Grandma

My grandma passed away last week. Thursday, November 3, 2011. 

We just got back yesterday evening from driving up to Michigan for the funeral. It was the first time our entire family was together in years. While I can't stop thinking about how much Grandma would have loved to be there with us all together, and how much I wanted to go there and just have her be there and be able to do the fun things we did with her, and to tell her I love her so much, and to get one of her warm squishy hugs. The shock of her really being gone is so unfathomable to me. I miss her dearly. The past couple of weeks have been so emotionally hard for me and the rest of the family. While we all knew Grandma was old and didn't know how much longer she had, we just weren't ready for her to go (how can you ever be?). To realize that a person that has been a constant through out your entire life is gone and it is so hard to deal with that fact. You feel like your grandparents are always going to be there, like they can't die, you want them to live forever. But what's reality can be heart breaking. Everything has seemed like a whirlwind these past 14 days. 

All I can say is, I have a hole in my heart, a part of me is gone, someone that brought so much laughter and joy to my life is gone. She was such a fun and witty little grandma. The many times she'd take us to Frankenmuth when we were little, and the times she'd joke around with us, I will cherish these memories, for it's all I have to hold on to. I can't stop thinking how I just wish I would have called her more, and would have called her just a few days before it all happened when I thought to. Wished I would have held her more each visit we had with her, and told her how much I love her. The only thing that can help me through this is God's comfort and peace. He's the only reason we can get through these times.

Grandma I love and miss you beyond words!

In memory of Letha Luella Furnish

I threw this layout together quickly to have on display at her funeral.

You are a blessing

Hello there! I feel so out of date on my blog these days. I've wanted to get back on track, but my life doesn't seem to always go how I want to. And scrapping seems so distant to me, I've wanted to get back in the swing of that as well. I've imagined for so long scrapping little girl pages of my daughter. But it seems even a little harder to find the time to, now taking care of three children. I love my life as a mom and having three wonderful children, but it can be challenging at times. Feeling like I'm being pulled 3 directions at one time! Ha! Yup! But that isn't always the culprit, I think it's just plain, I am lazy sometimes and don't want to do anything or feel motivated or creative. Yup, I have let things go in my house more then I ever thought I would, and I feel even more lazy now. I think I need to snap out of it and get back before I let that take over! Yikes!

I had been trying to think of a different way to document and scrap for Luella. But for now I'm just doing pages . I have some ideas of what I want to do, but it seems when I want to do things a certain way it doesn't always happen. So we'll see. This is a page I actually created maybe a month or so ago??

Elements used are all from Greener Grass Designs.

Our baby girl!

Hello there!! Okay, so I had meant to post pictures ALOT sooner. But things have been busy with 3 kids now. It's funny that my last post was on June 9th, and I had my baby girl the next day!

I had a wonderful birth experience a very fast labor (for me), and my first water birth!

Our baby girl arrived on June 10th at 2:40 pm.

weighing 7lbs 3oz

18 3/4 inches long.

She came out with her eyes wide open looking at mommy, her color was great, pink and beautiful, my midwife explained her as being "lovely" on her vital sheet. When we found out she was a girl I squealed with joy! I got to find out first by looking! My midwives were amazing. Everything was perfect! I still can't believe I finally have my baby girl!! We are just overjoyed and thrilled to have her in our life, she's such a blessing!! We are so in love with her! Her big brothers love her so much and ask to hold her all the time!! We praise God for her!

2 pages

Hi! I did these two pages earlier in the week. It's felt good to get some scrapping done. And while I'm waiting for this baby to come, I figured I'd go ahead and get my pages done for June. I am 39 weeks today!! ONE more week until DUE day!!! So crazy! Maybe if I get more opportunities I'll get some more scrapping in! I'm really trying to keep the swelling down in my feet (they look horrible) so sitting here at the computer isn't the greatest thing for me. Even if I prop my feet up on the computer tower and speaker thing it's not elevating them high enough to do much, and very uncomfortable for me. So maybe next time I post there will be news of a baby!!! :) We're so excited to meet baby Keller!

 [Credits]

[Credits]

38 weeks!

Hey there! I figured I'd show some pictures of my HUGE belly!

