1st Video

Ok, this video serves two purposes.

1. To share my first video taken with my camera phone. It was a spur of the moment decision. The moment was just too cute.

2. To futilely try to convince myself that my cats are as much fun as I know Megan's new puppy, Jedi must be ;-)

You've got to admit, though... not many cats do this. Keep your eye on the little white stuffed ghost.

More importantly, forgive the post-gift wrapping mess on my floor and my cheesy "kitty voice".

Creative Outlet

We're 9 days away from the state convention, and I definitely don't have oodles of time to twiddle my thumbs. But, there's something about a newborn niece that makes me want to do nothing but quilt and scrapbook all day long. *Please note, I do not actually do those things. I just want to. *

I did manage to squeeze in two things over the weekend, though.

1. Completing Kaelyn's crocheted blanket. I'm not sure how many of these I've completed in the last 10 years (maybe 12 or so?), but this was one of the most fun, because I only allowed the best of influences while I was working on it. I wanted lots of love and happy thoughts to be packed into it. The following were the background for crocheting it: Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Chronicles of Narnia and General Conference.

2. Monogram letters for the nursery. (instructions below if you're interested)

Step 1 - Take frames of your choice and remove the glass. I used 8x10's for this project.

Step 2 - (Please note, all affixing for my own project was done with hig- heat hot glue, which made it super fast. You could use any other way you see fit, though). Glue rolled quilting batting to the back of the picture frames - Picture below.

Step 2 - Take your fabric and cut it so you have about 3/4 of an inch or so on each side beyond the frame back. Fold over and pull snugly, glue down.

Step 3 - Put your backing back into the frame (rear picture followed by frontal picture below).

Step 4 - Affix your letters. I used precut and painted letters (for speed sake). At this point, you could use them as table or shelf top decorations utilizing the frames leaning device like below.

Step 5 - Attach ribbon, lace, etc. to back for tying and hanging. I used ribbons in shades found in the fabrics I used and braided them along with a thicker lace. You could do something simpler if you wanted. Voila!

High-Rider

I grew up in southern NM, home and mecca of low-riders. This, along with so many other reasons, is why I was taken aback by this sight at a gas station in Petersburg on Saturday.

I suppose if I was in peril on a highway and about to be run over, I'd like the approaching vehicle to have this kind of clearance.

On the Day that You were Born....

Welcome to the world, Kaelyn!!!! Your Auntie Melissa can NOT wait to hold you and cuddle you and give you kisses and whisper that I love you.

Isn't She Lovely?

Isn't she won-der-ful?

We carped the diem and spent the afternoon of Mother's Day at Monticello. It's been roughly 5 years the family has been meaning to go. The weather was going to be perfect, so we made the decision to quit making excuses.

Mom, Dad and I met up for lunch at Michie's Tavern and enjoyed dining on the terrace. After our fill of fried chicken and colonial fixings, we continued on the Thomas Jefferson Parkway to Monticello.

I know this looks like a stock photo, but it really was from the camera on my phone. The day was THAT perfect.

Dad on the way back up from visiting Jefferson's gravesite.

Mom and Dad as we were walking in the front door for the house tour.

I don't know that I'll ever run out of historical sites I want to see in VA. I'm so glad my family is close enough to join in the adventure.

I'm pretty sure Heavenly Father crafted today with deliberate perfection. The temperature, the low humidity, the fresh lush green trees and bushes and the fragrant flowers made it an appropriate salute to my cute, loving, funny and selfless mom.

I love ya, Momsie!

The Sky is Falling

I didn't change the color on this shot at all. This was the sight I saw while walking to the video rental store in the neighborhood a couple nights ago. I had to just stop and stare on the sidewalk for a while. It was so strikingly different and beautiful.

Random Things Spotted on Saturday

While I wait for an evening to catch up on a few other posts, I thought I'd give you the "random things I saw on Saturday" post.

Item #1 - A Verizon Smart Car.

I believe these were in town on some sort of promotional in conjunction with the Nascar race this weekend. It just reminded me that I want one. I've wanted one since 2003 when I first saw them in Italy. (I don't want one with a hardhat, though).



Item #2 - Toy Bling Teeth.

Could the most disturbing thing I've ever witnessed inside a gum machine. Anyone else ever seen these, or is this a product of living where I do?