My Favorites Celebrate the Holidays, beautiful fall decor, faux pumpkins and more

I wanted to introduce you to one of my newest followers. Kristy contacted me, letting me know she mentioned and linked to me in one of her posts. In her post, she not only mentioned me and did a link but she posted a picture of one of my party participants projects, and whenever someone mentions me and does a link to my blog I want to repay them by mentioning them and doing a link back to their blog. Thanks so much Kristy. I look forward to getting to know you better.

Thank you for all the sweet comments and the prayers being sent up on behalf of my Mom. She is scheduled to have a CAT scan and I will let you know how that goes. If any of you have ever lived with cancer or had a loved one live with it, it changes your life in a split second. I remember life was normal and all of a sudden it wasn't normal any more. We had our oldest 2 boys but they hadn't turned 1 and 2 yet. After surgery and then through the process of chemo, we were on the edge constantly. She was in the hospital more than she was home and we didn't know if we would have her after all was said and done. Then you go through the next 5 years of testing and then waiting to see if the results were normal. You get to the 5 year mark and they say 'you are in remission' and you are grateful but there is always that knowledge that it could return. With every pain you wonder and she goes to the Dr whenever she thinks something isn't quite right and we have been blessed for it to always be a minor infection or results from the cancer and chemo, but then you begin to get more settled as time goes on. It has been almost 11 years ago that my Mom called and called and called all day asking what time we were coming by (on New Years Day), and so we headed over to see what was up and that is when time stood still. I, of course went into "here are all the things we need to do" mode, while my Dad kind of crumbled. My two boys were about a year and 10 months old and the other 10 months old, now my 2 little ones are 2 and 4. I try to just put my trust in the Lord and hope that we don't have to walk that path again. I really do appreciate each prayer-Thank you.

Let me tell you a cute little story. I was making salmon patties for dinner last night and I needed to run to the store because I had run out of eggs and crackers. G3 and G4 wanted to go. They like helping to put everything in the cart (except the eggs-I do those). We got home and G3 (4 years old) came in and wanted to crumbled a buttery cracker (I like them better than bread crumbs). I already had my egg and crackers in the bowl and I was cleaning the salmon. He grabbed a cracker and started to crumble it. He did a good job but he was dropping crumbs on the floor and my foot, they were in my shoe. Here is our conversation:

Its So Very Cheri Mommy-oh: "Be careful because you are getting crumbs on the floor".
G3: "Well, you know, that's what happens when you cook".

Its So Very Cheri Mommy-Oh: "Oh, really. Is that how Mommy cooks? Do I get crumbs all over the floor?"
G3: "No, but it's how I cook. It just happens sometimes."

Just to let you know I am trying to go back through every follower and stop following and then re-sign up again because some of my pictures and name have flipped back to the silhouette, not all of them--just some. Google does this to drive me to insanity, so I am going to see if that will fix this---GOOGLE needs customer service with a response.

I just want to say again, if you sign up to follow me I will come by and do the same within 24 hours. If I haven't been there, I can not get to you and I need you to leave me a message. It is either a Google glitch or the way you set up your account. Some of you have your info blocked-even your e-mail. I get the sweetest messages from a gal by the name of Lisa but I can not ever respond and I feel so bad. I hope she knows her account is blocked and that I do read every comment, at least she wouldn't be wondering when I will come see her.I tried e-mailing some Lisa's in my friend list but I didn't find her. Of course I can't get to every Lisa-due to the way their account is set up and if they you only have your account set up with your blog name I have no way of knowing your name is Lisa, because I just don't have time to go through every one each time. My hope would be for everyone to set their account up so your set up would have your name and blog name, that way your follower name would be (ex:) Lisa@Mycozyhome. I only have my blog name because my name is in my blog name. I have several new followers (from the last couple of weeks)and a few long time followers, that I can not get to, your set up doesn't have LINKS so there is no blog name to come visit. If you don't leave me a message telling me you don't have a blog or purposely have it blocked, and let me touch base by e-mail, I can not reach you. If you don't want a visit, that is fine-I just don't want people wondering why I haven't been for a visit. If you change your info to have links, let me know and I will come over. If you want to check-click on the word follower, on my side bar, sign into google and it will show your account (if your picture doesn't show up, and you want one in or thought you had one-you need to add one through your google account)and how you sign in. If it is just a name or just your blog name. I recommend both, that way when Google is having one of its multitude of glitches, you can be found by people you sign up with. Sometimes I have big news to announce to just my followers and I can only contact the ones with links.

