We are going in multiple directions for the next few days. The high school and the grade school don't have the same days off. What a change having Hannah in high school has been this year. We don't get to eat dinner together as much as I would like. Hannah needs to be at the school for marching band practice before Jim even gets home from work so she has to eat earlier. But we will make it work as marching band is nearly finished. I am really proud of how Hannah has handled it all. She rose to the occasion and even kept up her grades! What a wonder she is! She was so concerned about going to high school and who wouldn't be...but she is doing it very well.
Last night a group of us put on a baby shower for a sweet lady at church. This is Christy's first pregnancy and she is in the home stretch. She got so many lovely outfits. We used a tea party as our theme. Priscilla, Gloria, Erin, and Jennifer were my partners in this adventure. We used real tea cups and tea pots. Priscilla put a sweet baby quilt on every table as part of the decoration. The quilts were all great but the one her sister made that was based on the readers Dick and Jane was my favorite. I loved those readers as a child.
The dishes were just so much fun. We had plates of cucumber sandwiches and cream puffs and little cookies on each table. Priscilla put those together for the tables. Erin and Jennifer made a yellow cake with pink and white icing. They topped it with a couple of Boyds Bear statues.
The gifts were all nice but my heart was touched when Christy's mom gave her some items from Christy's childhood. Lovely old baby outfits, shaw, afghan from a grandma. Real history for the new baby...who is going to be called Abigail Marie...to wear.
Chrisy's mom gave a lovely devotional for lack of a better word to call it. She wrote a loving letter to baby Abigail. Very touching to hear her read it.
Abigail is due in a couple of weeks so I will keep Christy in my prayers daily because God is faithful to hear my prayers. He will keep them in His loving hands.
I made a name banner for the wall and cut some tea pots out for decorations on the cake table. Christy took the banner home to decorate the nursery. Her colors were chocolate brown and pink. Great combination! I used the scraps to make 2 scrapbook pages as part of my gift to Abby.
Gloria was such a trooper. She did whatever was asked in the preparation of the tea and she washed dishes and help clean it all up at the end. I have some great friends through our church and Gloria is one of them.
Even ladies that could not come to the shower sent gifts to Christy and Abby. That is such an encouragement! Don't let an opportunity to bless someone else pass you by...participate in your church events!

Wedding favors for Levi and Lindsey

I really have been crafty but again I don't have pictures. Ahh...how am I going to get back on track and put pictures on this blog for reference. I know it will help me down the road! You know when you have to come up with an idea and you know you have done something like it before but just cannot quite remember...it is great to be able to go to the blog and see a picture. I have to get back on track!

I helped a friend make wedding favors for her son's wedding.
Picked up 10oz jars from the cannister section at Wal-Mart called Emma jars.
Created a jar wrap using CTMH Fancy Flourishes on white cardstock using basic black ink pad.
Stamped names and wedding date using CTMH holiday red ink and PTI Simple Alphabet stamps.
Wrapped a black velvet ribbon around the top of the jar.
Cut some black vinyl using Expression and Story book cartridge to add a flourished heart to the top of the jar lid.
Added red cardstock with torn edges as color peeking out from the top of the white cardstock.
Pop dotted a matted tag (white on black) to the side of the jar with the saying "Thank you for Celebrating with us"
My friend will fill with goodies for those attending the rehersal dinner.
Turned out nice but I am worried the ribbon around the jar is not going to stay on. We have fiddled with it a few times now. We used red sticky strip tape which is normally really sticky but the ribbon is coming lose. On one jar we tried using a little Liquid Glass to see if that will do the trick. I really hope so! They look really classy and I would hate for them to give her trouble when she presents them.

Labor Day Weekend

This was a jam packed Labor Day weekend. My side of the family has a reunion this weekend. The location changes every year and this year it was in Hannibal, MO. I worked in Hannibal on Thursday-Friday so it did not make sense for me to drive home and turn around and drive back to Hannibal. So J and the kids drove down late Friday to meet me
in Hannibal. We stayed Friday at the Quality Inn. It was very nice. The room was about $72 plus tax, etc. They have a nice indoor pool and hot tub. They serve a full breakfast and have a large common area. I would give it a thumbs up for any one traveling there.

The attendance at the reunion on Sunday was a bit light but I still got to see lots of family. The kids got to swim and we played games after the picnic at Huckleberry Park. The family was staying at the Super 8 so we moved over to that hotel for Saturday and Sunday.

