More Family Treasures!!!

I went to visit my grandparents this week and my grandmother had recently received some newspaper articles, photos and other memorabilia from a family friend. The friend had been saving them for years and wasn't sure what to do with them, but thought someone in the family might want them. I just love people like that :)

Among the things my grandmother gave me were my parents wedding invitation...which I had never seen before! And the newspaper article about their wedding. I had seen the photo before, but never read the article.

I love how the invitation is timeless :) I think they chose a great one! It is something I can see someone still sending out today.

I got a good laugh out of the article! It described my mom's dress in so much detail (the longest paragraph) and the bridesmaids' dresses. It talked about all the flowers used in the bouquet. It even went on to talk about who all was at the reception. It was so detailed...11 paragraphs long!

I am so grateful that the family friend mailed these to my grandmother and that she thought of me to give them to :) My grandma even told me I could organize all her photos for her...and take or make copies of the ones I want :) This would be like a day at the beach for me! Gotta love family memorabilia :)

Friday Features-Halloween EtsyBloggers Style

Halloween is just one day away! What better way to celebrate than by showing off some lovely creations by my fellow teammates from the EtsyBloggers :)

Pumpkin Earrings - Silver

by A Keeper's Jackpot

Perfect Pumpkin Air Freshener

by Spotted Cow Soaps

Halloween Star Baby Blanket

by Made By Melissa

Candee Corn - Halloween Earrings

by Mystic Wynd

Last year Jesse and I had a good time dressing up and going out for Halloween :) Maybe I can talk him into doing it again this year (fingers crossed!) What will you be doing to celebrate?

Color Inspiration

I love finding new color combos for my scrapbooks :) Putting new combinations together makes everything new again!

The other day I was sitting at my scrapbook table and looked over at some cardstock I had laying around from a couple of different projects I had finished earlier in the day. To my surprise...there was the perfect new color combo staring back at me :)

Aqua and Orange

I have a couple of Friends Word Albums with this new color combo started and will be sure to show them to you when I'm done :)

What do you think? Were they made for each other?

Almost Wordless Wednesday-Old Photo Favorites Part 2

Mom (right) and her friend Sandy

First Day Senior Year (1971)

Driving a 1958 Chevy

Me

First Day Senior Year (2000)

Driving a 1963 AMC Rambler

Album Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered my album giveaway over at the Inspired! blog :) Yesterday the winner was chosen...Congrats Momma Goddess :)

It was fun hosting a giveaway on a blog other than my own :) It was fun seeing all the different comments and having new people stop by my shop and take a look :) I may just have to do more in the future!

Featured!!!

Yesterday a treasury...and today a feature :) This week is shaping up to be a great week already!

Tim over at Everyday Living is featuring handmade artists to help promote items for the upcoming holidays :) How cool is that! Thanks a bunch Tim!

Here's a screen shot...but stop by and see the whole thing at his blog :)

Treasury Surprise!

What a wonderful surprise to wake up and find out I was featured in this great treasury!!!

Thanks to cynmb for including my Custom Destination Word Album!!!

Ahhhh...The Weekend!

Hello my beloved weekend :) Oh how I've missed you! I am thoroughly exhausted after working so much overtime this past week that this relaxing weekend has been much needed! Well...what I consider relaxing anyway...LOL! I got home from work yesterday afternoon to find a few friends had stopped by. Jesse and I had a few beers in the shed with them, ate grilled cheese sandwiches, and went to bed at 8:30! Not an exciting Friday night...but a much needed one! Today, I got up at 7:30...that's sleeping in compared to the rest of the week! I caught up on some Internet stuff, made breakfast, cleaned the living room and kitchen, did laundry, and unloaded and loaded the dishwasher. Jesse helped me make some new shelves for my craft show display. I've already got two coats of paint on the front sides and should have them all finished up tomorrow! I also found some time to get some scrapbooking done :) I got a bunch of chipboard cut to size for my Name and Word Albums and my Simply Stunning Albums!!! Now I'm taking a wonderful coffee break and getting some more computer work done. Tonight we are going to a bon fire at Jesse's aunt and uncle's. I can't wait to see everyone and relax by the fire :) Tomorrow will be a short day! I go back to night shift...finally! I have to go in two hours early, so I'll be going to bed rather early...like in the afternoon! I hope you are all enjoying a nice relaxing weekend as well :) Happy Saturday!