So now to my FAVORITES:

Can I just say I-Yi-Yi, you gals are so talented and are making it hard to choose some favorites.
Some tips people have offered:
Walmart has faux pumpkins for $5 and $10
Dollar Tree has faux pumpkins for $1
Michael's has 30 % off Martha Stewart (her glitter is part of Christy @Embellished Bayou's project. 50% off faux pumpkins, fall floral, acrylic paint 3/$1, foam sheets 3/$2 (if you want to make any of the ornaments I made.)
GO HERE
If you are a home school Mom you can sign up, I don't know if you get extra savings or what --I just did it.
JoAnn's has Buy 1 Get 1 FREE on fall-including dishes etc., 40 % off pumpkins. they have a Price Match Pledge.
I was in the store the other day buying
THIS

for this
because of these
and they had an announcement over the intercom about signing up for extra discount for home school moms. I asked about it but I have to get a form from the home school association and turn it in to get the discount. The hot pink project is one of my projects on my to do list but I need to get my kids started on school for the time being.

I am going to mix these up, just because you are not at the top of the list doesn't mean a thing. All of you sweet ladies can grab the "Ive been featured" button and add it to your side bar.


My cool friend Cheryl from the coolest mom on the block, made these adorable melted crayon fall leaves. They look gorgeous hanging in the window with the light coming through. I think it would be cool to do a variety of colors-I know hers are multi colored but I mean do some more yellow, some more red, some more purple etc. If you don't have a cookie cutter you could go for a walk and pick up pretty fall leaves, unless you lives in Florida-palm frans don't make for pretty fall leaf cut outs.

Christy at Embellished Bayou did a glittery fall project.
She does a fabulous tutorial and gives great tips on savings as well.
I am Loving this. Thanks Christy. I think you will have everyone running to Michael's.

Go to see the Switch it up-Pumpkin blocks. I love the fact that these blocks can be flipped over and used at Christmas time in Christmas colors. What a trifty, space saving idea.

Samantha at My Texas Nest has done some fun silver and pearlized pumpkins. I love the contrast of both colors. Samantha has been really fun to get to know. I made a comment on her blog about some ideas for her sons birthday party and she e-mailed back and I responded back. I asked again how the planning was going and we chatted a bit. I can not wait to show you the party ideas we have been chatting about but the party is still several months away. We will have to showcase it for the Home Tour-we can tour just her kitchen, living room, backyard-where ever she has the party-right!!!


Home Again did 2 posts and I will show both right here. Look at her beautiful fall door wreath- I love the different materials in this punkin. It looks like upholstry fabric or wools- so cool. I told her I liked this picture because it looks like he is spewing a stream of green slime (it's just the pumpkin vine and camera view but I thought it was funny).

If you want a different TWIST on fall decorating head over to anything goes here

Style Sisters was my very first Give-a-way winner and she has stayed a true friend to me and Its So Very Cheri. I'm a true GIRL friend kind of gal. I talk about that in The G-Force Family button. She presented 3 different posts. she showed a fall wreath that she plumped up with some new items, her mantle decor, and her AWESOME 3 tierd cake plate stand She needs to post this one to the Knock Off party next week-ooh lala, it is a thrifty and cool project. Thanks girl-you knocked it out of the park.

