Sunday, January 24, 2016

Time for an update!


Hello to all my crafty friends and everyone who has followed this blog over the past eight years.  At long last, I am returning to share paper and other projects, some photography, digital cutting and image files, occasional recipes and travel reports, and some other random things that I find interesting and that I think you will enjoy as well.  I have missed keeping up with the blog and I do appreciate all of you who have emailed or been in touch to let me know that you also missed seeing my posts and projects.  If you are a Facebook or real life friend you probably know some of the things that have been happening in our lives - here are a few highlights of the recent months.

The past year has been full of changes for our family.  As many of you will recall, we started the process of moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire over a year ago and that became more than a full time job for me!  When you are a crafter you "collect" a lot of things that you know you can use for a project someday.  With a full walk-up attic in our Concord house and a crafting space that had taken over most the lower level of the house, I had a lot of organizing, sorting and moving to do in order to prepare our house for sale.  While we were selling our house, we also took on the build out of the lower level of our new house which was another huge project that lasted much longer than expected.


Our new house sits back in the woods with a very long driveway.  During the record breaking snowfalls of last winter, we had two houses, 45 minutes apart, with snow removal turning into a constant battle.   This photo shows the first big storm at our new house when the "plow guy" couldn't make it up our drive and we brought our snowblower from Concord to clear the way to the house.  I am thinking about everyone who is affected but the storms this weekend and hoping that you stay safe and warm.  Miraculously, it seems to be passing just south of us and we haven't had any new snow here.


In June, our younger son got engaged, and wedding plans were on a fast paced schedule because they wanted to have the wedding while it would still be possible for our older son and daughter-in-law (expecting their first baby) to fly out from California.


The wedding was a wonderful celebration on a beautiful fall day - which also happened to be Halloween!  (I'll share more about the wedding in another post).


We even managed to squeeze in a baby shower on the Sunday after the wedding.


Throughout the summer, work continued in the new house.  This is my new craftroom at a fairly early stage in the work.


Here is the craftroom a few days ago - as you can see, there is still a lot of moving in to do but I am making progress..


I have been very grateful to have my Cricut Explore with the iPhone app which made it possible for me to keep up with cards for family celebrations and holiday gifts for some of our new neighbors.


Even though I had limited time for crafting, I was able to do lots of little things quickly and easily just using my phone (which was great since my computer was having issues that I couldn't sort out for months). 


Our first granddaughter was expected in January but she surprised us all by arriving a month early.  She was tiny but healthy and we are very grateful that she is doing so well.  This photo is from her one week old birthday in her adorable preemie dress that actually fit.


We were able to meet her and have a nice long visit in California earlier this month.  Of course we think she is the cutest baby ever!


It was great to be there for her one month birthday!  She is growing quickly and we can't wait to see her again as soon as we can make another trip.

So that's a very brief "catch-up" on what's new here.  I have some housekeeping to do on the blog and will be updating some of the pages and links over the next week. I also have some new products that I have been using that I can't wait to share.

I'd love to hear how you are doing and what sorts of things you would like to see me posting.  If you have any questions or requests for certain types of projects you'd like to see here, please be sure to leave a comment.  I have some plans that have been on the "back-burner" far too long and I am eager to share them with you all.


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43 comments:

  1. So many Blessings for you. I am Happy to hear all is well. Hugs from Maine.

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    1. Thanks Marilyn Mae! I am closer to Maine now - I hope we can meet up sometime!

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  2. Welcome back! Although I've seen posts on FB, it's still nice to read your blog for the details! Congratulations on your new Granddaughter, how exciting for everyone! Congrats on your new home and your craft room looks amazing!

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! It has been a very eventful year. I can't wait to finally get the craft studio settled but family has been the priority during all of these transitions. It's good to be back!

