Pay It Forward...

Bloggers are passing around a new tag...Pay It Forward.

If you were my reader back in the beginning, you will remember that I had a Pay It Forward (PIF) blog candy contest. So I'm pretty glad it's catching on!

My blogger buddy, Rochelle of "Impressions", offered up a goodie package provided you were willing to "pay it forward." I agreed to play along. Here is the goodies that came in the mail today:

Now it's my turn. I will take the first two people that comment on this post and are willing to "Pay it Forward" themselves. Put your e-mail address in the comment so I can get your mailing address. (U.S. only this time. Christmas is coming and I need to save my pennies!)

Now check this out:




Don't you wish your name was "Ellie?" Last Sunday, my friend Ellie gave me a ton of stamping stuff...oodles of stamps, punches, paper, templates. I made this little ensemble to show my gratitude. (The colors are much better in real life.)

I can't wait to see who is going to Pay It Forward next! (PS...Lorie is the only one so far. Gremhog has decided to let someone else play this fun game. If you want to play, post a comment!!)

Amazing Story Tellers

My online SCS/Bogging friend, Faith, tells phenominal stories about herself and family, past and present. They are entertaining insights and memories. So I thought today, I'd post one of mine. (Pictures will come later.)

Yesterday, my ebay auction arrived...two patterns for American Girl doll clothes.




My DD stopped sucking her two fingers a few months back and she received the promised doll. So for Christmas this year, I thought I'd sew some clothes for the doll. I'll be making a few items as well as matching night gowns for her and "Elizabeth."

I bought some "Laura Ashley" looking snuggly fabric/flannel yesterday afternoon. Very lovely, flowerly fabric. These nightgowns are going to be Laura Ingles style...only with floral print fabric.


There wasn't quite enough on the bolt for the 2 night gowns. But I figured I could make it stretch. Then I got home and washed and dried the fabric. What started off as 2-3 inches too short turned into 7 or 8 inches too short. I took it with me to a quilting group that met last night at church. I spread it out, carefully smoothed it as straight as I could..then I started arranging the pieces. I still think that I can get both outfits out of it. With a few modifications. (So cross your fingers for me!)

Thinking of the clothes I'd make for DD and her doll, I recalled another Christmas. I was 5 years old and the oldest of the 3 girls in my family. My baby sister J* was just born in October. My mom was a fantastic seamstress who made lots of clothes for me and my sister. That fall/winter, she was busy at her sewing machine. One day, C* and I walked in on her and saw these lovely bonnets. One was pink and the other was purple. They were wonderful. Of course, being 5 and almost 4, we wanted to know who they were for. My mom told us that they were for J. Adding "Shhhhhhhh. Don't tell her. It's a Christmas gift."

A couple of weeks later, it was Christmas. At the stroke of midnight, our parents woke us up to come see what Santa Claus has brought. As we opened gifts, mom said that there was another gift for us in the kitchen. So C and I scampered into the kitchen where we found 2 garbage bags. Inside each of them was a pair of dolls she had sewn. And of course, the girl dolls were wearing those bonnets!

I have always remembered this event...just like I still have the dolls. Over a year ago, I decided I should was "Peter and Susan's" clothes. Ooh, the dirt that came out of those cotton clothes when I hand washed them in the sink! (The bonnet has been long gone, mind you.) I'm pretty sure that is the first and only time their clothes have ben washed in nearly 30 years! I must have been in one of those cleaning/organizing moods. Soon, I carefully took off their hair, "de-stuffed" them and then gingerly washed their bodies. I restuffed them. Susan has her hair back on...Peter needs some help from his maker...hehe. I still need to stuff and add the legs.

I guess, when I am done with these doll clothes, I'll see about finishing the restoration process that I started! Don't worry Mom. Peter and Susan sit on my dresser, reminding me each day that they need to be finished.

Check out this list!

Want to rejuvenate my stamp collection? Or your stamp collection?

Check out this list!

Feel free to make offers with sets on your own trade list.

Pack Meeting

Tonight was my son's pack meeting. He was supposed to get a bunch of achievement beads. But, the holder that buttons onto his uniform was recalled b/c of LEAD. Good grief. It's everywhere. So he will have to wait another month for those awards. But he did receive the 2 belt loops that he earned. One for soccer and one for chess. Both of them were quiet easy. He's on a soccer team and he's played chess for YEARS with his dad. And anyone else that he can convince to play with him!

A few pix of the night:

After arriving on time and getting your uniform inspected, C* hangs out with some other Wolves and work on puzzles are the pack waits for the meeting to start.




E* and McK* wait for the meeting with their Webkinz...Lucky and Kylie. E* was willing to pose for 2 pix. But as soon as I snapped the first pix, my DD was done with her fantastic smile! (Gotta love those front teeth growing back in!)



As usual, Con is upfront with his den...telling the rest of the pack about their field trip to the airport. While they were there, they toured 2 police helicopters. The boys LOVED it!




After the awards portion, the boys broke of into 2 groups. Each group did a craft and played an Indian Feather Game. (This month, the theme was Native Americans!)

We have a really fabulous pack where parents are involved and the kids get to do a ton of activities. Our Blue and Gold will be at a country club...it helps when one of the dads is a chef there. The boys sold a TON of popcorn. They dress in full uniform. I love it b/c it teaches them respect. (And yes, we are still working with C* on tucking in his shirt...see above pix.) There are all sort of activities each week and they are so well behaved! It's so much fun being in a large, functioning pack!

Brownie Mania!

I should probably post this news flash...

I'm in the process of becoming a Brownie Leader!!

So if you have any ideas, suggestions, tips or advice, feel free to post.

Personalities

I do not like it when people jump to conclusions, do not listen to what I am saying when I am trying to explain a situation and then say snide, untrue things. Shame on them!