Brittany is a newlywed and she has found some great thrifty finds. You really can decorate and create a beautiful home and not spend a lot of money. I think the economy has changed the way most American's will do things for quite some time. I know the Depression changed how people did things-they were fearful that they could loose it all AGAIN and I think many of us will live more frugal than ever before. I have always been a frugal gal but I love finding new ways to save. ALL of the items she showcased for us didn't even cost her $8. Way to go GIRL. Hold your head high for being fugal and saving money for your family.

Yesterday's party event here Be sure to visit all the gals. Everyone is so creative and inspiring. Thank them for taking the time to post to parties and showcase their items. It takes extra time in their day to load everything and get it ready to present to all of us.
thank you ladies.

I am going to add a poll, later today, with some name choices for the Cottage Home Tour. Help me decide on a name.

I would really appreciate it, if everyone who has enjoyed these parties will grab my buttons to post on your side bar so others will learn about the party and come post their beautiful inspirations as well, so we can be inspired even more. I have a button created for the Knock Off Knock Out party and the Celebrate the Holidays party. Thanks gals.

I love coming to meet you and if you follow me I will come and do the same. If you have not had a visit from me with in 24 hours you need to contact me because I can not find you -due to the way your account is set up, or Google issues. I feel really bad when I can not keep my promise.

Be sure to subscribe. It is great for you, you can view all your blogs in one spot. I had one gal, who had no idea what it was. She e-mailed me and said "You are my new best friend". I guess she was pretty thrilled with her new time saving tip. It quick, free and makes blog life so much better.

Come by for the Knock Off Knock Out party next Monday, and bring your posts.

Blogger Question about Sewing or Crafts

I am putting this post on Metamorphosis Monday and I guess there are several MEtamorphis' that went on but the one I am focusing on is Miss G4's baby quilt transformation that went from this:

to this:

I've been busy making bread - want the recipe and see the post Click on HOME MADE BREAD , I made a couple more birds nests, just in case we get to 100 Followers and give away another bird nest. I know how many of you love them and want them so I'm trying to give more opportunities for the nest and I have been working on one of the lampshades PLUS spending time with my kiddos today. I need to go cuddle with Miss Goo (G4) and watch Toot and Puddle with her. Enjoy.

On Sat. July 10th, "2nd Week of the Give Away-New Rules" Post, a question came up about whether I enjoy sewing or crafts more. If you are wanting to post a comment to register for the give away, read this weeks rules for the give away or see the questions I've been asked so far and my answers GO HERE FOR July's FREE GIVE AWAY. It's been fun answering the Questions-Keep them coming.

I mentioned showing my daughter's room.






Miss G4 loves pink so it is a good thing I made her bedding in pink. This quilt started off as her baby bedding, and then went onto her toddler bed. The baby bedding was just the middle part of her comforter. I made it so I could add on to it and make it into her big girl comforter.


I hand made the chenille that is around the center flower and leaves.




Lots of different kinds of pink, shabby chic fabrics and hand quilting to make it Oh So Shabby Chic.






I scalloped the bottom of the diamond quilted fabric and added roses. I hand made all of the roses for the bottom of the quilt.



I want my husband to extend the stem that the light goes into so the lampshades sit a little higher up but I can deal with it till he can get to it. The tea cups came out so unique, it was a quirky thing that happened with them-the gentleman that owned the ceramic shop where I made them called me to come look at them and he said there is no way he could ever make them do this again. He had people asking if they could buy them from him. I think they add to the shabby chic look of the chandelier. I love them. They are one of a kind and that fits right in with my eclectic style.





We also redid all of her furniture and Mr. Wonderful made her mirror frame-these are peaks that I will have to post about some time.




Here is a peak at my big boys comforter which is also hand made-they want new themes when we move so they won't have these nautical comforters on their beds any longer-that is once I get to their rooms.


I think this shows that I can sew and enjoy things that I create the pattern for. I did not make any of her bedding, bed skirt, curtains etc from a pattern-it was all created in my head.