ONE HAPPY SNICKERS

Isn't he cute. His name is Snickers and my sister Fran adopted him yesterday at a rescue fair.

He is 4 months old and as cute as the day is long. It was love at first for the both of them. Of course when we did this we had our 4 grandchildren with us so you can imagine all the love this little puppy got. They all had a different name for him including me. I wanted to name him YODA because he has Yoda's ears. He was rescued from a puppy mill but seems to be in really good health. We are lucky this one was shut down.

I've talked to Frannie several times today to see if she is ready to kill me but she said no. She loves him and is very happy to have him. He is waiting patiently to meet his new best friend Peanut (Julie's dog) and have walks together. Don't worry Peanut Aunt Debbi still thinks your the best thing since sliced bread........

Sorry it's been a while since my last post but I got that flu bug and it really put my life on hold right down to my new studio. That is why there hasn't been any new updates. Last week I would have told you I was never going to have the energy to create in it. But all is well with the world today and getting ready to take the grandkids to the North Pole next week on the Polar Express. Will have pictures I'm sure.

Hugs

GREAT HALLOWEEN PARTY

Well another successful year with the kids for Halloween.  As you can tell some of the houses were saved.  Thanks to sister Barb.  Okay she's not the Biggest Loser, I get the title by myself.   LOL.  We did decorated a house per family and they were just as happy as if they would have had one of their own.  We then did pumpkins which were very fun.  Each year you just see how they all grow with their talents.  It's such a joy to watch.

Of course we had tag, hide and seek and good food.  All the fun things to keep you young.  These days make life worth living.  

Hugs

WE WON'T QUIT OUR DAY JOB

Every year my sisters and I have a Halloween Party for our grandkids and we decorate pumpkins and make crafts. Well this year we decided they would do Haunted Houses. I said to Barb lets put them together Tuesday night when we watch Biggest Loser so they are ready to go. (AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE PICTURES WHO THE BIGGEST LOSERS ARE! LOL) Well she said they are already put together, they just need to be decorated. Well at 5 tonight she called me panic and said they aren't put together. Well I ran over to help her put the them together so they were ready for the the decorations tomorrow. Well 3 hours and 3 pounds of frosting later this is the finished project. Trust me we will keep our day jobs and go back to decorating PUMPKINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will post pictures of the party later this week....

Hugs

Worth the Pain

I'm so excited the studio is done. I just have to say is was worth the pain of remodeling.

I want you to know that on Saturday "Clean Sweep" came to my house. It really was Julie and Beth. They just move stuff to the back of my car like a tornado. I think I took 10 trips to Goodwill between Saturday and Sunday. But it is beautiful and worth it.

I want to thank everyone who helped. It truly was a family effort. My sister Barb helped paint, my sister Fran cleaned cupboards and Beth helped lots with putting Humpty back together again. Cal did lots of the "Man Things". Hanging lights and fixing things I just let go.....And then Julie worked all this magic. It is so unbelievable. Beyond Beautiful to say the least.

Will keep you posted as I finish filling with all my supplies this week end. Julie has given my a homework. Beth told her that's what they do on HG TV. Thanks Beth!!!!!

Hugs

PLAN COMING TOGETHER

Don't you love it when a plan comes together??? Julie was going to help me make a studio in my spare bedroom, when on the way home from Artistic Affair she said "How about your dinning area and make your setting area you dinning area?" My response was "Does your head every explode fromt the ideas?" LOL. Next morning I get an email from Beth with the same idea. NO they hadn't even talkes. So this is how this all evolved. This week end we are putting Humpty back together again. LOL

Will keep you updated as it keeps coming together!!!!

Hugs

ARTISTIC AFFAIR

Where do you begin about this wonderful weekend. I was with three great teachers Julie Haymaker Thompson, Lisa Kettel, and Ruth Rae. Also can't forget the wonderful hostess Kim Caldwell who put on a great event.

The energy was beyond words this week-end. Met wonderful talented women who not only talented but very kind. The art they created was wonderful and is always exciting to see everyone take it to make it their own personal piece.

Once again I can't say how magical this week end was!!! What great experiences and memories I will be able to carry with me for years to come.

Today we are off to the Long Beach Flea Market to find some wonderful pieces to take home and create with. Will be sharing more about the week end and the great finds we get today through the week.

