Happy Birthday, Katie!

Today is our middle girl's birthday. We love her so much. She lives her life with laughter and enthusiasm.

Tonight the theme for her birthday party is America. Everyone is wearing Red, White and Blue. Not much has changed since she was little...

Happy Birthday, Katie!

L.O.V.E.

I've been feeling in the crafty mood since before Christmas so when I was at Roger's Gardens and saw some LOVE letters like the ones above I new I could make them. They were a whopping $62.00 for the four letters. I made them for $10. Each paper mache letter (found at Joann's) was $1.99 on sale from $2.99. I already had paper and all the little goodies I added to them. They were super easy to make and took me about an hour and a half from start to finish.

I also found a cute Martha Stewart Pom Pom Garland at Joann's which was 40% off. Quick and easy to assemble (you get two 6 foot garlands, each garland has 6 pom poms). I took some left over burlap and folded over the ribbon of the garland. I then glued some hearts I made from cardboard (cereal box), glue and glitter. Easy Peasy.

I'm not sure how much extra stuff I want to gather together to put with the letters or if I just want to let them stand alone.

I'm loving the letters. The ones at Roger's Gardens are done in deep reds, they were incredible, but these are more my style!

Little touches of Valentine's

I've officially been bitten by the Valentine's Day bug and have begun to add a few little touches here and there.

I picked up the little bunny at Roger's Gardens and the little hearts at TPT.

I thought the bunny was so cute, I've always had a thing for bunnies.

When the Handsome Husband saw the bunny, he said, "Who gave you the pig?".

To which I replied, "I bought the bunny for myself".

"Oh, that's a bunny, it looks like a pig".

Really??? I think the ears prove my point...

Highlights of the Quilt Show

Director's Choice Award

Favorite quilt in the whole show. The picture just does not do it justice. In the off white strips along the border, the words to the Declaration of Independence are embroidered. There is a rhinestone for every word of the Declaration throughout the quilt which gives it a great sparkle. The piecing and quilting where immaculate and precise. On the back it said, "Proud to be an American". This quilt should be hanging in The White House or The Smithsonian or by The Liberty Bell. INCREDIBLE! It had the largest crowd of admirers throughout the day even though it was across from this quilt,

Best in Show

which won Best in Show. The prize money was double between the Director's Choice and Best in Show. I know they look at stiches and stuff I can't even begin to comprehend, but I think they got it wrong. That American, Declaration of Independence quilt was Amazing and everyone else thought so too.

Best in Long Arm Quilting

I really liked the detail of this quilt. All that gold is gold embroidery. Unbelievable!

Beautiful Baltimore Quilt.

Amazing Applique Quilt

Another applique quilt, these quilters are truly artists.

Vibrant Crazy Quilt

I didn't bring my camera and I had to use my phone. It took pretty good pictures but you just can't see the awesome detail in these wonderfully amazing quilts. They were so inspiring. It was a fun day.

The quilt show is at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario, Ca. $10 to get in. Food and drink available, also plenty of picnic tables if you want to bring your own lunch. Jan. 19, 20, 21 and 23, 2012.

Flower Dress

via http://christenstrang.blogspot.com/

Every once in a while you see something that you have to share. I am in awe of this flower dress. Amazing.

Designer dogs...

The Handsome Husband and I like to go to the dog park and watch our dogs run and play. There are so many mixes of dogs out there that we are often asking and asked, "what kind of dog is that". Some are standard like the Goldendoodle (golden retriever and poodle) or the yorkiepoo (yorkie and poodles) and we have our little guy gus who is a pomepoo (pomeranian and poodle), so its no wonder than when Bob saw the dog below,

he asked me, "What kind of dog is that? A beagle, weinerdog mix?"

Clearly a Basset Hound, but everytime I think of what he said I just have to laugh, it put a smile on my face!

Delaney's 20! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our sweet tiny baby! Twenty years have gone by so fast.

Delaney and Michael at the top of the Empire State Building.

Delaney on a hike in Idylwild, first grade.

We love you, Happy Birthday!