Daily Junk: Love Birds

My computer and webcam have decided not to get along so I couldn't record making this page like I had initially planned... I spent almost 2 hours trying to figure out what the problem was but unfortunately I had no luck. :( I did want to share the entries I have done however. This entry is for our anniversary which  was August 2nd. I'll tell a little about what I did to the page but I won't bore you with all of the details. Both pages are painted using acrylics. The birds were traced onto newspaper from a chipboard diecut and then painted with acrylics. After they were attached I just outlined them with white. The Forever heart is a stamp, stamped in stazon and then outlined in white. I added the white lines for something extra with white paint and then a black sharpie pen. The "Just My Type" phrase came from a magazine.. I just tore it out and inked the edges. On the right side I completely altered the envelope my anniversary card came in that my hubby gave me. The envelope was purple, not anymore! It was painted with acrylics as well and I did a little sponging with white acrylic and sequin waste along one side. The quote is from a vellum quote stack and I drew out the brackets with a black sharpee. I then stamped LOVE above and below the quote with StazOn ink and I used bubble wrap and black paint for the designs in corners as well. I painted the flap white, and used a border punch on the edge. Then I drew a little checkered design with my sharpee, journaled and then attached the envy to the page. I placed my card in the envy along with a few other love related items and will add stuff as I come across it. I really love how this page turned out though. It was fun!!

Another angle of the first page

Close up of the 'Love Birds'

The envelope & card inside

Close up of the envy 

 Thanks for taking a peek! 

Visit with our nephew Michael

Started a Starburst Throw...

Last night I started a new throw in a Starflower pattern (thats my name for it lol). I am really liking the simplicity of the pattern but the sophistication of the look when its crocheted up. I am making this one in purple, black and white for my niece Clair's room since her entire room is in this color scheme. I really really hope she likes it! I haven't gotten that much completed but its a good start and its so quick and easy that I think this will be finished rather soon. This would be a beautiful throw in so many different color schemes. I am really really considering selling these throws in my shop. If anyone is interested please let me know. I will be posting pictures of this one when it is completed but I was so excited with the way it is turning out so I had to share now! :)

In other news we found out this afternoon that my husbands workmans compensation for his injury was accepted so we will be getting some sort of income until his doctors appointment June 9th for his work release. The Lord is good thats all I can say!

I also want to mention that my friend Annette (CharmfulDelights on Youtube) is going through a really tough time right now. Her hubby was laid off because of serious medical issues and they are really struggling financially. She has been selling all of her craft supplies just to get by, and the poor dear just got slammed with property tax! I feel so badly for her so if anyone of you is interested in helping her out in anyway please visit her youtube channel and leave her some love. Or visit Laurel's blog where you can donate to her Spare Change Effort for Annette. You can also send her a message on your youtube channel and see what she may have up for sell that might interest you. I know that she is selling a really nice camera, and scrapping supplies. Thanks so much everyone...

I'm going to enjoy the rest of my Thursday with Homemade Spaghetti (yummers!) and my favorite shows... Vampire Diaries, American Idol, and GREYS ANATOMY! yay!!!

Wishing everyone a blessed Thursday!

More Baby Frustrations

I'm not really sure how much I have talked about our troubles conceiving and the trouble we have had trying to have a family of our own... but I want to take the time to tell everyone what has been going on with us and vent a little about things. This is MY blog and MY life... at this moment its a VERY important part of my life so I want to share with you and hopefully I wont share anything that is too uncomfortable for anyone, and if I do I greatly apologize.

My husband and I have been together 11 years this September. We have been married since August 2nd 2003. I have only been with 1 man, my husband in my life, and my husband has only been with me. I have not been on birth control since I was 18 years old and he has never used protection. (Stupid and something I definitely DO NOT condone) But when we were married we decided what ever happens, happens, and welcomed the opportunity of a family. For us it didn't happen that way. I have never conceived... and we have been trying for so long now. Last year we decided that maybe Adoption was our only option. So we went through an ordeal where we thought we were going to adopt and the parents decided before the child was born that they wanted to keep the child. That was pretty difficult for me because I jumped the gun and really thought it was going to work out. So I had all the stuff for the baby and everything. Now I know that I should have waited until the very last moment so that I knew that it was definite or not, and then maybe I wouldn't have went through such a huge emotional heartbreak. I told myself that I would never go through a situation like that again. I wouldn't open myself up for that kind of let down..... low and behold I didn't keep to my word at all and ended up being a sucker again.

