Show and Tell...

Remember this little number? Well, she finally got her make-over! I got the idea from my dear friend, Jill! Her studio is a dream! Plus, she is one of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet! Thanks for the inspiration, Jill!

She is ready for her big debut!

And now for her close-up!;)

I have received the most wonderful mail lately! I just have to share... My dear bloggy sister, Kimberly, sent me this AMAZING necklace! I LOVE IT! I never buy myself jewelry (yes, I know it is hard to believe!) so this was the such a treat! Thank you so much, Kimberly!

Oh, I forgot to show you the buttons I got at a garage sale last weekend! The tin was FULL of them! Be still my heart! I walked by casually and took a peek inside (had to play it cool, you know). It was $3 for the whole tin and I asked if they would go any lower (doesn't hurt) and I had the nastiest response from the lady! Well, I walked away. I didn't need them THAT badly. After a Happy Hour drink at Sonic I knew I had to go back. I sent the girls up to get them. I didn't want to see the smug look on the woman's (notice that I did not write "lady"?) face. Oh well, they are mine now!;)

Sweet Fran sent me some more wonderful mail! A surprise package for me and my girls! She is a fellow Nancy Drew lover and wanted to thank me for hosting the Nancy Drew Swap! What a sweetheart.:) Look at this fabulous tag! I LOVE it, Fran!

Fran sent the girls goodie bags with pencils, lip gloss and lollipops, too! What more could a girl want?? Check out the sweet lollipop covers she made!

Fun, fun and more FUN!

What can this be?? It is part of an INCREDIBLE package from my BFBF (Best Forever Bloggy Friend!) Heather! Heather was my partner in the swap and I told her I would need a shoe on my island to kill the bugs! So, she sent me a shoe! lol!
Look what else I will have for my desert island getaway! A lovely pillow and blanket (WOW!), gorgeous journals for recording my thoughts, a yummy smelling candle, a frame for a picture of my family, a fun gossip magazine (that I never treat myself to- love them!), peanut M&M's, Red Vines (Heather knows all my weaknesses!), popcorn, Dr. Pepper jelly beans, a pack of cards, gum and the cutest sign that says, "What happens on the Island Stays on the Island"- love it! Thanks so much, Heather!

Now, I need to finish up my Twilight, Favorite Things and Halloween Swaps! Have you signed up for any swaps lately?

My Happy Quilt

I'm participating in Kimba's Do It Yourself Day at A Soft Place to Land. This project was such fun to do!

I can't sew, but this garage sale find needed a make-over. My friend, Heather, told me she had seen someone decoupage scrapbook paper onto a table. Genius.

I enlisted the help of these two...

And we got busy! All you need is lots of fabulous scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, an embroidery hoop (or something to trace a circle shape), sponge paintbrush, a pen, pom pom trim, and some scissors. Oh, and a lot of free time.;)

(We are using lots of this for our next project! Jill, I may call you if I need some help!)

Yippee! It took a loooooong time, but we finished!:)

These colors and designs put a smile on my face!:)

I call it my Happy Quilt!

Now, if I could just decide what color to paint the walls....

Surely Goodness and Mercy

It was quite a day today. We got to take a trip to the ER with my little gymnast. It was all my fault, too. You see, I was trying to help Katie with her backbend kick-overs and she ended up hitting her head (full force) from a standing position. I heard the most horrible cracking/popping sound and I swear my heart stopped. Time stood still. It was all my idea to practice in the living room (it's carpeted), dear friends. Thankfully, she is fine, but let me tell you I PRAYED. We probably could have skipped the trip to the hospital, but I just had to KNOW that she was alright. It's amazing how small you feel when your children are hurt, especially when they are in your care. What would we do without the Lord?

Busy, busy, busy...

I've said it before. Summer is just not a time to slow down. There is too much fun around every corner!:) My girls have been having a blast at VBS...

I've started reading the Sookie Stackhouse mysteries. Who's been watching the show?? Fess up!

I have plans for this little beauty. $10 on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I love the lamp, but the shade- not so much. The bows need to go. My sweet friend, Jill, has inspired me with her ribbon masterpiece!

This huge frame is from Hobby Lobby, too. $5! I was inspired by Firefly Hill and her masterpiece! Burlap and chicken wire here I come! What color though? Robin's egg blue, black, white?? It will be going in my studio that has no color on the walls yet...

