2010....

I can't believe I'm sitting here on the eve of yet another new year....where did you go 2010?  As I look back at this year, there were so many things that brought over whelming emotion, both good and bad...the loss of an amazing grandfather,

                   and of a fantastic uncle,






 my youngest first day of school....

 There was an amazing sense of joy when the lovely Gail from The Widow's Walk, sent me a message that said my Relay for Life goal had been met...and even more when all of the amazing people I've met this year, from all over the world gave to help search for a cure to that terrible monster we call Cancer....

 I've watched my children as they grow, and have been amazed at how kind and giving they are...










And watched them spread their wings and fly into new experiences...



I sat exactly where I am now last New Years eve, and made a list of resolutions....this is what it said....This year I will..open a handmade shop where I can help raise money for the Relay for Life.  I will enjoy the fact that I am able to stay home with my kids and appreciate every moment that I get to spend with them, and I will try my hardest to be the best wife and mother I can be.
I can honestly say I have done all of those, and so much more...a lot of it due to the help of all of you wonderful friends.
My resolutions for this year are simply to continue what WE have started...I will begin asking for donations for the Relay for Life auction in the beginning of January, I am trying to come up with something that can be put into the shop that ALL profits from it would go to the American Cancer Society, I will begin working on the Relay for Life quilt for this years Relay.  I will continue to try my hardest to appreciate every day that I am given with my family and friends.  I will take more pictures, make more memories, hug more and cry less....and I promise to take the best care of myself that I can. 
I am amazed and thrilled that you all have joined me on this journey, and would be so happy if you continued it with me....I promise, it'll never be dull..lol :)

Have a wonderful New Years........hug the ones you love...and maybe just for giggles...smile at someone just to make them wonder what you're thinking....
hugs,
heather

A Little About Life.....

Looking into my house right now, it's a little....mmmm....loud...lol!!  A good loud, but loud none the less...
My oldest daughter, Lauren, who is 7, has been having some problems focusing...she's always been one that danced to the beat of her own drum, but recently, that took on a whole new meaning.
Lauren is a very bright girl, very out going, just full of life.  She dances, sings, and if there's music, she's the happiest girl ever.  Lately, I have been having problems getting her attention, keeping her focus, and so has her teacher apparently.
SOOOOOOOOOOO....momma started paying very close attention to different things that she did, and what kept her attention, and how she learned....and I started to notice a pattern..........Everything Lauren did, she did to a beat...she spelled to a beat, she gave answers to questions to a beat....then, momma did a little research.....seems that children with ADHD or ADD, and kids that have other problems focusing, not only focus better with music, but excel at music....
Lauren can wiz through homework with her ipod jammed in her ears, and make no mistakes....but if she doesn't have that...it takes forEVER....

 So daddy found her a set of used drums....and that child has amazed me....she's been playing since this past Saturday....and is playing like she's done it all of her life...I thought it was her daddy playing only to open the basement door and see Lauren sitting there, totally absorbed in the beat.... I was over whelmed...this beautiful little girl, who has caused me many a night mare because I can't get her attention...was living in that music....

  Those little hands doing more things at once than I ever could...and sounding so amazing, I didn't care how loud it was....

it was beautiful....
<3 hugs,
heather

Simply Delish!!

I don't know about everyone else, but it never seems to fail.....I start thinking, what should I make for dinner and then, bam!!  I have to get kids from school, do homework, and all of the sudden....IT'S DINNER!!!!  AAAAHHHHH!!!  How nice would it be to have a magic wand at that time!!  heheheh :)  Seems to me Denielle's Tastefully Simple is the next best thing!

Tastefully simple has yummy, easy to make food (which is perfect for those of us, like me, lol, that procrastinate on what to make for dinner.... ;) 
They also have really awesome ideas for things that will make your Halloween party ROCK...Like these edible eyes and witch fingers!!!

Or how about something for a special breakfast or a family get together!!

