Creating Summer Desserts

It's Friday mid May and I don't know about your home area but here in California I am still hoping for more sun. I am not complaining nor wishing for 100 degree weather but I would like to go outside without long pants, two shirts and a sweater. I have so much yard work to tend to, want to bring out those summer cushions and plan on some barbaques without wondering if the rain will spoil our plans.
I just received an email today that made me yearn more for summertime it was from Betty Crocker receipes. I want to share this with you because they sound so yummy. I am making sure to put them in a safe place, I have a tendency to delete, so when summer plans are in the making I will be the first to offer a new dessert.
I have tried and tried to get the link to post to my blog page but it won't so after several attempts I am just going to let you know they are from Betty Crocker recipes called Happy Hour Desserts. They are absolutely yummy looking. Pina Colada Cupcakes,Mojito Bars, Strawberry Daquiri Cake, and Grasshopper Dessert Squares.

So sorry that the link would not appear on my blog page.
Hope you enjoy them.
Have a wonderful weekend be safe and enjoy whatever you have planned.

Stitching Memories

Stitch Your Memories
Today marks the second year that my Mom had passed away many of you that have read my blog in the past know how important she was to me and how much I miss her.
Marilyn, mom’s name was a strong woman who started her family very young she divorced and married later again to a wonderful man, Willie. He had passed away several years ago so as usual Mom picked herself up and continued living life to the fullest. She never passed a moment to do what she enjoyed whether it be gardening, checking out the thrift stores, creating, cooking, traveling or just spending time with friends.
A few of my brothers and sisters our Dad and his wife got together yesterday along with our children making it a special day to honor her life. We attended a Mass honoring her name then came back to my house for a pot luck barbecue. Not all of her children were with us since they lived out of state but the day was full of love. No sorrow only memories that brought tears of happiness. We took pictures the children played; we ate delicious food prepared by her granddaughters. As I stood back and looked at this family gathering I was reminded of what Mom had passed down to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren the ability to rejoice in what was around them.
Our Mom was probably looking down at us yesterday with a big smile on her face knowing that yes she did leave her mark on this earth. This is something that I pray for that I too will be remembered with love not sorrow. I don’t want my children, grandchildren and hoping great grandchildren not to have tears of me away from them because I won’t be. I want to be STITCHED in their memories.
You all have stories that have been told to you passed down from generation to generation keep them going. Share with your family let them know where they came from, who they take after or what trait they have inherited these are important facts that all families should carry on.
Remember those old quilts from yesteryear that tell the story of family well now in the modern day times we may not have that but we can STITCH these memories in our hearts.
Lots of Love to you all.
I have shared some pictures hope you enjoy them.

Mother's Day Question

What Did Your Mother Teach You

Today’s day is special to all women who either gave birth ,adopted or just took in a child in need and I just want to take the time to applaud you.

I was reading face book today catching up on all the news you all have to offer and stumbled onto a question about Mothers that appealed to me so I thought I would get your answers. How fun it will be to read back each answer getting even closer to you my readers. One word answers are fine if you aren’t the sharing type but seriously I would love reading what your Mother has taught you, did it change your life, was it something that was passed down from generations, do you find yourself doing something she always did, crafting, sewing, cooking, working in the garden or just something you so admired in her that you want to share.
My Mother gave me so many great traits but to choose one would be how she could create. Mom had 5 children basically in a row so she had to learn how to make do with what she had in order for us all to be well dressed and happy. She crocheted, knitted and sewed so the 3 girls always had clothes that were especially made for them. Mom taught us all how to work with our hands in the garden so that fresh vegetables were available for meals, and she could make powdered milk taste fantastic. She taught us to add a dash of this and a dash of that to create wonderful meals. My fondest memories remembered are when Mom belonged to each of our PTAs. We had the best school carnivals, class parties, and our house was decorated for every occasion. Even as we grew up we knew coming home to visit Mom her home would be decorated. I have taken this wonderful trait with me and every occasion my home is decorated I personally love Christmas so I literally take everything out of my house and transform it into Christmas as my Mom would do. Mom did like Halloween like Christmas so it was the scariest home ever all the children loved to go trick or treating at her house. Now that my Mom has passed on each time I decorate I look at my creation and think how special she made it for me and I just smile. My children comment that they hope to have my decorations when I go to Heaven I just remind them it is not going to be for a long time so start shopping but I am so pleased that this is something they want to continue like me and my Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day with much love …

