Kentucky Road Trip

My youngest daughter Hannah and I, just got back from a road trip to Kentucky to visit relatives. I also visited some friends I haven't seen in many years. I lived there from 1975 to 1980, but this is only the third time I've been back. The first time was in 2007. Both my daughters and my brother went that time and we were searching  for family history. The second time was in 2009 when my husband and I stopped over for the night on our way to Virginia. This time it was a more leisurely visit where we didn't have to rush.

Here's a photo of us on our first day there. We went to see the murals they have painted on the floodwall in Catlettsburg, KY. I only took the one photo below because I had taken photos of them when I was there in 2007.

On the way down we had a torrential downpour in Indianapolis that slowed us down. At first it was just raining.

Then we were probably driving about 20 miles per hour! I thought we were going to have to pull off to the side of the road.

One of the highlights for me was to check out the Hobby Lobby store. I had to go back twice. I fell in love with that store! It's very similar to a Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft or a Michaels Arts and Crafts store. We are getting one (finally!) in the area where I live. When I say that I mean....70 miles away! I picked up some paper pads and other items to use for various projects. If I hadn't put everything away already, I would have taken a photo.

I also found another local scrapbook store that was FANTASTIC! It's called The Scrapbook General Store in Flatwoods, KY. I'd direct you to their site, but it's not currently working. You can check out their Facebook page here. This store was the best local scrapbook store I've ever seen. The owner Winnie Thacker stocks product I've never seen before. When I travel I like checking out the local small scrapbook stores. They always carry items that the big box stores don't. Winnie had the largest selection of Graphic 45 products I've ever seen. I spent two hours there looking and talking with the owner. I would have stayed longer and I would have gone back, but I think my daughter would have disowned me.

I had so much fun looking through all the beautiful projects that were on display from previous classes. I've never seen anything like it. The detail in the books and other items she creates was unbelievable. I picked up one item that was very familiar to me. Winnie asked me if I knew who made it, but I couldn't think of the designer off the top of my head. She told me to check out the bottom and when I saw who signed it I knew - it was a Laura Denison design! While at CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) she asked Laura if she could have it and she gave it to her. It was a bag of tags using the Little Darlings collection. Here's a link to a similar project using one of Graphic 45's Christmas lines. Winnie wanted me to come back and make a book. The next time I visit that's exactly what I'm going to do!

I always use my camera while on vacation. I received an iPhone for Christmas and although I took my camera, I just used my phone this time. Below are some more photos I took with it.

The second evening we were there we went out for dinner with my cousin John (R). His brother Neal joined us a little later.

We met Carla for lunch. I haven't seen Carla since 1980! She was my supervisor at the very first radio job I ever had. It was so nice to see her. We then went to her house and saw the awesome pool she has put in her backyard. She's got a lovely area for relaxing. I'm so happy we got to visit.

We went to a Flea Market in Milton, WVA with my Aunt Wanda. We had gone there in 2007, so I made sure we went back again this trip. This was taken after we had lunch at Cracker Barrel. I don't know if it's just me, but the food seems so heavy there. Good, but heavy!

Here's one with all three of us (Wanda, Hannah & Me).

My dear friend Becky. We hadn't seen each other in over 30 years! We met in 1975 when we worked together at a nursing home. Both of us wanted to go into nursing. Becky did and retired in 2010 after a nursing career of about 31 years. I didn't go into nursing which is one of my biggest regrets because that's the only thing I ever wanted to do. I went to school for Medical Secretarial and never worked in that field.

I'm just so glad we were able to get together, but our visit wasn't long enough. The next time I'm in KY we are going to spend more time visiting. Thank goodness it's so much easier to stay in touch in this day and age.

Below are my Flea Market finds. I'm very pleased with my purchases!

I was in shock when I came across this gem! You don't know how long I've been searching for a window that's in good condition, but looks worn. I've come across a few in the area I live in but they've been priced at more than I want to spend. This one was six bucks! I thought that was a steal. This was a small one. The large ones were ten dollars. I'm still on the lookout for an even smaller one.

I kept coming across these ladders at every booth I stopped at. I couldn't resist them at a price of six bucks each! I have some ideas of what I want to do with them. I'll be sure to post photos once I've figured it out.

