SWAK Featured in Designs in Machine Embroidery Magazine!

I waited with baited breath for the mail to come all week long. Bills….ugg. Junk mail…of course.

And then it came.

I wrote all about it on the SWAK blog today! You can check out more photos from the magazine HERE!

Oh, but here is a sneak peek....

On another note, today is one of my daughter's birthday! We're having a "cooking party" with her friends all over to make homemade pizzas. I'll post pictures later this week!

Happy last day of June! Can you believe it??

So Cool!

Some awesome authors collaborated on the homepage design for YouCanMakeThis.com and made the most DARLING 4th of July outfit!

AND...they used 2 of my patriotic designs on the jeans as well as the reversible patchwork bucket hat! So, so cool!

Isn't this girl an absolute doll?

On a final note, thank you for all the well-wishes you have written on the blog this week. You all are THE BEST!

Life Threw Me For a Loop This Week...

I guess as the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for." After my husband returned from a 2-week business trip to China, all I wanted was a break.

This was not exactly what I had in mind.

Last Sunday evening, I was admitted into the hospital. We weren't sure exactly what was going on, all we knew was that I was very sick. Many tests later...the results...pnemonia in one lung and a weird flu strain on top. (No, not the swine flu.)

After 4 days in the hospital and another 5 days down in bed, you begin to realize so many things you take for granted every day. For example, I didn't see a "real" face for the first 4 days. Masked and gloved, every doctor, nurse, technician, radioligist took every precaution possible. I missed seeing a smile. I missed my children terribly.

This became my new reality for the next several days. I still thought they were the cutest things ever. Even hearing them having the normal sibling fight with one another downstairs brought a smile to my face. I love home.

The 3 oldest thought it was kind of fun to draw faces on their masks to come into my bedroom and see me. This little one did not so much.

Talk about breaking your heart.

Well-wishes and flowers came pouring in. Prayers were given. Prayers have been answered.

Of course the tower of blocks built by the kids on my dresser was the highlight of a lonely room.

You just can't help but smile.

Life has a funny way of putting these in perspective for you. #1 is my faith and my family is what is most important to me. Without those 2 things...well, I just don't even want to go there.

I am doing so, so much better now.

I must also say I have indeed the #1 most incredible husband ever. For his own Father's Day, he woke up early, made MY favorite breakfast of belgium waffles with strawberries and blueberries, he then got all of the kids ready for church and took them while I stayed in bed. Before leaving, he hurried and put together a pork roast in the crock-pot to have for dinner that evening. And to top it all off? He potty-trained our 2 1/2 year old....yes, all in 1 day. Unbelievable. It felt like MOTHER'S DAY to me.

I've decided that our household will be holding Father's Day on a different day this year. It's a given- for 2009, Father's Day will be celebrated next Sunday, the 28th.

My energy is slowly coming back. This may not have been on my "Top 10 Things to Do List This Summer", but perhaps it was just what I needed to make those top 10 things even better...and so much sweeter.

Life. Is. Good.

You Have to Watch This...

Here's something to really think about. Perhaps you've seen it before. It lasts only 1 minute- you'll definitely want to watch!



As it said at the end, "No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted." Interesting, huh?

Wordless Wednesday: A Favorite Quote

I know this is not "wordless", but this quote is on the wall at the end of our hallway and I thought I'd share...

To view more Wordless Wednesday participants, go HERE!

Happy Wednesday!

Summer Vacation is HERE!

Doesn't this picture just make you smile?

It's officially summer vacation around here and my children couldn't be more excited! And I'm actually pretty thrilled about it as well...a time to relax a little more, play a little more, stay up a little longer, and have fun. Now ask me in a month and I'm going to say, "WE NEED A SCHEDULE AGAIN!" But for now, "no-schedule" is just fine with me. :)

Can anyone relate?

My Top 10 List for the Summer

1. Day trips with the kids- library, museum, parks, ice cream
2. Sprinklers and watergun fights
3. Work in the garden
4. Road trip to Colorado
5. Design embroidery for fall and winter holidays
6. Read a good book. Any suggestions?
7. Clean out and organize much-needed closets, drawers, etc.
8. Watch tee-ball games, a tennis tournament, & swimming lessons
9. Plan a couple of weekend camping trips
10. Make a picnic blanket....and use it....A LOT. :)

What are your plans for the summer?

New 4th of July Designs Added!

Hi all! I just wanted to show a couple of new designs I just listed over at SWAKembroidery! So fun for that 4th of July wear and gear!

Star-Spangled Kid
And because I couldn't think of which one I liked more...I did another one very similar, but this is All-American Kid. :)

Off to read some blogs now...I've got a lot of catching up to do! Have a great rest of your week!

A Summer Welcome...

June is here! The weather is gorgeous and just looking outside makes me happy! The kids are in school for a few more days and we're looking forward to a fun summer ahead.

Today I thought it would be kind of fun to share a little luncheon idea I got from my sister, Kim. She is in a quilt group where 12 women of all different ages get together once a month at someone's home to sew. Armed with their sewing machines and rotary cutters, these ladies carve out time from each of their busy schedules to devote one day a month towards something they enjoy doing so much. Isn't that great?

They rotate homes each month and when it is at your home, you provide a nice lunch for everyone. So Kim's turn was today and I mosied on over there to help get things set up. Take a look!

Isn't that gorgeous? Here is another shot... (I couldn't help myself!) Oh, and those mini cupcakes are zuchinni cupcakes with caramel frosting. Ummm...ya. That is something else I couldn't help myself from! To. Die. For.

And if you take a closer look, you'll see these darling flour sack cloths she embroidered for each of her friends. Perfect for lining a basket of croissants! I'd say nothing screams summer more than bright red and beautiful cherries!

Thanks Kim for an amazing lunch and good company!