It's funny to hear the different opinions of people on what they think I'm having. Like strangers that matter of factly think I'm having a boy or girl! One week I could be in a store and have 2 or 3 different people say that they totally think I'm having a boy and then the next week I could have 2-3 people say that they really think it's a girl! Haha! People are funny!

We'll find out soon enough! In the meantime I'm a lady in waiting, ha!

Another page

Hey! I guess I'm on a creative streak! Glad I'm actually getting some scrapping in... I know I need to get caught up, since I've been behind on scrapping for the Greener Grass Designs creative team. I figured I'd better do it now, and get some pages behind me before the baby comes.

So I'm excited that I've gotten two pages done in two days! Yay!

What did you do/doing this Memorial weekend?? We haven't really been doing anything, other then just staying home. I cleaned our pool out today from it just being filled last week, because we had a bunch of storms come through that blew a TON of stuff into the pool and it was getting slimy! Eeew! It's been so hot, like SUMMER hot! I can't stand it already, so I wanted to soak in the pool, but I didn't get it filled till towards this evening, so when I finally did get in with my son, the water was FREEZING! It will warm up some in no time though with this hot weather!

[Credits]

Buddies

Hello there,

It seems forever since I've scrapped anything. I think I've been grieving the loss of many, many photos and digital elements that I just couldn't bring myself to scrap... that and I am limited to how much I can scrap b/c of low memory on our computer. Anyway, I was really excited to use Christina's new kit "Over the River" because I thought it was so cute. Unfortunately the pictures I wanted to use for this kit I do not have now, because our external hard drive being damaged. So I thought I'd see what pictures I did have to use and make do. So I thought using these pictures of Isaac and his friend would work well.

[Credits]

 

I'm down to only 2 1/2 weeks until my due date for the baby. I'm both excited and nervous. I always get nervous about approaching the labor and delivery stage. I know the Lord will see me through it, and I need to lean on him for strength. I can't believe how fast these past couple of months have went. So crazy! Soon, we'll meet our little one!

birth and beyond

Hi there, I've been wanting to share some links on homebirth/natural births and such. Mostly just because I've been watching so many women's birth videos and reading different stories, just because I find if interesting and like to find out anything new or to give me more insight on things. And because I am nearing my due date in just 6 weeks! I find it fun to look up these things to help me to prepare again (mentally) for sometimes what is the "unknown" when you have a child. All births are different and sometimes it's hard to know what to expect. If any of you are uncomfortable with seeing/reading about women giving birth and showing some nudity, I do not suggest you click on these links or watch them. Some of this is touching to me and almost every time I watch another ones birth or read about it I cry. Almost every time when the baby is born and the mom is holding it in complete joy and triumph, like angels are singing Hallelujah! Gets me every time. Ha! I think every woman's birth story is amazing no matter where or how you gave birth. Some I know are tragic and my heart goes out to those that have struggled. I in no way force any opinions or beliefs I have, but rather I like to be educated and informed.

These videos I think are so beautiful-

http://vimeo.com/10342724
http://vimeo.com/22516404
http://vimeo.com/21618813

Here is an interesting article written by a midwife-

http://erinmidwife.com/2011/03/31/if-i-were-at-home-i-would-have-died/

Ultrasound

Hey there! Here is a page I created awhile back, I think the end of March??

There were some things that needed tweaking on it, so I added a few things and changed some stuff. So now I think I have it done. It's so amazing to me to think that I am due in 8 weeks and will be holding this little one soon!! I'm so excited!

Quilt project

Remember the quilting fabric I showed you awhile back? Well, Here is the rest of the fabric I ended up purchasing to go with the quilt. I got my fabric from Here & Here. This is Michael Miller fabric, by Sandi Henderson designs in Meadow Sweet. I love these prints!

So I began on the rest of the quilt today. I needed to cut all these 1/2 yards into 2 1/2 inch strips.

 I decided to make my quilt with 10 different prints instead of the 12 that the lady suggests where I'm following the pattern from.

 This strawberry & polka dot patterns I am leaving out and thinking of making something else with it! I really love these two together!

So here's all my strips cut.

My next steps were to pair 5 different strips together to sew and then cut into blocks.

I was a little concerned that things wouldn't look right because of the many different prints and variations in the fabric. I didn't want it to look tacky and overwhelming. And maybe to some it does.

