Where has the time flown?

Well, I realize I've been on a hiatus for quite a while.  I really didn't realize I had been gone for so long.  I'm really sorry.  My resolution for next year is to try to take care of the important things just a little bit better....Let's see how long that lasts!

I have been super busy with my real full-time job..End of Year is always hectic for us. It's job security but goodness, it doesn't leave me much time for anything else...like CRAFTING!!!

But not to whine, I have been crafting a little here and there...BUT it's never enough. Oh how I would love to craft daily...all day.  What a perfect life that would be.... well back to reality.  Mostly I've just been trying to get ready for the holidays. I hope Santa realizes as hard as it has been for me, I've been trying to be good...though he really should define GOOD! Anyway, are you ready for the holidays? Have you finished your shopping? As you can guess, I'm not, but is anyone ever? Seriously? Baahaa!!

I did finally get some fall projects finished. Although I had lots I wanted to do, time only allowed me to get a few done. Importantly one of them was a wedding gift for my son to give to a coworker. Though I haven't heard if she liked it or not, I think that it turned out really cute. I'm going to make one for my household for next year.  I might even make a few for my family...we'll see. The other was a gift I made for my mother in law. I had all intentions of giving it to her for Thanksgiving, but I ended up using it to put a plant in and took it to her after her recent surgery as a pick me up. It still provided its purpose, just to brighten her day!
                  

I did make something I can possibly use as a wedding gift later on. I came across it and decided to do it for the heck of it. It ended up being very pretty. I'm still deciding exactly how someone could use it, but we'll see.  If you have any ideas, drop me a line and let me know!

Somehow along the way I found time to try a few new projects and turned them into gifts as well. One of them I made for my friend Kim at work.  She recently moved into a new home and I picked her name for our Christmas Luncheon. They are tile coasters. The lighting isn't great but I think you get the idea. I ended up having an actual order placed from a friend for a set. So I'm pretty proud.

My oldest niece, April, just graduated college and passed her certification for teaching. She already has a job and will have her own class beginning January 2016. Big WooHoo for her! So in the middle of all of the holiday bustle we, of course, had to celebrate. There was a party for her and she had a great turn out. These are the items I crafted/gifted for her new kindergarten classroom. They aren't perfect, but I think they turned out cute and they will serve her well. 

What are your big holiday plans? This year we're doing some new things with my family (my husband's clan) for Christmas Eve. We usually have a family party/get together with several close friends and neighbors who are always invited. My mother in law has always extended a welcome to anyone who wants to join in the festivities. "The more the merrier!"  Anyway..this year we are doing white elephant (where everyone brings a wrapped gift and we do an exchange/game of stealing gifts from each other - similar to "Lets Make a Deal game show concept).  We also are going to be playing a variety of dice games and outdoor games like Yard Yahtzee and Corn Hole with all sorts of prizes for the winners. So once I make my Yard Yahtzee I'll post it.  All this came thanks to one of my nephew's telling about different things his mom's side of the family does for the holidays and it gave inspiration. We've got such a friendly competitive family.  Can't wait to see how this goes. And so far, for my side of the family, I'm not sure what's planned. I'm sure we'll get together, but we all have so many places we have to go, that it just takes a little planning and scheduling to get together. Somewhere between all of this I hope to get in some car riding to see Christmas Light displays. This always gets me giddy like a kid. We are going to try to visit Eulonia, Georgia to see their large light display and maybe try to get to Metter, Georgia to see the light display at Michael Guido Gardens.    
Back to crafting...of course, I am still in love with my Silhouette! The more I learn about her, the more I luv her! Don't know how I functioned without her and I can't believe it has taken me this long to realize how great she is! I am always coming up with new projects to make. It's just trying to find the time to do them all. And of course I want everything for me....where am I going to put it all?

On that note, I'm really excited that Terri Johnson is coming to Savannah in January. As a Happy Birthday to me, I signed up for her Silhouette retreat Jan 22 - 24th. I'm looking forward to three whole days of crafting, learning and more crafting. I'm going with one of my newest friends, Kathy, who also has a Silhouette. We tried to get Heather to go (she has a Cricut - :p), maybe we can convince her to be our assistant, we always need assistance!!! True Story!!!! LOL!!! Anyway, you can check out Terri's blog at TerriJohnsonCreates.com. She is really awesome and so knowledgeable. I have learned so much just from her blog. It makes me so happy, happy, happy that I can't wait to see what additional information Terri has to pass on!

Well I've got to run, skip and jump back to my list of things to do, but I'll make sure to share any new projects I get done along the way, as soon as I am able. And if Santa is good to me, which I have a sneaky suspicion he's going to be, I hope to be doing a little embroidery after Christmas too! So of course I'll have those items to share. Fingers crossed!!! Until then, I hope everyone has a great holiday season filled with love, joy and family.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Hanukkah and/or a very Merry Christmas along with a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Lots of Luv and Hugs from my Sew Craft N'Spired life to yours,
Julie

 

In Overdrive

Well, good early morning to all. I'm starting my day with a few reflections of the weekend as it's coming to a close and getting ready for the beginning of the already busy scheduled week. Why does it seem that we are always in fast gear forward? I'm so ready for a slow down. Sounds like something I've heard Mr. Bentley say in one of his country songs. Guess he knows what I'm talking about. 

I have a busy week coming up. In addition to my normal work load, dealing will all the changes happening to our nations great diagnosis coding system that goes live Oct 1st...the combination alone might make me pull my hair completely out...ughughugh!! I also have a personal sadness to add to my stress.

