Beautiful Banner

I am sure you have noticed that banners, in all shapes and forms, are uber-trendy in papercrafting right now and I am in LOVE with them.  I made banners for Isabella’s first birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day…and many for absolutely no occasion.  Shelli Gardner, co-founder of Stampin’ Up! loves them too and so much so that banners are her Creative Challenge for this month.  So….I really wanted to join in.  An excuse to make one more.  Don’t need excuse really, but did enjoy making something for me after all the decorations I just finished for my niece Jill’s baby shower.  Check out the next post for lots of pictures of our fun time.

Until then, enjoy my heart banner.  All supplies by Stampin’ Up! and you can purchase them in my store 24/7…

I {Heart} Banners VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I have this on the big mirror over the fireplace in the den so I had to take it down and put it on a contrasting color for the photo.  And, I still haven’t finished my new picture-taking place, so the photos are not the best.  But, I am sure you get the drift.

I can’t sign off without sharing a memory from yesterday of sweet Bella and her Poppy checking out the Camellia she plucked from the bush in our backyard.  My loves. 

And, I wouldn’t be offended if you left a comment on her cuteness!

My Favorite Book of All Time

I kind of love this stamp club project from a couple of months ago. It is a bookmark for my favorite book. The Bible I use most of the time is fairly new. I think I got it around 1985.


The translation is the New International Version and I remember having a hard time moving from the King James. I felt like I was betraying someone or something. I also have reference Bibles, Bible commentaries, Bible dictionairies - not to mention notes from a bunch of Bible Studies throughout the years. I'll bet I am not the only person with bookshelves filled with resources to facilitate Christian growth.


And even though I learned the books of The Bible during "Sword Drills" at the little Baptist Church I grew up in, I get a little rattled when I need to turn to Lamentations or some other little known Old Testament book....thus the Bible bookmark.

So the bookmark will be added to Post-It Notes, little torn pieces of paper to hold my place, and other bookmarks in my sword. Here's a chapter in Ephesians that shows my notes, dates of sermons, highlighted passages, etc.





It's my favorite book. It's the ultimate history book. It's His story.

Blessings,

Diane


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A New Header and Too Many Things to Talk About

 

Can you believe how long it has been since I last posted?  I really don't have a good reason other than.....I've been soooooo busy.  Now I know we are all busy with home, work, kids, church, stamping, scrapping and all that stuff...it's just that I don't seem to be able to get it all done so something suffers.  Unfortunately one of those things is my blog.  I sure hope I can do better.
So much has been going on and I want to share it all with you.  So, in no particular order, I will be sharing what is and has been going on in Isabella's grandmother's life these past few months.
Today I am on the fourth day of a very bad head cold.  I feel lousy.  We were looking forward to going to Franklin to see the little Princess Friday, but alas, could not risk exposing her to this crud.  Here's a couple of recent photos of the little darlin' in case you have been missing her sweet face.

 

 

I don't really feel like stamping, so I must feel bad.  I really want to sleep all day, but can't breathe when I lay down, so I thought....Hey, girl, why don't you make a new blog header?  So, I did!  The entire header was designed in My Digital Studio using exclusive Stampin' Up! images.  And it was so easy.  I love the new Subway art trend and found some awesome words to use.  You can take a 30 day look at MDS....just to my Stampin' Up! site and download the Express version for free.  It's not just for scrapbooking anymore!
Here's a card I made a couple of months ago for a dear friend's son and his new bride.  I loved how it turned out.  Lots of silver paper, embossing and glitter paper.  Plus the terrific Flower Fest stamp set.  I don't know why I don't use it every day!  So sorry my photos are so crummy.  I am working on making a photo box and getting the proper lighting.  Hopefully soon.

So many exciting things happening at Stampin' Up!  I will be back tomorrow with all the deets.
'Til next time...

Happy 40th to Scott!!!

First of all, it is impossible that I have a son who just turned 40 years old!  Not to mention that I also have a son who will turn 43 this April.  Of course, I was VERY young when they were born…lol.  Seriously, God has blessed Bob and I with two wonderful children and we had such a great time celebrating at the little birthday celebration we hosted for Scott and his special friends. 