Learned we have new cousins! Sandra D. told me that Lena has 7 new g-grands this year. Spencer had a boy named Chase. Samantha had a girl named Leah over Labor Day weekend. Oh boy, I don't remember the others. I should have written it down. Don't tell me that doesn't happen to you...because it happens to everyone.

I am working on a couple of crafty items for the IL/MO Ladies Retreat this weekend, name tags, table decorations, and a craft time for the ladies. I will try to get some pictures on here. I have gotten so bad about taking pictures. I really need to get with the program as it is a great help to me later when I want a reminder of what we did at each event. I will post more on it later.

I read a lot of blogs in the course of a week. I subscribe to 30+ blogs but I don't read them everyday. Many of them I delete because I need time to live my life! I cannot be on the computer all the time but I manage to read some of them each week. I saw this on Ali Edwards this week and it made me smile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Faliedwards%2Etypepad%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded

Happy 4th of July~

Let Freedom Ring!

We saw fireworks in a small town not far from home last night. They do a nice job every year. There is a display scheduled in the big city tonight but we chose to opt out. The weather was not cooperating as it drizzled all day.
We lazed about this morning since the rain cancelled Johnson's baseball practice. We had lunch about 2 pm at Flattop Grill...yum. Then we caught a movie, Ice Age 3. Funny stuff to Johnson especially. I heard a few sexual innuendoes that could easily have been left out and it would have been a really good family movie. Oh well, I wish Hollywood was more sensitive about that stuff but they are not.
We skipped supper and went straight for dessert at Chevy's Fresh Mex...yum again! We had guacamole with chips and salsa followed by Ooey Gooey Brownie and Sopapia. No, I don't know how to spell that stuff but I can eat it. LOL! Then we headed home. Good relaxing day!

Old Settlers Days

There is a local event here called Old Settlers Days. They hold it over 4 days every year after Father's Day. My kids love it. It's a local event and not too big but good hometown fun. We only live a block from the center of the rides and the local parade comes right by our house each year.

Hannah was in the parade with the Marching band. Jim and Johnson were in the parade with the Cub Scouts. This is the first year in many that I did not have to be in the parade with the kids. It felt a little weird...good and bad. I stayed home and watched the parade. I was able to take pictures of the kids so that was a plus. Some friends came over and watched the parade from our yard so I got to visit with them.

It means corn dog time, too! We go up to get a corn dog most nights of the fair. On Saturday afternoon, we buy wristbands for the kids and they can ride all afternoon. Tiring for us parents but really fun for the kids. LOL!

My friend Lois

I have to work overnight tonight so that gives me some time this morning to get in a visit. I visited with my friend, Lois, after dropping off Hannah at marching band camp. Lois is such a dear. I have known her less than 10 years but I would have loved to have known her all my life. She is really grounded in her faith. That has become so important to me. Lois has battled with cancer 3 times now. She is still going and I mean going...she doesn't miss out on many events with the church or her family or well...anything. She is a real inspiration to me.

I was going to try to nap this afternoon before I pick up Hannah but I guess that is not going to work out. My boss wants to talk to me and I was waiting for him to get off the phone with someone else...now it is time to pick up Hannah from high school. Where did the day go? I did not do any crafting but Lois showed me some great cards she made. She is sewing on her cards now. I love it. They were great cards.

Camps are in full swing 2009

Last week Johnson was at Camp Manitoumi for the week. It rained almost everyday. But he still had a great time. He was in the Mink cabin. His counselor was Justin B. Johnson loves camp. I hope one day he will go back to be a counselor there. He came home with dirty wet clothes and a smile on his face. I thought he would collapse on his bed but he didn't. He was quieter so I know he was tired.

Well this week is the hottest so far this summer with the heat index over 100 degrees. Where is everyone? Well, Jim and Johnson are at Cub Scout day camp every day this week. Hannah is at marching band rookie camp starting today. I keep reminding them to DRINK water.

Jim said they had 2 boys with heat exhaustion yesterday. Hannah said they had 2 girls with heat exhaustion today. Oh boy, not good. DRINK water.

My small 5 gallon fish tank is so full of fish. I mentioned it a few months ago...the fish keep having more babies! I must be up to 25-30 fish in my little tank. I was going to clean the filter today and found my filter has stopped working. I will have to go to WalMart and figure out if it is cheaper to buy the filter system or a new tank. Isn't that sad? It is such a throw away society.

Saturday we had our CTMH club meeting. I miss meeting monthly. We are meeting every other month this year. We made cool DAD wallets. It turned out really neat. Jim liked it.

