Orange...

It seems to be my new favorite color. I still love pink... but orange is really fun right now.

I decided my front porch needed some sprucing up. Our siding is very light beige and our trim is white so that all equals out to a rather nondescript appearance! I used to have a beige planter and was quite happy with it... until I saw this planter. It's just so pretty and bright and looks like an orange peel!

I think I'll plant these Begonia's in it along with some other plants that will trail over the edge. I'm also thinking of planting those gorgeous orange begonia's in the flower bed by the walkway leading up to the porch. The front of my house is going to really POP with color. I'll be the envy of all the neighbors! ;) (Haha!)

It's a bit too early in Spring to plant yet. Minnesota weather is unpredictable and I don't want an unexpected freeze or frost to kill my little cuties... so a photo of the finished project will have to wait a bit. But I'll post when it's done.

Last weekend I did a make-n-take at Memory Creek for their one-year anniversary event. It was fun. I met a lot of people and it was a big day for the store. I'm so happy for Ann, the owner. There have been some struggles but it's all working out.

I used my Baylee's Garden papers to make this cute little card. I think it was a hit as my papers sold out. :) I'm thrilled that I've created something that people will enjoy using in their albums and for crafts. It's very rewarding to me. All the hours of work I put into my collections is worthwhile when I see my papers used.

I've been busy working in the yard each evening. I have so much weeding to do. (My back is killing me... but it's getting better!) The yard has been a bit neglected over the last few summers and we have quite a few projects to complete. I have several flower beds to finish up. It's tough to decide what to put in them though. Choosing plants is kind of tough because they not only have to be pretty together, but they need to be right for the environmental conditions... so much thought goes into landscaping a yard! ;)

..... Happy Mother's Day to me! This is what I asked for. Yup... it's a gas-powered leaf blower! Hopefully we'll pick it up tonight. I'm a happy girl!

Have a great day!
Hugs,
Dana

Time flies...

Oh my gosh... I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted.
I have been so busy with work and family stuff... just life in general.

The weather here in beautiful Minnesota is starting to get nice so my desire to get out and work in the yard is really getting strong. I managed to go out on Sunday and Monday evening. It was really nice but I am still sore from all the manual labor. :) It feels good though.

We are working on putting a stone patio above our pond. It's been a work in progress for several years now. I think this is the summer it's going to get done. You can sort of see in the picture (taken last June) where the patio will be. Right now, it's just a big weed garden... not too attractive.

I have big ideas for more flower beds in addition to really taking care of the garden this year. I really want to learn to can and preserve the produce so nothing goes to waste.

We have raspberry bushes that produce rather well despite the fact that the bunnies eat them down to nothing in the winter. It's a real treat to make a raspberry pie in the middle of winter. Yum!

I'm busy finishing up my new paper collection for Dream Street Papers. I thought I had it all done, then my hard drive crashed and I lost it all. Note to self... be proactive at backing up every week. The funny thing is that I only lost my new collection. Scotty was able to help me save everything else. How's that for an omen. I like to think it was a sign that I needed to keep creating because there was a better idea to be had. I think my "new" collection is actually better... so it's all good!

I'm still very sad that my neighbor, Chris, is moving to Michigan. Her husband works for Ford and they are closing the plant in St. Paul so they have to relocate. She's a crafty chick and has been a wonderful friend and neighbor. I'll miss her so much. If anyone lives near Brighton, Michigan let me know. She'll be looking for crafting buddies. I already researched the nearest scrapbook store for her and when she went to visit she fell in love with it. She said it's even better than Archiver's! It's called Scrap Tales.

Well, I better get to work. I promise I'll try to update a bit more often than once a month!

HUGS!
Dana