makelifesweet

I've Fallen...And No Open House

My mom always has plans.  Big plans.  Her latest is to redo an area of our office we don't use and turn it into a store.  Not an open-every-day-nine-to-five kind of store.  Just a small store open a couple of Saturdays a month for her to sell all her handmade items as well as our patterns, kits and fabric (when we have it in stock).

She has been working on it for a few months now.  Painting, ripping out carpet, putting in a new floor, and making all the items to sell.  She planned on having an open house this Saturday.  She thought it would be perfect timing- right before the holidays.

Then Friday came.  Last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.   She decided she had to hang this window:

A good friend of hers gave it to her.  She loved it and wanted to hang it in her store for decoration.  (It's not for sale).  So she decided to climb on the nearest thing there was to get this window in her chosen location.  That happened to be a table.  Bad decision.  Bad, bad, bad, bad.  Right after she hung the window she slipped.  I don't even know exactly how she did it, but on her way down, she hit this corner:

 

and landed here:

 

She hit her head on the wall and has a bruise that she swears is at least 10" in diameter.  (She won't show it to us, but the doctor says he has never seen anything quite like it).  Of course, she was by herself and had to just lay on the floor.  While she was looking up, (in terrible pain) she decided she hung the window too low.  So what does she do?  Somehow, she crawls back up on that table and fixes it.  Then immediately lays back down on the floor.  We wouldn't want a window that was too low, would we?

After a while (nobody is missing her yet) she decides she better try to make it to the house (which is about 300 feet away). 

At this point, her pain is getting worse.  It takes her a while, but she makes it.  Ever since then, she has been out of commission.  It hurts to sit, lay down and stand.  The problem with this injury is that the pain got progressively worse, and the next day she couldn't move at all.

My sister took her to the doctor on Monday.  You know it is bad when my mom goes to the doctor (she is super stubborn).  After the doctor's appointment, Susan continued to drive her all around town, running errands.  We thought this was hilarious- Susan doing her good duty taking Grandma around town.   

I think she finally feels a little better, but has decided there will be no open house this Saturday.   She is pretty sad about it, but we convinced her that it will be just as fun after the first of the year.  We are aiming for February- when we first get our "Make Life..." fabric in. 

Here is a peek of some of the items she has made:

It will be better in February anyway- more time for her to make more things.  I hope she has learned her lesson, but something tells me she will still be climbing on tables.

Have a great day!

-posted by Lisa  

Firsts for Thanksgiving and the U Create Holiday Boutique

This past Thanksgiving brought a lot of firsts -

1. First of all it was the first time in my whole entire life that I did not spend thanksgiving in -

Yes, Colorful Colorado.  (On a side note - Whenever I enter into this great state I always chuckle a little to myself.  You see I am from Eastern Colorado and for any of you that have entered into Colorado from the east and see this sign pictured above, you know why I laugh.  Most of the time the only color that you are going to see is different shades of brown and more brown.  The wording on the sign makes me laugh but I do have to say that Colorado does have the nicest signs as I noticed on our little Thanksgiving trip. ) My family and I left Colorado on Tuesday morning bright and early and went through 

and then 

and finally to our destination state

The funny thing is that throughout the whole trip all my kids would ask is , "Are we in Texas yet???"  Little do they know that you could drive for days in just Texas.  They didn't quite understand that just because we were in Texas didn't mean that we were there yet - we still had 6 more hours of fun in the car left to go!  Finally we arrive at my brother and sister - in laws house (much of the family gathered here for a fun Thanksgiving Holiday)  - what a good site to see for all of us. 

2. The first time my kids have jumped on a trampoline at the end of November with short sleeved shirts (some of the kids even had shorts on) -

3.  The first time I have ever seen a pecan tree and actually picked pecans -

The one thing that I did learn is that you have to watch your head when the pecans start falling - ouch!

It was all worth it - from what we brought home it looks like we will have a lifetime supply of pecans!

