Smiles on Friday

Smiles on Friday as Martha would say "It's a GOOD Thing"

Annie at A Stitch in Time  has a Friday "SMILE" day...post what makes you smile and visit the friends who post their happy times too.

Sharing this little picture as all the mothers out there know, this is a hard day, when they go off to school.

It starts with Pre-School and last all thru those College days.

Have a wonderful weekend.  Hope you find things that make you SMILE.

IT'S #220 at WOYWW

Oh, it's time for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday at Julia's STAMPING GROUND. You can pop over and she has an explanation if you are new to this, or just enjoy her fun photos. AND all her fun friends photos.

My desk has the remains of a few ATC's I created for a Swap in a few weeks. Will then share them with you.  It was a fun day of creating.  And wanted to thank all of you for last weeks comments on the wedding dress.   I really think after our vacation, it will be put to good use. Too lovely  as many said "to collect dust" and I have visions of lovely uses for the beautiful pieces that can be recycled.

It is the middle of the night here, can't sleep, too many projects pending, but I'm well on my way to having the new computer about all set up. In case you missed it mine CRASHED...power supply went out and I've not decided yet weather to replace it. I knew I needed to update to a new computer so I made the trip and so far glad I did.  I need to see if my monthly backup will generate all my missing email addresses, photos etc, and  if I can find an update to load so I can use my Webcam and call about getting a new cord for part of my monitor set up so I can post photos. The wrong one was in my packaging.  WINDOWS 8 seems relatively friendly. And the photo was really easy to use for this post.

I'm way behind on my blogging, visits etc. I've just told myself it will be after Sept 10th before I'm ever caught up with all the things in my life right now. So I hope you all bear with me. Your truly are a great group of friends. I have so much needed your support the past month.  THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

VERY BEST WISHES

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY SPECIAL MAN

Eight years ago today I married the love of my life..  I am so blessed

A video that is            SO True

Disappointing Morning...........Happy Afternoon

Early this AM I went to catch up on my computer...to my dismay...no hard drive,  no lights, no nothing.  Maybe you know the feeling of  "CRASHED"  ??   All I could think was  one big headache awaits me.

So bear with me, I'm trying to get caught up and get back to normal.

Have a great weekend  and wish me luck

WOYWW #219

Oh it's time already to post the WOYWW ....the STAMPING GROUND  has all the details on visiting and sharing photos of your Wednesday Workdesk.

I was able to clean up a bit and make a few quick cards for birthdays.

Here lies stencils, delicate old spoons, little jello dishes with wooden letter, glitter angels, bits of flowers, some much needed bifocals, and the envelope creator.

A very cheap wedding dress I purchased from a resale shop, thinking I could use the underlay of crinoline for flowers, the fabric for sachets, pillows and the beautiful trim for many projects with a glitter and glitz trim.
But can I really cut it up?  Hoping so, I seem to have hoarder tendencies....only you will know the answer in a month or so.

My first album and it's details posted here 40th Gift to my sister and husband for their anniversary. A midst the weeks of family time, I was able to finish this for their big event last week.

Have a wonderful week, thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy the WOYWW visits.

FRIDAY'S SMILES #30

I cannot believe it is FRIDAY....I just finished a post   My 1st Album  and one of my comments was about  my sister and her husbands unending SMILES.

They just celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary

And for all they've been thru in the past 4 years, you rarely see Mr. Stephen without a smile.  He has lost his voice and paralyzed on his right side, leg and arm from a massive stroke. but retrained himself to use his left hand, ordered a 3 wheel bike with controls moved to operate it left handed. Exercise is his main focus and without it he'd be in a wheelchair. He works on a computer, smiles a lot, and no

Their life changed in an instant  and all of ours too, but they keep the fires burning, being involved and enjoying family and grandchildren to the fullest. My sister is a rock....and I pray everyday  a small voice will say I CAN TALK AGAIN.  He had called her name, and said I love you and various other words here and there,

HAPPY SMILE DAY....things are busy yet but the weather is wonderful. Enjoy your weekend.

