Tutu Cute!

  My daughter was lucky enough to win a Rainbow Doll on Facebook a couple of months ago. If you've never seen these dolls, you need to visit her Etsy Shop or find her on Facebook. They are all handmade and so adorable.
 
 We talked about and decided to wait on giving the doll to Shelby until we I could make a matching outfit. It took a while to find a little red shirt as most of the summer things are gone.
 
  The cupcake embroidery design was found at http://www.appliquealley.com/, and it matched pretty good.
 
  I made the tutu by sewing the ends of a piece of elastic together, and tying on strips of tulle that come on the roll. Easy Peasy! (but a little time consuming)
 
  We took Shelby and Alison to take pics yesterday. Shelby was a little grouchy as she wasn't feeling her best, but in the end she did good enough to get some cute pics.
 
  The beautiful landscaping was found at Centenary College in Shreveport, LA.

Wordless Wednesday - Share the Love!

                   Christmas 2008



Meet Me on Monday.......

 
Please forgive me for not doing the illustrations/pictures tonight. I found out that my sister-in-law passed away last night. I hadn't seen her in a long while. She had a massive stroke 2 years ago right after I had my tongue surgery. She is in a better place because she hasn't had any quality of life after that. (My brother passed away in 2000.)
 Please say a prayer for my nephew, Gregg. He is the only one of her 4 kids that has faithfully taken care of her. My niece, Anitra (her granddaughter), was just home a week ago, and now she is back in Afghanistan. She is a Marine.

Now for the questions:
1. How many TV's do you have in your home?
  Two - one in the living room, and one in my sewing room.

2. What is on your bedside table?(nightstand)
  If you saw my bedroom makeover, you know (pretty much). LOL 
A lamp, books, a hand that holds jewelry, a trinket cart, emery board, lip therapy, and the other junk is hidden in the nightstand.


3.  How many pair of shoes do you own?
  Shoes are not my thing. I have a terrible time finding comfortable shoes, and when I do I usually buy at least 2 pair if they have them. Some are for winter, and some for summer.
  So about 8 pair that I can wear. Maybe a couple that I don't wear.


4. Can you change a flat tire?
   No way. I would just be stranded. Just don't have the strength.


5.  Do you prefer sweet treats or salty treats?
  I like salty occasionally, but mostly sweet.


Have a good week, everybody!

Laptop Giveaway - ends tonight...

 I would have posted earlier, but I just found this.
http://couplemoney.com/deals-offers/couple-money-1st-anniversary-giveaway/

Mom Caves Challenge....

  Between Naps on the Porch is having a Mom Caves Challenge special linky party and a giveaway from Homegoods. Bloggers are posting links to their "Mom Caves", and there will be some great prizes awarded after the judging. If you want to enter, go to her blog and read the rules, and then link up to her post HERE. 
 
  I'm using the post I did a few weeks ago about my bedroom makeover. I would have used the same pictures, so I couldn't see why I would need to reload all of these pics. Most of you know how time consuming that is on blogspot these days.

    I actually did my bedroom makeover 2 years ago after I had my tongue cancer surgery (you can read about that in my archives - May '08. Let me also say I am cancer free!). I love my bedroom. It is the place I can totally relax, read, do puzzles, and pray every night before I fall asleep.

  This was my comforter I had from J C Penneys. (Pretty boring.)

  I wasn't able to really do much on the sewing end, and my DH was so supportive and helpful wanting to cheer me up. After I got a little stronger, he would take me to some of the local antique shops looking for things to use. I had already bought my Matelasse bedspread as I wanted to decorate with a shabby chic look.
  Let me back up from here and say that I had completely redone my furniture a few years ago. It was dark pine, and I wanted something brighter. It was too nice to chunk and start over. I went to Lowe's and got an antiquing kit. I think it turned out pretty good - considering.
  One thing I needed was a little nightstand. I found one chunked in the back room of an antique mall. I brought it home and refinished it (with the help of my grandson.)

After

This is the bedskirt I found with a crocheted edge. It was just perfect!

Now, let me show you where I placed the painting I won from Erin. I thought it looked best sitting on top of the chest. It's the first thing I see when I walk into the room.



