Pinapple Trees

I ran across these adorable pinapple trees on another blog... A Love Affair- a passion for all things wedding. (http://justfineinflipflops.blogspot.com/). I am going to try to figure out how to make them for my reception! There are so many creative people out there!

Cute beach balls

I originally said, "no beach balls" at our beach themed wedding reception.. but having second thoughts after seeing these beach balls! Too cute!

Wedding Cake Topper Purchased

We ordered our cake topper for our reception. Now I just need a tan! ;)

We are hoping to have a cake made that resembles a sand castle.

"The times I've had an audience"

This is my List 5 of the 52 Lists of 2010- "The times I've had an audience"

If you have no idea what this is about, refer to my original post...

http://creativeinkansas.blogspot.com/2010/02/have-you-heard-of-book-listography.html

"Professions I'd like to try"

This is my List 4 of the 52 Lists of 2010- "Professions I'd like to try"

If you have no idea what this is about, refer to my original post...

http://creativeinkansas.blogspot.com/2010/02/have-you-heard-of-book-listography.html

Office/ Studio Clean out

I spent this weekend cleaning  my office/studio and moving it around. I had my desk in front of the window and enjoyed looking out but the light in the afternoon sometimes interferred with my blog browsing. :) So I decided to try my desk in the middle of the room, where I can still see out. Also, I decided to try to keep my desk as empty as possible so can can use it for whatever craft, sewing or painting I decided to do at any given time.

My next project... The inside of this closet! It's holding my craft stuff and needs a shelving unit badly!

Quilt and blanket Trunk

We are in the process of getting the basement finished, which means we have to get the final items out of there. One of those items was this nearly 8 foot long trunk that the prior home owners left behind. It is heavy and we didn't know what we were going to do with it. Well, today we gave it a new home. The soon to be hubby, my oldest son and I carried it up to our second floor landing.

It looks handmade and I have no idea what it was originally intended for. Today it became our quilt/ blanket storage. Something we have needed for a while!

It's in a central location for our bedrooms so we can now easily grab an extra blanket or pillow. When I was collecting quilts from multiple places around the house I ran across this quilt that I had sewed in the 80s with my great grandmother. What an amazing woman she was. It took us about a week and when I look at it I can still remember the many stories she told me.

I only wish we had used prettier and better coordinated material, but hey I was a kid and didn't care at the time. We used all kind of scraps that she had and the quilt is very dated looking. However, I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything!

All done and ready to move on to another project!

My Thrifty Thursday Finds

This week, I'm participating for the first time in 'Thrifty Thursday', hosted by Leigh over at Tales from Bloggeritaville (http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2010/02/thrifty-thursday-53-plus-tablescape.html)

Basically, it's a way for bloggers to share their finds each week and see what some other thrifty shoppers have been finding.

Below are a few of my recent finds...

I have to say I know the 'soon to be hubby' isn't going to like this mirror. But I love it! It's handpainted and seems to have that old world charm, that I like so much. He on the other hand, likes modern and contemporary, so usually I have to carefully place items in the house that are my style and try not to draw much attention to it. Well, I hung this today in the downstairs bathroom, he will notice most likely by this evening. And if he hates it, I will find a new home for it. But what a steal at $1.99! Seriously, less than 2 dollars?!

For .89 I just couldn't pass up this 30 year old kaleidoscope. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it.

I found these two white shelves for $1.99 each and had been looking for something like them for a while. Hopefully I will have them hung by the end of the week and will share some more photos of them.

And last, but not least I found this charming box in perfect condition for .89. I am sucker for anything I can use to organize stuff, boxes, baskets, containers, tins, etc. I especially like things with lids!

Thanks for visiting!

"Countries I have Visited"

This is my List 3 of the 52 Lists of 2010- "Countries I have visited"

Jamaica is soon to be added to that list! Which means I'll hit another continent!

If you have no idea what this is about, refer to my original post...

http://creativeinkansas.blogspot.com/2010/02/have-you-heard-of-book-listography.html

"The things I'd save if my house was on fire."

Below is my mini journal page for list 2 of 52 Lists for 2010- "The things I'd save if my house was on fire."

Again, I'm playing catch up. If you don't understand please follow this link to my original post.

http://creativeinkansas.blogspot.com/2010/02/have-you-heard-of-book-listography.html

"My Happy List"

Here is my week 1 mini journal for the 52 weeks of 2010. "My Happy List"

If you are not sure what this is follow this link to my original post explaining... http://creativeinkansas.blogspot.com/2010/02/have-you-heard-of-book-listography.html

Have you heard of the book, Listography?

I seem to, by nature, journal by lists. Does anyone else do that? My journals are full of random lists...things I want to accomplish this year.... life goals... places I'd like to visit... activities to do with the boys... books I'd like to read... songs I'd like to purchase... restaurants I'd like to eat at... items I'd like to save for... things and people I am thankful for... lists... lists... lists....