Pete (my BIL) let us know that Virginia (MIL) was in the hospital for a day out in Des Moines, IA for dizziness. Her blood pressure was up but the doctor also said she had calcium build up in her ears. He showed her some exersizes to do to shake and loosen the calcium. She said, "You mean I have rocks in my head?" LOL! They changed her medicine as well to get her blood pressure in check. I pray God will help to get her meds right.

Don't forget to DRINK water. LOL!

Adrienne is giving away a clipitup!

Follow this link http://adriennekennedy.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/05/freebie-friday-2.html and put in a comment and you might win a clipitup!

shabbyblogs.com have free stuff to dress up your blog

I put on some new background paper on the blog. It was so easy using Shabbyblogs.com. There is a link to them in the upper left corner. It came with the background paper. It was FREE so try it out and enjoy! I found out about it from http://www.fabulouslyartsy.blogspot.com/

Enabler alert: buy 2 cartridges, get free jukebox and free colors

Thanks to Just A Scrappin' I heard about a really cool deal. You can get 2 new Cricut cartridges Jubilee and Home Decor plus a free jukebox and a free box set of colors for the Cricut. ProvoCraft will in the freebies if you take advantage of their 3 easy payments BUT now here's the kicker, if you order from PC and do 1 payment of $99 you will get a FREE Cricut Jukebox AND a set of Cricut Color Inks!!! Here is the link to spend $106.99 including the s/h and I think get your money's worth of stuff.

Susan Boyle Video

I watched this YouTube on Susan Boyle and I was in tears by the end of it. I am not exactly sure how to explain it but I think it was partly because of her "surprise" talent and partly because the next thought in my head was...will fame ruin her? The Lord looks at the heart but man looks at what is on the outside. She is a normal looking lady with amazing singing talent. Hollywood can be so hard on people that I worry about her. I pray that she will seek the Lord's guidence through the talent show and beyond.

Susan Boyle Video

Dave Ramsey Nationwide Town Hall Meeting 4/23/09 7pm Central time

I really enjoy hearing Dave Ramsey's common sense messages about finances on the radio.

Tired of hearing the fear, doom and gloom that’s filling the airwaves? It’s time to connect with families across the nation for a truly radical message—hope. Join Dave Ramsey for a nationwide town hall meeting and discover what’s happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we’re going. Plus, Dave will answer your questions live throughout the event! Join us for this free event on April 23 at 8:00 p.m. EDT in one of the thousands of venues across the country as we stand together to reignite the fire of hope!In preparation for this event, we want to know what hope looks like to you. It can be your testimony, a song, painting, story, life-change in progress, scripture, pictures, video, book, person in your life—whatever it is, help us inspire our great nation with real hope!Your hope will help motivate people around the country through postings the Town Hall For Hope profiles on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

I have been doing some crafting since my last post. I designed another name tag for another ladies meeting at church. This time it is for the IL/MO Ladies luncheon. The theme includes hearts so I used them on the name tag. I will put a picture up later. I ordered a replacement camera. Our old Casio Exilim was only about a year old. I turned it on and it said No stabilizer found and would not take pictures. We had purchased insurance for it...yeah...but the store had nothing comparable to exchange. I waited and waited for the new Casio Exilim to show up on the shelves but they still don't have it in. I decided to order it through EBay. Hope I don't regret it. It should be here this week. I will get some pictures taken after I get the new camera.

I also made several cards with butterflies over the last couple of weeks. I have given several away already. I will post those pictures as well. I used SU! Carousel Cards as the base for them. I punched out butterflies with my Martha Stewart classic butterfly punch and I used Martha's circle cutter to create dp circles for layering. I used another Martha Stewart doily lace edge punch on the corners to bring images of doilies to mind. I got these and other MS great punches with 40% off coupon at Michael's. I cut out the hearts with my Cricut Expression from SU! Candy Lane designer paper that I bought from Carrie Corey, my demonstrator.

I tried my ZIP dry paper glue. I have had it for several months and I don't remember for sure where I bought it. I am pretty sure I got it online though. I like dry tape dispensers very much. They are easy to carry around and are not messy like liquids. But they are not easy to use on small areas like butterfly wings. I bought this liquid glue to handle those small pieces. I had been using CTMH Liquid Glass but the top dries out and I have to carry a pin around to unplug it. I read that ZIP did not dry out as quickly so I tried it. It was good. I think the CMTH stuff is stronger and it does dry faster so I don't think ZIP will replace my Liquid Glass. I buy all my CTMH stuff from Brenda Olson, my demonstrator.