My friend from high school found me on facebook and we were talking about kids and things and I mentioned that we have none and was telling her about the troubles we have been having etc. During all of our conversations she mentioned that she thought she could be pregnant and knew that she would not be able to take care of the child if she was. She asked me if Tim and I would be interested in adopting the child if she were pregnant. I blatantly told her that I did not want to set myself up for heartbreak again and that I was really skeptical of the situation only because I don't want to be hurt again. She told me that she understood and ASSURED me that it would never be like that because she couldn't hurt me that way. Let me say that this is not just some girl I went to school with. I grew up with her. I have known her since before Kindergarten and we practically grew up together. So I trusted her. After have many talks with her and a ton of serious conversations with Tim we told her that we would be honored. On Mother's Day night at around 11 or 12 she called me crying her eyes out and told me that she needed a place to stay and that she was kicked out of her home because her boyfriend broke up with her. So we got the money together to get her a bus ticket from NC to here and we went and picked her up Monday night. I wanted to help her but I let her know that I was also concerned for the child and if she was pregnant I wanted her to be here so that we could be there to help her during the pregnancy. Monday afternoon we talked seriously about the entire situation and I told her that I was VERY VERY worried about getting hurt. She again assured me that I wouldn't get hurt and that she was serious.. That night when Tim came home from work I told him about our talks and we were super excited about everything. On Tuesday morning we were sitting in our living room and I mentioned something regarding the adoption/pregnancy so that she could verify with Tim and she said that she was not pregnant that she had started her period. That really upset me but I shook it off and she mentioned that she still wanted to give us a family and that she would be interested in being a surrogate. So we looked up all the necessary information that morning. Tuesday night I asked her something else about it and she said... 'I just don't know this is all moving too fast.' So I left things alone and figured that she might be a bit overwhelmed. No problem. Nothing was mentioned or talked about further. However she spent most of the night on my computer and phone talking to her 'ex' boyfriend and some guy she knows in Colorado. I found it a bit odd that she was talking to her 'ex' that just booted her out the door... I know I wouldn't be talking to him! On Tuesday night when Tim got home from work I talked to him and told him that I felt that something was wrong and that she was changing her mind. I got that from her vibe, the things she was telling me in her convos with these guys, and just the over all atmosphere of our talks. I started to worry.. so we agreed to sit her down Wednesday and talk about it. Wednesday morning I said 'We have been talking and we really need to know where you are with all of this and if you are going to change your mind.'... Her statement was 'Well honestly I think this is all moving too fast. I have been thinking and I just want time for myself. I want to focus on me and I don't think this is what I want right now. I have been talking to ____ and he wants me to come to Colorado to visit so he got me a bus ticket and I will be leaving Saturday night.' So she basically turned 360 on us. I told her that I honestly was letting her stay with me because I thought she needed the help and we were helping her because she was helping us. I told her how important this was to us and then I had to leave the room. I cried all day and all night over it. I couldn't stop crying because she did just what she said she would NOT do to me. She ended up changing her ticket for Friday evening and that is when she left. My father in law took her to the bus station and I was under the impression that she was going to Colorado. However my father in law over heard her talking to someone on the phone and saw her ticket that said she was going to North Carolina. She claims that she went to NC and that the guy from Colorado flew to NC to get her luggage and stuff and drive her back to Colorado, but it doesn't add up to me. I don't believe it, I really think she went back to the fellow she was with in NC and just didn't know how to tell me. She lied to us. I found out after she left that she borrowed money from my in-laws and I really think she used us for a vacation to get away and money. I think she lied to us knowing she was never pregnant and never intended to help us in any way.

I can't see myself trusting another person in a situation like this. I'm hurt... and it really makes me lose hope on having a family.

To add to the stress my mother in law tells me that my sister in law is late and that upsets me because if she's pregnant she is able to give them another grandchild and I can't even give them one. I can't give my husband what we both want so much and I feel the pressure every single day from it. I find myself being envious of everyone who has children or who is pregnant... I feel myself feeling bitter and sad all at the same time. Its hard, and I'm sad... thats all I can say about it to be honest. She hurt me in the worst way, she pretended to give me something that means more to me than anything in this world, something I want soooo badly that I would practically do anything for it... and she just took it away with a snap of the finger. She teased me.... and for her to be such a 'good friend' is what hurts me the most. If I can't trust someone I grew up with from practically a baby.. who can I trust?