My 1st Album

It's been a while since I've shared some of my creativity.  This was a gift to my sister and her husband who celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary last week. Marla and Stephen are a true example of down to earth "GOOD LOVE"  for each other, their wonderful family, our church, our community and their friends. I truly don't know what I would have done all these years without their love and support. And those 2 smiles!! are unending.  Love you Guys.

 

I have watched a lot of  Youtube for ideas, blog posts etc, for many different kinds of journals or albums.
Just never had anything to push me to do it.  I started this mid May, enjoyed doing each part of what I thought would be a good way to display some old photos I had taken, and bits and pieces of  little love tokens.

The front and back cover were the easiest, I used Maya Road 3 Ring Square Canvas Album, there were 6 pages 5x5 and 3 rings.   Their wedding colors were a cranberry red and white.

 Back  I sewed a 2 in lace on all four sides of the front and back cover.

Front, embellished with a crocheted heart, a white enamel flower pin. Tucked inside a cross with LOVE carved out, and attached with white ribbon to the side ring.

This is an assortment of tags I used throughout the album,.all tucked away page by page,  space on back for notes, journaling, etc.

 This is the back side of the front cover with the flower doily. Each page to the right has a wine heart cut from a curtain, sewen to the canvas and a strip of lace ribbon attached at the bottom.

This is the next page, on each canvas page, I attached iridescent tulle to make a pocket for photos or tags. Some embellishments at the top, here are the praying hands. Photo is bride and groom hugging. Sorry color is not the best.

 Another left page, photo of cutting the cake, embellished with a antique gold cross, and bits of lace

 Another left page of the groom, having been stolen and returned with no shirt, lipstick on his face and his reddish blond locks a bit ruffled. Embellished with a crystal pendant and 2 love birds

Another left page varies family gatherings thru the 40 yrs. embellished with a small quilted heart.

 Tags were inserted throughout, with various yarns, ribbons and threads tied on top

The last page, embellished with a strand of pearls and a doily.  I used lots of ribbon, yarns, pearls and lace to cover the 3 rings to the left.

It was a fun project. I will know next time to recheck the pictures I have taken, I could have used a better sequence. But with the turmoil, and all the things that happened 2 weeks before this event I am just happy to have finished it.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you are enjoying some wonderful weather as we are. Just a perfect day.

WOYWW #218

I feel blessed..2 wks in a row to have some visual fun with others Workspaces.  Visit  Julia's blog STAMPING GROUND to see how it's all done.  My goal to visit as many as I can.  I couldn't find the energy, the words, or the interest after last weeks post.  But I've been missing all of you and your great comments and fun spaces.

Had to work on my Serger a bit and rethread...seems someone pulled all the threads from their proper place . After 2hrs I think I've it properly done, but have yet to try it on good fabric pieces!!!  My head is spinning. I cannot understand the tiny spaces within this machine and would never buy one that cannot rethread itself.

I've a list a mile long to catch up on. I have hope,  Little by little it will all fall into place. But I've very necessary things to plan for within the next 2 wks.  Top of the list is to shorten 5 fabric tops with the Serger for our vacation.

Saturday will be the 85th birthday party for my Mother.  So made a few plans for that, with invites, food etc.

Enjoy WOYWW visits, thanks for your support the past few weeks and for stopping by today.

WOYWW and SPECIAL THANKS

I'll have to check on #.....of WOYWW, its been a few weeks since I've done any blogging.  It's a STAMPING GROUND  adventure. #217 at Ms. Julia's and she has all the info.

My desk has just been a catch all since July 3rd my last WOYWW posting..I've made a few quick things that I cannot share until next week, but they were almost finished before my father became hospitalized.

It's been a whirlwind, dad's funeral was July 24, a little extended as we waited for grandchildren to all come home. But scattered across the country as they are, all were able to be here, and it no doubt was grandmothers delight.  The weather was perfect for all that we had to do in preparation. And we are thankful for so much.

