Life can change in an instant

Everyone says it, "life can change in an instant" but you never really know what that truly means until it actually happens to you. I will never forget that day in May, the sound in my husbands voice telling me that his brother had been killed. I was at work, enjoying the company picnic that day and then I had gone to workout class. I had no idea what was going on until I saw a missed call and I called him back.

The rest of that week feels like a blur, even though I remeber everything so vividly. My bother in law was an amazing man and loved by many. Our family is devestated by this tragic loss. 

Our life now is consisting of a court hearings and a possible trial. Nothing I ever imagined we would be going through. Everything still seams so sureal. 

Even though it is hard at times, life needs to go on. There are now more good than bad, it seems like the bad comes in more moments than entire days. But we are trying to enjoy life. The kids finshed school, my oldest son graduated from High School, we still had birthday parties, and summer BBQ's.

We have taken more time to spend with family and friends. You really do realize what is important and that petty little things really don't matter because life can change in an instant. 

We recently celebrated what would have been his 47th birthday. It was a wonderful celebration of his life and we were surrounded by family and friends. 

The day had been dreary and rainy. I had planned to light off 47 purple lanterns in my brother in laws memory, we had invited tons of family and friends to help us celebrate. All day I just kept saying that it would be nice for our celebration, there was just no other option! 

In the afternoon, I was looking out my window and the grey cloudy sky, I decided to ask Terry to help us out and clear things up for his party. After I spoke to him, I had my back turned and within seconds, litterally seconds, I felt the warmth of the sun on my back. I slowly turned and could not believe my eyes. It was solid grey clouds and now a clearing right above my house and the sun was shining!

I went to the back door to take a photo, and this is what I captured. My brother in law was an avid fisherman, and once I saw the fish shaped cloud, I knew that he made this happen. I was in awe of this all afternoon I could not stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. Moments later this was gone and the sky was grey once again. But later that night at his party, the skys cleared again and we were able to light the lanterns one at a time just as we had planned. 

We played "See you again" by Carrie Underwood. 

It was an emotional night for all of us, but very theraputic at the same time. 

We all miss him like crazy and it's hard to imagine life with out a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend. 

So when I tell you that life can change in an instant, trust me, life is too short. Don't wait, make the most of every day, with the people that mean the most to you. 

I made a video of our night, if you would like you can view it on YOU TUBE 47 Purple Lanterns 

What to do with burlap?

I was in Minneapolis last week and was able to make a stop at the caribou coffee corporate office and get some burlap! The green coffee beans are shipped from all over the world to be roasted in these burlap bags. You can find many different prints on the burlap depending on where it is from. So I stocked up, and filled my car! 

These are some of the prints that I was able to get! 

This weekend I made some stuff with my new burlap!

Tote bags:

The tote below was a special request from a friend. The burlap did not have this on it, I printed it from the computer onto and iron on transfer. This was the result!

I also made a table runner:

 And started designing my 2013 Holiday stockings! after last year, I know that I need to start much sooner!

That's it for today! I am hoping that I can find some time this week to get more stuff made!

Spring Succulents

It finally is starting to feel like spring here! After a record setting snowfall for the month of April it has started to warm up! So today I did some planting. 

I made this window box last fall, and decided to plant it up and add a fun wreath and banner to it! 

The wreath is made from burlap & moss. I hand stamped the little pennant banner with acrylic paint and rubber stamps.

My mom owns a greenhouse, so it was fun planting up this little guys!

I attached the wreath and pennant with some old fashion number tacks! 

I think this was an old colander for some sort, I used moss and dirt to plan in this one. It already has the perfect drainage built in! 

Have an old rusty pail? Plant it!!! It works great for succulents! 

Happy Spring everyone!! 

digital scrapbooking? YES!

For the first time ever I went scrapbooking this weekend with my friends and I had nothing for anyone to steal! I usually am the one that brings everything, but not this weekend. I armed myself with my laptop, photoshop, and many digital kits! I still have a lot to learn, but so far I am really enjoying it! I was afraid I would miss all the "stuff" but I didn't at all. I didn't miss packing it, hauling it, or using it!

I am not sure where I will have my pages printed yet, I may try making a shutterfly book using only 12 x 12 layouts. Does anyone out there have suggestions of where to make the books now that the pages are are done??

Here are a few of my favs:

I forgot to mention how it was killing me to scrap these pages this weekend, I live in northern MN and we have had 20 inches of snow so far this APRIL and we are currently in the midddle of another storm as I write this, 6-10 more!

So what do you prefer? Traditional or digital scrapin? If digital, I would love to know any good sites or tips!!!

Red Bedroom Accents

After having some warranty issues with our mattress, we decided to upgrade and get a king sized bed! I told my husband, that we would have to get all new bedding and that we might as well paint while we were at it. I loved the dark brown but was ready for something new! 

The color it is now is by Benjamin Moore and is called Smokey Taupe. I wanted to use as much of my original stuff as I could. So here goes! 

I stuck with brown and neutrals and decided to accent with red. I was able to keep everything I had wanted to, recovered a couple of pillows and only bought a couple of new pieces! 

 I made the curtains for burlap coffee bean bags (of course!) I added some trim from the fabric store to the inside edge and used remnants of my pillow fabric for the ties.

 New Addition: Clock from Hobby Lobby! We just had a hobby lobby open here, I think I could live there!

 I updated my window frames photo's the add more red accents.

And there you have it! New bedding, fresh paint and some fun pops of red! 

What do you like better the light room or the darker?

Pinned it, Made it, Loved it!

I love when a pinterest recipe turns out! 

Tonight I made Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes and they were so amazingly good! 

We had some a few years ago on vacation and I think these were even better, and very easy to make! 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/valentines-day-chocolate-desserts/pictures/page-5.html?soc=fyepinterest

Now if only there weren't 3 left upstairs... I hope the kids eat the rest before I do! 

All you need is LOVE

Valentines days is right around the corner! It's time to get out the decor! Pinterest is full of great valentine crafts! Here are a couple of items that I made tonight!

My favorites, burlap & wool sweaters! 

Happy crafting!