That's why I was excited to find this journal, Listography by Lisa Nola. Apparently she has an entire line of illustrated journals based on making lists. You can see them all at, http://listography.com/static/books/start.html

And I was even more delighted to find this blogger who has started a weekly inspiration for a journal list. http://sherripelletier.blogspot.com/  She encourages making a mini art journaling page and even has people post pictures on a flickr group called, '52 Lists for 2010 More mini art journalling' http://www.flickr.com/groups/1359120@n22/

I'm going to start following along and I'm going to start by catching up. Do you think I can get all of these lists done this week? *Your happy list 2010 *The things you'd save if your home was on fire *the countries you've visited *professions I would like to try *websites I visit most often (every day) * Top attractions in the city I live in (or close by).

Just what I needed, something I can do from my bed, as I am still feeling under the weather!

Feeling under the weather...

My seed catalogs are starting to arrive! And it's a good thing, because I am really not feeling good. I've been in bed all evening reading and they have been a pleasure flipping through.

Today I bought some fun new fabric. I am not sure what I'm going to make yet, but it's sure to come to me. Right? Right?!

I've also been looking through some of my beads, planning my barefoot sandals. I know I was planning to make them last weekend but I just wasn't feeling up to it, so the plan is to make them this coming weekend.

Oh, how I hope to be feeling better tomorrow!

I won! I won!

I am just so excited!

I didn’t think I would win anything when I entered a ton of the giveaways through One World One Heart, but I did! If you don't know what this was, you missed out. Lisa Swifka over at A Whimsical Bohemian (http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/) created this blogger event four years ago and the concept is magnificent. Over 1,000 blogs participated this year from a total of 40 different countries. How neat is that?! Each one of the blogs gave something away, which encouraged fellow bloggers to get out there and visit other blogs, that they may not have found otherwise. I went to many of these blogs and was inspired by all of the creative people around the world.

And here are the 3 prizes I was fortunate enough to win:

1.

Watercolour Collage with Mandarin Ducks by Annette Tait in Scotland

Follow this link to read all about it and what it symbolizes, it was meant for me!

http://dragonhouseofyuen.blogspot.com/2010/01/one-world-one-heart-my-giveaway.html

2.

"Mijn cadeau is een jaar lang elke maand een ansichtkaart van de plek waar ik op de 3e zaterdag van de maand ben. En dan vertel ik natuurlijk ook wat ik daar doe en hoe ik daar kwam. Juist die dingen die je in mijn blog niet zult lezen.
Bloggen is fantastisch natuurlijk, maar er gaat niets boven een gezellige groet via de snail-mail..."

If you couldn't read that it's because it's in dutch (I told you this is fun!) Translated in english it stays...

"My present is that I will sent the winner a picture-postvard every 3th saturday of the month for a whole year. On which I will tell what I'm doing and how I got there. Things you won't read on my blog. To blog is great, but in my opinion nothing beats a picture-postcard sent by snail-mail...."

SO... I will be receiving a postcard from Holland each month over the next year. Something to look forward to! Here is the blog address of the artist, Karin that is going to be sending them... http://beeldenvankarin.blogspot.com/

3.

4 handmade Thank You cards and envelopes from:

http://diamondgrove.blogspot.com/

Flowers arrived!

Just when I was starting to think maybe I won't be getting flowers this year for Valentine's Day... the doorbell rang and these arrived....

I am such a lucky woman. They are charming! Not to mention that I received the most beautiful wedding ring for my Valentine's Day gift... I'm just bummed I have 10 weeks before I'm supposed to really wear it!

(Thank you baby! I love you!)

Easy homemade bread- if there is such a thing

In preparation for a Valentine's dinner I am cooking this evening I made some homemade bread.

In my opinion bread is never 'easy' to make but this recipe is one of the easiest I've made and it is yummy! Recipe yields 2 large loafs.

Ingredients:

5 lb bag of all purpose flour -you won't quite use it all

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 tablespoon Crisco

1 cup of cold milk

3 cups of boiling water

1 package of dry yeast

In a tall glass pour about 4 ounces of almost hot water-not too hot or it will kill the yeast. Add a small pinch of sugar and the package of yeast, stir and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl place the salt, sugar and shortening. Add three cups of boiling water and stir until dissolved.

Add the milk and stir.

Check the yeast; it should be bubbly and almost to the top of the glass. Add to the milk mixture in the large mixing bowl and stir well to distribute the yeast evenly.

Add flour a cup at a time, and stir well after each addition. When dough becomes too difficult to stir with the spoon, start balling it up with your hands. Add enough flour to keep your hands from sticking to the dough-don't over flour-it will make the bread hard! Keep the dough the consistency of a marshmallow. You won't need to use the whole bag of flour!