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  3. Welcome to New Hampshire!! Glad you are back .. I really missed your blogs. Yours was the first blog I started with way back when. Love the fact that you were here on the east cost and even better now in my home state !! Don't know many people around here that share my excitement in crafting and Cricut. Thanks for coming back! Enjoy your new home

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    1. Thanks Karen! It would be great to meet up sometime - I think I remember that you are near Manchester so that is not very far from me. I am happy to be back to blogging and it is fun to know that you have been reading my blog for so long!.

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    2. I would love to meet up sometime! Yes I live in Manchester :) let me know when you have some free time. Not sure if you have my email but I can send it to you if you want . take care

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  4. I'm so glad to hear about the things that kept you busy! I didn't know why you were 'missing' but I kept checking to see if you were back! Congrats on a new daughter-in-law and that gorgeous grandaughter

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    1. Hi Becky! It is exciting to have our family growing - the girls now outnumber the boys in our family! Thanks for checking in - I will be posting regularly again but probably not everyday for a while...

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  5. Congratulations on your adorable new granddaughter. Being a grandparent is awesome and I am sure you will enjoy her.
    So nice to see you back have missed reading your blog posts. Looks like you are going to have a great craftroom.

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    1. Thanks Nana Donna! We are enjoying her even though it has to be long distance until our next trip. I can't wait to get the craftroom settled - it is coming along more slowly than I hoped but it will be fabulous!

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  6. You have, indeed, been very busy - thankfully, with all great things happening in your life. Our only granddaughter is now 3 and an absolute scrapbooker's dream!!! Congratulations and welcome back!!! You have been missed!

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    1. Isn't having a granddaughter amazing - I can't wait until she is old enough to craft with me! Thanks for the welcome back - I have missed blogging. I am happy to get things going again here!

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  7. Well helloooo Diane! So glad to see you back in action.Last I knew you were moving to New Hampshire. Congrats to your younger son and his new wife and, wow, you are a grandma now! Your grand daughter is gorgeous just wait a few more months for that preemie to "fill" in and you won't believe how fast you will be sending new clothes for her.
    I still do some card making but I have been making clothing for American Girl dolls through my Etsy shop and I have been doing awesome. I use my Cricut to cut iron-on designs for embellishments so I still find great uses for it.
    Your craft room looks fabulous. I can't wait to see it finished! So glad to see you back in action.

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    1. Thanks Mary! It sounds like you are keeping busy - I'd love to see some of the things you are making. There may be some American Girl dolls in our future!
      It is really fun to be able to buy cute girly outfits since we had two boys.
      The craftroom is getting closer but I decided not to wait for it to be "finished" to get back to blogging...

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    1. Thanks Debbie! I have missed blogging and my online crafty friends too!

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  9. Welcome back! Congratulations on all the wonderful things that have been keeping you so busy. Beautiful baby!

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  10. Yay, so glad you're back! I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering what was happening with you. Congratulations on your new granddaughter...she's very cute! Looking forward to your posts again.

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    1. Thanks Windy! It's good to be back and I appreciate all of the people who have been checking in with me.

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  11. Welcome back, Diane. It is so go to hear that all is well. I knew that you were moving to NH and just figured that the moving process was keeping you occupied. It is a daunting task just to move across town and have to manage two homes for awhile, let alone to another state. So glad that things are settling down for you. Your craft room is gorgeous. Congrats on becoming a grandma. Being a grandmother is the greatest. I continue to be crafty and in fact just bought an Explore Air which I am loving. Even my 11 year old granddaughter has become pretty good with it. So glad you are back. You were truly missed.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words - it has been a very challenging time with so many good things happening but also a lot of stress!
      I am happy to have just one house now and will be glad to get everything finally set up in this wonderful crafting space.
      The Explore is fun to use and was a lifesaver for me when I needed to get things done quickly and had so little time to craft. I am glad you are enjoying it with your granddaughter - I can't wait until ours is old enough to craft with me!

