Celebrating our newest grandchild with fun!!

So I promised last post that I would share some of the fun decorations we made for Heidi's shower.   The theme was an old fashioned carnival of sorts - with lots of pinwheels and medallions.

Below was one centerpiece made with balloons, medallions, pennants, Cracker Jacks, Animal Crackers and entry tickets.  Note the little party hat on the elephant!

We had a sweets bar with fun treats - peanuts, cotton candy, zebra caramel corn, more Cracker Jacks and more animal crackers.  Note the cute chain below made with the roll of tickets.

Around the room we placed clusters of these medallions and pinwheels with ribbon hanging down.

My daughter is an amazing baker and didn't want store bought - so she made and decorated her own cake and cupcakes - homemade vanilla and lemon cake - buttercream frosting with sprinkles, animal crackers and a few pinwheels and pennants.

Here's another view of the sweets - note the clear balloons - they had colored confetti in them - so cute!

This was the favor that was given to each person attending -

We put them in little strawberry baskets with a pinwheel attached.

It was a really fun and nice day celebrating the anticipated arrival of our 8th grandchild due in June.  Can't wait to meet this new little guy.  Hope you liked the decorations!  Stop back soon.  ~Maureen

Personal Post Monday - Fall decorating

So this last week we pulled out all my Halloween/Fall boxes and went through them.  We sorted and got rid of a bunch of stuff - but kept plenty to start decorating the house with some fall colors.  Fall is my favorite time of year and I love all the goldens and oranges and red and yellows of the season.  So we have fall decorations with some Halloween goodies to boot - enjoy!!

The wand tucked in was made by my daughter Heidi, The vinyl on the vase was from when SU carried that line, and the little birdhouse is all decorated with paper and made by my downline, Maria.

Candles - I love candles!! having them out on my coffee table just makes me happy!

Here is what I have burning on my kitchen island - it is an orange and spice candle and smells so good.

Here's our fireplace mantel - Frankie was made in a previous year's stamp camp, as was the framed art to the right, more candles, and this adorable little haunted house with a spinning ghost on the top.

This is what greets you at my front door.  I have a big witch's broom (that I have not unpacked yet :) but I hope to prop that just behind the green plant and add a few more pumpkins and mums.

This is in my front entry - the vinyl again is from when SU sold it.  The witch's hat - well that's in the current Holiday Mini catalog!!

and just in case you'd like to make one, and live in the local Prescott, AZ area - I'm having a class where we'll be doing these on Saturday, Oct. 3 - let me know if you'd like to join us!

The shadow box above we made at a stamp camp at Heidi's last year or the year before.  I added our paper spider webs to the front this year to give it a bit more dimension.

These are just two happy Halloween guys I have hanging around :)  The wine banner is also all Stampin' Up!

The picture above was given to me as a gift by a former Secret Sister - looks like I need to straighten that ribbon.

And I put a couple little Jack O Lanterns on the shelf by our family pictures.

This pretty spray with a cute little scarecrow peeking out, welcomes you at our front, and another at our back, doors.

Once October is over I'll take down the Halloween stuff and add in some more fall/Thanksgiving items.  It's a work in progress but so fun.  Puts me in the mood for warm sweaters, hot cider, fires in the fireplace and a good book.  See you all soon!  ~Maureen
Here is the order info on the witch's hat - click picture to order your kit!

Witching Décor Project Kit

$22.00

Witches' Night Photopolymer Stamp Set

$26.00

Personal Post Monday - Gingerbread Man decorating

So those of you who have followed my blog for a while know that we have an annual tradition of gingerbread house decorating.  This year the kiddos voted to do gingerbread men and women - so we did!  Here they all are with their creations :)

Paisley

Prince

Kamili

 

Makai

Zamarah

Zavian

Kyan

Even the big girls got in the act -

Jenee

Heidi

It was a really fun day with Turkey Dumpling soup for lunch and then finishing with the annual picture with Gramma - which gets crazier and crazier each year - take your pic :)

Memories - that's is truly what we're making :)  ~Gramma

Downline #1 Appreciation Lunch

Quick note:  I want you to know the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated :)  I had an amazing time last week at Convention, but very little access to computer time.  Was set in my mind to blog, blog, blog when I got home - but most of my time since I got back has been in bed with a fever, headache, aches and when I was not in bed I was pretty much throwing up or on the toilet.  Saw my Dr. today and she thinks I possibly have that Cyclospora this is breaking out all over the country.  I guess I picked it up somewhere on my travels. It's a parasite, so thank God I am not contagious; but she has put me on Zofran for my dizziness and nausea and antibiotics to knock out the bug.  Crazy huh!! Just wanted you to know I am still here  --  now back to blogging - I'm a couple weeks behind so Convention stuff will be coming soon.  ~Maureen
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So today I wanted to share some pictures from my downline appreciation luncheon last weekend.  I have a great group of women who signed up under me - so once a year I have a lunch just for them.  Here are the tables all set up and ready for them to arrive.  Yellow is my favorite color and the tables looked so cheery with the yellow and daisies!

 Each table had a couple jars of Albanese gummy bears -they are absolutely the best and a great sweet treat for my gals.

 Stop back tomorrow for more about this lunch!  ~Maureen

Christmas Decorating

I love Christmas!!! The sights, the sounds, the smells ~ so today I thought I'd share a few of my decorations in my home.  First - here is my tree with the angel on top - I especially love all the lights off except for the tree and just laying on the couch looking at it - it gives me warm fuzzies :)

Next is how I display my cards.  I saw this on pinterest and thought what a great idea.  I hang several ribbons down my pantry door, and attach the cards with decorated clothespins as I receive them.  

I also love nativities and have several of them throughout my home - this is one of my favs.

This year I wrapped several pictures throughout my home like gift packages to give the rooms that extra festive look.

 

This is my favorite Nativity.  I purchased it piece by piece years ago from Avon - and I love it.  Every year I can't wait to set it up - I think it is so beautiful!!

Hope you liked my little tour :)   ~Maureen