I have always wanted an ABC block set like I played with as a child, and was immediately thinking gifts for a few upcoming babies.  Decoupage probably isn't the best thing for baby to put into their mouth, but there are lots of different uses. 

Here is the my take on this project.   I'll be sure to share the finished project when I'm done.  --I must add a disclaimer, it probably won't be for another month.  I have a few other projects higher on my to-do list!  Make sure to check out Miss Potts finished project!

(click image to see larger)

I'm primarily using the Vintage Nursery Collection within my Heritage Makers publishing system.

'my favorit brother'

My 7 year old daughter asked if she could make a book for her brother.  YES, of course I'll let her!  and I thought she didn't even like him! ;) 

She is 1/4 of the way done.  I'm so proud of her!  She is such a talented little girl. 

I just finished a HUGE project myself--all 88 pages of it.  It's an amazing story that needed to be told. I'll tell you more about it later.  I think I might just take a nap now...

Character Building Experiences

One day my kids are going to tell stories of those two words.   I will give them a drink of water and tell them to drink because it is a character building experience.  Someone will ask why they should eat the crust of a sandwich and I say, "Because it is a character building experience."  I really don't say it too often, but I guess often enough. 

Today I made a piece of toast for these two cohorts.  First thing, little Mae (4) says to the Wedge (3,) "I'm going to eat my crust because it builds character. (GOOD GIRL!)  The Wedge replies, "I'm not." 

I guess he doesn't need any more character! 

Also today as I was trying to prod this little girl out of the car and into her gymnastics class, I noticed her irregular hip size.  She reminded me so much of Mama on the old hillbilly sitcom that will remain nameless because I can't remember the name.  The funny little girl had stuffed her hips with batting from a secret zipper in our couch.  I wished I had my camera, but instead I un-stuffed her and we hurried into gymnastics...it was classic!  A little later a little piece started peaking its way out of her shorts while she did handstands, and fell to its place on the ground.  Of course no one noticed but me, but it sure was funny!   I may recreate this one just for the picture...

Sunrise memories

One day last week, I saw the sun rise, and the weather was absolutely perfect.   I'm not always up when the sun comes up, although it is a great goal for one day!  I was so reminded of past times when I used to be out on the range watching the sun rise.  I loved walking through the moist grass carrying my shooting gear to my place on the firing line.  I spent eight years competing at Camp Perry, OH at the National Rifle Matches, and my last two were with the Army team.  Some of my favorite memories though were those early mornings enjoying the beautiful weather. 

It has been eight years since I have competed, and there are times when I really miss it.  Those days hold a special place in my heart, and maybe one day I will make it out on the range again.   Until then, I'll spend a little time watching a sunrise or two...  

Here is a page of a book from that time in my life.

Easter pages

I wanted to see how fast I could make these.  It took 2 hours including picking up kids from school, comforting two kids with owwies one after another.  (We've had three in a row, so we're done, right?)

If you would like to use these as templates, let me know...

A little mishap...

No pictures in this post...thank goodness!

Yesterday while listening to a conference call, I sat at my sewing machine for a moment and sewed ONE seam.  (BUT I should've been cleaning) My sewing machine has this awesome button that when pushed drops the needle down and cuts my thread for me.  Awesome right?  Well...not this time.  Then needle dropped down, BROKE and the bottom part catapulted into my finger broken side first.  It surprised me to have the sharp side of the needle sticking out of my finger, and I was bleeding around my nail as well.  It went all the way through my finger (sharp side out), and pricked through on the nail side! 

Lucky for me, it went numb immediately, and I have a wonderful neighbor who was able to pull it out of my finger without becoming woozy.  THANKS LEAH!  It is still tender, but doing much better. 

Moral of the story is: Make sure your jobs are done before working on projects! 

My new poster

I love the posters!  I have always been happy with them, but they upgraded the a few days before I ordered and I just LOVE the quality.  It is a thicker almost photo paper.  I have been tempted to try to rip it just to see if I can!  Don't worry I haven't given in to that one! 

I made this for above my desk with some of my favorite quotes.  Enjoy! 

click on the image to see it more clearly...

Weekend Highlights

~We went to the local Easter egg hunt.  No pictures because I didn't want to bring my camera out in the rain...if that tells you anything!  It only sprinkled, but it was wet.  We stayed long enough to have have fun and no longer. 

~I have been in charge of the extended family egg dye every Easter for the last few years.  I said I would only come if I wasn't in charge of this area.  I took it back quickly when I realized that if I didn't do it, no one else would.  We had fun.  I bought the tie die kit this time...it is totally the way to go.  No little cups of colored madness to deal with.   

Finishing up Easter dresses at 330am on Sunday morning...

~Teaching 7 year old class at church.  I found out as I dropped my daughter off in the class.  As I figured out what the lesson was, I had the kids play hang man with a word about the real meaning of Easter.  We talked about why we celebrate Easter and they knew!  Then the little boy with the chalk had them guessing easter bunny...with a few extra letters in each word.  Note to self:  Next time no hangman for 7 year olds. 

~Not making dinner because I KNOW better. 

~My 6 year old asked to make pudding.  I encourage my kids to do things on their own so I gave him the instructions of adding 3 cups of milk.  Five minutes later I checked on him and here is the cup measure he was using: 

  2 TBSP cup measure?  I tried to explain the size difference and he rightly said, "But Mommy, you said three cups." 

~Putting my kids to bed on Easter for...umm, naps at 545pm because I knew if I said bed time they would win.  ;) 

That's about it, but it sure was great to catch up on my sleep!