It's my birthday today.  The kids and hubby are making breakfast.  Thankfully it is spring break, and we have today off.  Hooray!  Mom and I are going to the huge antique mall not too far from here and will be there looking for things.  I have some new projects that I've been working on that are almost ready.  I'll be revealing those later this week.  Also, as a thank you to those who frequent my shop, I'm giving 10% off all orders today in my Etsy shop.  Just put the coupon code BIRTHDAY into the code section to receive the 10% off. 
P.S.  Thank you, GraphicsFairy, for the sweet image.

Birthday Fun

Well, it was a rather *sad* week as we came off of Gram's memorial service last weekend and went through her things this past week. So many memories. Mom was kind enough to give me some special things that were Gram's which I shall enjoy. More pictures on those things some other day. A dear lady from church bought me a perm for my birthday, so I spent Friday morning to get that. Wasn't that thoughtful? Since I usually give myself a home perm to save money, I felt totally spoiled having this. On Saturday (my actual birthday), Mom and I went out for a cinnamon roll and tea for breakfast then on to two antique malls (without children!) for some looking around for the afternoon. Thankfully, there were lots of sales going on as well as customer appreciation snacks and specials. We had great fun. I got this little pile of goodies to resell and/or create with. We had great fun. My parents, husband, and kids went out for supper then later came back to our house for cheesecake. Yum! My husband got one of those sampler cheesecakes which was a wonderful twist to the regular birthday cake. He certainly had a great idea!

My dear brother sent me these beautiful flowers. They are certainly a nice perk to the kitchen table. It was a nice, relaxed birthday, and I'm truly thankful to be with my family and have some relaxed enjoyment.

Birthday Cake Earrings

Probably about 8 years ago I reallllllly needed some creative rejuvenating and to get out of the house. My son at the time was around two, so with my husband's encouragement I took a cake decorating class--the 1st Wilton class (I also took the 3rd Wilton class right afterwards--someday I'll take that 2nd class). Besides having an absolute blast (boy, did we eat a lot of cake!), I learned that my teacher played the violin AND taught violin at a small Christian college in a town between Madison and Milwaukee. I wrote down her email address. I had always wanted any children of mine to learn the violin because I saw it as a nice challenge and because music was going to be an important part of their homeschooling. It was amazing that this nice lady not only taught violin but with a Christian perspective so that our music values would be the same.

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Fast forward....my son at age four (our daughter too when she was four) began violin lessons with this lady, and we have been going to her these past five years. We get this teacher a birthday present every year because, well, she deserves it. Last year she joked that she should get cake earrings to wear just one day a year--on her birthday. Mmmmm...note to self.

Well....voila! I found these adorable cake earrings on Etsy at Inediblejewelry. They are so appropriate because not only did she joke about having a pair last year...but I found her at a cake decorating class. I love the detail and colors...and, yes, those colorful sprinkles. They did a fabulous job (check out the "cake" part--it looks so real). I'm pleased as punch and can't wait to give them to her. What do you think?

A Little Duck for a Little Girl

When our daughter was a baby, my parents bought her a very fuzzy, soft, yellow stuffed duck to snuggle with. Well, "Duckie" as it has affectionately become known as, has been with us ever since. The entire house would be in panic mode if Duckie happened to disappear (as he would from time to time--sometimes with the help of big brother) with all out in search parties to find Duckie before our daughter would totally melt down (sometimes we couldn't find it fast enough, and a meltdown would indeed occur). **Shhhh...we even bought a spare duck who looks exactly the same in case Duckie ever permanently disappeared** Now that she is turning 7 in two days, she has pretended that Duckie isn't as important as he once was, but at night there she is snuggled up with him as always. She loves ducks in every shape and form now.

While at a bead shop recently, I saw this sweet little duck bead and just knew it was meant to be hers for her birthday. I can't wait for her to open it. I know she will like it.

Busy Birthday Weekend

I'm thankful to have had a fabulous past few days. Last Wednesday, Mom and I went to a very fun estate sale where among other things (another post perhaps), I got this clear box full of trim. The items in the sale were from all over the world, and I can't help thinking that some of this trim was from afar. Some pieces are quite old...others not so. I was compelled to get it, so I did--couldn't resist.

Friday was my birthday, and I was super spoiled by my family that day with out to breakfast, time in Amish country, a trip to an antique store to get some fun sparkly goodies, and a nice evening of mini-golf and out to dinner with my husband, children, parents, and grandmother--oh, with a lemon cake afterward. I received lots of nice "tea" things including an Alice in Wonderland tea tower full of different kinds of yummy teas, a teapot napkin holder that Dad found in Amish country, and a much needed tea kettle from hubby and the kids complete with fruit on it. Was I spoiled!
Yesterday, Mom and I got up early and went to another estate sale and then to the annual bead show in Madison. My feet were hurting terribly by the end of the day after standing in so many lines all day, but it was all worth it and great fun. I bought some beads I have been looking for months in colors I haven't been able to find easily, so I'm a happy camper. There is so much creating now to do. I'm eager to start up again in earnest!

Birthday Hiatus over and Ready to Go!

I've been on a little hiatus from blogging but am now back. My parents came to town for a visit for the past two weeks, and we have been buzzing around just about the entire time having a ball. Of course, it was my birthday last week. I got to go on a "date" with my sweet hubby for the day while Gramma and Grandpa helped the kids made beautiful homemade cards, pick out a new rose bush ("Climbing Gold Glow"--a luscious yellow colored bush), and make angle food birthday cake layered with lemon curd and real whipped cream. In the evening we went out for BBQ chicken and played mini golf. Everyone worked so hard to make it an extra special day. I am so blessed to have such a fabulous family who loves me.
On the following Saturday my dad kindly watched the kids all day (hubby was working) while mom and I went to the Madison Glass Art and Bead show. I have never been to a bead show and thought I'd see how this one was (the BIG show in Milwaukee in June will have to wait for another year). We were out for just about the entire day (our feet were super sore afterward) going from booth to booth. We had a blast! I got some new pretties to work with and am eager to get going.
Mom and I discussed lots of crafty things during the past two weeks. I shared with her some of my new ideas and am eager to get started on some of them. I'll keep you posted. There were other fun things we did during my parents' visit which I'll post about in the future. Thanks for visiting!