 Son Josh, Cami 8, Cael 10 and Cash 5  were able to be here 2 days

Son Jeremy arrived from Germany the 22nd and left the 28th.  When we said our goodbyes to him, we picked up the 3 grandkids to spend this week with us. We haven't had a quiet minute!! They love the farm.

Some of my Facebook posts:
day 1   Were as good as church mice on the long trip home. ate ALL their supper, and went Mule Riding with grandpa Fuzz, Now it's SHREK, popcorn and some pink lemonade.!! 
 day 2
I think the grandma and grandpa Fuzz are tired!! West Bend Grotto, a visit to Great Grandma's, Mcdonalds, rides on the 4 wheeler, checking cats in the barn, playing at the park,checking out how things grow in grandpa's garden, visiting Great Grandma's "Princess House" before it sells, supper, ice cream, showers and now I-pads, headphones with music and shut eye!!!!
day 3
Turbo in 3D, double popcorn, a Fair parade, fed kittens in barn, pizza on the table and grandpa will start a bonfire to roast marshmallows.. if anything like their dad they will be catching fireflies! 
day 4
helping grandpa put sod on great grandpa's grave, visiting the town farm co-op, a visit to Jumbo's no doubt for ice cream, John Deere tractor rides and later  the local fair is on and stock car races tonight.
DON"T know about day 5 yet...

For all of my followers who have sent wonderful support and concern and sympathy through these past weeks, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You are a great group and I am so happy to call you friends.  May you all be blessed.

Thanks for stopping by, after a few days of cleaning, reorganizing, I will be back in full swing with some great projects.  Have a wonderful week.

Friday's SMILES

Oh how I need these smiles. It's been a tough 16 days and things are winding down with my daddy's passing.  You can see my previous post  http://littletreasures-sylvia.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-dad.html

Love this ambitious little photo.  You can see more over at A Stitch in Time and add the fun by posting your Smiling photo to share with us.

My Dad

It is with a heavy heart, and tears in my eyes, but I must tell you my father passed from this world on Tuesday evening.  And while preparing for our tribute to him I have to share what seems to me our life.

I would be the little girl sitting on the chair toward the end. And of course the little boy would be my only brother, someone so special too.

I know dad has made some music in heaven already, as he never waited too long to get the conversation started
Memories of him will always be my Sunshine to help my breaking heart. And towards the Sunset skies each evening a comfort will surround me knowing that he's the brightest star in the heavens right now.

 My Love and Thanks to Both for all they gave us, after 68 years together Mother has said, "I will deeply miss this man but I know he's in a better place"

SMILES ON FRIDAY #26

Annie at A STITCH IN TIME  has made Friday a day of SMILES. Just load your photo, go to her blog and post it.  Visit the others and enjoy a break in the day.

My cousin's little boy. They live on an acreage and have a variety of animals. His mother has a lawn and garden shop there called "Country Gardens"    I wish the chickens I had to care for when I was growing up  liked me this much.  Anyway when she posted it I  "JUST HAD TO SMILE".

Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely week.

Smiles on Friday

  Annie at  A Stitch in Time , a special blogging friend has  Friday's  to share your smiling adventures.



Always Happy to receive updates with pictures and especially ones of my grandkids.

My 3 grandchildren about 3 hours away..from the Left  Cash (5), Cami (8) and Cael (10) celebrating after a bike parade for the July 4th festivities.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope they made you smile too. Have a great weekend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

WISHING EVERYONE A SAFE AND FUN JULY 4TH.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA



I truly hope you all fly your flag, bow your head in thanks, and be true to our RED, WHITE and BLUE.

WOYWW #213

It's already Wednesday, time for Ms Julia's WOYWW and you can get all the details here at the STAMPING GROUND 

The 2 ATC's here are on the left from Ms.Julia and on the right Annie's, I received them last week. I love the simplicity of both, yet they do have fun layers.  Thanks so much Julia and Annie

 The dark brown buffet is a new addition to my crafty area, from my hubby's family when we cleaned out his fathers apartment.  I spent a day rearranging and enjoy the added hidden space. I was/maybe still will paint it white but to get it to its new home I'm settling for it to be OKAY for now.

