Hometown Girl

Looking forward

With each passing year I make a list whether it be a written or mental list of things I'd like to accomplish, work on, or improve. I'm always amazed by the sense of hope and renewal that each New Year brings. It's a fresh start to a new year where anything is possible.

Creatively I have a long list of things I'd like to do. I want to learn to be a better photographer, take beautiful, meaningful pictures. Last summer about the time my Grandfather passed away registration for Susannah Conway's Unravelling e-course took place, with everything going on here I missed out on taking the class. Just a few weeks back I was able to secure a spot and will be starting that in early January. I'm really looking forward to it.

 

Oh and my little blog, I want to keep improving it and growing my reader base. Keep learning new things about the technology that will help me do so. I want you to keep coming back and enjoy it while you're here :)
 

I'd love to improve my sewing skills. As most of you know I'm a huge Project Runway fan. When I see the show I so want to learn more about the craft. Sometimes I have an idea and don't know how to execute it, which frustrates me :) When our daughter was born I just felt this need to be able to make things for her. One day I bought an inexpensive sewing machine and I taught myself to sew but my skills are pretty rudimentary. 

I love to stamp and scrapbook. Since I started the shop I haven't done much of it. It's something I'd like to get back to doing more regularly. I love preserving my family's memories in such a meaningful way. I've been thinking of my one little word 2010, see Ali Edwards blog if you'd like to participate.

I'm always looking to improve my cooking skills as there is nothing more satisfying than putting a beautiful and delicious meal on the table then watching the delight of those you love enjoy it.

I'd love to improve the shop, come up with new items, give things a fresh look. I'm working on my first "kit" for the shop, hoping it'll draw in the crafty buyer who might like to make an item themselves verses buying. Of course, being published is always on my mind, so I'll continue to pursue that. I have an upcoming feature due out in February, I can't wait to share that with you!

Personally, I want to improve my relationship with God, my creator, to whom I owe all the blessings in my life. I have to make more time for him and helping others. I also want to be the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend I can possibly be to those I love so much. I want to truly be present for them and embrace the little things that make each day we spend together special. I want to be more patient and kinder to everyone, we never know what heartache someone may be going through and maybe a simple act of kindness or a smile will let them know that someone cares. I always say I'm a work in progress, this new year is no different, I will be until the day I die.

 What does your list look like? All the best for a Happy & Healthy New Year!

With love, Susan

It's the little things

I wanted to share my two favorite gifts with you. My husband bought these for me.

I LOVE this necklace not because it's flashy or expensive but so heartfelt. What could be sweeter than a necklace with your children's names? By PamperingBeki. (Photo from Pampering Beki's shop) 

Anyone that knows me, knows that home is my favorite place (and I love Jane Austen). From Brookish. I've used this every morning since I received it. It really speaks to who I am.

My husband can be pretty hard to buy for. Usually the week before he'll go buy the very thing I've bought for him, it's uncanny really. So years ago I resorted to making books filled with pictures of the children  as gifts for different occasions and he always loves them. I made this one for him for Christmas, it was his favorite gift. Made from a chipboard book and some of my scrapbooking supplies. Each child wrote a little note to him on the tags tucked into the last pages of the book.

It just proves (at least to me) that it doesn't matter what you spend, it's really about the meaning, the love and thought that goes into our gifts.

See you soon, Susan
  
 
 

Snug as a Bug in a Rug

My grandmother always said that to us when she tucked us in at night. I feel that way today sung and warm inside our home. The snow is falling and the wind is howling! We rented movies and have been in our PJ's. I love days like this when we're all tucked in at home together. If you're looking for some fun movies. The kids got G-Force and Night at the Museum. I rented Julie and Julia, I loved it!

Stay warm :)  Susan

Paperhill After Christmas Sale

20% off the entire shop now thru the 31st fo Decmeber! See you soon :)

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

 

Hello sweet friends,

I want to thank you all for visiting my humble little blog and sharing a little bit of your day with me. I truly enjoy sharing glimpses of myself with you and I look forward to a New Year filled with your company.

 

~ Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed New Year with your loved ones.

With love,

Susan

 

 

p.s. We are hosting Christmas and have family visiting from out of town so I might be absent from blogging for a few days. The shop reopens on the 26th with 20% off everything in stock.
 

G is for Granola

The homemade edibles kick is in full swing. My kitchen is singing with activity! Yesterday while the troops were skating (much longer than I lasted) I was making homemade granola. This is the first time I've made it, it was so incredibly easy and really delicious. It's nice to know exactly what you are eating! I used this recipe but only used dried cranberries, we love those!

You mix all the dry ingredients, melt the two wet ingredients together and then combine! I have the oversized Williams Sonoma cookie sheets and was able to put it all on one sheet, if you have smaller ones you might need two. I used a silpat instead of the parchment paper and it worked beautifully. I saved some for us and some went into jars as gifts.

 

This is the finished product, a little crunchy, a little chewy, really good!

 
I wrapped the jars with some scrapbooking paper I had on hand, and some tags I stamped. For the finishing touch I added my 2009' signature twine and pinecones.

I am enjoying my break from the shop. It's in vacation mode until the 26th when I'll be having a sale on all items, these are items that are made and ready to ship, 20% off everything.  I'd like to clear some things out to make way for some new items. I may return the shop to vacation mode after the 28th again to work on my new goodies. I haven't made up my mind about that just yet. I'll let you know when I do.

I hope all is well with you. See you soon! ~Susan

 

Open Skate

It's official, the rink is open for skating! The kids couldn't have been more excited. Despite temps in the 20's I put on my skates too. I have such fond memories of skating with my Dad growing up. I hope that my children will remember these times we spend together later in their lives.

 

 

 

 

Remember the link for homemade granola I posted a bit ago? Well I whipped up a batch this morning, I'll tell you it couldn't have been easier, it's worth making just to make the house smell so good!

Enjoy the weekend!

~ Susan

 
 

A crafty kind of afternoon

Since I've been making some homemade goodies I thought I better think about some tags and packaging. I ordered this sweet boxes from Etsy, they were pictured on the cover of Country Living this month!

I stamped some tags, aged the edges of the boxes so they would match the tags a bit better. I added a vintage label on the front just like they do on candy boxes. Tied it with twine and added one of my sparkly pinecones. These will hold cookies or caramels maybe fudge if I get to it. I plan to put the teacher's gifts in these as well, gift cards along with something edible.

 

See you soon!

Susan