Yup, they've got that covered too!!   AND!!!  That sweet girl Denielle is doing a giveaway on her fan page!!!  Stop over and become a fan and you can win the
Pumpkin Patch Bread Mix....and then you can invite me over so we can share it...lol!!!  She is also offering a 15% discount until Wednesday at 10:00 p.m.(est) (The discount will be refunded within 24 hours of the order, or if you call her to order, she'll just apply it then!)  So hurry!!!  Run over to Denielle's Tastefully Simple fan page and tell her I sent you, and then go turn on that oven and get ready to bake!!!
hugs,
heather

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A Haunting in Harrison???

I'm pretty sure I've never shared this with most of you, but growing up, I lived in a house that my family and I believe was haunted by a not so nice spirit.  Several strange things happened in that house, including the fact that I was scratched by what ever it was that was there.  Things would slide back and forth in the closets, things would fall out of our cabinets, our dog would go crazy in the middle of the night for no reason at all.  You could feel the strange energy in there. 
Needless to say, I am a believer.  I've had many things happen to me since then that has confirmed (in my head) that we are not alone, and quite honestly, I'm ok with that.  In fact it's very intriguing to me.

The house we live in now, isn't all that old, but neither was the one I grew up in.  Strange things have always happened around me, so I guess I notice them, but never thought about it......until recently.

I have several old things in my house, things that were owned by people in my family long ago, things that my dad and I found while looking through old mining houses in the Adirondack mountains.  I love old things that people touched and used..books, door knobs, tea cups, eye glasses, tools, mirrors, dressers.....and an old rocking chair.... I also have an old light fixture from a stage coach stop.  I actually acquired it when I was bartending.  We would always smell cigar smoke when no one was there, and always joked that it was from the ghost that came with that fixture. 





When Brian and I started smelling cigar smoke, we never thought about it, until I talked to a friend that I bartended with and she mentioned they hadn't smelled cigars like that ever since I left with that fixture.  Then it clicked. 

You see, in my house, you smell cigar smoke, although no one is smoking, the dining room chairs get pushed out after they are pushed in, shadows are seen where no one is standing and you can just FEEL someone standing next to you when you are in bed.  The newest happening is one of the Halloween decorations we have out, which is a motion activated life size butler, goes off when no one is around him...he's just standing there...talking to himself....

Do YOU believe???
Happy haunting....hugs..
heather

On the Eve of a New School Year....

I'm having a very hard time with school starting this year....in fact, it seems to get harder every year for me... This year it's mostly because my youngest starts kindergarten... :( 
I wanted to share something with all of you that was sent home today at our schools grill out by my oldest daughters teacher....I have no idea who wrote it, but it brought tears to my eyes, especially because at sometime or another, we all tend to forget.....they are still babies...

Let Me Be a Child

Let me know when I make you proud.
And help me to have pride in my own accomplishments.
Let me earn your trust. Then trust me.
I won't let you down.

 

Let me try my wings.  If I fail, let me know it's OK, and encourage me to try again.
Let me know you love me with a hug or a pat on the back.
Or, when I need it, with a firm but gentle “no”

Let me be. Let me change. Let me grow.

Let me know that, even on my worst days, you still like me.
Let me dream. Share my joy when my dreams come true.
Share my tears when they don't.

Let me feel secure in my home. Help me realize that love is always there.
That I can depend on you no matter what.
Let me run. let me laugh. let me play.
And most of all, let me be a child.

hugs,
heather

Busy, Busy Bee!!!