Happy Birthday to Bob!

Today is my father-in-laws birthday so I made him this card and just had to share!

Happy Birthday Pop!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

A pretty good weekend

This past weekend was my nephew Michaels first birthday and he lives in North Carolina (where most of our family resides.) So we took a trip there so we could #1 celebrate Michaels 1st birthday at his party and #2 meet our niece Lexi for the first time!

Unfortunately my poor hubby had an accident at work on Thursday night resulting in a hospital stay and 5 bulging discs in his back! :( He was a trooper and didn't want to let his nephew down so we still took the trip. The drive down was ok until we hit the Virginia/North Carolina line and hit some CRAZY weather! It had me pretty freaked out! I hate heavy rain and not being able to see where we are going!

Just check out these crazy storm clouds! 

The party was Sunday morning and it was small but really fun. Michael was in a wonderful mood, and I was so happy to see him and spend time with him. He had a fascination with my locket and tried to make a snack of it a few times. LOL.

I was laughing at him because he wanted the camera. 

Tim's Parents with their grandson

My hubby with Michael

His totally cute cake!

He tried to get messy but he was more interested in the toys than
the actual cake lol. 

This guy was wandering around the park..

And Michael really enjoyed meeting him!

After the party we said goodbye to everyone there and headed to see my brother, sister in law, and baby niece Lexi. I was so excited to meet her for the first time! We didn't get the best pictures and folks I was looking rough by the time we got there! LOL. It was hot and I was tired, so please forgive my funkiness! ;)

Uncle Tim and Lexi

She's such a beautiful little girl, and her smile really makes the trip worth it!

I made Lexi a baby blanket shaped like a star in her nursery colors of pink, cream, and brown and her parents seemed to really like it. Our trip home was looong and tiring but I was sooo happily surprised when I was settled at home and sat down to check my email to find a beautiful picture of Lexi with her blanket! It really made me happy and surprised me in the best of ways!

I'm so glad everyone liked it :) I'm kinda proud of it! 

I finished a hat that I made for her and am working on a male version for my nephew. I will be selling these in my shop as well if anyone is interested! 

Minnie Mouse Beanie

Today I started a purple, white and black throw for my niece Clair and actually got a good bit of it finished... I will post pictures and everything soon. I need to work on a tutorial for the Exploding box I made for my mil for Mother's Day as well. My husband has been dealing with workman's comp and getting a work release from the doctors. Thats a big headache! The hospital referred him to a Neurologist and we called today for an appointment and they said they can't see him until June 9th. So now we are trying to find another doctor that can hopefully see him sooner and release him so he can go back to work, otherwise we are going to be in a BIG ko-ink-e-denk! Why do they always make things sooo difficult?! Other than that there's nothing much going on... I do have an important personal blog to post in a few about a situation that we recently went through, but thats another blog and I don't want to bring this one down much. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!! 

All my love, 

3 Words Wednesdays....

Its a linky party over at Real Life Reslers! 

Each Wednesday, link up with a photo--BUT--the catch is you can only have 3 words to describe your picture!! No more, no less. 

Here's mine: 

One Handsome Dude! 

Isn't it Ironic?

This is my horoscope for today: Trust your heart to know who is being sincere and who may have an ulterior motive. Trust your heart to know that a choice you are now making based on emotion is just as valid as any. You should also trust your heart to lead you into something that other people might consider too uncertain - because you know what's best. The only time you will really need to trust your head over your heart today is when it comes to a money matter that has been causing you a headache for some time now. Once that's resolved, everything else will be a cakewalk.   

It's so ironic to me when my horoscope actually applies to my day. Today has been one of the oddest days I've had in a while. I mean it was a typical day but the conversations I had and decisions I made all goes into what my horoscope mentions. I had a long conversation with my sister about my father today.... this conversation led to another 3way conversation with my sister and my aunt on the same subject and some other family things. In the midst of my conversation with them my mother of all people calls me. So I click over to have a talk with her.... for her to tell me that my father requested her friendship on Facebook. How Ironic is that?!?! Fast forward a bit and I'm talking to my aunt and sis again... for my mother to call me back AGAIN (very very strange because I'm lucky to hear from her more than once every month or so) to tell me that she is sorry for my father. Wait, what?! Was the only reaction that I could muster.... She basically apologized for us having a deadbeat father... How is all of this coming up sooo randomly in the midst of a conversation I am literally in the middle of with my aunt and sister?! Is my phone bugged or something?! Shortly after all of these conversations, my father sends me a message and literally for the VERY FIRST TIME PEOPLE, APOLOGIZED to me. I was 12 years old when my parents divorced and he left... after almost 15 years, and in the middle of everything I just mentioned, he sends me this message.... I'm so very baffled! I spoke with my sister again tonight and said to her 'maybe its not a coincidence... maybe its supposed to be this way.' Thats the only thing I can think of... I mean, someone is trying to tell me something, they are literally trying to smack me in the face with it, I think. lol. How can it not be obvious?! 

