When the clouds were light and numbered 9...

So there has been a bit of heaviness here at Nitty.Gritty. for about 3 years now. Or maybe it just seems that way to me. The really wonderful part about being surrounded by darkness and heavy burdens in  life is that you know there must be a time coming when the light will shine and the clouds will lit again. I know I've been preaching that for a long while now. And a couple of times it even appeared as though the sun was starting to shine. But then more waves of life came and it's like I hit rewind around here and started to sound like a broken record again.
I am not going to lie. I do sound like a broken record way more often than I would care to admit. But it's not because I make stuff up. On the contrary, things often go from bad to worse for us and I don't always even share the worst! =) Thank goodness for that. I do know that one of the ways out of the clouds, or even a simple break from them is to look back at times when things have been good. The way to push ahead is often by looking back and believing that the good times will roll again.
Thank goodness for March's Sketchbook kit at just the right time! Last week when my scrapbook kit arrived on my doorstep from Cocoa Daisy I will tell you I was feeling like never scrapping anything again in my life ever. I was so convinced there was nothing 'good' in me to share. I can tell you that I wallowed and waivered for a few days. I questioned why does it matter if I do or don't scrap ever again. And do you know what I came up with? A couple of things. One was I LOVE to scrap and create and make things with patterened paper and stamps and cool 'stuff'. Two was that reality hitting me that if I walked away from scrapping then there would be even less fun and goodness in my life. I didn't want that to happen for sure! I didn't want the 'bad side' of me to win. So I dug deep and out of that spilled this nostalgic mini book that I made for Chip {and let's be honest here, for me too}. =) It is a little book about remembering where it all began for us. The fun, the love the happiness, the clouds that we walked on that were lighter than air all those years ago, and the magic that we felt just walking hand-in-hand.
You know what else happened? I spent way too much time making this. But during that time I got to think back on the many memories we did have where we laughed and learned new things about each other; I relived some of the memories that have been tucked away for a very long while.
Some days Chip and I can be so short with each other and just get through our days without a whole lot of niceness to each other- much less love and magic. I pulled out a tiny book I had in my jewlery box since our early days of dating and created a little pocket in this book to give it a more rightful 'home'. I remember handwriting that little book knowing my heart was so in love with someone and knowing his heart was in love with mine right back. It was a silly little gesture to make it and give it to him, but as I flipped through it and as I share it on this blog all these years later (that little book of Chip is more than 18 years old! and by the way, his real name is John David...he's gone by Chip since he was a small tyke though), I realize it is a gift to be able to peer into that young love and to have something tangible that documents it even a little bit. It makes it even more important for me to scrap now and hold onto and share the memories and stories that still lie hidden in my heart.
Even though the dark clouds darken my view and cloudmy eyes at times, I am so glad that I am able to glimpse past them, or push them back and make something out of their gray mist in my life. To Chip I just want to say thank you for loving me. Then, now and always. Lest we forget...may this little book and all our happy memories serve to remind us of the gift of our love. Forever! xo

Long lost art...

I have gone through a few boxes of miscellaneous stuff that I received a few months ago when my Grandma Shirley passed away. She was and always will be so dear to my heart. Her love and life inspired me when she was here and still touches me even though she's gone. She lived a very unique and yet ordinary life- from her birth to her death her life story is one I will forever treasure. Needless to say, as I look through some of the items she left behind I am so thankful for what a wonderful gift she was to me and so many others and I am so grateful for these miscellaneous items that connect me to her past. The are real treasures.

What you see in the photos above are just a few snapshots of some of the priceless items I feel lucky to have. In an old unmarked envelope thrown in with a box of recipe cards and old piano books and sheet music I came upon several letters that were saved from the early 1930's. Many of them were cards and notes sent to my great grandma on the birth of her little girl- my great aunt Phyllis. What I love about the cards/letters {as you can see in the top photo} is that they are hand-addressed with only a name and city and state. And they made it to their destination clear across the country! How amazing is that?! No zip code necessary, I guess! Things have changed in 80 years, I guess. =) What I really like about the old letters is seeing the handwriting and reading about the 'important' things that were worth writing home about. In one note from my great grandma's sister there is talk about the weather, what was in the oven for dinner, politics and the thought of looking forward to playing tennis and golf. It's easy to forget that there was a time when letters to weeks to be received and that chatting on the phone was impossible! We have it so easy with internet and cellphones, don't we?!