So if from looking at the back drop of this blog, and listening to me on facebook, you haven't figured out that I'm totally, completely, overwhelmingly in LOVE with Fall and Halloween, you must be crazy...  There is NOTHING I don't like about that season...  I am so ready for it!  Not to mention, this year is so exciting for me because not only am I doing my first craft fair, BUT, it's a pumpkin festival that I've attended for years and that clogs up our little town!!!  The website for it isn't entirely set up yet, but if you go here, you can read a little about the history of Minges Pumpkin Festival!!! 
Needless to say....I've been a busy bee...going non stop, well except for today...  Today I was lazy at it's finest... but, I've accomplished quite a bit in the past few weeks, so, I guess we'll let it slide... ;) 
I have so many pumpkins floating around here, you'd think I lived in a pumpkin patch, and I'm about to make these...

A pattern I got last year from here!!  I can't wait to see how they turn out!  I've already got the crows done, the pies are next!
 My husband just walked in with some canning jars for our tiny pumpkins, so that will be on the list as well!

I think I'll be doing these a bit different though, so I'll have to take some pics when they're done!
I have plenty of new pillows coming up, for the show and for the shop!!

On an entirely different subject...My friend Heather at Babe's Bowtique and More , had a horrible experience, and I'm helping her spread some really great info so that it doesn't happen to anyone else!!  Her facebook shop was hacked along with her personal page, she's written a blog all about what she's learned from all of it, and what you can do to protect yourself from having the same thing happen to you!!  Check it out here.  Tons and Tons of info there!!
SSSSOOOOOO....until next time!!
hugs,
heather ;)

Pass it on......

I tell my Grandma every time we talk....if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be doing what I am now...I can remember sitting with her, and she taught me how to do a back stitch....for a long time, that's the only stitched I used for everything.  I've learned a lot since then, but it's one stitch I always fall back on.....

I've been using it a lot lately.  I've taught both of my girls how to sew, I love to watch their beautiful tiny hands and see what they create.

The concentration and smiles on their faces makes me so happy..

My son has learned to sew as well, but, recently, he's really been into sculpting and shaping things by hand....

They all make me so proud, I love that they can appreciate how much more something means when you've made it with your own hands...and that they take pride in knowing that they've created something that makes someone smile...

So this is a thank you to  my Grandma Pellerin....for starting all of this....I'm proud that I can pass it on..

hugs,
heather

Motivation...and Really Cool Hats... :)

Some of you may have read the other day that I rode my bike to the fabric store...I must say, that if it wasn't for the awesome girl I'm going to tell you about, that wouldn't have ever happened..

This is my friend Lisa...You guys all may know her as the cool chic over at ToldUSo that makes some awesome hats...and I know she makes awesome hats... I wear them too...

and so do my kids...

Her shop is full of so many gorgeous hats, I could have one for every day of the year..
But what you may not know about her is she's my best friend...(besides my husband ;) 
She's been the kick in the ass that I've needed to do a lot of things...






She has a talent for hats, and visors and shrugs of course, but she also has a talent for motivating people when they don't think they need it... I've never heard her say, "I can't do that"...she always just figures she can, and then...she does...

She just became certified as a spinning instructor, and I can't wait to take her class, because I'm sure she'll have me in traction the next day...
So if you've not stopped over to check out her shop, her facebook page or her blog, do it now, I promise you won't be sorry!!
And Lis, if you're reading this, Thank you....
hugs,
heather

So Stinkin' Cool!!

See how cute this air freshener is in my car?  Not only does it look like Texas, but it smells amazing!!!  It came from a fantastic shop called PK Stuff!! 
The awesome lady behind this shop is Pam, and I met her through her facebook fan page and when she donated to my Relay for Life baskets!!  Just so happens when she sent the donation, she also added in a little surprise for me!  Which was the air freshener, and.....

 

this key fob which I must say, I freakin LOVE!!  It's a great thing to have when I'm riding my bike with my kiddies!!
Pam not only has an amazing shop, but she is a really awesome lady too, like I said, she donated to our Relay for Life basket

which a friend of mine won at the auction....the next day, I got this comment..

" I love my PK Poufy Soap from pkstuff.com It
is fabulous! I had a great time last night, Heather, You did a great
job, You should be so proud of all that you did for this one night.
Thanks for all who supported your efforts, Esp, pkstuff 

Pam also makes THE CUTEST coin purses!!