I'm basically putting everything in my faith, closing my eyes and jumping into this head first. I believe in God, and I believe that God has a plan for each of us. I truly think someone's trying to tell me something, I'm listening for the first time, and it feels right. 

p.s. Another bit of irony... The song 'You Saved Me' by Kutless is playing in the background as I write this. 

I'll close for now while pondering the things that leave me scratching my head .lol. *scratch scratch*

Welcome to the World Michael James

Introducing our nephew....Michael James. Tim's brother and sister-in-law had him (their first) on Sunday, May 16th. He was 5 lbs 1 oz and 17 in. long. He is a healthy happy baby now. He looks alot like his daddy in my opinion :) That makes the second Nephew for us this year lol. WOW. Our family sure is growing!

Maybe one of these days Tim and I can celebrate the joy of a new child, anyway... welcome to the world MJ!

The cutest nephew ever...

Isnt this a cute picture of my nephew Adam?!? He's such a cutie pie! LOL.I wish he was smiling but I guess he was just too into his snack. LOL! I love that my brother and sister-in-law take all of these pictures of him for us since we live so far away and miss out on so much with him. It makes us feel a little better that we can see him even if we arent there in person. I just miss the lil guy like crazy though! Just had to share, it put a smile on my face today =)

Just Blogging...

I'm tired of drama, especially family drama... why can't I watch a soap opera to get my drama fix, instead of having to deal with stupid stuff like who bought what for who and when. UGH. I get so tired of drama, greed, bitterness, jealousy....etc etc.

Isn't our Zoey soo cute?! I took this picture of her today, she is a camera hound for sure :) I've gotten REALLY attached to her already. I thought that once we found homes for her brothers that she would sort of be lonely and look for them but she is happy and hasnt acted differently. Maybe even acting better! Who knew lol. I am SOOO happy that we found good loving homes for the other 2 puppies and that they are together in the same home, with kids! yay! Turns out that the family that adopted them are really nice and their son has had some issues with swelling in his brain, he is pretty sick and has had a lot of testing done recently, so they adopted the puppies to sort of cheer up everyone especially their son. I hate that he is sick but I'm so happy that we could offer them a puppy to brighten his days. Oddly enough the father works with Tim and his name is also Tim, AND his wife's name is Andrea, AND she's also originally from NC. TALK ABOUT COINKEDINKS! Tim really gets along with them and so we are hoping that maybe we can get to know them and maybe be friends. They would be our first friends to hang out with here which I think would be nice.

On a damper note, Tim's great aunt Alma passed away on Wednesday night and the funeral is Monday. Unfortunately, we can't make it because its in Florida and Tim has to work, and we just dont have the funds. :( Tim's a little down about that, but his mom is taking a flight tomorrow down so that she can be there because it was her Aunt and so she is going to send our condolences. I never met her but from what I've heard she was a wonderful lady and there are many fond memories of her. May she rest in peace.

If you havent noticed, I have changed up this blog a bit. I'm really happy with the new layout and everything. I'm trying to make this blog a bit more personal and less 100% focused on The Longest Yarn. Yes its a BIG part of my life, but there's a lot more going on that I would LOVE to have an outlet to talk about.

Me and my bestie, Ginger, are on chapter 7 of our Eclipse re-read. We have a book discussion blog called Dixie Book Diva's where we are talking about the book as we read. We would LOVE for anyone to join in with our discussions. We will be reading & discussing Eclipse this month and next month we will be reading/discussing 'The Sweet Far Thing' by Libba Bray. Any and everyone's welcome to join in at any time.

I'm working on several crochet projects that I will be putting up in the shop soon. There's an afghan (that i've blogged about before), a messenger bag, a few more mary jane slipper sets, possibly a few more coaster sets, and I'm thinking a few more headbands. Not only that but I have 2 commissioned drawings, and a request for a travel bag (for toothpaste, toothbrush etc)... I'm going to be busy busy busy!