Who can resist a bargain, especially when it's free? At one booth we went to the woman said I could take as many books as I wanted. She had bought the booth space from a previous book owner and they were going to donate all the books to the Goodwill. These are just what I've been looking for. I'm going to use them for altered books.

Well, that's it for this trip. I've a long list of projects I'm behind on. I had to stop working on my craft room organizing and a custom card order I've been working on. This next week doesn't look too promising for organizing, but I hope to finish the card order. I've got quite a few that I've finished that I'll be sharing once I get them all photographed. I also have another baby boy mini album I've made to share.

It's going to be a little quiet around here now. After spending about 13 days with my daughter we took her to the airport this afternoon. She's headed back to Minnesota and then to Las Vegas with a few friends.  Then shes off to New York for a few days before she heads to South Africa for two weeks and then onto Australia where she may or may not stay for up to a year. I don't think I could travel that much.

I'm anxiously awaiting my next road trip! Thanks for stopping by!

Minnesota Visit

A few months ago when my daughter who lives in Connecticut mentioned that she was going to visit me, the wheels started turning. My husband has known for a long time that I've wanted to take a few days and go to the Mall of America (MOA) and visit family. When he said "go for it", I sure did! Everyone thought I had crammed way too many things in my schedule. I might have to agree with that, but I do it all over again! I'm not sure that my daughter would see it that way. I'm hoping she'll forget about my bad driving and how hectic the schedule was and will do it all over again with me.

We moved to a small town in Wisconsin from Minnesota about two and a half years ago. I know I may be crazy, but I miss the traffic, the crowded malls, noise, restaurants and energy that a large city has. While there, I realized how much I took for granted just being able to go to my favorite store which is Archivers. It was so close, I could stop whenever I wanted to. Now it's four to five hour drive for me.  

I was able to have dinner with a few friends. I do miss working with them, we had alot of fun times! I just wish that everyone that was invited could have made it. I also met some new people that were fantastic! I hope I didn't offend my oldest daughters friend. I have been known to speak before I think!



Getting together with family is always great! I really wish I could see them more. My immediate family is very small, but I have a ton of cousins! I was only able to see a few, but maybe if the timing is better next time more will be able to get together.

I was so excited to see my second cousins triplets! If I could have brought them back with me without their mother knowing, I would've in a heartbeat! They'd keep my on my toes and make my everyday life exciting! I'm so jealous because I always wanted to have either twins or triplets.

It was so nice to see friends I haven't seen in years. I was also able to see another co-worker who is just hilarious! We used to have so much fun working together. I miss that. It would have been nice to see a few others who couldn't make it. My last stop was to see a friend from high school. I can't remember the last time we saw each other. It was great! My only regret is that I didn't get a photo of my sister-in-law Judy, who we met for dinner one evening. I also missed a photo opportunity with my friends Donna, Marvin and Susie who I met for lunch and my friend Betty that I met for breakfast. I'm not sure what I was thinking and could just kick myself.

Of course I had to get a few photos of some furry friends! I just love the one of Morgan in the bottom right corner. I love how she rests her nose on the windowsill to look out the window! They were all so cute!

I do have two more visits to the MOA coming up between now and September and I'm looking forward to them!

Thanks for stopping by! I have alot of projects to get done, so I better get busy!



1st Christmas Layout

My cousin's daughter so graciously let me use a photo of her family for this layout. Crystal and her husband, Brian, had triplets in July 2009. Technically, they are my first cousins, three times removed, and that information came from here. Crystal's mother Bonnie and I are first cousins because our mothers were sisters. The "cousin relationships" are so confusing to me, that I'm just going to call them my third cousins even if it isn't correct and leave it at that. The triplets, Gabriel, Lyla and Isabella are almost 15 months old and are just adorable! I'm hoping to do more projects with photos of them. I haven't actually met them yet, since we don't live near each other. Hopefully one day.....

I created this layout using one of the laser-cut paper doilies from BasicGrey. This one is the Jovial Doilies Poinsettia Bouquet. I think that it's just gorgeous!

I did add stickles to the doily

and also to the poinsettia and leaves.

This layout will be on display at The Baker's Wife on Friday.