Hugs

NUTS AND BOLTS

Everyone who knew my late husband knew that he was a machinist by trade. His tool box has sat for 8 year untouched. Last Sunday I decided it was time to clean it out. I had decided that all these nuts and bolts weren't going to put him back together. They were in there collecting dust. So I put all this stuff that looks like junk to the common person like my self and boxed it up to send it to a new home. The box ended up in hands of love. Yep you guessed to Julie Haymaker Thompson. She was more than trilled to receive it all.

Well now we will have to wait and see what the real out come will be of the "junk" I gave to Julie. Bill created alot of the nuts and screws on his lathe for companies around home like Stryker. Now Julie will take them to their next life and put them into art for people to enjoy. So stay tune for the upcoming creations on both of our blogs.

Well it's time to call it a day. Everyone have a great week and will talk to you soon.

Hugs

Boy has it been awhile since I last blogged and I was feeling really bad until I got lost in blog world last week and came upon Carol Wingert's blog. As I was reading and catching up she had put in her blog that a quiet blog isn't always that nothing is happening but alot is happening. I thought how true is that....So much has happen since I last blogged.

As you all know I went with Beth to Sweden as she made that fantasic connection. It was a wonderful and exciting trip. I'm so very proud and excited for her. She is one talented Woman!!! The trip was fast but fun and gave us some mother and daughter binding time that was long over due!!!!

Then Julie Haymaker Thompson had moved to the valley and that has been another exciting time in our family...It is great to have her here. And make it easier for us to work together. Remember she is teaching at Artistic Affair in September, and I will be helping with her class. We both are very excited to do this. I get a great high on life from helping both these women in my life.

I also was very happy to meet alot of you at Art Unraveled at the beginning of August. I knew blogs and names but no faces. It was great to be able to put blogs with the actually face. I had a great time that day and was very honored to help Julie.

Then of course I have spent lots of time with the men in my life along with there cousins. There have been birthdays, movies, swimming and much more. It has been a busy summer and of course I have wanted to be there for everything. What a blessed woman I am.

My son Ryan has been fortunate to get a permant job in is field which that also has been a blessing in this economy. He has been fortunate to have been given several job offers and they came looking for him. Way to go Ryan.

My son-n-law Chad is still recovering from his back surgery and we hope he will be back to work here in the next few weeks.

Well that is it in a nut shell. That is where I have been for the last couple months and I promise it won't be this long again.

Hugs

A MOMAMA HAS TO BRAG

Pictures in our home have always been important so in my home and my kids homes cameras are always around.  This week Cole asked if he could take pictures.  Not thinking much of it I said sure.  Well his dad said they never designed a camera for a left handed person.  But this little guys was motivated to get the job done.   These look like great pictures for a 5 year old learning to use a camera.  But the more amazing thing is Cole can't use his right hand.  As alot of you already know Cole had a stroke before he was born and it took the fine motor skills, so at this point in time he has no use of his right hand.   Here are some of the pictures he took and he even managed to get a picture of himself.  

This is a picture of his brother Ethan which I don't think I could have done any better.  Thinking about it looking at this picture he had to do this all with one hand.
Way to go Cole.  You make us so proud.

Hugs

Deb

THAT WAS THE WEEK IT WAS

Sorry it's been awhile but it has been a whirl wind week. Last Tuesday it was out to get Beth off to Farm Chicks. I went out to stay the week with my guys while she made a new venture to Washington to the Farm Chicks show. Lots of of phone calls with updates on what a great time and experience it was for her. Waiting for her to get home tomorrow with lots more stories and adventure updates.

Then I also helped Julie get ready for her big show Sand Castle Sirens. We got class kits packed, her beautiful art package for the show to sell and other little things that I could do to help get ready to leave for her adventure. Heard from her today that it was a exciting time and she met lots of wonderful women. Once again can't wait to get all the details. I have to say when I hear there stories I get so excited for them, more than I can put into words. And once again it makes me remember how lucky I am to have these talented women in my life.

Then as you can see I even found time to take my guys with their cousins to Chucky Cheese. My sister Fran and I spent the Saturday there with the 4 grandkids. (We aren't sure who had more fun, us or the kids!). Our little Kaylee experienced Cotton Candy and wasn't quite sure how to eat so she went in head first. She always comes up with a solution and I believe her way is the best way. No sticky hands, and can get alot more in your mouth that way.