Aren't our roses beautiful?! I was sooo happy to go out today after several days of rain, and take pictures of the beautiful roses that have blossomed. I need to figure out what I can use for the pests that are eating the leaves.. so annoying. I went out today to check on our apple tree as well and it has big black ants all over the leaves... so I dont know if they are possible eating on my tree?!? I didn't know they did that! lol.

Tonight I watched the movie 'Brothers.' I thought it was a good movie. I'm not a big fan of Toby McGuire but I really like Natalie Portman. I was surprised at how good of a job TM did in this movie. He did a great job at being 'crazy' basically lol. The ending left a lot to be desired, but I like that it was sort of a 'happy' ending rather than he just 'offing' himself, ya know? But thats just my opinion. :)

I think that pretty much sums up everything I have to talk about for now. I think I'll try to read the ending of my current read 'Rebel Angels' by Libba Bray. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Introducing my Godson!

Its official! Im an Aunt and a Godmother =D On December 12, 2009 at 1:47 am, Adam Christopher was born! He weighed 6 lbs 5 oz and was 21 inches long. My brother and sister in law had the happiest day of their lifes that day and I was so blessed to be able to be there with them! It was truly love at first sight =)

Chris and Cheryl made Tim and I his Godparents, which is the ultimate Christmas gift! We are sooo honored and are totally in loved with the little man!

I wanted to take the time to introduce him and share some of the great pics of him that I have so far! This is a new road on my journey in life.... so you will probably see TONS of pictures of this little man here, along with stories etc. I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present!

Been Busy, shop updates!

We've added many new items to the shop this week, and we are also working on more! Today we will be posting 8 NEW items! A fine art drawing, 6 sets of stitch markers for knitting and crocheting, and another cool little handpainted wood sign. I've got so much to post and catch up on its insane! I havent been here in ages it seems. We have a blog for the shop http://homespun-creations.blogspot.com/ and we are also on Facebook, you can become a fan of the shop there, just type HomespunCreations in the search bar and you'll find us! We made a treasury of all of our favorite Halloween Creations on Etsy as well... Check it out, you wont be disappointed. There's a variety of items. You can leave comments on the treasury too, it stays open until Monday. The link to our Witches Brew treasury is... http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=78685
I've also been working on a knitted baby blanket for my brother's baby Adam. He is due on Dec. 14th and we are all sooo excited! I will be a first time Aunt and my brother has asked me and Tim to be Adam's Godparents, so I am super humbled and doubly excited to meet the little guy! I will have to post pics of the ultrasounds they sent me and share pics of the blanket and things. Its only taken me 2 weeks to do 1 panel lol. I have 2 more panels to go, and finished panel 1 at 1 am last night haha. Good thing I have time huh? Im just so excited! I want to make a complete set of booties, a blanket, a hat, and maybe mittens or something for him since he will be here in the winter. I have some other things to share that I've created and been doing for the months that I've been away. I will try my best to post all of the new things soon. I just wanted to share a little of whats been going on. Hope everyone's doing well!

Mother's Day Cards

This week I put together 2 mothers day cards as well for our mom's. I hope they like them. =)

I used decorative papers, letter stamps by studio G, ribbon, self stick gems, cardstock, decorative scissors, hole punch, crystal glitter glue, foam decorative stamp, & orange, yellow, black inks.

Happy Early Mother's Day to all the Mom's in the world!

~Andrea

Commission: Toddler's Haven Day Care

My little sissy has decided to open her own day care! I'm so excited for her! She is great with kids so I know this is the perfect thing for her! If anyone is living in the Lemoore, CA area and are in need of a daycare... let me know and I'll give you her contact information. She is hoping it will be open by the end of April :) She asked me to create her logo, sign, and exit signs! I am very honored!!!! So I created the sign above and the exit sign below for her. She says she loves it so I am really thrilled about it! This is the exit sign....

Pretty cool, huh? Congrats sissy! I wish you the best of luck!!!! Thanks for including me in your new venture!

~Andrea

Sisters make the best friends

Today I finished this wall hanging. I thought it would be something fun and different to try. It all started with this blank wooden house that I found at Michaels for 50 cents on clearance. Then I hand painted a design on it and added a vintage image and the words 'sisters make the best friends',some swarovski crystals in pink and clear/white, and some fabric flowers in pink and white as well. It was fun and I sort of like how it turned out.