I have included some pictures of my Mom please do the same
Sincerely

Recycled Bags

You all know by reading my blog that I am very aware of recycling whenever possible nothing goes to the trash without my second opinion. I use my husband's old levi's for purses, blankets,pillows etc. I have saved all my grandchildren's clothes that I could get from their moms to make them quilts. Buttons I have so many buttons I could open up my own store something old always has a special place in my heart. I can come up with some idea to use it later down the road. Steve will constantly find something I stashed in his garage for a later project. Gives me the look and knows he won't get me to part with it so don't even try. I can't wait to work on two old wooden lazy susans I rescued from the street on trash day. The neighbors now let me know when something is going out to the trash in case I have ideas for it. I could go on forever with objects in my yard that have been rescued for different projects this will be for another day. Today I wanted to share this great idea I found on Martha Stewarts craft site. I subscribe to her emails once in awhile something really intrigues me and today this is what I found. It is a tee shirt turned into a recycle grocery bag...I love it got plenty of hubby's shirts that will do the trick for this project. Here is her instructions -Enjoy

Turning an old T-shirt into a reusable shopping or grocery bag is a simple, clever craft to help everyone be "green." It's a Good Thing that will help protect the environment.

Tools and Materials
Heavy-weight cotton T-shirt
Pins
Sewing machine
Medium-size bowl
Water-erasable marking pen
Scissors

T-Shirt Bag How-To
1. Turn T-shirt inside out and pin bottom of the T-shirt along the hem. Using a sewing machine, sew bottom of T-shirt closed. Flip shirt right side out and lay flat on table, making sure all seams are lined up.

2. Place medium-size bowl about half-way over the neck hole. Using a water-erasable marking pen, trace along the edge of the bowl. Cut along the outline, making sure to go through the front and back sides of the shirt, in order to create an opening for the bag that's larger than what the neck hole allows.

3. Line up the hems on the front and back side of the sleeve and cut, making sure to go through both sides of the shirt. Repeat on the other sleeve. Tip: A jersey shirt would also work well for this craft, as it is already sleeveless, and it's made of a great mesh material.

Resources
Water-erasable marking pens can be purchased at most fabric stores for about $5. To purchase an already-made t-shirt bag, visit greenteebag.com

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Good Thing: T-Shirt Bag - Martha Stewart Crafts

Life is Good

I am hoping that each and everyone had a wonderful Easter Day filled with good food, loving family and joy in your heart.
Today my husband Steve and I started our day with an early Mass as usual it opens my eyes..50 days of feasting is now the calendar event which is something I never knew or if I did I forgot. It is going to be my goal to make sure that I bring happiness in everything I do. The housework,yard work, sewing, even walking out to the mailbox I will have a smile on my face.My husband had a ruptured brain aneursym November 15,2010 it was a very difficult time for our family I never stopped believing everyday I would be by his side with a positive attitude this way Steve saw me with a smile. I believe with all the prayers that were said and the positive attitude which came from my belief of God Steve is alive. Today as we sat in church holding hands the positive energy of God was with us and we both know he will continue to walk with us. Steve is doing better each day his short term memory is getting better and physically he is great.I have my moments of tears that I keep only to myself when its very late and Steve is sleeping more from joy of his life with me than remembering the fear of my life without him. Today is my wish for you all is to Have a Happy Easter! Enjoy your life with those around you keep them dear, have peace in your heart with those that try your patience and for the next 50 days Feast in Life!