Friday Features-More Coffee Please!

After working a ton of over time the last few weeks, I've started drinking even more coffee than I did before! I don't know what I'd do without it! So this week's features are in honor of my coffee addiction...LOL :)

Spike Coffee Mug - 1 Mug

by vsilcoxdesigns

LETS MEET FOR COFFEE....Purse

by ellenstreasures

psst...it's even on sale :)

Hot Cocoa - Glass Pebble Magnets - Set of 6

by ksickles

Cloth Napkins in a Brown, Green and Blue Coffee Cup Print

by TableScapesCompany

With so many cute items...I'm not sure why I would ever quit drinking coffee :)

Cyber Security Awareness Month

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month and one of our blog carnival topics for this week is to discuss the topic and how important it is.

I thought I would share a few tips I have for staying safe while using the internet:

1. Never Open Links within an Email

If you ever receive an email with a link to login to an account...never click on it. These are often phishing emails and they will steal your information! If you need to login to your account, go to the web site yourself by typing in the regular address. The links may be very similar, but I assure you they are trouble!

2. Only Give Credit Card Info Through Secure Sites

Your web browser should indicate whether the site you are visiting is secure or not. (Mine indicates this by a lock image next to the address bar.) You may also get a pop up window that asks you if you want to show unsecure items...always click No.

3. Use an AntiVirus and Firewall Protection System

There are several systems on the market for antivirus and firewall protection. Make sure you purchase from a well-known company with a good reputation. Set your updates to trigger automatically...this way you always have the latest updates when they become available.

4. Use a Good Password

When choosing passwords here are some things to keep in mind: Use both uppercase and lowercase letters, use a mix of letters and numbers, and use a password that is at least 8 characters long.

I hope this information is helpful and will help keep you safe on the internet :)

Almost Wordless Wednesday-Old Photo Favorites

My dad's cousin Judy, their friend Chris, Dad and Mom

Grandpa :) Our boat (I'm mad at myself for taking this photo in black and white btw!!!)

It's not the same kind of boat, but the colors are the same and they are very similar in design! How cool is that...so many years later...so similar!

Blast From the Past

Remember that box of pictures I told you I got in the mail from my mom...the ones she was just going to throw away! I finally got time this weekend to go through them and get a good laugh or two :)

I wanted to show you a couple of my faves!

This is my mom being crowned Homecoming Queen! There were several of her smiling, but I love the look on her face in this one! I remember when I was in Junior High playing dress up with this dress!

And this one really caught my eye because we enjoy canoeing or airboating on this very same river! It's cool to see that my parents partied on the same sandbars we do today!

There were so many keepers in this box I couldn't believe it! I've decided to save the others that I scanned for Wordless Wednesday posts...so look for another great photo tomorrow :)

Everybody Loves a Winner!

Everybody loves a winner...especially when it's you! Or in this case...me :) I've been fortunate enough to win three blog giveaways lately! Wanna see what I got?

Ladylike Resin Cameo Ring with Pearls

by Fou Fou Chat

Personalized Stationery Set

by DawnCorrespondence

Fabulous Chic Earrings

by FabulousChic

And don't forget to enter my giveaway at the Inspired! blog!!! Giveaway ends Oct. 23!!!

Craft Show Success

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes for my craft show! It was a success! The morning flew by and I couldn't believe it was already noon when I looked at my phone! We had a great steady flow of people all day long...even during lunch hour when it usually slows down :)

I wasn't sure how my sales were until I came home and got everything totalled up. I was afraid I didn't do very well, just because things were so steady instead of big busy periods. So I was happy when I found out I only came out $50 short from last year...that's basically only 2 albums short! I was very happy with this outcome :)

I also had several people take cards and were thrilled that I had a website! I think this is one reason I didn't have as many custom orders as last year. When they know you have a website, they don't feel pressured to buy that day and know they can get ahold of you later :) This helps spread out the orders and a lot of times they order more online because they have time to think of all the people they have to buy gifts for and they can pay with a credit card!

Here's a few pics I took of my booth. It was set up pretty much the same as last year, but we found a couple of things we'd like to change before my next show. I would like to make three or four long shelves that run the whole length of the middle section. And then the smaller shelves will go along the sides. I would also like to make a sign that will attach in the back with brackets and stand up in the middle of the display. I think this will really grab people's attention and draw them in :)

It's Showtime!!!

