saying good bye

Sadly, Mark and I got up this morning at 5:am to drive Casey and Lisa to the airport. They had been with us for 2 months and became a part of our family. Last night the girls said good bye to all of the Davis children then Joey played his guitar one last time for them. Mateo and Casey sitting on the couch sharing a moment of fun together.

Joey playing "Charlotte" his guitar and all of us listening as we contemplated how different life will be without the girls here.

Thank you Casey and Lisa for filling our lives with your love. You were a pleasure to have and I know that I (Momma D) will miss you greatly and so will the children and teens! I enjoyed hanging with you, laughing with you, crafting with you, dancing with you (concert!) eating with you, and most of all seeing Jesus through you. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you as you do his will.

1.40 flip flops

I LOVE a bargain. I was at one of my favorite stores when I came across some "bling" and to make it even more appealing it was "Pink Bling" You know me, I dont pass by anything that is pink without giving it a second look! The bling happened to be flip flop jewlery! I never heard of it but hey, I am open to anything that sparkles and goes with a my favorite summer foot wear. The price was only 1.00 so I plopped it into the cart. Next stop was Michaels to get some things that I needed to finish a project and what do you think I came across? PINK flip flops on clearance for 40 CENTS. How do you say no to that????? You dont! you go home and put your bling on your flip flops and call it a great day!

A Rag Swag

I saw one of these swag's/garlands and knew I had to make one. I decided to make one in the colors of my new family room (I am in the middle of re-decorating it) so that means the colors would be tan, white, cream, beige, off white, (you get the picture) with a splash of blue. The first thing you need is a piece of twine and two rings (like the ones you put your keys on) Tie the twine to the rings

Here is the pile of fabric scraps that I dug out of my scrap box. I just riped the fabric into peices that were about 2x8 in length. I also dug out all different kinds of ribbon.

Here is the swag finished! I am sorry that the picture did not turn out so good. I am having issues with my camera and have decided that I just need to go out and get a new one. It really did not take as long as I thought it would. I finished it in a little over an hour. I am probably going to hang it on my foe fireplace but since that needs to be painted I thought I would wait to hang it on there. The china closet that the swag is hanging on is in my craft room and it holds my fabric and lace collection.

This is a side view. I also used a little tool and lace. (lots of lace!)

This picture did not come out so great but I wanted to show you the "charms" that I made to hang off of it. I just used what I had laying around the house. the little clip to the left is a miniature clothes pin with buttons and tiny sea shells glued to it. There are about 4 of then hooked onto the swag.

I am in such a swag mood! They seem to be the popular thing right now. I saw a few on the Internet that I just loved. One was made with vintage post cards! just to dye for!

CupCakes!

I had a few hours to myself today and decided to stay on the "beach" theme. I made the sea shell wreath that I was talking about yesterday (just need one last finishing touch before I can take the picture and post it) These cupcakes were inspired by the ones that I saw on the Romantic Home blog but I made them a little different because I did not have a lot of time and did not have all the ingredients. The top shells are chocolate and the frosting is cream cheese frosting. I used a box cake mix for the actual cup cake. I am going to experiment next tme with the white and dark chocoloate-mixing them to make more of a swirl so that the shells look real.

Yummy breakfast

I got this recipe out of a magazine ad. It looked so yummy in the picture that I decided to try to make it for Casey and Lisa (two of the missionaries that are staying with us for the summer) It was quick and easy to make. I couldn't seem to get a nice picture of it but it is a biscuit with heavy cream and strawberries. Recipe:

1 quart of ripe strawberries
3/4 cup of sugar
1 cup of white flour
1 cup of corn meal
2 tsp of baking powder
6 tbl of butter, cold
pinch of salt
1 egg
1/2 c of milk
2 cups of heavy cream
2 tbl of confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

cut the strawberries up and put some sugar on them so that they get nice and sweet. Pre-heat oven to 400- place rack in highest position. combine the flour , 1/2 cup of sugar, cornmeal,and baking powder in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and salt and cut into the flour with a pastry cutter or your fingers. whisk the egg and milk together and stir into the dry ingredients. drop the batter onto a lightly buttered sheet pan with a table spoon forming them into rounds about 3 inches in diameter. bake for 15 minutes on top rack until lightly golden. remove and cool. pour cream into a large mixing bowl and whip until soft peaks form. add the confectioners sugar and vanilla and beat a few more minutes. cut biscuits in half and place a heaping spoon full of strawberries on the biscuit then add the cream- then finish it off with the other 1/2 of the biscuit.

