Decorating with Vacation Memories

Do you collect things on vacation, take pictures, or both. I'm in the both category. What do you do with them after vacations over? Are you a scrapbooker? Yes. Do pictures just accumulate on your SD card? Sometimes. Do you use your collected things or just pack them away? I packed them until recently. If you answered yes, no, maybe so, to any of or all of these; I have some ideas for you....
We are beach vacationers, we collect sand, rocks, driftwood, shells, lighthouse figures, books, pictures, and whatever else tickles our fancy.
We have a beautiful mantel and sideboard that gets different decoration themes quite often and here is this years summer "beach" theme....

We brought home sand, shells, lighthouse figures and photos, antique buttons, rocks, driftwood, books and many many pictures from our trips to Michigan and Florida. I love the look of filled glass containers; I put my memories and collections together.

Don't forget to add some personal photos too, of family or just objects it makes it so personal.

Really can't wait until our next vacation or weekend trip to bring home more memories to play with.

Happy 24-7 Memory Making!

Jill

Pool Party

Yesterday the family attended a pool/8th grade graduation party(Yes around here we celebrate going into high school). So what to bring as a small gift??? This is what I came up with. Sophi my 11 year old help me pick out the stuffing....check it out.

So I started with this...

The container was from Targets snack mix my hubby received for Father's Day. I wanted to use this as the gift wrapping too, so we cover the middle with scrapbook paper.

When I got to the point of sticking it to the jar I realized my girls used all my double sided tape, so.... I found a sheet of double sided tape stuff and cut it into strips. This is how I applied it to the jar.

Then cut I cut a paper towel tube the same height as the jar. Held it in the center, filled the jar around it with the treasures from the Dollar Tree, and last stuck some cash in the tube.

The lid was attached, tag was punched out from the same scrapbook paper we used to cover it, then tied on with a ribbon and SUCCESS!

She loved it!

Happy 24-7

Jill

Freedom

Have a wonder July 4th!

Thank God and those who serve for keeping us free!

Happy 24 on the 4th!

Jill

Success!

Our tinted lip-glosses are a success. We made pink and red tinted and ...drum roll....chocolate scented. Yes it is brown but it goes on with no real color and it isn't sweet it is just scented. If I would make sweetened lip-gloss my girls lips would be forever chapped from licking it off there lips :). We are selling them for $2.00 and $.50 from each container sold is being donated to The American Heart Association. These make a great stocking stuffer.

Raising Money!

So the 7th fundraiser of the school year, came home on Monday. This time it is a great cause "Jump Rope for Heart", but how do you raise money again and so close to the holidays? You decide to start a little business and donate a portion of the profits to The American Heart Association. My girls are making lip-gloss and foot/body scrubs for the cause. We spent the day shopping for our ingrediences, so we can spend tomorrow putting together our product line. 

Of course we have to mix-up a batch of peppermint foot scrub to try in the bath tonight. I think I may like this new venture.

Wish us luck!

Jill

My baby is 7 today!

She sat there for a long time with the candle burning, her sister jumping up and down about wax on the cake, and she says "I don't know what to wish for, I have everything I want." I love her and her simple pleasures.

Crap my kids do!

My Mollie has a real aversion to trying any food other than chicken nuggets, peanut butter, corn, and apples (of course chocolate and cookies). A couple of months ago we got her to try cinnamon toast and like it. Today we are out of cinnamon, but we have cinnamon bagels, reluctantly we got her to try it and she likes it.
Now here's the funny part; she won't let anyone watch her eat, sooo she is hiding under the table. I couldn't stop laughing, (but without her knowing I'm laughing) I'm crying I'm laughing so hard.
I LOVE my kids!!!

Catching up

Well, I have been busy with kids sports. Henry #7 QB, we are 2-0!

Darin's grandma turned 99, April 23rd. This is Grandma Betty and Harley on Easter.

I have been very busy enjoying my hobby! Changeable flip-flops ,matching headbands and peasant tops for the girls!

I had a wonderful birthday weekend. I sewed and the family relaxed.

Movie Morning????

Yes, Mollie and I are going to have movie morning. She has picked out Annie (the original) to snuggle on the couch with her mommy and watch.

Have a great morning!

Jill

Dog Tired!

Well, Mollie has managed to wear out the puppy for the second day in a row. The other three are very jealous that Harley has become her best friend. He follows her every minute of the day!

Finished, Sophia's skirt today. It turned out great and the matching headband! Now to find a shirt to go with it, to buy? or to make? and red???, yellow?. So many decisions.

 

Tutorial coming soon!!!!

Our new addition!

Welcome, Harley! Our 6 week Golden Retriever.

He is spoiled by the four kids already. As playful as can be!

Have a wonderful night.

Over the River and Through the Woods......

To grandmothers house we go, today.

Mollie and I are going to visit with my grandma after pre-school. I can't wait, it's been about 3 weeks. I love my grandma.

Then putting the tutorial together for the fabric & ribbon headband. I hope my girls love them as much as I love making them.

Goal: Third day in a row I've been to the gym. That 5#'s by Easter just maybe a do-able goal.

Tomorrow's .......of the day, a easy recipe that will sure to please and impress. (My kids, the most picky in the world, even ate it.)

Play Time

Today's......of the day. Was a recipe for

Traditional Play Dough

1 cup flour

2 tsp cream of cream of tarter

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup water

1 TBSP oil

food coloring (opt.)


Mix all ingredients, add food color last.

Stir over med. heat until ball forms.

Cool 5 mins.

Knead until smooth and blended.

Store in air tight container in fridge.

Mollie and her very pink play dough