Handmade

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This Thursday, I'm thankful for my ability to create things. I'm even more thankful that I'm able to share this gift with my girls (and that they humor me, most of the time).

Some of our projects from the past year -

The girls made Valentine's cards with sponge stamps. 

C's Toy Story birthday cake with cake stand. 

scalloped edge baby quilt and tie-top bag for my BFF's new baby boy

peach preserves - my first (on my own) canning experience

A's scrapbooking bag - She also attended her first crop this past fall! 

 This fantastic little cabinet was orange and yellow - really bright orange and yellow - before I got a hold of it. We saw it at Goodwill one Saturday morning, and I knew it would fit that little space perfectly! I left Adam at Goodwill with the instructions to guard it with his life while I ran home to measure the space. Thankfully he humored me, but told me no way was it going in our dining room in its fabulously circus-colored state. :) 

crayon wreath with A as a back-to-school project 

C's elephant costume!

A's horse birthday cake - it was made using the same pan my mom used for many of my birthday cakes! 

A's doll bed (an A & Adam project) and the bedding
plans for the bed here 

Christmas crafts with the girls

Possibly my favorite - this tree wall hanging. It was a Christmas gift for my mom made with fabric that had my been grandma's (her mom). Those leaves - that same fabric was her kitchen curtains. 

Grandma!

One of my goals for 2012 was to make a thankful journal smash book style (thanks Jenny!!). I made it…kind of…and haven’t written in it since the 3^rd or 5^th of January. Not really shocking for me. I don’t think my brain works that way. I scribble stuff down in the journal of randomness that I keep beside my bed (you know, for all those thoughts that plague me while I’m trying to fall asleep. My brain seems to go into overdrive at that point in the day for some bizarre reason…probably because the house is finally quiet…anyway), but I’m really bad at doing it daily. I think (hope!!) “Thankful Thursday” will be a good fit for me.

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Today, I am thankful for my Grandma H. At 87, she’s my only living grandparent. I deeply cherish our weekly phone chats. We usually talk a lot about the weather, my girls, and the crops, but lately, she’s been telling me more stories of my dad, aunts & uncle, and her own childhood. I love hearing about those memories and learning more of my family history. 

Grandma & me at my aunt's wedding last summer

I'm especially thankful that my girls have had the chance to know her and spend time with her. 

Grandma & A

Grandma & C

During our summer trip to Michigan (where I was born and where most of my family still lives) 2 years ago, we loaded up Adam's laptop and our scanner, and I spent two days in Grandma's living room scanning old photos (some from the 1890's!!) and hearing the stories. It was hands down, one of my favorite trips ever! 

Just a few of my favorites - 

me, Grandma, my cousin

my grandparents on their wedding day

They were married during WWII when many things were rationed - including fabric, so they had to make due with what they had - thus no fancy white dress. :)

Love!