I also got out my new ATG 714 gun with the ATG Gold acid free 1/4 inch tape. I gave it the ATG a work out making the name tags. It is big and at first it was ackward for me to use but I think I got the hang of it. I don't think I would carry it around but I will use it at home especially for items that I have large quantities to do. It is really a framers tool. The tape is stronger than my Tombow mono adhesive and would be ideal for making boxes, etc.

I had my little DVD player running the whole time I was crafting. We got this portable TV/DVD years ago to carry in the car to entertain the kids. It was a great investment. When we don't go on a long trip, it sits in my craft room to entertain me!

I bought some Road to Avonlea DVD's for Christmas and I just love them! There were 7 seasons made that I know about. I have season 1,2, and 3 plus an Avonlea Christmas which was a special movie. Seeing the dresses and...oh, my the hats...they wore in that period of history (early 1900's) is wonderful. I enjoy the stories with their family friendly themes. The characters are fun and easy to love. I enjoy looking at the sets decorated for the period. Jim and I love old houses and these stories are filled with nothing but great old houses. Well, I finished the first 3 seasons so I Googled them and found seasons 4-7 for $35.00 each with free shipping on EBay from buy. My kids, Hannah and Johnson, like the series as well so it is a good family movie choice. We may not always agree with choices made by the characters in the story line but we have good discussions about them. The episodes all show that there are consequences to our actions and we are responsible for making good choices. Isn't that good?!

Want to win a frilly apron?

I was reading LollyChops blog today. She mentioned a cool apron give away on Just Because I am Me that you can enter HERE. Let me know if you win that cool frilly apron. I really admire people that can sew!

Today was the Cardinal Region bi-annual meeting at church. Julie Leonard was a WONDERFUL speaker. I loved how she wove Matthew 5:16 into a talk about quilts, our lives, and how to serve our Lord. She has been a missionary (with her family) in Brazil for 21 years. They are in the states for a 1 year furlough. What a life she leads! She and her husband will be in the area through Sunday. I am so glad!

Have a great day!

Obama lifts ban on embryonic stem cell research

I feel sad at President's Obama's announcement today. I agree with the Illinois Family Institute which issued this statement in response:

"The Illinois Family Institute (IFI) absolutely supports adult and umbilical cord stem cell research. We oppose, however, embryonic stem cell research because it destroys human life. Moreover, IFI believes that in this economic climate, it is foolish to spend tax dollars for controversial and unproven research."Every human life begins as an embryo. Each embryo has unique human DNA. It is the first stage of human development. This fact should not be overlooked in favor of any potential scientific advancement. Potential human life should never be sacrificed in the name of a potential medical cure.

The tea party was really fun. In attendance was Pat and Maggie, Linda and Lily, Sue and Megan, Hannah, and myself.

Hannah and I had lots of teddy bears around the house for the girls to play. We started by making "fancy" paper hats from gift wrap paper. Next we played musical chairs with the bears. Hannah played the piano as the girls walked around the table. When the music stopped the girls had to find a chair for their bear. The one without a chair got to pick out a Fanny Mae chocolate to eat while the others played. It only took 2 times for the girls to realize they really wanted to lose so they could get a chocolate. Ha! Hannah said she knew it would work out that way. I really did not think it would. Next we had refreshments with tea. Hannah and I had made brownies with chocolate frosting. We piped the initials of everyone in attendence using pink icing. We had made a 2 layer yellow 6 inch cake with chocolate frosting. I purchased some great cookies from Trefzger's bakery. Hannah cleaned and cut up strawberries. We also had some nuts in bowls. It was set out on the buffet. We filled teapots with hot water and let the girls pick one to use for their tea. I had small little creamer pitchers for each of the girls. I really wanted the girls to have a lovely time out with their grandma. I think we accomplished that goal.

I want to have another tea party but we will invite girls that are a little older so I need to come up with a new game. Sue said that she had lots of dress up clothes the girls could try on and have a fashion show. I think that is a great idea. When I was discussing it with my family, my son, Johnson, just rolled his eyes...he is 10 years old. Jim, my DH, said that it would probably be a good idea if he and Johnson made themselves scarce that afternoon. Ha!

I thought I would use the recipe for chocolate cake in a mug. The girls could measure things out for themselves then microwave them.

