Sunday--a day of rest!

I guess Sunday really is a day of rest--well, and of Olympics!  In my defense, I did get my SB room straightened up  a little and "stuff" put away.  My goal was to make some  cards--but I do more "thinking and designing" than I do "making"--obviously--since I managed only one card all day!!!
But the day did inprove, as Danny took me out to eat at one of our favorite places, Hickory Park in Ames, Iowa--then did a little shopping and are now home.  Hoping to get a little more done the next couple of days--but who knows, I am retired, after all.

Painting Away and getting it done!

The day started out with some pretty awful bright yellow walls --I really liked them about 10 years ago--well maybe not that long ago---but lately, they have driven me crazy!  So after several months of trying to figure out new colors for this dining area and the living room, I finally made the plunge!  The living room was painted a taupe color and finished up Tuesday.  And today I started  the Dining room, entry way in Sea Salt Blue--a lighter greyish, turquois color.   Below is the newly painted walls, tho you can't really see the true color.

Of course, the old curtains which were red/yellow --(yes, I was into bright colors), would not even come close to working in this area now----so I made one pair of curtains today and will make the other pair tomorrow, I hope.  I found this terrific stripe to incorporate all the colors in the DR/kitchen area--the new turquoise color, navy blue and white and a small stripe of the LR taupe!  (Did I mention my countertops are navy and white in the kitchen--but I did not want light blue walls, so I had to find a fabric to bring everything together)  I spray pained my curtain rods navy and the whole look is quite refreshing.  It seems like I have so much more room now --I think the yellow was actually closing in on us!

Still need to clean floors and wash windows and finish painting the entry way and laundry area  that continue on around the area, but I had to wait until tomorrow, so my husband can help me paint above a huge shelf unit that houses his gigantic toy tractors--I just cannot lift those down and back up again and besides, he really needs to clean them before they go back up there.  Hopefully, soon It will all be done and beautiful again!

Treasures come in all forms!

Treasures come in all forms and are certainly different for different people!  My little Grandsons, Nicholas and Aiden are always collecting treasures--most of them are some sort of rusty thing-a-ma-jigs, but some are really extra special and need an extra special place on the walls of their rooms.  Thats how I obtained this special treasure from Nicholas and an empty shadow box to fix up to preserve it in

I have been thinking about this for a few weeks now, and every time Nicholas comes out  he asks me if it's done and checks to be sure his "treasure" is still  safe with Grandma and I haven't lost it yet.  As you can see in later pics, it's a big bullet of some sort.  I tried to get a feel for it's history, to help with the shadow box decor--when I asked Nicholas if he thought it was world war I or II, he would say  "Yes it is"--so I went with it, not really having any idea what I was working with.

On our trip to Kansas, I was discussing this with my sis-in-law and saying I thought I would get some  military type papers, camo, etc. sort of old looking, or ink it and start there.  She volunteered a pant leg off of my nephew's military pants, that he had cut off when he made  shorts out of them.  My brother cut me a small block to elevate the bullet, I bought some 3-D military stickers and found a piece of paper of a flag for the background.   The idea came together quickly with a lot of ink, modge podge and all the treasures I had gathered to bring it all together.  I hope Nicholas likes it and will some day appreciate  that a little part of a "real" soldiers uniform (his second cousin) is included.  The only thing it still needs is a real dog tag to hang under the flag!  and I'm hoping his Dad will give him one some day to make this treasure box the TREASURE of a Lifetime!

At any rate, I found a few, well a lot of treasures of my own on our recent trip to Wichita!  My sis-in-law comes up with the most unique places to visit and shop!  One day, we went to the DCC warehouse (I think that's the correct name) and I thought I was momentarily in heaven---Scrapbookers heaven!  Oh, it wasn't your usual SBing store--it's only open to the public 3 days per week, but it had some most unusal odds and ends in it.  I got tons of bling at $0.25 a pack, and they had tons of paper mache "things" that I could hardly resist at $1.00 to 3.00 apiece.  I fell in love with this little "shelf" window, I guess you'd call it--and have several ideas for it's use.  Here it is with a coat of gesso.

And a first coat of paint.  Don't know where I'm going with it yet, or exactly what I will do with it--but I know it will be something fun in my SB room and just another little treasure all my own!

The Fair is Over! and Just in Time, cuz Here comes the Heat!

