We All Scream for Ice Cream...

Renee had her annual ice cream party for National Ice Cream day. Such cute napkins. And such cute kids. It is always a fun time with Na-na. We love her like family.






Yummy, yummy!

Tee-Ball

Here is another one of our Summer Activities. He is a little silly but a good ball player.

He looks like Shane here.
Just love that smile.

Girl Scout Mail

Girl Scouts encourages us to write our camper. I went to Hallmark and found some fun cards. Sutton got her a card that sings "Wait a Minute Mr. Postman". While there, we found these cute dogs called Webkinz. They have all types of stuffed animals but we picked out the Chocolate Lab to look like our dog. The animals are so soft. But, the cool part is you register it on-line and can play with a virtual pet. You print off an Adoption Certificate and a Biography about your pet. We sent one to Hayden at Camp from Coco our dog. Here is the website: www.webkinz.com.

I Felt Like it was Kindergarten all over again...

I left my baby at Girl Scout Camp. What was I thinking! They sleep in perma-tents. The showers are gross and she is there for a week. It was her choice to go but I am sure missing her. Lyndi, her good friend is sharing a tent with her. She was happy to see her. When we got to camp, they take your temperature, check for lice, and athlete's foot. Gross! She had a 99.5 degree temperature. Oh, I wanted to take her home right then. She kept saying, I am fine. I feel fine. We will see....I don't think she was sick....just over heated. No air-conditioning at camp. Shane is picking her up Saturday morning while I am in Chicago. I can't wait to talk to her. I am sure she will tell me what a wonderful time she had.

We have a Swimmer...

She is just a natural swimmer. Hayden won this nice, blue ribbon at her second meet ever. She keeps saying that it was just a heat ribbon. She won against the girls in her race only. What she doesn't tell anyone is that she one first place in the butterfly stroke. One of the most difficult stroke to do. Way to go-girl! Next year, you will be a force to be reckoned with.

Love,

Mom

Happy Birthday,Shane...

Shane's birthday was Monday. We don't talk about his age because he is younger than me...only a year but it still hits a sore spot with my ego. Such a cute little boy. I can see Sutton in his face. *Probably it is that "I'm up to something" look.* His friends brought him a little gift and brought me a cutie to play with. Meet Reagan. She is their Granddaughter. Sutton and her had fun playing in the boxes I brought home to pack stuff for CHA in. You can have a million toys but give kids a box and let the fun begin. Hayden took these photos of the kids in the box. She is a great photographer.

The Dollhouse Dream

I was walking around Michael's with my 40% off coupon...wondering what I was going to buy. I found this unfinished wooden dollhouse shelving unit. I loved it. I could picture my supplies in it. I still love dollhouses and wish I had a little girl who would play them with me. No such luck. So, I covered it with favorite papers....the Hopscotch K & Company line works so well. Added beaded trim on the roof line. Here is the finished result.

Vicki Chrisman found a dollhouse at Good Will. Look what she did.

http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/2007/04/199-worth-of-fun.html

Amazing! Prepare for your mouth to hang open.

Kara

Kara

Report from the Rabbit's Hole...

It started in my Rabbit's Hole...aka my studio.

It was a mess. I had a path on the floor into the door, and that was it. I couldn't find my adhesive or 1 of my 10 pairs of scissors. I knew something had to be done. It was slowing me down and made me not even want to walk in the door.
Here was the view from my desk...I know very scary. Yes, that is school glue. I couldn't find anything else.



Oh, much better...I hung pieces of ribbon and trim to make a large memo board for a wall of inspiration. The beaded lights are from Target...a gift from Suzy Q. The "Dream" sign is a Wendy Addison creation. It is made with German Glitter glass that tarnishes with time. I have a weakness for little wire baskets. I put scissors, adhesive, and punches in them.


The ink holder came from Ranger inks....love it. I found it at a liquidation sale. My fancy-cut scissors came on that spinner from Sam's Club. I placed them on a cake stand to give me more desk room. I keep vinyl place mattes like the floral one to keep my work area clean.