But once I started getting all the strips paired, I could see how it would look fine. (Maybe I'm not a good judge of that though). Ha!

Here's my pile of strips waiting to be sewn together!

Here is my first set of five sewn. I only got four more of these done today. And once I'm done with the pairing and sewing the strips, they will then be cut into 10x10 blocks.

I really liked all the prints and I almost didn't want to cut them in such skinny strips because I felt like it took away too much of the image of the whole thing. But it was actually relaxing and fun cutting and seeing it come together! I'm excited to get further on it and see it all put together into one thing!

Projects + Progress

Hey there!!

I finally have some pictures of something to share! Ha!

I'm trying to get these posted before I fall asleep! I am dead tired! Anyway, I have several little projects going right now and others that I'd like to begin.

I purchased some yarn from here a while back. So here's what I'm doing with it!

 This yarn above is some I just bought thinking of possibly making baby hats or booties or something out of. We'll see if I can master any of those! as I'm a beginner with knitting!

With this yarn, I'm doing a baby blanket! The colors are white and sweet potato! I love orange right now! And thought this would work fine for either boy or girl! This is the yarn I'm using.

 First several rows knitted! I love working with this yarn! It's SO soft! I'm making this knowing that there will be little mistakes along the way. But with this being my first major knitted project, I'm okay with that! And since this is such an easy stitch to do and nothing complicated, it's just the same knit throughout the whole blanket, I wasn't too scared to dive into it! The pattern for it is Here. I love that blog for inspiration! And since I've joined Ravelry, I've really been inspired and love all the free patterns and helpful tips I can find on there!

I have discovered that one thing that's really slowing me down with this project are that my hands and arms have been going numb and get very painful. I loose feeling and it starts to tingle and ache so bad!! Which really bums me out! Cause I really could get this done much faster if it weren't for that! So I've been praying through this project!

3 pages

Happy Friday! What are your plans for the weekend? I've been trying to get my house in order to no avail. I get one thing done and turn around and there's just more messes made right behind me! I am moving slower these days I think, I get exhausted alot faster and just get so tired. Not too much longer to go before we meet our sweet little one! I am officially in my 3rd trimester now!! Whoohoo!

[Supplies used]

 [Supplies used]

[Supplies used]

Grandma's Daffodils

Hello there! I know it's been forever since I've posted. I guess I haven't had a whole ton of time to scrap these days... or maybe just haven't taken the time. Anyway. Here's a page I thought would be bright and cheery and springy! And since the daffodils are starting to bloom here already, I was inspired!

A little bit of love pages...

Happy Friday!! Hope you all are well!! Me and my family got sick earlier in the week, so we've been hanging at home all week. I had a really good day where I was feeling pretty good, so I took the opportunity to scrap! Now, we just have lingering coughs and congestion.. yuck! Ha!

So here are two pages I did.

[Credits]

[Credits]

2 pages

Hello there! Here's a couple pages I made a few days ago.

[Credits]

 

[Credits]

Sewing projects

Hello! I'm sharing a few projects here that I had mentioned in a before post. I tackled and completed one today and began the other one.

This fabric below is what I used for....

 This boppy pillow! I found a pretty easy pattern to follow that I purchased here, and had this sewn up in no time! This fabric pretty much has all the colors I love in it.

 The underside is a lighter green to coordinate with the shades of green in the printed fabric.

 It didn't totally turn out as perfect as I wanted to. But because the pattern is like a "sham cover" it's something you slip onto the pillow (no zippers or velcro) so it got pretty wrinkled looking by the time I got it on the pillow.

 Here's the fabric I showed the other day.

 Of which I am making a quilt out of! Which I found an awesome step-by-step tutorial on this blog... That I think I may actually be able to make!!! (I am not a quilter or a very good one by any means).

Here are six of the colors cut in strips. I'm not totally decided on whether or not I'm going to use the other two that I decided to hold off on cutting. When I purchased the fabric they were out of stock on several of the prints I really wanted. So I threw in the last two, but I wasn't totally fond of them. So I'm thinking I may wait until the fabric I really want to go with this is in stock or if I can find it elsewhere.

I'll show more on this as the project progresses! Have a wonderful evening!