The fair is over---one of the best ever for this family!  The weather pretty much co-operated until today--Oh, there were the 2 rainstorms, Friday and Saturday, but they were quite refreshing, actually.  Today the heat moved in and we moved out. Here is a couple of pics from Friday's shows.  For some reason, my blog is not wanting to download pictures in a timely manner tonight (could it be the heat??), so I am giving up for tonight.  Above Uncle Pat helps Hannah get her big boy, Firecracker all brushed up for the show.

Here are our 4 showmen, Hannah, Paige, Cody and Dylan (or is it Dylan and Cody?) No fair, guys, wearing the same shirt.

Here the kids did a new event to our family--Club of 3--and we got First Place!!!  Paige is actually behind the calves somewhere setting up the back legs.  The other 3 had to set their calves up as close together as they could and set the front legs up.  Love little Hannah in the middle of her two big cousins.

We had a terrific time--lots of blue ribbons, some purples and Cody's calf earned Reserve Grand Champion in its class!  Saturday was family day and the cousins had a great time together in the nag drag, frozen t-shirt contest, the cake walk (Friday), doing the dunk tank, playing go fish, and just generally goofing off together.

Today was bittersweet--it was the end of the fair and Hannah had her heart broken when she overheard that the steers were going to market this week.  She cried, I cried---she was devastated!  We had to do a lot of fast talking and tell her some farmer would probably buy him and put him out in his pasture.  Wow, this is the hardest part of this fair stuff--I know they shouldn't, but these kids get so attached to their calves.  That's why having breeding heifers is a lot safer--we don't get rid of them, and next year, Hannah will have 2 of them as she will have the 2 little calves from Paige's cows that she got to lead in the ring this year.  But it sure didn't help a thing today.  My heart  breaks for her--I couldn't give my calf up either, I'm afraid.

Hopefully, this download thing will straighten itself out so I can put a few  more pictures up--I took over 1000 pictures----so I have plenty to share at some point (may just be an album on FB)

Day 3 at the Fair, Ordinary Day, 170 Photos!

Our Day started at 6:15 when the kids led all their calves from the corrals to the barn.

Then it was Bath time for the 3 steers, so they could be  trimmed.  Hannah and Paige work on Firecracker.

Cody and Dylan work on their calves

Hannah can hardly reach her calfs back to rinse it----

She can hardly see over him and today we found out he is a whopping 1225 #s!  Up from 700 some the end of December!  He is one big boy!

This is Freckles 4th trip to the fair---She's a Pro! (and she knows it!)  Nothing bothers her--she is cool, calm, and collected and loves it all!

Firecracker gets his trim.  What a difference it makes!  Looks so sleek and trim!

Momma, JuneBug and baby Lytning Bug settle in for a nap!  So cute!

The kids were off to the fairground sand box for all the little--and I guess Big kids to play in.  Dylan decided cousin Hannah could "bury him"--  so a hole was dug-------

Dylan was in and the sand begun piling up.  Several sandbox kids offered their scoop or two of sand, only once did the sand get too close to his face --they kept piling it up---

Twin brother, Cody joined the fun and helped out---

and a bucket was added to complete the look!

and then when the sand become quite heavy, he broke out!  Nothing like a little sandbox fun.  When we left several little kids were burying their feet and legs--bet their parents loved the extra sand everywhere!

Back in the barn, the cousin fun continued!

and Hannah took little Ava out for a trial run on setting up.  She passed with flying colors.  Tomorrow is show day--It will be stressful trying to get all the kids ready for their shows.  They all have showmanship shows also---But I wouldn't trade a minute of it.  It always comes together somehow, and everyone has a great time!

Day 2, Central Iowa Fair Under our Belts!

We're off to the fair--all  7 calves and 4 kids!

First  line of action--7 baths for 7 very dirty cows and calves!  They all seemed to love all the scrubbing and spraying.

The moms and babes just resting in their stalls.

These are just a few of the pics I took today, but I'm exhausted and not in the mood to wait on the downloads to happen.   Highlights of the day--Cody and Paige have their pictues going to State!  Weigh-ins were today--the calves were very spunky, but we only had one brief run-a-way as Hannah's calf got away from  her in the barn.  It went right into a stall area and was caught easily by Paige.  I hope he does well in the show--he's an awful lot bigger than she is. and we watched as Hannah played with the Sheltered Reality Group--one of my absolute favorites!  She has played with this group briefly, but had to stop because of the distance to practices--it's a Drum group.  I tried to download the video but it was taking hours, so I gave up.  Fantastic group!!!!  I left early before the queen contest.  Tomorrow is a very early day as we have to get the calves bathed very early so they can get their hair trims by mid morning.  Now off to bed and I'm sure a very good nights sleep.

