Some Digital Layouts

I wanted to share a couple of scrapbook pages I’ve recently made.  I’ve discovered the joy that digital scrapbooking brings when your only clean up is shutting down your laptop.  I haven’t yet mastered this art, but I am taking an online course to teach me the basics.  It’s fun and nice to know all those photos are being put to good use.

 

My Latest Obsession

This is my Granny, Laura Walker

Maybe it’s because I’m getting all sentimental since my Granny passed away this year, but I’ve been obsessing a little with my crocheting and knitting talents (or lack thereof).  Granny babysat me during the summer of 1987 when I was just six (turning seven that June), and taught me how to knit and crochet.  I must have made fifty random squares and circles using different stitches she had taught me.  Those squares were mostly used as coasters by my mother and step-father, if I remember correctly.  In the word of my mother, I “piddled” with the craft for numerous years, not making much of anything.  And for all of you who know me pretty well, you know that one thing that I do best is not finishing projects.  It wasn’t until I was pregnant with W that I made and completed my first crochet projects, two baby blankets.  I’ve continued to “piddle” with it over the last four years, but just recently got myself reaquainted with the craft. 

When Jeff & I took a trip to Vegas in April this year and was stranded in the Chicago airport for half of our vacation (That’s a long, frustrating story in itself!), I bought and read The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs.  It got me remembering how fun it can be to create something out of a cheap ball of yarn.  So I knitted a scarf.  Then I started another.  Then I searched the internet looking for charity groups that donate handmade items like scarves, hats and gloves to the homeless.  I found more deserving charities than I’d ever be able to help.  But a few in particular pulled at my heartstrings and I’ve now been obsessed. 

One group I have joined is called “Ameican Angels”. groups.yahoo.com/group/American_Angels_Heroghans/  It’s made up of 56 women from all walks of life across the country.  We crochet or knit 12″x12″ squares in red, white and blue then attach a note of condolance for the family of a US troop that had died in the line of duty.  These are called “Heroghans”. We then send them to a few assembler volunteers in the group.  They attach fifteen squares together to make one afghan and get it to a family who has lost a loved one.  Seeing copies of some of the thank you notes received from the families is enough to make you cry.  I guess I’d like to think that a random act from strangers would give a little bit of comfort to a greiving family.  I was both proud and sad when I mailed my first two squares this week, as you can see why. 

A sample of a completed heroghan

Another group I joined is Warm Up America! www.warmupamerica.com   It encourages people to make various items like hats, scarves, gloves, socks and baby layettes to distribute to those in need locally.  I’m in the process of starting a group at W’s school to teach the older students to crochet for this charity. 

 

 

 Yet another group I’ve become interested in is Save the Children’s Knit One, Save One campaign.  They distribute simple handmade caps to babies in third world countries that would otherwise go without.  And that can mean death for some.  The caps are sometimes partnered with basic baby supplies and given to new mothers in impoverished areas.

If any of you have a skein or two of yarn taking up space in the back of your closet and want to find a good use for it, please let me know.  I’d be glad to use them for the Warm up America! projects.

I finally have a blog!

 Hello, everyone!

This is my favorite picture of Jeff & me. (Grand Canyon 4/2008)

 

 After a few friends asking numerous times why I don’t have a blog to post my crazy stories and kiddo pictures, I finally got around to starting this.  I guess I just didn’t think my life is entertaining enough for people to want to read about it.  And to my dear friend, Corie, please let me know if I do the English language a total injustice on here.  I’d rather hear it from a friend than a mean member of the Grammar Police Force.  🙂

If you’re reading this, you probably already know a little bit about me and my family.  I guess we’re the average family with two adorable little girls and one psycho cat.  My husband, Jeff, is an accountant and works downtown.  I’m a stay-at-home mommy that also babysits one sweetie pie of a little boy.  Between the three kiddos, I’m always busy.  I wish I could be busy doing more things like keeping my house clean and organizing this train wreck of a house, but I’m trying to let go of a little control and realize the kids and my family are my top priority.  What ever gets done, gets done.  What ever doesn’t, doesn’t.  Of course adding this blog is just one more thing to consume my time, but I think it’ll be fun and maybe even a little therapeutic. 

As far as my interests, I don’t think it’s any secret that I’m addicted to scrapbooking.  And the fact that I’ve recently aquainted myself with Photoshop Elements 6.0 means that I’m adding one more way to feed the addiction!  I say that I’m an 80 year-old trapped in a 28 year-old body–I like doing things like knitting and crocheting, gardening (when I can sneak in the time), and making a variety of crafts from silly stocking stuffers to stained glass panels.  Now that the kids are a bit older, it’s a little easier to sneak time away for these hobbies, but like most every one else, I’m always in search of that ever-elusive balance between family, work and personal time.

Bear with me while I figure out this whole blog thing.  Sometimes I’m a little technically challenged.  🙂  I’ll be sure to add some pictures and thoughts on here when I catch another fifteen minute chunk of time!