Welcome to our October Calendar Girls' Blog Hop. It’s absolutely amazing when you do a Google search the interesting facts you may find. Such a find is special and unique occasions throughout the year!!! These unique holidays are our inspiration. As Neil Sedaka sang in his song "Calendar Girls" - "Romeo and Juliet on Halloween!!"

Our hop begins today with the lovely and super talented Lynne aka Her Craftiness which may be found at http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/. The entire line-up is available just in case you get bogged down with all the holidaze and craziness as you won't want to miss a single calendar event!!!! 

Our hop begins today with the lovely and super talented Lynne aka Her Craftiness which may be found at http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/. The entire line-up is available just in case you get bogged down with all the holidaze and craziness as you won't want to miss a single calendar event!!!! 

In case, you get lost along the way with all the craziness of the holidaze, here's the complete line-up to follow along with the streamers, cards, lay-outs and super creativity of the marvelous Calendar Girls:

Lynne ~ http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/

Sandy ~ http://aworkingmomsjoy.blogspot.com

Janet ~ http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/

Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com

Lucy ~ http://love2createitall.com

Christine - http://www.creativelivingwithchristine.blogspot.com

Laura - http://www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.com

October, 2013 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Lynne

Clergy Appreciation Month

1 - National Lace Day -Janet

2 - Guardian Angels Day Laura

5 - World Card Making Day - Sandy

6 - Mad Hatter Day - Lynne

7 - World Smile Day - Lynne

9 - Fire Prevention Day- Sandy

11 - Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day - Lucy 

11 - World Egg Day

14 - Columbus Day - Lynne

14 - Be Bald and Free Day - Jearise

16 - Dictionary Day

19 - Sweetest Day- Sandy

21 - Count Your Buttons Day - Sandy

25 - Frankenstein Friday - Jearise

27 - National Tell a Story Day (in Scotland and the UK)

28 - Plush Animal Lover's Day - Lynne

30 - National Candy Corn Day - Sandy

30 - Mischief Night - Janet

31 - Halloween - Christine

We are offering some fabulous blog candy to 2 lucky winners - 

Just comment and give some bloggie love to each of the Calendar Girls. For our blog candy, Lynne is offering a personalized mug mat monogrammed with your first initial. Please, don't forget to comment on all blogs along with leaving your email address that we may contact the winner. You get to chose either fall colors or Halloween.

Also, Lynne is offering a breast cancer awareness bracelet to one lucky winner.

So glad you could make it today! Is the air cool, crisp and fresh where you live? Here in Texas, we have been teased with a few days of Fall weather but it left as quickly as it came!
I tried to keep the thoughts and feelings of October and Fall by decorating my surroundings! Otherwise I would think it was still SUMMER! AAgghh!
One of the decorations that I did and think it turned out well is a scarecrow wreath for my front door! My inspiration came from a picture that my daughter sent me from somewhere on the web. I would give proper credit if I knew to whom it belonged (she only clipped the pic with no source)! So please forgive me.

     Here is my inspiration   

                                                                      

 and here is MY WREATH!

They are a bit different but I LOVE the way mine turned out what do you think? It's really easy and would love to see pics if you make one for your front door!  You may already have some of the supplies or can get them quite cheaply!

Supplies used: 

A hay wreath that I found at the thrift store for $0.50

A 6ft Scarecrow on a stick (I removed the stick) from Joann's for $4.99

3 Autumn floral sprigs from Joann's for $1.50 each

3 rolls of Autumn ribbon from Joann's at $1.50 each

Some buttons that I had in my stash

Some floral pins or you could use hot glue 

Thank you for hopping with the Calendar Girls! Your next stop in the hop is Laura.  Be sure to mark your calendar again next month to see what Holidays to Celebrate on November 9, 2013, for the next Calendar Girls Blog Hop!

Calendar Girls - September 2013

Welcome to our September Calendar Girls' Blog Hop. It’s absolutely amazing when you do a Google search the interesting facts you may find. Such a find is special and unique occasions throughout the year!!! These unique holidays are our inspiration. As Neil Sedaka sang in his song "Calendar Girls" - "September, light the candles of your sweet 16!!"

I must apologize for not having any projects to share with you today! I had some family/personal happen this month, and I did not get my intended projects completed! I hope you enjoyed everyone's projects today and hope you will come back next month to see our lastest crafting! Happy crafting!

Our hop begins today with the lovely and super talented Jearise of Lorby's World (http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com). The entire line-up is available just in case you get bogged down with all the holidaze and craziness as you won't want to miss a single calendar event!!!! 