Jeff and I had dinner outside tonight. It was in the 70's! Check out the blue skies...

We had such fun here! Do you have a Mellow Mushroom near you? I love their hummus and Jeff is crazy for their subs. Mmmmm....

What have you been busy doing?

Now on Sale...

Mermaid Dreams Necklace...

Sweet Little Girl Necklace...

Polka Dot Garden Party Bracelet...

Watermelon and Orange Crush Button Bracelet...

Cherries Jubilee Button Bracelet...

Stop by and take a peek!:)

Cheer Camp!

Katie just finished a week at Cheer Camp and had so much fun! On the last day the girls gave a performance for the parents. Here's a little clip!:) Katie's the one with the long ponytails...

No More Harper's Island:(

What was I saying about nothing to watch on TV? Now this in Entertainment Weekly...

Yep. They had originally intended to do this yearly with new players! Something to look forward to on TV!!!! Another great show axed.:( Why???

What am I Missing??

There. Is. Nothing. To. Watch. On. TV. I caught myself watching Paris Hilton's My New BFF last night. Yip-E. That lasted for about 30 seconds. I do enjoy She's Got the Look sometimes when I am on the elliptical machine. I like the idea of ladies over 35 becoming models. Anyway, are there any good shows I am missing????

What to do on a hot day...

Any Tinkerbell lovers out there? My little Katie loves her and her fairy friends! Check out pixiehollow.go.com for the cutest little fairy adventures! You make your own fairy and travel all through Pixie Hollow. It is darling! Katie's fairies are Vanessa Bumble Puff and Daisy Sugar Button. Can you stand the cuteness??

If you are looking for a great way to cool off and enjoy your fruits and berries I highly recommend these smoothie mixes. We love them all! Last night we had strawberry/raspberry smoothies- YUM!

I am hooked on the Arnold Palmers at Mimi's Cafe. Never heard of them? They are refreshing drinks with iced tea and lemonade mixed together. Oh my... Since I can't go to Mimi's everyday we bought this at the grocery store...

My whole family loves it! Sweet and a bit tart with the lemonade. It hits the spot.:)

Just a reminder to check the fabric remnant section at Hobby Lobby. I am a huge fan!

Harper's Island!!!!!

Tonight's THE NIGHT! The Harper's Island Two Hour Finale!!!! Don't forget that I am having a contest. Who do you think is helping Wakefield?? If you are correct, I will send you a little prize!

Iced Tea Party

What's this? I believe we have discovered a little tea (iced tea) party in session! Please- pull up a chair.

These darling young ladies would love the pleasure of your company!

Katie and I just cleaned out the little yellow playhouse for special occasions such as this...

There's plenty of strawberries, cookies and gummy lifesavers (thanks Jill!) for all our friends.:)

Just follow the Katie twins...

You'll be glad you did!:)

My little Katie is enjoying her first sleep-over tonight with her best buddy, Katie. I cannot tell you how much I miss her. It's physically painful. I am certain that she is having the most wonderful time but I just discovered that parents can get separation anxiety, too... It's going to be a long night.

****UPDATE- Katie came home at 10:30 PM. She had SO MUCH fun, though! Just wanted to sleep in her own bed.:)****

Get Thee to a Borders

I saw this at Borders today. I think we all need a subscription! Has any one read it?

I found this book at the library. You will all want a copy of this, too.:) Nell Hill's Entertaining in Style. This lovely book has glorious pictures, themed party ideas (Mardi Gras, Summer Evening, After Shopping Chocolate Buffet, etc.) complete with menus...

Simple, yet elegant...
A tiny present in a nest, under glass...

Sparkling Christmas...

Here's that Chocolate Buffet I was talking about...:)

It's to be enjoyed after Christmas shopping with friends. Love. This.

And Halloween! A papier mache pumpkin full of treats!

Look at the Kids' Table...

This is the grown-ups table...

How about a Summer Evening Dinner under the Stars...

This toile "tablecloth" is actually a duvet cover! I seem to remember some lovely ones at T.J. Maxx that would work perfectly.

Tomatoes in an urn. Perfect for summer!

Dreamy...

What a fun way to display tea cups! I looooove this...

Mary Carol Garrity is the author/decorator and has stores in Kansas. Who is up for a field trip?