Let's see...tea party...what does that bring to mind? Hannah and I are hosting a Teddy Bear, Grandma, and Me tea party for some sweet girls this Saturday. Have you ever hosted or been to one? Do you have any pointers to share? I am making place cards. Tomorrow night I will back the cakes and I will ice them Friday night. I am planning to start the tea party by making hats from gift wrap I bought at the Dollar Store. I saw someone do it a couple of years ago at a VBS program. I better practice on Hannah before Saturday. That would be wise. I will have the girls sing, "I'm a little tea pot...". I have a teddy bear version of musical chairs as a game we can play. We will have tea and cakes then the girls can play with a miniature tea set with the teddy bears. I found teddy bears after Christmas at Kroger for $2.25 each. I bought several with the idea of using them for VBS decorations this summer. The idea of using them as part of the tea party makes the purchase all the more satisfying...did I just justify my spending?! Yeah, I think I did. I started getting things I want to use, washing them, and putting them on the dining room buffet. I would like to have a tea party story to read to the girls. I will have to try the local library branch. Their hours are limited so it is difficult for me to get there. Hmm...what to do. Have any ideas?

mower expenses

Hmmm...I have built into our budget some money to have the mower tuned up every year. I save up $225.00 for this service. They clean, fill fluids, charge batteries, blah, blah, blah to it. I say blah, blah, blah because that seems like such a waste of money compared to buying other things that I like such as stamps or paper or going to DisneyWorld for vacation. Well, they picked up the mower today and called with sad news. It needs more maintenance this year. After they replace blades and belts it is going to cost over $550. Man, that hurts me! Ever have a bill go over your budgeted amount?

On a better note, here is a link to some free note cards that I read about on LollyChops that you can download. I am new to LollyChops. It looks like alot of fun stuff on her website!

I purchased a couple of melting pots from The Gingerbread Shed in the fall of 2008. One is styled like a small crock pot. You place a candle inside and turn it on. I heats the candle until all of the wax is melted. I really like it. The other melting pot is really cute but it seems a little dangerous for a klutz like me. It lookes like a punched tin lantern. I also purchased some Baker's Bits Nut Bread Delights to melt in it. These little chunks of wax smell so wonderful! But I digress...I have knocked over that silly melting pot 2 times already. What a mess! It ran everywhere. I don't recommend this style to anyone as klutzy as me.

I am still working on those name tags for Cardinal Regional. I did make a card for a dear friend, Lois, that is in the hospital. I did not take a picture but I used some of the same items that I am using for the name tags to make it. I put a quilt on the front and a sentiment from PTI Quilter Sampler. It is such a sweet set for making cards.

Name tags for Spring Cardinal Regional 2009

Well, I have a couple of name tags put together for the Spring Cardinal Regional. What is the Cardinal Regional? Well, it was started by ladies from churches belonging to the IL/MO ARBC. Don't you love all the acronyms?! Illinois/Missouri Assembly of Regular Baptist Churches. The ladies originally organized the Cardinal Regional to help Camp Manitoumi which is supported by all of the churches in the IL/MO ARBC. We have attended their family camps since 2001. My kids have attended the Junior weeks at this camp for several years. The ladies continue to do camp projects and fund raisers throughout the year to support the camp. Many people have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ at this camp. Every summer that my daughter goes to camp, there has been at least one girl in her cabin that accepts Jesus Christ as her personal Savior! Wow! That amazes me every time that I think of it.

I mentioned in my post that I was using an idea I saw on Lauren Meader's blog. I used the same PTI stamps for my quilt. It was a lot of work but the little quilt I made for each name tag is so cute. They feel soft and are fragile like an old quilt. To give the quilt more substance and allow me to pin it. I took a 1 1/2 inch square of chip board (actually a cereal box that I cut up) and covered it in quilt batting. Then I wrapped the little quilt that I made from paper around it. I mounted the quilts on layered Bazzill paper. I don't think I would have gone to all this work if there were a hundred needed...they only need 25-30 name tags. I can do that many!

I am working on name tags for a ladies event to held at church. The speaker is Julie Leonard who is a missionary to Brazil that our church supports. Julie's theme is from Matthew 5:16 Sowing from the Heart. She says her favorite colors are lavendar and purple. So I am going with those colors and a quilt motif. I saw this great idea from Lauren Meader that I am working from to make the name tags. I have one made but it needs tweaking before I share it.

