Mini legal pad holder

This is another idea I got from the book about using recycled items. They made a regular sized legal pad holder, but when I spotted mini legal pads at the dollar store I knew I wanted to make these. They also used brown paper grocery bags for the outside, but the dollar store also had some really cool rolled paper with stars on it. I used the back side for the outside, but used the star side for the inside. The rest of the stuff was all stuff I had on hand so each pad holder costs less than a dollar! I will be making some more of these for sure. I want to make some full sized ones too, but this one is the perfect size for my purse.

More ideas.

Another spagetti jar idea. I found some clear stickers that came in sheets at a local craft store and each sheet had milestones for different year's on them. Of course I went through them and found the milestone's for space related year's so I used them on a jar to make a 'trivia jar.' I filled it with sand so the lettering would stickout more and then added some flowers to dress it up a bit. I think I want to add a little more sand to it though.

Another idea I got when making some juice for Heidi. I used to throw away the frozen juice containers that have the round metal lids on each end of them (walmart brand are great. easy to take apart.) I just take the metal rings off from the cardboard lining and wash them off. Then Glue a favorite picture in the inside to make a framed look. Then glue a magnet on the back and voila, a super cute picture magnet for the fridge. It would also make a great ornament! So you got yummy juice and two picture art for around $2.00. :D

Home for the Holidays

Got my camera fixed (finally)! This now means I am now able to upload my favorite holiday photos from around home this year! So much creativity!

Organizing

Here's my other project. Cigar boxes turned into storage. I have put a lot of my scrap booking stuff inside the boxes. I would love a big shelf full of these boxes with all of my craft supplies inside. I found the three boxes on the right just today.

My box of fun cut outs and fun paper stuff. Now I want to go downstairs and create something.

Coffee coaster

Perhaps this blog could become our crafty blog? I found this really great magazine at JoAnn's the other day about crafting with recycled items. It cost $15, but it has so many great ideas and got my creativity going again so I had to pick it up. This was one of the ideas in the book. I always pick up things that visually appeal to me at thrift stores even if I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with them. So I have a lot of stuff downstairs just waiting for a project. Anyway, I happen to have a coffee sack which I cut a square out of for the coaster. Then I just sewed on all the other items. It was fun! I started another coaster that was going to be really cool with part of a coffee ad from an old Life magazine, but the paper ended up tearing apart when I sewed it so I have to come up with something else. I have another recycled project done, but I have to take some pictures first. Then I'll post it.

100% Recycled.

I recently made a soap container. I used a glass spagetti jar and a soap pump from Heidi's bath soap bottle. Then I bought a big container of soap to fill it up. I still want to spray paint the top cover to make it a little prettier.

Pom Pom Flowers stay fresh! Thanks Mom!

Great idea mom found in Country living. Make pom pom flowers for easy decoration and you have cute flowers that are cute and always fresh. :) When mom gave me the idea last week, I went to Real Deals and found these super cute vases for $2/each. Awesome. I wasn't going to decorate much for valentine's day, but the flowers do look cute with some of the old cards mom also gave us. Thanks mom!
p.s- if anyone would like some pom poms made, let know. I can make a few up so easy and send some or if you would like to try, they are so easy and they usually cost from $6-$8/set of two. Walmart should carry them.

Crisscross Apple Crowns.

1 1/3 cups chopped peeled tart apples.
1/3 cup chopped walnuts.
1/3 cup raisins
1/2 cup sugar, divided
2Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2tsp. ground cinnamon, divided
Dash of salt
1pkg. (17.3 oz) large refrigerated flay bisquits
2tsp butter, melted

In a large microwave safe bowl, combine the apples, walnuts, raisins, 3 Tbsp. sugar, flour, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon & salt. Microwave on 2-3 minutes or until almost tender.
Flatten each bisquite into a 5 inch circle. Combine remaining cinnamon and sugar; sprinkle a rounded teaspoonful of sugar mixture over each. Top each with 1/4 cup apple mixture. Bring up the edges to enclose mixture; pinch edges to seal.

Place seam side down in ungreased muffin cups. Brush tops with butter; sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture. With a sharp knife, cut an "X" in the top of each.

Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.

ENJOY!!!!!


