Tuesday, November 30, 2010

BLOG CHALLENGE DAY 9

The blog challenge for today is to post about something that has made me proud in the last few days.

If I didn't post about these two sweet little ones then I would be a very neglectful grandma indeed.

This is what makes me proud.
Miss Dawson, 2 months
Mr. William, 2 months

NOTE:
I also have six other grandchildren that I am equally proud of, I just didn't have current photo's of them that were easy to download.

Monday, November 29, 2010

BLOG CHALLENGE DAY 8

Today's blog challenge is to identify my short term goals for the month.   Being as December is only two days away I will set the goals for that month.

1.  Pay cash for all Christmas presents.
2.  Have tree up and house decorated by Dec. 8.
3.  Take time to enjoy the holiday and not get so caught up in 'doing meaningless things'.
4.  Complete this blog challenge on time. (Dec. 21)
5.  Keep the true meaning of Christmas in my heart.


I better stop right there or else I will overwhelm myself and want to give up.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

BLOG CHALLENGE: DAY 7

Day 7 of the blog challenge asks to post a picture of someone or something that has the biggest impact on you.

I don't think it is any coincidence that this question would come up on Sunday.  Reflecting on someone who has the biggest impact goes without question.  Jesus Christ is my savior, my brother, my mediator with the Father, my comforter, my friend.  When life seems to come at me in ways that tear me down I am comforted in knowing that I am a daughter of God. 

Saturday, November 27, 2010

BLOG CHALLENGE DAY 6

Day six of the blog challenge asks who is my favorite Superhero.



I am not a huge fan of Superhero cartoons or movies but I do have someone that I consider to be one of the most outstanding people to ever walk the earth.  She personified what a true Christian should be, what a wonderful example she was to the world.  Selfless and untiring with a gift of compassion rivaled by few. 
That is Mother Teresa.
Superhero indeed!

Here are a few of her quotes:

–Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.


Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.


Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.


Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.


Even the rich are hungry for love, for being cared for, for being wanted, for having someone to call their own.


Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.


God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.

I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.

I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn’t touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God.

If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.

It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.
Jesus said love one another. He didn’t say love the whole world.
Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.

Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.

There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.

Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.

This list was taken from Mukund's Blog

Friday, November 26, 2010

DAY 4&5 OF BLOG CHALLENGE

I missed day four (yesterday was Thanksgiving, I was busy cooking), so I will be  doing days four and  five.

Day four was "A habit you wish you didn't have."
Wellllll, my habit is not keeping tidy and organized closets.  I let them get really messy before I have had enough and HAVE to clean them out.  I like to call it a 'high tolerance for clutter'.
Right now they are on the higher end of the messy meter.  I am so embarrassed that I won't even take a picture for you to see.
Image, courtesy of
Day five of the blog challenge is to post a picture of somewhere I've been.

One of the most beautiful places I have seen is Zion National Park in southern Utah.  It is AMAZING.   You just can't believe how nature could be more beautiful, one of God's master pieces.
Zion National Park photo courtesy of:
kenrockwell.com


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

DAY THREE: BLOG CHALLENGE

Day three of the blog challenge was to post a picture of
me and my friends.
This was the only photo I could come up with.  These ladies are some of my friends from the book club I belong to.  It was actually taken almost two years ago.  I am second from the left in the back row.


We have been meeting monthly for the last 5 years.  We rotate homes with the hostess preparing a lunch each time.  Most of the time we discuss the book but more often than not we end up talking about just about anything and everything.  They are a great bunch of friends and we have LOTS of laughs.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

CRAFT BAZAAR 2010

The Craft Bazaar of 2010 is now history.

This is taken just before opening on Saturday morning.  Do you think we could cram any more stuff on these shelves?
We actually downsized our space from a 10'x20' space to a 10'x10'space. 
BIG MISTAKE.
  It got so crowded with people trying to get in that I am sure we lost customers who just got tired of waiting.






Here are my anxious? workers, they were ready for the rush...I think.
More items crammed into every available space.


This was taken just before closing on Sunday afternoon.
Sorry about the awful pictures, my camera wasn't cooperating


This may be part of the reason the second day was so slow.  The bazaar opened at 11:00 a.m. and the snow started falling around 11:30.
This was the scene when we were loading up to head home.  Luckily for us the temperature stayed above freezing for our hour and a half trip home.

Day Two of Blog Challenge.

Today I am supposed to tell the meaning behind my blog name.  Shady Creek Designs is the name of my vinyl lettering business so I thought Shady Creek Lane sounded like a good place to live.  (I don't actually live on Shady Creek Lane but I think it sounds like a quaint place, don't you think?  Can't you just imagine a sweet little meandering creek babbling along side a lane with trees overhanging shading it on a  warm summer afternoon?)  At least that is what I picture in my mind.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Day One: 30 Days of Me

Day one of the 30 days of me blog challenge is supposed to be a recent picture and 15 interesting things about me.