My son, Johnson, raced at the Watamolo District Cub Scout Pinewood Derby today. Whew! That was a lot of kids to funnel through those race tracks over the course of a day. The coordinator, Sam Hou, did an outstanding job! She is really good at this Cub Scout stuff. She coordinates the day camp in the summer for the boys, too. Any who...Johnson had fun but did not place in the top 5. I know Jim and I are okay with it and I think Johnson is too. He got to invite a fellow Cub Scout, Philip, over for a play date and they are having a good time.

Talk to you later,

Penguin Card

I did my own version of a card I saw on Patty's blog . She is such a talented lady. It is a penquin made without any stamping. My twist on the card was to use the Expression to cut the black and the white portions of the penquin's tuxedo; otherwise I used SU! punches.

• Misc: SU! curly label punch, SU! large oval punch, Provo George Basic cartridge & Accent Essentials cartridge, Souffle white pen


• Cardstock: Bazzill black, Office Depot white & orange & blue

I feel like I have been 100 miles away from crafting but I actually have accomplished a lot since my last post. I don't know if that makes sense or not. It goes back to the end of October when I was enlisted/coerced to agree to open my house for a Christmas walk to benefit the Fine Arts program at the high school. I cannot believe a said yes. I still shake my head when I think about it. A really sweet lady, Renee, had asked me to do it in 2007 but I just could not see how I could be ready in time. This year, I still could not see how I would have time to get ready but I did not want to put Renee off for another year either.

The week after I agreed to open our house, I found out that our church was going to put on its 1st Christmas Dessert Theatre and I was in charge of the tables. Maybe that sounds simple to you but there was a great deal of work involved. I enjoyed it all but I felt like I had no room to breathe. Every moment was filled with either cleaning/hiding things in my house or shopping/researching tableware and decorations for the church tables.

Our house had more Christmas decorations out in 2008 than it had since we moved here in 1997! The 1st floor of our house was not spotless but it was pretty clean. I did not allow guests to go upstairs as it was not a pretty sight. Our house is over 100 years old and it has some celebrity status in the community because the original owner endowed a substantial amount of money to the village when she died in 1982. She was 102 years old when she died.

I did not have time to make cookies for the open house so I bought some from a great local bakery. No, I did not tell everyone that I had made them...but I did not advertise that I had purchased them either...tee...hee. I had some great help the night of the open house. Jody and Danielle played Christmas carols on our piano. Shawna, Kelcy, Emma, my DH, and my kids helped supervise guests through the house and answer questions.

In addition to these two major events in my life, the day of the open house we also had a ladies Christmas brunch at church and I was in charge of hostessing and decorating a table. I had to pack a set of Christmas dishes to take to church and set a fancy table. My plan was to pack them as they were...dirty...and leave them in my car until the open house was over. Turns out my DH and another table hostess' DH, washed dishes for everyone! What darlings! I brought the dishes home and left them on my car until the open house was over. The tables at the brunch were just lovely. I wish I had taken pictures! Of the 5 tables decorated, each one was completely different. One table was all Fostoria glassware, one had a Cardinal motif, one had a snowman motif, one had a beautiful silver Christmas china pattern, my table was Pfaltzgraf Winterberry. I had given several pieces of Winterberry to my sister, Jan. She added to the set over the years. She wasn't using the dishes and her daughter was not interested in them so she gave it back to me. It is a lovely set of dishes. I added dessert plates to it for this event. I had to set the table for 8 ladies.

I also was in charge of the Secret Sister program at the church. Basically, the ladies sign up at the beginning of the year by filling out a personal survey. It shows their favorite colors, B-Day, etc. I randomly assign each of the ladies participating another ladies information. Throughout the year the Secret Sister prays and gives notes, cards, and small gifts secretly to her sister. At this brunch the ladies learn who was their Secret Sister for the year. I altered some pop-top cans for the unveiling. I again did not take pictures of this project. Each lady picked a can and popped it open to find a paper ornament. The ornament revealed a Secret Sisters. It turned out really cute and I used some of my lovely scrap paper to decorate the cans.

Back to the church Dessert Theatre...we had never done this before so I had to chose and purchase dishes, silverware, decorations, decanters, etc. I used my Cricut Expression to help with paper decorations. I don't have any pictures...whaaa...I was just too busy to really think about it and then...poof...it was over. In fact, I can say that about all of November and December, too! We did so much more than I can type here during that time but I think I am boring you so I will let it go and move on with 2009.

Can you believe it is February already? I made some adorable Valentines but I did not take any pictures. I have to get organized again or bust! Ha!