New York...New York

Guess where we went this weekend...anyone? Yep, Manhattan, New York. Just Jack and I. We had such a good time! It was a spontaneous trip we decided to take mid day Saturday. I bought this print from a street vendor in Times Square for a measly $5. Can you believe that? The mat would cost me that much, at least. It is for our daughter's room. She loves it. I just need to find a frame for it.

This was the view through our hotel window. We stayed in midtown on W 57th St.

Check this out, there were signs posted near Central park on the upper west side statign there would be a $350. fine for honking. My question was, how the heck do they pin down who honked in a traffic filled street? lol It was a lot quieter than past trips but our taxi driver did honk at any car stopped for more than half a second. No lie. He looked like Osama's brother. I swear it! Turban, big long gray beard and dark circles around his eyes and all white clothing. I had to chuckle inside. You can get whip lash with those taxi drivers and we weren't even in a hurry. They just need to move onto their next fare, I guess. I actually hit my head on the window on one of his turns. No lie! ;D
Saturday night we went to the 10:30 p comedy show at Carolines. The food was outstanding and drinks, the same. The service was unbelievably fast inside. One out of the thre comics had us laughing. Not enough bang for our buck but hey were were out and having fun being together in the city that never sleeps. We headed deeper into Times Square after the show and took some pictures and then back to the hotel around 1 am and do you know many restaurants and shops were still open at that hour. Amazing!

Sunday we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). I was in heaven. So much to see and so little time. We spent about 4 hours there and still did not get to see it all. It was magnificent! I have pics I will share in tomorrows post.

Until then, enjoy your Tuesday.

Life is like...

This week my muse must have found me because I created these 6 pieces.

These are just little anging reminders of Love.

Mini pom poms are so adorable, aren't they?

Beloved, is my favorite one. She is longing for her love. Where is he?

Out of the blue, no pun intended, this quote came to me and the idea of paper quilting seemd perfect for it, as I am not a fabric quilter.

I absolutely love scrapbooking papers. I have hundreds in all different colors, patterns, and shades. They are my second favorite for collecting next to vintage linens.

"Life is like a patchwork quilt made up of beautiful moments" came to me after reading about a challenge in Cloth, Paper, Scissors. This does not meet the criteria but it inspired me, none the less.

I hope your life is full of beautiful moments. Remember to count your blessings. They are abundant if you just take the time to look.

Have a blessed day!

Travel journal, photo board and momento box

Traveling is an experience. It is an adventure. I created this travel journal to jot down favorite places, experiences on the journey and even tuck in a photo or flat momento here or there.

This page has Embrace Life across the leaf. Embracing life to me means exploring, learning, traveling, meeting new people, teaching, trying new things, etc.

Travelling is fulfilling. You get to find new places, eat new foods, sleep in a new place and experience life in another part of the world. It is exciting.

I would so love to see the world. Outside of the US, I've only been to Canada and Aruba. Travel agents must have fun, huh?
Good Times, is a magnetic board I made to hold photos, tickets, brochures, etc. from travels.
This 12"x12" box was created for travel photos, momentos such as seashells, brochures, business cards, souvenirs, etc.

This summer we are headed to the wonderful Charleston, South Carolina. I can't wait! I love it there. So quaint with a lot of history. The beaches are so pretty with white sand and palm trees. Aaah...I'm there already, in spirit that is.

A moment to be cherished

Okay so you know how I mentioned a few posts back about finding beauty in everyday things. Well, I was letting Chance out and noticed this lying on the snow, so in I went to grab my camera and capture this for you. Guess what it is...Yep a feather, but I saw a wink. To me I saw eyelashes. It made me smile.

Guess what? We have more snow coming down. Yep, the sky was gorgeous this morning and then this afternoon it went gray. Blah gray. But I have these to remind me of the beauty of the morning.

SAT's and 8 random things about me

Well, my baby girl has signed up to take her SAT's. Now we are looking at colleges.

