Quilt Designer Blog Hop

Thought some of my followers might like to know about this blog hop. Click the link to get to a list of the participating designers.

http://whimsicals.typepad.com/whimsicals-threads/2010/09/-its-almost-here-.html#comments

I got a Primfills' package!!

A while back I sent a message to Jobeth over at Primfills.  Her blog is one I have enjoyed and been lifted up by over and over.  You can just feel her kind spirit through her posts.  Well, I hadn't seen a post from her in a while and I sent a little note to check on her just to let her know I was thinking positive thoughts for her.  We exchanged several emails and I learned that Jobeth is working on a Memorial Blog for her nephew.  She is also trying to start a foundation in honor of his memory.  You can read about it in her post here.  
Well, I ordered from Jobeth as a donation to the foundation because I felt that it was a cause I would like to support.  And I just thought I'd share some pictures of the goodies I received.  Jobeth is truly a generous spirit!  I love all the things she sent and I can't wait for this weekend when I will truly have time to find little homes for everything.

This is what I ordered:

I absolutely love the stitchery!

And I must tell you that room spray is DELICIOUS!!

This is what was in my package:

Some close-ups:

Thank you Jobeth!!  I should have shown it all wrapped up, but true confessions: I picked up the package at the post office on my way to school.  I just couldn't stand it so I opened it when I got to the school parking lot.  Yes, I used my car keys.  Yes, I looked like a little kid at Christmas.  And yes, I was a bit giddy during the opening process.  There is still some packaging on my car seat. :)  (It's times like these that I am most certain I am on candid camera - or the Melissa version of the "Truman Show"...)  
I smiled all day and couldn't wait to get home to truly enjoy my new treasures. 
Happy day everyone,
Melissa

Ornie Swap and other thoughts...

Wendy over at Ravenwood Whimzies Primitives is hosting an ornament swap!  Click on the picture above for a link to sign up for the swap. The swap is for one ornament that is handmade by you.  I hope you head over there to join the fun!


Well, the first couple weeks of school have been sooo busy!  You'd think that after 23 years of experience it would just be a breeze.  But, nope! Every year is a new adventure :)
I am trying some things that are new to me this year and boy are they proving to be challenging for me - but in a good way.  But man am I tired...  To add to the challenge we seem to have started the flu season a bit early this year.  Several of my little friends have already had to stay home for multiple days.  I was fortunate enough to get the worst of it over the weekend.  (And I am sincere when I say fortunate.  I really do not like writing out plans for a substitute.)  I am choosing to believe we are just getting the sickness thing over with early this year.  (I'd rather not entertain the thought that this is going to extend the flu season...)


I just got home a few minutes ago and I turned the computer on to do a bit more work for tomorrow and of course had to check in with blog-land.  Thank you to everyone who is finding time to post.  I love seeing what people are working on!  Hopefully I will have some pictures soon.  I mentioned a while back that I had some thrift store finds  to share and maybe get some suggestions about.  And I haven't forgotten that I want to host a giveaway for my double digit followers.  I am working on that, but progress seems a bit slow.  I better get it in gear before the fall season slips away or I'll have to start over!!


As I am sitting here, a young girl from the neighborhood is walking around my block singing out loud - real loud.  She does that pretty often, and I have to say that every time she walks by it makes me smile.  We should all let loose like that once in a while.  Well, maybe not me - I am pretty much tone deaf.  But more people should go around singing out loud.  It makes a person feel a little less tired somehow.  I hope anyone who reads this gets a little smile thinking about walking around the block singing at the top of your lungs.  Especially you, Libby.  :)
Happy second day of Fall!
Melissa

First Day of School!!

Today is my first day of school with my students.  I was so excited that I hardly slept a wink - the usual for me on the eve of day one of a new school year.  I have the same class in fourth grade this year that I had in third grade last year.  They are the nicest bunch of students, and I can't wait to hear all about their summer adventures.  It's going to be a great year!!