This next few days will be helping Beth get moved to her new home. I'm excited to having them living closer where I can be more support for her and her business and have more time with my little guys. I will keep you updated and once again will try not to be so long on posting.

Have a great week.

Hugs

OH WHAT WILL I BE?

What will Julie make out of me?  I said earlier I would be getting Julie Haymaker Thompson ready for her big event Sand Castle Sirens.  I covered the wooden eggs for her with vintage book paper that will be used in her class and some in kits to sell.  But the big question is what will become of the canvas I have covered for her.  You will have to wait to see what magic she works with the canvas

It has been a fun and exciting week help both Julie and my daughter Beth get ready for their big events.  They are going to be here before you know it.  Once again Julie will be teaching at Sand Castle Sirens and Beth is going to Farm Chicks.  I hope you are lucky enough to attend at least one of the events.  As for me I will be spending some quality time with the two most important men in my life Ethan and Cole and sending great thoughts and prayers to the girls.

Tell next time have a great week.

Hugs

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

I hope everyone had a great week end and got a chance to take a moment and remember what the holiday was for.  I want to thank all those men and women who serve this country and given their lives for us to have the freedom we do.

  Life has been busy for me but I did take get a chance to keep up a tradition my sisters and me started a few ago and we scrapbook Sunday and Monday.  We make it a sleep over and take turns going to each others homes.  This year my sister Fran wasn't feeling well so she came and had dinner and visited with Barb and me for a while, but didn't scrapbook or stay the night.  Hopefully next time she will be feeling better.

Barb and I though are very excited because we completed a book of our 2007 trip to see the butterflies at the Desert Botanical Garden.  (Yes here in Az we pay to see butterflies).  So we got to take another task off our list.  

Well I'm off to another busy week.  I will be helping my daughter Beth Quinn  get ready for the Farm Chicks Show and helping my niece Julie Haymaker Thompson get ready for Sand Castle Sirens.   I'm so lucky to be apart of these great women's journeys.  I thank the Lord all the time that they are in my life.

Well everyone have a great week and will try to be better about saying hello.

TOP OF THE CLASS

It seems like forever since I've had a minute to even post a hello. This is one of the reason's why. My son Ryan graduated Friday night from Gateway Community College. He graduated with his Nuc Medicine Degree and after two long hard years he graduated the TOP STUDENT in his class. I couldn't be prouder and wanted to share with everyone how proud I am of him.

Today he took his state board exam and passed with flying colors. His words to me when the test was done was I'm officially a Nuc Med Tec and no more school for me.

Way to go Ryan.

Everyone have a great week and I will try to post later this week the other great events of last week end.

hugs

THE HISTORY OF APRONS

The History of 'APRONS'


I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but
along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for
cleaning out dirty ears ..

When Grandma rocked us to sleep, she would cover us with her apron, we felt so
snug wrapped in it.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, =ussy chicks, and
sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been
shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the
trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture
that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and
the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that
'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs was in that apron. I
don't think I ever caught anything from an Apron !

This is so timely with my daughter asking me to make her aprons for the Farm Chicks Show. Of course i haven't sewn in 20 years so this was a little scary. But being a mom and daughter asking I gave it a try. What was I out a little time, a little material. Maybe a little failure and I wouldn't be the mom she thought I was. LOL. But I did succeed after a little mistake. We spent and evening in Joann's with Beth, Karlee and myself picking out what colors we wanted and what ones we didn't want to use. Well guess what? Your right I used the colors we didn't want to use. LOL. But we both ended up liking it very much. Here is the finished product.

I GOT MARIE

I know for most of you have already gotten your copy of Marie, but I just finally got mine. I am even more excited because the glove your are looking at is designed by my oh so talented daughter Beth Quinn. If you haven't guessed I'm her biggest fan. She also designs beautiful jewelry. She would love you to stop by her website and check it out http://www.bethquinndesigns.com.

Will be talking to you soon until then have a great week.

56 YEARS YOUNG

Today is my 56th birthday and it was grand from all the warm wishes from family and friends to spending the evening with my daughter and her sons, and my son and his wife.  They both spoiled me grand, from this wonderful dress form to display my beading and a ticket to the musical Wicked.  They really out did themselves and I was very surprised.