 While rearranging I put my 2 tables back together. More convenient side by side. And I added my ATC's to the spring board in back.  No time for creating, I think I'm just a collector, and a dreamer.

In case you are not a follower I have a post HERE that shows my parents 3 story Victorian home.
My brother is visiting here for 2 days helping pack up the last of all their stuff and we have another realty showing today.

It's been a whirlwind here, my father in law  and my father are both in the hospital. Hopefully will be out by the weekend.  It is the 4th of July holiday here in the states so many people are on vacation this week, a motorcycle ABATE rally, with about 15,000 visitors in our little town for the next few days. I may be able to get some pictures of that when I pick up mother for a supper together tonight.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your WOYWW visits and have a wonderful week.

Memories and Pictures of my Parents 3 Story Victorian Home

 It is with a heavy heart but we have listed my parents 3 story Victorian Home with a realtor. It needs to go to a good family, who will enjoy it before it starts to wither away with the absence of  love and  laughter, great food, daily living and fun times with friends, family and wonderful neighbors,

West Entry

The south view below

 Little Brick garage with a shop in back

South view and the entry we usually used

The West Entry

 Open stairway detail

 Entry from the West side of the home

Fireplace

 Entry door from the South

 Bedroom on Main floor

 4 sets of pocket doors

 Beveled window up the stairway

 Stained glass in the west entry     There are 5 sets of 2  stained glass on the 3rd floor will try to post, my batteries ran out

West Entry doors.

This unit came from our farm kitchen.. It was the original part of my grandmothers kitchen.It opened in the kitchen and  it also opens on the back side which was in our pantry 

Still in the garage, my dad's pride and joy. a 1966 FORD pickup he and my brother picked out. The camper was enjoyed on many a camping trip. Dad enjoyed nice cars and trucks.

 And planting flowers, shrubs and keeping his lawn lush.  He has 2 of these Weigela  bushes

Evergreens on the front lawn facing west.  I missed the poppies, lilac trees, and peony's blooming. But we did use the rhubarb, and asparagus.

Many Hosta planted around the area also.  I will try to get one picture of a HUGE tree in the front yard.

 Upstairs are LARGE rooms  North bedroom

 Hall looking into the bathroom and far door a small sun porch

 The bathtub

 Old sink and medicine cabinet

a gate, and looking down steep steps leading into the kitchen (which no photos of a battery thing) downstairs, (for maids usage?) Mom never had the luxury of the first owner !! a Maid.  And for mother I think this had to require many hours of dusting, vacuuming, window washing and general maintenance. Never did I hear her complain. And it's hard to see her have tears about not being there. We can only hug her and remind her and ourselves, things change, life goes on and be thankful we had what we had. A Good Life Together.

This is a photo from a postcard my son found in Kansas, he bought it because of the addressee he thought was a friend of mine. Never did he realize this was the HOME of his Grandparents in IOWA.  It was taken in 1910.  The home was built in the early 1900's, it had a very ornate porch on the southwest corner  and unique carved posts on the south entry way.   I remember as a little girl, my grandparents lived 3 houses south of this mansion and I would walk to the store for my grandmother's need of a few grocery items.  I hated walking by this place. A very elderly lady would always be sitting on that porch in an old rocking chair and it made me afraid.

Now  when my granddaughter visits, she gets out of the car, throws her arms up and says "WOW, this is like a princess house grandma,"  I never lived in this home, I left our home on the farm in 1964. Mom and Dad moved into town when land rent too high and bought this home in the early 70's. But this is where I and my sons loved visiting when we had summer time, birthdays, holidays, and any other reason we might want to come "HOME" to grandparents love.  Memories...tears...and  the thankfulness of having a "Happy, Loving, Family".

Thanks for stopping by and for all my blogging friends thanks so much  the lovely, encouraging comments you have left during this difficult time.