I bought a beautiful quilt with a sweet rose print - the main reason I was so glad to win the painting. It just all goes together so well, and winning the painting sure wasn't planned.

View of the whole bed with quilt. (This pic was taken before I added the painting.)

Now the next item is one of my favorites. It is the top to an old fireplace that came from one of the older homes in our parish.

The wicker table underneath also came from the antique store where I got the mantle and the quilt. It was just perfect to hold my quilts and a couple of my treasures. The doll quilt is one that my grandmother made, and the piece of a yoyo quilt was made by my other grandmother. They are very old, and not in the best shape, but I cherish them.

Now I will finish with a few pics of the small pillows I made out of placemats.

That's it folks! I hope you have made it to the bottom of the post. I know it's long, but these things just take up a lot of space on here.
    One more peak. I love old cutwork and handmade linens. I try to use them around my home.

 While looking around Homegoods, I found some cute pillows that I think would also look neat on my bed.

  I could also use a couple more things for my walls. I thought this was interesting.

 I know the judges will have a hard decision to make. It was fun to participate, and to view all of the other entries.

Thanks,
 Shirley





My Latest Project...

 
A few weeks ago my daughter won a giveaway from Sara Norris' blog. Sara has a website if you are interested in her patterns. Click HERE.

  Emily won the pattern, and the fabric to make the Lacey Claire skirt that Sara designed. The skirt is done with puffing strips in between the fabric strips. Her pattern gives all of the measurements for a perfect fit.

  The fabric is so sweet, and I had enough fabric by using the scraps to make a top to go with the skirt.

 As soon as we have a chance to get our little princess to model, I will post pictures, but for right now I just wanted to post the outfit and thank Sara again for a wonderful giveaway.

Justice for Justin Bloxom

  Some of you read my answer to 'what creeps me out' on my Monday post, and I think you were a little shocked.  Sorry, it is just something that is ever present on my mind. (More details at the bottom.)
  As I mentioned then, it was the guy who murdered a former student, Justin Bloxom.

 Justice for Justin Facebook page.

  Most of us think this could not happen to our kids or grandkids. Well, wake up, folks, because it happens everyday, and most of the time the kids don't tell, or they end up in the horrible hands of someone like Brian Horn.

  What I'm asking you to do is go to this Facebook page if you are on Facebook, and sign the petition. First you have to LIKE the page, then click on this link, and it will be the first topic under the Discussion tab.

http://www.facebook.com/Justiceforjustinbloxom?v=app_2373072738&ref=sgm

 Sign your name, your parish/county, and state. That's all.

  Click on notes and you will see that our Governor Jindal has already approved The Justin Bloxom Act.
  Every state needs to pass new laws or amend the old laws for convicted sex offenders. Actually, for any sex offenders because when they get out, they are not cured, and nearly always strike again.

  Justin was spending the night with a friend, another child I taught. He had been texting a little girl in his class. Brian Horn took the little girl's cell phone, and sent texts to Justin pretending to be the girl. He coaxed Justin into meeting him because Justin thought it was the girl. Brian Horn drove a taxi, and the girl (alias Brian Horn) told Justin she was sending a taxi for him. This was in the predawn hours of March 30. 
  This is where kids don't think. He just thought he was sneaking out to meet his friend. Justin was 12 years old. He was probably thinking he would be back before anyone noticed. The friend he stayed with did know the girl had asked him to meet her, but no one knew he was going.
  By the time they realized he was gone, it was too late. Our Sheriff's department was out in full force, and witnesses had seen that taxi up and down the highway. That is how they found out who it was, and it went from there.

  It's a sad, sad story, but it could happen anywhere. As parents and grandparents, we need to teach our kids to be aware of their surroundings, and to be aware of things that just don't seem right.

  I appreciate your support if you chose to sign the petition.

Shirley
 

My Blog Award and Passing It on...

 As I posted last night, I received the One Lovely Blog Award from Marie at The Things We Find Inside. Thanks again, Marie. I was quite honored to be noticed.

  My job is to send the same award on to 10 newly discovered or deserving blogs.
 This was a hard decision. I chose these blogs because of three reasons:
 1. The inspiration they have given to me.
 2. The inspiration they have given other people.
 3. The contributions they make to the blogging world.