I think alot of being 56 because that is the age my father was when he left us.  I remember being 18 at the time and think my dad was old, now i know how young he really was and how much more life he had to live.  I hope and pray from here forward I get to do some living for him.  The next years are for your dad.

Everyone have a great rest of the week and take care.

KIDS AGAIN

This last week end i got to spend the week end with two of my favorite people.  They are my nieces Julie Haymaker Thompson and Lorrie Haymaker. We haven't done it in years but growing up we spent lots of time together.  We were raised more like sister seeing I'm only 2 years older than Lorrie.  They both are so talented and fun to be with.  

The picture is the necklace I made as we were just hanging out creating.  Mine very simple but watch both there etsy sites for some great creations.  Lorries is Lilylovekin and Julie's is Heytommy on etsy.  

I thank my lucky stars everyday to have these two great women in my life and can't wait till the next fun week end when we can BE KIDS AGAIN.

HAPPY EASTER

I feel really fortunate this holiday to have my family with me to celebrate the holiday.  My sisters and myself had a fun filled Saturday with coloring Easter eggs with our grandkids.  they range from age 14 months to 7 years old.  It takes all hands on board.

Then Sunday we got together for dinner.   It was my year to have my kids at my house.  It was my daughter Beth and her family and Ryan who's wife had to work today :(.  My son Jay is working so he had to stay in California and spend it with friends over there.  Then it was my two sisters Fran and Barb.  Fran's granddaughter and kids also joined us.  

The kids had a Easter Egg hunt and played lots of time outside.  It was just a great time.

Tonight I'm thanking God for giving me this wonderful family.  He knows the best what children and family means.  

I hope all of you had just a blessed holiday to.  Talk to you soon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAR

Today is my sister's birthday.  As I said earlier April is a very busy month with celebrations.  The hard part of this celebration is that my sister lives in Michigan and wasn't here to celebrate her birthday with us.  She does though have 3 great kids and 5 wonderful grandchildren to take care of that.

I made her this garden bracelet and earrings to let her know that she is thought of.  I hope she likes it!!!!

Now I'm on to a busy week end with the Easter celebration ahead.   Lots of activities ahead  with all the grandchildren.  We will do egg coloring tomorrow and then an egg hunt on Sunday.   It will be great fun cause you get to be a child yourself again.  Grandkids really do keep you young!!!!!!!!!!  I wouldn't miss any of this for one moment.  It is what makes the world go round.

Everyone have a Happy Easter and will talk to you soon.

OH TO BE THREE!!!

Today was my sister's great granddaughters birthday.  She turned 3 today.  We took the kids to Jump and Shout  and Taco Bell for lunch.  (They all love Taco Bell.)  She was so excited for her birthday and she loved every minute of it.

It would have also been my mothers 94th birthday today.  What a great to celebrate and remember mom on her day than through the celebration of little children.  Kaylee would have been mom's 6th great great grandchild.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

As you can tell I had a very busy week end celebrating all the April Birthdays.  Oh and by the way it would have been Kaylee's greatgrandmother and fathers wedding aniversary.  April is a very busy month for celebrations for this family and it has just begun with more to go.

Everyone have a great week and keep in touch.

BEAD SHOPPING

Last Saturday I decided I wanted to find a new bead shop in my area.  So I googled Bead Shops Mesa Az.  It had a web site that they sold from and it looked easy enough to find.  So out on the adventure my sister Barb and I went.  Seemed simple enough  the streets were Highley and Baseline.  Well two hours and several phone calls later we found the bead shop.  It is tucked back on a side street in office buildings.  LOL

When we got out of the car Barb wasn't sure where I was taking her.  But we both found wonderful treasures and everything is always 40% off.  Great find.  Would recommend this store to fellow beaders, but map quest first.  LOL.

BUTTERFLIES 2009

What a grand day at the Desert Botanical Gardens. They had there annual butterfly exhibit. My sisters and myself got our grandchildren together and took them to see the butterflies. Living in the desert the kids don't have the experiences we took for granted back in the midwest. It was a great day of play!!!!

At the end of the exhibit they have a craft area so the kids can create objects of what they just experience. What a great day of fun for all the kids but especially for the grandmas. What a great day of memories.