This was taken Saturday, Nov. 20 with my two daughters, Natasha and Maria.  I am on the far right. (As if you couldn't tell that I am the old one.)

 


Now for the 15 things about me:
1.  I am the youngest of three children, (yep, the baby as I have always been reminded.  Now that my brother, sister and I are in our 50's that is kinda to my advantage).
2.  I have never flown on an airplane.
3.  I have 8 grandchildren.
4.  I love to be creative but can be quite messy while I am creating.
5.  I have lived in either Washington or Oregon my whole life.
6.  I LOVE nuts in cookies and fudge.  In fact, if there are more nuts than other ingredients, all the better.
7.  I get easily bored with my house and therefore am always moving something around.
8.  I am the queen of spilling food down the front of me while eating  (just ask my daughter-in-law).
9.  I love to put together jigsaw puzzles,  play board games and cards, especially pinochle.
10.  My favorite sport to watch on tv is ice-skating.
11.  I enjoy singing in choirs or groups as an alto.   I don't have what you would call a beautiful voice but I can harmonize pretty well.
12.  I  really miss my dad.  He passed away almost six years ago.
13.  I can whistle super-duper loud using my fingers.  That is how I used to call the kids home for dinner when they were small.
14.  I am an admitted reality tv junkie.
15.  I really enjoy designing landscapes.  I am constantly looking at people's yards and looking for ways to improve them. 

Friday, November 19, 2010

30 Days Of Me Blog Challenge

I recently came across this challenge at Paws Purls blog and thought it would be fun to participate in. 

I will not be starting this challenge until Monday Nov. 22 because that is when I get my life back after the bazaar.

If you are reading this and would like to join in please leave a comment so I can check out your "30 days about me" challenge and we can all get started on Monday Nov. 22.


Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself


Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name


Day 03- A picture of you and your friends


Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have


Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to


Day 06- Favorite super hero and why


Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you


Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why


Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days


Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad


Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends


Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one


Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently


Day 14- A picture of you and your family


Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play


Day 16- Another picture of yourself


Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why


Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have


Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them


Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future


Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy


Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else


Day 23- Something you crave for a lot


Day 24- A letter to your parents


Day 25- What I would find in your bag


Day 26- What you think about your friends


Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge


Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?


Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned


Day 30- Your favorite song.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Finally....The Home Stretch

The last of the bazaaar items have been completed.
Snow filled Christmas balls.


Snowflakes and rhinestone Christmas balls.
Oh joy!


Home, the best place to be.
Red and green polka dot Christmas balls

Old window/new use.

Another old window with a new use.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Two Garage Sale Makeovers

Do you remember when I posted about this wooden box a couple of months ago?  I got is for .75 at a garage sale.  It was dirty and crusty with spider webs and dirt.  I had hubby power wash it and let it dry for a couple of months while.




After a coat of red spray paint, some stenciled words and a couple of stars glued on it took on a whole new personality.  So what do you think I should put in it?  I thought some greenery and pine cones would look nice.  Any suggestions?

I also picked these chairs up at a garage sale and thought I might be able do do something with them.
This is what I came up with.  The one on the right says 'Welcome" in French, at least that is what I found the translation was on google.  If it it different please let me know.
Now I am off to finish up a few more projects for the bazaar.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

It's Madness, I Tell Ya!

The madness continues 'round here, the last minute push is on...
This stool was a purchase from Goodwill for 3.99.  It was a sad plain brown stool with ZERO personality.  I think it's true potential has been reached.
Side view.  You can't see it but there is "ABC and 123" on the ends.
I had purchased these letters awhile ago and had forgotten about them.  I had some really cute kitchen scrapbook paper that I used to cover them.  Look closed at them, especially the paper on the A, so cute.
Who doesn't love a country Christmas?
Another fun word tree.
And of course, more plates.

And last but not least, some "Believe" blocks.
Stay tuned for more madness as I finish up last minute items.
Remember the two yellow chairs I bought at a garage sale awhile ago?  They are next to get a makeover.
The Girl Creative

Saturday, November 13, 2010

No Vinyl Used...Can You Believe It?

Check out these cute items my daughter Maria made for the bazaar. Can you believe that absolutely no vinyl was used in making these. She was inspired by a post over at Under My Polka Dot Umbrella.


Please excuse the rubber band around the tree, it was to make sure it didn't slip while the glue was drying.
Maria is planning on adorning the tree with some a red berry garland.


And who wouldn't love this little guy tucked in with the holiday decorations.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Thanksgiving Charger

Have you seen these beautiful charger plates at Walmart?  They are plastic but look so elegant and festive.  By adding some vinyl lettering they are turned into a beautiful way to express thanks.
They are currently on sale for $2 each at my local Walmart.  At that price why not get some for your Thanksgiving table too.
(I was not compensated in any way to promote these plates.  I just wanted to pass along the info for you thrifty shoppers.)





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Creations by Kara