4.  The first time I have ever seen ripe tomatoes still on the vine on Thanksgiving 

5.  The first time my family has ever been fishing on Thanksgiving day

the 70 degrees weather felt so good!!! I thought I would brag a little to my family at home but no luck - it was 60 at home and they were enjoying nice weather too!! 

NOW BACK TO WORK  -

We are excited to be featured on

If you are looking for creative gift ideas this is the place for you to go and shop!  You will find many items from many talented people - go have fun!!!   
   

posted by Susan
 
 
 

Winner!

I almost forgot that I promised a winner of the Make Life... precut.  But it is still Friday, and I didn't have to tell you that, but honestly I almost forgot.  Anyway, the randomly selected winner is:

Laura who wrote:

#8 is my favorite but what a tough pick!! Next up would be the truck one however they are all great:) Oh my gosh do I love that fabric!!
Thanks, Laura T

Congratulations, Laura.  Please e-mail us at info@sweetwaterscrapbook.com with your mailing address and we will get that fabric to you.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Some Silly Things To Be Thankful For + A New Kit

I know tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I will remember all the big things I'm thankful for (family, God, our military, health, etc.), but this Thanksgiving Eve, I thought I would think about the little things in life that make me happy.

• My sports teams.  All from Denver- you know the Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies.  They are my escape and I would be one sad girl if I didn't have a game to look forward to.  Even when they are awful, I still love them.
• Bread.  I would rather be hung upside down by my toenails than be on the Atkins diet.  I love my carbs.  I actually made bread yesterday because I had a headache.  And yes, it cured my headache.  (Okay, maybe it was the Tylenol, but I've convinced myself it was the bread).
• Talk Radio.  My poor little boy.  He has listened to way more talk radio than the Disney Kid's Channel (is there one?).  But I have decided when he is old enough to ask me to turn the station, I will.  But for now, it is my happy time. 
• Kenny Chesney.  I do love country music.  Always have.  And he is my favorite.  Right after my husband, of course. 
• Summer.  I dream of summer.  I live for summer.  I adore all things summer.  Which means I'm not too fond of the current season- but I'll stay positive.  I love summer.
• The Bachelor.  I know it's stupid.  I know they will never stay together.  I know that no girl should think that this one guy is the last guy on earth and she should do anything to get him.  So- I really don't know why I like it.  I just can't quit watching it.

It is getting late, and I have a kit to show you, but I could go on and on.  So, why don't you let us know the silliest thing in your life you are thankful for?

Okay, so about that kit.  I told you we had more ideas than our 12 Days of Christmas had days, so here is our next holiday project.

 
 
Our Holiday Gift Tag Kit includes fabric, buttons, crochet thread and the iron on fabric labels to create 6 tags.  There are three tags that have a "to" and "from" section that can be filled in using a pigma pen.  The labels can also be purchased separately.  To view and purchase the kit, click here.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  See you on Friday.

-posted by Lisa

Holiday Cards Plus Win Some Fabric! (Make Life...)

It has been a couple of days since our 12 Days of Christmas has ended, but our holiday features have just begun!  Today, we are debuting our 2009 set of Holiday Cards on our website www.sweetwaterstreet.com. 

Here are a few of my favorites:

  
  



Each also has a coordinating address label.  Here are some samples:

 

If you haven't ordered our cards before, here is a little information.  They are printed on a high quality, heavy weight cardstock with a linen finish.  Any wording can be changed, such as "Merry Christmas" can be switched to "Happy Holidays".  They come in sets of 25 and envelopes are included.  Orders generally take a week from the time you order until the time you receive your cards.  If you have any questions at all about our cards, please don't hesitate to e-mail us at info@sweetwaterstreet.com

If you are looking to save a little money on postage (who isn't?), we also have holiday postcards where the card is printed on the front, with your address on the back.  Here is a postcard sample:

Now, for the fun part.  If you order your Holiday Cards before December 1st, we will send you this cute kitchen towel for you to give as a gift, or adorn your own kitchen.

To view the entire holiday collection, please click here.