I tried these today and they are so good and so easy! These would be awesome for a busy autumn morning to take to go and with a nice cup of coffee. I only have two left since a few hours ago. I guess brian really likes them too. Of course I used mom and dad's apples and that made them even better. ENJOY them, I know I will be making many more of these.

Just keeping this blog going. Here's some pics of our weekend. Enjoy!

Found out that Heidi likes to play in the Lowes car so we can shop. Yay!

I think Heidi may be an early swimmer. She sure loves the water!

Just a look at Heidi's room (when it's clean).

Room is clean for about 10 minutes.

Found some pretty 'stained glass' look material at Home Depot. This is while working on it, so you may see some mistakes. But it looks very pretty from outside at night when Heidi's room light is on. LOVE it.

Daddy's helper. :)

Loving some more bathtime.

At the park enjoying the nice day.

Daddy helping Heidi get started on the slide.

Victoria streching out and enjoying the warm light coming in.

Heidi let mommy shop at Gymboree while she watched the cartoons on the store's t.v. I think every kid store should have this! So perfect. During the shopping time, the store was playing 'My friend Rabbit.' A cartoon heidi likes to sit and watch.

Tying string to kitty's tail is fun!

I hope this video works. It shows it on my end but I have had some trouble with it on my computer. Wierd. Too funny to miss though.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Miss victoria is tired after a long day with heidi. Heidi sure keeps victoria on her paws!

Hope everyone is having a great valentines weekend. To me, this holiday is just another day. I just like to look at the cute items for kids and can't wait for when heidi gets bigger to color or draw her valentines. So cute.

I of course didn't want anything for valentines day, I just wanted to get heidi a stuffed animal or two to add to her numerous amount that she already has. Plus a new shirt. I found some cute shirts for her for st patty's day. I love old navy's baby section. I only allow myself to go there once a month and buy two or three items for her and myself. That store can be dangerous.

I did get the best Valentines gift. I had my last day of work on Friday and it felt great! I am working from home towards the end of this month until the new sales person is comfortable. It's only fair to my owner who I really appreciated her help. It will be so much easier for me to work from home on some things I can do while heidi is napping. So I am thinking about 12-15 hours a week at the most. We'll see.

Gingham is doing well. She has been so sick and not eating. We were afraid that we would have had to put her down. The vet said she has Kitty irritable bowl syndrome and a skin infection. The vet said it was probably brought on by stress which could have very well been with all the moving that poor kitty has been through. The doctor recommended Science Diet kitty food which will be more sensitive to her tummy and she can gain her weight back. So now we have some nice expensive kitty food for her and she's eating it down. We are trying to give her more attention and have her sleep with us or keep her upstairs with us. Gingham is getting better and victoria is now playing with her more often. They love to chase each other up and down the stairs. Reminds me tigger and winnie now. So cute.

I can't believe in two months heidi is one year old! Goodness how time flys! Then after her birthday, we will be on a flight to Michigan! Crazy. We are going to have such a busy summer. We have heidi's birthday, we need to get our yard in place according to our sub division rules after a certain closing time so we have to have it done, then off to michigan, then off to The Gross reunion the following week of laurie & eric's wedding (if we can make it) in bismarck, and if we can't get home to bismarck for the reunion and then off to florida before or after the wedding to see one last shuttle launch before they retire them. Ugh. So much to think about to little time. i'm so thankful to be able to be home to get some things put together and see what we could do this summer. If I still had to work, I really think I would be going nuts later!

Haven't posted anything on this wall for a long time so I hope all is well with everyone! Take care and looking forward to more information on the wedding! Can't for the big event of the year! It's going to be fun. Miss everyone. Love Kelly

Wedding Website

Hey I've created a wedding website through theknot.com. Here's a link. There's still a lot that needs to be done, but have a look :)

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/LaurieFey&EricFey

Wedding Plans...