The Versatile Blogger Award

Wednesday, April 20, 2011The Versatile Blogger Award
We were just given The Versatile Blogger Award! I'll take it! :)

Thank you Ashlee from Little Izzy Blog for presenting me with this award.
I really appreciate it! :) If you haven't already, you should stop by her
blog and follow her. She's got some awesome ideas!



The rules after excepting this award:
Thank the person who awarded you.
Divulge 7 things about yourself.
Award 15 discovered bloggers.
7 Things About Me:
1.I have oatmeal every morning.
2.I am thankful for waking up next to a wonderful thoughtful man, my husband.
3.I am an independent contractor that works from home hurray for this!!!
4.I am a native California girl.
5.I have 3 beautiful grown daughters and 7 super cute grandchildren that are dreams come true.
6.I understand and write fluent spanish don't practice enough to speak it.
7.I love music all types, jazz,spanish,opera,country anything that reminds me to open my eyes and grasp life with both arms.
Now for the part that is so difficult for me. 15 blogs that I need to choose.
If you did not make this list, please know that I still think you are the best!


And The Versatile Blogger Award goes to..................
1.My Colorful Treasures

2.Belly Charms

3.This N That Boutique

4.Brya's Baskets

5.Style 'N Decor Deals

6.Wynnie Bee

7.His Perfect Promises

8.A Taste of T

9.A Hootie Hoot

10.Susie QT Pies

11.Freckleberry Finds

12.Creative Itch

13.AtoZ Celebrations

14.Serendipity Chic Design

15.Capers of the Vintage Vixens

Crafting,Working,Gardening,Promoting and Everything Above

Sunday afternoon the weeks do flew by. I have been busy with my daughter crocheting and woodworking. I wanted to get some children items done. I have 7 "sweet grandblessings" I borrowed this from a fellow blogger who are always wanting Nana to make something for them. Bow holders,Teacher gifts,and minky bunnies dressed in pajamas the granddaughters are happy little ones now. They love to create with me one granddaughter chose all the button colors for the bow holders thank goodness for her great eyes she pointed out to me that dark blue is not black thread. I loved that moment. This one has an eye for colors she loves to draw so for her Mother's Day present she made a drawing and I am going to copy it to pillowcases and stitch.
Crafting Mother's Day is just around the corner my dear Mother went to heaven in 2009 a week after Mother's Day so in her honor I request a mass at our church then invite brothers and sisters over for a potluck. We should be together on this day to toast Mom. Good food, memories,lots of laughter and a few tears complete the day.
Trying to think what I would like to make special for our web site for this occasion it may just be something here that I could share with you all.
The site that my daughter and I teamed up to sell is
Two Generation Designs we would love for you to come by and visit. The items will get listed on both my web site and the etsy shop soon but until then anything you like or would like to order just send an email to rachel@ourcreativehands.com
Working The work I do from my home is customer service for a wonderful company called Working Solutions. I have been an independent contractor for this company over 9 years I love it. If you are considering working from home please check out this site.
Gardening my next passion after crafting has fallen to the wayside a bit only because of the weather. Its been a bit cold for me to get my hands in the dirt. I have shared pictures of the flowers and my yard which have been tending to theirselves lately. Not for long I have some veggie seeds calling my name to plant.
Promoting oh my goodness you will find me late in the evening checking emails, sending product pictures to my web designer Lisa
My Colorful Web Design of who I must recommend she was a God send to me and our business, blog hopping,facebook reading, and looking for new patterns to make..I sometimes don't even realize its past 2 am and still awake. It is the blogs that you all have created that keep me so intrigued again I want to thank each of you for the fascinating blogs.
Everything Above- Who has any time left ME! I want to put every last minute I can into making others happy, making my life with meaning and making my house a loving home.
Remember to visit our web site Our Creative Hands
for your prmiitive, country and whimsical product designs with wood and fabric