Oh, Yeah Chalkboard Bandwagon!

In our house we have a really strange door that we use as our main door even though it's a side door. You all know how that goes right? Well, it has this raised 6 panel trim but only on the back side, that is why it is strange. The door is in really, really rough shape. It looks like someone took a hammer to the trim and just beat on it. I'm not sure what in the world went on here when the previous owners were here.

So, I went ahead and picked up some nice enamel paint from Sherwin Williams and painted the back side of the door & the door trim. We are (or at least I am) planning on replacing the rest of the trim in this area when we redo the hardwood floors this summer, so I didn't bother with painting those gross trim boards.

After the paint dried for about a day I went ahead and taped off the fancy trim 6 panel parts of the door. Sorry no picture but you get the idea.

Then I used some brown chalkboard paint that I picked up at a local scrapbook store. I hardly ever shop at scrapbook stores now. Not that I don't love to look but I mainly use all Stampin' Up! products these days with the exception of a few alterable items here and there. So while I was there dropping off some flyers for a craft expo I ran across chalkboard paint & picked it up.
Here you can see the finished product of one inset. I really like how it turned out. The paint isn't really brown but I'm alright with that.

I love that this can now the the place that I can write reminders, to-do lists, goals, and all that good stuff. I have left the two bottom spots open for Adventure Baby to draw on but haven't quite let her do that yet. Seems like a disaster waiting to happen. ;) I did however find dustless chalk at a local craft store so I think that is a $1.99 well spent in my book.

Enjoy!

Vendor & Craft Event on Friday 4/15!

Vendor/Crafters Event

Pathway Church

Friday, April 15, 2010!

8350 Byron Center Ave SW, Byron Center, MI

Doors open at 6:00pm

Quarter Drawings start at 7:15 pm

Purchase tickets 4 for $1.00!

Multiple items available from each vendor.

Beauti Control * The Pampered Chef * Tastefully Simple

Lia Sophia Jewelry * Celebrating Home * Party Lite

Judy’s Closet—Handmade Gifts and Christmas Items * Tupperware

Wrapped in Luv-Blankets/Towels for Kids * Discovery Toys * Thirty-One

C-Malley Concessions * Miche Bags * One Krafty Chick * Stella & Dot

Polka Dot Perfections (formerly Just a Bite Confections)

Homemade Gourmet * Willow House * Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop

Aloette Cosmetics * Croppin’ Chicks Getaways * Dee Tee’s Hodgepodge

Lynn’s Rice Wraps * Bellamora *Cookie Lee Jewelry

Stampin’ Up * Sculptured Dolls * DC Designs

MORE VENDORS AND CRAFTERS MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE

CELEBRATE EASTER WITH US THIS MONTH! GREAT IDEAS FOR THOSE EASTER BASKETS!! MAKE A PURCHASE FROM ANY OF OUR VENDORS AND RECEIVE A FREE TICKET FOR AN EASTER DINNER BASKET DRAWING!

Light refreshments will be provided! You will have time to shop before and

after the drawings. Many of the vendors will be offering specials.

Disappeared (Again).

First of all let me just apologize right up front for the long post.

I have taken a couple of months off from blogging, not necessarily on purpose, but time flies, and bam long time no blog.

It's not that I haven't been stamping and doing workshops but I just haven't had the time & energy to blog. I've just been drained. Not nearly as much as others in my life have been, but still, it's affected me I've discovered.

Are you ready?

Some of you know that I have a sister who moved to Africa this fall to start a missionary journey with her family. My sister, her husband & 2 nieces packed up everything they owned and either put it in storage, sold it, or moved it to Africa with them. Let's just say, whoa luggage! While they were there my niece, Lola became sick. They went to the hospital (I use that term a bit loosely) and found out that Lola tested positive for Malaria. Now, before you all freak out, I guess that it's really not that bad & treatable with meds.

After a while Lola still wasn't feeling herself. So they decided to take her to the capital of Tanzania, Dar, to go to an English speaking hospital. Previous to this Lola hadn't really been walking for a couple of weeks. Odd, yes, scary I bet. At some point they saw another Dr & told them that Lola most likely had mono, but she continued to go down hill. They traveled 3 days via car to reach Dar. While they were their they found out that Lola could either have mono or Leukemia but they would have to send the tests to South Africa. During this time the mission organization that they are with told them that they were coming back to the states. Keep in mind that it was 100 degrees in Dar so they only had what they brought with them, summer clothes. They of course didn't have 3 days to drive back home and 3 days back to Dar. They left everything behind and boarded a plane to the states.

They arrived in Chicago on Saturday February 11th. The next morning they headed to the new children's hospital here in Grand Rapids, MI. On February 14th Lola was officially given a diagnosis of ALL Leukemia. Her prognosis is good and she is currently finishing (or just finished) her second round of chemo. She is also considered in remission already! She is doing great overall & her sprit has returned. :) The treatments will continue for a couple more years or so. I'm not sure if that will be chemo the whole time or if that time span includes followup. You can read all about their amazing story (with pictures) right here!

The good news is my adventure baby gets to go and see her cousin tomorrow! She hasn't seen her since October!!! We have been keeping Adventure Baby away from Lola so far because of her illness.

There you go a snippet of what is going on in my life right now or I guess really I should say in my niece's life. :)