Knead this dough, in the bowl is fine. Knead the dough until it is smooth and soft-about seven minutes. You will know the dough is ready for the first raising, when you can poke your finger into it, and the hole springs back at you.

Grease the dough all over with a used margarine wrapper; cover with a towel. Set in a warm place near the fireplace- a temperature of 85 degrees is ideal.

When the dough has doubled its bulk-punch down and knead again but don't add more flour. Divide dough into even sized balls, roll each ball out for braiding (you can search youtube for braiding bread instructions) and place on a greased baking pan or place formed dough into loaf pans.

Cover again with a towel and set in a warm place for the second raising.

When raised, bake in a 400 F degree oven for about twenty minutes, until golden brown. The bread will be done, when it makes a, "hollow" sound when tapped.

On removing from the oven, grease all sides of the bread crust with butter or margarine and allow to cool. 

Enjoy!

Just in time for Valentine's Day- Another swap gift arrived, this time from Canada

Shannon over at The Mommy Files (http://www.themommy-files.com/2010/02/bloggers-valentines-day-swap-2010-link-here/) hosted a great Valentine's swap that I was apart of.

My swap partner was a fellow blogger, Kalle from Canada and she sent me some great gifts. You can check out her blog at http://www.growingcs.blogspot.com/. I received a box full of goodies! Below is a picture of my goodies with the exception of some gel window clings that I took out right away and stuck on a bathroom mirror because they were just so cute. Besides the clings I received: some pretty stationery, a box of neat pencils, a pair or heart socks, chocolate, some hand sanitizer (Kiss Me, Cupcake scented), some really cool stickers and a packet of face and body lotion (how did she know my skin has been so dry?)

Resale Store- New finds

I spent $4 total recently at a resale store. Here are my finds....

A few metal, handpainted pieces of artwork for a bathroom that has been in need of a special touch. Approximate size 14"x14" each.They sort of have a rustic french feel to them.

My soon to be hubby probably thinks they have a bit of a femine feel, but hey what can I say? I am girlie girl, and I like flowers! And for .99 each, I couldn't pass them up!

I also found two new corningware dishes (.49 each) and a square vase (.99). I like to snatch up interesting vases when I can. They leave my house just as fast as they arrive. I really enjoy surprising friends with arrangements.

"Just Married" -clingy thing arrived

Not married yet.. but the clingy thing for the floor at our reception arrived this week. It's clinging to a white paper but it's actually clear. I'm getting excited!!

Valentine Swap Gift- Thank you Laura!

I received a wonderful Valentine's Swap gift in the mail today from a fellow blogger.

She made me some bath salt and some beautiful earings. She also snuck in some chocolate, which I can't wait to devour. Of course I need to get it eaten up before my "Buff Brides" book that I ordered arrives. I'm sure there is no room for chocolate in that diet/workout.

Be sure to check out her blog! http://www.wyjajewels.blogspot.com/ Thank you Laura!

And thank you Audrey from Audrey Country Crafts for hosting the swap! (http://audreyscountrycrafts.blogspot.com/2010/02/valentine-swap-mcklinky.html)

Barefoot Sandals- MUST HAVE!

I am intriqued with 'barefoot sandals'.

I cannot believe I am in my 30s and have never seen barefoot sandals. My guess, is that it has something to do with Kansas being so far from the beach. Now that I've seen them, I HAVE to have some for my trip to Jamaica in April (who needs shoes!) And this weekend I plan to make a couple pairs, any friends are welcome to join me.

Flower Seed Catalogs

I ordered some seed catalogs today.

You can find a great list of nurseries that offer a free catalog here: http://freebies.about.com/cs/booksmagazines/a/seedcatalogs.htm

I am really missing flowers right now! Maybe I'll get some for Valentine's day.

My amazing dad...

I've talked a lot about how amazing my mom is, but I haven't told you that my dad is just as amazing. He is the best dad a woman could ask for. He is also in love with God (and my mom of course)! I smile everytime I see him. He is so sweet, so kind, an awesome father and a super grandfather to his 7 grandchildren. I had an opportunity to make some bierocks with him last night when I was in town for my moms tea. I always treasure every minute we have together. And the yummy bierocks were just an added bonus! ;)

A fabulous Saint Valentine Tea!

Yesterday my mom hosted a fabulous Saint Valentine Tea at her house.

As I've mentioned before I have the most amazing mother.

She is in love with God (and my dad!), and she just lights up any room. Her house was decorated beautifully for the occasion and I thought I'd share some photos.

Above is the Valentine's card my mom made my dad, she obviously had some inspiration. Awww... to be in love after so many years.

GREAT friends!!

The last photo is of my "baba" (grandmother) and I. Another amazing woman that has helped shaped me into the strong independent woman I am today.