Among the treasures I also found a wedding invitation from my great grandma Lydia's wedding. It dates back to June of 1920- that's nearly 100 years ago! I can't believe it was just stuck in an envelope with no markings on it. It should have easily been in the trash and long lost by now. So that makes it even more exciting for me to have found it.

There's a full and much-loved/used composition notebook which was used to keep recipes and other newspaper clippings inside with practical household tips. You know something is old when many of the recipes are about pickling things and also some that include rabbit and chicken livers! One of the recipes I found has "over 100 years old" scrawled across the top of the card. It's mixed in with other recipes dating from 1967 to 1974. So that makes this Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe about 150 years old! I plan on making a batch just to see how they taste. There's also a cake recipe with the notation "Used for Genie's 5th birthday" next to it. Genie is my mom. I can't tell you how fun it's been for me to find such a book rich with memories, notes and lots of speckled splatters from the cooks as they went about their baking.

It got me thinking how some of the greatest treasures we have and will pass on aren't necessarily the things we spend a lot of money on, but instead the things that mean so much are things that connect us to past generations- to people and their lives. I have always loved getting and sending letters. I love to add lots of handwriting to cards I send- especially as things move more electronic and digital these days. I love writing notes in my journal and on scrap pages. I hope one day they will be treasured by people whose lives I've touched and left behind too.

In the spirit of that, the bottom photo is one of some sweet Valentine goodies I received from my {online} friend, Debee. Here is a link to her fun blog. She is so creative and has great photos to look at- check it out! Anyway, I thought I would have a little giveaway- I'll make up a little something with the things I got and some other scrappy things I have in my collection and I'll choose a random winner by tomorrow. I'm in the mood to send something handmade- somewhere. If you want a chance to be the recipient just say hello in the comments and feel free to tell me something you love about the past. I think it's more than time to bring back the fleeting art of handwritten mail. Wouldn't you agree?!

Starting to think about baby.

Now that I am into my second trimester I am so happy to leave behind the morning sickness, fatigue and lack of energy to do anything. It is a relief to know that I actually do have desire and even a bit of energy to do some creative stuff in my "spare time" again. Half-way through the first trimester I began to think I may never create anything with my paper products again!

So this past week I was glad to have the chance to make a little something for a friend of ours who had a little book shower in the kindergarten class at school. The top three photos are pictures of the mini album I gave them to fill with pictures and notes about their adorable baby girl, Nora. I know that Nora's mom loves vintage things, so I pulled out a mix of my vintage and tiny flower patterned papers and then cut them up and glued/tied them together into this baby book. It was not only fun for me to put together, but fun to see how some of the random scrap stuff I have laying around my scraproom mixed and matched and turned out to be a cute little book.

In just a couple of short weeks we have an ultrasound and will likely be able to find out if our baby is a boy or girl. I am thinking after I find out I can start making another book and have it ready to fill with pictures well before our baby comes later this summer. I am looking forward to making a few baby things- it's my way to unwind, do some dreaming and use up my stuff all at the same time. A win-win!

One of the other projects I just came across and bookmarked is the cute shadowbox baby collage you see in the last photo- which I found here at giddy giddy blog. This could be a great project for not only babies, but kids of any age, weddings or just a neat way to show off a miniature collection too! I thought it was simple, sweet and I was definitely inspired and hope to make one of my own.

I am still overwhelmed at the thought of a newborn in our home, but at the same time I have been feeling some baby kicks and have to admit that it is a humbling and great honor to look forward to such a gift. We're also still gathering ideas for baby names, so feel free to leave your suggestions for us here. Baby naming is a task all its own! =)

Adorable aprons!