Hey sisters,

So Eric and I went to look at the Reception site that we reserved today. I absolutely LOVE it! Here's a link:

http://www.accesskent.com/CultureLeisureAndTransit/Parks/caledonia.htm

The shelter (pictured) sits on a hill overlooking the lake. There's a front and back porch with overhangs. There is also a big stone fireplace, kitchen, and nice clean restrooms. For seating, there are 18 varnished picnic tables, which we are hoping will be enough :/ For the children, there's a playground a few feet away! I'm really excited to decorate! Here are a few ideas I've got:

Want to do this SO bad! Eric's sister does wood burning also, so I want to get our names and the date burned into the side!!
http://www.oncewed.com/514/diy-wedding/decorations/rustic-wedding-cake-stand/

Centerpieces
http://www.oncewed.com/7530/diy-wedding/decor/diy-rustic-wedding-centerpieces/

Paper Chains!
http://www.mydiyweddingday.com/2009/05/quick-tip-paper-chains.html

Photo Display
http://www.mydiyweddingday.com/2009/05/real-wedding-inspiration-fun-photo-display.html

Simple DIY Projects!!
http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-make-paper-lanterns.html
http://www.mydiyweddingday.com/2009/04/paper-rosette-decorations.html

For flowers I think I might to Hydrangeas :D Colors are finalized. Bridesmaids: light gray short dresses with light pink waist sash. Groomsmen will have darker gray suits with a light flat green tie :) So light pink and light green. Uuuum other than all that not too much finalized.

A note about the reception: We will be responsible for clean up and have to be out by 10p. Which means we need to start the party as early as possible :P But oh well. We will be having an open bar. 3 kegs, wine, and some liquor :P We will have Michigan wines and beers with the exception of Miller Light (this is for you Dad). :P For dinner, we are thinking buffet style rather than plates. We contacted a caterer today who does some good homecookin'. Things are falling into place, and I'm excited. I'll send out all the bridesmaids info and contacts soon, so you can start some planning also. We are still working on getting Eric's best man back into the country before June 5th. There might be the possibility that this might not happen... His current plane ticket is for the 10th and there usually aren't refunds on tickets, so hopefully the stupid airline will except our wedding as an emergency, which is the only reason they'll refund. Errr...

Well, I'm going to start wrapping xmas presents. Take care everyone!

SO excited!!

So yeah, this is the best picture I could get. It's too shinny to take a good close up hahaha! It's sooo pretty though. I like how it's asymmetrical and just really interesting to look at :) Plus, it's nice and simple. Perfect! I'm sure I'll be posting more info/pics soon. We know right now that we will be having the wedding in Grand Rapids and sometime in June or July.
I am so extremely excited. It's a feeling unlike any other. Last night at work I was so giddy that I jokingly told my coworkers that I'd probably drop some food. What do I do? I spill two dishes all over myself hahahaha! the funny thing is that I didn't even care! I had to explain to some of my tables that I was forgetting/dropping things because I got engaged last night hahaha. They were more than understanding hahaha. Got some good tips too ;)
Tonight we are telling Eric's parents. They are going to flip! I can't wait!

Many photos,little time to post. Here's a few so far.....

Side of the house of the reception gardens.

Jeff challenging Brian to a duel. Slapped him with his glove. Ha ha!!!

Entrance of the the church all dressed up. Jacket needed though. Brrr.

Rob and sara's family photo. Rob's parents next to rob, charles and jean.

Rob and Sarah's get away car.

Mr. & Mrs. O'Brien!

Reception house for rob and sarah's wedding.

Kenilworth Castle where Elizabeth 1st and Robert Dudley started their famous romance together.

St. Paul's church where Princess Diana was married.

Westminster Abby. Had to sneak a picture for brian of Sir Issac Newton, Charles Darwin's tomb's.

London Eye again, the walk path we were on the get to the ride. (my foot stepping on the little people below.)

London Eye farris wheel ride.

Big Ben, Parliment.

Riding the London Eye farris wheel.

View above the city on the London Eye. Buckingham Palace is pictured between a bunch of trees which is St. James park.

The London Eye we are about to go on.

Look kids, big ben, parliment....again.

Westminster Abby.

Band on guard during ceremony.

Between two bars the Queen is in Yellow, her husband is the left, and the president of India on right in blue.

Queen's event that day.

"Don't Move!" Snippers on top of Palace checking the crowd.

Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace entrance with band and gaurds.

Our friend Jeff. He thinks he's godzilla crushing the shells on the ground.

At the sea with oil rig in the far background.

At the sea. What a gorgeous day!

At rob's parents home. Notice the small parking lot. This is the only spot to park two cars!

Small shops on the narrow streets of York. So much fun but no time to shop.

Having a picnic along the river in York. North of London. Sarah and I feeding the ducks and taking some time away from the boys.

Rob's parents home. It's an old farmhouse dated from the 1700's.