Yes, I have an addiction to ribbon. I love the colors and patterns. So yummy. I hung these on a curtain rod. The smallest ones you can buy at Wal-Mart. I placed a couple of nails and the rest is history. I have kept my ribbon stored like this for several years. It works well for me.

More cake stands. Such fun organizers. My glitter is stored on a spice rack from Salvation Army. I painted it pink and sprinkled glitter on it.

Here's that crazy birdcage from Hobby Lobby. I put an antique pin cushion in it. Another memo board and a jar full of ribbon.
This is the tree branch that hangs over my studio. It is actually a rubber branch. I hung keys, jars, ornaments...any thing that lite my fancy on it. I found the branch at La-De-Da's in Parkville.

Melanie inspired me to put up some pegboard. Of course, I had to paint it pink. Suzy Q had hooks for me and the rest is history. It was a fantastic way to organize my Grand Adhesion's, rub-ons, Clearly Yours, etc. The dollhouse here...is the next story. Hold on.




I still need a sign that says "Studio". I have an idea of what I want it to look like...just lack the time at the moment. More Cake Stands on my dresser and jars and jars of buttons. The suit case is what I pack when I teach a class. It is a perfect organizer and I believe it only cost $3 from a thrift store.

I can create again...my studio is clean for NOW...or should I say until the next project.

Kara

Lots of Family and Friends, Lots of Fun

Whew....what a busy weekend.

• Friday- Maggie May came to play. Lucky us! The 2 crazy aunts (Tammy and I) wore poor Maggie out, but we sure enjoyed every second of her.


• Saturday-Friends from Iowa visited. We went to the City Market...Tomato Festival, Union Station, Crown Center, and Zona Rosa. More Fun. On top of that, my dear Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Mary Ann drove from St. Louis to see us. They are following the Lewis and Clark trail all the way to Oregon, I believe. How cool is that?


• Sunday-After our company left, I played on my blog. New header, fun widgets, and goodies.

I hope everyone is rested from their weekend. Happy Monday!

So Much Fun!

July 4Th was a blast at Deana's home. It has become an annual event. The fireworks were incredible the food was extra yummy. The kiddos had a great time swimming, playing, and making us laugh. It was a great day with great friends.

I love this Chinese Proverb that says, "If there is BEAUTY in character, there will be HARMONY in the home. If there is HARMONY in the home, there will be ORDER in the nation. If there is ORDER in the nation, there will be PEACE in the world".

Happy Birthday, America!

My friend, Karen Miller, sent me this....

I thought is was perfect for today!

http://sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm

A Recipe for Yummy Pineapple

When we were in Hawaii last fall, one of our tour bus drivers told us how to prepare a pineapple before eating it. It works like a charm every time. I have bought pineapples before for the kids because they are so unusual looking. Every time I would cut into one, I would be disappointed. It would have a tart taste. Now, every piece is so sweet and juicy. Here is what you need to do.
Pick a pineapple at the grocery store. I have no idea how to chose one. Smell it? Color? I am not sure any of that matters once you do the next step. I pick a big one....my family has it gone in 2 days usually.
Here is an important step: use 2 dish towels and twist the top of the pineapple off. Do not chop the top off from the base. Just twist.
Important step #2- Turn the pineapple upside down for 2 days on a plate or in a bowl. Leave it out on your counter top. All the sugar in the bottom of the pineapple will drain to the top. It will be sweet with every bite. Mm mm.

I have a magazine addiction.

I love magazines. My collection has everything in it from Creating Keepsakes to Southern Living. Every time I am at the grocery store I like to see if new magazines have come in. I get a giddy feeling when I find a new magazine to love. I love how they feel, that I can carry them where ever I go (they aren't heavy like a book), that I can start and stop them anytime an interruption occurs, and they are stock full of fabulous color combinations, textures, and most importantly great ideas. Oh, I almost forgot how much I enjoy the photography. Because I love them so much and I collect way too many, they are stacked in too many places in my home. I had to figure out a way to organize the ideas . Here is how I did that. I bought a kit from Miss Foof herself. http://paperbellastudio.com/parlor.html I loved this journal. I made it to house all my inspiration. When my well runs dry, I can pick up my little book and browse all the ideas I once loved.