My very hip friend- who would totally blush because I'm introducing you to her in that way, is teaching an online apron class starting today. Martha is so great at mixing and matching things and her attention to detail is impeccable; this class will prove to be both educational AND fun! I have no doubt in Martha's ability to make an apron workshop a true delight. Did I mention how funky she is?! If you want to check out her class through SIStv, click here and I hope you have fun making cute aprons!
Also, speaking of SIStv, the second season of webisodes kicked off this week! You can watch the Season 2 premiere here. I think you will find it, not only entertaining, but there are also some fun craft ideas too. I hope to get bitten by the "make stuff" bug soon. I feel ready to take on a new project soon.
Have you made anything fun or interesting lately? If so, leave me a note or a link here in the comments. I'm always up for crafty, or food-related inspiration. Happy Wednesday!

Stitching inspiration...and remember latch hook kits?

In all my free time {right?!} I was thinking I would take up embroidery again. I used to do lots of little crafty things as a kid/junior-higher. I made friendship bracelets and did some cross-stitch projects and even some latch hook kits.

Loved those things!

Anyway, it's been awhile since I posted any craft inspiration and so I give you this vintage Halloween embroidery pattern link that I just found.

Cute little ghosts.

They make me want to stitch one on a onesie. =)

Looking for inspiration~

While having to spend so much time just watching Wyndham and trying to help her stay comfortable, I have found myself on the laptop a lot this past week. Or I should say, 'more than normal'. =)
I have a long list of blogs and websites that I enjoy surfing through each week just to get inspiration and ideas and sometimes just for a break from my reality- especially with the cold, dreary winter days topped off with illnesses. It's no surprise that I am a fan of colors, graphic design, vintage goodies and just plain fun images/patterns. I thought I would break up the long string of posts here and share with you some links to things that have caught my eye in the past day or two.
One of my new favorite spots to browse and follow links from is the blog of designer Samantha Hahn. She has some free Valentine cards to download...including the "Tossing Cupcake" and "Head in the Clouds" cards pictured here. Just scroll down and you will find a link in her sidebars. I think I just might try and send some cards out this year. There are lots of neat designs to choose from. I hope you find a few that catch your eye too.
The sock monkey seems to be popping up in all sorts of places these days- especially in the scrapping scene as well as in fabric prints. I found the image here from the Purl Soho website...which is a really great place to find unique/high end fabrics and such. I think a sock monkey valentine card would be cute too. I just may have to make one myself.
For the last little bit of inspiration, I will leave you with a link to a wonderful Flickr photo stream. I just fell in love with every single photo posted by Picnic by Ellie. I just love that with a few clicks of the computer I can immerse myself in all sorts of wonderful places/images. Yes, the internet is a wondeful thing when it comes to inspiration. If you happen to have some personal favorites to pass along, feel free to leave links in the comments here. I have a feeling I'll be spending a bit more time helping get Wyndham back on her feet, and with the snowfall we're getting here today, I have no doubt that winter is here for several more weeks. Surfing the net for inspiration just might be the key to getting through this long, dreary stretch of time!
ETA:

In the scrapbooking world, many people know the name "Donna Downey". She is an inspiration to the crafters and creative people in and outside this industry. Some of you may remember the fun camera bag my friend gave me- especially made by Donna.

She contacted me this week and now is holding an eBay charity auction with the profits of the art canvases going to Hope Network of Michigan in Teagan's name. We are grateful to Donna for her thoughtfulness and her support of our family in such a meaningful way. To view the auction click here. If you'd like to check out Donna's blog, click here.

Thanks Donna, and thanks to everyone who bids on this item as well. It means so much to all our family!

Speaking of scrapbooking...

Check out 'Patterns of Ink'...This is a thought-provoking look at scrapbooking. If you are, or even if you're not a scrapbooker, this one is worth your time, either way. Incidentally, the blogpost is written and pages shared by a non-scrapbooker, who, I'm sure if he were to scrapbook, would create pages with stories you would want to share with others-and preserve for a very long time.

My first scrap "dare".

This is what I came up with in response to taking on my first dare from this scrap challenge blog. The challenge was posed by the incredible, everyday moment kind of photographer capturer, Tara Whitney. She invited scrappers to do a page based on a t-shirt slogan.

I jumped at the chance to not only scrap the saying on the t-shirt, but also a picture of me wearing the shirt. This is what I am comfortable wearing when I am most "me"...but wouldn't dare wear it to my husband's golf club or if I were to go out for dinner where there are linen napkins on the table. But at home, it's perfect.