I have included a few photos from the party. And, he always get to chose a favorite dish for me to make during his birthday week.  I have included photos of his choice this year – Broccoli and Cheese casserole…..or, as he called it when he was little – the one with the little trees.   We haven’t enjoyed this in a few years and wow! it was good.

But first,  here is the birthday card I labored over a whole day to make it special for this special man. 

He absolutely LOVED it.  Click on it to make it larger so you can read the sentiment…..guys get it, don’t they?  All images are from the terrific stamp plate from Artistic Outpost.  They have the most interesting sets….and I love them all.

And here are the photos from the celebration.  We had just picked up Isabella for the weekend and she was entertained by all the festivities and food.  A marvelous weekend for Mimi and Poppy.

		Scott’s 40th Birthday VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I pray that this new year is off to a grand start for you and your family.  As always, I am honored that you dropped by and would love for you to leave a comment.

Blessings always,

Diane

Born to Not Shop–Absolutely

 

Have I mentioned how much I hate to shop? If I already have, please bear with me.  I hate it.  I mean really, really hate it.  Except when I am shopping for sweet Isabella- but that really doesn't count.  Or when I am on vacation shopping at cute boutiques and overpriced souvenir shops. That doesn't count either.

I mean when you have to get food to eat, or Christmas lights the day before the big party you are hosting. Or something cute to wear to the big Christmas party you are hosting. Or gifts. I am a cheerful giver. Love to give the gifts. Hate to shop for the gifts.

There are few absolutes in this world. It will rain right after you wash the car or dog. And you will forget your umbrella. And it is dress up night at the symphony. Not talking about those absolutes. I am talking about shopping absolutes.

I absolutely will not find a close parking place. The cart return will be miles away.

It absolutely will be raining when I get there, or when I leave the store headed for my car parked in another city.  I absolutely will leave my umbrella in the car.  Or at the last store.

Whatever I am shopping for will absolutely not be at the first store I go to.

When I do find it, it will absolutely be the wrong size and/or color.  And color is very important.  Only one shade of blue, that you almost never can find, looks half-decent on me.  No other color. None. Nada. That is why I almost always wear black. Doesn't look good on me, but is safe.

I absolutely will look ridiculous in any of the trendy styles. Even safe ones, like those cute long, skinny scarves of a couple of years ago.  Made me look 18 inches tall. Like a little pygmy.

I absolutely will lose my list about half-way through the Christmas shopping trip.  So, I will absolutely buy the same gift twice.  It will go into the return pile.  I absolutely will miss the return date.  And it will be re-gifted.  Hopefully not to the person I gave it to originally…blah, blah, blah.  Never done that before.  Well, I think I have, but the recipient was much to nice to mention it.  I have a kind and thoughtful family – most of the time!  The good news is that if I get this re-gifted gift back this year my memory is so bad I will not remember giving it last year.  So there.  Problem is not a problem anymore.

Guess I had better get off this computer.  The Christmas party has not changed dates, it is still tomorrow night and I have much yet to do.  Including taking back the cute little Christmas trees I bought at Wal-Mart last night to go on either side of our front door.  Lighted and everything.  Even in their own cute pots.  And, I got the last ones available- the ones on display, so I knew the lights worked.  Remember when I said cute “little” Christmas trees?  Well, they look TINY on my front porch.  Pitiful.  And, do you know how much traffic there will be at Wal-Mart today?  Humm, maybe they would look nice in the back yard….

Until next time…enjoy a first birthday photo of the Princess taken by W. June Photography.  Real cuteness, right?

 

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I'm Back with a New Direction!

I don't know how many readers I have out there, if any, but if you are one of them, then you know that I haven't posted in a long time.  I consolidated this blog and my Stampin' Up! blog this summer because it was a little too much keeping them both active.

Well, I have now decided to reactivate this blog and go in a totally new direction.  I may post a card or two when there is a special occasion attached to it, but this blog will now be for my thoughts about my life, my family, and a place to chronicle my walk with Christ.  I may be the only one to read it....and that's OK.