Products used for this layout: Moxxie Joys of the Season Elements Cardstock Sticker, BasicGrey Laser-Cut Paper Doilies - Jovial Poinsettia Bouquet, Dreamstreet Papers Alphabet, Bazzill Paper Poinsettia and Holly Leaves, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo, Stickles in Gold, Lime Green, Crystal, Xmas Red and Green, Amuse Creative Candy Black Twinkle Stickers, BasicGrey Painted Brads and May Arts Ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Weekend Visitors/Little Bohemia

We had visitors this weekend. My sister-in-law Judy and her husband Gary came over from the Twin Cities. On Saturday we drove up to Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters for lunch. For those of you who saw the movie "Public Enemies" with Johnny Depp last year, you'll remember the history behind Little Bohemia. That's where John Dillinger and his gang had the famous shootout with the F.B.I. in 1934. Dillinger and many of the gang members escaped. You can read more about the story here. We thought they'd enjoy seeing it because Gary's uncle, Dr. Clayton May, had treated Dillinger and many other gangsters in St. Paul. In May of '34 Dr. May was sentenced to two years in prison for harboring a fugitive. Much of the damage from the shootout can still be seen and additional damage was "manufactured" for the movie. Below are some of the photos we took.

Judy and I inside the lodge.

We even had time for a round of miniature golf to end the day.

Gary and I wanted to go horseback riding, but with my back issues and his bum knee, our spouses wouldn't let us.

Sisters Layout

In between going through extra belongings in storage and donating three car loads this week, I was able to finish a layout. I've had an idea for this photo for quite awhile. Once I sat down to work on it, I actually changed almost everything that I originally planned to do.

I did hit a bit of a snag while using my Slice machine to cut out the letters. I was getting pretty disgusted because it wasn't working like it should. After wasting tons of time and paper, I finally got them all cut. After going through that, I asked myself why I just didn't die cut the letters with my Sizzix. I would've had them done in probably half the time. I'm not sure how many of you have a Slice, but in hindsight I now wish I would have gone with a Cricut. My husband gave me the choice and I chose the Slice because of it portability. I just haven't decided if it was a good decision or not. If I have many more episodes like this, I think I'll know the answer! I'll get off my soapbox now.

I've wanted to make flowers like these, but hadn't taken the time to try them out. Finally I sat down and made a test one. I fell in love! I made the two for this layout and also have an extra one to use on a card in the future.

These are my two daughters. Hannah, the youngest, is on the left and Sarah, the oldest, is on the right.

Here's a closer view of the flowers and the stitching. I was just going to use black thread, but decided to go with three colors so that it would show up better on the black cardstock. I really like the In Stitch'z templates by Bazzill. I've had them for quite awhile and thought they'd work well for this layout.

A Walk Up The Strip

I actually had a sketch picked out for this layout before I had even chosen my photos. Once I had everything together, I just couldn't make it work though. I tried in vain to find another sketch that might work better, but I wasn't having any luck. So, I just flew by the seat of my pants and this is what I came up with!

It was a beautiful day when I took these pictures of my husband, stepson Kyle and his friend Josh as we walked up Las Vegas Blvd on our long trek to the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino. We made the trip thinking that the boys might want to ride the Big Shot. They chose not to. Hey, I don't blame them. You couldn't pay me to do it! But then I'm a chicken and don't go for that sort of thing. My idea of a ride is to take a train ride around an amusement park, so I stay as close to the ground as possible! I knew that the hubby wasn't going to do it again. We got married in Las Vegas and he rode it then with my brother and our maid of honor the day after our wedding. It's 110 stories to the observation deck, so I declined to even go up there this time. Steve did get some great pictures of the strip from the top for me to use in scrapbooking, so that's a plus.

Supplies used for this layout: Bazzill Cardstock, Crepe Streamer in Apple Red, Chipboard, Diecut Sticker by Reminisce, Bazzill Jewels, Creative Imaginations Foam Alphabet Stickers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers!

This blog post is for you, Tami! I saved this sketch from 52 Sketches...52 Weeks - a blog that no longer exits. Now you can find the sketches on Julie Bonner's blog Starting Now... Regardless, I like the sketches and have saved several of them. I'll apologize in advance because I'm not sure what date this sketch is from.

When I first saw it, I made a mental note because I knew it would be perfect with the right photo. I think the one I used worked beautifully!

After I completed this layout and looked back at the one I posted yesterday, I think I'm beginning to see a pattern - me in a picture with drink in hand! Just so you know, my life isn't unbearable. These are just good times and good memories, so "Cheers" to yours too!