The slogan, "Keep on lickin' " makes me think of how it's so important to hang in there when the going gets tough in life at times. I've certainly had my share of that in my life. That's one of the reasons I love this shirt and wanted to scrap my thoughts about it's truth. I think I've finally 'mastered' the idea that when life gets hard it doesn't mean that I've messed up necessarily, or that I should take a different direction, but that I should keep plugging away and taking things one little step at a time. So with a tootsie pop...you have to work at it and it takes time to reach the tootsie roll chocolate center. Except with 'Mr. Owl'...he got to the niddle in three bites. But generally speaking, more often than not, the 'good stuff' in life takes time, energy and effort. Sometimes I've not even been sure that there was something 'inside that was worth going after'...but it turns out life has proven me wrong. In a good way. =)

SO, that's my profound layout in response to the "scrap a t-shirt slogan" dare. I set my Heidi Swapp stuff to the side for this one, and instead used papers from the Basic Grey "Blush" kit I was anxious to put to use. I just love the colors and patterns in this line. They're so 'Nitty.Gritty', no?! You can click on the pictures to enlarge them- for those of you who may not be able to read the journaling on this.

Before I go, I just have to add these two thoughts...

Chip said to me as I was finishing this page up, "You need to start scrapping other stuff. You're gonna typecast yourself". SO, I guess that's my next dare. Scrap something besides having to do with me and tootsie pops!

Also, as much as I dislike advertising, I have to admit it works sometimes, because as I was typing this post, I had the Tootsie Pop song in my head the whole time. Here it is...I bet I've got most of the words right, and I haven't heard the song in years. Crazy how that happens!

Tootsie Pop song from the tv ad-

"The world looks awfully good to me, 'cuz Tootsie Roll is all I see.

Whatever it is I think I see, becomes a Tootsie Roll to me!

{Tootsie Roll I love you; you're so chocolately sweet.??}

Tootsie Roll (something) I'm in love with you...

Whatever it is I think I see, becomes a Tootsie Roll to me!"

Feel free to leave me comments helping me out with the words I messed up on with that jingle. I guess it has been awhile!

Another fun thing to do...

Found this make-your-own index card like the vintage library cards I used to love thumbing through as a kid. Sometimes I miss things like the Dewey Decimal System now that we live in such an automated hi-speed world. {Although I love my wireless internet connection everyday!} There was something really fun about going to the drawers of cards and locating just the book I was looking for. I loved books about horses when I was young- 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade. I couldn't get enough about Man 'o War and other great throughbreds. I loved other books too... how to doodle and draw. Or "Where the Red Fern Grows" and later on every Calvin and Hobbes book I could get my hands on. Not the most challenging, I know, but still, very much a part of why I am the way I am today.

If you loved library index cards as much as me, you can go and make one for yourself. It's so Nitty.Gritty., you know? Fun, free, evokes fond memories, and involves more than one typestyle. Go. Have fun. Create some joy.

What I found at Mom's so far...

We are still enjoying our stay with family in Minnesota. Chip will probably make me quit blogging forever after this post though.
Jody and family..."the early years". As in Nitty.Gritty. 1979 & 1983 in the above photos. Remember awhile back when I blogged about Ogilvie Home perms? Well, that would be me with one in the second photo. I am just realizing that I grew up surrounded by people who would outright tell me lies. I remember people telling my parents that they had such a good-looking family...they were lying or just being nice at the time. Either way, I am happy to have grown up and found the Gap along the way. I am glad that I scrapped "home perms" for "Nice & Easy color enhancer". =) I do have to say that although I wasn't the cutest kid on the block growing up, I still wish I had more pictures to thumb through and laugh about and reminisce and of course, to scrap. My kids may think I'm crazy for all the times I stick the camera in their face for no special reason...but I am guessing they will thank me in the long run.
Here are some vintage Hi-Ho Cherrio game pictures I promised to post. Bella and Ava are loving this 1966 version. I am thinking it would be smart to do an Ebay search on this game and see whether or not I should be letting the kids play with this.
Next up? Despite the blasted cold weather here in MN, we are staying in and making a batch of French Vanilla Homemade Icecream. I will do my best to get a few photos of that event. Someday my kids will thank me, I'm sure!