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  12. Hi Diana, thank you for sharing so much information in this post. Loved reading it! You new craft space is amazing... But your new granddaughter is much more amazing!!! She is a little beauty, like her granny! :D

    I also really like the photo from Campbell's wedding. You look stunning!!

    xxSusan

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  13. Hi Diane,

    It is so good to see you posting again and congratulations on your New Granddaughter, she is so precious. Also congratulation in the marriage of your youngest son.
    I am so glad that t
    You will be back sharing your wonderful talents with us
    I to enjoy my Cricut Explore and my iPad together and also with my phone it make doing crafts very easy. You have such a big scrap room I am envious. I can't
    wait for you to show it when it is all finished.
    Again glad
    you are back and what ever you decide to post, I will be glad to get
    The inspiration.
    Take care and I look forward to a new post soon.

    Luria

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  14. Beautiful house, craft room, wedding, and especially --- baby!! She's lovely.

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  15. Yeah Diane is back ! We have missed you my friend :) And you definitely had a wild and crazy few months. Your crafting space looks fabulous and cant wait to see it all sorted and finalized. I am so jealous of your view and BIG windows in the room ! Such a happy place to create in. Your granddaughter is beautiful and will bring you much joy ! Hugs and welcome back to blog land !

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  16. I was so happy to see that you're back to posting on your blog and the reasons why you were gone were all happy reasons. A new granddaughter, daughter-in-law, house, craft room! Wow! Hope you will be posting pictures of your new house and surrounding area. I so enjoyed the pictures while you were living in Concord. I live in Utah, so I really like seeing the beauty of our eastern states and historical towns. Best of luck getting settled in.

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  17. So glad you & your family are safe & sound. So many blessings!!
    Enjoy that granddaughter!! Glad your back. Can't wait for your projects. I like a tour of your craft room when it gets done!!

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  18. It was so wonderful to hear from you again. I've missed your blog posts. Congratulations on the new granddaughter(she is Adorable), daughter-in-law and home. Looking forward to seeing your new craft studio, projects and just general stuff. Like your new look, very svelte.

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  19. Wow, you have been busy! Never a dull moment. So glad you are back to you sharing on your blog. Welcome back!

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  20. Nice to see your post in my inbox again. So glad to hear about all these wonderful family events. God Bless you all in these new life experiences.

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  21. Si nice to see the wonderful post !!!!

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  22. Welcome back! You've been a busy bee! I always enjoy seeing your pictures and reading about your life and those in it, and seeing the crafty things you make.

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  23. Woo-hoo!! So happy to have you back in my inbox! You have been missed. Even on my busiest days, I find time to read your blog posts. Congratulations on all the wonderful things going on in your life this past year. I can't wait to see & read your posts again. Welcome back!

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  24. You are truly blessed! Your granddaughter is an angel, your craftroom looks spectacular and I have missed you. I have been following since back when you were sharing cut files (which I miss).

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  25. Since I don't do Facebook and other stuff I have been wondering and worrying about you. Last I knew - you were selling houses, moving, feeling sick, TONS of other stuff on your plate so I understood but was still worried when so much time continued to pass without anything on your blog. So glad to hear that you are moving along with one house, have had a wedding and a baby to top it all off! No wonder you have been MIA on your blog. Look forward to seeing what you can share when you can! Enjoy all the changes in your life! MeFlick (Melanie)

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  26. Welcome back! You've been missed! What wonderful reasons for being absent and I can't wait to read about them.

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  27. So nice to see you back on the blog Diane! Congrats on weddings and gradnbabies! Looking forward to seeing more of your creativity!

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  28. So glad that you're back! Your post and a hot cup of coffee are the perfect start to the day!

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  29. Congrats on your move & your new growing family! Can't wait to see more pics of your home & craft room.

    I have 2 granddaughters and 2 grandsons. The youngest boy is 20 months and my husband & I keep him while his parents work. They are expecting our 5th & last, a girl, due in the next 2 weeks. We will keep her too as well as the older sister, who is 10.

    I would be grateful to see some scrapbook pages for you grandbaby! I have an Expression, still in the box, at least 5 yrs old. I need some lessons on using this thing!!! LOL

    Glad you are back. Looking forward to some new ideas!

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