 I hope you will go visit these blogs if you haven't already. Everyone can always use a little encouragement along the way.

To accept this award I have to link back to the person that gave me this award and then pay it forward to ten other bloggers whom I've newly discovered and contact them of the award. This is my list, and I will be contacting you.

Blessings From Our Nest

Ellis Inspired

Fifi Flowers

From A Writer's Kitchen

Grammy Girlfriend

Simply Debbie

The Old Geezer

Life as a Survivor

The Dalai Mama

Caiafa Craziness

I Received a Blog Award!

  I feel so honored to receive this award from Marie at The Things We Find Inside.

 You need to visit Marie's blog. I have really enjoyed reading her posts. She has a very versitile and "down to earth" blog. 
 Thanks again, Marie. 

 I have really been trying to make my blog more interesting to a variety of people. It can be time consuming, but I love blogging. 

  I would like to thank everyone that has taken time to leave comments. That really means a lot to me.

  To accept this award I have to link back to the person that gave me this award and then pay it forward to ten other bloggers whom I've newly discovered and contact them of the award.

  It may take me a day or so to do this, and I will be posting my awards as soon as I have time to link up to everyone. 


 


 

Meet Me on Monday.......

  It's time for Meet Me On Monday over at Never Growing Old. Come and join the fun to meet new blog friends.

1.  What is your favorite all time movie?

 My totally favorite movie is BEACHES. I know it's sad, but it is about friendship. Friendship and being a good friend is one of the most important things after God and family.

2.  How often do you go over the speed limit?

  I don't go very much over the limit. I have never (keeping my fingers crossed) had a ticket, and I sure don't want one now. If I did get one within my parish, I could probably get it fixed as I taught the sheriff's son one year. LOL

3.  What really gives you the creeps?

  The creep that murdered one of my former students. I wrote about it here. I could still throw up every time I think about it. The creep dumped his body not far from the school on a main highway. So the school buses pass it everyday. The only good thing is that those kids are reminded daily to beware of sexual predators.


 4. What is your favorite snack?

  Would that be a WW snack or a REAL snack? LOL On WW, I love their one point chocolate fudge bars.
  Now for a REAL snack, I could sure put my lips on a homemade chocolate oatmeal drop cookie right about now!

5.  Would you rather be a dog named Killer or a cat named Fluffy?


  I guess since I've always wanted to be liked, I would choose Fluffy the cat.

It's a Small World - Blogger Friends!

  I posted on a blog last night that I've been following for a while. I'm not sure how long. Probably just this summer.
 The blogger wrote back on my blog, and said, "Hey, I live close to your daughter!"

  The blogger is Teresa from Grammy Girlfriend.

 Well, actually, my daughter used to live close to her, but she's since moved.

  I know Teresa, and we used to attend the same church. I've been to her house years ago with a friend. Teresa is a fabulous decorator.

 Go check out her blog, and also her Holiday Blog. You will be so inspired that you will be ready to start decorating for Christmas!

Do you remember "The Blob?"

If you remember when this movie came out (unless you've seen it on Sci-Fi), then you would have to be close to my age.
  I don't know what made me think of this, but I have to tell this story.
 When I was a kid, my mama worked in downtown Shreveport for the Christmas holidays. We lived quite a ways from downtown, and we would ride the city bus to go and meet my mama to ride back with her after work. Sometimes I even went by myself. Can you imagine that this day and time?
  I actually think this particular day my mama went shopping, and she let us tag along. My brother is nearly 4 years older than me. He wanted to go and see this movie "The Blob". I had no clue what it was about so I agreed. Mama said I had to stay with Robert.

 (You can read about it below). To continue, we go in and sit down in the theater. The show comes on, and this meteor falls out of the sky. It burst open, and this jelly stuff rolls out. Then some fool that saw it fall from the sky picks up a stick and pokes the jelly stuff. The jelly stuff crawls up the stick and onto the person. Of course, he can't get it off.
  So far, so good. Then the stuff started getting bigger and bigger from the people it ate. Let's just say that by the time it was out of control, I was scared stiff! I got up and ran out of the theater at least 3 times. My brother kept coming after me and dragging me back inside, and he finally SAT on me to keep me in there.
 OK, this was 1958, and I was about 8 or 9.  Our television programs were very mild - like Red Skeleton, and I Love Lucy!
  I'm telling you I was traumatized! I can't remember much else past this point. I think it was many years before I could ever sit and watch the show and not shake like a leaf. LOL 

From Wikipedia:
The Blob is an independently made American horror/science-fiction film from 1958 that depicts a giant amoeba-like alien that terrorizes the small community of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. It was not until star Steve McQueen became famous with the TV series Wanted: Dead or Alive that the film became a hit at the drive-in theatres.

