{feeling crabby}

I finished it! This quilt I have been working on for the past month or so was an attempt to use up things lying around the house without spending more money. {it almost worked!} I just used embroidery floss that I had around, and fabric that I had around. And my wonderful mama had an awesome coloring book at her house that I nabbed the pictures from! The only things I had to buy were the batting {because that is a bit pricey, I don't keep it lying around - I only buy it for projects when I really need it, but I had a coupon, so no biggie}, and enough material for the backing and binding {I was able to gauge it pretty well, so I didn't really have any left over! Yay!}

I have just been letting Jack play around on it - I think it is going to become our storytime blankie....

...now to get back to my million other projects that I have around here {I've got to start that Project Life stuff!!!}

{it came!...and will you join me?}

It came! My Project Life kit came in the mail today!! I am so excited! I am just shocked by how awesome it looks {and how much came with this kit}.

It is a system of scrapbooking that involves journal cards and photographs in special page protectors {on the left-hand side of the photo}. :-) I think it is going to be great fun!

I am just about to go put together my first layout, but I want to know...

Would you like to join me in doing Project Life? There are an abundance of journal-ing cards here, and I would love to do this project with you! If you are interested, I would love to share...please let me know via Blogger, Facebook, Phone, Email - If you live close, we can have a get-together, if you live far away, we can be Project Life penpals!

Have a great evening!

{a project a day}

Are you like me? Do you have so many projects you would like to do that you don't even know where to begin?

I love projects...and by projects, I mean crafts. I am not really an adrenaline junkie, I don't like computer games or electronic games, but I do love crafts {just look at earlier posts in this blog}. So, I decided to add one more project to my huge list of ongoing projects: Project Life {website: http://beckyhiggins.com/}. It is a new way to scrapbook based on journal cards, mementos, and pictures. I love traditional scrapbooks with all the pretty stickers and embellishments, but I have a son. And I don't think he is going to be as into that sort of thing as I am. So, I thought I would give this a whirl and see if it would make a good baby book for him. I'll post updates...we'll see.

For now, I have to finish my little quilt that I made using fabric and embroidery floss that I found around my house! {shows you how much stuff I have for projects}. I am almost done, and can't wait to show you!

Here's a preview with the pillow I already finished that will match the quilt:

PS - This is a quilt and pillow set for children - not all of my home decorations involve a lobster wearing sunglasses...although it could be fun...

{after a party}

Well...this has been the busiest couple of weeks... My husband got to take his oath of office and is now a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps...it was a big deal, and we threw a big party. Now I have the remains of a party to clean up. I usually dread that part. It is never as much fun to clean up from a party as it is to set up for one...but I have been trying to change my attitude about that. As I was folding napkins to put them away, I realized that the memories from the party are still there...I guess cleaning up can be a good way to reflect on the laughter and friendship that was present there... I will share pictures eventually - no one who brought their camera got any good ones, and we haven't received the pictures from the photographer yet.

{meaningful remembrance}

Through meaningful remembrance, the sacrifices of those who have gone before will not become distant memories. 

~James Conway, General, United States Marine Corps

Two years ago today, my dear friend Joe gave the last full measure of devotion to God and Country, and went home to be with the Lord in Glory.

And I have no words today to properly remember my friend. Words are not enough to express my gratitude for his choice to serve and defend our country. 

Today, I choose to remember his legacy with honor. 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

~John 15:13

{remembering: part three}

In the day of emails, texts, tweets, facebook posts, and blog posts, it is easy to forget to make a meaningful impact in someone's life. While those instant media channels of communication are fun, there is nothing like an in-person conversation with a dear friend, or a hug from someone you haven't seen in a long time, or a hand-written letter or phone call to a loved one you can't see in person, or even a smile from an acquaintance or stranger.

Today, I want to share with you the way that I remember my friend Joe every day:

Jack - 10 weeks old

This is obviously not a picture of Joe like the previous posts remembering Joe - it's a picture of my son, Jack. My husband and I knew the moment we found out Jack was going to be himself {namely: a boy} what his middle name would be: Joseph. We chose to remember our friend in our son's name.

Make sure to impact those around you in a meaningful way, and remember to honor those you cannot be with in a meaningful remembrance.

{remembering: part two}

Today I would like to remember how wise Joe was. I have many snippets of wisdom stored in my heart that Joe shared with me through the years that I knew him.

Joe hanging out in my favorite park

I would like to share just one: there was a time in college when a few not-so-nice things were said to me about me that were very hurtful {shocking, I know: gossip in a group of young college students}. Joe pulled me aside and I just remember him saying that the best way to react to something like that would be to make sure that my actions did not reflect others' words. If you are above reproach in character, untrue words won't go very far among those who know you.

I think that is a very important thing to remember. Make sure that your reputation is, well, reputable. Joe's character was reputable, and he was loved and respected among all his peers and the parents of all his peers.