Wish me luck! Today is my first big craft show for the fall season. It's a wonderful show that I've been attending for 4 or 5 years and it's their 50th anniversary...so it's a very well-known event :) We got my booth set up last night and everything organized for the big day today. I usually have a friend with me, but her son had football so I'm bringing some projects to work on during slower times. I just hope the weather cooperates and we get lots of people to attend :) If you're in the Clarinda, IA area...stop by and say hi :)

Gotta Love Mom :)

Yup...gotta love her :) Especially when she sends you super cool packages in the mail!!!

Today I got a box of old photos from my parents' high school years! My mom was just going to throw them out and asked it I wanted them. Duh...you can't just throw away photos! I can't wait to sit down and look at all of them :) I'll be sure to do another post after I do!

There was also another surprise in the bottom of the box! How great is MOM!!!

Are these not the cutest slippers you've ever seen! I have a pair of real hot pink cowgirl boots....so when my mom saw these...she knew she had to get them for me :) And the best part is...they are super warm...and super comfortable!

Yup...Gotta Love Mom :)

(Friday Features will return next week)

Meet Made by Melissa

Our October Featured EtsyBlogger is the talented Made by Melissa! Congrats Melissa :)

What I love best about her shop is the great variety she offers. From jewelry to crochet to toys and accessories...her shop has it all!

Here are my faves:

Babette the Baby Safe Bunny

Pink Crystal Dangle Earrings

A Star is Born Baby Blanket

Make sure you check out her blog as well!!! And tell her the EtsyBloggers sent you :)

Wordless Wednesday-Snow Already?!?

Fit for the Season

For my latest Custom Baby Name Album, I was asked to make it in more boyish colors than babyish colors. No problem...that's what custom albums are for :) The buyer chose brown, green and orange and when I got it all done...it just screamed FALL to me :) Now this fall baby will have a fall album to match :)

What do you think?

Giveaway Time!!!

I am sponsoring a wonderful giveaway over at Inspired!! Wedding Tips and Ideas. The giveaway will run from Oct. 11-Oct. 23 and the winner will be announced on Oct. 25!

Here is the wonderful album you could win:

So stop by Inspired!! today for your chance to win!!!

One Week Away!

I have just one week to finish getting ready for my first fall craft show for the year! I've been trying to get as much stock ready as I can to give people as much variety as possible :) This will be the 50th year anniversary for the Clarinda Craft Carnival and this will be my 4th year participating. I reserve the same space each year to be sure people know exactly where to find me :)

Here is my booth from last year:

I'll have plenty of Word Albums there!

And new this year will be my Simply Stunning Albums!

And as always, I will be taking Custom Orders :)

So if you're in the SW Iowa area...stop and say hi :) I'll be on the Fair Grounds in the Cow Palace!

Friday Features-Susan G. Komen Fund

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month...I couldn't let the month slip by without featuring some great work by some great artists on this topic. All of the items shown below will have 100% of their proceeds donated to the Susan G. Komen Fund or other breast cancer awareness research.

Beaded Pink Peony by EmiciBridal

Pink ribbon blanket Fleece Tie Blanket by givemoney2curecancer

Survivor by WildDogStudio

Pink, 1950's Moonstone Earrings on Silver Plated Earwires by recycledjewelry

Headband Review

My good friend Theresa from TiLTCreations sent me this super cute headband to try out and give feedback on. Let me tell ya...I love it!!!

I first tried it the way I think most people would wear it. I'm not a big fan of my hair this way...but I wanted to try several different hair styles. I wore it for a couple of hours this way and the headband never budged! The velvet on the back side really holds it in place!

This shows how I would personally most wear the headband. I'm showing it two different ways here...hair pulled behind the ears and hair let out. Love it both ways :)

And even pulled back in a pony tail...it still stays put. I have to wear my hair up for work, so this would be great for keeping shorter hairs that don't fit in the pony, out of the way.

My favorite things about the headband are that it is so soft and doesn't give me a headache like plastic or metal ones tend to do! I also like that the material is long enough that it goes behind my ears and not the elastic...makes it even more comfy! And I like that it is tight on my head. I tend to have a smaller head, so I liked that it didn't gape and held tight to my head :)

I hope to see lots of these in Theresa's shop soon! I'm gonna have to get me a pink one!!!