In case, you get lost along the way with all the craziness of the holidaze, here's the complete line-up to follow along with the streamers, cards, lay-outs and super creativity of the marvelous Calendar Girls:

Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com

Janet ~ http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/

Lynne ~ http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/

Sandy ~ http://scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com

Edwina ~ http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/

Vicky~http://crafting-vicky.blogspot.ca/

Laura - http://www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.com

Christine ~ http://www.creativelivingwithchristine.blogspot.com

September, 2013 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days:

Classical Music Month ~ Jearise

Fall Hat Month ~

Baby Safety Month ~

Self Improvement Month ~

1 Emma M. Nutt Day, the first woman telephone operator ~ Lynne

2 Labor Day ~ Janet

2 National Beheading Day ~

3 Happy Birthday Janet Smith ~ Lynne

4 Newspaper Carrier Day

6 Read a Book Day ~ Laura

8 Grandparent's Day ~ Sandy

9 Teddy Bear Day ~ Lynne, Sandy

10 Sewing Machine Day ~ Lynne

11 911 Remembrance ~

11 Make Your Bed Day ~

12 Chocolate Milk Shake Day ~ Edwina

12 National Video Games Day ~ Sandy

13 Blame Someone Else Day ~

13 Defy Superstition Day ~

13 Fortune Cookie Day ~

13 National Peanut Day ~

13 Uncle Sam Day - his image was first used in 1813 ~

14 National Cream-Filled Donut Day ~ Christine

15 Make a Hat Day ~

15 National Women's Friendship Day ~

16 Mayflower Day ~

16 National Play Doh Day ~ Lynne

17 Citizenship Day ~

19 International Talk Like A Pirate Day ~ Sandy

21 International Peace Day ~

21 Oktoberfest ~ Lynne

22 Elephant Appreciation Day ~ Janet

23 Checkers Day ~ Christine

25 National Comic Book Day ~

26 Johnny Appleseed Day ~ Jearise

27 Native American Day ~ Edwina

We are offering some fabulous blog candy to a lucky winners - 

Just comment and give some bloggie love to each of the Calendar Girls. For our blog candy, Lynne is offering a personalized mug mat monogrammed with your first initial. Please, don't forget to comment on all blogs along with leaving your email address that we may contact the winner. You get to chose either fall colors, butterflies, or apples. Shown is the butterfly fabric. 

Thanks for stopping by and mark your calendar again next month to see what Holidays to Celebrate on October 12, 2013, for the next Calendar Girls Blog Hop!

August 2013 Calendar Girls: Book Lover's Day & National S'mores Day

Welcome to our August Calendar Girls' Blog Hop. It’s absolutely amazing when you do a Google search the interesting facts you may find. Such a find is special and unique occasions throughout the year!!! These unique holidays are our inspiration. As Neil Sedaka sang in his song "Calendar Girls" - "August, when you're on the beach, you steal the show!"

Our hop begins today with the lovely and super talented Jearise at http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com.  The entire line-up is available just in case you get bogged down with all the holidaze and craziness as you won't want to miss a single calendar event!!!! 

The line-up for August includes:

Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com

Edwina- http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/

Janet ~ http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com

Laura - http://www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.com

Lynne ~ http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/

Sandy~ http://scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com

Vicky~http://crafting-vicky.blogspot.ca/

Christine - http://creativelivingwithchristine.blogspot.com

Lucy ~ http://love2createitall.com

Michele- http://scrapytaz.blogspot.com

August Monthly Holidays, Special and Wacky:

• Family Fun Month ~ Jearise
• National Eye Exam Month - Lucy 
• Peach Month~ Michele
• National Picnic Month ~ Laura

August, 2013 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days:

3 National Watermelon Day ~ Edwina

4 Friendship Day ~ Edwina

4 Sisters Day ~ Janet

7 National Lighthouse Day ~ Lucy 

9 Book Lover's Day ~ Christine

10 Lazy Day ~

10 National S'mores Day ~ Christine

11 Son and Daughter Day ~

12 Middle Child's Day ~

13 Left Hander's Day ~ Jearise

15 Relaxation Day - now this one's for me! ~Edwina

16 National Tell a Joke Day ~ Laura

18 Bad Poetry Day ~ Jearise

19 Aviation Day ~ Lynne & Edwina

20 National Radio Day ~ Sandy

21 Senior Citizen's Day ~ Janet

22 Be an Angel Day ~ Laura

22 National Tooth Fairy Day ~ Sandy

23 Ride the Wind Day ~

26 Women's Equality Day ~

27 Just Because Day ~ Jearise

28 Race Your Mouse Day -but we are not sure what kind of "mouse" ~

30 Frankenstein Day ~ Sandy

30 Toasted Marshmallow Day ~ Vicky

We are offering some fabulous blog candy to a lucky winners - 

Sandy from Scrapbook Blessings will be going through her stash and sending one lucky winner a surprise package. 