Sea shell project

I am not really a beach person or should I say I am not a Jersey Shore girl. Take me to the Carribian and it is a whole different ball game. I love sea shells and found this project on one of my favorite blogs and knew I wanted to duplicate it- http://www.romanthome.blogspot.com/ I already owned the 3 tier basket all I had to do was get the green moss (which I found for a 1.00 at the Dollar Store) I already had some shells and the rest I got at garage sales, Christmas Tree Shop, and the Dollar Store. I love the way it came out. The shells are the colors that I love so much (or should I say lack of color. I love all shades of white, cream and biege.) I am also planning to make a sea shell wreath- which is also an idea I got from the Romantic Home web site.

A Ditty Bag

My freind Genevieve sent me a web site that was selling these bags called "Ditty Bags" They were so sweet and simple. I needed a bag to put some litte gifts that I had bought for Genevieve so I decided to try and make her a ditty bag. She loves primitive style so I kept it very simple. The photography makes it look like an apron but it really is a tote bag.

The pocket on the front is made from a vintage dinner napkin that I picked up at a junk store for pennies. I added lace and buttons that I already owned. I had all of this stuff on hand so, it didn't cost me anything to make it except for some imagination and time.
A close up of the pocket. I think I made it to long. Next time I will shorten it a bit. I am not thrilled with the way it hangs so I am also going to try to stiffen it up a little by adding a liner.

A luncheon for Kira and friends

My good friend Kira was visiting from Georgia and I wanted to throw a nice luncheon for her and a few close friends.

I needed an extra table and so I grabbed my very cute ironing board that I got at that junk store by my house.

The little round table with the bird in the middle was set up for Isabella and Jamie- they had their own little tea party.

Last minute I ran to Homegoods to buy some place mates because the table has an umbrella and I don't have a table cloth for it. I was not wanting white but it was all they had- once I got them home I really liked the white!

Good friends pigging out! We had Reuben Casserole, fresh fruit, sesame dip with crackers, seafood salad, cherries, veggies and dip and 2 kinds of lemonade

This is my fountain - It adds such a nice touch to being outside- nothing like running water to help you relax

Collecting vintage and new lace

I am in love with vintage and new lace doilies, napkins, runners, etc..... I have quit a collection going. I get them mostly at the junk shop by my house. My first thought was to use some of them to sew on to the bottom of some bloomers that I am making but now I am finding even more ways to use them. I will post the finished projects as they are made. I am hoping to do some pillows and possibly use some for a jacket.

I mostly collect white, ecru and cream but who can pass up light pink, green and blue!

bathroom makeover

The inspiration to my bathroom makeover was this black and white Toile fabric that I have had forever in my fabric cabinet. I wanted a completely different look to the cabinet but did not want to paint it so, I took the fabric (which happened to be the perfect size!) and just made a hem for the tension rod to go through it. I can still get to the cabinet under the curtain by sliding the curtain back.

The pictures are the ones I told you I bought while yard saleing with my sister. I paid 10.00 for both of them!

The basket on the toilet cover is a Longerberger basket that I have. It really did not fit the look I was going for but fit the space on my toilet so nicely that I decided to conceal it with vintage lace doilies and napkins. I use it to hold the clean towels.

Originally, I planned to put this piece in the boys bathroom but when I picked the wall color it matched the planter and therefore would have gotten lost on the wall. So, I decided to put it in my very French country bathroom and wow! I really liked it. I think the piece originally is meant to be outside with flower pots in it but I think it works great holding magazines and towels.

I really love the way everything came out. It has become one of my favorite bathroom make overs. I am still wanting a few more things for the walls in there but am waiting for the right thing to come along. The bathroom is tiny but there is a lot of blank wall space.

Latest Finds

I decided to go to Home Goods yesterday, I was on the hunt for a shelf for the boys bathroom, some masculine pictures and some blue decorations for my family room that I am re-doing. Of course, I did not find any of what I was looking for but I did find the red polka dot plate to go with my red bowls. It was on clearance for 2.00 (how could I pass it up) I wish they had more. I am trying to tone down the "pink" in my kithen a little and add some red for a more vintage/whimsical look. But when I came across the pink enamel ware bread holder it blew my theory right out of the water! I could not pass it up- it was only 12.99!!! They had it in red but the pink was calling my name- it just did not look as pretty in the red. Isnt it awesome! I can hang it on the wall if I want but for now it is just sitting on my counter.

Happy 19th Birthday Cristian

This is my oldest son Cristian. He turned 19 yesterday! (I am getting old) he had to work all day at his new job but then he came home to some friends and family. We ate crock pot lasagana and burgers then had grahm cracker cake. Mom and Dad bought him a Wii Fitt and of course his favorite candy- SKITTLES.


Happy Birthday Cristian we love you and look forward to what God is going to do in your life this coming year. You are a wonderful son- we love you so much!!!!