Our pastor recently challenged us to Become More.  To "stretch' ourselves and grow our lives as Christ's disciples here on earth.  What a daunting challenge!  I am still trying to figure how to move on the task....but realize that I am not the initiator here.  I will move as the Holy Spirit leads me- through scripture and prayer.  I will keep you posted on this journey.

Until next time, I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  I am going to my 45th high school class reunion this afternoon.  I am looking forward to seeing many old friends.  I am sure our stories of joy and sorrow are similar - even though miles apart from many, we have managed to grow closer together.  I find that very comforting.


Blessings,
Diane 

Bella Bunny and Uncle Scott

I am so behind in my posting. I used to think I have to write something profound, but have decided that something often is much better than waiting for the perfect words and perfect picture. This one was too cute to pass up. I will have more Easter stuff later this week, but here is the cutest picture of Bella Bunny and Uncle Scott taken Easter weekend. It is not the best quality...but still precious.  We had a marvelous Easter weekend and sweet Bella spent a few days with us the following week.  It was a wild week with the tornadoes and all- but that is stuff for another post...and exciting entries in her baby book!

More later, take care and have a great week!


Blessings,
Diane (Mimi)

Bella Eats!!!

Well, it was the cutest thing.  Last week the parents got the go ahead to start feeding the little princess rice cereal twice a day.  They waited until we arrived the next day before they fed her for the first time.  (Wasn’t that sweet?) Cameras, camera phones and video camera ready, we prepared the cereal with much discussion in English and Mandarin Chinese on the consistency, put the little darlin’ in the bumbo and introduced the little spoon to her sweet little mouth. 
I don’t know exactly what she thought, but even though she is as cute as the Gerber baby on the box, she absolutely did not understand why or what we were doing.  First attempt went as expected.  Lots of food on the face, not much in the mouth.  I don’t know if it was the actual feeding or all the hoopla going on around her, but she had had enough in short order.  (We knew the first few feedings are simply to introduce the spoon, but, alas, she didn’t know that!)
The next day proved a little better and she is doing much better this week.  She is ready to move from the extremely bland rice cereal to something more tasty- like pizza! 
Blessings,
Diane (Mimi)

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Snowed in with a Princess!

So, we were planning to go to Franklin to see sweet Isabella on Monday.  But, with snow in the forecast for both here and there, we decided to get ahead of the weather and headed out Sunday after church.  We figured that if we were going to be snowed in, why not be snowed in with a Princess.    It didn’t start snowing in Franklin until after midnight and when we woke up on Monday morning there was 4-5 inches on the ground and it was so beautiful- just like our sweet little Isabella.  I couldn’t wait to show her the snow through the sunroom windows.  I think she was impressed, but you just can’t be sure what they think at 7 weeks!
 
We gave her a bath one night- all five of us were assigned a task.  One to get the water just right, one to disrobe the baby and then keep her warm, one to hold the towel ready for the hand-off and two to wash all those cute baby parts.  Bo said it reminded him of an oil change.  One baby and five people running around doing their respective jobs.  She was a little peeved at first, then relaxed and seemed to really enjoy it.  By the time we finished and the water started cooling you would think she was at the spa…totally relaxed and very interested at the baby in the mirror.
Here are a few pictures – I think you might enjoy them.

 

Blessings,
Diane (Mimi)

Happy Birthday Scott!!!

What a great day we had on January 2nd as we celebrated the birthday of our youngest son, Scott.  God blessed us with this wonderful child 39 years ago and he has been a joy to us each day.  This birthday was special because we were together to celebrate.  Scott lives in Marietta, GA but has been with us for several weeks during the holidays.  He requested his favorite dessert – Hello Dollies – which we call Birthday Dollies just for him.  So, here are some photos and my recipe for this delicious and easy peasy dessert.

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Birthday DolliesPrep time: 10 minutes
325 degrees for 30 minutes (preheat)
Serves: 2-3 dozen bars

Ingredients

1-1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 stick butter
1 package 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 14 oz can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

Directions

In a small bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs to melted butter and mix.  Press mixture firmly on the bottom of a 9” X  13” glass baking dish. Layer the next three ingredients, then pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the ingredients. Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool (may be chilled). Cut into bars.  Store covered at room temperature.

Until next time…..


Blessings,
Diane (Mimi)