A Spool of Thread.

I enjoy simple things. And I wanted to portray it in my blog.

While looking around to find something to visually state simplicity, I came across this wooden spool with orange fiber wound around it.

My second grader found the fiber on her school playground (presumably unravelled from another child's winter scarf). My sweet girl thought of her mom, brought it home and wound it onto the spool. "You can use this in your scrapbooking, mom" she said.

This gesture reminds me of the simple things one can do to encourage, entertain, inspire and love on people. Like these:

1. your child thinking of you while they're away at school
2. your fellow SAHMs gifting you with miniature roses as a "thanks" for facilitating and coordinating our gatherings.(this is last year's group... I forgot to get a photo yesterday...)

3. being complimented and encouraged on your vocal talents (last night was practice for praise band).
5. learning about others and becoming virtual friends through this world of blogging.

3. receiving a comment on your blog or Facebook page.
4. Having a blog post written about you (you're the best, Heather thanks a million! This definitely made my day.)

Yeah, my simple life ROCKS. And, well... it rolls too. But mostly it ROCKS. And I intend to "keep on keepin' on" in hopes that I can help create simple joys for others too.

So... I want comments! :) What is a simple joy in your life right now? Can't think of one? Then what simple joy could you use right now?

Visit the DT Blog for a Giveaway!

First off-- if you love a good giveaway like I do, be sure to visit the Design Team blog at Paper Pals before Friday, May 1. Just leave a comment on this post with a scrapbooking technique you'd like to see featured on our Design Team's projects. We want to know which techniques you want to see!

Speaking of Design Team, I just posted some new layouts and cards on the DT blog. First is my Craft It Forward (remember this post?)creation for Brittany... here's a sneak peek!My favorite part of this 12x12 layout is what's in this photo-- it emphasizes the laid back lifestyle you enjoy in Saipan (if you're lucky enough to live there). I made the timepiece look smashed (using a digital brush). The text on the embellishment card says "YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT TIME IS ____________"... I filled in the blank with the word "Irrelevant". Wouldn't it be nice to ditch the schedule once in awhile?

(Anita and Heather...I've got ideas to Craft It Forward for you too, now I just need to get creating! Someday soon...)

And, specifically for my sisters, I created a layout featuring the three of us Sawyer girls. I used my favorite pic of Julie, Suzanne and I from back in 1982-ish. Here's a sneak peek for that one, too.

You can see the complete layouts here.

Tablesetting Creativity

When I was young, I participated in a tablesetting contest through 4-H. I can't remember if I won (which probably means I didn't), but I do remember how to set a table.

On a daily basis, these skills don't really get used (it's a chore that has been assigned to my girls)... but when you host a table for a victorian tea, the knowledge comes in handy!

To celebrate my mom's birthday we enjoyed a tea table complete with family, friends great food, favors and chocolate! Our church hosts this tea each year and this was my first time as a table host.

Here are a few photos from the event for you to enjoy.

Craft it Forward.

I found this fun idea on Jesse Edwards' blog who is a really creative woman. Do any of you recognize her name from the digiscrapping world??? Talented, she is. So I'm curious to know what she can create with her hands (not including a computer and mouse... at least, not entirely.)

So I'm joining the bandwagon.

The first three people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It’ll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it’s going to be.
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!Who’s in?

Craft it forward idea from Kiwi

Holy Cow! Er, Holy Monkey!

Thanks to said Paper Pals in my previous post... we got featured on the Tip Junkie blog!


You may remember this post regarding my sister's baby shower and the Monkey Diaper Cake centerpieces I made. Well, Tip Junkie "discovered" them when I posted it on the Design Team Blog and featured them on their Baby Shower Theme Ideas blog post. Check it out HERE!

This blogging stuff is incredible. I can't believe what we can find and share here.

Amazing.

Selected.

Doesn't that word just make you feel great? That is, if you're the one that is selected?

Well, I suppose it depends on what you're selected for. About 9 months ago I was "selected" as a member of the Superior Court jury panel for 12 months. I haven't been called yet, so thus far being "selected" is all good. (Not that I would mind serving my civic duty, it just depends on all the other factors in life that require my attention... but I digress...)

But today I'm able to jump for joy about being SELECTED. I've been selected as a Design Team Member at my local scrapbook store, Paper Pals.
This is my second term. I've enjoyed myself so far, and totally look forward to creating with their great products for the next 6 months. I'll share a little of what I'm doing here at this blog, but most of the time you will find me and my creations (as well as creations by the other Design Team Members)at the Paper Pals Design Team Blog. So visit it, mark it as a favorite (or even follow it!) and join me on this creative journey. You will be glad you did.

Here's my first assignment:
Hmmm... got the creative wheels turning...

April Showers Bring... MUD.

And kids CANNOT keep themselves out of it. There is a strong, unavoidable force of gravity between mud (or even just water) and children. I remember it as a child. It would suck you in. And sometimes it sucks in your mud boots too. (And your mom has to come rescue you from the ditch. My mom just reminded me of that event from 30 years ago...)

Strangely, the gravitational pull reverses as you become an adult and you do silly things like intentionally avoiding a path that is most direct through a glorious mud puddle. Why is this???

To embrace and celebrate my kids' desire for dirt and water, we have decided to sacrifice our indoor kitchen playset to the garden. We've had the little play kitchen for over 7 years, and it has lost its luster.

Something tells me that with its new home in the garden, it will cook even more "creations" than it ever did inside our house!



Now, excuse me as I go rinse the bottom of my shoes after my mud garden adventure...

Play at the Park

My youngest two and I took advantage of our first "spring" days and headed to three parks in just one day.

Aren't parks so much more fun the first days of springtime versus the last days of fall?









The simple joys of swings and slides. I'm thankful that I get to share these joys with my kiddos.

Welcome, Little One!

We're so thankful and happy to know that baby Trent Daniel Holling has arrived!

My sister Suzanne and her hubby Jake had quite a week in and out of the hospital. But after all was said and done, they came home on Monday with a beautiful baby boy.

8 lbs. 11 oz.
19 3/4 inches long
Born on 3/28 at 7:15 pm

Isn't my new nephew just handsome as can be?