The other day I noticed that I had 10 followers of my blog. And soon after that there were 12 followers!  First I laughed because I didn't really expect anyone to follow me except my sister.  But I have to say I've "met" some really terrific people through blog-land.  The next thought that popped into my head when I saw that there were 10 is "doin' the double-digit-dance!"  The double digit dance is something I look forward to with my fourth graders.  Most of them start the year at age 9, but somewhere in the year they turn 10 - so we do the double-digit-dance to celebrate.  Goofy, I know, but 9 and 10 year olds (and one 45 year old) really enjoy that kind of thing.
Since I didn't expect more than one follower, I believe I will celebrate this fun surprise.  So I think that I will need to host a giveaway to celebrate the double-digit-dance.   I will be back soon with more info. and pictures of the giveaway items.  


Have a great day, wherever you might be spending it.  I'll be in room 227 having a blast!
Melissa

Swap Goodies!

I gave in today and looked through my Fall Swap package from Anne.  I am very close to having my stuff ready to go out to my swap partner and I know I will have it to her before the deadline, so I gave in.  What a fun, fun, fun package of treasures!  There was a beautiful little cross-stitched pillow with little jingle bells around the edge and a key pinned on.  There were some delicious smelling pumpkin pie tarts in the cleverest little buckets, a cool postcard sticker and 2 Debbie Mumm magnets.  WOW!  I love it all!  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Anne!!


Here's the whole caboodle and then some close-ups.  

These smell so good - pumpkin pie scent!
They are the reason I couldn't wait any longer to get into the package : )

I wish you could see the detail on this little squirrel - he is SO cute with his little jingle bell necklace.
And the pillow is gorgeous!  I can't decide where I am going to put it...
...but it's going to be fun trying it out around the house.

These little buckets are to clever!
I love the little witch on the one and the halloween song on the other one.

Could someone please slow down the clock?

I really want to do better about posting, but things are really hopping here.  I'm off to meet a new student at school, and I really must put up some bulletin boards, oh and I have to get the kid's organizing notebooks ready, and then I have to get ready for my parent night, and somewhere in there I better be writing down some lesson plans... my brain is starting to feel like a blender is in control!

I have pictures to take and share - SOON!  My fall swap partner sent me a box of goodies, but I haven't let myself get into it yet because I haven't mailed off the box to my swap partner. I don't want her to think I've forgotten her!  Just some finishing touches to put on.  I'm a little nervous about that because I really am new to prim crafting.  I don't want to be a dud swap partner!
From the peek I took at my goodies, my partner was the opposite of a dud swap partner!  I am dying to get into that box!!!

Also, I have some finds to share that will be used for my first attempts at wood re-do's.
Man, I better get moving.  Will be back later with pictures, I promise!

I know it's early but...

... I was at Joann's today and noticed that the leaf garlands are on sale 40% off.  I wanted to share a Halloween costume idea that I created when my son was 4 years old.  It was quick, easy and CUTE!  We have shared the costume with family and friends several times over the years.  I think it has won prizes at the little Rotary Parade a few times.  (We still have the two dollar bill Clint won the year he wore this in the parade.)
Here are the ingredients:

suspenders

Bushel basket with the bottom cut out

Leaf garland (I used two or three of the kind with the leaves that lay a little flatter, but that one is at school)

Clip the suspenders to the basket.  You have to fuss a little to make sure they will stay put.

Put the child inside the basket with suspenders on their shoulders so that you can tell they won't fall off.  Then just wrap the garland around the outside of the suspenders until the child and suspenders are mostly covered up.  Because Halloween is often pretty cold in western NY we always tried to plan costumes that allowed for layers underneath.  For this year we even needed a hat, so we just stuck individual leaves into a knit cap.  Here he is almost 15 years ago (tear).  He just walked past the basket on the floor and muttered, "I can't believe I fit inside that!" (add another tear here).

I think I borrowed the leaf garland from the stair railing for this costume..

We found that we could carefully lift the whole thing over his head to get him in and out of the car.  When it was time to get back in it he would just put his hands over his head like he was putting a shirt on.  

Like I said, I know it's early for Halloween costumes, but I wanted to share in case someone saw this post during the sale week for fall garlands at Joanns.  I have a couple of other costumes that were quick and cute that I will share later on.

:) Melissa