Homemade Gifts

I saw a coin purse with beads outlining the letters of "love," and thought I'd try it. I found an image online, transferred it to some recycled clothing fabric, and beaded away. It was fun and pretty successful. This was a gift for a recent wedding we went to. I am planning another version for the next wedding.

I made this planter basket as a sympathy gift. Never buy baskets at the store, they are cheap and plentiful in most thrift shops. I usually keep a few on hand for these types of projects. I wanted to add some butterflies to symbolize resurrection. I found some butterfly fabric and cut out the individual butterflies, painted them with fabric stiffener, (follow package directions) gently shaped the wings when dry and hot glued them to thin green florist's wire. They were cheap, easy and looked good. I wonder what else I could use them for?

Random Latelies

Seen.

 L. and her "posse." Their Ultimate Frisbee team won a tournament.

This is our garden plan this year. Seen on the internet.

Kitchen remodeling.

Going-away-to-Germany-for-a-year party for Daughter A.

Making a few more cut out book letters in a different style that I really like. I was able to use my dad's table saw and it was so much easier than the jig saw. This one was for our nephew's girlfriend.

The latest I'm-named-after-my-aunt picture. Except for the hair color, they look a lot alike!

Daughter M. finished her first knitting project, a darling wrap scarf my dear friend Karen helped her start.

Tattoo the cat is living with a friend while A. is in Germany for a year. Last week, kitty had to stay here while the friend babysat his Mom's cat.

Graduation

May means graduations, and this year two of our godsons graduated. Cousin Spencer graduated from high school. He and L. are favorite cousins of each other. (Sorry other cousins!) They poke and prod each other and have always enjoyed living close together. There have been countless hours of Sunday School, farm exploring, mud playing, bike riding, Easter egg decorating and game playing together over the last 17 years.

Cousin Nathan also graduated with his masters in architecture. He and Son J. spend many, many hours together growing up "farming" in the sandbox, in the yard and on Grandma and Grandpa's deep pile rug.

Memorial Day

We always take a few blooms to put on the top of the graves. We have to stop and look at the grave of the two boys that Husband's great grandpa found dead in a haystack after The Children's Blizzard.

After visiting the cemetery, we went to town for lunch and to see the sculptures on the Sculpture Walk. We also went to the Falls. Friend Bret came along.

Ballet Recital

M and W had dance recital last night and another performance tonight. Husband, L, and G and G. went to the three hour performance.

Cupboards!

Cupboards are here and going in today. Appliances scheduled for tomorrow. Then countertops, final electric and plumbing.

Anniversary Wishes

Daughter M. made this creative, beautiful card for our anniversary. Her own design. Notice the hands in the "L" and "V". Might have to do an art project on this idea. We got several other lovely cards and good wishes.

Husband and Dear Mother-In-Law brought me/us some of her lilacs. She has this "Sensation" lilac with the white edges that are so gorgeous and unusual.

Thirty-Two

Congratulating myself today on my wise choice as a kid. Thirty-two years married to Friend Husband, 36 years dating him, 47 years with a crush on him. (First grade!) We are in row three, numbers one and four.

Spring Postcard

Delicate, soft scented postcards from God. Thank You!