Now, for the most fun part- win a Moda pre-cut of our "Make Life.." collection!

Here is how you enter.  Simply view our Holiday Card collection here and leave a comment letting us know which card is your favorite design.  We will pick the winner next Friday.  Good luck and have a great weekend! 

-posted by Lisa

The Last Day---

The final day of our 12 Days of Christmas has come.  We are both sad and a little relieved.  Sad because we have had so much fun creating new things, and relieved because when my sister came up with this idea  and we didn't have the projects designed.  Consequently, we usually came up with the idea for a project each morning for the last couple of weeks. 

Like today, my mom just started this table runner/wall hanging last night, and I think she is glad this is the last one she has to do (for awhile, anyway).

This is actually one of my favorites.  I think it would look adorable as a runner on a long table or simply hung on a door.  The kit includes the fabric and pattern to make the quilt top (including binding).  It measures 15" x 50".   The kit can be purchased here.

Now I know this is the last day of our 12 Days of Christmas, but we always have more ideas- which means we have more in store for the next few weeks before the holidays, so keep checking back!

-posted by Lisa

Now It's Starting To Look Like Christmas (Plus Day #11)

We had snow again this weekend in Colorado, and we took advantage of it on Sunday by taking the kids sledding.

It took just as long to dress them as it did to actually go sledding with them.  Of course, Cash refused to wear a hat or gloves, so his fun time got cut short.

Bryce and Jordan were way more cooperative (and warm!)

 A few shots of the fun:

 

Okay, now for Day 11 of our 12 Days of Christmas. 

We thought it would be fun to make a fabric calendar that you could use month after month, year after year.  This would be a fabulous gift- or look adorable hanging in your house. 

The kit includes fabric, canvas, buttons, crochet thread, number and month labels and the pattern.  The frame (size 16" x 20")  is not included, but we bought this one at Walmart for around $10. 

 Of course, you can by additional labels separately.  View and purchase the kit here.

Have a happy Monday, see you tomorrow!

-posted by Lisa

Day #10 and Our Winner

Thanks to all of you who entered our contest to win a set of Holiday Labels from yesterday.  Everyone had great ideas!  The lucky winner is:

Dianne who wrote:

this is an awesome way to make a cute gift...i would use it for hand towels.

Dianne, please e-mail us at info@sweetwaterscrapbook.com with your address and we will get them on there way!  Congratulations.

Now, for our Day #10 project.  I know we are all trying to be more "green", and this is the perfect item to help you along.  Our kit today features 3 reusable gift bags. 

Not only are they great for Christmas, they can be used for any occasion.  Each bag is made of heavy weight canvas.  The kit includes all three.  It can be purchased here.

We had lots of fun with our 12 Days of Christmas this week.  Make sure to come back on Monday for Day #11.  Have a great weekend-

posted by Lisa

A Contest For Day #9

Our ninth day of the Twelve Days of Christmas features labels to dress up anything- towels, aprons, gift bags- anything you can think of.  This is my favorite- hand towels:

We also put them of dish towels:

And on a set of napkins: 

 

 

The set includes all nine of the labels:

You can view and purchase them here.

Okay- here is how you can win a set.  Leave a comment and let us what you would put the labels on.  We will choose a winner tomorrow.  Good Luck!

posted by Lisa

Day #8- Yummy!

We dedicate day #8 of the Twelve Days of Christmas to all things yummy.  Specifically, to yummy Christmas cookies.  This cute bag, sized 9.5" x 8" features one of our favorite recipes, Jingle Jammin' Bars", on the side.  The kit comes with the recipe label, but you can always tie your favorite recipe to the handle.  The outside of the bag is made of our heavy weight canvas.

This project is perfect for Christmas Cookie Exchanges, teacher gifts or your favorite neighbors.  The kit can be purchased here.

Thanks to all of you who entered our contest to win a copy of the latest Quiltmaker magazine.  Our winner is:   Karen Myers of Merced, California.  Congratulations!  You should be receiving your issue shortly.

See you tomorrow-

posted by Lisa