County Fair---Day 1--Check

 

The day started early and ended late, The first day of the county fair is now behind us!  It started with the finishing up of the night time corral for the cattle that will be coming tomorrow.

   Today we had the non-livestock judging for our 4-- 4-H Grandkids.    Here Cody shows the judges his "IOWA" ceramics.  He had to do a lot of fast talking to get those ribbons, since the judge is an Iowa State Graduate!    

Paige, being judged for her photos, one of which is being considered for State.

Below, Hannah, our youngest , is finally being judged by the "Big" judges and came away shining like a Star!  She got all Blues (6 of them!) and on 4 of them she got an outstanding rating as well-- that means--if she were one year older and had just finished the 5th grade, she would have had those projects considered for state!  She is one proud 10 year old!
                                                                                                 

The girls and Mom wait for the next judge!

Paige's Judging of her Iowa State Word Wall Hanging---It's a BLUE!

Dylan with the judges and his ceramics!

The cattle barn looks mighty empty today, but tomorrow it will come alive as we bring the cattle in!  Let the fun begin!

The girls enjoyed a McDonalds Picnic in the Grass.

It's been a great Day, but we're just starting to heat up---Day 2---we're ready for you!

Inkadinkado stamping Gear Research

I was given a new product coming to Memory Bound in August to try out.  Well, so far with the limited parts of the set I have, I haven't accomplished much with it.  It is called the Inkadinkado Stamping Gear and it is a set of Gears with a stamping block that fits in the cogs to give a uniform design effect.  The trouble is, I only have the small beginner set--one tiny gear and 4 --not very  imaginative stamps, a 30 sec. video (YES, 30 whole seconds).  I have found minimal other short demos on u-tube to watch, but now it's just expierimentation and I do see lots of possiblilities--just wish I had some of their really neat stamp sets--like the sun one, the tree boughs, the number and letters one, etc.  and a bigger gear to work with.  
If nothing else, I have learned a few things NOT to do with them.  You are suppose to be able to use other cling stamps with them, BUT they have to be the thicker ones, I discovered.  Thin ones won't completely stamp, but my Delusion stamps and the Tim Holtz Stamps work well.

This is the initial "Big" set .  So wish I had it now!

These are 2 of the sets I wold really love to get and work with.  but you also need the big oval or round gears to really make them effective!

These 2 designs were made with the "gear" and stamp pad and Tim Holtz leaves (above) and my Delusions stamps, (below)

This was done with the beginning basic kit--not a lot of variety.

This is the letter, number set that I really like!

I'll just keep playing til I get it right---and til I can get some more "parts" to the set to Play with.

COUNT DOWN to FAIR--8 Days and Counting

The girls picked up a lot of pretty views through the lens of their cameras!

The wild flowers and "weed" flowers were blooming everywhere!

This little frog was so tiny, I don't know how the girls found him!

Today has been another busy day.  The boys in the family are re-roofing the garage (who's brilliant idea was that in this heat?), so they start at 5:30 every morning and work til 10:30 or so.  Since the dogs feel they must let me know everything that is going on out in the yard, I just decided to get up early and ended up making a power shopping trip to Sams Club to get a few days supplies in the grilling department. (The guys grill every noon and it's hard to get all these kids filled up--the twins are 16 and 6'4" tall--and hungry all the time!)  $120.00+ later I came home to find the girls were here (Paige and Hannah).  Since it was still early, we decided to make a fast trip to Grimes Farm, a nature  park close to Marshalltown, to get some last minute pictures.  Hannah still needed a landscape picture and Paige an animal one.  Spent 1--1/2 hrs walking th beautiful trails and taking pictures. Got Back home in time for the "bar-b-que"--then all the kids spent the afternoon combing, spraying, setting up and walking their calves and cows.  They are all doing so well--except the 2 babies who still want to do it their way.  They are getting better, however.  We finished off the afternoon with the girls finishing up their pictures and mounting them.  It was a great day!  I love having the girls around so much since they moved to State Center and Grandpa has withdrawl if his boys aren't here (the twins).  Must say we have the greatest Grandkids!!!