Laura will also be giving one lucky winner her favorite image from The Stamping Chef.. She is a new release so you will have to wait and see her... 

Just comment and give some bloggie love to each of the Calendar Girls.

August 9th is Book Lover's Day! My project to celebrate this holiday is something every book lover needs...a bookmark! These bookmarks are actually a file that I purchased from the Silhouette America store from designer Sarah Bailey.  Instead of cutting them with my electronic cutter, I printed the pattern and let my girls go free with my scrapping papers and card stock. These are their creations...

What better way to nurture the love of books then to create your own monster bookmark???!!! 

National S'mores Day is actually Today, August 10th! For this crazy holiday I knew I wanted to celebrate with not your ordinary traditional S'more. I wanted something you could enjoy even when you are not sitting 'round the campfire! 

So I searched the "go to place for everything you ever wanted"...Pinterest! to see what I could. And find I did! There are literally thousands of recipes for s'mores, some traditional and some far from traditional! I searched pin after pin after pin and then there it was...the most scrumptious, delightful, mouthwatering S'more that I had been searching for! 

These delights got rave reviews from my kids..."amazing!", "you need to make more!", "these are delish!"

They were very easy to make too!

1. Make a graham cracker cookie dough & squish into pan

2.  layer with Hershey's chocolate bar

3. Cover chocolate with marshmallows or marshmallow creme

4. Put remainder of cookie dough on top & cook for 30 minutes!

For the complete recipe for these delightful treats, visit Mama's recipes! 

Thanks for stopping by this month. Before you totally run off and snuggle up with a good book and a S'more, be sure to leave some bloggie love, I really appreciate your comments!

Your next stop along the way of the calendar is Lucy. Thanks for stopping by and mark your calendar again next month to see what Holidays to Celebrate on September 14, 2013, for the next Calendar Girls Blog Hop!

Calendar Girls' Blog Hop...Flag Day and Fishing Day!

Welcome to our June Calendar Girls' Blog Hop. It’s absolutely amazing when you do a Google search, the interesting facts you may find... the special and unique occasions throughout the year!!! These unique holidays are our inspiration. As Neil Sedaka sang in his song "Calendar Girls" - "June, they’ll let me take you to the Junior Prom.”

Ahhh, yes, remember those prom days, let alone the prom pictures?? I remember my Senior Prom –my date picked me up in his parents’ “clunker.” Wait, wait, it gets better! We were supposed to go to NYC after the prom…He didn't want to take his parents’ car so we ended up riding the BUS into New York City!!! Can you believe it?? The BUS!! Can you say NERD?? Sitting on the bus in your prom gown and tuxedo…what a memory! Well enough with that, on to the projects!


The hop starts with the beautiful and very talented Vicky at http://crafting-vicky.blogspot.ca/. The entire line-up is available below my projects, just in case you get bogged down with all the holidaze and craziness as you won't want to miss a single calendar event!!!!

If you arrived from Lynne’s blog, then you are right on track!

I’d like to share 2 projects that I created to recognize holidays in June…The 1st is Flag Day which occurs on June 14th and the second is Fishing Day which occurs on June 18th!

So here we go…

If you are from any state in the South you should be familiar with the “pillowcase” dress! 

Well, if you aren't, you are about to be! 

Pillowcase dresses have been around for hundreds of years. They came about as an easy and inexpensive way to clothe children. The original dresses were made from potato sacks, old linens and …pillow cases! These dresses are still popular and have taken on many modern twists.

I made this simple cute patriotic dress for my granddaughter of 

18 months...

It was all made from fabric that I found in the $1.00/yard bin at 

Wal-Mart! It could really be made from scraps you have from other projects; it only took me about ½ yard of material. The stars came from a $2.00 package of buttons in my stash. It only took me approximately 5 hours (should have been less without interruptions and breaks)! 