 

Sadly we will lay to rest someone who has been a part of my life, most of my life, but who I know is in a much better place. Yes he lived a long life. Yes God has ended any suffering. Yes he will be missed. It's still a sadness and a stressor all the same. You'll always be in my heart and I will always call you Grandpa. Rest in peace.

Now onto happier thoughts! A family dear to mine, welcomed a new baby this week - Karoline Leigh! 7 lbs 12 oz  20 1/2 inches long. She too is part of a huge UGA Dawg loving family. And I think she was our lucky charm this year against those SC Gamecocks!  By the way Spurrier...How 'bout the Dawgs and how do you like us now!! What a Game! Can I get a Woof! Woof!

                                                       

 

You know I've always heard that when God takes someone we love he sends us someone else to love, fill the space and ease the pain. I truly believe he works his miracles daily. 

Both my sons have gone nonstop this weekend so there's been very little rest for me. The oldest working all weekend and going to a co-worker's wedding, which I understand was beautiful. It was in a historical park in Savannah, GA and southern in style, but different at the same time. Congrats to Paige and Sam! The youngest just doing his social thang and needing to be taxi'd around leaves little time for much else. So in between all my dashing and dodging I have been working on a few craft things but have not done much in completing any of them. They currently are works in progress but should be up for show soon. 

However I do have one to show that I helped my friend make for her daughter's birthday and I think we did a pretty good job. Again Sil (Silhouette Cameo) came to the rescue. Hard to believe she sat for so long and intimidated me. She is worth her weight in gold. Take a look and see for yourself.  

Hi there.  Well, it's been a really busy week for me, so not much time crafting unfortunately.  :(  But, I was able to manage a few minutes to squeeze in a little something....for myself....I had an idea to transform a great hoodie I just happened to pick up at a place I frequent occasionally, into something all mine. And no I don't get paid or receive free merchandise to promote this company's products (however, if they would like to pass either my way, I would be happy to accept - heehee - hint hint!!!) Anyway, loved the hoodie, but felt like something was missing...so of course I had to make it special and add my own touch! 

So...with the help of trusty Sil, some HTV and my heat-press, away I went to my happy place - as I am ignoring the mess around me...hence the messy craft room. (that discussion is a total embarrassment for a later time) And moments later, here's what I ended up with. I think it turned out pretty good and no one even realized it didn't belong to the original design until I pointed it out, because, as you all know, occasionally we have to point things out.  Now of course I'm getting the whole "you should do this for all of us now" from my gal pals at work. Hmmm....maybe if they provide their own hoodies and a little cha-ching, I can perform some presto magic for them too!

 

September is finally here!

Happy September! Fall is in the air. That means....brand new fall and winter catalog and prints for Thirty-One, cooler days hopefully (fingers crossed - I do live in Georgia!), College Football (1st game the 4th - Go Dawgs! -which means tailgating with my neighbors) lots of crafting for gift giving (somehow I don't ever get as much accomplished as I intend too! - there's always next year!), decorating with the upcoming holidays Halloween & Christmas (both are equally my favorite!!) and lots of comfort foods and goodies. If you can't tell, September is the kick off to my favorite time of year. I love to see the leaves change colors and everything around me go to those earthy jewel tones. Plus there's a whole Lotta Black and Red around the house-woof woof!!!

Here are a few crafty things I've been working on.

The first is my new cover for my Silhouette Cameo. It is sparkly and pretty and makes me happy. And Sil (that's what I call her) is oh so deserving. In case you aren't familiar with the Silhouette Cameo - Its a cutting machine for vinyl, fabric, cardstock, etc. This cutting file was provided by Terri Johnson and I blinged it up a bit with the glitter htv (heat transfer vinyl) and added the scissors. I follow Terri on her blog terrijohnsoncreates. She is oh so talented and a wealth of knowledge, which she is so eager and willing to pass along without hesitation. A crafting friend and I are actually going to be attending a 3-day Silhouette retreat she is hosting January 2016 in good ole Savannah, Georgia. I can hardly wait.

These are a few ornaments I have been trying out!  Sorry for some reason I can't get the pictures to turn right side up...I told you I'm a work in progress!!!  Aren't they cute though!  Grinch is my fave!!

I do have a little news I want to share....a very special, dear and close friend of mine (can't call her my bestie, because my son claims that title- heeheehee), I really consider her my sister anyway...she and her husband are expecting!

So I'm going to be an AUNT!!! So..that means...I'll be crafting baby items too, which I luv to do anyway.  I can't wait to find out what they are having..I know they are leaning for a girl...I'm leaning for a boy (I'm biased) but as long as its healthy we'll all be happy!!!  By the way....Did I tell you I LOVE FALL???    
 

I saw this on Facebook and so thought it was very funny.  This would so happen to me!  Enjoy

Pig and the Cookie Jar Video

Welcome to my new blog!

Hi. I'm Julie and I'm starting on my new journey with blogging.  I hope you'll bear with me as I work through all the kinks in the learning curve.  Throughout this journey I'll be sharing some of the loves in my life along with the people in my life whom I love. You will find among my creative adventures my love of crafting, pinning (for those of you familiar with Pinterest), cooking (well, not all cooking...but anything with sugar - I'm IN!), bringing new life to something old and discarded, and getting into whatever else happens to find its way to me. I have a friend who once told me because I have a creative mind it makes me act very ADD (like I have attention deficit disorder) sometimes...and I tend to think she might have something there. With that said, I also seem to get side tracked easily, so don't be alarmed if during one project I might venture to another and have more than one going at a time. I find it keeps me from getting bored. I will try hard not to do that within a single post so no one will become confused including me. Hahahaha!!