Pre Med colleges, that is. Yikes! My baby wants to go out of state. So we are trying to figure out where she might want to go. It is hard being open and not giving my 2 cents but I am keeping all of my opinions to myself, in regards to her being too far from us and such. You always want your kids to be happy and to grow. This whole parenting thing is so hard sometimes.

On another note, I was tagged today by sweet Julie over at knitsational. I am supposed to share 8 random things about myself and then tag 8 others to do the same.

1. I wanted to be a psychologist, photographer or interior designer.

2. Strangers start conversations with me all of the time. Complete strangers share their personal stories. My husband and kids often ask me how I know that person and when I tell them I don't their mouths usually drop. My mother has the same thing happen to her.

3. I liked school.

4. I drive a fork lift, narrow reach truck and a cherry picker at work, daily. I am a receiving clerk but I often have to help unload and move freight when we are shorthanded.

5. Fresh flowers and sunshine make me happy!

6. I love animals and children.

7. I have seen most of the US.

8. I love to fly. I want to start enjoying my destination asap.

Okay, so now to tag 8 people. Hmmm... Who will take the time to do this? Okay, how about:

1. Lindsay-Ann of The Cross-Stitch House
2. Joy of Joy to the Blog

3. Elizabeth of Thoughts from and Evil Overlord (nothing evil there)

4. Sharon of Mana Moon Studios

5. M. Kate of La Vie Est Belle
6. Gin of Keepsake Moments
7. Lola of Lola Enchanted's Flea Market
8. Twyla and Lindsey of Two Crazy Crafters

Shwew...talk about pressure. Sheesh whiz. ;D Have a lovely week ahead.

Beauty in the simplest of things

Do you ever look at a common every day object and see beauty? I often look at something ordinary and see something beautiful about it. It may be the shape, the colors, the wood grain, or a shadow . Here is an example. This is a glimpse of my hamper lid. It is black iron and during certain parts of the day the light causes a wonderful shadow play on the wall behind it. I love the swirls and the varying shades of the shadows. I am reminded of the many decorative gates on homes in San Francisco, California. Many of the homes had either gated courtyards or gated entries. You see a lot of iron gates in the old South, as well. Charleston, SC for instance is made up of very elegant homes with lavish gardens surrounded with decorative fencing and gates.

So see, my hamper takes me to the opposite sides of our country every day. ;D To 2 of my favorite vacation spots. I challenge you to look be still and take in the beauty around you.

One World One Heart Giveaway

Welcome! I am so glad you are here! I think this was a brilliant way to bring together the blogging community from all over the world. Thanks Lisa!
These are my 2 giveaways for One World One Heart. This giveaway is open to all active bloggers. Just leave a comment here with your email address for a chance to win.

The first giveaway is this BLOOM garland. Bloom to me means to blossom where ever you are planted. It is an uplifting sentiment and meant to inspire. Good Luck!

The second giveaway is for this necklace and earring set. Both are created using antiqued copper elements. I have 2 photos here to show you what either side of the pendant looks like. The square glass pendent measures 1" square. The necklace length is 20" (50.80cm). The earrings from the end of the fish hook loop measures 1"(2.54 cm)

To be a participant in the One World One Heart , you can click on the badge above to transport you to the page with all of the details.

The One World One Heart Giveaway will end February 12th. I will announce the winners here, on February 12, 2009. Please make sure you have included your email address in your comment so that I may let you know you won. Good Luck and again I am so glad you stopped by to say, "Hello".

Bathroom Before, During and After Pics

Before the drywall went up. Pretty bare bones. We had concrete floors, cinder block walls and a bulb hanging overhead.
During The green board is a waterproof drywall. It was a shockingly dark color when I walked in.
This is the after shot from the same angle so you can see the transformation. I love the contrast of the white fixtures, mouldings and doors against the Khaki paint and tiles.
The tiles look great and have a itty bitty bit of a shimmer in them. They are otherwise a matte like finish with a great textural look with the variegated coloring runing through them.
This medicine cabinet/miror combo works great because inside it is all mirror too so if you open the door you can get closer for applying makeup.
These doors created a laundry nook on the rt side of the room and that one at the end goes into Jack's workshop. Next up is decorating it. Woohoo! My fave!