 And there you have it, a “pillowcase” dress that is still inexpensive, cute and can be worn for all patriotic holidays!
(Let me know in the comments if you would like to see a tutorial on how to make a "pillowcase" dress)

On to Fishing Day…This card is a fun and interactive card! Not only can it be used for Fishing Day but it would make 
a wonderful Father's Day Card (also in June) too!

The fisherman and his boat are both chalked and paper pieced from scraps that I had. 

He is drifting among layers of waves that are inked and embossed. 

The fishing line of string dangles in the waves with hopes of catching that playful fish! The playful fish beneath his boat is on a penny slider.

Watch the video of my daughter demonstrating how the card actually works:

Well, it was fun sharing the holidays with you. Thanks for stopping by! Don’t miss the others in the hop because there are great projects and blog candy too!

The line-up for June includes:
Vicky ~ http://crafting-vicky.blogspot.ca/
Janet ~ http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/
Anita ~ http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com
Kimberly ~ http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com
Laura - http://www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.com
Lynne ~ http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
Christine~ http://creativelivingwithchristine.blogspot.com
Sandy~ http://scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com
Miriam ~ http://miriamscreations.blogspot.com/
Lisa ~ http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

We are offering some fabulous blog candy to 3 lucky winners:

1. Miriam's Crafting Supplies is offering ten (10) sets of pearls to one lucky winner by becoming a fan on her new blog, Miriam's Crafting Blog, http://miriamscraftingblog.com/

2.The Stamping Chef, http://thestampingchef.oo.gd/, is our wonderful sponsor for today's blog hop and has designed some of the images that have been used in today's hop. She is offering 3 of her wonderful designs, winner's choice to one lucky blog hopper that responds on each of the Calendar Girls’ posts along with her facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/TSCRecipes/, commenting that you hopped with the Calendar Girls.

3.Lynne will be going through her stash and sending one lucky winner a surprise package to someone that remarks and gives bloggie love on each of the participants on your worst prom memory.

Your next stop along the way of the calendar is at Sandy’s. 

Thanks for stopping by and mark your calendar again next month to see what Holidays to Celebrate on July 13, 2013, for the next Calendar Girls Blog Hop!

Taking a turn

My apologies to all my readers that I have seemed to vanish for a while! I am back and have decided to take a turn with this blog...

My original purpose with this blog was to share crafts; now with the changes that have occurred in my life I have been challenged by the Good Lord to revamp my outlook on life and learn how to live creatively on a much lower income. 

To briefly give a background of the life changes I have experienced I will recap the past few years in short.

• In 2010 my husband, who was a truck driver, required emergency surgery on his spinal cord. This left him with spinal cord injury and partially paralyzed. Due to this change he was no longer able to work and was awarded Social Security Disability (Cut #1 in income and a big change in our lives) For 3 months, I needed to take off work and become his caregiver because he was not able to even feed himself. Through rigorous therapy he gained back a considerable amount of movement and I returned to work.
• During this time I was struck with great pain throughout my entire body combined with other symptoms. I blew them off to stress, long days, and difficult strain on my body due to lifting and caring for my husband. Unfortunately, rather than relief the symptoms became progressively worse until at times I could not even move. 
• After many frustrating doctor visits and tests, I was diagnosed with not only Fibromyalgia but Autoimmune disorders (not to mention severe hypertension and depression)!
• I continued to push myself to work until the symptoms and the treatments (weekly oral chemotherapy and now chemotherapy infusions) forced me to resign from my stressful position at work. (Cut #2 in income and another big change in our lives)
• This year I was determined eligible to receive Social Security Disability as well.

Those are our changes and challenges in lifestyle in a nutshell! This leads me to the change in this blog...

I will still continue to share crafting ideas, projects, and freebies; but I will now also share ways to craft on a budget, DIY home projects, and general ideas to live successfully on a budget in all aspects of our lives! It's not always EASY but it can be done and I am determined to make our lives purposeful, fun, and economical!

I apologize for the blah, blah, blah, that you may not be interested in but I felt that some explanation of my disappearance and change in blog material was warranted. Future posts will not be so long and tedious and I hope that you continue to follow along my journey and learn along with me how to cut expenses and still live a life that you enjoy along with any challenge you may encounter!

We did not expect these changes or income loss and similar challenges may cross YOUR LIFE at any time too!

I never considered myself an extravagant spender but I was not exactly very frugal either...so join me in learning lessons in frugality and life challenges! 

I would love to hear of your life challenges and how you have adjusted; your comments are all uplifting and always gratefully accepted...

Until next time...