  

Soooooo.....If you haven't stopped by Pam's shop, or her facebook shop to say "HI", you should really do that today...I was just there, and it seems she has another trick up her sleeve that she'll be announcing soon!!!

hugs!
heather

 

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

Yay!!!  We made it to 1800!!!  I kept track of everyone that entered on my blog and in my discussion page.....

AND THE WINNER IS.....

Kisa Vanderpool!!!!!
I'll send you a message Kisa!!  Let me know which of the 2 pillows you'd like!!!

hugs!
heather

Give Away Contest!!

Ok....So here's the low down on my contest...I will be doing the give away when I reach 1800 friends (likers, fans whatever fb calls 'em these days...I still call ya'll friends!)  This is how you enter....
Become a follower on this blog (or on my facebook fan page, if you aren't...) and leave me a comment telling me which item from my shop is your favorite and what you'd like to see for the future!  If you do it on my fb page, you'll find a place to do it in my discussion tab.  That's it!!
When we reach 1800 on fb, I'll use random.org to pick the winner from the comments left!  You'll win your choice of the 2 pillows shown!!
Also, now that the Relay has come and gone, and my life has calmed down a bit, I'd really like to go back to featuring your shops!!  So if you're interested, shoot me a message!!
Good luck!!!
hugs,
heather

Fathers day....

I was absolutely blessed to have a wonderful daddy...and yes, until the day I die, I don't care how old I am, I will always call him daddy....There's nothing in the world he wouldn't have done for me...I have the most amazing memories of him, and there's not a day that goes by that I don't giggle about something my daddy would say or do, or a time that we had together.. and now that he's been gone for over 3 years, I appreciate those times and giggles even more...

I think about my mom today too....this is the first Fathers day she has without her daddy...I remember what that was like...and still is like to this day...It's impossible not to wake up on days such as today and not feel like you should call....
So today I want to say thank you to all of the men that made such an impact in my life....both of my grandpas and my daddy...I know I can't call you, but I hope you all can see that you made a difference in my life and made sure that I went in the right direction....and to my husband...for being an amazing husband, father, and step father....and for being my rock...I love you all..
If you can still call your daddy...call him, hug him, and let him know you appreciate him.  If you don't...celebrate his life by living your life in a way that would make him proud....
hugs,
heather

Printing on Fabric Tutorial!!

I had posted on my Facebook page that I had printed on fabric using freezer paper and had so many responses and questions, I figured I'd post a tutorial on how I did it.  I would like to say I did NOT treat my fabric with anything, and I'm sure over time the ink will fade.  There are other alternatives,  first you could but the fabric that is already made for printing on, which is what I use for my luggage tags, or you can buy Bubble Jet Set Liquid to treat your fabric with and then print on it...(I will be looking into this option soon!)

This is what you will need for this project

Freezer paper, scissors, a hot iron, fabric, and a piece of printer paper.  (o and well a printer, :)
First, I cut the fabric I was going to use down to the size of the printer paper so that it will fit into the printer.

Next, iron the fabric to the SHINEY side of the freezer paper and peel it off.  (I don't know if this is necessary or not, but it seems to help hold the ink in.)

Then you'll iron another piece to the other side of you fabric, but this time you will leave it on the fabric.

After this, you will cut the freezer paper down to the size of the paper so that it will all fit through your printer. 

Now you're ready to print!!!  YAY!!!
On my printer, I have to put the side I want printed on face down, so it's fabric side down for me!!

Find something pretty...and print away!!!

Wait wait wait wait.....aaannnnddd.....

After you print it out...go back to your hot iron and 

go over it to set the ink!

Then peel away from the freezer paper!!

After I peel it of, I rinse it off....and then it's all done!!!

So, that's how I did it!!  If you have any suggestions, or questions let me know!!
hugs,
heather