Products used for this layout: Bazzill Cardstock & French Vanilla Paper Flowers, Making Memories Chipboard Jigsaw Shapes, Queen & Co Felt Fushion, Sizzix "Loopy" Die & "Girls Are Weird" Alphabet Dies, Shabby Green Door: Farmers' Market Twine in Cherry Twist, Button, Misc shape from cardstock.

Gettin' Back To A Normal Routine....

We took my sister-in-law to the airport very early this morning. I was so exhausted from our four days of non-stop shopping that I came back home and went back to bed until around noon! I think it's going to take a few days for me to get back in the swing of things.

She flew in on Wednesday. I think we hit almost all of the stores in the Minocqua area. Those that we missed closed at 5 PM and we just ran out of time! We went to Rhinelander Thursday. I was impressed with a few of the stores in Minocqua and Rhinelander that I've never been in before. There was a very cool store in Minocqua that I found some buttons at, but naturally I can't remember the name of it! I will definitely be going back there.

Friday we drove to the River District Downtown Wausau and that was fun. We didn't get to all of the stores, but I was able to find a pair of sandals for summer that I was looking for. We also loved Janke Book Store. We ate at The Mint Cafe and the food was great! Again, we ran out of time since we had to get back to Minocqua. I did manage to make it to The Stamp Shoppe to pick up a stamp by Printworks called "Bike and Basket" that I had seen there before Christmas. I can't wait to use this stamp! We got a little lost in Wausau since my navigation skills aren't the greatest, but we found our way home.

We headed to Phillips Saturday and I'm always amazed at the gems I find there. I bought the sign below at Homespun Coffee & Crafts. Haven't figured out where exactly I'm going to hang it yet, but I love it. I went back to Yarn Barn Charms N Such and was very excited to find 14ct black Aida cloth. I definitely have plans for that! I also picked up directions on how to color yarn with Kool-Aid, which I found interesting.

I found this table top photo album for a steal at Phillips Northern Merchandise. I always enjoy stopping there. I never leave that store without something!

I wish we would have had more time so I could have taken Tami to Eagle River, Boulder Junction and Antigo. Maybe the next time she visits!

Tami also got the hubby and me interested in wine. I've never really cared for it too much before, but I found one I actually like. Cheers to a very fun and busy visit from Steve's sister and my sister-in-law!

Rushing The Holiday A Bit?

Steve insisted that the Christmas tree go up today. We go round and round about this every year. I always give in. He wants it up early and I like to do it later. One year when I was gone for a scrapbook weekend in early November, I came home to find that he had already gotten into the "Christmas Spirit" and had it up and decorated about two weeks after Halloween!

Of course we also had to buy new lights the other day. He has a thing about getting new ones every year. I wouldn't think he'd need to read the box, since he's only bought a million of these.
(Earth to Steve, just plug them in!)

You can't even imagine how many light sets we got rid of when we were going through our things in our house in Minnesota when we knew we were moving.

Boy, those new lights are nice!

Careful so it doesn't tip over!

It looks good already! It's not like we don't have quite a few weeks to make it perfect.

Fun Finds In Phillips

We drove to Phillips, WI today, to have lunch with our son. What a gorgeous drive it was, with all the leaves changing color! Of course I could just kick myself since I forgot to bring the camera. I keep rationalizing that I wouldn't have been able to get very good pictures since it was raining for most of the trip.

Since I've never been to Phillips, Kyle wanted to show me a few of the stores in the area. You just never know what gems you will find in a small town! We went into Phillips Northern Merchandise and I loved it! I found the sign below that I just had to have for a great price. Actually, I couldn't believe many of the bargains there! I'll definitely go back the first chance I get.

I also went into a store called The 5 Senses. What a neat place. It's a mix of antiques, kitchenware, cookbooks, wine and home decor. It reminded me of a store that you would find on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, MN. I know this is hard to believe, but Steve even offered to buy me a cookbook and I turned him down! I think there must be something wrong with me! Seriously, since I just brought a ton back from our house to look at, the last thing I need right now is another one. I'm sure there'll be more cookbooks in my future!

Another item I found in Phillips was Fimo. I haven't seen it anywhere in Minocqua. I'm going to attempt to make some buttons using the tutorial on Jane's blog. I bought two colors, cocoa and silver.

