Happy Mother's Day

Being a mom is tricky. It's the most challenging job that I've had yet it's the most heartwarming as well. And I've learned to be a good mom from my mom. Here's a picture of my mom and me. It's sad that this is the one picture I have with the both of us. I guess we are always the ones behind the camera. Also excuse my giant watermelon head (really, it's just perspective...well kinda).

I have been lucky enough to have been raised by a mom who was loving and thoughtful. Here's just a few things that she has taught me.

1. Be on time. My mom is always punctual and has taught me that being on time is one way of showing respect. We were never too late or too early. I remember getting someplace early and driving around the block a couple of times so we didn't show up too early. Other people's time is something to be respectful about.

2. Share your talent. My mom is a teacher. She really could do anything...be an artist, singer, nurse, whatever, but she chooses to educate middle schoolers. She shares advice and helps guide tweens and teens not only in their school work but also life. I applaud her efforts and joy for giving!

3. Just add powder! My mom is full of tips. I was reminded of this when I attended a playdate and was too rushed to take my morning shower. I followed a nifty trick my mom taught me to put powder in my hair and comb through it. The powder absorbs the grease (nasty but helpful). She's full of helpful tips and I love her for that!

4. Love of Food. So many wonderful family occasions were spent around food. My mom is an amazing cook and I love her creativity in the kitchen. She's not afraid to mix things up and not follow the recipe. She cooks things from scratch and likes to share them with others. She is also a lover of chocolate and ice cream and knows that even a very bad day can become instantly better after visiting Dairy Queen.

5. Her commitment to her children. My mom was the type of mother who put her career on hold to raise her family. She moved miles away (from Oregon to North Carolina then to Maine) from friends and family for my dad's work. She worked at KMart for extra spending cash. And even when she did get her degree in eduction, she worked a Fred Meyer to help out with finances. My mom was also there emotionally for us kids. She was the one who we came to with problems, scrapes and bruises. She was the one who celebrated our accomplishments. She was our home and our safe haven.

Thank you Mom! I wish you a wonderful Mother's Day. I love you!

Mother's Day Jewelry

This year I gave each of our moms a kilt pin with the kiddos pictures on them and adorned with fun lampwork beads. Check out how they turned out!

Mother of the Year

This Mother's send mom something to be proud of...give her an award! And go ahead and give her the "Mother of the Year" award as well. You know she deserves it. See her name in lights on a prime time newscast in this funny, inspirational and, yes, customizable video:
http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/index2.html

Spiders on Drugs

South Pacific Wonderland

My friend Kim told me about Loose Ends after seeing their sale sign off of Madrona. She said it was full of handmade papers, sea shells and fun craft stuff. Well, I was very happy to check it out myself.

At first I thought it was locked. I pulled gently on the door and it didn't open. The hours were not posted on the door either. I wasted a few minutes and then a car pulled up. I asked the driver if she worked there and she said she was the owner and happily let me in to the store after introducing me to her cute dog. I guess the door was unlocked the whole time and my weakling pull had no effect on the door. Maybe this is another sign i should start working out more?

The owner , Sandi Reinke, was super friendly and told me about the store a bit. She said they sell to set designers, party planners and decorators and that most of the things in the store and warehouse was marked down to a whopping 60%. Needless to say, my hoarding/artsy side took over.

Sandi's staff was also very friendly and refered me to items that were similar to what I was purchasing. From branches, tins, ribbon, pictures, bamboo, and shells, Loose Ends has a collection of goodies that inspires you to creative and decorate. Walking through their warehouse was the most fun. I felt as if I was on a craft safari through the South Pacific.

Her staff member also informed me at checkout that Sandi Reinke is a frequent guest on TV shows such as the Christopher Lowell Show and Carol Duvall Show and has written a book about decorative papers.

I sighed a breath of relief after receiving my bill (gotta love a markdown like that!) and both Sandi and her staff member helped me load up my car. After a little bit of chit chat about my CRV (Sandi said she wanted to get one) I was off. I brought my kill home and I felt victorious!

Visit Loose Ends at 2065 Madrona Ave SE Salem, OR 97302 Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm & Saturdays 10am - 5pm.Just remember to pull the door hard to open!

List Maker Mug

I'm a list maker. I like having a visual picture of things I need to get done and I love to cross things off my list and feel productive. These cups are just the coolest.

I Heart Robots!

We finally finished Mr. and Mrs. Robot and I think they are adorable. The kids and I had a blast picking out their body parts. For the base we used tins we found at a thrift store. For putting most of it together we used E-6000 glue, which is really smelly but easy for kids to work with.

Mrs. Robot is Little Missy's creation. She is all dressed up with a tart tin crown, mouth from the top of a broken alarm clock (this we got from IKEA and it popped it's spring). and hair coils (also from the broken IKEA clock). For the nose we used an "A" key from an old typewriter. For her eyes we used the bells from the broken clock and these cute wheel scrapbook embellishments from Oriental Trading Company for her eyes. Mr. Robot is robust with his large stomach and fork hands. He has compass eyes which I was thrilled to find at Goodwill. He also has lincoln log legs, a domino mouth, bottle cap nose and altoid tin feet.

These junk robots are super fun to make and bring a smile to my face when I see them.
Tips:

• Use masking tape to hold things in place while the glue dries
  
• Keep your eyes open for your junk (read: treasures) at garage sales and estate sales to save money.
• Make your robot function as a clock, bank, or light
• Use parts that are nostalgic and easily recognizable
  
• Use E-6000 glue...the best glue ever!
• Have fun and play