Some things I made recently....

 I like doing pajamas for the grands. I call these my "light" sewing. It doesn't take long to do the pants, and I usually embroider something on a shirt.
  Since Cayden is getting older, I sometimes do the ragged edge applique, but on this shirt I used an applique stitch that sort of looks like a blanket stitch. It did really well.
 For Cayden I did long pants and short pants.

Wonderful Giveaway...

 I am just in awe at the beautiful things over at The House of Turquoise. Erin is having a birthday giveaway.
Click HERE to read the details.

Meet Me on Monday - 9/13/10

  Monday is here again, and I've got my five questions answered. Sorry no pics to spice it up this week. I'm just too tired.

What is your favorite pasta dish?

  I love mostly pasta from the Olive Garden. My favorite is their Cheese Ravoli with alfredo sauce on top. Lately, I've been eating the Eggplant Parmigiana.

2.  What is the last thing you do before going to bed?

  I believe I answered this in another blog post about how late I stay up.
  I like to read my Bible, go over my prayer list, possibly read a chapter in a book,  and play on my iPod. Sometimes I fall asleep with it in my hand. I've always had problems falling asleep so if I tell my mind I need to do these things, then I usually fall asleep faster. LOL

3.  How many nights a week do you go out to eat?

   Well, it used to be a lot more when I was working and I had no energy to cook. Now that I'm home, and we are trying to do WW, I cook nearly every night. We do go out at least one night a week, and maybe once on the weekend depending on what we have planned. Our small town doesn't have much of a choice in restaurants so if we go out to eat, we want to find something good.

4.  Are you an avid book reader?

  Do I like to read? Yes. An avid reader? No. I take it in spells. After I had shoulder surgery last summer, I read quite a few books because I couldn't do anything else. I'd rather be sewing, but I do like to keep some kind of book by my bedside. I like to read devotional books or books in which people have overcome adversity.

5.  Would you rather have x-ray vision or bionic hearing?

  Definitely x-ray vision. I could sure use it these days, or maybe just some sort of built in magnification. My mom was legally blind, and I do think about that a lot.

  I hope everyone has a great week!






.

Grandparent's Day!

 Today was Grandparent's Day for Shelby's daycare class. She has a wonderful teacher, Ms. Felicia. We were very impressed with Ms. Felicia last May at the pre-school graduation.
 When the class first came out, they lined up in a line. I saw those big ole eyes looking around trying to find me because she knew I was coming. Be still my heart!  They said a prayer together. It was so cute watching them all squint their eyes shut. Then they sang a song, "God Made Me." (Sheby has the pink flower in her hair.)

Sorry this is a little dark.

 They turned the kids loose, and they all ran to their grandparents. As soon as we sat down, she asked, "Are we going to do something fun today?" Well, of course!

  They served us a breakfast brunch. If you know my Shelby, that girl loves to eat. She ate a donut, part of a cinnamon roll, part of a muffin, a piece of bacon, and juice. Plus she'd already had breakfast!

 

As soon as we got in the car to leave, she said, "Are we going to eat?" This is just routine with her.

  We went to Kid City which is a church affiliated inside climbing cage. The kids love it, and the parents love it because it is totally safe and enclosed. She played for a while, and then we decided to go and meet Mommy for lunch.

  The best part of my day was hearing, "Mimi, me love you soooo much!" It just doesn't get any better than that!

This is Shelby in one of the outfits I made minus the bottom button. She's a princess, but she's also a tom boy too!

 This is what the kids made the grandparents. I love having my own little footprint of Shelby!

I did get to see Cayden for a few minutes after school. It's sure been hard not being able to do fun things with him during the week. He is doing great in kindergarten, and learning new Bible verses every week. This Mimi is thrilled!