Tulips on a rainy day

San Diego is getting some nasty rain and wind today which I'm sure the players at the Torrey Pines golf tournament are none too happy about!  It's a shame it didn't wait another day as it's such a beautiful setting for that tournament.

Mark surprised me with these tulips yesterday - my very favorite flower.  Aren't they a beautiful color?

I've been busy this afternoon making sample wedding invitations for my nephew and his fiance.  Kelleigh and I did have to venture out at noon to pick up Connor as he moved back home today.  His Marine ship date got moved from next week until May so he'll be with us in the meantime.  Not the best weather to be moving in!

Riding along

This is another card for my exchange.  While I made it to be a birthday card, it could certainly be for any occasion.  I love the herringbone paper and the tiny pom-pom trim.  The pearl glued inside a button is unique too.

I kept seeing this shawl advertised on Facebook so gave in and ordered the pattern.  There's just something so classy about the design.  Well ... I received the pattern and it will definitely be a challenge for someone who is self-taught.  I chose the same charcoal grey yarn so we'll see if the finished product resembles anything close to this picture!  If you're interested in giving it a try, visit here.

Mermaid tails

Shortly before Christmas my sister saw a mermaid tail blanket on Facebook and asked if I could make it for her mermaid-obsessed friend.  This gal loves all things mermaid and has even spent a weekend at a retreat learning to swim like one!  I was lucky enough to find several patterns on Pinterest and sent the finished product to her.  Anna LoVeD it.

Once Kelleigh saw the blanket, we knew another one had to be made for her mermaid-obsessed friend.  We surprised Dakota with it on Christmas day.  She even takes it to school to use in her cold classes!

New look

A huge thank you to Michelle at MLA Designs for my awesome logo.  I found her on Pinterest and everything on her Etsy store is amazing.  If you are in the market for a graphic design for business cards, watermarks, logos, etc., please visit her site.  She's wonderful to work with and you won't be disappointed!

I've been working on some cards for an exchange so will be posting them as the days go by ...

A mother's nest

During one of my Pinterest browsing sessions I came across this quote and loved it.  I finally got it framed today and thought I'd share with you (this picture is from the seller) ...

The wording:
A mother builds her nest piece by piece
Overtime it becomes stronger
Overtime it becomes safe enough
To hatch, to flutter, soar
As chicks we never understand
The sacrifice, the selflessness, the unconditional love 
It takes for those pieces
To become a home
Until we leave the nest and learn how
To build our own 
Thank you not just for giving me wings
But also, for a steady limb to spring from 
And a soft space to land 

Camper quilt

My dear friend transformed her vintage 1958 Aljo trailer into the most adorable thing you've ever seen ...

So ... when I received my Keepsake Quilting catalog and there was a quilt with vintage campers AND in the same colors as hers, of course I had to make it.  It was a very fun project despite the hundreds of small pieces and the end result is fabulous.  Most important - she loved it!

Close up of each panel as they have such fun elements.  Should you wish to create this for yourself, visit here.

Connor - Our Birthday Boy turns 19!

Connor - our 19 year old birthday boy!  It was a great day starting off with going to see "13 Hours", Denver won a spot in the Superbowl, Yesenia's for dinner, a military Bronco shirt, and his favorite Chocolate Satin Pie from Marie Callenders!

A birthday weekend

Today our youngest son, Connor, is 19!  Where has the time gone?  We're celebrating his birthday tomorrow so more pictures to come!

In the meantime, here are the cards I made for two other friends who are celebrating this weekend also ...

Laundry room makeover

After putting it off for a year, I was inspired to paint the laundry room cabinets as I ordered this amazing vintage sign for over the counter.  Can't wait for it to arrive.

This was our view from the backyard this morning ... amazing how the fog hovers in the canyon.

Nature time

We often walk on a path that takes us near a creek bed.  My favorite part is seeing the duck families that live there.   The mallards heads are so beautiful as the sun shines on them.

It makes me happy to see all the seeds and bulb sets out even though it's a while until Spring even here in San Diego.  I looked everywhere for green onion sets last year to no avail so had to grab them while I could.  This time the raspberry bush is going into a pot ... learned that the hard way after it overtook two garden plots at a previous home!  Going to try asparagus this year too - even if it means we get only three stalks!

XOXO

One of my favorite pieces of furniture is my "seasonal table".  Since February isn't too far off, I'm getting a head start on Valentine's Day decor.  I'd seen this heart wreath at Pier One and had to have it.  Some ribbon, a nail, and tada, it's perfect!