All in all it was a good day. I just wish it hadn't been raining and the weather was a little bit warmer however!

Flirting With Disaster?

I knew it would be awhile before I would get to post! What with work and having to run to Minnesota the past week, it's been a little crazy. My husband and I had to meet the movers at our home so that we could bring the rest of our household to Wisconsin.

Below are some pictures of what I would consider not the best idea! We've had a smoke detector "chirping" because of a low battery at the house for quite some time. The alarm is at the peak of a cathedral ceiling and cannot be reached by a normal ladder. My husband, who I consider to be quite intelligent, decided that instead of trying to rent a longer ladder he would improvise. Let me repeat...not a good idea! There's a thin line between ingenuity and stupidity. Who in their right mind puts a ladder on a table and then expects his wife to hold it while he climbs up? My husband that's who! And, let me emphasize that his wife tends to get a case of uncontrollable giggles when she goes along with his ideas.

I have to confess, I was a little nervous holding the ladder while it was shaking because he was trying to get the battery out, visualizing that he would go flying off the ladder and down the steps into the family room as the table was adjacent to the stairs.

I did tell him that I didn't want him to do this, but of course it went in one ear and out the other. As he so aptly put it afterward: "If I had fallen off and broke both my legs, you probably would have stood over me and insisted that I crawl to the phone to call 911 because I got what I deserved." I think he's right.

I swear he must also have a hard head! In two days of being at the house, when the table was moved, he ran into the hanging chandelier three times the first day and about five times the second day! Oh, and he tried to close the trunk of the car on his head also! What the heck was that all about? I actually had to leave the room because I was just shaking from laughing so hard!

Maybe that's why he gave me an unlimited budget to shop for scrapbook supplies....brain damage.

I brought a ton of stuff back from the house that I didn't want packed up, including a lot of cookbooks. Don't ask me where I am going to put them, because I have no idea!

As soon as I get everything in order, I'll get some cards posted and get some cooking or baking done so I can post pictures and the recipes.

Have a nice weekend!

New Layout and A Trip To Boulder Junction

Yay! Another layout finished. I started this late Friday afternoon and finished it this morning. I'm a pretty slow scrapper so I was pretty pleased with myself that I was able to finish this one quickly.

We took these photos at Bond Falls in the UP in July 2008. Steve, his sister Judy and I drove there from Rhinelander on one of the weekends that I was visiting from Minnesota. It sure is a beautiful area.

For this layout I used Bazzill cardstock, Cloud 9 Design Simple Stripes in Cinnamon Stick cardstock, Sizzix Sizzlets Strips Die & Letters, Hero Arts Flowers Vintage Collection and Meadow and Gemstones in citron, orange and smooth clear and miscellaneous buttons.

We drove to Boulder Junction today. This was my first trip there and it's a cute little town. We checked out the area and stopped in a few of the shops. I loved the Cranberry Gift Shop and will probably go back there. They had some fantastic cookbooks and a few of them I've had my eye on ever since I've been in the Northwoods. Today was the day that I picked one up. I can't wait to page through it and read some more of the recipes! The Orange Cranberry Muffins sound especially delicious.

While in Boulder Junction we took a path

that runs through the woods and parallels the highway. Toby sure was having a good time!

Steve and Toby posed for a picture.

It was a beautiful trail and I wish we had our bikes here so we could ride through the woods. Even though it's gorgeous in the forest, occasionally I really miss my big city concrete!

Good Things Come In Three's

Congratulations to my second cousin Crystal and her husband Brian on the birth of their triplets on July 9th. Crystal was due in September but was going to deliver in August. When contractions started the doctor was a little concerned about the strength and duration of them. He attempted to stop the contractions, but instead she had three little angels even earlier than expected. This wasn't an easy pregnancy for Crystal. She had to have surgery and be on bed rest.
Hopefully I will get to see them someday. I wish the new parents all the best. One baby is a joyous handful and three will make their life even fuller. Imagine the "Terrible Two's" times three!

Back To The 60's?

We don't know the vintage but we love the value! My daughter has been looking for a table and chairs and found this at an estate sale for ten dollars. You sure can't beat that price!

I love the pattern. For some reason it reminds me of the old TV show "The Jetson's".

It looks to be in pretty good condition, just needs a little cleaning.

This table and chair set is so cool and "So Sarah"!